Originally Posted By DAR <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091229/ap_on_re_us/us_tree_surf_crash;_ylt=AoWW0NBrpnoCltiOUHbTZIOs0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTNtb3I5b241BGFzc2V0A2FwLzIwMDkxMjI5L3VzX3RyZWVfc3VyZl9jcmFzaARjY29kZQNtb3N0cG9wdWxhcgRjcG9zAzQEcG9zAzEEcHQDaG9tZV9jb2tlBHNlYwN5bl9oZWFkbGluZV9saXN0BHNsawN0cmVlc3VyZmVyaW4" target="_blank">http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/200...yZmVyaW4</a>- Really warms the heart doesn't it. And do we really have to pay for his health care?
Originally Posted By ecdc Just remember, you're paying for it anyway. My favorite part is the last line of the story where the cop warns against tree surfing because it's a serious traffic violation. I'm pretty sure if you're riding a tree being pulled by a car a ticket is the least of your worries.
Originally Posted By DAR <<Just remember, you're paying for it anyway.>> Right but he's taking away from someone who really deserves it.
Originally Posted By ecdc >>Right but he's taking away from someone who really deserves it.<< How so? Honestly, I'm really not trying to get into it on healthcare. This guy is obviously a complete tool. He's lucky to be alive and he should have to do community service just for sheer stupidity. My only point is I'm not sure where you draw the line on who you provide healthcare for and who you don't. Stories like this are easy boilerplate for getting outraged. It's just more complicated than saying no healthcare for this guy!
Originally Posted By SuperDry Keep in mind that DAR works for an insurance company, and has told us previously that he doesn't think everyone deserves insurance. I'm sure his employer would like to define a great many types of people that don't deserve it: those on the upper half of the bell curve, should you be able to identify them. That would really increase profits!
Originally Posted By Mr X It's about time that insurance companies in America go the way of the Dodo, much as they have in the rest of the civilized world. DAR, when that wonderful day comes, I hope you have prepared your resume for alternative employment opportunities? If not, I suggest you get started bro.
Originally Posted By DAR <<Keep in mind that DAR works for an insurance company, and has told us previously that he doesn't think everyone deserves insurance.>> I could be a volunteer for Habitat for Humanity and would think everyone doesn't deserve insurance. People like rapists, pedophiles, drug dealers, murders, the sad thing is they do get health insurance if they're in prison and they take it away from those who really do need it. And you know what if this guy wants to act like a "jackass" endangering his life and possibly others by pulling a stupid stunt like this, then scew him he doesn't deserve it.
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan I saw 60 Minutes this week had a segment about these guys who jump off mountains wearing special suits so that they can "fly". The zip along at over 100 mph, but to enhance the effect, they like to zoom alongside the cliff walls, just a few feet away. Of course, there are huge risks involved in an activity like that. And then there are people who eat too many fatty foods, people who smoke, people who get hypertension from being involved in stressful jobs, people who slip on a bar of soap in the shower. Any of those things could be considered avoidable risks. While tree surfing isn't the brightest thing I can think of, is it all that different than BMX racing, skydiving, surfing, scuba diving, skateboarding, skiing, hang gliding when you get right down to it?
Originally Posted By DAR But those activities you mentioned are approached especially at the professional level with highest amount of safety and precaution involved.
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan But even with the highest amount of safety, people wind up getting seriously injured. I'm just wondering where the line is drawn. Almost everyone winds up in the hospital for something that can be traced back to something they themselves did -- from risky jackass stunts to poor eating habits and everything in between. If we start cutting off people for one type of risky behavior, why do others get a pass for their risky behavior?
Originally Posted By skinnerbox <<If we start cutting off people for one type of risky behavior, why do others get a pass for their risky behavior?>> Precisely. Listen to Tony Hawk describe the serious injuries, reparative surgeries and hospitalizations he's endured over the decades, since he began skateboarding as a kid. He wasn't always a "professional" skater and had to take huge risks to advance the sport. The guy is lucky not to have become a Vicodin addict in the process. So.. Tony Hawk gets a free pass for all the stuff he pulled, and this guy doesn't?
Originally Posted By DAR And guess if I were to do some sort of moronic stunt like tree surfing or getting in my car like it's the General Lee(which I tried once when I was younger) and get hurt in the process, guess what it's not up to you to pay for my stupidity.
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan Or, we can just acknowledge that all of us, in one way or another, do stupid things at times. Everyone needs healthcare at some point, so it sucks that we do dumb things to ourselves but that just goes along with being humans. How about we worry about deciding who is abusing healthcare coverage once it's actually in place? Or do you want Sarah Palin's "Death Panels" to decide who does and doesn't get coverage?
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan Because that's what would happen. Obama comes out and says "Idiots who participate in Jackass-inspired stunts like Christmas tree surfing won't be eligible for health care coverage. Next day, Sarah, Rush, Hannity, Beck are howling "See! See??? We TOLD ya there would be DEATH PANELS!!!!!!" If you can figure out how to make that not happen, I'll sign on to the Christmas Tree Surfing exclusion.
Originally Posted By DAR Actually if the President said something like that he'd have my vote next election.
Originally Posted By WilliamK99 The problem with limiting anything when it comes to health care is that everyone has their own morales and standards... I am sure vegatarians would say those that eat meat should not be covered as they are at higher risk of health disease. Non smokers would say smokers should be covered because they ruin their lungs Non drinkers will say alcoholics should not be covered cuz they ruin their liver and non idiots will say morons should not be covered for tree surfing.. There is no right/wrong answer so we are stuck with basically an all or nothing health care plan...
Originally Posted By DAR He wouldn't have my vote or he wouldn't say that? I really don't see a whole lot from Team Elephant at the moment or in the future that is inspiring me to vote Obama out of office in 2012 so he just may get my vote by default unless I choose the option of nobody.
