Gingrich 4 Sale?

Looks like folks are onto Huckster Newt. It seems his “think tank,” The Center for Health Transformation, just might be willing to “think up” an idea to benefit your company for the price of $200,000 a year.

From the AP:

Among his ideas is a health system that lets consumers, not health maintenance organizations, choose the best doctors, medical treatments and hospitals. Such a goal would be accomplished with health savings accounts, which are sought by companies that fund Gingrich's think tank. The accounts would encourage people to shop for cheaper care and forgo treatments they do not need.

A second idea, electronic records to keep better track of people's medical care, is a potential boon to technology companies that underwrite the center.

Rarely does Gingrich acknowledge his opinions would benefit the drug makers, insurers and others who each pay the center up to $200,000 annually.

Critics say Gingrich is doing free advertising, not the free thinking he is admired for by conservative supporters. Gingrich aides say his ideas are aimed at helping all people and not a particular company.

"This is a massive financial conflict of interest: taking money from organizations that have a set of views, then using the weight of your name, Newt Gingrich, to advance the views of these organizations," said Sid Wolfe, director of health research for Public Citizen, a liberal-leaning watchdog group.

Ellen Miller, an open-government advocate who runs the nonpartisan Sunlight Foundation, said: "It's a phony think tank. He's nothing but a corporate shill and everything he says about health care should be regarded with complete skepticism."

Gingrich aides say companies give money because of Gingrich's views, not the other way around.

And that makes him less of a corporate shill how?

Anyway, the article says there are more than 60 companies who are members of Gingrich’s “think tank,” paying $10,000 to $200,000 a year in dues each. The founding members include:

• Drug makers AstraZeneca and GlaxoSmithKline
• Diabetes care leader Novo Nordisk and MedImpact, a pharmacy benefits management company.
• Insurance, health management and health support companies Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, GE Healthcare, Healthways, SHPS, UnitedHealth Group and ValueOptions
• Hospitals and hospital networks Cancer Treatment Centers of America and Sutter Health
• Electronics company Siemens and technology consulting firm Booz Allen Hamilton
• The Gallup polling organization
• General Motors Corp., Ford Motor Co. and DaimlerChrysler.

The Gallup organization?! Holy rigged elections, Batman!

This is important to know as Gingrich passes himself off as some kind of healthcare “expert,” a title the lazy media is increasingly inclined to bestow upon him. As an example of how the Gingrich snake oil can directly impact consumers, look at Sanford Health in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The company has hired Gingrich, based on his Center for Health Transformation credentials, to advise them on what to do with a $400 million gift from a benefactor.

This is a story worth watching.

Welcome, Citizens of Elgaland-Vargaland

No, this is not the next Borat movie.

I read about this in yesterday’s New York Times and thought it was fabulous. Two Swedish artists have proclaimed themselves rulers of their own kingdom, a place that consists of cobbled-together no man’s lands :

[I]n 1992 they decided to declare themselves kings of their own country, one made up completely of the borders between other countries: the demilitarized zone between North and South Korea; the blue line between Lebanon and Israel; the porous line between Mexico and the United States.

In many cases their vast, far-flung territories can be measured only in conceptual terms, just as thousands of infinitesimal, invisible lines exist only on maps and in international law. Wherever borders are disputed, the lands of Elgaland-Vargaland can be measured in actual miles: its land, in other words, is no man’s land, the places that don’t quite belong to anyone.

The artists print stamps and issue passports to anyone who wants one; they say they now have about 850 citizens, many of them fellow artists.

They have “established” embassies in about 20 places around the world and give their ambassadors wide latitude to do basically anything they want in the name of the kingdom. (One in France recently annexed the “distance between high tide and low tide,” Mr. Elggren said.) They have also claimed possession of some mental states, like the one just between sleeping and waking.

What a fabulous idea, full of possibilities. Imagine if large chunks of Elgaland-Vargaland’s Antarctic holdings were threatened by global warming; they could dispatch a delegate to the U.N. and demand action. Quick, someone call the Yes Men. Or, Elgaland-Vargaland could be a powerful advocate for net neutrality in defense of its digital territories.

I recently visited Elgaland-Vargaland’s cyberspace territories and saw that they actually list all of their citizens. So, a big shout-out to Zoonie Thistlebottom and Dr Decent, two of the kingdom’s very interesting residents.

I’m going to look into becoming a part of the Elgaland-Vargaland diplomatic mission. I’d like to be governor of a territory. Looking around my city, I see a lot of forgotten places I could claim: run-down alleys, crumbled buildings, patches of weeds that the city claims are the homeowner’s and the homeowner claims are the city’s.

That has a nice “Mother Theresa” vibe to it, but that’s not me, plus it seems to be in the spirit of Elgaland-Vargaland to claim a disputed territory that everyone wants, not a place that no one wants. So I poked around a bit and found the perfect place: 5000 acres of disputed boundary between Missouri and Nebraska at McKissick Island. It was created by a flood of the Missouri River in 1867 and they've been arguing over it ever since. So I hereby proclaim this patch of land, which sounds quite lovely, as a territory of Elgaland-Vargaland. I have no authority to do this, not even from the Kings of Elgaland-Vargaland, except in my own mind, which I understand is a perfectly acceptable way to conduct business in the kingdom.

As we say in Elgaland-Vargaland: “Det Finns En Kula För Varje Konung.” I have no idea what it means, but it’s the kingdom’s motto, so folks on McKissick Island better get used to it.

UPDATE: Thanks to Sojourner Joe, who informs me that the motto translates to mean "Find A Land For Every King."

Adam Was A Porn Star?

Who knew?

Creation Museum Actor Owns Porn Site

The man picked as Adam by a museum based on the Bible's version of Earth's history led quite a different life outside the Garden of Eden, flaunting his sexual exploits online and modeling for a line of clothing with an explicit mascot.

Registration records show that Eric Linden, who portrays Adam taking his first breath in a film at the newly opened Creation Museum, owns a graphic Web site called Bedroom Acrobat. He has been pictured there, smiling alongside a drag queen, in a T-shirt brandishing the site's sexually suggestive logo.

Linden, a graphic designer, model and actor, also sells clothing for SFX International, whose initials appear on clothing to spell "SEX" from afar and serve as an abbreviation for its mascot, who promotes "free love," "pleasure" and "Thrillz."

The museum's operators, informed Thursday by The Associated Press of Linden's online appearances, acted swiftly to suspend airing of the 40-second video in which he appeared.

There is simply nothing these people can do that does not subject them to ridicule. More proof that there is a God, and she’s got one helluva sense of humor.

Things That Aren’t In The Bible

1- The Lord Helps Those That Help Themselves
Guess what, it’s not there! We have Benjamin Franklin to thank for this ditty, not Scripture. In fact, the Bible actually teaches the opposite: “He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool.” Proverbs 28:26

2- God Bless America
This one should be obvious but I think some folks need to be reminded of it every now and then.

3- God Hates Fags
Sorry, “Rev.” Phelps. Hate to disappoint you. The real “sodomy,” according to Ezekiel 16:49: 
"Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy.” Got that?

4- The Rapture
The word doesn’t appear in the Bible, nor does the whole “Left Behind” scenario peddled by hucksters like Tim LaHaye. The rapture doctrine is the creation of a handful of 19th century British evangelists, including Edward Irving and John Darby. Both were heavily influenced by a 15 year old Scottish girl named Margaret McDonald, who in 1830 saw visions of a rapture while in a fevered state due to a severe illness.

5- Abortion
If you’re going to interpret certain Scriptures as being against abortion (“Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee” is a popular one, although this passage relates specifically to the birth of the prophet Jeremiah), then you’re also going to have check out Ecclesiastes 4:1-3 and 6:3-5, which says it’s better to never have been born--the Bible specifically states “miscarriage”-- than to live a life of suffering and poverty.

6- Creation Story
OK, this isn’t entirely true: of course there is a creation story in the Bible. In fact, there are three. There’s the whole “And God said let there be light ...” thing, there’s the whole Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden story, and then there’s the New Testament’s version, “In the beginning was the Word ...” So next time your Fundie in-law tries to tell you she believes in the Biblical creation story, ask her which one.

Things I Did Not Know

Fred Thompson is on the Libby Legal Defense Trust Advisory Committee.

I’m sure that won’t be a problem for the Kool-Aid drinkers, that 30% who think that lying under oath and obstructing justice are only a problem if you’re a Democrat. But for that large chunk of the middle--that 69% who opposed a pardon for Libby in a CNN/Opinion Research poll taken in March, this might raise some eyebrows.

On top of which, Thompson apparently was a little loose with the facts before the uber-conservative Council For National Policy
in his May 12 speech there.

Hollywood Fred is looking more and more like a Bush Neocon. Good to know.

Just Sayin’

I have a busy day today so this is just a quickie. But just to add to yesterday’s post about “Please Help, Don’t Give,” I think as long as we are seeing incidents like this, it is irresponsible to endorse campaigns that encourage people to ignore their conscience. American society is trending more brutish by the day, and human nature being what it is, I’m very concerned about the broader implications of a “don’t give” message.

I’m certainly not telling people they should give money to panhandlers -- in fact, I rarely do myself, although I’ve been known to buy someone a sandwich or a hot dog. But what you do is your business and what I do is my business.

There’s a shocking lack of compassion in this country in general, especially in relation to the homeless. But the homeless are our responsibility because, collectively, we’ve created the problem. For example, we keep people from getting the medication they need (if you’ve ever known someone suffering from bipolar disorder, you will know what I mean). And then there are all the Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans turning up on our streets.

We need to pressure our city leaders to address this problem in a real, substantive way. The homeless will not go away, and the problem will not fix itself.

Just sayin’ ...

Please Help, Don’t Shop

It’s Irony Tuesday again!

Just a few short blocks from the headquarters of the Southern Baptist Convention a new campaign is underway spearheaded by downtown business owners. It’s called "Please Help Don't Give," and it’s targeting panhandlers.

Businesses plan to post "Please Help, Don't Give" signs as part of a public education campaign designed to get visitors to not give panhandlers any money. (I’m trying to decide who this helps. Any ideas?)

The plan is the brainchild of Tom Turner and the Downtown Partnership, an organization representing business interests. It’s modeled after one in Denver, where they tell people in lieu of giving money to street people, they should instead give to agencies that serve the homeless.

The Downtown Partnership’s plan seems to be a little different. They will start telling Nashville’s tourists “Don’t Give” in 30 days. The rest of it -- the funds supporting local social service agencies, etc. -- well, they haven’t worked that part out yet. They’ll get to it, I’m sure.

Personally, I have a moral problem with a campaign called “Don’t Give.” Those are terrible words to put together and blast around the city. And I don’t think it’s Tom Turner's or anyone else’s business what I choose to do with my money. I certainly don’t need a bunch of business people serving as my conscience.

I got a look at some minutes from the “Don’t Give” meeting. This struck me:

Turner said most people who give money to panhandlers are visitors, regional residents and hotel guests. Part of the initiative is to let them know that services are available (example: over 60 places to get a free meal), that it is “okay” to say “no” to a panhandler, and to encourage giving to service agencies. Similar campaigns have been conducted in other cities, with some success. Printed materials (e.g., brochures, informational business cards for panhandlers and for downtown visitors, posters) will be distributed. 

There’s a lot wrong with this. For one thing, services are not available. The city has never adequately funded the social services agencies that deal with the homeless, such as housing, drug addiction, employment, etc. Money is nowhere near adequate to the task, and telling tourists otherwise is a flat-out lie.

Secondly, the problem is not that homeless people don’t know where the services are. As anyone who has worked with the homeless will tell you, word about a new service or agency spreads faster than the latest Lindsey Lohan gossip on the MSM. The problem is that when they get to that agency, one finds they are out of money for the month already. Many of these agencies depend on Federal funds and as we all know, the Feds have been focused on creating a homeless population in Iraq, not helping the one at home.

Finally, pushing the “it’s OK to say no” message is just flat out immoral. What Would Jesus Do? For real? I think that’s the problem with the city, this country, the entire world. Too many people saying “don’t give.”

I’ve got my own “don’t give” message. If I see one of those signs in a downtown store window, I won’t give that establishment my business.

Kill Your (XM) Radio

I’d love to meet the person who thought this was a good idea:

XM Radio to Launch First National Radio Channel Dedicated to the Presidential Election

XM Partners with C-SPAN, other media outlets on 'POTUS '08' - a 24-Hour, Commercial-Free XM Radio Channel Devoted to 2008 Presidential Campaign

WASHINGTON, May 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- XM Satellite Radio today announced it will launch a new radio channel dedicated to the 2008 presidential election, marking the first time that a national radio channel has been devoted to a presidential campaign. The 24-hour, commercial-free channel, created in association with C-SPAN and other media outlets, will be called "POTUS '08." The channel's name (pronounced POH-tus) is the acronym used by government insiders for the President of the United States.

The channel previews on XM 130 this month, and officially launches in September.

Does anyone seriously think we need more media coverage of the 2008 presidential election at this point--as in, the 24-hour, commercial free kind? I’m a little burned out on all the primary coverage we already have right now.

And anyway, since when has the presidential primary received this kind of intense focus, months before the first primary vote is cast? No wonder this is shaping up to be the most expensive presidential election in U.S. history.

I’m already tired of the horse race coverage and for crying out loud, it’s only June. Don’t we have other stuff to talk about right now?

I think the media is just being lazy. It’s so much easier to cover a campaign, just book another Meet The Press panel featuring “campaign strategists” Mary Matalin, James Carville and Bob Shrum so everyone can hurl insults and talk over each other. Fun, fun, fun.

Meanwhile, we can continue to ignore real issues facing the country, like the need for affordable healthcare, for example, or that business in Iraq. We’ve got more media than ever now, and we’ve never been so uninformed. It’s exhausting.

I’m sure I’ll give POTUS ‘08 a listen--in ‘08. Right now, round the clock presidential primary coverage is a little too soul-sapping for me.

Weekend Garden Blogging

I can think of no better way to spend a sunny Saturday in June than in the garden.

I’m actually a fraud where my garden is concerned. People tell me how beautiful my yard is all the time; we’ve even participated in a garden tour. But I always have to explain that the real gardener is a talented landscape artist named Claudia who comes to my house twice a year and does all of the hard work, for which she is paid very well. I can’t legitimately call myself a gardener when all I do is make sure nothing dies between Claudia’s visits. So I’m more like the maintenance guy.

But still, maintaining my garden is one of my great joys. I love to prune, pick and pinch, and I like to say hello to all of the blossoms making their first appearance of the season. “Hi yarrow! Haven’t seen you since September! Look, it’s Obelia! And Hydrangea! Rose, sweetie! It’s been forever!”

My garden clearly doesn’t mind these silly rantings because every year the blossoms come back to hear them.

I don’t have a lot of time, so there’s not much exotic in my garden; pretty much the same stuff you’ll find in anyone’s garden. I do have a pond with a waterfall, which I adore.

I think everyone can benefit from tending nature just a bit. Even if it’s just a potted geranium on the window sill. The sense that one can coax life out of a dirt and water is tremendous.

Bye, Bye Dan Bartlett

Reuters reporting that one of President Bush’s top aides, Dan Bartlett, has resigned.

The resignation will be effective July 4. Gee, now what else is supposed to happen around July 4? Let me think ... hmmm ... Oh yeah, Fred Thompson is supposed to formally announce. I wonder if there’s any connection between the two news stories?

Of course, there may be another hot news story connected to this timely resignation. Bartlett was subpoenaed in the Valerie Plame case, since he, along with Ari Fleischer, were among the first of Bush’s inner circle who possibly saw a secret memo identifying Joe Wilson’s wife as a CIA operative. Plame was outed by Robert Novak one week later.

ThinkProgress did an excellent timeline outlining Bartlett’s role in the Plame leak case which is worth a look now.

Bartlett is a young man, just 36 years old. He’s worked for Bush since 1993; in fact, it’s been his entire career. We’ve heard similar stories about other close Bush allies--Alberto Gonzalez comes to mind. I have to say, this is one of the creepiest things about the Bush cult to me, the way they groom these folks and press them into family service.

Anyway, I’m sure this isn’t the last we’ve heard of Dan Bartlett.