Seven members of the Progressive Caucus who signed the letter to Henry Waxman asking him to stop pushing for the government’s right to negotiate and accept the White House deal also signed the letter pledging to vote against any bill that does not have a public option. If these members now back off and refuse to honor that commitment, if they won’t sign on to the letter being circulated in the Grijalva whip count effort, it will be a good indication that PhRMA money has had an influence on their votes.

And if anyone understands being pathetically underqualified for the presidency, it’s George W. Bush.

The WaPo denies it killed one particular story because it wasn’t happy enough. But it appears to confirm that it is killing stories, in general, if they’re not happy enough.

PBS Now recently interviewed Lt. Col. Stuart Couch on our treatment of detainees and the dangers of the slippery slope of torture. Couch is incredibly honest and open in the interview, and it makes for some compelling viewing.

As Couch Says:

We cannot compromise our respect for the dignity of every human being.

Massachusetts medical societies are discovering the State needs more doctors, because more people now have health insurance. What were they thinking before?

FDL has obtained a copy of the letter written by Blue Dogs Debbie Halvorson and Heath Schuler and signed by 60 Democrats, asking the House committee chairs to substitute the language from the deal that the White House made with PhRMA for Henry Waxman’s language in H.R. 3200.  Matt Taibbi writes about it today.

More interesting to me than what Obama said is how we know that he said it.

• Good.
• How to make friends and influence people.
• Redneck moran making ass out of hismelf is good for the GOP.
• The Teabaggers: Paulites?
• Worshipping at the creepy altar of Rand.
• Shoe thrower released, claims he was tortured.
• Teh Google to the rescue?
• Lazy, shiftless, good-for-nothing moochers.

Physicians, yes, physicians! Come out for the Public Option

Featuring new videos from Great Lake Swimmers and soon to be famous Lauren O’Connell.