pirana

That's all good to know; but I still have to ask: What was the point of doing it? Just kicks and giggles? Which is fine; just wondering. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

I'd be willing to bet that stat is waaaaay off. Do you have a source to back that up? And as far as the hospital "absorbing" that cost, who do you think is really paying? That's right - you and me. So why not just pay up front, and maybe pay for some preventative medicine and save in the long run? That's another data point for which it is very challenging to get good information (mostly because everybody has an agenda). It is usually exxagerated. For one thing, there is a pretty good chunk of young invincibles that do not buy even though they can afford, and many that can't afford but wouldn't but if they did have the money. Then there are the poor, and it is true that almost everybody below a certain income level is Medicaid qualified - and many do not take advantage. It's funny to see the hard core left wingers pushing their universal coverage agenda in Minnesota and then having to embarrassing admit how few people in that state are truly seeking insurance but can not afford it. Kind of like unemployment numbers. Between those that do not want a job, and those in transition you can look at 3% unemployment as full employment. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

Whether or not you skydive almost certainly has nothing to do with health insurance premiums in the US. Since the regulation is largely at the state level, there may be an exception, but I know of none. Somebody show me a health insurance application that asks you to disclose that. The big losers financially in any major revamp will be the providers; especially pharmacueticals. Someone will still need to administer plans. Even in a scenario where the government socializes the entire thing, who do you think will do the busywork of administration? Who do you think does the busy work of many of the government run programs today? " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

Is that just an over the top statement to make a point, or do you have an example of a company rejecting ALL initial claims. There may be some unscrupulous administrators engaged in unfair claims practices, but I'm not aware of any cases where ALL claims are rejected. I've often heard that accusation, and it is laughable. We pass thru with no human intervention 80% of claims, with an average cycle time on that 80% of less than a week. Very few of those are rejections. Most denied claims require human action. Only the very simplest denials are automated - such as obvious duplicates; which account for the largest number of denials. Again, there are exceptions, but the bulk of the horror storiues are either gross exxagerations, yellow journalism, or the occasional rare exception of a company run amok. I do like the pothole fixing analogy. It speaks to my point that health care, and health care financing, needs to be not for profit. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

That's a major problem in outcomes studies too. Until recently, most of the information was self-reported. The fudging was over the top. You can imagine the incentive a hospital administrator has to do whatever they can to massage or rationalize their numbers when reporting death rates for cardiac patients. It was a hide and seek game for them, with all kinds of loosely defined terms and accomodations for this factor and that factor. You've really got to find out what their methodology is before giving their numbers any credence. For 20 years we've had data that show widely varying efficacy of treatment at different providers. After hearing all the sob stories of why all the low performers were so freaking special and finally getting all factors accounted for it has still taken another decade to get to the point of establishing the right use that data. I think the public has a right to know if you are 3 times more likely to die if you go into hospital X as a critical cardiac patient than if you go to hospital Y. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

Therein lies the crux of the dilemma. There are no clear definitions on quality and affordability; and many many opinions on the proper balance. And it still does not address where all the money will come from. Those that propose eliminating insurance companies as a matter of cost savings must be counting on the government to administer everything at little to no cost. Even if possible, that would buy a one-time savings of about 10% and does not address at all the fact that medical care, as billed by the health care industry, has been rising at about 4 times the rate of inflation. It also would eliminate, or at least drastically reduce) the competition for improvement. The insurance companies aggressively pursue outcomes studies to determine best practices and analyze performance variations from provider to provider (the variances are eye-popping). Those are the primary tools used when they negotiate settlement rates with providers. Most providers request double-digit annualized increases. That is unconscionable at a time when cost of living is only going up about 2 to 3% per year. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

I don't why you would want to intentionally transfer twists down to the risers, and especially to where the toggles are stored. Just watching him do that in the video makes me cringe. It would seem to be easy for things to get goofed up. What if the velcro from one toggle got caught on the keeper for the other? It just plain looks bad to see toggles getting twisted up in anything. I'll stick to the standard method, and add that similar to others; I've noticed they usually undo themselves on their own at about the same speed. I just think a little effort is good protocol. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

I agree in general about doing what you have to do to make it a genuine 2-way conversation for it to be truly effective. However, there is sometimes bound to be a different tone because of the consequence of error. In the example given, pehaps a sale is lost. In this sport, even what might appear at first to be a minor mistake can be fatal. I've been on the receiving end of some harsh words, and they did serve to get my attention. Thankfully, we also had some good follow-up where everyone engaged and there was much learning. What worries me most is the person who's ego will not allow them to admit error and get coaching. They make a very obvious mistake and regardless of the experience or authority level of the coaching, hang on to their denial. Maybe that is when the gloves have to come off and they need to hear the "You fucking idiot" approach. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

What is the point of having it set up for both methods? Do they change it from jump to jump depending on who is using it? That sounds like a recipe for disaster. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

How do they know he doesn't visit often? Like a fly on the wall. They could be waiting for the Second Coming, and he's already visited a couple dozen times. Maybe just waiting for the right moment to put on a big show. Remember, in comedy, timing is everything. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

Very temporary; part of the cycles we have endured and will continue to endure. Look at the market over the long term. Even 9/11 didn't keep it down for long, nor did it tank anywhere nearly as bad as many of the doomsayers predicted (including some of the so-called experts). There were some who were calling for a bottom of 6000. The fools vastly underestimated profit motive. Thru 9/11, Katrina, Iraq, and whatever else comes at us; the markets force competition and the channeling of funds (long term) where they will do the most. We are seeing a correction for funds being chanelled uncompetitively into underproductive activities. Free markets fix themselves - you just gotta be in for more than the weekend. Something like the Great Depression is still a possibility, but it would take a catastrophe of biblical proportions - much more than terrorists taking out a couple skyscrapers and a few thousand people. It would have to be an event effecting multiple industries to the point of bringing them to their knees. A relatively small chunk of the population finding creative ways to finance OSB and vinyl-sided McMansions on ridiculously thin margins that don't even allow them to weather a modest economic storm is hardly a biblical catastrophe. We may however see a glut of Junior Executives moving into double-wides and taking jobs at Home Crepo. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

I voted Hell No! I've worked in the system for 23 years and my experience indicates with no uncertainty whatsoever that as much as some don't like certain attributes of it now; it could, and will, get much worse if we turn it into a huge arm of the government. What we need is an overhaul of the rules and regulations, a leveling of the playing field, and true competition. That may be a pipe dream considering the power of some of the special interest groups - but it is the path to an effective use of resources. I do not believe competition and fair play are mutually exclusive attributes. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

Forbidden Knowledge shot down once again by Fabulous Facts. A Fun Folly to be sure. Time to go back to my Fabulous Furry Freak Bros comic book; where Fat Freddie's Feline is about to Fornicate & Felate. People who say WTF really do have a lot of options. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

I'd like to throw in my hat right now as the Minister of Geography. I'd also want to be your Baseball Commissioner. One more hat I could take on would be Ambassador to Cuba. They have got the most amazing pool of baseball talent for such a relatively small country. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

How many you got now? " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

How do you know for sure? There's a couple at our DZ that I did not know were in here until long after I had joined. The one thing that does bother me a bit is that some people for some reason (the anonymity I guess) find it fun or easy or entertaining to be jerks online. I'm thinking maybe some small portion are truly jerks, but most have to be putting on for us. How could you be that rude in person and have even one single friend? (Unless they are from NYC). I don't turn away from many people. Maybe just the ones who express any of the evil -ism's to an extreme (racism, sexism, etc). I can understand how stuff like that can get deeply engrained culturally; especially if you get indoctrinated early in life it may be very tough to fully shake. But I really can't engage honestly with someone that treats others badly - so why engage with them at all? I am what I am; here, there, and everywhere. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

It is unfortunately just a matter of pride at this point. Soon, Fidel will be gone. That, coupled with a change in our administration, should bring the wall down soon. His brother would probably start down that road the day he dies if he had his way. He is a supporter of market forces. He'll probably wait some respectful amount of time, then initiate the change process. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

They showed us that in High School. Besides being laughable, it made me want to try it. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

Great early morning entertainment. Thank you. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

Personally, I consider Scientology as stealing from gullible people; and therefore a borderline, if not outright, criminal activity. Being able to discriminate against Mr. Cruise is an asset. In the same way a person should be able to distinguish and discriminate against any unhealthy behaviors or people. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

I'm thinking that one gets you banned from the study? EDIT: Yes, I'll participate. Is your study just going to be with subjects from here? That would probably give it a slant of some sort or another. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

I dig puzzles. Try: www.planarity.net " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

Network news became more about entertainment than news long ago. If you want real news, watch BBC or PBS. If you want fluff, warm fuzzies, and a cute animal story at the end of every broadcast; watch the networks. You know it's spring when all the stations put on their family-of-geese-crossing-the-road story. It would be far more interesting if an 18-wheeler mowed them all down in the middle of breaking news, on-the-scenes, in the nickof time live broadcast. And took out the reporter too. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

As I've heard it said (must not take credit for such a witty saying that is proving to be just as accurate): "This administration has an incredibly imperial disdain for the cleansing power of sunlight." " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

I know the devil is in the details (logistics, financing, and what-not), but imagine the freeways if everyone took a serious driver training course - not the typical legal minimum of telling you where the controls are and letting you drive about for a few hours. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley