SMOGGIN

It seems that National Health insurance is becoming more probable in the U.S. since Obama took office. 

There are many pros and cons to this issue. Some of which are valid and others are due to not enough knowledge on the subject. 
I have experienced national health, while living in the United Kingdom and I can tell you that the care I received in my physician's office and hospitals during my pregnancies and other medical issues were more than I expected.

After my deliveries, I was put in a very cheery ward with maybe a dozen or so beds and doctors and nurses where on call and checking on me when they were suppose to and if I needed them.  There was a small lounge close by and a tea and lunch area.  For those who could not walk to these areas, meals and snacks were brought to them.  Privacy is only your curtain away if you need it,  but I have to say that the banter with other new moms was a wonderful experience.   

I did not receive any less care than I receive in the U.S.   Doctor's appointments were made easily, and yes at times the doctor's office was
full but so was my pocketbook.  The extra 20 minutes I may have waited at times was worth it in the long haul.     I was not being nickled and dimed and billed constantly for what my insurance would not cover. 

In the U.S. the emergency rooms at the hospitals are ridiculously over crowded now, and if your medical issue is enough to warrant a stay at the hospital as an inpatient, it may take several hours to a full day before a bed becomes available.   

With national health everyone will have a doctor and receive the care needed before most emergency visits are made, therefore leaving the emergency rooms less crowded.    Even if there is no change to the crowded emergency rooms all is not lost considering the money you will save with this type of insurance.  

The small amount you contribute to this will give you and everyone else health insurance in the U.S.  Isn't that a good thing?   I believe it is.  

Some do not realize that if you wish to purchase private insurance you may do so, it may be costly, but you will receive a private room at a hospital, and doctors of your choice, (however, with national health you can most likely keep the doctor you are affiliated with anyway).  

I am in agreement with the National health insurance plan and feel it will bring our country out of its recession and give every citizen an equal chance at wellness.  After all, isn't that what we want for our citizens. Everyone deserves that, and if the U.S. follows in the same respect as my experience in the U.K then I see nothing but a positive outcome for all.  

Take our poll and I look forward to your comments about this or any other subject on Smoggin.

Farrah Fawcett lost her courageous battle to cancer at the age of 62.  I will always remember Farrah as an angel.  I don't think I missed a single episode of Charlie's Angels when she was a part of the series.   She went on to more serious television movies  as in The Burning Bed, where she excelled in her acting capabilities.   She will be missed.  

If the first two personality deaths weren't shocking enough, we learn of Michael Jackson's untimely and unexpected death.  Through all his troubles in the news, he was undeniably one of the greatest legendary talents of all time, along with Elvis Presley, John Lennon and a handful of others.   From his young age of five he has performed with great passion and vigor that will never be forgotten.  

Please express your condolences for any or all three of our recent celebrity losses.   Comment on our blog, or talk in our message boards about your memories.  

May they rest in peace.

As I drank my tea this morning and switched on my computer to read the news, my first shock was the death of Ed McMahon.  My condolences to his family.   He was someone that you just expected to be around forever.  I mean his face was always there smiling at you somewhere in your daily life, from past memories as Johnny Carson's sidekick to the spokesperson for Life insurance commercials to the more important, Jerry Lewis Labor day telethon.  He also spent time in my mailbox offering me a chance to win millions in the PCH sweepstakes.  His recent troubles with foreclosure issues brought him more exposure and more commercials. 

He was one of life's visual staples, a true icon.  Heeeere's to you Ed, may you rest in peace.

Is this a sign of disrespect to Israel?  Or could it be that President Obama is just relaxing and feeling quite confident and rested in his conversation.  

 Oh if that desk had a "sole" and could talk, what could it tell us, or do we even want to know the goings on in and around it and not to mention underneath it too!!   Okay, it's an antique desk with a lot of history, and now it has more to add to it.   I hardly think the President was aware of this despicable act of showing his sole to the world.   Yes, I'm being sarcastic and hope that the world can move on from this terrible incident and move on to more mundane situations.  Geez.

What do you think?   Is it so bad and is it even newsworthy stuff?   Give us your comments.   The best comment will be made public right here!  How's that for some incentive!!  Or take our poll or both!

 

 
Did you watch?   Personally, I don't spend much time watching either Conan or Leno unless there is going to be someone or something on that is of concern or interest to me.  Occasionally I watched Jay's monologue, which I got a rare chuckle from compared to Conan's, which I never find amusing. 

As for his new tonight show hosting, I watched the first few minutes and turned it off.  Especially knowing that his first guest would be Will Ferrell, whom I can't stand watching for a second.  To each his own I guess as far as taste on comedy, but Will Farrell is comedy at it's worst.  Too silly, tries to hard to be funny.  Comedy should be natural not forced and I find that both Conan and Will Farrell try to hard at times.  But, with that said I wish Conan success with his new show.   It takes time to get use to something new and I'm sure he has many fans out there.   

Okay what do you think?  Give it to me and take our poll.

It's no wonder a simple lady from a simple lifestyle has reached her stress level.  All the hype she has received in the media in the past few weeks has been unbelievable.   Checking into a mental health facility is probably the best thing to happen to her right now.   Rest and away from the prying eyes and ears of the media, fans and critics alike will do her the world of good. 

Susan Boyle has not been given the opportunity to sit back and take all this fame and fortune in that is now resting on her shoulders.   Now that the contest is over, it seems the realization of it all is finally sinking in and she is just plain tired and has no patience and not coping very well.     

 

Let's hope she gets the help she needs.   She needs time to absorb what's to come.  A book deal, a Cd, and so much more, not to mention, eight million pounds richer.   Oh, how nice that sounds but I'm sure it comes with some horrendous ramifications, especially for a sweet and simple village lass from Scotland.    

I have to admit, warming up to Kara Dioguardi was not an easy task.  If I was on the set of American Idol, I probably would have given her a hard time to say the least.  It's not easy being an astute Idol fan every season and having a fourth judge thrown in your face.  Especially one so easy to hate.  After all, what judge compares her singing voice to an audition idol hopeful only to end up in a heated debate with her.    I was given the impression of a know it all trying too hard to fit into the scheme of things and just making things worse for herself the more she spoke and the more she nodded with that air of excellence. 

I blush with shame for my own judgemental attitude towards this fourth judge without giving her the benefit of the doubt.  She comes along after 7 seasons of only 3 judges  trying to fit in, and I didn't give her an ounce of compassion or hope to do well.  

As the season was drawing to a close, little by little I did not want to admit she was growing on me.  This brave lady had big shoes to fill, and her idol critiquing seemed a little over the top, yet I realized, if I can get past the trying hard to please attitude, she actually had some intelligent and real stuff to say. 

Then came the finale, she really peaked her popularity in my mind.   She showed a more relaxed and human approach with a sense of humor to boot.    It nailed it for me and I now am looking forward to season 9 and hopefully all four judges are still on board.  

Take our poll or comment and tell us what you think. 

Check out our forum and discuss more on Kara Dioguardi.

 As I watched the finale, I noticed something I did not see in the early idol auditions. During the finale's segment on Adam's idol journey from his first audition I saw something that lifted my curiosity. Before Adam even sings on this video of his first audition for the four judges,  I noticed a wink from Kara as she spoke directly to Adam.  Now this could have been a gesture of an approving judge, but somehow I did not see it that way.   It looked as if, Kara had already met Adam before the auditions, and was giving him a wink of not only approval, but hey, don't forget who got you here, and it's all going to be okay kind of wink.    

What I'd like to ask is if anyone else noticed this and felt the same way.  I am very observant and my imagination may run wild at times, but this was not just a wink of an eye, there was more behind it I'm sure. 
Check out the video of Adam's first audition here and don't forget to check out the wink!!

http://idol-mania.com/american-idol-fan/2009/01/21/adam-lambert-bohemian-rhapsody-audition-video/

Out of the two, I would say, yes, the right man won. Kris is like the one that got away when you weren't looking, only to sweep up behind you and take it all. His performances the night before were his best ever and deserving of the title. Why did Kris win? Somewhere along the way Adam grew a little stale, we wanted more and didn't get it, because his best was the same every week, he was at the top of his game from day one, but failed to keep us enthralled as we knew what to expect from him and yes he gave it all, the screaming, the makeup, the nail polish, the glitter, but he failed to give us a little humility, even to the point that he actually answered Ryan's question in a past week, by stating that Danny and Allison were the best that week. He was sent to the bottom instead. He lost me at that point. Ironically, the bottom included Kris. Judging a fellow idols performance is a not so cool thing to do. I'm sure he doesn't care and will have tremendous opportunities, but Kris goes beyond talent, and he is a deserving talent, but he is also a nice guy!!