Listen Up Kiddos

Simpsons Quotes For Everyday Use

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 23:32:46 -1000

Remember when The Simpsons first came on the air? Remember when “D’oh!” was a weird, unnatural-sounding nonsense noise instead of a ubiquitous expression of frustration, and “Don’t have a cow, man,” “Ay caramba,” and “Cowabunga, dude!” were the show’s big catchphrases?

If you don’t, no sweat; The A.V. Club barely does either. But a ridiculous number of other catchphrases from the show have leaked into our cultural vocabularies and our daily lives.

Here are just a few Simpsons lines that The A.V. Club uses in day-to-day parlance—and recommends for everyone else’s daily use too.

The comments are the best part of this article.

The one I use regularly is “I’m so hungry I could eat at Arby’s”

How a Few Private Health Insurers Are on the Way to Controlling Health Care

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 20:07:40 -1000

How a Few Private Health Insurers Are on the Way to Controlling Health Care:

robot-heart-politics:

azspot:

A system based on private insurers won’t control costs because private insurers barely compete against each other. According to data from the American Medical Association, only a handful of insurers dominate most states. In 9 states, 2 insurance companies control 85 percent or more of the market. In Arkansas, home to Senator Blanche Lincoln, who doesn’t dare cross Big Insurance, the Blue Cross plan controls almost 70 percent of the market; most of the rest is United Healthcare. These data, by the way, are from 2005 and 2006. Since then, private insurers have been consolidating like mad across the country. At this rate by 2014, when the new health bill kicks in and 30 million more Americans buy health insurance, Big Insurance will be really Big.

In light of all this, you’d think the insurance industry would be subject to the antitrust laws, so the Justice Department and the Federal Trade Commission could prevent it from combining into one or two national behemoths that suck every health dollar out of our pockets (as well as the pockets of companies paying part of the cost of their employees’ health insurance). But no. Remarkably, the Senate bill still keeps Big Insurance safe from competition by preserving its privileged exemption from the antitrust laws.

From the start, opponents of the public option have wanted to portray it as big government preying upon the market, and private insurers as the embodiment of the market. But it’s just the reverse. Private insurers are exempt from competition. As a result, they are becoming ever more powerful. And it’s not just their economic power that’s worrying. It’s also their political power, as we’ve learned over the last ten months. Economic and political power is a potent combination. Without some mechanism forcing private insurers to compete, we’re going to end up with a national health care system that’s controlled by a handful of very large corporations accountable neither to American voters nor to the market.

sigh.

unburyingthelead: The short answer — subject to Senate revisions — is that those without...

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 19:55:06 -1000

unburyingthelead:

The short answer — subject to Senate revisions — is that those without employer-provided insurance would have more options for buying coverage, but if they are younger than 55, their money would go to a private insurer, no matter what. Rates would be more competitive than what they are offered now, but possibly less so than under a “public option.” And if they are between 55 and 64, they might be able to buy into Medicare early, though at what prices remains to be seen.

via What the Senate health-care deal would mean for consumers – washingtonpost.com.

So the old system of inefficient bureaucracies and artificially high prices has basically been completely protected. What we’re left figuring out is exactly how to pay for a hugely expensive new program without taking significant money out of the pockets of these industries. The other challenge for the Obama administration is how to unite Congress enough to pass this gigantic new venture that really doesn’t achieve much, and the strategy there is turning out to be just what you’d expect: rather than pushing a single cohesive plan that makes sense in the long term, party leaders are putting forward a confused mish-mash of non-plans and trying to buy off the various segments of the Congress with pork and other forms of bribery as a means of solving the extremely short-term problem of how to pass this bill in time for the 2010 elections.

This latest plan to reduce the Medicare age is a great example. Rather than put forward a real public option that actually lowers costs and gives people everywhere the ability to buy into a plan, the Democrats are now pushing a plan to offer Medicare to people age 55 and over. The idea here is to include something that sounds enough like a “public option” that the liberals will be placated and ultimately vote for the bill. It shouldn’t escape anyone’s notice that under this arrangement, all the younger, healthier people who are just starting their careers and most need cheap insurance will be forced to buy private plans while older citizens will be offered the public teat just as they start to become very expensive to their insurers.

I get that some people think this is a good idea, and it’s hard to argue that any kind of expansion of Medicare is a bad thing, given that the program has been popular and successful throughout its history. But this move just smacks of the bass-ackwards Solomonesque bargaining that has marked this whole health care effort from the start. If expanding Medicare is good for people aged 55 and up, why isn’t it good for everybody? Why isn’t it a good idea to provide cheaper insurance for people in their preventive care years, so that they cost Medicare less as they do get older?

Answer: because it’s a political non-starter, because hopsitals and doctors won’t tolerate having to take Medicare rates from everyone, nor will the pharma companies or the insurance companies tolerate having to compete with Medicare for their most profitable customers.

So what they’ll do instead is expand Medicare for people aged 55 and up in exchange for the preservation of subsidies everywhere else in the system, as well as an individual mandate that increases the revenue flow for private insurers by forcing millions of new (and relatively young and healthy) customers their way. This isn’t a health care strategy, it’s a big baby that’s been hacked up into parts and fed in descending size order to the administration’s weightiest political lobbies. I almost can’t wait to see what the next “compromise” is.

(via Taibbi)

The new plan is like we are walking in place, saying there is forward momentum. Now that any sort of public option is now triggered by inaction of insurers put the mandate on a trigger too, I’m tired of seeing how bendable congress is to business interests and political expediency over the public.

lickystickypickyme: isay: What I’d get Licky for...

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 17:57:29 -1000

lickystickypickyme:

isay:

What I’d get Licky for Christmas.

via www.thinkgeek.com

…………………………………………………………………! scientific coffee!
gracias! ;-)

I think I am legit addicted to c8h10n4o2

shaunbwilson: bowlsby: Taking christmas decorations into a new...

Wed, 09 Dec 2009 17:28:55 -1000

shaunbwilson:

bowlsby:

Taking christmas decorations into a new area

————————————————————————-

“Good news is that I truly out did myself this year with my Christmas decorations. The bad news is that I had to take him down after 2 days. I had more people come screaming up to my house than ever.Great stories. But two things made me take it down.

First, the cops advised me that it would cause traffic accidents as they almost wrecked when they drove by.

Second, a 55 year old lady grabbed the 75 pound ladder almost killed herself putting it against my house and didn’t realize it was fake until she climbed to the top (she was not happy). By the way, she was one of many people who attempted to do that. My yard couldn’t take it either. I have more than a few tire tracks where people literally drove up my yard.”

FUCK.YES!

My Top 5 Artists (Week Ending 2009-12-6)

Wed, 09 Dec 2009 00:43:28 -1000

My Top 5 Artists (Week Ending 2009-12-6):

Imported from Last.fm Tumblr by JoeLaz

Tips For Using Spices

Tue, 08 Dec 2009 17:06:04 -1000

Tips For Using Spices:

andytheasthmaticchef:

lickystickypickyme:

The possibilities for seasoning are endless, but to get you started here’s a list with some tried and true matches. Don’t be limited by traditional uses, though — some of the most exquisite dishes come from unexpected seasonings.

thedailywhat: CollegeHumor Original of the Day: If you’ve ever...

Mon, 07 Dec 2009 21:13:50 -1000

thedailywhat:

CollegeHumor Original of the Day: If you’ve ever played Tetris you probably won’t be very surprised to learn that the Tetris God is a total douche.

[via.]

I loathe Tetris sometimes.

snowtrooper5: reedtaylor: Let’s make it happen!! details here...

Mon, 07 Dec 2009 18:05:31 -1000

snowtrooper5:

reedtaylor:

Let’s make it happen!!

details here -> Yahoo! Sports

Humm…Interesting Proposal.

Playoffs would be great.

andytheasthmaticchef: legoexpress:LEGO Admiral Ackbar “It’s a...

Sun, 06 Dec 2009 20:34:54 -1000

andytheasthmaticchef:

legoexpress:LEGO Admiral Ackbar “It’s a Trap!” (by powerpig) via theforce

TRAAAAAAP!

itsangieee: EPIC Sean Kingston mashup lol I hate myself for...

Sun, 06 Dec 2009 03:24:17 -1000

itsangieee:

EPIC Sean Kingston mashup lol

I hate myself for liking this.

fivefifteen: Wale vs. Justice-...

Sun, 06 Dec 2009 03:10:05 -1000

fivefifteen:

Wale vs. Justice- “W.A.L.E.D.A.N.C.E.”

download

well that was surpising

Thoughts on foo ball

Sun, 06 Dec 2009 01:39:05 -1000

So I went through the Tebow, Alabama, Nebraska, and Longhorns hashtags on Tumblr and I have summed it up in a couple of words.

Fucking playoffs need to happen.

I mean seriously, the shit that went down today was epic, now just think if these games were among the best in the nation and not just in the conference. I know the players are basically protected so they can go pro, but really lets get this shit together so we can see some real motherfucking games.

I mean, come on, each of the top ten teams all have big wins because over half of their opponents are lackluster at best giving each of them at least a guaranteed 7 wins throughout the season.

Lets get some reform people.

hmmm

Sun, 06 Dec 2009 00:00:26 -1000

I think I know where my dry wit originated from.

snowtrooper5: heavysigh: snowtrooper5: Sweet, it was totally snowing all day today. How awesome...

Sat, 05 Dec 2009 23:08:34 -1000

snowtrooper5:

heavysigh:

snowtrooper5:

Sweet, it was totally snowing all day today. How awesome is that? I hope some of it is still left to shovel tomorrow. Oh if only I wasn’t sick. Its mainly the annoying coughing now. *ugh* You think I’d be over that, but I suppose after a few years of having to be prolong coughing free, this is what I get. What a pain.

Looks like I got a new follower…not exactly sure how that happened, but I’m not complaining. I rarely get any followers to be honest. But then I suppose, I don’t usually post anything original very often. In any case though, whenever I do get one though, it is a pretty big deal for me. XD

Anyway apparently there is going to be a gift exchange at the office coming up. One of those each bring a present and then one by one we pick either one under the tree OR one from one of the people that picked before you. Personally, I have no idea what I should get that would be both appropriate for work, all genders, age groups, personal tastes, and different departments. That is just asking way too much. Now, maybe if I had an idea what people usually get it would be another story. I’m thinking of opting out and asking to be left out of the list being drawn from the hat. I know, I know, it is a cheap way out, but if you are not going to be happy with the decision, what is the point? Maybe I’ll think about it a little bit more.

Just saw White Christmas, it was actually pretty good. Classic. Fits the snow today really. The Holidays are really something else. I’m probably not gonna make it home for a while. But that’s okay. I feel bad for my parents though. They sure do miss me and I kind of just decided to up and leave one day, all the way across half an ocean and almost the entire country. It was just one of those things I just had to do. Every once in a while, there comes a point where there are just things you have to do. Hopefully my sister is going to be home or else it will just be them. I mean, they don’t even have the dog to keep them company any more. I have to say 2008 to 2009 has really been all over the charts. I never expected to end up where I ended up. But it happens.

Christmas and New Years is coming up…so there will probably a bit more later. Its a time for a lot of things. One of those being, a time to reflect on all that is and all that will. Laters.

Sorry to get all up in yer grill buuuuut…

Are you guys cool with me staying a bit after chirstmas, will you even be in D.C., did you guys want to join me in my excursion up to NYC around the New Years time frame, or whatevers? I want an excuse to ride the train somewhere plus i haven’t seen you assholes in a while.

Well you know, we keep asking you about it, yet you seem to know just as much as we do…very little. HA. Anyway, yeah, we are cool, better than some other people we could probably mention. You, at least are cleared. As far as an excursion, might be fun…but depending on what and when, how far, etc. I still have to work, but least I don’t work in retail or anything. Alex might have most of the time off though, his vacation days and all. Chris, I think he ran out of holiday and sick days, so I don’t know about him…although he probably is going home for at least the time he is off, but then its back to work I think. From what I gather, we may also have one or two other people around that time at different points.

Seriously though get us some details and we can better plan things out.

Really?! Details you want details, well… I want to cruise over to DC like a day or so after Christmas and hang there for a bit then like a the 31 or 30th I want to take a train up to Jersey where I can hang with muh friend Mandy. Since she’s not 21 I thought it would be cool for a couple of us to hang on New Years Eve somewhere (Bar, Street, someone abode) or whatever and then I would be back in Tejas basically before the 4th. Is that enough info NOW.

snowtrooper5: Sweet, it was totally snowing all day today. How awesome is that? I hope some of it...

Sat, 05 Dec 2009 22:30:29 -1000

snowtrooper5:

Sweet, it was totally snowing all day today. How awesome is that? I hope some of it is still left to shovel tomorrow. Oh if only I wasn’t sick. Its mainly the annoying coughing now. *ugh* You think I’d be over that, but I suppose after a few years of having to be prolong coughing free, this is what I get. What a pain.

Looks like I got a new follower…not exactly sure how that happened, but I’m not complaining. I rarely get any followers to be honest. But then I suppose, I don’t usually post anything original very often. In any case though, whenever I do get one though, it is a pretty big deal for me. XD

Anyway apparently there is going to be a gift exchange at the office coming up. One of those each bring a present and then one by one we pick either one under the tree OR one from one of the people that picked before you. Personally, I have no idea what I should get that would be both appropriate for work, all genders, age groups, personal tastes, and different departments. That is just asking way too much. Now, maybe if I had an idea what people usually get it would be another story. I’m thinking of opting out and asking to be left out of the list being drawn from the hat. I know, I know, it is a cheap way out, but if you are not going to be happy with the decision, what is the point? Maybe I’ll think about it a little bit more.

Just saw White Christmas, it was actually pretty good. Classic. Fits the snow today really. The Holidays are really something else. I’m probably not gonna make it home for a while. But that’s okay. I feel bad for my parents though. They sure do miss me and I kind of just decided to up and leave one day, all the way across half an ocean and almost the entire country. It was just one of those things I just had to do. Every once in a while, there comes a point where there are just things you have to do. Hopefully my sister is going to be home or else it will just be them. I mean, they don’t even have the dog to keep them company any more. I have to say 2008 to 2009 has really been all over the charts. I never expected to end up where I ended up. But it happens.

Christmas and New Years is coming up…so there will probably a bit more later. Its a time for a lot of things. One of those being, a time to reflect on all that is and all that will. Laters.

Sorry to get all up in yer grill buuuuut…

Are you guys cool with me staying a bit after chirstmas, will you even be in D.C., did you guys want to join me in my excursion up to NYC around the New Years time frame, or whatevers? I want an excuse to ride the train somewhere plus i haven’t seen you assholes in a while.

brooklynmutt: nathanieljames: Interviewer: What is that on...

Sat, 05 Dec 2009 22:07:28 -1000

brooklynmutt:

nathanieljames:

Interviewer: What is that on your face?
Tim Tebow: Jesus tears.

CLASSIC.

Unfuckingbelievable game.

Sat, 05 Dec 2009 21:41:48 -1000

robot-heart:

I can’t believe Texas pulled it off.

Missed it but saw the replays, holy crap was it ever so close.

Eggs hatched, previous statement stands.

Sat, 05 Dec 2009 14:43:22 -1000

Now off to work to unfortunately miss the UT vs. Nebraska game.

Counting eggs before they're hatched but, SUCK IT FLORIDA!

Sat, 05 Dec 2009 14:40:00 -1000