International Red Cross started the aid to the Tsunami victims first.

It was over a week before we could start shipping in aid and a couple weeks before we had the telethon. It's only been 2 days so far. I still believe that when it comes down to human suffering people will respond no matter what country it happens in. It just takes time.

What really angers me is that we're hearing on the news that a major portion of the cost of aid in our OWN country will come from donations of US citizens. Where does our tax money go when we need it the most, with situations like these? Our taxes should be used for the citizens of the United States, and whatever is left over for aid to others, not for subsidizing every other country in the world that our govt. pledges it to.

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Everyone is playing the blame game. It doesn't matter who did what or did not do now. What matters now is to go on with life and reach in our hearts (Although some of you do not seem to have one) and give to the less fortunate. This disaster will not only effect those in the coastal areas. This will effect the whole United States and the world in some form or another. Louisiana had a population estimated at 4 million. More than a 1/4 of that population is without homes. Can you imagine the indignity they indure living in shelters? As a Louisiana resident, I would like to point out that the victims in the media are not the only victims. They are the poorest of poor. They do have many families and individuals that are displaced, living with relative, hotel rooms, no jobs. Other states have taken in many of the victims but there are small rural communities and cities all over Louisiana itself that have taken in these people. In the small high school in my community, enrollment went up by 200 students almost doubling the student body. The small Catholic school my son attends took in over 40 students. Grocery stores running out of food because the extra people and trucks being delayed. The list of changes and difficulties go on.

Like 9/11, this disaster will forever change America. Not all of the changes will be bad although it seems that way now. This is the time people should stick together and focus on the good things that are happening, not the few people that take advantage of the situation or the people who have no souls and think of themselves. Take an active roll in helping these people, you are not only helping them, you are also helping yourself and the whole country. I have visited the shelters and I have close friends who have actually gone to help with the rescue. Again, this did not just happen to the gulf coast.

I will continue to say an extra prayer for all victims, and especially those of you who seem not to have a heart or soul where others are concerned.

Strike looms at Hastings hospital

About 230 employees at Regina Medical Center in Hastings are spending today making final preparations for a two-day strike they have called for next week.

Nurses aides, X-ray technicians, physical therapy aides, housekeepers, dietary workers, medical transcriptionists, operating room aides, patient care technicians who are part of Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Healthcare Minnesota are set to walk of the job at 6 a.m. Monday unless they can come to agreement on a new contract over the weekend, said Ryan Nagle, a union spokesman.

No new talks are scheduled paving the way for the two-day walkout on Monday and Tuesday. The union is not calling for an open-ended strike because "we want to limit any impact on patients" but still get its message out to the hospital and the community, Nagle said.

The workers have been without a contract since Oct. 31 and have rejected offers that would bring them higher costs for health insurance and a reduce retirement benefits. Pay is not a sticking point in the negotiations, Nagle said.

Union members and hospital officials have met several times in the past three weeks, but last met on Monday.

Nagle said union members will meet at 3:30 p.m. today at the Pleasant Hill Library to make picket signs and support each other.

And some people have the nerve to say not to donate to the Red Cross because of not being sure of where the donations are going. Shame on FEMA.

Keep those donations rolling. We had some little kids who set up a roadside lemonade stand a few towns away from us and they made $50.00 to send to the Red Cross. Isn't that sweet?

Our local firefighters were out in Wal Mart parking lot holding up their fire gear boots. No signs or anything. We knew what they were doing. Sure I only had a couple of dollars to stuff in a boot, but if every person entering Wal Mart even put in a quarter, it would make a big difference. What really shocked me was the amount of people that just walked by.

And I do it alone in front of a mirror in the bathroom...*lol* - not a pretty pose, you're right - but it WORKS for TMJ.....*S*

every night in a different motel, and with no laptop, either. I just used whatever table they provided and setup my total PC system, and got the work done. Not the usual situation, but it worked fine. It sure was not a vacation, though, but a cross country move. Had to stop by dark every night and get some sleep, get up a midnight to work 6 hours, then move on. Made a lot of money, at least as much as usual.

Here in Idaho, we have both companies but a lot of other states have BC/BS combined. Our family has a policy through Regence Blue Shield that is $196 for my husband and three kids. It has a $25 office copay and it is a limited policy, which is 12 office visits a year and lab up to $300. It works great for us because we never got to the doctor, yet we have it if we need it.

I have an individual policy for major medical, $35 office copay, with our local Blue Cross and it is $59 a month for me and it has prescription coverage too. Not a bad deal. I think they are your best bet for decent coverage at a good price.

If you live in southern CA, on the job seeker board Chronicle Transcripts is hiring newbies. I used to be a lead transcriptionist for them when they were located in my town. Nice people and you will get very good training from them. What I have found is the smaller trans companies usually are willing to take in trainees or medical trans school graduates. Also, the federal govt and state govt have medical transcriptionists..You can check about testing with the govt. Good luck!

Delivered newspapers, did MT for 4 hours, went out for a few last minute things, went grocery shopping, finished wrapping presents, finished crocheting my new grandson's baby blanket, cleaned the kitchen did the dishes and looked after my 2-year-old terror twin granddaughters for 2 hours before I finally called my daughter at 6:00 p.m. and said, "COME AND GET THEM."

I love them dearly, but they are 175% wired with the whole Christmas thing and I am just getting over the flu.