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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2009

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Google Issues Disclaimer
Over Racist Michelle Image

But company won't
pull doctored photo

Nov 24, 09 12:28 PM CST
Racist Image of Michelle Obama Taken Down

Blog site removes it, not Google, then issues apology

Nov 25, 09 2:07 PM CST
Michelle wore...

The Skinny on the State Dinner

Michelle Obama wore Naeem Khan, and other tidbits

Nov 25, 09 7:49 AM CST
MAUREEN DOWd

White House Counsel's Fall Should Worry Obama's Loyal

Cold handling of Craig recalls Clinton era

Nov 25, 09 3:50 AM CST
NEXT STOP, REALITY TV (MAYBE)

Va. Socialites Crashed
Obama's State Dinner

And, yes, Tareq and Michaele Salahi want reality-TV turn

Nov 25, 09 9:29 PM CST
Analysis

Obama Is the Anti-Cowboy

Slow decision on Afghanistan a contrast from Bush's gut checks

Nov 25, 09 9:26 AM CST
REBRANDING DEPT.

Dobbs to Latino Voters:
Let's Be Amigos!

Once rabidly anti-illegal anchor now warms to 'amnesty'

Nov 25, 09 12:13 PM CST
OPINION

SNL a Right-Wing Mouthpiece

Or latest sketch just a 'vehicle to make anal sex joke'

Nov 24, 09 1:14 PM CST
Bachmann, Palin
to Address
Tea Party
Convention

Nashville to host ultra-conservative gathering February

Nov 25, 09 4:34 PM CST
Blair Knew Iraq Had No WMD
10 Days Before War Began

Intelligence ignored, British panel told

Nov 25, 09 8:16 PM CST
PARK IT LIKE IT'S HOT

Arnold: 'No One Is Perfect'

Governor owns up to traffic violation

Nov 24, 09 7:20 PM CST
RUNNING... FROM THE LAW?

Edwards '08
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Facing record suicide rate, Army confronts the stigma

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|NEXT STORY »

White House Fires Back at Drudge on Health Care

Responds to video showing Obama discussing 'eliminating' private insurance

By Matt Cantor| Posted Aug 4, 09 8:45 AM CDT|

(Newser) – The White House released a video response today to a Drudge Report posting labeled “Uncovered Video: Obama Explains How His Health Care Plan Will ‘Eliminate’ Private Insurance.” The communications director for the White House Office of Health Reform says the clip is taken “out of context” and that “nothing can be farther from the truth,” Politico reports.

“The people who always try to scare people whenever you try to bring them health insurance reform are at it again,” says Linda Douglass. They’re “cobbling together” President Obama’s words to create a “very false impression.” Because Obama is “talking to the American people so much,” she adds, people with “a lot of free time” are able to “cherry-pick” to “make it sound like he’s saying something that he didn’t really say.”

[Images (3)]

[Videos (1)]

President Barack Obama pauses as he talks with Kuwait Amir Shaykh Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al Sabah yesterday at the White House. (AP Photo)

A screen shot from the White House video. (YouTube)

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The video posted by Drudge. (NakedEmperorNews1)

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Books Are Bad for You

26 comments

VIEWING:

OWLWOMANXXXX
Aug 4, 09 8:50 AM CDT

get rid of the fat insurance CEO s and everything will be just fine Reply

IN RESPONSE:

Fondue
Aug 4, 09 8:56 AM CDT

Get rid of the lobbyists.

IN RESPONSE:

Reader64481089
Aug 4, 09 9:44 AM CDT

I have said it before and will say it until the day it happens, I want for every American man woman and child the EXACT same insurance coverage that is good enough for the people sitting on their fat a$$ in Congress. If they want to deem that socialist medicine then what in the hell are they doing running down the same coverage that takes care of their families. It may have saved my wife's life and it would save countless other American lives The American people deserve no less insurance than the people in Washington enjoy and at the same exact price.

+10

IN RESPONSE:

easterner
Aug 4, 09 2:34 PM CDT

Expose the corruption,excessive billing and eliminate the law that says we MUST have health-care and then see how the CEO's react ! I love it when the government is being accused of rationalizing health care by the elitist media talking heads when the Insurance company says you don't qualify. Isn't that almost the same friggen thing ?! The elitist politicians who are against reform can screw themselves.Name me one politician who has served more than one successful term who didn't have bargain deals and services handed to them.Things like a House,college for the kids ,best health care ,good jobs for the misses, the kids and hey why not the mistresses too.I think it is REALLY about time ALL the politicians get off their asses pay attention to US.They should have town hall meetings telling me what they have "done" for me (us) so far not what they LIKE TO DO.In my world (whats left of it) you don't go on vacation in the middle of an important project,YOU RESCHEDULE (vacation) IT.

IN RESPONSE:

chas_m
Aug 5, 09 1:32 AM CDT

Not really. But it's true that the US *could* stick with an insurance based scheme IF the insurance companies were non-profit. Still, the public option is way better.

| 0 minutes ago

schmidtkoff
Aug 4, 09 9:01 AM CDT

those of our "'elected" officials and their rabid followers who oppose any reform on health care, or change in the skewed status quo should be called for what they are: anti-american. they are being piggish and selfish. afraid they are going to lose money out of their overstuffed pockets. Reply

IN RESPONSE:

NewserScooter
Aug 4, 09 10:02 AM CDT

Sorry but it is not "anti=American" to oppose gov't run health care. It is Anti-American to place an expectation that your fellow citizens have an obligation to take care of you. It is anti-American to expect you to live on the Gov't dole. It is not anti-American to help that that need help, with the consent of the citizenry, but not to have enforced charity.

-6

IN RESPONSE:

Fondue
Aug 4, 09 10:36 AM CDT

Scooter, when will you learn that the status quo just isn't good enough anymore? I believe it is anti-American to allow insurance companies to take people's money for a service and not provide that service when it is desperately needed.

IN RESPONSE:

NewserScooter
Aug 4, 09 9:33 PM CDT

Fondue. I agree with you. As a doc. I like to get paid. If an Insurance co. is acting in a fraudlent manner they should be dealt with. I can tell you that does not happen often. I believe in the regulatory role of Gov't, not the absolute role of the Gov't in ones care. And that is where he is going. Thats what he has said. Its what he told the crowd I was in during the campaign.

| 0 minutes ago

Derni
Aug 4, 09 9:08 AM CDT

This is 1993 all over again-scare tactics were used then to defeat health care by the drug companies and health care industry-they have too much $$$ to give up and they hate any competetionthat will drive prices down-look for more of the same-but in 8 years the economy will face an other economic crises in health care if we don't deal with it today-pay now or big time in 8 yrs Reply

| 0 minutes ago

triordan
Aug 4, 09 9:08 AM CDT

Can someone tell me where they manipulated the video and made Obama say something he didn't actually say? It looks fair and balanced to me, they show Obama saying both he's in favor of single-payer and then him saying he's not talking about a govt takeover. Seems to show exactly how much this President lies. Reply

-5

IN RESPONSE:

Fondue
Aug 4, 09 9:17 AM CDT

No one's saying the video "made Obama say something he didn't say". What they are saying is that it takes his statements out of context. The graphics set up their point and the edited clips without the actual question he's answering support a preconceived perspective.

IN RESPONSE:

chas_m
Aug 5, 09 1:35 AM CDT

"Single payer" is not the same thing as "government run." I admit the ReTHUGlicans have confused the terms of the debate, but there's a huge difference. For an example of single payer, look at Canada. For an example of "government run health care aka socialised medicine" look at the UK. Very different systems, but it's worth noting that BOTH have longer lifespans, less illness and higher infant mortality than the US.

| 0 minutes ago

jamerican
Aug 4, 09 9:09 AM CDT

Socialized medicine does not work and will especially work when run by a stupid incompetent branch of our government. And I for one do not want to pay for all of the 20 million illegal criminal mexicans in the US with more of my tax money. Reply

-6

IN RESPONSE:

Fondue
Aug 4, 09 9:13 AM CDT

Tell that to the millions of seniors on Medicare/Medicaid. 92% of them love it.

IN RESPONSE:

QueenAlli
Aug 4, 09 9:22 AM CDT

Look at your username. You should be embarrassed.

IN RESPONSE:

Reader64481089
Aug 4, 09 9:45 AM CDT

If it is good enough for our Congressmen it is good enough for the American people, argue with that plain and simple fact

IN RESPONSE:

NewserScooter
Aug 4, 09 10:04 AM CDT

Fondue, do you have any real experience in health care. I have not met anyone who likes what they get on Medicaid. I mean its better then nothing, but its close to that. Medicare is going bankrupt at an incredible rate. Services are being limited. 92% is a way high guess.

-2

IN RESPONSE:

Fondue
Aug 4, 09 10:24 AM CDT

Are you the guy that claims to be a PA? Medicare may be going bankrupt, but seniors still love it. Perhaps we should do something about the excessive testing that goes on and doesn't provide any better results. I know they do not like the prescription part - which was Bush's deal. As for Medicaid, what would be your solution to help the poor? Make the program better, or trash it and not help them at all?

IN RESPONSE:

Mad
Aug 4, 09 10:44 AM CDT

No, Fondue, I'm the fella that 'claims' to be a P.A, and after 20 years in military medicine, I'm here to tell you socialized medicine works! Socialized medicine is what keeps our armed forces in top physical shape to fight our countries battles and keep our shores safe. If it works for us, it shall work for the rest of the country.

IN RESPONSE:

Fondue
Aug 4, 09 12:44 PM CDT

Excellent use of "shall" Mad.

IN RESPONSE:

chas_m
Aug 5, 09 1:38 AM CDT

1. None of the proposals put forth so far have anything to do with socialised medicine. Again, "single-payer" is not the same thing as "public option," and neither are anything like "socialised medicine." 2. Yeah, the "socialised" police and fire departments are good examples of incompent government ... 3. Hating immigrants as you do, you should be FOR single-payer, not AGAINST. The government can check that you have a real SS# and birth certificate -- an insurance company won't bother because it eats into their profits.

| 0 minutes ago

Thinker
Aug 4, 09 10:23 AM CDT

The "every man for himself" attitude will not build a strong country. Each individual helping each other, watching each other's back, will. Just like in the military ... if your unit is full of people out to protect their own asses, you will fail and die. Reply

| 0 minutes ago

kokuaguy
Aug 4, 09 11:51 AM CDT

Wonderful posts here. Congratulations newser community, and mahalo nui. And newserscooter, your role is important too. However, even a "devil's advocate" is allowed to learn. Remember the definition of insanity offered by Albert Einstein: "Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." Reply

| 0 minutes ago

Rocket448
Aug 4, 09 12:56 PM CDT

I feel like the echo: very good commentary and (2) Joe Klein in Time (I believe) suggested that Mr. Obama focus on needed upgrades and repairs to Medicare, make it solvent and streamline it, and then move everyone over to Medicare. Also, I agree that it IS unAmerican to gouge and block Americans. Look, here's an unqualified need: reliable, available health care. A typical response on the part of health care corporations is to raise prices without improving performance, and block many of those who need intensive health care from qualifying for it. When 1940s-era corporations manufacturing war materiel used cheap, substandard raw materials or had bad quality-control, they were labeled unAmerican and answered for their acts in front of Congressional committees. Ok, I'm off my soapbox. Reply

IN RESPONSE:

chas_m
Aug 5, 09 1:42 AM CDT

The irony here is that if you expand Medicare to cover everyone, then you are in favour of single payer. Personally, I'm for *anything* that cuts the for-profit insurance companies out of the picture between me and my doctor, which is what the US has now. Don't kid yourselves, your doctor has to CALL THEM and get pre-approval for anything a prescription can't fix.

| 0 minutes ago

View all 26 comments »

health insurance • Drudge Report • health care reform • health insurers • Obama administration • President Obama • Linda Douglass

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White House Fires Back at Drudge on Health Care