Doing drugs on a daily basis.

Hypertension sucks.

Diabetes really sucks!

There goes the neighborhood.

Lake Vermilion state park land deal finalized

Gov. Tim Pawlenty Tuesday signed documents for the $18 million purchase of one of the most picturesque sites in the state. It will be the first new major state park in more than 30 years.

No really, people, it's not that great. Trust me, you wouldn't like it so you should just STAY AWAY. Really, just stay away. And get off my lawn!

The deal gives the state 3,000 acres of land for public use along Lake Vermilion in northeastern Minnesota, what has been repeatedly described as a "crown jewel" of the state parks system.

That 3,000 acres generated property tax revenue until now.
The initial cost for the park is about $50,000,000! How's that going to help the state deficit?!?!?

According to Pawlenty's office, the new park will provide greater public access to Lake Vermilion, which includes 40,000 acres of water, 368 islands and 341 miles of shoreline.

There are already several public boat launches, not to mention more than a few private.
There are already several campgrounds on the lake.
There are already several resorts on the lake.
There are dozens of cabins you can rent. (My good friend is one of many. Let me know if you are interested.)
There is already a State Park in Soudan.

It's not like people couldn't enjoy the northern part of the state without this. There are thousands of other opportunities.
Not too much farther to the north is Voyagers National Park.
Just a few miles north is the Boundary Waters Canoe Area.
Just a few miles to the south is Bear Head Lake State Park.
There are 20 Superior National Forest Campgrounds in the area totaling more than 500 campsites.

Sure, it will boost the Tower economy.
Soudan only has one small convenience store. I hope is brings in more business for SOS but I doubt it.

But it will not have much impact on the businesses on the lake.

I've done a lot of camping. We try to pack everything before we leave so we don't spend time shopping instead of camping.
I'm sure the park gift shop will sell lots of shirts and shot glasses!!!

Rest in Peace, Congressman Murtha

John Murtha died today. While I don't imagine too many of the G.O.M. would have had much use for his politics -- I surely didn't -- there is no disputing his heroism in Vietnam and his long service to his country.

And as this picture indicates, he was plenty grumpy, which makes him a kindred spirit in at least one important way. Rest in peace, Congressman, and Semper Fi.

Pithy

Thank you, Jerry Holbert.

Hollywood Plutocrats, Standing Up for You!

Okay, here's the most risible thing I've seen in a long time. Behold as Will Ferrell, who gets paid $20,000,000 a picture, and a host of other Hollywood luminaries mount a mock defense of insurance company executives, who apparently are overpaid or something.

I can't claim credit for this thought as someone else said it first, but it's spot-on. It's just too bad that Natasha Richardson couldn't participate in this righteous project.

From Bad To Worse?

I underwent the gamma knife procedure in, what... February was it? As part of the follow-up and monitoring I was to have an MRI every three months for the first year, followed by one MRI every twelve months... forever.

I never got that first 'three-month' MRI. Having to do with the insurance provider dragging it's feet with approval, combined with lack of openings at their network MRI provider.
Part of the hassle is my requirement to be put to sleep for the procedure. They hate that, as it costs a lot of extra money. But anybody who's had to lay through an MRI can understand why, when my brain is the target, heavy sleep-style sedation would be a necessity. (For those who haven't: place your head in a five-gallon bucket full of foam, and lay perfectly still while strapped to a wooden bench for about 90 minutes. And don't you dare fidget!)

By the time I'd actually had my 'three-month' MRI, it had been six months.

Today, the doctor's office called to re-schedule a follow-up visit (following up on the 'three-month' MRI that was three months late.) I can't see him without prior-approval either, and they just got around to approving it.
The next opening is ...
you ready for this...
November 13th.

And they are working on getting my 'nine-month' MRI scheduled for November 30th. Reasonably on target this time, IF everything works according to plan. Sayeth the office: still waiting for approval to schedule the next MRI, but they've reserved that date in hopes that it will happen. Approval request has been submitted, and re-submitted, and re-submitted... every week since the last MRI. Expecting a non-rejection any week now.

But, the next office visit opening (post next MRI) is December 14th. Would you like to reserve that spot? (pending approval for said office visit, of course).

I possess, because I've paid for it, what some of these politicians might be referring to when they deride "Cadillac Health Plans". Generally, I have a better package of coverage than the receptionists (health care workers) who manage my case. I know this because they tell me so. You can see that I'm not some piker with a poor man's package of left overs.

Now here's the rub:

The talking heads say ObamaCare will leave us in a Canadian-style health care system, with six-month waits to get an MRI, months-long waits to see your doctor, rationing of services, rising tidewaters, swarms of locusts, piss-water beer and dead kittens.
It appears we are half-way there already.