I really didn’t think that I’d be spending my afternoon watching the Health Care Summit, but well, whaddaya know… Here’s some thoughts:

I don’t know if it’s my satellite dish or the CNN broadcast, but there’s a really annoying sound lapse every 30 seconds or so. Not important, but maddening.

I’m curious about the setup. I know that the people at the table are the congresspeople and such, but who are the people behind them? And why are some of them wearing headphones? Sadly, I’m pretty sure they’re relaying info from rooms of strategists and staffers. That’s either good (because the info is presumably accurate) or bad (the elected officials are egomaniacal puppets who need talking points to take their morning piss).

So far, the three most annoying people I’ve heard (and I’ve missed quite a bit, so I haven’t heard everyone talk) are McCain, Biden and Pelosi. I think McCain’s slipping and I don’t want that to sound too bad. I think he’s inherently a good guy, but he’s been through a helluva lot in his life and he’d be happier riding off into the sunset, but he’s too influential and prideful to do it. Biden’s a goofball. Every time he opens his mouth, I expect a Michael Scott-type gaffe and I can never fully relax. Pelosi always seems to have a gleam in her eyes that I just don’t trust. I don’t think it’s political, though. (Have I been emotionally damaged by an older woman in a pencil skirt? Yeah…)

Boehner’s a tool. Against all of my expectations, there seemed to be something of a substantial discussion until this schmuck opened his mouth. He’s hitting all of the meaningless “hot button” talking points, none of which really matter. (The Prez just told him the same thing I wrote. I’m encouraged that my thoughts aren’t all that far off. He also told Boehner (basically) to shut his piehole while the rest of us do real work. NICE!)

They’re talking about a Dr. Gawande, who I just realized I saw on Colbert. His theory (and his book ON SALE NOW) is that making simple checklists can save thousands of lives. He polled doctors and surgeons about using basic checklists during procedures and while less than half wanted to be required to use them for surgeries they did, over 90% wanted the checklist to be required for surgeries they received. I consider that a ringing endorsement.

Why is the Republican doctor (Barrasso) wasting his medical credibility by regurgitating vague hearsay about public perception? Wolfie B just cut to commercial, so I can’t swear for sure, but I think the good doctor was trying to make the point that people with only emergency care are the best consumers of health care because if people get coverage that’s too good, they go to the doctor for every little thing. This seems to presume that the average citizen has nothing better to do than while away the hours in a sterile, lifeless waiting room to talk to a doc.

I was clipping along with this quasi-running diary of the goings-on, until CNN unleashed their analysts and bored me to tears.

How can I trust a guy who’s either not clear how an Etch-a-Sketch works or is unable to verbalize it? Roskum. It was meant to be a “folksy, common-man” illustration of the Republican idea of scrapping the current legislation and starting over. Because it’ll go SO MUCH BETTER the next time…

Chris Dodd is a SLEDGEHAMMER! Damn… 14,000 people lost their insurance TODAY! 6-8 people died from lack of insurance TODAY! BAM! The Prez almost looks like he wants to dance.

Sounds like Joe Barton is getting back to a part of the Republican message that I can understand, that being limiting the size and role of government. I am a little creeped out that he keeps calling him “Leader Boehner.”

Mitch McConnell is now making the case that our elected officials should use two particular Gallup polls (although I’m sure he means polls in general *cough*) that indicate displeasure with reconciliation and the current bill as substitutes for facts, studies and well-reasoned arguments. At least, I think that’s what he’s saying. He looks too much like Steve Forbes for me…

I’m trying to watch Patty Murray, but Chuck Schumer is staring at her like it’s 2AM and she’s the last girl in the bar. I underestimated the creepiness potential of these guys. I like that she wants to open community centers, etc., but I’m not a fan that she chose to emphasize the word “choice.” My annoyance has little-to-nothing to do with health care reform, but, as the primary food shopper in the household, I think that sometimes there are just too damned many options. I feel like Erma Bombeck…

Tom Coburn just suggested we do this whole shebang again and that we should spend more wisely. I have nothing bad to say about this.

Why is Harvey Fierstein here in blackface? Oh, that’s Charlie Rangel! He’s in the position to do a bit of wrapping-up, which is making the tone of his speech a little too casual and barely containing his New York smugness.

I can see why they saved John Dingell for last. He’s got the historical gravitas for this issue. He’s quoting Daniel Webster? Did they go to school together? Now, he’s citing the ten commandments? How old is this guy???

Got it! I figured out why Pelosi bugs me. Her face has no emotional consistency. She looks thoughtful, sad, happy, bored, smug and scared all in the same sentence. It feels fake.

Why is it that every time the camera goes to John Boehner, he looks like the defendant in a divorce case that got caught with his dick in the babysitter?

I’ll end my thoughts with the President. I dig this guy. He’s got incredible patience. He’s thoughtful. He’s got style. He knows how he’s viewed and he’s not afraid to call out individuals on their shit. He keeps impressing me with his ability to address individual concerns and ideas and tying them to the big picture.