You know health care is an issue. We have insurance and it's good. And the US has medicaid - which provides healthcare to low income families. It's the ones of us that are middle of the road. We make too much to qualify for medicaid - but have a hard time paying the bills that aren't covered under insurance.
I find it sickening when I hear stories of those turned away. - that should never happen. To me, that is someone putting a monetary value on someone else's life. And - I don't think you can do that.

I do also agree that the USA has a bullseye painted on us and it is a matter of time before war comes to our soil - that is a scary thought. I really wish our soldiers could come home - but, sadly, I don't think that is going to happen any time soon.

Some days I feel like "safety" is an illusion. Are we really safe? There are so many things to look for. That is why I don't watch the news. It is so depressing. 10 killed here, 5 killed there. All of this crime. I read most of my news on the internet and try to keep informed - but I turned off the nightly news a long time ago.

Thanks Joe for sharing - really interesting and enjoyable to read.

Now - as far as healthcare and people being turned away - I am not 100% sure, but almost positive, and those in the heathcare field can correct me, but it is illegal to turn anyone away for medical care. I am referring to if someone goes to the Emergency Room at a hospital. It is my understanding, it is illegal for them to be turned away. I have never heard of anyone being turned away for care from an ER due to no insurance.

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Originally Posted by Matt3046

Is this sarcasm? LOL

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Matt it is not only America it is worldwide, it is a well known fact that if we get what we want then we don't want for it anymore because we have it, then we think of the next thing we need, we will never stop wanting because it is our nature, even people that are so rich that they can have anything material that they wanted, still crave for something the trouble is with this it is normally something money can't buy and is not so easy to achieve. Take care, love and peace anne x

If you want to know what it is like here in Australia just read Joe's post above and replace the word Canada with Australia. Our system is the same right down the fact that we refused to sign Kyoto too.

Gun laws credited as lifesavers - National - smh.com.au

Just thought it may be of interest to the discussion.

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Originally Posted by Allheart

No Matt - No sarcasm.

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Sometimes, I can be somewhat dim.

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Originally Posted by iscorpio

There is not much you can do to change a lot of what is happening in the world these days no matter how much we would love to change it, so much is beyond our means, we could make a difference by being there for others by taking more time and giving a non judgmental listening ear, be there for people that need us and just show that we care, if everyone acted this way then would we have half of the trouble we have in this world today? It would also be great if people were allowed to have their own opinions, who is to say who is right or wrong? each to their own, it does not hurt to agree to differ, what is right for one person is not necessarily right for another, every person owns their life and should live it as peacefully as possible, so maybe all we can do to make this world a better place is to treat each other better, to treat people the way we would wish to be treated ourselves, there is too much suffering and pain in this world that can't be helped, it is so much nicer to share a smile and laughter, take care, love and peace anne x

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:p Hippie

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Originally Posted by Matt3046

Sometimes, I can be somewhat dim.

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Aww Matt not at all. I enjoy your post! And sorry, the job of being dim has been filled my friend... by me :D

Ok, now we can do something different. Does anyone actually hate Alex Baldwin any more or less than before. My opinion was not too good to begin with. Should the tape have been released? Was he at all justified in his actions, (note I say at all, because of course he was way out of line) based on the fact that he flew from NY to La to visit with the child, and the child did not want to come. It's a hot issue, (kids and courts.) What's the consensus.

I didn't really have feelings about Alec Baldwin to begin with - but listening to that tape - Boy oh boy - did he screw up. No father should talk to his kid that way. And he should have known better considering the custody issues he has with his ex. And YES, I think she should have released it. Shame on him.

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Originally Posted by Matt3046

Ok, now we can do something different. Does anyone actually hate Alex Baldwin any more or less than before. My opinion was not too good to begin with. Should the tape have been released? Was he at all justified in his actions, (note I say at all, because of course he was way out of line) based on the fact that he flew from NY to La to visit with the child, and the child did not want to come. It's a hot issue, (kids and courts.) Whats the consensus.

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Do I live in a bubble? What is going on with Alec Baldwin?

Oh, he got mad at his 12 year old daughter and left her a nasty voice mail. Calling her a little pig several times - telling her he was going to get on a plane and come out and straighten her out or something. Called her mom something. Just an angry call.

Outstanding. I must live in a bubble... or I have missed a couple of nights of Entertainment Tonight!

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Originally Posted by NowWhat

I didn't really have feelings about Alec Baldwin to begin with - but listening to that tape - Boy oh boy - did he screw up. No father should talk to his kid that way. And he should of known better considering the custody issues he has with his ex. And YES, I think she should of released it. Shame on him.

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While I don't condone Baldwin's actions, I do think they are understandable. Remember, this was a SCHEDULED call. Under his Visitation rights, he was entitled to this call and to talk to his daughter at that time. Apparently this was not the first time his daughter has missed their scheduled calls.

What I saw in this incident was a man trying to be a good father to his child. But that child spurning him, possibly at the insistence of a mother who clearly was trying to make things more difficult for him. Instead of trying to remain civil for the sake of the child, she's become a pawn in their battle.

So, I can't condem Baldwin for losing his cool and I do fault Basinger for releasing it. She didn't only embarrass Baldwin, but her daughter as well.

I agree with you Scott. I feel very badly for the man. This custody battle has been going on for a long time. I think he has been baited by his ex for a while. She has methodically turning his daughter against him. He finally exploded and she got what she has been waiting for. If this was typical of his behavior, we would have heard about it before. The fact that Basinger taped it, tells me that this was a set up long in the making. What he said was absolutely wrong, but understandable, when you are constantly being blocked from seeing or speaking with your child. It was the straw that broke the camel's back for him. This really should have been directed at the mother, not the child. The kid is a pawn in a game. Terribly, terribly sad.

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Originally Posted by RubyPitbull

The fact that Basinger taped it, tells me that this was a set up long in the making.

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Well, I think she just took the tape from her daughter's voice mail.

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Originally Posted by RubyPitbull

What he said was absolutely wrong, but understandable, when you are constantly being blocked from seeing or speaking with your child. It was the straw that broke the camel's back for him. This really should have been directed at the mother, not the child. The kid is a pawn in a game. Terribly, terribly sad.

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Yes it is sad. But I think Baldwin is actually going to come out better from this.

I agree that she taped it from voice mail. The fact is, she has been waiting for him to finally blow. From what I understand they have been in a custody battle for years. She let this "leak" on purpose. But, I think you are right about him coming out of this okay. If someone like me, who doesn't really follow this stuff, sees through this, I can't imagine a Judge won't.

What's funny to me is that it makes Basinger look bad, not Balwin, in my opinion anyway.

I think her little plan backfired :P

Hello:

In my view, the only thing he did that was improper was the name calling. Everything else was RIGHT ON. Go Alec.

excon

PS> I loved "The Hunt For Red October".

You know, I get how some one can get frustrated, especially if you are constantly getting blocked from your child - but how does blowing up at a child help? I mean, if you are angry and feel that you have been wronged - take it up with the mother.
Calling a 12 year old girl a little pig several times through out a voice message do anyone any good?
If she missed the call - she missed the call. "Hey Honey, I really miss talking to you, call me when you get this. I love you. Call me back. Dad" That is what he should have said to his daughter.
The call to his ex. Is where he lets off steam.