Jury duty

As a registered voter in Wake County, NC I was called upon to perform my civic duty and attend jury duty.....or as they insist on calling it "Jury service". It's not a "duty", it's a "service", Either way, it's one of those things that sometimes you have to do as part of being a citizen!

So I went to the Wake County Courthouse, as directed, at 8:30 AM today. Lots of people....the recorded message you call prior to reporting said jurors 1-350 must attend. Didn't look like 350 people....but there were a lot!

After everyone checking in we watched a video, which really didn't tell you anything you didn't already know if you've even watched one TV show or movie about court.

Around 10:30 they called a group, around 35 people, to go to one of the courtrooms. Then the rest of us were sent to "lunch" and told to return at 2:30. I went home, pottied and played with my dogs, harassed my son, and found out the internet was all messed up.

When I returned a little before 2:30 one of the women called in the first group was there....she wouldn't say what the case was (she can't), but did say there were reporters outside.....so I'd guess it's the murder case that's been all over the news. Hearing about this case was one reason I was really concerned about going to jury duty!

Right before 2:30 another group was called to go to another courtroom. Then they called me and my group. I guess there were about 35-40 of us called.....but we were then sent home! The remaining people were going to a third courtroom.

It was weird. You know how you see movies of dancers, singers, etc (A Chorus Line comes to mind) where they pick a group of people....and everyone is envious....until the leader tells them to go home! In this case though, we were the lucky ones and the others were the envious!

So, jury duty is done. Won't get called again for at least 2 years. YAY!!

Jealous?

I am SO sick of hearing that the middle class is jealous of the upper class!!!

I am a Registered Nurse. I went to school for this because I wanted to be a nurse! Not because I wanted to be rich! If I wanted to be rich, I would have chosen a different field to go into!

I am one of the middle class.....and I am VERY proud of it!

I work for a living! I have trouble from time to time paying bills. I have had credit problems, but I have ALWAYS paid what I owe.

I have no credit cards. I have a small retirement, smaller since I was laid off almost 3 yrs ago,. I pay my way, I don't ask for handouts. All I want is to be able to live a fairly comfortable life.

I bought my first new car just 6 yrs ago (making my final payment this month!). Prior to this car the newest car I owned was 2 yrs old....and that was because my parent gave it to me. I drove that car for 14 years! After that I bought only used cars because that was what I could afford.

I have lived pay-check to pay-check. I have struggled. I have been injured on the job and kept working because I had 2 children to support. I have screwed with payments, but I always paid what I owed.

I do NOT want to be rich! I want to be able to have a decent life while I work my ass off at a job that helps others.

I am NOT jealous of the rich! Sure, it would be nice to not have to worry if the next paycheck is going to arrive before the next bill is due, but heck, that's half the "fun" of being one of the masses.

Happy 2012!!!

I really hope 2012 is better than 2011. Not that this year was bad....but things could be better!!

Let's see....shall this be my last rant of the year? Nah.

I have a pretty good life. I am very lucky. I have a job I enjoy, a wonderful family (yea, a few problems, but all in all, better than some!) and some generous and faithful friends!

So....here's to the new year! Bring it on!!

Preemie birth preventive spikes from $10 to $1,500

THIS is disgusting!! But hardly surprising!

A drug that is essential to prevent premature births just went from $10 a shot to $1500!!!

What happened? Well the drug has been custom-compounded for years, and recently the March of Dimes and many obstetricians advocated for one company being given the "contract" to manufacture it exclusively. Why would they do that? Well the idea was, since it was compounded, the thought was that it would be more readily available and more consistent in it's quality. So....the contract was won by KV Pharmaceutical of suburban St.Louis. This contract gives them exclusive rights to sell the drug, known as "Makena", in the US.

The excuse for the increase in price? "The cost is justified to avoid the mental and physical disabilities that can come with very premature births, said KV Pharmaceutical chief executive Gregory J. Divis Jr. The cost of care for a preemie is estimated at $51,000 in the first year alone." according to AP.

Seriously? Big Pharma for years has been screaming that the cost of research and development was the reason prescription drugs were so expensive....but here the R&D was already done! Can't use that excuse, so they say it's worth it because of the possible outcomes?

Now, in their defense, KV Pharmaceutical has said they will set up a program to get the drug to women that cannot afford these prices will get the drug "at little or no cost". But I will tell you, as a case manager, I have helped many people get needed drugs from pharmaceutical companies....and believe me, it's not easy! Income requirements are often VERY low and many will exclude you if you have any insurance coverage, even if there is no drug benefit!

At this point no one is sure what's going to happen. Aetna has said they will continue to pay for the drug, even at the high price. Aetna estimates it will cost them around $30 million more annually (and you know that cost will be passed on to subscribers!). It's unclear if Medicaid programs will continue to pay for what is essentially a brand drug, although they did cover the drug as a generic.

Think the price will come down if there's enough protest? Ha! No! Hell, as health care costs go up, they'll probably increase their prices too! No, KV has won the golden goose....and they are going to make damn sure they get every golden egg they are entitled to!

"Last month, KV sent cease-and-desist letters to compounding pharmacies, telling them they could face FDA enforcement actions if they kept making the drug." (AP)

Like I said....disgusting...but hardly surprising.

Keith Olbermann in the news.

As reported on Friday, November 5, MSNBC's Keith Olbermann was given an indefinite suspension, without pay, for privately contributing to the campaigns of 3 individuals.

MSNBC apparently has a policy that bans it's news staff from making political contributions. Whether you agree or disagree with the policy, Keith violated it and is now on an unpaid leave.

When I first heard about this I was disappointed in Keith....after all he's been quite verbal about other TV news people avtively promoting political candidates and views! But, the more I read, the less it seemed to matter. I like that Keith's been suspended though! Unlike other networks, MSNBC, in suspending Mr. Olbermann, is telling us that they do not tolerate this kind of disregard for company policy.

Many on the net have questioned the policy. Is it appropriate for a news organization to prevent their employees from donating their own money to a political cause they believe in? Those that say the policy is appropriate cite the case of an anchor interviewing a candidate that they contributed to vs one they didn't. Well, that's all well and good....but if the anchor disagrees with the candidate, whether they have contributed to them or not, is likely to be harder on the candidate than one they agree with. This is human nature. I don't think it matters if the anchor has contributed money or not, if they like the person they are more likely to give a "soft" interview than if they dislike the person!

So....should Keith have been suspended? Well, he violated company policy, so yes.

And, should he be reinstated and put back on the air? Yes!!!

What's your take?

Vote!!! It's your right and your duty!!!

Tomorrow, November 2, is election day here in the US!!

Are you planning on voting?

I know so many people who can't be "bothered" to go and cast a vote. Sad. I think it's part of being a citizen! You pay your taxes, you show up (and try to get out of) jury duty when notified, and you vote!

If you don't know who the candidates are, look them up!!! I'd be willing to bet that every candidate running for any office....mayor or higher.....has a web site. You can Google the name and find the site! (and if you don't know the names, look up on your local voting site!!!)

If you don't follow politics and fast forward through commercials on TV (and radio), I guess it's possible you have no candidate you want in office or out of office? No? OK....how about some local referendum? No? Wow....I guess you live in your own little world!!

OK...for the rest of you. Go to the polls and voice your opinion!

Now....enjoy this video....

Please explain!

Why do people drive 5 miles below the speed limit in the left lane? Don't they notice the cars lined up behind them? The ones passing on the right?

Why do people stop at a red light 1-2 car lengths away from the stop line? Or 20 feet behind the car in front of them?

Why do food stores have those mini shopping carts for kids? Don't they realize the little brats run up & down isles while mom is oblivious?

And what's with the giant carts fitted to look like a car? Those things are huge and appear to be very difficult to navigate!