New Huffington Post Column

BobWhen i practiced law in California, we made a fortunate with “contingency fees”.We earned 33% of recoveries from health insurance companies. Our clients were awarded punitive damages because of the outrageous manner in which they treated their insureds.The purpose of punitive damages (millions) was to deter this sort of conduct. They paid up (after the verdicts were reduced on appeal) and then kept right on screwing the policy holders, These companies are crooked bastards.I do not have a good feeling about the “public option”. The “private” asswipes have way too much power and our elected shitheads are not to be trusted. Bribery works.

Hey Guys,I’ve been a non contributing visitor on this forum for some time now and thought it is a good time to start interacting with all of you here! I’m extremely interested in renewable energy and stumbled across a video of solar energy training and would like to know if anyone has any comments on this!Looking forward to interacting and contributing on this forum more often.Video about Solar Energy Training – If you can help me know more about this topic, please do!

Auch im Jahr 2008 berichten uns zufriedene Kunden über Ihre Entdeckungen mit unseren Metalldetektoren. Im Iran wurde mit Hilfe des Metalldetektor GTI2500 von Garrett ein altes Grab mit menschlichen Überresten, einigen Kupferringen und historisch wertvollen Ziegen- oder Schafsglocken geortet. Das Grab, vermutlich das eines Hirten, wurde in einer Tiefe von 210 cm in Tonerde lokalisiert.http://c2.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/97/l_9d668e62fd0d49c996579b515d6ee831.jpgmetalldetektoren garret gti 2500 metalldetektor schatzsucheDie antiken Glocken, mit einer Größe von 10 cm, 12 cm, 15 cm Länge und 6 cm, 9 cm, 13 cm Breite weisen unterschiedliche Formen und einzigartige Strukturen auf. Jede Glocke beinhaltet 1, 2 oder 3 kleine Kugeln, die einen wunderschönen Klang erzeugen. Die Einwohner berichten, dass die Glocken früher um die Hälse von Ziegen oder Schafen gehangen wurden, um böse Geister zu vertreiben.

@ SoigeNonoYou raise a great concept for debate. This blog, however is most likely about the subject of Bob’s HP post.I would like to suggest that you post on the open thread which Bob offers each night. Try it, but the “club” will probably conclude that you are just a “troll” that was previously a “lurker”. They will not respond because you do not have a seat at their fucking “bar”Bob wonders why his traffic is down.

couldn’t agree more. my family’s rates with blue shield of california were just hiked by almost 30% for absolutely no reason except for “administrative costs, etc”, while our kids doctor bills, which are supposed to have a $40 co-pay, now constitute me paying $85 while the insurance pays $12. we are all just completely screwed because all it takes is one accident or illness to bankrupt you without insurance, and sometimes it will bankrupt you even if you are “insured”. please god let this reform actually be reform.

hielo, that’s not what happened and you know it. and to warn off a new person and insult bob’s blog while you still come on the open thread is dickish.soige: nice to see you. I know nothing about renewable energy except that I think we need more of it, but someone here will know about it – post an inquiry on the open thread or ask on the next energy post.

feYou know that your comment is horseshit. I am a devoted fan of the GDAB…probably two years now.But what i am saying about the “club” welcoming newcomers is exactly right on… and you know it. You are old enough to think for yourself. Do it please.

hielo, the first time you came onto this blog, you insulted all of us repeatedly. I seem to remember being the only one who was kind to you. and we can go back to the archives and prove it, if you wish. the shit that happened later with DP and Carl, I won’t talk about because I wasn’t around for all of it.regardless, soige: you’re welcome here, as are all lurkers.

feYes, I guess I did “insult” your group. But I stand by the premise that the GDAB should be open and about free speech… not a private bar.And yes, you were kind and understanding. Thank you. And please just think about what I am saying here about the “club”. It’s not good for the GDAB.Have a good night fe. Your comments are very intelligent.

the thing is, hielo, it wasn’t that we’re a private bar, and we still aren’t. I came onto the open thread in October and said, “I’m a lurker, hi!” and everyone, nearly all of them the same people that still frequent the open thread, was nice to me. In the months since, I’ve seen several lurkers come onto the open thread and join the convo – none of them seemed to get a bad impression of us and many have stayed: zirgar, Matt, Vera, sometimes Annette, JM Ashby, I think Sillygit.You, on the other hand, walked into a community and insulted us and, what, expected kindness in return?We are not a ‘private bar.’

FeOther than GIT, you just did the “club” roll call.I mean, really, food and beer!?I wish the club would stick to the good issues Bob presents…. and, perhaps, allow for just a little dissent.

hielo, I think we deserve one thread where we get to talk about whatever we want. any other thread, the comments are about the topic or, somewhat rarely, another political or current event. rarely, in dedicated threads, do people go entirely off topic.as far as dissent goes, you might have a point. some here can be rather unyielding. but that’s not the norm. and, typically, when ‘dissent’ is squashed, it’s actually trolls just coming here to piss us off, and I won’t apologize for verbally beating the shit out of trolls.

Well, O.K.But how can you so accurately distinguish between legitimate dissent and “trolls just coming here to piss us off”. I am impressed by the reference to “us” and the fact that your club has a template for different kinds of dissent. i have never seen one. Any chance you could send a written description?Just kidding fe. I really do like to read your comments.

that’s a fair point hielo.a troll is someone who comes into an internet community with the intent to anger and annoy, rather than to honestly debate. trolls typically have little understanding of reality and often insult people ad hominem rather than genuinely debate. trolls are easy to recognize. for example, since dr tiller’s death, many trolls refer to liberals as ‘baby killers’ or ‘murderers.’If anyone out there reading this wants to legitimately dissent, then, at this and most websites, the right way to to do it is to stay away from personal or emotional attacks and to have unbiased sources. For extra credit, try to find common ground with the people you’re debating; it makes the whole thing feel more peaceful.

O.K. ThanksDid I sound like a person like that?My point is not to attack anyone. i just don’t like the nasty format of the debate where outsiders are concerned,Now, if somebody attacks me, there is nothing I like better than a good fucking fight. So maybe that is why I always come back. Bad reason, i know.I am heading to the sack. Thanks for the good conversation, fe.

Hielo – Dissent is alright if it is warrented.You can plainly see many regulars of this blog including myself dissent just about anytime Stranahan makes a post for example. hahaDissenting just for the sake of dissenting is not appreciated. That is what trolling is. Stirring shit just for fun.

Not too many comments here about the topic. It’s depressing to think the thieves will rob from the poor. But if they do, and Congress endorses it, do you all think the President will get reelected? I am getting tired of emailing whitehouse.gov daily with, “We demand a public option!” And will Baucus escape unscathed after he kills reform? Or do his insurance company ties make him ever so popular back home?

Great column, Bob. While the details of a public option may not be perfect, something needs to happen. Because the insurance companies certainly aren’t going to voluntarily drop their premiums. They are going to fight this with everything they can muster, and we need to stand up to them, and our government officials need to stand up to them as well. Perhaps we should stand outside of Congress and pass out cojones.