Craig Crawford's Trail Mix

Obama changed "we" to "I" pretty darn fast during that newsconference yesterday when he was making his denial.

So who's going under the bus next Craig?

You're asking for trouble with this one, Craig. LOL!

sub-bus candidate #1, imo, is emil jones, ill. sen pres who was instrumental in bho career and who wiki says "is also considered to be a front-runner to replace Senator Barack Obama in the United States Senate when Obama takes office as President.[2][3]....

In the scandal surrounding Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich which broke on Dec 9, 2008, in which Blagojevich was reportedly caught by prosecutors attempting to extract a wide range of financial and employment favors in exchange for his appointment of the replacement for Barack Obama's U.S. Senate seat, Jones has been cited in news reports as being the individual referred to in the U.S. Attorney's criminal complaint as 'Senate Candidate 5'. [16]. The complaint quotes Blagojevich, in a conversation with his advisers, as saying that he has been approached by a representative of 'Senate Candidate 5' with an offer to 'pay to play', specifically: “That, you know, he’d raise me 500 grand. An emissary came. Then the other guy would raise a million, if I made him [Senate Candidate 5] a Senator.”[17]"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emil_Jones

Good morning...hope you are somewhere around Jason -- I've wondered how your trip home for Thanksgiving went....must have been great to see your family.

And LesAK -- welcome. Your last post reminded me that when it comes to throwing money around, the federal government appears to favor rat holes as opposed to pot holes.

if gov blago'h appoints himself, how will the senate respond in light of the arrest and what is the time frame for any such action?
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-blagojevich,0,2326073.story

Good morning everyone. So much fun to talk about a scandal than the meltdown of financial markets, crumbling automotive industries, record foreclosures, increasing jobless rates.

Just the thing to lift our spirits. It would only be better if there was a little sex twist included in the entire saga.

MoJo just said -- "Illinois -- Land of Stinkin'!"

Like you I never liked Obama and wanted Clinton. It's great that this Blagojevich mess gives you an opening to smear Obama. Keep up the good work!

The joke was that he didn't cheat on his wife. In fact, he even tried to get her a better job!

Corey -- Yes, he did try to get a better job for his wife -- which usually means there's a mistress in there somewhere. Maybe that would be Senate Candidate #6. LOL.

This is all so sad and unreal. Only 5 weeks to make it all go away so the Obama administration can start with a fresh page.

ROFL! Ol' Fred ain't missin' a trick....

From the Tennessean: "Thompson could gain from Obama

The New York Post reports that former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson is trying to cash in on next month's inauguration.

A source tells the newspaper that the actor, who was also a Republican presidential candidate, is offering to rent his luxury one-bedroom condo in Washington, D.C., for five days for $30,000. The Post says the condo has a balcony overlooking the inaugural parade route, the Navy Memorial and the U.S. Capitol, and it comes with a reserved parking space."

To sum up Craig's article:
Barak Obama is Ferris Bueller.

"illustrates the sort of political milieu that spawned our next president. "

Great line Craig. Forget Dr. Phil. 'Tell it like it is' Craig.
The didn't call Obama teflon for nothin'.

ps I hope you show up here soon, too, Jason.

"Ferris Bueller"

except Ferris Bueller go a day off.

some stuff on expulsion to read just in case blago'h appoints self
http://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/common/briefing/Expulsion_Censure.htm

"Save Ferris!"

thnx Patsi & Chloe, It was very good. Enjoyed it... am now back to work for a week and then off to south america for a real good holiday until the new year!

Holiday was alos sad because my parents neighbours hoome was set for foreclosure. Those poor people have nowhere to go....

my apologies, jax, that's governor blago'h. sorry for the impertinence and dissin

Good morning all
Welcome LesAk!
Hey Jason
Glad to see you back,I've been wondering about you?I hope your Florida Thanksgiving was a good one.

Hey Jason!
Glad to hear your holiday was good, but sorry to hear about your parents neighbor losing their home. A sad sign of what's happening here, I guess.

That trip to South America sounds nice. You should be nice and warm there.

Forcasting possible snow in Houston today. Impossible!
High of 41 today, (31 tonight). Yesterday was 75. That's crazy.

The nature of the ingrained Illinois cess pool is such that it may have actually worked to Obama's advantage that he (1) is black and (2) went through so fast that he avoided entanglements.

The Gubernatorial chain of corruption seems to be an offshoot of the somewhat cleaned up mob, basically money & power grabbing White. The black politics of the city are not so much crooked money intake as nepotism - finding that civil service job for friends and relatives.

Craig....
as you know.... there were several of us who didn't dislike Obama during the primaries.... but we were a tad bit uncomfortable with his meteoric rise to fame....

now that I've voted for him and he's the president-elect..... I wish him nothing but the best....

however..... Axlerod's quick turnabout on whether there were any discussions between Blago and Obama on his Senate seat replacement is making me uncomfortable again.....
and I find it hard to believe that Obama and Emanuel are both "pure as the driven snow"......

it's also really weird that it was only a few Xmas seasons ago that those on the left side of the spectrum were screaming "Fitzmas! Fitzmas!"..... and I'd bet that the Fox News crowd is screaming the same thing this morning.....

64-deg in Columbia today--40-degrees warmer than on Monday. Go figure. Stinky has a whole bunch of outside stuff for me to do today. :(

Jason.... welcome home to the blog....

LesAK.... welcome to the blog....

Chloe.... here in NH our high today will be 55.... we'll be warmer than you....

oh yeah..... good morning gang....

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2008/12/barack-in-wonderland.html#comment-180813

Chloe
Cold! I know you hate the cold,me too! Snow what's snow?HA.Its supposed to only get to a high of 61 here Friday with a low of 50..Burrr! I think Solar is blowing some of that cold Illinois air are way! HA HA...

Sorry you had a 'mixed' Thanksgiving holiday, Jason. There are so many people in trouble this year.

"a high of 61 here Friday with a low of 50..Burrr! "

Ha Tony. The only thing getting me through this is knowing that it's supposed to be 70 by the weekend.

I see those north of us are enjoying warm weather (Flatus and Renee). Shame on you for unloading all that cold weather on us. :)

Some don't realize how unprepared for cold weather we are here. But we'll survive. (we're wimps).

Patsi, when you described your new writing project a couple of weeks ago I was intrigued. Have you done that type of in-depth analytical writing before? It seemed as if a major focus was on the financial aspects of the industry. Most industries have their own taxonomies that differ from 'normal-speak'. Your project is bound to be interesting and challenging.

Solar, if you're out there, Good Morning!

Morn'n quckly from San Juan, Puerto Rico !!

Craig - One response - Give it time, once the media entertainers no longer have Bush to play off of....

or Darn he is good........

Chef S -- Very nice - I wonder if I can get the same team to come do my house....

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2008/12/barack-in-wonderland.html#comment-180820

"Some don't realize how unprepared for cold weather we are here. But we'll survive. (we're wimps)."

HA,wimps,Yes.I'm from Michigan,what happened to me? Nothing a nice 95 degree day wont cure! Come on April....

Ping, If I get them to do your house, Make sure you have a hotel and good food to take care of them, OK?

;0)

"I'm from Michigan,what happened to me? Nothing a nice 95 degree day wont cure! Come on April..."

Tony, that surprises me for some reason. A lot of people that come from cold climates (that you meet here anyway) hate the hot weather here. Of course, Florida does have better weather than we do. But it sounds like you adapted easily.

Chef - You come and we cook together....

Off to work down here in Warm San Juan, PR.....
No USVI on this trip.... darn

Best to all astalawaygo

Flatus -- this new book is about Garth's career -- how he put together his team, the stories and thought behind the songs and albums, and the way record labels too often try to manipulate their stars. It also shows how the press both makes stars and then turns on them.

He's the clown, but joke's on us

"Political corruption in the state that has made corruption an art form isn't funny, like a clown. The joke is on all of us, everyone who lives in Illinois. Because Blagojevich was elected governor on the reform ticket, promising to clean up the state and end business as usual.

Chicagoans aren't really surprised. This is the state run by the Combine, with the Democratic machine on one side and the Republican insiders on the other, and the Chicago Outfit forming the base. That is the real iron triangle.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/chi-kass-10-dec10,0,7674669.column

Craig,
Prudence would suggest that we all sit back and see what happens here. As you've said " he relied on the most corrupt political machine to boost him to the top"
Maybe it's just me but that makes me a little uncomfortable and I don't share the "marvel" that you express over it

33 and sleeting here in Houston....I just want to go back to bed....:)

craig...it really emphasizes the Kennedy connection...Jack Kennedy also "relied on one of the nation's most corrupt political machines to boost him to the top and never once seems to have gotten even a bit of dirt on his own hands." Camelot!

Sorry for the nic name, typekey is blocking me again!

Patsi, at the time you first wrote about it, I thought it had the makings for a really fascinating MBA case study.

Sleeting in Houston? I thought that was against Texas law....

Tony -- and other Florida folks....I went with singer Suzy Bogguss to Orlando when she did a series of shows there....stayed for a week in January. What wonderful January weather! Just a light jacket or no jacket at all every day -- not hot, not cold...plus free and open access at Sea World -- which I'd never seen! Met a lot of cute penguins!

And by the way -- for those who love great vocals -- check out some of Suzy's CDs....Chet Atkins was one of her biggest fans.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNlywkzzW14&feature=related

"but that makes me a little uncomfortable"

not just you Jax

Illinois Has Long Been For Sale
"those of us in Illinois recognize the statement as a standard dodge. Obama could have done himself and the state a big favor by condemning corruption in all its forms, including in Illinois and Chicago. If he's done it before, I haven't noticed. But he did go to Kenya to denounced corruption in Africa, which struck some commentators here as hypocrisy."
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2008/12/illinois_has_long_been_for_sal.html

gotta get some work done - later

Jax, I'm with you. Mr Obama's inner circle has been uncharacteristically quiet. I hope when Mr Fitzgerald starts really shaking the trees, that the rotten apples land in someone else's yard.

"I thought that was against Texas law..."

Ha, I think it is.
If nothing else, it goes against the laws of nature.

"I hope when Mr Fitzgerald starts really shaking the trees, that the rotten apples land in someone else's yard."

And good to see you here this morning Flatus. We haven't seen nearly enough of you.

Patsi,
Don't worry....we're shipping this weather right down I-10 to you ....be there in a couple of days....:)

Good morning everybody.

Looks like the bigboys are doing the financial equivilant of sticking their money in a matress.

I read that at one point yesterday tresuries were yeilding a negative interest rate.

Strange

"The market reached the highs of the day after the Treasury Department sold $32 billion in 4-week bills at a yield of 0%."

http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/Treasurys-up-government-sells-T/story.aspx?guid=%7BDB0F401A%2DCD0D%2D437C%2DA19F%2DF6AE9FE29B47%7D

First things first---welcome-----LesAk---jump right in the water is freezing---untele winter is over.

Tony--I was out in the cold until 11 p.pm last night----cold,snow wind,,,you want some of me---keep it up dude!!

Chole---morning mate,,,no worries, now I know where you live---Texas----sorry about that :-)))))

Jason---welcome back----sorry about your parents neighbors, hope they will be ok--------from what I saw of your picture that you posted----don't wear too much gold-----1---some muchacha might jump your bones---thats a good thing--2nd some street thug muchacho----might jump your bones that's a bad thing,,,hahaha

Todays thread---I live in Il ...it's ingrained here,,,all chicago politics are dirty----the Daley machine lives on,,,and on,,,,but I hope that this leads to cleaner politics in the future----said that before but,,,,,pot holes repairs are a good idea-----Mayor Daley's brother will have one of the shovels to help fill in the holes---but will be shoveling cash to his democratic friends ----just the way it goes-----its the dems turn to squeeze out what they can----people out on the streed---so what------gotta get a third party--hell I can make an 8-12 trl, dollar mistakes,

Jax

Send a little up this way, we could use the warm weather.

Clear and cold in Kansas City

Jack

Is Dan Abrams growing a beard for a reason or just changing the look for awhile?

"I thought it had the makings for a really fascinating MBA case study."

Ha -- No Flatus -- and for sure not after the book publisher's lawyers took out so much of the behind the scenes BS that record companies do....

All this Blogo watching is fine,but-----who is watch the out going people in the white house------the little shrubs is the ones that will get the last moment favors from big brother,,,and uncle President???

abrams had a fullish beard after his show went off, and then shaved it again when scarbo went to the Imus slot.....apparently he's one of us who doesnt necessarily want to have a beard but hates shaving......... but will on occasion when it seems appropriate......

I suppose that is the male equivalent of the female,

"I shaved my legs for this?"

http://www.daywithoutagay.org/

Should apply to blogging as well

"A day without gays would be tragic because it would be a day without love."

From the website sock drawer posted

Jack

"And good to see you here this morning Flatus. We haven't seen nearly enough of you."

Why, thank you, Chloe. I'll try to do better.

Oh man! Ron Christie is on MSN and boy does he look smug!

They finally have a straw to grasp at.

Thought I would share this one

"The people losing jobs in financial services industries may have never been laid off before, he said, and many of them don't have the ability to quickly adapt to the informal sector.
Construction workers may be able to get work that's paid under the table, or to barter their services, but no one needs the services of an investment banker in exchange for a haircut or a tune-up.
Those investment bankers will have to think of something, however, because the industry is "permanently downsizing," Bethune said. "

http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/Worst-recession-upon-us-top/story.aspx?guid=%7BD23D40E7%2D2317%2D4D1A%2D8900%2D9D69E1C1F5EA%7D

I can see it now,

"Will arbitrage for food"

Jack

A thought

A number of people have ask why are banks getting bailouts while the Auto makers are getting lectures.

One needs to remember Senators have family working in the financial services industries. They don't have anyone building cars.

Jack

In '87 the line was, "What do you call an unemployed Wall Street Trader?"

The answer, of course, was "Waiter!"

Democrats who attacked Gov Sarah Palin.....what's that now no purity test for Obama?

http://bellalu0.wordpress.com/2008/12/10/blagobama/

Creedence Clearwater Revival - Fortunate Son

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSggUslXpoo

"A number of people have ask why are banks getting bailouts while the Auto makers are getting lectures."

jack, i can think of three reasons:

1. pols don't understand the jargon and economic/financial complexities enough to jaw about.

2. pols think constituents and msm don't understand it either.

3. pols know cars and know constituents and msm know cars.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2008/12/barack-in-wonderland.html#comment-180869

Ree,

We didn't accuse Palin of being corrupt (some nepotism but that is practically a fringe benefit to getting elected).

We called her an unprepared, inexperienced, bible thumping incompetent who wasn't smart enough to know she was egging on the most prejudiced and violent wing of the American public.
.

Excuse the length...but this cracks me up -- between Chicago pols and Chuck E Cheese, what's this country coming to?

Chuck E. Cheese's Blotter

Brookfield, Wisc.: April 5, 2008
Seven Brookfield Police officers broke up a fight that involved as many as 40 people, according to police reports. The altercation broke out after an uninvited guest showed up at a child's birthday party.

Flint, Mich.: Jan. 26, 2008
Flint Township police responded to a call about a large fight at Chuck E. Cheese's that involved as many as 85 people, according to police reports. A fight inside the restaurant between three females erupted, pepper gas was sprayed.

Toledo, Ohio: Feb. 4, 2007
Police responded to the scene after a fight broke out. Several parents complained about children who were having their picture drawn at one of the machines and then continued to sit there after the drawings were complete. Parents began calling names and then throwing punches.

Matteson, Ill.: 2007-2008
Police have responded to 12 disturbance calls at Chuck E. Cheese in the last year, said a local law enforcement official. The disturbances ranged in seriousness and included one in which two men attacked another man at a birthday party.

Milwaukee, Wisc.: Aug. 11, 2006
Upon officers' arrival at a south side Chuck E. Cheese's, they spoke with a male who stated that during a verbal argument, an elderly female threw a shoe at him, according to police reports. He stated the fight started over someone calling his child "ugly."

Topeka, Kan.: Jan. 17, 2005
Topeka Police responded to a disturbance call around 5:30 p.m., according to a department spokeswoman. It was reported that one small child was either bumped or stuck by another child. The mothers of the girls began to argue and an altercation ensued.

following up on my 3 reasons for auto lectures yes, bank lectures no:

aside from money and power, the next most important thing for a politician is ability to talk.

"We called her an unprepared, inexperienced, bible thumping incompetent who wasn't smart enough to know she was egging on the most prejudiced and violent wing of the American public."

Don't forget the really "cute" names: the "beauty queen," Caribou Barbie, bad mother and stiletto-wearing-slut.

And meanwhile, MISTER Huckabee is spinning for 2012 as a paid television commentator -- and the silence is deafening.

LOL

Patsi

Don't be calling that child ugly.

The problem is no booze, Everybody is starting to sober up and the kids are still screaming for more money.

I like the way the Mexicans around me celebrate a childs birthday. They invite families not just the children and the adults get to drink and there are games and one of those blowup moon walk things for the children.

Jack

the funny thing about Palin is I haven't seen the left get so up in arms about someone since Ronald Reagan.

And we all know how that turned out.

Jack

In a twist of irony or perhaps domestic telegraphing, Mrs. Bloggo selected "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" as her book choice for the Illinois Children's Book Club

http://www.illinois.gov/PressReleases/ShowPressRelease.cfm?SubjectID=34&RecNum=7326

"The problem is no booze, Everybody is starting to sober up and the kids are still screaming for more money."

ROFL! No doubt very true!

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2008/12/barack-in-wonderland.html#comment-180875

Patsi -- Certain visual and auditory stimulation that regularly occur in a Chuckie Cheese during a weekend birthday party could no doubt lead to aggressive/violent behavior in adults.

I loved to take my kids to CC on a weekday afternoon when we have the place to ourselves. If they had WiFi it would be perfect.

"I loved to take my kids to CC on a weekday afternoon when we have the place to ourselves."

Same here, Alicia...and never saw any fights even when there was a crowd....

Springfiled issue, Chicago issue. Splitting hairs. It's all the same players.

Oh I have seen fights in CCs -- but the offenders could be carried off and put in time out!

"ABC News has a law enforcement source telling them that Jesse Jackson, Jr. is "Senate Candidate Five," the one who was -- according to Blagojevich -- willing to supply campaign cash in exchange for the Senate seat."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/politico/20081210/pl_politico/27055_1

pirates
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-12/10/content_10484094.htm

It appears that Fitzgerald would have liked the events to play out longer to see what developed but the media had picked up the story and were going to run with it.

Jax

That is Fitz's personality. He is never happier than when he is the blood hound on the trail.

Jack

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2008/12/barack-in-wonderland.html#comment-180869

It's expected that a right-winger like Ree would try to taint Obama with the Illinois Governor's corruption, but some of what I read in the blog makes me shake my head as some dems or so-called "independents" are chomping at the bit to see Obama tainted from this thing.

From Foreign Policy

The 10 Worst Predictions for 2008

http://www.foreignpolicy.com/story/cms.php?story_id=4569&print=1

Jack

Candidate #5 was Jesse Jackson, Jr.

Haworth, a local furniture-making company is cutting 350 jobs and closing it's Allegan plant. The story was in the Holland paper. The interesting sidebit to the story is that the plant's closing will also force a local coffee shop "The Java Hut" to close as well. The owner of the coffee shop used to work in the office at my plant. I guess she left the company to start a coffee shop.

Hey Corey, I wouldn't doubt for a moment that Jesse Jackson Jr. was the mysterious candidate number 5. He truly IS a snake.

Although this scandal in Illinois is unlikely to hurt Democrats outside of the state (my opinion), my question is this: will it sour the voters of Illinois to support a Republican Senatorial candidate if someone is not appointed and a special election is held early/

TypePad fricken sucks!

Obama is calling for Blago to resign. That should get things done!

" but some of what I read in the blog makes me shake my head as some dems or so-called "independents" are chomping at the bit to see Obama tainted from this thing."

Tom -- if you are talking about this blog you are way off-base. Very few here have questioned Obama even half as much as they'd have scrutinized almost any other politician with those ties to that criminal element.

It doesn't look like he had any knowledge of it. And it certainly wouldn't have been to his benefit to be involved.

But -- you are listening to the divisive element here that begins or ends so many posts with "you people." That's the tone the Bush crowd took, and look where it ended.

If in the end, people can't question and even criticize, then this election has done the country the biggest disservice in history.

I was not surprised to read that the Governor is Serbian. Interesting "stereotype" about Serbians:

"Stereotypes
One oft-quoted aspect of the Serbian character is inat (инат), roughly translating as "spite," or the stubborn refusal to submit (regardless of the reason), or acting to the contrary, even to the point of harming oneself. While inat can have negative connotations, some cite Serbian tenacity in sports and in warfare to this characteristic.[26][27]"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serbs

Frankly from what we witnessed by Serbs in the 1990s and their conduct since, I am not so sure this is just a stereotype. But anyway it MIght explain Gov. Blojo's reluctance to resign or even take responsibility for his actions.

Patsi, it wasn't overt, but there did seem to be an implied connection. Then again, I could be reading more into this than what there truly is. I'll pony up and admit I could most certainly be wrong....

"The interesting sidebit to the story is that the plant's closing will also force a local coffee shop "The Java Hut" to close as well. The owner of the coffee shop used to work in the office at my plant. I guess she left the company to start a coffee shop."

That's the thing about closings, layoffs and slowdowns -- so many more people are affected than just the ones directly involved.

happy human rights day.
60th anniversary of the universal declaration of human rights.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xevGz8_MBKk

Any other Steve Gilliard fans here? I used to start every day reading Steve's blog -- loved his take on AA issues and especially his writings on military history. It's a damn shame Steve didn't live to see this election.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Gilliard

eleanor and human rights
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/7773299.stm

and a little something for all you nonhumans
"Nonhuman Rights in the Transhuman United States"
http://www.sjgames.com/pyramid/sample.html?id=3004

LesAK -
Fritz taught me to do hyper - links on this thread.
No question is too stupid.

Ralph -
Crawford doesn't do smear. Uncomfortable questions, usually.

December 10, 2008 (Computerworld) Google Inc. announced late yesterday that it's teaming up with a slew of publishers to give old magazines new life -- by bringing them online.

Users will be able to search for current and old magazines, like New York Magazine, Popular Mechanics and the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, through Google Book Search, according to a blog post by Dave Foulser, a software engineer at Google.

http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9123085&intsrc=news_ts_head

Did somebody say Serbs?

http://www.anaivanovic.com/?path=start

Anyway, we were told at work last night that 3 people in my department were going to be affected by the upcoming layoff. Although, one woman who will be laid off told me she "Hates it here." at work. We will also be downsizing our department by 3 more people as well. They will have to find jobs elsewhere in our plant. That will leave us with 3 people in our department. I am #2 seniority-wise in our department. I should get to stay.

Thought for the day :
" If at first you don't succeed, you're doing about average. "

1910 John Hammond Sr New York NY, rock/jazz producer (I Can Tell, So Many Roads)
1940 William Fred Dempster Berkeley CA, crew member (Biosphere 2)
1944 Tisha Sterling Hollywood CA, actress (Coogan's Bluff)

Today is the governor of Illinois 52nd birthday, happy birthday governor.

1520 Martin Luther publicly burned papal edict demands he recant
1690 Massachusetts Bay becomes 1st American colonial government to borrow money
1864 General Sherman's armies reach Savannah & 12 day siege begins
1915 10,000,000th model T Ford assembled
1945 Preston Tucker reveals plan to produce the Torpedo, a new 150 MPH car
1958 1st domestic (New York-Miami) passenger jet flight-National 707 flew 111

Looking at my ford and GM stocks, looks like the market thinks the Senate Republicans are going to go the Asshole route.

This song is for you Sen. Richard Shelby, R-Ala, I hope your proud

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPnv8UvKFzc

Jack

So he went on Glenn Beck’s radio program yesterday to discuss “Fighting for the American Dream”. What can we expect? The vaunted “inside look” at the campaign. Why? Because, according to Joe, he’s smarter than most.

“I like to think I’m a little more educated than some out there in politics just because it is interesting to me,” he said.

Hard to argue with that one. There are very few other people interested in politics so it should be enlightening.

http://features.csmonitor.com/politics/2008/12/10/joe-the-plumber-trashes-mccain-in-new-book/

Padt

Now that you found me out to be---a Transhuman,,

" . . . Geneticly altered, and not sufficient to not make me a person, and not a member of the species H. sapiens is not sufficient to deny personhood, and just cos you say,,that

"They're not people! They're just machines. Made out of meat, yes, but the same meat you grow in a fauxflesh vat." --yeah but we transahuman's bleed just like you.

loved that article----but watch it sister---i'm sensitive :-)

Corey

You are closer to the Autom business than the rest of us.
Could this work, for you or would it just export your job overseas.

http://www.ritholtz.com/blog/2008/12/what-if-steve-jobs-ran-chrysler/

Jack

Afternoon.

Been a road warrior today. Lemme tell ya, 2 problems with going to Weirton, WV: 1. you can't get there from here and 2. when you get there you're in Weirton, WV.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2008/12/barack-in-wonderland.html#comment-180919

LOL, Bob. Joe's opinion about Joe's level of education about politics is probably as valid as my opinion about my singing voice. Mrs. P would tell you that I hit my note OK - now as for all those other notes someone who sings should be able to hit . . . well, my opinion about my ability to hit them differs in many respects from hers. (And of course, she, having near perfect pitch and formal musical training, is a whole lot closer to right than I am.)

"1864 General Sherman's armies reach Savannah & 12 day siege begins "

Anyone who hasn't read E. L. Doctorow's "The March" might want to pick up a copy.

http://dir.salon.com/story/books/review/2005/10/01/doctorow/

Don't be 404, know the tech slang

A study of new slang terms entering English finds that technology is driving and perpetuating them.

For instance, "404" - the error message given when a browser cannot find a webpage - has come to mean "clueless".

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7775013.stm

My son just called. He's upset. He got outbid twice on Ebay, first for a chance to eat the Palin turkey and then for the chance to become the Blagojavich senatorial turkey.

This song is for you Sen. Richard Shelby, R-Ala, I hope your proud"

Ha...great song!

Bob

Joe is just like those of us on this blog. Only some one is paying him to express his opinion. We should all be so lucky. I hope he scams them for enough money to buy that business he wants. It is a perfect time to start a plumbing business if you don't have to turn a profit. Used equipment should be cheap.

Jack

" It is the fact that he is f*cking with people like Corey. But you realy don't give a F*ck about those people, do you?"

Nor does he care about the disappearing stocks owned by quite a few older folks who relied on it to keep them through old age....

Yep, Patsi, those of us that bought into the idea that you stick a little away in a mutual fund and the world would grow.

Jack

Then again we all can't live in our mothers rent controlled apartment.

"It is a perfect time to start a plumbing business if you don't have to turn a profit. Used equipment should be cheap".

Last week I bought a 100 ft. snake ( power rodder) and three cutters- for 100 buck---he wouldn't sell me his sewer senser

Solar

I wish you lived within driving distance,
I'm going to have to pay more than a hundred bucks to get someone to clean out the drain at my father in laws house.

lol

Jack

Stabilized, not controled.

lol
Excuse me

So which relative donated that to you?

Jack

If you don't know anything about tar sands, this is a good short description of of it -

Canada's black gold oil rush

It is an expensive, energy-hungry process - the richest oil sand is about 10% oil, and it takes about two tonnes of it to make just one barrel of oil.

Oil sands production is said to emit three to five times the amount of greenhouse gases than conventional oil production.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7762226.stm

"Then again we all can't live in our mothers rent controlled apartment."

Pathetic!!

Jack

out side flea markets are full of bargains---I only take a little cash with me when ever I-----it it my toy store------in the winter time,,lots more bargains------hot-----bargains---they have to unload,,,fast,,,and not too many buyers.

"We should all be so lucky. I hope he scams them for enough money to buy that business he wants."

Exactly. He's an in-your-face reflection of our American Idol BS. Just show up at the right place and either shoot off your mouth or sing horribly -- and they'll put you on tv.

Off topic --I'm making a mincemeat/pear pie for the first time. I love pears and I love mincemeat, just never thought to put them together...anyone ever try one?

"Obviously you know nothing of rent laws here in NYC"

Obviously, thank God.

But I do understand how you get into scarce commodities with out money.

Joe Don Looney..
hmm.... Patsi,

He was quite the football star and hell raiser on and off the field..Figures he'd be chasing around jailbait. ;-) Assuming it was the HS clinic they put on every year since forever.

From Wiki:
He made All-American with Oklahoma in 1962, leading them to the Big Eight Conference Championship. He played in only three games in 1963. Coach Bud Wilkinson kicked him off the team after Looney punched a graduate-assistant coach."

Jack,
Hold on to that stock....I think its admirable that someone is still supporting the companies. It may not go through this first round but I've always thought that a bail-out stood a better chance after bankruptcy proceedings gave the companies more flexibility.

NPR is reducing its workforce by 7%. 64 people will lose their jobs, another 21 positions will not be filled. The layoffs come despite near-record audience levels on-air and online.

http://www.mediabistro.com/tvnewser/generalities/layoffs_at_npr_103019.asp#more

Jamie - that's what I meant the other night when I said
that I wonder if the race factor helped Obama.

The machines are interconnected - the pols in the state and the power brokers all know each other. Cook County elected JFK. Think Tammany Hall without the clowns and open thuggery, and then triple it.

I'm now wondering if maybe Obama purposefully stayed with his black community church and group so as to protect himself from being sucked into the machine too much. I absolutely believe that he is a realist who knew the dangers.

Then again, maybe the machine was trying for him and that was the reason for the hurry to get him out of reach.

It's all just wondering, not even serious speculating.

That's all possible.The one thing I do think is probable is that Obama stayed far enough away from the machine to keep himself clean enough.

EPA drops rule easing power plants rules

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

WASHINGTON -- The Bush administration is scrapping plans to make it easier for older coal-fired power plants to upgrade without installing new pollution controls.

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/1155ap_bush_power_plants.html

Or the college funds parents and grandparents established.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2008/12/barack-in-wonderland.html#comment-180940

CBob

Don't get Tylenol started on the destruction caused by the oil sands. Our favorite Canadian divinity student can curse with the best when the good green earth is being slaughtered.

http://tenant.net/Rent_Laws/RSC/rsctoc.html

Jack, just in case you actually give a crap about rent stabilization law in NY.

"but watch it sister---i'm sensitive :-)"
solar, be careful. there are among us here some of the more extreme who think we should not have the same rights as they. take heed, transhuman brother from your understanding, but cautious and clandestine "originally-human-but-now-electronic sapient" sister. they are listening.

pogo,
Let me once again demonstarte my ignorance....where can I go get instructions on how to post a hyperlink on this blog.....

From the 404 file -

ANDERSON, Calif. -- Three employees of a Kentucky Fried Chicken have been suspended for bathing in a deep sink used to clean dishes. The prank was discovered after one of the young women posted photos on a social networking site of the trio posing and cavorting in the steaming water in their underwear and swim wear.

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/1120ap_odd_kfc_bathers.html?source=mypi
------------
Extra crispy or original recipe ?

Come on, Give Obama a break.

After all, you can only have one President-Elect at a time.

Jax

Each company is different Chrysler should go through bankruptcy and emerge as Jeep. That is the only viable brand they have left. roll the dodge pickup into jeep maybe. The rest is just junk and this is an old Mopar man speaking, sad to say.

GM can pull itself out and be competitive with out going through bankruptcy. Once they separate themselves from their pension and health care legacy problem they are very competitive.

Ford is just playing along like a lot of banks are hoping for some free money.

I'm hanging on to ford for the long term, I will sell GM once they double they were at 50% today.
Then I go looking for some other bargains.

This is just a play IRA. My main money is being put into low income rentals.
Not much either way, just looking for a way to survive the old age.

Jack

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2008/12/barack-in-wonderland.html#comment-180952

I can testify to both the retirement and the college plan investments shrinking. Ugly, ugly, ugly.

"Figures he'd be chasing around jailbait. ;-) Assuming it was the HS clinic they put on every year since forever."

ROFL -- He wasn't quite as wild as his rep anytime I was around him....yes -- I was at that high school clinic several years. But was nearly seventeen when I met him. And a close friend of mine played for OU on the same team with him.

Jamie... "The March" was one of my favorite books I read last year.....
my other favorite was entitled "March" by Geraldine Brooks...... it was a fictional account of the father in Little Women..... who was actually Bronson Alcott....

Jack..... I LOVE Denis Leary.....
he was born and raised in Worcester (pronounced Wist-a) Massachusetts.... a city Rick and I lived in when we first got married..... Denis is also a HUGE Red Sox fan..... oh and yes..... Shelby is an a-s-s-h-o-l-e.....

Bethy..... I really hope that Obama is clean from the machine..... I'm so excited about someone who actually likes science going back into the WH....

Jamie -
Yep, I would follow suit , but the BBC story does a fine job. The dirty back story on the tar sands, we should all know it.

jaxtrader

Go to the link you want to copy

right click on the address to highlight in blue and get drop down menu.

Drag down with cursor to "copy"
left click

Come back here

Place cursor in box

Right click for pull down window
left click on paste

Patsi,

I was away from OK in the late 80s so I don't remember reading about it but just saw this in the wiki page. I guess there's an inference of drunk and suicide or both.;

"He died at the age of 45 on September 24, 1988 near Luna Vista north of Terlingua, Texas when his motorcycle ran off a rural highway and crashed into a fence. There were no skidmarks on the road."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Don_Looney

jax, you can go here.

Right click on the address block at the top of the page when the link is open. Click "Copy shortcut". (Or highight the link and click "control C") Come here. Right click where you want to drop the hyperlink and click paste. (Alternatively you can press "control V").

Try it.

And I'm sure you feel you can take credit for these societal advantages, Bri.

Jamie, Pogo,
Thanks....maybe I can contribute now in a more interesting way....

Brrrrrr. That weather passing over you Patsi has also been hitting us here. I came home and am going to look for some long johns to put on. They are also predicting maybe some snow. The rain and the wind don't help. I don't know how you guys who live with this stuff do it. I guess what makes it hard on us down here are those temp swings from 70s to 30s.

Nothing like a little scandal to warm things up. As far as Blago goes, after watching him last night on
TV I strongly believe he has a psychiatric diagnosis. I am leaning toward Bipolor Disorder. Definitely paddling with only one oar.

Last night it seemed Anderson Cooper was trying to stir some poop on Obama. He mentioned that infrastructure projects=pork=opportunity for corruption especially in Chicago. BTW is Rezco in the infrastructure business?

Patsi

I'm certain he takes advantage of them, and I doubt that he understands why that is an insult.

Jack

ct, nah. Rezkoo is a restauranteur, a real estate developer and a political fundraiser.

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D9502QS83&show_article=1

Ok....article doesn't mean anything....just a test

"Definitely paddling with only one oar."

I always liked : "Taco short of a combination plate”

Good ole Okie expression.:-)

Carol....
as a northerner..... I will speak for myself..... I LOVE SNOW!

and I really come alive when it hits under 60 degrees.....

as I've said many times..... give me January over July any time....

Two bricks shy of a load.

Fries short of a happy meal.

lol@ pogo

Pogo

I have to admit, I'm not planning on investing in realestate in NYC. Then again, if it is like Kansas city the law and the way they are enforced at two different things. (As was carefully explained to me by the local codes enforcer when I tried to get some mosquito infested scrap tires removed.)

It is one thing to write them it is another thing to get them enforced.

Jack

Renee - gotta agree with you. I love snow - when I can get out in it and enjoy it. You fortunately live where the towns, cities and state understand that snow should be on the side of the road rather than all over it. The climate here is almost like it was in NH (although we do have spring here instead of mud season and bug season) and summer lasts a scosh longer, but they sure don't spend as much time clearing the roads.

Or as the wife says

"not the sharpest tool in the shed"

Jack

de nada, Rez.

Pogo

You have to admit it is a lot of fun going down one of those big hills covered with ice.

WHEEEEEEEEEE

Jack

Pogo...
I will also admit it's easy to love snow when one doesn't have to commute in it...

even though Rick has been a lifelong avid skier..... he hated to commute in it....
now that he works from home..... he doesn't care how much it snows on weekdays.....

I've heard some really great quips about people who aren't as smart as they think they are - of course my memory being the half assed leaky bucket it is, I can't remember them. One that I really liked went "Half a ... shy of a ..." but I can't remember wha was missing from what. And I really liked that saying. Oh, well.

well, the "t" was missing from what in my post, but you know . . .

Then the taxes will be paid on it

Renee, all that is true. I'm one of those idiots who thinks he can drive in snow, so I do. Mrs. P is just the opposite - she won't if it's visible. It's the Mrs. Ps of the world that scae crap out of me although I probably pose a greater threat to them than they do to me.

Jack - I do have to admit that it's fun feeling that sliding sensation - as long as there's no abrupt stop at the bottom of the hill. I like to slide around a little just to make it interesting. LP loves it, Mrs. P just yells at me for it. We have to go down a tertiary road or whatever the category below that is to get home from our offices and LP's school. The tertiary road is one of the last to get cleared, and it there's a big curve that turns into a horror show when we get snow or freezing rain. The other road gets nada - it's the one I use.

Renee

I have to get "March". Louisa May Alcott was very important to me as a reader when I was very young.

The only time I've been tempted to anything resembling treason was at the entryway to the gift shop of the Smithsonian Castle ... Locked bookcase containing a signed copy of Little Women. I still daydream about brick through glass and making a run for it. :-)

jack, here the owner of a tax foreclosed and sold building has a redemption period of something like a year after the sale. It's a frickin' nightmare. And if the loan's upside down, the bank shows up and bids in at up to the debt on the property.

well, all. gotta go time a couple of basketball games. Later, now.

Rez -- Don't know if you're ingterested...but here is a very interesting article about Joe Don....I found him a fascinating -- if arrogant -- guy. But he wasn't an asshole to me, like I heard he was to many, many young women....

Oops -- sorry, here's the Looney link...

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1208/is_n40_v219/ai_17495109

Jamie...
if you ever get to come to NH.... I will take you to Concord, Massachusetts....
and you can run around in the actual house where Ms Alcott lived and describes in the book.... I've been to it many times.... the building that housed Bronson's School of Philosophy is still standing on the property also....

""Taco short of a combination plate”

A few sandwiches short of a picnic.

Today I make a vegetable/chicken stew for a neighbor recuperating from surgery...and a blue cheese, caramelized onion tart with apple...yummy. I may have to invite myself to stay.

The window people in Chicago are creepy. They took millions in public funds from the City for the promise of jobs and are now trying to move the company out of state. I say seize it and turn it into a coop.

"As far as Blago goes, after watching him last night on
TV I strongly believe he has a psychiatric diagnosis."

I think you are right, Carol....

Looks like another excellent pick for Obama's team:

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1208/16444.html

It is very nice of NY to offer all those benefits to it's citizens and residents. Considering there is a15 billion dollar deficit looming for next year, I expect that New Yorkers had better prepared for a reduction in services provided by the state.

Renee

Thats fine,you and Rick, Rick like the snow very much,,,but how about the rest of us---her this is what I mean----a picture of me and my buddy doing what I like best,,,well almost.

http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/4683/u038golfbuddiespostersjc9.th.jpg

"You being a victim of such selfishness and living in such an uncaring place that your state cares nothing for the that you are unable provide health care"

I'm sure you mean that as a slam at the millions of people without health insurance....but I choose not to see myself as a victim. And having been to NYC to help feed your homeless, I think you might want to reconsider the high road you believe yourself on....

I can't believe the Coleman Franken race hasn't been settled.
Now the Feds are investigating Coleman's fundraising...

http://campaignsilo.firedoglake.com/2008/12/10/franken-coleman-recount-update-121008-we-interrupt-this-program/

Coleman is just wrong for public office and should give back those veneers...

LOL

The supply siders and the Keynsians have one thing in common. They never understand when their theory no longer fits the situation.

Jack

Renee---maybe a better size

http://img443.imageshack.us/my.php?image=u038golfbuddiespostersed3.jpg

New York will have to get in line behind the banks, the car companies, the housing industry, ....and I bet Obama takes care of Sweet Home Chicago before NYC.

There ain't going to be enough to go around, unless you think saddling future generations with mountains of debt is a reasonable idea.

Solar....
hmmmmm...... with that picture and you calling yourself a "transhuman"....
are you actually trying to tell us you're a dog...... :0)

and that one looks big enough to me to pull a sled......

Bowmanc

It depends on what the debt pays for. If it pays for things future generations will use then no problems. The debt my parents took on to payfor nthe interstate hyway system pays for its self every year.

Jack

Solar,

The second image was better. I was going to look for my magnifing glass. You are quite young?? In the first pic I thought you might be standing next to a horse.

How about if it for all the stuff listed in this article?

On Monday, the U.S. Conference of Mayors went to Capitol Hill to ask for a handout, or as they put it: "We are reporting that in 427 cities of all sizes in all regions of the country, a total of 11,391 infrastructure projects are 'ready to go.' These projects represent an infrastructure investment of $73,163,299,303 that would be capable of producing an estimated 847,641 jobs in 2009 and 2010."

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122887075956093233.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

I'm having a strange reaction to finding out that Jesse Jr is #5 -- I don't like him, especially after his stupid OJ comments during the primary. But I also don't feel giddy over his predicament. I am feeling a little bit sorry for him....maybe that will pass...

Bethy

About Pres, elect Obama,,,he was in Chicago politics too long not to have a little dirt on him---he was just washed clean by the Chicago people, and protected from anything that could hurt him,,,,Axlepod,not rod but pod,,,,insults me if he thinks that I will believe that O did not have regular talks with our Governor and Mayor ,,whatever was really detrimental , was erased,,lost,, and now he is the beneficiary of that scrubbing--just saying??

Pogo -
I've missed putting this up, it's a Clean Coal Ad I wish I had made -

http://www.thisisreality.org/#/?p=facility

Hardball’s Chris Matthews just i’viewed Ayers…remarkable, because Ayers never does this…I don’t think he EVER has…I know this is the first time I heard him speak.
The truly amazing thing is that Matthews was actually civil to Ayers and they came to an understanding. It’ll be back around again at 7:30 eastern time if you want to see it.

Patsi...
I understand how you feel about JJackson Jr........ and if he is actually candidate #5..... that would put to rest ETom's theory that this scandal will only affect politicians in Illinois..... JJ Jr. is a Congress critter.... he does represent his district but he does so as a federal representative in Washington DC....

An investment in wind power produces almost three times as many jobs as the same investment in coal power. And an investment in solar power produces almost four times as many jobs, and energy efficiency, almost thirty times as many jobs as coal power.

Based on analysis of the new energy economy released by Earth Policy Institute, Nov. 2008

http://action.thisisreality.org/facts

CT----Thank you----there are a cpl around here that can benefit from you---won't mention any names but---R--

yeah im a little taller now and the clothes don't fit a well ( they shrunk)---damn dog saw a snow sled and ran after it......go figure a frikin sled on a golf course in July--Or August.-hahaha

Dex

Ayers has been all over the place, the last couple of weeks. he was on GMA and NPR's Freshair. That I heard.
I've already expressed my opinion of him so I let it go for now.

Jack

Cbob

I suspect that Nuclear does also as they all cost about the same per mega watt to build. All are damned expensive.

Jack

For a whole lot of reasons totally unique to the state, California is really in trouble

http://www.sacbee.com/1089/story/1463725.html

What about the projects in the article? We aren't talking roads & bridges, here.

- Hercules, Calif., wants $2.5 million for a "Waterfront Duck Pond Park," and another $200,000 for a dog park.

- Euless, Texas, wants $15 million for the Midway Park Family Life Center

- Natchez, Miss., "needs" a new $9.5 million sports complex "which would allow our city to host major regional and national sports tournaments."

- Henderson, Nev., is asking for $20 million to help "develop a 60 acre multi-use sports field complex."

- Brigham City, Utah, wants $15 million for a sports park.

- Arlington, Texas, needs $4 million to expand its tennis center.

- Miami, Fla., needs $15 million for a "Moore Park Community Center, Tennis Center and Day Care" facility. The city is also desperate for $3.6 million to build a covered basketball court and a new tennis court at Robert King High Park. Then there's the $94 million Orange Bowl parking garage you are being asked to pay for.

Are those the things that we want to spend money on during a recession?

"An investment in wind power produces almost three times as many jobs as the same investment in coal power. "

And can somebody tell me the downside of using that whole wind corrider through Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Eastern Colorado? That's desolate country out there....I personally love it --- love the flatness and endlessness of it...but I don't think wind energy will ugly up anything...

Bowmanc

We are in a deflationary spiral where ordinary stimulus won't work. Yesterday Tbills were yielding less than 0% interest.
It is the unique time for Keynesian economics. To bring us out the government needs to spend on goods and services. All of those things you listed qualify. What we don't need to do is keep doing it after the crises is past
Most Keynesian liberals forget this..

Jack

Patsi just the expense, As you say it is desolate out there and all the customers are elsewhere.

Jack

An interesting collection of stories that I know that I missed.

From Foreign Policy

The top 10 stories you missed this year

http://www.foreignpolicy.com/top10-2008/

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2008/12/barack-in-wonderland.html#comment-181008
"BTW haven't you heard, it's a new era, deficits are in!"

I suppose the interest we pay on all this debt is in too?
I guess it doesn't matter to some all this money wasted as we charge up the National Debt and pay the Chinese and other's....SAD for the next generations of Americans who will have to pay the bill..

"Actually I'm not fond of JJ Jr. either, but I don't think he's involved in this, "

And actually, I hope he's not.....

Solar and Renee - notice that I said 'clean enough.'
I can't imagine any politician who doesn't have something in her/his career that would cause mutterings.

It's just that I think he was capable of sniffing out the really nasty stuff and standing back. He probably knows a lot of stuff that others have done and hasn't reported it.

I'm sure he also has been part of somethings he wants to keep quiet, but I still think he protected himself and had others who protected him. There is a line he wouldn't have wanted to cross.

Patsi

I expect political favors are a fact of life in Illinois. Listening to the news I am uncertain if we are speaking of political favors or out and out bribes.

Jack

Besides just spending aim tax policy toward spending by increasing the amount of depreciation that can be written off the first year. That way the piece of equipment I , Solar or Tony buy cost 1/4 less. At that price I might buy new instead of used.

Jack

This is quite a web site for dog lovers.

On the left, click on dog videos, and then click on dog vs snow on the nest page - it might be a little tricky, but you'll love it. It should be good for everyone, not just dog lovers.

http://www.dogwork.com/dogwork/

WaPo's Dan Frookkin on MSNBC -- explaining all the last minute Bush BS -- it's even uglier than I thought. Deny collective bargaining to 8,600 federal employees, the environmental regs, it goes on and on....loaded guns in natl parks...Froomkin says these will be difficult to repeal...

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2008/12/barack-in-wonderland.html#comment-181045

Jack
Makes sense.I never think to much about the US governments tax policies but I suppose its every bit as important as Government spending!

Hey Solar
What's up? I'm not messing with you regarding the weather,it was 84 here today,Thanks...HA

Bethy -- thanks for that dog link!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I've got to say -- once I "grabbed" the dog V snow video, my jaw almost dropped on the floor!

Renee -- I think this may be a perfect dog for Rick!

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2008/12/barack-in-wonderland.html#comment-181045

Jack

Jack been saying this for a while------Good news is that I just received andE-Mail that was sent to me for approval-----it is the first draft of an agreement for the first 50 lots,,,set aside 30---and get quit deeds for 20 ---if this happens the way that I think it will-----yes ---new equipment is the way to go ----this will put more people to work than used equipment will ( 1 mechanic ?) new puts a few more,,,from wharehousing parts to build,,shipping, sales, etc,,,but I need that insentive that you mentioned and a little more?

By the way about spending $ to insulate existing homes is also high up on my list---even though I'm a new house builder-----the trickle down of jobs would immediately have an effect IMO

Bethy....
that snow vs dog video is a scream!

Patsi....
I just showed it to Rick....... he LOVED it.....
that's our kind of dog...... not some little yapping rat with hair.....

(btw.... hope you all know I'm being snarky.... I love ALL dogs..... yup.... even frou frou ones....)

Animal Control-

I know that I have not answered you questions about Solarcrete----what they are----are solar panels homes that save up to 80 % of utility bills------yes we have a lot in common-----there is shotcrete involved ----I can't really talk about it too much--I am under a non disclosure agreement for now-

C-Bob same thing----I follow your energy links with great interest,,,,,thanks

Love the dog videos Bethy. Thanks

Patsi,

Great article on JDL. He was one of those rare birds. A__short of a ___. Many just like him, but stupid and poor, end up in prison or dead real early in life. He lasted until he was 45 with his brains, looks and money.

Bethy---that dog video in the snow was great

What happens if/when we get National Health Care and the government decides that if you have unapproved habits such as smoking that you will be denied benefits or have increased financial responsibility based upon your health assessment?

Who will be happy then?

Obamas in this mess right up to his eyes. There is no way that anyone can rise through Chicago Politics without getting dirty. Obama has managed to steer clear of alot of things,but there is only so many times he can be lucky.

Just on BBC America news. A piece of the 60th anniversary of the Declaration of Human Rights and a project started by Peter Gabriel - The Hub

http://hub.witness.org/

It is a place where anyone with a cell phone who has captured video of violations of human rights can upload without government interference.

You might like to look over the site

Grannies Invade White House: Obama, Biden, & Clinton Mothers May Move to Town.

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2008/dec/10/back-in-the-same-nest/

I know it costs mega moola to be senator.......what can I be for dollar leven fifty?

Look out for the Grey Panthers!

Solar
If ya don't mind my askin'

How many a year do you think you will get built. and is the funding still in the planning phase, I'm assuming you are working with a nonprofit.

Keynesian theory calls for the government to spend money on goods and services. One thing I would like to see is a program to buy substandard houses and tear them down. They could do this much like the USDA did the dairy cow buy back in the eighties. With that program you put a price on your cow and the government then either accepted it or rejected it. that way if you wanted to sell the cow it meant you needed to be somewhere close to the cows worth. Any house under 1000 sq ft should be part of the program.
They could also offer a trade up program with the houses the government is ending up with, where home owners could get a better house buy trading theirs for a better one than the Federal government owns.

Jack

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2008/12/barack-in-wonderland.html#comment-181057

Bowmanc

If they continue with the plans they ran on in the primaries, only the insurance companies. Every plan I saw wanted to keep the insurance companies happy.

Jack

It seems the US is being the skunk at the garden party again

Environmental Conference in Poland news

http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/12/10/healthscience/climate.php

Conference web page

http://ec.europa.eu/environment/climat/poznan_08.htm

hey.......he's an expert on half-witted eunuchs........cut him some slack.......?

Smoking was just an example since it is up there on the sin tax scale and has had so much regulation about where and when people are allowed to indulge. Alcohol abuse would probably be added, along with any other substance abuse (or use for that matter). Diet might be added too, why not, if you don't toe the line, tough luck.

"Many just like him, but stupid and poor, end up in prison or dead real early in life."

Exactly, Rez -- Joe Don was rich and smart -- maybe too smart.

I had a long answer and some theories about this complicated person -- but erased it because it would just open up to some snark....but he was an interesting guy. Let's just say I was not one of the girls who fell at his feet -- and in a bizarre way he appreciated that.

There are probably a lot of substandard houses that should be torn down. They could be replaced with these tiny houses built to International standards

http://www.tumbleweedhouses.com/houses.htm

whskyjack,

You gotta remember, in NYC 1000 sq ft is huge. Many kitchens there are about the size of a normal shower stall you would buy at the Home Depot.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2008/12/barack-in-wonderland.html#comment-181060

Go Grannies!

Stephanie Coontz quoted there...author of one of my-fav books, "The Way We Never Were."

"the government decides that if you have unapproved habits such as smoking that you will be denied benefits or have increased financial responsibility based upon your health assessment? "

And Bow -- it would be just like the government to do that while ignoring fatty foods, liquor and other health hazards....

Patsi,

I added the rest....

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2008/12/barack-in-wonderland.html#comment-181072

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2008/12/barack-in-wonderland.html#comment-180999

Renee,

You would probably need to take me in under armed guard wearing hand cuffs and shackles .... kleptomania runs in the family. :-)

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2008/12/barack-in-wonderland.html#comment-181080

There is a whole movement of Tiny and Small Homes depending on the size of the family.

Providing universal healthcare is going to be more complicated than most can imagine.

One is not enough healthcare providers. Another is when people pay nothing, they don't appreciate or appropriately utilize it.

In my career I worked at clinics that provided care to people with Medicaid. We had to schedule about 4-5 per time slot so to have one show up for the appointment. When you pay for insurance you would never do that.

Charge something, even a little and some people won't use it. My inmates at the prison have to pay $5 per visit to medical. I got a call at midnight the other night about a guy with a severe headache and a blood pressure of 240/120. I told them to send him to ER since we don't have medical personnel at night. He knew he had hypertension but didn't want to spend $5 to come to medical so we didn't know about his problem.

The money comes off their commisary account, if they have any money. If they don't have any money they still can come but when money comes in it is taken off their books. They would rather spend their money on junk food or cigerettes. I did get to let that guy know that he cost the taxpayers a lot of money to save himself $5.

I also told him that by not treating his hypertension he may not die, at least not fast enough, he might just be in a nursing home with someone who may not like him wiping his ass. You have to be a little graphic with some of those guys.

I could go on but won't bore you.

Jack

If the co-ordination of funding, and the buyers that we have, plus the list that the nonprofit will provide, are all in place,,,Im hopeful that I can build 20-30 first year---but if I can get laborers that have worked for me in the past,,and are used to me,,,and the way that I work----plans, permits, but the most important thing once all is in place---I will not want to do scatter lots ----too much moving of equipment---plus,,,have to plan security -----maybe in the form of sweat equity I can have the home owners as watch dogs???? still going to go the minority route also,??

Don't mind questions at all---have an E-Mail address,,,or maybe go thru one of the others that do----I think that I saw Chole list hers once,,,or Tony's ?

Sturg some good news on the house front today----a first draft of agreement for those houses----now if no one gets greedy ---it"ll happen I think.

"Why does the hag keep talking to me?"

Because you keep on saying stupid shit.

Bow -- I knew you weren't singling out just one vice....and you are right -- when the gov't starts making the choices, no one will like it.

"Providing universal healthcare is going to be more complicated than most can imagine. "

And perhaps the biggest is that some people are sucking the system dry.

Jamie

Even habitat doesn't build under a 1000 ft house around here and the new ones now have garages and basements making them even bigger.

You aren't a home owner if you can't sell your house.

Jack

Jack----your 7;52 post is also right on the peso

A few years ago that is what what was done by the city of chicago and the white sox baseball team,,,,they bought out all of the surrounding houses for a few miles around the stadium----and then whent a little further ----lots of people put to work---average sq ft was about--1,600 sq. ft.but they put in basement stub outs for future connection----

Bowmanc ,,listted various projects that involved sports parks----that is a two edge sword too me-----most of the time----the owners and the city conspire to get the tax payer to pay for it----ant the team owners get a free stadium???

Jack

Most of the habitat homes are 3 BR plans. You can't really do that in under a 1000 feet. The homes I'm talking about tend to be 1 person in residence or for use as a vacation lake get away place not a primary residence.

Americans do build too large for actual need just because we can. Many developed nations such as Japan and the nordic countries have much tinier places with multi purpose rooms and what amounts to small sleeping cells rather than huge bedrooms.

Frank Lloyd Wright did a lot of the small bedrooms around large central core in his designs so that they could be adjusted to smaller square footage.

The other night I was talking to this woman at work. She worked for a place called Hart & Cooley. They just closed their plant in Holland last year. She had worked there for 10 years. I originally heard that Hart & Cooley moved the Holland jobs to Arizona. She said they moved the jobs to Arizona, Mexico and China. They thought if they moved some jobs to Arizona the workers in Holland couldn't apply for NAFTA benefits. Whichn basically would mean they could get money to help them go to school and get a different job. But, the Holland workers were allowed to get help from NAFTA. Hart & Cooley didn't like this and they closed the Arizona plant as well because of this.

Yeah Jack, Your permanent record is permanent, and guess who is keeping track. Are you scared yet?

go walk those f---kin dogs and let some fresh air in here will you----you called Patsi a hag again----what is wrong with you??

you wake up every morning ----and look for someone to talk to and they for reasons that I don't understand --do so----you get worse and worse as the day goes on,,,,stop calling people names-----I just broke my rule by even writing your name----but like Patsi -says its hard to ignore---

We have signs on the doors in the lunchroom. They read: PLEASE DO NOT TAKE CHAIRS OUTSIDE.

These signs were put up because smokers were taking chairs outside so they had something to sit on while they smoked during break. Every night, I watch the smokers come inside from smoking on break. Usually 4 or 5 of them are carrying chairs back inside with them. Chairs they had taken outside with them. One night I said to them, "I thought you weren't supposed to take chairs outside?" I then corrected myself and said, "Wait. I never actually saw you taking those chairs outside. So, I wanna thank you for bringing them inside when you came back in the building!"

Hey Jack,

You still here?
You're breaking your own rule. (You know, don't feed the trolls).
You know you can't have a reasonable conversation with a wacko. Don't read his posts. Problem solved

You don't need the frustration. And I don't want you to get upset, because you might stop talking to us as much. I, for one, would be disappointed if that happened.

One item of interest about the Mortgage meltdown is the Republican's blaming it on lack of qualification for the loans when it was more likely greed, forcing too much house on people and high interest rates when the ARMs rolled over.

Habitat for Humanity has a foreclosure rate of less than 2% because the families invest in sweat equity, have an affordable, no interest mortgage that returns the cost of the home back to the Habitat fund.

The families in both cases tend to be from the same demographic yet have very different results in their home purchase.

Watch: Rev. Wright TV Ad That McCain Would Not Run

"Even as his campaign fell far behind in the polls, Sen. John McCain refused to authorize the use of a fully-produced 30-second television commercial that criticized Barack Obama for his relationship with the controversial pastor, Reverend Jeremiah Wright.

A copy of the spot, obtained by ABC News, ..."

http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/Vote2008/story?id=6395775&page=1

Chloe

Chole---morning mate,,,no worries, now I know where you live---Texas----sorry about that :-)))))

there is, and never be anything wrong

Kalamazoo, Michigan also has the free college education to all Kalamazoo High School graduates. I have known kids who had parents who were college professors and had a free education waiting for them if they went to the college their parents taught at. A few turned it down because they didn't wanna go to college in their hometown.

Chloe
lol

thanks for the reminder
Aye aye, mam

Will do

Jack

You were the one who first taught me that rule. :)

Have a nice evening group.

"I certainly haven't insulted you, but hey if you think that make your absurd notion plausible you keep insulting me and sticking to your guns. I bet your one of those guys who complains when you feel the neighbors dont' cut their grass as often you feel they should. Nothing matters mores than your property value does it? All about he all mighty dollar. "

STOP IT! Yer killin' me!!!!!! This even exceeds your usual BS. You twist, turn and flat out lie ALL the time. Not to mention that you are about six ribs short of a barbecue.

WHY do you feel the need to do this?

"now I know where you live--"

Texas is a really big state Solar. :)

What's THAT supposed to mean, Jamie???? I'm kidding, of course. LOL!

Hey everybody,

The wife just came in, I'm a married man again. You people have fun but Ive got a lot of catching up to do.

thanks to you know who you are.

Tomorrow maybe, then again, maybe not

Jack

And the reason you name call and have tried to destroy this blog is very simple. You are an insecure Cheeto dick.

Point being: Don't think I won't respond to being called a Hag, Cheeto dick....

Jack -- I am sure your wife gets a charge out of the bizarre element on this blog....ROFL!

Chole ----thanks for your -

-http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2008/12/barack-in-wonderland.html#comment-180823

-was some thing on your mind

Solar-I thought you were going to join facebook finally.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2008/12/barack-in-wonderland.html#comment-180823

You mean when I said Good Morning?
No, I just hadn't seen you around and wanted to say hi.

See you tomorrow. nite

Craig,

J.B.,White is onto something ...I was thinking myself that " I did not have sex with that woman" reminds me a lot of " I did not have contact with that man" Clinton had his weaknesses is Chicago Obama's weakness? You Betcha!

http://rattlergator.typepad.com/rattlergator/2008/12/chicago-politics-never-fails-to-amaze.html

Glad you liked the dog video - what an animal!

Lampe - I know what you mean about Obama and the machine, and I agree it's possible. I just think it's also possible that he managed to stand back far enough to have escaped the worst.

I just don't want to think about four years of scandals that will be the main activity in d.c.

I don't want to be wrong about this.

This rattler gator guy - is this a partisan commentator or is he basically straightforward?

Rosie --sorry got distracted --you still here?

Yeah. I though you were going to join facebook. What happened? Is you're annonimity that important?

Rosie

Took a peak at your face book---nice, you look a lot like my wife,,,she does have to dye her hair ,,but she is 53,,and looks like 47,,she is also like you ( I think ) she is about 5' 4" tall and about 105 lbs,,I booked it so I can take a peek at you when we argue -----and point---no---no way :-)

About me in face book----here

http://img120.imageshack.us/img120/8232/fx5101pickypickyposterszb9.th.jpg

forgot to tell you that I look real young too .

try it again

http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/2616/fx5101pickypickyposterspb3.th.jpg

You're too cute. But add about 100 lbs to your wifes 105 and you got me.

In Obamas case: You can only hope that he is not involved. but, you know yourself if you stand around a mud puddle long enough, sooner or later it's going to get splashed on you, and you end up dirty.

just peeked again---

Krista Ross---right----not trying to be cute---like your pic---I"ll get a pic taken,,then post it ----1/3 Greek---1/3 spanish---1/3 indian,,,,,,,look for a guy that looks a little like all of these at the same time----I do,,and I don't look latin---some think,Italian, some Mexican----but no one is sure at first----hope I cleared that up a little.,,,now you should have a real clear pic, of me---

Lamp

I think that you are right ---but they cleaned him up before they sent him out to be POTUS

But I'm serious. You're too cute. And I don't mean that in a bad way at all. Did you see that I posted "Look at Us" on my profile page? You and me, baby!

Nno ---how do I get into profile page--------------

Yeah! But, how many times can you clean him up, and ask people not to remember the last stains?

You mean----the one with me ,,,with the hooded sweat shirt,,,and you with the witch hat on?

Maybe you have to join?
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1541555643&ref=profile
You have to go down to 'show more posts'.

Lamp

My only wish is that he be left alone to do the hard work that is ahead of him-----I don't like him that much myself----I have never liked slick people,,,,but he is my president now,,,and i wish him the best of luck----and all the people that he has appointed so far gives me hope----like his pic today for the energy dept

Ok how do I get a pic on you face book?

Solar-I have no idea. I'm still trying to figure things out on there myself. If you have any good ideas.....?

Nope---so that let me off the hook?

Hell no, Mr dbl-standard. That just means you have to join.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2008/12/barack-in-wonderland.html#comment-181156

Nope your not off the hook,your smart! Post that pic Mr....

Tonyyyyyy hi buddy ,,,cold as a nuns habit her in chicagoridge---and don't tell me the temp there!!

Lampe - I'm not really disagreeing with you. You said it yourself, " if you stand around a mud puddle long enough" and I'm thinking he might not have been there long enough. I wonder if that's why they rushed this campaign. that's all.

Whatever I think isn't going to change things, so while I have the luxury of hoping he is clean enough, I will do so.

David Gergen just commented that Truman came out of the Prendergast machine in KC and Missouri, without being tainted. I suspect some would disagree with that statement, though.

After reading some of Lampe's posts pre-election, one might think that he/she hopes that Obama has some stains.

Blago rejects Obama's call for him to resign. Are you "bleeping" kidding me?! That guy is "bleeping" guilty and everybody knows it! Un-"bleeping"-believable!

That Obama was able to work the political machine in Chicago is a marvel in itself considering the machine's ethnicity. They generally don't favor people of any color or other anything.

Imagine this, Obama's chosen a Nobel Physicist for Energy.

Gol-ly.

Finally a thoughtful choice.

tt

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2008/12/barack-in-wonderland.html#comment-181057

Bow, not likely to happen. More likely will be wellness programs to assist people with such issues as smoking, weight, fitness. It wouldn't be "oh you smoke, go ahead and die"

Universal health care will be a god send for the USA. Don't fear it; embrace it.

Not even inaugurated yet, Obama’s administration could very well be the most corrupt in American history

"The media deliberately ignored Obama’s connections to Tony Rezko (convicted felon), Valerie Jarrett (known in Chicago for her housing fraud and slumlord deals), James Meeks (rabid homophobe), Yesse Yehudah (whom you have probably never heard of, but who gave Obama a $10,000 bribe 8 years ago), Mayor Daley (where do we begin?), Rod Blagojevich (who you are hearing about only now, and whom Obama worked for, alongside Rahm Emanuel, back in 2002), Emil Jones (the absolute worst of what Illinois has to offer), Jeremiah Wright (of whom you’ve only seen the smallest tip of the teensiest iceberg), Jan Schakowsky (wife of convicted felon Robert Creamer, who taught at Camp Obama), Vera Baker (the mystery woman of Martinique), and whole host of others.

There is honestly enough Chicago political scandal Obama is directly involved in to keep explosive stories in the news, like this week’s Blagojevich-a-palooza, every week for the next 4 years."

http://hillbuzz.wordpress.com/2008/12/10/not-even-inaugurated-yet-obamas-administration-could-very-well-be-the-most-corrupt-in-american-history/

Found this article on Chicago Sun Times. Now that I know Chicago has such fun politics I've added the site to my bookmark :-p~~~

Insanity defense wouldn't be his craziest idea
It might be time for the insanity plea for a governor who seems detached from reality

by Mark Brown

Rod Blagojevich's defense lawyers might want to consider an insanity defense.

The federal government's secret tape recordings of the governor's scheming during the past two months confirm what a lot of people have been saying about him for a long time now.

He's utterly mad. Completely and totally off his rocker."....

http://www.suntimes.com/news/brown/1322968,CST-NWS-brown10.article

Rosie----still there -nite

Hey Rosie and Solar, are you all in the TM facebook?

Do the polls indicate that this blog is still dysfunctional even with Obama becoming our next president? LOL!

ET, it's just sad how people have mountains of evidence against them and their lawyers say, "Let's wait until we have all facts!"

OSH-I didn't know that TM had a facebook.

It does. Not sure how to find it. Well I think I could give you a link to my facebook and it is there or just search for Craig Crawford., you'll surely find it on his page.

It's called Craig Crawford's Trail Mix.

Find it yet?

I've got Craig's page, but there's a lot of stuff on it.

Rosie- Go to his info page, scroll down to groups and you'll see it there, You should be able to click on it and voila!

Ok! I found it! Thanks much! It'll probably take me a minute to figure out how to post my picture, but I'm halfway there now.

OSH *grin* I did it! I guess now I'm official. :)

Cool! will go find you, My name is Kathleen

I'm Krista. My goodness! You are neither old, nor haggish.

Ha!

Rosie, I see your photo, nor are you! I invited you to be a friend, check your email.

It's a done deal :)

Whew! That wore me out. I'm off to bed.

Tiptoe - your 11:45 pm post is exactly what I meant when I said that race might have been a saving factor for Obama. The machine might have lost their chance to suck him in.

""That Obama was able to work the political machine in Chicago is a marvel in itself considering the machine's ethnicity. They generally don't favor people of any color or other anything.""

Tylenol - I keep forgetting to ask you - what's going on up there with Mr Harper????? Is he channeling Charles II?

"And can somebody tell me the downside of using that whole wind corrider through Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Eastern Colorado?"

patsi, i hope it's not true or at least, if it is, the planners will use the knowledge to plan with foresight; but somewhere i read that that corrider is also a major migratory path.... for monarch butterflies? birds? can't remember. cbob might know. as i said i hope they consider this in setting them up.

ap story on are tapes enough to convict?
http://www.federalnewsradio.com/?nid=80&sid=1545812

Obama's Blagojevich story is crumbling.
Obama insisted that none of his staff had a part in the attempted selling of his Senate seat by Gov. Blagojevich. "I have never spoken with the governor on this subject. I am confident that no representative of mine would have any part in any deals related to this seat," Obama said. It appears that Obama's chief of staff, Rahm Emanuel, has been talking to Blagojevich. The details of those discussions are not yet known.
The Intellectual Redneck