Jen Huntley wrote a piece in the Reno News and Gazette. It is so crystal clear in its discussion of the arguments taking place in Congress and across the nation I just have to bring it here in full and verbatim. It is perhaps the most important issue facing Americans.

Since I live in Nye County, U.S. Congressional District #2, and because our current Congressman, Republican Dean Heller, represents my district I also want you to judge for yourself whether Heller is looking out for your best interests rather than the corporate health industry interests. [Read more →]

Four people have been charged in the digging up of more than 300 graves in a historic African-American cemetery as part of a scheme to resell burial plots. [CNN]

Photo from CNN: Dozens of graves at Burr Oak Cemetery were desecrated by workers as part of a financial scheme, authorities say.

It happened at Burr Oak Cemetery in Alsip, Illinois.

“When you look at some of the gravestones that we come across, Cook County, Illinois, Sheriff Tom Dart says the discovery was “beyond startling and revolting.” Gravestones that have been dumped throughout the cemetery and had been hidden, you see gravestones of babies, you see gravestones of grandparents, wives, husbands,” he said. “This is heartbreaking stuff,” said Sheriff Tom Dart, shown in CNN photo.

Burr Oak Cemetery is where lynching victim Emmett Till, blues legend Dinah Washington and some Negro League baseball players are buried. The perpetrators allegedly dug up caskets, dumped the remains, resold the plots and pocketed the cash, Dart said. [Read more →]

The following message is a nice touch by the Obama administration. Never have experienced such a technique in my 76 years.

As the President’s advisor on Homeland Security, I am passing along the following message from Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary of Health and Human Services, Janet Napolitano, Secretary of Homeland Security, and Arne Duncan, Secretary of Education, who are leading the efforts to prepare our Nation for the coming flu season.
Fellow Americans,
This spring we were confronted with an outbreak of a troubling flu virus called 2009-H1N1. As the fall flu season approaches, it is critical that we reinvigorate our preparedness efforts across the country in order to mitigate the effects of this virus on our communities.
Today, we are holding an H1N1 Influenza Preparedness Summit in conjunction with the White House to discuss our Nation’s preparedness. We are working together to monitor the spread of 2009-H1N1 and to prepare to initiate a voluntary fall vaccination program against the 2009-H1N1 flu virus, assuming we have a safe vaccine and do not see changes in the virus that would render the vaccine ineffective.
But the most critical steps to mitigating the effects of 2009-H1N1 won’t take place in Washington — they will take place in your homes, schools and community businesses.
Taking precautions for this fall’s flu season is a responsibility we all share. Visit Flu.gov to make sure you are ready and learn how you can help promote public awareness.
We are making every effort to have a safe and effective vaccine available for distribution as soon as possible, but our current estimate is that it won’t be ready before mid-October. This makes individual prevention even more critical. Wash your hands regularly. Take the necessary precautions to stay healthy and if you do get sick, stay home from work or school.
We are doing everything possible to prepare for the fall flu season and encourage all Americans to do the same — this is a shared responsibility and now is the time to prepare. Please visit Flu.gov to learn what steps you can take to prepare and do your part to mitigate the effects of H1N1.
Take Care,
Kathleen, Janet and Arne