Ellen's Nest

Wrong Message For Whom?

WASHINGTON, 11 March 2006 — Now that Dubai Ports World has offered George W. Bush a graceful exit from what became a mess, the president said yesterday he was worried that the forced withdrawal of the company from controlling six US ports would send the wrong message to important allies in the Middle East.

“I’m concerned about a broader message this issue could send to our friends and allies around the world, particularly in the Middle East,” Bush said in remarks to the National Newspaper Association.

How can anyone put up with this man?  I don't think there's anything he does that doesn't anger me.

Phone Tapping

Medicare Part 4 Fraud?

I've never considered myself a writer.  I don't ever aspire to be one.  I read though, a lot!  Almost everything I can.  Today's paper (Probably been on the internets for days now) had an article discussing prescription shipments coming in from Canada that have been seized by the government since the beginning of the year.  Anyway, I'm not even going to try to write about it.  You can read it here.

By Liz Freeman

Saturday, February 18, 2006

Senior citizens are calling Florida Sen. Bill Nelson’s office to complain their medications ordered from Canada are not arriving in the mail.

At least two Canadian prescription storefront owners in Southwest Florida say long lists of clients haven’t been getting their medications. They say U.S. Customs and Border Protection in Miami began seizing shipments of medications last month at the direction of someone or some federal agency.

The storefront owners and some of their clients believe the Medicare Part D program and low enrollment is the culprit. They believe the federal government has decided one way to force seniors to enroll in the government’s new prescription drug program is to cut off their pipeline to discounted medication from Canada.

"[]They are trying to force (seniors) to sign up. This is a scare tactic.”

Steuerer doesn’t have proof that Customs is confiscating imported medications for that reason, but he’s not alone in his thinking.

Steve Halsted, of Canadian/RX Prescription Services Inc. in Bonita Springs, has sent a notice to his clients that says the federal government has ceased all deliveries of prescription orders from Canada.

“It is apparent that because the new Medicare D program is a complete failure that they have made a decision to stop seniors from getting their drugs from Canada and force them to sign up for this program,” the notice said.

Halsted has since closed his storefront at 4267 Bonita Beach Road and has left a recording on his telephone telling customers he can no longer place orders because he can’t track them anymore. Instead he is pointing customers to a toll-free number to a Canadian pharmacy directly.

Nelson says he wants an explanation of what’s happening and if there is a link to Part D.

“I have asked for an immediate investigation if there is any connection between the two,” he said.

On Thursday, he spoke to Lester Crawford, the acting FDA chief, who told him the agency’s policy is to allow Americans to order a 90-day supply of prescriptions from Canada, whether they make the purchases in person in Canada or through the Internet and U.S. mail. Nelson sent a follow-up letter to the FDA seeking confirmation about the policy.

(Oh, and by the way, Mel Martinez ain't buying it!)

Quail Hunting School

Help Dick along.

Visiting The Swamp

We went for a walk in Corkscrew Swamp a few weeks ago.  It was a beatiful day and there were a lot of birds out and about.  We were lucky enough to see a huge deer and this American Bittern, which the rangers say are not usually found.  The highlight of my trip were the two flamingos that flew overhead.  That was a first for me.  I've only seen them in captivity.

Cheney's Got A Gun

Coincidence? Read both articles and think about it. Both mishaps occurred Monday in the same Florida county around the same time...

By Katherine Lewis

Tuesday, March 7, 2006

A Collier County sheriff’s deputy working in plain clothes was shot in the shoulder Monday east of Naples.[Collier County] The shooting prompted a search by air and land, as well as the lockdown of two nearby schools. The shooter hadn’t been located as of Monday evening. Cpl. Craig Marshall, 35, was taken to Naples Community Hospital for treatment, sheriff’s officials said. Sheriff’s officials said his injuries weren’t life-threatening. Naples Community Hospital confirmed Marshall was treated and released. A search for the shooter stretched along the south side of U.S. 41 East near St. Finbarr’s Catholic Church. Officers were deployed in helicopters, on ATVs and with dogs to look for the suspect who shot Marshall about 10 a.m. Monday. Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Stephanie Spell said Marshall was on routine patrol in the area when he was shot. She said Marshall managed to get to his radio and call for help after he had been shot. Spell said the deputy couldn’t give a description of the shooter. Investigators are still trying to determine the type of gun used in the shooting, said Brigid O’Malley, public information officer with the Sheriff’s Office.

Now, this is where it gets interesting...

By Larry Hannan

Tuesday, March 7, 2006

He is one of the most unpopular politicians in America right now. But Vice President Dick Cheney received a hero’s welcome Monday when he came to Southwest Florida. Cheney, who became an object of derision upon shooting a friend on a hunting trip last month, spoke Monday night to an adoring crowd of about 400 Collier County Republicans as part of “Victory 2006” at the Naples Beach Hotel and Golf Club. The Collier County Republican Party sponsored the event. For a few hours Cheney was able to put his approval ratings, 18 percent in a recent CBS poll, out of his mind and speak to a crowd that thinks he’s doing a great job. “It’s good to be back in Naples again,” Cheney said. “I see a lot of old friends here.” There was no mention of the February shooting during his speech. Cheney accidentally shot Harry Whittington, 78, a lawyer and acquaintance on a quail hunting trip in Corpus Christi, Texas. Whittington spent several days in the hospital and the vice president later apologized.

...

While Cheney was greeted with raucous applause inside the hotel, the response to him outside was very different. About two dozen protesters collected on a corner of Eighth Avenue North and Gulf Shore Boulevard North across the street from where Cheney spoke. Noelia Rodríguez, an organizer with Naples for Peace, said 45 people attended earlier in the day. The group tried to settle on a slogan to shout when authorities started blocking the streets in preparation for Cheney’s departure.

“Kick the bums out!” “Cheney, corporate crook!” They stuck with “Down with Cheney!” for a while.

...

The vice president’s appearance during the height of the winter tourist season affected the area’s already notorious traffic.

So readers, what do you think?  Coincidence?  Once again, you decide.  I know what I think. By the way, I bet the deputies

By the way, I added the bit from the news story about the heavy traffic just to let you know that it was almost as important as his visit.

There Are Always Conditions

Psst..., Ah'll seal that nucular deal if you'll give me the costume you're wearing.

I Can't Pass It Up

There are 1000's of Cheney t-shirts at Cafe Press.  Some are hilarious.  Go there.

Checking Out The Cavern

Signs of Spring Are Coming