Spinning Premium Rates (Fastcheck)

This article was about Obamacare. Obviously the author was against the program beacuse it thoroughly pointed out statistics and statements given by Obama that were false that made his argument look economically feasible. Mostly about premium percentage rates and individual market prices. There has been much discussion on what Americans can expect to pay for insurance on the state-based and federal exchanges created by the Affordable Care Act. The program is set to launch on October 1st. Republicans and critics of the law have claimed the rates will be too expensive, while Obama and the White House have said they’ll be affordable for those needing to buy their own coverage. The interesting thing is that an average is hard to discuss when each state carries a different premium charge so it does not take into account living expense or inflation. So we clearly have a biased journalist on our hands.


http://www.factcheck.org/2013/09/spinning-premium-rates/

PBS Newshour Article: "Pursuing Higher Education Without A Social Security Number"

I read the PBS Newshour article “Pursuing higher education without a social security number”, written by Elisabeth Ponsot and watched 2 videos attached to the article reporting on real life examples.  The article focuses on the issues “undocumented” (non-US citizens) face when attempting to go to college without a social security number.  In the two cases highlighted, the young adults were brought to America by their parents when they were extremely young, spent years in public US schools but when trying to get into college ran into numerous issues.  One includes the cost of tuition for undocumented people.  They would not qualify for in-state or out-of-state tuition but would fall under the international tuition bracket, which is extremely high.  The second issue is to try and pay for that higher international tuition, they cannot apply for any scholarships/grants either as they do not have the proper requirements (social security number/license/etc).

This issue has been a government debate as to how best approach this situation.  A fact claim was provided noting that in April of this year 2013, the Oregon governor, John Kitzhabler approved a new law called “tuition equity” which allows those students to be placed in the “in-state” tuition category if they’ve spent a certain number of years in that particular state and in those public schools. However currently not all US states are on board and those decisions have been highly debated as it may seem unfair to those here in the US as true US citizens who do not get that same treatment.  Although not outright stated, I believe the heart of the article had pieces of value claims with a general belief that there should be tuition equity as a means to help children, by no fault of their own, came to the US and have since spent the rest of their lives here.

Scientists Recommend Having Earth Put Down

"According to climatologists, putting the suffering Earth down now would be the humane thing to do."
This article reports on the announcement of the diagnosis of Earth, the route that is best to deal with it and stayed with all the way to the end decision. This reported on a policy claim by the world's scientific community, namely Dr. Robert Wyche who stepped up the the plate and tell the hard truth like it was. Course of action from the initial claim is to do what is needed to relieve the poor, suffering planet. Grounds for this claim is also a fact based claim of responsibility of welfare for sickly Earth would revert to humanity and as time goes on that continues rise in difficulty level. Their argument worked, for humanity thought about it seriously and consented to do what was right. Humanity has been given a few moments to say good-bye before Earth is released from it's pain. We will miss you Earth.
http://www.theonion.com/articles/scientists-recommend-having-earth-put-down,34034/?ref=auto

http://www.motherjones.com/mojo/2013/09/zombie-apocalypse-drug-reaches-us-not-joke

I have heard about this drug, on television and in an ethics class. This drug, Krokodil, is basically just killing yourself and feeling good while doing (like most abused drugs I should say). It isn't hard to say as to whether or not someone who is going to start up on the drug is making a death wish, because that essentially what it is. Just because it is a cheap way to get high, doesn't mean that it should be done at all. Looking at the photos of the users, this stuff seems like it would never in a million years be worth it.
Originating in Russia, but now seeing that it has made it to the US, it seems as though many are willing to take those risks to save some money, not experience life to its fullest-but instead self-serving escape. And by escape I mean in multiple ways, everyday stresses, and life in general.  

Wresting back in 2020 Olympics, NASCAR still out
As I'm sure all of you are aware, wrestling is back in the Olympics (1). However, the favorite pastime of both America and the other part of the world (Historians call it "Not America") is still not an official Olympic event. I've heard some people say that the Olympic games are abut things like sportsmanship and taking the human body to its limit, but my television screen has convinced me that it is actually about advertising. To this end, NASCAR is the perfect Olympic event, as it is the most watched sport in America, and I'm sure it is popular in Not America as well. It is also a huge advertising opportunity that wrestling simply cannot hope to match (at least until the committee finally reads my letters and forces competitors to wear coca cola brand singlets). In addition, this accredited source suggests that sales of the feminine product Vagisil are actually directly related to NASCAR viewership (2). Finally, the astute observer may notice that while the games have a large following in the Stadium and in living rooms across the world, they lack a profitable tailgating community, something NASCAR is known for. Beer sales alone would be astronomical. Now, I'm not saying they should cut wrestling to get NASCAR in, unless the only other choice is Speedwalking, in which case definitely do it.

1. http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/olympics/2013/09/08/olympic-wrestling-wins-ioc-vote-2020/2781887/
2. http://www.southparkstudios.com/full-episodes/s14e08-poor-and-stupid

Four Fox Lies About Seniors' Obamacare Coverage

Amy Frederick of the anti-Obamacare group 60+ Association was on Fox and Friends, and had a lot to say negatively, while including tons of false information. The opinion presented is claiming that Obamacare is "sticking it to the seniors". This is incorrect in many ways. According to Kaiser Health News, elders are receiving many more benefits under the health care law. ACA also offers free preventive care to Seniors, who don't need to hold off on care because of costs. Also, over 6.1 billion was saved on prescription drugs since the Affordable Care Act was installed. Basically the claim that the medicare budget was cut is incorrect, but rather that increased spending is increasing at a lower rate over a 10 year span. This entire interview was infested with falsified facts and exaggerated claims. Each statement made in this interview was refuted factually throughout this article. The author does a fantastic job of refuting each stage of dialogue with an organized and structural approach.

http://mediamatters.org/research/2013/09/26/four-fox-lies-about-seniors-obamacare-coverage/196102
Sean Anisi

No, the Navy Yard Mass Shooter Did Not Target a "Gun-Free Zone"

This article looks to debunk the proposal that mass shootings are targeted towards places where guns are not allowed, looking specifically at the Navy Yard shooting. The conservative viewpoint on this issue displays that the shooter, Aaron Alexis, chose this specific venue since guns are not allowed on the grounds and he knew that he could get away with it. Information has since surfaced providing that this viewpoint could be wrong, using evidence regarding Alexis' mental state now and at the time of the attack. Alexis suffers from severe mental illness and this shooting was not done as an attempt to brutally murder and get away with it, since there is a lack of guns on the property. It was meant as a suicide mission, meaning that his intent was to be killed in the line of fire due to his mental illness. There is video footage displaying his demeanor and stealth like movement at the time of the attack. This article insinuates that due to his reviewed mental state and the way he was creeping around the premises, there would be little evidence to support the claim that he meant to target a place with no guns, simply to massacre a plethora of people.


http://www.motherjones.com/mojo/2013/09/washington-navy-yard-mass-shooting-aaron-alexis-gun-free-zone-fbi

First Cases of Flesh-Eating Drug Krokodil Surface in US

Today, Fox News dropped a devastating story detailing the first two reported cases of Krokodil use in the country. Doctors in Arizona who are treating the cases explain that while the drug has shown up in a big way in other parts of the world, such as Russia, it is still relatively new and unknown here in the US. The drug, composed of substances such as codeine, paint thinner, gasoline, oil, and alcohol, is mixed together and shot up into users veins and even directly into the skin to produce morphine or heroin like effects for a fraction of the cost. Krokodil get's its street name, "Crocodile" from from the green, scaly appearance that breaks out across the skin at the injection site. Krokodil first emerged in Russia around the year 2002 and has since began to spread into the underworlds throughout the global community. Due to the danger and intensity of the drug, doctors doubt that it will gain an incredible amount of popularity in the US. There is fear, however, that the most extreme addicts within our country, particularly heroin addicts, may try the drug to to it's similarity to heroin and cheaper price point. Here's to hoping we can stop the outbreak of this incredibly dangerous drug before it starts.

For more, read here: First Cases of Flesh-Eating Drug Krokodil Surface in US