The Affordable Health Act is a Rube Goldberg contraption that keeps on giving. The Democrats missed a once in a generation opportunity to correct some of the problems associated with the administration of our health care system. They were tone deaf to public outcries for a single payer system and ignored suggestions that people be allowed to buy into Medicare. The final product was a complicated kludge with high co-pays, high deductibles and high premiums.

It's been hard to summarize the illogical disconnect that Americans have in regards to our latest war in Iraq. Fortunately, the movie American Sniper does that for us.

Good morning 99percenters!

Today is the day that Hollywood falls all over itself to congratulate it's own existence. Will the Academy miss new talent again...

This year's nominees for best picture are:

• American Sniper
• Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)
• Boyhood
• The Grand Budapest Hotel
• The Imitation Game
• Selma
• The Theory of Everything
• Whiplash

Which is your favorite?

Good morning 99percenters!

I'm looking at snow falling outside my window this morning - again! Can spring really be around the corner? Well, we can hope... Let's think about all the pleasant sights and sounds that we anticipate with the change of season.

It’s another impossibly cold day in Michigan at the Lear house as the temperature has been below zero for most of the last several days. However, my heart is a little happier and warmer now.

This evening's music features blues and boogie woogie piano player and singer from Louisiana, The Swamp Boogie Queen Katie Webster.

2015 Westminster Kennel Club Best In Show, 15-Inch Beagle, 'Miss P'

Photo Credit: William Alexander poses with 'Tashtins Lookin for Trouble' [Call Name: 'Miss P,' which stands for Peyton] a 15-inch beagle, after winning the 'Best In Show' competition title at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show, Tuesday. (THE ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Good morning 99percenters!
Some news and Dan Hicks and His Hot Licks

The Great SIM Heist
How Spies Stole the Keys to the Encryption Castle

Hi,

I just got the email about this symposium on Feb 28 to March 1 in NYC

The registration of $60 to get lunch ends today.

I posted a diary on it.

If you are in the NYC area and can make it, it looks like a great event.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/02/20/1365798/-Symposium-Dynamics-of-...

This evening's music features a musician with a really diverse career in rockabilly, r&b, soul, disco and country music, singer and piano player Big Al Downing.