That is so wicked cool, billytea!

That is an impressive birth certificate. The birth certificates for my kids look like my vehicle titles.

David, I had exactly that sort of calf strain about two years ago now -- I was stepping down off a trolley step with no more or less vigor than my usual and shazam!

If it had happened when I stumbled or fell, it would have been more understandable -- this was a totally regular action, one which I did at least twice a weekday for years on end!

Exactly. "How did you hurt your leg?" "Uh, I was walking."

My conclusion: getting old SUCKS.

I'm inelastic and broken down. Still hurts exactly the same this morning. Can't put any weight on my left leg.

Ack, I hope your leg starts feeling better.

That is so wicked cool, billytea!

It really is. I declare this an auspicious start to life.

I got a letter from NRA with a membership offer and "survey" to fill out and send to your representative. The survey is basically just stating that one opposing a number of restrictions on gun ownership or purchasing gun that I haven't heard even being proposed. I suspect it may be more to get NRA voters fired up about ousting representatives than to prevent non-existent legislation from passing. That doesn't upset me at all, I meant that's the reason they exist.

Anyhow the letter got me angry because if I join the NRA you know what they send me? A knife. That's right, a knife. Where's my fucking gun?! I'm not joining the NKA dammit.

Also this has me upset.

[link]

Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) said Friday that he will oppose legislation that would give people the option of a public health insurance plan. The move puts him on the opposite side of two-thirds of Americans.

Nelson's problem, he told CQ, is that the public plan would be too attractive and would hurt the private insurance plans. "At the end of the day, the public plan wins the game," Nelson said. Including a public option in a health plan, he said, was a "deal breaker."

Like the commentator in the article says, I'm WTF? Your argument is that there shouldn't be a public options because it might be better?! Jeez, at least try to make it sound like you are standing up for something and not being a total shill for Mutual of Omaha. God forbid that we have the option for something better than the current system.

They have an Aboriginal certificate too, and other styles too, like Victorian Pink and Victorian Blue.

I wonder if they have commemorative styles for the Sex Affirmation certificates....

Nelson's problem, he told CQ, is that the public plan would be too attractive and would hurt the private insurance plans.

...and the downside would be...?

Like the commentator in the article says, I'm WTF? Your argument is that there shouldn't be a public options because it might be better?! Jeez, at least try to make it sound like you are standing up for something and not being a total shill for Mutual of Omaha. God forbid that we have the option for something better than the current system.

Heh. I might also note, Australia has both a public insurance system (Medicare) and thriving private insurers, who incidentally are required to cover any certified practitioner that falls within the definition of their coverage. There is some tapdancing necessary to avoid adverse selection hurting their viability, but at least here the government is willing to do so.

No more under-the-table bucks from insurance companies. One has to have priorities!