Craig Crawford's Trail Mix

december the twoth, ought ought eight.

wonder if this decade will be known as the oughty oughts, as we ought to have done this and ought not to have done that.

Good morning all!
"but what a lesson it is for Democrats who think that he might ever risk his own winning image to help political friends in dire need." Not surprised, Party first isn't his strong suit.

"...helping his party by personally campaigning there."

but then again, craig and oldsea, he might have been advised by party advisors that not being there personally would be of better help to the party. consider the sarah circus.
consider also that those voters in georgia who supported obama are perfectly capable of determining who they want for their senator and will vote or not vote accordingly.

"India is different from the United States: Indian Home Minister Shivraj Patil submitted his resignation over the weekend.
Did any U.S. national security official resign after the 9/11 attacks? I must have missed it."

words to contemmplate from jeff stein in yesterday's spytalk

I, too, sing America.

I am the darker brother.
They send me to eat in the kitchen
When company comes,
But I laugh,
And eat well,
And grow strong.

Tomorrow,
I'll be at the table
When company comes.
Nobody'll dare
Say to me,
"Eat in the kitchen,"
Then.

Besides,
They'll see how beautiful I am
And be ashamed--

I, too, am America.

[Langston Hughes]

Tennessee sees nearly 10% rise in food stamps...one of them is a disabled Iraq war veteran who works as a carpenter. Why can't this country take care of disabled vets!?

http://www.tennessean.com/article/20081202/NEWS0201/812020369

Read last nights posts.
Jack usually calls what was going on as feeding the troll (which I agree with).

But I'd call it trying to have a rational conversation with a complete wacko.

(It always just ends up sounding like oneupsmanship).

If no one ever wrote his name again, this would be a better community for it.

I suppose, Chloe...but isn't that a bit like getting slapped and shrugging it off? I do agree that it becomes an out-snark fest -- but I just can't read all those toxic comments and not respond.

Patsi, I understand what you're saying, and in many cases I would agree with you. I know where you're coming from. But, in my opinion, this is more like placing yourself in the wrong part of town. In order to help the people that live in that part of town, you have to get them out of there first.

You can't get slapped Patsi if you don't read the post.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1091217/Barack-Obama-interested-taking-British-cancer-sufferers-puppy-pet.html

I wonder if Hamish barks with a Scottish accent?

There were a number of fliers at work laying on the tables in the lunchroom. They had a message on it from our company's CEO. Don't know who put them there, as I don't think it was meant for the whole plant to see. The message concerned the UAW. I am assuming they UAW wants to see if they can get us to join them. This was supposed to happen several years ago, but nothing ever happened of it. I mean, there were rumors they wanted to visit us. But, I never saw anybody from the UAW anywhere near our plant.

Craig.... it seems you are suggesting that what Obama is doing for Jim Martin is equivalent to his voting "present".....

as a Hillary supporter during the primaries, I have only one thing to say....

told ya so.....

Careful now, Renee. Of course, you're an independent, right? You can't get booted from the party here! BTW, my brother-in-law's sister and her husband were visiting from Maine last week. Their 8 year-old son worships Tom Brady. He was devestated when he got hurt , because that meant he couldn't watch him play this year.

You know, I'm really interested in every ones opinion here. Don't you think you can support the person who get's slapped without talking much about the person that did it (at least directly).? There are so many people here that have done that for me this last year, and in doing so, have gotten me through some pretty rough times.

ok.... I'll get into the food fight....

in real life.... if someone slapped me..... I'd slap them back..... and if it were a male.... I'd put my knee in his crotch at the same time....

in real life.... I'd fight the bully.... and when I choose to fight.... I'm a pitbull....

this is not real life.... it's a blog.... I choose to come here for relaxation and entertainment purposes..... I also learn quite a bit from many posts.....

since Craig has decided to let this be a free speech blog.... there are many posts I don't like..... I can choose to respond, scroll by them, or leave this blog altogether....

I choose to scroll by them.... I respect other's rights to make their own choices..... and if they don't like my choice...... tough....

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2008/12/obama-skips-georgia-senate-rac.html#comment-178459

Post of the day!

Corey....
I know exactly how that 8 yr old feels.....
it's been an up and down year for the Pats..... they play brilliantly one week and then the next get their butts handed to them.......
I doubt they'll make the playoffs this year..... but I faithfully watch them every week anyways.....

you know how sports are..... we here in New England have been blessed with some really great sports teams lately...... I try to enjoy it while it lasts....
and now I have the Celtics to enjoy...... they're on a winning streak....

Bill Clinton mentioned for wife's Senate seat
http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/12/01/clinton.replacement/index.html

That was the basis of an article that was written about Obama yesterday. About how some liberals who were expecting him to go way left, will be disappointed. MoveOn already helped one of Obama's first choices of one his cabinet posts to remove himself from consideration because of their objections.

Hey Patsi, You still here?

I want to make sure you know I wasn't talking about you when I made that oneupsmanship comment. I think you're great and positive and always very supportive of whoever needs it.

I wasn't criticizing anyone. I was just reminding myself that it felt like that all the times I got involved in the arguments I've gotten myself into here..

"You can't get slapped Patsi if you don't read the post."

The last time I tried to do that, I just had to stop reading the blog.

No, I understood what you were saying Chloe....and I also undertand that people often disagree on blogs. I've had several disagreements with people like Jack and Pogo -- and it's always just an exchange of thoughts...no big deal. And I usually learn something from them.

Likewise Mr. D -- although he could be snarky and hell and cause me to snark back -- I did feel like I learned things from his posts, and articles he suggested.

At any rate -- I've got to get to work.

Good morning everyone! One year in and one more year to go with the Bush Recession. Yay!

Craig -- You are right on target. I was just talking with my friend Diana last night (btw, she said you took a picture with her in C-ville just so I would be really jealous. Well, I am **green** with envy and really sorry I missed you.) Anyway, we were talking about the Georgia race. I'm more worried that the GOP will spin a Chambliss victory as a GOP "comeback" and feed their meme that Obama didn't win so much as McCain lost. I'm concerned that they will squeeze a lot of life out of that tale and that will not be good for the beginning of the New Democratic Era. Things will be hard enough with the new Administration and new Congress trying to turn the country around -- which will take at least 3 years -- does not bode well for mid term expansion of DEM lead in Congress

mornin' y'all.

Good lord - last night's posts...

Corey - you're right. And on another topic, if the UAW thought they had a decent shot at a successful organizing campaign in your shop, they'd be there.

renee, mornin'. Yep, the Celts look good this year - be interesting to see how they and the Cavs do going into the heart of the season. Ever check out the NBA power rankings?

http://www.nba.com/powerrankings/

Interesting reading if you follow BBall.

CB, great music you were linking last night. Super Session was one of the albums I practically wore the grooves out on the old AR turntable. Loved the Stills/Kooper side as well. That album had what I think is the best cover of Season of the Witch ever recorded, and It Takes a Lot to Laugh, It Takes a Train to Cry is amazing.

"I've had several disagreements with people like Jack and Pogo "

Me too....and I remember what you said about our country's founders having strong disagreements and arguments, and i agree there's nothing wrong with arguing. I've said here before, if everyone agrees on everything, then someones compromising too much.

I'm sorry I brought all of this up. It was a personal feeling I had, and I should have kept it to myself. I'm not interested in pushing my ideas on others and apologize if it seems that way sometimes.

Have a good one everyone!

An interesting comment on Obama's choice of advisors, it kinda goes along with Craigs comments

http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/obama-palling-around-wrong-kind/story.aspx?guid=%7BDB6016BA%2D5209%2D4658%2DAF90%2D7130E88742AD%7D&dist=TNMostRead

the complcated world of international business, as pointed out by this article on Ford

"Can Sweden help save Ford?
Commentary: Idea of selling Volvo pulls more players into the bailout mix"

http://www.marketwatch.com/newscommentary/firsttakes#E942C65D-EC3E-4FEA-91BD-06CEDCDD3624

Although Obama did not go to Georgia --doesn't he have a lot of his staff there? The biggest problem with the run offs in December is getting people out to vote...

I guess have Sarah Palin as their closer was supposed to gin up excitement for the goopers. Who was the closer for the Dems

It appears the closer for the Democratic candidate was Ludicris

hmmmm

chloe, I enjoy disagreement. I had a buddy who used to say that opinions are llike assholes - everyone has one (but most people aren't interested in anyone else's). I don't think people have to be disagreeable just because they disagee. I don't think it's necessary to resort to name calling instead of arguing just because you hold a different opinion on an issue - which is why I don't engage with a couple of the posters here anymore. They see to think they have never been wrong, even when they patently are, consider opinions counter to their own or a correction of their BBFF facts as a personal affront and are incapable of discussion or argument without resorting to name calling. Thankfully, they are few; and even Gordo and AP, with whose views of the world and the facts they see I probably disagree most strongly engage in civil discussion about them.

"It appears the closer for the Democratic candidate was Ludicris

hmmmm"

What better way to bring out the Democratic African American vote, than to use Ludicris? He is extremely popular in the African American communities. Maybe not so much with the suburban white liberal crowd but white liberals in Georgia could possibly be listed on the Endangered Species List.

Ludicris was joined by some other rappers...will bring out younger blacks and white rap fans alike...don't know about the older AA church crowd.

Interesting Time take on Georgia:

http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1863231,00.html

Hey, y'all, I only post rarely, but it strikes me that Craig missed the larger point here. We are at an extremely critical juncture in determining the future of the USA. Obama was right to keep his involvement to a minimum in this race - there are bigger issues he has to deal with at the moment (sorry). It is most important that he be working to heal divisions than jumping into a situation that will take us back to pre election chaos. He is handling that task masterfully, in my opinion. I wish he would be a little more daring, but truth is daring is not the game that needs to be played right now - nor divisive politics.

Craig,

It seems to me that Obama did enough with the commercial. The nation is in the throes of a financial meltdown, we are at war in a couple of places, and there are more than a few crises that he needs to study up on all while deciding what team he wants to represent the nation for all of the garbage being left behind. Sinking to the state level right now to get into a donnybrook with Cariboo Barbie hardly helps cement the idea of him as the future President of all the people.

Towards the end of the "The American President", Michael Douglas has a great line, "This is a time for serious people, Bob, and your fifteen minutes are up. My name is Andrew Shepherd, and I *am* the President. "

He may not have the job yet, but for the time being with deference to the current job holder, he needs to act as if he does.

Pogo, please take a look at my original post.
http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2008/12/obama-skips-georgia-senate-rac.html#comment-178451

I'm still confused how it developed into some thinking I disagree with arguing. (?) Hell, I argue more than anyone. And no one has ever accused me of being easy to get along with. I hope when you reread what I said, you see how simple it was. It wasn't advice, it wasn't complaining, it wasn't any more than a random thought I had, and I regret it if it affected the flow of things this morning.

Pirate cruise ship attack foiled....

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jhjR2kXogaWNFY3zLyQTSDfjAkkQ

I didn't think you were complaining,Chloe -- just reminding us of Jack's "don't feed the trolls" belief.

I, on the other hand, believe in "Smack-a-Troll." :)

patd

Langston Hughes is one of my favorite poets. You might enjoy reading a blog article I wrote early last year, "How To Write A List".

http://jdurward.blogspot.com/2007/05/how-to-write-list.html

Sorry to hear that things have gotten ugly again. :-( This blog has such great people participating that it deserves better !!

i am going to read it over now... I think my blood pressure is ok... Meanwhile, I offer this video to lighten up the mood:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6NSXxHCGdUs

BIG SOCKS!!!

"I, on the other hand, believe in "Smack-a-Troll." :)"

Ha!, Gotcha. :)

chloe, that is what prompted my comment, and I completely agree. I dodn't mean to suggest that you disagree with arguing. You certainly don't, and at least as to me, you have never been less than civil. ki didn't take anything you said as anythingother than your opinion, which you are entitled to hold and to state. AS for me, I don't feed that troll. Patsi whacks him and jamie tries to reason with him. As they say, to each, his own. :-)

sorry for the typos. didn't ...I ... anything other ... As ...

ET, if you skip last night's smackdowns, it ain't so bad.

Saxby Chambliss family ad...watch him right after his grandkids say "Vote for My Big Daddy."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_3T6q88QF4

Another store shooting this time at K Mart. I know some people go hunting for bargains. It seems this year they are using live ammunition.

Agree Patsi Saxby is a perv. Draft dodging perv.

There is a partition going around to allow exposed carry of fire arms in Tx. How well will side arms be with Armani suits?

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2008/12/obama-skips-georgia-senate-rac.html#comment-178480

I agree with Jamie. Going to the state level to campaign for some likely-to-lose senate candidate would have been something Jimmy Carter would have done simply because it seemed like the right thing for any good martyr to do. Just like wearing cardigans and carrying his own luggage. Just like stocking his senior staff with people who had no Washington experience to make a stubborn point.

I am thrilled with Obama's cool pragmatism in all aspects of the transition thus far. And I would add his decision not to go to Georgia to that list of good decisions.

What would Roger Simon do without Hillary to bash? His career would be over.

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1208/16107.html

LL

Simon did a lot of his usual "Clintons are evil" carping, but the closing was quite nice and even hopeful:

"As secretary of state, she can make a real contribution to solving global problems, creating peace where there is none now and restoring America’s standing in the world.

So this is the end of the old Hillary. But the new Hillary could do a lot of good."

Patsi

Im going to go along with Chole one this one,,,I was going to finish the Jesus's stuff and go back to mainly lurking,,,,,and then Evy showed up---and said that she/he reads what she/he can, and then circles back at another time to catch up-and finish---

-what this means to me is that it is reaching some people,,,that is why I post it---going to do more, on diff subjects that are not commonly known by most people...----those-here(on TM) might know but it will surprise some here also-----names and dates of how the politicians of the times worked hard to minimize the humanity of Blacks,,and American Indians, and other minorities in order to not give them the voting rites----is one subject amongst others-----I will post only once ,,and then ask you all if you want me to go on!!!

Back to what Chloe said,,,I think that she right----but I do know how you fell about not being able to not respond to someone that is a bully-----believe me I am the same way-----I would rather be the one to get all the abuse , that anyone else-----I believe that is what Camp was doing----so the blog would be a better place.

Yeah, Jamie, well said. And incidentally to the point - as opposed to the discussion of the discussion.

When pundits start setting "expectations" for presidents -- abstract, unprovable expectations like 'Obama should go to Georgia to show he's a good Democrat' -- they're doing nothing but setting a trap. They simply want Obama to go to Georgia to give them fodder to write about how he's getting down and dirty and in the mud of campaign politics and wasting his political capital during a national time of crisis. That's all it is.

All the pundit carping about "Clinton retreads" and "betraying the left by governing from the center" is exactly the same thing. They would have loved nothing more than Obama hiring a bunch of babes in the woods and pushing a too-liberal agenda -- that would have all blown up in his face and given them column fodder for months, if not years to come.

Obama is simply showing how smart he is by not playing to the chatterers.

I am running around so much that I have made so many type O's----the one i want to correct is Camp=Champ,,thanks

Solar,

I didn't like the way things flared up last night so I left. The things you post are interesting and I'm sure many would like to read them. Still you may want to double check with Craig. This is a political blog and he has requested that we keep things short and conversational simply because it isn't fair to the lurkers to have to wade through long depositions to get an overview of the political.

You have a lot to say and it is important, but the place to do it is your own blog. If you look above, you will see that I addressed Patd using a short poem as commentary and provided a link to a much longer article I wrote.

Besides, having your own blog is fun.

Anyone request and/or receive notice about inaugural tickets.
We were turned down by our Senators' offices but our niece got two tickets in OK. Figures... no interest in Oklahoma lol
Now we got to help with logistics for her. If she can't (costly) go we hope to get them.:-)

Centerist inside the beltway administration is now here!

Rez

The news was just talking about the hotel rooms being exhausted. Some people are offering their homes but very very expensive. Who do you know that would let her sleep in the spare bedroom?

I seem to remember that Obama sent more of his paid staff to Georgia. Since today will be about the turnout, it'll be interesting to see if they make a difference.

Pogo -
I like to make myself sick listening to the same music over and over, sort of like putting on fat for the winter. The CD player in my head works better when it has fat reserves to draw on .

Jamie---

I remember that, he said that ---we should keep it short if it involved another news source ---and not to cut and paste-----I don't have the time to go back and find it now----but ok---you said last night that you were finished with this subject-and to do what ever---it now looks like,, this is what you want?---but Craig will back you up so----that is ok too---ill make them short ,,,,I don't want a blog,,,,if I did would be mostly to help young contractors ---answers their questions-----maybeI can get a coupleof people from here, and a couple from the other blog that is on this one----and if i do start one can i have the privilege to announce the subject of what i am blogging each, and every day without objections,,on this blog (you don't and no else that I can see?)---------of courses all of this is not going to happen but,,,,the rules seem to bend for some and not for all???-------------i will go back and see what actually was said? I don't mean to be argumentative, and will not mention it again....thanks

hey Pogo, just popped in again... I read your commment and I think I will not read the comments.

Just read an analysis on Eric Holder and the Marc Rich pardon. Interesting stuff. I wonder if he will be sacrificed like Zoe Baird, whom I thought was great, and Kimbra Wood? Either of them would have been great and interesting, but Janet Reno... I don't know... I don't think they found the best candidate.

I'm off

Pogo....
I'm still a newbie where basketball is concerned..... every time I see the Celtics play a team they didn't meet in last year's playoffs, it's the first time I'm seeing that team play.... Rick and I have had fun googling the opposing team's stat's and trying to guess which city they play for......

after reading what TPCTNC, Jamie, and Lardass have to say about Craig's chosen topic..... I've changed my mind..... I like the fact that Obama is acting presidential too.....

Solar..... I LOVE your Jesus posts.... and I would HATE it if you go back to lurking.....

Jamie.... why do you always try to play blog den mother whenever Craig is busy..... we all talk about non-political stuff..... I've actually said very little about politics in the last several months (and on purpose).....
don't try to suggest that I stop talking about sports...... ain't gonna happen....
and I LOVE all the music many here posts...... and of course I LOVE all of CBob's posts, which are rarely political in nature.....

Three things -

1. I almost always skip long blocks of text. Because I have the attention span of a gerbil.

2. I almost never open links that don't have a descriptive text as to what the thing is.

3. The scroll button is on the right side of the screen.
------------

Now, having said that I'll go find something silly to put up.

Rove and Limbaugh approve of the national security team! 'Nuff said! See today's HuffPost.

Thought for the day :
" Every Titanic has its iceberg. "

My vote for quip of the day.
"Smack-a-Troll."

It doesn't get any sillier than this -

1981 Britney Jean Spears Kentwood, LA, singer (Baby One More Time, You Drive Me Crazy, Oops I Did It Again)

1927 1st Model A Fords sold, for $385
1941 Naval Intelligence ceases bugging Japanese consul
1941 Yamamoto sends his fleet to Pearl Harbor
1942 1st controlled nuclear chain reaction (Enrico Fermi-University of Chicago)

Horsey -

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/horsey/viewbydate.asp?ID=1867

Animal Control

Down to three tomatoes-----have had a lot of fun enjoying them,,,told my wife that I might try farming------she couldn't stop laughing for about 3-4 min.......my parents were farmer---ranchers, and have told us a lot of stories --- I can appreciate the pride that all farmers must have,,,not the corp. ones but the small family farms-looking forward to next years huge crops--haha---thanks

"Solar..... I LOVE your Jesus posts.... and I would HATE it if you go back to lurking...."

Ditto Solar...... Don't you even think about deserting us. :)
Bring on the information!

CBob, I like your rules! (at least the 'Three' you just shared with us)

Obama Asks Governors for Input on Stimulus Proposals

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122823053791072519.html

A factoid buried in the article

"An October study by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials estimated that 3,100 projects nationwide could break ground within three months of receiving federal funding. "

This is only transportation. I know of water projects(that the wife and playmates went after) in California, Texas, and New York that are indanger of being put on hold. The bids are done they are just waiting for the funding.

Jack

Jack

"Transportation Officials estimated that 3,100 projects nationwide could break ground within three months of receiving federal funding."

Now you're scaring me Jack. We have a huge amount of roads stuck in the middle right now, half done. I hate to think about this mess being permanent. I notice the article said Texas had the most, valued at an estimated $1.8 billion, and I believe it. They're working on roads everywhere.

Brazil leader asks God to halt rains, proposes aid

..... " He also called for a study on the causes of the tragedy, saying that heavy rains alone should not have been able to cause such devastation. "

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/1102ap_lt_brazil_flooding.html

--------
Another extreme rain event .
On Sept. 11 - 12 this year I got 8 1/2 inches of rain in 24 hrs. in my rain gauge .

Funniest piece from last night's Daily Show.

http://www.thedailyshow.com/video/index.jhtml?videoId=210922&title=msnbc-replaces-fox-news

Funny, cuz it's true. Hope they can manage to regain some perspective after the honeymoon is over next month.

Rez

Have you looked into flights into PA DE or MD and then taking the train into DC?

I doubt there will be anything into Dulles or National

Renee

I wasn't trying to play mother. Just passing information and offering a suggestion. If you will look back at last night, I said that it was totally Solar's choice and today referred it to Craig. Nothing more than trying to be helpful. It's not my blog or my decision and I don't object to anything he is posting.

Tijuana police chief fired after weekend violence

" .......... Capella's tenure in Tijuana was difficult before it even began. Just before he took office, 20 men dressed in black fired about 250 shots at his house one night. He ran alone from room to room with his rifle, firing from different windows until the assailants retreated. "

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/1102ap_lt_mexico_violence.html

Jack I read that also-(Journal)---following Il closely ,,,I have requested info---on filing minority status ---Il ---and In ---should see a lot of projects start up----there will be a lot of work available for anyone that manages to last--until the projects get funding---even then there will be room for smaller co's ---we are meeting with In at the end of this week --that will help me decide which way to go-------if I can do sewer work for the city,,,I will do that as a minority contractor-----but will still do the houses in In and in Il

"They simply want Obama to go to Georgia to give them fodder to write about how he's getting down and dirty and in the mud of campaign politics and wasting his political capital during a national time of crisis. That's all it is."

Lard -- that's exactly what happened in the primaries....people like Matthews went on and on that the gloves needed to come off....then when some tough campaigning started, they were outraged, I tell you, outraged!

(And as far as the history of politics goes...nothing that happened this season was particularly evil...unless you count how the press twisted events.)

Blue -
Good one.

"Biden singled out Palin... for thanks and said his former rival's presence there is a sign that both parties are now confronting problems together. "Maybe walk outside with me later and say hello to me," he said to laughter from the crowd." Huh? Is that a (wink, wink,nudge,nudge) euphamism? I have trouble connecting Biden's verbal dots when he's not talking policy.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081202/ap_on_go_pr_wh/obama_governors

Palin's economic advice to other governors: First, get yerself a state that's got a big oil field...

Tuesday, Dec 02
David Gregory All but Certain for Meet the Press

http://www.mediabistro.com/fishbowlny/tv/david_gregory_all_but_certain_for_meet_the_press_102190.asp

Complete will poll ..... which David is losing .

(RANT)

THAT woman, Sarah Palin, who screeched that Obama was hanging out with terrorists is now hanging out with Obama.

THAT woman, Sarah Palin, who screeched that Obama is a SOCIALIST!!!! is now ASKING for MONEY from the GOVERNMENT (& the Prez to be) for Alaska at the Governors Conference.

(/RANT)

*HAIR ON FIRE*

Bastard hypocrites.

tt

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2008/12/obama-skips-georgia-senate-rac.html#comment-178506

Got a good chuckle out of that one, Bob. I have a question - can you wear out the songs on an IPod? LOL

Because he's a 12 year old, and wanted a screen large enough to watch Family Guy on when we're traveling, LP got a new one, and I got his old one, complete with School of Rock and about 200 of his songs. I've come to really appreciate G3, Joe Satriani, Paul Gilbert and Steve Vai. Anyway, I never paid much attention to the IPod specs beyond the price, and was pretty impressed when he gave me his old one - it's an 8 gig Nano - and with the School of Rock movie loaded on it, plus the 200 songs, it supposedly has about 6 gigs of storage left. Apple claims these things will hold 2000 songs or 8 hours of video. That's plenty for me - choosing from 2 decent albums is enough of a challenge anymore, and I couldn't care less about the video. Yup, Christmas came early to Pogo. I think I'll have to download Season of the Witch tonight. Yeah, that's the ticket. Thanks Bob.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2008/12/obama-skips-georgia-senate-rac.html#comment-178532

NOT CHUCK TODD?!?!?

30-mile debris pile becomes symbol of FEMA delays

Two and a half months after Hurricane Ike blasted the shoreline, alligators and snakes crawl over vast piles of shattered building materials, lawn furniture, trees, boats, tanks of butane and other hazardous substances, thousands of animal carcasses, perhaps even the corpses of people killed by the storm.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081201/ap_on_re_us/fema_s_mess;_ylt=AmBk3QxBWmZstM9Me05jTA3LLJ94

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2008/12/obama-skips-georgia-senate-rac.html#comment-178533

TT, c'mon now, this doesn't surprise you does it? Coming from the governor of the state that actually directly pays its citizens by redistributing wealth from revenues received from oil company taxes while calling Obama a socialist, apparently completely oblivious of the irony it presents.

Tom has been doing such a fine job, I had to see him leave. I'm not sure who has the political saavy, journalistic goods and personality to handle MTP.
We just know it isn't 'tessa. Right, c'b?

Typical, Bob, n'est pas?

Pogo -
Pig out .....

Madonna - Ray Of Light

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

------------
Great tune to pull the Mogeon Rim at 2 A.M.

TT..... ROFL!

Pogo.....
whenever Rick gets an award..... the latest ipod usually comes along with the check in the mail....
he told me he was getting another ipod touch (which is basically the iphone minus the phone) with his current award..... he already has 2 of them.....
so the upcoming one is mine...... YUMMY!

Blue -
I'm trying to be nice. I'm with the Beast, and Tina Brown ..... Give it to the Rhodes Scholar .... Maddow.

pogo, you're right.

*deep breath*

tt

hey..... just as I hit "submit"..... the Fed-ex truck pulled up to the front door....
guess what I just got..... my new ipod touch...... YES!

Cbob and BlueNads-I think it should go to Chuck Todd. He has one of the best minds around for politics and seem to be very profestional.

RR -
Spooky

C-Bob -- I suspect Janet Napolitano is gonna clean FEMA's house once she's at DHS.

Rosie -
Todd would be my #2 .. Gregory will fall on his butt. That guy's had one too many cocktail weenies.

Renee, Looks like early Christmas at the Rebel lhousehold, too. LP was drooling over one of those last weekend. Looks like a really slick little number. Enjoy! btw, I've found that the headphones or earbuds make all the difference in the world. I'm using a pair of Earcandy earbuds that have a soft ear canal seal, and they improved the sound at least 200% over the ones Apple included. And they also cut down on background noise on airplanes - a definite plus. LP uses a pair of Bose cans that do even better.

Cbob-so then who is your #1?

Court urged to choose power plants over fish
Bush administration sides with energy companies in environmental dispute

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28018299/

Boy, Pogo -- you make me glad that my kids are old enough to have bought whatever electronic stuff they want, and my granddaughter is young enough to still be into fairies and zebras!!!!

Rosie -
Give it to the Rhodes Scholar .... Rachel Maddow.

It won't happen, but she'd do a great job.

Apple has urged Mac owners to use anti-virus software.

However, in recent months, hi-tech criminals have signalled a change in tactics away from e-mail borne viruses. Instead, many are infiltrating popular webpages in a bid to infect the machine of any and every visitor.

Many seek to steal valuable information such as login names, passwords or game accounts instead of trying to install themselves on a machine. "

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7760344.stm

Mel Martinez to leave Senate

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics/florida/story/796033.html

Would have preferred Chuck Todd. Gregory is okay, but I hop Maddow will at least get the relief assignments. She's pretty busy now building her own show which seems to be going gangbusters.

Mac OS: Antivirus utilities

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2550

Rachel is good, but she might be a little too nice.

Patsi, I am the happy beneficiary of a kid who is developing and refining his tastes in electronics as he starts into puberty.

Rosie

Do you ever listen to her radio show? She is always courteous, but some of the questions she comes up with are major "put 'em in their place and show 'em what brains are like zingers".

U.S. Is Said to Expand Tax Inquiry

The Justice Department has expanded its criminal investigation into foreign banks that sell offshore private banking services to include Credit Suisse and HSBC, according to people briefed on the matter.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/02/business/02tax.html?_r=3&ref=business

Pogo -- Yes, LP has always sounded like a great kid. (Most credit goes to Mrs. Pogo, I assume.... :)

.... I am a fan of Mrs. Pogo...

If you're going to use a "knife" on TV, be sincere, and do it with a smile.

That was Russert's secret, and it's Maddow's as well.

who wudda thunk it?

White House nixes tree ornament that supports Bush impeachment

http://www.examiner.com/a-1721521~White_House_nixes_tree_ornament_for_impeachment.html

Patsi, HALF the credit goes to Mrs. P. The other half to LP. I'll claim 10% (just 'cuz). I know, that's 110%, but I'm using politician math - you know, the "If you elect me I'll work for you 110% of the time ..." math.

Cbob-no, I actually never heard her radio show, I just watch her on MSN. I always thought that she was pretty non-confrontational. But I also wondered at the fact that so many people won't go on her show.

How The Media Convinced Themselves Obama Was A Liberal -

6. Hyperventillated over Jeremiah Wright as if he was capable of some kind of Vulcan mind control.

7. Deduced, like Larry Kudlow, that if given the chance Obama would appoint Bill Ayers Secretary of State.

http://firedoglake.com/2008/12/02/how-the-media-convinced-themselves-obama-was-a-liberal/

BTW-going back to todays' thread. I think Obama is too busy trying to transition this country to go stump for someone. But it is a 'damned if you do, damned if you don't' scenario, regardless.

Just listening to the radio and got a reminder of this excellent "Church State" paper by Thom Hartmann. It also mentions Presidential Power and going to war. Well worth a read

http://www.thomhartmann.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=53&Itemid=38

Rosie,

I don't know the progressive radio station in your area, but you can listen to Maddow on line here

http://www.am1090seattle.com/

Starts 3:00 PM Pacific Time

jamie, LOL. Laura thought that ornament was inappropriate? I can't imagine why.

PHOTO IN THE NEWS: Venus, Jupiter, Moon Smile On Earth

People in Asia witnessed a smiley face (above, photographed from Manila, Philippines), while skywatchers in the United States saw a frown.

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/12/081202-venus-jupiter-photo.html

Latest Franken Coleman recount

http://www.startribune.com/politics/national/senate/35329829.html?elr=KArks7PYDiaK7DUqEiaDUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUU

Mentions vote has now narrowed to 73 votes, but radio announcement just said this is now down to 50 votes.

LOL@Jamie-thanks, but 'progressive' and 'Alaska' is an oxymoron. I'll check it out.
Bush asked to pardon ex-Ill. Governor
http://www.adn.com/nation/story/607726.html

By 69%-25%, those surveyed approve of Obama's choice of former rival Hillary Rodham Clinton as secretary of State.

By an even wider margin, 80%-14%, they support his decision to have President Bush's Defense secretary, Robert Gates, stay on the job.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/2008-12-02-obama-poll_N.htm

Regarding David Gregory as MTP Host: I hope he improves his game significantly, or that show is going to go down the tubes.

His defining moment for me on that show was when he guest-hosted for Russert way back in August 2007 -- when Karl Rove was leaving the administration and finally coming out of hiding for his first substantial interview in a long time. Gregory was totally manhandled by Rove. Rove ran the interview, and Gregory just hemmed and hawed and tried to get his questions in edgewise. He got rolled, big time.

I was pissed at Russert for not hauling his ass in off vacation to handle such a significant interview.

SolarCrete,

You're welcome glad I could help. Almost all the Founding Fathers/Mothers) were farmers as well as intellectuals. Nothing wrong with being close to the soil. I don't come on much lately have been busy curing white sweet potatoes (Haymans).

Noticed that Chloe commented on something you've been posting concerning the Dead Sea Scrolls among others and it sounds interesting—I'll go back and do some reading when I have the time. Better yet, I'll just copy your posts to another page and read it at my leisure.

Farmers have fun—today I've been making Christmas wreaths with rosemary branches (for gifts) and they smell nice also.

Have a nice day and a shout out to Chloe also.

jamie, the 73 vote margin in MN was as of last night. The speculation was that Franken will miss by about the width of a frog's hair. As you might guess, Coleman is trying to suppress votes.

SolarCrete,
I've been meaning to ask you about your user name. I spent some time in the concrete and masonry industry (overseas) and am familiar with "thermal mass storage " as well as using shotcrete, building a skateboard park. So it seems we may have other things in common other than food products.

LL -
Bingo
David wants to be invited back to the party. He needs to grow a pair. Maybe Hillary will loan him hers.

Animal -
Good question .

Oy David Gregory...more corporate media

We shouldn't beat up David. He just wants his ticket to Nantucket. Pretty much like everyone else.

That''s the second country song title I've written lately -
"Ticket to Nantucket"

A heart felt tune about the struggle to afford a seven figure sea captain's home on a small corner of over priced rural America.

for david:

http://www.nantucketonline.com/content.cfm?p=18&action=webcam

"Ticket to Nantucket"

The grueling tale of pursing the Keno Brothers to help you re-decorate in rural over priced America.

Sturg -
Here's "Yer Atta Boy".

I think I saw Norm the carpenter !

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2008/12/obama-skips-georgia-senate-rac.html#comment-178577

Thanks Animal control. I'm really glad to hear you're doing well. It's always nice to see you here, miss having you around. Take care.

It makes me so happy to see the return of the "atta boy (or girl)"

Nahm the cahpenter? lol

home sweet home......200 feet from where I'm sitting......It's very nice in the winter.....

http://www.bay.tv/baycams/4201.php

"Oy David Gregory...more corporate media"

Katherine,
Did you see Blue's link earlier today? It's funny...

http://www.thedailyshow.com/video/index.jhtml?videoId=210922&title=msnbc-replaces-fox-news

Full disclosure about my opinion on Gregory: I was a finalist for the MTP job.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2008/12/obama-skips-georgia-senate-rac.html#comment-178592

Nice Sturge. Looks a little cool there today (I went to the live link) :)

jamie, thanks for sharing your poetic lists theory. here's a stanza in james weldon johnson's "the creation" (should be heard not read as 007 would say) that seems to bear your theory out.

"Then the green grass sprouted,
And the little red flowers blossomed,
The pine tree pointed his finger to the sky,
And the oak spread out his arms, 45
The lakes cuddled down in the hollows of the ground,
And the rivers ran down to the sea;
And God smiled again,
And the rainbow appeared,
And curled itself around His shoulder."

" I was a finalist for the MTP job."

Seriously?

KGC -
I had friends who opened a blues bar called " Bellys" . At the time I was screen printing, we sold bandanas that had an old Honer Harmonica logo in the corners, with our logo in a chain on the sides. The Honer model was called The Atta Boy . It had this kid playing a harmonica, and smiling. Early 20th Century graphics. It was sweet.
Belly , the owner would pass them out , you did something good, you got an Atta Boy bandana. People loved it.

pogo and animal, please, it's "wacka troll"

LL -
I'm a master of space and time, and I'm also hiding that birth certificate that Gordon's friends can't find.
( Dancing smilely face )

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2008/12/obama-skips-georgia-senate-rac.html#comment-178458
"You know, I'm really interested in every ones opinion here."
Hey Chloe
Me too! I love hearing different opinions.I guess my only problem is I would like other's to be tolerant of different opinions and to have a nice discussion to find common ground.I realize that it is impossible with some, I foolishly try sometimes...I went to bed last night thinking how silly I was to ever even try with him...Aint gonna happen...Hope your well and getting ready for the Holidays! Congrats on soon becoming a young granny! HA

The Atta Boy harmonica -

http://cgi.ebay.com/FR.-Hotz-Atta-Boy-Harmonica-+-Spaeth-Hohner-instruction_W0QQitemZ360112029391QQcmdZViewItemQQimsxZ20081130?IMSfp=TL081130119002r31121#ebayphotohosting

went looking for "doo wacka doo" but found this instead.......roger miller as harmony guy.......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Pg1csk_PN0

I stole the art work off the box cover for my bandana design.

"master of space and time"

c-bob, with the attention span of a gerbil?

"I went to bed last night thinking how silly I was"

You're never silly Tony....nothing wrong with trying. That's why everyone here likes you so much. Keep being just the same. :)
And thanks!

The owner of Belly's :

http://www.pjbelly.com/

a little look back at one of my favorite harp-ers......Tony "Little Sun" Glover and friends.......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5cVmPfw97b8

Chloe...just teasing about MTP job, as usual. But you flatter me nonetheless! (My first demand would be that it be renamed "Meet The Lardass")

And CBob...haven't you heard? GORDO already has the birth certificate (or "Certificate Of Live Birth" as he likes to call it so it sounds more ominous.) He's just waiting for the perfect time to spring it -- which he has calculated to be the opening ceremony of the Obama Presidential Library in 2022.

Koerner, Ray & Glover - Blues, Rags & Hollers

Sturgeone,

that is one of the hippest recording in the history of recordings. Well done. Right up there with Sunny Terry and Brownie McGee. For 3 white boys they know the blues.

Pogo...
Rick bought me a pair of Bose quiet comfort 3 headphones for my birthday this past Sept........ they are sweeeeeeet....

Lardass.... I haven't watched the Sunday Shows in over a year..... Rick and I LOVE to go out to breakfast on Sunday mornings...... except for skiing season..... he skis every Sunday morning Dec-March..... if you had gotten the MTP gig, it would have given me a reason to start watching that show again now.....

Lardass....
I post and then I read you were teasing....

why you little......... {{{{{{{{{{{LARDASS}}}}}}}}}}}}}

i was given to understand that once you were master of space and time it was all "here" and all "now" and "attention" just got in the way...........

I coulda done that but opted instead for master of the invisible world.......not that the invisible world is much to look at, of course..............

This is Belly's bother , I worked on this place for a while years ago, Dr. Jimmy raises appaloosa mules . I made the first sign for
Rancho Santiago

http://www.ranchosantiago.com/

CBob....
I'd never heard of appaloosa mules...... horses, yes..... but not mules.....

they are beautiful!

patd

At some point every great poet does at least one and often many. Shakespeare has examples both in play dialogue and in sonnet form. John Donne has some totally blow you away examples in his prose, sermons, and poetry.

I used a short one by Sandburg for Veterans Day. Most people know it, but don't really notice the "Pile Them High and shovel them under" repetition as a list that makes you feel the waste in the war dead.

Grass

PILE the bodies high at Austerlitz and Waterloo.
Shovel them under and let me work—
I am the grass; I cover all.

And pile them high at Gettysburg
And pile them high at Ypres and Verdun. 5
Shovel them under and let me work.
Two years, ten years, and passengers ask the conductor:
What place is this?
Where are we now?

I am the grass. 10
Let me work.

RR -
Dr. Jimmy was the good son, Belly was the bad son. Belly sorted up some oil wells back in the 70's. He traveled back in the sixties as "The Crazy Elephant". Ripping off the real one hit wonder Crazy Elephant.
He was a hoot.

RebRenee...Now I'm thinking I SHOULD have applied for the job. I could have used all of you folks as references!

another short sandburger:

THE BUFFALOES are gone.
And those who saw the buffaloes are gone.
Those who saw the buffaloes by thousands and how they pawed the prairie sod into dust with their hoofs, their great heads down pawing on in a great pageant of dusk,
Those who saw the buffaloes are gone.
And the buffaloes are gone.

--sandburg

Here's a good one from the Waltster for all the mysogynists on the blog:

Unfolded out of the folds of the woman, man comes unfolded, and is always to come unfolded;
Unfolded only out of the superbest woman of the earth, is to come the superbest man of the earth;
Unfolded out of the friendliest woman, is to come the friendliest man;
Unfolded only out of the perfect body of a woman, can a man be form’d of perfect body;
Unfolded only out of the inimitable poem of the woman, can come the poems of man—(only thence have my poems come;)

RR

Rick----Rick-----Rick----thats all i hear-----I want to move in with rick---and you---I know that you r wonderful------I don't wont to make a mistake about Rick---so make that bed in the extra room--------Oh--- i love sunday morning breakfast-------does rick golf?---does Rick like to play tennis--------O hell now that's all im talking about---Rick---Rick---Rick----that reminds me I have a brother named Rick---takes care of my mom-----gotta call Rick----it never ends once you start-that rick stuff. :-)))))))

Renee, I'm jealous - the QC3s are indeed sweeeet. LP's don't have the noise cancellation stuff - I've got a pair of Sharper Image ones that do, and while the sound of the Boses beats the SI ones if it's fairly quiet, that noise cancellation stuff is the nuts. Say hi to Rick for me - and for solar. He's moving in you, know.

patd, forgive my misspelling, for I have sinned.

sturg - gold star.

In the Mad Dragster Announcer voice :

" Coming to the Concordia National Guard Armory this Friday June 5th iiiiiiiit's ........... THE CRAZY ELEPHANT !!!!!! "

That stuff went out on 50,000 watt KOMA out of OKC every night at sunset. They toured the whole summer in the breadbasket, riding in an Econo Line van playing " Gimme Gimme Good Lovin' ".

Sturge -- here's yer doo-wacka-doo....

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

Solar....
say "Rick and Renee"..... say it fast..... see how nicely it rolls off the tongue.... :0)
and no.... Rick doesn't play any of those "hob knobby" type sports.....

We have a futon couch you're welcomed to...... but Rick just told me you have to drive him to the mountain.... and carry his skis.....

Speaking of Gimme, Gimme Good Lovin', I may just have to download that tonight, too. Great.

Jamie, you couldn't pop down to the local Safeway? What about the local Kroger? LOL

One of the Boing Boing folks has taken up chickens, and it's a hoot too.

Setting free the chickens

http://boingboing.hexten.net/2008/12/02/setting-free-the-chi.html

Time to go - au reservoir!

RE:
Plans for January 20th.

I was thinking we could all just crash on Craig's Couch.

RR

Tell Ricky--Ricardo----that's not my job----Mon---hard to put an accent with your fingers-----I don't play golf that much anymore,,,I don't roll down hills to good, either ,,,,,glad I did not pack yet----guess ill stay here ----oh wait Pogo----sound pretty cool too---------you think that I can take his 5:02 post as an invite??

standards, pogo, we have standards. you're not in cancun anymore toto.

and pile them high at tm
and pile them high at mtp
shovel them under and let me work.

word for the day for craig: plagiarism

Funny about Sandburg -

1805 Napoleon defeats Russians & Austrians at Austerlitz

Is it just me, or does anyone else think that the "victims from Israel" angle is being way overcooked in the media coverage of a bloody rampage that left more than 170 mostly non-Israeli people dead?

Sure, the hard-to-find Jewish outreach center was among the sites specifically targeted. And sure, the story of the little boy who lost both parents is particularly heartbreaking.

But still...injecting Israel so prominently into this attack even if only as an indirect target only seems to inflame and warp the discussion around a paradigm that, however familiar it might seem, might not actually be the point here.

This story is topping the NYTimes website as I speak:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/03/world/middleeast/03funerals.html?hp

LL

One of the reasons may be that the Jewish victims showed signs of torture and I haven't heard that any of the other people killed were treated that way.

RE:
Plans for January 20th.

I was thinking we could all just crash on Craig's Couch.

CBob..... sounds like a great plan to me.....
as long as that smartass SolarCrete doesn't bring along his infamous chili.... :))))

one family farm with no subsidies in the midst of a seashore of McMansions:

http://www.rosebankfarms.com/events.asp

this is the one where Sidi (side-eye) put up the sign about real estate agents wanted.....to pick beans......

Sidi in front of the stand.......

http://www.mediaservices1.com/mods/pix/497/Sidi-Limehouse1.jpg

The price tag of a loan to the Detroit automakers could top more than $25 billion: GM is asking for up to $18 billion, Ford wants $9 billion and Chrysler, $7 billion.

http://money.cnn.com/2008/12/02/news/companies/automakers_plans/?postversion=2008120216
----------
In fairness to Ford, they just want to set up a line of credit.

"....subsidize inefficient family farms at the tax payers expense."
and you call yourself a democrat?
from farm aid site
"...We've just elected the first African American President – a historic and proud moment for our country. Why stop there? Historically, African Americans have been disenfranchised and discriminated against in the USDA; let's use this opportunity of change to get more African American voices to the table! More farm worker voices! More immigrant farmer voices! More beginning farmer voices! More urban ag voices! And the voices of all of us who eat too! Corporate interests have a powerful lobby in DC, which is all the more reason to shout out the many diverse voices of family farmers across America, loud and clear, and to demand equal representation." http://www.farmaid.org/site/apps/nlnet/content2.aspx?c=qlI5IhNVJsE&b=2723877&content_id={4DA2E311-FFA5-49A5-BB3E-456FBA6714A5}¬oc=1

AWE-----Shucks----but won't Ricky get a little mad-----you calling my bottom smart-??---later

If GM wants 18 Billion ......... I want that damn jet pack they promised me, and I want it to run on fryer oil.

better picture and completier story......

http://www.charlestoncitypaper.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A20350

In an effort to cut costs, GM also suggested that two of its brands - Pontiac and Saturn - could essentially be dropped.

A response I wrote in the commentary area of LA Times about anti-Gay sentiment expressed there.

"Dude" writes: "... marriage is a heterosexual institution. i am surprised with their alternative lifestyle and their clear opposition to our lifestyle that they would want to be any part of our culture and tradition"

what a magnificent cheap shot. I am American but because of debates like this I moved to Europe 10 years ago and haven't regretted it since. In the Netherlands, Belgium and Spain, we have full rights to marry. And guess what? There has been NO moral decline in these countries! England and Germany have strong "civil union" laws but not yet full marriage. I used to be a "born again Christian" until I realized that the people in this cult spoke of "love" but were full of hate against anyone who was different from them. This was not a healthy message for a gay teenager to hear, and it still isn't. I am grateful to be in a country that doesn't have these rabid "cultural wars" brought on by the right wing. People here are taught tolerance.........

http://eurotom.blogspot.com/2008/12/response-i-wrote-in-commentary-area-of.html#links

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2008/12/obama-skips-georgia-senate-rac.html#comment-178647

Sturge,

The bearded-guy in the photo looks exactly like my late step-dad! Little kids would go wide-eyed whenever he showed up, especially this time of year.

"the United States is no longer able to feed itself without imports."

http://www.ers.usda.gov/data/fatus/monthlysummary.htm

Sturg -
Good links.

Excellent blog article Tom. Do you have a link to the original LA Times story?

Sturg....
LOVE the link to rose bank farm!

time for din-din......

I hadn't seen the torture allegations. But I'm not sure even that sensational charge -- even if it proves out and is verified -- raises six victims to a level of newsworthiness above the scores of others. And I disagree that the Israelis were the "only victims singled out for their religious beliefs." The whole context of the attack is a centuries-old religious feud between Muslims and Hindus. People who were being lined up to be shot in those hotels were spared if they claimed to be Muslim. By definition, that singles out every other person who was not spared.

Big Yellow Taxi - Joni Mitchell

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ueVpCfPAog4

Joni Mitchell- Free Man in Paris

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGPSq-uMQSo

I went back and read that story about alleged torture posted here yesterday. It was pretty thinly sourced. Only one doctor quoted in there about unspecified injuries evident on bodies -- and no broader confirmation from investigating officials, as promised by the headline.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/india/3539171/Mumbai-attacks-Jews-tortured-before-executed-during-hostage-crisis.html

CB, when I am in Paris, I love to walk down the street singing "I am a free man in Paris" because Freeman is my last name :-) and I love Joni Mitchell.

Jamie, thanks for the positive comment on my blog...

Here is the original article:

Why Hollywood is torn on Prop. 8 activism
12:14 AM, November 23, 2008
Should there be boycotts, blacklists, firings or de facto shunning of those who supported Proposition 8?

That's the issue consuming many in liberal Hollywood who fought to defeat the initiative banning same-sex marriage and are now reeling with recrimination and dismay. Meanwhile, activists continue to comb donor lists and employ the Internet to expose those who donated money to support the ban.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2008/11/why-hollywood-i.html

" ............. why don't we subsidize them too? "

Because candy stores don't have 2 senators.

We have an old school candy store in Holland.

http://holland.org/locations/127-holland-peanut-store

Jack

We may have exported twice as much as we imported, but the table doesn't break it out by specific product.
If you read the detailed list of what is included in those exports a big chunk would be hides of slaughtered beef cattle, wine and beer and a lot of other "non-food" items.

I'll stand by my statement that the U.S. is no longer capable of feeding its citizens simply because of the choices made by the huge agribusiness consoriums.

"USDA defines agriculture to include: live animals, meat, and products of livestock, poultry, and dairy; hides and skins (but not leather products); animal fats and greases; food and feed grains and grain products; oilseeds and oilseed products; fruits, nuts, and vegetables and products of these; juices, wine, and malt beverages (not distilled spirits); essential oils; planting seeds; raw cotton, wool, and other fibers (not manufactured products of these); unmanufactured tobacco (not manufactured tobacco products); sugar and sugar products; coffee, cocoa, tea, and products of these; rubber and allied products; and stock for nurseries and greenhouses, spices, and crude or natural drugs"

The Pearl case was pretty well documented -- certainly by much more than a single quote from an unnamed mortician. But in this instance, we'll just have to see how it plays out.

But for the time being, I think the media's kneejerk elevation of the Israeli victim angle, at best, is lazy, paradigm-driven journalism and, at worst, is arguably a form of subtle propaganda that borders on anti-Semitic, as in: "All global terrorism is ultimately traceable to those pushy Jews and their silly West Bank."

But, what about farmer's daughters???

fields tells of the night he knocked chicago molly down........

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wE_2uqCc_K4&NR=1

Lardo

If I may be a bit cynical here.

Maybe Jews have been elevated to the official level of "white people". thus making them more important than all those brown people who were killed.

More likely imo, as you named the NYtimes, it is an item of local interest. Just like if they were Mormon missionaries then the Salt Lake news paper would lead with that story.

Jack

Jack...I see some validity in your last point. I wish the NYTimes had some sort of disclaimer label they'd put on stories in those instances when they decide to be a local, provincial paper like every other newspaper in the world.

Thank God there were no pretty, leggy blondes killed in the attacks -- we'd never be hearing the end of it. (knock on wood).

Thanks for the Langston Hughes poem - one of my favorites.

"GRASS" is also a longtime favorite. I used both of these in my poetry classes for ninth grade. It's a good age to get them interested in serious poetry.

The last two lines - I am the grass. Let me work. - go thru my mind quite often when I am frustrated or see someone else frustrated : You know what I can do - just let me do it...

I don't know what I would do if somebody physically slapped me - probably walk away cuz I would know I was dealing with a VERY disturbed individual.

An insult slap? I guess I would consider the source and laugh, or at least try to act like a "lady" (HA!)

If those were done to another person, that would be a different story. It's nigh impossible to insult me, but I'm always afraid others won't defend themselves as well as they should. I think others here are like that.

Solar - you are a piece of work. My favorite of your comments was about your being freshly showered and perfumed, waiting on the top of you fridge (?) to pounce on Mrs Solar - you said if she got hurt it would be Patsi's and/or Jamie's fault (don't remember) because they got you so turned on. What an image!

Craig has also said he likes it when we go off mesage and talk about the mundane ways of our lives.

Wheat 3.,3 billion exported, imported 281 million

Rice $695 million exported, imported $168 million

pulses(beans ect) export $270 million , import $ 116 million.

It is the same for pork and poultry,
With beef we import as much as we export.

Items we import in large numbers: wine , cheese , butter, sugar, grapes

http://www.fas.usda.gov/itp/wto/commodfacts.htm

Jack

They also stormed a hospital -- meaning the attacks were clearly a statement about the quality of health care in India.

They also shot up an SUV -- meaning the attacks were clearly intended as a statement about gas guzzling vehicles.

LL

Did you see this article

http://www.catholic.org/international/international_story.php?id=30827

Given that the attackers were Muslim, my question would be if they inflicted the same punishment on Hindus or just settled for killing them.

" was thinking we could all just crash on Craig's Couch. "

You stay there C-Bob -- If I go, I'm staying at my son's townhouse, three blocks from the Capitol.

I'll take this:

http://www.brookdalefarms.com/

and then there is this:

Obama slams corporate agriculture, two Illinois firms

http://www.swamppolitics.com/news/politics/blog/2007/11/obama_slams_corporate_agricult.html

Jamie...thanks for that link. It adds the statement of the captured terrorist to the unnamed doctor, which helps substantiate the targeting and torture angle.

""family farm" is preferrable to the huge agribusiness corporations as you usually get safer food and less pollution and damage to the environment. "

Exactly right, Jamie. And the small family farmers are not the ones raking in the big subsidies. My farmer father was absolutely against subsidies in the first place, but that's beside the point.

ETom - I didn't think Hollywood did much against Prop 8. In fact, I was disgusted with them. The only Hollywood person I saw do anything was Wanda Sykes on Ellen's show - she was hilarious.

She has also since been much more open re being gay, which I hadn't realized. She's so pissed she says she's going to be more and more open.

I don't think people should be fired - I'd just like them to be outed. I can make up my own mind. I'll bet James Woods was for Prop 8.

Jack

The point is diversity. When you have huge amount of acreage devoted to the most profitable crop you are defeating the whole purpose of farming.

When thousands upon thousands of acres are cemented over for ever expanding suburbs and exurbs you are destroying the bounty of the country.

All of these decisions are based on pure profit, not what is good for the country. I suppose when plums imported from thousands of miles away become more expensive and polluting because of fossil fuels than steam rolling several thousand homes in the San Joaquin to put back farm land, then it will happen.

In the meantime we can merrily go along dumping excrement all over Mother Nature and hope we are dead before it catches up with our grandchildren.

And once again, you've walked the dogs all the way around the dining room table before returning a mere eight minutes after you left.

Hear, hear, Tom. Great post to the LA Times.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2008/12/obama-skips-georgia-senate-rac.html#comment-178662

Agreed, the article cited wasn't well-sourced-or-written as regards to specific acts of torture, but it's the case that summary execution based on religious hatred is ultimate torture in itself.

Our local Chabad is holding a memorial this evening open to the community. "Turning Darkness Into Light," a gathering in remembrance of all who were massacred in Mumbai.

Why stop with getting rid of family farmers? I say the new Democratic party should kiss small business owners goodbye -- as well as independent contractors. The hell with 'em. All they do is suck up tax dollars.

"Thank God there were no pretty, leggy blondes killed in the attacks -- we'd never be hearing the end of it. (knock on wood)."

ROFL! So true!!!!!

Yep Patsi

Bigger is better and greed is good. Isn't that mentality what got us in this mess?

Bow, sturge, Corey -- I want to go to those farms and that candy store!

Didn't 7 out of 10 African Americans in California vote for Prop 8? That was what I heard.

"Bigger is better and greed is good. Isn't that mentality what got us in this mess?"

Jamie -- Back in the '60s my dad used to say that the government was telling farmers: "Get big or get out."

Ivy...

I prefer to contemplate Darkness in its full, unadulterated and incomprehensible glory. I don't necessarily think it can always be turned into Light just because a bunch of people get together to light some candles.

But I'm sure it will be a nice memorial.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2008/12/obama-skips-georgia-senate-rac.html#comment-178697

Who caused the dust bowl?

Jack

No. If I were a pig, I'd be much more involved in the current discussion here about the ethics of scaled-up corporate agriculture. Sorry to disappoint you.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2008/12/obama-skips-georgia-senate-rac.html#comment-178709

Guess what's left when the pig is gone.

Jack

Who caused the dust bowl? Was it the individual farmer or the government incentives that encouraged bad agricultural practices that when the rain didn't fall caused the soil to blow all the way to NYC.

This book is worth reading.

The Worst Hard Time: The Untold Story of Those Who Survived the Great American Dust Bowl
Timothy Egan

Told through the eyes of those who survived it, this is the untold story of the Dust Bowl, the decade of brutally punishing dust storms that ravaged the American High Plains during the Depression.

LL

I don't know if this is in line with what you meant, but I don't care for the candles, cards, balloons, teddy bears and flowers that have come to be so much a part of the seeming societal response to tragedy of any kind.

Some people seem to get something from the practice, and I wish them well, but I'm more in the bring a casserole to the wake and hug the relatives if you knew the person category.

Hey Lard
Its gonna get cold tonight there saying 39 degree's..I want me some 95's..Ha. The St. Augustine is still is green and growing,slower but growing...HA HA

Jamie...

It's called shrink-wrapping and packaging tragedy to suit your own agenda.

How American.

In the end it was all those small farmers loving the land to death. BTW, we could point out the hill sides in your part of the world , in mine, the Ozarks. Small farms where you were lucky to hav enough to eat. No time to worry about the future generation. That is the advantage of large agriculture. There is enough money to be made to think of the future.

Jack

Bowman

I participate in a weekly meme that gives you a prompt word and asks you to write using that word. Last year one week was "Green". Included in all of the green things were pictures of the dust bowl and my mothers family that made the trip to California.

http://jdurward.blogspot.com/2007/05/manic-monday-green.html

Tony...just bring the ferns inside. As we all know, every freeze "destroys" the Florida fern industry forever...even though it somehow manages to come back in time to be destroyed in the next freeze.

Just another example of lazy journalism.

Lardo

I think that is why the wife cleans up around my chair. So in the morning the only thing I have to throw at the TV is my coffee cup full of coffee and I'm too adicted to do that.

Jack

Jack

One of the major problems with corporate farms and forests is monoculture. By having only a few types of each growing thing we are opening ourselves up to massive famine due to crop destruction.

There's some info here on the salvaging and saving of heritage seeds to insure biodiversity.

http://journeytoforever.org/seeds.html

Jack..

I know whereof I speak, as a former media evil-doer myself.

In 1992, I lived through Hurricane Andrew and spent 7-10 days on the ground, camping out with survivors...writing all kinds of stuff that won praise, yada, yada, who cares.

Fast forward three years. Oklahoma City courthouse bombing. An editor actually called me up and instructed me to write a story "just like I did with Andrew", except to do it in four hours on deadline, by telephone. And to ignore the fact that I was in Washington DC, not on the ground with the actual story. Of course, I refused.

But the broader point is...

Shrink-wrap the tragedy. Pre-package it. Make shit up to fit into an accepted pattern. That's what journalism is today, folks. Get used to it. And the more newspapers jettison real journalists, the more of that kind of crap you're going to get.

Lard
Ah Yes,I here that bull on channel 9 every year when it gets cold!! Can I here some about the devastating loss to our orange crop,oh ya and will the freezing ice sickles on the oranges(great visual) be far behind?....Lazy journalism..Yes

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2008/12/obama-skips-georgia-senate-rac.html#comment-178707

Sounds nihilist.

whskyjack,

My family's business suffered the same fate along side of all the small dairy farms in upstate New York. We had a small livestock feed business. We mixed the feed and sold it to farmers in either 100 lb bags or bulk feed delivered to the farms on our trucks. My grandfather helped many farmers through the depression by continuing to supply feed even though they could not pay their bills. Often they paid in meat, vegetables, wood or hay. By the late 1960's things had changed and the small farms started to disappear. As they vanished, the bigger feed corporations like Agway moved in and were able to give discount pricing, our business was forced to close.

It was one of those small businesses that provided a living for about 150 people, but who needs it, it must not have been efficient like the big companies. It never got subsidies, but it (my family) kept supplying feed to the farmers even when they couldn't pay.

But Lardo, Well educated experienced people with an historical perspective and an ability to actually analyze and write about the events are awfully expensive.

Dewey eyed pretty people fresh from academia who can read from a teleprompter work cheap. Of course the fact that they mispronounce words, names and places and don't notice when something they have said is totally false is beside the point.

Ivy...

One of the best movie lines about nihilists is from "The Big Lebowski", where the John Goodman character, when confronted by nihilists, says...

"Don't worry Donny, these men aren't nihilists. They're cowards!"

Ore something closely approximating that.

Great movie.

paycheck:.........I dont know you from adam.......

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

A little economic reality. in the auto industry

Sales of the Prius, Toyota's one-time hot-selling hybrid, dropped 48.3% .................................................

Ford.........................................with sales of the flagship F-Series pickup down 18.6%

http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/Automakers-post-steep-sales-declines/story.aspx?guid=%7B681021CC%2D8778%2D40C2%2DAC80%2D822D0321CB9E%7D

And I here the talk is how Ford should build more Prius type cars.

Jack

Bunny Lebowski: Uli's a nihilist....he doesnt believe in anything.

Dude: oh? that must be exausting.......

(uli, of course, passed out on a raft in the pool)

"Shrink-wrap the tragedy."

Lard hits it straight on.

Sturge...all I have to say to you is:

"Careful Dude. I've got a beverage here!"

Or some approximation of that wonderful line, as we're all hustled involuntarily into the Cosmic Limo that is the unknowable future that we all share.

Bowmanc

And before them was the mill where the farmer took his grain to have it ground. It is called change. I've watched it all my life. But I've lived the small farm life, to survive someone goes out and gets a job so there is enough money to put food on the table.

Jack

And before someone says "but if we"

Let me remind everyone,

IF a frog had wings his ass would hit the ground so often.

Jack

A thought

The1971 $1.50 six pack of bud now cost $6 bucks
But I can get the $1.50 bottle of cheap wine for $4 bucks and it is better wine

Go figure.

Jack

I think I'm going to retire now for another close reading of "Leaves of Grass."

Apologies to anyone who was offended by anything I said tonight.

If you must litigate, just have your attorney contact my attorneys: Dewey, Cheatum and Howe.

Night all.

red red wine

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rg1iEBWxVeQ

Sounds like a great idea. Sweet dream folks.

Tom Paxton and wine

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39VNxL5tK7o

Jeremiah was a bull frog

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzMeaICn9m8

Hoyt Axton - Boney Fingers

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqf2daVP3yI

ahh......tom sings a love song.....66

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=voqL5ksOuoo&feature=related

Hoyt and Arlo get very very weird:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdPz61CGc3s&feature=related

Della and the Dealer and a dog named Jake and a cat named Kalamazoo...Hoyt's a killer...

Was, anyway....

just for you Patsi

TENNESSEE BIRD WALK

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-OrVQaqkg0

From the stress placed by Mark upon he destruction of the temple in Jerusalem as a punishment for the killers of Jesus, Brandon infers that this gospel---the first to be composed and the model for the others—was written id Rome. After the fall of Jerusalem.As Brandon says, it was probably written in direct response to the great victory celebration of 71 a.d. The appropriate conditions for the spread of the cult of a peaceful messiah were at last present in full force. Jewish Christians now readily joined with gentile converts to convince the Romans that their messiah was different from the zealot-bandit messiahs who had caused the war and who were continuing to make trouble. Christians, unlike Jews, were harmless pacifists with no secular ambitions, The Christian Kingdom of god was not of this world. Christian salvation lay in eternal life beyond the grave, the Christian messiah had died to bring eternal life to all mankind. His teaching posed not threat tot he Romans, only to the Jews, the Romans were absolved of any guilt in Jesus' death , the jews alone had killed him while Pontius Pilate stood by,helplessly unable to prevent it.

The primary source of converts to this new religion---if not in number, certainly in influence---continued to be urban Jews scattered all over the eastern Mediterranean. Contrary to legend, Christianity made no headway at all among the great mass of peasants and slaves who constituted the bulk of the population of the empire. As the historian Salo W. Baron points out, paganus, the Latin word for “peasant” became for the Christians a synonym for “heathen”/ Christianity was eminently the religion of the displaced ethnic urbanites “ In cities where Jews had often amounted to one third of the population and more, this, so to speak, new variety of Judaism marched triumphantly ahead.” Jews who remained Jews were far more the victims of Roman persecution than Jews who became Christians. The age of full-scale imperial persecution of Christians did not begin with Nero, but much later—after 150 a.d. By that time, because they were concentrated in the urban centers, had infiltrated the Roman upper class, maintained effective social welfare programs, and were guiding a fiscally independent, international corporation led by skilled administrators, the Christian churches had once again become a political threat to Roman law and order. They had become a “state within a state.”

In the refrain from following out the chain of worldly events that eventually led to the establishment of Christianity as the religion of the Roman Empire. But this much should be said.When Emperor Constantine took that momentous initiative, Christianity was no longer the cult of the peaceful messiah, Constantine's conversion took place in 311 a.d. As he led a small army across the Alps. Wearily approaching Rome he saw a vision of the cross standing above the sun, and on the cross he saw the words IN HOC SIGNO VINCES---”by this sigh you will conquer.” Jesus appeared to Constantine and directed him to emblazon his his military standard with the cross. Under this strange new banner, Constantine's soldiers went on to win a decisive victory. They regained the empire and thereby guaranteed that the cross of the peaceful messiah would preside over the deaths of untold millions of Christian soldiers and their enemies down to the present day.

Patsi

If it is a strange song, either hoyt wrote it or Shel Silverstien.

Jack

I was stoned and I missed it - Shel Silverstein

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F15thKUEECQ

Solar

I hadn't read that about Constantine. As I remember his wife was already a Christian.
I have to admit we covered Constantine at the end of the semester and were given his autobiography to read. As I remember I didn't. Or maybe that was Julius Ceasar or maybe both. 30 years is a long time to remember. But I have enjoyed the knowledge thanks.

Jack

Perpetual Adoration: One Hour with Jesus

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4crADgggPrs

It's funny, the decline of media is much lamented . But I've never known more every day, than is at my finger tips right now.

I didn't know about 150 pilot whales, because of old media. What I mean is you can now track the Indian Ocean cyclone season on the Joint Typhoon Warning Center's site. It's that " Ray of Light " ole' Madonna is singing about. I'll take the new media thank - you very much.

Now, I'm about a quart low on Madonna.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2008/12/obama-skips-georgia-senate-rac.html#comment-178753

Jack, Reminds me when my philosophy professor had an afterthought at the end of class that "Sadly...I forgot to teach you 'sorites'." He still put it on the test.

Off to beddy-bye.

My closing thought (from today's in-box)...

"Take one thing with another, and the world is a pretty good sort of a world, and it is our duty to make the best of it, and be thankful."

-- Lydia Maria Child

"f it is a strange song, either hoyt wrote it or Shel Silverstien."

Indeed!

"Oh is it the Jesus Hour already?"

Why not? You've been ranting about your religion half the day.

"Take one thing with another, and the world is a pretty good sort of a world, and it is our duty to make the best of it, and be thankful."

Or my belief

The world is a safe and secure place to live 99% of the time. It is the other 1% that make things interesting.

Jack

Whenin fear, when in doubt
Run in circles, scream and shout

Steve Goodman - How Much Tequila (Did I Drink Last Night

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8ZxuMC7onM

Solar - Are you copying what you post, or re-writing it or what? Maybe paraphrasing?

No matter - it's interesting.

The Wall Street Journal reports on Obama's possible pick for Labor Secretary, Mary Beth Maxwell.

As Marc Ambinder notes, "Maxwell, who'd be the first openly gay cabinet secretary, is being vetted for the job, along with Jennifer Granholm of Michigan and Kathleen Sebelius of Kansas."

Interesting choice?

A thought
The1971 $1.50 six pack of bud now cost $6 bucks
But I can get the $1.50 bottle of cheap wine for $4 bucks and it is better wine
Go figure.
Jack
JACK: I know the beer price is right...for example, I used to drive up to Candlestick Park for SF Giants games in 1970. Out past left field not far from the bleacher entrance was a party store. Lucky Lager was 99 cents a sixer...and you could carry it in to the ballpark with you as long as it was in a paper bag.
A fellow baseball fan, my army barracks buddy, and I would buy 3 six packs for $2.97 and drink all afternoon. We paid sixteen and a half cents a beer. ha ha! It was so long ago!

This is not right! Chuck Todd should get the job! Leave Gregory on the evening shift.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/12/02/AR2008120203451.html?hpid=topnews

Good morning all!

Has anyone here worked much with ground vanilla beans , vanilla sugar or vanilla powder and which did you prefer?

OSH -- I made some vanilla sugar once and wasn't that impressed with the result.