I’m still down. Today is a high holy day in the Church of the Ellipsoid Orb, and my Broncos’ conference semifinal meditation with the Ravens will be televised here. I’m current with replies. Sooner or later…
Jig Zone Puzzle:
Today’s took me 3:54 (average 5:01). To do it, click here. How did you do?
Short Takes:
From MoveOn: This Is Why You Listen Up When Robert Redford Has Something To Say
Now that’s a good idea, and a sure way to get Republicans to oppose defense spending.
From NY Times: In a bold experiment in performance pay, complaints from patients at New York City’s public hospitals and other measures of their care — like how long before they are discharged and how they fare afterward — will be reflected in doctors’ paychecks under a plan being negotiated by the physicians and their hospitals.
The proposal represents a broad national push away from the traditional model of rewarding doctors for the volume of services they order, a system that has been criticized for promoting unnecessary treatment. In the wake of changes laid out in the Affordable Care Act, public and private hospitals are already preparing to have their income tied partly to patient outcomes and cost containment, but the city’s plan extends that financial incentive to the front line, the doctors directly responsible for treatment. It also shows how the new law could change longstanding relationships, giving more power to some of the poorest and most vulnerable patients over doctors who run their care.
This an example of a fee-for-outcome delivery system, and is exactly the kind of reform I have advocated over fee-for-service.
From MSNBC: Who has reduced the deficit and who hasn’t?
Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
"No peacocks, no jerks, no whiners" excludes the entire Republican Party. It is the Democratic Party that has a record of responsible fiscal policy. It is the Republican Party that has a record of runaway spending, deficit and debt. So when Republicans talk about those "tax and spend" liberals they are, as usual, projecting, blaming us for their own faults.
Cartoon:
In today’s House, it would probably not be allowed to come to the floor for a vote, and it would be filibustered in today’s Senate.
10 Responses to “Open Thread–1/12/2013”
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Puzzle — 3:53 But I was in danger of being all wet! How will Patty Monster and Jerry do? I hope they are both ok! Haven't seen Patty for a week, and Jerry for 2 days.
3:29 Here I am. I used yesterday's puzzle to get warmed up. My time on this one is better. Although knowing Patty, I will probably end up number 2.
I hope Patty is OK. She has not done a puzzle since the one on the 7th.
Even a good time lands me last. 🙁 Has anyone seen the Monster? I'm starting to worry.
PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUCEMENT
Just in case you’ve not heard, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security is advising people to temporarily disable the Java software on their computers to avoid potential hacking attacks.
There’s a very good overview of what’s going on and background WRT Java with some excellent links here:
http://krebsonsecurity.com/2013/01/what-you-need-to-know-about-the-java-exploit/
The Homeland Security site, CERT, offers a detailed guideline on how to disable Java in pretty much all browsers – but it’s very technical and involves getting into the Registry of your PC – something I’d avoid unless you’re pretty comfortable with tech things. I’m not going to use one of my limited links, but you can Google it with its title of “Vulnerability Note VU#636312” + CERT
Oracle itself has a post on how to disable its Java in virtually all browsers – but it’s only for Java version 7 and higher.
http://www.java.com/en/download/help/disable_browser.xml
Since Java has a long and infamous history of being a poor security risk, I rarely update it and elect to use an older version that’s had a chance to be “road-tested”. So I’m currently running (well, until I disabled it) a 6.something version – which looks like it might be safe, but I’m taking no chances.
In the next frame (given the two-link limit) I’ll provide some more low-tech links on how to get it done.
OK – for a simpler approach, I used the guidelines from CNET on disabling Java for both Chrome and Internet Explorer. (Spare me all the diatribes about IE – it took me a while to learn all the keyboard shortcuts, and since I HATE using a mouse, I’ve stuck with it. Plus the later versions have been comparable to others as rated by PC Mag and PC World.)
It also includes instructions on how to disable it for Firefox and Safari browsers, too.
http://howto.cnet.com/8301-11310_39-57523821-285/how-to-disable-java-in-ie-firefox-chrome-and-safari/
And that last one from PC Mag is not quite as comprehensive, but not bad.
http://securitywatch.pcmag.com/none/302019-security-warning-disable-java-now
Thanks for these, Nameless. I'm running 6 and disabled it anyway.
I just had to share this with you. Some rather imaginative people taking pot shots at corporate personhood.
Funny as these examples may be, they also illuminate how inconsistent the laws are. Corporations are “people” – but only in instances when it helps them to rake in immense profits. Otherwise, the courts continually rule “of course corporations aren’t people in THAT sense.” Perhaps one day the Supreme Court will acknowledge that the notion is entirely bogus, but in the meantime, keep on ridiculing the law to show what a farce it is.
Read more: http://www.care2.com/causes/5-funny-ways-to-contest-corporate-personhood.html#ixzz2Hpyn7aNk
Most entertainig, Lynn. And people who marry corporations are guaranteed to be screwed every day.
Puzzle — 3:53 But I was in danger of being all wet!
MoveOn — Sure makes sense to me. Here in Canada, many people feel Harper is selling off the country to the Chinese because state-owned corporations are buying Canadian companies or interests in Canadian companies, particularly in the oil patch.
NY Times — I don't believe in unnecessary testing — just a waste of time, money and creates the "pin cushion" affect. Care MUST be patient centred, and that means appropriate care and good outcomes.
MSNBC — "No peacocks, no jerks, no whiners" — Rachel mentions it on the back of a quarter. Personally, I think it should be on the$1 trillion platinum coin that is being talked about WRT solutions for the Republican/Teabagger debt ceiling manufactured calamity.
Cartoon — . . . and the Republican/Teabaggers want to reverse time — no voting, no equal rights, no bodily sovereignty.
Jerry got you. Now he's monster bait.
That's bad for both our countries.
Exactly.
See my take on that in today's Open Thread.
You forgot the reintroduction of slavery. 😉