The Internet is Cool

I know this isn't a unique observation, but really, it is. Let me 'splain:

This morning my dogs got into a fight. As usual, I strode in and broke it up myself. And as usual I got bit badly enough to require medial treatment. And, as usual, I got another tetanus shot and antibiotic prescription.

So I don't particularly trust anyone in the medical field. Those who talk about gun control have never considered how many people are killed by prescription drugs... So when I picked up my prescription for Clindamycin, in front of the (very nice) pharmacist's assistant I opened the bottle, held up the little pills and said "are these what my prescription is for? I don't want to die because this is the wrong drug." She (very politely) assured me that these pills were in fact what I was prescribed.

I still didn't believe her.

So I came home, typed in the name of the drug into Google, and what did I find? This! The very drug I was prescribed and given by the pharmacist. I could compare the pills in the little bottle on my desk to the ones on the Internet. Independent verification rocks.

Thus, I love the Internet - it allows reasonably smart people to fact-check the people who we have to trust, but would otherwise have no way of confirming what we've been told/given/sold.

On a side note, 30 300MG capsules of Clindamycin was about $120. 60 150MG tabs were $15. Who the hell thinks that makes any sense?

The Need to Socialize Health Care

The United States just recorded its first Swine Flu death, a little boy who came from Mexico for treatment. This is sad and tragic, he was only 23 months old.

One vital point to those who wish government to take over our (i.e., socialize) health care - a Mexican family brought their sick child to to Brownsville, Texas from Mexico because they knew the child would receive treatment. And treatment he received. When the hospital in Brownsville realized that the boy was too sick to be treated there, they immediately sent him to the Texas Children's Hospital in Houston.

And that Mexican family probably won't even be asked for money.

Why do people want to socialize a medical system that will treat people for free?

Quote of the Day

"It’s as if shoveling money into the pockets of political supporters isn’t enough to produce growth..." - Instapundit

New Crisis

"Never let a serious crisis go to waste. What I mean by that is it's an opportunity to do things you couldn't do before." - White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, November 2008

As fears rise about Swine Flu, what new government programs and spending and encroachments on freedom are we to expect now?

President Obama Grows a Pair...

...then promptly has them removed. First the good part:

An American ship captain was freed unharmed Sunday and three of the pirates who held him for days in a lifeboat off the Somali coast were killed in a operation by U.S. Navy Seals that was approved by President Barack Obama.

I honestly didn't think he had it in him. Then he turns around and ruins it:

Obama said he was pleased that Phillips was rescued, adding that the United States needs help from other countries to deal with the threat of piracy and to hold pirates accountable. [emphasis added]

Since when does America need help in dealing with anything? Why not put the Navy off the coast of Somalia and blow the snot out of every pirate we find? President Thomas Jefferson did it and it wasn't until Barry was elected president that America had to even think about pirates.

Growing the Ranks

The kids got together and purchased for Dad a shotgun for Christmas. Much fun was had:

Growing the Ranks from Monger of War on Vimeo.

When he returned home to Texas, he went and purchased a Glock and a Colt AR-15. So groweth the ranks, so groweth freedom.

Snow

It's snowing, in Atlanta, in April.

Which part of warming does global warming not understand?