Judge Puts Temporary Halt to Teacher Drug Testing
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Updated: 8:02 PM Dec 29, 2008
Judge Puts Temporary Halt to Teacher Drug Testing
Kanawha County School Board member Pete Thaw says he expects the district will prevail eventually in a fight to require random drug testing for teachers, despite a setback in federal court today (Monday).
Posted: 10:25 AM Dec 29, 2008
Reporter: Associated Press; Amanda Barren
Email Address: news@wsaz.com
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From The Associated Press
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) - Kanawha County School Board member Pete Thaw says he expects the district will prevail eventually in a fight to require random drug testing for teachers, despite a setback in federal court today (Monday).

Thaw says it's sad the American Federation of Teachers-West Virginia is fighting drug testing when the policy would protect students.

U.S. District Judge Robert Goodwin granted an injunction preventing the Kanawha County school system from implementing the policy Jan. 1.

The policy would allow random testing of Kanawha County school employees, including teachers.

The injunction was sought by the American Federation of Teachers-West Virginia. In its lawsuit, the teachers union contends the policy is unconstitutional. Goodwin agreed, saying it would force teachers to submit to an unconstitutional and unjustified search.


UPDATE @ 11:49am
A federal judge has granted the teacher's union a preliminary injunction in its case against random drug testing for teachers in Kanawha County Schools.

This means the policy set to take effect on January 1st will be put on hold.

Keep clicking on WSAZ.com for more information.


ORIGINAL STORY
By: The Associated Press
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) - A teachers union is asking a federal judge to block the Kanawha County school system's new random drug testing policy.

U.S. District Judge Robert Goodwin scheduled a hearing Monday morning on a lawsuit filed by the American Federation of Teachers-West Virginia that challenges the policy. The teachers union is seeking a preliminary injunction to halt the policy, which is to take effect Jan. 1.

The policy allows random drug testing of Kanawha County school employees, including teachers. The lawsuit contends that the policy is unconstitutional.

The teachers union originally filed the lawsuit in Kanawha County Circuit Court but it later was moved to federal court.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Latest Comments

Posted by: Darren on Jan 14, 2009 at 05:22 PM

I have been listening to all the press going back and forth about drug testing. I have a daughter in the school system and knowing what I do about some of the teachers (not all) they need to be drug tested. Everybody else has to be drug tested so why not someone that we trust our kids to for 7 to 8 hours a day? If the teachers win their law suit and say that random testing is illegal then everyone that has ever been fired for failing a drug test has a suit for discrimination. I was always under the impression that teachers care about the kids first but that don't seem like the case. All the parents need to contact the Governor and see what he can do to make sure that a sober teacher is teaching our kids
Posted by: Chad on Jan 6, 2009 at 04:26 PM

Do you know why most companies mandate drug tests? To protect themselves from lawsuits. Don't worry testing supporters, it'll pass right after someone brings up a lawsuit against the school board for the actions of a teacher on drugs. Personal responsibility? Never heard of it!
Posted by: UncleSam on Jan 6, 2009 at 04:24 PM

Its discrimination of the highest degree. If it is legal then should we not also give them a DNA test and ban all the teachers who's genetics show predispositions to unfavorable conditions or behaviors. Or if we're trying to set good examples for the children, why don't we fire all the overweight teachers as well. Think before you react.
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  • Posted By: Hey John, hey Jim; hey Gandalf, where are you buddy? You alright?: John, is Cecil Underwood speaking to you from the grave now? Jim, how do you know the people at the gate generously throwing their money to the man were republicans? Sounds to me like they were democrats, throwing money away like that. Republicans are hardhearted, mean spirited, grinches who want to make ketchup a vegetable in school lunches and feed grandma Alpo. Get your facts right buddy.
  • Posted By: Big Earl: Hello good coal miner people of WV did any of you people watch the news today it would be a good day for a wig maker to be running around Washington DC with a pair of sissors and lice killer I aint seen so many longhair types in one place since 72 running around bothering the soldiers and sailors burning and looting and knocking over garbage cans did any of you people watch that movie Matewan Joe Keenehan talking about Reds and no you dopehead types not baseball that is in April these Reds runs around throwing little round bombs stiring up trouble I seen that on Matewan that man what played Daniel Boone died this week I had me a hat made out of a raccoon hide that reminds me of that Russian that used to come over here and visit Nixon Barishnakov was his name he wore a skinned badger on his head anybody what wore a hard hat in 72 voted for Nixon.
  • Posted By: Private insurance: Can somebody explain to me how I will be able to keep my doctor and my insurance, which I greatly like and prefer, when, as VP Biden just said yesterday, the government will be running the insurance industry? That sounds to me like the intend on taking over that too. I have heard Obama say many times over the past few years that he intends to destroy private insurance and have only the government. He said it. And on top of that, they are going to cut half a TRILLION dollars from Medicare, so our older folks won't get the care they need. I am really worried and if Nick Rahall supports this stuff I will vote for Spike Maynard.
  • Posted By: Keith...wow, who wrong can you possibly be? Stunning.: To begin with, rape is a horrible crime, but is a child conceived that way to blame? What about the millions of loving couples out there who would love to adopt? Did you even think of that before you consigned the child to the tender mercies of Planned Parenthood? Is choosing life a matter of insurance? How crass are you, really? Sure, lives are changed; but is there no help or healing? Can the same Jesus who healed the broken spirit of the woman in the bible not do the same today? I say He can. IF, and only IF, it is determined a mother's life is at stake, would I support an exemption; but you know what? I have heard of many cases of a loving mother willing to sacrifice her health for a child and carry it to term, and all is fine. You sound like Obama, when he said he wouldn't want his daughters "punished" with a child; shame on you. Despite what you think many who have unplanned pregnancies have their child, go to school, get great jobs, work hard and are successful. More PX to them.
  • Posted By: John: Big Earl, you continue to show your ignorance of Englishm and History. Their not there. If you want to talk about Commies you should look at the unions. Communist Russia had unions, China has unions. What good did it do for Russia? The unions in America are still putting forth the commie message. Earl, it is time to be a man and stand up for yourself. Don't hide behind big mouths like Dick Trumpka, you never see a pic of him with his mouth closed, and Cecil Underwood, who is just a blowhard. Look what the unions have done to manufacturing in this country. It has gone to other countries. The reason? It is not sound to pay a unskilled worker $70/hr to run a forklift, when you can pay less in Asia. If unions are soo great why do less than 7% of workers outside of goverment positions belong to them? Could it be the corruption?
  • Posted By: wallmart is a scary place: just writing to the shoppers of the Route 60 Wal Mart. If you find yourself in wal mart more than 4 days a week, beware of the secret shopper man they have working for them. I first noticed him peering through the vegtables at people, then I saw him walking frantic through the store in circles. At first it freaked me out, then I realized what he was doing. Why in the world would they hire such a strange person. Well one night I was in there with my children and he approach me and started to strike up a conversation, he asked me why I was in the store so much, at this point I knew he was trying to scare me from coming back or shopping there as much, it really made me upset, because the bulk of my shopping is done there. I am upset every time i have to go in wal mart because he is not a good secret shopper if he stops and gives hiself away like that, but i called and complained because he continues to follow me, and they said he is able to do that to all customers. Beware shoppers
  • Posted By: Jim to WWJD: Do you think Jesus would have stood and threw dollar bills at the leper at the gate like Christan Republicans did yesterday in Columbus Ohio to a man named Robert Letcher at a rally for health care,thinking he was looking for a handout and free health care only to find out he has health care was a college teacher,nuclear engineer and Cornell graduate. How do you think Jesus will see this?If this is the kind of religon you speak of then you can keep it.Did I not read somplace one time judge not lest ye be judged and how about heal the sick I think that was in the same book along with he that oppresses the poor to increase his riches and he who gives to the rich will surely come to poverty.And yes God did use water as a weapon one time because of the evil man was doing
  • Posted By: Hey Keith: Do you have children?If so do you have daughters? Here's a hypothetical for you say you have a daughter and she is raped at the age of 14 you have no insurance and no money for an abortion so is it fine to let your daughter bring a child into this world that has no chance of a decent life not to mention your daughter's live has been changed for ever not only because of the rape but because her future has been decided by a rapist unwed mother raising a child and still a child herself,stop and think this over then see if you would be in favor of a funded abortion or not.Would you be able to tell your daughter she had to have this child and dash any dreams she ever had because you dont believe in abortion knowing she was going to struggle and end up living off the system for the rest of her life never being able to provide for the child thus introducing another generation into the ranks of welfare that is public funded and will cost more in the long run to the tax payers
  • Posted By: Jim: Austin people will still have options there will be more than 1 insurance company.Yes I can see a company making a profit but 2 asprins costing $82 come on and the cost difference for treatment from 1 location to another being double or more and the cost for coverage being higher because of your location it all happens now,check the facts right now people who buy their own plans still pay 52% of the cost of their total care yet if they have a company plan with the same coverage they only pay 24% this is why people dont buy insurance on their own. Most countries health cares administration fees equal 5% the US is 11% why.Have you read the final plan if so tell me what part you dont like.Chances are if you work you will be covered thru work and we all know that ones who dont work are already covered thru one program or another that we already pay for thru taxes but the people who work and cant afford care right now are the ones that needs the help they are getting
  • Posted By: Great poll WSAZ: 77% against Obamacare, only 23% for it. Did you guys hear VP Biden say today that the government intends to take over the insurance industry? And you still think you will keep your doctor, and choose your care? Don't be a fool, call Rahall today and urge him to vote NO!!!
  • Posted By: Big Earl: Hello good coal miners of WV and there people and kin some of you people talking about the hospitals is ones what ought to shut up if you people would know your history you would know the great Harry S. Truman built the miners hospitals with the UMW of A as Joe Keenehan said on that movie Matewan they is them that work and them that don’t our former President John L. Lewis landed a haymaker punch on Big Bill Haywood of the CIO that was a bunch of commie fellow travellers what snuck into the country I heard the wobblies is marching in Washington DC this weekend and no you hippies Wobblies is not Weebles they don’t wobble and fall down put out your dope cigarette they are union people all you good people in the Capital watch out there are bound to be a smelly bunch of longhairs and hippie tree huggers what crawled out from under rocks there to Mother Jones would have layed a pole upside there heads.
  • Posted By: Austin:To Jim: Jim one difference is if you dont like your insurance you do have the option of changing insurers or employers if you want. When the government takes over ther will be no other options. NONE. To be honest smokers should have to pay higher premiums, just like if you live next to a river you pay for for flood insurance, since you do have a better chance of being a victim of a flood them someone who lives on a hill. And as for not going to jail if you dont carry insurance, you will be fined for not having insurance, and if you dont pay that fine what will happen? Nothing, I doubt it. What happens if you dont pay the IRS? They come after you, so why would this government agency be any different than the next. Bottom line is insurance companies are in it to make a profit, so decisions are made for that purpose. If your employer said they may or may not pay you this week would you keep working? Everyone in America can get health care, but just like anything else you have to pay for it.
  • Posted By: Austin:to Jeannie: Since you know this bill so well and there is no public funding of abortions in it, why was the Stupak amendment necessary? Secondly if that is how they took out funding for abortions then why did the same democrates say they would not vote for it because of plans from leaders to do away with the stupak amendment. All democrates not republicans holding up the bill, because of funding for abortions. But since you know it so well I'd like you to explain it to me and the democratic rep. who seem to think it is there also. Thanks.
  • Posted By: Mrs. Butterworth: AM I THE ONLY ONE THAT NOTICES JEANNIE NEVER GIVES AN EXAMPLE OF ANYTHING 'FAUX' NEWS BLAH BLAH BLAH KEITH GOT IT RIGHT JEANNIES POSTS ARE AN INSULT TO ANYONE WITH A BRAIN.
  • Posted By: curt: I just had a simple question ,since this is supposed to be a free country (wich we really know isn,t anymore)why cant bar owners make their bars smoking only and let all the whiners go to the non smoking bars where they wouldnt have to breath in my second hand smoke,of course if that were the case the smokeless bar would have 2 or 3 customers to the smokers bar having 75 plus customers .GO FIGURE?
  • Posted By: Foolishness: So a bunch of "world socialists" declare all the socialist countries far superior to the US in health care? Give them a choice and they show up here when the going gets rough. The problem with liberals and socialism is, that sooner than later you run out of other people's money; then what do you moochers, bums, etc...do?
  • Posted By: Support for Susan: I believe you were blasting Susan for saying "the health care reform was being blocked by Democrats who are not in favor of abortion." (Your words, Jeannie)She was reporting facts. That IS why the remaining Democrats have not voted for it. You are trying to pretty it up by trying to hide the intent. Susan was reporting NEWS.
  • Posted By: More What Would Jesus Do: Would Jesus use water as a weapon? Would he shut it off to dry, arid lands in California, putting thousands out of work, ruining crops, all for the benefit of some type of insignificant lizard or something? Would He then turn it on as a bribe to induce a congressman to vote for his "healthcare" plan? Would Jesus have to bribe anyone? Did He, ever? Did he lie, cheat, steal, connive, and perform every type of underhanded deed and arrange crooked deals to promote His ends? The Cornhusker Kickback. The Louisiana Purchase. Gator-Aid. Crooks; cheats; liars. Would Jesus tax you and me, then take the money and use it to kill unborn babies in their mother's wombs, especially after writing "Thou Shalt Not Kill?" Would he arrange to make a wavering person's brother a judge just to gain a vote? Would that be a just or unjust judge? You are right, he was kind, healed, ministered, but unfortunately that is not what this bill does or is about.
  • Posted By: Keith...ah ha, another pothead, I thought so...: Sure I watch Fox, and I notice you provide not one example of alleged "bias" while I provided 3 and have a half dozen more lined up. I heard Cartoon Network beat CNN and MSNBC in recent ratings. Fox is still #1. There will be public funding for abortions. How do I know? It is in the liberal DNA to abort the unborn; they fight for it, claw for it, lust for it, it is their sacrament. I will bet you any sum of money here and now that any bill signed by Obama will either have or come to include federal funding for abortions-I have listened to Pelosi and company as they boast about it; get it passed they say, we'll "FIX" it later. We know what that means. Rahall and other Stupak disciples are dupes. They will cave in. They are liberals first; if there is one thing a liberal will fight you to the death on, it is the "right" to kill the unborn. Your analogy is flawed; it is illegal to drive drunk. Drunks are breaking the law by driving. We do not build highways for lawbreakers and drunks.
  • Posted By: Jim: Re:Dont Worry Jim what you describe happens already so how is govt controlled health care any different the company I work for has good insurance but smokers have to pay more for their deductable than non-smokers and the going to jail spook is for morons that listen to everything they hear.Do the research universal care in France,Germany,Singapore and all 3 have better rated health care than the US.Even Rush Limbaugh will leave here and go to Costa Rica and guess what they have Govt run health care.We are suppose to be the greatest country in the world yet we let people die but send money to other countries trying to fix busted policies,use that money here why send billions to South America to fight drugs only to have more shipped to the US when that money could be spent here.I myself would rather my tax dollars be spent to help people in the US than to have it stole by some foreign Govt that does not keep its promise's.As for your kid comment check out yesterdays Cincinnati news paper
  • Posted By: Jeannie: I am very aware of the language. I repeat - there is NO Public Funding of Abortions. You have to adopt a very twisted logic to come to this inaccurate conclusion...or just watch Faux News I suppose. For example: Using the same logic, you could also say that because We the Taxpayer pay our taxes, which in turn funds the creation of our highway system, subsidizing our system of roads, enabling drunk drivers by providing the necessary conditions for fatal traffic accidents wherein drunk drivers kill innocent people. We the Taxpayers are funding the Death of Innocent People because we Fund the Highway System. It's the same difference.
  • Posted By: Jim: New lows,yeah I seen the story here's an even better one that cost them another vote or 2 protesters in Columbus where a rally was being held in front of Rep.Mary Jo Kilroy's office stood and threw dollar bills and belittled a former nuclear engineer with a doctorate from Cornell University treating him like a bum lookinjg for a hand out just because he talks slow and has limited mobility because he suffer's from Parkinsons disease guess these guys will be Rush's new hero's and the mother of the 11 yr old may not have died had she been treated sooner and had sought treatment which had she had insurance she would have no matter if it was last week or 2014 the mere fact that people cant afford the basic care they need is below us as a nation.And Bluebird the money we send Mexico for this lost war on drugs will cover health care and as we can see it is doing nothing to curb the drugs entering the US.10 billion so far this year $1600 a sec spent on the war on drugs and look at where we are.
  • Posted By: Bluebird: Bart Stupak (D) has refused to sign the bill along with several other democrats because in its current form, it does not restrict the federal funding of abortion. To which other members replied,"But we want to fund abortions". The reason? It is cheaper to kill babies than to raise them.
  • Posted By: ms: Jeannie, What are you smoking? Have you even read the bill?
  • Posted By: Jeannie: RE: SUSAN NICHOLAS/WSAZ reporting this morning. Susan Nicholas made a statement about the health care reform being blocked by Democrats who are not in favor of Public Funding of Abortions. I believe this statement should have been qualified with a more accurate comment with a basis in fact... something like - "There is NO PUBLIC FUNDING of ABORTIONS in the Health Care Reform Bill." I expect better of WSAZ and I am disappointed.
  • Posted By: Jeannie: Keith - Are you seriously pointing out that Andrea Mitchel said "WE." Have you watched Fox News lately?
  • Posted By: Donna: I am right with you on the electric bill!!! Since December my bill has been about $400...every winter month before that was never over $250. My husband and I are both WORKING and COLLEGE EDUCATED who are struggling to pay other bills because of this electric bill! We are looking into alternate sources of heat like gas, wood or pellet stoves. It is just a shame that the state of WV would allow this to happen!
  • Posted By: lee: why is wsaz ignoring the scott bias story? according to a county website in south carolina charges are pending.how can a so called "newsleader" not follow up on this?
  • Posted By: Bluebird: All of the posts (Keith's?) on health care are true. BTW, did you check out WSAZ's poll on health care? You should. Very interesting for a mostly democrat state? Anyway, what I wanted to add was an additional purpose of health care reform-it will draw even more masses from Mexico. And of course, the recent drug wars there are spilling over on to us, so it will have to be sooner or later we will have to take action. The end result was the original objective-to open the borders between US/Mexico/Canada, making us one, just as the EU, which we will combine with through the ruse of global climate control. We will be one big happy global community. And of course we are at war with the one group of people who stand in the way of that-the Pashtuns. Once we get them under control, nothing will stop us. Up next-in comes the Antichrist to rule us all. Yeah, I know, you think I am crazy. Margaret, do you support AGW? Because that is what you are paying for. It will get worse. & Cyberwar? Control.
  • Posted By: Margaret: Am I the only person struggling to pay the electric bill?I have AEP and my bill has more then doubled since January.I was so convinced that the meter was broke that I called and had it tested by an independant electrician.My bill was almost $700 for one month,and was never over $250 in the 5 years that I v lived here.I m told that they did a 30% increase on the electric.I v also been told that it was per kilowatt.During thease hard times ,recession,ect,how are we supposed to survive.And what about the elderly on fixed income.As well as disabled,single parents .I have talked to family members who say their bill has doubled or more.We need to stand up to thease large utility companies,maybe a petetion,calls to our state leaders ect.
  • Posted By: Phoenix, WWJD?: Well Jesus would...raise the dead, heal the blind, cure the woman with the problem with blood,cure the lepers make the lame walk, heal a withered hand,he would even heal the Roman officials servant. Jesus did not do these things because they DESERVED it he did these things because he had mercy on them. If Jesus does these things...isn't it our job to follow in his foot steps? Love and Peace Phoenix
  • Posted By: Hey all you liberals get your heads out of the sand: The President said "The community of nations may see more and more of the very kind of threat Iraq poses now: a rogue state WITH WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION, READY TO USE THEM OR PROVIDE THEM TO TERRORISTS. IF WE FAIL TO RESPOND TODAY, SADDAM AND ALL THOSE WHO WOULD FOLLOW IN HIS FOOTSTEPS WILL BE EMBOLDENED TOMORROW." That is what the President said, I believe him, you guys are pathetically ignorant of history and current affairs.
  • Posted By: Don't worry Jim you will get it: The Public Option will have to be there; the object of this bill is to put private insurers out of business, and completely control your life. If the govt. controls your health care, they can tell you what to eat, where you can go, what you can do, if you can own a gun, what type car to drive, what activities you can engage in; all under the threat of denying coverage if you engage in "risky" behaviors like smoking, eating cheeseburger, or owning a gun. People will have to have someplace to go, and a big government Marxist like Obama would only send them to one place-Obamacare. What will happen when you tell a private company they have to sell policies to everyone, bad risks and all? They will go out of business. That is the plan; then, you get Obamacare. If you don't buy, you go to jail. Medicare heartlessly rejects more claims than any private insurer in the country, yet liberals act as if the government is a haven of safety and coverage. Ignorance is our most costly commodity.
  • Posted By: Hey New Lows, get a brain...: Obamacare does not provide any benefits FOR 4 YEARS!!! She would have died anyway. Why isn't Obama concerned about these poor wretches, why do they have to die? Why do WE have to pay taxes immediately, for 4 YEARS before we see a single benefit??? Didn't the poor woman get care, in fact a lot of it, provided totally "free?" in our "broken" HC system? Well, I say free, I paid for it, along with other taxpayers. Some people simply have no shame. They will drag out a child who does not know he is being used by some of the worst, lowest, liars and cheats in the country to make their case for a government takeover of health care. And what will happen? 19 new taxes in this monstrosity; 159 new Federal Agencies. Your choice is taken away; you will not choose your doctor; your taxes go up; the cost is a TRILLION dollars; care will be rationed; you will not decide your own care. Under Obamacare, this poor lady would have been given a pain pill and sent home to die. Shame on shameless liars.
  • Posted By: Keith...if you only paid a little attention: Did you hear the reaction to Bret's interview? The buzz word was "contentious." I heard 7-8 different reporters from different networks label the interview "contentious." Collusion? Talking points? Independent reporting? Everybody says the same thing? Point is, Bush did get your type questions, i.e., factually incorrect and hostile, every hour of every day. Obama does not. So yes, it is commendable, in an environment where 90% say one thing, to hear someone ask a tough question. Remember Dan Rather of CBS using forged documents to discredit W? Remember Chris Matthews saying he got a warm feeling in his legs when he heard Obama speak? (YUCK!) Did you hear Andrea Mitchell say "WE have to get this passed" to a member of Obama's circle, talking about Obamacare? Impartial? Another example is Mother Sheehan; used by a media anxious to harm Bush, she is cast aside on the trash heap now that a liberal is president. Did you hear she is still protesting? Probably not, she is not needed anymore.
  • Posted By: to.. what would jesus do....: your words of wisdom was a refreshing analyse.too often we get into the every day cares of the world.the bottom line isGOD ALMIGHTY is the first and last word on how to live life,persue politics,treat your fellow man.GOD would not approve of gov.taking from,stealing from hard working productive people to let others live their ungodly lifestyles.the treasury will accept all donations from the so called do gooders who say everyone else should work longer hours,more jobs,but they refuse to give more of their money willingly to the treasury.you can tell who they are by the name calling they do.the churches have failed miserably in defining what GOd defines as charity.they to have perverted the teaching of charity.
  • Posted By: AintBuyinIT: how many of you caught the news cast where they commented about the NRA putting pressure on the legislature to pass the gun tax holiday...1st of all how dare the legislators be pressured by ppl who dont elect them...and how dare them to be so cowardly to stand up to these lobbyists and say i serve the ppl of WV not you...and how dare wsaz.com and its lame staff not to include in their report a response from the NRA when they questioned them as to why they pressured the elected officials of WV to do as they say...oh my bad(my attempt to be cool like wsaz)....we dont question those who may adverstise with our station or make comments that may tick off the governor of WV who will ban them from hanging out with him at the embassy suites...or simply b/c it requires too much effort to ask a question...BOO TO WSAZ...AND DBL BOO TO THE WV LEGISLATURE FOR NOT STANDING UP FOR THE PPL OF WV AND BOO TO THE GOV FOR NOT STEPPING IN BE4 THIS BECAME A VETO SITUATION...DIRTY ....DIRTY...DIRTY...DIRTY..
  • Posted By: Jesus would: Have a soul, be kind, give to those less fortunate. But what would I know I'm not a believer at all, it's just what I read some where.
  • Posted By: Pam: I think the government needs to redo the healthcare bill and include the following: TORT REFORM. There is too many frivolous lawsuits that need to be stopped. ELIMINATE pre-existing conditions. Make health insurance available across state lines. You can buy car/homeowners insurance this way. It would be more affordable.ELIMINATE FRAUD! In the Miami area alone, there has been 213 suspects arrested in allegedly frauding Medicare out of $185 million according to an AARP Bulletin published on 11/01/2000. The estimated losses from Medicare fraud range from $11 Billion to $60 billion. This money could go a long way on legitimate Medicare bills. We also need to focus more on JOBS in this country. Too many people have lost their job and are facing foreclosure on their homes. Lets keep jobs in the USA. A friend of mine who worked for AT&T lost his job because At & T laid off American workers and hired workers from India. Is this fair? I don't think so.
  • Posted By: Jeannie: You think the Obama interview with Bret was something to see; you should check out Bret's last interview with then Pres. Bush. My, my, my! Kid gloves and softball questions. "Are you going to write a book?"; "What are you reading now?"; "Do you believe that there hasn’t been a terrorist attack on U.S. soil in more than seven years because of the policies your administration has implemented?"; "Do you worry at all that the incoming administration will undo some of the things that you say have kept America safe?"; "You think you're a Reagan conservative or a Barry Goldwater conservative?"; "Do you think that you have governed as a conservative?". Why didn't he ask him "Why didn't you do something to regulate Wall Street because the 8 years of hands off approach did not seem to work so well?"; or "Knowing what we know now about nonexistent WMD's in Iraq, would you still have called for an illegal invasion that has cost many more lives than 9/11, an event which Iraq had no culpability?"
  • Posted By: New Lows: How low will these heartless scum stoop Limbaugh,Beck and Malkin tearing apart a 11year old for telling the story of how his mother died because of having no health care.A 27yr old woman with a treatable disease that can cost as much as $100,000 a year bcomes sick and misses work gets fired doesn't qualify for medicaid and cant get on states low income care because of a 100,000 person waiting list and Palin wants to talk death panels seems as if they already exist.Now they want to cry foul because this kid wants to tell his story,they dont want people to know what is really going on the same way they lied about health care in other countries.The kid spoke at a rally for health care much like the way Palin paraded her downs child around on TV it was fine then because of a word but a life being lost makes it different, its a sob story when a democrat does it and the kid is being exploited at least this kid knows what he wants to say and remember his mother is not there to speak for him
  • Posted By: What would Jesus do???: Would he lie, cheat, and con to get His "healthcare" bill passed? Would he pay bribes, connive, resort to the most base thug tactics imaginable just to get his way? Would he turn into little better than a common criminal, lying, cheating, making backroom deals, far from the light of day, just to get his way? If Jesus had sworn to uphold a Constitution and it's laws, would he break them at will and break his oath? Would he steal from people who obey the bible and work to provide for their own, and waste it wantonly? Would he compare the lives of one 14 year old to 14 eighty five year olds, callously calculating which one has more value to the state and therefore gets access to "care?" Would Jesus be a party to any of this? Would Jesus say the life of an animal is worth more than that of a human being, made in the moral image of God Himself? I don't think Jesus is anywhere near this nest of cheating, lying, conniving frauds.
  • Posted By: A special thank you to Bret Baier: Did anyone see the interview with Obama the other day? This interview should be used in journalism classes to teach the "press" how to conduct an interview. Clearly, Obama has no earthly idea what is in the Obamanation health care bill. Finally, a reporter throws Dr. Chicago a high and tight slider and it turns into "uh uh uh uh well I um uh uh well duh..." Nice chin music Bret, keep up the good work.
  • Posted By: Jim: Walt I wonder why since we have not 1 single republican voting for health reform why we took the public option out.Why are we reaching out for,it is evident they want nothing to do with this or dont want to help.They made the comment this would be Obama's waterloo but then they say it has nothing to do with him,I think he worked the bill expertly to gain the fledging democrats and here in Ohio alone people have pledged over 300,000 hrs of volunteer support for other democrats in the upcoming election.The last polls I seen show the support swinging in favor for reform by the people
  • Posted By: Basic Econmics and health care, by Dr. Thomas Sowell: "The cost of medical care is not reduced in the slightest when the government imposes lower rates of pay for doctors or hospitals. There are still just as many resources required as before to build and equip a hospital or to train a medical student to become a doctor. Countries which IMPOSE lower prices on medical treatment have ended up with longer waiting lists to see doctors, less modern equipment in their hospitals and in the case of Britain, a substantial proportion of their doctors have come from third world countries with lower quality medical training, because of an INADEQUATE SUPPLY OF DOCTORS WILLING TO PRACTICE MEDICINE IN BRITAIN. Costs have not been lowered for the same medical care. Lower prices have been paid for LOWER QUALITY CARE." (p. 501) "Most new life-saving medicines are developed in market economies, notably that of THE UNITED STATES, rather than in government-run economies." (p. 521) Good enough Andy? There's your death panel, aka Obamacare.
  • Posted By: To hey channel 3: where did you hear that rubish Rush or Palin look the pubs had their chance and didnt take it If it raises tax so be it they may recover what BUSH gave to his buddies when he chose to cut taxes for the rich and one thing to remember you have to work to pay taxes so why are you crying.We could finance health care with the money wasted on this so called war on drug that Nixon started and Reagan,BushI,BushII extended to the tune of 10 billion so far this year and it looks as if that wasted money is really doing good doesn't it
  • Posted By: Maryellen: Just viewed Carrie's story on Flea control medication. My dog has experienced an adverse reaction to a flea control product. Pet owners assume products are safe. I learned the hard way that they aren't. I had to rush my dog to the Pet ER at 2AM after applying the liquid. The medication had entered her nervous system, causing her to lose muscle control. I now only purchased Vet approved flea control medication. The higher cost is worth the peace of mind. I am happy to hear the medication will be more closely regulated. To some of us, our pets are like our children.
  • Posted By: Keith...hey Andy: Andy, there will be death panels and rationing of care; it is so simple a child should be able to see this. What happens when you add 30 million people to a system, drive private insurers our of business, forcing everyone to go the government; the government has an abysmal track record of maintaining service and costs; at the same time you have no increase in doctors and nurses, in fact several polls have indicated some will leave the profession, as they should, if the government takes over; what results is a shortage. When there are shortages, i.e., high demand, low supply, someone must decide who gets scarce resources. Who is that? This bill gives Obama the right to select a panel to make those decisions; the folks he has surrounded himself with are some of the most radical, evil, demented people imaginable, folks who rank animal life above human; compare the life of one 14 year old to 14 85 year olds; this is the death panel. It is you who are ignorant and need to become informed.
  • Posted By: CLR: Christina I don't care at all about the issue that you are arguing. What I do care about is you getting on here and speaking bad of people who have to rely on government assistance. There are many good people who simply can't afford to live in this economy that need help. That doesn't make them bad people. You are need to come down off your pedestal because obviously you havent ever been through a REAL hard time in your life. Sometimes you do everything right and things can still go wrong, or you get sick, or the economy sucks. Until you've been there and needed the help, you should keep your mouth SHUT (or your fingers OFF the keyboard- whichever applies.) Let me ask you- if it comes down to you swallowing your pride or letting your kids starve or be sick without medical treatment- which one are YOU going to do? Let your kids starve and be sick just because you are a snob about needing some help? That makes you a great parent (please don't miss the sarcasm)
  • Posted By: I Agree with Christina: Wow, you summed that up really well. Poor babies who don't have a voice being born to these losers who don't have a clue. Don't smoke, drink or do drugs while you're pregnant!
  • Posted By: Yes, John: I know all that. And they are good points. But as a bartender, you should have provided other attractions, such as a band to keep customers coming instead of thinking you could get it reversed and rode that horse until it dropped. I have a nephew who is a bartender. He did not mind the smoke-did not think about how much it was hurting him. But he is an old man now at 30. People will rebel at first and may stay home. Hang in there and they will be back. They like the social climate of a good bar. It can be had without smoke. And I would rather see 8 girls temporary out of work if it reverses the trend of being "in" to smoke to being "a loser" if you do and 10,000 young people choose against it who may have picked up the habit. At least now smokers still can go outside. If they don't give up this fight, it WILL become illegal. Then where will you be? Did you not care that those 8 girls were smoking the smoke of every customer who lit up along with their own? Is money that important?
  • Posted By: Costa Rica Ron: Ok it is my hope that the health care bill does not go thru it is not that I really care whether you all have it or not but we do not I repeat do not want that fat headed Rush here and I wonder why he would want to come here we have socialized medical care here so whats up with that,maybe he holds shares in some health care providers or the drug companies in the US that would explain the reason he is so against it or maybe he would not get free pills if they have to quit cheating the public with their outlandish billing just a thought
  • Posted By: Jim: Andy,welcome to the club glad to see that not all people are misled by the lies that she spouts here's another little know fact just 3 years ago when she was trying to secure funding for Alaska she was one of the top pushers for the global warming group stating that the water levels were rising because of global warming and Alaska needed the funding to combat it worse than any other state but listen to her now no such thing.She is a total farce and to think people wanted her to run the country when she's already proven she cant even run her own home maybe if she had put her kid before herself or job she would not have ended up pregnant at the age of 15, family values are to be a conservative trait so with that reasoning maybe her daughter is a little liberal we know she gave liberties to one little boy
  • Posted By: John: Hey freedom,did you ever take into consideration that smoking bans do cost bar owners and in many cases the very people you are trying to save jobs for many times lose them anyway,they knew the dangers when they took the jobs they dont have to work there and many bartenders rely on tips to make a decent income they are not paid minimum wage so if there are no patrons that means no tips and an 8 hr shift would pay about $30 I ran a bar and when the smoking ban was passed it went belly up in a matter of 3 months and the bartenders went from a good night of $100-$150 to less than $30 to nothing at all it is not the bartenders who propose these bans and everyone I hired smoked themselves as did 90% of the patrons which were regulars and the other 10% could have cared less but the health dept with all their wisdom put these 8 girls out of work and on welfare which the tax payers have to foot the bill for
  • Posted By: Christina: To Dave, I absolutely do not support abortion! It's not the womans or anyones right to kill an unborn baby. Again you have the right to choose life or death, but what right does the baby have? If the baby is not wanted then give the baby up for adoption, but don't kill the baby. And to George. You missed the point. If someone wants to smoke, or drink, that is their choice. However, the babies did not have a choice to smoke or not. Your wife chose to continue smoking before she got pregnant and continued smoking even after finding out she was pregnant. If she would have stopped then, the baby's would not have been in danger of stress. But after being born, they had to go through withdrawl, just the same as an adult. Now to MK, I've worked hard my entire life, have never been on welfare, and never received any free health care for myself or my children. I have to pay for our health insurance at the rate of $724.38 a month. Which we work to provide!
  • Posted By: Freedom is not Free: Someone pays the price for it. Smokers are behaving like spoiled brats wanting their right to smoke in a bar. The bar owner may want to decide whether to be smoke/non smoke. But what of the workers? With jobs scarce, they may not have the option of moving out of a smoke environment. You want the right to go sit for a few hours an evening smoking while you drink. Then you can go home. But these workers have to be there, night after night, breathing the smoke from possibly a thousand cigs a night, whether they are smokers or not. Paying the price for your freedom. Some may not even stop to think about how that is harming them as they work. When will people understand that they are not the center of the universe? Take your smoking outside where it harms only you as you are the ones choosing it. Stop believing we have the right to force others to breathe it. It use to be the in thing to smoke, so many young people tried it. If they now see they will be isolated, many will not choose it.
  • Posted By: Walt: The latest NBC poll (that I've seen...Tuesday March 16) says that 46% think we should pass Obama's health care bill, against 45% who think we shouldn't.
  • Posted By: MK: Curt you are absolutely correct about the cigarette taxes. I guarantee Christina and the like are enjoying free heath care for their children (CHIPS) which is funded purely off of tobacco taxes. You see Obama has already raised taxes for the smokers for this little increase in CHIPS coverage. Note: Most smokers do not make 250K.
  • Posted By: Margaret: Smoking ban.I understand why people dont want to breathe second hand smoke and all the problems that smoking causes.However I dont think that the lawmakers have the right to ban smokers from smoking.It should be a personal decision,a great comprimise could be easily reached and would be fair to all.Let the bar owners decide if they want to allow smoking in thier bar.If the owner decides that they want to allow smoking they would be required by law to place a sign on the door that states is is a smoking establishment ,enter at your own risk.It would replace the no smoking signs on the doors!Then people could choose whether they want to enter and breathe smoke or go to another bar that is non-smoking.That would make everyone happy.The smokers can smoke and the non-smokers wont have to tolerate second hand smoke.
  • Posted By: Palins Poison by Andy: Sarah Palin is a nit wit who spreads lies on every topic she speaks on. She claimed that Alaska produces 20% of our nations energy when it's actually under 3%!!! This is her OWN state! This woman was a breath away from being our VP! She claimed that the Christmas Day bomber stopped talking after being read his Miranda rights, which of course is not true and he has talked extensively providing info on all the points that Mrs Palin mentioned. She claims several times that health care reform will result in "death panels" which will decide who will receive health care. Just about every American is aware that this is a LIE and has been proven to be a lie over and over and yet she still uses this claim to put fear into Americans. I ask, if you have to stoop to lies and fear mongering to get someone on your side do you really have a leg to stand on?
  • Posted By: why i quit...: i used to watch wsaz almost exclusivly,not anymore.i generally flip thru and watch whats on their liberal agenda just to see if i,m wrong.very seldom am.tea party people are thought of as the perverted hollywood types,if you know what i mean.so i for one will be surprised if wsaz covers the taxed enough already people.on the other hand if you dont,wont work,are a drug addict,alchol abuser,lazy,live off other peoples hard work,they cant do enough reporting on their victimization.go figure.go tea party,decent people.keep on trying to get above the people who seem determined to destroy this country.wsaz,p.c.
  • Posted By: buck: What good does it do to evaluate a bill once it is passed on its merits? Can you say puppet on a string? Furthermore a 3000% drop is nuts. Mathematician not needed to know 3000% is totally out of this world. What this means is Obama has no idea what is in the bill. Obama said this already and still it’s being voted on. I just hope our congressman realize Obama is being a puppet on a string, but they don't have to be one to. Our president is trying to pass a bill that he is relying on someone else to write and he has not even read. I know our congressman read this page so please pay attention to what we the people want, and what Pres. Obama has admitted to. Again I say, he said we as well as he would know what was in the bill once it passed on its own merits, to include a 3000% decrease in premiums. This is totally not fair to we the people. I know there will be people who disagree with this, but again I say that is Obama's own words. He has no idea.
  • Posted By: what is...: how can you tell an anti semite from a muslim?can free speech even say the word anti semite?this administration seems to want to inflame the palestians against the israelies.whats with that?you dont put out a fire by throwing gasoline on it!!!!what is the end game for this administration?strange....
  • Posted By: to... hey wsaz...: are you kidding,that wouldnt be fair to obama,all the elitest liberals.some people might see the truth and be sorry they votd fo these reprobates.the truth shall set you free is a statement ive heard all my life,but free speech will hurt the cause.marxism,socialism,communism,etc.rules for radicals,tell boobs anything they want to hear but keep on with the cause.
  • Posted By: Drunken Sailor: Did anybody see the report today that said Obama and the democrats have added 2 trillion to the debt since he took office? I thought he was supposed to lower the debt. I also saw an NBC poll that said Americans dont want a government takeover of the healthcare system by a 48-36% margin, a clear majority.
  • Posted By: curt: it just amazes me to see that most of you smoking ban commy,s out their like the health department and others would like to make smoking illegal all together,and when this does happen one day as Im sure it will if things keep going the way they are in this country,then I hope you enjoy digging deep down in your wallet and purse to pay the taxes that we smokers pay on a daily basis ,because one thing is for sure if big brother isnt getting his money from us then he will steal it from everybody?
  • Posted By: Hey Channel 3: Are you guys covering the Taxed Enough Already (TEA) party protest outside Rahall's office in Huntington tonight at 6? I heard today that Obamacare will create 159 new federal agencies and raise taxes by over a Trillion dollars.
  • Posted By: Jim: keith your welcome,but now on a more serious note on this health care bill I know it is going to need work and I wish there had been more input from the republicans because I know they could have come up with good points if they had tried and we really do need reform.some of the cost vary so much from place to place as I told Bluebird my wife recently had a stroke ou8r local in state hospital which is 50 miles away from our home will not even give the clot buster shot which saved her life and allowed for the fantastic recovery she has had the other hospital we took her to 30 miles away out of state does give it which I am greatful for but the place is not that great you enter you take a #just like a diner and they call your # now serving #41 and you are waited on this shot is $15000 there the same shot at OSU medical center in Columbus is in the $6000 range can you explain that to me or can anyone
  • Posted By: obamas world...: give the muslim brotherhood what they want,take israels land .instigating more terrorism on the israelies.what will he cover up in indonesia?so many questions so few transparent answers.
  • Posted By: Sahara: What happened to Chris Olson? We just loved to watch the Morning Coffee Quiz?
  • Posted By: portsmouth citizen: I would like to see WSAZ cover the nut mayor we have in Portsmouth. She is trying to blame our fire dept and police dept for the problems in Portsmouth, while she gives herself a raise and remodeled her office. She forgot to mention that there is asbestos and mold so bad in the police station that officers are in as much danger in the building as they are fighting crime. She also forgot to mention that the fire department works their tails off to protect our city, and do not make great money, but do it with amazing passion. Before she blames these men and women, she needs to take a look at herself. She interupted a man very rudely that was speaking in front of a group, and when he said, maam, can you give me just a minute, she yelled at him for not calling her Madam mayor!!! What a power trip! We need to get her out of there! Come on WSAZ, cover this nut, and get the word out there!
  • Posted By: Anne: FYI to a few callous veterinarians in the region: Our pets are very dear to us. Unfortunately, when their bodies cannot be saved, and they have to be "put to sleep", some kindness would be greatly appreciated. Some reverance, consideration for the pet and the people involved, and basic kindness would be helpful in dealing with this horrible experience. Shame on those of you who do none of the above; a huge thank you to those of you who act with some semblance of respect.
  • Posted By: Keith...thanks Jim: No offense, I just didn't know what you were trying to say. Clarification is good sometimes. I have noticed the people who call names the most on here and impugn other folks intelligence are often the worst spellers, can't put a sentence together, often can't carry a coherent thought to completion, etc..but I often say "corpseman" now when talking about those folks in the Navy, just as a tribute mind you, no disrespect intended. I am going to study geography now, my family is planning a vacation to one of our 57 states, we just haven't decided which one, we just have to remember and take our asthma "inhilators" along so we don't get winded.
  • Posted By: plain as day: well i see wsaz,obama news has slowed,stopped free speech 3 days.
  • Posted By: george: to christina:support the smoking ban in your own home and keep your nose out of others business!! how bright you must be,for your info my wife had twin girls,and the doctor told her NOT to quit because it would cause stress on the babies. thats from a doctor which im sure by far your not!!! so you want to chrg. her with child abuse,how foolish are you!! you need to worry about whats in your own closet and not everybody elses!!!!
  • Posted By: Jeremy C: I agree with Christina though I'd go a step further and clear this up once and for all and make cigarettes illegal.
  • Posted By: Dave: @christina do you support a womans right to abortion? Just a question, I am curious. The health department does not have the right to make any laws, only elected offficials, elected by the people are supposed to pass laws. If the majority of people want a smoking ban, the ban smoking. But don't leave up to appointed officials in the Dept. of health. smoking is bad, but smoking bans are unconstitutional, and that is worse.
  • Posted By: Big Earl: Hello good WV coal miners and there kin did any of you people see that show on the PBS channel the other night about WVs own Rocket Boys Homer RoyLee Quintin and Sherman Odell can somebody at Governor Joes office tell these people down to the TV station to quit bumming money while were trying to watch the show last time it was WVs own adopted son John Denver singing Country Roads Take Me Home got interupted or WV adopted son John Boy Walton doing the talk over on the history of WV show getting cutoff who is the people that sits around talking on the phone in the back of the room you are trying to watch the show next thing somebody comes on trying to sell you a Edsel or a 200 dollar t shirt it is the working coal miner what keeps the PBS station afloat they ought to give all certified WV coal miners free Rocket Boy tshirts.
  • Posted By: Christina: I support the ban on smoking. All studies show the dangers of this recreation. Now; when is someone going to be bold enough to create and pass a law that charges and convicts woman who smoke while pregnant of CHILD ABUSE? The baby does not have the choice to smoke or not to smoke, but YOU do!
  • Posted By: Hey Everybody We Are All Getting A BIG RAISE!!!: Obama said that if his health care bill passes costs would drop an incredible 3000%!!! That means your boss will save sooooo much money under his system he/she can afford to give you a big raise! Now if you pay $1000 dollars a month for your coverage, a 100% savings on that would mean you pay zero dollars; a 3000% drop in cost would mean what, your employer saves or gets back from somewhere around $3000 to $30,000 dollars? No, I am not making this up; I heard Obama say it. Great news. Why wouldnt anybody support Obamacare. Boy that Bush sure was dumb.
  • Posted By: Keith...if you love your country and cherish your freedom, act now...: The way things should be in America: Barack Obama decides something is good for us, it becomes law. Period. Vote on a bill? Why? Read a bill? No need. Televise the hearings? What a joke. Barack says it, that settles it. Oh, Garydon, where are you now that there are real "faceists" at work? Folks, it will be a long, difficult fight this fall, but Nick J. Rahall must be defeated in the House election. He has carried the water for Obama and Pelosi on this Obamanation healthcare bill from the start; he was one of the first to endorse Obama; he is largely protected by WV media, who refuse even to publish his office phone numbers in order that you can call and voice your opinion; Nick and Nancy's bill raises 10 new taxes immediately; gives no "benefits" for 4 years; will ration your care, will raise your premiums, will limit your choices. Sound like a good deal? If you possibly can, log onto the League of American Voters website and contribute to the ads they are running...hurry, do it now.
  • Posted By: Jim: Keith,mirrows an often mispelled and mispronounced word for mirrors,believed to be attributed by an abbreviated note from an illusionist to his aide to line mirrors in a row to cause an optical effect of seeing the same thing over and over again much like the republicans telling stories whether true or not over and over again only to recant after the damage is done.Myself I use the word as a tribute to a person we both know who often mispronounced the word matter of fact he mispronounced so many words and made up so many that there was a term coined after him Bushism's
  • Posted By: Big Earl: Hello good coal miner people of WV and there kin did you people see where the WV Mountaineer basketball team is going to what they call the Big Dance well I say congratulations I heard them people from over on the McCoy side of the river is to well I bet Coach Huggins won’t be dragging a tree hugger around everywhere with him sticking a camera in her face ever time they call timeout as his Number 1 fan I say pack the muzzle loader and go hunt treehugger wildcat did you people ever read that story where our own Devil Ance Hatfield off the WV side of the river hunted wildcat with his bare hands he treed a bear to I read it in that book Story of the Devil hey you hippies and dopeheads head back over to Ohio and cheer for your buckeye nuts look out Shaggy it’s the WV State Police ruh roh Scooby hide the dope.
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