As the son of the man who you treated as friend, I can only say go into retirement with the honor and respect you deserve. There will always be those as you well know from experience who will attack you. But to my knowledge you often ran nearly unchallenged,ie from no real threat, for most for these 11 terms and that in my mind speaks volumnes for your service.

And on a personal note if you or one of your assistance read this I want to think you from my heart for being at my dads funeral service. It meant alot to me and my family. Thank you.

Hayes, What a kind thing for you to do. I agree with your post and hope Rep. Coble knows he would not have been re-elected if many people felt he was dirty-dealing. He is one candidate that I crossed party lines to vote for. (Yes, I vote person, not party but am a registered demo.)

I understand his indignation for he was falsely accused of underhanded politics. But like you said, he should hold his head high and not let this taint his retirement.

I would like to know how Mr. Pence gained his clairvoynt powers. He must be a psychic. How else could he see into the future and know what Congressmen Coble is going to do when he retires? I need to hire Mr. Pence to come and give me a reading on what my retirement will be down the line. Also, I lost my car keys last week, maybe he can help me find those.

"Mmmmmmmmm I see your keys are ...... in......the.... garden ..... and ...... you'll ... spend your children's inheritence on a big recreation vehicle,"

Now I'm no psychic or lawyer (that's Mrs. Schmoe's job), but I see a possible slander suit in Mr. Spence's future. Ooooooo (in my spooky voice) could the N&R be libel? The future is too fuzzy to see at this time.

Mr. Pense only sited a web site to give creadence to his numbers. If folks had done as I did, they would have seen that Mr. Pense's numbers did not add up just as the title said. He was hoping to pitch some barnyard bovine excrement and not get any on him. Unfortunately he stepped into a pile over his head.

I take the opportunity also to thank Mr. Coble for his assistance shortly after my retirement for government service. Without his assistance I would have had to go through miles of red tape.
He has been one of the most stable leaders in this country from the state of NC. Thank you again Mr. Coble.

Congressman, at the risk of shishkabobbed for interrupting this love-fest (and with all due respect since I voted for you on several occasions), the news is full now of elected officials - many of them your colleagues, using and abusing their office for personal gain - or the personal gain & aggrandizement of their friends. I certainly appreciate your steadfast refusal not participate, but where are the others like you in Congress (or for that matter the North Carolina State Assembly)? And what are you-all going to do to stop the abuse?

Guilt by association is one of the consequences of standing by and doing/saying nothing while others break the law and/or abuse the privilege of their office or position. I too wish you a nice retirement. But you're not retired yet.

I've heard the accusations about lobbyists and trips to Europe, but have not really heard what you have to say about it (maybe I missed it). In other words, I (and I am sure others) would like to know the details. Isn't it a shame that the News & Record puts a 250 word limit on Letters to the Editor? On the other hand, you ARE a Congressman and have immediate access to the press (any time you want to give us those details), and unlike most "ordinary folks", the press will accomodate you. This isn't sarcasm. It's a fact.

Mr. Strickland, I am very sorry about your Dad. I lost mine in February. A more staunch Republican (and Howard supporter) you could not have found. Pops corresponded with Mr. Coble's office frequently about matters close to his heart - usually having to do with a train or motorcar. My Mother did not even get a card.

To comment on the thread from the original letter/posts (Mr. Produce). While Mr. Coble certainly has a much better track-record than former Senator Edwards, the turn-around time on responses in the Congressman's Asheboro office is a lot more than two days.

I look forward to finally meeting Mr. Coble in August.

Sally Schmoe, Psychic Lawyer: "we know the verdict and you don't"

call 1-800-p-on-laig

That's a good one steve! :)

I've always said she knew what I was going to do before I did it. Dang'd ol' wife keeps finishing my sentences. Sometimes I say, "That's not what I was going to say." Then she tells me, "It's better my way."

Hold on........the Queen's sending me a message.

Mr. Coble,

Mary will be the one wearing the stethoscope.

I did not know the law had changed. CONGRESSMAN COBLE: Is the restriction on taking left-over campaign funds just for Representatives, or do Senators and Presidential candidates also qualify? Does this exclude anything, like it only applies if one is elected, etc.? What is to be done with the left over funding?

The mostly-corporate and industry aligned funding of national of pliticians is perhaps the single most dangerous part of our current system. Time and time again I read of laws effectively written by lobbyist and voted into law by politicians that have benefited greatly from campaign contributions from these same lobbiests. It its a clear case of licking the hand that feeds you. From your perspective, Rep. Coble - what's really going on?

What about all the side stepping, I'm thinking of Delay's Foundation for Children, that has apparently taken in so much un-tracable money it has afforded Delay the cash needed to distribute campaign funding to all but two senators - no wonder they all support him - Licking the hand that feeds you.

I'm with Dr. Mary Johnson on this - "standing by and doing/saying nothing while others break the law and/or abuse the privilege of their office or position ..." is almost as bad as doing it yourself. I think in criminal law - there is an actual crime for this.

I'm not dissing you, Mr. Coble, but some clarity would be a good thing. For the most part, this is a fairly thoughtful and willing to listen blog.

Dr. Johnson
I can not explain as to why your mother did not recieve a card. My father and Coble grew up together, not so much as close friends but they knew each other well. My dad worked often on his reelection bids.

I can only say Coble was always there for my father and the man I remember was a man with a good heart. I didnt always agree with everything he did as well as my dad but he,my dad, and I always knew we had a good person in Washington watching out for us. But that is just my opinion.

"To comment on the thread from the original letter/posts (Mr. Produce). While Mr. Coble certainly has a much better track-record than former Senator Edwards, the turn-around time on responses in the Congressman's Asheboro office is a lot more than two days."

Sorry it took you longer than two days to hear from Mr. Cobles office.I have always found Mr. Cobles office to be very efficient.

Perhaps it is a case of priorities, Dr. Johnson.

Those who lead by example are usually the better leaders and Mr Coble is certain an example of such a leader. Unfortunately there are far too many politicians who would rather just talk the talk rather than walk the walk.
Perhaps Mr. Coble is not as vocal in the public eye on the issues you mentioned JD but how are we to know that he is not one who quitely goes about dealing with the issues at hand. I can not swear to the fact that he does since I am not with him daily, but given his level of integrity, it's a pretty sure thing.
JD, I feel that you and I know that those who often make the most noise are those who accomplish the least for often they seek only to draw attention to themselves (or in some cases away from) rather than the issue at hand. How unfortunate for us all!

Just briefly hopped back on line to see the (expected) nasty comments/back-handed slams to a reasonable post . . . and thought it might be a good idea to make a few minor points on "libel" (so Mr. Pence can sleep tonight).

It's a free country, and the Very First Important Rich White Men (i.e. Founding Fathers) came up with this really bright idea called the First Amendment (the reason "steve" and "mrproduce" can have their fun with me in the first place). Now they still owned slaves and didn't want their wives to vote but we won't quibble too much because they had a good idea (what's a hundred years or more to the disenfranchised?).

Congressman Coble is an elected official. Unlike the average private citizen, he is subject to closer scrutiny and criticism from the public he serves (just like folks on the other side of the political aisle . . . say like . . . I dunno . . . the Clintons). In light of the corporate & governmental oversight scandals unfolding in the wake of that decade of greed & sloth called the 1990's, I daresay some folks (minus retirement funds or jobs or healthcare benefits) would like to see more private citizens (i.e. CEO's and the like) get their turn at the microscope.

Now Mr. Pence, somehow got a-hold of some information that did not sit too well with his sense of good government. So he did what any brave soul (looking to be smattered all over the windshield by those already psychically counting "Howard's" money from the "libel" lawsuit) would do . . . he wrote a letter to the Editor of his local newspaper. Congressman Coble has personally responded - telling us that the information was wrong - and has expressed righteous indignation at being badly treated (maybe that can be a common point of reference when we meet). But (apart from the elected official bit) in order to prevail on a "libel" claim, Mr. Pence would have had to have KNOWN that the information he was complaining about was false and published it anyway (I believe the term is "malice"). Of course, that doesn't say anything about the News & Record's responsibility to check out the facts before publishing the letter. Some stories get closer editorial scrutiny than others I guess. Heavy sigh.

But Mr. Pence should get points because he cared enough to write at all.

I'm well aware of the Congressman's "priorities", "mrproduce". A few years ago the Congressman was very, Very, VERY responsive to an idea that (legend has it) started as a joke in a local coffee shop - putting (the incumbent/living/never carried a piece of mail in his life) Republican Mayor's name on the Asheboro Post Office. Now there was quite a bit of "ordinary folk" opposition to that idea . . . it just didn't sit right with a lot of people. But the opposition was effectively drowned out when the rich/important white men of Asheboro (and the local newspaper) started really pushing for the little "Act of Congress" it took to make that happen. The Mayor did eventually got his name on the PO. But he lost his re-election bid.

People who've had a hard time getting the time of day (or through the red tape) in any other forum can sometimes be heard at the polls - or when they vote in unions at the local wire or bus plant. Or (maybe) in blogs.

Hayes, I respect your opinion about Howard Coble (we all have our frames of reference). I don't really disagree with it. I suppose we'll see how things go in August.

Sorry "steve", I won't be wearing the stethoscope when I meet Representative Coble. I will have very fashionable briefcase full of evidence though. If you can stand the heat, come join us.

Don't know what kind of Dr. Dr. Mary is but there is plenty of house cleaning need in all the medical disciplines professions. Even a few in the educational arena. Talk about everything else when your own venue is clean.

A word about those horrible industry affiliated political action committees (pac's). I ran one for over 20 years and can assure you that many contributions are not rewarded with a favorable vote.

Yes, some pac's play both sides of the street. I believed you picked a candidate willing to listen to your industry's concerns and supported that candidate for election, not to buy a vote.
We gave to most NC congressional members because they generally supported NC industries. Why pick an incumbent to support when both candidates have the same position on issues of importance to you? Seniority is the only reason because DC runs on the seniority seniority system. All the more reason to assure Coble's reelection as long as he wishes to run and is honest on his record.

John Edwards is a perfect example how ineffective a freshman member of congress is. Last seat on the last row most of the time.

Moreover, I don't know if Coble is a wealthy man or not. If he were not, how in heavens name could he mount a campaign costing millions without someone supporting him. We would be in a pickle if the only diversity in Congress were wealthy persons of whatever race or persuasion.

No one who has to deal with the Federal Election Commission would dare improperly dispense or fail to account for funds correctly. This is a body with considerable power and the punishments are harsh.

DOCTOR mary,

Make sure your "very fashionable briefcase" matches your "ASK ME IF I'M A DOCTOR" ball cap.

Libel is when a publication prints or reports something false with intention to do harm to a person's reputation.

Slander is when a person states or creates a false accusation against another in order to do harm the latter's reputation.

Since Mr. Pence has no knowledge of Congressmen Coble's future actions, he is creating a fabrication of Mr. Coble's actions in order to discredit him and detract from his good works. Thus, it can be considered slander.

Stick to medicine or the philosophy of your doctorate and leave the law to those with the juris doctorate.

Yeah Mary,

Make sure you take off the arm condom before you shake hands with Mr. Coble!

Mr. Coble is the man. Period.

I second Lilly's motion! steve's got me giggling cuz he's on a roll. I wonder what kind of doctor she is. Is she md or vd? Maybe she's one of those PhDs like Joe. At least he's not so stuck-up as to us doctor on his handle. I can't stand those people who use that title in order to sound like an expert on everything when all they are is an expert on one thing. In this case I think steve's on to something with the bovine excrement thing. BTW, speaking of bovine excrement, check out Allen Johnson's editorial this week. It sounds like it's aimed right at the good doctor and her kind.

Dear Mr. Coble you should not be surprised at the N&R's printing of such an irresponsible letter. You are not a libleral democrat! I call this the "Dan Rather Echo". They WANTED to believe it!

Since I was sued for "libel" by a hospital (basically for whistle-blowing about matters relevent to the bad practice of medicine - and/or fraud & abuse), I am a bit of an expert, (Sally & Sarah). The case was dismissed - in large part because very brave colleagues came forward and confirmed that I was telling the truth (not to mention the boatload of documentation that will be in the briefcase).

I've been trying to "clean up" my profession for a while now (the reason I got sued in the first place). If this is the kind of response one gets, is there any wonder (Doug) why the venue of medicine is so hard to clean up? For the record (Sally), so far I have not been very impressed with the actions and/or ethics of those with a juris doctorate.

So (again) Sally, I am well aware of the definitions of "slander" and "libel". Just pointing out the facts of making a claim stick. The information published has to be false - and the person publishing has to KNOW it is false (again, back to "malice" and/or the intent to do harm). If bad things are true, they are true. And that is absolute protection in a court of law.

People are free to have an opinion and/or speculate (negatively) on anything they want to (as nearly each and every one of you have proven). So unless you have a crystal ball, speculating on future acts is not slander.

I am a Pediatrician - burned in public service. Unlike "mrproduce" (retired from government service), I did not get an immediate reduction in red tape when I wrote Congressman Coble. The "turn-around" time was about nine months - and what transpired did not begin to address the wrongs done. So "the venue" of governmental oversight (which has a lot to do with what is wrong with medicine) needs some work.

(Heavy sigh) I post under my real name and title. Far from a "hang-up", it is merely a way to differentiate me from the other 10,000 Mary Johnsons in the area phone books - who don't want the nastiness that apparently comes with blogging on the News & Record.

Once again the personal attacks and slams deviate from the original thread. Congressman Coble is a public figure (and a very popular guy). Just like Bill & Hillary (whom I did not vote for), and every movie star under the sun, he has to have a thick skin. And I'd still like to hear "the details" about those trips.

Dan Rather is old news. So is Howard Dean.

You-all have a nice day.

Too bad about losing your lawsuit Dr. Mary.
Had I known you, I could of recommended one who would of kicked their asses. (yes there are still a few lawyers around who aren't skurred of big business and will take them on for people like you who were only doing the right thing).
I applaud your efforts for whistleblowing. I'm all about some whistleblowing. Mr. Coble is a nice guy, I guess sometimes politics gets in the way of doing "whats right". ie: drug manufactures, and hospitals contributing to his campaign, etc. You do raise a good point about the money though.
Dr. Mary you can hold your head up for doing the "right thing", I wish you well.

I must appologise to Ms. Johnson for my comments earlier. It seems because of you yank's first ammendment rights I was erroneous in my evaluation in some of the aspects of this particular event. The problem lies in what we, in the British Isles, consider slander, libel, and defamation.

Not all printed form is considered libel as in the posting of bills. In this case, the newspaper has a disclaimer attached to the front of the column warning that the following are opinions of the writer and not of the paper. Thus, releasing themselves of libel because the paper is not expressing a malicious opinion. Then, under our law, the writer becomes a poster of bills which is considered an utterence because it is transient. This is where my error occured. I have to recant my previous evaluation and offer another.

Mr. Pence is causing Mr. Coble defamation. He is accusing Mr. Coble of a future criminal act of which he does know to be defamatory. You are correct on whether malice is present, but you do not know about another factor present in defamation. I believe this case to be one of reckless disregard for whether it was a false statement. Mr. Pence knows his accusation will cause harm to Mr. Coble reputation. Since this is a statement about a future act, Mr. Pence has no knowledge that it will occur and that shows a disregard to the accuracy of the statement

In my opinion, Mr. Coble has the option of pursuing a civil defamation case against Mr. Pence. Your opinion may differ.

Again, this a deviation from tha issue of this thread but I would like to give Dr. Johnson the thumbs up for her efforts to clean up the medical profession.

As someone who sees the abuses on a fairly regular basis, I point out this "abuse" is more important to the average joe/jane than one would think. It hits the average American squarely in the wallet where they can least afford it.

If this forum can serve to provide information that may save taxpayers money in healthcare, it would behoove us to listen and give Dr. Johnson the courtesy of receiving such info with an open mind. (NO, I do not know her. I am in the medical profession and know she is speaking some truth. That's all.)

Because I am a self-supporting female and do not have money enough to jeopardize my source of income, I cannot afford to be as bold as Dr. Johnson. So I applaud her efforts and wish I was in a position to do more.

Con. Coble. the N&R has supported you in a majority, if not all, of the elections you have run in. You should appologise to the N&R as they have always supported you. Also you should clear the air about those trips, we have a right to know. The congressional pension thing is bust Con. Coble - after all you have never been married and have no children, and I believe you are pretty well heeled so why exactly do you need a pension anyway.

Con. Coble I heard you speak to the College Republicans at UNCG a few years ago, when asked your opinion of the free lunch program in th public schools you stated," I never got a free lunch and I don't think anyone else should."
Con. Coble do really think this country lacks the funds and the heart to feed hungry children? This is the side of you most people don't see.

I'm looking at this back and forth crap from the baby doctor and the limey lawyer. Let's see which one do I think has a handle on the situation.

On one hand, the doctor has been sued for libel so I guess she would know what it's like and what the process is about.

On the other hand, the limey lawyer would know more about the law itself and the little ins and outs that go with it.

I guess it boils down to this. Do I want a doctor to tell me what the law is and take my chances with her or do I go with the lawyer who is in the profession. I'll have to go with the lawyer on the legal stuff. If the lawyer had a rectal exam done on her it doesn't qualify her to do it on me. Let the screwing lawyer jokes begin! The doc needs to get over her god complex and quit patting herself on the back. It's the only profession I know of where you can literally stick a finger in someone's butt and charge $100 for it.

Yellowdog, I assume, is followed by the time-honored democrat expression meaning you would vote for a yellow dog if he were running on the dem ticket.

Party aside, anyone who has ever heard Coble speak knows he is consistent in his stand on government originated care programs.

Your crack about not needing a pension is a slap in the face of all unmarried people without children. Or do you have a sliding scale as to who gets what? Moreover, making a statement on what you "believe" as opposed to what you "know" opens you to retort for irresponsibility.

Don't know about the trips Coble took but do know that many politicians are invited to speak to their constituencies in rather exotic locales. Can't blame the guy if he speaks in a venue that includes voters in his district or state.

Thank you, Lilly. But I did not "lose" my lawsuit against the practice. It was settled (on the day the case went to trial) supposedly in my favor. The hospital's "libel" lawsuit (a despicable defelction & intimidation tactic that NC Statute suggests was illegal) was dismissed as a part of the settlement. Most people in Asheboro missed it (after a three year battle) because the Courier Tribune (really big Howard fans) saw fit to only report the story as a second-page "short-take".

This is out of the context of the original thread, but I am unhappy now because I subsequently discovered that hospital administrators lied under Oath during discovery about the "confidentiality" of their "not-for-profit" salaries (which skyrocketed - along with their clinic doctors' salaries - during litigation). The increase in salaries happens to coincide with the half-a-billion-dollar scam that NCDHHS has acknowledged many hospitals in the state ran on Medicaid (via "the disproportionate share" program). I am wondering why my neighbors and I should have to cough up a penny property tax to make up for Medicaid shortfalls when everyone (including Howard Coble) seems willing to let questions about where all the Medicaid money went be swept under the rug. That kind of money does not just disappear. Where did it go?

It's pretty clear I was WAY-shorted on damages (damages that might have helped me get a new practice off the ground), and as things stand I cannot afford to start up (nor do I consider it safe). All doctors are not "rich" (I came home to make a living - not live off my community) and the "god-complex" crack was just way out-of-line.

The local DA (a well-respected Republican in the good-ole-boy network) has not done anything to help me - either in terms of an independent SBI (or IRS) investigation or prosecution. I am meeting with Congressman Coble, in part to clarify just exactly who in the state & federal governments has "jurisdiction" in this matter - his job (since he is on the Judiciary Committee) is to find out who did not do theirs.

Those who have commented that there is much dirtiness to be cleaned up in medicine are absolutely right. But those of us who are trying desperately to get some attention on the subject are getting tired of having the doors slammed in our faces (or bitten on our ankles when we blog). We need some help.

I apologize for the deviation, but felt Lilly's comment needed clarification. As for the "libel" issue, I (respectfully) disagree with Sally. Mr. Pence did not really accuse Mr. Coble of a future illegal act, for based on the information he had (and wrote a letter about) Mr. Pence believed that the action was condoned by Congress. Mr. Coble has informed us it is not. Mr. Coble is a public figure. I am informed that he is a fairly decent fellow and has a pretty thick skin. I doubt he would (1) file such a lawsuit or (2) prevail.

Back to the original thread, there is a question on the table about how some trips got paid for. I'd love to hear the answer - with details - anytime the Congressman wants to give it.

Doug: I know Howard is pretty fat considering how long he's been slopped at the public trough. Also he has to make public his financials and they show him to be what I would consider well off. Someone who has been supported by tax dollars for as long as Howard has really shouldn't begrudge hungry children the odd bagel or doughnut.

How very clever of you to note my nickname and yes, I would vote for a yellow dog before I'd vote for ole Howard. Oh and he does not speak to every group in the same way - he's a man of many faces. Did you ever catch his country bumpkin act.

If you don't know what trips he has taken or who paid for them or anything else about it you could be irresponsible in your appology for him.

Yellowdog

Don't believe I apologized for Coble in any way. I simply stated the fact that politicians take trips and speak to their voting public. Simply meant to recognize a fact.

As far as Coble's tenure, pay, etc., the public obviously disagrees with you on whether he is worth the pay...they do send the guy back.

And, no, I don't believe Coble or any elected official would begrudge a child a meal. I'm sure, however, there are giveaway programs with which you disagree. Cobles position seems to be that he philosophically disagrees with the premise. Again, the people must agree.

I'll confess that I haven't heard every speech Coble has made but I have heard him many times as I try to avail myself of the opportunity to hear all officials who represent me. I have seen several Coble performances and don't know why you object to his country boy routine. Hey, it sells and that is part of everyone's effort to be successful.

Dr. Mary, I know someone in a similar position not with healthcare, but the state of NC wasting our money. Nobody listened, nobody did anything.
If there is an attorney who reads this blog, and has the testostrone to take on the state of NC and the medical profession, please send me your credentials via email. It's always been my opinion that a good lawyer will take a good case on a contingency basis.
Surely there are a few lawyers out left who want to make a boatload of money and correct the wrongs.
I am surprised to hear that Mr. Coble turned a deaf ear. In almost every other area he gets good marks.
Keep your head up Doc.

Lily always seems to know someone or something. She posted before that she knows all the lawyers in all these local cases and now she knows all the doctors and their dirty secrets. Why doesn't she just consult her lawyer friends instead of begging for them here. She's one of those knows-all-tells-more people. Everyone knows she's a backstroker with nothing but this board in her life. So far she's added nothing but Tupac lines and repeated what others have said on the board. Look at this string. She's repeating the same situation the diaper doctor said she was in. Want to be famous? Try being original and add some thought to the string.

I can says what I wants cuz I'm "free like OJ, all day." There, I beat you to the quote.

buzzyoazzbeeeeeeatch

That was mean. *looks in the mirror* Nope, no look of concern there.
mjbeatit, you can say what you wants to WIF. If you're gonna quote me, do it right or not at all please. :)
I aint' mad at cha. Ya ol' busta.

Lilly, Don't pay any attention to the attack by the blogging wannabe. It is apparent "it" has nothing of relevance to say so it resorts to personal attacks. Probably the same jerk that dised us last month and has changed his posting ID the way he said he would. It has the same vulgar tone.

Although I don't always with your position, I enjoy your posts and your honest expressions of empathy. Keep up the good work.

Here's some thought ("mrbeatit") for the string (if you want really know how closely things are "policed" by hospitals) - the story of how a "libel" lawsuit got filed against a lowly "diaper doctor".

When I filed my lawsuit against RMA, I was deposed (you answer questions under Oath - under penalty of perjury). In deposition, I revealed the existence of a letter I wrote to USDHHS Secretary Donna Shalala - which was copied to the Joint Commission for Accreditation of Hospital Associations (JCAHO) - detailing my miserable experience as a "public servant" in Asheboro. For the record, the letter was sent IN CONFIDENCE and in response to a DHHS request. It wasn't published to the whole world - just federal & state officials who needed to know. Hospital lawyers and administrators were indignant and demanded to see the complaint, which I provided - because I had nothing to be ashamed of and nothing to hide.

Now the Randolph Hospital & RMA Board(s) of Directors (like most hospital boards) is composed of a bunch local businessmen (who have no training or expertise in Pediatrics). At the time all of this was going on, there were one or two "token" doctors on both Boards - one of them physician to my own parents (and whose partners/group I had assisted in critical care situations on multiple occasions). Now these rich white men most assuredly did not appreciate a lowly loud-mouthed lady doctor raising a stink about how they ran their hospital, so the issue was (obviously) how to discredit her. She was popular. Colleagues were complaining (or leaving), nurses were being bold enough to express their unhappiness, and angry parents were writing letters to the newspaper. But the solution was easy. If you're a Board member, you call her a liar. Since you can't attack her clinical abilities, you slur her character. You don't even consider that your administrators may have overstepped their authority or knowledge - or abused their power - or might not have been able to manage their way out of the wet-paper-bag of debt that they, themselves had actually manufactured (it was easier to blame it on the doctors - some of whom left the community GROUPS at a time).

After the "libel" lawsuit was filed (I found out about it very late on a Friday evening when I was ambush-e-mailed by a Greensboro News & Record reporter wanting comment on the story), I called my parents' physician and asked him how he could just sit by while this happened - and how he voted when it came to filing the "libel" lawsuit. Incredibly, he told me that he had abstained from the vote - citing the "conflict" of his "relationship" with my parents. In other words, he hid behind them. This was the ONE MAN on the Board of Directors that could have put the brakes on the whole mess as a matter of medical (and business) ethics. Of course, his practice was sucking up my disgruntled patient base right and left, so why should he really want me back in the community to "compete"?

Meanwhile state & federal officials at DHHS hid under their government-issue chairs. Howard Coble could have done much more to coax them out. He did not. He has good friends in Asheboro and on the Board.

The "libel" lawsuit was a despicable and transparent attempt to bully and intimidate me into dropping my lawsuit. It backfired because friends & colleagues sent letters to DHHS and JCHAO testifying to the veracity of my letter to Secretary Shalala - and Randolph Hospital administrators' difficulties with the truth. But I had to pay thousand of dollars to defend the lawsuit - money that I did not see reimbursed at settlement.

Who paid the hospital lawyers for this little adventure in "undue litigation" (which NC General Statute indicates was illegal)? You did. Who paid my salary & benefits over the six months that RMA had me tied up in "exclusivity" . . . or the (paltry punitive) damages settlement? You did. And who is STILL footing the bill for the very "generous" salaries of these administrators and their "not-for-profit" clinic doctors? You are. There are no checks or balances. And since these guys broke every rule in the book, they don't get my silence.

A year ago (after six years of the jurisdictional dodge), my Dad stood up in front of the Asheboro City Council and begged the Council to do something - anything - to investigate the situation and help bring his daughter home. No one so much as lifted a finger. I really don't know what it takes to wake the public up about the mess that is medical care - or to get our elected officials to smell the roses. My Pops died in February. He did not live to see justice for his daughter. The LEAST I can do is to honor his memory by not giving up the fight. I can take the heat from a few snobbloggers that don't want to listen - and who think it is fun to lob insults instead of talking about issues relevant to the public welfare & pocketbook. My Daddy didn't raise a coward. He was proud of his girl for being smart and opinionated and YES, a "diaper DOCTOR". And if he were alive today, he would be eating this up.

Howard Coble does not "rule". Civics class 101. He's an elected representative. There are some questions on the table about how he paid for trips to Europe - and I am still waiting to hear the answers. Details are fine whenever the Congressman wants to provide them.

Thanks Lilly but I don't want or need a lawyer. I need a Congressman, a DA, and a Governor/Attorney General with some guts.

And ("steve") I won't be wearing a cap to my meeting with the Congressman. I want good ole Howard to see the bootprints on my forehead - a souvenir from the rich white men who did not stick to what they knew (which was surely NOT Pediatrics) as they ran their mill-town hospital.

Please correct me if I am wrong. (Boy, is there any doubt about that here!)

A reputable newspaper, at one time anyway, would not put in print a letter like the one attacking Mr. Coble until they had told Mr. Coble they were going to print it. And in that notice of the intent to print they would also ask Mr. Coble if he had any comments about it for publication with it.

What happened to that media standard?

FYI. News stories (and letters?) sometimes get printed without asking for comment from the subject in time to print the comment.

As the Dan Rather fiasco should have taught the media, the journalistic standard is not so much asking for Congressman Coble's commentary, as it is checking out "the facts" cited in the letter first.

If the facts had been checked out (and proven false), the letter might have been quietly returned to its author - with an explanation of what the law actually says . . . or simply rejected. No harm, no foul.