Mike C Sees

Sympathize, with the different burdens we each face
Understand, even as we hope to be fully understood
Recognize and respect differences
Forgive, even as God forgives us

These are cornerstones of relationships - between family members, friends and even countries.

If you’re without health coverage, would you consider marrying a member of the US military? Your spouse might split their married-supplement with you, and you’ll get a good health plan.

Personally, I find it embarassing that the US puts such a low priority on universal healthcare that young people find this an option worth considering.  But, hey, at least it leaves more for the military budget. [Marketplace]

“Psychological operations are an essential part of warfare, more so in the electronic age than ever,” said Lieutenant Colonel Charles Krohn, a retired army spokesman and journalism professor.

“If you’re going to invade a country and eject its government and occupy its territory, you ought to tell people who live there why you’ve done it,” he said. “That requires a well-thought-out communications program.”  [US on the attack in information war, IHT]

The big if is IF you’re going to invade a country. After that, this kind of pysops is absolutely to be expected. Who’s surprised?

I didn’t count on ever seeing this every happen:

US Airways to End Several Pension Plans: “the US Airways deal underscores the fact that as more and more shaky companies terminate their pension plans, the PBGC’s ability to guarantee future payments is growing more tenuous. This deal alone will cost the PBGC $2.3 billion, reported The Wall Street Journal, and if the agency had taken over the pension plan of UAL’s pilots, the agency would have been liable for an additional $1.4 billion.

“According to the Journal, the Bush Administration will likely require all companies with defined-benefit plans to pay higher premiums to the PBGC. One proposal calls for economically shaky companies to pay higher premiums than companies that can demonstrate they are in good financial shape and probably won’t need to be bailed out.” [ CFO.com ]

The Lancet: “With the admitted benefit of hindsight and from a purely public health perspective, it is clear that whatever planning did take place was grievously in error.”

“Making conservative assumptions, we think that about 100000 excess deaths, or more have happened since the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Violence accounted for most of the excess deaths and air strikes from coalition forces accounted for most violent deaths. We have shown that collection of public-health information is possible even during periods of extreme violence. Our results need further verification and should lead to changes to reduce non-combatant deaths from air strikes. ” [Center for International Emergency Disaster and Refugee Studies, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA via The Lancet]

How long will it be safe to book tickets on US Airways?  Analyst Ray Neidl of Calyon Securities says that the carrier has to get new labor agreements with its workers within three to six months or it will not be able to emerge from bankruptcy protection. At that point, the company would likely liquidate, which would affect service.

Liquidation threat means tickets should be bought with credit cards and miles should be protected: Those US Air customers with large balances of miles in their frequent flyer accounts might want to take steps to protect themselves long term, said Randy Petersen, editor and president of Insider Flyer, an independent publication for members of frequent flyer clubs. Petersen said it’s possible to transfer US Air miles to some of its partners’ frequent flyer clubs. But there is a significant penalty for doing so, and he said it’s probably too soon to make such a drastic move.

Instead, he suggests that people with large balances book a trip nine to 11 months out on a US Air partner carrier such as United, Lufthansa, Air Canada or other members of the Star Alliance. “If US Airways survives, as that date gets closer, you can pay your $40 and put the miles back in your US Airways account,” said Petersen. “If they don’t make it, you’ve got something you can use that far out. It might be better than having nothing at all.”

Via an insurance pool for healthcare for part-timers and contractors. “Today, families spend an average 16 percent of their collective income on health insurance — twice the percentage they spent in 1987,” said Len Nichols, at the Center for Studying Health System Change. Aetna, Cigna and UnitedHealth Group are among those bidding to insure the pool. [ CBS Marketwatch ]

‘For those jobs that never get done’-that’s the motto of Rent-A-Husband, one of the latest new businesses to join the Greater Dover Chamber of Commerce. Each Rent-A-Husband franchise sends skilled craftsmen to manage and complete entire projects that encompass everything from hanging pictures and installing ceiling fans to cleaning out garages and building decks. Recently local Rent-A-Husband General Manager Brandon Merkley was one of several ‘husbands’ to appear on the CBS Early Morning Show’s ‘Week of Wishes’ segment. The segment featured the story of how Merkley and the other volunteers gave their time and talents to renovate the ground floor of a home belonging to a needy family. For more information or to make an appointment, call Rent-A-Husband at 1-877-99-HUBBY or visit www.rentahusband.com.”