I’ve had the week off, but I haven’t been sitting around idly — I have been in dogged pursuit of actors for my new movie, Poodles of the Caribbean. All-star cast (although Johnny Depp said he wasn’t interested in the lead — loser), but Ben my 70-pound standard poodle was enthusiastic about the part (he’s enthusiastic about everything), and has been pounding out the script on his pirate keyboard.

While he’s working on that project, I’ve been surfing the web looking for interesting booty myself (no, not that kind of booty … ). So avast me hardies, here goes:

• Is the Pope Catholic?: Heard about all the brouhaha about how the Pope’s recent proclamation declaring other Christian denominations “defective”? All over the media, wasn’t it? Now, want to read what the Pope really said? Here’s the original document.
   
  Executive summary: 1) The media doesn’t bother to read primary documents; 2) If they do, they don’t understand them, but use them merely for pull quotes to push their own agenda; 3) They really don’t get religion. (HT: GetReligion)
• GPS in the air: I have a good friend who is an air traffic controller. He recently told me he is rapidly approaching the point where he will not fly because of safety concerns about air traffic control, especially outdated technology and overextended personnel. Hopefully this will help: FAA’s GPS Fix Could Bust Sky Gridlock
• 15 Unfortunately Placed Ads. Ain’t natural selection great? (HT: Maggie’s Farm)
   
  See also Van Der Leun’s excellent insight into the unexpected consequences of designing and placing graphic print media: How to Make a Real Man’s Magazine Cover. Gerard’s a former Penthouse fashion editor (sounds like a pretty easy job, when the Empress wears no clothes … ), currently managing editor at PajamasMedia, blogger at American Digest, aspiring Playboy bunny, and an all-around good guy.
• Coverage for all, access for none: Everybody loves the idea of universal coverage — but everybody seems to have forgotten something simple: to make this scheme affordable, reimbursement rates will need to be driven down to a point where physicians will be unable to afford to see patients. This is currently the case with Medicaid and increasingly with Medicare as well.
   
  Be careful what you wish for: Doctor Shortage Hurts A Coverage-for-All Plan. Key graph:
   

  In Massachusetts, the state-subsidized plans, collectively called Commonwealth Care, are provided by private insurance companies. Patients can choose from among six options. Residents who make between one and three times the poverty level ($48,000 for a family of three) are now eligible for coverage under the plan. Doctors are reimbursed by insurance providers — at below-market rates comparable with Medicaid reimbursements.

  Medicaid pays about 40-50% of the physician’s costs to see the patient in Washington state, and other states are similar. Where do I sign up for this plan?

That’s all for now. God bless, and have a great week.