Reuters has a story about the public health care system in Australia. Could this be a glimpse into our own future? The story goes that despite public health care being the answer to all of the world's problems, sometimes it can still be a bit rocky.

As it turns out, there appears to be a shortage of doctors in Australia-I cannot imagine why. The doctors they do have are tired. Okay understatement, they are overworked and exhausted. Ever mindful of footing the bill for free health care for all, management told the doctors to drink more coffee. I kid you not! Their belief is that the extra caffeine will allow them to work the extended hours without the unfortunate side effect of a rise in patient deaths.

Personally, I feel pretty good about the whole thing. I mean coffee does the trick and if it doesn't, don't they have access to all sorts of amphetamines? It seems like a win-win-win!

Allow me to elaborate: the doctor begins his career with a degree from a third world country {as medicine is no longer the prestigious career it once was, schools have moved over seas in an effort to bring down the cost} which also happens to produce terrific coffee.

Our doctor graduates with ease and becomes a professional in our public health care system YIPPEE! He quickly learns that perhaps he wasted the 5 years he spent in college/medical school since he works so many hours and doesn't really make that much money. Fortunately, he bought into the coffee company which now supplies the hospital where he works. Although he is a bit shaky performing neurosurgery, and his  patients are dropping like flies, he is okay with that since he is really raking in the money for the coffee.

After a few months though the luster of the daily coffee buzz has worn off a bit and he finds himself  really dragging. Searching for a solution he recalls a friend in college who had to pull a few all nighters studying for his accounting exams (who knew they were so tough?) He remembers the cocaine used and how productive his roommate became. He also remembers that some of the townies grew and harvested the stuff right there. He gets in touch with them, makes his investment and he's back in business!

Now he shares his little pick me up with not only his fellow doctors, but many of his surviving patients. who, when given satisfaction surveys are more than happy to praise this wonderful system.

It truly is a great day to be in the medical field!

The Washington Post tells the tale of the Redskins Organization (not to be confused with the actual players) suing a 73 year old fan who fell behind on payments to her 10 year contract season tickets. The Redskin's organization was awarded $66,364, forcing this fan into bankruptcy.

No biggie right, I mean she couldn't pay so what. Well I will tell you so what. This 73 year old real estate agent's business tanked when the housing market tanked. She contacted the organization asking if her payments could be deferred until the housing market improved. The did not accept that. (Never mind that DC usually has a strong real estate market and will more than likely improve much quicker than most of the US).  But the part that really makes me want to tomahawk Dan Snyder, is that this woman has had season tickets since the 1960s. Hello.... customer service, loyalty, general human decency...any of this ringing a bell?

Redskin fans have the reputation for being extremely loyal (fanatical?). What do they get for their loyalty? Bankruptcy. (It should also be noted that this woman did not have a lawyer because she could not afford one but also because she subscribes to the notion of paying your debts.)

This is not some lazy ass trying to get a free ride, but a long time, loyal fan (even though the Redskins have been pretty sucky since Dan Snyder took over---way to go there too  DS) who has been hit hard by the economy.
So much for loyalty and fan appreciation.

Truth be told though, Snyder doesn't care about his fans. I imagine that he really just wanted to get the tickets from this woman so that he could turn around and sell them to brokers. That way the opposing teams have more fans at Skins home games than the Skins. It is a win-win for a greedy fool like Snyder. If the Skins have a better than average (not likely despite ridiculous player salaries and an affinity for free agents), then his reputation as an owner may be slightly higher than "He Sucks." If they lose though, he can rest easy because he has made far more money than he would from regular ticket buyers AND he can say Skins are having a tough time because fans have lost interest.

So a little note to Dan Snyder
You are ruining the Redskins. During stressful times, people need something to pin their hopes on. As you have not provided the fans with too much in the way of "winning seasons," they clung to their loyalty and optimism. You show no appreciation for your fans and may just lose them. Stop being so greedy and selfish. Maybe try to remember for 5 minutes what joy you got from being a skin fan when you were growin up. 

The AP reports that an argument between two men at a health care protest ended when Mr. Pro-reform man bit the finger off Mr. Anti-reform. If you are thinking that biter man took of the pointer of middle finger (for obvious reasons) you would be incorrect. It was Mr. Anti-reform's pinky finger.

As warm and fuzzy as that story may leave you, it actually gets better. Mr. Biter Pro-reform ran before police arrived and Mr. A.R. proudly supplied his medicare information to hospital personnel. If you feel the need to tell him your thoughts, he should be easily identifiable as his pinky could not be reattached.

Think twice before you speak, and then you may be able to say something more insulting than if you spoke right out at once.
  - Evan Esar