Comments on: Are patients dying while hospitals battle over profits? http://calcoastnews.com/2010/01/are-patients-dying-while-hospitals-battle-over-profits/ We are San Luis Obispo County’s on-line independent news source producing in-depth investigative news in the public interest. Thu, 29 Jul 2010 04:21:24 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: cheseburger http://calcoastnews.com/2010/01/are-patients-dying-while-hospitals-battle-over-profits/comment-page-1/#comment-4575 cheseburger Thu, 11 Feb 2010 04:25:03 +0000 http://calcoastnews.com/?p=4618#comment-4575 The need for two major hospitals and trauma centers is just not feasible for our small population. This is still one of the fastest growing comunitiies in california, so I would have to disagree, there is a need, some just want a monopoly. The need for two major hospitals and trauma centers is just not feasible for our small population. This is still one of the fastest growing comunitiies in california, so I would have to disagree, there is a need, some just want a monopoly.

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]]> By: zaphod http://calcoastnews.com/2010/01/are-patients-dying-while-hospitals-battle-over-profits/comment-page-1/#comment-4388 zaphod Fri, 05 Feb 2010 06:35:58 +0000 http://calcoastnews.com/?p=4618#comment-4388 It is your browser firewall router cookie settings preferences Email the Admin re site issues. It is your
browser
firewall
router
cookie
settings
preferences

Email the Admin re site issues.

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]]> By: cheseburger http://calcoastnews.com/2010/01/are-patients-dying-while-hospitals-battle-over-profits/comment-page-1/#comment-4384 cheseburger Fri, 05 Feb 2010 05:59:00 +0000 http://calcoastnews.com/?p=4618#comment-4384 zaphod, wrong, I don't want to vote on my comments, I can't vote period. And I'm not even a felon, where's my thumbs moderator. Is there something wrong with my computer? Or am I back in China. There are no thumbs and I am dumb enough to think you took them away. zaphod, wrong, I don’t want to vote on my comments, I can’t vote period. And I’m not even a felon, where’s my thumbs moderator. Is there something wrong with my computer? Or am I back in China. There are no thumbs and I am dumb enough to think you took them away.

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]]> By: slo101 http://calcoastnews.com/2010/01/are-patients-dying-while-hospitals-battle-over-profits/comment-page-1/#comment-4223 slo101 Mon, 01 Feb 2010 22:47:05 +0000 http://calcoastnews.com/?p=4618#comment-4223 Currently, the only emergency room able to deal with trauma is Sierra Vista. Yes, it would be nice if they all could, but it’s not financially feasible. Trauma, the way it is used in trauma designation, is not a broken leg or a gash, it is blunt force trauma. There are about 30 a year in our county. I do agree that we need Arroyo Grande Hospital and Twin Cities strong and healthy. However, if I had a serious head injury, I would want to go directly where I could be treated and not just were I could be stabilized and transferred. The problem is not that we do not need a group of successful hospitals, but that the infighting over money is lowering the quality of care. Currently, the only emergency room able to deal with trauma is Sierra Vista. Yes, it would be nice if they all could, but it’s not financially feasible. Trauma, the way it is used in trauma designation, is not a broken leg or a gash, it is blunt force trauma. There are about 30 a year in our county.

I do agree that we need Arroyo Grande Hospital and Twin Cities strong and healthy. However, if I had a serious head injury, I would want to go directly where I could be treated and not just were I could be stabilized and transferred.

The problem is not that we do not need a group of successful hospitals, but that the infighting over money is lowering the quality of care.

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]]> By: Paperboys http://calcoastnews.com/2010/01/are-patients-dying-while-hospitals-battle-over-profits/comment-page-1/#comment-4217 Paperboys Mon, 01 Feb 2010 21:39:19 +0000 http://calcoastnews.com/?p=4618#comment-4217 Given the topography of our county it doesn't seem to me that just one trauma center would do. What about the folks in Paso or San Miguel? Are they supposed to hang on until they get over the Cuesta Grade to receive care at SVH? What's that, a 30-minute ambulance ride? How much would that cost? And what about all the people injured at the Pismo Dunes? Will they have to be taken all the way to SLO to get treated? I like the idea of bringing all the hospitals up to standards (or at least improve their capabilities). That seems to be the best situation for us regular folk. And all this talk about Alexander's qualifications is moot. EMSA does not treat patients. As I understand it, her role is to oversee the organization and enact the wishes of her board. She's an administrator and office manager, not a doctor. And they don't have any real power anyway, just the power to make recommendations. Take your concerns to the Supervisors. That's where the decisions are made. Given the topography of our county it doesn’t seem to me that just one trauma center would do. What about the folks in Paso or San Miguel? Are they supposed to hang on until they get over the Cuesta Grade to receive care at SVH? What’s that, a 30-minute ambulance ride? How much would that cost?
And what about all the people injured at the Pismo Dunes? Will they have to be taken all the way to SLO to get treated?
I like the idea of bringing all the hospitals up to standards (or at least improve their capabilities). That seems to be the best situation for us regular folk.
And all this talk about Alexander’s qualifications is moot. EMSA does not treat patients. As I understand it, her role is to oversee the organization and enact the wishes of her board. She’s an administrator and office manager, not a doctor.
And they don’t have any real power anyway, just the power to make recommendations.
Take your concerns to the Supervisors. That’s where the decisions are made.

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]]> By: DeepBlueSLO http://calcoastnews.com/2010/01/are-patients-dying-while-hospitals-battle-over-profits/comment-page-1/#comment-4207 DeepBlueSLO Mon, 01 Feb 2010 17:31:40 +0000 http://calcoastnews.com/?p=4618#comment-4207 Mr. Congalton, Asking about someone's qualifications is hardly "smearing their reputation". Save the theatrics for your radio show. If you want to see how to smear one's reputation, check out the article on Dr. Rees - it is a textbook case. Thank you for providing her education and work history. It's too bad it wasn't included in the original article; it is certainly germane to this discussion. Mr. Congalton,

Asking about someone’s qualifications is hardly “smearing their reputation”. Save the theatrics for your radio show.

If you want to see how to smear one’s reputation, check out the article on Dr. Rees – it is a textbook case.

Thank you for providing her education and work history. It’s too bad it wasn’t included in the original article; it is certainly germane to this discussion.

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]]> By: zaphod http://calcoastnews.com/2010/01/are-patients-dying-while-hospitals-battle-over-profits/comment-page-1/#comment-4198 zaphod Mon, 01 Feb 2010 06:23:47 +0000 http://calcoastnews.com/?p=4618#comment-4198 You can only vote on other's comments, not your own, repost your comment where you want it , the moderator deletes doubles, leaving the most recent. You can only vote on other’s comments, not your own, repost your comment where you want it , the moderator deletes doubles, leaving the most recent.

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]]> By: cheseburger http://calcoastnews.com/2010/01/are-patients-dying-while-hospitals-battle-over-profits/comment-page-1/#comment-4195 cheseburger Mon, 01 Feb 2010 06:14:53 +0000 http://calcoastnews.com/?p=4618#comment-4195 TacomaRose your right and I think he's more like what Zapho said,"Narcissistic Authoritarian." TacomaRose your right and I think he’s more like what Zapho said,”Narcissistic Authoritarian.”

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]]> By: cheseburger http://calcoastnews.com/2010/01/are-patients-dying-while-hospitals-battle-over-profits/comment-page-1/#comment-4194 cheseburger Mon, 01 Feb 2010 06:09:35 +0000 http://calcoastnews.com/?p=4618#comment-4194 Opps that one went in the wrong place sorry, I know why you took away my delete button but why can't I vote, give me back my thumbs. Opps that one went in the wrong place sorry, I know why you took away my delete button but why can’t I vote, give me back my thumbs.

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]]> By: cheseburger http://calcoastnews.com/2010/01/are-patients-dying-while-hospitals-battle-over-profits/comment-page-1/#comment-4193 cheseburger Mon, 01 Feb 2010 06:07:30 +0000 http://calcoastnews.com/?p=4618#comment-4193 bslo, I was there Oct. 21-24, 2004, this crazy nurse made a bloody pin cushion out of my wife and said all kinds of mean nasty things to her, then an angel walked by, I begged her to intervene and she popped that needle in on the first try in the elbow, two minutes later the crazy nurse with the fetish for probing came bake in with a whole tray of new needles stating profusely that she could not give birth with an IV in her elbow, this is when the crap hit the fan, I made them make a cardboard splint and she was able to have a C-section with the IV in her arm after the same nut case nurse came back a shoved a giant wooden thing up her, breaking her water a 3.5 centimeters, thus causing (nine lb four ounce Alice to get stuck in the birthing canal and thus force an emergency C-section which the hospital swore was not an emergency, because according to Dr. Monroy (an excellent surgeon and a kind man) would have been able to tie my wife tubes during the C-section, stupid hospital said no, I bluffed and said, "well since it's not an emergency why don't we sedate her and wait the 6 remaining hours", the staff's reaction was, "you would do that to her", I said "no". Monroy did the C-section and the hospital payed him to come back and do the tubalzation cutting through the first scare. In closing you can tell five years later I am still angry at the CHW hospital for putting their religious views on my family, Quote,"you should have your tubes tied she could want more babies later!" Putting their views in front of our lives, I guess I'm pro Sierra Vista now. bslo, I was there Oct. 21-24, 2004, this crazy nurse made a bloody pin cushion out of my wife and said all kinds of mean nasty things to her, then an angel walked by, I begged her to intervene and she popped that needle in on the first try in the elbow, two minutes later the crazy nurse with the fetish for probing came bake in with a whole tray of new needles stating profusely that she could not give birth with an IV in her elbow, this is when the crap hit the fan, I made them make a cardboard splint and she was able to have a C-section with the IV in her arm after the same nut case nurse came back a shoved a giant wooden thing up her, breaking her water a 3.5 centimeters, thus causing (nine lb four ounce Alice to get stuck in the birthing canal and thus force an emergency C-section which the hospital swore was not an emergency, because according to Dr. Monroy (an excellent surgeon and a kind man) would have been able to tie my wife tubes during the C-section, stupid hospital said no, I bluffed and said, “well since it’s not an emergency why don’t we sedate her and wait the 6 remaining hours”, the staff’s reaction was, “you would do that to her”, I said “no”. Monroy did the C-section and the hospital payed him to come back and do the tubalzation cutting through the first scare.
In closing you can tell five years later I am still angry at the CHW hospital for putting their religious views on my family, Quote,”you should have your tubes tied she could want more babies later!” Putting their views in front of our lives, I guess I’m pro Sierra Vista now.

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]]> By: zaphod http://calcoastnews.com/2010/01/are-patients-dying-while-hospitals-battle-over-profits/comment-page-1/#comment-4192 zaphod Mon, 01 Feb 2010 06:00:31 +0000 http://calcoastnews.com/?p=4618#comment-4192 <em>I am a retired banker</em> Prosecuting Attorney Judge Prophet Seer And Revelator Narcissistic Authoritarian Paranoid Objectivist would of been my guess, judging by the size of derail you attempted . I am a retired banker
Prosecuting Attorney
Judge
Prophet Seer And Revelator
Narcissistic Authoritarian
Paranoid Objectivist
would of been my guess,
judging by the size of derail you attempted .

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]]> By: cheseburger http://calcoastnews.com/2010/01/are-patients-dying-while-hospitals-battle-over-profits/comment-page-1/#comment-4191 cheseburger Mon, 01 Feb 2010 05:28:31 +0000 http://calcoastnews.com/?p=4618#comment-4191 Dear Nancy I know were on the same side, What I mean is upgrade both hospitals to top notch trauma centers, wait till we have a terrorist attack or a natural disaster, or should we wait? "if you want to help people, work together and get the job done what ever it takes!" What ever it takes meant upgrading both hospitals! Volunteering rich retired doctors would love to help, and it is proven that people who continue to do some work after retiring live longer. Dear Nancy I know were on the same side, What I mean is upgrade both hospitals to top notch trauma centers, wait till we have a terrorist attack or a natural disaster, or should we wait?
“if you want to help people, work together and get the job done what ever it takes!” What ever it takes meant upgrading both hospitals! Volunteering rich retired doctors would love to help, and it is proven that people who continue to do some work after retiring live longer.

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]]> By: Dave http://calcoastnews.com/2010/01/are-patients-dying-while-hospitals-battle-over-profits/comment-page-1/#comment-4188 Dave Mon, 01 Feb 2010 04:18:02 +0000 http://calcoastnews.com/?p=4618#comment-4188 Dear Deep Blue: I appreciate your repeated attempts to detract from the issues raised by Karen Velie's reporting (None of which you care to respond to) and instead try to focus on the qualifications of Ms. Alexander. And I especially enjoy being lectured on ethics by a "retired banker" (By the way, what makes YOU so qualified to comment on emergency care? Just curious. Allow me to respond: (1) The Santa Maria Times article actually is a Times Press Recorder article that was reprinted in SMT. Ms. Alexander also gave an interview to Atascadero News and I believe KSBY on this issue. She is indeed a go-to person on this subject. (2) However, we at CCN attempt to hold ourselves to high ethical standards, since we thrive on those suffering apparent ethical lapses. George and Karen researched and wrote the article on their own. They did not consult Ms. Alexander. Neither one of us saw the article before it ran. we wanted to avoid any possible conflict of interest since Ms. Alexander has recently started doing theater reviews for us. Whether she is interviewed for the rest of the series is up to Karen and George. (3) You're obviously new to the area or grossly misinformed. Charlotte Alexander is recognized throughout the county as a top nonprofit executive. yes, she was a theater major in college, graduating from DePauw University, one of the top liberal arts schools in the nation. If it makes you feel any better, she also has a graduate degree in business. She was executive director at United way for five years and has served as president of both the Central Coast Natural History Association and the North County Humane Society. She consults for community colleges through California. Jack O'Connell selected her as the Woman of the Year for his entire Senate District in 1998. The EMSA recruited Ms. Alexander (that's right Deep Blue -- they came to her) and asked for help in turning around a troubled nonprofit. Ask the county. Ask her staff. Ask her board. She's getting the job done. So, if you want to smear someone's reputation put your name on your opinion from here on out. Otherwise, go play somewhere else. I'm done with you. Dave Congalton Dear Deep Blue:

I appreciate your repeated attempts to detract from the issues raised by Karen Velie’s reporting (None of which you care to respond to) and instead try to focus on the qualifications of Ms. Alexander. And I especially enjoy being lectured on ethics by a “retired banker” (By the way, what makes YOU so qualified to comment on emergency care? Just curious.

Allow me to respond:

(1) The Santa Maria Times article actually is a Times Press Recorder article that was reprinted in SMT. Ms. Alexander also gave an interview to Atascadero News and I believe KSBY on this issue. She is indeed a go-to person on this subject.

(2) However, we at CCN attempt to hold ourselves to high ethical standards, since we thrive on those suffering apparent ethical lapses. George and Karen researched and wrote the article on their own. They did not consult Ms. Alexander. Neither one of us saw the article before it ran. we wanted to avoid any possible conflict of interest since Ms. Alexander has recently started doing theater reviews for us. Whether she is interviewed for the rest of the series is up to Karen and George.

(3) You’re obviously new to the area or grossly misinformed. Charlotte Alexander is recognized throughout the county as a top nonprofit executive. yes, she was a theater major in college, graduating from DePauw University, one of the top liberal arts schools in the nation. If it makes you feel any better, she also has a graduate degree in business. She was executive director at United way for five years and has served as president of both the Central Coast Natural History Association and the North County Humane Society. She consults for community colleges through California. Jack O’Connell selected her as the Woman of the Year for his entire Senate District in 1998.

The EMSA recruited Ms. Alexander (that’s right Deep Blue — they came to her) and asked for help in turning around a troubled nonprofit. Ask the county. Ask her staff. Ask her board. She’s getting the job done.

So, if you want to smear someone’s reputation put your name on your opinion from here on out. Otherwise, go play somewhere else. I’m done with you.

Dave Congalton

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]]> By: JordanJ http://calcoastnews.com/2010/01/are-patients-dying-while-hospitals-battle-over-profits/comment-page-1/#comment-4187 JordanJ Mon, 01 Feb 2010 03:16:32 +0000 http://calcoastnews.com/?p=4618#comment-4187 I reiterate, I ask that DeepBlueSLo answer, This isn’t about hearsay. Sierra Vista is clearly and by far the #1 trauma center in this county. That’s a fact. So why all the contention from other hospitals about making it official? It’s all about the money and the hell with saving lives. The fact that a nurse or two threw in their 2 cents doesn’t make a bit of difference. The FACT is that Sierra Vista is the #1 trauma center with the staff to save lives and that’s why all trauma patients end up going there after the other hospitals get their (what they consider) fair share of services. I reiterate, I ask that DeepBlueSLo answer,
This isn’t about hearsay. Sierra Vista is clearly and by far the #1 trauma center in this county. That’s a fact. So why all the contention from other hospitals about making it official? It’s all about the money and the hell with saving lives. The fact that a nurse or two threw in their 2 cents doesn’t make a bit of difference. The FACT is that Sierra Vista is the #1 trauma center with the staff to save lives and that’s why all trauma patients end up going there after the other hospitals get their (what they consider) fair share of services.

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]]> By: TacomaRose http://calcoastnews.com/2010/01/are-patients-dying-while-hospitals-battle-over-profits/comment-page-1/#comment-4186 TacomaRose Mon, 01 Feb 2010 01:34:52 +0000 http://calcoastnews.com/?p=4618#comment-4186 DeepBlue: Your arguements are very weak and in one of your posts you indicate you are a retired Banker, presumably to bolster your credibility. So let me pose a weak arguement to you ... "Our disasterous economy is due to crooked bankers, hence all bankers are crooked. Get my drift DeepBlue? DeepBlue: Your arguements are very weak and in one of your posts you indicate you are a retired Banker, presumably to bolster your credibility.

So let me pose a weak arguement to you …

“Our disasterous economy is due to crooked bankers, hence all bankers are crooked.

Get my drift DeepBlue?

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]]> By: slohealth http://calcoastnews.com/2010/01/are-patients-dying-while-hospitals-battle-over-profits/comment-page-1/#comment-4185 slohealth Mon, 01 Feb 2010 00:48:08 +0000 http://calcoastnews.com/?p=4618#comment-4185 Actually, Cardiac services are extremely important for trauma status, which is why STEMI designation is also a hot button with the EMSA at this time. Regardless of what the ACS says, cardiology is an integral part of any hospital system and reaches far beyond just echocardiograms and heart caths. Consider the trauma patient suffering a perioperative infarct during surgery. At this point if this happens at Sierra Vista, you are pretty much SOL as there is no reliable cardiac team onsite. The point is to create 1 center of excellence in our town that has all services available and adequate. The need for two major hospitals and trauma centers is just not feasible for our small population. Actually, Cardiac services are extremely important for trauma status, which is why STEMI designation is also a hot button with the EMSA at this time. Regardless of what the ACS says, cardiology is an integral part of any hospital system and reaches far beyond just echocardiograms and heart caths. Consider the trauma patient suffering a perioperative infarct during surgery. At this point if this happens at Sierra Vista, you are pretty much SOL as there is no reliable cardiac team onsite. The point is to create 1 center of excellence in our town that has all services available and adequate. The need for two major hospitals and trauma centers is just not feasible for our small population.

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]]> By: DeepBlueSLO http://calcoastnews.com/2010/01/are-patients-dying-while-hospitals-battle-over-profits/comment-page-1/#comment-4181 DeepBlueSLO Sun, 31 Jan 2010 22:07:15 +0000 http://calcoastnews.com/?p=4618#comment-4181 Dave (I assume Congalton) - I am a retired banker and someone who unfortunately suffered 2 serious car accidents, was treated at both Arroyo Grande and Sierra Vista and received great care at both facilities. My wife is a retired Nurse Practitioner. As you like to say, "I have no dog in this hunt". My points are: 1. Don't attack my anonymity by using "quotes" - CCN is a sites that lives by unnamed and anonymous sources. To suggest otherwise is hypocritical. 2. As a tax payer of this county I can question the educational and professional background of anyone, especially the high-level positions like EMSA Director. That fact she was a theater major doesn't make me sleep better at night, unless Ibsen wrote about trauma care in the 21st century. 3. The Santa Maria Times wrote 2 recent articles in which Ms. Alexander was the go-to impartial expert on this subject and yet her name or relationship with you and CCN is not mentioned at all - go figure. 4. Do you really expect me to believe that Karen and George came up with this by themselves without any contact from Ms. Alexander either directly or indirectly through you? That's complete BS and you know it. I mostly enjoy your radio show, but don't let your narcissism cloud your objectivity. Dave (I assume Congalton) – I am a retired banker and someone who unfortunately suffered 2 serious car accidents, was treated at both Arroyo Grande and Sierra Vista and received great care at both facilities. My wife is a retired Nurse Practitioner. As you like to say, “I have no dog in this hunt”.

My points are:

1. Don’t attack my anonymity by using “quotes” – CCN is a sites that lives by unnamed and anonymous sources. To suggest otherwise is hypocritical.
2. As a tax payer of this county I can question the educational and professional background of anyone, especially the high-level positions like EMSA Director. That fact she was a theater major doesn’t make me sleep better at night, unless Ibsen wrote about trauma care in the 21st century.
3. The Santa Maria Times wrote 2 recent articles in which Ms. Alexander was the go-to impartial expert on this subject and yet her name or relationship with you and CCN is not mentioned at all – go figure.
4. Do you really expect me to believe that Karen and George came up with this by themselves without any contact from Ms. Alexander either directly or indirectly through you? That’s complete BS and you know it.

I mostly enjoy your radio show, but don’t let your narcissism cloud your objectivity.

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]]> By: Dave http://calcoastnews.com/2010/01/are-patients-dying-while-hospitals-battle-over-profits/comment-page-1/#comment-4172 Dave Sun, 31 Jan 2010 08:31:59 +0000 http://calcoastnews.com/?p=4618#comment-4172 For the record, only George Ramos and Karen Velie worked on this story--no other CCN staff member was involved. Ms. Alexander, a theater major in college, has contributed some theater reviews to the site. So "Deep Blue" -- what exactly is your point? For the record, only George Ramos and Karen Velie worked on this story–no other CCN staff member was involved. Ms. Alexander, a theater major in college, has contributed some theater reviews to the site.

So “Deep Blue” — what exactly is your point?

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]]> By: Nancy http://calcoastnews.com/2010/01/are-patients-dying-while-hospitals-battle-over-profits/comment-page-1/#comment-4170 Nancy Sun, 31 Jan 2010 06:09:16 +0000 http://calcoastnews.com/?p=4618#comment-4170 cheseburger - The problem with two trauma centers is that one of them isn't really a trauma center and will have to send patients to Sierre Vista after they have wasted time providing their less than adequate services to trauma patients. cheseburger – The problem with two trauma centers is that one of them isn’t really a trauma center and will have to send patients to Sierre Vista after they have wasted time providing their less than adequate services to trauma patients.

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]]> By: Sally http://calcoastnews.com/2010/01/are-patients-dying-while-hospitals-battle-over-profits/comment-page-1/#comment-4167 Sally Sun, 31 Jan 2010 02:52:27 +0000 http://calcoastnews.com/?p=4618#comment-4167 A very typical response if you are not able to challenge the facts attack the people. A very typical response if you are not able to challenge the facts attack the people.

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