The Atlantic - Latest Comments in And Now For Healthcare

Re: And Now For Healthcare

Acromion — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 09:09:49 -0000

OK I will tell you what the fuckin problem with health care in this country. Its Medicare, you dumbshits. Just look at it. Its right in your fuckin face. It consumes 30% of the federal budget as it is, and will grow to unsustainable levels. Until we ration benefits to the wrinklies, we will never be able to afford Johnny's asthma inhaler.

MEDICARE IS AN INSANE, UNSUSTAINABLE, OUT OF CONTROL MONEY PIT.

Lets say you have $50,000 of taxpayer money to spend on health care.

You may:

A.) Spend it on a 6 week ICU stay for an elderly demented 92 year old with pneumonia, with the possibility of extending his or her life (in the nursing home) perhaps another 6 months to a year.

- OR -

B.) Spend it on treating 10 unemployed, uninsured young people with asthma for an entire year, or more.

A is America.

B is Europe.

Anyway, I went on and on about this on Megan's blog and I don't feel like repeating myself. I love Megan's blog, btw, people are so bitchy!

http://meganmcardle.theatlantic.com/archives/2009/07/extreme_health_care.php#comments

Re: And Now For Healthcare

cocolamala — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 20:32:06 -0000

swearing relieves pain.

Re: And Now For Healthcare

Erik Vanderhoff — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 17:33:03 -0000

Too much concern trolling. Do not want.

Re: And Now For Healthcare

Ta-Nehisi Coates — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 16:19:37 -0000

I think it's time to drop this. It's really silly. I've tried to be polite. This is what this blog does. It's some times profane. Don't like it? Read elsewhere. It's a big net.

Re: And Now For Healthcare

Ocean09 — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 16:12:05 -0000

"Ocean09, among certain groups, using profanity is a signal that you are being casual, open, and friendly, showing that you are relaxed and that nobody has to censor themselves to take part in the conversation."

Now this is a new and interesting point. I'm not outraged by it, though I do find it jarring.

But I can understand the "let my guard down" thing.

I think.

Re: And Now For Healthcare

Ocean09 — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 16:09:32 -0000

Why would you say it's misplaced?

I just stated an opinion and backed up my original argument. If you don't care to discuss it, hit the 'Main' or the 'Voices' link above.

Re: And Now For Healthcare

Lee — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 16:00:43 -0000

Ocean09, among certain groups, using profanity is a signal that you are being casual, open, and friendly, showing that you are relaxed and that nobody has to censor themselves to take part in the conversation. I think that's what TNC is going for here. Among other groups, it's only used to express anger or other negative emotions. If you're a member of the latter, dealing with the former can be unpleasant and jarring. But I think it's worth trying to adjust your understanding to what they are actually trying to convey. If you can't or don't want to do that, as TNC suggests, it's worth leaving and looking for more polite company. :)

Re: And Now For Healthcare

Marcos El Malo — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 15:58:08 -0000

I find it offensive that you are offended. Stop whacking us in the head with you misplaced sense of outrage. (Is that your misplaced sense of outrage in your pocket, or are you just glad to see me?)

Re: And Now For Healthcare

Ocean09 — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 15:54:41 -0000

"I'm going to suggest that you should read another blog."

I do. This isn't the only one I read. :)

Re: And Now For Healthcare

Ocean09 — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 15:53:20 -0000

In other words, you can say "Officer, officer!" to get the policemans attention. Or you can get his attention by whacking him in back of his head or by giving him a shove.

Profanity is the verbal equivalent of whacking someone in back of their head or by giving them a shove.

Re: And Now For Healthcare

Ta-Nehisi Coates — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 15:52:27 -0000

I'm going to suggest that you should read another blog. The beauty of the net is that there are so many. I seriously mean no offense. But if this really bothers you, I'd suggest you explore some other options.. This is what I do here. Other people do things different elsewhere. I hate losing readers. But there's no sense in forcing a bad fit.

Re: And Now For Healthcare

Ocean09 — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 15:48:48 -0000

"the most basic definition of profane is "blasphemous". If you find blasphemy offensive, it's on you."

" TNC would be a much poorer writer if his main consideration was to not offend anyone."

Both of these involve rhetorical leaps that put Sean Glenn Limhannity Beck to shame. I didn't say don't offend, I said why do you offend in the way you do. I'd bet he's never given it any serious thought.

As for your invoking of religion, that's a red herring.

Re: And Now For Healthcare

Marcos El Malo — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 15:43:21 -0000

1) the most basic definition of profane is "blasphemous". If you find blasphemy offensive, it's on you.

2) TNC would be a much poorer writer if his main consideration was to not offend anyone.

Re: And Now For Healthcare

Marcos El Malo — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 15:39:50 -0000

I'm still listening (and trying not to get distracted by the discussion on profanity), but I like the way he's breaking down the various interest groups and their concerns. He's being fair.

Re: And Now For Healthcare

mjohnso27 — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 15:33:52 -0000

TNC,

This is the perfect time for us to bow our heads and listen to Bernie Mack's hilarious, but quite profound take on the meaning of the term "Motherf#ucker".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9FaHXIhX_4

R.I.P. Bernie!

Re: And Now For Healthcare

Ocean09 — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 15:33:21 -0000

"I like words. Some of them happen to be profane."

The fact that it's profane means that it is something that gives offense. Why offend anyone unnecessarily? I'm just being me doesn't cut it, because it's a declaration of selfishness.

Re: And Now For Healthcare

Marcos El Malo — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 15:27:56 -0000

As a guy that used to regularly attend meetings of Narcotics Anonymous, I can say there is such a thing as too much profanity. I don't want to make any hard and fast rules, but I think it's somewhere around when every second or third word is a profanity.

Or as I used to say:

Motherfuckers are fucking swearing too fucking much when fucking every motherfucking other word is a fucking swear word and shit.

Re: And Now For Healthcare

Marcos El Malo — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 15:21:22 -0000

So fuckin' stop it, TNC. It's fuckin' offensive.

Re: And Now For Healthcare

Ta-Nehisi Coates — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 15:21:14 -0000

In all seriousness. I just don't agree. I like profanity--just like I like all words. I think the word "Motherfucker," can be just as effective as the word "Breastworks." I like words. Some of them happen to be profane.

I understand that there's a portion of my audience that's offended by profanity. I have tried to cut down, and I think I have. But at some point, I have to be me. There isn't much of a point, otherwise.

Re: And Now For Healthcare

Ocean09 — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 15:11:21 -0000

So why do it?

“Profanity is the attempt of a lazy and feeble mind to express itself forcefully”

Re: And Now For Healthcare

Ta-Nehisi Coates — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 15:05:58 -0000

I fucking hate that shit, too.

Re: And Now For Healthcare

dmf — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 14:59:35 -0000

that was a good interview and thanks for posting it. Without a serious conversation about "rationing" healthcare, like most comparable nations do, there will be no real substantial changes in skyrocketing healthcare costs. For example estimates show that about 27% of Medicare's annual budget goes to care for patients in their final year of life and with the aging boomers this will just explode. We need to start to rethink healthcare like we are rethinking SUVs and McMansions. Like the bumper sticker says live simply so that other people can simply live. Early on Obama gave some powerful speeches about shared sacrifices but I haven't heard this kind of talk yet in reference to healthcare.

Re: And Now For Healthcare

BreakerBaker — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 14:48:32 -0000

I've never fucking understood that shit either.

Re: And Now For Healthcare

Ocean09 — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 14:45:12 -0000

"He actually makes this !!!! sound like English."

On thing I've never understood is why people who have a good grasp of vocabulary resort to using profanities when there is absolutely no need to do so.