So does the patient pay a reduced wait with the nurse vs the doctor? My kids' babysitter in Miami decided to become to a nurse, all I can say is... I would not want her to be my nurse! Yikes. I have no problems with PhD's and MD's certification, but it should be stated upfront. Obviously the preface doctor is not the same. We need more MDs in the US, so the AMA should let some EU and South/Central America MDs in to do the equivalency.

That should be reduced rate. Freudian slip, lol.

I don't know if there is a difference in what is billed from within a given practice if you see the nurse practitioner vs. a doctor. Dorine would probaby kow. I'd guess that they bill from a diagnosis code (e.g., "office visit, illness") without regard to who rendered the service. Obviously the cost of services vary greatly by venue; an ER visit can easily run 10X the cost of the same services provided by an urgent care center. Just read an aritcle on this yesterday about someone who was treated for a finger sprain: $1,500 from the ER, vs. about $150 from urgent care. (Moon)We need more MDs in the US The greatest need is for more primary care docs.

(Mari) I'd guess that they bill from a diagnosis code (e.g., "office visit, illness") without regard to who rendered the service. From a cost accounting/billing standpoint, the person rendering the service can most certainly be built into the system. At a law firm, partners bill out at different rates than associates. At my old place of employ, programmers from different divisions billed out at different rates. On the receipt from one of my doctors, there are various levels of office visit to check off from limited to comprehensive to emergency. I don't see why unique codes identifying the provider couldn't be included, with their own rate.

I agree with you, Karen. But will they do it? (Mari), The greatest need is for more primary care docs. Let those in. There are plenty in EU, and South/Central America. Last summer in Mexico, my son saw the GP doctor which makes calls at the hotels. His bad case of poison ivy was treated and cured. He had been under a doctor's care in the US that did not cure him. His friend was driving him home and got into a car accident. My son was told to sit on the grass by the responding police officer because he was in pain. He sat on poison ivy. He didn't know, until a mother that has stopped her car to offer help told him to stand up. He went to the ER and after 5 hours and two cat scans was released with a $9000.00 bill. He went back after a few days for poison ivy treatment. It did nothing for him, and he was in pain until that blessed GP in Mexico gave him the right cure.

Apparently under Medicare, the NP can bill under the physician's number (and rate) if certain conditions are met (e.g., the doc is in the immediate area and can be called upon quickly if needed). If not, Medicare pays 85% of the physician rate. I have a call into a friend in our benefits office to see if it's the same under private insurance (i.e., non-Medicare, non-socialized medicine;-) I'm just curious.

I saw a PA in Dermatology and the Medicare statement gave her name under the doctor's supervision (not!) at a reduced rate. PS she was also worthless ...didn't know the diagnosis of the rash and when I asked if she could consult the doctor (down the hall), she said I would have to make an appt with him (2 months away) But she billed anyway and Medicare paid....go figure.

There are physician's assistants and nurse practioners (who go to nursing school and then get their master's and/or Ph.D.'s). Completely different.

After doing some googling, this is one of the most succinct answers I found of the differences/similarities. "The job tasks are identical, each can perform those procedures they have been educated to perform, and which meet the physicians protocols. Salaries are essentially the same in most areas. In some areas of the country where they are more familiar with NPs they seem to pay NPs slightly more, but in areas where they are more familiar with PAs the opposite is true. The most significant difference is that NPs in some states can work independently from physicians, where PAs work under the authority of a physician in all US states and territories. There are many states in the US where an NP must also be in a collaborative relationship with a physician."

My aunt is a retired NP (and nurse midwife). She was a big help to me over a number of years, writing me rxs (or giving me samples) if I needed them and saving me trips to the MD office (and $$). I was seriously looking into PA programs about 13 yrs ago, but decided against it for mostly financial reasons (of being in school full time).

Heard back on my NP reimbursement question. Most private insurance is following the Medicare schedules--reimbursement at 85% of the doc's rate, although some are still paying at 100%.

I know nothing about British politics, but after reading the posts on the "Colin Firth *News*" topic re: this subject (ahem)..... I say :"Go Conservatives"! ;-D

The 'Squatter' (according to Colin's friend, Nick, has left the house.End or an era

Great ariel views of Buck House. I hope Lizzie has a recorder, she'll be missing Corrie ;-)

An emotional and strong resignation speech from Gordon. Thought his wife looks relieved.

Sky News just reported Cameron is now officially the new PM. Feel sad for Gordon Brown.

Yahoo reported : "Conservative David Cameron became Britain's new prime minister on Tuesday after he accepted the invitation from Queen Elizabeth to form a new government" http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/us_britain_election;_ylt=AjoyGOAW0Se03l4eqjxsLSWs0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTNqdG9rMTlmBGFzc2V0A25tLzIwMTAwNTExL3VzX2JyaXRhaW5fZWxlY3Rpb24EY2NvZGUDbW9zdHBvcHVsYXIEY3BvcwMxBHBvcwMzBHB0A2hvbWVfY29rZQRzZWMDeW5fdG9wX3N0b3J5BHNsawNmdWxsbmJzcHN0b3I- Question: Does that mean the Queen made the decision? He's v. handsome:-)))

(Evelyn)He's v. handsome:-))) LOL, Evelyn (Evelyn)Question: Does that mean the Queen made the decision? Not exactly. Gordon Brown visited the Queen to resign and he recommends she sends for the leader of the other party (Conservative) David Cameron to form a Government. Cameron hot foots it to the Palace, theoretically kisses the Queen's hand and Voila! we have a new PM.

Should have began with, after much negotiation Cameron got the backing of the Lib Dems to form a coalition Government. Gordon Brown admitted defeat, visits the Queen to resign...............

Best wishes to our UK friends. Does the Duputy PM (I take it Clegg gets that position) actually have any pull?

Sorry for the repeat. Was just trying to spell Deputy correctly.;-)

(Mari)Does the Duputy PM (I take it Clegg gets that position) actually have any pull? Not confirmed just yet, as far as I know.

Nick Clegg confirmed as Deputy PM (hey, I called it over an hour ago!). Gordon Brown did not have a Deputy, so it's a post that can be downgraded or upgraded. But Clegg would be in charge of the country when the PM goes on his hols, or takes paternity leave.

So Deputy PM functions as our Vice President? He doesn't make policy; supports the president's and is in charge when the Pres leaves the country. Thank you Bethan and Sue.I'm learning a lot. All v. exciting, methinks. I join Mari....congrats.

The cabinet makes policy and only the Prime Minister has power of veto if there is disagreement(well that's how I read it). Deputy PM is historically given the role to satisfy members of the Party in power whose views may differ,or if you like, to redress the balance. eg: Tony Blair(New Labour) John Prescott(Old Labour). They can, in alot of cases, be rather ineffectual as they are without any specific Department. It was the only position Clegg could have taken in the Cabinet. Anyway..it has been so engrossing and very frustrating..I can imagine Peter Morgan is writing the screenplay now. That twist with Brown announcing he will stand down as leader of the Labour Party and the Lib Dems negotiating with the machiavellian Peter Mandleson etc behind the Tories backs. William Hague going from affable negotiator to a steely,'This is our final offer'. All the while the leaders of the respective parties sit in rooms at various locations in Westminster phoning or meeting each other. Extraordinary. now for the hard stuff....

Re: the role off the Deputy PM,this should explain, Evelyn http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deputy_Prime_Minister_of_the_United_Kingdom It is exciting and also, perhaps a little daunting (depends on one's Political leanings) as there hasn't been a Hung Parliament and/or Coalition Government for (I believe) over 30 years. Question is, can the Tories and Lib Dems make it work. Only time will tell.

LOL, Felicity. You beat me to it.

(Felicity)Anyway..it has been so engrossing and very frustrating..I can imagine Peter Morgan is writing the screenplay now LOL, yeah and place your bets for whom might play Nick Clegg ;-D

Hot off the press and just waiting for Nick(ers) to show up at No 10(traffic V bad)Cammo already there..probably had outriders.. 'As part of the deal the Lib Dems have agreed to accept Conservative plans to replace the Trident nuclear weapons system, something they'd vehemently opposed until now. They've also agreed to the Tory cap on immigrants coming to the UK from outside the EU, and shelved their own plans for an amnesty for some illegal immigrants already here.'

"Nick(ers)", too funny, love it.

(Evelyn)He's v. handsome:-))) I might not agree with all their policies, but I gotta say, the Tory/Lib Dems lot are on the whole better looking than the Labour bunch ;-)

(Felicity)Anyway..it has been so engrossing and very frustrating..I can imagine Peter Morgan is writing the screenplay now (Sue) yeah and place your bets for whom might play Nick Clegg ;-D Except if he's now so disillusioned by their apparent caving on the only issue that meant anything to him. Did he not just state:Colin Firth said: 'As a once-committed Labour voter I, like so many, have been appalled by the abandonment of the values they advocated while in opposition. 'For me, their conduct on asylum alone is reason enough never to be able to contemplate voting for them again.'As Felicity has posted above, the Lib Dems have given in on the immigration/asylum issues for a seat at the table.

Thank you gals, for all the info and links. I found this interesting: "Given that there is no constitutional office of Deputy Prime Minister, with the position being recreated on a case by case basis, the person who holds the post has no official residence. As a cabinet minister however they may have the use of a grace and favour London residence and country house. " That residence is owned by the Crown! I will say, if any country can make this work, you can.

Karen)Except if he's now so disillusioned by their apparent caving on the only issue that meant anything to him. Did he not just state: LOL, yes. I wasn't aware of those details when making little quip ;-) Both Nick(ers) and Cameron looked relaxed together during their first joint press conf in Downing Street garden. Nice location. Early days, and I am a natural sceptic, but if their body language is anything to go by, then it looks promising.

Coalition governments always involve the strangest of bedfellows. As I recall, the Lib Dems won like 56 seats, compared to the 300ish of the two major parties. Each needed those 56 seats to have a majority, but as is typical, any fringe group is likely to hold antithetical views to the major parties.

(Evelyn)I will say, if any country can make this work, you can. Here's this afternoon's press conf I referred to earlier. Would love to know Colin's thoughts re: Lib Dems compromise on immigration. The compromiise gets my vote. I will come out and say, their original policy on immigration was one of the reasons I didn't mark an X on their spot. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/election_2010/8676607.stm

More from the press conf under editors choice on RH side. Check out the video where Cameron squirmed when a Jurno pointed out to both Cameron called Clegg a 'joke' (before he knew he needed Clegg on his side before their Coalition was formed) ;-)

Third in a row, but the Beeb vids might not be available overseas. Here is the full conf from U Tube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bu0BNXhW8fE http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqqq45mFOSo http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NEMFJalLl7E

"After it became clear Labour could not reach an agreement with the Lib Dems that would have allowed them to remain in power" Interesting, since I would think Labor and Lib Dems would have more in common. Youtubes came through fine. PM Cameron sounds v. convincing that they will work together. But I've not hear a word from Mr Clegg:-((( I wish them luck. Thanks for the links.

sorry

(Evelyn)But I've not hear a word from Mr Clegg:-((( First U tube video, Nick speaks speaks 9 mins 48 in.

Thank you ladies for all the info. Congrats on the change. 'As part of the deal the Lib Dems have agreed to accept Conservative plans to replace the Trident nuclear weapons system, something they'd vehemently opposed until now. They've also agreed to the Tory cap on immigrants coming to the UK from outside the EU, and shelved their own plans for an amnesty for some illegal immigrants already here.' Blew Colin away, poor baby. ;-) In any case, the Lib Dems can now hold either party hostage since they need their coalition to govern, an ideal place to be for them. That said, they accepted those key issues of the Tories, which are IMO, important to the Nat'l security of the country. I quite like Cameron. This is fascinating Cameron appears to be related to the Queen: Cameron is a direct descendant of George I, George II, George III, and King William IV (great � 5 grandfather) and his mistress Dorothea Jordan (and thus fifth cousin, twice removed of Queen Elizabeth II). As an illegitimate descendant of William IV, Cameron is not in the line of succession to the British throne. He is the nephew of Sir William Dugdale, once the chairman of Aston Villa Football Club, and Birmingham-born documentary film-maker Joshua Dugdale is his cousin. In May 2009, tabloid newspaper The Sun published a discovery by amateur genealogist Tony Andrews that Labour politician Harriet Harman is related to David Cameron through her aunt's marriage to his great uncle. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_cameron#Personal_life

(Moon)That said, they accepted those key issues of the Tories, which are IMO, important to the Nat'l security of the country. I quite like Cameron. I agree. I am liking Cameron more than I did before, but this is their honeymoon period. Will be interesting to see how they handle things in the coming months. It's gonna be tough. But I do feel re-energised by the change and I was Labour before.

(Moon) Blew Colin away, poor baby. ;-) No, he threw him under the bus. LOL! Bet Colin is rueing the coffee klatch photo op now. ;-) Interesting, since I would think Labor and Lib Dems would have more in common. True, but Labour received what amounts to a vote of no confidence. Nobody was going to join forces with them. Too unpopular.

Interesting find, Moon, on the genealogy of Mr Cameron. So perhaps Lizzie allowed him to kiss her hand for real ;-)

(Moon) Blew Colin away, poor baby. ;-) No, he threw him under the bus. LOL! Bet Colin is rueing the coffee klatch photo op now. ;-) Play with fire........;-D

(Karen)Bet Colin is rueing the coffee klatch photo op now. ;-) You're not kidding. And the lesson is: stick to acting.

The Lib Dems have given up on their immigration policy (the idea of a general amnesty to illegal immigrants was a vote loser, anyway) but their policy on asylum is a separate issue and they may not have conceded this (we're only getting broad-brush reports at the moment re. the level of agreement between Lib and Con). http://www.libdems.org.uk/immigration_and_asylum.aspx Lib Dem's policy statement Allow asylum seekers to work. Asylum seekers are not allowed to work (apart from exceptional circumstances after a year) while their claim is being processed, despite the fact it can take years. They are forced to live on state handouts, even though many are skilled people. It also fuels anger among some sections of the public. We would allow asylum seekers to work two months after making an application and benefits would only be paid if they could not find work. This would reduce spending on benefits, increase tax revenue, help integration, lower community tensions and greatly reduce dependence on welfare and social housing. Give responsibility to an independent agency. It is time to take the politics out of asylum. The Liberal Democrats would take responsibility away from the Home Office and give it to a Canadian-style independent agency, making decisions free from political considerations. Currently, a quarter of decisions are overturned on appeal. In Canada, it is less than 1%. We would fast-track asylum claims which are obviously well-founded and front load resources into making high quality initial decisions. Increase European cooperation. We would push for EU-wide cooperation on asylum to help share the burden proportionally between member states. End deportation of homosexual asylum seekers. The Liberal Democrats will end the deportation of asylum seekers to countries where they face imprisonment, torture or execution because of their sexual orientation or gender identification.

"End deportation of homosexual asylum seekers" Is that true...or just political rehetoric. (Karen)but Labour received what amounts to a vote of no confidence. Nobody was going to join forces with them. Too unpopular "Throw the incumbents out"....seems to be the hue and cry. I sorta felt sorry for Brown when he announced his resignation: "No one knows what it's like to be a Prime Minister" Of course no one puts a gun to their heads to take the job either.

(Bethan) but their policy on asylum is a separate issue and they may not have conceded this The information Felicity posted talked about two separate issues on which the Lib Dems caved: a cap on immigrants coming from non-EU countries and the amnesty for illegals. I would assume that they'd drop the "asylum seeker" description and just call them immigrants for purposes of the press releases to make it more palatable. But I have no time for reading at your link so they may still be different.

(Evelyn) Of course no one puts a gun to their heads to take the job either. He made a deal with Blair and waited a loooonnng time for that job, only now to see it vanish a relatively short time later. I, too, await the movie version of the latest developments from Peter Morgan. ;-) And speaking of whom, will be seeing his 3rd in the Blair trilogy films, The Special Relationship, about Blair and Clinton at HBO tomorrow night. It's on HBO weekend after next or Memorial Day weekend I think. "End deportation of homosexual asylum seekers" (Evelyn) Is that true...or just political rehetoric. I did a double take on that, too. More than troubling if true. The simple thought of it is troubling. Sounds like Iranian, or the like, policy.

Maybe this will be helpful as research for the script. ;-) http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/2010/05/the-conservative-libdem-agreement-reading-between-the-lines.html?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=fanpage&utm_campaign=pbs

Sorry, hit the link above and posted this on O&E. Can you erase the other, Karen, please? Thnx. I have a question regarding placing cameras in public places. Our mayor has gone over to London to check out their camera system. http://wcbstv.com/cbs2crew/mayor.bloomberg.london.2.1686910.html I honestly don't consider having a system of cameras in public places a bad thing on the face of it. Your thoughts?? Also you all in the UK? Was it considered popular, unpopular, a wave of indifference?? A friend on FB posted the link and her friend made a remark that included .."POLICE STATE!" As I said, it doesn't inherently bother me (especially in the subways now that they're closing token booths). They most likely wouldn't stop crime anywhere unless someone was watching the feeds and on their toes, but at least maybe there's a chance it could help solve the crime afterward.

Some interesting pics of Brown's last hurrah basically. http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/gallery/2010/may/12/gordon-brown-labourleadership?picture=362535527 I will say I almost fell off the bike at the gym after work yesterday when I saw the news on CNN (am mostly deprived of internet during the day now). Didn't see this coming, but I hadn't been following closely. The last that was on my radar was that at some point, Brown was stepping down, but didn't see it coming so soon.

They are forced to live on state handouts, even though many are skilled people. Whoever thinks that the immigrants who have work skills can not find a job are delusional. They are not the ones who live on state handouts. Dorine, I have nothing to hide from those street monitoring cameras, nothing to lose but everything to gain. The world has changed because of the Muslim fanatics whose sole purpose in life is to convert or kill.

Before I forgot, you have to watch this clip from the Daily Show: http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/wed-may-12-2010/back-in-black---glenn-beck-s-nazi-tourette-s I've never laughed so hard watching anything on TV. Sue, I can't recall if you can view any vids from the Comedy Channel, but they've been features on your elections for the past several nights called Clustershag to 10 Downing. You might get a chuckle out of them. Either do a search or go back through the last few days.

Well, while I agree with the nothing to lose and everything to gain, I wasn't thinking in terms of Muslims or anyone like that. I was thinking of everyday street crime. We've had numerous crimes that were caught on cameras which helped sometimes (and sometimes didn't if the angle or focus was bad) with regards to solving them. There was a big story in the papers a few weeks ago when it was confirmed that several hundred booth operators were getting laid off and quite a number of booths in many stations were closing about all the cameras that are installed in the subways that don't work for various reasons. While they may or may not do anything to stop a crime in progress, they may help ID someone who committed one. Unfortunately having MTA workers in the booths didn't do much of anything as a crime deterrent, as one poor woman who was raped in a subway station can attest to. The operator saw she was in trouble and she pleaded with him to help, but he apparently was not allowed to go out of the booth to help her (or anyone in trouble like that). He was supposed to call/buzz the police, but by the time they got there it was too late.

The link has an Error 404 msg, Karen.

(Bethan)we're only getting broad-brush reports at the moment re. the level of agreement between Lib and Con That's true. And I'm sure there will be much to dismay both sides when the details emerge. But I think the general lumping together of Immigrants and Asylum seekers is the norm. Jeremy Paxman,Chief Rottweiller TV interviewer, brushed off Caroline Lucas' attempts to explain the difference in one I saw. It may still be on the menu..but I wouldn't be surprised if it was fobbed off with them setting up a small commitee to look into the problem. Maybe Nick(ers) could do it. He can't go everywhere with Dave can he? The Dave and Nick show is certainly being relished by the cynical hacks over here. They were quite off balance while the negotiations were going on...now they are really going for it. Anyway..it's nice that you over there are interested and chipping in with comments. Thanks. CCTV mania with cameras everywhere was so 15 years ago! But there was enormous outcry at the time and people covering them up,disconnecting them, vandalising them etc etc. But they are everywhere,or at least there are notices they are everywhere and sometimes there is no actual camera. Sort of an Alarm box with nothing in it. They can be useful to catch criminals in the act but don't know what the stats are re their effectiveness as a deterrent. Of course it's the cameras you don't know about that are the worrying ones.But they are a way of life now.

(Dorine) The link has an Error 404 msg, Karen. I just checked it and it worked for me. If not, go to http://www.thedailyshow.com/ and click on the second vid, which is Lewis Black. If you do it after today's show then you'll need to search. (Felicity) But I think the general lumping together of Immigrants and Asylum seekers is the norm. One is a subset of the other. (Felciity) CCTV mania with cameras everywhere was so 15 years ago! Totally different issue but the big outrage here is red light cameras. Groups are taking municipalities to court to get them removed. ;-)

Thanks, ladies, for answering so many questions on the election and the process. I've learned a lot. It may seem like it dragged on, but honestly, as an outsider, I am impressed that they got it done so quickly. As I said before, wishing you the best of everything--you deserve it. I watched Mr. Brown's speech on TV and couldn't help but feel a bit sorry for him, although my DH said, the next time you see him he'll look 10 years younger. So true. Check out before and after pics of Clinton, Bush, even Mr. O is looking a lot grayer already. I often marvel that people want these extremely difficult jobs. (Moon)I have nothing to hide from those street monitoring cameras, nothing to lose but everything to gain. What Moon said!

I just watched the fist part of the link, Pariah;-)...who is this man...is he a comedian? Did he take over from John Stewart? Is he auditioning for Keith O.'s job;-) (Felicity)But they are a way of life now. Bingo!How true! I say:"Get over it". I'm sick of this "privacy" crap.

That is Lewis Black, he's a standup comedian. He used to be on the Daily Show as a regular and now only appears sporadically.

Glen Beck is out of control. LOL. thanks, Karen. Increase European cooperation. We would push for EU-wide cooperation on asylum to help share the burden proportionally between member states. Why would that happen when the other European nations are having the same problems with illegal immigrants? In Italy they arrive from Africa in every port. It is a huge political problem.

Glen Beck is out of control. LOL But why doesn't anybody ever say the same about Keith Olbermann .... Chris Matthews...or Ed Schulz ,and the rest of the MSNBC crowd. Is MSNBC sacrosanct? Why pick on FOX...just because they're beating the pants off the ratings of all other stations on cable? Absurd.

Glen Beck is out of control. LOL (Evelyn) But why doesn't anybody ever say the same about Keith Olbermann .... Chris Matthews...or Ed Schulz ,and the rest of the MSNBC crowd. Glen Beck is so not even on the same plane as those others. You have watched and listened to him, right? Why pick on FOX...just because they're beating the pants off the ratings of all other stations on cable? Absurd. See my question above. Yeah, sure FOX may be picked on... for I'd say more reasons than ratings.

(Evelyn) Why pick on FOX... Did you even listen to the absurdities coming out of Glen Beck's mouth in this video clip? Besides being absurd and categorically false and misleading, they're meant to inflame and incite. That is what is abhorrent about Fox.

Ever look at MSNBC? Try it; with a barf -bag.

I asked, did you even watch the clip?

(Bethan) they look alike (apparently), have European wives, speak another language and both have 3 sons. Apparently Clegg speaks five languages! And Moon will be quite interested in his family background, i.e., Russian nobility. Not as impressive as Cameron being an illegitimate descendent of King George I, but not too shabby. Reading his bio made me feel so inferior. He had done more by age 20 than...oh, never mind. ;-) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nick_Clegg

Interesing link. Karen. Psst, Peggy, he's a sea goat ;-)

Should perhaps explain my last comment. Meaning he's a Capricorn like Peggy, Me and my DH as it happens ;-)

I like Clegg too. In 2008 it was reported that while at university, Clegg had joined the Cambridge University Conservative Association between 1986 and 1987, with contemporary membership records citing an "N. Clegg" of Robinson College. (At the time, Clegg was the only person of that name at Robinson.) However, Clegg himself later maintained he had "no recollection of that whatsoever." Evelyn, Fox News were the only ones that gave Hillary a fair coverage during the primaries. I don't forget it. I don't watch the news, I get my news from the papers or online.

I like Clegg too. In 2008 it was reported that while at university, Clegg had joined the Cambridge University Conservative Association between 1986 and 1987, with contemporary membership records citing an "N. Clegg" of Robinson College. (At the time, Clegg was the only person of that name at Robinson.) However, Clegg himself later maintained he had "no recollection of that whatsoever." LOL, good try. ;-) Evelyn, Fox News were the only ones that gave Hillary a fair coverage during the primaries. I don't forget it. I don't watch the news, I get my news from the papers or online.

I went back to check, but I had closed the quotation. sorry

(Pariah)I asked, did you even watch the clip? Of course ;I would have admitted it if I hadn't. But, for starters, I don't watch GB. He comes on at 4 PM here and I don't look at daytime TV til 5; when I do watch Fox Evening News with Bret Baier and BRit Hume, at times.. I Tivo The Jim Lehrer News Hour on PBS and watch it til 7PM. When I Tivo Kudlow Financial Report. Had enough of my TV viewing? ;-) As far as the tape goes. I have heard from a Lurker that the GB clip on the Comedy Hour was grossly ,surgically edited. They took bits and pieces of what he said and strung it together. Why am I not surprised? Really, I would think one would get information from a source other than a clip from a comedy show ...which is like SNL.

Evelyn, Fox News were the only ones that gave Hillary a fair coverage during the primaries. I don't forget it. And on more than one occasion she commended Fox for being the only network that had been "fair and balanced" during the primaries and election. Mr Obama had a good interview with Bill, and recently with Bret Baier. They asked pertinent questions but were courteous and respectful. But didn't do the Katie Couric cutesy frothing bit. I get news from several sources, but in depth from the WSJ.

You gotta watch this....I'm telling ya' New Jersey really has a winner for a governor http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gsdqfVA3fqk No obfuscation there.....

I'm told that the URL I posted last night is no longer available on Youtube due to copyright claim of the NJ "Star Ledger". But here it is on the S-L videos archive... http://videos.nj.com/star-ledger/2010/05/gov_christie_calls_s-l_columni.html The comments are priceless.

(Evelyn) As far as the tape goes. I have heard from a Lurker that the GB clip on the Comedy Hour was grossly ,surgically edited. I don't read lurkers' comments. They took bits and pieces of what he said and strung it together. Nothing was "strung together." Each instance of an inappropriate Nazi reference stood on its own and was ridiculed. Puhleez!

Each instance of an inappropriate Nazi reference stood on its own and was ridiculed. Puhleez! By a blogger....or "Comments";-) Still , it was re-played on a Comedy Show for their agenda. You take the clips on SNL historically serious???

(Evelyn) Still , it was re-played on a Comedy Show for their agenda. You take the clips on SNL historically serious??? I'm not sure how this equates as a comparison. What clips do they show on SNL? (which I found funnier than I've found it in who knows how many years with Betty White on, as an aside. ;-)). I had to LOL at Christie. I know nothing of him as a governor, but I enjoyed the snarkiness in the reply. Glenn Beck needs no editing from Comedy Central or anywhere else to make him come off as a nutjob. Personally, I think it's an act, but again, he needs no editing to make him look/sound bad.

In style, I will give you that GB is somewhat over dramatic (Jim Cramer-ish). As he said in an interview :"Who looks at CR";-) But in the times I have watched GB, in substance he is spot on. You would agree if you weren't a liberal. Now, Howard Dean...there's a trip. One can only look at the contortions of his face when he pontificates and flashing eyes to observe that this man is certifiably insane. Should not be allowed to circulate in public; I notice that the current admninistration has kept him under wraps. Smart move, Mr President.

(Evelyn) By a blogger....or "Comments";-) Huh? By the satiric commentary of the comedian Lewis Black. (Evelyn) You take the clips on SNL historically serious??? What clips? Huh? It's a sketch comedy show. No clips. (Dorine) I'm not sure how this equates as a comparison. Probably in the same way Al Gore's cause could be likened to Joseph Goebbels. (Dorine) Glenn Beck needs no editing from Comedy Central or anywhere else to make him come off as a nutjob. Agreed. Jon himself started off one of his shows a month or so ago, doing a parody of Glenn's own show. It was ultra bizarro.

But does JS do Keith O/Rachel , Chris or any other loon-liberal- showman.

(Evelyn) But does JS do Keith O/Rachel , Chris or any other loon-liberal- showman. By "do," do you mean does Jon Stewart engage in sexual activities with the aforementioned trio? I don't know. The Daily Show does include MSNBC people (and a lot of CNN) when it examines coverage of various news stores. Just recently, I remember JS showing Rachel Maddow and his disappointment in how she followed the pack with some ridiculous or trivial story angle. Wish I could recall which news story was on the block.

Not everyone is enamored with Al Gore the way you all are. Personally , I think he is a nice man...but, also a hypocrite and opportunist. He has just purhased a $9 Million dollar house (mansion?) in Montecito, Ca. *next door* to Dennis Miller....who did a hilarious sketch on Bill O's the other night on how he was going to welcome him to the neighborhood. On Fox and Friends the next morning Trace Adkins , AG's former neighbor in Nashville, talked about his pick-up's Big Carbon bumper sticker. BTW "do" in my part of the heartland doesn't have the same vulgar connotation that it obviously has in Chicago;-)

I only used Al Gore as an example of something GB had said. Just because some people don't like AG or his policies, likening him to Joseph Goebbels is wrong.

Lighten up. Some comparisons are made as a hyperbole. I thought it was funny. Hey, they called George Bush a lot worse. Actually, I watched GB this afternoon. Good program. He had a panel of Dads reviewing a new book on the importance of a father in a child's life. The fathers had all undergone chemotherapy. They related stories of how their children had given them strength and brought the family closer together. There is some dad's organization that focuses on this.

(Karen), By "do," do you mean does Jon Stewart engage in sexual activities with the aforementioned trio? I don't know. LOL, now it's getting interesting. ;-)

For our UK friends... I know that the UK can't always access NY Times articles...so I am copying one of my favorite columnists from the NY Times... Glimmers of Hope By DAVID BROOKS If you�re elected president or prime minister in pretty much any country in the developed world today, you�re faced with the same set of challenges: to reduce national deficits without choking off a fragile recovery; to trim the welfare state and raise taxes while still funding the things that lead to long-term growth; to try to enact brutally painful measures at a time when voters don�t trust their leaders; to do it at a time when politics are polarized and a hundred different interest groups have the ability to block change. The chances that the world�s leaders are going to be able to do these things successfully are between slim and none. It�s hard enough to figure out the right mix of spending cuts and tax increases. It�s nearly impossible to build a political majority willing to enact them. Sometime over the next decade or so, the world will probably suffer from another series of crushing fiscal crises with significant economic pain and maximum political turmoil. But, occasionally, there�s a ray of hope. Occasionally, a country stumbles into a political arrangement that may help it avert a crisis. And that�s what�s happened in Britain. Britain has all the fiscal problems that plague most developed nations. British households are carrying more debt than those in any other rich country: 170 percent of annual income. British general government debt is surging � not at Greek levels yet, but getting there. The political culture is brutally adversarial. The political extremes are strong. The Conservative Party didn�t win this month�s election outright because 5 percent of voters preferred the anti-immigrant parties. Moreover, the election produced no clear-cut result. That would seem to make it harder to undertake the sort of necessary painful changes. Yet over the past few days, many British analysts are coming to the wary conclusion that something good may have happened. David Cameron, the Conservative leader, was forced to confront the fact that even in the best possible circumstances, the Conservatives could get only 36 percent of the vote. He was faced with the possibility that the two other parties might form a permanent anti-right coalition. But as Daniel Finkelstein of The Times of London has pointed out, Cameron seized the problem and made it an opportunity. By cutting a deal with the Liberal Democrats, he has built a center-right coalition. In so doing, he has changed the nature of his own party, and the nature of the Liberal Democrats, his coalition partner. If he had a small majority, he would have been hostage to his most ideological members. As it is, he has potentially weakened the strong partisans in both parties, empowered the pragmatists who are better-suited to coalition politics and created a less polarized political climate. Matthew Parris, also of The Times of London, writes that watching Cameron and Nick Clegg, the Liberal Democrats� leader, �was like witnessing a coup. Millions of viewers will have shared my impression almost of watching two men staging a putsch against their own parties, against the entire British political system, and against the ingrained assumptions of more than a century of parliamentary government.� Parris sees the potential for a softening of the normal adversarial culture, a strengthening of the sort of leader who likes compromise and a weakening of the sort that detests it. The two parties are now in an economically conservative, socially liberal embrace that they hope will last for five years. The parties disagree on many things (immigration, Europe, electoral reform), but they tend to agree on the need for fiscal restraint. The efforts to control debt will be strengthened by having a broad coalition behind them. The political pain will be shared. Cameron has the opportunity to look less like a party leader and more like a national leader. Today�s coalition will compel the Tories to formulate policies in new ways, and lodge them closer to the center of the electorate. It helps that the Conservative government has already moved to a more communitarian �Big Society� governing philosophy. No longer purely free market, the Tories emphasize rebuilding social bonds. That means they speak less about slashing government as a matter of principle and more about improving it and decentralizing power. This little platoons approach has left- and right-wing variants and has the potential to break down the old ideologies. Of course, it all could fail. The parties could reject the implant. In U.S. terms, it�s like a marriage between Marco Rubio (The Tory base) and the accumulated wisdom of the Ivy League (the Liberal Democrats). But Cameron and Clegg are nothing if not flexible. The entire political class understands what needs to be done. The financial markets will insist on some serious budgetary restraint. Without any planning but by sheer good luck, the British may have stumbled into an arrangement that will be a model for all the other countries in the same desperate straits. ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just call us optimists...LOL evelyn

Get the F outta here!! The people who would spend money on one of these speeches are indeed the very people P.T. Barnum spoke of. Bristol Palin to hit speakers' circuit AP By BECKY BOHRER, Associated Press Writer � Tue May 18, 8:27 am ET JUNEAU, Alaska � Bristol Palin is hitting the speakers' circuit and will command between $15,000 and $30,000 for each appearance, Palin family attorney Thomas Van Flein said Monday. Van Flein confirmed a report by celebrity news website RadarOnline that the daughter of former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin has signed with Single Source Speakers. He added her exact fees will depend on factors such as which group she's addressing and what she must to do prepare. Bristol Palin, 19, is listed on the speaking group's website as available for conferences, fundraisers, special events and holidays, as well as women's, youth, abstinence and "pro-life" programs. Her fee is denoted by four question marks, meaning "Call to discuss!" The same designation is given to New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees. A message left late Monday for Ron Miller, with Single Source Speakers, was not immediately returned. Bristol Palin was thrust into the spotlight as a pregnant teen during her mother's unsuccessful campaign for vice president in 2008. She had son Tripp that year and has since spoken about abstinence and the challenges of life as a young single mother. Van Flein said Bristol Palin will be selective in the speeches she gives. He said he believes she's interested in expanding her message beyond teen pregnancy to include her experiences on the campaign trail and in the media spotlight; her parenting approach; and her outlook on life. Bristol Palin lives in Anchorage and works in a physician's office, Van Flein said. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100518/ap_on_en_ot/us_people_bristol_palin

Forgot to comment on this the other day... (Evelyn) Just call us optimists...LOL You mean you and conservative NYT columnists? ;-) I have no opinion about Cameron or the new govt set up at this point as I'm not familiar enough with the platforms and policies espouse.

Evelyn) Just call us optimists...LOL You mean you and conservative NYT columnists? ;-) You mean, one has to be a "conservative" to hope the Cameron/ Clegg administration will work?

No, but I have no idea if what he's saying is accurate or representative of what may come with that administration, since as I said I know nothing about them. I was merely observing that it was conservatives being optimistic about other conservatives, which isn't surprising. Like sticks with like. What I do know, is that apparently there were enough voters who have reservations about at least Cameron as he did not get a decisive victory. I have no opinion otherwise.

Looks like Arlen Spector's Lieberman like party shift didn't work out so well for him.

(Dorine) Looks like Arlen Spector's Lieberman like party shift didn't work out so well for him. The state's Republicans didn't wnnt him, now the state's Democrats have also shown they don't want him. The guy's pathetic.

He's too old. What is pathetic, is that he should have retired a long time ago when he was at the top of his political career. Dorine, so a conservative gov't doesn't get a chance to fix the problems in a country....even with a Lib Dem co-hort?

Dorine, so a conservative gov't doesn't get a chance to fix the problems in a country....even with a Lib Dem co-hort? Of course they do. I don't believe I've implied otherwise. I was just commenting on the "us" while sort of implying I was curious who "us" is.