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August 3, 2009
Open Thread
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Re: the cash for clunkers program. 2 billion dollars :-/ wtf? i only just heard about this. there is seriously something wrong with this country and things like this will be the nail in our coffin. it's basically welfare for people to upgrade their cars. SO lame. where the f-ck is my money to upgrade my roller skates? oh that's right, there is none. but i have to work and pay taxes so idiots can upgrade their cars? b-tch please, i am SO not paying back my taxes from 2003 and 2004. they can drag my ass to jail if they want. it will cost the state about 40K a year anyway to keep me incarcerated.
*rob*
Posted by: PitbullNYC at August 3, 2009 9:19 AM
i have a funny cat story!!!
my bedroom window is along this alleyway in my building. anyway, there's always this one horny cat who is always screaming in heat every few weeks or so. anyway, nothing to do with that cat, but i heard a cat meowing and i look out the window and it's a teeny tiny kitten trying to climb the wall. on top of the wall was the momma cat and like 3 other kittens all looking down. i guess the cat fell. the momma cat kept jumping down and would lick it and then climb back up the wall (i had no idea cats could climb concrete walls but i guess they can). the little kitten kept desperately trying to climb the wall (the wall is about 8 or 9 feet high). so i go into the alleyway with the attempt to lift the cat over the wall to it's family but when i went in the alleyway the cat ran away from me so fast! oh well. but then i came back inside and the cat was back in the alleyway and wound up climbing a tree near the wall but i think it fell into the neighbors yard cuz it was crying again and the family of cats were looking at it in the opposite direction ahhaha.
should i call animal control or something? cuz that's way too many cats for one alleyway. they are cute and all but i dont want to have to hear more horny cats when they grow up.
*rob*
Posted by: PitbullNYC at August 3, 2009 9:29 AM
Good morning!
COBBLE COBBLE ATTENTION COBBLE!
I sent you an email this morning...please check it out before you post on the forum about Ellis on Thursday. Thanks!
Posted by: InsertSnappyNameHere at August 3, 2009 9:31 AM
Went to the farmer's market on Malcolm X this weekend. Though very small, there was a large selection of vegetables. The corn was espacially delicious. If you live nearby, please try to go and support it.
Posted by: Miss Chiff at August 3, 2009 9:31 AM
Rob, I'm interested in your newly-discovered outraged taxpayer persona. You'll be voting republican next.
Posted by: dittoburg at August 3, 2009 9:32 AM
Rob - Ask THL to help you w/ the cats.
The cash-for-clunkers pgm is supposed to help the economy & also lessen pollution - many other countries have done similar programs. There are some stupid aspects to it but also some redeeming features.
Posted by: Arkady at August 3, 2009 9:34 AM
seriously, i think i am a republican at heart. can't stand the government and i think obama is a total toolbag.
*rob*
Posted by: PitbullNYC at August 3, 2009 9:35 AM
cash for clunkers is crap. I dont want to pay more taxes to support stupid crap like that.
Posted by: more4less at August 3, 2009 9:36 AM
Morning all! Hope everyone had a great weekend. I'm off today (since I spent Saturday in an unairconditioned office dealing with "server migration" issues, whatever the hell that means). So, should I spend my entire day indoors on the OT, earning my "P" and "L", or should I leave that for a day when I'm supposed to be working?
Posted by: CarrollGardened at August 3, 2009 9:40 AM
exactly more4less, and i think we shouldnt have to pay more taxes for crap like that. i think it's time to stand up for our rights and big government, and this is one issue i actually can get behind and firmly believe in. i can barely afford to feed myself and yet i have to pay taxes for idiots to upgrade their cars, get crappy medical benefits, and breed like rabbits? f that noise, im about to get politically nasty.
*rob*
Posted by: PitbullNYC at August 3, 2009 9:40 AM
DIBS, I got a StreetEasy email over the weekend that 329 Adelphi in Fort Greene is no longer on the market. I guess no one was biting at $950k given the amount of work you said it needs, but I'm not sure what taking it off the market and letting it sit accomplishes.
Posted by: CarrollGardened at August 3, 2009 9:44 AM
Rob, if it makes you feel better, the program ran out of money in about its first week.
Posted by: BSD at August 3, 2009 9:45 AM
CG'd, so that's doesn't mean it's in contract? I love that house too but not for 950k plus massive renov
Posted by: more4less at August 3, 2009 9:46 AM
I did a walking tour of Prospect Park on Saturday and East New York and Canarsie Pier on Sunday. Montrose, if you're reading this, apologies for not emailing you but I did it on the spur of the moment and I wasn't sure if the weather would hold up. As it turns out, you're lucky you didn't go as I got completely drenched. It was pouring throughout most of my tour Despite that, I'm happy I went to explore the neighbourhood. There are definitely many photo ops for you and other shutterbugs in that area.
Posted by: Biff Champion at August 3, 2009 9:46 AM
I'm with Rob on the car thing. It's bullsh!t. If you can only afford the new car with the rebate, then maybe you can't really afford the car. Even still, why should I subsidize your wheels when I'm getting bent over on transit fares. CRAPOLA!
Posted by: InsertSnappyNameHere at August 3, 2009 9:46 AM
BSD, it was $ 1B and they increased it $2B more
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at August 3, 2009 9:47 AM
By the way, I meant it rained all day Sunday while I was in East New York, not Saturday when I was in the Park.
Snappy, just emailed you.
Posted by: Biff Champion at August 3, 2009 9:48 AM
it's disgusting. it's basically the government pandering to blue collar workers for votes. and i like blue collar people more than white collar people, but im still outraged!
*rob*
Posted by: PitbullNYC at August 3, 2009 9:50 AM
That makes it 2x as dumb then. I'd like to be in the room when they're discussing this program to hear the logic being used.
Posted by: BSD at August 3, 2009 9:50 AM
oh i went to the bandshell in prospect park this weekend, never been there before. i went to the warhol screenings with some band playing. the band was absolutely terrible. conceptually it made no sense. i couldnt figure out what the hell andy warhol's silent screenings had to do with their shi++y music.
*rob*
Posted by: PitbullNYC at August 3, 2009 9:51 AM
also just the fact that the program itself is called "cash for clunkers" is vomit-inducing. f-ing childish people in charge of this country. barf!
*rob*
Posted by: PitbullNYC at August 3, 2009 9:53 AM
F up 9% today. THat should benefit your 401k, y'all.
Posted by: denton at August 3, 2009 9:53 AM
went to all points west this weekend - what a muddy mess!
Posted by: dirty_hipster at August 3, 2009 9:54 AM
Rob, first off the cats...
You can go the TNR (Trap, Neuter, Release) step. This will prevent more from being born and will stop the howling and spraying (piss smell). Unfortunately once a cat is deemed feral (wild). They don't take them into shelters or try to adopt them out because they haven't been socialized (handled and accustomed to humans).
http://www.animalalliancenyc.org/nycfci/index.php
If you don't want to or can't handle the TNR method definitely call animal control. The kittens can go into heat and start breeding at just 6 months old. Then the problem will just continue to compound exponentially. It's not a nice life for them.
With regard to your dog, I noticed this in the paper the other day about a low cost mobile vet clinic for cash strapped owners:
http://www.nydailynews.com/lifestyle/2009/07/25/2009-07-25_vets_going_mobile.html
They're trying to prevent more people from having to give up their pets because they can't afford the vet bills. The shelters are bursting at the seams at the moment. Whenever the economy goes south it's never good news for the animal world. So from the bottom of my heart thanks for doing something about those ferals.
Posted by: TownhouseLady at August 3, 2009 9:54 AM
We own a lot of F, denton.
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at August 3, 2009 9:55 AM
I don't want to pay more NYS & NYC taxes to be given out by Slimey Silver and NYC council members to relatives employed by convenient "non-profits". But whatyya gonna do? I can't even vote so I'm stucck.
Posted by: dittoburg at August 3, 2009 9:55 AM
"We own a lot of F, denton."
DIBS, I always knew you were all "F"ed up. :-)
Posted by: Biff Champion at August 3, 2009 9:56 AM
m4l, I agree with you. As I said, I gather from the email saying "no longer on market" that the house has been taken off the market. When a property is in contract or sold, I typically get an email to that effect.
Posted by: CarrollGardened at August 3, 2009 9:58 AM
"I don't want to pay more NYS & NYC taxes to be given out by Slimey Silver and NYC council members to relatives employed by convenient "non-profits". But whatyya gonna do? I can't even vote so I'm stucck."
How do you think felt send in my PPTY tax check last week to one of the most corrupt local governments in the entire United States? We've got greasy palms here in Hudson County from top to bottom with more arrests scheduled to come. Apparently they're waiting for a bunch of these first round of 44 arrested to start flipping.
Christ.
Posted by: TownhouseLady at August 3, 2009 10:01 AM
GG'd, good now I can day dream they bring it back at a juicy price of 650k and pray I don't have to fight with DIBS for it
Posted by: more4less at August 3, 2009 10:01 AM
I just saw the dapper fnetleman from Ft. Greene over on the Satoralist's website:
http://thesartorialist.blogspot.com/
MAJOR style points!
Posted by: TownhouseLady at August 3, 2009 10:03 AM
fnetleman? WTF? I meant...gentleman.
Posted by: TownhouseLady at August 3, 2009 10:04 AM
quote:
But whatyya gonna do? I can't even vote so I'm stucck.
there is a lot you can do. take the power back. there's many ways to go about it. i dont vote either, i think it's an outdated concept. plus there has never been a single person that i ever thought was worthy of a vote to begin with. you know how people look at all brokers are scum? that's how i view ALL polititians. you can literally see the slime oozing from their auras. none of that kool aid for me thank you.
*rob*
Posted by: PitbullNYC at August 3, 2009 10:05 AM
THL, that informant on the Hudson cty corruption case - did he commit suicide or got killed under suspicious circumstances? Just recall hearing headline over radio that he died but no other details
Posted by: more4less at August 3, 2009 10:11 AM
Biff, it was so dark most of yesterday, I'm surprised you were able to find ENY and Canarsie. I can just picture you slogging down the street, umbrella in one hand, guidebook in the other looking for landmarks. Next time.......
I spent Saturday, which was gorgeous, trucking through the Heights and Cobble Hill. I had a great time walking around getting re-aquainted with Bklyn Hts. I used to work in Boerum Hill, and would walk the Heights and a bit of Cobble Hill after work to relax. Have you ever noticed rich people don't like curtains? You can see great interior detail at night. Anyway, hadn't really walked the Heights during the day in years, it was great. Also Cobble Hill, which I also haven't had a chance to visit since getting the Montrose column. Now I can have examples of whatever from these neighborhoods too. It was great exercise, as well.
Posted by: Montrose Morris at August 3, 2009 10:15 AM
Taking pictures too, Montrose???? :)
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at August 3, 2009 10:17 AM
DIBS, went to Saraghina Sat to have brunch and it was freaking close ("for logistics"). WTF
Posted by: more4less at August 3, 2009 10:18 AM
Not good news, m4l. I'll check it out tonight. I hope its not because of some violation issue.
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at August 3, 2009 10:20 AM
If you can vote but don't, then you don't get to complain.
That's the law.
Posted by: DitmasSnark at August 3, 2009 10:20 AM
Of course, Dave.
Posted by: Montrose Morris at August 3, 2009 10:22 AM
MM, I love the no curtains in brownstones. When I first moved to BH oh so long ago my sister would come over and we would walk the hoods to see the parlor interiors. Ashamed to say we had walked up a lot of stoops to get a better view. Still one of my fav things to do at night, usually with an ice cream cone.
Posted by: DeLepp at August 3, 2009 10:25 AM
DIBS, I was able to look thru the front door that they had the oven all fired up so am wondering if they had issues with the oven. Their sign said they were just closed for Brunch for Sat (vs. Closed and no date referenced)
Posted by: more4less at August 3, 2009 10:27 AM
morning PLUSAs. It's a damn fine morning to be long sterling...
Posted by: the chicken at August 3, 2009 10:30 AM
"THL, that informant on the Hudson cty corruption case - did he commit suicide or got killed under suspicious circumstances? "
This one...
Political consultant Jack Shaw had reportedly agreed to cooperate with federal authorities in their corruption probe after he himself was arrested last week. He told the feds he could help develop new information on those already charged in the case and to possibly identify new targets. Shaw was found dead in his apartment on Tuesday.
Allegedly they're saying it's suicide. Seems a bit fishy to me.
Posted by: TownhouseLady at August 3, 2009 10:30 AM
hi Rob, I might be able to help out trapping the kittens if you really want to deal with it. We'd have to figure it out of course (like, do you have access to the alley) but I'm in touch with several groups who could assist with raising the kittens and getting the mama neutered. Like THL said, it's the "trap-neuter-return" program through the city.
Posted by: herkimermaid at August 3, 2009 10:31 AM
people that live in the city for too long lose sight of the fact that most of american is totally effed without their cars. i am not defending the abuse of tax money, but in hard times like this i really think it helps people out. just saying.
Posted by: Return of Randolph at August 3, 2009 10:32 AM
DeLepp, I never went up the stairs to look, although tempted at times. Staring into parlor windows is dangerous enough for us darker folk. Going up the stairs might be pushing it. An ice cream cone could be construed as a weapon.
Posted by: Montrose Morris at August 3, 2009 10:34 AM
Chicken, I hope all your $$$ is still in Sterling vs. toilet paper
Posted by: more4less at August 3, 2009 10:35 AM
chicken, why is sterling strong?
Posted by: dittoburg at August 3, 2009 10:35 AM
quote:
If you can vote but don't, then you don't get to complain.
um, NO.
non voting is just as important AS voting. if you can't grasp that concept, then that is your problem.
*rob*
Posted by: PitbullNYC at August 3, 2009 10:36 AM
Montrose, it was ok for the first 10 minutes or so (of my 6 mile walk) but started pouring when I reached Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. playground. It's the only playground in all of New York that bears his name. I didn't have an umbrella but picked one up finally towards the end. I still enjoyed myself. Almost immediately after getting off the train at Van Siclen, I went past a house of worship, which I believe was baptist, and heard the most incredible singing from the choir inside. I just stood outside and listened and it really set a positive tone for the rest of the walk.
There's an old cemetery I passed around the start of tour as well that served as the resting site of some of the first Dutch settlers of the area, including Van Siclen. When I stopped at Golden Krust (where I had some rice and peas with curry gravy, roti skin and ginger beer, all of which were delicious) I met a wonderful woman from Jamaica and her daughter. We got to talking about our experiences in New York and it was just so nice. There are many Jamaicans in Toronto so we had lots to talk about, including Caribana and how Canada would never win a medal in the track and field events at the Olympics if not for her fellow countrymen and countrywomen immigrating there and representing us. :-)
Posted by: Biff Champion at August 3, 2009 10:37 AM
The guy across the street from that was arrested has been spending a bunch of time sitting out on his stoop.
It irritates me to no end because prior to his arrest he was completely antisocial and would always avoid making eye contact with you at all costs. You could never do the "hi!" nod or say hello because he'd always look away the second he thought yiou were looking at him.
Now? He's sitting out there proud as a peacock giving little waves to the neighbors he even gave me the smile nod when I came home the other day.
Too little too late dirt bag. This time I looked him dead in the eye as though to say WTF do you want? I'm not playing the let's make friends game with you now.
Posted by: TownhouseLady at August 3, 2009 10:38 AM
Randi, how does people who are down financially being helped via taking on another sizeable loan for fuel efficient car?
Posted by: more4less at August 3, 2009 10:38 AM
MM, true enough. I can imagine the Post headline "Plaster Afficinado with Friendly Ice cream cone.....
Posted by: DeLepp at August 3, 2009 10:39 AM
THL, what was that guy arrested for?
Posted by: more4less at August 3, 2009 10:40 AM
thanks herkamaid. yeah i have access to the alley (it's funny cuz i never thought i did have access to it until this weekend.) what would trapping these cats involve? i wonder if the house next door thinks they are their yard cats or something? i have no idea, maybe i should talk to them.
*rob*
Posted by: PitbullNYC at August 3, 2009 10:40 AM
A rare time i agree w Randolph.
Very positive manufacturing and orders news from the UK this morning pushed up sterling.
Posted by: denton at August 3, 2009 10:40 AM
"Chicken, I hope all your $$$ is still in Sterling vs. toilet paper
Posted by: more4less at August 3, 2009 10:35 AM"
I did have to drop $5 on toilet paper over the weekend but that should keep me going for a while....
"chicken, why is sterling strong?
Posted by: dittoburg at August 3, 2009 10:35 AM"
Who knows. It could be the extension of the cash for clunkers program, it could be any number of economic datapoints. It's not like the UK economy is any better shape than the US but it has broken out now so I'll be looking to transfer some money over around 1.80.
Posted by: the chicken at August 3, 2009 10:40 AM
extortion
Posted by: TownhouseLady at August 3, 2009 10:41 AM
Rob, I love ya, but you are totally wrong on voting. Besides, too many people have died for the right to vote, both at home and abroad, for it to be so casually tossed away. I understand frustration with policies you don't agree with, but not voting does nothing but to assure that those policies, and things much, much worse, continue.
Posted by: Montrose Morris at August 3, 2009 10:41 AM
no idea M4L, but since so many people rushed to do it that the program ran out of money almost immediately, it must make sense somehow.
Posted by: Return of Randolph at August 3, 2009 10:42 AM
"I spent Saturday, which was gorgeous, trucking through the Heights and Cobble Hill."
And you didn't email me??? Ok, now I don't feel so bad about excluding you from my tour. :-)
Don't you ever come to my neighbourhood again without letting me know!
"Have you ever noticed rich people don't like curtains? You can see great interior detail at night."
Absolutely. During the day, it's very difficult to be an effective Peeping Tom. That's why I love walking around the Heights at night. It's then when you can get extremely amazing into people's parlor floors (and possibly other floors) from the street.
Posted by: Biff Champion at August 3, 2009 10:42 AM
not sure if that is the core reason denton - after all, the ISM came in stronger than expected also so a reversal of the morning strength might have been anticipated.
Posted by: the chicken at August 3, 2009 10:42 AM
m4l, we don't know exactly who is buying the cars. Obviously, they are people who can pay in cash or have a good enuf credit score to buy a new vehicle in credit-constrained times.
Cash for clunkers has long been held out as a conservative approach to clean air.
Posted by: denton at August 3, 2009 10:43 AM
> non voting is just as important AS voting.
I'd like to hear more about your intriguing thesis.
Posted by: DitmasSnark at August 3, 2009 10:43 AM
Thanks, Montrose. You're a kinder and more patient soul than I.
Posted by: DitmasSnark at August 3, 2009 10:44 AM
Biff, that sounds like a great day. More people should go out of their neighborhoods and enjoy our great borough, and explore places they have never been before.
Posted by: Montrose Morris at August 3, 2009 10:47 AM
Good morning all, hi Snappy!
Just saw your gmail to me, sorry! I wasn't checking that account this weekend. Will post - in forum. I'm going to write you back now with a question — there is an 'odd' character in the note that I need to check with you.
Posted by: cobblehiller at August 3, 2009 10:47 AM
Non-voting works when you leave one place unfilled because you dislike any of the choices but you vote in all the other categories.
I agree w/ MM - working for voter registration & rights in the 60s brought home to me how much it counts.
Posted by: Arkady at August 3, 2009 10:49 AM
hey Rob, actually trapping the cats isn't really the hard part, though the fact that it's a litter presents an extra challenge... It's a good idea to talk to the neighbors just to make sure they're not care-taking them in any way, but my guess is they're just another feral litter. Basically, if you're serious about it, I'd have to connect with the rescue groups to see what the options are, then, assuming there are some, I'd come over, set the traps in the alley, try to get all the kittens etc., and then take it from there. It's not fool proof by any stretch but it's def worth trying to get the kittens placed, and have the mama fixed. My email address is posted on my profile if you want to proceed. I'm serious about helping you out if I can avail myself of some of the rescue resources.
Posted by: herkimermaid at August 3, 2009 10:49 AM
Chicken, I'm only interested because I send cash to the parents back home to supplement their pension. I try to get the best rate of course. Ealiethis year it was great.
Posted by: dittoburg at August 3, 2009 10:49 AM
Biff, it was spur of the moment for me, too. Besides, I'm sure you had more fun at the park than you would have in your own neighborhood. But next time, I'll let you know.
Posted by: Montrose Morris at August 3, 2009 10:50 AM
Denton, I was responding to Randi's post that this clunker deal is helping people who are down on this terrible econ. Something I don't agree with. People who can buy this via cash or have super strong credit aint the ones who are down and needing the help and if someone does need help, how is a more fuel efficient car helps and/or is optimal option to help?
Posted by: more4less at August 3, 2009 10:51 AM
I meant to say "get extremely amazing VIEWS into people's parlor floors". I didn't mean to imply I get extremely amazing when in other people's parlor floors!
MM, no problem. It's definitely more interesting for me to discover new and interesting neighbourhoods each weekend as opposed to staying in my own. Any idea regarding when you and Amzi are planning to do a tour for other 'Stoners?
Posted by: Biff Champion at August 3, 2009 10:57 AM
Ditto, if you believe in the mumbo-jumbo of Fibonacci retracements, it's just gone through 50% and 1.85 corresponds to 76% retracement back to last July.
Posted by: the chicken at August 3, 2009 10:58 AM
Biff, Will have an announcement on that hopefully today. How is this Sunday for people??
Posted by: Montrose Morris at August 3, 2009 11:00 AM
MM, Sunday works for me! i love walking around brooklyn too and just don't have the time/occasion to do it much anymore. LOVE looking in people's windows. Can we go in the evening? :)
Posted by: herkimermaid at August 3, 2009 11:05 AM
MM, I'm flying back to the Motherland this Sunday. But if it works for the many others who expressed interest, please go ahead without me.
Posted by: Biff Champion at August 3, 2009 11:07 AM
MM, Sunday works for me as well. Can you please put me down and keep me updated if you end up doing the walking tour. email: BKJester3@aol.com
Posted by: Kensingtonian at August 3, 2009 11:07 AM
Hey Biff, I'm having trouble posting our Ellis Bar item in the Forum. Is there an image size requirement? I'm concerned that the image may be too large? Do I need to resize it [which I can do in Photoshop easily]? Or am I just timing out? Tried twice, but to no avail! BAH!
Posted by: cobblehiller at August 3, 2009 11:12 AM
Biff, are you going to China?
Posted by: WonTon at August 3, 2009 11:16 AM
Cobble, I'm not sure. I don't recall having that issue before. Is it a jpg image? There may well be a need to resize it if you can't get the identical pic somewhere else as a jpg, which is usually a smaller file than a bitmap or other image. You can send the words and pic to me and I can try to post it if you like.
Posted by: Biff Champion at August 3, 2009 11:18 AM
WonTon, Biff is Canadian. Chicken and I are the Chinese guys
Posted by: more4less at August 3, 2009 11:19 AM
"Denton, I was responding to Randi's post that this clunker deal is helping people who are down on this terrible econ."
Hi m4l, I think it is more designed to keep auto workers working and to prevent more bankruptcies up and down the auto supply chain, and their attendant layoffs. From that pov, it is helping, it seems.
Posted by: denton at August 3, 2009 11:20 AM
I just opened the image in Photoshop, and it ENORMOUS! So I've downsized it, and will try again. If it doesn't work I'll pass it and Snappy's text over to you.
Posted by: cobblehiller at August 3, 2009 11:21 AM
"Biff, are you going to China?"
WonTon, close. I'm going to Toronto. However, last time we went to where my in-laws live, one of the Champettes said, "we're going to Chinese Town". That wasn't a reference to Chinatown within the city; it was based on the fact the Champettes stay with the in-laws and visit other Chinese people and almost exclusively eat Chinese food at home and in restaurants while there.
Posted by: Biff Champion at August 3, 2009 11:22 AM
"WonTon, Biff is Canadian. Chicken and I are the Chinese guys"
All us PLUSAs look alike.
Posted by: Biff Champion at August 3, 2009 11:23 AM
Denton, Don't dispute that side of the deal. I was interpretting Randi's post that the ones buying via the clunker deal are the ones down on their luck and the new car would help. If Randi was referring to the auto workers & related industries, yeah sure.
Posted by: more4less at August 3, 2009 11:24 AM
Sorry Cobble...I realize now I must have forgotten to condense it!!! Oooops! So much for me and my camera!
Posted by: InsertSnappyNameHere at August 3, 2009 11:25 AM
Montrose,
I am definitely up for a tour this Sunday. If at all possible it would be better for me if we can do it after about 1.30pm (or I could meet you midway). Thanks!
Posted by: etson at August 3, 2009 11:25 AM
Biff, no we don't look alike. I've never been referenced as Dreamy
Posted by: more4less at August 3, 2009 11:26 AM
YAY! Success! New forum post with great photo and write up from Snappy up now!!
Thanks Snappy!
http://www.brownstoner.com/forum/archives/
2009/08/ellis_bar_thur_1.php
Posted by: cobblehiller at August 3, 2009 11:26 AM
No prob, Snappy! Looks great!
Posted by: cobblehiller at August 3, 2009 11:28 AM
rob - have you unloaded your cell phone yet? I just got a postage-paid envelope from some group called Cell Phones for Soldiers. You just put it in the envelope & mail it. I can bring it on Thurs if you want it.
Posted by: Arkady at August 3, 2009 11:29 AM
"All us PLUSAs look alike.
Posted by: Biff Champion at August 3, 2009 11:23 AM"
wahahahahaha....I wish I looked like you Biff!
Posted by: the chicken at August 3, 2009 11:29 AM
Heavens — Is that a YOU-KNOW-WHAT in the image?! I was so focused on the image size I just noticed!
Posted by: cobblehiller at August 3, 2009 11:29 AM
"Biff, no we don't look alike. I've never been referenced as Dreamy
Posted by: more4less at August 3, 2009 11:26 AM"
Why do I get the impression that me and M4L stood next too each other would be like a chinese Stan and Olly?
Posted by: the chicken at August 3, 2009 11:30 AM
Thanks Cobble! Good going!
Posted by: InsertSnappyNameHere at August 3, 2009 11:31 AM
that tiara is making me droool. Did i mention I was born in Sept?
Posted by: herkimermaid at August 3, 2009 11:32 AM
Cobble...indeed it is :-)
Posted by: InsertSnappyNameHere at August 3, 2009 11:32 AM
Cobble, that Forum picture is hilarious and the writeup is great. It puts the ones I did to shame.
Posted by: Biff Champion at August 3, 2009 11:33 AM
Excellent effort Snappy! It's a beautiful thing!
Posted by: cobblehiller at August 3, 2009 11:34 AM
The photo is Snappy's — she's OUT DONE herself here!
Posted by: cobblehiller at August 3, 2009 11:35 AM
Well! CHEAP and CHEESY plastic. Of course, cobble- if that's what you needed to make your non-tiara-ed self get through the day...... Oh well. maybe I'll just have to leave that lovely surprise I have for you at home.....sigh......:-O
Posted by: bxgrl at August 3, 2009 11:38 AM
Wonderful posting! (I hope you're going to wear the t-word on Thurs, Snaps.)
Posted by: Arkady at August 3, 2009 11:39 AM
Heyheyhey now! Snappy worked her fingers to the bone ALL weekend on that fantastic work of art!! I just had the pleasure of posting it!
Posted by: cobblehiller at August 3, 2009 11:42 AM
Herki...are you a leo or virgo?
Bxgirl...ROFL
Arkady...I won't be the only one wearing a t-word :) (no more hints!!!)
Posted by: InsertSnappyNameHere at August 3, 2009 11:43 AM
So- its a conspiracy, is it? You think to get your grubby little hands on MY tiaras? Ha! I see through your sinister plans.
Posted by: bxgrl at August 3, 2009 11:50 AM
Snappy - What's the count on celebrants? I have 7 and a half (Rob is a half.)
Posted by: Arkady at August 3, 2009 11:51 AM
2 billion for cash for clunkers is like spending 25cents on bubblegum. Only idiots would complain about this. How about your stupid ass taxes going to private contractors in IRAQ? Do you care about that>? No. cause your little pea brain can't comprehend anything past your blog posts. God this place is lame. Thanks for confirmation of Idiot America.
Posted by: billyboomer at August 3, 2009 11:51 AM
7???? YIKES! For B-day people I have:
Cobble
Arkady
Snappy
Dirty Hipster
Jessibaby
Who am I missing?
Posted by: InsertSnappyNameHere at August 3, 2009 11:54 AM
oh well gee let's see... mmm err... I was born on sept 14th so that would me a... a... leo?!
hey Bxgrl hands off my tiara!!
Posted by: herkimermaid at August 3, 2009 11:54 AM
Can't make the tour this weekend :(
Have fun guys!
Posted by: dirty_hipster at August 3, 2009 11:54 AM
Nice try Herki!!! Leo ends long before Sept. 14 :-)
Posted by: InsertSnappyNameHere at August 3, 2009 11:58 AM
The levels people will stoop to for a tiara! Anyone caught falsifying birth certificates will be punished! ; )
Posted by: cobblehiller at August 3, 2009 12:01 PM
LOL...Go get em Cobble!
Who did I miss? Arkady says there are 7 b-days but I've only counted 5.
Posted by: InsertSnappyNameHere at August 3, 2009 12:05 PM
Would an illegal immigrant be allowed to be a recipient of a tiara???
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at August 3, 2009 12:06 PM
Morning all. While googling Manhattan restaurants (family coming into town), I read a lot of "top ten" lists and realized I can't even list ten restaurants in Manhattan I like. The Manhattan restaurant scene is pathetic. All gigantic corporate over leveraged behemoths because the rents are so high.
Anyone been to Del Posto? The sole, ribeye, and veal (for "two") entrees are $120. Who are they kidding?
Posted by: mopar at August 3, 2009 12:10 PM
Gasp! Herk- have you no shame? those of us working on the welcome package will certainly have to revise the questionaire to now include birthdate and ssn. Also 2 random character references, a picture of your pet, fingerprints, police recordor Homeland Security background check and a large check, payable to the Brownstoner PLUSA Foundation for the care and Perpetuation of Cats. Your welcome package will include an official PLUSA tiara or Asshat Mug depending on the size of the donation. :-)
Posted by: bxgrl at August 3, 2009 12:10 PM
dibs- is it his birthday? Of course!
Posted by: bxgrl at August 3, 2009 12:10 PM
Dave...that depends...first of all, is he/she a leo or virgo? And, what has said person done to enhance the life of all PLUSAs?
Posted by: InsertSnappyNameHere at August 3, 2009 12:11 PM
billyboomer, you'll be in better mood when you get your f'ing feet out of your ass you dump fuck
Posted by: more4less at August 3, 2009 12:12 PM
Well Snappy, he certainly enhances my life!!!!!!! And if I'm enhanced then it's better for all PLUSAs. You've seen what I can be like when I'm in a bad mood here!!!!
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at August 3, 2009 12:14 PM
Snappy - I have BRG & Faithful too.
Is Herk a Virgo?
Posted by: Arkady at August 3, 2009 12:14 PM
"There's an old cemetery I passed around the start of tour as well that served as the resting site of some of the first Dutch settlers of the area, including Van Siclen."
This is very close to the part of ENY in which I grew up (Spring Creek to locals). I always thought it was cool we had a cemetery with people after whom local streets were named. Glad you made it over, Biff! Hope you enjoyed.
Posted by: East New York at August 3, 2009 12:19 PM
Nope, no shame, none whatsoever. WILL STOP AT NOTHING TO POSSESS TIARA. It really and truly is a work of art. If you're doing random character references then please do speak with people who don't know me.
Posted by: herkimermaid at August 3, 2009 12:19 PM
"If you're doing random character references then please do speak with people who don't know me."
HA! Herk, I'm putting that on my RESUME!! ; )
Posted by: cobblehiller at August 3, 2009 12:22 PM
Oh, Ok...well, BRG isn't coming so I just need to add faithful to the list of b-day folks. Gotta put together another 'super special' goodie bag!
Posted by: InsertSnappyNameHere at August 3, 2009 12:24 PM
Pssst, Snappy, pssst! We've got trouble brewing! There is a disenfranchised non-Leo/Virgo PLUSA who is threatening to protest our event!
Posted by: cobblehiller at August 3, 2009 12:26 PM
"God this place is lame"
Is that some existential commentary?
Posted by: dittoburg at August 3, 2009 12:27 PM
mmmm avocado. just sayin'.
Posted by: herkimermaid at August 3, 2009 12:28 PM
did someone with the username "billyboomer" just try to flame me? i suggest you check your idiotic lame name before you go around yapping your mouth off.
*rob*
Posted by: PitbullNYC at August 3, 2009 12:28 PM
And what about Herk & the illegal?
Posted by: Arkady at August 3, 2009 12:28 PM
Cobble, I saw that! I say, all you other signs, just learn to be as organized and egocentric as the Leos and Virgos and you'll get a special party too :-) LOL
Posted by: InsertSnappyNameHere at August 3, 2009 12:29 PM
Herki is just trying to score a tiara on the sneek! FOR SHAME! The illegal...Dave never answered if he's a Leo or Virgo. If so, I'll add him to the list :)
Posted by: InsertSnappyNameHere at August 3, 2009 12:30 PM
Oh! So we went to the Tenement Museum. Our tour guide, who had wonderful stories about growing up in a tenement himself, said his first 15 years were spent in Bed Stuy, about two blocks from where we are buying -- same area. Mutual amazement.
Posted by: mopar at August 3, 2009 12:36 PM
ENY, is that right? That's really cool. I'm really glad I went, despite the rain. There was a relatively new headstone with the name "Van Siclen" on it amongst the very old ones. I was curious when that went up and who paid for it. There were a number of beautiful community gardens in that vicinity as well (on Livonia Ave, I believe).
Posted by: Biff Champion at August 3, 2009 12:36 PM
I might prefer the asshat mug come to think of it...
Posted by: herkimermaid at August 3, 2009 12:36 PM
Oh, and the rent was $28 a month in 1938. It went up to extraordinary heights of $32 in the early '50s, at which point his family moved to Maspeth.
Posted by: mopar at August 3, 2009 12:37 PM
WHOA, WHOA, WHOA. I'm one of the biggest Asshats here and I never got a mug.
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at August 3, 2009 12:38 PM
Hi Biff, yes, that's Livonia, a few blocks up the street from the last stop on the #3 (New Lots Ave.). I don't know who would be responsible for the headstone, but obviously the cemetery dates from the neighborhood's earliest days.
There is a book about the area by Alter F. Landesmann: http://bit.ly/KDmPU
Posted by: East New York at August 3, 2009 12:42 PM
I wonder if they would give us our own reality-competition TV show "The Biggest Asshat". Dave, you could host. It could be about all the fools who purchased an unrenovated house and then proceeded to screw it up (spoiler alert: I'd win!).
Posted by: herkimermaid at August 3, 2009 12:44 PM
I am a Virgo.
Would I get a gift if I came to the event?
PS: Hello all! I am back. I'm lurking right now.
Posted by: benson at August 3, 2009 12:47 PM
[Crap, now we have to produce MUGS, TOO!???? muttermuttermutterb*tchb*tchb*tch...]
Posted by: cobblehiller at August 3, 2009 12:47 PM
I made one for MM- which she proudly displays in her kitchen. After all, she was the first PBA (Pompous Black Asshat for you newbies who may not know the origin of one of the more famous b'stoner-born phrases.)
Posted by: bxgrl at August 3, 2009 12:50 PM
benson! Welcome back! You MUST come to Ellis Bar Thursday night!
Posted by: cobblehiller at August 3, 2009 12:51 PM
You never got mugged?
Posted by: Arkady at August 3, 2009 12:51 PM
Welcome back, benson.
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at August 3, 2009 12:51 PM
Hey, Benson. Hope you're doing OK!
Posted by: East New York at August 3, 2009 12:51 PM
Welcome back benson! You get a tiara or a mug :-)
Posted by: bxgrl at August 3, 2009 12:53 PM
ENY, the start of the tour was at the Van Siclen station (3 train) so the gardens, churches, cemetery, Dr. MLK Jr. Park were amongst the first things I saw. A few other streets included that I remember were Barbey, Schenck, Blake, Miller and New Lots. Eventually, I walked all the way down Pennsylvania Ave to the Bike Path across the Belt Parkway and then West to Canarsie Pier.
I found the folks were friendly, including the woman I mentioned above, a store cashier who was joking with me about the cost of matches (I never got this good treatment at the CVS in BH) and a guy who saw me struggling on the street trying to light my Indian beedi cigarette and offered me a light and then wished me good luck in not getting a headache from smoking them.
Posted by: Biff Champion at August 3, 2009 12:54 PM
Good to see you here Benson. I hope you join us on Thursday.
Posted by: Biff Champion at August 3, 2009 12:56 PM
ugh i swear the cameltoe on that american apparel ad has gotten BIGGER.
*rob*
Posted by: PitbullNYC at August 3, 2009 12:57 PM
Benson...HELLO! Of course you get a special gift! Please join us :)
Posted by: InsertSnappyNameHere at August 3, 2009 12:57 PM
"Eventually, I walked all the way down Pennsylvania Ave to the Bike Path across the Belt Parkway and then West to Canarsie Pier."
Jesus! Maybe you should think about getting a bike.....that's a hike!!
When I was a kid in the 1960's the entire stretch of Pennsylvania Ave. from the beginning of the Gateway Complex ("Starret City") out to the bike path at the Belt Parkway was a dirt road. NONE of the complex existed, and there were no buildings at all from that point out to the Parkway - just a lone Carvel Ice Cream stand about one mile down the road.
Not surprised that most people were friendly - despite what you may hear it's generally a low-key area.
Posted by: East New York at August 3, 2009 1:01 PM
anyone flown into National outside DC? I have 8 mm footage of it from when I was a kid - cow pastures on all sides.
Posted by: Arkady at August 3, 2009 1:03 PM
"anyone flown into National outside DC?"
Arkady, I LOVE that you are calling it National rather than it's "other" name.
Posted by: cobblehiller at August 3, 2009 1:08 PM
Folks;
I missed you guys. I should be able to make it on Thursday.
Unfortunately, I've had a stressful summer to date. I'm taking classes at NYU at night in real estate management,in hopes of making a career change next year, as engineering is really drying up in NY. In addition, my wife had an accident a few weeks ago, and she was laid up and I had to do "nurse duty". In an event worthy of a Brownstoner article, she was walking our little Westie in front of our house when a jerk came along with a big dog off the leash. His dog started running towards my dog, looking like he was about to have his next meal. My wife pulled up my dog by the leash to get him out of the his range. In doing so, she immediately felt like she damaged something, and went into alot of pain.
We were worried at first that she had damaged her artificial hip. Fortunately, it turned out not to be the case. It looks like she just had a very severe sprain, and she is finally getting back on her feet.
I'm enjoying the real estate classes at NYU. I think some folks in Brownstoner would become apoplectic if they were to hear what they teach in these courses. Topics such as "Estimating the functional obsolescence of a building". We also took a tour of an apartment that was for sale ($15M) in the Time Warner center. The view from the apartment is gorgeous: Central Park in your living room window. The building also had spectacular amentities. The apartment itself, however, left me cold. The level of finish was not in keeping with the price tag, at all. The whole deal reminded me of a restaurant where you pay for the view, not the food.
Anyway, my classes are over, my wife is feeling better, so i'm hoping to salvage something from the summer. I'll see you around!
Posted by: benson at August 3, 2009 1:11 PM
"Not surprised that most people were friendly - despite what you may hear it's generally a low-key area."
- ENY, that's exactly why, to me, it's so important to see places for yourself when possible and not completely rely on other people's impressions.
I have a bike, but I prefer to walk the tours so I see as much as possible. I was going to keep walking along the bike path west of Canarsie Pier, which was an add-on to the tour, but the weather was just too inclement. After I hit the landfill area and turned right on the bike path, I was watching car after car on the Belt Parkway passing by and shooting water everywhere and imagining them wondering who this complete freak was who was walking with a cheap umbrella in the torrential downpour dodging giant puddles along the path.
It's hard to imagine a street as busy as Pennsylvania Ave. being a dirt road as late as the '60s.
Posted by: Biff Champion at August 3, 2009 1:11 PM
Want ot have real fun in a downpour? Try doing a craft fair and having to pack everything up and then break down the tent. that was my excitement for the weekend- but actually it was a lot of fun. Damp. But a lot of fun. (Benson- I look forward to finally meeting you. If you don't show up I will have to hunt you down!) Glad your wife is feeling better though.
Posted by: bxgrl at August 3, 2009 1:17 PM
So mad at myself, went to reheat a slice of leftover pizza for lunch. Heat up the oven stuck the pizza on a tray. Go back 10 minutes later. The pizza is still sitting on the tray on the stove. I forgot to put it in the oven.
Now the whole thing set me back a whopping 10 minutes but I was so bummed out.
In other news...my friend sent me this link and it's hilarious. I've never seen a little boy dance like this. His sister is vying for attention as well but she pales in comparison to lil' redz mad skillz.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ke93HhtH70
Posted by: TownhouseLady at August 3, 2009 1:21 PM
mopar - del posto is awesome. i would recommend doing the pasta tasting, which I think is less expensive but very worth it. don't bother ordering dessert either, as they have the most amazing dessert cart of petit fours, candied fruits and other great stuff served gratis at the end of the meal. it's a little "suit-y" in terms of atmosphere but great food and a nice destination restaurant for out of towners that might be impressed by dining at a Batali restaurant. if you need recommendations, i lived in the west village for a while and can give plenty of suggestions for that area, just let me know type of cuisine, price range and atmosphere to narrow it down. :)
Posted by: CG_ups at August 3, 2009 1:32 PM
I am in love with the man from Ft. Greene. That sweater, that hat. But how does he wear a sweater when it's sweltering out?
Rob, how about the government giving billions away to bankers, who then all got bonuses -- it may have saved the country temporarily, and it may ultimately destroy us -- just like borrowing credit from a card with a zero percent teaser rate that resets to 35 percent six months later.
Posted by: mopar at August 3, 2009 1:35 PM
Ohhhhh, it's a Batali restaurant. Thanks for the info. We may go to Aurora in Soho, but what are a few of your favorite restaurants under $50 pp? Thanks!
Posted by: mopar at August 3, 2009 1:42 PM
Mopar, those banker with big bonuses might spend it on real estate to re-inflate them.
Posted by: more4less at August 3, 2009 1:45 PM
ugh dont get me started on that too mopar. hahaha. i think im going to start pretending i am an illegal alien.
*rob*
Posted by: PitbullNYC at August 3, 2009 1:46 PM
Good afternoon PLUSAs! Welcome back, Benson!
Since cash for clunkers, voting, and TARP money are in the mix, let me give a shout-out to medical technology and health care. Decades ago my grandmother had a kidney stone and was in the hospital for several weeks, since at the time this involved major surgery. I had a kidney stone (for the second time), checked into Long Island College Hospital this morning, was sedated for a few hours, and am now back at home and stone-free. Whatever reforms are made to our health care system, I hope our medical community continues to develop innovative treatments and the people who do so are appropriately rewarded.
Posted by: sixyearsandcounting at August 3, 2009 1:54 PM
mopar - if you like seafood, mary's fish camp (my fave) or pearl's oyster bar (maybe nicer for dinner with family, mary's is more cramped in my opinion) have amazing food. splitting a bottle of wine and 1-2 appys plus 4 entrees should run you less than $50pp. there's also some great japanese restaurants, my favorite is aki on west 4th street, go before 6:30pm for their $28 prix fixe, 3 courses. The sushi is fresh, the dishes are really creative, and it is dellllish. if you go a little over $50pp, the omakase at En Brasserie is off the hook. Seriously, it's the best deal on a phenomal multicourse (i think 7) meal in the city. And it's pretty cool too, a giant communal seating square around a pool with giant bamboo and some private dining rooms or regular tables as well. people really like da andrea for simple red sauce italian type food (the crowd can be nightmarish though). hope nobody kills me for my long post. i miss my old neighborhood sometimes. if you're around the area afterwards stop by beard papa for a cream puff or mochi ice cream. tons of gelatterias around there too, esp on carmine and bleecker.
Posted by: CG_ups at August 3, 2009 1:57 PM
Del Posto is really good. The menu is similar to Babbo, and I second CG's rec for the pasta tasting.
Not sure if they serve the 'mint love letters' that they do at Babbo - but that's by far the best pasta dish ever!
Posted by: dirty_hipster at August 3, 2009 1:59 PM
who needs zagats when you have these walking / talking guides here
Posted by: more4less at August 3, 2009 2:02 PM
oooh, and also The Place on west 4th, very cute, charming, a little off the beaten path for that area and good food.
Posted by: CG_ups at August 3, 2009 2:02 PM
oh der, i just figured out why i'm sitting here and obsessing over restaurants. time for lunch!!! :)
Posted by: CG_ups at August 3, 2009 2:04 PM
sixyears - I'm pretty sure that non-invasive ultrasound technique was invented by a German doctor, not US.
Posted by: dittoburg at August 3, 2009 2:05 PM
I found the food at Babbo a bit sweet - like sugar had been added.
Posted by: dittoburg at August 3, 2009 2:06 PM
Most things that the Germans do are invasive, ditto. :)
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at August 3, 2009 2:07 PM
Sorry its not ultrasound, its Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL) uber alles. But it was invented in Germany.
Posted by: dittoburg at August 3, 2009 2:08 PM
GC, thank you so much, seriously. I love Mary's, need more Japanese places, will put down all of these on my list of places to try. (I used to love Babbo but I'm tired of it.)
SixYears, congrats on the easy procedure.
Posted by: mopar at August 3, 2009 2:10 PM
sixyears - I'm pretty sure that non-invasive ultrasound technique was invented by a German doctor, not US.
Ditto - don't know who invented it, and obviously lots of our tech comes from other places (in spite of what many Americans think). That said, I don't want it to fall by the wayside.
In any case, one reason our health care is getting more expensive is because someone (thankfully I have insurance as a city employee) has to pay for such things. If all we did was piss out our kidney stones into the urinals of the world, it would be pretty cheap, but nobody wants that.
Posted by: sixyearsandcounting at August 3, 2009 2:11 PM
"It's hard to imagine a street as busy as Pennsylvania Ave. being a dirt road as late as the '60s."
Much of the area was undeveloped when we moved there.
This should give you an idea of what the area was once like...as this picture faces East, you would turn "right" to head down Pennsylvania Avenue to head toward the Belt Parkway:
http://bit.ly/BB0ml
Posted by: East New York at August 3, 2009 2:15 PM
Babbo was disapointing - but probably because it was so freakin hard to get a reservation, i was expecting something out of this world.
Is their phone line still busy 24/7?
Posted by: dirty_hipster at August 3, 2009 2:22 PM
sixyears, don't get me wrong. I think we should have universal healthcare. However, it is expensive. My feeling is that the defense budget should be cut.
Posted by: dittoburg at August 3, 2009 2:24 PM
DIBS, as soon as you turn your back their annexing this place and invading that place...
Posted by: dittoburg at August 3, 2009 2:25 PM
ENY, great pic. I wonder what year that was.
Posted by: Biff Champion at August 3, 2009 2:31 PM
CHiller - I'd be afraid to fly into a place w/ that other name.
Benson - Sorry you've had such a rough time - sounds as if things are getting better, though.
6yrs - I had it the old way & it was awful, awful, awful. Wonderful that you walked in & out the same day!
Posted by: Arkady at August 3, 2009 2:31 PM
DH, it's fun to go on a weekday before 7 pm and sit at a table at the bar. The regular restaurant is just a bit too stuffy for my taste. The wine is always good. But I'm tired of the pasta, and don't really love the entrees.
Posted by: mopar at August 3, 2009 2:32 PM
Anyone seen any good movies lately? I'm thinking of tonight. My potential choices are:
Flame and Citron (Flammen & Citronen)
Food, Inc.
Girl From Monaco (La Fille de Monaco)
Herb & Dorothy
Humpday
In the Loop
Summer Hours (L'Heure d'ete)
Whatever Works
Posted by: Biff Champion at August 3, 2009 2:38 PM
"My feeling is that the defense budget should be cut."
I agree, but it would help if Japan, South Korea, and the EU paid their own way.
Posted by: sixyearsandcounting at August 3, 2009 2:39 PM
Arkady - they still have to do it the old way sometimes, if the stone is in the wrong place. Ouch!
Posted by: sixyearsandcounting at August 3, 2009 2:40 PM
"Arkady - they still have to do it the old way sometimes, if the stone is in the wrong place. Ouch!"
Here's a picture of a Stone being in the wrong place.
http://www.merryswankster.com/images/keith_Richards.JPG
Posted by: Biff Champion at August 3, 2009 2:43 PM
Or stoned Stone in a bad place.
Posted by: Arkady at August 3, 2009 2:51 PM
if he's stoned he's probably in a good place :)
Posted by: herkimermaid at August 3, 2009 2:55 PM
You people are so judgemental. Maybe he just slipped and fell. Or maybe he's just waking up from an afternooon nap.
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at August 3, 2009 3:03 PM
Can someone explain what "Universal Health Care" means?
Does it mean lifestyle drugs like Viagra should be covered? How about elective surgery, per Michael Jackson? Does it mean unlimited in-vitro fertilization attempts (as NYS now mandates)?
"Universal Health Care" will bankrupt the country in the same way that Medicare is on its way to insolvency (in just a few short years).
The reason is simple: there is no accountability nor any pricing tied to risk, as one finds in a normal insurance market. If I am a poor driver, my automobile insurance rates go up. On the other hand, if I take steps to improve my driving abilities (defensive driving courses, airbags in the car, etc.) my rates go down. Likewise with homeowner's insurance.
Thanks to poor government regulations, however, no such system exists in medical insurance. Are you a heavy smoker? No problem, your insurance rates are the same as mine. Overweight and in risk of diabetes? Also no problem, you are "entitled" to insurance at the same rate as anyone else.
What Obama is trying to propose is a new entitlement program, not a reform to the insurance market. It is irresponsible, in that our present entitlement programs are already driving up the deficit, big-time. Folks are getting wise to it, which is why its popularity is sinking daily.
I would be all in favor of regulations that would make a low-cost medical insurance product available for working folks. That is not what President Obama is proposing.
Posted by: benson at August 3, 2009 3:05 PM
he's looked way worse.
Posted by: CG_ups at August 3, 2009 3:05 PM
Ok folks...I'm double checking to be sure I have enough goodie bags and special b-day bags. Below is my list of confirmed 'aye's and maybes. A ** next to the name means you are a leo or virgo. If there are any new additions, speak now! Also, tell me if you are a leo or virgo and I haven't noted that:
Dave (+ illegal friend! **)
Herki
CarGar
Cobble ** (+ BH)
Snappy **
Gemini
Arkady **
DH **
Bxgirl
Rob
Kens (+ sister)
Denton (+Mrs. Denton)
11217
Biffy
6years
Jessi **
Faithful ** (+ friend)
MM
Lechacal
Mopar (maybe)
Benson **
Posted by: InsertSnappyNameHere at August 3, 2009 3:08 PM
benson, if its being provided by the government it is irrational and likely to be screwed up for some time.
They can't even process the "cash for clunker" claims. Do you think they will manage a healthcare system very efficiently??????
I'm with you on this one...especially the "entitlement" parts
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at August 3, 2009 3:08 PM
"he's looked way worse."
Case in point:
http://tinyurl.com/5fhozo
Posted by: Biff Champion at August 3, 2009 3:09 PM
benson - universal healthcare does not apply to voluntary procedures like cosmetic plastic surgery (though it would apply to someone with a birth defect like a cleft palate or reconstructive surgery relating to burns or an accident). i am not the best person to explain the details, but essentially it would provide basic healthcare to everyone. meaning preventive healthcare (like checkups) and basic care. ideally, this would end up costing less as it would put less of a burden on emergency rooms (which many uninsureds use as basic healthcare due to lack of other options). whether or not it would be more cost effective in practice is debatable, but in principle it would at least give more people access to adequate healthcare.
Posted by: CG_ups at August 3, 2009 3:12 PM
benson, So...if I get cancer from uhm, let's see...ah, here we go...Pollution in NYC and I need cancer treatment my insurance rate should go up? What if I get asthma and need an inhaler and other meds on a regular basis? Should I pay a higher rate than you? What if I get injured on the job and need a prosthetic limb and a long rehab, should my insurance rate go up? And what if I am at high risk for diabetes for genetic reasons and get it despite trying my best not to? Who is going to sit in judgement of me, and tell me sorry lady, you have to pay a higher health insurance, you shouldn't have had those parents.
What if I am a child, and get cancer? Did I do something wrong? Should my working class parents insurance go up?
What if I get sick and BH has to support us forever, should his insurance premium go up, on top of having to be the sole bread winner?
Posted by: cobblehiller at August 3, 2009 3:14 PM
ps. this is my first post relating to anything vaguely political so be gentle
Posted by: CG_ups at August 3, 2009 3:14 PM
Biff- my vote is for Herb and Dorothy. Did you see this?
http://www.herbanddorothy.com/
Posted by: TownhouseLady at August 3, 2009 3:15 PM
sorry, I meant, did you see this trailer?
Posted by: TownhouseLady at August 3, 2009 3:16 PM
"Does it mean lifestyle drugs like Viagra should be covered? How about elective surgery, per Michael Jackson? Does it mean unlimited in-vitro fertilization attempts (as NYS now mandates)?"
Viagra - yes, to the extent that being sexual is not a lifestyle but a normality for adults humans.
elective surgery - depdns - is it to remove a colon fro someone suffering from colonitis on sterodis, or is it to have a nose job?
"unlimited in-vitro fertilization attempts" why not?
Posted by: dittoburg at August 3, 2009 3:17 PM
"ENY, great pic. I wonder what year that was."
It's 1934, according to the site.
Posted by: East New York at August 3, 2009 3:20 PM
THL, yes I saw that, but thank you very much. I've been dying to see that film for a long time. It scored an impressive 96% on Rotten Tomatoes. Only problem is it's only playing in the West Village at 6:30pm and I'm not sure I can make it at that time.
Posted by: Biff Champion at August 3, 2009 3:21 PM
CG_ups;
I don't think we are in disagreement on what needs to be done. Again, I'm all in favor of regulations that would provide for basic, preventative medical care. We could argue about whether it should be done via private insurance or government clinics. However, that is NOT what is being proposed, and I suggest that you look into the details.
Again, take a look at the exisiting government programs: medicaid and medicare. Is there any responsibility in these systems? If someone is overweight and diabetic (a common ocurrence amont the poor, and one of the leading drivers of costs today), is there any incentive provided for them to take charge of their health? Does the system tie their premiums to their health practices? Not at all.
This poor state of regulation also applies to the private insurance market. Currently private insurance policies (as opposed to company-rpovided insurance) is regulated state-by-state, and many of these "frill" benefits ARE manadated by law. NYS mandates that insurance cover many types of benefits,such as Viagra. It mandates only ONE type of policy,with ONE level of benfits paid, and ONE rate for all, regardless of lifestyle choices.
Posted by: benson at August 3, 2009 3:21 PM
considering at least half of congress probably uses viagra, no wonder they mandate its inclusion.
Posted by: CG_ups at August 3, 2009 3:24 PM
"How about elective surgery, per Michael Jackson?"
Benson, why are you picking on Michael Jackson? MILLIONS of people have had elective surgery, you know.
Posted by: East New York at August 3, 2009 3:26 PM
This just in! Forget about M4L's theory regarding my level of posting and it's effect on the market.
Here is the latest; the Hot Waitress Economic Index!
http://nymag.com/news/intelligencer/58195/
Posted by: Biff Champion at August 3, 2009 3:27 PM
CH;
Aren't you glad that the resident "robo-Republican" is back?;-)
Ah come on, you're distorting my argument!! I'm only advocating that insurance rates be tied to what people CAN control in their life, as is done in all other (functioning insurance markets). If you try to buy life insurance (which is pretty cheap), the companies certainly WILL ask you if you smoke, and charge accordingly.
Many companies thatself-insure health insurance (mine included) are going to the system I just proposed. If you smoke, you are charged a higher premium. If you have high-blood pressure and are overweight, you are charged a higher rate. If you decide to quit smoking and/or lose some weight, your premium is decreased.
What is so wrong with this system?
Posted by: benson at August 3, 2009 3:31 PM
Sorry guys, the republican in me makes me side with benson on this one.
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at August 3, 2009 3:33 PM
DIBS, you have to watch the log cabin republicans episode of American Dad. it is hilarious.
Posted by: CG_ups at August 3, 2009 3:35 PM
"robo-Republican"
I wouldn't call you that, you always have reasonable arguments behind your positions.
Posted by: dittoburg at August 3, 2009 3:37 PM
"Benson, why are you picking on Michael Jackson? MILLIONS of people have had elective surgery, you know."
ENY;
Not trying to pick on MJ, just used him since he's in the news. Probably insensitive of me, given his passing.
I wasn't here when MJ passed away, so I'll give my belated comment on the subject: I find it tragic when brilliant, gifted people like MJ and Elvis self-destruct.
Posted by: benson at August 3, 2009 3:38 PM
Insertsnappy....you better put me down as a maybe.
I might now be headed out of town on Thursday for work...
ughhh
Posted by: 11217 at August 3, 2009 3:41 PM
Hi
I've been lurking for a few on this site and I'm not sure if this is the right spot for this question, but here goes.
I'm selling my apartment and looking to rent a one bedroom in Brooklyn for about $1,000 - $1,200/month. I'm very flexible about neighborhoods, but would want to be in a neighborhood with no more than a 45 minute commute to midtown.
Can I find anything in my price range? And which neighborhoods should I look in?
Thanks for any info.
Posted by: Bitter Renter Girl at August 3, 2009 3:41 PM
Bitter renter Girl...first off, you gotta earn that login name!!!!! Seems youve been leading a closeted life as an owner.
You can find lots of one bedrooms in Stuyvesant heights for $1,100-1,200. It's 25 minutes to 34th street on the A train from utica Ave stop.
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at August 3, 2009 3:45 PM
Snappy, upgrade me to Maybe.
Posted by: more4less at August 3, 2009 3:46 PM
"Aren't you glad that the resident "robo-Republican" is back?;-)"
Yes, I am glad you are back! [Wish you weren't quite so robo-republican, but we can't have everything, now can we?! ; ) ]
How am I distorting your argument that medical premiums should be similar to car insurance!!! I am not a car!!
You're treading into a very delicate area with this benson. Who will be the judge? As it stands now, many people do not have access to good health care, and good preventative health care is important and might relieve some of the strain. Good access to medical services, and low co-pay and low premiums are the only way to ensure that people get the medical care early and more often than not. What if the doctor found out that I ate a hot dog last Thursday, are they going to report me to someone? I hear they're salty, have cancer causing agents in them, and are fatty. If I gain 50 lbs. because I'm working overtime and don't have time to eat right when I'm traveling excessively on business and my grandfather had diabetes is my premium going up?
Posted by: cobblehiller at August 3, 2009 3:48 PM
Bitter Renter Girl,
You may find something within your price range in Kensington and maybe Ditmas Park. Both would be within 45 minutes to midtown (Can be up to an hour if the train is delayed for one reason or another but should be more than a hour long).
Posted by: Kensingtonian at August 3, 2009 3:49 PM
11217...thanks for the update. I hope you can join us.
Posted by: InsertSnappyNameHere at August 3, 2009 3:53 PM
M4L...thanks...hope you can make it too!
Posted by: InsertSnappyNameHere at August 3, 2009 3:54 PM
BiReGi, you should consider a Forum Post in addition to asking here as the majority of Brownstoners likely avoid the Open Thread. Would you consider South Brooklyn?
Posted by: Biff Champion at August 3, 2009 3:55 PM
If you get cancer under the proposed plan, god bless to you. There is a reason why canadians come to the US for their cancer treatment. Otherwise it's a waiting list to die. People complain that our healthcate is too expensive in comparison to other nations and vs our life expectancy, but citizens of the US generally make poor lifestyle choices. When the # of obese americans is over 30%, as a nation one will spend more money on healthcare.
Safeway has a terrific healthcare plan which rewards workers for making the right lifestyle choices such as quite smoking and losing weight
Posted by: DeLepp at August 3, 2009 4:02 PM
Thanks for the info. I will but Bed Stuy on the list.
I'm not sure I know where Kensington is, but will look it up.
What's a Forum Post?
I will consider any neighborhood.
Posted by: Bitter Renter Girl at August 3, 2009 4:02 PM
"ENY;
Not trying to pick on MJ, just used him since he's in the news. Probably insensitive of me, given his passing."
OK. Not that I'm Mr. Michael Jackson fan, but it's ironic to hear so many people blast him for his plastic surgery. I mean, it's a staple for almost everyone in his business.
Posted by: East New York at August 3, 2009 4:03 PM
CH;
I'm really not advocating something readical here. It's already well in-place in the life-insurance marketplace, and is on its way in the company-provided insurance ystem.
It's a very easy system to administer and judge: 6-month physical exams.
As I said to CG, I'm all for low-cost, basic medical care. Believe me I am, as I'm currently footing the bill for my 25 year-old daughter's private insurance policy!!!!! I don't think it can be achieved, however, unless incentives are put in place to drive people to better lifestyle choices. I'm sure you see the same level of obesity as I do when you go out in the public. THAT is a big driver of health costs, as a recent government report showed.
Posted by: benson at August 3, 2009 4:03 PM
Bitter, crown heights north (avoid the south) - you might be able to get a small so so nicety 1 bdrm for that range
Posted by: more4less at August 3, 2009 4:04 PM
Yea, fat people are gross and expensive. Why insure them? We should just put them down with a humane euthanasia program to save costs.
WTF???
Posted by: TownhouseLady at August 3, 2009 4:09 PM
THL, simmer down. benson is not being anywhere near that extreme. All forms of insurance, by definition, weight the risks. Otherwise they are not insurance, they are subsidies.
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at August 3, 2009 4:11 PM
Benson, we should distinguish those with a predisposition to obesity from those who eat lots of hot dogs. Otherwise Samoans and Tongans would pay more than everybody else [sorry, South Pacific lurkers...].
Posted by: sixyearsandcounting at August 3, 2009 4:15 PM
THL, cats. big cute cats. ice cream & pie. ice cold beer. good thoughts good thoughts.
Posted by: more4less at August 3, 2009 4:15 PM
Biff, I just had a CVS moment when getting a prescription filled there:
Pharmacy Clerk: Have you ever filled a prescription here before?
Me: Yes.
Clerk: I don't see your records - was it another CVS?
Me: No, it was this one.
Clerk: You HAVE been here before?
Me: Yes, four years ago. Maybe CVS erases old records?
Clerk [rudely]: When I ask you if you've been here before, I mean in the last two years.
My eye-rolling-prevention mechanism almost malfunctioned.
Posted by: sixyearsandcounting at August 3, 2009 4:20 PM
"THL, simmer down. benson is not being anywhere near that extreme."
First, don't ever tell me to simmer down.
Second, what he is being is extremely offensive. How do I or the rest of the taxpaying public know there wasn't something that his wife could or couldn't have done to prevent her illness/injuries any more than the fat person's "lifestyle choices"?
Slippery slope...
Posted by: TownhouseLady at August 3, 2009 4:20 PM
welcome back Benson!
My 2 cents on the healthcare situation - sort out tort reform and everything else will follow. Don't sort it out and no system will work.
Posted by: the chicken at August 3, 2009 4:25 PM
"If you get cancer under the proposed plan, god bless to you. There is a reason why canadians come to the US for their cancer treatment. Otherwise it's a waiting list to die."
DeLepp, that's not necessarily true. I think the propaganda in the current commercials on US television that bash Canadian healthcare are doing a lot of harm. I have first hand knowledge of the situation there. While it is far from perfect in Canada, as I've mentioned here before, my father passed away from cancer and everyone other than me in my immediate family has had some form of it. My father received timely care from some fabulous doctors. They couldn't have done any more for him than they did.
Having lived here now for many years and being well acquainted with both systems, I much prefer the Canadian system, with its flaws, than that of the U.S. I believe it simply provides access to healthcare to a much greater percentage of citizens, most notably those who are struggling financially.
Posted by: Biff Champion at August 3, 2009 4:26 PM
I'm with the chicken on this one.
Posted by: TownhouseLady at August 3, 2009 4:27 PM
A big driver, not THE big driver. The medical system in this country is whacked out. Why is it that I can buy an antibiotic in Jamaica for $7 US, and here the same is $75? It's the same drug.
Why is Apria allowed to charge $1200 to rent a wheelchair to an individual through their insurance when you can buy one for $350? Why doesn't the insurance company allow that kind of decision to be made? Aren't they then contributing the overall costs that you and I pay in our premium? Or is that allowed because it's a free market??!!
Regulation would help. Cutting out the extreme waste in the medical supply chain would help. Lowering costs of medications would help. Preventative care would help.
I don't think that penalizing [unknown] individuals helps. Why, so a naturally thin person gets to skate on their health insurance while the person that really needs the insurance gets an added fat tax?! It's insane, I have to agree with THL here.
Posted by: cobblehiller at August 3, 2009 4:28 PM
sixyears, you shouldn't allow those people (CVS employees ) to get away with that. have some fun with them until they are completely mind boggled. It shouldn't take long. :)
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at August 3, 2009 4:28 PM
Chicken makes a very good point. Take away contingency fees for lawyers and that should help eliminate a large majority of baseless lawsuits and help keep medical insurance in check.
Posted by: Biff Champion at August 3, 2009 4:28 PM
sixyears, I think we both need to go get our prescriptions filled in East New York from now on.
Posted by: Biff Champion at August 3, 2009 4:29 PM
"sort out tort reform and everything else will follow. Don't sort it out and no system will work."
Another excellent point, chicken!
Posted by: cobblehiller at August 3, 2009 4:30 PM
THL, indeed a slippery slope, but then how do you deal with the rising costs of healthcare. Can't have it both ways without some personal responsibility. If Safeway offers incentives to promote lifestyle choices they see it as a savings. Not saying an ideal plan, but it should at least be looked into. Obesity is chronic and expensive in this country.
Posted by: DeLepp at August 3, 2009 4:30 PM
THL, have I told you lately how smart and discerning you are? ;)
Posted by: the chicken at August 3, 2009 4:31 PM
"Why doesn't the insurance company allow that kind of decision to be made? "
OOPS - should be: Why does the insurance company allow that kind of decision to be made?
Posted by: cobblehiller at August 3, 2009 4:31 PM
I think the notion of universal healthcare is made much more difficult and convoluted than it needs to be. And that, I believe, is largely the fault of lawyers (yikes! I'm a turncoat!) and politicians. If said two groups would stop worrying about 'what am I personally going to get out of x deal' then we might be able to come up with something that both works and makes sense.
Posted by: InsertSnappyNameHere at August 3, 2009 4:31 PM
in a land of plenty, we nit pick. coming from a ton less, I appreciate
Posted by: more4less at August 3, 2009 4:32 PM
"Obesity is chronic and expensive in this country.
Posted by: DeLepp at August 3, 2009 4:30 PM"
That's alright - food is going to get a lot more expensive in the next couple of years.
Posted by: the chicken at August 3, 2009 4:33 PM
"That's alright - food is going to get a lot more expensive in the next couple of years."
That might actually make things worse. The healthy food will likely go up more in price than the unhealthy food making people cut whatever healthy food they might eat completely out of their diet.
Posted by: Biff Champion at August 3, 2009 4:37 PM
biff, having had cancer as well as my sis we would rather not have to deal with a bureaucracy in determining our treatment. As for canada, I had a large paint brush in my hand as my father had a heart attack in banff and we were stuck between a rock and a hard place with the hospitals/officials. Wouldn't help him, but also wouldn't let him leave. Totally agree with you about lawsuits, but unfortunately we're a litigious society here.
Posted by: DeLepp at August 3, 2009 4:38 PM
"Lowering costs of medications would help."
True, but back to my point about innovation. It takes a lot of money to research and develop a drug and very little money to actually mass-produce it. We cover the cost, paying the free-market price, and other nations get it for much less, right? I would assume that massive purchases of meds by government-run health care systems everywhere result in a volume-based discount, but maybe I'm wrong. I'd certainly like meds to be cheaper, but I also want new meds to be developed, and the innovators who do so should be handsomely rewarded.
Maybe Biff should go into the medicine-smuggling business. He could call it the Life Star.
Posted by: sixyearsandcounting at August 3, 2009 4:39 PM
I agree with Chicken about tort reform.
The following changes to insurance regulations would immediately drive down the cost of health insurance. Basically, all of these regulations would put the health insurance market in line with other types of products:
a) allow risk-based premium pricing, as I mentioned above;
b) tort reform, per Chicken
c) BIG ONE===> allow insurance to be sold across state lines, as is down with ALL other insurance products. This would end the stranglehold that state legislatures now have to mandate frivoulous coverage.
d) allow folks who buy their insurance policies privately to take a tax deduction. It is not fair that companies can deduct insurance premiums, but individuals cannot.
e) ANOTHER big one ===> allow different types of insurance products!! If someone wants to buy insurance to just cover catastrophes, they should. If someone wants coverage for just basic medical care, they should be able to buy that product too.
Carry out these five points, and medical costs will cease to be an issue.
Posted by: benson at August 3, 2009 4:41 PM
I agree w/ chicken on tort reform. It's also possible for the gov't to run a decent program. I have better coverage on mandated medicare than I had while paying $1100. a month for private insurance -w/ high deductible & no choice of doctors.
Posted by: Arkady at August 3, 2009 4:42 PM
While we're on the subject of risk based pricing...
Excessive drugs and/or alcohol a part of your 'lifestyle choice'? Don't sweat it! Your are an addict, you have a disease, you are now afforded special protection and treatment by both your employer and insurance company.
You play sports, jog or workout frequently? Need hip and or knee replacement surgery or have chronic back pain because of your 'lifestyle choices'? Have no fear sports related injuries are protected and covered by insurance.
Cancer runs in your family? Why not spend tons of time at the tanning beds or beach without protection. Don't worry about your lifestyle choices, we'll cover your treatments.
Have too many deserts? THE HORROR!!! You and your lifestyle choices are shameful, repulsive and In fact, I will label you as such and demand you cough up more money immediately.
Posted by: TownhouseLady at August 3, 2009 4:47 PM
Here are my suggestions - maybe they're already in place, I'm not sure:
1. Give doctors tax incentives to treat patients below a certain income for free.
2. Tort reform. Tort reform. Tort reform.
3. Allow purchase of health insurance across state lines, except in cases of violations of state law (i.e. if NY has laws mandating coverage for X, and there's a policy in NJ that covers it, you should be able to buy the latter policy).
4. Associations of small businesses and fraternal organizations should be able to pool their resources to buy health insurance for their employees.
5. Covering the cost of (at least) preventive care, vaccinations, and regular checkups through a public option.
Posted by: sixyearsandcounting at August 3, 2009 4:47 PM
in a land of plenty, we nit pick. coming from a ton less, I appreciate
Posted by: more4less at August 3, 2009 4:32 PM
Agreed on that one my former communist brother. Same in point about todays' voting conversation.
Posted by: Kensingtonian at August 3, 2009 4:48 PM
DeLepp, truly sorry to hear about your own personal battles with cancer and your father's heart attack. I don't have any first hand experience regarding health issues of individuals visiting Canada, so I really can't comment on that. If we're talking strictly about healthcare within one's own country; I'll stick with my preference for the Canadian model, which I'll continue to acknowledge as being far from perfect.
Posted by: Biff Champion at August 3, 2009 4:49 PM
Looks like you beat me to at least some of my points, Benson.
Posted by: sixyearsandcounting at August 3, 2009 4:50 PM
BiCh
I just saw the forum and will post my question tomorrow.
Thanks for the tip.
Sorry about your dad.
Posted by: Bitter Renter Girl at August 3, 2009 4:52 PM
Oh, and before I forget - ELECTRONIC MEDICAL RECORDS. Some doctors I've been to are in San Diego, New Haven, Bemidji, MN, Brooklyn, and Washington DC. Wouldn't it improve treatment and lessen paperwork if they could easily share information? Why not just scan their illegible notes into a .pdf based record system? I know there are significant privacy issues, but I think the benefits outweigh the risks here.
Posted by: sixyearsandcounting at August 3, 2009 4:54 PM
Six years;
Good point: I forgot about electronic medical records. That would be my sixth point. Mayor Bloomberg (who,as he puts it "knows something about IT, as I used to run such a company") is really sounding the drums on this issue.
Posted by: benson at August 3, 2009 4:58 PM
biff, no worries here, but my concern is re-inventing the wheel just to re-invent the wheel. Medicare is a good example, not perfect but some tweaks and it becomes better.
Posted by: DeLepp at August 3, 2009 4:58 PM
Benson,
besides a) which I feel I've already covered at length...
b) Yes, It starts (and hinges) with tort reform. Couldn't be more important!!
c) Insurance should be nationally NOT state regulated. Brokers/agents should have to be nationally not stated licensed. Do you know that insurance agents have to be licensed in any and every state that they sell/solicit insurance in? Each state has different fees, rules, exams that need to be passed? It's a logistical nightmare.
d) Many states (Jersey for one) allow you to deduct all medical expenses including premiums.
e) Most states do have catastrophic policies or MSA (Medical Savings Account) high deductible policies.
Posted by: TownhouseLady at August 3, 2009 4:59 PM
Snappy - Did you get verification on the Illegal's bday?
Posted by: Arkady at August 3, 2009 4:59 PM
Arkady, he has a name you know. Jeeeesh.
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at August 3, 2009 5:03 PM
Besides, there's more than one. I was just asking generically if they could win a tiara like they can collect on a lottery ticket.
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at August 3, 2009 5:04 PM
His name is Jeeeesh? Odd
Posted by: TownhouseLady at August 3, 2009 5:05 PM
NO, his name is not Jeeesh.
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at August 3, 2009 5:06 PM
Bloomberg Headline: Antidepressant Use in US doubled over Decade to 10% of Population in 2005.
What could it be now?? 20%
Truly amazing.
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at August 3, 2009 5:08 PM
THL;
I was really referring to the federal income tax, which is the biggie. Currently it does not allow individuals to deduct the cost of medical premiums unless a 7% (of income) threshold is met. No such threshold is necessary for the insurance premiums that corporations pay.
You are correct that catstrophic insurance is available. However, what I mean is that more limited, basic health plans should be available.
A doctor in Rochester, NY tried to set up a low-cost clinic for working class folks. For a very reasonable fee each month, they would receive a very specified set of services (annual check-up, treatment of mild conditions like the flu, and broken arms, etc.) The state insurance department stepped in and said that he was operating an insurance operation, and as such, he would have to offer all the coverage mandated by law. He disbanded the practice.
Posted by: benson at August 3, 2009 5:10 PM
The results also showed blacks and hispanics had a rate half that of whites. I wonder if they are less depressed or less able to get the medicine.
I'm sure they are less neurotic and paranoid than whites but those are different meds.
I find that hispanics are far less inclined to nail biting, which says something.
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at August 3, 2009 5:10 PM
I'm sorry Dave but it's already been recorded on the official ledger as Jeeeesh.
You'll have to complete and submit forms 563a, 589b and c.
whatever you do pleased don't forget to sign them or processing will be delayed an additional 6-8 weeks.
Sorry, the PLSUA hasn't gotten on the electronic documents bandwagon yet. We're looking to reform/overhaul the system once we receive funding.
Posted by: TownhouseLady at August 3, 2009 5:11 PM
What is his name? I just scanned through the thread & don't see it.
Posted by: Arkady at August 3, 2009 5:11 PM
I had to join Hadassah to get catastrophic coverage.
Posted by: Arkady at August 3, 2009 5:12 PM
Fulgencio. Fulge, for short.
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at August 3, 2009 5:13 PM
Gotcha Benson.
Posted by: TownhouseLady at August 3, 2009 5:13 PM
dibs, I would think with the advent of blogs people could release their frustrations on annoymous folks and forgo meds, unless blogs are increasing frustrations....
Posted by: DeLepp at August 3, 2009 5:16 PM
"Mayor Bloomberg (who,as he puts it "knows something about IT, as I used to run such a company") is really sounding the drums on this issue."
Mayor Bloomberg and Joel Klein can't figure out how to put a computer in every classroom. If he can't call up Dell/Apple/HP/etc. and say, hey, I have a great way to advertise your products - give them to urban schools in large numbers at a reduced cost - what traditional NYC politician would?
The DOE did, on the other hand, give my school $$$ to install wireless internet in every classroom. Fine. We have about 150 classrooms and nine laptops with LCD projectors we can wheel around on carts. Hell, we don't even have a TV with a DVD player in every classroom, but the ones that the DOE can get us cost hundreds of dollars because of the carts they sit on. We aren't allowed to go to Best Buy or Circuit City and buy our own. We're given X dollars to buy X products, but unless we spend it before an artificial DOE deadline, we lose the money.
They also f*#$ed up the old system of record-keeping and discipline, creating even MORE paperwork than the old Board of Education, an accomplishment I thought at the time was truly impossible.
To summarize: F&*@ YOU, JOEL KLEIN! F#&* YOU! F#&* YOU! F#&* YOU! F#&* YOU! F#&* YOU!
[Now I'll return to my normal quiet self]
Posted by: sixyearsandcounting at August 3, 2009 5:19 PM
DeLepp, I think we can tell here who gets more frustrated by the blogs and who uses them to release frustrations. I've never committed "blogicide." :)
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at August 3, 2009 5:21 PM
"I would think with the advent of blogs people could release their frustrations on annoymous folks and forgo meds"
Posted by: DeLepp at August 3, 2009 5:16 PM
I just gave you all a fine example of this method. I just wonder if it works for The What.
Posted by: sixyearsandcounting at August 3, 2009 5:21 PM
6yrs, sounds like you would like an MTV death match with Joel Klein
Posted by: more4less at August 3, 2009 5:21 PM
Case in point, DeLepp^^^^^^^^
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at August 3, 2009 5:22 PM
M4L, I always say I don't wish ill to Joel Klein or anyone else. But if he gets run over by a bus, I won't be at the funeral!
[runs to confession]
Posted by: sixyearsandcounting at August 3, 2009 5:24 PM
Dave...Jeeeesh a/k/a Fulge will be getting a goodie bag...he is a Virgo or Leo and will be joining us right?
Posted by: InsertSnappyNameHere at August 3, 2009 5:24 PM
I'll put 5 large on 6years to win that match :-)
Posted by: InsertSnappyNameHere at August 3, 2009 5:25 PM
sixyears, you should repeat your story about being advised not to directly mark students papers when you are correcting them but to instead use Post-ITS!!!!
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at August 3, 2009 5:25 PM
While I'm at it, I forgot the new system of "quality review" of schools Klein instituted. We - a large Brooklyn high school - were "reviewed" by an elementary school principal from England. WTF?
Posted by: sixyearsandcounting at August 3, 2009 5:26 PM
He won't be joining us, Snappy. I'm afraid after 6 beers all the heteros will become "curious" for beefcake.
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at August 3, 2009 5:26 PM
Thanks Snappy! Although as I'll still feel the side effects of this kidney stone for a few days, I'll postpone the match until next week.
DIBS: That was a different quality reviewer, who was actually a career bureaucrat in the NYC DOE. Marking students' papers - especially in red - is threatening and harmful to self-esteem. Therefore, use post-its, which we won't supply you with.
In his defense, he was probably told to say that by some educational consultant, and just following orders. He's been a common sense guy the other times we've seen him.
Posted by: sixyearsandcounting at August 3, 2009 5:29 PM
"He won't be joining us, Snappy. I'm afraid after 6 beers all the heteros will become "curious" for beefcake."
I thought that was Biffcake was the only beer-curious hetro amongst us.
Posted by: TownhouseLady at August 3, 2009 5:30 PM
that was? Grammar much?
Posted by: TownhouseLady at August 3, 2009 5:30 PM
No man candy for the curious boys out there Dave? You stingy boy! LOL
Nite all!
Posted by: InsertSnappyNameHere at August 3, 2009 5:32 PM
THL: "He" would imply that DOE bureaucrats function like normal human beings.
Posted by: sixyearsandcounting at August 3, 2009 5:33 PM
Six, hope you feel better soon. Pardon me, if this is a stupid question...How did you know you had a kidney stone?
Posted by: cobblehiller at August 3, 2009 5:34 PM
Thanks CH! This is actually Kidney Stone II. I didn't find out about KS I (in 2005) until I woke up one day in incredible pain and couldn't urinate. I had been feeling a dull pain in my left side below the ribs and was going to the bathroom rather frequently.
Over this summer all the same symptoms were there, except for the super-intense pain. I went to the urologist just to make sure, and lo, the CT scan showed a 7-mm stone. Luckily I caught it before it moved too far, because that's when the pain strikes.
Posted by: sixyearsandcounting at August 3, 2009 5:41 PM
whew what a day - did i miss anything fun?
Posted by: dirty_hipster at August 3, 2009 5:42 PM
As an American, I find it disgusting that we are the ONLY developed country that lets our fellow countrymen exist without a basic level of protection against illness.
As a fairly high income American family, we are MORE THAN WILLING to pay higher taxes so that my less fortunate, hard working American brothers and sisters are afforded health care. Yes, my brothers and sisters.
Insert waving flag here.
Is that conservative enuf for you?
We cover the poor (who presumably can't work but who knows), and we cover the elderly, but we don't cover the guy driving a truck making 30k but he has three kids cuz he's too conservative to abort!
We don't have the money to pay for the working people who for one reason or another do not have insurance, thru no fault of their own. But we can spend $9 billion dollars a month of borrowed money in Iraq. Cracks me up the way conservatives bitch about the high price of health care, but don't say a damned thing about the ruinous Bush deficits.
Meanwhile in a true fit of economic stupidity, the feds won't cover abortion for poor people, forcing the states to, some of them, anyway. BUT Medicaid covers sex change operations, and, if you fill out enuf paperwork, will cover the reversal! And you guys are worried about Viagra?
Anyone who thinks that the 'private sector' is providing efficient health insurance is frankly deluded. I could go into the reasons but I use my real name here, so it will have to wait. Suffice it to say that, as pointed out, we spend more for less outcome.
I want all Americans to have basic health care for themselves and their families. Let's get some real class warfare going for a change, not the kind the conservatives claim when they have to pay income tax that is less than half what it used to be.
I used to be a free markets kind of guy, but after seeing two bubbles in ten years, and seeing the way the working man, and that includes the six figure working man, get f*cked over, I'm having a change of heart.
Posted by: denton at August 3, 2009 5:42 PM
sixyears, if only NYC public schools were at the level of those in my native England...
Posted by: dittoburg at August 3, 2009 5:44 PM
Haha ditto - I assume you're using public in the English sense of the word...
Posted by: sixyearsandcounting at August 3, 2009 5:47 PM
"I wonder if they are less depressed or less able to get the medicine."
We're less depressed. Anything that could have happened to us has already happened.
Posted by: East New York at August 3, 2009 5:47 PM
Six, ah, thank you, interesting, and helpful. Glad you'll be better soon!
Denton, I bow in your general direction>>>>>>
Posted by: cobblehiller at August 3, 2009 5:48 PM
6yrs, as long as I'm pissed off, we don't NEED a computer in every classroom. We have successfully educated children for a few hundred years without them. We need to teach children who to read, write, and think, all of which can be accomplished without computers.
We don't need to google this and wiki that. But if we do, we can probably do it without high priced teachers on site.
I taught adult ed computer classes for a few years at Murry Bergtraum in the early 1990s, and was appalled at what I saw in the regular classrooms.
Posted by: denton at August 3, 2009 5:50 PM
ENY, hah, good one. But you never know :-)
"While I'm at it, I forgot the new system of "quality review" of schools Klein instituted. We - a large Brooklyn high school - were "reviewed" by an elementary school principal from England. WTF?"
Maybe they want to make sure the kids are speaking English :-)
Posted by: denton at August 3, 2009 5:53 PM
very worldy of you to know that sixyears.
Posted by: dittoburg at August 3, 2009 5:55 PM
Denton - true, we don't NEED one. But there are an awful lot of resources that can be used for teaching reading, writing, and thinking on the internets. I'm willing to bet that it would cost less to put a computer in every classroom than it does to buy thousands of terrible textbooks every year.
Fortunately or unfortunately, using a computer properly is fast becoming the modern-day equivalent of penmanship classes - a skill one ought to have in modern life.
No, we don't need "high priced" (ha!) teachers on site. In fact, if you can get the hidebound, standards-based bureaucracy to agree to use online education (start with GED classes) in place of brick and mortar classrooms, I'd be all for it. Unfortunately too many vested interests would oppose this.
Posted by: sixyearsandcounting at August 3, 2009 5:57 PM
Yes dittoburg, I had a proper fucked up Anglophile rearing, which meant I read Tom Brown's School Days and therefore I too know the difference.
:-)
Posted by: denton at August 3, 2009 5:57 PM
Haha Denton: Maybe they want to make sure the kids are speaking English :-)
GOOD LUCK!!!
Posted by: sixyearsandcounting at August 3, 2009 5:57 PM
"very worldy of you to know that sixyear"
Ditto, Condescend much?
Posted by: cobblehiller at August 3, 2009 6:01 PM
CH, condescend OFTEN.
Posted by: dittoburg at August 3, 2009 6:05 PM
Bitter Renter Girl, I must second Dave's suggestion of Stuyvesant Heights. They do have beautiful floor-through apartments there with historic details, fireplaces, granite kitchens, and the like in your price range. Also some nice restaurants coming in there. It's on the Utica A express stop, so very quick to midtown.
Also you can find a three-room railroad on the L at Jefferson, Dekalb, or Myrtle-Wyckoff for $1100 to $1200 -- though in general the condition of the apartments in this area is more decrepit than Bed Stuy. It's perfectly safe, there are a lot of Latino businesses, restaurants/bars Northeast Kingdom and Tandem, Make the Road community organization, also lots of parties in the loft area if you like that sort of thing. See BushwickBK for more info.
You might also check into Jackson Heights in Queens, which is 20 minutes from midtown on the E express, though I'm not sure if one bedrooms are that low.
Posted by: mopar at August 3, 2009 6:06 PM
Also, if we had health insurance, it would be good for the economy, because more people (including laid-off people) could start their own businesses. We are slaves to corporate jobs -- and even then, insurance does not always cover our needs.
Benson (welcome back), NYS does not require in vitro fertilization coverage. Massachusetts does. But what of it?
Posted by: mopar at August 3, 2009 6:10 PM
"ENY, hah, good one. But you never know :-)"
You're right denton. Anything is possible!
Posted by: East New York at August 3, 2009 6:25 PM
Add my applause to cobble's for denton. I'm one of those people- got laid off, lost my medical insurance and how am I to pay the basic $185.00 a month on unemployment? that is after the deductibles, etc. We are so busy trying to find reasons to deny someone else what we have- I can't wait until he insurance companies begin to demand full DNA workups and an intrusive, judgmental and invasive report of your entire life before they insure you- and then base it on your genetics. For all the complaints about socialism, it sure seems a more humane system than capitalism where they'll cut you dead for money.
Posted by: bxgrl at August 3, 2009 6:48 PM
Denton;
When you want to drain your emotion out of the discussion, let me know, and then I'll respond.
Also, nice try baiting me with the abortion stuff, but I'm not taking the bite.
Posted by: benson at August 3, 2009 8:08 PM
benson, when you want to explain why all Americans shouldn't have health insurance, feel free.
I'm not baiting you about abortion, what makes you think I was addressing you in the first place? But that's how it is.
Posted by: denton at August 3, 2009 9:06 PM
"When you want to drain your emotion out of the discussion, let me know, and then I'll respond."
BTW benson, you crack me up. You've just admitted that your engineering degree from the finest engineering school in the country (Cooper Union) is just about worthless. You're switching from a company that can make things to a career in paper-pushing.
Don't kid yourself that I was talking to you about abortion, I was just talking.
And you don't get what's really class warfare. You're a victim of it, along with so many of the working classes that hate the very president that's trying to help them. Sad...
That's why I'm putting more and more of our retirement funds in Asia, commodities, and gold. This country is in need of a serious wake up call.
But I hope to see you Thursday... we can continue the discussion.
Posted by: denton at August 3, 2009 9:15 PM
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