August 25, 2004

           Nothing much today. Back in 1991, that Thor guy from SVEEE-dun released Linux. It was supposed to take over from MicroSoft, but he made it so goddam weird that the only reason anyone likes it is because it is free. What an uber-dork, smart enough to write a system, dumb enough to call it Ubantu and release it in "flavors". The dude has been taking the ferryboat to Amsterdam just a little too often.
           But here is something really significant. The Census Bureau released figures showing 45 million Americans have no health insurance. That's a fancy way of saying they go to the hospital for free and the taxpayer is hit. For those outside the USA, this is surprisingly easy to do. Just walk into the emergency room with no ID. Like most welfare systems, those who obey the rules have to pay for the crooks.
           But more importantly, medical bills have become the primary cause of bankruptcy. The system will not help you if you won more than $2,000. So one medical bill can wipe out your house, bank account, and all hope for the future. That's a whopping 60% of all bankruptcies in the land.
           To cheer you up, here is an Elvis movie poster.

           Hey, it was supposed to just cheer you up. Not give you a laughing fit.