Comments for Upturned Earth

Comment on On Hiatus by Russell Arben Fox

Russell Arben Fox — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 02:20:41 +0000

Good luck in all your future endeavors, John. Your blogging may have burned out for now, but you burned very brightly–far more brightly than I–while you were out it. You should look back on those 18 months with pride.

I really should use RSS and delicious. But that would require me learn some new technology. Oh well.

Comment on On Hiatus by John

John — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:29:24 +0000

That’s a good idea, PrajK - though actually let me use the del.icio.us feed I’d set up a while ago, which you can subscribe to via RSS: http://delicious.com/jlschwenkler.

Comment on On Hiatus by PrajK

PrajK — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:47:35 +0000

Good luck on the teaching. Definitely enjoyed reading you over the past year or so.

If you can, please let us know via your blog when you publish something in print. I don’t usually read TAC or Commonweal, but will keep subscribed to your RSS feed. That way I’ll know of any updates.

Thanks.
Praj

Comment on Reading “Caritas in Veritate”: Notes on Chapter Five by Will

Will — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 17:59:39 +0000

As a loyal reader, I’m here to protest the duration of this blogging hiatus. Are you guys coming back anytime soon?

Comment on Reading “Caritas in Veritate”: Notes on Chapter Five by individualism, properly understood | The League of Ordinary Gentlemen

individualism, properly understood | The League of Ordinary Gentlemen — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 10:15:42 +0000

[...] that so much of the criticism of conservative economics that bubbled up after the publication of Caritas in Veritate missed the mark. The Pope was not laying out a critique of capitalism, but of capitalism without [...]

Comment on Reading “Caritas in Veritate”: Notes on Chapter Five by Is Blog Stipes Est In Latin « Around The Sphere

Is Blog Stipes Est In Latin « Around The Sphere — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 21:18:42 +0000

[...] #4: Schwenkler on Chapter Five Possibly related posts: (automatically generated)Free Software in … Latin AmericaNo TitleeBay [...]

Comment on Reading “Caritas in Veritate”: Notes on Chapter Five by Kirt Higdon

Kirt Higdon — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 19:10:24 +0000

This section and its concluding paragraph contain what is to me the most alarming part of the document, the suggestion that the UN be reformed so that the concept of the family of nations acquires real teeth. I’m going to assume on this one that Pope Benedict has simply chosen a poor metaphor. Or maybe it’s my understanding - I associate teeth with such aggressive animals as tigers and great white sharks (a tooth-growing machine). I find it hard to believe that His Holiness wants a more militarized UN with even more frequent and brutal military interventions. Even now, poorly equipt as they are, the blue helmets have been responsible for murder, torture, sex slavery and child rape throughout Africa and in parts of the Balkans and in Haiti. These people need fewer teeth, not more. On the subject of a world authority, to me the Church is the only world authority, but the Church has wisely forsaken attempts to use force in favor of persuasion and example.

Comment on Waiting for the Fog to Lift by Mark Thompson

Mark Thompson — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 16:56:23 +0000

You did, indeed, have a sandwich at Triumph Brewery. ‘Twas good seeing ya, if only for a quick lunch.

Comment on Waiting for the Fog to Lift by Thomas O. Meehan

Thomas O. Meehan — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 20:15:36 +0000

Ah, the old traditional. Ferocious prices though. Next time you’re in town try the MAIN STREET bistro out at the shopping center. It’s were actual Princetonians congregate. I’ll buy you a beer.

Comment on Maybe the Best Thing I’ve Read on Health Care Reform by Jimmy J.

Jimmy J. — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 22:01:54 +0000

Doug,
You done broke the code. One major reason our costs are so much higher than other developed countries is that we are the only country in which it pays to sue doctors and hospitals. Tort reform would be a major step toward reducing medical costs.

An anecdote illustrating another area of potential cost savings. 17 years ago I had my gall bladder removed by a fine surgeon who performed laproscopic surgery (minimally invasive) to remove it. I had insurance which required that I pay 20% of any major costs up to $25,000. The surgeon charged $2,000. The anethesiologist charged $850. I was in recovery for 2 hours then placed in a multi-bed ward overnight. The hospital bill was $10,0000. I considered this an outrageous sum and balked at paying my share of $2,000 of this bill. I contacted the hospital office and requested an itemized bill. It was 20 pages long. I went through it item by item and found at least half of it contained charges for things I had not received. I took the bill into the hospital administrator and presented my findings. She agreed that I was right, but balked at reducing my bill. She informed me that the hospital had to treat people nightly with gunshot wounds, knife wounds, and drug overdoses who had no insurance. (This was a city with a big crime problem, which, 17 years later, has not improved much.) She told me the hospital had to overcharge patients with insurance to cover the “pro bono” work for the criminals and thugs. (They also treat people with no insurance who come to them for colds, headaches, and other minor ailments.) I left a check with her for $1000 and never heard from them again so I assume they accepted my offer, however reluctantly. I would offer that this is a big factor in the cost of health insurance and health care both then and today. Congress could pass a law denying medical care in emergency rooms to those without insurance or the abillity to pay. I know it is a cold thing to propose, but it might lead to some positive changes in behavior among criminals and those who refuse to buy insurance.