blog on the tumblr

During a publicity event in Paris to promote his “campaign for the ‘victims of the US occupation in Iraq,’” an Iraqi man who defended the United States’ actions in Iraq threw his shoe at famed Iraqi shoe-throwing journalist Muntadhar al-Zeidi, who proved just as capable as Bush at dodging projectile footwear. The man, later identified as only “Khayat,” was quickly escorted out of the room, but not before Zeidi’s brother exacted revenge by hitting him with his shoe.

WASHINGTON — An e-mail requesting an internship arrived at the Agriculture Department this summer with an impressive resume: Princeton University degree in operations research and financial engineering, 3.8 college GPA, 1520 SATs. Ross Ohlendorf didn’t mention his 95 mph sinking fastball, but it probably wouldn’t have hurt his chances. Department officials were impressed that the Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher wanted to work for them in the offseason.

You know, I don’t recall asking for some black commander in chief to embrace protections that would prohibit insurance companies from dropping my coverage on a whim and operating as if my continued existence on earth were nothing more than a strategic liability. Plus, if I go along with this progressive health-benefits scheme, he’ll probably hold it over my head every time I receive vital care with the aid of the government to which I already pay taxes.

This makes the case for the Reid proposal, which will probably be a lot what the final version of health care reform looks like, with two key potential exceptions (the public option and something like the Stupak amendment). Though it will suck to have to swallow either of those pills to get a bill through, it’s clear that we need to pass something politically, and this article makes the case that the key reforms will be included even if we totally give up on both of those points.