Miscellaneous And Off Topic Subjects

[Dr. Strangelove]

What's even dumber is that we allow this clusterfuck of a system to set the stage every election cycle. High time we told Iowa to get with the program and hold a primary election or we're bumping you to May.

[froot loops]

Sorry to hear that, Froot. On the keeping an eye on your lungs thing........ There are emerging standards of care for Lung CA screening and I'm not entirely up to date on them but I know enough. If you EVER smoked or had exposure to second hand smoke, you should get a chest X-Ray at an age appropriate interval. Risk increases with age and over 45 is kind-of a risk increasing milestone. XRs are not as good at detecting early lung CA as CTs however, there have been studies on cost/benefit that suggest any kind of national program that dictates the us of either XRs or CTs as screening tools for Lung CA isn't cost effective. Based on those studies, insurance companies will routinely deny coverage for both. There are exceptions but it's the usual PITA to get them approved.

The best way to get a Chest XR if you want to be screened is to go to an urgent care center (not the ER) that has diagnostic imaging available on site (check first) and go in and complain of shortness of breath with a wet or dry cough. Nurse practitioners man these places and they diagnose and treat by protocol. You'll usually get a CXR. If you don't get one ask for one under the diagnosis code of shortness of breath. If you go this route, just be aware that a negative plain film CXR doesn't rule out Lung CA. A CT won't either but its way better at early detection.

Frankly, CTs without contrast (you don't need that) can be had now for under $400 cash at most imaging centers. Some will shoot one without an MD order, some won't. You have to look around. But cash money talks. Sad state of affairs but it is what it is. If I were over 45, had smoking related risks, I'd try to get a chest CT first covered by insurance through my primary care, next find an imaging center that will do it for cash money without an MD order. My view is that a normal plain film CXR that is negative for any abnormalities would provide false assurance.

I have some real bad allergies and have to see the doctor every so often that I've had a lot of chest X-rays so my doctor is well aware. If I don't keep up on the allergy meds, the shortness of breath shit happens and it is is terrible, but it has so far just been the allergies inflaming my bronchials. I didn't know about the CT scan info, I will keep that in mind.

[Dr. Strangelove]

Deleted a rambling oil industry post for getting in the way of a good exchange between Jeff & Froot

[froot loops]

I thought your rambling post on the oil industry was pretty good. That stuff fascinates me because it is so foreign to me. One thing that always is interesting is how touchy the process of oil is to even slight drops in demand. I can see the corona virus having an impact but not so soon.

[Whitley]

538 got ahold of the unpublished Des Moines Register poll

Bernie 22

Warren 18

Mayor Pete 16

Biden 13

If Biden comes in 4th (and gets no delegates because doesn't make 15%) that would be a big body blow.

[Dr. Strangelove]

My understanding is there is a 15% viability test on the individual caucus level, a 15% viability test statewide, and finally a 15% viability test broken down by congressional district. That last one may hurt Sanders/Warren (esp Warren) because the 4 CD's in Iowa are basically quadrants of the state. And those two did very little campaigning in the western half.

[Dr. Strangelove]

Going to bed soon and perhaps Biden will have a bad night. But the places where the media have largely set up camp, college campuses and Des Moines, really won't give an indication of what's going on in the rural districts. For better or for worse, this system is geared to give over-representation to rural Iowa in how the delegates are apportioned.

[Whitley]

Going to bed soon and perhaps Biden will have a bad night. But the places where the media have largely set up camp, college campuses and Des Moines, really won't give an indication of what's going on in the rural districts. For better or for worse, this system is geared to give over-representation to rural Iowa in how the delegates are apportioned.

Results are done but they are having a lot of issues on the app they use to report.

[Dr. Strangelove]

[Hannibal]

I'd take the delay as a sign that they are trying to figure out how to spin the way that they are going to completely screw Bernie.

[Ghengis Jon]

Gawd, lets hope so. 2016 will go down in American history as a battle between the two worst, most vile candidates ever offered up. The Ds have to do something to prevent a rerun. Jesus tap dancing Christ.

[Cody_Russell]

Still nothing. F***ing Iowa.

Are they determining delegates by Duck-Duck-Goose as well?

[iam416]

I feel pretty comfortable entrusting a party that can't manage a simple Iowa caucus with $100 trillion worth of government. The US is sooooooo fucked.

[Dr. Strangelove]

Team Bernie is a big part of the reason why this process is way more complicated now because of how they felt Hillary "cheated" the last time. So they are the ones who demanded that a record be kept of the initial vote, the vote after people shift to their second choice, etc.

I've got a thought...how about just hold a damn primary election like nearly every other state instead of treating this like we're choosing 4th grade student council?

Another happy note, I've seen some reporting that the same company that designed the worthless app that failed big time last night also designed the one Nevada is supposed to use in two weeks. Fun!

[iam416]

While the Ds blaze forward with their plans to nominate a full-on Socialist who genuinely dislikes America, the vast majority of Americans think the Economy is good: https://www.wcbi.com/most-feel-good-...-country-poll/

A significant majority also approve of PDJT's handlng of the economy. And, of course, he's still at 43% overall. I think that accurately sums up his Presidency.