The Orangutan and the Hound Dog

Three Cups of Tea

[Paraphrased from the Flyleaf of the book.]

Three Cups of Tea is the title of a book by and about Greg Mortenson, a climber who failed in his attempt to ascend K2 in Pakistan, and drifted cold, hungry and tired into the village of Korphe. So thankful to the villagers for their hospitality and friendship, Mr. Mortenson promised to build a school for its children. Not only did he complete the school for Korphe, over the next decade he had completed fifty-five schools especially for girls.

"If you want to thrive in Baltistan, you must respect our ways," Haji Ali said, blowing on his bowl. "The first time you share tea with a Balti, you are a stranger. The second time you take tea, you are an honored guest. The third time you share a cup of tea, you become family, and for our family, we are prepared to do anything, even die," he said, laying his hand warmly on Mortenson's own . . .

HIGHLY Recommended.

RIP, Mary Travers

My BAD

The President's plan does offer a public option. My information from Huffington Post was that it would not. My bad.

I should believe, shouldn't I?

Obama sells out!

We the people elected Barack Obama on the promise of a public-option for healthcare. What we get is "insurance exchanges":

Now, if you're one of the tens of millions of Americans who don't currently have health insurance, the second part of this plan will finally offer you quality, affordable choices. If you lose your job or change your job, you will be able to get coverage. If you strike out on your own and start a small business, you will be able to get coverage. We will do this by creating a new insurance exchange - a marketplace where individuals and small businesses will be able to shop for health insurance at competitive prices. Insurance companies will have an incentive to participate in this exchange because it lets them compete for millions of new customers. As one big group, these customers will have greater leverage to bargain with the insurance companies for better prices and quality coverage. This is how large companies and government employees get affordable insurance. It's how everyone in this Congress gets affordable insurance. And it's time to give every American the same opportunity that we've given ourselves.

So, tell me Mr. President, how is an insurance exchange going to provide affordable healthcare for someone with a pre-existing condition? It's not going to happen.

Disappointed I am.