Craig Crawford's Trail Mix

" Never mind the mule is blind , just load the wagon".

Real-Time Video Coverage
of the White House Correspondent's Dinner

"I'm your huckleberry"

You guys are about to find your groove with these clips.
Keep at it ....... hammer and thongs, boys ........ hammer and thongs.

Hey Jeff -

Let's play hardball ...............

" ............... And Figures--then an assistant U.S. Attorney--told the committee that "during a 1981 murder investigation involving the Ku Klux Klan, Sessions was heard by several colleagues commenting that he 'used to think they [the Klan] were OK' until he found out some of them were 'pot smokers.'" ....... "

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/05/sessions-colleague-i-thought-id-be-fired-if-i-objected-to-being-called-boy.php?ref=fp1

---------------------
New poll -
52% of Americans think we should de-criminalize pot.

I don't care who Obama puts up , Sessions will be in the dock.
Let's look under this guys fingers nails.
If Obama nominates a dog catcher in D.C. .......... What stupid thing did Jefferson Beauregard Sessions the III from Alabama say about dog catchers ?

Jefferson Beauregard Sessions the III from Alabama

" A real 19th century kinda guy '

Don't tell me the G.O.P. isn't a national party, just ask ole' Beauregard there.

This stuff writes it's self.

Poll: Texas Gov. Rick Perry Has Narrow Lead Over Hutchison In GOP Primary -
http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/05/poll-texas-gov-rick-perry-has-narrow-lead-over-hutchison-in-gop-primary.php
------------------------------
Perry leads by a hair.

Graham, Lieberman Encourage President Obama to Fight Photographs Release

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) and Joe Lieberman (ID-Connecticut) today wrote to President Obama expressing grave concern over the impending release of photographs of detainees captured in the war on terror and held by American military personnel.

http://lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=PressRoom.PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=1b7cd915-802a-23ad-4a20-2e0f48024918

Expedition Returns From Erupting Undersea Volcano

Scientists who have just returned from an expedition to an erupting undersea volcano near the Island of Guam report that the volcano appears to be continuously active, has grown considerably in size during the past three years, and its activity supports a unique biological community thriving despite the eruptions.

http://www.terradaily.com/reports/Expedition_Returns_From_Erupting_Undersea_Volcano_999.html

they just using that eruption business to try and get some people to go to guam.......

one time i was making fun of jerry lee lewis, mickey lee gilley, and jimmie lee swaggart, first cousins, all having the same "Lee" for a middle name..........and then I remembered that my middle name is "Lee"..........it wasnt Buddy Lee Holly was it??

I mighta sailed by awful close to guam oncet......when i went on the boat from LA to sydney and back........guam must be out there close to where we wentsted.......but we didnt stop there.....we stopped at every OTHER little podunk island but not guam......hell.....mayber it's off the beaten path or somp'm..........

you oughta see the perfectly fine little mahogany god i picked up on the docks in papeete........

I got caught trying to stroll into Quinn's in Papeete.......no time did they have for such a clean cut lad as i...................

quinn's:

http://www.janeresture.com/tahiti_postcards/tahiti_quinns_bar1.jpg

geez...ya quit the cigarettes and now you're runnin' stairs and heftin' dumbells... time to buy a bike and take a ride around The Ellipse about ten times.
Maybe even see ya running the Marine Corps Mararthon !

I like to think my little mahogany god is quite pleased with this blue corn business.......

cbob....i got a couple more planterers in foat wuth.........i'll send yous they addressiers...........and as soon as the summer crop comes in I'm sending some portion of the 40 simoleons it took to crank this old crabtree.................

no no......dont thank me.....it's all in a day's woik...........

hey dextrumous.......did bob frendrix get the gumptione to go and play the joint? It sounded good what he said........he should do it and i tol' 'em so.................

ya know....it's time for an omellette...........know how to tell if it's a true denver omelette or not? if it's real you'll see the brown cloud over it..................but all's I got is ham, tomato, onion and broccolli.......

rats.......no cheese..........

for what's an omellette without cheese? A clown without make-up........

a steinlen without an angle..........

a homer without a kithara.........and he forgot his lines.......and his cloak at this very moment when he's supposed to be ON is lying on the banks of the river being pounded by rocks.......

a hammer without a klavier.......

a nachel bone grouch without a scapegoat.........

bobi frendrix ain't heard back from that place yet...I'll pass along your nice words...
Once back in the mid-eighties he and I were clubbin' in the Near North Side of Chicago and we entered a Blues joint.
He spoke to the band during a break and when the lights went back up there was my big bruddah wailin' on his harp, bangin' out "Sweet Home Chicago."
He's also always pulling that kind of caper if he goes into ANYPLACE with a piano and no piano player...he just sits there and starts makin' like Jerry Lee....

Mr. Sturgeone,

Tonight, you are a one man riot. Thanks.

xrep, the entire night shift is always a riot.

Craig looks like he's into this workout stuff. Nice legs Craig. But as far as this stress testing goes....... I don't want to talk about it. But if I did.... why don''t they give the rest of us a stress test to see how much we might need. I know I would be a cheap date.

Nancy can't remember, but others do.

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/capitol-briefing/2009/05/cia_says_pelosi_was_briefed_on.html

NIce Topsiders Craig... Somethings may never change....
A+ on the Video... Hope we learned to keep the junk food in moderation...

Truth,

Politicians, ya got to love them. They will tell you anything until someone else tells you the truth. And what do we idiots do???? we re-elect um, over and over and over......

and Flatus if you are up and I know you are......I might should be embarrassed to ask but who is Toots and Squeaky?

"...Toots and Squeaky?"

Carol, they are our two daughters here in Columbia. I may give our daughter in Korea a break--at least for a year or two. The grandkids are exempt from the Ohlfahrt naming convention.

Craig, I didn't know that you could rent weights.

Mrs. Morning Load must be channeling Tucker Carlson this morning she exhibited a faux outrage against Nancy P that was based on facts not in evidence

Mrs. Load is a shark jumper

Flauts....
those weights belong to Andrew.....

ct

how's your hand?

Ms. Morning Load? Is that the lady's name or is that just her handle?

It feels fairly decent KGC. I was praying I didn't wake up with it gone from some flesh eating bacteria. I guess my years spent in nature has given a pretty mean immune system.

Mrs. Morning Load is Mika Brzezinski and Mr. Morning Load is Joe Scarborough (aka the mayor of looneyville) Horsedooty was the accidental author of the nicknames but I think they are perfect

before ties were severed, arlen to jeff was like charlie mccarthy was to mortimer snerd.... but who is edgar bergen in that scenerio?

I'm afraid I may now suffer from a case of jug throwing anxiety. And my sister may be a little shy of going out with me again. She is definitely against violence of any kind even if it is just to a pinkie.

ct

Good news about your hand...it sounded like a dreadful injury.
I would have just passed out.

Your right K. I do like to watch those two in the morning. You have to accept them for what and who they are. Don't have cable here though.

It's all in a day out here K. I was so lucky that my river rat nurse friend was at home and not working. My angels work a lot of overtime, thank God.

ct,

I have to disagree. Craig looked a lot more natural grabbing that donut than he did holding the weights. And believe me, I know donuts.

haven't perused the news yet about what's happening to the hundreds of thousands of pakistanis trying to flee the new assault, but it would be a great gesture on india's part to welcome them to her bosom.... i know i know too much history of violence with the 2 countries but there's always hope that people will play nice when it's in their best interests.

Some of the financial (sic) reporters are claiming the stressed banks are saying the fed numbers are not accurate and have lowballed the banks' numbers. By now shouldn't everyone have a pretty accurate idea of what loans are going to tank including credit card defaults?

And what happens if the banks don't get the additional capital? I thought Wells was doing ok . Previous reporting said they had not suffered from subprime mortgage loss but the story from the stress test is much different. So who is lying and when?

Flatus - Nice Comment on the weights

Craig looks like he is getting back into Baseball Shape! Batter up!!!
Now if you are getting ready to deep fry something in the south that would be good saying.. You can batter up anything.. even healthy things and make them tasty good

KGC - The financail crisis is more like a ship with holes that is slowly sinking.
You may have had all the water pumped out but it is very dynamic.
Getting a Positive attitude is the first step to patching the holes. The fundamentals are sound and healing will happen once we get into the Right direction

OK over simplified

Katherine,

So far as I can tell, it's the capital mix that these institutions have. Preferred shares are quite similar to corporate bonds in the sense that they typically have mandatory dividends that must be payed. Those dividends use up the cash that is needed for day-to-day operations.

There's no such requirement for dividends attached to common shares so those shares have no effect on the cash component of institutions' balance sheets.

If the preferred shareholders can be 'convinced' to convert their shares to common, it is a good thing for the institutions. Alternatively, if the institutions can successfully issue more common shares, that will also raise the cash component.

I, personally, am not taken aback by the stress test results.

Off to work...
And Craig - Very Republican comment at the end.. Holding the individual responsible to not eat the junk food !!
Good Day

up to a million may be displaced
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/may/08/pakistan-swat-air-strikes

talk about stress tests

Nice legs Craig.

Bonjour.

President "Bobby": Mr. Gardner, do you agree with Ben, or do you think that we can stimulate growth through temporary incentives?
[Long pause]
Chance the Gardener: As long as the roots are not severed, all is well. And all will be well in the garden.
President "Bobby": In the garden.
Chance the Gardener: Yes. In the garden, growth has it seasons. First comes spring and summer, but then we have fall and winter. And then we get spring and summer again.
President "Bobby": Spring and summer.
Chance the Gardener: Yes.
President "Bobby": Then fall and winter.
Chance the Gardener: Yes.
Benjamin Rand: I think what our insightful young friend is saying is that we welcome the inevitable seasons of nature, but we're upset by the seasons of our economy.
Chance the Gardener: Yes! There will be growth in the spring!
Benjamin Rand: Hmm!

See, as long as the roots are not severed everything will be well in the garden.

The fundamentals are strong - Ping, you may be the only one who is willing to answer this, lord know it's been bandied about enough with no one bothering to say what the hell they mean, but what DO you mean when you refer to the fundamentals? (And I'm betting it is not the American worker).

Thankst Flatus
Isn't that shuffling deck chairs on the Titanic?

Today's Krugman.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/08/opinion/08krugman.html?_r=1

He isn't reassured.

KC, of course people bought preferred shares because they generally are a safe investment and because they pay dividends - now bank stocks don't look so safe, and if you convert to common shares and lose the dividends, what's the point of keeping that investment? There are those folks who used to live off the income they got from their shares of preferred stock - it was a kind of forerunner of 401(k)s, without all the tax gizmos. Expecting that people who invested in preferred shares of bank stocks will convert their shares for the good of the banks is overly optimistic IMHO - unless the bank REALLY appears to be on the brink of failure and only doing so will avert that - in which case it would be in the shareholder's interest to have something rather than nothing.

"Isn't that shuffling deck chairs on the Titanic?"

Katherine,
Actually it's not. There are commentators on TV/Radio trying to say that it is, but they are wrong and doing people a disservice by misinforming them.

"Craig looks like he is getting back into Baseball Shape! Batter up!!!"

ROFL@Ping! (Ping -- watch out -- Craig'sbaaack!)

Here's the NYT article on the stress test results and what a couple of the bigger banks are planning to do to address them.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/08/business/08bank.html?hp

Someone should post the WSJ article that I'm sure is coming out to provide the counter view - Flatus, you're a WSJ Online subscriber aren't you?

Craig..... that package looks like Entenmann's ...... YUM!

well..... after 5 straight days of drizzle and fog.... the sun has decided to grace us once again here in NH....

so I think I'll choose to believe in Ping's theory and put a curse on the doom and gloom sayers.... I like Krugman.... but I'm not sure I'd want to go out on a date with him.....

and now I need to run along..... my mother has hurt her leg and needs help doing her grocery shopping..... and I choose to be the good dutiful eldest daughter.... later alligators....

And of course if it's the first Friday of the mont (well, second actually) it must be time for the jobs report.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/09/business/economy/09jobs.html?hp

The pace of losses seems to be easing a bit.

"Economists were expecting job losses of 600,000 [there were 539,000] in April, and predicted the unemployment rate would rise to 8.9 percent from 8.5 percent in March.

"That may not comfort the 13. 7 million unemployed people in the United States, but economists said the figures offered a rare signal that the labor market was not tumbling lower quite as fast."

Pogo, there was a whole bunch on it this morning--it was the headline article on the print edition.

I'm absolutely out the door now--simply don't have time to try to round things up.

I stand by my first comment responding to Katherine. It's based on my own knowledge rather than a WSJ article.

C-Bob, it's so good to have you back!

tt

Ohhhhhh....niceeeee legs!

tt

Pogo,
This link is for you, though you may have already seen it, it is still good for a smile.

BTW, you seem pretty smart for a Talibaman.

War Eagle!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UuFJoexdlU

Really goodpieve from Gene Robinson on gay marriage:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/07/AR2009050703055.html

Flatus, have a good day. You may very well be right that as far as the true health of the banks go, the capital mix of each may be more important than anything else - or is it the asset mix that's more important?

And the fight against Obama's nominee (whoever it turns out to be, begins.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/07/AR2009050704275.html?hpid=topnews

I think one thing they kinda looked past in their glee over Sessions (What me worry?) becoming the senior Repug on the SJC is that when Specter switched side, the SJC picked up and additional Dem. vote.

Obama, activists lose momentum over 'don't ask'

Carolyn Lochhead, Chronicle Washington Bureau

Friday, May 8, 2009

(05-08) 04:00 PDT Washington - -- Dan Choi, a gay National Guard platoon leader, will be discharged from the military under the Obama administration, which has quietly shelved the president's campaign promise to repeal the
16-year-old "don't ask, don't tell" policy with the tacit acquiescence of Washington's gay lobbying establishment
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/05/08/MN9L17GJM3.DTL.

Thanks Joe - I'll have to open it at home - can't open YouTube clips at work - spam, ya know. Oh, and thanks for the compliment - for a War Eagle supporter you seem awfully bright yourself.

Documentary purports to rip GOP's closet doors

Carla Marinucci, Chronicle Political Writer

Friday, May 8, 2009
California GOP Rep. David Dreier and a number of other politicians are the unwilling stars of a controversial new documentary with an explosive premise - it's time to blow open the closet door on prominent politicians who have hidden their homosexuality while actively working against gay causes.

The film "Outrage," which opens today at the Embarcadero Center Cinema in San Francisco, presents interviews and documentation charging that a number of prominent legislators - including Dreier, the U.S. representative from San Dimas (Los Angeles County), Florida Gov. Charlie Crist and former New York Mayor Ed Koch - have remained closeted while publicly opposing legislation on issues such as same-sex marriage, HIV/AIDS funding, and gays in the military.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/05/08/MNMM17GI6S.DTL

Lynyrd Skynyrd bassist, Ean Evans, dies.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/05/07/ean-evans-lynyrd-skynyrd-_n_199193.html

Funny, well, odd, I didn't know Billy Powell had died in January. I'm thinking that leaves just Rossington as the surviving original member still with the group.

Craig, Great analogy in your video today. I can't wait until we can start eating junk food again.... lots of it. :)
...........

" Never mind the mule is blind , just load the wagon"
A great quote CBob.

"I didn't know that you could rent weights"
....cruel, Flatus. :)

".. wacko fringe elements that make me crazy"
http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/05/moving-targets-in-warending-ti.html#comment-226219

I get it Doots, and agree on that point
I hate extremism and hypocrisy too, especially when they try to force their rules and ideas on the rest of us. Thanks for the clarification.

Pogo,

They were talented.

I'd be happily surprised if you have not seen the clip I posted -- happily because seeing it for the first time is a real treat.

J

Well, now that we have Patsi back, all we have to do is round up Jack and the two Lords.... am I forgetting anyone? Also haven't sen BlueinDallas.

chloe, blue's been around - she posted something either yesterday or the day before. Jack has been largely MIA, hasn't he?

"...stinky rotten, deep beef heart innoculation will do to my pinkie"

ct, what's the incubation time for mad cow pinkie?
btw, don't use caps to give it a rest until it heals.
just curious but is that you shot throwing hand.... vacines not jiggers of booze?

I understand that the Republicans are also undergoing a stress test to determine how far they can push to the right before the Libertarians become America's second party.

CJ, yes they were. Being a guitar guy, I particularly liked Rossington, Collins & Gaines. Just missed seeing Gary Rossington at a little dive that I used to pass on the way to and from work back in 1993 or 4. Stupid me. Was billed as Rossington-Collins, but that group had disbanded by then since Collins was dead. If the place hadn't become a "exotic showbar" (and believe me, there ain't much exotic in Taylor County, WV), then a church, now an empty structure, I'd try to figure out what that was all about.

Thanks Pogo, I seem to be missing a lot of posts.

.. still playing catch up....

" I shutter to think of all the micro-organisms that were on that hook when it took the dive into said finger."

Carol, If you're worried about that, then I'd suggest an antibiotic... but you're the doc (so I'm sure I don't need to make suggestions)

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/05/moving-targets-in-warending-ti.html#comment-226308
Well Solar, What can I say.....you should have known better than to trust a double agent :) (especially one with so many aliases) aka TFG (aka the friendly ghost)

Oh, boy. The wailing and gnashing of teeth will begin - only both parties supported this. If only Benanke hadn't been so obtuse and evasive. Oh, well, we'll see what comes out of conference.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/05/08/senate-passed-bill-would_n_199402.html

"what's the incubation time for mad cow pinkie?"

LOL Patd, How did that poor, innocent cow get into this? .......I think it would have to be something like mad hook disease. :)

an ad for oldsea's newest confection:
"sea sells salted seashells down by sea's shore"

oldsea, variations on your chocolate seashells you might try:
sit one atop a blob of caramel and call it a "sea snail" if your shell has a nautilus shape
or put a blob of white chocolate inside two scallopy shapes and call them "sea pearls"

chloe, ct's hook was baited with a piece of rotted cow, the condition of it's mental state prior to slaughter is unknown.

"[Krugman] isn't reassured." Big surprise there...

And I think it is absolutely ridiculous that E. Cantor has taken heat for going on a "listening tour." How the hell can that be such a bad thing??

How can you have to back away from an effort to speak to everyday Americans and see what their conerns are?? I think this is actually the one upside of our current 2-year presidential campaigns...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/05/07/pelosi-briefed-on-use-of_n_199401.html

I know this is probably going to be taken wrong, but Pelosi was only one congress critter at the Sept. briefing, and I would think SOMEONE might think to ask someone ELSE who was there what was discussed and in what context, that sort of thing. This doesn't strike me as particularly difficult, but it also doesn't strike me as particularly important - other than as one more attempt to smear Pelosi.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/05/08/republicans-warn-holder-d_n_199842.html

And I would like to see Holder tell Shelby and Alexander that they apparently mistake him for someone who cares what they investigate - he can conduct whatever investigation he thinks is important and they can do the same (not that they control anything other than the possibility of a minority report). The problem they would still have to confront is the F*CKING MEMO.

Is the White House keeping Clinton off Sunday TV?
""The White House won't let her on TV on the Sunday morning talk shows," a plugged-in Washington Middle East hand observed. "Who is talking about foreign policy on those shows? Axelrod. Who is showing up at the meeting with Obama-Peres? Axelrod. They are controlling the message."
http://hillary.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2009/05/07/is_the_white_house_keeping_hillary_clinton_off_sunday_tv

warren - because Rush said to. Cantor is just another Republican wuss.

"ct's hook was baited with a piece of rotted cow, the condition of it's mental state prior to slaughter is unknown."

Patd, You're so much more on top of things than I am.... thank goodness someone is. :)
I stand corrected. It may be 'mad cow pinkie disease'....she'll 'definitely' need that antibiotic.

Paul Krugman's skepticism---he is not alone--another cynical view of the "stress test" results---but it does not
seem to matter this a.m.--bank stocks are all up at the moment.

"Geithner's New Bank Fix is Bogus, Too"

"Tim Geithner has a clever way to recapitalize banks that fail the stress test. Convert the taxpayer's preffered stock to common stock.....Unfortunately the plan also has two major flaws: First, it's smoke & mirrors. Second, the taxpayers will be even more expsed to losses than they are now.:"

http://www.businessinsider.com/henry-blodget-geithners-new-bank-capital-plan-is-bogus-too-2009-5

...beware of 'mad' cows

"sea sells salted seashells down by sea's shore"

...very nice!

Sea,

I want to make sure you saw where KGC posted Obama's favorite chocolate caramel yesterday (salted)... If not, I may go back and get it to email you.

pogo, if that survives conference won't it create a situation of unbelievable temptation for certain congressmen in the know to (a) make money and (b) wield incredible financial power?

The stage is set for Pawlenty's last stand.

http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=news-000003113026&parm1=5

Wonder if he'll try and use this as the springboard he needs to go from the relative obscurity of the MN statehouse to leapfrog the Jindals and Palins of the world to try and grab the 2010 Repug nomination?

Chloe and Pat. I think that meat was rotten past the point where any mad cow disease in it's right mind would still have hung around. It is more likely mad Carol disease and that is far more dangerous.

It doesn't hurt much but it is a little puffy and slightly purple.

Yeah Carol, but it was full of heaven know what bacteria, right?

"Should we celebrate the fact that the Web has allowed numerous obscure social movements - especially those that would otherwise be forgotten by history - to flourish and gain new global following?"

http://neteffect.foreignpolicy.com/

wonder if craig's trail mix can be counted as one of those "numerous obscure social movements" he talks about.

I called the pharmacist I work with last night and asked her for her suggestions of what antibiotic, if I decide I need one, to use. She looked in the Jay Sanford Guide to Antimicrobial Therapy. It didn't have a category for puncture wounds with a hook dripping with rotten beef heart, sitting in the river for two days.

We decided to just use TNT. It is an old remedy and will completely annihilate the problem.

pat, probably.

antibiotic? I'd be more concerned about whether carol needs a tetanus shot.

And warren, Krugman's skepticism is no surprise - and it's hardly unfounded considering that the banks were lobbying the examiners to soften their conclusions. humorous note (to me at least) - I got a "Good news about your account" letter from Bank of America re: a credit card I have with them - it included 4 checks to use to transfer balances from other, higher interest accounts to my BoA card. I suppose they think I don't read the news.

ct, forget the rotten beef heart, maybe you should get that river water (in which the beef marinated) tested....

My disappointment that the Obama administration failed to push for the bill that would have allowed bankruptcy judges to modify mortgages was addressed in this NYT editorial.

"As Foreclosures Surge..."

He campaigned on this promise, made it a part of his "antiforeclosure" plan--a real measure to pressure lenders to modify loans---yet in the end he failed to stand up to the "bank lobbies" & walked away from it.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/04/opinion/04mon2.html?ref=opinion

pogo, any symptoms yet from the brownie troop flu?

Pogo, She said last night she would be getting a tetanus this morning. There's a lot of bacteria in that water and hook, and now it's probably in her blood stream. It may not be a problem, but better safe....

.... not probably, should have said possibly

"It would have been a very useful prod to get lenders to rework bad loans.."

Coreen, I agree.

Thought for the day :
" Better three hours too soon than a minute too late. "

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/05/working-out-to-the-stress-test.html#comment-226446

pat, my only contact with the brownie troop was via cell phone. I hope I'm safe. As for my friend - he's got the flu - but I haven't heard whether his results are back yet.

The only important thing that happened on this date :

1952 Mad Magazine debuts

This is certainly a perfect partnership

http://www.comcast.net/articles/music/20090507/US.Dolphins.Stadium/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ib8nH4kHjxk

Since Craig is in the workout mood....how about the Activia Lady?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4z6ezLMx2U

Krugman isn't alone in doubting the stress test results.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/05/08/five-reasons-the-bank-str_n_199850.html

Cheney and Limpballs - twin sons f different mothers.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/05/07/cheney-mistake-for-gop-to_n_199330.html

I hope he keeps yapping it up on every frickin' show that will have him. The more he talks the less likely it is that the Repugs will EVER reutrn to power as the majority party. And I don't even have the time to get into the contradictions he is raising about hte torture memos and the CIA torture program. If this were a case in court he would be the attorney's nightmare witness.

Japan to restart nuke plant two years after quake

http://www.nuclearpowerdaily.com/reports/Japan_to_restart_nuke_plant_two_years_after_quake_999.html

------------------
This is the world's largest reactor complex.

Wave Power for 50,000 homes from Anaconda within five years.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/energy/wavepower/5278898/Wave-power-device-the-anaconda-will-be-generating-energy-within-five-years.html

On the workout subject, new studies indicate that the overweight quit a regimine sooner than those of normal weight simply because it is harder for them to exercise.

Recommendation now is for normal moderate light activity such as regular daily walks to get out of the sedentary lifestyle habit while lowering caloric intake and once the weight has dropped, then add in more vigorous exercise.

So forget all those gung ho, sweaty exercise plans and go look at the birdies and butterflies.

What is everyone doing for Mother's Day?

Drugs in Portugal: Did Decriminalization Work?

http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1893946,00.html

CBob

Well into the 20th century there was almost no prosecution for drugs. My grandmother could go and buy laudenum over the counter to make cough syrup for the family. Druggists would dispense whatever a doctor ordered on the patient's say so and if there wasn't a doctor handy would make suggestions on their own.

It was a matter of "old wives" education. Sure some people got addicted, but that simply wasn't the norm as it is with modern illegal use of various opiates and antibiotics.

Now days if you want an antibiotic without going to a doctor you have to visit a pet supply store for fish or bird medication. :-)

"Wave Power for 50,000 homes from Anaconda within five years."

It's got to be one BIG snake to make waves that powerful.

Chloe! LOL, you are so clever, thanks I saw her link yesterday, will definitely make the seashells, don't know about the salted caramels, maybe.

http://neteffect.foreignpolicy.com/
"wonder if craig's trail mix can be counted as one of those "numerous obscure social movements" he talks about."

Patd,
I hope this isn't what at you were referring to: ""Why not study how technology helps various nutcases to join forces as well? " :)

Sea, Did you see on that paragraph that said Michelle likes the dark chocolate?

"... It appears the Obama’s are also fans. When they were on the campaign trail, Fran’s caramels were their treat of choice. The Smoked Salt Caramels with milk chocolate were the President’s favourite while the Gray Salt Caramels with dark chocolate were Michelle’s. With all this added attention, these caramels have fast become Fran’s Chocolates best sellers." http://www.8chocolate.com/

That sea shell sentence was Patd's

"Now days if you want an antibiotic without going to a doctor you have to visit a pet supply store for fish or bird medication. :-)"

... or if you want large quantities, you go to TSC or farm animal supplies online. :)

Oops - GM is circling the drain again.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/08/business/08auto.html?hpw

cbob, thanks for report on drugs in portugal. do they tax them yet?

perhaps if the waxman and kennedy tobacco regulation bills successfully combine and become law it will make it easier for congress to decriminalize and regulate mj...
have heard that some big cig co.s are all set to hit the market asap if decriminalization comes about.

and, cbob, lubbock made the guardian front page (online) today!

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/may/08/lubbock-texas-alcohol-prohibition-vote

hey..... haven't you guys solved the world's financial problems yet.... :0) :0)

in keeping with Craig's exercise theme....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUHZStsZgqs

and in honor of Carol's fishing story.....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbew5AGzzDU

Hmmm. From the Maybe There's Less There Than Meets the Eye file.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/05/08/waterboarding-not-discuss_n_200087.html

Maybe the criticism of Nancy was, umm, premature and, ummm, politically motivated? Imagine that.

Posted by: newpogo.myopenid.com Author Profile Page | May 8, 2009 1:41 PM

Someone should bitch slap Mika B who couldn't have been happier to slap Nancy P around this morning

And if you think the mortgage/foreclosure crisis is under control----Fannie Mae wants another $19 billion govt aid after reporting a $22+billion 1st quarter loss.

Beginning to experience increases in delinquency & default rates among low-risk borrowers--due to rise
in unemployment, continued decline in home prices & long economic downturn.

Fannie has $145 billion in delinquent loans on its books---10 times more than a year ago.

Owns 62,000 foreclosed properties

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Fannie-Mae-seeks-19B-in-US-apf-15183466.html?.v=12

KC, indeed.

Boner - note to self - make sure Richard Clarke is not on the GOP 4th of July patriotism dinner invitation list.

http://www.democracyarsenal.org/2009/05/richard-clarke-responds-to-gop-guantanamo-attacks.html

Now. lessee, this guy was the head of counterterrorism at the NSC during GWB's administration? hmmm, surely HE doesn't know anything about Guantanamo or 9/11.

GM cleaning Toyota's clock in China:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124172074608797081.html

Toyota reports first ever annual loss since it started reporting results in 1941---$4.4 billion annual loss for the business year to March.

And it lost $7.7 billion in the 1st quarter,sees worse ahead.

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/afp/090508/business/japan_auto_company_earnings_toyota

Judging by this latest Gallup, the Republican party is pretty much in the category of

Nobody loves me
Everybody hates me
Think I'll go and eat some worms

http://www.gallup.com/poll/118285/Democrats-Best-Among-Generation-Baby-Boomers.aspx

Flatus, when did Toyota surpass GM to become the world's largest automaker? Last year? I would think that Toyota will be adjusting its offerings to that market more effectively than GM has done here. In the face of a production drop of over 900,000 vehicles in the first 1/4 as compared to the same 1/4 a year ago, representing a 47% revenue drop compared to the same period a year before, doing well in China may not be enough. Can't read the article since I ain't a subscriber and don't intend to become one. What percent gain did GM see there, and how many cars did they sell? How about Nissan?

So Toyota actually lost more than GM in the first 1/4? Be interesting to see how closely it follows GM's path toward teh drain.

Chloe-- This one's for you & your darling baby girl

Emma is top baby girl name in U.S. And Chloe is #10

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30624090/

Top 10 list-girls:
Emma
Isabella
Emily
Madison
Ava
Olivia
Sophia
Abigail
Elizabeth
Chloe

My dog is at No. 6. :-)

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/05/working-out-to-the-stress-test.html#comment-226406

CaJoe -

I played your clip for hubs (who's home with "swinish floo") and he exclaims, "We have the CD!" He runs into the other room and comes back with the jewel case of the Leningrad Cowboys & The Alexandrov Red Army Emsemble. Sadly, the CD itself is missing...probably the victim of a long-ago car-break-in. The CD came to us from Helsinki as a gift from a Finn friend.

I take it you're a War Eagle? I may have to change my tune if little daughter chooses Auburn for grad school.

ricks:
"I've long suspected that former VP Cheney's judgement is off, but his post-White House campaign convinces me. He now plans to hold forth on "Face the Nation" this Sunday. My sympathy goes out to his Republican colleagues. The last thing they need is him out there beating the drums and reminding people of the dark side. For a guy who prized loyalty above other virtues, he sure doesn't seem to be showing much."
http://ricks.foreignpolicy.com/blog/2187

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/05/working-out-to-the-stress-test.html#comment-226467

Jamie --

"...some people got addicted..."

As you say, there's always some. My hunch is the rate of addiction to the population has been a consistent ratio. Our numbers today are due, in part, to our population explosion. Wonder if there are any studies on this?

Ivy,
Thanks for your post about your husband -- hope he enjoyed the clip, even if he lost his original. My son graduated from Auburn, so its a vicarious (and financial) affinity. Hope your daughter chooses 'gradual' school wisely -- on the Plains, that is.

Best.

Good article re: S. Ct. nominees:

http://blogs.abcnews.com/legalities/2009/05/white-house-for.html#comments

Bloomberg on supreme court list

"Obama top court list led by women judges,politicians

And Irish bookmaker sets odds as:
Sotomayor 13-4
Diane Wood - 9-4
Elena Kagsn - 4-1
Hill 100-1
Michelle 500-1

'http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=ahArwZiBhqAU&refer=home

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/05/working-out-to-the-stress-test.html#comment-226502

Ivy,

The statistics stay pretty much the same except for things that have become socially acceptable that didn't use to be such as divorce and unwed pregnancies.

Couples used to just adjourn to separate bedrooms and adjust and young girls either got an abortion (or if wealthy a "necessary medical procedure") , went to visit Aunt Agnes, moved to another town as a young widow, or got forced into marriage.

Other than that, the mentally ill and psychologically crippled for whatever reason are about the same percentage they ever were. It's just that in a small town of a 1000, you knew the 100 people to avoid while in a city of a million, the hundred thousand can take you by surprise.

The Preakness is on May 16. So far confirmed contenders:

http://www.preakness.com/

Mine That Bird
Big Drama
Flying Private
General Quarters
Hull
Musket Man
Papa Clem
Take the Points
Terrain

It is still undecided if Rachel Alexander will go in depending on the final size of the field

Since I admit to being a sort of Trekkie-- a good way to start the weekend.

I missed that Pres. Obama may be a Trekkie!
And he is compared to Spock--I'm not so sure about that!

Apparently NYT even asked the real Spock--Leonard Nimoy for a comment.--- said he had met him twice.

The first time... ".We were standing on the back patio, waiting for him. And he came through the house, saw me and immediaely put his hand up in the Vulcan gesture".

"Trekkie in chief wants screening"

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0509/22270.html

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/05/working-out-to-the-stress-test.html#comment-226497

Coreen,
It is so sweet of you to link that list.... I'm forwarding it on to my daughter too. Thank you! (I guess there'll probably be more than one Emma in her classrooms, huh?)

And Coreen...There are some really pretty names on that list...I particularly like Isabella, Sophia and Elizabeth. I like Patsi's grand daughters name a lot too, Maria.

"GM cleaning Toyota's clock in China"

Flatus, It is good to hear GM is doing well somewhere. Just wish it was here. GM seems to be making some good decisions, at least in other Countries. Glad you linked that Flatus.

"My dog is at No. 6. :-)"

... my dog is No. 8 Pogo. You 2 upped me. :)

Jamie,

On the NY sportstalk wfan, just a few minutes ago, the owner of Rachel Alexander (Jess Jackson who recently
purchased her) decided to run her in the Preakness & apparently the jockey from the Derby winner has decided to ride Rachel Alexander, who is being called a "superfilly by Mike Francesa.

10 famous mothers from history:

http://ancienthistory.about.com/od/women1/ss/021009Mothers.htm?nl=1

Chloe,

My pleasure, though I do not always chime in here,
I try to tune in often. And yes there are some lovely
names on the list--and you made it to the top 10 as
well.

My oldest friend's niece also named her daughter Emma, she is 6 months old.

Democrats need to learn that the most compelling argument to themselves - that the last 8 years clearly demonstrated the abject failure of the GOP's, or Bush/Cheney's, policies - falls on deaf ears when they are speaking to the "other side."

Democrats get this self-satisfied grin on their face (or glint in their eyes) as they think they are sinking a knife into their opponent - but they are only losing credibility with the Republicans - and many Americans.

This is why Pelosi is popular in the party and the main target of the opposition.

Now Public Enemy No. 1 - Dick Cheney - has a similar but different approach. Instead of pointing to the past and listing a parade of horribles - he simply points his finger in the opposite direction.

The point is - these arguments stir up their party's base, turn off their party's opposition - and do little to move the debate forward.

Now there are plenty of policies that failed over the last 8 years - and trust me - that is one of the most compelling arguments to me as to why a change was needed.

But we do ourselves a disservice by employing a wholesale dismissal of the "Bush/Cheney" policies - instead of being specific about what we want to change.

But I think Obama has got it right with focusing on Energy, Healthcare and Education.

And of course the break with Bush in Foreign Policy - in terms of "manner" (or style) is stark. Even if many policies remain unchanged.

(I mean listen - W made some bad decisions - but we we were still the United Fucking States and we were still doing a lot of things right.)

Birthday of Harry S. Truman (1884) - 33rd President of the U.S.

"Whenever you put a man on the Supreme Court he ceases to be your friend. "

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_S._Truman

Born in the U.F.S. , I was born in the UFS. . . .

Good one Warren! :-)

I like it!

Good Ed Show with Lawrence O'Donnell sitting in.

He was great with that skinhead republican before the 3 on the panel......

I like him better than Ed. (shhhh ; )

Evenin folkes. I did get that tetnus shot, well part of it. I had a nurse who I gave a somewhat bad annual evaluation to. I did prefaced the evaluation by telling her she had lots of potential and she shouldn't let others influence her behavior.

She had the injection drawn up when I got there. I think she hit the bone when she stuck me and it stung so much that I jumped, I don't like shots, and the needle came out, made a little slice down my arm and at least half of the solution went down my arm. I am hoping it has some topical effect. It was the last vial of tetnus in that clinic.

I do feel like I have been frogged in that arm so something must have gotten in. Que sera, sera.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/05/working-out-to-the-stress-test.html#comment-226538

Carol --

Gadzooks! What kind of evaluation is she expecting next time...if there IS a next time. She's OUTTA there!

I'm wondering which group(s) will be lost in a new repub party. I think it might be the religious right - they've done some damage to the party, and don't think they would like the libertarians.

Or maybe that's just wishful thinking.

Our wonderful Ukrainian friend Vera is with us again. She lives in Portland with her daughter and son-in-law and their two little boys. The older boy has just been diagnosed with Asberger's syndrome and needs special attention, altho he has been making terrific progress in just the few months of treatment. Needless to say, with a 3 yo and a 1yo, there 's a ton of work to be done, and Vera is exhausted.

She is going with my sister and bil to Cabo for two weeks next week. She went with them last year and had the first vacation she's ever had. There's basically nothing for her to do - except get up @ 6 am for 5 mile walk about the little town they're in, get home and take a nap, get up and lie around the pool, take a nap, drinkg ,margaritas, eat dinner, sit on a patio, read a bit, go to sleep, and repeat the next day.

It warms my heart to see her doing this. We've never been able to make her put her feet up - in Strawberry or Santa Rosa, she sweeps floors, washes floors, cooks,
something, anything - but there she has no choice.

Even the kids are delighted with her - baba Vera, they all scream, and baby laughs in her face and then falls asleep. He does NOT cry when in her arms.

And she'll be here for our mother-in-law's party, whatever it is. The best revenge is to live well. Take that, Stalin!!!!!

Ken Salazar put on a good show on Jon Stewart last night.

The injection problem was my fault not hers. I jumped.
She usually gives a good injection.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/05/working-out-to-the-stress-test.html#comment-226541

Oh, that's better to know...she was starting to sound like Nurse Ratchet.

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

STurgeone

Medea and Agripina certainly left something to be desired in the maternal department.

Anybody there?

I remember Cbob saying something about putting the blue corns seeds in a certain way - something like rubber side down. Was that serious? If so, what is the correct way?

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124172074608797081.html

Thanks Flatus
I'm so glad to read a positive article about GM!! I'm biased as a longtime GM employee.I find it so surprising still to see so many almost thrilled with GM's and Chrysler and Ford's problem's.Again thank you.....

Patsi
Thanks for the link earlier of the piece by Eugene Robinson on the gay marriage issue.I'm having a hard time with this as I also think the President should stand up and be counted as as a supporter of gay marriage! I know he has a lot of problems on his plate but this is the time......This is the first time I've read Eugene since the primaries and I'm glad I can once again agree with him....

Oh no, Craig got an earworm...

...looked like it really itched.

You all might enjoy this cartoon:

http://www.freep.com/article/20090508/BLOG24/90508008/1214/Are+Republicans+relevant?

Tony - I agree with you about Robinson, but I'm counting on Obama to do the right thing re gay marriage and don't ask once he has some wiggle room. If he doesn't, I think it would signal a lack of sincerity and honesty on his part.

Robinson did write a good article, tho. He named it =
equality. That's why I say the phrase "equal protection of the law" says it all.

Is anybody else watching Harper's Island?

I booked my trip to Toronto today. I'm flying there on Oct 8th and I fly back on Oct 11th. Here is the hotel I'm gonna stay at.

http://www.torontocentre.intercontinental.com/

Craig was very good on Keith O's show. It takes a lot to get me to watch Olberman, but Craig is worth it. He always makes me laugh and gives a perspective you don't get anyplace else.

Corey - i think you shouldn't have any trouble getting your passport in time. You should get a list of everything you need, and make sure it's a complete list.

I had my problems because my birth certificate didn't have my first name on it so had to get a corrected one. Then I had to pay to get it expedited - the state department can do that but private companies do it even faster for money.

I paid a private place and got my passport in plenty of time.

Bethy

Rubber side down is the best position for a vehicle. :-)

Thanks, Jamie! That gave me my first real laugh of the day!

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/05/working-out-to-the-stress-test.html#comment-226553

Hi Bethy
"That's why I say the phrase "equal protection of the law" says it all.'
I agree that phrase say's it all.I also agree with you regarding Obama.I took a look at that link KGC posted earlier about Dan Choi,very sad.I think its the time for Obama to act...I sure hope he does..I'm biased though....

"I like him better than Ed. (shhhh ; )"

Warren -- I think I've about had it with bombastic personalities, no matter what side they are on....very sick of being yelled at on tv....

Corey -- I spent a week in Toronto back in the '90s...it is such a wonderful city! I wish I could remember what hotel we stayed at -- a great place right in the center of the city. But I have no memory of the name...the lake at night -- wow....

Oh, yes, Patsi - When they talk calmly like Fareed Zakaria, they are so much more credible and understandable and worthlistening to. Maybe this is a fad.

I hope it's a fad...seems like a bunch of so-called liberals somehow thought that yelling in the manner of right wing radio hosts would be a cool move....

Now they're making a big thing out of these hucksters
who yell, like Billy Mays. Have you seen him? He does the ads for Oxi-Clean. Tony Little, the exercise guy, is the same way. They are trying to make them out to be
interesting people worthy of being celebrities - aacccck!

I was told to expect a 2-3 week wait for a passport.

Flatus -
The Chinese love Buicks, don't ask why, they just do.

I got my DAM shirts today .... we gave the job to a bunch of kids. They had me worried, 96 Beefy Tees on the line. It's the coolest Tee Shirt I ever produced. They did a wonderful job.

Pitched an 18 foot Tipi on Buddy Holly today as well , that ain't bad either.

The Downtown Art Market opens tomorrow, wish us luck.
It was 100 today, tomorrow is forecast 62 and drizzle, ....... the Sandbillies will be out in droves.

Patsi/boo

If you are sick of bombastic. You should check this out.

http://www.charlierose.com/view/interview/10266

I like Fareed too. And sober analysis is always credible.

But let's not forget Americans like a certain brashness to their leaders...I mean Hillary could bring it like no one else. Americans respond to reason only if its backed up by passion.

It's just sick how the hills around Santa Barbara are engulfed in flame.
The flame hits a dry patch and it is said the entire area actually explodes in fire in seconds, mere seconds....

off to Columbus with the wife to see our daughter for Mothers Day...ciao....

bethy:

"They are trying to make them out to be interesting people worthy of being celebrities."

That is the thing - in America - everyone is worthy of being a celebrity.

Whether it be "Cops," "Fraiser," sports, scandal, or politics or whatever happens to grasp the Country's frenetic attenion.

Is it the media's fault - or our fault?

Seems to me like it doesn't much matter if the chicken or the egg came first...

The back of my DAM shirt -

http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/8111/picture38.png

The heart print on the front sez -
DAM
The Second Saturday of Every Month

I think the media is on action alert for any new thing that seems to catch the public's attention, then they run with it long after the public loses interest, but they don't watch the public to see if they're still interested.
Finally everyone is sick to death.

I'd like to see the pundits on Jeopardy - most of 'em would be embarrassed.

"Americans respond to reason only if its backed up by passion."

I don't think what Rush, Matthews or Hannity does is related to passion. I think they are just bombastic people....and the media thrives on conflict. I didn't spend many years in college and grad school to hear a bunch of assholes yell at me.

Nor did I spend those years to hear condescending tones from people like Rachel. The best out there now, IMO, is Gwen Ifill....very little BS.

"Finally everyone is sick to death.

I'd like to see the pundits on Jeopardy - most of 'em would be embarrassed.'

Go Bethy! Shoots and scores!

After watching the video here, all I have to say is, would everyone please turn to Song Of Solomon, chapter 5, verse 15...?

Yeah, bb...it's BIBLICAL.

I'll vote for Ifill, also. What a poster child for intelligence,
education, good taste, and dignity - and a pleasant personality.