people say universal health care like its a bad thing…
September 30th, 2009 § 8 Comments
This post is political. It has to do with Health Care and my views of it. If you do not enjoy politics, or thinking, or debate, or my views, you should probably go read one of my other posts. – Cody
So I’m not going to lie, I’m really glad that all the “town hall” meetings about Health Care are pretty much over. I am actually really stoked for the main fact that: A lot of uninformed ignorant people harassed a handful of people who were attempting to explain the new Health Care reform plan.
Why Health Care?
Health Care isn’t something that necessarily interests me or drives my life’s purpose. Human Rights and Civil Rights, however, does interest me and does drive my life. Here are my feelings on Health Care:
- I have really good Health Care [in my opinion] – I can go to a pretty good private doctor, get the prescriptions I need for really cheap. I get my blood pressure medicine for like, 3% of what they actually cost per prescription. This health care, to my knowledge, is relatively expensive.
- Everyone should have some sort of Health Care. People get sick, regardless of how much money you make or what color you are. Poor white people get sick. Rich black people get sick. Middle-class Asian people get sick. It doesn’t matter. Being healthy should not be a privilege to those who can afford it.
- Everyone should have the opportunity to receive the same level of basic Health Care.
The Truth About Health Care: Facts, Lies, & Other Information.
I’m going to expand upon these points [except for my own personal health care...since that is my personal business].
The Health Care reform that was so militantly argued against, since no one that argued it actually wanted to learn the facts. In order to learn, you have to shut your big, dumb, loud mouth and listen.
One of the biggest fears of the new reform plan was that “hard earned American tax dollars” would go to the health care of millions of illegal immigrants. This was outlined by President Obama during a speech to Congress, before he was interrupted by an actual congressman.
Giving health care to illegal immigrants is something that I consider would be political suicide. My views on immigration are…interesting to say the least. But that is another post, for another day.
Anyway, this is my view on “Public Health Care” [I call it "Public" because saying "Universal" implies that it is going to every single person within the United States, and that just isn't true. The plan states [from my understanding] that the Health Care being given to the public, isn’t free. It’s affordable, which clearly does not mean it’s free [granted, everything free is affordable]. Basically, you get what you pay for. If your premium is $1000 a year, you’re clearly going to get less coverage than someone who pays $6000 or $7000 a year. So if you already have a health care plan that you like [like I do], you can keep it. This Health Care bill is mostly for people who have either very very little coverage, or no coverage at all [estimations put this total at 46-60 million Americans].
Sad News: Today, September 30, 2009, a Senate overview committee rejected amendments to the Health Care bill. Thanks to intense Republican opposition [and yes some Democratic], the two amendments failed in a 15-8 vote, and then a re-vote of 13-10. Sorry America…people just aren’t willing to pay a little to keep you healthy.
My Conclusion.
This is how I see it: How many people are opposed to every child being sent to school? I mean, regardless of income, race, gender, religion, etc., every child is sent to a “public school”, run by the local government. So why is it that not every American is guaranteed the right to be healthy and get treatment when their health runs a little south. I’ll tell you why: People hate the idea of helping someone with money that they either a.) don’t know or b.) don’t deem “deserving”.
Frankly, it’s ridiculous. I’m almost ashamed to live in America as time goes on. We meddle with other nation’s sovereignty, we can’t guarantee health care to anyone [but strangely, government officials on both sides have bangin' health care], we can’t even guarantee the right to a happy marriage to people who are “different” or “alternative”.
That’s all I want to say. Basically, this bill needs to go through because getting sick and not having health insurance, is terrifying.
Cody.
Next Post: A review of Brand New’s album.
web integration!
September 28th, 2009 § Leave a Comment
I made a Facebook page for the site —> .a sound mind. on Facebook!
I also made a Twitter for the site —> Twitter!
Fan me on Facebook.
Cody.
ear candy – september 26, 2009.
September 26th, 2009 § Leave a Comment
I wrote this yesterday, but it didn’t post for some reason…sorry.
So I decided to rename the “iPod Suggestions” series to “Ear Candy” only because I think its more clever and takes less time to write. I’m thinking of making the new day for this series to Friday instead of Wednesday. I only have one class on Fridays [Speech at 12:30] and I just have more time on Fridays to do this. So anyway, here is this week’s suggestions.
Mae @ 31st Street Park in Virginia Beach, Va.
#1. “If My Heart Was A House” by Owl City off of Ocean Eyes. This song is epically romantic. “If my heart was a compass you’d be North” is one of the lyrics…I swear if someone said that to me, I’d melt. Anyway, this song is really great, actually, Owl City is really great. Period. I do, however, think that Maybe I’m Dreaming was a better album than Ocean Eyes but only because Maybe I’m Dreaming was practically perfect as far as indie/electronic music goes. —> Download!
#2. “Wooden Soldiers” by Person L off of Initial. I first heard Person L when they came to Norfolk with Mae, Tokyo, and Barcelona [the concert was fantastic]. Person L is fronted by Kenny Vasili, formerly of The Starting Line. I had mixed feelings about them when they came on stage because, well to be perfectly honest, they looked really awkward. Their bass player looked angry, Vasili looked like he just did heroin, and the rest of the band looked sort of…normal? To me, bands should look either a. really clean, b. really dirty, c. really high, or d. a combination of all three. When they started playing however, it was pretty good. Vasili was not strung out on heroin [to my knowledge] and he got really in to the music. The song I REALLY wanted to put on here is called “Goodness Gracious” and it is my favorite by them…sadly there is no downloadable recording of it anywhere. Enjoy “Wooden Soldiers” —> Download!
#3. “Who I Am Hates Who I’ve Been” by Relient K off of Mmhmm. I know what you’re thinking – “Isn’t Relient K a Christian band!?!” and the answer is…”Sort of.” The whole thing about Relient K is that their newer stuff can apply to all sorts of relationships, be it with God, a girl, a boy, a mom or dad, an intimate relationship with a teacher [probably not], it is just pretty good music. This song has kind of been my…”battle cry” [too strong of a description...but I'll take it] for the passed year of so. Enjoy “Who I Am Hates Who I’ve Been” —> Download!
#4. “Tear You Apart” by She Wants Revenge off of She Wants Revenge. I was watching The Number 23 [starring Mr. Jim Carrey] and this song came on…I love this song. Everyone should love this song. Enjoy “Tear You Apart” —> Download!
#5. “Forever” by Drake feat. Kanye West, Lil’ Wayne, & Eminem off of Forever – Single. This song is a lot like “Swagga Like Us” except…T.I was replaced with Eminem and Jay-Z was replaced with Drake…I don’t hate it. I basically think that when rappers do collaborations like this [especially rappers I like] its wonderful. Enjoy “Forever” —> Download!
#6. “Beneath The Mire” by Opeth off of Ghost Reveries. Opeth is an epic metal band from Stockholm, Sweden. And by epic I mean epic. Ghost Reveries is by far my favorite album from them. This song really shows how skilled they are as a musical entity. My favorite thing about Opeth is the way they mix the gutteral growling with the actual singing. Enjoy “Beneath The Mire” —> Download!
#7. “Apology” by Alesana off of On Frail Wings of Vanity and Wax. Okay, before you say anything, I know I put this song on here like two months ago. First off, it was the acoustic version. Upon listening closely to the non-acoustic version, I love it. Its so good. It just sounds a lot better now that I take a closer look [listen]. Enjoy “Apology” —> Download!
Well, that’s really all I have to give you. If you’re still hungry for more, you’ll have to wait til next week.
Cody.
Next Post…
Not really sure. Tell me what you want to hear: comments.asoundmind@gmail.com
letter to the economy.
September 21st, 2009 § 2 Comments
My post today was going to be about Health Care and all that jazz, but I feel this is better.
After being turned down for about half a dozen jobs in the passed few weeks, I’ve decided to write a letter to the United States economy. I know it won’t respond, since the economy is more of a concept than an actual thing [sort of like faith, love, the Tennessee Volunteers winning a game, etc.] So enjoy.
Ahem.
Dear United States Economy,
What’s up? Its been quite a while since we’ve last spoke, since I’ve had nothing but nice things to say about you. I was employed, I had money, and all was right in the world as far as my finances went. But recently…I’ve applied to over a dozen employers and I’ve heard the same thing from all of them “We’re taking applications.” Do you know what that means, Economy? That means “We’ll let you waste your time telling us about yourself, but we’re not going to call back”. Its like going on a date, hooking up, and not getting a call back. I am not a one night stand. I am not a whore, Economy, so how dare you force employers to treat me as such. I have lots of experience, but they wouldn’t know that because you are forcing them to make cutbacks in staffing. So I have two words for you Economy: Suck it. I hate you. Go die. And by die, I mean get better so I can get a job.
Thanks for reading my letter, Economy. I hope one day we can be friends.
Sincerely,
Cody Kloock
Well I feel better…but I’m sadly still unemployed. Ughhh…someone should hire me. 
Cody.
87th generation iPod nano.
September 18th, 2009 § 2 Comments
(yes, the title is a joke)
The new generation of iPods is coming out soon [this fall] and you should all be pretty excited…or as excited as you can be for the same exact product with one or maybe two new features. [I feel like each generation of iPod is like each new year/version of Madden].
Anyway, the new generation of iPod Nanos looks to actually be the best one since their debut. This one seems to have everything that an iPod [not Touch or Phone] should have always had. I’ll outline its features and let you decide whether or not its worth the $149 [8gb] and $179 [16gb] price tags.
- A bigger screen – The screen is now 2.2 inches instead of 1.7. That’s a whole half an inch bigger [and ladies, you know that size matters].
- FM Radio – Finally my iPod can let me listen to the radio [although if you have to rely on the radio...you probably need to have a less crappy iTunes library]. Also has a “Live Pause” option that lets you pause the radio.
- Voice Over – Your iPod will now tell you what song/artist you’re listening to without you having to look at it. [Not knowing what is on your iPod, ftw]
- A pedometer - Now you can track how far you walk/run while you exercise and rock out [forgive me for the 80's coming out in me]
- A voice recorder – Now you can be like Capt. Kirk or James Bond; record your thoughts or blackmail your friends. The possibilities are endless…so watch what you say.
Now, last but certainly not the least of the new features, is a video camera. I know what you’re thinking…how did Apple fit a video camera in something the length of my index finger. It [supposedly] takes clean audio, captures crisp video, and probably makes you more attractive to everyone around you.
So what is my verdict? I’m going to buy it. As soon as it comes out, this is going in my pocket.
Cody.
clarification.
September 18th, 2009 § Leave a Comment
The post I made earlier…was supposed to be funny. Nothing to get up in arms about. Jesus people, chill out.
Cody.
