The News

When possible, I have watched a bit of the news here. It is really funny. They sit on a couch and hold up all of the various newspapers and read them. The hot topics are gas prices, the environment, health care, terrorism, housing market, and a celebrity wedding (some FB player and author.) Sound familiar?

There is currently a 4 day strike happening by truckers who deliver gas to stations. There are discussions about less driving and more public transportation.

There was a protest in Leicester last week about the building of an ECO Town. (The kids and I walked through it.) Supporters say it is an attempt at making a better environmentally sound town. Protesters say it is a sham to keep building. I don’t know.

The National Health care system seems to have the similar complaints. People can’t see the doctors they want or get the medicines they need. They argue over treating some diseases aggressively, using up funds for regular care. However, if you have a serious disease and need the aggressive treatment? An interesting twist that is a hot point is that patients who whose drugs not approved in the plan and pay with private funds, are then denied national treatment for their diseases. This even effects funds raised by a community to support a sick child for example.

There are new laws under discussion for how long you can hold a terrorist suspect.

Mortgage costs and interest rates are up. Housing prices have dropped 6 ½% this year and nothing is selling. People had mortgages with 0 down and are in trouble if their payments go up. They can’t sell their houses for what they owe.

The press is hounding the celebrity couple trying to determine the location of their wedding. And who won the UK apprentice? (It was Lee by the way. And I don’t even watch it in the states.)

We aren’t in Kansas anymore… or wait maybe we are?