Eli,
The Committee to Re-Elect Donald Trump is led by the NY Times, but includes CNN, MSNBC and a growing list of media outlets. Every time they are caught in sloppy reporting, or mis-information, or biased reporting or outright lies, they validate Trump's claim that the media is fundamentally dishonest and should not be believed. The media is so busy screaming the world is coming to an end it hasn't noticed it is be-clowning itself daily.
The latest:
"Trump To Attack LGBT Rights And Protections With New Executive Order."
"DONALD TRUMP LGBT EXECUTIVE ORDER: GAY RIGHTS GROUPS READY TO FIGHT AMID RUMORS OF ACTION TO ALLOW ANTI-GAY DISCRIMINATION, BAN GAY COUPLES FROM ADOPTING"
"Fasten your seatbelt, Peter Thiel, it’s going to be bumpy for Trump in Silicon Valley!"
Oops.
"White House says LGBT protections for federal workers will remain."
Congratulations United Media Against Trump (aka The committee to re-elect Donald Trump), your diligence, thoughtfulness and commitment to the truth is having an impact.
Bill
Tuesday, January 31, 2017
Wednesday, January 25, 2017
Stingray
Eli,
Cato has a very interesting article on Stingrays.
https://object.cato.org/sites/cato.org/files/pubs/pdf/pa-809.pdf
But unless it's abused, it's not really used. And the federal government, Stingray's manufacturer, Harris Corp., and the beneficiaries of the technology transfer, the state and local governments, are eager to keep this secret.
I hope Trump puts a stop to this, but I doubt it. I think he's too interested the law and order theme. Maybe he'll pleasantly surprise me.
Bill
Cato has a very interesting article on Stingrays.
https://object.cato.org/sites/cato.org/files/pubs/pdf/pa-809.pdf
Across the United States, federal and state law enforcement agencies are sweeping up cell phone and location data from American citizens using a device colloquially referred to as a “stingray.” Stingray surveillance devices are cellular site simulators—they mimic the signal of a cell phone tower in order to force cell phones in the area to connect. Once a phone connects, the officer can download information from the phone or track its location.Pretty cool technology. US Armed Forces have used it in hostile areas, but unfortunately law enforcement domestic typically gets their hands on military gear when wars wind down. MRAPs, for instance.
But unless it's abused, it's not really used. And the federal government, Stingray's manufacturer, Harris Corp., and the beneficiaries of the technology transfer, the state and local governments, are eager to keep this secret.
U.S. Marshals literally raided the Sarasota Police Department and seized stingray documentation in order to prevent the department from complying with a state-level freedom of information request. The Florida chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) had recently secured an order requiring the Sarasota police to turn over documents pertaining to stingray use. To prevent that information from being turned over to the ACLU and the public, the U.S. Marshals Service launched a pre-dawn raid on the police department to take possession of the information. The federal government has also urged local law enforcement agencies to deceive state judges, and continues to exert pressure in favor of secrecy rather than public disclosure and oversight.Think of that: a police department is the target of a raid in order to stop the department from complying with a Court order.
I hope Trump puts a stop to this, but I doubt it. I think he's too interested the law and order theme. Maybe he'll pleasantly surprise me.
Bill
Wednesday, January 11, 2017
Edging to Trump
Eli,
As you know, I don't like Trump and I think his major policies are wrong. But the behavior of the press and his political opponents since the election has sure made me much more sympathetic to him. So congratulations on their defiance, or opposition, or resistance or whatever else they are calling it: it is turning me into a supporter.
Bill
As you know, I don't like Trump and I think his major policies are wrong. But the behavior of the press and his political opponents since the election has sure made me much more sympathetic to him. So congratulations on their defiance, or opposition, or resistance or whatever else they are calling it: it is turning me into a supporter.
Bill
Why Does There Have to be a Replacement to ACA?
Eli,
I know the Republicans have stated they will "replace" the ACA, but I don't see why they should. When natural gas prices were deregulated, there wasn't a replacement. When airlines were deregulated there wasn't a replacement. When wage and price controls were eliminated after WWII, there wasn't a replacement. When wage and price controls were eliminated in 1975 there wasn't a replacement. I don't see why there has to be a replacement to the ACA either.
Bill
I know the Republicans have stated they will "replace" the ACA, but I don't see why they should. When natural gas prices were deregulated, there wasn't a replacement. When airlines were deregulated there wasn't a replacement. When wage and price controls were eliminated after WWII, there wasn't a replacement. When wage and price controls were eliminated in 1975 there wasn't a replacement. I don't see why there has to be a replacement to the ACA either.
Bill
Tuesday, January 10, 2017
He Doesn't Care About The Hype
Bill,
I read your post with interest as the second round of the playoffs approaches. For us lucky Patriots fans (what an era to have enjoyed), the two people who won't be paying attention to the prognosticators are Belichick and Brady. And they'll make sure the rest of the team doesn't either.
Eli
I read your post with interest as the second round of the playoffs approaches. For us lucky Patriots fans (what an era to have enjoyed), the two people who won't be paying attention to the prognosticators are Belichick and Brady. And they'll make sure the rest of the team doesn't either.
Eli
The Political Price for Repealing the ACA
Eli,
The political price for repealing the ACA may be very small. The 20 million with coverage from the ACA is vastly over-stated. 10M from Medicaid expansion, some from the growth in the economy, some from shifting from the individual market to the exchanges, some from the mandate. Plus, for some, it's a crappy product, hence the issues the exchanges are having.
According to Democratic orthodoxy Republicans only represent, due to gerrymandering, white evangelicals. If true maybe the political hit is small. And to suggest there will be no market for insurance once the ACA goes away is really just silly. Unless, of course, legislation bans new products from being offered.
There will be a hit; no one knows the magnitude. It would be ironic if the impact were as large as what the Democrats suffered for passing the law in the first place.
Bill
The political price for repealing the ACA may be very small. The 20 million with coverage from the ACA is vastly over-stated. 10M from Medicaid expansion, some from the growth in the economy, some from shifting from the individual market to the exchanges, some from the mandate. Plus, for some, it's a crappy product, hence the issues the exchanges are having.
According to Democratic orthodoxy Republicans only represent, due to gerrymandering, white evangelicals. If true maybe the political hit is small. And to suggest there will be no market for insurance once the ACA goes away is really just silly. Unless, of course, legislation bans new products from being offered.
There will be a hit; no one knows the magnitude. It would be ironic if the impact were as large as what the Democrats suffered for passing the law in the first place.
Bill
Monday, January 9, 2017
What Else Dies With Obama CAre?
Bill,
So we agree on the fate of Obamacare. I wonder though, just what else (some republican Congressional careers?), and who else will die with it. Twenty million Americans stand to lose their healthcare. Hard to imagine such an event will be consequence free.
Eli
So we agree on the fate of Obamacare. I wonder though, just what else (some republican Congressional careers?), and who else will die with it. Twenty million Americans stand to lose their healthcare. Hard to imagine such an event will be consequence free.
Eli
MarketCare
Eli,
I think most of the Republican replacement plans for the ACA are some version of health savings accounts. Lots of variations around that, and why, as you ask, are Republicans "proposing none of them prior to replacement?" I can't answer. I suppose its the same reason the Dems proposed a few versions of their plan (at least one in the Senate and at least another in the House)-because there is rarely unanimity of opinion and they come to a compromise through the legislative process.
I think the ACA was dying anyway, it looked like it was in a death spiral. So yes, it's going to die, either organically or with an assist.
And of course the Republicans will blame the Democrats. Politicians are masters of shifting blame. But hasn't the country already done this? Isn't that blame a major reason for the House, Senate, Presidency, governorships and state Houses going Republican?
Bill
I think most of the Republican replacement plans for the ACA are some version of health savings accounts. Lots of variations around that, and why, as you ask, are Republicans "proposing none of them prior to replacement?" I can't answer. I suppose its the same reason the Dems proposed a few versions of their plan (at least one in the Senate and at least another in the House)-because there is rarely unanimity of opinion and they come to a compromise through the legislative process.
I think the ACA was dying anyway, it looked like it was in a death spiral. So yes, it's going to die, either organically or with an assist.
And of course the Republicans will blame the Democrats. Politicians are masters of shifting blame. But hasn't the country already done this? Isn't that blame a major reason for the House, Senate, Presidency, governorships and state Houses going Republican?
Bill
The ACA Must Die
Bill,
If there so many alternative plans ready to go, why are the Republicans in Congress proposing none of them prior to replacement?
What do you think is going to happen when the ACA is repealed without a ready replacement? Its going to die, and the idea of replacement is going to die with it. And that was always going to be the case. Then , of course the Republicans will blame the Democrats for what they've done.
Eli
If there so many alternative plans ready to go, why are the Republicans in Congress proposing none of them prior to replacement?
What do you think is going to happen when the ACA is repealed without a ready replacement? Its going to die, and the idea of replacement is going to die with it. And that was always going to be the case. Then , of course the Republicans will blame the Democrats for what they've done.
Eli
There are many alternative plans suggested for Obamacare, but the Left doesn't like them so they pretend they don't exist.
Eli,
There are many alternative plans suggested for Obamacare, but the Left doesn't like them so they pretend they don't exist.
http://thefederalist.com/2017/01/06/4-times-the-nyt-reported-on-gop-health-care-plans-nick-kristof-thinks-dont-exist/
Bill
There are many alternative plans suggested for Obamacare, but the Left doesn't like them so they pretend they don't exist.
http://thefederalist.com/2017/01/06/4-times-the-nyt-reported-on-gop-health-care-plans-nick-kristof-thinks-dont-exist/
Bill
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