Day 98. I’m running late, because I had to walk to the Post Office to get a money order to donate to my guys in prison. Their annual banquet comes up in March and April, and I like to help them defer that expense. I hope to catch a few extra ZZZZs today.
Jig Zone Puzzle:
Today’s took me 3:40 (average 5:20). To do it, click here. How did you do?
Short Takes:
From Upworthy: In case you were unaware, the giant companies that make most major medications are diabolically, ridiculously sneaky.
My doctor has told me that she does not accept money from Big Pharma. Searching the website confirms it.
From Daily Kos: Many of us want to do something that makes a difference, but funds are tight. One thing that is free and easy to do, is avoid buying from companies that support the hate monger, Rush Limbaugh. The vile Conservative radio talk show host who calls women ‘femi-nazis’ and ‘semen receptacles,’ is mostly known for spreading hate and outright lies, while promoting/inciting racism, lgbt hatred, bigotry, and misogyny. And for 25 years he has gotten away with it. But for the last two years, the general public has become more and more proactive against his type of commentary. Concerned consumers have contacted and petitioned Rush Limbaugh sponsors, and asked them to pull their advertising from his show. For those companies who opt to ignore consumers, they are not only boycotted by hundreds of thousands, they are permanently associating their company’s name/brand, in the minds of many, with a hate monger. Seems a pretty foolish business move, when you think about it.
Here is a list of 10 very loyal Rush Limbaugh sponsors. To support the boycott, one only needs to avoid buying from these companies, and spread the sponsor information. Even if you haven’t heard of these sponsors and/or don’t do business with them, by circulating their names to friends, family, and on social media, you will have an impact. Together, the public is sending a message to businesses and the media, that we do not support companies that support hate speech. Rush Limbaugh has lost thousands of sponsors due to this national boycott, which means he has lost millions in ad revenue.
I fully support boycotting Limbarf. Click through for the list.
From NY Times: The House on Wednesday passed a bill approving construction of the Keystone XL oil pipeline, setting up a confrontation with President Obama, who has vowed to veto the measure.
The bill, which passed the Senate last month, headed to Mr. Obama’s desk Wednesday night.
The Republican Party is content with considering non productive legislation. Their only purpose is to create a confrontation.
Cartoon:
29 Responses to “Open Thread–2/12/2015”
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3:38 I just slipped in ahead of TomCat.
3:29 I love water lilies! My father used to take us canoeing and fishing to several spots that had more water lilies than fish. Most weren't like these but were a whiter, broader petal. One thing that would be the same is the lily's ability to snag fishing lines!
3:58 I think I kept slipping off the lily pads.
I would have been faster if there had been a frog on the pads.
4:12 average still 5:20. Not the kind of nymphs you were thinking about earlier, was it last week?
Upworthy – My doctor used to take samples. I don't know about money – I do knw about the samples because he used to give them in large amounts to patients who were financually challenged, but only if they were taking them already. I don't know whether he still does. I do know he is still concerned about financially challenged patients. He is far from pushy.
Daily Kos – I have never dealt wth any of those losers anyway. I certainly am not about to start.
NY Times – If you thought the last Congress was "Do-Nothing," wait till you see this one. But my attitude to that is one of gratitude. I don't want them to get the things done that they want to do.
Cartoon – And who can blame him.
My doc does take samples, which she gives out to poot patients.
My HMO has a policy forbidding the doctors from accepting samples.
Rush is losing audience share so some of the advertisers should be withdrawing on that basis alone, too.
Several environmental groups are encouraging us to pressure our members of Congress to continue XL opposition to prevent a veto override.
Sad that the party of Lincoln is unwilling to follow his good examples.
Lincoln must be soooo ashamed,
John Oliver does a great job, I will come back later to watch this again. 😆
Worth it.
While I'm sure there are errors of omission AND commission, this site is not bad on finding if your doc is taking money from Big Pharma:
http://projects.propublica.org/docdollars/
Thanks Nameless!
Upworthy: My doctor has a sign in his office that says no drug reps will be seen without a regular appointment. I am going to check his and my mother's records on the site, anyway. This is another rip off the American people are being subjected to without their knowledge.
Daily KOs: I signed the petition. I have dealt with 1-800-Flowers and had a terrible experience with them. I also have bought from Pro Flowers, they have always delivered what I ordered and on time. Hate to boycott them, but I will.
NY Times: The Gop is counting on him to back down from the veto on Xl pipeline so they won't shut down the government again on Feb. 27. They don't care how badly they injure this country!
Carton: As bad as it was for Lincoln, I' m sure it is worse for Obama.
They want him to back down on protecting dreamers.
I hope he does not!
I didn't receive a card yesterday, but I read your news anyway.
I thought Care2 was messing up, when I didn;t have to wait 5 minutes for each batch to process.
Puzzle — 3:29 I love water lilies! My father used to take us canoeing and fishing to several spots that had more water lilies than fish. Most weren't like these but were a whiter, broader petal. One thing that would be the same is the lily's ability to snag fishing lines!
Upworthy — Of course our system is very different, but I do know that some doctors do get samples. My doctor used to get samples and when I was not working, he kept me going on some of my prescriptions. A specialist I saw at one point said to me: "Are you going to take this if I prescribe it." I said yes haltingly but added when I can afford it (I was out of work). That specialist arranged a fully year's supply to which I was absolutely in tears. One thing here though is generic drugs. My doctor would allow generics or my pharmacy would ask if generics were ok. This is one area that the TPP will really make a difference by increasing drug prices and changing patent laws.
Daily Kos — Flush Rush! Boycot his sponsors!
NY Times — Priorities. Something the Republicanus/Teabaggerum need to learn about.
Cartoon — No elephants in the White House or the Congress!
Lynn – have you seen this on the Jigzone site – http://www.jigzone.com/puzzles/C8055D508465
it is a lovely white lily and I often complete it when I feel the need to look at something serene. (I have only just noticed that it's title is "Lilly Pad".
There is a lovely white lily on the Jigzone site Lynn – http://www.jigzone.com/puzzles/C8055D508465
I often complete it when I feel the need to see something serene – it is so beautiful.
Amen! No Bushes except for the gardeners'.
John Oliver is wonderful as always – and I howled with laughter at the truth of the video at 2.40! That website sounds wonderful – I wish we had one, though over here they would say (falsely) that it isn't necessary. Mind you a few years ago doctors were noted for going to 'conferences' with their families in tropical resorts – for free of course IF they prescribed enough guk to patients. I'm so glad that your doctor is ethical TC (and glad you checked too!), and I hope others' doctors are too.
Daily Kos – so many big companies own hoards of little companies, that one simply cannot trust a label to be owned by that same label any more – we must check and vote with the money we spend – I do so agree!
NY Times – please God President Obama keeps his word and vetoes Keystone XL!
Amen to vetoing keystone!
Minus 11 this morning and it's going to be colder this weekend. I'm staying in!
Upworthy ~ I did a search and am happy to say none of my doctors receive payments from Big Pharma. I have been a very vocal opponent of Drug ads. I always said that ad money should be used for R & D. Now that I know exactly how much is wasted, it really pi$$es me off.
Daily Kos ~ I have been boycotting his sponsors for years. A friend was listening to him when I went to visit the other day. He changed the station before I could say a word. Thank you very much.
NY Times ~ The GOP is boo-hooing that the Dems are obstructing their "jobs creating" legislation. Agent Orange is angry and cussing at press conferences and McTurtle wants to get rid of the filibuster. Too funny! VETO, Mr. President!
Cartoon ~ He said he wanted this : "Let every American, every lover of liberty, every well wisher to his posterity, swear by the blood of the Revolution, never to violate in the least particular, the laws of the country; and never to tolerate their violation by others."
Thatr's cold enough to freeze the hair from a brass monkey!!
I have typed this out three times now – I tried to let Lynn know that there is a lovely white lily on the Jigzone website here http://www.jigzone.com/puzzles/C8055D508465 – am losing the will to live!
Pat, for some reason it had a strange email address so they wen't to spam. I found and releaded them.
Upworthy:
One thing which was not covered was the fact that big pharma distributes lots of medications onto families with school age kids.
Among drug reps, it is common knowledge that kids are a lucrative market.
http://www.schoolsmatter.info/2013/09/the-greed-of-big-pharma-total.html
Children with ADHD are easy targets because they will be lifelong patients and repeat customers.
http://www.alternet.org/personal-health/toddlers-dosed-speed-how-big-pharma-hooks-americas-kids-dangerous-meds
Daily Kos:
Limpdick's sperm count in so low and so bad that he needs massive doses of Viagra to keep himself erect in being able expound his brand promoting/inciting racism, lgbt hatred, bigotry, and misogyny. The list included companies I've never heard of with the exception of Clear Channel. Glad I do not subscribe to that company. Limpdick needs to go and be permanently taken off the air. What kind of people listen to this blowhard???
NY Times:
The republicans want foreign companies to exercise eminent domain over American citizens; think about that. Twenty-nine of the House's 188 Democrats also voted for the bill. The list of who voted for or against the Keystone XL pipeline. Boehner, who is boo-hooing this did not even vote!
http://politics.nytimes.com/congress/votes/114/house/1/75
Cartoon:
Lincoln may be tired but he did persevere.
Thanks Jim!