Topic 108 of 108: It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (Part 3 - The Maddest World Yet!)
Tue, Aug 9, 2011 (21:17) |
Dorine (gomezdo)
102 responses total.
Topic 108 of 108 [news]: It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (Part 3 - The Maddest World Yet!)
Response 1 of 102: Dorine (gomezdo) * Sun, Aug 28, 2011 (13:52) * 3 lines
I get that impression, too, about Linda. Her DD had a post on FB last night about being at the shore, but wasn't sure if they were with Linda's mom or in their own place.
I didn't lose power, but had a bit of a leak in the corner of the living room where there are 2 windows. Has a history of leaking there, but just did a big, almost yearlong fix on the roof because of many leaks previously all over, but clearly whatever they did, didn't fix this one. A tree down the street fell on 2 neighbors cars. My super and I were just joking that people keep going up to it and taking pics like it's a tourist attraction.
Topic 108 of 108 [news]: It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (Part 3 - The Maddest World Yet!)
Response 2 of 102: SueH (pianoblues) * Sun, Aug 28, 2011 (15:34) * 3 lines
Thanks,for your kind words, Mari. My Aunt couldn't have children, we spent many a happy holiday with her and my Uncle. She was like a second Mum to me :-)
Hope all is well for Linda? Thank goodness the Hurricane didn't hit as hard as they expected. Very sad about the 11 year old boy losing his life and others.
Topic 108 of 108 [news]: It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (Part 3 - The Maddest World Yet!)
Response 3 of 102: Moon Dreams (Moon) * Sun, Aug 28, 2011 (17:21) * 3 lines
What a crazy week. Earthquakes, and then Irene, which luckily, was only a tropical storm by me. Lots of rain and heavy winds, but we did not lose electricity.
I'm happy to hear all DD's are fine. And, sorry about your aunt, Sue.
Topic 108 of 108 [news]: It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (Part 3 - The Maddest World Yet!)
Response 4 of 102: Janet O'Brien (janet2) * Sun, Aug 28, 2011 (17:36) * 4 lines
Glad the storm abated before it hit NYC etc, but sad that it cost some lives.
Apparently the tail end of the storm will hit Scotland by the weekend.
No big deal, but the weather has been pretty awful of late, and it would have been nice to get some sun before Autumn arrives:-(
Topic 108 of 108 [news]: It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (Part 3 - The Maddest World Yet!)
Response 5 of 102: Evelyn (lafn) * Wed, Aug 31, 2011 (09:14) * 7 lines
Text from LindaK:
They are bone dry! ...only house in the neighborhood that didn't take in water in the basement.
No phone service. Texts OK.Move going smoothly.
(Note to Boss: I still don't have phone on all the time. Really, don't like cell phones ! But will be better at Newark next time:-)))))
Topic 108 of 108 [news]: It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (Part 3 - The Maddest World Yet!)
Response 6 of 102: Pariah (KarenR) * Wed, Aug 31, 2011 (09:39) * 2 lines
(Dorine) A tree down the street fell on 2 neighbors cars. My super and I were just joking that people keep going up to it and taking pics like it's a tourist attraction.
I know exactly what that looks like. During one of our violent storms last month, a big tree fell about a block away. There was a car parked right in front of it, so it landed right smack dab on it, then it took out four cars across the street. If there hadn't been a tree across the street, it would no doubt have damaged the homes. The tree wasn't removed for several days, but it attracted a lot of neighborhood attention and kids were climbing all over it and their parents taking pictures.
Topic 108 of 108 [news]: It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (Part 3 - The Maddest World Yet!)
Response 7 of 102: Janet O'Brien (janet2) * Thu, Sep 15, 2011 (16:43) * 2 lines
Very strange ...
http://talesfromthelou.wordpress.com/tag/grangemouth/
Topic 108 of 108 [news]: It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (Part 3 - The Maddest World Yet!)
Response 8 of 102: Pariah (KarenR) * Sat, Oct 1, 2011 (11:22) * 5 lines
Interesting article:
http://news.yahoo.com/amanda-knox-three-countries-three-different-portrayals-104209170.html
However, I did watch the Lifetime movie made a year or so about her and I didn't think it was flattering at all. In fact they portrayed her as uncaring and unsympathetic, leaving it wide open that she was certainly capable of committing the murder.
Topic 108 of 108 [news]: It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (Part 3 - The Maddest World Yet!)
Response 9 of 102: Mari Fulginiti (mari) * Sat, Oct 1, 2011 (13:11) * 14 lines
And everyone knows Lifetime movies are rooted in truth.;-)
She was interrogated for 12 hours--and all that time was denied a lawyer or an interpreter.
The victim's alleged DNA found on the knife was, upon the recent review, found to be . . . wait for it . . . a morsel of rye bread. Key material from the scene was left to sit in the apartment for 6 weeks, then handled hamfistedly, even stepped on--and allowed into evidence. This was on 20/20 last night. Beyond sloppy. Unforgiveable.
So two kids have been sitting in jail for years, and I can't even imagine what Meredith's family have gone through while these clowns botched the whole thing, having to relive the pain through appeals, studies, media sensationalism. What a circus.
I'm reminded of my comment the other week that Livia never criticizes the Italian judicial system. This part from your linked article is interesting; maybe she's afraid she'd be tossed in jail.
Italy is a sunny place, but free speech is rather chilled. The nation was ranked 79th in press freedom in 2009. . . . journalists in Italy covering cases like the Kercher murder must rely on tips from individual lawyers. . .
Adding to the selective information download, journalists in Italy approached the case with a casual attitude toward facts. If a lawyer said something - anything - it was broadcast or printed, subject to debate, but rarely if ever an official correction.
Topic 108 of 108 [news]: It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (Part 3 - The Maddest World Yet!)
Response 10 of 102: Peggy (slpeg2003) * Sat, Oct 1, 2011 (13:27) * 11 lines
That story is very interesting. It just shows how information can be manipulated to arouse different opinions.
I didn't see the lifetime show. I watched the 20/20 special last night and she was portrayed as a victim of the over zealous prosecutor trying to save face (he was recently convicted of "abuse of office" regarding a previous case).
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article6999196.ece
There is a serious lack of forensic evidence and motive to convict her, at least by U.S. standards.
I really feel terribly sorry for Meredith Kercher's family, too. They have suffered so much and it is still unresolved.
I think I'll look into this book "The Monster of Florence" which is discussed in this blog.
http://keithridgway.com/tag/giuliano-mignini/
Both authors were interviewed by Elizabeth Vargas for the 20/20 story.
Topic 108 of 108 [news]: It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (Part 3 - The Maddest World Yet!)
Response 11 of 102: Mari Fulginiti (mari) * Sat, Oct 1, 2011 (14:42) * 7 lines
(PeggY)over zealous prosecutor trying to save face (he was recently convicted of "abuse of office" regarding a previous case).
Oh yes, I forgot about that. And he's still practicing. As for lack of motive, now the prosecutor is saying she kiled "for no reason" which apparently gets you the heaviest sentence over there. He admitted to Elizabeth Vargas that he no longer believes the stuff he threw against the wall earlier.
I really feel terribly sorry for Meredith Kercher's family, too. They have suffered so much and it is still unresolved.
IMO, the other guy convicted, Rudy Guede, is the man. But yes, my heart goes out to Meredith's family. To see your child abused and slaughtered like that. It's unspeakable. Poor people.
Topic 108 of 108 [news]: It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (Part 3 - The Maddest World Yet!)
Response 12 of 102: Linda (Aberdeen) * Sat, Oct 1, 2011 (21:00) * 1 lines
The whole Amanda Knox situation is a terrible fiasco. That idiot prosecutor sees sex cults in bushes. He's an arrogant a-hole and perpetual liar! His career, such as it is, is on the line so he will fight tooth and nail to uphold her unjust conviction while he appeals his own conviction for abuse of power. What a joke he is! Sadly this joke has innocent young people rotting in jail and a murdered girl without justice. Italy seems to have trial by public opinion which was fostered by sensationalism in the press before the trial. Meanwhile that chick in Florida gets off Scot free after not reporting her daughter missing for a month....among who knows what else she did! Where is the justice?
Topic 108 of 108 [news]: It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (Part 3 - The Maddest World Yet!)
Response 13 of 102: Janet O'Brien (janet2) * Sun, Oct 2, 2011 (13:59) * 2 lines
Although some of the evidence against her appears to be disputed, her behaviour in the immediate aftermath of the murder was rather bizarre.
She's not the innocent little girl her family are portraying her as, I don't think.
Topic 108 of 108 [news]: It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (Part 3 - The Maddest World Yet!)
Response 14 of 102: Pariah (KarenR) * Sun, Oct 2, 2011 (16:27) * 2 lines
(Janet) Although some of the evidence against her appears to be disputed, her behaviour in the immediate aftermath of the murder was rather bizarre.
But behavior (odd, I would agree) shouldn't be the basis for a conviction. There should be solid and undisputed evidence.
Topic 108 of 108 [news]: It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (Part 3 - The Maddest World Yet!)
Response 15 of 102: Janet O'Brien (janet2) * Sun, Oct 2, 2011 (17:33) * 5 lines
A botched investigation it would seem, but why implicate another in the crime, why did she and her co-accused change their stories, and also switch off their mobiles around the same time?
Also, a friend of Melanie gave evidence that Knox said Melanie had died of loss of blood before this had been mentioned by the police.
Topic 108 of 108 [news]: It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (Part 3 - The Maddest World Yet!)
Response 16 of 102: Janet O'Brien (janet2) * Mon, Oct 3, 2011 (07:25) * 1 lines
Sorry, Meredith.
Topic 108 of 108 [news]: It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (Part 3 - The Maddest World Yet!)
Response 17 of 102: Pariah (KarenR) * Mon, Oct 3, 2011 (10:27) * 2 lines
(Janet) but why implicate another in the crime, why did she and her co-accused change their stories, and also switch off their mobiles around the same time?
None of these things are avidence. There were witnesses and no physical evidence, not to mention lack of motive. In my country and yours, a person could not be convicted of murder without those things being established "beyond a shadow of a doubt." I can't speak for the Italian justice system because it is not based on the same precepts.
Topic 108 of 108 [news]: It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (Part 3 - The Maddest World Yet!)
Response 18 of 102: Pariah (KarenR) * Mon, Oct 3, 2011 (10:27) * 1 lines
Ooops... Should read "there were NO witnesses..."
Topic 108 of 108 [news]: It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (Part 3 - The Maddest World Yet!)
Response 19 of 102: Janet O'Brien (janet2) * Mon, Oct 3, 2011 (10:51) * 2 lines
Isn't it beyond reasonable doubt?
I still believe she knows more than she's saying, guilty or not.
Topic 108 of 108 [news]: It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (Part 3 - The Maddest World Yet!)
Response 20 of 102: Pariah (KarenR) * Mon, Oct 3, 2011 (11:08) * 6 lines
Yes, that is the phrase. Still early here (woke up late). But doesn't change anything.
(Janet) I still believe she knows more than she's saying, guilty or not.
Regardless, she shouldn't be convicted of a crime if she didn't commit it or was a party to it (an accessory or in a conspiracy to do it). Also, it seems rather doubtful to me that she does know more. Presumably one would keep silent in order to protect someone. Who would she be protecting at this point other than herself?
Topic 108 of 108 [news]: It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (Part 3 - The Maddest World Yet!)
Response 21 of 102: Janet O'Brien (janet2) * Mon, Oct 3, 2011 (11:30) * 7 lines
Has her previous behaviour been covered in the US press? Not that it would make her guilty obviously, but her character does not appear to be that put forward by her parents.
A former workmate says she laughed hysterically when she found out he was Jewish, screaming," My people killed your people!." Very disturbing behaviour:-(
She has admitted she took drugs on the night of the murder, and has changed her story several times.
Who knows what she was capable of?
Topic 108 of 108 [news]: It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (Part 3 - The Maddest World Yet!)
Response 22 of 102: Pariah (KarenR) * Mon, Oct 3, 2011 (11:45) * 2 lines
(Janet) Has her previous behaviour been covered in the US press?
As I wrote earlier, the made-for-TV movie displayed her very odd and suspect behavior. It did not paint her as an angel or innocent, well-adjusted kid.
Topic 108 of 108 [news]: It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (Part 3 - The Maddest World Yet!)
Response 23 of 102: Janet O'Brien (janet2) * Mon, Oct 3, 2011 (14:58) * 1 lines
They've both been cleared.
Topic 108 of 108 [news]: It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (Part 3 - The Maddest World Yet!)
Response 24 of 102: Janet O'Brien (janet2) * Mon, Oct 3, 2011 (15:57) * 1 lines
And now the media circus begins....
Topic 108 of 108 [news]: It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (Part 3 - The Maddest World Yet!)
Response 25 of 102: Pariah (KarenR) * Mon, Oct 3, 2011 (16:00) * 1 lines
Another example of the American press not standing 100% behind Amanda is that Barbie journalist from Newsweek, who wrote the book, and was the one consulted by Winterbottom and Colin.
Topic 108 of 108 [news]: It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (Part 3 - The Maddest World Yet!)
Response 26 of 102: Moon Dreams (Moon) * Mon, Oct 3, 2011 (20:46) * 5 lines
In all of this, who is thinking of the poor girl that died. That said, If the evidence is not conclusive, she had to be released.
I heard that Donald Trump paid her legal fees?!
Italians are 50/50 on her guilt/innocence.
Topic 108 of 108 [news]: It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (Part 3 - The Maddest World Yet!)
Response 27 of 102: Mari Fulginiti (mari) * Tue, Oct 4, 2011 (10:41) * 15 lines
(Moon)If the evidence is not conclusive, she had to be released.
The jury had two options to aquit: determining there wasn't evough evidence to uphold the conviction, or finding that Amanda and Raffaele did not commit the crime. They chose the latter, clearing them completely.
I heard that Donald Trump paid her legal fees?!
If that were true, I think he would have paid for a charter flight to get her home asap, and that didn't happen; she flew commercial.
Where's our star tweeter on this situation?
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cifamerica/2011/oct/04/amanda-knox-meredith-kercher-media
The Italian media, cowed, lazy and compliant, allowed a bullying prosecutor to frame Knox and Sollecito for the Kercher murder
Topic 108 of 108 [news]: It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (Part 3 - The Maddest World Yet!)
Response 28 of 102: Moon Dreams (Moon) * Tue, Oct 4, 2011 (12:10) * 1 lines
In the apt, the police found lots of sexual toys drugs, it seems that Amanda was VERY sexually active(W)! Lots of men had been in her house. ;-)
Topic 108 of 108 [news]: It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (Part 3 - The Maddest World Yet!)
Response 29 of 102: Peggy (slpeg2003) * Tue, Oct 4, 2011 (13:34) * 4 lines
(Moon)In the apt, the police found lots of sexual toys drugs, it seems that Amanda was VERY sexually active(W)! Lots of men had been in her house. ;-)
Winkie = sarcasm?
A vibrator (which she claimed was a bon voyage gag gift) and more than a couple of boyfriends makes one a she witch? Oh, and I forgot the pot!
Topic 108 of 108 [news]: It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (Part 3 - The Maddest World Yet!)
Response 30 of 102: Janet O'Brien (janet2) * Tue, Oct 4, 2011 (13:39) * 7 lines
This is what disturbs me-she brought various strange men back to the flat. Meredith didn't approve, not surprisingly.
I know how my daughter would feel in that situation, and put drugs into the mix, anything could, and apparently did, happen:-((
I still feel she was involved in some way, although most probably not in the actual murder.
I really feel for the Kercher family-the agony goes on.
Topic 108 of 108 [news]: It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (Part 3 - The Maddest World Yet!)
Response 31 of 102: Mari Fulginiti (mari) * Tue, Oct 4, 2011 (13:41) * 10 lines
The Madonna/whore complex, and the Italians seem to be big on it.
You have to read this:
http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oe-burleigh-knox-20111004,0,2921659.story
In person, in prison and in the media, the woman convicted by an Italian court of murder — and now exonerated — was subjected to all manner of outlandish, misogynistic behavior.
Topic 108 of 108 [news]: It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (Part 3 - The Maddest World Yet!)
Response 32 of 102: Peggy (slpeg2003) * Tue, Oct 4, 2011 (14:04) * 8 lines
(Janet) I still feel she was involved in some way, although most probably not in the actual murder.
Really? I don't think she had anything to do with it.
The prosecutor needed a suspect and, voila!, he created "luciferina" — a she-devil — capable of a special, female duplicity
Thanks Mari for the Nina Burleigh articles.
Topic 108 of 108 [news]: It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (Part 3 - The Maddest World Yet!)
Response 33 of 102: Janet O'Brien (janet2) * Tue, Oct 4, 2011 (16:40) * 5 lines
The prosecutor is an idiot, obviously, with his ranting comments He didn't help the prosecution case at all.
I still believe she knows far more than she is letting on, but oui'll never know the full .
-Would you let your daughter room with her?
Topic 108 of 108 [news]: It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (Part 3 - The Maddest World Yet!)
Response 34 of 102: Janet O'Brien (janet2) * Tue, Oct 4, 2011 (16:41) * 1 lines
*full story-my PC's playing up:-(
Topic 108 of 108 [news]: It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (Part 3 - The Maddest World Yet!)
Response 35 of 102: Janet O'Brien (janet2) * Tue, Oct 4, 2011 (16:43) * 1 lines
The prosecutor didn't need a suspect, they had Guede.
Topic 108 of 108 [news]: It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (Part 3 - The Maddest World Yet!)
Response 36 of 102: Mari Fulginiti (mari) * Tue, Oct 4, 2011 (23:13) * 5 lines
No, Amanda and Raffaele were arrested first. Guede wasn't arrested until further examination of the crime scene where they found his prints. The prosecutors and police then had to save face to avoid the embarrassment of a) admitting that they arrested the wrong people (Mignini was already under indictment) and b) previously and repeatedly failing to prosecute Guede in a series of break-ins with a knife.
It's all here:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/oct/04/knox-acquittal-only-possible-verdict
Topic 108 of 108 [news]: It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (Part 3 - The Maddest World Yet!)
Response 37 of 102: Moon Dreams (Moon) * Wed, Oct 5, 2011 (13:59) * 27 lines
PERUGIA, Italy — From the beginning, it was a case of contradictions, and the questions did not end with the verdict that freed Amanda Knox.
The acquittal of the American and her ex-boyfriend in the murder of her British roommate left open the core mystery of whether anyone — other than the lone man still behind bars — took part in the brutal killing.
But it also begged questions that stretch back to the early days of the investigation into the 2007 death of Meredith Kercher.
Why did Knox initially tell prosecutors she was in the apartment that night and had to cover her ears to drown out her friend’s screams as she was brutally attacked by a man Knox falsely accused?
There was also a purported burglary at the apartment that night — staged, prosecutors alleged, by the killers to derail the investigation. Who staged it and why?
And then there was the alibi of Knox’s ex-boyfriend, Raffaele Sollecito, whose conviction was also overturned Monday. He claimed he was at home working on his computer the night of Nov. 1, 2007, yet police testified there was no sign he had used it that evening.
Monday’s verdict, reversing Knox and Sollecito’s 2009 murder convictions, didn’t answer any of those questions. And it’s unlikely the appeals court’s written explanation of its decision — due within 90 days — will shed much light, likely rendering the sensational case a mystery for years to come.
On the core question of who killed Kercher, there may yet be further legal wrangling.
A third defendant, Rudy Hermann Guede of the Ivory Coast, was convicted in a separate trial of sexually assaulting and stabbing Kercher, and his 16-year prison sentence — reduced on appeal from an initial 30 years — was upheld by Italy’s highest court in 2010.
Guede, a small-time drug dealer who fled Italy after the killing and was extradited from Germany to face the charges, acknowledged he was in Kercher’s room the night she died but said he didn’t kill her. Guede said he believed Knox and Sollecito did, but offered no evidence to back up his claim.
The high court ruling upholding his sentence said Guede didn’t act alone, though it didn’t name Knox or Sollecito as his accomplices.
“The courts agree he wasn’t acting alone,” the victim’s brother, Lyle Kercher, told a news conference Tuesday. “If those two are not the guilty parties, then who are the guilty people?”
Guede’s lawyer Valter Biscotti said he would seek to reopen the case for his client in light of the acquittals of Knox and Sollecito. He refused any further comment. AP
http://www.suntimes.com/news/nation/8040460-418/amanda-knox-verdict-leaves-list-of-questions.html
Topic 108 of 108 [news]: It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (Part 3 - The Maddest World Yet!)
Response 38 of 102: Moon Dreams (Moon) * Wed, Oct 5, 2011 (14:01) * 3 lines
Her prison time was actually for defamation. She accused a guy who was innocent, he had witnesses.
Horrible business, but people should not make her out to be a victim. The real victim is dead.
Topic 108 of 108 [news]: It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (Part 3 - The Maddest World Yet!)
Response 39 of 102: Pariah (KarenR) * Wed, Oct 5, 2011 (15:11) * 2 lines
(Moon) Her prison time was actually for defamation
Her time served was applied to the defamation charge after the fact.
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Response 40 of 102: Moon Dreams (Moon) * Thu, Oct 6, 2011 (23:13) * 1 lines
They had the Amanda Lifetime movie on tonight caught a bit and I really believe she was involved somehow. I feel for the victim.
Topic 108 of 108 [news]: It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (Part 3 - The Maddest World Yet!)
Response 41 of 102: Janet O'Brien (janet2) * Fri, Oct 7, 2011 (04:48) * 1 lines
I would seem, from their,comments, that Meredith's family feel the same.
Topic 108 of 108 [news]: It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (Part 3 - The Maddest World Yet!)
Response 42 of 102: Pariah (KarenR) * Fri, Oct 7, 2011 (09:25) * 2 lines
(Moon) They had the Amanda Lifetime movie on tonight caught a bit and I really believe she was involved somehow. I feel for the victim.
Didn't I tell you? So much for the complaints that all American media made her out to be innocent.
Topic 108 of 108 [news]: It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (Part 3 - The Maddest World Yet!)
Response 43 of 102: Janet O'Brien (janet2) * Fri, Oct 7, 2011 (11:01) * 1 lines
To be fair, most seem to believe her to be innocent, although one article I read, I think in a Chicago newspaper, was more impartial, and some of the comments on the article were really vicious in their condemnation of the author.
Topic 108 of 108 [news]: It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (Part 3 - The Maddest World Yet!)
Response 44 of 102: linda kemmerer (lindak) * Sun, Oct 9, 2011 (20:07) * 2 lines
I suggest reading The Monster of Florence by Douglas Preston. It's based on aerial murders that took place over a 20+ year span in Perugia. He finished it just as Amanda Knox was arrested. He, himself, was fleeing Florence and Magnini. If you want some hard core insight on just how diabolical the prosecutor Magnini is-read that book. No surprise that he's been indicted for his evidence and witness tampering in the serial murder case---yet was allowed to prosecute the Knox case.
The book is a good read, and Preston goes on to explain about how everyone makes money...most especially the newspapers. He also predicted that she would be found guilty and then set free on the appeal, because that's the way of Italian justice-or lack of. My brother left the book behind and I happened upon it. Fascinating to see the similarities played out in the book regarding one case, while the first Knox trial was underway.
Topic 108 of 108 [news]: It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (Part 3 - The Maddest World Yet!)
Response 45 of 102: linda kemmerer (lindak) * Sun, Oct 9, 2011 (20:08) * 2 lines
that should be serial murders.
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Response 46 of 102: Moon Dreams (Moon) * Mon, Oct 10, 2011 (11:37) * 1 lines
The Monster of Florence killed in Florence, not Perugia. Usually couples.
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Response 47 of 102: Mari Fulginiti (mari) * Tue, Oct 11, 2011 (16:11) * 3 lines
At this point, I'd say enough of my tax dollars have been wasted on this murderer.
http://news.yahoo.com/court-turns-down-philly-da-cop-killing-case-141921477.html?bouchon=504,pa
Topic 108 of 108 [news]: It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (Part 3 - The Maddest World Yet!)
Response 48 of 102: linda kemmerer (lindak) * Tue, Oct 11, 2011 (19:47) * 6 lines
(Moon) The Monster of Florence killed in Florence, not Perugia. Usually couples.
Yes, the serial murders were in Florence and the Knox case in Perugia, but Magnini was the prosecutor in both. And his actions in both were similar -despicable-leading to his own indictment.
Just when you think it's over, MAJ case rears it's ugly head, yet, again;-(
Topic 108 of 108 [news]: It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (Part 3 - The Maddest World Yet!)
Response 49 of 102: Moon Dreams (Moon) * Sat, Oct 15, 2011 (01:33) * 1 lines
Berlusconi won the confidence vote again. Livia is in Milan and some guy called her a communist because she was quite vocal in her disgust. Lol.
Topic 108 of 108 [news]: It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (Part 3 - The Maddest World Yet!)
Response 50 of 102: Moon Dreams (Moon) * Sat, Oct 15, 2011 (12:58) * 57 lines
In Rome, the left never keeps a protest peaceful, shame on them:
Police fire tear gas as protesters riot in Rome
ROME (AP) — Italian police fired tear gas and water cannons Saturday in Rome as violent protesters turned a demonstration against corporate greed into a riot, smashing shop and bank windows, torching cars and hurling bottles.
The protest in the Italian capital, which left dozens injured, was part of the "Occupy Wall Street" demonstrations against capitalism and austerity measures that went global Saturday.
Tens of thousands nicknamed "the indignant" marched in major cities across Europe, as protests that began in New York linked up with long-running demonstrations against government cost-cutting and failed financial policies in Europe.
Heavy smoke billowed into the air in downtown Rome as a small group broke away from the main demonstration and wreaked havoc in streets close to the Colosseum.
Clad in black with their faces covered, protesters threw rocks, bottles and incendiary devices at banks and Rome police in riot gear. Some protesters had clubs, others had hammers. They destroyed bank ATMs, set trash bins on fire and assaulted at least two news crews from Sky Italia.
TV footage showed police in riot gear charging the protesters and firing water cannons at them. Several police forces and protesters were injured, including one man trying to stop the protesters from throwing bottles. TV footage showed a young woman with blood covering her face, while the ANSA news agency said one man had lost two fingers when a firecracker exploded.
In the city's St. John in Lateran square, police vans came under attack, with protesters hurling rocks and cobblestones and smashing the vehicles. One police van was set ablaze, but the two people inside were able to abandon the vehicle. Peaceful demonstrators who could not leave the square climbed up the staircase outside the Basilica, one of the oldest in Rome.
Rome Mayor Gianni Alemanno blamed the violence on "a few thousand thugs from all over Italy, and possibly from all over Europe." He said some Rome museums were forced to close down because of the violence.
Some protesters also trashed offices of the Defense Ministry and set them on fire, causing the roof to collapse, reports said.
Police were out in force as up to 100,000 protesters had been expected a day after Premier Silvio Berlusconi barely survived a confidence vote in Parliament. Italy, which has a national debt ratio second only to Greece in the 17-nation eurozone, is rapidly becoming a focus of concern in Europe's debt crisis.
"People of Europe: Rise Up!" read one banner in Rome. Some peaceful demonstrators turned against the violent group and tried to stop them, hurling bottles, Sky Italia and ANSA said. Others fled, scared by the raw violence.
ANSA said four people from an anarchist group were arrested early Saturday morning, with police seizing helmets, anti-gas masks, clubs and hundreds of bottles from their car.
Elsewhere, bright autumn sunshine and a social media campaign brought out thousands across Europe.
In Frankfurt, continental Europe's financial hub, some 5,000 people protested at the European Central Bank, and some were setting up a tent camp aiming at permanently occupying the green space in front of the ECB building.
Wikileaks founder Julian Assange spoke to about 500 demonstrators outside St. Paul's cathedral in London, calling the international banking system a "recipient of corrupt money."
U.K. police contained most London demonstrators in the streets around the cathedral, near the city's financial district. Protesters erected tents and asked supporters to bring them blankets, food and water as they settled down for the evening.
Several hundreds more marched in the German cities of Berlin, Cologne and Munich and the Austrian capital of Vienna, while protesters in Zurich, Switzerland's financial hub, carried banners reading "We won't bail you out yet again" and "We are the 99 percent."
In Brussels, thousands of marched through the downtown area chanting "Criminal bankers caused this crisis!" They pelted the stock exchange building with old shoes then marched on to the European Union sector.
Protesters also accused NATO, which has its headquarters in Brussels, of wasting taxpayer money on the wars in Libya and Afghanistan, saying that one European soldier deployed to Afghanistan costs the equivalent of 11 high school teachers.
In Helsinki, around 300 activists held a peaceful, creative rally with homemade signs and stalls full of art and food.
In Spain, the Indignant Movement established the first around-the-clock "occupation" protest camps in cities and towns across the country beginning in May and lasting for weeks. Six marches were converging Saturday on Madrid's Puerta del Sol plaza just before dusk.
Portuguese angry at their government's handling of the economic crisis were protesting in downtown Lisbon later. Portugal is one of three European nations — the others being Greece and Ireland — that have already needed an international bailout.
Across the Atlantic, hundreds gathered in Toronto's financial district, converging close to the Toronto Stock Exchange and the headquarters major Canadian banks to decry what they called government-abetted corporate greed. Protests were also being held in Montreal and Vancouver.
In New York, protesters marched on a Chase bank to protest the role banks played in the financial crisis, and demonstrations were culminating in an "Occupation Party" in Times Square.
Support for the anti-capitalist protest movement was light in Asia, where the global economy is booming. In Sydney, around 300 people turned out, while another 200 people in Tokyo chanted anti-nuclear slogans outside the Tokyo Electric Power Co., which operates the tsunami-hit Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear plant.
In the Philippines, some 100 people marched on the U.S. Embassy in Manila to support the Occupy Wall Street protests.
http://news.yahoo.com/police-fire-tear-gas-protesters-riot-rome-153335569.html
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Response 51 of 102: Janet O'Brien (janet2) * Mon, Dec 5, 2011 (17:27) * 7 lines
Bringing this over from CF topic
Re PJs.
There's a certain class of female we see quite often in our local supermarkets and school playgrounds in Scotland.
They wear 'onesies' or PJs with Ugg boots to go supermarket shopping(at any time of the day) or to take their children to school.
My daughter even saw two such 'classy chicks', as she calls them, in Buchanan Street in Glasgow, one of the main shopping streets in Glasgow city centre.
-Is this phenomenon unique to my part of the world? :-((
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Response 52 of 102: SueH (pianoblues) * Mon, Dec 5, 2011 (18:37) * 19 lines
Especially for UK Ladies attention whom may be interested in the scandalous waste of empty housing in the UK. I am posting this here.
I applaude (Architect and TV presenter from 'Restoration Man' fame) George Clarke for his work in bringing Briton's empty homes scandal to the fore. His show was a real eye opener tonight. If anyone else feels passionately about this, as I do, here's the place to add your name to his petition. If he get's enough signatures he can present it to No 10!
http://www.channel4.com/programmes/t...bI%3D&id=13837
The programmes continue each night this week.
More info here
http://www.channel4.com/programmes/the-great-british-property-scandal/articles/home/
and here
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/8936067/The-Great-British-Property-Scandal-episode-one-Channel-4-review.html
Topic 108 of 108 [news]: It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (Part 3 - The Maddest World Yet!)
Response 53 of 102: SueH (pianoblues) * Mon, Dec 5, 2011 (18:42) * 5 lines
Whoops! the petition page isn't showing at the first link I posted. If you are interested to sign the petition just go to 'Join the campaign' link and it should (hopefully) take you to the petition.
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Response 54 of 102: Janet O'Brien (janet2) * Thu, Dec 8, 2011 (11:11) * 2 lines
Very bad storms hitting Scotland right now-winds of up to 180mph, and blizzards in the Highlands.
The River Clyde in Glasgow has burst it banks-something I can't remember happening in my lifetime:-(
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Response 55 of 102: Janet O'Brien (janet2) * Thu, Dec 8, 2011 (11:22) * 3 lines
Typical Scottish sense of humour.
Some wit feels the usual names for hurricanes are a bit boring, and have called this one Hurricane Bawbags:-))
A wee bit rude, lol!
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Response 56 of 102: SueH (pianoblues) * Thu, Dec 8, 2011 (14:25) * 1 lines
Watching news reports of the storms in Scotland, looks bad, was wondering how you were fearing, Janet.
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Response 57 of 102: Janet O'Brien (janet2) * Fri, Dec 9, 2011 (02:28) * 5 lines
Although the storms were pretty serious in Glasgow, there were others places more badly affected Sue
The authorities (for once!) took heed of the forecast by the Met Office, and took effective action.
All schools were closed, to keep the number of people out and about to a minimum. It worked, and I don't believe there has been any fatalities, although a number of people have had lucky escapes, with trees falling on cars and in one case, a house. Luckily, the owners weren't at home.
Now, apparently, more snow if on its way.
- All this after the mildest November in Scotland since records began!
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Response 58 of 102: carole (melvcaz) * Fri, Dec 9, 2011 (03:44) * 1 lines
I am so glad that you and your family are Ok Janet. I have been watching the news down here in Essex and thinking of you.
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Response 59 of 102: Peggy (slpeg2003) * Fri, Dec 9, 2011 (06:35) * 2 lines
Take care, Janet. It is hard for me to imagine a hurricane in the snow and cold. This is no ordinary blizzard. We just get the hot kind here:-)
I hope it goes away quickly and you and yours will all be OK.
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Response 60 of 102: Lesley (lesleycdix) * Fri, Dec 9, 2011 (07:03) * 1 lines
Glad you're all OK. It was quite scary with the wind here in S.Wales, but nothing to what you must have been experiencing in Scotland.I hope everything gets back to normal quickly.
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Response 61 of 102: Mari Fulginiti (mari) * Fri, Dec 9, 2011 (09:31) * 1 lines
Crazy weather, Janet, glad you are ok and that it appears there were no fatalities. I'd imagine many people will be without power, at the least.
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Response 62 of 102: Evelyn (lafn) * Fri, Dec 9, 2011 (09:38) * 1 lines
But they have nice summers.
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Response 63 of 102: Pariah (KarenR) * Fri, Dec 9, 2011 (10:13) * 3 lines
165 mph winds? Goodness! I'm going to have to read up on this. Glad to hear that you haven't been affected too much, Janet, and obviously aren't without electricity.
We've had our first "measurable" snow (seems like less than a quarter inch where I am) and there were 3 fatalities--all car accidents south of me where there probably was more snow.
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Response 64 of 102: Janet O'Brien (janet2) * Fri, Dec 9, 2011 (12:27) * 7 lines
We've survived unscathed, thank goodness! Thanks for all your kind thoughts.
There are some areas of the Highlands still without power, and it looks like it will be a few days before things are back to normal. A few of my relatives are affected, but they're used to such things, living in a fairly remote area.
The roads are now very icy, and as usual, the council has been slow to treat the roads-treacherous driving conditions, and snow to follow:-(
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Response 65 of 102: Linda (Aberdeen) * Fri, Dec 9, 2011 (15:25) * 1 lines
Glad all is well. Saw the pictures of the surf and snow on the news.
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Response 66 of 102: SueH (pianoblues) * Fri, Dec 9, 2011 (15:40) * 1 lines
Good to hear you and yours are OK, Janet. We have some pretty strong gusts, but nothing like the strength which has affected Scotland. Keep warm and safe.
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Response 67 of 102: Pariah (KarenR) * Sun, Jan 15, 2012 (14:53) * 5 lines
And these two SNL vids from last night were particularly insightful about today's society:
http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/you-can-do-anything/1379100
http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/headz-up-app/1379121
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Response 68 of 102: Janet O'Brien (janet2) * Thu, Jan 26, 2012 (19:33) * 43 lines
Scaremongering by Westminster ahead of the Scottish Independence Referendum:
UK Foreign Secretary William Hague’s threat that Scotch whisky would no longer be promoted overseas has backfired after it emerged that the UK Government actually charges Scottish organisations for use of British Embassy facilities.
First Minister Alex Salmond today revealed that the Scottish Development body are charged £3000 every time they hold a reception aimed at promoting the iconic drink.
In contrast, when UK trade and Investment groups hold similar events they are allowed to use the facilities for free.
The two tier situation emerged at First Ministers Questions at Holyrood when Mr Salmond was asked about Mr Hague’s comments.
Answering a question from SNP MSP John Finnie, Mr Salmond said that he didn’t believe the Tory Minister’s threat would damage the international whisky industry.
However Mr Salmond went on to reveal the situation that sees charges levied against the Scottish Development body:
“But looking into this I discovered some interesting details." said the First Minister.
“Currently when Scottish Development International, judged one of the most successful international development agencies in the world and recorded as Scotland having the best record for international investment by channel 4 fact-check among many other observers , when they hold receptions promoting whisky in international embassies were charged up to £3000 a time for the privilege.
“UK trade and investment hold receptions are charged nothing at all.
Mr Salmond lamented the fact that he had not realised this and then went on to gently mock the Tory Minister, saying:
“I really do think we should remind William Hague of that old ditty from Andy Stewart:
“How nice it would be if the whisky was free and the embassies full up to the brim”
SNP MSP John Finnie responded to Mr Salmond’s answer and said:
“Despite the £3,000 charge by UK embassies to host receptions promoting Scotch whisky, it remains Scotland’s most iconic product and Mr Hague should be ashamed of his petty and inaccurate scare-mongering.
“Worldwide whisky exports reached £3.54billion in 2010. It is simply one of our finest exports that are appreciated globally.
“Mr Hague needs to learn it is unacceptable to embark on a smears campaign like this. Westminster Ministers haven’t learned their lesson following David Cameron’s meddling in our affairs by trying to put strings on Scotland’s future.
“This ridiculous claim has backfired badly for Mr Hague as Scotland’s whisky industry is going from strength to strength.”
Scotch whisky was recently granted geographical indication protection by China after Mr Salmond visited the country, it is the first international product to receive such legal protection,
During his last visit in December the First Minister personally launched the Scotland food and drinks strategy for Asia.
China is an emerging Scotch whisky market with massive growth potential, direct exports soared to £62.3million in the twelve month to November 11.
Worldwide exports of Scotch whisky reached £3.54 billion in 2010. The industry is worth £4 billion a year in added value to the UK economy, supporting 35,000 jobs.
Topic 108 of 108 [news]: It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (Part 3 - The Maddest World Yet!)
Response 69 of 102: Janet O'Brien (janet2) * Thu, Jan 26, 2012 (19:35) * 1 lines
And then there's the oil.....
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Response 70 of 102: Mari Fulginiti (mari) * Mon, Feb 20, 2012 (10:36) * 6 lines
Bringing this over:
(Janet)Employees pay through their National Insurance Contributions, deducted via our salary
How much do people pay? I'm just curious. Is it a percentage of pay or a flat amount per pay?
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Response 71 of 102: Evelyn (lafn) * Mon, Feb 20, 2012 (10:52) * 2 lines
And do people also take private insurance to take up the slack by what isn't covered by NHS.
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Response 72 of 102: Linda (Aberdeen) * Mon, Feb 20, 2012 (11:00) * 1 lines
I made a detailed response to this in "Odds and Ends". Sorry if it's in the wrong place. The deduction is a % of income tax. After surgery, MD visits, hospitalization, no bill, no worries, just get well. I was a nurse for 40 years and worked both sides of the border. I'll take our system any time. It's not perfect but it's certainly better unless you have lots of $$$$ for insurance.
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Response 73 of 102: Linda (Aberdeen) * Mon, Feb 20, 2012 (11:19) * 5 lines
Oops, my "Odds and Ends" didn't register - so - as I said, everyone pays a fixed % of their income tax. I had 2 back surgeries for a chronic problem with a wait of @ 6 weeks and 2 eye surgeries (I was legally blind for 6 months but they waited for my cataracts to ripen more before doing the other necessary surgery so both could be done the same time) and waited 2 weeks for each. Got home with no bill. The surgeries enabled me to return to work and contribute to society and the economy again so no doubt I repaid the system by taxes at that time but I had a life and a job again so that makes sense to me.
I had 2 cousins with identical knee replacement surgeries. The one in SC cost $62,000 and the one here $14,000 (just a statement of costs, not a bill). The difference was insurance company profits. The problem with Obama's bill is it still includes insurance companies so the costs will remain high and will be placed on employers.
I do have separate insurance for Rxs, travel and dental which is less than $100/month.
A counterpunch article detailed comparative costs in different countries.eg heart bypass in GB, Canada, France @$14,000 to $22,000 but in the US @$60,000. Cataracts @ $950 to $3200 but in the US @ $15,000. That's called profit.
I couldn't think of a better way to spend tax dollars than on keeping people healthy. Just my opinion.
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Response 74 of 102: Pariah (KarenR) * Mon, Feb 20, 2012 (11:51) * 3 lines
Thank you, Linda! (BTW, no need to apologize on O&E). Always nice to hear the facts posted from someone within the industry instead of the specious soundbytes thrown around in the media.
I quite agree that the entire "for profit" health care industry is the reason for such high health care costs in the US, with non-medical people (i.e., insurance companies) allowed to make decisions regarding healthcare. I'm sure someone will post that it is our litigious society that has ramped up haelth care costs because of malpractice insurance, but studies have shown that it truly doesn't contribute as much as you think. Again, profit for the insurance companies.
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Response 75 of 102: PeggyM (PeggyM) * Mon, Feb 20, 2012 (12:18) * 3 lines
(Evelyn)do people also take private insurance to take up the slack by what isn't covered by NHS.
Yes, Evelyn, & various other reasons - there are often long delays to get an appointment with a consultant & further long delays to get a hospital bed, they can choose the best consultants & the best hospitals & there will be better facilities (private en-suite rooms, more attention etc)
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Response 76 of 102: Mari Fulginiti (mari) * Mon, Feb 20, 2012 (12:19) * 5 lines
Linda, what's the percentage of pay that people have deducted for the insurance?
It's not just insurance company profits driving costs, here, though; in fact, that's not even most of it. Most large employers are all self-insured, meaning they pay a fee to the insurance companies to administer their employees' claims, but that's it. The actual claim payments come out of the employers' coffers and go to the providers, e.g., doctors and hospitals, both of which are very much for profit.;-) Then you have the cost of maintainng state-of-the-art equipment and treatments. And of course, everybody wants state-of-the-art, nobody wants to wait in line, etc. I will say that the quality of the care is very good.
As for Obama's plan, he has no choice but to continue the employer-based structure; anything else (i.e., a single-payer system such as you have) is politically untenable.
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Response 77 of 102: Evelyn (lafn) * Mon, Feb 20, 2012 (12:35) * 13 lines
(PeggyM)they can choose the best consultants & the best hospitals & there will be better facilities (private en-suite rooms, more attention etc)
Thank you , Peggy.
As long as I can go to whatever consultant I want,(w/o having to wait for a doctor to give the permission) in whatever state I want to go to , and have the treatment/sugery I need at my convenience....I'll be happy:-)))
But don't limit me in any way....including triage, age limitations for various treatments, and only meds that are approved
I know that various countries that have national health cannot afford the new meds esp the new chemotherapies. And I understand that....just don't limit the people who can afford it. That's what we save for.
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Response 78 of 102: Evelyn (lafn) * Mon, Feb 20, 2012 (12:36) * 1 lines
sorry.
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Response 79 of 102: Moon Dreams (Moon) * Mon, Feb 20, 2012 (13:32) * 5 lines
Thanks, Linda. It's the same in Italy. It's a system that cares about their citizens, puts them first as it should be.
I'm surprised by how many so called "Christians" in the US are against it. People lose their homes sometimes paying back operations and hospitals in the US. Inhumane.
Janet, we finally agree on something. ;-)
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Response 80 of 102: Evelyn (lafn) * Mon, Feb 20, 2012 (14:00) * 2 lines
When my husband was in a renowned medical center in Houston I fired two doctors.
Can you do that?
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Response 81 of 102: Janet O'Brien (janet2) * Mon, Feb 20, 2012 (17:08) * 9 lines
Lol, Evelyn:-)
In the UK, those in employment and earning above £102 per week, pay 12% up to the upper earnings limit of £817, thereafter they pay an additional 1%. Employers pay a slighter higher percentage into the fund. Different percentages apply to the self-employed and those paying into a salary based pension scheme.
It is pretty complicated!
BTW, these percentages also include contributions to dental care, optical charges, unemployment and sickness benefits.
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Response 82 of 102: Janet O'Brien (janet2) * Mon, Feb 20, 2012 (17:13) * 5 lines
Sorry, I should have said lol Moon!:-(
Evelyn, I believe you can ask to see another consultant if you are unhappy with the treatment offered, but you can't sack him as such, since there is no payment involved.
You are normally referred to a consultant in whatever speciality by your General Practitioner(Primary Care Doctor) and he may offer a choice of consultants/hospitals you may visit. In saying that, I live in the biggest city in Scotland, so that may not be the case in smaller towns, or rural areas.
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Response 83 of 102: Linda (Aberdeen) * Mon, Feb 20, 2012 (17:38) * 8 lines
Hi everybody. To answer a few questions in reverse order.
Yes Evelyn, you can request a particular MD or refuse (fire)one offered. Just a matter of doing so. Of course as with anywhere, the best are busiest with a longer waiting list for non urgent procedures. My Opthamologist is world renowned and I got to see him very quickly because I was unable to see to work, drive, etc. Being in the Biz I also knew who to ask for, that helps.
We have state of the art equipment in bigger centres of course (bigger country with fewer big cities and big distances)and that means some waits for elective procedures eg if someone has had a bum knee for five years and decides to finally check it out they may wait a month or two for an MRI but not for a routine xray or CT scan BUT if it's urgent eg a cardiac problem it is arranged immediately and the person transfered immediately to the nearest cardiac centre at no cost. Urgent issues never wait, that's misinformation. True some people with the $$ will go to the US if nearby because they can't be bothered to wait maybe 2 or 3 months for something that is not urgent. As for the equipment, recently I transferred someone back to the US (who was visiting here) to ECMC in Buffalo (bigger city by far than where I worked here)and the RTs were very jealous of the tiny new respirator I took with me.
There are no age limitations for surgeries or procedures although a young person with a heart problem may get booking priority over a 90 yr old. I've seen lots of centenarians have hip replacements.
Most meds are available here as well as the US and when they are, they are less expensive due to gov't cost limits. Sometimes generic substitutes are used due to cost but, contrary to what many believe, they are of equal quality.
Employers do not pay for benefits except those benefits not covered by basic gov't insurance like travel ins, dental and such and then only by individual contracts with the employer if the employer is big enough.
As for the % of individual taxes on health care I honestly don't know. I know proportionally more of our tax dollar goes to health care than the US but we don't have the big military and other expenditures. Our health care is also less expensive as I illustrated. I believe income taxes for up to @$45,000 is about 22% and it goes up incrementally from there with each increment at that level eg if you make $70,000, the first $45,000 is at 22% and the rest at the next level.
Hope that answers some questions. It's a subject dear to my heart as I loved my job and was devoted to my patients. I still have some visit me after 20 or 30 years!
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Response 84 of 102: Lesley (lesleycdix) * Mon, Feb 20, 2012 (17:55) * 2 lines
Bet they didn't invite you to the meeting of interested parties [!!!!] today ;-D
In Wales we also have free [so ably explained] prescriptions for all.
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Response 85 of 102: Janet O'Brien (janet2) * Mon, Feb 20, 2012 (18:06) * 4 lines
We have free prescriptions and free eye tests in Scotland.
I believe to qualify for free eye tests in England, you have to be over 40 and have a close family history of glaucoma. At least, that was the case in Scotland before our Scottish parliament brought in the reforms.
We also have free personal care for those over 65 requiring it, and free at home nursing care for all ages, where needed.
And of course, Scottish university students do not pay tuition fees, but that's opening up another can of worms;-)
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Response 86 of 102: Lesley (lesleycdix) * Mon, Feb 20, 2012 (18:29) * 2 lines
Aren't we lucky to be Celts ![not sarcasm]
Your government is sorting it out better than ours, but the Sennedd will get there.
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Response 87 of 102: Linda (Aberdeen) * Tue, Feb 21, 2012 (10:24) * 2 lines
There is a lot of good preventative care too. I get a mammogram every 2 years and they call to remind me. In between the last one I found a lump and saw my nurse practitioner the next day, a Friday, and on Monday had another mammogram which was negative. What a relief. I also get a colonoscopy every 5 years whether I want it or not...lotsa' fun! Love the prep!
Though a Canuck, can I qualify as a Celt? I play pipes and have three Scottish Terriers. Our family was originally from Kilfinan,Argyll.
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Response 88 of 102: Pariah (KarenR) * Tue, Feb 21, 2012 (10:38) * 11 lines
Again, fabulous to hear the details! I don't know why Americans think their health care system is the best. It clearly is not when over 50 million people have no access to any kind of care.
(Evelyn) I know that various countries that have national health cannot afford the new meds esp the new chemotherapies.
I don't know about specific chemotherapies, but there are many drugs that aren't available in the US and have been used for decades in Europe but haven't been approved by the FDA for whatever reason.
(Evelyn) When my husband was in a renowned medical center in Houston I fired two doctors.
Wow! Your govt-provided plan was great! ;-)
With the way things are now, I wish health care was totally nationalized in this country.
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Response 89 of 102: Moon Dreams (Moon) * Tue, Feb 21, 2012 (10:54) * 3 lines
Hear, hear!! But we know how well no-brainers fair in this country. :-(
Thank you ladies for the detailed explanations.
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Response 90 of 102: Mari Fulginiti (mari) * Tue, Feb 21, 2012 (11:20) * 9 lines
In the U.S., the average per person cost for health insurance is about $10,000. On average, employees pay about 20% of that cost via payroll deduction, so roughly $2,000 per year. Some pay lots more, some pay lots less, depending on the employer subsidy. The employer pays the rest.
So, it sounds like, in very rough terms, a U.S. employee pays more for coverage than in the UK, but less than in Canada. It seems like in the UK your employers are subsidizing the cost as ours do, but in Canada they don’t subsidize. But I guess the big difference is in what I’d pay out of pocket when I need services.
Now, starting this year, under Health Care Reform, we don’t pay anything out of pocket for preventive care—doctor’s visit, GYN checkups, mammograms, pap tests, immunizations, etc. If it’s non-preventive, the typical plan might charge you $20 for a primary care office visit, or slightly more if the doc is a specialist.
However, if you need diagnostic tests, surgery or hospitalization, that’s where the higher costs come in. Depending on the type of coverage you have, you typically have to pay a deductible (could be a few hundred dollars) and then the plan pays a percentage (typically 80% of the costs) and you pay the 20%. Most plans cap your out-of pocket costs in a given year—a typical cap would be a few thousand dollars. If you hit that cap, the plan pays 100% of any remaining costs.
Now, that's the deal for employed persons who can afford the payroll deduction costs. If you're self-employed, you'd pay much more for "individual" coverage (as opposed to large employer group coverage)and there might be limits on pre-existing conditions. If you're employed but can't afford the payroll deductions (i.e., the working poor), you go without coverage and you're screwed. If you're not old enough for Medicare (65), and if you don't have retiree coverage which some employers (e.g., the government) allow people to carry over from their working lives, you're screwed.
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Response 91 of 102: Evelyn (lafn) * Tue, Feb 21, 2012 (12:41) * 16 lines
(Evelyn) When my husband was in a renowned medical center in Houston I fired two doctors.
Wow! Your govt-provided plan was great! ;-)
Up to a limit, but my private plan ponied-up & even paid for nursing care.
Hey folks, there's no such thing as a free lunch.
Income tax rates in some of these countries is astronomical....50% for some.
Ask the people here what theirs is; if they pay at all.
It's free in Greece , Italy, Portugal and Spain..but poor Germany is going to have to spring for a bailout for some of their social largesse.
Poor Germany will own Europe some day.
Just like China currently owns us.
Pass the eggrolls;-)
Topic 108 of 108 [news]: It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (Part 3 - The Maddest World Yet!)
Response 92 of 102: Janet O'Brien (janet2) * Tue, Feb 21, 2012 (13:24) * 6 lines
In the UK, the NHS is not funded by Income Tax, but by National Insurance Contributions.
I feel so sorry for those poor souls who have to pay 50% tax because they earn so much:-(
In the current financial climate,David Cameron is resisting appeals to scrap the highest rate, but it will happen eventually.
Topic 108 of 108 [news]: It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (Part 3 - The Maddest World Yet!)
Response 93 of 102: Sandy (sandyw) * Tue, Feb 21, 2012 (16:27) * 3 lines
In Canada, our medicare costs are covered largely by income taxes. A couple of provinces charge subscriber premiums, and at least one province charges employers over a certain size a payroll tax. Medicare doesn't cover all expenses though, most notably prescription drugs. Some provinces have a form of pharmacare plan which will pay some drug costs for certain segments of their population or for very expensive drugs. Employer sponsored extended health care plans pick up a large number of other expenses with or without a deductible or co-pay.
We have been hearing dire warnings for years however that our current arrangements are not sustainable in the long term. Here in BC healthcare takes 40% of the provincial budget. Many people are arguing for privatization (still funded by government though) or a two-tier system where those who have money can pay for better and quicker care. Neither alternative is very palatable to the public who are very attached to the non-profit, universal care principles we have held on to for the last 45 years. But both seem to be gradually creeping into the system.
Topic 108 of 108 [news]: It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (Part 3 - The Maddest World Yet!)
Response 94 of 102: Linda (Aberdeen) * Tue, Feb 21, 2012 (23:02) * 1 lines
True Sandy. There are lobbyists currently trying to convince our politicians to privatize because insurance cos. are dying to get another 35 million people to bleed dry. Several provinces are now cutting back on services in what I know is an orchestrated attempt to illustrate the system is untenable so private cos. can get a foot in the door. I think the public's love of our system is demonstrated by the fact that in a recent poll Canadians voted Tommy Douglas, the founder of universal health care and grandfather of Kiefer Sutherland)the most beloved Canadian of all time.
Topic 108 of 108 [news]: It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (Part 3 - The Maddest World Yet!)
Response 95 of 102: Moon Dreams (Moon) * Sun, Feb 26, 2012 (14:00) * 3 lines
A must read: deeply knowledgeable re Syrian society:
"Beyond the Fall of the Syrian Regime"
http://bit.ly/x8Vxug
Topic 108 of 108 [news]: It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (Part 3 - The Maddest World Yet!)
Response 96 of 102: Pariah (KarenR) * Sun, Mar 25, 2012 (16:02) * 25 lines
Well, I guess this suit has a little more merit than the infamous lap spillage one:
McDonald's faces hot coffee litigation again
By Wailin Wong Tribune reporter
3:49 p.m. CDT, March 23, 2012
A northwest suburban woman has sued McDonald's Corp., alleging that her 4-year-old granddaughter sustained second-degree burns on her chest from spilled hot coffee.
The lawsuit was filed Thursday in Cook County Circuit Court. According to the complaint, Mona Abdelal of Norridge took her two grandchildren to a McDonald's in Harwood Heights in January.
Abdelal asked her 4-year-old granddaughter to throw out her empty coffee cup, but the child misunderstood the directions and brought the cup to the counter for a refill. The lawsuit alleges that the employee asked the girl to return in a few minutes because a new pot of coffee was brewing.
When the child did so, the employee allegedly filled the cup but failed to secure the lid. The complaint also said that the employee did not place the coffee in a cardboard holder or wait for the coffee to cool down.
According to the lawsuit, "a lot of coffee spilled out of the cup" onto the girl's chest, causing second-degree burns and permanent scarring. Abdelal, the grandmother, also allegedly suffered first-degree burns on her finger when she tried to help her granddaughter.
The complaint said McDonald's violated its policy of not serving coffee to minors and that it failed to properly warn the child of the dangers of handling hot coffee. The lawsuit also names RMW Management Inc., the franchisee of the Harwood Heights McDonald's, as a defendant. The plaintiff's lawyer is Justin London of the Law Offices of Justin London in Chicago.
"The safety of our customers and the food we serve have always been top priorities," McDonald's USA spokeswoman Ashlee Yingling said in an e-mailed statement. "While these are unfortunate accidents, customers must handle hot beverages with care, as indicated on all of our coffee cups."
Yingling said the company has not yet been served with the lawsuit.
The fast food giant has been involved in litigation involving hot coffee in the past. One of the most famous cases was filed two decades ago by a New Mexico woman who spilled coffee on her lap and suffered third-degree burns that required skin grafting. The case later settled.
wawong@tribune.com | Twitter @VelocityWong
Topic 108 of 108 [news]: It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (Part 3 - The Maddest World Yet!)
Response 97 of 102: Janet O'Brien (janet2) * Sun, Mar 25, 2012 (17:02) * 6 lines
How about this?
Last year, my son and myself were shopping in Costco Glasgow.
While I was waiting to pay for my goods I asked my son to order and pay for the food from the cafe.
When I reached the table where he was sitting, he rather sheepishly told me I'd have to get my own coffee.
The assistant had asked his age, and when he replied 17, said she couldn't serve him hot drinks. When I queried this, she said she'd be disciplined if caught doing so.
So my son can marry, have children of his own, work, serving hot drinks in restaurants, takeaways,etc, but heaven forbid, should he want a hot drink in Costco!!
Topic 108 of 108 [news]: It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (Part 3 - The Maddest World Yet!)
Response 98 of 102: Janet O'Brien (janet2) * Sun, Mar 25, 2012 (17:03) * 1 lines
And he can join the British army too:-)
Topic 108 of 108 [news]: It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (Part 3 - The Maddest World Yet!)
Response 99 of 102: SueH (pianoblues) * Mon, Mar 26, 2012 (06:01) * 1 lines
It's the 'Nanny era (state) 'Health and Safety' gone mad. No wonder some kids today seem to lack intuition and initiative.
Topic 108 of 108 [news]: It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (Part 3 - The Maddest World Yet!)
Response 100 of 102: Evelyn (lafn) * Thu, Mar 29, 2012 (11:37) * 8 lines
Costco probably has that regulation as a matter of corporate policy ;
it's a US company. The UK is not as litigious as the US.
Does Tesco have it too?
I'm thinking Asda would have it since it's Walmart-owned .
Topic 108 of 108 [news]: It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (Part 3 - The Maddest World Yet!)
Response 101 of 102: Pariah (KarenR) * Thu, Mar 29, 2012 (16:33) * 13 lines
While taking my dog out for his afternoon constitutional, we stumbled across where the VP will be attending a fundraiser tonight. Thought it was very weird to see a street-cleaning truck for two reasons: (1) street cleaning typically doesn't start until April 1 at the earliest and (2) both sides of the street are never done at the same time. The no-parking signs were not the customary ones for street cleaning either. As we got to the middle of the block, there were "complimentary valet" signs and all sorts of workmen and security types going in and out of one house. Now, this block and the next one over have the biggest McMansions in the city. There was a party for Obama on the next block thrown by Penny Pritzker. So I had to look up who owned this house:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/brulelaker/3102651081
which is kind of small in comparison. Looks to be only three lots, whereas the house right across the street is 7 and I call it the Villa d'Este. Take a look at the aerial shot:
http://www.redfin.com/IL/Chicago/1927-N-Burling-St-60614/home/12671428
There are no parking signs all long the route, not just this street. But everyone on this street has ample parking on their own property.
Topic 108 of 108 [news]: It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (Part 3 - The Maddest World Yet!)
Response 102 of 102: Janet O'Brien (janet2) * Thu, Mar 29, 2012 (17:47) * 3 lines
I believe its only Costco that operates this policy. I assumed it was because it was a US company and your litiginous society!
Asda started many years ago in Yorkshire and only relatively recently was taken over by Walmart.
I don't rate most of their in-house cafes, since it serves mostly stodge, but don't believe the over 18 rule applies there or in other supermarket chains.
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