I am late getting back to this conversation but I can't let this comment by you stand unaddressed (although I suspect someone else has already accosted your ignorance on the subject):

There is nothing in the proposed bill that authorizes ERs to determine the legality of the sick and withhold care when appropriate.

In his position as a legislator, Mr Wilson is in a unique position to know that there is not a prohibition to render treatment.

That is why he shouted out - ERs will operate under the mantel of business as usual under the new plan.

What you consider medical "business as usual" others call fullfilling their Hippocratic oath:

The Hippocratic Oath: Modern Version

I swear to fulfill, to the best of my ability and judgment, this covenant:

I will respect the hard-won scientific gains of those physicians in whose steps I walk, and gladly share such knowledge as is mine with those who are to follow.

I will apply, for the benefit of the sick, all measures [that] are required, avoiding those twin traps of overtreatment and therapeutic nihilism.

I will remember that there is art to medicine as well as science, and that warmth, sympathy, and understanding may outweigh the surgeon's knife or the chemist's drug.

I will not be ashamed to say "I know not," nor will I fail to call in my colleagues when the skills of another are needed for a patient's recovery.

I will respect the privacy of my patients, for their problems are not disclosed to me that the world may know. Most especially must I tread with care in matters of life and death. If it is given me to save a life, all thanks. But it may also be within my power to take a life; this awesome responsibility must be faced with great humbleness and awareness of my own frailty. Above all, I must not play at God.

I will remember that I do not treat a fever chart, a cancerous growth, but a sick human being, whose illness may affect the person's family and economic stability. My responsibility includes these related problems, if I am to care adequately for the sick.

I will prevent disease whenever I can, for prevention is preferable to cure.

I will remember that I remain a member of society, with special obligations to all my fellow human beings, those sound of mind and body as well as the infirm.

If I do not violate this oath, may I enjoy life and art, respected while I live and remembered with affection thereafter. May I always act so as to preserve the finest traditions of my calling and may I long experience the joy of healing those who seek my help.

Written in 1964 by Louis Lasagna, Academic Dean of the School of Medicine at Tufts University, and used in many medical schools today.

Today care is rationed by intermediaries called insurance companies. If you had your way, tomorrow it would be rationed according to the opinions of old fools like yourself who have no compassion nor sense of humanity.

How sad you are.

the Wire analyzed top commentators on 16 measures of webiness, including mentions on Twitter and performance on popular social media sites like Digg and Delicious

I have a feeling that "webiness" is on the rise, and that you will rise further on that list, as a result. And the fact that you are even on there after such a relatively short time doing this says something about the trajectories of "webiness" vs "insideriness".

We just need to keep on Digging your Deliciousness and spreading the Word. ;-}

And, apparently, a douchebag whose print is of another color will still be a douchebag. ;-}

In the meantime, Titonwan's 'shrooms are kicking in. 2millionlightyearstoandromeda's headline went from overlapping to something that looks akin to Cyrillic-on-speed, then back to readable, so Teh Man Behind Teh Curtain is tinkering as we type.

ieb - take a number, Bub. :-)

lib(ertarian) - thanks for the hint. I didn't want to admit I was in the Aging-Eyes category too. ;-}

bystander - my star was there after I pushed the publish button and my finalized comment popped up, but not when I look at it in the actual comment section.

Doesn't surprise me you were left in the dark re the changes. It happens where I work too. A cross between "Techie's Revenge" and avoidance of "Revolt of the Users". :-)

Evolution is something we profess to believe in, but that doesn't mean we don't notice the growing pains as acutely as those who are less accepting of such things. We'll hang in there while they adjust their flotsam and align their jetsam. ;-}

Didn't Bush get Saddam's pistol?

And revenge for Daddy. Don't forget that.

Glenn - thanks for mentioning the comment reformatting. Nice to know we're not experiencing some sort of collective psychosis. ;-}

I wonder if they've ever considered posting a note on the main page warning that things like this are about to happen? Then Titonwan will know his mushrooms are still ok. :-D

Whoa! I like it when you talk dirty.

Trust fund babies.

As Paris would say, "That's HOT!"

...and my little bitty pink brass knuckle clicked on "publish" before I could do a thing about it.

;-}

I blame the left for demanding the closure of mental institutions.

Good thing you found a lawyer to take you in.