Police and firemen in Alameda, California watched a man drown on Monday after realizing they did not have proper certifications for water rescue, leaving them open to possible lawsuits if they attempted to save him.
The drowning victim, 53-year-old Raymond Zack, was apparently suicidal, according to a report from the scene. He waded out about 150 yards into cold waters off Crown Beach in Alameda and took about an hour to drown himself.
A crowd of about 75 gathered to watch the bizarre scene, which saw police and firemen just standing at shoreline watching helplessly. After the man had drowned, authorities couldnt even go into the surf to retrieve the body. They instead recruited a passer-by for the job.
City officials reportedly blamed the incident on budget cuts and said they would have a discussion about why Alameda, an island city, does not have proper authorization to rescue people from the waters surrounding it.
This video is from ABC 7 in San Francisco, Calif., broadcast May 30, 2011.
The Goldi School of Debate..."I heard me say it...it must be correct!!!"
You and Goldi seem to have a lot in common.
Now, I know I’m not going to change the minds of any of the True Believers…those who read all of Reverend Al’s sermons, and say things like, “You know, global warming can mean warmer OR colder, wetter OR drier, cloudier OR sunnier, windier OR calmer, …”. Can I get an ‘amen’??
You seem to be completely oblivious to the 'reason' why Medicare was created.
I know exactly why Medicare was created. Unscrupulous politicians (led by the most unscrupulous politician in American history - LBJ) were looking to hand out more goodies to old people so that they would keep voting them into power. It worked, to the nation's detriment.
"Everything that can be invented has been invented."-- Charles Duell, Commissioner of US Patent Office, 1899
No. As a free person in a free market, you have a choice on which companies to deal with and what type of service you are willing to pay for. Companies will compete on cost, service, or both.
Government has ruined this truism in healthcare and education. The result? Escalating costs and plummeting services.
What gets blamed for government's disastrous policies? The "free market".
It's sick and wrong. Someone has to stand up for the truth.
"Everything that can be invented has been invented."-- Charles Duell, Commissioner of US Patent Office, 1899
Yep, but I still have to pay for the government monopoly schools even when I choose a different alternative. That's wrong, immoral, and counter productive for everyone -- especially the kids in the government monopoly schools who don't benefit from the improvements that competition would bring to their lives.
"Everything that can be invented has been invented."-- Charles Duell, Commissioner of US Patent Office, 1899
a few weeks ago he touted the superiority of Germany's approach to dealing with the economy
I said no such thing. Gooberson has been doing this, not me.
In fact, I've correctly argued that Germany has: a lower corporate income rate than the U.S. (+), but a hidebound labor market that Adolph Hitler created (--- ).
"Everything that can be invented has been invented."-- Charles Duell, Commissioner of US Patent Office, 1899
he's often touted Singapore's universal healthcare program as one the U.S. should emulate
I stand by that assertion today. 100%
Singapore's health care system promotes individual choice and responsibility. The U.S. system promotes dependency on one's employer and/or the government. This is the problem.
I am not the one who is confused here.
"Everything that can be invented has been invented."-- Charles Duell, Commissioner of US Patent Office, 1899
Nope. My views have been crafted based on: A.) years of personal experience working across 41 states and 26 countries, B.) a voracious amount of reading across numerous disciplines, and C.) debating people like you.
I've done my research. It's time that you do yours.
"Everything that can be invented has been invented."-- Charles Duell, Commissioner of US Patent Office, 1899
Nope. My views have been crafted based on: A.) years of personal experience working across 41 states and 26 countries, B.) a voracious amount of reading across numerous disciplines, and C.) debating people like you.
None of which provides anything but anecdotal "evidence", which is why you can't provide any real data to back up your assertions.
You should just stop now. You're embarrassing yourself and making me feel sorry for you.
Yep, but I still have to pay for the government monopoly schools even when I choose a different alternative. That's wrong, immoral, and counter productive for everyone -- especially the kids in the government monopoly schools who don't benefit from the improvements that competition would bring to their lives.
I guess what you want is for government to pay for your private school. How do you see that working; California spends $7,500 annually per student, a good private school in this area charges in the neighborhood of $33,000 tuition per student per year.
For the 2009-2010 school year there were 512,826 students in private schools, k-12, in California. Would you give every student a voucher in the amount of $7,500 to spend at the school of their choice? If so, adding more than half a million students into the system would increase state costs (raise taxes) considerably, while still leaving the good schools out of reach for most students.
The other possibility would be to divide the same amount of money among a larger pool of students further stressing the public school system.
Of course we could commit as a nation to making public schools excellent.
It is our responsibility to protect that child once that childs born too. When we start debating a budget, lets make sure we dont cut 100,000 vaccines. Lets make sure weve got health insurance. We seem to worship what we cannot see, but as soon as that babys born, oh no, we dont want to be intrusive. Texas is going to shrink government until it fits inside a womens uterus. Senator Leticia Van de Putte
For the 2009-2010 school year there were 512,826 students in private schools, k-12, in California. Would you give every student a voucher in the amount of $7,500 to spend at the school of their choice?
I think he's saying that if he doesn't use the public schools he shouldn't be taxed for them, but I could be wrong.
which is why you can't provide any real data to back up your assertions.
This has nothing do to with you, but I have bent over backwards numerous times on this site gluing together evidence for my assertions so that I could try to show the opposition the facts.
Every single time, the opposition just dismissed the evidence and went back to their partisan talking points.
So, I'm not going to bend over backwards any more because there isn't any point in doing so.
I'm on this site because I learn things from certain people and I hope that they learn things from me. If the brain dead politicos like Lusysmom and Maddog don't learn squat, I really don't care.
"Everything that can be invented has been invented."-- Charles Duell, Commissioner of US Patent Office, 1899
Nope, I just don't want to have to pay for a service (government monopoly schools) that don't work and have failed the country and our children.
Okay, now we know what you don't want, how about telling us what you do want.
It is our responsibility to protect that child once that childs born too. When we start debating a budget, lets make sure we dont cut 100,000 vaccines. Lets make sure weve got health insurance. We seem to worship what we cannot see, but as soon as that babys born, oh no, we dont want to be intrusive. Texas is going to shrink government until it fits inside a womens uterus. Senator Leticia Van de Putte
This has nothing do to with you, but I have bent over backwards numerous times on this site gluing together evidence for my assertions so that I could try to show the opposition the facts.
Every single time, the opposition just dismissed the evidence and went back to their partisan talking points.
That's the way it is for everybody. No one here will ever be convinced of anything they don't already believe. That's why this is just a chat site for entertainment purposes only, and nothing more.
That's the way it is for everybody. No one here will ever be convinced of anything they don't already believe. That's why this is just a chat site for entertainment purposes only, and nothing more.
Yes, but I've also learned a few things from some people.
Why? Because I was open to learn. Most people are closed and won't learn anything.
It's tragic.
"Everything that can be invented has been invented."-- Charles Duell, Commissioner of US Patent Office, 1899
There is choice now, it's just not acceptable to you.
It is our responsibility to protect that child once that childs born too. When we start debating a budget, lets make sure we dont cut 100,000 vaccines. Lets make sure weve got health insurance. We seem to worship what we cannot see, but as soon as that babys born, oh no, we dont want to be intrusive. Texas is going to shrink government until it fits inside a womens uterus. Senator Leticia Van de Putte
Government has ruined this truism in healthcare and education. The result?
So like with all "services" provided by the private economy those with more money should get better and more health care and education. And if you can't afford it you are sh** out of luck. Is that what you are sayin?
Only for the very wealthy who can afford to pay the bills of two schools at once.
Again, how would choice look to you?
I'm beginning to think you're avoiding answering the question.
It is our responsibility to protect that child once that childs born too. When we start debating a budget, lets make sure we dont cut 100,000 vaccines. Lets make sure weve got health insurance. We seem to worship what we cannot see, but as soon as that babys born, oh no, we dont want to be intrusive. Texas is going to shrink government until it fits inside a womens uterus. Senator Leticia Van de Putte
Your utopia is reaching its inevitable conclusion. An example? Now that food stamps are needed by more people, food stamp money is being cut.
See lucysmom, once those paying for you freeloaders quit paying, you're fucked. And it is happening now. In more and more places, and more and more often.
Government accounts for about 50% of health care dollars spent today and regulates 100%.
So you take away government subsidies from the poor and elderly putting millions of people into uninsured category you are going to suddenly lower costs AND cover all those people?
See lucysmom, once those paying for you freeloaders quit paying, you're fucked.
That's an assumption on your part and you know what is said about that.
It is our responsibility to protect that child once that childs born too. When we start debating a budget, lets make sure we dont cut 100,000 vaccines. Lets make sure weve got health insurance. We seem to worship what we cannot see, but as soon as that babys born, oh no, we dont want to be intrusive. Texas is going to shrink government until it fits inside a womens uterus. Senator Leticia Van de Putte
(jwpegler) Nope, I just don't want to have to pay for a service (government monopoly schools) that don't work and have failed the country and our children.
(stupid cunt)Okay, now we know what you don't want, how about telling us what you do want.
He wants to not have to pay for a service he's not using, you stupid cunt.
The current private system has failed with 50 million uninsured. I guess you want to add to it by getting rid of the government's role.
And yet he admires Singapore's health care system in whigh government plays a significant role.
* There are mandatory health savings accounts: Individuals pre-save for medical expenses through mandatory deductions from their paychecks and employer contributions Only approved categories of medical treatment can be paid for by deducting ones Medisave account, for oneself, grandparents, parents, spouse or children: consultations with private practitioners for minor ailments must be paid from out-of-pocket cash
* The private healthcare system competes with the public healthcare, which helps contain prices in both directions. Private medical insurance is also available.
* Private healthcare providers are required to publish price lists to encourage comparison shopping.
* The government pays for basic healthcare services subject to tight expenditure control. Bottom line: The government pays 80% of basic public healthcare services.
* Government plays a big role with contagious disease, and adds some paternalism on top: Preventing diseases such as HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tobacco-related illnesses by ensuring good health conditions takes a high priority.
* The government provides optional low-cost catatrophic health insurance, plus a safety net subject to stringent means-testing.
* Almost all care is subject to significant co-pays.
It is our responsibility to protect that child once that childs born too. When we start debating a budget, lets make sure we dont cut 100,000 vaccines. Lets make sure weve got health insurance. We seem to worship what we cannot see, but as soon as that babys born, oh no, we dont want to be intrusive. Texas is going to shrink government until it fits inside a womens uterus. Senator Leticia Van de Putte
(me) See lucysmom, once those paying for you freeloaders quit paying, you're fucked.
(stupid cunt)That's an assumption on your part and you know what is said about that.
You're a moron.
Enjoy the collapse.
And know that there are people who will cut your, and lucy's, throat for the food you have, when it comes.
They will be the same ones who think they have a right to medical care you pay for, think they have a right to your food, or whatever else of yours they want.
And were I to see it happening, I wouldn't lift a finger to stop it.