Thanks for the Subsidies

Kind of like thanks for the memories.  Except I don't much like my memories.

I just tend to think that rather than demand that America cover my healthcare and pittance of a pension (social security), I feel it more appropriate to thank those who pay for this.  If the world weren't insane, none of this would be as it is.

People are mean and crazy and mostly not given to logic and reason, with no internal    checks and balances on greed and jealousy.

So we run around the block to cure diseases, funding the middleman charity which has a vested interest in the disease being perpetually treated, not cured.

Things slowly move along when it comes to personal freedom, disease cure or more effective treatment. They do progress though, in spite of all.  Eventually.

I do not want life to be brutal.  My choices and defects have made me vulnerable to such things.  And the odd illness just about guarantees trouble if I don't take certain measures.  But none of that is anyone else's fault.  I can't in good conscience go scream and yell at rich people to "pay their fair share".  I am sure they pay plenty.  Many hire people and they pay, too.  I pay.  But I take, too.

It was the law.  Now, I don't know but I have already been domesticated.  So throwing me into the world to fend for myself is probably going to be more unpleasant for me than if you keep me on the dole.

But I wouldn't blame you.  I'd figure something out.  Or else I wouldn't.  60-40 in favor of would.

I think maybe the whole thing is a game.  Not sure.  Either it is an elaborate plan to enact a clandestine form of euthanasia, or else it is just another opportunity, like ACA1, to reward certain entities in a bill so convoluted, only the beneficiaries know for sure.  Maybe different cronies this time.  And people will be freaking that they will lose what they have.  I suspect some last minute trickery so that little changes.  What I have heard seems bizarre.  Another "savings account"?  Like social security?  Best kill off the boomers for that to be useful.

What a racket.  And what a shame that people are all being ugly.  Don't bite the hands that feeds you. And don't be screwing with the kitchen help--or no telling what you'll get fed.
That's reality.  It doesn't mean it is all morally right.  It really is not. Moral corruption is what has caused the world to be poor and miserable, for the most part.  If that needs explaining, just forget I ever said it.

So, anyway.  I am skeptical of the sustainability, and ultimate quality and availability of healthcare under proposed system or the present one.  However I am ever in your debt for what subsidies you've provided. Unfortunately, I think insurance is still way ahead of the game, and your subsidies may be pure profit to them.  That's a twist.  Couldn't afford it without you, yet even with a rare disease, I am paying as much as I am using, and you are just paying.

True, though, all that could change instantly if I progressed to other med.  Then you be paying like 100k a year for stuff that seems like it ought be a bit cheaper. Who knows. FDA probably accounts for a lot of that.  Some of this stuff has minor side effects. Or few people suffer those.  At least up to a point.  Right now, your forced subsidies to me provide some vague peace of mind in case it goes south. But I suspect they will try to mouse me if it gets expensive.

The sicker you are, the more games they play trying to not pay up or cover the logical treatments/medications.   You get too fatigued to navigate the mess and play advocate for yourself.  So you die, is what I think they count on.  Otherwise why deny the obvious and typical treatments?

It happens.

Thanks.  Love and kisses.  Keep it up.  I will endeavor to make you proud.  Especially those of you who did not yell or throw bottles at horses while stopping traffic.

I Haven't A Clue, and Maybe I'm Not Alone

Flash back awhile; Nancy said, "We have to pass it to see what is in it!", or words to that effect.  So, by hook or by crook they passed the Affordable healthcare act.  Obamacare.  I still do not know what was in the bill.  Not really.

I knew I had to have insurance by a certain time or I'd be banished to the desert.  So, my friend the broker finagled some high subsidized deal that allowed me choice.  The part we faked is saying I made slightly more than I did.  If you were poorer, they forbade you from paying the extra for a plan with enough choice and freedom that you don't die waiting for competent dx.

So, that was lucky.  Because I had gone out of pocket before the insurance time, and that may be considered proof of pre-existing condition, I guess I benefitted from the law.  I honestly do not know.

But now, the repeal and replace bit seems potentially problematic and not well considered.  Or well considered but unaffected by collateral damage.  Calculated collateral damage.

It could be just me, I don't avail myself of the news much lately.  But I haven't heard much description of specifically is wrong with what is there now, and what specifically is replacing it.  And why.  I haven't heard a lot of what do you do when you already encouraged the dependence of some on whatever care options.  Some of those people are not going to do well if there is sudden change.'

People forget that disabled people and people in pain do not find it easy to do all the admin work it takes to survive broke and in need of medical goods and services.  So changing it and requiring new hoops to jump may be a waste.  I am not much of a fan of this system but that is pretty much how it will go.  Now to find ways to limit decision powers of the official decision makers over medical activities.

I often think it is all a play.  I've never been fond of the democratic party.  Not at all.  But, in modern times,  the republicans go out of their way to be complete caricatures of weirdos, I think, in effort to make the dems look sane.

I was unable to really read the obamacare bill, though I skimmed it.  Convoluted and went on for thousands of pages. Just the outline is nuts.  It takes a robot to read it.  Pelosi bluffed.  They passed it--we don't really know what's in it.

And this new one, no idea, really.  I hear people panicked and people saying it will do this or that.  They always do that with bills.  They claim effects but not specifics of how.  It'll do all these things...

So even if they pass it, all I will know is if I am one who gets the rug pulled out from under.   I can accept it if I am.  America is paying.  But I would rather not see it happen to some other people I know who may not be so fatalistic.

I have a feeling that any bill passed would be pretty much what we have now.  I find the whole thing hotly discussed but very poorly articulated; the whole thing about what is wrong, what they plan to do, and how will it then be better.  And is it within the power of the fed gov in the first place?

Oh well.  I have no idea what is what.  Too many people are actually hostile, emotionally invested, and convinced they are doomed.  The last point makes addressing the previous ones impossible.   But Unless I am sure, I can't try to convince anyone that they aren't doomed.

A Confederacy of Conspiracy? Or Else...

When I step back, and try my best to look at things without my usual, natural bias regarding certain cultures, which I find obnoxious, annoying, or repulsive, and while suspending my usual disdain of centralized authority and government organizations which give power to people like those in administration at S Miami Jr High, many years ago, it tends to pique my skepticism of current news information and governmental activity rather than relieve it.  It is very hard to suspend resentment and dislike for the Mr. Bobo people of the world and of government.  He is the one who informed me and my mother that I was tone deaf at age twelve.  Jerk.  Public school.  Conformist camp.  Idiots reign supreme.
I had no idea what he was asking and told him so.

Just part of my glitch, but no one got it.  He was so unbelievably wrong.  Public schools.  We are supposed to believe they are healthy swell outfits.  I'd say the system is highly flawed.  Just look at the windowless new schools they put up. Huge institutions that look and behave like prisons.  Usually too large to operate well.  Criminal how it works.  And now cops all over the place.  That should not be the norm in schools.

Turns out I am far from tone deaf.  But that is a very good example of how self important academics and people in power can promote lies and get by with it due to their credentials.  "Scientists say!..blablabla"  Who are these scientists?

Once upon a time all the cool stuff mostly came out of Bell Labs.  Now anyone titled "scientist"  is on a government payroll doing whatever keeps the money coming.  In the world of government funding, that means not stepping on the wrong toes, and often is of no value to anyone.

That is all well and good.

My questioning of the entire big picture stuff troubles me.  That is because it makes no sense.   I still think republicans play foil for democrats and couldn't survive without them.  They pretend to be the resistance.  But then they get all gung ho about laws that serve no real benefit as if that is the most pressing problem there is.

I hate to say it, but if you aren't my wife, and I don't know you, I do not care if you carry your babies to term.  If anyone is really honest, you know damned well you wish some of the aberrant wacko, violent, ignorant people around would fail to multiply.  And no way are you happy to see them preggers.  In any case, it is not a crisis.  The crisis is trying populate the earth with incompetent idiots who can't take care of anyone or any thing.

Again, that is beside the point.  It is a case in which the pretend resistance--not neo progressive BS resistance movement, but the pretend republican resistance to the Left's totalitarian dreams--goes off on a tangent so that the bipartisan stage play, cronyism and graft can go on without any real trouble.  A decoy cause that people fall for. Because they cannot figure out what government ought to do.

My trouble is that I find heavy duty religious ritual to be abhorrent, particularly islamic craziness, and I have no doubt that we have aided terrorists abroad or created fertile ground for trouble.  No idea why.  I have never approved of our mideast strategy, but perhaps I am too stupid to appreciate it.  What I am not too stupid to do is to think how someone could wreak havoc on a budget, if they really wanted to do that.

In reality, about 75% of personnel at border patrol are Mexican descent.  The ones I have seen at interior checkpoints.   

But it is not happening.  Airport security, border patrol agents a hundred miles from the border, the homeland security nonsense, none of this would stop the easy things I know one could do.  I will not describe these things because it does no good to put things out there.  Someone might do it.

My question is whether the threat is misrepresented; why, and how.  I only wonder because if they are as nimble, numerous, and determined as represented, why have there not been worse disasters?
It is a strange thing.  My only conclusion is that these people are not as suicidal as it seems.  They just draft the fools and mentally challenged for that.  Maybe.  It is puzzling.  Maybe they figure if the push it too much people would say hell with it and raze mosques in the US or something.

In any case, I do not think the truth is anywhere near the surface.  And I am not sure where it is.  I watch people bury themselves in all the progressive talking points on facebook.  No way they can be promoting all that and doing any double checking.  But when it is mentioned, they freak out and throw another bushel of half truths at you.

 It will wear you down if you actually go for reason.   I think it is because people are driven to feel like part of a dedicated crowd, and they are too lazy to really look at the holes in the stories and the slant, and too motivated to be embraced by their peer group to go against the grain.  Cowards in a sense.  They know they haven't any really reliable info, quite often, but it feels good for their image and alleged viewpoint so they ride along.

What has happened is that we have accepted a system in which we have to trust all to proper authorities.  We give up rights, are asked for our papers or why we are driving down the street.  I cannot drive to Texas or AZ or back into CA without checkpoint stops by border patrol asking me where I am going and why, if I am a citizen, etc.  And some of these are many miles from the border, and on roads that never ever cross a national border.  It is nuts.  So, to those agents, NO THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.  (what You call service--I call it legal bullying and worse)

In the military, your oath is to protect the constitution.  I imagine that word is forbidden to these "public servants" and those with homeland security.  You think even half know what the 4th amendment is?  Of course, elected officials are equally disinterested in the rights and freedoms of others.  This is life by government approval.  And there are many Mr Bobo types in positions to approve or deny.  

If anyone really wants to make trouble they can.  Gangs and violent criminals in the US are a bigger problem,  Our solution---harass normal citizens who mind their own business and want to exercise a bit of freedom, while hurting no one.  So they have put a damper on the bulk of the population, doing nada to eradicate the obvious problems.  It is absolutely bizarre ad makes one wonder WTF?

I think we have been elaborately duped in so many ways.  It is nuts.  Ever wonder what our objective really is in most of the places where we consume bullets and bombs?  I believe the bullet sales people are quite pleased with the endless gravy train.  Comes down to people love to make other people do what they want and money.  But don't underestimate that vicarious power greed.  Those are the ones who say, "If you got nothing to hide, then nothing to worry about".  Life by permission, and those idiots imagine themsleves as part of the judgement and approval process. Pricks

Feb 28 Was Rare Disease Day

Nothing says parrtayy! like a day devoted to rare diseases, I always say.

Here's how I know.  A message, wrapped around a rock thrown at my window.  It missed and bounced off the cottage shingles.

Dear John0   

Today is Rare Disease Day! We know from speaking to people around the world that Myeloproliferative Neoplasms (MPNs) touch so many more lives than we realize. Many people are only a few degrees of separation from someone living with PV, ET and MF, but don't know it. 

They go on talking for awhile.  No idea what they said but I believe they end with a pitch for donations; worthy cause, save lives, blablablablabla.

Something about how charities and public education do things, and the way they use the language that grates on me.  Greatly.

So run around a rare block and let all your friends see you running around the block in your effort to cure MPNs and all other cancer and poverty and whatnot.  It will surely do the trick.

In my case, I often think I am getting better, and often think it could go south at any moment.   I find myself becoming grouchy and frustrated.  In no mood to hear about politics too much.  Especially don't want to hear how someone has to be an awful person to support politics you hate, etc.

I understand your reasoning but you are wrong.  It is because you do not realize that your wayward ex-friend does not agree to the premises upon which you base your argument.   You aren't a thief if you support more taxes, unless you hold to the premise that money taken by force by government (taxes) constitutes armed robbery.

See?  It's like saying that anyone who could support a white supremacist, misogynist ( i want equal time for misandrists), racist president is no friend of mine. Awful, deplorable, despicable you.

The problem is that most of those supporting your nightmare politician do not agree to the charges leveled, above.  But if it is said over and over in all your talking points, and the machinations of those controlling the conversation and trying to mold your opinion, you can forget to consider that perhaps your lost friends disagree with all that list of adjectives attached to your representative.

I notice that a lot of this is out there, where the dubious premises are stated like agreed upon facts.  Like "settled science" to use another political propaganda tool and a nonsensical statement.

Rare Disease Day 2017 MPN Researcher Spotlight — Dr. Robert Kralovics from MPN Research on Vimeo.
As long as both sides look out the window and say things like, "Oh my God, it is hotter than ever; proof that the earth is heating up like crazy and it is cause by humans", or "Look at all that snow!  More than ever.  Show me your global warming now!", we are doomed.

Can't help but think of the antics of government when the term "rare disease" is mentioned.

No matter whether you consider the climate to have been radically changed by man or not, that is not how it works.  Also, if you think any trend in your lifetime is significant enough to make a judgement about future climate, or even present, you have an inflated view of your place and time.

The old climate argument is a brilliant and probably evil, PR coup.  The real argument is not scientific, it is political.  What is presented as the whole picture ignores the fact that one can agree with the hockey stick graph, or any other thing like that, but not agree with a political solution in the form of taxes and nefarious global shenanigans.

By vaguely associating the anti government approach with holocaust deniers is a nice touch,  And, like they are doing with the current president's supporters, they are advocating suspension of your rights to be heard, and a sick legal license to behave in a hateful manner toward their foes.  That is the way of organized mobs.

And the Left has made the bold move to become one big hate filled mob, beating people up in the name of love and humanity.  I honestly am not sure what is up with the Right, except they are sick of the behavior of the left.

But all these racist, xenophobic, blablabla descriptions have zero to do with how this election came out or how people view themselves and their motives for rejecting the Clinton/Obama era Left.

Never has it been clearer that both parties are scammers, and both put on a play that people seem to believe is real.  It becomes real whenever you have mobs about.

Inflammatory Opinion Re Pope, Religion and WTF

Let's all breathe easy.  The Papa, he say there is no such thing as Islamic terrorism.  Nothing to lose your head over, that's for sure.

I could never be Catholic I guess.  Francis is not the first Pope I found to be obnoxious and, in my biased view, a phony busy body.  Like first spouses, I have long felt that holy men, and/or women, ought to butt out of politics.  Especially politics in places where you do not live, vote or possess citizenship.

First spouses ought to just be seen rarely and heard almost never.  I have never voted for the first lady.  They are just accessories, there to make the candidate look stable and family friendly.

Back to the Pope.  Why do I know what he thinks about Islamic terrorism, or anything else?  I don't know.  We are still in feudal times; kings, priests and thieves all band together to bully the people.

Here's another one; I think mother Theresa was a lunatic and not at all a saint.   Shoot me.  You put the Pope into politics and I will offer my views, too.   Probably I could get the Donald to back me up on MT's lunacy and lack of saintly deserts.

Sorry.  That is what it has come to.  I no longer think the Pope speaks for God or anyone else with any sense.

This brings me to award shows.  Can you name a more nonsensical bit of manipulation?   OK, you probably can, but the Academy Awards show is up there.   It is a show about people in a business awarding themselves for their splendid efforts while promoting themselves and their industry, shamelessly, as some sort of super human force for good.  Just ask them--they are they world's shining beacon of hope.

The Oscars are so important that news about how it will be conducted is considered news..  News about how various professional pretenders will use their moment in the spotlight to babble about politics is apparently important and noteworthy.

The only people who rival performing arts for telling us how much we need them and how great they are would be public school teachers and administrators.  The stuff they put on facebook about their greatness is nauseating. And a lie if you were on the receiving end of their unfair bias and ignorance.

Anyway. If the Pope says it, it must be true. No islamic terror  Someone made it all up.   He's no more credible than your garden variety snake handler.

As far as happenings in DC go, I think it is business as usual, but someone pulled back the curtain.  Lots of people liked the pretend version better.  I did not.  Although I am not too keen on this version either.  I just love the instant hypocrisy it brings out; so obvious yet they try to pretend that away too.

I think Trump would have made a better pope.  You can be bat sh** crazy and people think you are wonderful. Crazy enough and you may make saint.

.

Moving from Effect to Cause: a birthday miracle?

Southern California has been experiencing more rain than usual.  Any rain is more than usual, but this rain is once again the storm of the century.  We've had several since I moved out here.  Storms like no other. At least since the last one.

The number one symptom that sent me to doctors and medical wonderland was triggered by rain, moisture, high humidity, especially when combined with any physical exertion.  That was the one they call pruritus.  Fancy word for itch. But to me it is a little different than normal itch.  It is like ants running around biting.  It moves erratically at lightning speed.

The important thing is that dodging the pruritus attacks controlled my life to a great extent.  It is even more a symptom of the next stage of MPN disease than what they labeled me.  What is interesting is how that symptom has faded away, more and more over the last year or six months.

It is really remarkable, and not what I tend to read about on forums.  There are a couple of useful ones that come in email; one for the aquagenic pruritus--itch generated from water, moisture, perspiration, etc., and one which deals with all myeloproliferative neoplasms. (MPN in the lingo).  The latter is more comprehensive and focussed.

The one dealing only with the itch is a much looser forum. People with no known or detectable blood disorder get this, and I think it is a symptom of other things, too.  Some people have it forever.  Some take themselves out; fashion their own cement shoes.

My ability to function better than I could one or two years ago is encouraging.  It makes one think the progression of the disease is going the way they usually do not go.  It is regressing, maybe.  That would be swell O

Which of the measures I have taken are responsible for this health coup?  That is what I don't know.  I have employed some orthodox, and some unorthodox measures.  But I had been taking the hydrea for awhile before I made it a point to get regular input of cbd oil.  It is not cheap, but I do think it is beneficial and has helped. I could be wrong.  But my personal tests indicate I may be correct to credit cbd with this better quality of life.  One that that being in CA makes a bit easier.

I'm not sure what is responsible fior the near disappearance of that symptom.   It is quite an uncomfortable thing. The degree of limitation on my life was many times higher in the past couple of years.  If I really am improving, it is quite a deal.

Then again, I told you so.

Remembering The LA "we clean your toilets" Mayor; while contemplating privilege

So, there I was, cleaning toilets at a resort home owned by a black billionaire and often used by black and white, alike.  I think someone should ask why Latinos (stupid word, I think, but there you have it) are not better represented among the guests who visit this home.  As I worked I recall the ex LA mayor screaming, "We clean your toilets!", in efforts to justify illegal immigrant labor.

Has anyone yet figured out that an immigrant, and and illegal immigrant are two different animals?  It does not sound that way from the rhetoric around various protests and general nonsensical victim babble going on.  That does not change the hardships many good people endure etc.  But ignoring the distinction is dishonest, naive, and clearly a ploy to get some desired nefarious outcome--like an easily manipulated voting bloc, and fuel to ensure your related government agencies get continued funding.

Anyway, I thought, "No, Senor Villagrosomierdeman, (or however you spell your changed name to sound more Mexican), I clean Your toilets, you ingrate and bigot!!

You have no idea how effective the usual propaganda can be.  They have California Mexicans, and a huge percentage of Black Americans believing that White people are born to luxury, great treatment by authorities of all kinds, and a healthy bank account.  They are wrong.  Probably my privilege showing.

So, I was thinking, I bet the mayor never cleaned anything for anyone.  So shut up.  Why is my privilege failing me?   I do menial tasks for the downtrodden (if we see everything through the lens of race and ethnicity) and hope they are pleased and don't fire me or thoughtlessly create hardship through their lack of consideration and tendency to create messes, break things and hide the evidence, etc.  By "they", I mean the various guests, in general, no specific group.  The classic was when someone knocked the shutters to pieces with a basketball in a guest room, and never said a word.  They even left the ball in there on the floor.  Poor downtrodden souls.

That I would even notice such things screams PRIVILEGE like crazy.

Here's the other side of it.  The Black employer pays better than any White folks I know.  And it is a good gig in the realm of part time, flexible jobs.  No benefits, though.  Of course it was a white lady that hired me when she was overseeing the place.  Before I had a chance to try to replace her when she left, a guy from the main Chicago office of the owner had it locked up.  And now we have him down here.  Also white, and privileged.  And possibly mentally or intellectually challenged.

It comes in waves, but I often wonder if he is serious or just testing.  I fear he's serious.  A sincere actor in the theater of the absurd.  Often it just defies words and logic what he does or does not do.  I am convinced he has no clue what I and my co-worker do.

I'd explain but I don't even know how to start. Strange.  Nice people though, even if crazy and challenged. But do not put the mentally challenged ones in charge of cerebrally dependent agendas.  The trick is do not ask if you should do this or that.  Invariably he nixes what ought to be done then wants a two week project done in half a day.  Concepts like it takes time for paint to dry do not compute.  "can't more people make it go quicker?'  Not always.

Such nonsense is promoted so people will support those who want your resources and control of your labor.  And it works.  Who can resist being a victim?   We are the ones who clean your toilets!!

Seriously, cleaning a toilet in a fancy mansion is not that bad at all.  Especially if the pay is right.  Two days work plus a little and rent is paid.  OK.  But we both know I should be the one with the major bucks and great company paying others to do stuff.  But I am not, and this is OK.

Study Shows: public intellectually and in deed imitate famous comics

Therefore, comedians should be approved by appropriate committees.  Like FDA but for comedian kings. Or not.

I am so used to people being lost before the title is up.   The political feel of everything lately is driving me nuts.  And it is all self righteous abuse.

My reasons for pulling for the Pats was apolitical= not political, for the rabid who may have missed that point.  Then I see some clip of Bill Maher playing all holy by not being for New England because of times when those people associated with Trump.  All funny.  This new black list is nuts.

You want to fix the world?
Fix these things; average stupidity, petty greed--whether for money, attention, power, and fix the rampant and contagious condition of being incapable of critical thinking.  I'm serious.

People who are addicted to self righteous anger and outrage will probably never let the rest of us get any sleep, if they have their way.  

And people get hooked on hating someone famous.  The other party supplies that.  So do sports figures.

It reflects well on Tom that various teammates seemed somewhat motivated by what it  meant to him. And said so.

Bill is such a sleaze.  He just smeared and stereotyped people based upon their super bowl pick.  A certain type of progressivism really is a mental disease.  No fear of a monopoly there.   The implication of ridicule, and not being cool if you don't do like Bill., are enough that 90% seek the peer approval.  The kind of bandwagon shunning they are orchestrating is a bit unnerving.

When people go to comics for their in depth political research, and for what to think, we may be in trouble.  That's the conscientious people. The others got no idea what we/re talking about.

Is It Just Me? gaga, etc.

Never would I have guessed that I would be a Gaga fan.  The chick is sick, in a good way.  That was bizarre but incredible.  That is my review. That woman knows no fear, is amazing performer.  She jumped off the roof!   If there were hidden political things, I did not look for them.  I was just blown away at how she pulled off that whole performance.  That is someone who seems not to fear heights.  Or else she trusts her engineers and riggers that much.

I had ignored the NFL until this game, for the most part.  To me it made up for a lot of their annoyances in recent years.  Only Super Bowl ever to go to overtime, and on and on. Plus the halftime show was insanely complex and good.   Was that like 100 feet up?  I am in awe of that chick.  Definitely the real deal

Best Super Bowl game ever

Watching team sports when the teams are the epitome of excellence in their sport causes me to think people are capable of really beautiful and amazing things.  They are.  Trust me.

Anyway, I called it, but along the way, I conceded that whoever won, I have not seen that level of play ever I don't think.  But, Bellycheck, or however that is spelled, took my advice and went for the rope-a-dope.  They allowed Atlanta to kick their ass until it was almost too late, then the sprung, and while they were at it caught a couple of good breaks.  In O.T. they went ahead with the old one two. Or something.

Nice cap to an interesting weekend.  Now we roll on.  Got asked by two different people to lay down tracks on their studio projects.  At least one pays something, the other may, but it may also just cement my rep at Studio West with some good players and lead to more paying studio work.  That would be nice.

Here's the point of the whole kit and kabootle; never give up.  Just keep plugging with what is in front of you and don't be a slacker.  That's what I take from it.