What was McDowell doing at the NAIC?

A tipster raises a good question: What was Senator Harris McDowell doing accompanying Insurance Commissioner Karen Weldin Stewart to the quarterly meeting of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners?

Thursday Open Thread

Talk about whatever is knocking around in your head.
Here’s one thing that is knocking around in my head, but it’s more of a WTF. Chuck Norris wants you to desecrate a flag:
As 9/12 concluded, we all heard many ways to keep this revolutionary movement going. But I was sitting back thinking there’s one way [...]

Guest Post: Kowalko’s Open Letter to Delaware’s Delegation

Dear Senators Carper, Kauffman and Congressman Castle,

As a Delaware State legislator whose focus and efforts are dedicated to the best interests of all Delawareans just as your efforts have always been focused, I am writing you to ask you to reconsider the consequences of your vote to cut-off “housing and community grant funding” to ACORN.

After Castle

Having met Tom Kovach at Delaware Liberal’s Miles for Melanoma event this summer, I can say he will be a strong candidate and precisely the “Mike Castle Republican” the GOP needs (and those are Kovach’s words describing himself, not mine). Anthony Wedo? He is an unknown. An investment and resturant executive who could self finance a race. I suppose if the GOP is desparate for a sacrificial lamb against Carney in the House race should Castle retire, someone who can self fund his campaign, then Wedo is the perfect candidate, all the while Kovach can run for Senate and give Beau Biden a run for his money.

A Lynching?

The FBI is investigating the hanging death of a U.S. Census worker near a Kentucky cemetery, and a law enforcement official told The Associated Press the word ‘fed” was scrawled on the dead man’s chest.

Taibbi: Potentially Huge Decision On Mortgages In Kansas

Matt Taibbi has a blog post up about a recent ruling in Kansas regarding foreclosure on mortgages. MERS is a middleman in the mortgage trading business, it would buy mortgages from banks and participate in bundling mortgages for the securities market. The Kansas Supreme Court ruled that MERS had no standing to foreclose [...]

‘Bulo’s Music for the Masses-Happy 60th to the Boss

People of a certain age (mine) were present at the beginning. It (and he) were a revelation. Some amazing musical treats from  fans of the Boss (he turns 60 today) and maybe, just maybe…
Bettye LaVette-Streets of Philadelphia
Patty Griffin-Racing in the Streets
The Hollies-Sandy (4th of July, Asbury Park)
Bruce/The Arcade Fire-State Trooper
Bruce/E Street Band-If I Should Fall [...]

Must-See Health Care Videos

The Obama plan in four minutes:

Kansas Rep. Todd Tiahrt gets a laughed at by his constituents when he tries to tell another whopper about what’s in the health care reform bill. Tiarht is trying to convince his constituents that the bill will establish panels to determine doctor pay rates.

Carper Sells Out To Drug Companies

From a Booman Tribune post entitled, “For Shame, Tom Carper”, comes this gem (bold text added by me):
In any case, there are people who qualify for Medicaid because they have a low income. And there are people who qualify for Medicare because they are 65 years-old. Then there are people who qualify for both, and [...]

Good Evening Delaware

What Those Against The Public Option Are Really Fighting For

h/t June – Thanks!
WATCH IT!
(Okay, click on the link because I can’t embed the video.  Sheesh, technology drives me crazy some times!)
Update: video embedded – UI

Protect Insurance Companies PSA from Will Ferrell

The Brain Drain

There’s a disturbing dynamic taking place – Highly educated, skilled immigrants are leaving the U.S.
Why should we care? Because immigrants are critical to the country’s long-term economic health. Despite the fact that they constitute only 12% of the U.S. population, immigrants have started 52% of Silicon Valley’s technology companies and contributed to more than 25% [...]

Someone Needs To Update Mike Castle’s Talking Points

Steve Benen at Washington Monthly reports on a health care forum held by Rep. Eric Cantor and Rep. Bobby Scott in Virginia:

Cantor was pressed, however, on a couple areas of interest.
Richmond resident Ben Ragsdale demanded to know how Republicans were going to expand access to healthcare if they have only a four-page list of bullet-points [...]