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Links 7/12: Korea and Iraq, Tamil Tigers loss, Huckabee and Sicko, Google Sued Over Sponsored Links |
by Alex Thurston :: Filed Under Daily Briefing :: July 12th, 2007 @ 12:18 pm EST
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Christian Science Monitor speculates that Korea may be a model for ending the Iraq War - just not in the way one might expect.
Is tea healthier than water?
The Sri Lankan military seizes a base from the Tamil Tigers.
On the border between Israel and Gaza, the mechanics of trade reveal an underlying pragmatism on both sides.
Google gets sued over sponsored links.
Salon has a nice obituary for First Lady Johnson.
BLOGS
Huckabee takes a cheap shot at Michael Moore.
A report on the activities of the National Abstinence Clearinghouse which includes commentary from Pandagon’s Amanda Marcotte.
ENVIRONMENTAL TIP OF THE DAY
Move your fridge away from the stove! If it’s in a cooler place it’ll use less energy.
Links and feedback go in the comments section.
I think Hukabee makes a few good points in that article. Especially on the subject of preventative medicine:
“Right now, insurance companies will pay $100,000 or more for a quadruple bypass but wouldn’t pay a couple hundred dollars for a person to have nutrition counseling and maybe to work with an exercise physiologist to determine how to get those extra pounds off. … It’s a lot better to spend some more money on the prevention side than it is on the intervention side.”
Of course, preventative medicine is not the final solution to America’s healthcare woes, but it’s a good place to begin.
The article on Korea is a great read. For me, the takeaway message was the power of diplomacy, as opposed to armed conflict, for easing tension and getting results. If North Korea does in fact dismantle its nuclear program, that will be a big success and really points the way toward how we should deal with Iran in the future.
I definitely think Huckabee’s right about a need for more focus on preventative medicine in America. But isn’t that dodging the issue that Sicko is discussing, namely the question of a national healthcare system? I don’t think it’s a case of, “let’s try everything before we resort to a national healthcare system.” Such a system is desirable for many reasons, not just because it is the least among various evils. Nor does Huckabee’s point really undermine the argument - in fact it could complement it. Let’s design a system that is free for Americans and emphasizes preventative care.
Plus he said he hasn’t even seen the movie.