Don't Fear Black Cats

Health Insurance For All

I'm curious who the protestors are that are against health insurance. How can they be so sure they'll always have health insurance? What if they lose their job? Or get sick?

Currently:
-Your health insurance can drop you if you get sick
-Your health insurance can bill your employer if you get sick, and your employer can fire you

Why would anyone think this is ok?

Animal Website- Best Friends

Best Friends is celebrating their 25th anniversary.

They are one of the groups that rescued the Vick pitbulls. And they advocate No More Homeless Pets, which is something we should strive for as a country.

Yea for Best Friends!

Website for the Homeless

Yes, it is a bit of a marketing move. But maybe it will change a man's life.

Until a few weeks ago, Tim Edwards was just another one of the men begging for change at a busy Houston underpass, ignored by most drivers who sped on past without a glance.

Now, thanks to an Internet marketing campaign and unlikely allies, Edwards has become the human face of homelessness to thousands of online viewers drawn to his Web site by its deliberately controversial name - Pimp This Bum.

During regular Webcasts, dozens of visitors to http://www.pimpthisbum.com/ ask questions about Edwards' life and his slow fall from office manager with a home, a car, and a future to an outcast short of hope and with little prospect of help.

The Web site also is a venue where visitors can donate money, services and goods to help Edwards yank himself out of homelessness.

Some homeless advocates say it makes Edwards a victim of exploitation, but the organizers say that edgy tone is what makes the project succeed.

If the site had been called "Help the Homeless," many Web surfers might just have clicked on past, says Sean.

The Dolans had initially set out to test an advertising campaign and generate publicity for their new Internet marketing business. They planned to promote a mom-and-pop business, until Sean suggested using the Web site to do some good.

Now visitors to the Web site are getting to know Edwards beyond the stereotype of an anonymous group labeled "The Homeless."

This coming week, Edwards is scheduled to enter an alcohol detox program at the Seattle-based Sunray Treatment and Recovery, which is providing the $13,800, 35-day program free of charge. There are plans to air Webcasts as Edwards goes through the program.

Read the story.

Why Can't We Just Talk Animals?

Today on The View the subject was Sarah Palin's support of aerial hunting of wolves, and the PSA Ashley Judd made against this issue. Elisabeth wondered if Ashley cared about the children aborted.

Why can't humans talk about animals without the human aspect being brought in? Completely separate issues.

Regarding sticking to the issue about animals and not abortions, Elisabeth said "it's about life", and how every life is worth discussing.

Just wonder if you're a vegetarian Elisabeth?






Photo: AP

Handling the Layoffs- Be Prepared

With more people becoming unemployed, we have to change the way we think about unemployed people.

Americans have a mindset where it is shameful to be fired, laid off, sent packing, given a pink slip. Is that attitude what cause a man to kill his wife, 5 children and himself?

While we may never know why that man acted as he did, you have the ability to change how you perceive unemployed people which may in fact change how you feel about yourself. I hope you aren't one of those that find themselves without a job, but it might be a good idea to prepare for it.

One thing to think about- your manager will all of a sudden turn into someone you don't even recognize. Perhaps in firing training they were told not to say too much, don't smile, and above all else make the employee feel like they did something wrong even though they didn't.

You will find yourself, a week later, thinking about something you have to tell Rick...and then remembering you're not working there any more. And I suggest not reaching out to Rick or any other ex-co-workers until you've gotten yourself together. And, some of the people you thought were your friends were just being work friendly. So be prepared for them to not want to interact with you any longer.

Here are some tips to deal with a layoff.

Pasado's Helps With Puppy Mill Rescue

I don't know what fools are still buying pets from a pet store. Are they that clueless? Pet store dogs usually come from puppy mills.

From Pasado's website:

As of Friday, January 23rd more than 600 dogs have been removed from a puppy mill business operating out of 3 different locations in Snohomish and Skagit Counties. Eighty percent of impounded females are pregnant. Once these litters are born the total amount of animals needing care could exceed 2,000!

Pasado's Safe Haven is based in Washington State. Read more about their efforts here.