VALDOSTA —
Today at 1 p.m., Congress will start its ‘final’ debate of national health-care reform and a vote is expected sometime today. I don’t know about you, but my head is hurting from the yelling from both sides. I am hoping for some relief by Monday.
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi with other House leaders has been working overtime to get enough Democrats to pass the health-care bill. Without the passage of this cornerstone of the Obama presidency, there are those who worry this could be the end of Democratic control in Washington.
The pressure has been on to keep the leadership in place. Congressman Dennis Kucinich changed his vote from no to yes after a third visit with the president and the last time on Air Force One.
On NBC’s “The Tonight Show,” Jay Leno said in his Thursday monologue: “Yesterday was St. Patrick’s Day. Republicans are now working on declaring March 18 as St. Obama Day. They want to honor the president for driving all the Democrats out of Washington. Ohio Congressman Dennis Kucinich announced he will change his no vote and he will vote yes on health care. Now, I don’t want to imply he made a deal, but he announced it at Cleveland’s new airport, which is right next to the Dennis Kucinich Highway and the new Dennis Kucinich Middle School.”
Earlier in the month, when asked what he would do if the bill passes, Rush Limbaugh said, “I’ll just tell you this, if this passes and it’s five years from now and all that stuff gets implemented — I am leaving the country. I’ll go to Costa Rica.”
If the Right wins, the Obama presidency is down the tubes. If the Left wins, Limbaugh leaves the country. There are more benefits for both sides in the fallout than there are benefits in the heath-care legislation for the rest of us.
The real issue to me is America really does need health-care reform. Will this bill cost a lot of money? Definitely. Will it solve many of the health insurance problems? Hopefully. If it fails will Congress have the guts to bring it back up? Definitely not, at least not for many years. Look what happen to Social Security reform after George W. Bush attempted to make changes.
The bottom line is this country’s people need relief in their household expenses for health insurance. Let’s pray that by the end of the day today, we will be somewhat healthier than we were this morning.
OTHER THOUGHTS: In reading The Times stories regarding cell phones in the Valdosta school system, I can understand the superintendent’s frustration. The story spoke of students accessing Web sites like MySpace and YouTube on the devices … taking photos of tests … of students using phones to plan gang initiations … and students making plans about jumping people at bus stops or on the bus.
No wonder they feel their only recourse is out-and-out banning of phones at school. I wonder if our school officials are so close to the problem and so frustrated they cannot find creative ways to harness this abuse and turn it into an educational home run. Is there anyone within our readership who might know of ways to help? If so, please let us know.
The Associated Press reported last week: “First-time juvenile violators of a (Georgia) school’s zero-tolerance policy would no longer be designated felons under a measure that was unanimously approved by the Senate. Under the proposal, items ranging from key chains to grooming kits, which could be classified as weapons, would now only carry that designation when used in an assault.”
Finally, some common sense in zero-tolerance rules for the schools. Hopefully, this will pass and be signed by the governor.
What We Think
From the publisher: Health care debate today might open the heavens
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Books: A part of summer adventures
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Memorial Day: A solemn occasion
Memorial Day has taken on many meanings through the years. The unofficial start of summer, a day off from work, a day to honor family and friends who have passed away.
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Elections: Creating a two-party region?
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Thumbs up, thumbs down
THUMBS UP: To South Georgians making fine impressions on television singing competitions. Phillip Phillips of Leesburg won “American Idol” this week. Meanwhile, Lowndes High School graduate Stacia Watkins participated in the new ABC show “Duets.” Well done!
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Farewell to the vanishing ace
Donald S. “Bush” Bryan was not only a rare individual. He was part of a vanishing breed.
An Adel resident for the past 30 years, Bryan was a World War II flying ace. Not just an ace but a double ace. A pilot must down five enemy aircraft to become an ace; Bryan downed 13.3 enemy planes in Europe. The fractions represent planes downed with other pilots. -
A widespread mosquito alert
In announcing the discovery of a mosquito carrying the West Nile Virus strain, city and health officials did not include the specific location of the discovery.
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Of Guantanamo Bay and a Founding Father
Some readers may wonder how a Valdosta High School graduate could bring himself as an attorney to represent a Guantanamo Bay prisoner charged in connection to the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
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Congratulations, VSU Softball!
This weekend, Valdosta State University Blazers Softball became the latest team to add to Valdosta’s TitleTown legacy.
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School’s out so watch out!
Summer is a time of rest, vacations and trips. It is a time when school is out, when people take time off from work, when people may stay out a little later. It is a time of swimming, trying new things, and seeking adventure.
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Qualifiers are next leaders
While the national media focuses attention on the presidential election, it should be remembered that we will also choose our local leaders this year.
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Books: A part of summer adventures
