NATION/WORLD
 

The car that makes you feel
like Toonces.
   
    

   COPENHAGEN (SQP) - The debate regarding climate change rages on in Copenhagen, Denmark.  Experts are mired in details, some even arguing about what to name the phenomenon.  Should it be called global warming or climate change?  Or, shall we invent a new nomenclature which is even more nondescript and ambiguous?
   What is clear, however, is that the histrionics playing out in Copenhagen are of historic proportion.  With regard to climate change, political attention across the globe has undoubtedly reached a crescendo, and impassioned advocates seek to capitalize on the momentum.
   But unfortunately, the world's top polluters, such as China, India, and the United States, continue to forestall formulation of an accord.  Such obstructionism reveals a lack of political will to frame and implement a binding treaty.
   Moreover, it seems that industrialized and emerging nations have significant reservations concerning the viability and affordability of global warming solutions.  The proposed solutions are as worrisome as the perceived problem of global warming.  Take for example the following geoengineering schemes to reduce the sun's power and cool the planet: Reflective materials, stratospheric aerosols, and space sunshade.  The disadvantages of such schemes include high cost, delay in deployment, disruption of weather patterns, and "unknown impact on ecosystems".
   Hasty efforts to stem climate change are likely to open a Pandora's box.  “Our research found that some geoengineering techniques could have serious unintended and detrimental effects on many people and ecosystems," says John Shepherd, a professor at Britain’s University of Southampton.  He maintains that geoengineering is simply filling a political void.
   As history unfolds in Copenhagen, delegates and spectators alike should look to history for an enlightening lesson, namely the Paris Peace Conference of 1919.  When sovereign nations and cults of personality convene to codify mutual interests while forwarding self-interest, they may unknowingly cause truly regrettable effects.   

  

Rachel Maddow edged out
Brad Pitt, George Clooney,
and Matt Damon for the top spot.

     Just days after receiving sobering unemployment statistics, the Obama administration must now contend with a shocking allegation.  A White House leak alleges that, since taking office, the president's golf handicap has risen in direct proportion to unemployment, from 4 strokes to well over 10.
     This revelation comes at a critical juncture in the health care debate.  "The president's struggle on the golf course could foster the perception that he is out of touch with the average health care executive," says E.G. Blackhart, a lobbyist for health insurance companies.
     Some have criticized the president for the amount of time he has spent golfing, despite the faltering economy.  In defense of excessive leisure, Blackhart argues that, "the president should be golfing more, much more.  It would send a strong message to the ruling elite in this country that irrational exuberance is back again.  Damn regulatory reform and populist gripes, grab your clubs and play 36 holes today."
     The Obama administration may have heeded the message.  Rahm Emanuel, Obama's chief of staff, has teamed up with three other cabinet members.  The foursome are scrambling to hire a golf pro who will advise the president in an effort to mitigate his rising handicap.  Emanuel maintains that, "we must get this economy moving again, one job at a time."
 

                        by Lee Todd 10.05.09
     One of the goals of Status Quo Post is to remove all congressional incumbents from office, including senators and representatives, beginning in 2010.  We have teamed up with PinkSlip2010.com.
     Status Quo Post needs your help, and we have made it easy for you to do so.  Really, it is.  It is as easy as one-two-three.
     First, click on the following links to find your senators and representatives:
U.S. House of Representatives
U.S. Senate

     Second, vote for ANY of their opponents in future elections, primary or general.
     Third, write all your congressmen using the form letter below.  That way, they will not be blindsided by the career change, and they can make the necessary arrangements.  Hey, it is the least you can do.

FORM LETTER:
(Congressional Incumbent)

(Street Address)

(City, State & ZIP Code)

Re: Notice- Termination of Employment

Dear (Congressional Incumbent):

I relish to inform you that your employment with the United States of America will likely be terminated, effective immediately following the 2010 midterm elections, primary and general respectively.

This letter serves as my notice of intent to vote “YES” for any of your opponents. 

Sincerely,

(Your Name)

Enlightened Citizen
 
 

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House: Working hard or hardly working? POLITICO

Wall Street money rains on Schumer  POLITICO

LOCAL/REGIONAL
 

     If you have incurred medical expenses lately, you have probably experienced the shell game perpetrated by health insurance companies and medical billing offices.
   The current debate concerning health care seems to focus on affordability and availability.  Indeed, costs have skyrocketed over the past decade, and measures should be adopted to curtail them.
   Nonetheless, I would argue that a more substantive debate should focus on accountability in the health care industry at-large.
   For example, representatives of doctors' offices and insurance companies refuse to put treatment costs or guarantees of policy coverage in writing, even though it may be routine care.  Moreover, if they verbally misinform you, too bad. 
   And if an insurance company assures you that a consultation is covered under your insurance plan but later deny the claim, you have no recourse.  Well, you have the option of appealing their denial.  But many have learned that the appeal process is an exercise in futility.
   Under the current health care system, telephonic prevarication is an essential part of their business model.  This trend is disturbing.  Insurance companies and health care providers should be held to the same standard as any other business.  Currently, they are untouchable.
   A Nebraska man experienced the shell game.  He battled cancer and is now battling his insurance company.  To listen to his incredible story, click here.
   We want to hear your perspective on the health care debate.  Send your stories to:
editor@statusquopost.com
   If we publish your story, names will remain anonymous. 

'Big Ben' Nelson

A Nelson-centric Solar System

Omaha World-Herald inspires woman to 'Go Green'
by I.M. Wright 11.06.09

   Omaha resident Paige Turner has always appreciated the unchecked monopoly of Omaha’s most popular newspaper, the Omaha World-Herald.  Nevertheless, after considering the current economic climate and consequential penny-pinching, Turner wondered whether her subscription to Omaha’s premier daily newspaper was worth the expenditure.  She realized it was valuable indeed, after her coincidental discovery of extraordinary uses for her daily paper.
     “I have always loved the paper’s kitschy, folksy, and yawnful reporting,” Turner admits.  With a broad smile on her face, she describes her favorite theme in the Omaha World-Herald.  “I’m a sucker for stories about unremarkable people who have ties to Nebraska, however tenuous their bonds to the state.”
     On a lazy Sunday morning while reading the Omaha World-Herald, something occurred which would dramatically shape the rest of Turner’s life.
     “As I perused the Midlands section, my skin turned a sickly shade of green,” Turner said.  “Within minutes, I began to vomit uncontrollably, more violently than ever before.  Fortunately, the newspaper’s absorbency was sufficient to capture my venti, nonfat, decaf latte.”  Although Turner did not perceive it immediately, she had chanced upon a valuable discovery.
     When Turner was asked what had caused the sudden vomiting, she became philosophical.  “Like many people, I think the appeal of the Omaha World-Herald is its slanted commentary, undercurrents of bias, sycophantism, as well as tacit advocacy of elite agendas,” she opined. “I enjoyed those characteristics for so many years.  But I guess my tolerance reached critical mass, and my body began to reject it,” Turner stated soberly.
     “I stubbornly continued reading the paper.  For weeks, I endured the gastric convulsions as well as the greenish hue of my complexion.  After countless physical examinations, my gastroenterologist advised me to stop.  I was forced to come to terms with my weakness and face reality.  Of course, as an avid reader of the Omaha World-Herald, I had difficulty grasping reality, let alone facing it.”
     Turner confronted a dilemma: With nearly a year of her subscription remaining, what would she do with the daily newspaper?  Answer: Go green. 
     “The proverbial light bulb turned on,” Turner recalls fondly.  “Even though reading it made me ill, I realized that it still had usefulness.  Inspired by the U.S. EPA, I decided to officially ‘Go Green’ and utilize waste products like the Omaha World-Herald to the nth degree.  By doing my small part to help the environment, I hope to inspire tens of thousands of others.”
     Turner resolved to use her daily rag as, well, a rag.  Turner said that her, “bouts of violent vomiting revealed the superior absorbency of newspaper in comparison to paper towels.  Now, I clean and polish my windows with the paper, with amazing results.”
     Turner has countless other uses for her unread papers, including drying wet shoes, removing oven residue, lining trash compactors, and composting.
     Turner’s most recent use involves man’s best friend.  “With such a surplus of newspapers, I decided to adopt a puppy and paper-train him.  He’s a Lee Terrier, a breed well-known for their remarkable incontinence.  His name is Junior.”
     When the Omaha World-Herald became bilious instead of endearing, Paige Turner set off on a journey of discovery.  Advocates for the environment owe Turner a debt of gratitude.