Compounding and Confounding Medical Errors

May 23, 2016
Just 5% of Terminally Ill Cancer Patients Understand Prognosis

Patients were asked what stage cancer they had, their current health status, how long they expected to live and if they had recently had a life-expectancy discussion with their doctor. Just 5 percent of the patients accurately answered all four questions about their disease and prognosis correctly.

5% sounds very optimistic. We're not done factoring in the rest of the errors yet. How about those doctors?

July 7, 2014
Do doctors understand test results?

Gigerenzer's research shows just how confused doctors often are about survival and mortality rates. In a survey of 412 doctors in the US he found three-quarters mistakenly believed that higher survival rates meant more lives were saved. He also found more doctors would recommend a test to a patient on the basis of a higher survival rate, than they would on the basis of a lower mortality rate.

Not done yet. Need to factor in defensive medicine.

One trend, evident in some health systems more than others, is for doctors to practise medicine "defensively", recommending treatments that are least likely to leave them open to being sued.

Not done yet. Need to factor in the lawyers.

February 2, 2013
Guilty as charged

According to a study in 2006, America has more lawyers per person of its population than any of 29 countries studied (except Greece), and it spends two to three times as much on its tort system, as a percentage of GDP, as other big economies (except Italy, where things are nearly as bad).

Not done yet. Need to factor in the Corporate America propaganda machine.



P.S. I'll probably get sued for saying this sarcastically, but it makes me feel real good, as an American, to share the lawyerin' top honors with Greece and Italy. Gives me great confidence in our long-term financial future, lol. Sigh.

The Greece Bailout Agreement: Third Time's the Smarm!

August 8, 2015
Greek government says poring over draft of third bailout agreement

Since then negotiations on the agreement itself - which will spell out details of the reforms and funds to be disbursed - have proceeded remarkably smoothly, with the lenders praising Greece for its cooperation.

I must say, you are so well-dressed, and incredibly intelligent, and exceedingly kind and compassionate, and the thoughtfulness you exude is second to none, and your children are the envy of the entire world, and I truly am humbled to be in the presence of such greatness. I do not wish to trouble a lender of such importance with questions, but when can the simple people of Greece expect to get the money? Is there any way it could be wired this afternoon?

I know the money is but a pittance to one as economically strong, secure, and resilient as you. The simple people of Greece are so thankful for anything you might offer. On a more personal note, would you happen to have a few extra euros on you right now? I do not have the full bus fare to return home. I promise to pay you back when next we meet, assuming we meet after your bailout money arrives this afternoon.

smarmy

excessively or unctuously flattering, ingratiating, servile, etc.

One Overlooked Advantage of the Amero

North American monetary union

A concern with any unified North American currency is the differing economic situations between each country.

Like Germany and Greece? Hey, if Europe can pull it off then so can we! This is America, dammit! There is nothing we can't do if we put our minds to it!

So what is the overlooked advantage we would have? Well, right now we like to blame the POTUS (President Of The United States) for everything that goes wrong. It doesn't matter if it is a Clinton, a Bush, or an Obama. It doesn't even matter what the problem is. No matter what, the president is always to blame!

I just got off the phone with the Koch brothers, and they say we need to simplify the process. Make it even more clear to the American public who needs to be blamed.

An American Union could do just that. Instead of a POTUS, we would have a SCROTUM.

SCapegoat of 'R' Once Thrivin' United 'Mericas

Why did I lose my job? SCROTUM!
Why did my bank close? SCROTUM!
Why did my taxes rise? SCROTUM!
Why is the crime rate up? SCROTUM!
Why is my Social Security check missing? SCROTUM!
Why does my breath smell bad? SCROTUM!
Why did my wife sleep with the mailman? SCROTUM!
Why did they cancel Gilligan's Island? SCROTUM!

One office to take the blame! One office to protect and deflect! With nothing to gain and everything to lose, what could possibly go wrong? The SCROTUM is our future!! We must not let the European Union win!!

Try Fast-Acting Detfogiv™ to Cure Your Permanent Depression!

August 4, 2015
Greece needs wide debt relief to avoid permanent depression, thinktank warns

Greece’s economy will suffer fresh damage from the austerity measures demanded by its creditors and will remain stuck in permanent depression unless it receives substantial debt relief, one of the UK’s leading thinktanks has warned.

Side effects from not taking the medication include nausea, upset stomach, itching, rashes, dry mouth, internal bleeding, loss of muscle tissue, bone loss, hair loss, liver failure, renal failure, heart failure, and/or bank failure. Discontinue not taking the medication if not allergic to permanent depression. Take with alcohol. Keep away from childish creditors. Seriously. Keep away from them. They will be so f%^king mad at you!!

Detfogiv™! For a brighter tomorrow! Today!!

The Greek Banksters of Triskelion

August 3, 2015
Greek stock market tumbles after five-week shutdown

This all puts Greek bank shares in the spotlight. Recapitalisation, both long- and short-term, waters down the value of existing shares. The banks are also not making profits this year and have lots of bad loans.



We're free people. We belong to no one.

Europe vs. Seattle Mariners

August 2, 2015
Germans fret over Europe's future but still believe

The firestorm of criticism that has rained down on Berlin since the Greek debt deal has triggered a mixture of self-righteous defiance, soul-searching and a quest for new solutions among the German establishment.

July 30, 2015
With storm clouds circling, Jack Zduriencik stays the course

"Of course I understand the fans frustration." says Zduriencik, "I'm frustrated too. This roster was put together with plans and expectations for excellence. Everyone should be frustrated by this. If you're not mad about it I would question how bad you want to compete in this game."

D'oh! Not looking likely that either team will make the playoffs this year. ;)

Brace for the Greek Optimism!

July 26, 2015
Debt conundrum to keep Greek banks in months-long freeze.

"The banks are in deep freeze but the economy is getting..."

We've all seen it hundreds of times before. You know, that false sense of hope that comes after the but. It's once again time to brace for that little ray of sunshine. Here it comes!

"...weaker," said one official, pointing to a steady rise in loans that are not being repaid.

WTF! Weaker? Seriously? That has to be just about the most pathetic confidence booster I've ever seen. And it came out of an official's mouth? Seal the watertight doors. Man the lifeboats. Fondly recall flashbacks of your childhood. This ship's hit an iceberg!

I should be a Greek official, for I could certainly do better than that. When I think of Greece, I think of Atlas, Prometheus, and Perses! That's what would make me optimistic. Let's work those legendary titans into the narrative and cast aside all this doom and gloom.

I'm trying to think of a word that could represent them all. Let's see. If oceanic means something relating to the oceans then what word could be something relating to the titans? Is there a word that has both "titan" and "ic" in it?

Yes! Titanic! Of or relating to the titans! Genius! I am filled with optimism! That ship's unsinkable!

Quote of the Day

July 24, 2015
Newsweek: Why Europe Is Drowning Beneath a Tidal Wave of Debt

Arguably, then, Greece is not drowning in debt. It has already drowned. It may seem fanciful to suggest that other countries could be in danger of a similar fate, but equally, it is probably dangerous to assume that Greece is unique: a spectacle we can observe from a safe distance with a mixture of voyeurism and horror.

I would never attempt to observe the spectacle in Greece from a safe distance with a mixture of voyeurism and horror! Never!

That said, I am generally risk averse, my favorite movie of all time is Alien, and I like to watch. Okay, who brought the popcorn? ;)

Ripley: Ash, that transmission... Mother's deciphered part of it. It doesn't look like an S.O.S.
Ash: What is it, then?
Ripley: Well, I... it looks like a warning. I'm gonna go out after them.
Ash: What's the point? I mean by the, the time it takes to get there, you'll... they'll know if it's a warning or not, yes?

Shame on me! Bad Mark! Bad! Bad!

The Sarcasm Report v.227

July 25, 2015
Greek bailout talks pushed back by a few days on logistics-official

"The reasons for the delay are neither political, nor diplomatic ones," the official added.

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see what's going on here. If it isn't political, it isn't diplomatic, and it involves logistics then it must be cosmetologistical.

And for the benefit of those who have not heard the term before, cosmetologistical is the complex process of managing all the hairstyling, skin care, cosmetics, manicures, pedicures, and electrology appointments that all of the leaders must go through in order to work out a bailout deal.

One must always look one's best when the fate of millions of people are on the line, especially when the news media's camera crews are out in force. ;)

Why Won't Europe Let Greece Pee?

July 23, 2015
Laws passed, Greece to open bailout talks as recession pushes goals further

In a sign of how the goal of coming to grips with the country's debt is swiftly sliding even further away, Greece's most influential think tank predicted a sharp drop back into recession.

Greece knows Greece needs to pee. You know Greece needs to pee. I know Greece needs to pee. Europe knows Greece needs to pee. So why isn't Greece allowed to pee? What's the point of postponing the inevitable?

April 24, 2015
Girl wets herself on live TV; reporter continues interview

A Mississippi reporter ignored a young interviewee’s insistence that she needed to go to the bathroom — and continued to grill the girl as she wet herself on live TV.



You might think this is funny, and maybe it is, but c'mon, we've all been close to the edge. Sometimes you just gotta pee.

Talking about it endlessly won't help. Trust me on this. The only thing that can really help is peeing.

The Crock of @#$% Report v.014

July 11, 2015
Barron's: A New Approach to Bonds

“The absolute best-case scenario for bond investors is that rates remain low in the near future, which means your best hope is the status quo with no upside,” says Johnson, president and CEO of the American College of Financial Services.

No. The absolute best-case scenario for bonds is that rates remain low well into the distant future, which means a worst-case scenario nightmare of recreating the Japanese Keynesian housing bust aftermath experiment in all its glory may have been fully realized.

That's the absolute best-case scenario for bonds. I'm not saying that is guaranteed or even likely. Absolute best-case scenarios must simply be possible. Nobody can prove that interest rates will be going higher in the United States over the long-term, any more than they could prove that rates would go higher in Japan since their housing bubble popped in the early 1990s. Many have certainly tried though.

The real crock of @#$% here is making a ridiculous "absolute best-case scenario" bond claim while we're still stuck in ZIRP. What arrogance!

As I have said many times before, they can pry the long-term inflation-protected treasuries and I-bonds from my cold dead fingers. Bought with intent to hold to maturity. Will continue doing just that no matter what rates do or don't do.

If I am financially ruined with this plan, then I'll be taking the entire global economy with me. I have no doubts about that. Keep in mind that the US economy is a wee bit bigger than Greece's economy, much like an atomic bomb is a wee bit bigger than a hand grenade. So you better darned well root for my plan to work for me, lol. Sigh.

And lastly, show of hands. Who thinks that my neighbor's house, in semi-rural King County of Washington State, currently priced at $600k, can maintain that price with 10% interest rates? Got $60k in annual interest payments?

Greece: How to Spot What Will Be on the Test

July 12, 2015
Wall Street Journal: Treasury Secretary Encouraged by Reports on Greek Talks

WASHINGTON—U.S. Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew on Sunday said Greece had made substantial movement and demonstrated the political will needed to implement tough economic overhauls demanded by creditors, but called for more flexibility from Athens and its creditors as emergency talks failed to seal critical financing.

That looks like something that could be on the test. Let's look for confirmation.

“He noted that Greece has made substantial movement and demonstrated the political will to implement difficult reforms and that continued flexibility will be required by all parties,” Treasury said.

Oh, yes! This is definitely going to be on the test. I better use my red fluorescent highlight marker on both passages and reread them both a few more times just to lock them in.

As a side note, it's always nice to have two versions of the story. One is the direct quote and the other uses some journalistic artistry. Had made? Has made? Tough economic overhauls demanded by creditors? Difficult reforms? Athens and its creditors? All parties? Who can really say which version is better? As every college professor knows, best to just throw them both at us and hope one sticks.

The Treasury Department didn’t elaborate on exactly what Mr. Lew was encouraged by or how Athens had shown political will.

That's got no chance of being on the test. You can safely ignore it. Nobody has a f%^king clue what Lew's actually encouraged by or how Greece has shown political will, lol. Sigh.

Is Greece Germany's Best Friend?

July 10, 2015
Germany Keeps Wiggle Room on Greek Debt

Berlin rejects ‘haircut’ for Greece, willing to consider interest rate trims

This makes perfect sense to me. German Shepherds do not require haircuts but do require nail trims.

Wiggle Room

We hold the philosophy that dogs are companions and family members that deserve to be treated with kindness and positive interaction.

Seeing how Germany treats its pets should give us all hope for a better future.

So, sit up Greece and accept the Euro treat for what it is. Good boy! And if you are really good while I am gone, then we can do another bank run when I come home. There's absolutely no need to panic yet!

Never Pour Liquidity on a Greece FIRE Economy

"What's the Worst That Can Happen?"

July 6, 2015
Expert predictions on what lies ahead for Greece

What's the worst that can happen?

There's little chance that Greece's fundamental economic problems will have much effect on either the U.S. or the rest of Europe, Moody's Analytics chief economist Mark Zandi said last week.

What's the worst that can happen if I don't wear a seat belt?

There's little chance that I will be involved in a head-on collision that will send me flying through the front window and onto another car's front hood. I can tell you that. For the life of me, I have no idea why people even wear the darned things.

September 4, 2007
Recession risk up - but still not likely

Zandi is optimistic, however, that the economy will steer clear of recession given how financially sound and profitable businesses outside the housing sector are and how well positioned the banking system is to weather problems.

October 25, 2007
FUTURE BRIGHT, BUT A WAYS OFF

"I caught the falling knife," Zandi said of his recent home purchase.

You tell 'em Zandi, my very favorite worst case scenario expert!

Tripadvisor's Take on Greece and Its Banking Situation

Tripadvisor: Athens Travel Articles: Pickpocketing and Advice About It

Despite the bs written in international press, ATM's are always full of money, so you don't really need to get all your bank account here in the pocket.

The ATMs are always full of money! I knew it!!

July 6, 2015
Greek banks will not open today and ATM limits will be reduced

"This significantly raises the probability of banks running out of cash over the coming days. We estimate it is very likely banks will not reopen on 7 July as currently expected. Moreover, the limit on bank withdrawals, currently at €60, may also need to be reduced."

Who you gonna believe? The bs international press pictures of people lining up at the ATMs? Photoshopped? Or the sagely predictions and keen observations of some anonymous person writing for Tripadvisor?

Think, people! Think! ;)

Greece: A Mugger's Paradise!

July 6, 2015
Tourists undeterred despite Greek drama

Travel companies say tourists should take plenty of cash in small denominations.

Down on your luck? Lost your job in Greece? Having difficuly getting more than 60 euros out of your bank each day? Help is on the way!

Are you a tourist in Greece? Have you been recently mugged? Having cash problems? You too can enjoy this once in a lifetime opportunity! The language of mugging is universal. Simply find another tourist, display a knife, and point to where the pocket or purse is!!

And if you feel even remotely guilty about it then simply offer up the knife as payment. That way your tourist victim can reuse it on their next tourist victim! Win win!

Risk on and perpetual mugging machine technology, baby. That's what I'm talking about.

Quote of the Day (Musical Tribute)

July 5, 2015
What Greece means to the US

Some folks might actually argue turmoil in Greece could actually be a good thing for the US. Should things deteriorate across the eurozone, there may be more demand for safety in US Treasury securities, which could help keep the US financial market liquid and long-term interest rates low.

Some folks might actually argue that a fire at your neighbor's house could actually be a good thing for your house. Should things deteriorate across your neighbors' houses, there may be more firetrucks in the area, which could help keep your house covered in liquidity should it begin to burn as well.

Some folk singers might actually argue that they might have split up or they might have capsized; may have broke deep and took water. And all that remains is the faces and the names of the wives and the sons and the daughters.



There's just no disputing what some folks might argue.

The Greek Revolution: The Real Reason the Nays Won

"Don't get fired unless you lose your rights with your ayes!"

Quote of the Day

June 17, 2015
A Greek paradox: many elderly are broke despite costly pensions

Civil servants have no pencils to write with...

Want another Greek paradox? Without pencils, how do the civil servants record the results of their one working computer?



A Greek shipwreck holds the remains of an intricate bronze machine that turns out to be the world's first computer.

Greek shipwreck indeed. It's not all bad though. Their computer only crashes when the ship does. It's also not filled with the hackable personal information of every citizen. So hey, kudos to Greece for thinking long-term.

Pencil and papyrus technology, baby. That's what I'm talking about.

I hope you realize that I'm joking. Mostly.