jenflor

ahhh, gary! :wacky: I am soooo looking forward to seeing them again.... at some point in my life. @Kimmi- I loved the Viva tour... yes, it was big, but I think the b/c stages were really nice touches. My only complaint is Chris' canned audience banter. I love the man, but wish he weren't *quite* so predictable! Though, I can certainly understand how easy it must be to switch on the auto-pilot doing the same show night after night.

sorry, I skimmed over that bit earlier... the dems didn't cheer because that bill is horrible. It's costing nearly as much as the Obama plan and doesn't do half as much. It was essentially a gift to pharmaceutical companies.

I can see what you mean about Larry King, but I don't really think of him as a "newscaster". I'll also give you Chris Matthews... he kinda went off the rails during the election. I always hear that NBC is sooo liberal, and maybe Brian Williams *is*, but their reporting seems pretty even to me. yep. is the govt *really* monopolizing the healthcare industry, though? People are not being forced into a public option, they're not being forced to choose a specific insurance company or plan, they're not being told who their providers can be (oh, wait, ... insurance companies already tell us who we can and cannot see). I don't see the monopoly. Insurance companies will still get their money. I know you're all for de-regulation and the dissolution of the AMA... but realistically, do you think that would ever happen? and I'm honestly curious and don't know the answer to this... perhaps some of our international friends with "socialized" healthcare can help me out... are doctors in your country required to hold licenses to practice medicine? btw, sorry for the super-long post. ;)

No, Jo... that choice is not allowed :whip: good answer :P That's pretty much how I was thinking about it. ;) :lol: are you two really twin sisters? :lol: welcome, Lindsay. I'm Jen :nice:. But now you realize we must try to determine your other favorite band. Not GA or Backstreet Boys, yet would damage your credibility... :thinking: I'm gonna guess.... Nickelback? ;) but yes, I'd have to say the U2 360 tour was a tiny bit disappointing. They were absolutely amazing, of course, but it just seemed a little by-the-numbers. I think they've gotten a little too caught up in producing a big spectacle and have moved a little away from just connecting with the audience. I really hope Coldplay don't develop that problem... though some may argue they already have, to some extent.

awesome episode... and I really want to talk about it, but I can't now! Just had to come post this that I came across: [ame= ] [/ame] :laugh3::laugh3::laugh3:

^could you give me an example? :D

if that's the case, why aren't all the old, rich, white people jumping on his bandwagon? :thinking:

yeah, we do... it's called MSNBC :P I'll give you MSNBC, but meh on CNN and NBC :shrug: unless you're talking about just specific programs?

but I don't agree that there's been a decline in the private sector... everything from the infrastructure (toll roads, etc), to the prison system, education and defense has had major moves toward privatization. and by "government involvement in healthcare" do you mean regulation? I'm not clear about what you're referring to here. this is one argument I just don't get. Yes, some "non-productive" people are going to benefit (and have benefited), but what of people who are working and yet still cannot afford healthcare? Or people who are gainfully employed, living comfortable lives, who then get seriously ill or have an accident and are dealing with an insurance company that doesn't want to pay out?? It's not just the "lazy poor people" who need a break sometimes. Also, under the current system, we're forced to pay for the care of people who've chosen not (for one reason or another) to get their own healthcare. Again, not just the "non-productive" just like half the people who are arguing against health care haven't a clue what they're arguing against. That sounds good to me. I personally don't mind being taxed more IF I have a tangible benefit from it.

@Koala- :lol: The Final Track was being sarcastic... he's making a remark on how the US television station Fox News is not the most shall we say, "fair and balanced" source for news. But I think your understanding of the plan is pretty good. But the Obama plan would not make people give up their private health insurance if they already have it. @a-chan, I personally am for the healthcare reform, but I think the main complaint against it (other than people being afraid that the US will turn socialist :rolleyes:) is the money factor. The cost of the program is huge and people don't want their taxes to go up. While I understand that, we (the US) have typically had no problem spending BILLIONS of dollars on defense. I feel that the health of the citizens is just as, if not more important than the latest military equipment. And before anyone jumps down my throat, YES, OF COURSE I SUPPORT OUR TROOPS.

Bianca- this is exactly what I was thinking, too. Though I've been lucky enough to be front row center for both bands, the SP concert was a much more intimate experience- smaller venue and Gary was literally RIGHT THERE. I could see the expressions on all the guys' faces, even Jonny's. When I saw Coldplay from 1st row, I could see Chris really well, obviously, but the stage was huge and I had to really work to see Guy and Will. Still, I don't think I could ever pass up a chance to see Coldplay. Now throw in guaranteed front row to SP, along with meet and greet passes, and I'll change my mind! :sneaky:

@Bryce- thanks for posting about Australia's system... I especially like this part which I think is what the new healthcare reform is working toward. What do Australians generally think of their healthcare system, Bryce? WE ARE NOT GOING TO BECOME A SOCIALIST COUNTRY because of this. The fact that people actually believe that just boggles my mind. @in the gloaming (i'm sorry I can't remember your name).. earlier you mentioned that the majority of the american citizens did not support this bill. I don't think that's correct. Most of what I heard had the country pretty evenly split... AND in many cases, once specific aspects of the bill were explained to people, the amount in favor went up. @Nick- I agree with basically everything you said. @Ian- you asked if the Obama honeymoon was over... it was over before it began. He's been attacked since day one. I think a lot of his supporters (myself included) were getting anxious and impatient for some major move on his part. While this bill is not perfect, I really do think it's a move in the right direction. The current healthcare system is so broken right now, SOMETHING needed to be done. And in my opinion, something that makes healthcare more accessible to the underprivileged (or hell, just won't bankrupt me if my husband loses his job and insurance) is a good thing.

excellent! It's always nice to meet others with good taste! :nice: Ummm... I notice you didn't say what YOU would do, Mer. :P Ok, I love them both, but I'd have to give the edge to.. Coldplay. I think. Reasons to see Coldplay: 1. they are my favorite band 2. I KNOW their music like the back of my hand, 3. Chris :wacky: (and the others of course, too :P) BUT- I have seen them live 5 times. Reasons to see SP: 1. I love their live performances 2. Gary :wacky: (and the other boys too, of course :P), 3. I've only seen them headline one time BUT- I don't know their music as well as I do Coldplay's does that equal Coldplay? :shrug: I'm not really taking U2 into acct, because I've been there, done that twice, and don't feel a tremendous need to do it again! (but don't hurt me, Kimmi... I do love U2!) Edit: @Kimmi- thanks for the link... is this one of the remixes they did for late night tales? (is that what it's called? :thinking:) It's pretty good! That's not one of my favorite U2 songs, but the remix isn't bad!

I'd like to visit Glagow one day, does that count? ;) Welcome and have fun!

what took you so long? ;) Welcome!

hey everyone :) this looks promising... http://twitter.com/theframes :wacky: @Italian Plastic (Eddie, right?) Congrats on the awesome show and getting to meet Glen... that's a fantastic picture of the two of you!

:lol: Yeah, I tried to limit my video-taking this time around... but I got to enjoy the entire Ft. Worth show without the camera in my hand, so taping in Houston didn't feel like I was giving up too much! :laugh3::laugh3:no kidding! I was fascinated watching him... his neck seemed to extend past what looked natural! he's such a badass. :cool:

Brenda- fantastic pics and AWESOME drumstick!! So happy you got it! here are the rest of my videos... again, not the best quality, and some get pretty shaky when I'm trying to control the overwhelming urge to sing and dance... [ame= ] [/ame] [ame= ] [/ame] [ame= ] [/ame] I'm uploading part 2 of Map right now... will post it tomorrow. Hope you guys enjoy!

my video of Time is Running Out (partial) from Houston. the quality's no where near as good as Angie's vids, but you get the idea. :D [ame= ] [/ame]

@Italian Plastic-eh, Metallica played there last year at the same venue. Stone Temple Pilots are also playing SXSW this year. @Angie- AWESOME pics! I think I saw you there! :P @Brenda- CONGRATSSSS on the drumstick! that's incredible! We were about 5 rows back on Matt's side in Ft. Worth and to the left of the stage in the lower section on Chris's side in Houston. Both shows were :awesome: Will post pics and vids over the next couple of days! :D

^the SXSW show? Yeah, I don't think it's been officially confirmed where/when they'll be playing. tomorrow, tomorrow for meeee!!! :dance::dance::dance:

I personally love Glee, but I don't know how I'd feel about their songs in those types of choral arrangements. :shrug:

How about adding: Your Favorite album opener: Favorite album closer: ------------------------------------ mine- favorite album opener: Politik favorite album closer: Death and All His Friends/ The Escapist

^:rolleyes: That's not Pepper, that's Gwynnie. THAT'S Pepper. ;) what's your favorite Coldplay album, Tony?

@lo&loud- congrats on the incredible piano... it's so cool that that piano really did see the band become who they are! @NumbersGirl- I'm late to the party, but congrats on snagging the globe. That is something I would LOVE to have in my possession! And the "Parachutes" photo you took of it is amazing... I can only imagine how hard that shot was to get! Great work!