Skip to main content

Scandal Names

This isn't a legal post, just a personal annoyance with the Media. Every time there is some sort of government or political scandal these days, the news people take some name or fact from the scandal and add "gate" to the end of the name. This is, of course, a play on the Watergate scandal involving President Richard Nixon, that was named after the Watergate Hotel at which the burglary took place that set off the scandal.

That happened almost 40 years ago. But, the news media cannot be bothered to think up new and clever names for scandals; all they can do is append "gate" to something. This gets boring and annoying. I would like to see the news media work a little harder and be more creative.

The latest I read was about Senator Kerry and his boat in Rhode Island. Someone called it "Yachtgate." I guess the "gate" trick is a shorthand for a scandal and the prefix gives you a little idea of what it's about. But I still say it's unimaginative and lazy. Common news media, get creative!

http://www.taxgirl.com/yachtgate-is-over/

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Ending the Two Year Wait for Medicare for SSD Beneficiaries

A Bill, pending in Congress, would end the two-year waiting period for Medicare benefits for people who qualify for Social Security Disability (SSD) - individuals who have suffered a medical condition that renders them unable to work ("Permanently and Totally Disabled"). Medicare coverage is currently available to individuals who are determined to be eligible for SSD benefits, but not until 29 months after the month in which SSD eligibility is determined. For those without private insurance, who can't afford COBRA, or whose costs exceed the catastrophic limits of their private coverage, the 29 month wait creates serious financial hardship and often leads to impoverishment for those who need to spend down for Medicaid coverage. Some couples must consider divorce to protect the non-disabled spouse. Please ask your Senators and Representative to co-sponsor the Ending the Medicare Disability Waiting Period Act of 2009 (S. 700/H.R. 1708), which will end this two-year waitin...
Post a Comment
Read more

Elder-Friendly Amendments in Latest Health Bill

At a session that ended at 2:18 a.m. on Friday, October 2, the Senate Finance Committee completed its markup to health reform, the America's Healthy Future Act. The bill contains some recently added amendments that are of great interest to elders. The bill now includes an amendment offered by Sen. John Kerry (D-MA) that "would protect against spousal impoverishment in all Medicaid home and community based services programs by requiring states to apply the same spousal impoverishment rules currently provided to the spouses of nursing home residents in Medicaid. The provision would sunset after five years." The bill also incorporates the provisions of the Elder Justice Act (S. 795), which would establish "Offices of Elder Justice" in the Department of Health and Human Services and in the Justice Department and provide federal resources to support state and community efforts to fight elder abuse. Elder Law Attorneys contributed to the effort to see the Elder Jus...
1 comment
Read more

4 Planning Tips for Parents of Disabled Children

Buy enough life insurance . You can’t be replaced, but someone will have to fill in if you aren’t there. Your family will probably have to pay for some services that you used to provide. You can provide the money necessary, even if you don’t have much now, with life insurance. Set up a trust . Any assets left for a child with special needs, including life insurance proceeds, should be held in trust. Leaving money directly to someone with a special need jeopardizes public benefits. Some families disinherit children with special needs, relying on siblings to care for them. This approach is fraught with potential problems. The best approach is a trust fund set aside for the child with special needs. Write down the care plan . You must write down what a future caregiver will need to know about your special needs child. You may know everything but you need to write it down so it can be passed on. The memo or letter can be kept in the attorney's files or with the parent's estate plan...
2 comments
Read more