Live Blog from the Anchor Desk 07/20/09
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Tonight, Joe Jackson is speaking out about his son's death. Does he believe Michal is a victim of foul play? We'll have the latest. Plus, Pres. Obama's health care battle. Is he asking for too much? We'll have the raw politics.
Want to know what else we're covering? Read EVENING BUZZ
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Thank you as always, John King, Randi-Kaye and Team 360, and good night. It was a wonderfully diverse show tonight.
Good night fellow bloggers. And thanks to the many Canadian citizens who educated me on their medical system.
Happy Birthday to Erica (if we have the right date)
Happy Anniversary on The Moon Landing!
Hi John!! Love being stuck with you. 🙂
No wonder Michael Jackson had so many problems. Joe Jackson is OUT THERE!
Michael's "concert promoter" (Rowe) on Larry King is a joke. They both contradict their words with their actions.
So many people with so much to say....NOW. Where were they when he needed them?
I feel so bad that this is what Michael had to deal with. 🙁
I hope he is in a place where he can't be hurt anymore!
~Tina
Excellent shot of the day! I'm a bit of a history nerd so I love it! 🙂
Have a good night all and a wonderful tomorrow!
@Mike
You are soo right!
Thanks for covering John......BTW just finding out that its Erikas Birthday it kinda seems like she had a really cool party and only cambell and anderson were invited.
Its all good guys im sure there will still be dip.
I am appalled that this story ran on CNN. I absolutely disagree about race being a factor. I know that health care is not what it used to be and doctors vary in their ability to diagnose. I am a nurse practitioner. I am white. I live in the midwest. I have experience incompetence first hand, and it had nothing to do with anything but stupidity and an "i dont really care about anything but making you go away" . I had to go to a large metropolitan area for treatment. I am so incensed that this story would air. I see the dismissal of patients every day of my life and I seek to help these people every day that I treat them. The system is broken. A public plan is not the answer. Taking the decisions about peoples health care from the employer and into the hands of the individual is the first step. I know that the health care system could be fixed. I just wish that Obama would call me and I absolutely believe I could help. I also would not charge him a penny. I have spoken to my congressman, senators and have been quite charged about this issue. Thanks for listening.
Kudos for John King! Take care of that eye John!
I think Joe Jackson still doesn't get it! Even Michael's death, he doesn't seem to realize how much he hurt him. Michael, I believe, had already giving up on life, they want to blame everyone, and although I believe many are at fault, it is my believe that MJ gave up on life, he was doing these concerts for the wrong reason: money.
Regardless, I will always love his music, it reminds me of my childhood I grew up in Mexico City, listening to the Thriller cassette in a small boom box. Michael was HUGE around the world. RIP MJ
I think a lot of people are missing the point on healthcare...i am taking care of my mom who now has alzheimer's and had worked 30yrs prior on a job before retiring. Medicare which is her primary insurance DOES NOT cover all healthcare costs. Hospital bills are still due once medicare pays their portion. And if you knew how the Medicare system works when paying for services most of you would be truly surprised. Healthcare reform...laughing matter.
Does anybody on this blog believe what this Chris Brown guy just said? Sounds like a monolog from a movie or something.
Good Evening bloggers!
About that time ...
Thanks, John King and 360 for following health care - it's an important issue...
John, hope your eye is better and looking forward to seeing you in the anchor chair again tomorrow night....
Good chat tonight, fellow bloggers - enjoyed the health care discussion - good information.....
I remember watching the "moon walk" 40 years ago....my whole family gathered around the TV - an exciting time in our nation's history....
Until tomorrow night, peace .......
I feel a bit sorrowed in saying this but I think MJ knew what he was doing. After all his turmoil, 2 hr rehersals was no way of telling he was up for 50 concerts. Knowing of his underlying insecurities and his need to please his fans, I think he felt he would not be able to live up to the expectations and feared letting his fans down. He looked for a way out and this may have been it. I think we need to let his legacy live on but let his soul rest.
Nice earrings CHris Brown. Why do people lionize this woman beater?
Joe Jackson was told by "fans" that an ambulance was at Michael's home. If that is truely how he found out that his son had died – what does this say about his involvement with his own family – surely one of the family members should have let their father know................
Obama can pay for this by stopping all the scams on billing Medicare. You had a story on CNN today about about a disabled women and her wheel chair problem with medicare. This is the same as the $1600.00 dollar hammer, the $2000.00 dollar tolet seat that the government use to pay out to companys. If you straighten out the scam billings welcare and Medicade pays out. The new health care bill would probably pay for itsself.
Thanks Doc Ralph. You made some great points. Makes more impact coming from someone "inside" the system. I'd like to hear more...
Michael Jackson was about half a billion dollars in debt which is why he signed up to do these concerts. What foul play could there be. I don't think the Beatles Song Catalog is just sitting there waiting .
@Carmella So only those able to afford insurance deserve a chance at a long and healthy life? I think it would greatly help those /w good insurance to take a peek into the world of those just getting by – able to afford minimal coverage or none at all. My own family has been hit hard by the games our insurance has played in regards to what they will and won't cover for very common procedures.. ie preventative care. Avg middle income, two children. Juggling costs is one thing, juggling with our lives though?
Why not homicide a doctor that admisitered diprivan (propofol) would know that this drug is only used for conscious sedation or for surgery and sould never give it in a home setting to promote sleep. If a nurse gave it in the home they would do life in jail.
Good For You Chris Brown!
We rushed the stimulus because Obama said we couldn't wait. We ended up with a bill fiull of pork that hasn't made a dent in unemployment (remember those 3 million new jobs?). Now we are being railroaded again. We can't afford another rushed job on health care. This isn't a national emergency.
Work on getting the prescription prices way down, diagnostic testing way down, hospitals- pricing way down. I believe social security, disablilty, medicare, medicaid and the VA should all be more important. True, some of you say-already government programs. If you pay into social security, you should be rest assured it will be there when you retire. Not so in the near future. We cannot afford such a large plan.
After hearing the polls showing more Americans unhappy with Pres Obama's Healthcare Reform.....could it be that they (we) are unhappy that he isn't pushing his agenda harder, considering the Democratic strength in Congress???
@ David Scott – Thank you for your explanation of medical benefits, Canada VS. USA. It was very informative and i apprecciated your remarks.
Why can't we just let Michael Jackson rest in peace? I understand that he was a icon for so many people but really there comes a point where enough is enough....
@Mike, Syracuse – Absolutely right! Cap malpractice and stimulate drug competition. How 'bout pricing caps on the resale of all medical products?
My experience with clinics, low cost, or urgent care, is that the medical care there is good but not like having a regular family doctor. Disparities in medical care would be best addressed by better, more thorough, and overall increased communication btwn patients and physicians, nurses, techs, and staff in health facilities. This is what hospitals and clinics strive for. Stability of personnel, of staff is essential for patients to develop long term relationships with physicians and with clinics or facilties.
thanks to all voicing concerns about the eye - just some strange allerigic reaction. i'm fine .....
this jackson stuff is bizarre, to say the least. we're lucky to have randi to help sort the facts from the speculation ....
@David, fortunately for our freedom the government funds the military but largely stays out of day to day warfighting activities.
Anyone that thinks socialized medicine is the answer, has no idea what he/she is talking about. Being from another country with socialized medicine, I know . What incentives will health care workers have to provide the best possible care if they make a paycheck whether they see one patient or 25 in one day? Why should surgeons and anesthesiologist stay till all hour of the night to operate when they can postpone the surgery till the next day and the next. Obama does not have to worry about that , he will have his private physician on standby. What he forgets to tell all of you who think he's so great is that, there will be two types of healthcare the public and the private . People who can afford to pay will see the best doctors and go to the best hospitals . This is the way socialized medicine works !!
I'm Canadian and i can tell you that there are alot of misconceptions about health-care up here. Yes, you may have to wait in ER's but if it is life-threatening you will get immediate treatment and proper care.The problem is a lack of doc's and nurses and this creates problems,but don't believe for a second that our health-care is second-rate or that older folks or cancer-patients aren't getting the medical attention they need,it just isn't true.Sure there are waits but I am sure any hospital in the US ,the same is true. Should any American get sick here,any Canadian hospital and doctor will see that he or she gets the same quality care and attention that is required. Can this be said of everyone visiting an ER in any large US hospital? The problem is the cost-factor but the consequences of not implementing and allowing universal health-care to any nation will mean big trouble down the road!
Canadian here – and very satisfied with our healthcare system!
I do not like how Joe Jackson is being portrayed as ignorant. If it weren't for him, Michael wouldn't have been the entertainer he became.
Regarding the health care argument, I am Canadian & for the most part & very happy with our system. I have seen the ads running on cnn where a woman claims she would have died from a brain tumor in Canada, I find that very hard to believe. I have a friend with cancer who is getting the best of care with no waiting as it is a life threatening illness. There are wait times for elective & non life threatening surgeries but those are not that long. I have always been given great care by specialists with little time spent waiting. There are pros & cons to every system but I wouldn't trade our's. I know that I will never have to pay when I am sick & will be treated by great Doctors. They care alot about the patients as there isn't huge amounts of money changing hands. All of us are treated the same as we are all under the same system.
Joe ought to start with himself..the beginning of Michael's demise.
How much is he getting paid?
Tort reform is not the only answer on a national level. Yes, it would help. I do believe that all Americans should have insurance at " Medicaid Rates." A national licensing program to eliminate 100's of 1000's of dollars physicians have to pay every year or two would be a step in the right direction. That way convicted physicians in 1 state wouldn't be able to simply apply and practice in another state. I think to cost of a physician's license should be the same as any federal employee's
if this healthcare plan ever amounts to anything.
Wow – Randi-Kaye, amazing litany of interviews, and contacts with Medical Examiner, etc. You really do work hard!