On y croit pas trop, mais force est de constater que cet Anversois à bien du courage de se présenter face au tandem Milquet/Lutgen pour la présidence du cdH (Centre Démocrate Humaniste, ancien parti chrétien, plutôt à gauche). Voilà, trouvé sur le site du parti le projet de ce sympathique outsider, tout à fait comme je les aime. Il y critique les “V” des partis flamands et l’impossibilité de voter “Belge” ou “Belgen” comme il dit en néerlandais dans le texte.

http://www.lecdh.be/sites/default/files/Projet_Yan_Lippens_0.pdf

Fonte: Blog Apóstolo João Carlos

A Comissão de Direitos Humanos e Legislação Participativa (CDH) decidiu nesta quarta-feira (18) adiar a decisão sobre o substitutivo da senadora Fátima Cleide (PT-RO) a projeto da Câmara dos Deputados, que pune com pena de um a três anos de prisão a discriminação contra pessoa idosa ou com deficiência e ainda em razão da orientação sexual. O acerto foi para que o texto (PLC 122/06) só seja votado depois da realização de audiência pública.

O debate será mais uma tentativa para se chegar a um consenso em torno do conteúdo da proposta, motivo de controvérsia nos últimos dias, tendo sido inclusive objeto de fortes discursos em Plenário. O presidente da CDH, senador Cristovam Buarque (PDT-DF), concedeu pedido de vista coletiva, para abrir espaço para o debate.

Os críticos do projeto argumentam que, se ele for aprovado, pais e líderes religiosos podem até ser presos por dizer que a homossexualidade é pecado. Na reunião, com grande presença dos membros da comissão, a relatora sustentou que as reações ao projeto levam em conta o texto que saiu da Câmara dos Deputados, e não o seu substitutivo, segundo ela com redação mais simples e objetiva e que atende às diferentes demandas.

A relatora reafirmou, no entanto, a necessidade de medidas para punir condutas que apresentam a intenção explícita, motivada por preconceito, de vitimar pessoas. Segundo ela, essa situação ainda permeia o dia-a-dia de milhões de brasileiros, atingidos em seus direitos básicos, até no direito à vida. Em relação aos homossexuais, ela afirmou que a intolerância é evidente e deixou como saldo, somente no último ano, de 122 assassinatos.

- Se essas vidas não importam, nós poderemos dizer que não existe homofobia no país – declarou a relatora.

Pelo texto do substitutivo, a lei que define e pune atos de preconceito de raça ou de cor (Lei 7.716, de 1989), e que também aborda a intolerância em razão da etnia, religião ou origem, passa a também tratar da discriminação contra pessoa idosa ou com deficiência, por orientação sexual, sexo ou identidade de gênero. Em relação ao projeto da Câmara, houve a inclusão dos idosos e das pessoas com deficiência.

Um dos artigos prevê pena, de um a três anos, para quem impedir, a pessoas desses grupos, o acesso ou recusar atendimento em restaurantes, bares ou locais semelhantes abertos ao público. Outro dispositivo fixa a mesma pena a quem impedir ou restringir a expressão e a manifestação de afetividade em locais públicos e privados abertos ao público entre pessoas desses mesmos grupos.

O dispositivo que mais preocupa os parlamentares opositores ao projeto é o que define pena de até três anos de prisão para quem praticar, induzir ou incitar a discriminação ou preconceitos semelhantes. Depois de observar que os livros sagrados de diversos credos condenam o homossexualismo, o senador Marcelo Crivella (PRB-RJ) avaliou que, nos termos previstos no projeto, os religiosos estariam impedidos de fazer qualquer menção a isso.

- Eu não posso ensinar o que está na Bíblia a alguém de minha igreja? Serei proibido? O texto diz que o homossexualismo é uma abominação, mas estarei incitando o ódio se fizer tal menção?

– indagou Crivella.

Clareza em questão

Já no início da reunião, o senador Magno Malta (PR-ES) afirmou que o substitutivo havia sido aprovado antes na Comissão de Assuntos Sociais (CAS) de maneira “inexplicável”, tendo sido colocado em votação sem divulgação e acordo prévio, o que foi negado pela senadora Fátima Cleide. Tanto ele quanto Crivella fizeram questão de assinalar que são contrários à discriminação contra os homossexuais. A discordância seria apenas com relação à falta de clareza da proposta, que daria margem a interpretações e punições exageradas.

- Não adianta tentarem passar o recado de que somos homofóbicos, pois não somos – reagiu Magno Malta.

Serys Slhessarenko (PT-MT) concordou com o novo debate, contanto que depois disso o projeto não permaneça engavetado. Conforme a senadora, o país precisa avançar no combate à intolerância e à violência contra os homossexuais. Na defesa do substitutivo, Patrícia Saboya (PDT-CE) leu artigo assinado pelo ministro Marco Aurélio Mello, do Supremo Tribunal Federal (STF), em que ele destaca que o Brasil está no quinto lugar no ranking da homofobia, com os mais de cem assassinatos de homossexuais. De acordo com o ministro, os homossexuais pagam impostos, votam, sujeitam-se a normas legais, mas, ainda são “vítimas de preconceitos, discriminações, insultos e chacotas”.

O senador Valter Pereira (PMDB-MS) condenou a discriminação e apontou avanços no substitutivo, mas considerou que ainda há pontos muito subjetivos, que demandam ajustes. Para Mão Santa (PSC-PI), o projeto em exame é desnecessário, pois a Constituição e a legislação penal já oferecem recursos para a defesa jurídica das pessoas que se sintam ofendidas por atos de discriminação.

Fonte: Agência Estado

Después de una muy larga espera por fin el colisionador de hadrones del famoso CERN estará en marcha el día de hoy para hacer chocar dos adrones a una velocidad de ….. Un chingo por segundo ( demasiado rápido no?), para encontrar ese momento de la física en la cual se hizo el universo o mejor aun, encontrar el origen del famoso big bang.

Bueno, y a nosotros que chingados nos importa no? Pues la verdad es que no mucho, solo que escribo para poder meterles el susto y pues explicarles a mi manera o a mi modo lo que pasara con el mundo cuando las partículas choquen.

Se dice que el fin del mundo se acerca y es que al hacer que estas dos partículas de “antimateria” crearán un “pequeño” hoyo negro que simple y sencillamente se tragara al mundo etemos o no persinados.

Por esto mismo dos científicos interpusieron una demanda en Honolulu hawai contra todo el equipo del CERN.

Hoy 20 de noviembre han comenzado a hacer las pruebas para estos choques de partículas primero a una baja velocidad como prueba, para que a principios de año 2010 se utilice al 100% el lhc y todo para poder encontrarel boson de higgs.

Pues ahora si que cada quien que crea lo que quiera pero por si las dudas viviré mejor estos días no vaya a ser que sea el ultimo de mi corta vida xD

A la 1:40pm del dia de hoy se da a conocer que ah dado la vuelta a todo el anillo sin complicaciones.

BRASIL - A Comissão de Direitos Humanos e Legislação Participativa (CDH) decidiu nesta quarta-feira (18) adiar a decisão sobre o substitutivo da senadora Fátima Cleide (PT-RO) a projeto da Câmara dos Deputados, que pune com pena de um a três anos de prisão a discriminação contra pessoa idosa ou com deficiência e ainda em razão da orientação sexual. O acerto foi para que o texto (PLC 122/06) só seja votado depois da realização de audiência pública.

O debate será mais uma tentativa para se chegar a um consenso em torno do conteúdo da proposta, motivo de controvérsia nos últimos dias, tendo sido inclusive objeto de fortes discursos em Plenário. O presidente da CDH, senador Cristovam Buarque (PDT-DF), concedeu pedido de vista coletiva, para abrir espaço para o debate.

Os críticos do projeto argumentam que, se ele for aprovado, pais e líderes religiosos podem até ser presos por dizer que a homossexualidade é pecado. Na reunião, com grande presença dos membros da comissão, a relatora sustentou que as reações ao projeto levam em conta o texto que saiu da Câmara dos Deputados, e não o seu substitutivo, segundo ela com redação mais simples e objetiva e que atende às diferentes demandas.

A relatora reafirmou, no entanto, a necessidade de medidas para punir condutas que apresentam a intenção explícita, motivada por preconceito, de vitimar pessoas. Segundo ela, essa situação ainda permeia o dia-a-dia de milhões de brasileiros, atingidos em seus direitos básicos, até no direito à vida. Em relação aos homossexuais, ela afirmou que a intolerância é evidente e deixou como saldo, somente no último ano, de 122 assassinatos.

- Se essas vidas não importam, nós poderemos dizer que não existe homofobia no país – declarou a relatora.

Pelo texto do substitutivo, a lei que define e pune atos de preconceito de raça ou de cor (Lei 7.716, de 1989), e que também aborda a intolerância em razão da etnia, religião ou origem, passa a também tratar da discriminação contra pessoa idosa ou com deficiência, por orientação sexual, sexo ou identidade de gênero. Em relação ao projeto da Câmara, houve a inclusão dos idosos e das pessoas com deficiência.

Um dos artigos prevê pena, de um a três anos, para quem impedir, a pessoas desses grupos, o acesso ou recusar atendimento em restaurantes, bares ou locais semelhantes abertos ao público. Outro dispositivo fixa a mesma pena a quem impedir ou restringir a expressão e a manifestação de afetividade em locais públicos e privados abertos ao público entre pessoas desses mesmos grupos.

O dispositivo que mais preocupa os parlamentares opositores ao projeto é o que define pena de até três anos de prisão para quem praticar, induzir ou incitar a discriminação ou preconceitos semelhantes. Depois de observar que os livros sagrados de diversos credos condenam o homossexualismo, o senador Marcelo Crivella (PRB-RJ) avaliou que, nos termos previstos no projeto, os religiosos estariam impedidos de fazer qualquer menção a isso.

- Eu não posso ensinar o que está na Bíblia a alguém de minha igreja? Serei proibido? O texto diz que o homossexualismo é uma abominação, mas estarei incitando o ódio se fizer tal menção? – indagou Crivella.

Clareza em questão

Já no início da reunião, o senador Magno Malta (PR-ES) afirmou que o substitutivo havia sido aprovado antes na Comissão de Assuntos Sociais (CAS) de maneira “inexplicável”, tendo sido colocado em votação sem divulgação e acordo prévio, o que foi negado pela senadora Fátima Cleide. Tanto ele quanto Crivella fizeram questão de assinalar que são contrários à discriminação contra os homossexuais. A discordância seria apenas com relação à falta de clareza da proposta, que daria margem a interpretações e punições exageradas.

- Não adianta tentarem passar o recado de que somos homofóbicos, pois não somos – reagiu Magno Malta.

Serys Slhessarenko (PT-MT) concordou com o novo debate, contanto que depois disso o projeto não permaneça engavetado. Conforme a senadora, o país precisa avançar no combate à intolerância e à violência contra os homossexuais. Na defesa do substitutivo, Patrícia Saboya (PDT-CE) leu artigo assinado pelo ministro Marco Aurélio Mello, do Supremo Tribunal Federal (STF), em que ele destaca que o Brasil está no quinto lugar no ranking da homofobia, com os mais de cem assassinatos de homossexuais. De acordo com o ministro, os homossexuais pagam impostos, votam, sujeitam-se a normas legais, mas, ainda são “vítimas de preconceitos, discriminações, insultos e chacotas”.

O senador Valter Pereira (PMDB-MS) condenou a discriminação e apontou avanços no substitutivo, mas considerou que ainda há pontos muito subjetivos, que demandam ajustes. Para Mão Santa (PSC-PI), o projeto em exame é desnecessário, pois a Constituição e a legislação penal já oferecem recursos para a defesa jurídica das pessoas que se sintam ofendidas por atos de discriminação.

:: Fonte: O Verbo

Today is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day. Not one of those days that would have been on my radar prior to having a son with CDH.

We were so blessed that our son survived and thrived despite this terrible defect, but many do not.

I am often struck when I read the search phrases that people have used that bring them to my blog…

Just in the last two days the most frequent (in no particular order) are:
felted sweater bag
cdh survival rates by region
how to make a bag from felted sweater
can a hernia be missed by an ultrasound
left brain qualities
pulmonary hypertension baby cdh
cdh survival stories

I often think of the people on the other end of the search. The ones that just want to make a sweater bag and the ones who are searching for some shred of hope into a condition that has turned their lives upside down.

What a vast difference in life situations, and I guess I’ve been there too. The one searching and hoping, praying that your baby wouldn’t be a statistic. Because they are more than statistics.

Today I am thinking of all the CDH babies who lost their fight and the families who are missing them…the families who at one point searched and hoped and prayed that their baby would make it, would beat the odds. And it didn’t happen.

In particular Jack Ryan Gilham, Luke, Parker,  Avery, and Ally and their earthly families who miss them terribly.

In “Owen’s Story” on the top of my blog I have part of a poem (not my own) that touched me and how I have changed since having my son. I want to repeat it here.

“Thoughts on Becoming a Mother”
“I will be a better mother for all that I have endured. I am a better wife, a better aunt, a better daughter, neighbor, friend and sister because I have known pain.

I know disillusionment as I have been betrayed by my own body. I have been tried by fire and hell many never face, yet given time, I stood tall.

So now, when others hurt around me, I do not run from their pain in order to save myself discomfort. I see it, mourn it, and join them in theirs.

I listen.

And even though I cannot make it better, I can make it less lonely. I have learned the immense power of another hand holding tight to mine, of other eyes that moisten as they learn to accept the harsh truth and when life is beyond hard. I have learned a compassion that only comes with walking in those shoes.

I have learned to appreciate life.”

Please think about someone else today who might be suffering. See their pain, mourn it, and join them in theirs. Listen

It’s getting near the end of the year and you, especially if you are fairly new to HSAs, may be thinking you need to rush out and spend whatever you have saved in your Health Savings Account or risk losing it at the end of the year.  You may be thinking about buying a new pair of glasses, some saline solution or a big bag of Rolaids to deal with stomach ache you are going to get when your employer tells you how much your insurance rates are going to rise this year.  Or maybe you are about to change jobs and think you need to spend all your HSA bucks before punching out of your current job.

 DON’T DO IT!  You are not going to lose the money in your HSA.  Any contribution made into it by you, your employer from your My HSA Rewards, account or from your Fairy Godmother is yours.  There is no need to go out and blow it for any of the reasons stated above or for any reason.  It’s in the law that the money retained in a health savings account is yours and even if you do not have a qualifying high deductible health plan anymore, the money sitting in the account is yours…forever.   And here’s another little bonus some folk forget, and that is to save your receipts for all of your qualified medical expenses.  That way, if you can afford not to dip into it now but let it sit and grow tax free, you can go back and pay yourself back years down the road using the old receipts as substantiation.  It makes smart tax sense.

Anyway, don’t get yourself worked up into a bunch over those $s in your HSA.  They can sit there forever if you like saving for a rainy day, so there is no need to have that extra stress in your life here at the end of the year about how you are going to blow your HSA dollars to keep from losing them.

I was reading the AIS Health Daily Bulletin this morning and gnashing my teeth a bit.  In part because I would have rather been doing anything but reading any bulletin and in part because of what it was saying.

The good news is that CDHPs are projected to continue growing, especially those tied to HSAs (we like that).  What kind of chafed my goodies was a comment  by James G. Knight, M.D., CEO of Consumer Directed Health Care, Inc., that made me wonder if my HDHPmight be turning into an HPHDHP (that would be my own new acronym that stands for high premium high deductible health plan).  Specifically he said,

” …..I would expect little additional market penetration unless health plans begin to see the light and price these products in ways that reflect the reduced insured payout inherent to this kind of coverage. In that case, there could be a big increase. Unfortunately, I have only heard of large increases in HSA premiums, not reductions.

If insurance companies wonder why so many people in the U.S. want the government to regulate them out of business, actions like these (and others) are what have congress pissing napalm on the fire of the health care debate.

You gotta wonder; especially if you are living a healthy life, being responsible about your insurance, saving money to pay for yours and your family’s health care, and paying your taxes what the insurance companies are thinking.

Open enrollment is just around the corner.   I don’t think the, the current debate will result in the total destruction of Consumer Driven Health, but if closed and irrational minds prevail, it could be neutered to some degree (is partial neutering possible I wonder?).   On the other hand, if Consumer Driven Health Plans are given the opportunity to work harder for Americans their ultimate benefit would be healthier  and more savvy citizenry, greater competition, and ultimately lower costs.

Now what’s not to like about that?  It’s about as American baseball and a backyard barbeque.

Somalia destrozada

¿Podrá el Estado fallido número uno del mundo revertir su trayectoria?

http://ngenespanol.com/2009/09/01/somalia-destrozada/

Lenguas indígenas mexicanas

En todas las lenguas se puede expresar lo que sus hablantes tienen necesidad de comunicar.

http://ngenespanol.com/2009/08/01/lenguas-indigenas-mexicanas-articulos/

El fin de la abundancia: la crisis alimentaria mundial

Una población que alcanzará los 8 000 millones en 2025 es el factor determinante de una mayor demanda de alimentos.

http://ngenespanol.com/2009/06/01/el-fin-de-la-abundancia-la-crisis-alimentaria-mundial-articulos/

Just heard from my nephew in Cincinnati letting us know that his precious baby boy did well in surgery.  The doctors were able to put his organs in the correct places.  My nephew and his wife were given only a 50% chance of their baby’s survival during her early months of pregancy.

This whole story is a true miracle of what God can do through modern medicine using doctors and parents willing to risk and step out in faith.  The Bible verse that has constantly played in my head these last three week’s is : 

“NOTHING is impossible with God”  Luke 1:37

We appreciate your prayer support for this special little guy.

I went to church yesterday.  It was my first visit in awhile, which I suppose is a bit of a confessional.  A bit.

Anyway, besides being blown away by the minister, a 24-year old kid with the composure of Brett Favre and the delivery of seasoned pro, I couldn’t help but ponder the message, which in this case was entitled “American Dream.”  I’m not going to recite the sermon here but I was struck by the parallels to the debate swirling around health care in our country today.

Generally when folks pray (present company included) those prayers tend to be about what God can do for us.  How he can fulfill our dreams.  How we can bargain with him (or her if that’s your druthers) to satisfy our needs.  The preacher in the end, using Joshua, and the Jericho thing, reminded us in the congregation; that serving the Lord, in the end involves submission.  It’s not about bartering with God but about turning it over to him, listening, and then following.

Are there any bells going off in your head as you read this and think about the health care debate?  Man, they sure did for me.  I get the strong sense, there are many in Congress who would like us to submit.  To turn our health care needs over to the Government, listen to what it has to say, then follow.

Now don’t get me wrong; while I think this is a terrific strategy with God, I’m inclined to run like a flaming banshee in the opposite direction when it comes to the Government.   There are those in government who just don’t think we are smart enough to take responsibility for our own health care.  The would believe that tools like high deductible health plans (HDHPs) and health savings accounts (HSAs) in our hands is like giving a hand grenade to chimpanzee.

Now that’s something to pray about.

It continues to boggle my mind that our most read blog on this site is related to rules.  Pretty much any article related to rules is going to induce the kind of crust in ones eyes that one gets from a good case of pink eye.  We are talking Rip Van Winkle kind of sleep for sure.

That said, “HSA Rules” not only on this site but across the internet at this very moment, on this very day, it is one of the leading keyword searches related to Health Savings Accounts.  It’s possible, if you are reading this, I’m guessing you are being pulled toward the HSA revolution or maybe you’ve already been sucked in.  In the next couple of months, if you are fortunate enough to have employer subsidized health insurance, you may be pondering seriously high deductible health plans during your enrollment period.  If you are self insuring you could be looking at them now.

And since we are all about answering the question “what is an HSA”, it seems only fitting that if you blasted through cyberspace and somehow landed on this page reading this article, and this sentence specifically; it seems only fair that we get you to a place that can get your question answered.  If you will click right here you will be shot through cyberspace just a little bit further onto, what I believe is the best site to learn about and understand HSAs.  It is called HSAeducator.com, and unlike some other sites it is not trying to sell you something or confuse you.   You should be able to get most, if not all of your questions answered there.

It’s all pretty much laid out on one page to keep from inducing sleep, but as you read it, should you want to learn more about high deductible health plans or anything else HSA related just click through the next page and read ‘til you feel like an HSA expert.

Oh, and one more thing, there is a pretty good starter page of frequently asked questions about HSAs if you have a question.  If you can’t find the answer, just post your question on the HSAeducator forum (you will have to register) and one of the many HSA experts will try to answer it for you.

But wait…could there possibly be more???  If you have already set up your HSA and are looking for a great and free way to put more money into it, you should definitely check out www.myHSArewards.com  where you can save money into your HSA when you make everyday purchases.  It is a new program and represents a total no brainer way to save more $s for your health care.

It seems to me, from the barrage of sound bites I hear of President Obama, that an underlying thread in the health care debate is this notion that everything he is trying to do is about making people feel good.

Need a knee replacement?  Take a pill.  Feel gooooood.

Got no insurance?  Jump on the new plan (whatever that is).  Feel good.

Got no money?  No problem.  Feeeeeeeel good.

Hear me speak.  Doesn’t it sound like gravy?  Feel gooooooood.

Worried about dying?  See a counselor.  Feel good.  Well, maybe not too good.

It seems like a lot of Obama’s messages have to do with him wanting us to feel good about what he is doing.

Maybe, besides donning him with the title of “Dr. Feelgood,” one of the best solutions for change in the way we think about our health is to take a play from the real Godfather’s playbook.  Get up offa that couch, and dance til you feel better.

In the meantime Dr. Feel good has been turned loose and let go.

For the past year or so I have engaged in a new form of CDHC; not Consumer Driven Health Care (although I have engaged with that–thus this blog), but Consumer Driven Hair Cuts.

I have written about this a number of times over at www.HSAeducator.com, sometimes rather humorously.

• Hair Savings Account
• Health Savings Accounts and My Left Ear
• Another $17 in my Hair Savings Account
• Another Hair Cut for the Health Savings Account

OK, now that the shameless self-promotion is done, I have to confess that after 4 self-inflicted hair cuts, it is time to go see Betty.  While I feel pretty good about taking care of what little hair I still have, from time to time it is necessary to have a pro give it a little bit of maintenance.

My head is a microcosm of consumer driven health.  CDH through the carrot of HSAs and the stick of HDHPs can encourage individuals to take better care of themselves and motivate them to be creative in how they save for and engage with their own health, wellness and health care.

In the case of the scraggledy hair on my potato shaped head, through my resourcefulness, I have been able to keep it in shape and save some money, but like with my own health, in spite of my best efforts, from time-to-time to my hair “doctor”.   

Hey, do you think there is a provision in Obamacare that will cover my hair cuts?

Notícia bastante interessante (e ao mesmo tempo um tanto triste) publicada na UOL hoje, bastante útil para os futuros delegados da edição 2009 do Global Classrooms São Paulo que participarão do Conselho de Direito Humanos (CDH), cujo tema será “Tráfico de Pessoas”, e da Organização Mundial de Saúde (OMS), cujo tema é “Tráfico de Órgãos e Turismo Médico”.

É importante notar que as populações que são vulneráveis ao Tráfico de Órgãos são também vulneráveis ao Tráfico de Pessoas.

Como a comunidade internacional pode impedir que tais praticas continuem a ocorrer?

——————————————————————————————————————————————–

16/07/2009 – 13h10
Do UOL Notícias*
Em São Paulo

Um homem de 50 anos foi obrigado por senhorio a escolher entre vender os filhos ou um rim para pagar uma dívida no Paquistão. Ele escolheu perder o órgão a negociar parte da família e já passou por exames pré-operatórios. A venda vai render entre US$ 1.100 e US$ 1.600 a ele.

Segundo o site da CNN, casos como este não são raros no país asiático. Somente nos povoados em volta de uma única fazenda na zona rural paquistanesa, calcula-se que o número de transplantes obtidos desta forma tenha atingido a casa dos 2.000 em um ano. Destes, 1.500 foram destinados ao que o governo chama de “turistas do transplante”, informa a reportagem.

Uma lei que entrou em vigor no final de 2007 proíbe a doação de órgãos para transplantes por dinheiro. O objetivo era acabar com a fama pouco simpática do Paquistão, visto como um dos maiores “mercados de órgãos” do mundo.

Apesar da lei, a CNN conta que pessoas endividadas ainda procuram médicos para obter informação sobre estas doações pagas e insistem em vender um rim mesmo sabendo que a prática é ilegal. O doador ganha pelo órgão, em média, de 100 mil a 150 mil em moeda local (entre cerca de US$ 1.200 e US$ 1.800).

*Com informações da CNN

Artist: Kelly Rinehart

Polka Dot Round Customized Address Stamp

I “met” and became friends with Jes Singletary, founder of The Parker Reese Foundation, through an ad I had placed on a blog.  Her story was and is so moving to me.  Jes lost her beautiful young daughter, Parker Reese, to congenital diaphragmatic hernia at two days old.  She and her husband formed the foundation through their love for their daughter.  The Parker Reese Foundation helps in the fight against this disease by funding medical research, advocating public awareness campaigns and by supporting all who have been affected by the congenital diaphragmatic hernia birth defect.

Sugar and Spice Note Cards

Parker’s House was opened in May 2008 for families delivering babies with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) or coming back for follow up appointments and/or surgeries at Duke University Medical Center or University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill (UNC).  This house is free of charge to families and provides them the opportunity to stay overnight or for months at a time.  It is a home away from home for them, a place where they and their extended families can stay with absolutely no worries.

"From the Desk Of" Customized Rubber Stamp

For the entire month of July, 10% of proceeds from Purple Lemon Designs will be donated to The Parker Reese Foundation.  Purple Lemon Designs features custom rubber stamps and printable stationery. 

Customized Etsy Shop Stationery

Downtown Clock - Corinth, MS

I hope that you will check out Purple Lemon Designs and help in supporting The Parker Reese Foundation.

Website: http://www.purplelemondesigns.com       

Blog: http://www.purplelemondesigns.com/blog

E-Mail: Kelly@purplelemondesigns.com

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Some real cool cat whacked my car a couple of weeks ago when it was sitting on the street.  In addition to putting about a 12” x 12” tattoo on the side of my door broke my side view mirror off.  Thanks for not leaving a note Jack.

I took the car to the dealership and they kindly glued the mirror unit back together at no cost, but sadly the glue did not hold and I had to go shopping for a new mirror.  The part at the dealership was $160. I found a replacement part online, new (but not original manufacturer I don’t think) for $67 delivered to my house.  I’ll do the install myself.

“Consumer Driven Health Care” for my car as it were.  My car was sick through no fault of its own.  I decided what “doctor” I wanted to have look at it.  With the diagnosis and pricing in hand for the cure, I elected to cure of my choice at a price that was competitive in the market.  If I had been in a wreck and significant damage were done to my car, my insurance would have been there to take care of what would have been a really big problem.

High Deductible Health Plans with Health Savings Accounts are the same concept.  You, as the consumer pay for the smaller stuff (although many HDHPs provide basic well care) and if something major happens, your insurance is there to cover you.  You have some ability to shop based on price (transparency is getting better over time) and can decide from whom you want to purchase services.

Folks have lost sight of the fact that health insurance is there for the big stuff.  Not really a novel concept, but really the basis for sustainable value based health care.

My son is off visiting his grandmother this week and of course the first night he is there he calls home 5 times in the middle of the night to speak with Mom.  Dad, after all, is pretty much the call of last resort when it comes to these kinds of things, and goodness knows, he wasn’t going to walk down the hall and wake Nana.

 The next morning after a bit of cajoling, my mom takes his temperature and sure enough he’s got a 102+ fever and we are thinking oink flu.  As luck would have it my mom lives in the middle of nowhere and the closest walk-in clinic is Clemson Urgent Care over by Clemson University.

My mom and my son finally got out of the waiting room and into one of those ice box examining rooms.  At that point I finally was able to reach my mom by cell phone.  As luck would have it, the urgent care facility was outside of the Humana network, so I knew I was going to have to swallow one big fat horse pill of a bill.

Here is the advice I gave my mom.  First I advised her that when she went to check out that she was to ask them “what the discount would be for paying for the services today.”  She was very nervous about this but I suggested that there was no harm in asking.  Logically speaking, they should be open to the idea since they would still be making more $ than going through insurance, they would be getting their money faster and there would be no hassle of paperwork with the insurance company.

Second I advised her to ask the doctor to write any prescriptions as generics.   And finally, I asked her to fill the prescription at Wal-Mart on her way back home rather than at the pharmacy at the clinic.

Just for asking for a discount she got 15% off the office visit which on a $200 tab (ouch!) was $30.  She got a generic prescription for an antibiotic which she had filled at Wal-Mart for $4.00.  Of course I will be able to reimburse myself from my HSA.

I was not real pleased with my insurance company’s lack of coverage, but under the circumstances the out of pocked cost could have been $30+ more.  This is but one example of Consumer Driven Health Care at work.

The moral of the story is. SPEAK UP, ASK FOR DISCOUNTS, GENERICS, AND KNOW YOUR OPTIONS WHEN IT COMES TO FILLING PRESCRIPTIONS.  It costs nothing and might yield some real savings

Mes amis savent que je suis laïque et le dernier mariage auquel j’ai assisté récemment fut le témoin de discussions bien agitées sur la laïcité.

Aujourd’hui, l’actualité me donne envie de réagir face à l’émotion suscitée par le fait qu’une candidate du CDH compte prêter serment au parlement bruxellois couverte de son voile :

1) Je rappelle que la Belgique n’est pas un Etat laïc au sens strict du terme, mais un Etat neutre au regard des religions. Les religions sont reconnues par l’autorité et largement subsidiées en Belgique; elles sont également enseignées dans nos écoles.

2) Tout qui a déjà participé à un tel débat sait que le port du voile est polysémique (culturel, social, identitaire, protestataire). Il revêt des sens variés en fonction des personnes et des circonstances. Encore une fois, on peut ne pas comprendre les rapports intimes de foi et le besoin d’afficher son attachement à une religion, mais c’est une réalité. Le voile n’est pas “que” le symbole d’un asservissement. Du moins est-ce mon sentiment pour en avoir discuté à de nombreuses reprises. Ma démarche est celle d’un athéisme radical mais je peux comprendre que le besoin de spiritualité titille d’autres et que je ne résume pas à moi seule la diversité du genre humain.

3) Enfin et surtout, un Parlement n’est pas une administration. Cette dernière doit être neutre, intrinsèquement, viscéralement. Il n’en va pas de même d’un Parlement, où des élus sont appelés à exercer un mandat et où on leur demande justement de venir avec leurs convictions, leurs différences et d’exercer leur fonction sincèrement,avec probité et de partager des valeurs démocratiques, mais où ils ne sont pas tenus d’être ou de paraître se conformer au plus petit commun dénominateur d’une normalité sociale qui n’existe pas par ailleurs.

En conclusion, je suis intimement persuadée qu’il ne faut pas se tromper de combat: centrons-nous sur ce que nous pouvons légitimement revendiquer, à savoir une fonction publique laïque (tribunaux, écoles, administrations), exempte de symboles religieux et philosophiques. Et laissons de côté les faux débats et cette fille que l’histoire aura plus vite oublié si on n’en fait pas l’icône d’un combat d’autant plus délicat que nous n’avancerons pas forcément en formation solidaire sur ce terrain.

foto rtbf - Javaux en Durant

Vanavond heeft ECOLO gestemd voor een mogelijke Waalse en Brusselse regering met PS en CDH. Dit vormt wat men in het Frans een “gouvernement de l’Olivier” noemt. Een olijfboom groeit dus in het Zuiden van België. MR moet terug naar de banken van oppositie. Een alliantie van ECOLO, CDH en MR had ook gekund. Dan had men deze regering een “Jamaicaanse” coalitie genoemd. Waar vandaan komen die gekke namen voor coalities in Wallonië ? En waarom noemt men ze zo ?Mijn Franse vrienden die in Brussel wonen begrijpen er niks meer van. “Een olijfboom in Brussel ? Toch niet met zo’n weer!”. Het woord “l’olivier” gebruikt men in Wallonië telkens als een coalitie van centrum links zich vormt. Dit gebeurt sinds er eind van de jaren negentig zo’n centrum-links coalitie in Italië was geboren. Toen hadden zich alle Italiaanse linkse partijen samen met de groenen en de christen democraten  verenigd om een regering te kunnen vormen tegen de rechtse machten. Misschien heeft het iets te maken met de vele Walen van Italiaanse afkomst : sindsdien spreekt men over een “olijfboom” als oranje van CDH, groen van ECOLO en rood van PS zich mengen in een regeringsakkoord. Dit was al het geval in Brussel na de verkiezingen van 2004.

De neiging om een toffe benaming te vinden voor alle mogelijke coalities is groot in franstalig België. Natuurlijk doet men dat ook in Vlaanderen om de debatten makkelijker te maken en de gesprekken vlotter te kunnen voeren. Bijvoorbeeld sprak met over een “paarse” regering toen PS, MR, VLD en SPA samen regeerden. Maar in het Frans is dat een stuk verder : men spreekt over “La violette” en gebruikt men graag een substantief voor alle coalities. De benamingen hebben bijna altijd een direct link met de partijkleuren. Soms kan het heel grappig zijn :

jamaicaanse mug

MR en CDH (centrum-rechts) : L’orange bleue (naar de titel van één van de strips Kuifje)
MR en PS (rechts en links) : La Violette (gewoon wat rood en wat blauw in een potje kleur mengen en je ziet het : het wordt paars !)
PS en CDH (centrum links) : La Romaine (klinkt een beetje zoals een Roomse pizza naam : rood met gouden kaas op
PS, MR en ECOLO : L’arc-en-ciel (een regenboog omdat er zoveel kleuren in zitten)
PS, ECOLO en CDH: L’Olivier (zie boven, weer een verband met Italië)
MR, CDH en ECOLO : La Jamaicaine (dat is nu ietsje moeilijker. Je moet eens vlug gaan kijken naar de Jamaicaanse vlag om te kunenn begrijpen).

rood, geel, ...

In Vlaanderen bestaan die benamingen nog niet per se voor elke coalitie mogelijk. Waarschijnlijk gebruikt men in het Noorden liever de partijnamen om duidelijker te zijn. Of misschien zijn de partijen van Vlaanderen niet meer zo sterk geassocieerd met een kleur. Voor de fun zou het misschien de moeite waard zijn om eens te denken over bepaalde mogelijkheden. Als er morgen een regering in Vlaanderen is gevormd met SP.A, CD&V en NVA, noem je het dan een “uitsmijter”?