leo's blog

That's a relief.

The HCR bill currently being considered in the House is not all we wanted -- far from it -- but it's a good first step.

Pass. The. Damn. Bill.

But he thinks as well. (Yeah, I know, scary stuff.)

[h/t ThinkProgress]

David Leonhardt's article "Judging Stimulus by Job Data Reveals Success" got a lot of play on a number of blogs. People might be interested in hearing him discussing the issue today on the Brian Lehrer Show (WNYC).

WBBM Radio went on and on last Sunday about the protest at Addison and Western against 'redlight' cameras. You'd think a million people had shown up. With all that air-time, you'd think they could have interviewed a pedestrian or two for an alternative perspective.

But no -- which is kind of strange since last time I checked, we're living in a major metropolitan area where walking and taking public transportation are by necessity important facts of life.

This morning, once again, NPR ran with the story -- this time from Arizona and once again, apparently they didn't bother to interview a pedestrian either.

What's the problem here? Are they afraid of some dedicated foot-walker sounding off on how sick and tired they are of drivers who don't abide by the law, who don't know what it means to slow down and yield to pedestrians? I have a feeling there's quite a few people who wish there were more of those cameras not less -- only the Media is too lazy or incompetent to ferret them out.

We're all relieved to know that Bubba's going to be okay but I couldn't help notice that the guy's only 63. That's still two years till Medicare kicks in. Imagine if he didn't have health insurance.

Pass. The. Damn. Bill. Now.

That's what we've got to ask the lunatics who are constantly pressing the panic/paranoia button.

Toni Preckwinkle thanks supporters and promises they'll be hearing from her soon in her run for President of the Cook County Board.

It's the easiest thing in the world to come up with a plan when you're completely indifferent to the final results. That's always been the GOPers' advantage when it comes to HCR: basically they can recommend anything they want since universal health care is not part of their agenda, it's part of ours.

So when one of the GOPers in Baltimore whined (in so many words) 'you're ignoring us -- we have a plan too!', it was great to hear Obama respond:

"It's not enough if you say, ... The GOP plan will lower health care premiums for American families and small businesses, addressing America's number-one priority for health reform. I mean, that's an idea that we all embrace. But specifically it's got to work. I mean, there's got to be a mechanism in these plans that I can go to an independent health care expert and say, is this something that will actually work, or is it boilerplate?

I had a great time watching the SOTU with old friends from the Niles Township Democratic Meetup. Leah called us all together and it was great seeing people, some of whom I hadn't seen for way too long. We all left re-inspired and energized by Obama's words.

P.S. Hey Michelle: Greg Sargent...