Bias in the press, anyone?

The 'hospital wars' are still going on. But here's something new: The CEO of Crestwood is leaving in May for a job in Florida.

The Huntsville Times reports (link):
'Brad Jones, the fast-growing hospital's CEO since December 2001, said Monday that he is resigning to become vice president of operations for Health Management Associates Inc., a for-profit hospital chain based in Naples, Fla.'

Did you catch that? Mr. Jones is going to work for ANOTHER hospital... that makes money.

Here's my question to you: What difference does it make that the hospital where Mr. Jones will soon work is for-profit or not?

Here's the answer: NONE.

Even mentioning that the hospital is 'for-profit' adds NOTHING to the story... except to influence the reader that Mr. Jones only works for hospitals that turn a profit.

How many times have you ever heard about a coach leaving a team to go work for another team that's 'for profit?'

Bias, anyone?

A new poll shows that...

How many times have you heard that a new study or poll shows that the great state of Alabama has ranked dead last (or near dead last)?

Whether it's education, teacher salaries or highway safety funding, you name it and chances are that Alabama is somewhere in the back or near the bottom.

When I hear about these studies or polls or read about it in some editorial, my first inclination is: So what?

My second thought is about the actual study or poll. Usually there's a motive behind it and the results.

If Alabama widget makers feel they aren't paid enough, they can hire a firm to put together a study that shows that they aren't paid enough. Then they'll push for legislation forcing them to be paid more... at YOUR EXPENSE.

Here's my question to you: If you put 50 multi-millionaires in a room, one of them is going to be ranked #50. Hopefully your first reaction to that is simply, 'So what?'

'Poor' In America

If there's one thing I loathe seeing on the network news, the newspapers and the like, it's stories of 'the poor' people in this county.

Here's why: Most poor people HAVE GOT IT MADE.

The living conditions of many of America's 'poor' people is greater than that of upper class people in other countries. Walter Williams said it best. If the good Lord came to you and said he was going to send you to live a life of poverty and gave you a choice of what country to live in, where would you pick?

Exactly.

Being 'poor' in America is more a state of mind than anything else. If you are determined to be 'poor,' you are going to have to work at it. Seriously.

Here's what you do to be poor and continue living in a life of poverty in America:

1) Earn minimum wage for the rest of your life. You can do this by job hopping and finding new work every 2-3 months. Since many businesses offer raises after 90 days, you can avoid this by NOT working there for any duration.

2) Start a family that you can't afford to raise with someone you aren't married to. Self-explanatory.

3) Live beyond your means. Simply put, buy everything you want and make the minimum payments for the next 84 years. New car? Buy it! The payment is only x amount a month! Buy a HUGE tv and get every cable channel you want!

4) Save NOTHING. Rely only on social security to fund your golden years.

Doing those 4 things will help ensure a life of misery and poverty in the greatest country in the world and turn the American dream into a nightmare.

What poor people need is something that no one can give them.

Random Thoughts on Don Imus...

Here's the actual dialogue from the Don Imus show last week:

Imus: That's some rough girls from Rutgers. Man, they got tattoos and --
McGuirk: Some hard-core hos.
Imus: That's some nappy-headed hos there. I'm gonna tell you that now, man...

You know the aftermath.

Imus suspended.
But not now. The suspension starts in a few days, of course. AFTER the charity work is done.
Advertisers on the show pull their money and run.
Imus is then fired.

My thoughts on the matter (not that you asked, but you did come to my blog):

1) All the focus is all on Imus, while his co-host/sidekick/producer, Bernard McGuirk, has quickly evaporated into the second gunman on the grassy knoll.

Who referred to the Rutger's basketball team as 'ho's' first?
Answer: Bernard McGuirk.
Media attention: None.

Who was reacting and REPEATING what McGuirk had just said?
Answer: Don Imus.
Media attention: All.

2) There is a difference between 'ho' and 'whore.' Referring to someone as a 'ho' is offensive and mildly insulting... but usually also meant to be taken in a jestful manner as well. Calling someone a 'whore' is an attack on that person and their character. Had Imus referred to the team as 'whores,' I'll bet the rent money he would have been gone before the close of business that day. And in a hospital no later than 7pm.

3) After playing basketball for an hour in a championship game, even Daddy Warbuck's hair would have looked 'nappy' I'm sure. Whatever that means.

4) It's my belief that Imus was delivering the line tongue in cheek. I don't know what's in his mind or his heart. Neither do you. And neither does Al Sharpton.