I don't have cable so what I do is watch K.O. around 10-10:30pm online and watch Rachel in the morning at work online, when I have some free time.
Jeffrey Sharlet has been on her show before and does a good job of stating his case, whatever it may be about at the time.
I'll be turning to MSNBC sometime this morning and let you know what I think sometime today or later tonight.
The Republicans have perverted Religion so much that they give Christianity a bad name. These people are pure evil and I'm not sure that even President Obama can return Our Country to the greatness it once was or fully restore Our Constitution as he may need the powers that those elected to serve gave the Bush\Cheney War Crimes Family.
Their being more vocal in their hate and fear mongering on a daily basis and at some point we as a Nation may end up in another Civil War right here at home. I sincerely hope not, however that's what it looks like were heading for.
Anyway I have to go and get some work started. Take care and ...
christianity might not be so bad were most christians not so ignorant of their christ and his message......they turn it into a clown show. check out their ultimate clown in his six-million dollar hat.............or the little fellers in their church passing around the rattlesnake as if it were some sort of revelation bearing sign from above.
LMAO -- Ping -- one of your Republican compadres on C-Span has it a little confused. He was saying that Obama (and Clinton & Bush, for that matter) were dedicated Marxists AND part of Hitler's New World Order....:)
We ate fish every Friday, because "the Pope said so." We weren't Catholic, though. The Pope was kind of our unofficial head of Christianity. Obama is "the world's president." Unlike the guy on MoJo who asked what exactly Obama had done so far...well, he's managed to inspire a lot of people.
Ivy....
I LOVE skunks.... as long as you don't bother them, they won't bother you...
and they would take care of that grub problem fast.... it's their favorite meal...
an infestation of rabies killed off a lot of them here in the northeast several years ago.... before that we saw them nightly.... they are nocturnal and love to rummage for grubs around my bird feeders.... their stripes are very distinctive and we used to name them.... I would talk to them from our open windows....
I think that's why we never got sprayed.... even when we'd encounter one in the yard after coming home from wherever we went.... I'd say Howdy... and it would leave us alone.... I really loved the one we named Pogo...
I saw as soon as I went looking that Jeffrey Sharlet has been speaking out on "The Family" for some time. Why has no one been listening? Maybe now that several of their "kids" are in the news and their perversely inverted values are on display, we'll get some exposure. Such groups don't like the spotlight.
The latest RNC attempt at rallying the terminally dumb:
"Dear Flatus,
Vice President Biden warned us that there would be "waste" in the stimulus bill. The latest proof comes from the General Services Administration, which announced that the Obama administration is spending $18 million to redesign the Recovery.gov website to show Americans just where their hard-earned tax dollars are being spent. This is unreal and outrageous. If the Obama administration is willing to devote $18 million in taxpayer dollars to a website, imagine what government-run health care will charge taxpayers for an MRI.
In response, the RNC released a web video on President Obama's failed stimulus plan, entitled "Nothing," which can be viewed here:
Don't let President Obama and Congressional Democrats waste your tax dollars or divert attention away from the failure of their economic plan. Pick up the phone now. Call the White House at 202-456-1111 and tell President Obama you have had enough.
Sincerely,
Michael Steele
Chairman, Republican National Committee"
Renee, I got skunk stories. Pogo, skunks, New Hampshire - there's a story there. When I first moved to NH the (then) wife and I were the houseparents and teachers at Waterville Valley Academy (Ski Academy). The girls' dorm was a victorian fram house - used to be a sommer cottage - whose only foundation was hay bales. When the weather started turning cold in November, we were greeted one morning with a very strong skunk scent throughout the house. After a couple of days of incredibly strong skunk odor, I borrowed a hav-a-hart trap to try and get rid of what I thought was the offending interloper. Now, understand, the students were privileged kids of well to do families from the NY, MA, CT area by and large, and one thing they had no tolerance for (one of many) was a skunky odor in their house. Using the universal bait (peanut butter) I got one and drove it about 5 miles downstream and let it go. Next day, house still smelled. Repeat peanut butter, repeat driving skunk away and letting it go. Same thing again - After the 7th skunk, the odor went away and we didn't have any more skunks. No animals were harmed in the conduct of that quest, and I lost my fear of being sprayed by skunks.
Craig, haven't almost all modern (post WWII) US presidents assumed that president of the world - or at least president of the free world - mantle?
Also while driving in PA, I noted at a commercial car wash was also located a coin-operated pet wash that advertised "de-skunking" for your dog. I guess cats know not to get that close.
Great skunk story, Pogo. Skunks live in the arroyo behind my house...and I have had a few early morning encounters when I feed the birds...usually the skunk and I are startled to see each other and I retreat quickly back into the house. I haven't been sprayed yet...
Craig,
Very nice video. I would expect you would leave a very small carbon footprint with that mode of travel. On the other hand, the in-flight food service might be tricky.
Checking out those Specter-Sestak links Craig provided might lead one to think that the PA Dem primary fight for that senate seat might be entertaining at a minimum.
Pogo....
I knew there was a reason I feel you and I are kindred spirits.... you didn't solve the problem with a gun....
Flatus.... without the occasional rowdiness.... this place would be mucho boring... and every time it happens I vow not to get involved.... yet somehow I do.... I swear.... I don't know how that happens.... :0)
I listened to Tim Geitner yesterday and his mutual admiration of Bernanke...and I just wonder?? Bernanke in August of 2007 allowed the housing crisis to explode...one chance to head-off all of the mortgage problems and he raised interest rates at a time when the resets on the many mortgages were occurring. New Orleans was at the start of the foreclosure mess due to Katrina....and that idiot let it all happen. It doesn't mean it wasn't a mess, but he sent it nuclear.
After my third semester in grad school, a college friend and I decided to take a semester off and try and hike the Appalachain Trail. We recruited a third friend and set off, starting in Georgia and headed north. When we got to the Nantahala Forest in NC, we stopped one night at a shelter on Standing Indian Ridge. The Trail Guide mentioned that there were skunks that were active around the shelter, so you needed to actually hang your food rather than try and secret it in your pack. Well there was a guy we had run across from time to time over the previous week or so who was at the shelter when we got there. When it got dark and we turned in, sure enough, the rustling about started. We turned on a flashlight to see whether the varmints were skunks or just mice, and of course, were greeted by the eyes of about half a dozen skunks. Having done what the guidebook said and hung our food, we just laid there listening - until the skunks started wandering all over the shelter, including over our bunks and sleeping bags, sniffing and hunting for food everywhere. We burrowed in and pulled the drawstrings on our hoods tight so the skunks couldn't actually get in the bags with us, and tried to lay still so as not to startle the little buggers. The other guy who was there had not hung his food, but had just put it in his pack, which was beside the shelter door. He began to get angry and agitated by the skiunks, and particularly mad when the one skunk that found his pack started clawing at it to get to the food inside. He was rustling around, making all sorts of noise, and we told him to settle down and shut up so he wouldn't make the skunks spray in defense. He was young and impulsive - so instead of settling down, he sat up, grabed one of his boots and threw it at the skunk on his pack. Well the skunk let go and hit him - getting his face, chest, and more importantly, his sleeping bag. Man, talk about stink. We pushed out of there in the morning and got a day or so ahead of him over the next couple of days. We ran into him again in the Smokies about a week or so later - and his bag still reeked. We ran into more than a few other hikers who had run across him - and they all laughed about how much he and his sleeping bag stunk - and he became known a sSkunk Man among us.
In Russia, he cut nuclear quotas.
Then G-8, which seemed like nothing but phot-as.
But in meeting the Pope
Obama proves he's no dope
As Catholics are regular vot-as.
pogo...thank you for a great story...it concerned me when you started-off with a hike on the Appalachian Trail (sanfording),however, this is how Sasquatch rumors get started.
A few years back, there was this one skunk that came out to my bird feeders almost nightly. My neighbor thought it was funny that I liked to name these critters so I named this one after him.... Fred. I talked to Fred often and I swear he was listening. At the time I had one of those black and white cats that look like Hitler. We named her Moustacha. Now I always take my cats into the house at dusk. There's too many predators prowling around when it's dark. One night about 9 o'clock I look out my front door and see something black and white sitting on the welcome mat. Without thinking I assumed it was my cat and opened the door while stating "Moustacha, what the hell you doing out at this time of night". And yup... I was staring straight down at Fred.
After a moment of surprise, I calmingly said "Hi Fred. Nice night. How's the grub hunting going?" Then I slowly closed the door. Fred didn't spray.
Number games.....you've got to love them
Excerpt from Stratfor...
More than 90 Percent?
For several years now, Mexican officials have been making public statements that more than 90 percent of the arms used by criminals in Mexico come from the United States. That number was echoed last month in a report by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) on U.S. efforts to combat arms trafficking to Mexico.
According to the report, some 30,000 firearms were seized from criminals by Mexican officials in 2008. Out of these 30,000 firearms, information pertaining to 7,200 of them, (24 percent) was submitted to the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) for tracing. Of these 7,200 guns, only about 4,000 could be traced by the ATF, and of these 4,000, some 3,480 (87 percent) were shown to have come from the United States.
This means that the 87 percent figure comes from the number of weapons submitted by the Mexican government to the ATF that could be successfully traced and not from the total number of weapons seized by the Mexicans or even from the total number of weapons submitted to the ATF for tracing. The 3,480 guns positively traced to the United States equals less than 12 percent of the total arms seized in 2008 and less than 48 percent of all those submitted by the Mexican government to the ATF for tracing.
No, Renee, although when a diseased skunk decided to hang out at the foot of the basement stairs under our back porch (the back porch of the house we live in now), basically leaking its "perfume", scaring the crap out of my dog, who was trapped under the porch by the skunk and making the house a god awful place to be, I was tempted to - until I was told that the skunk would probably shoot it's load if it was shot. It died after about a day - without spraying the rest of its musk - and I disposed of the carcass.
I think all of the republican men with their zipper problems will only strengthen Palin. If she can stay affair-free in the next few years, I think she has a chance in national politics.
many years ago, I worked as a switch man for the Frisco Railroad. I worked a lot of second trick shifts. (4-midnight) I lived out in the country at the family farm house. One night coming home I hit a skunk and I think it rolled up into the wheel well and MY LORD did it ever stink. I drove around for about 2 hrs until it dropped away somewhere on somebody else's road. Surprisingly, the next day the odor was gone.
Jax, those kinds of numbers are always suspect. But they do come from somewhere, and if they are of anything other than lower caliber weapons, the US is one of the prime likely sources, us being right next door and having very liberal gun laws and all.
From Wiki:
"Mexico
Main article: Gun politics in Mexico
Mexico has strict gun laws. Mexican citizens may purchase arms for self-protection or hunting only after receiving approval of a petition to the Defense Ministry, which performs extensive background checks. The allowed weapons are restricted to relatively low-caliber and must be purchased from the Defense Ministry only. President Felipe Calderón has recently called attention to the problem of the smuggling of guns from the United States into Mexico, guns which are easily available both legally and illegally in the United States, and has called for increased cooperation from the United States to stop this illegal weapons trafficking."
It is illegal to keep skunks for pets in California but some were sort of "grandfathered" in when the law was passed. A friend had one named "MACE". He was a wonderful pet (deskunked), but had to have his yearly radies booster. They are really sweet creatures unless frightened.
There is one town that was having a major skunk population problem until they got people to stop putting out food for the stray cats. Seems the cats and skunks had formed a mutual survival pact making the rounds for free food every night.
Put a fork in her, she's done. How do you explain an inability to complete her first and only substantive elected office (mayor of Wasilla notwithstanding)? She's on to the talk-circuit, where she will be making millions. If she puts her mind to it, she will replace Rush in the hearts and minds(?) of the dittoheads.
garden looks great except for my chile peppers....
Joe...my hubby thinks the same thing as you about Palin. I am not so sure. I find her dim, but I also find a lot of dim politicians who keep getting elected. Personally, I am sick of the sex scandals...I know they have been happening since the beginning of time, but I am still sick of them. It comes down to 'quit fucking around on company time'....most of us would get fired and these guys get press time to expose their stupidity.
Blonde,
You, Bart and Bolgna are all gorgeous!
Thank you so much for those pictures!!
(and the wedding dresses, your's and Bolognas are beautiful too!)
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!
Many people in the United States and Europe are seeing gorgeous lavender sunsets lately thanks to the eruption more than two weeks ago of Russia's Sarychev Peak volcano.
The volcano blew its top June 12, generating a remarkable shock wave in the atmosphere seen in a photo taken by astronauts. It also hurled massive plumes of sulfur dioxide into the air, and that material has been circling the globe.
Deep purple hues and ripples of white characterize the spectacular views the past few evenings.
KGC, You and Bethy are both so attractive. Now I just wish I could have heard all the things you talked about.
Joe, I think this is what CBob was talking about:
Volcano's Eruption Creates Colorful U.S. Sunsets
"Deep purple hues and ripples of white characterize the spectacular views the past few evenings.
The phenomenon occurs when the ash and fine particles sprayed high into the atmosphere by the volcano scatter light. The sulfur dioxide ejected by Sarychev Peak interacts with the atmosphere to form tiny particles called sulfate aerosols.
Light scattering happens all the time. It's why the sky is blue and sunsets often red or orange. Particles in the atmosphere scatter short-wavelength blue light more effectively, to make the sky appear blue. When the sun sets, its rays have more atmosphere to travel though to reach our eyes, so more of the long-wavelength red light makes the journey. " http://www.livescience.com/environment/090701-volcanic-sunsets.html
But it was anchor Stuart Varney's first question to his media mogul boss that stopped the interview dead in its tracks:
Varney: The story that's really buzzing all around the country and certainly here in New York, is that the News of the World, a News Corporation newspaper in Britain used --
Murdoch: I'm not talking about that issue at all today. I'm sorry.
Varney: No worries, Mr. Chairman. That's fine with me.
Nice pictures and Palin can always come back given the right make over. You all should be defending her if you think she is such a losing candidate. And let's take he former son in law's remarks for what they are worth. Nothing. It is he that is hoping for a book deal and money. I wouldn't be surprised to see Palin on TV or cable. She needs some speech therapy first and a
smart advisor.
AQ using Egyptians and Palestinians tries to screw the world. Despite Obama spinning progress the G-8 did not stand up to Iran, North Korea or even Global Warming.
As the world's President, I'm not sure Obama has a very good report card beyong a popularity contest.
The new jet fighter is still in the process of upgrades and completion. No, it was never intended to be a growler, but the final version will no doubt beat the aging F-18 in dog fights, be able to penetrate advanced air defense systems the Russians are selling to our foes and provide a quick defense to missile attacks with the ability to loft ABM into high alltitude. The arguements here are silly as the military agreed on the F-22 long ago to replace many aging air craft. How does the Raptor fair against the F-35? Adding seven more air craft to keep open necessary manufacturing lines, is not that much considering the budget in general. There are other features about the F-22 Wired does not even discuss.
Despite what Biden says, the next US strategy in Iraq will determine the outcome:
The House down on the next block (a nice 1300ft ranch) sold 2 yers ago for the unheard of price( at least in this neighborhood) od $100,000. It qickly became a bank repo and the bank listed it at $50,000.
It sold last month for $24,675.
Mean while I just bought a lot with a three bay garage 24' by 30' 12 ft high concrete block walls new flat roof.
the house on the property had burned and was tore down some time ago.
No electricity but it does have a lot of dry storage.
Cost $1500.
Looking through it I think the previous owner may have left several hundred dollars worth of doors and building materials. But then he has also left several hundred dollars of desposal costs too.
I was like a kid at christmas yesterday as I inspected it.
Anybody need an antique wooden ironing board? I think I will have at least 10 after the deal goes through.
Had to sell them,
In this neighborhood the police just automatically assume such a car is either stolen or a drug dealer.
Got so I couldn't even drink a little whiskey. with out getting into trouble.
Craig, funny clip and you look in great shape so I wouldn't be planning retirement any time soon.
I've got to resist your conclusion however. I rather doubt Obama will pressure the Kremlin with his popularity, nor will the Mullahs, Assad, Kimmie, Hu, Chavez, Castro or even the Pols in Europe.
Likability, and "talking" is not winning much concessions. Obama's problems within his majority here at home revolve around policy and getting results. Had Obama been a less telegenic person or GOd Forbid, a Republican, al we would be seeing now on Liberal Media would be bowing, slipping, breaking promises, looking weak and getting very little from either allies or foes.
Still, you are always entertaining as I suspect am loud.
P.S. some after thoughts I see that Panetta gave Pelosi the poker chip she is trying to use to divert the Intelligence BIll away from her verifiable dishonesty. As people cry out over the CIA lying (which the CIA should not do), remember Durban once told OBL and the Congress in session the US was tracking OBL on his cell phone. I can list many other breaches of security which amazingly enough, were never investigated by a partisan Congress. Many Democratic leaders demanded the President take force off the table with Iran and leave a lost Iraq. I think the Democrats as well as BushCo share in twisting the relationship between Intelligence and leadership. For how many years did Democrats scoff at the Intel that Gaddafi was building WMD facilities in those huge under ground pipes? That was one reason CIA was quiet about our making the last nuclear weapon to be added to our inventory. It was designed to take out bunkers and Bush wanted to make this a smaller more clean version. Npt making it was something we should leverage with Iran. Not what I would call negotiating 101.
There are deals out there but you got to live here and know the neighborhood.
the same as anywhere.
Updated the house might bring $70,000. But it will need $20,000 to do that. So the most it was worth, even when it sold for $100,000 was $50,000. And remember you have to discount that price for your risk and profit.
But yeah $ 25000 was a good deal. It is a rental property and the man should do OK.
It will rent for about $600 a month here.
The thing to remember about realestate is location location location.
I just insulted a woman from California today who doesn't understand that.
She has a house that if it was 5 miles west of here would be a real money maker for her.
But I offered $5000 dollars for it and felt stupid for doing that.
When you have a house that has become a hangout for local gangsters and has all the visble wiring an copper plumbing tore out. No kitchen no bathrooms a big hole where tyhe downstairs bath has rotted through the subfoor around the stool. Add on to that She is setting in California trying to hire contractors to do the work.
So tell me how do you do all that and bring it in for under $70,000.
lol
You don't.
But as my mother said education always costs and that woman still has a few more semesters that she needs to pay for.
And this is poetic as Israel helped uncover the attempt of terrorism by Syrian/Iranian backed Hizb'Allah in the very country Assad is now visiting. And note the pressure by Saudis and Egypt to turn Assad.
This move takes advantage of:
1. The world is watching closely if Ahmadinejad starts something and thus hindering his options.
2. Ahmadinejad not doing something now, shows Assad that Iran has their own problems.
3. Obama's inability to pressure Israel beyond a certain point, moves Israel into the driver seat given the signals being sent by all that Iran will be dealt with by September should they ignore warnings, slaughter their people or further green light their proxies into war and terror.
Jack's purchase of the garage is interesting, not just for the obvious storage potential, but because of its potential use as a medium scale solar heat collector and heat storage and transfer facility.
Consider this. Although solar collectors on carts are inherently attractive and will draw crowds to witness how we can convert the sun's energy to a practical use, I can't imagine how they can be put to widespread use; there are just so many potential problems ranging from the vagaries of 'productive' sunlight, to the inherent mechanical fragility of the system.
What if we take advantage of the large fixed roof of Jack's garage turning it into a medium sized solar collector which would, in-turn, store that heat in any variety of media including salt.
The stored heat would be consumed the following day--preferably during the traditional early morning hours that bakers seem to favor. The ovens themselves would be fixed devices of heavy construction that would not only bake, but would be a secondary storage medium for the collected energy.
With a lot of ingenuity, the liquid salt could also be transferred to mobile ovens such as the one Bob has already constructed. Because the solar panels would no longer be necessary, the devices would be much more mobile making them suitable for 'route' use.
I was thinking the orginal seller at 100K or some mortgage broker, bank, or even buyer was the bandit (s). Isn't this the kind of deal that was the reason for bursting the real estate bubble.
as the lot sets up on the hill, you could run a pipeline of liquid salt down to the intersection of Truman road and I435 ( an area locally called Dogpatch) and open up a 24 hour pizzaria. It would be a welcome addition to the liquor stores, adult book shops and strip club that currently occupy the spot.
Turkey (of all countries to cry genocide) blasts China.
Strange things are happening in the world. Sunni Israeli alliance. Russia and China known dominators of Muslims. Russia tried it in Afghanistan and supported Serbia while Chinese Hans make Uighers and other Muslim Asians second class.
Arabs are aware Russia arms Iran while China provides some weapons to the Taliban. Funny, because China is building a huge port in Pakistan.
Will US foreign policy take advantage of geopolitical changes? With growing nationalism in Central Asia, Russia and China are at the border of radical forces. Will their military alliance in Central Asia fall apart because they do not support Muslim nationalism as the US does. Yep militants at our competitor's door.
Quite incredibly, French media is loath to utter the word Islam or Muslim. They call this person a thug and ring leader. The call him anti-semitic. They even report some things he said at trial like "Allah is Great", but France does not want to look too deeply at the Muslim network involved or the clerics involved in the dissemination of such hatred.
The transaction that caused that house to be sold for $100,000 is a poster child for our realestate/banking fiasco.
I'm not even sure who bought it for $100,000, they never lived there that I know of and went bankrupt in less than a year. We had two such properties on our block.
Yes, the original sellers enjoyed a windfall.
As it wasn't me all I can do is shake my head in amazement at their good luck in finding someone with that much money and that little brains.
Thanks for the sweet comments on the pix, but I hate having my pix taken, for obvious reasons. (She promised me she'd photo shop it!) But it's a great photo of KGC.
Jack, It might surprise you and others to learn that KGC is very mellow and relaxed and even light-hearted- but she does pays attention and knows what is going on. Forget about the baseball bat - she doesn't need it!.
We found a lot of areas we really agreed on, including some local politics.
Wish you could have been there, too, Chloe. It's interesting to meet someone you've been talking with for over a year. In addition, it was a beautiful day and we sat outside on the patio in the shade - but the blender was broken so the margaritas weren't frozen. I'm checking before I go there again!
I am bemused by Sarah Palin's grandchild's father. I can't understand how she missed signs about what a
loose cannon he is - really weird!
And, Jack! You are a true hero! Energy, vision, generosity, a kind heart, and smart to boot!
Good idea, Flatus.
It has been some time since I have done the world famous
"Whskyjacks Annual Goat Roast and National Birthday Party"
Note the use of capital letters
Digging into my memories I seem to remember the need for liquid libation though to be honest I can't remember ever consuming any. For some reason my memory is a bit foggy as to what really happens at a world famous goat roast.
Though it was fun,
I think.
I wonder if Bob could build us a solar still ......
Flatus! I'm surprised at your suggestion that Jack should use the goats and then serve them up for dinner.. is that any way to treat someone who does you a good turn?
I shocked myself with that, Bethy. Understand, though, that the people of Kansas City are good God fearing souls and that the harvesting of the goats is completely consistent with Genesis. And, that they will have had the pleasure of multiplying before said harvest.
Jack, I would guess that some in the immigrant population on your block could offer suggestions as to libations. Either a cerveza or a ron are perfectly suited to solar-heat help.
Flatus, I did think about the enjoyment you allowed for, and it is a cogent argument!
They use goats out here to get rid of the tall grass since they don't cause sparks, and they did add some manure - but then, since when did weeds need manure?
They're also useful on all the hilly land - if they turn over, they just roll. No drivers to get hurt.
I've heard of using goats for weed control but the problem I've always noticed with goats is they would much rather munch on your neighbors prized rose bushes than on the weed patch you need removed.
I can see that, but out here they use them on fenced in land that is hard to get to. There are businesses that rent them out, and in the summer that spaek business is for real. My sister and bil pay a guy with a big mower to cut theirs and I'll bet the goats would enjoy a lot more than weeds!
I'll let you be the judge but was Obama giving the young lady's backside an admiring look?
Was Obama checking out a little action at the G8 and what does Michelle think.
Statler Brothers are from Staunton (say "STAN-ton") Virginia...another factoid picked up last week during my visit there...their notable contribution to their hometown was founding an annual Fourth of July music festival...
Jack, don't have a heart attack. And Obama is not likely to allow pulling the veil back on deep black programs. Some beauts were liberally constructed. Or can't we remember history... http://www.wired.com/politics/law/news/1998/10/15429
The question is over sight. What troubles me is both the lack of it and the shifting partisan claims of what is constitutional. I can hear NP moaning, but enemy combatants can be held indefinitely. Top Secret operations created by both Parties designed for national security purposes have not been refuted by SCOTUS. I see many present legal debates far off the mark.
Take Gitmo. The question is not about trials really. It is about determining status. Does the government have a sufficient case to deem someone an illegal combatant? Innocent people have a right to be free. So this is not about a trial. Like FISA, a panel of judges could determine status on evidence. It determines if indictment holds. The process then due a legal detainee is nothing like due process for a citizen. One could imagine a capital punishment for illegal combatant activities and then determination of status in itself could mean death. The Liberal argument is backwards and assumes detainees are innocent. We are accusing our government, intelligence services and military of detaining innocent people which hardly makes sense. Sufficient review of the process is needed without twisting the problem into a debate about Left v the Right.
As far as Big Brother, much of WMD forensics will require it. The volume of data connections defies the process of warrants being conducted largely by AI. Obviously reform is needed, but first we need to break this tit for tat between Congress and Intel before we get screwed again.
Who watches Big Brother? I can appreciate the struggle between the President and Congress, between the permanent agencies and their political regulators. It is a tough balance to watch, operate and direct such intelligence gathering abilities, but don't be shocked: we always err on the Big Mother side. The stakes are too high.
On another note: Hillary never bitched about her snukey treatment on South Park, but Putin seems to have clipped himself out of an episode shown in Russia. Hell, Bush suffered Lil Bush. Tzar Putin is about as touchy as a Mullah.
That picture is a classic example of how popular culture infects us all and how the depiction of women minimizes their capabilities. That young woman was a youth leader, but I'm sure someone captioned it with
"Baby Got Back"
Ivy, I just learned that, also, when I was tracking down the song. I was so sorry when their show finished.
The best line in that song is You'll know that you've been loved. What a wonderful idea.
I don't know that Obama was checking it out, but put it in context with the video, I suspect he wasn't.
But the other photo! I have to tell you that I got so sick of that kind of thing when I was young and pretty. If you wnat to know what is sexist, that's it. It's one thing to look and admire, but it's something else to make it so familiar and obvious. American men are a lot better today, but Sarkozy and Berlusconi are supremely un-attractive men - if they were truly suave, they'd check it out and keep it to themselves.
I'm fat today, 60 lbs overweight. Somebody said last week that fat people are always on a diet - true, maybe, for everyone but me. I don't want to rob the word diet of its meaning so will only use it when I know when I'll stick to it.
Right now, I'm enjoying being fat - men don't look at me like that any more FOR THE MOST PART. But I still get it - I'm fat and 66, and no, they don't look like that because I'm a freak. I've learned the difference. Those men are the freaks.For years I felt bad because I thought I looked like a slut - I was shy and un-comfortable. I was also scared of their aggression.
'The Southern Poverty Law Center today urged Congress to investigate growing evidence that racial extremists are infiltrating the U.S. military in order to ensure that the armed forces are not inadvertently training future domestic terrorists."
"Evidence continues to mount that current Pentagon policies are inadequate to prevent racial extremists from joining and serving in the armed forces," SPLC founder Morris Dees wrote. He added, "Because the presence of extremists in the armed forces is a serious threat to the safety of the American public, we believe Congressional action is warranted."
"...the overwhelming majority of U.S. servicemembers reject extremism and are dedicated to serving and protecting the highest ideals of our country" and notes that there will never be a fail-safe system to weed out all extremists. "But we owe it to our courageous men and women in uniform, and the American public, to remain vigilant to ensure that the ranks are as free of extremists as possible," Dees wrote.
One more point and then I'll stop. I do not have the personality of a beautiful woman, and didn't when I was a girl. I never wanted to be sexy. I wanted to be liked, yes. It seems that today all females want to be beautiful and sexy. Farah Fawcett and JLO seem to enjoy it and I'm happy for them. I didn't enjoy it. I'm kinda bookish, a bit of a loner, and, I guess I have to say, kind. I am filled with good will for my fellow man.
I haven't asked for or wanted any of the words or suggestions or looks I've received from so many men and boys over the years. I've learned to get some bit of payback for gropes and attempts to cop a feel - almost knocked an 85 yearol man off his feet once. I fight back somehoe for the gropes. Maybe men don't understand how that makes a woman feel, but before they indulge, I'd suggest they know the woman wants that kind of attention.
For the record, I like the way you guys talk about woman and to us - except the guy who said he tells his dates marriage is just a piece of paper. That's just sour grapes.
You are humble of character, but a genuine beauty that shone brightly in the liveliness of your written words are the same traits we now see "written all over your face."
It's pretty good, I hear from inside sources. He's been at the top of White Supremacists' hit lists for more than 25 years. They've planted bombs and taken shots at him...his story was made into a movie starring Corbin Bernsen.
I just saw Garrett Morris on a tv ad and realized I thought he had died, so I googled him, and darned if he ain't still drawin' breath! He was always one of my favorites. Apparently, he once told in an interview that the guy who beat him up was in prison, and some of the inmates who were also his fans beat the guy up.
Happy ending.
I think I'm gonna go read. The only one who'll talk to me after my rant is Ivy and she just took an ambien!
Shoot, Jack! I wandered away to watch a movie with my son, and missed your comment. I vote he was turning to lend a hand to the other young woman behind him, who was preparing to go down the steps. I simply do not see him as a man callow enough to be so obvious...and he knows the camera is omnipresent....
What a clever video! Craig I always enjoy your work!
Sturgeone, speaking of "douche", in Dutch "douch" means shower, so fi you were to call someone, say "douche bag" you'd be calling them a shower tote - LOL.
Ya know Craig, if you ever get tired of this job you have, you have a couple of other options open, acting and comedy. You would be good at both.
KGC and Bethy, good pic. Now what did you have to eat? If I'm going to share this vicarious experience, I need to know what was on the menu.
I have a question for you guys. If Sarah P. makes a little over 100 grand a year as govenor and she really does have this half million in legal fees and she didn't start out with a silver spoon in her mouth like so many politicians, how does she go about paying those bills? Does she open a website, please pay my bills? Just curious because I'm one of those people who doesn't believe in living on credit.
I know that quitting her job labels her as a quitter and will most likely hurt her chances of running for the presidency, maybe, but staying limits her opportunities for growth, keeps her vulnerable to more scrutiny, and most of all limits her money earning potential. Call me an idiot but I think I would do what she is doing, staying as govenor just keeps her in a box. Like she said, "if I die, I die".
I have found in life that it is always easier to criticize than to create.
The dope who said marriage is "just a piece of paper" apparently doesn't understand that it is a contractual agreement and legally binding.
Years ago, a law firm I worked in once launched an alienation of affections suit. Clerk Dodo refused to accept it, saying that such suits "are always filed AFTER the divorce". Dodo was adamant on this point.
Our colleague took took the matter to Judge Solomon. The attorney told that worthy Judge, "the order of filings is not set by Statute, but is merely a custom, with these exceptions...." He rattled off a list of such alienation suits going bact to the 1820s. After listening, Judge Solomon ordered Clerk Dodo to accept the filing.
I asked the attorney why he went to the considerable bother and expense of doing things out of the usual order. He replied that the reward for his work would be 4 fold :
1. The outcome of the suit would tend to derail the alimony that the errant wife would demand.
2. The offending adulteror was made out of money, and no one, judge or jury, likes a rich man who poaches on a poor man's preserve. "They'll squeeze him underfoot like a grape at harvest time."
3. Other attorneys would hear the tale of the unusual suit and spread the tale around. In this way, the story would reach a greater number of people than one about a normal alienation suit would. The greater the number of ears that hear about the consequences of defiling a marriage bed, the better our nation's social behavior will become.
4. "My client is pleased to think that in the future, the rival for his wife's affection will experience a localized decrease in blood pressure, whenever he sees her."
lightning struck sunday. blew the bark off a very big oak nearby and dug a trench twelve inches wide for a few feet. wonder if that's what they mean by grounding.
it also fried parts of two computers. fortunately or unfortunately, the local 'puter doc fixed them at the insurance company's behest (there went dreams of a new expensive apple gratis). but did get to upgrade the telephone system which was zapped and a lamp which blew up about 6 feet away from me and terrified both me and billie bob, the dog princess. hmm, maybe i can charge them for lightning induced stress. lost all the outlets in two rooms which electrician easily fixed. am cautiously waiting for some residual pent up surge to nuke the next unwary flipper of switches.
all in all, i feel like the monster that just got volted to life by dr frankenstein. as some great film writer said once "she's baaaccck" and she missed you all, every one.
I'm curious X. I'm not sure I have all the details of you case correct . If the wife dumped her poor husband to go after a rich dude, she doesn't likely have any money he can get if he wins. The poor dude is likely to end up a little poorer if the suit is unsuccessful. If she was rich, it doesn't seem that she would be filling for alimony in the first place.
If she does or doesn't end up marrying the rich dude, is he responsible to pay for her alienation of affection? Maybe the rich dude, if asked, would have given him some affection.
Another factor the litigating attorney may fail to realize is that humans have a tendency to think, it won't happen to me.
Military health experts now want to ban tobacco. Too many batte-word" soldiers rely on it to relieve stress. Unbelievable. Send them into battle and worry about their smoking habits/
I guess it will now be under the bed for the dog princess Pat. I still haven't cured my Maggie of her fear of lightening, mainly because I'm always trying to get under there with her. Not a good role model.
And I guess you have a very ethical puter doc and/or he didn't sell expensive Apples. He could have seen to it that your puter was fried.
I had high hopes that The Daily Beast might turn into a thoughtful place...but today, as has become far too common, two of the top five stories are just mindnumbingly stupid: Swimsuits that Changed the World, and Is Michael Jackson in Heaven?
Just another reminder that things are not really improving for many Americans, a pretty good summary
of how lenders are not trying to modify mortgages for
stressed borrowers and the attempt by the Obama
administration to again "push" them to action.
"From treasury to banks, an ulitmatum on mortgage
relief" by Joe Nocera NYT
"LOS ANGELES — The Southern Christian Leadership Conference, the 50-year-old civil rights organization founded by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and others, is seeking to remove the president of its Los Angeles chapter in response to his support of same-sex marriage in California."
And the flip side to lenders failure to work to modify loans in default, the response to the past abuses
in lax loan underwriting is to so severely restrict the requirements to obtain a loan, that
those who likely would be good borrowers are being
turned away from purchasing a home.
"We hardly need to point out that Ensign was one of the people who demanded that President Bill Clinton resign over the Lewinsky affair, that he votes against financing for education and contraception services to combat teenage pregnancy and that he supports a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage. In the world of politics, hypocrisy is a hard market to corner, but lately the Republicans have been making a Microsoft-like effort to do it."
From my experience the banks have went back to traditional standards.
I believe our refinance required a 20% equity stake.
we are looking at mortgaging some rental property and they will only loan up to 70% of the worth.
These limits are often set by the FDIC as is the % of a banks portfolios in any one sector. I suspect that some banks that are heavy into realestate loans are being encouraged to diversify.
As far as the banks modifying loans, They have no incentive to do so.
From their point of view where does it stop.
They are better off taking a 50% lose on 5% of their portfolio then they are to take a 10 to 25% loss on 100% of the portfolio.
I think we are at the point where we need to bight the bullet and move on.
Those that loose their homes give them vouchers for housing and help them get back on their feet.
Herbert is calling for a new WPA which is what the Progressives expected Congress and Obama to do ... a whole new program to rebuild all the broken stuff. This would take years and would concentrate the money in the US. You can't outsource a bridge to China.
Unfortunately, you start to suspect that all that money floating around is going to end up in the already well padded pockets. I actually think Herbert is off in his figures. I think it is closer to 20% of the population either unemployed, under employed, retired earlier than practical ... however you describe them, they aren't working for enough to live without fear.
It's amazing that the Young GOP would elect an openly racist president (I figured they'd at least TRY to hide it) -- glad at least that Meghan McCain is speaking out about it.
One other thing, when we got our loan from BOA they took 4 months to close. They are overwhelmed. Part of is they layed off people last fall. The other part is they are still absorbing Countrywide and dealing with the many messes they created. One of them is next door.
They took over the property in Feb and are just now getting it ready to put on the market..
I also received a letter and op ed from Sen. Bingaman...I write to him frequently regarding health care. I will not copy the whole op ed, but I felt his closing paragraphs got my attention. (If anyone wants a copy, let me know...it is NOT on his website.)
"Finally, I believe it is important
"that reform includes real competition between public and pirvate insurance plans. The only way to do this is to make sure there is at least one plan whose focus is providing care -- not simply making a profit."
Tony, re: 8:21 post, that group needs to change their name from "Civil Right" to "AA Rights" and from "Christian" to "Religious" because what they are doing is neither "Civil" nor "Christian" in IMHO.
Patsi..thanks for the post on Herbert. I also believe during this depression, that discrimination is on the rise...age, sex and race...with every job opening. If there are five candidates for every job, I'll bet the selected candidate will be the younger man of little color.
And I think that most people who abuse drugs are trying to achieve a little bit of heaven here on earth. It usually doesn't work though and many end up getting the opportunity to find out if there is one somewhere else.
I talked to a younger middle aged adult this week in jail. He got hooked up with crack cocaine. His excuse was that his wife left him. He is now in jail, no wife, lost a great paying job, and is losing a $200,000+ house. I asked him if that short high he got from the drug was worth it.
He was spending everything he made on the crack so at the time he must have thought it was worth it. Now it didn't seem that it was. Don't mess with crack.
Elizabeth Edwards on CSPAN 3 about health care now. Watch or catch online if and when available. Every argument for public plan you have ever wanted to hear made!!!
The context of the NYT aritcles (& what those of us who represent borrowers are seeing) is that new rules in underwriting suggest that the lenders are not just returning to former guidelines, but are becoming more restrictive in loan underwiring, (courtesy of Fannie Mae and/or FDIC as you state) thus removing the opportunity for otherwise qualified borrowers to purchase a home & consequently help to turn the economy around.
And at the same time the lenders are doing little to address the continuing mortgage foreclosure crisis that has not
really subsided.
If 50% of the housing inventory is made up of foreclosed property---it will be quite some time before the economy turns around.
If the lenders do not attempt to stem the tide of the
foreclosures that are continuing nationwide---like what you have described in your neighborhood---there will be increasing burdens on the communities where foreclosures have overwhelmed & hastened the decay of those areas.
I believe this aspect was addressed here early on
when the extent of the housing crisis became known.
As far as letting the chips fall wherever & give those that lost their house a voucher to move on--I am not
sure who you want to give the vouchers--the lender,
the govt--and am not sure how that aids in correcting
the housing foreclosure crisis.
As far as Bank of America, my clients just closed on
a purchase through them & it took about 3+ months
to process the loan documents---the processing was
slowed by what BofA claims is the new rule that
does not allow them to speak directly with an appraiser
causing them to delay clearing the loan to
close.
Also, it is my understanding that the delay in processing loans for awhile was
because of the less than 5% interest rate that was
offered earlier this year, which increased the volume of applications, and has since lessened as the rate went up.
For me, the bottom line is that until the housing/mortgage foreclosure crisis is corrected,
the economy will not move forward & so far there has
been little evidence that the problems have been
adequately addressed.
Jamie, And why is it so difficult to find a bra without underwires? Some of us don't need any support, the wire just serves as a torture device. Have you ever experienced a underwire across a nipple? And have they ever tried underwire bras instead of waterboarding?? It might be just or more effective.
If I find this report of efforts by supporters of Judge Sotomayor, (if accurate) not only discouraging but absolutely unnecessary, since there is virtually little chance that Judge Sotomayor will not be confirmed.
This type of attack was disgraceful when it was used against Anita Hill & likewise should be avoided now.
"Sotomayor backers urge reporters to probe New Haven firefighter"
Just had a Jehovah Witness come to the door. Haven't had one come down this long driveway in years. Now Rick and I know what to do in order to survive the upcoming end of the world..... we are overjoyed....
Carol....
I ran for a local election position 4 times. The term was 6-years. After 3 terms (18 yrs), I had had my fill of it. Yet I let someone talk me into going after a 4th term... for which I blame myself. Two years into it, I really wanted to quit. After much soul searching I came to the conclusion that I put my name on the ballot, people voted for me, and I had a responsibility to fulfill my commitment. I did the job the remaining 4 yrs to best of my ability and with a smile on my face.
Palin chose differently..... that's her right. I criticize that choice.... that's my right. This is a political blog.... we criticize politicians everyday.
We are leaving for the big city of Manchester in a few hours. We have tickets to see a matinee of Cirque du Soleil. Happy, happy, joy, joy....
oh god.... I forgot something I wanted to say....
my brain is holding too much lately..... or maybe it's just water logged....
patd....
sorry to hear about your storm problems.... very glad to have you back....
because this is a big vacation week.... I thought you might be on one....
hope you get to take one if you need one....
for us the Appraiser was trying to schedule a visit a week after the application. We put him off 2 weeks because we had some repair and painting to do but we had his report within 3 weeks. and 2 of those were caused by us.
They did turn it over to their case manager(my term I can't remember his real title) for almost 2 and 1/2 months. After that it took about 3 weeks, part of that was waiting for my wife to find the time in her very busy schedule.
To be honest I don't know what is traditional for standard mortgages this is the first one my wife and I have ever had. However each of us have owned property and borrowed money on our property for 35 years. Neither one of us for some reason went the standard mortgage route.
As to the voucher, It should go to the person being evicted so they can find a place to live.
Six months ago I was in the "they ought to do something" crowd.
But now I'm more in the "Amputate doctor"and get it over with so we can move on" crowd.
It may have something to do with the email I got yesterday from a lady that is trying to do realestate investment in my neighborhood from a multi million dollar house in California. She was delusional IMO.
There are a number of people like her that need to be told "Get out , cut your losses and thank god it wasn't worse."
The house is in her name, and it is standing wide open with weeds 3 ft high in the yard, It has become a hang out for vagrants and local teen gangs. Think of the her liability. If some one gets killed she could loose everything she owns.
*head shake*
I may be wrong but I believe the wife got rid of all her underwire bras. She got tired of having a metal detector shoved down the front of her blouse by airport security.
coreen, ct, renee,
thanks for the kind welcome back.
coming back to trailmix after a long hiatus is sometimes like picking up a good tolstoy or dostoyevsky novel in the middle and trying to remember characters, plots and subplots. a mixture of religion, passion, high emotions, political intrigue and some gardening thrown in with a little humor here and there. ahh, yes and a balalaika playing in the background.
Pat, glad you and your household are mostly alright! Lightning strikes are really scary.
Please make sure your electricians checked the house grounding. Everything in the entire house, including satellite antennas, the central electric circuit, and telephone lines must all terminate at the _same_ ground stake. And, it must be a really effective earth ground (they can be tested).
Hey RR, wack away at Palin. Don't think, when I disagree I'm not having fun. I just love a good debate. If ya'll all start taking up for Palin, I'll find something to get her for, if there is anything ya'll haven't already covered.
My father, who has been gone for more than 3/4s of my life now, just loved to argue. He came from a family that did also. If we all started to agree, half changed their minds and it started all over again. It's aerobics for the brain.
I just got back from Wally World where I spent way too much money on crap I don't need. Most of it was in the fishing department. I pretty much have a fishing department here now. I have things that I don't even know what they do but they were cute. I can entertain myself trying to figure out what they do and then why I needed one.
"that ear looks tasty, too"
flatus, watch that sweet talking about bw's pix or i'll tell stinky.
and thanks for your concern and comment at http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/07/the-worlds-president-1.html#comment-243158
the electrical contractor that wired the house when it was built came out for the check up that the insurance company wanted. hope he did a thorough job like you described.
curious thing about the blown lamp was that it was the ceramic gizmo and not the bulb that blew. the lamp was not turned on, just plugged into the outlet. the sharp sound of the strike was accompanied by a bright blue light and there was ceramic shrapnel all over the place. billie bob went bonkers, ran up stairs, ran downstairs, in circles; but bobo (the best dog in the world) and the two old cats just took it in stride. they grew up with the ever present electrical storms of florida.
"As age weighs down the originally heaven sent, I've been considering a block and tackle"
Jamie, I spent a lot of my younger years distressed because heaven left me out. My girlfriend's mom lied to me and told me that late bloomers usually got the best ones. That held me over for several years then I was really pissed at her when it didn't happen.
It wasn't easy out there fishing without those things. My twin sister got all the good up in that area and she was the runt. We are fraternal twins. Because she did, she got all the boy friends. Without boyfriends to distract me I spent more time getting an education. Now I have a better career. All those boyfriends didn't work out well for her but I still have a better career. Nah, nah, nah, nah, nah.
Porter Wagoner, "Wake Up, Jacob"--not the best audio but a great song nonetheless.
Had skunk issues for awhile here, too. They loved the cat's dry food, and during rainstorms one in particular would make his way through a hole in the foundation into the basement (which, thank goodness, is only under one room of the house) for shelter. That hole, needless to say, has since been packed with concrete.
Sounds a lot like me and my cousin of the same age. When she was 16, she asked how do you get a boy to kiss you. I wanted to know how do you keep them away? Fortunately for me, I was a bookworm with other interests at the time.
Still, in all my years, haven't figured out what is so attractive about two mounds of fat and flesh. If we have them anywhere else, except maybe just firmly packed on the booty, we don't want them.
Carol
I so totally agree! That's my problem with some groups that claim to be Christian.If they were following Jesus there wouldn't be all this BS...Oh yes and the so-called civil rights groups.Its really just civil rights for there particular group,the hell with anyone else...I'll admit after the California Prop 8 vote it was hard for me to understand how some AA's that were denied civil rights for so long voted to deny gays there civil rights,sad really...As Solar would say its about religion..
Hey all
I was going to my jobs this morning here in little old New Smyrna Beach and there was an anti -Obama protest at the Monorca complex on the Atlantic.It consisted of maybe 100 people holding signs.I have no problem with people protesting but some of the signs were despicable lies.Some of the signs read 'Obama please don't let Grandmother die","Obama is a Socialist for Socialized medicine", "Obama want's to pick my doctor","Obama has stolen my Grandchild's future"and so on....Its a complex with a lot of wealthy folks living there basically just wanting lower taxes..I told Grace you have had lower taxes for years and you still have lower tax rates than under your hero Reagan so whats the bitch? I hope the President pushes his agenda(healthcare) despite them...
I didn't realize you were on hiatus because I was on hiatus too...glad you're back...your description of the "re-entry process" is a hoot!
Hubs is off to guitar camp for a week, so I will either have lots of time on my hands, or no time on my hands, depending on whether anything around the house breaks down or blows up while he's gone.
"Cheney Is Linked to Concealment of C.I.A. Project"
"The Central Intelligence Agency withheld information about a secret counter terrorism program from Congress for eight years on direct orders from former Vice President Dick Cheney, the agency’s director, Leon E. Panetta, has told the Senate and House intelligence committees, two people with direct knowledge of the matter said Saturday.
The report that Mr. Cheney was behind the decision to conceal the still-unidentified program from Congress deepened the mystery surrounding it, suggesting that the Bush administration had put a high priority on the program and its secrecy.
Mr. Panetta, who ended the program when he first learned of its existence from subordinates on June 23, briefed the two intelligence committees about it in separate closed sessions the next day."
I discovered raccoons like cat and dog food too. They can slice an opening in a screen that may go undetected for days while they come and go at will. Now I make sure to pick up pet bowls immediately after feeding time.
Posted by: ivygreen.myopenid.com | July 11, 2009 5:10 PM
We had raccoons eating the cat food, too, Ivy. Never got in the house (we don't raise the glass in the storm door) but they'd come prop up on the storm door and we'd talk to them. They acted like they understood every word. Funny curious little critters.
The skunks seldom come around anymore, we had the raccoons trapped and taken away--and I think the possums, who also used to raid the cat food, all wound up as road kill. But for a few years there we had quite a menagerie. I ended up having to feed the cat indoors for several years, although in summer he prefers to dine al fresco.;)
Hi Jack
The Pension is holding for now.The new GM took on the burden of the pensions under an agreement with the UAW.I still don't have all the details but it has to do with stock ownership in exchange for pension funds.Last contract GM divested itself of our medical coverage through funding what is called a VEBA.GM was to put so many millions into this fund that was to be invested so that it would fund the system for current retirees for life.GM couldn't honor there agreement so again the UAW took stock ownership in the new GM in exchange for the billions for healthcare.I guess at were all just hoping for the stock to rise enough in the future so it can be sold to fund the pensions and medical? I so far have only lost mt dental and eye coverage under my insurance plans along with some co-pay rises..I consider myself lucky at this point but how things go in the future is anyone's guess?I just did my part and bought just yesterday a new Pontiac Vibe,my last Pontiac!! Sad...
Hey Tony...I don't know if you caught my post on a recent meeting Obama sent Jarret to. One of the guest speakers claimed Katrina was punishment for our gay tolerance. No comment from the White House because it was a Muslim conference.
Obama has generated much of the fear that is blocking his path. I note your remark on Health Care. Franken gives Obama the theoretical edge, but Democrats laughing at the idea of reading a Bill before voting on it is bad PR. It is just a different form of Republican arrogance.
As you remember, Obama's sales pitch on the Stimulus Bill was poor. He was in such a rush, yes?Polls indicate they do not like the results so far or the administration's delivery. The best thing Obama could do would be to scrape the first Stimulus Bill and create a better one, but people fear that too.
Clinton used the Republicans to keep his forces in line. Instead with Obama Democrats add a wandering Energy Bill (with the G-8 drawing blanks) and the revolt among Democrats over the Health Care costs and service, you get political uncertainty. Do you want the Democrats to loose in 2010? Frankly, this was political arrogance on OBama's part and foreign policy will continue to eat up Obama's time. Most are looking down the one year road and it don't look pretty.
The sad part is that this is not the very transparent or vetted process Obama promised. Pork, partisanship, extremes, arrogance and down right chaos. The costs and assumptions are all over the place and a trillion dollar interest payment per year is in the back of American's minds. Then there is the likely new taxes and another broken promise.
A smart energy bill wuld be great. A safety net and relief to the MIddle Class would be great for healthcare along with intelligent reforms. Prudent changes in tax structure, targeted stimulus for job growth, mortgage stability and credit lines makes sense.
I thought that Hillary would be more focused in a pragmatic way, but Obama is doing exactly what we all suspected. The irony is that the Left and Right are moving against him while the moderates in the middle have not found Obama to be particularly supportive beyond national security converns. And even they have some serious problems with that direction too.
I see why Pelosi and Reid wanted Hillary on the road tours, but her sensibilities might have been a steadier handle on foreign affairs and the economy. Those were here strengths including health care and I think she would have use the Republicans much more to her advantage. Obama is never going to satisfy the Left and I rather doubt they were or are more important than Blue Dogs....
Also, GM had it right back in 1998 when they designed their electric car concept off a ethanol electrical generator charging up the electrical car. That was ten years ago. It still makes sense. It reduces the battery size, the need for plugging in and fuel cells with hydrogen that don't make great sense. A Cellulosic generator with modern pollution controls could power up the batteries and deliver almost 200 a gallon. That is the best stage one their is, yet most hybrids are still a combustion engines with electrical alternative.
The Democrats are pushing corn instead of cellulosic biomass.
I saw a tri-wheel car. Front two wheels pitch into turns and the weight is composite with a nice passenger cabin. Handles better than a car. The generator recharges the battery on the fly if need be and an electric motor runs the oversized rear wheel. I think the version I saw used diesel. There is no reason why we can't start revoltionizing autos again.
"Hey Tony...I don't know if you caught my post on a recent meeting Obama sent Jarret to. One of the guest speakers claimed Katrina was punishment for our gay tolerance. No comment from the White House because it was a Muslim conference."
Hi Max
I did read your post.I also watched the video of that mad man..Its really hard to understand how people can be filled with such hatred! I learned it first hand when I was friends with Hani(my friend from Saudi Arabia) back in Michigan.It was after 911 when I couldn't be friends with him any more.I asked Hani why did he think so many men from his country would hijack planes and fly them into The World Trade Center and The Pentagon.Hani's answer was it was the Jews! It took my breath away,i said the Jews how there's even video footage of your fellow citizens boarding the planes?Hani's answer was the Jews in Hollywood made up the footage...This guy was a 4.0 student...Shocking for me!! I never knew he had any hatred in him before 911....
Max
I think as Solar keeps saying why doesn't the President just release the funds for his current stimulus package?I wish the current stimulus package just went for infrastructure(proven job creators) and funding new technology for solar and energy.I don't even take Nuclear Power off the table in are current situation or clean burning coal as you mentioned the other day..
Hi Patsi
Thanks for the Herbert column this morning!! I'm really am concerned as to where all these jobs are going to come from? I just look at in my life time.When I hired in at GM there were 457,000 GM middle class good paying jobs and today 41,000...What will replace these jobs?The President says green jobs,Hillary too but a whole house solar system costs I think around $40,000.I know costs will come down but it seems like it will take years and the cheap labor countries will be the ones building everything...
As I wrote to my girlfriend who forwards all the right wing (Exclamation Point, All Caps, and Many Colors) of things I must see and beware: "You have to stop communicating with people on A OLD L "
Maybe we should picket them back with "Stop Scaring Grandmothers!!!!"
I meant this link where the speaker talks about Katrina. I note the convergence of Homophobia and Anti-semticism coming from Obama described as "moderate Muslim views" one would expect of this crowd. Also this is exactly the view from some Right Wingers and even some Left Wingers. It is indeed a strange convergence.
You mentioned some things about the health care push, but he has been off on tour feeling the heat on North Korea, Iran and over Afghanistan.
Just for Hillary supporters, let's bring up some primary issues. Obama said chaos was acceptable in Iraq and that Afghanistan is the central front in the war on terror, or the war on made disasters..
Hillary instead suggested we be concerned about stability in Iraq and that Afghanistan was in part an issue about the lack of world support and conditions in Pakistan that enable militants which might not be greatly improved by a more moderate regime. This was all realpolitik and she was right.
Obama has backed himself into a corner with the two year road map of his winning plan.
A. He will not be able to push Netanyahu very far in Obama’s pressure for concessions of State given the gift the Mullahs, Hamas and Hizb’Allah gave Bibi.
B. Obama’s calibrated dance with Iran is not likely to produce any real results anytime soon.
C. AQ has stepped up their attacks focusing on Sunni moderates in Yemen, Egypt, Iraq (hitting Sunnis in the Great Awakening), West Bank, Gaza and Saudi Arabia rather than Shia groups. Strategically they are therefore united in targeting the same people as the Iranian regime.
D. Pakistan, who is wavering in eliminating militants wants to deal with Omar making Obama’s present Afghanistan policy heading towards defeat.
Taxes, Afghanistan, Energy and Healthcare, Stimulus, Iran. Iraq, Defense Budget, North Korea, Honduras, Immigration, Card Check all present problems that the Obama administration hasn’t found a fix for yet that’s convincing. Time is not on Obama’s side. Again, the range of incertain issues has broadened. Without any real positive gains tied to his administration, uncertainty clouds the agenda from energy to health care, from Honduras to Afghanistan.
I did suggest Obama make a more genuine move towards the Right (helping to split it) before it looks like it is a calculated move out of political necessity rather than a stroke of genius…….but then I don’t have his email address….
"I meant this link where the speaker talks about Katrina. I note the convergence of Homophobia and Anti-semiticism coming from those who Obama describe as holding the "moderate Muslim views"."
"Maybe we should picket them back with "Stop Scaring Grandmothers!!!!""
Jamie
It may come down to that.I think Blond W that mentioned the other day about us taking to the streets to demand a public option! I'm all for demonstrating against things you don't like from are government but they need to also put up some constructive idea's on how to fix this mess called the US heathcare system...
It was disgusting the way some Democrats seemed to be actually hoping that Bush's policies in Iraq, for example the surge, would fail. And even now some are reluctant to credit the policy with leading to more stability, which in turn has allowed some stand down of U.S. troops.
It is equally disgusting to see the Republicans now, almost gleeful that the economy has not rebounded. People like Eric Cantor (and Max) want to call it Obama's recession. But it's not quite that easy to revise such recent history. It was eight years of Republican economic policy (regrettably sometimes supported by Dems, including Frank and Dodd) that got the economy in such a tragic mess of a condition.
Anyone who has paid attention should know that recovery is
only expected to START to rebound in the third and fourth quarter. And that now looks optimistic. The stimulus spending has not yet either peaked nor has had the chance to bring about its desired effects, which include reducing unemployment. As painful as it might be, look for unemployment to remain over 7% for the entire remainder of the year. (Employment is a lagging indicator.) There will be real economic growth in the third and fourth quarter in terms of GDP.
If unemployment is over 6% next summer, it will be bad news for the Dems. But it is too early now for the R's to be so happy at their good fortune that the American people suffer from a lousy economy.
Carol - KGC had a fish taco and I had two soft tacos with shredded beef. I hadn't had lunch yet and since I expected to drink two margaritas, I figured I'd better have something to keep them company. Anyway, they were good - fresh tomatoes and cooked tomatoes and lettuce etc.
Xrep, I'm not sure who said he always told his girlfriends that marriage is just a piece of paper. I think it was Max or Don1 - but he got an earful, as you can imagine. It's obviously not just a piece of paper,
but if one insists, it's a piece of paper that packs quite a punch.
I've decided that this blog is an endless opportunity for me to make an ass of myself.
"In her remarks, Senior Advisor for Public Engagement and International Affairs Valerie Jarrett noted she was the first White House official to address ISNA. She spoke in general terms about interfaith dialogue and cooperation. She praised her hosts for "the diversity of American organizations, and ideas that are represented and will be debated" at the convention."
Max
This doesn't surprise me.It wasn't long ago that this Administrations Justice Department put forth a legal brief to defend DOMA!! None of this would have shocked me if we were talking about the Bush Administration...Its unacceptable and wrong...
Aww - just saw my first post-mortem Billy Mays ad (on W.C.). We didn't even know about his death until almost a week afterwards. They say, he would have wanted his ads to keep running.
"f unemployment is over 6% next summer, it will be bad news for the Dems. But it is too early now for the R's to be so happy at their good fortune that the American people suffer from a lousy economy."
Joe
Well said! I keep thinking Obama has only been President for what 7 months and these nay saying Republicans are asking why the worst economic downturn since the Depression hasn't turned around yet...I wish they would have been as critical when Bush was President...Instead they rubber stamped everything Bush put forward...Look at the vote to continue the war funding,4 Republican votes!! If a Republican President were in office they would have all voted to continue the funding and Democrats would have allowed them to paint anyone who didn't support the measure as unpatriotic....
Hi Bethy
The photo of you and KGC was splendid!! I wish I could have been there with you two!! Sorry the Margarita's weren't frozen,yuck!! Glad to see folks from here meet up.How's that TV working out?Next you will be telling us you have a DVR,ha ha...Love my DVR. I'm spoiled but not rotten!! T
"Holder, 58, may be on the verge of asserting his independence in a profound way. Four knowledgeable sources tell NEWSWEEK that he is now leaning toward appointing a prosecutor to investigate the Bush administration's brutal interrogation practices, something the president has been reluctant to do. While no final decision has been made, an announcement could come in a matter of weeks, say these sources"
"The CIA "withheld information about a secret counterterrorism program from Congress for eight years on direct orders from former Vice President Dick Cheney, the agency's director"
so when did an order from the VP become more than a suggestion. Who put him in the line of command? When and is he still?
To answer the Q Posted by: ct | July 11, 2009 7:39 AM
The wife was shacking up with the rich dude, but as far as anyone knew there was no talk about them getting married.
An alienation of affections action puts a monetary value on the affection and familial services that the husband (in this case) has lost. The concept goes back to the days when wives were property, which is a disgusting concept. The alienation suit in the case I related was meant to to bleed the 'wife stealer' and foul up the errant wife's romance. It accomplished both missions. The affair ended abruptly, and Mr. Adultery settled out of court for what wass then a tidy sum.
Around the same time the same attorney filed an alienation of affection suit for a wife after her husband absconded with another woman. What is sauce for the goose ought to be sauce for the gander.
Anyway within a few days of getting the first alienation suit filed, the attorney gained a reputation around the court house as the great expert on alienation of affections. I don't know what kind of expert he was, but he certainly stirred things up.
Tony, It would have been so cool for you to be there with KGC and me. We'd probably still be there talking and laughing!
My tv is great, but I've been having trouble with getting everything hooked up. I paid a professional installer to hook up the dvd, vcr and tv and comcast hd box, and he got it. The only problem was that it really hadn't been activated by comcast, altho they said it had been, and a lot of stations weren't coming on. So I called comcast, got a guy with an accent and bad phone connection who re-programmed everything FROM his desk. So now my vcr doesn't work and I can't tape anything. A guy is coming out from comcast to set it up for me on monday for 13.99, a price comcast had previously said was 15.95.
But the beauty is that I can get great reception on my favorite classical station, 102.1 from SF. I't very popular, and on-line so they get comments from people around the world. At night when tv is barren, I turn it on very low and play on the computer or read
with the door open and the cool breezes coming in.
Nice.
Dang X, I didn't know you could sue the other person in a relationship when it is the spouse who alienates the affection. I guess you can actually sue for just about anything, but it is winning that can be tricky.
It seems that the only one who came out ahead there was the lawyer but that usually is the case isn't it?
Excerpt from the article:
One poster from Bellevue, Wash., summarized the Palmetto State this way: "S.C. has an obscene tax base based on liquor, cigarettes, sales, and income. ... If you wonder how they get away with it, just move there and talk to the people. Not very educated, hate change, think liberals are evil, and don't mind working a production line for minimum wage (except when they are competing with the illegals, then they mind), and think educated people are snobs."
http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/07/the-worlds-president-1.html#comment-243206
Hey Bethy
Ha yes,maybe some day? I want to at least get back out LA to visit Ismael and Clinton this year.Ismael wants to drive me up the coast to see SF so maybe then we could arrange something? The TV sounds fab! Wish I lived near, I can hook up all that stuff in a snap.I love tech stuff.I have a DVR and a DVD recorder.I record onto DVD and send all the American Showtime and HBO shows along with many other things to my friend Baz in Australia ...I have for years he calls it Tony TV..HA HA
Tony, my Michigan grandson arrived here today. He related a story about one of his classmates who was hired on to a GM assembly line three or four years ago. He said the young man was there for a year and a half when GM decided to close the factory. He says his friend was paid $60k to leave without fanfare, which he did.
Posted by: bethyboo | July 11, 2009 7:19 PM :
"I've decided that this blog is an endless opportunity for me to make an ass of myself."
---------------------------------------------------------------------
You are never an ass, Bethyboo. You are both intelligent and kind - a much more pleasant person than I have ever been. lordbloggington and maxtrue can attest to that, as can he who must NOT be named, and brian the Chicommie mouthpiece from Brooklyn.
Anywhat, if you were ever to become an ass, I'd just have to say, ' Look at that nice ass ! OooeeeEEE !!! '
I think that line is direct quote from the Roman novel, The Metamorphoses of Lucius Apuleius, but my memory of the book may have been clouded by the seemingly sudden elapse of 4 1/2 decades.
Anyhow, no one ever accused me of being an expert on Latin idioms, and Sweetie says that my memory isn't worth poop anymore.
a carolinian retorts:
(a comment from the "boeing" article above)
Posted by postman01 on July 11, 2009 at 4:11 a.m.
Our best ally? The stereotyping of condescending and ignorant LEFT WINGERS who, as usual, do not know what they are talking about.
There's a reason why Boeing is ditching Washington state for another place. The temporary dominance there of grossly confused left wingers.
This is part of the suicidal aspect of the relatively primitive left wing mindset, which is clearly incapable of prioritizing correctly. We are seeing this deficiency in California, in the newspaper industry, and elsewhere. It is the suiciidal behavior of the LEFT WING RELIGION adherents who are quite willing to commit a form of suicide (in this case financial suicide) because their totem pole political religion is more important to them than survival!!! This indicates a mental problem, of course
It may be tricky to prove that louse-infested skunk stole your spouse, broke your heart, and forced you to hire a driver, janitor, maid, nanny, and chef. However, folks have done it and made the skunk bleed money. It is a beautiful sight to see.
Regarding my own situation and ideology, I am VERY married, and I think that is an Honorable Estate. If I were to make a hash of my relationship with Sweetie, I would lose the 2 greatest gifts that I have been blessed to receive : Sweetie, and my self respect.
I believe in the sanctity of marriage, which in MY lexicon means, EXCLUSIVE partners
(incidentally w/benefits) until death makes that arrangement impractical and unsanitary.
I know people make mistakes, and I make a large allowance for divorce. However, a promise is a promise, and a promise made in the presence of God and the assembled beloved witnesses ought to mean some dam' thing, don't you think ? I say it does. Therefore, there is a proper choreography of social events in any well-ordered Universe : the divorce decree comes first, the shacking up w/new hunnybun comes later.
People like my former US Senators dirty dave durenburger and grotty rod grams got the order of these events reversed. Btw, they were "pro-family" republicans. The adulterous conduct of the repulsive Senator dirty dave was the last straw for me as a republican.
There. Now, I have finally exposed what is really important to me. Everyone now knows more about me than I feel comfortable with them knowing. I feel naked, somehow.
I shall comfort myself with the thought that naked is indeed the best disguise.
Hmmm. While, I'm naked, I think I'll go see what Sweetie thinks of this disguise.
Hey Flatus
Yes that's pretty typical at GM today.It sounds like GM wanting to get rid of anyone especially someone hired before the last contract when the UAW agreed to a two tier wage system.I guess the UAW felt it was necessary for GM's long term survival.I think the top wage now for a new employee is somewhere around $15 an hour.I wonder though how do we compete with the Chinese when a good wage there is $400 a month?Where does your grandson live in Michigan?
Are Penguins and Polar Bears global warming extremists ?
(In case you are wondering about my romantic progress, Sweetie seems to have stepped out to chat with a neighbor. Our town frowns menacingly on naked-is-the-best-disguise type folks wearing their disguises in public. I am therefore back in my Trail Mix uniform, and thinking about policy, budgets, and other frivolities)
Sturge, a cousin of mine lived in Seattle for several years. She was a union organizer for Boeing. She wasn't a very popular person. My brother-n-law's sister and her husband return from Alaska tomorrow. They have had a bad time in Alaska. The temps have been 75-80 and they've had wildfires there so it's been hazy and smoky. They didn't get an accurate viewing of the glaciers, nor have they been able to take many pictures because of the conditions there.
Americans suffer from the romantic ideal of happily ever after. That isn't what marriage is about. It's nice to be in love, but marriage is about the creation of a life. You are building a future for yourselves and your children. Along the way you may not like each other for a while, but you hang in there and somewhere along the way you get comfortable, you contribute to the world, you leave another generation, and you end up with a full life.
Judith Viorst had a great quote: Marriage is what keeps you together long enough that when you fall out of love, you have time to fall back in again.
Around 2000 GM pressed Congress to vote massive subsidies for gas hogs w/ cd changers and cupholders. The idea was to gain a temporary edge over the 'imports' who were behind the curve on SUVs.
If instead, GM had asked for massive subsidies for their electric car, as a national security issue, GM would still be a titan today. Except for Toyota, the foreigners were even farther behind the curve on electrics, than they were on SUVs. Therefore GM's advantage in the race would have been greater. Of course, every electric car would also have to come with a cd changer and cup holders. I mean coffee and toonz are what cars are for, right ?
Today the gas hog subsidy is an advantage peed away under the bridge. It gained 2 years and profited America nothing.
10 years from now, Tata will swallow GM without a burp, and the HQ of what was once the largest manufacurer in the sidereal universe will move to a suburb of Bombay. The GM towers will be turned into SROs for unemployed people, the factories will be the haunt of birds and unclean things. Michigan will revert to a rural state. To paraphrase Prince Pierre Bezuhov, "Dam' you auto execs. Dam' you all to hell."
Secret Program that Seymour Hersh mentioned that I posted a link too and I'm sure many other secret programs as well that the Republicans and possibly even some Democrats were aware off.
But to actually stun even Republicans I would go with the Assassination Squad program. This is the one that would get both Bush\Cheney prosecuted and imprisoned IMHO.
I am not aware if you have heard about this or not, however the Banks and Credit Card Companies have already found a way around the new Credit Card Bill that was passed.
I heard about this a while back and today I got my new change notice to my credit card rules of acceptance. So what is the big change to skirt the new law passed?
My credit card interest rate will no longer be fixed. It will now be a variable rate running between 10% and 18% monthly on the unpaid balance.
This will make the Banks and Credit Card Companies a lot of money since most people do not pay off their credit card balance every month like the rich do.
Or the few people like me who are not rich, but only use my one card I have for some purchases and I do pay it off every month.
I am what is considered a lose for Banks and Credit Card Companies since they make no money off me by my having a credit card. Also my card does not carry a yearly fee like say American Express and others just to have the Companies Credit Card.
So if you have cards you that carry a monthly balance expect to see your interest rates go up soon if they have not already.
Also if your late of miss a payment your interest rate will go up to whatever the limit is and you will end up deeper in debt.
Be smart and pay your cards off. If you can not than make sure you pay your monthly balance plus extra to get them paid off as fast as you can.
Otherwise you will never get out of credit card debt as the interest rates will eventually drive you to bankruptcy.
XR, I'm reading from the bottom up so the first one of your posts was the one about not going outside naked, and I wondered what I had missed. Then several minutes I found your serious one re your feelings about marriage and I was charmed.
It would be nice if everyone could face things as honestly as you do, but I'm afraid many/most don't. I think yours is the best attitude and the reason why I never married. I don't have the ability to trust. I think the happiest people are the ones who see marriage as a creation itself, like a house but invisible, which is
built over the years, requiring a lot of maintenance and money and elbow grease, and a willingness to ignore the demands of ego occasionally. I've watched friends and neighbors do it for up to 55 years, and I am in awe
of you all.
Tony, I'm not moving anywhere for years and I know KGC loves California,so.... Tony tv is great!
The Old Ladies Club watched a tape of an old Dalziel and Pascoe show - terrific.
americans are beginning to be disappointed and
disillusioned with obama's handling of the economy'
we had the tarp bill '' toxic assets relief program'
that didn't buy any toxic assets'' just seemed to throw money at the banks'' we had the detroit bail out that
didn't save gm or Chrysler from bankruptcy''' we had the
stimulus bill that doesn't stimulate anything but more
spending'' it isn't so much that the economy hasn't
turned around but the fact that the government has
blown through 3 or4 trillion dollars of borrowed money
with no tangilble results
Anon, that's funny. I call that snipe hunting, when everyone runs off and leaves you holding the bag. With my tendency toward paranoia, I usually think I ran people off. But even with our addiction to this place we do find an occasional life beyond this blog. When it calls we run off, and often without warning.
mqw, where have you been? All that worries me too. I got a sickening feeling in the pit of my stomach ever since the "bossman" put the Fox in charge of the hen house. Not just the Fox, but the Fox that helped supervise the building of some of that hen house. (This is in code)
With all that money flying around and very little accountability and oversight, I just wonder how many people filled up thier hands. I bet there are people who were responsible for helping to create this financial nightmare that made up for their losses while the rest of us poor suckers are paying even more for it. Just call that my intuition. And let me tell ya something, unfortunately my intuition is usually, as Patsi would say, spot on.
And why I don't really discuss health care reform anymore is that my intuition regarding that is that we are not likely to see much of it. Hope I'm wrong.
It's the golden rule silly, he who has the gold, makes the rules.
And as for that giant Palouse earthworm someone mentioned yesterday, I'm still trying to figure out how many fish I can catch with that baby. They say it is 3 feet long. I usually can get 4-5 bites/fish out of those Canadian cold worms and they are only about 5-6 inches long.
And Jamie -- I so agree that the thing most irritating about Scarborough is the half truths...then he twists and runs.
But my biggest beef right now is that Republicans are trying to act as if Bush never existed, never created this economic nightmare (using Reagan deregulation to the hilt)....Now it's as if Obama created it personally and should have solved it in two weeks. Sweet Jeezus.
If it was up to me, I would prepare backgrounders for each of the known, potential objections to single-payer, lay those on the table, then swing for the bleachers. I'm one of those people who thinks we need to go for broke on healthcare.
I'm willing to join in street demonstrations in support of single-payer.
Good morning all
I read Frank Rich this morning and I think this quote from the piece is the reason the extreme left is so obsessed with Sarah Palin..
"In the aftermath of her decision to drop out and cash in, Palin’s standing in the G.O.P. actually rose in the USA Today/Gallup poll. No less than 71 percent of Republicans said they would vote for her for president. That overwhelming majority isn’t just the “base” of the Republican Party that liberals and conservatives alike tend to ghettoize as a rump backwater minority. It is the party, or pretty much what remains of it in the Barack Obama era.
That’s why Palin won’t go gently into the good night, much as some Republicans in Washington might wish. She is not just the party’s biggest star and most charismatic television performer; she is its only star and charismatic performer. Most important, she stands for a genuine movement: a dwindling white nonurban America that is aflame with grievances and awash in self-pity as the country hurtles into the 21st century and leaves it behind. Palin gives this movement a major party brand and political plausibility that its open-throated media auxiliary, exemplified by Glenn Beck, cannot. She loves the spotlight, can raise millions of dollars and has no discernible reason to go fishing now except for self-promotional photo ops."
Tony he was talking about the Indian mega-outfit Tata--the one that bought Jaguar and Land Rover. The Economist suggests they might be overextended considering the current economic climate. But, who isn't?
Flatus
Good comment! I would also be willing to take to the streets for a single payer health care option.Oh and Lake Orion is a very nice Michigan city..I was only there a few times touring a GM plant..Its a nice place for your Grandson to live....
Scarborough keeps saying he is a "classic conservative" while quoting Burke and Smith. Unfortunately, he only quotes the parts that support being a "classic Republican". Instead of a classic conservative economic philosophy that acknowledges the wealth that arises from and protects labor, he follows the "I've got mine FU" classic Republican spiel.
You cannot divorce ethics from economics and still have a successful capitalism.
Doing my Sunday surfing to see what might be out there among the tubes and found a book I just may have to buy. :-)
Horrible Histories: Bloody Scotland
Terry Deary
Scottish History with the nasty bits left in!! Want to know: how to play gruesome games like Twisting the Cow? what the Scots used to do with burnt pigeon droppings? Whether you're galikit, douce or peelie-wally? Read this book for fascinating facts on cool kings, cruel kings, mean queens and wise women. Find out the disgusting details of sick Scottish torture techniques. History has never been so horrible!
As Gordo was a cut and paste artist, it would not suprise me that he/she is still around and posting.
Although he/she may have left but not out of boredom.
I mean after all when the discussion of the morning is the size of your worm.......................
By the way -- did I mpost that hysterical statement from the Fox news guy about Americans marriying outside their "species" -- as in the Irish and the Italians????
Carol, yes it is saltwater bait. The canal itself is all fresh water. But, the shipping lanes extend for several miles beyond the final locks at either end of the canal. This particular jetty that we fished from was on the Pacific side at Ft Amador. The fort was built during the Great War and had _very_ large coastal artillery pieces to protect the canal itself.
It's now completely controlled by Panama.
Here's a map of the region. Because of the way the Isthmus is 'arranged' the Pacific side is actually to the East of the Atlantic. You can see the location of Ft Amador all the way out on the right side of the map.
Cirque du Soleil was fabulous! It's a touring show called Alegria.... if they come to your neighborhood I highly recommend the show.
AnonP.... your credit card company may not make as much money directly off of you by your paying your monthly balance.... but they are making money off of every purchase you make from the retailer. I have to take credit cards in my business. I pay 5% for every dollar I take in purchased on a credit card.
I also take this fact into consideration on pricing my products.... as does every retailer.... so everyone is paying for credit card use even if they pay in cash.
I read a really good book about Cheney entitled "Dick: The Man Who Is President" by John Nichols. It was written while Bush and Cheney were still in office and Nichols makes a very compelling case that it was Cheney who was actually running the country at the time.
And Anon, you may find this of some interest in view
of your comments about credit cards.
"Economic growth through the 1990s & up until 9/11 was very impressive, as were productivity gains in the U.S. economy.
But something was gravely wrong, & by the middle of tthe 1990s some observers were getting worried. The
economy was growing.
Real wages & earnings were not. In fact, median before tax family income in 2001 dollars peaked in 1976 ($42,000) & has been nowhere near the level since. Layoffs, job instability &
family income volatility all rose to near record levels.
Yet spending & consumption rose almost continuously from 1992 to now as household revolving debt grew from essentially zero in 1976 to over $9,000 per household by 2005.
Total consumer debt outstanding went through the roof & has only tailed off in the past 18 months or so.
Slowly but surely in the U.S. we substituted borrowing & lending for getting paid."
You know how these morning shows are 2 "serious" reporter types and a side kick who does pratfalls and usually the weather.
He was the pratfall guy making a comment on some study out Sweden
IMO he was right in that you can't compare a monolithic culture like Sweden or Japan to this hodge podge we call American culture.
I mean where but in America can a 15 year old runaway from the hills of Kentucky move to Chicago convert to Judaism and become more Jewish than her Jewish inlaws. But my brother in law's grandmother did. None of her grandchildren knew about it until after her death.
Good morning you all. Beuatiful day in NYC and the park calls.....
Before I run, ss I noted many weeks ago, Debka bet that Obama would trade Iranian Quds caught in Iraq for Saberi. One would think that given events in Iran, Obama would change his mind. Now this is a bit partisan, but Democrats should understand the case being formed on the right.
And add to that the conflicting reports from Pakistan. One half of their government demands the US negotiate with the Taliban. In the news this morning, Obama says he going after the Taliban as does the Pakistan President. http://www.thenational.ae/article/20090712/FOREIGN/707119898/1135
Americans do NOT know what is going on anymore than they understand the dangerous fight going on in Washington over the CIA. And Panetta's disclosure has little to do with Pelosi's verfiable lies. No doubt the Democrats will bring up Cheney again and perhaps Holder will start a criminal investigation. Prediction: that would be the downfall of the Democrats in 2010 if stagnation on many fronts doesn't cause that anyway. I think Obama will try to resist this as he can see how many will start to read his administration as Carter on steroids pretty soon.
For all who care about real journalism, note the NYT recently said that the Bush administration did not offer incentives to Iran to stop their enrichment program. That is a bald-faced lie. Bush had Germany even offer an American reactor to Iran among many incentives. Why does the NYT lie?
What he is doing only works if there is strict city enforcement of codes.
What he would be competing against around here is cosmetic rehabbers.
Make it pretty and sell it. They often are the lender too.
I'm hoping that my approach to rentals, where I insulate them and make them weather tight for energy effeciency will give me more long term renters as they can afford to pay bought the rent and their energy bills.
As the owner/contractor I am also able to add touches like stone tile counter tops in workable kitchens.
the price of tile and stone has dropped dramatically in the last 5 years. Even ghetto houses can have stone counter tops. It is an eyepopping feature in the ad and attracts quality renters.
I was referring to the "outside of ones species" statement. It sounded bad and yet as you point out, it might have simply been a comment about the Heinz 57 nature of most Americans.
P.S. Holder going after harsh interrogations will likely involve Obama's leading Afghanistan general, McChrystal. I rather doubt Obama will do that, so it will be interesting to watch what happens.....
I think Americans do not understand what a complete bind Obama is in regarding foreign policy at the moment. Much as a result of his primary tactics. Perhaps his only bright spots are the present stability in Iraq and the Sunni/Israeli alliance. Two things he had little to do with.......
Thinking about jobs situation. How many songs can we come up with for jobs that no longer exist or are on their way to obsolesence never to provide employment again.
"It is our obvious good looks that cause such problem"
Jack, undoubtedly you are correct.
I've come to calling our family an 'international family'. And, that pretty well describes it while getting away from all the misplaced ex-pat descriptions that add the wrong kind of baggage to our relationships.
Jack...
looks like you've got a very good plan for attracting good renters....
I know it's been discussed here before about how much our society would benefit from schools teaching civics classes again.... I think the same could be said for teaching classes on how to handle money and the basics of running a business. The ignorance over some very simple things can be shocking.
Some one has to maintain those millions of miles of cable out there.
I was going to say there arn't as many poles but I'm not sure that is true.
.
Jack
I'm aware that the companies who accept credit cards as payment pay a fee to the card holding company.
This is the work around of the new credit card bill that was passed and signed by President Obama.
Cards use to carry a fixed rate annually so your rate was set unless you missed payments or defaulted.
Now they will be variable and change every month adding more interest charges on those who carry a monthly balance. Also since the rate is variable it can go {like mine will} from the 10% to 18% rate in one month.
This is how they will make up the money they would have made under the old law that they would lose under the new law.
And very soon the credit card bubble will burst and our economy will take another big hit.
The credit card bubble is big. No let me rephrase that, it is huge. Bigger than you or I might know or think we know. And like the housing bubble we will see more failures from companies that are supposedly too big to fail.
Some things have to be done. I think you learn budgeting by doing.
Fortunately I learned business budgeting in HS in my FFA vo-ag classes, where it was required you have a farming project. They had a great basic form for planning your budget and keeping track of expenses.
Nothing like having a little skin in the game to make the numbers matter.
Yeah... I know... credit card companies prey on people.
I held out for a long time without taking credit cards as did a number of my fellow crafters. People paid me in cash or checks. But I started to lose sales at shows noticeable enough to make me break down. I don't know any professional craftspeople at this point that don't take cards.
I have been taking in more cash over the last few years. But the bulk of my sales are still done with credit cards. Unfortunately, it's become a must do for retailers of any size in order to survive today.
on the subject of credit cards.
sorry if this ap story was posted before, but i just saw it and remembered someone saying the rfid chips will also be in some credit cards. anyone know if this is true? it's bad enough that they're in gov documents, but to allow private sector tracing is outrageous.
"Embedding identity documents — passports, drivers licenses, and the like — with RFID chips is a no-brainer to government officials.
Increasingly, they are promoting it as 21st century technology that will help speed border crossings, safeguard credentials against counterfeiters, and keep terrorists from sneaking into the country.
Dubbed ‘Little Brother'
Paget's February experiment demonstrated something privacy advocates had feared for years: RFID, coupled with other technologies, could make people trackable without their knowledge or consent."
I think enternational families are more common then some people think.
Even in Mono cultural enclaves like the Ozarks, I had neighbors who had married when they were in the army over seas. Off the top of my head, Irish, german Phillipino.
In this neighborhood it is the norm
With my favorite( mostly because I just learned about it)
being the Engs' daughter. Her family immigrated from Vietnam and she grew up in the house she is living in. She is married to a recent immigrant from Italy.
RE: the Fox guy...okay -- I've seen that guy enough to know he's not smart enough to make a joke about ethnicity and use "species." He was just being dumb there. Aside from that I don't know what he was trying to say.
But I'll tell you this much,, I had a LOT of fun with my Friend Tom who is a big Italian Irishman....and he's now calling his relatives on both sides of the "species" tent to rag on them a bit as well.
Hubs travels to Panama regularly. He travelled through the Canal a day or two before it was turned over to Panamanian control. I wondered if he was one of the last American citizens through before it ceased being American.
I have to say that I've had Amex for years and they are the only credit card company that actuals looks out for the client. After 9/11 they suspended balance due. They have always been polite and stayed with their APR provided of course, I never miss a payment. They did however, lower the credit line slightly for all after the recent banking problems, but not much.
Good luck however, trying to get a card from Chase.
Worst: Bank of America gave me a 16 month no interest card. After 16 months my APR would be around 10%. That was for three months and then they raised all such offers to 23% APR for no reason. I refused and they let me keep it at 7% APR without card use until my balance was paid off. A
nother time they tried to break my 16 month interest free when the telephone operator kept me waiting until 5:05 pm to process my phone payment on the due date. Then she told me I was late. After some nasty words they changed their minds. Also, another time they accidently recorded me as late, broke the agreement and put the late charge on my credit report. It took 6 months to have it removed and my APR corrected. Last, they allowed third parties to bill my card without authorization several times and it took hours on the phone to correct it. When my balance is paid, that will be the end.
dictionary definition'' opinion'
an opinion is a belief that may or may not be backed up with evidence. It is normally a subjective statement
and may be the result of an emotion or an interpretation of facts. People may draw opposing
opinions from the same facts..
Thinking about jobs situation. How many songs can we come up with for jobs that no longer exist or are on their way to obsolesence never to provide employment again.
Got one for you, Jamie. Bit of background--I worked as a general secretary and insurance clerk in a textile factory here in my hometown for nearly ten years. Our factory made women's suits for Casual Corner, Belk's, J.C.Penney, and any number of other companies while I was there, but it had been in operation for over forty years before I went to work and had made menswear and Lord knows what all in those early decades. There were many women who had worked there from the time it opened in the 1950s, who had supported their families on the meager wages they made--it was a flat base and you only made real money if you made "over production". The older ones were left with few options when the factory closed in 1993--pre-NAFTA victims of companies who opted for lower overhead (and poor quality garments) from Central American factories. Because I got to know and love those gallant ladies who'd done that monotonous work for most of their lives, getting older and more arthritic and with scoliosis from sitting hunched over the machines for decades, this song will always have resonance for me:
Max
If you think BOA is bad you should try Citibank. We have found we can deal with BOA and they will lower the interest.
But they all play those games even Amex , which my wife uses on her business travel. She called them up and pointed out the amount of business she churned through that account and they backed down.
"Because I got to know and love those gallant ladies who'd done that monotonous work for most of their lives, getting older and more arthritic and with scoliosis from sitting hunched over the machines for decades, this song will always have resonance for me"
I feel like I should clip this one and keep it for when ever someone gets all nostalgic.
those were hard tough jobs that made a person old before their time and I doubt that many of the women wished the same life on their children and grand children.
those were hard tough jobs that made a person old before their time and I doubt that many of the women wished the same life on their children and grand children.
Jack
Ain't that the truth, Jack. Ain't that the Lord's dyin' truth.
Jack,
You're right. I had Citi years ago. One day I went in and deposited $750 in cash at the teller. Days later I noticed they removed $100. I asked why and they said the teller had counted my money wrong. I showed them the deposit slip and asked what proof they had. They just said they don't make mistakes and inisited I had not given the $750. NewPogo can probably tell me why they were wrong, but I pulled my little money out and that was that.
Amex isn't a Saint, but their operators do try to help and IF you have a good payment record, they will make some exceptions. HSBC is terrible. Citi is pretty bad. Bank of America is strange. They couldn't even stop THEIR approved third parties from taking money from my checking account so they asked me to change my account. Now how lame is that? Their third Party insurance scams couldn't be stopped. I waited almost 6 months to have them refund the moeny they had taken for accident insurance without my approval.
And Chase. When they make a mistake they will refund over draft charges UP TO $125. After that, they don't even pay for their mistakes without a major fight with Bank Manager.
As everyone here can recount, banks are pretty bad unless you have lots of money and then I still wonder what little amounts they take anyway.
Actually 5 churches were bombed and the attempt by AQ and Iran seem obvious here, yet Obama released Quds prisoners and Biden had the smarts to tell Iraqi TV we would not come back if trouble started. Brilliant Joe, just brilliant.
Pakistan is far from pushing back the militants as Obama suggests. In fact, Pakistan intelligence services demand the US negotiate with Omar. In the south anoter region threatens to explode putting strategy in Afghanistan in question. Brown is under strong attack to explain to the Brits how Afghanistan is winnable.
As Israel talks about a possible embargo of Iranian shipping backed up by Israeli Naval forces, Iran makes a pathetic attempt on the world stage. First they accuse Italy of brutal acts against G-8 protesters and now accuses the West of starting trouble in China despite Muslims actually blasting China.
Max
I absolutely agree with you.BOA sucks!! I have been with them for a long while and there is no costumer service with them.I think it was about 6 months ago they changed the ATM's.I generally make a deposit every Friday with 5 or more checks and lots of cash,well try and get the machines to read the checks fully or take all of your cash...I have complained and been told at first I wasn't used to them and now I'm told to come in and see the tellers..I don't want to go back to banking like I was a kid again.Who wants to follow bankers hours again,not me...Now I'm told its just the way it is...I have already done away with my BOA mortgage and my investments I have moved into and annuity.I guess i will pull my checking/debit next and try and find a more user friendly bank..
Well, Tony, banks are about utilizing my wealth I guess....the less you have, the more disinterested. Still, that isn't an excuse for bad service, false advertizing and arbitrary increases. I'd love to jack up my rates everytime I get low on cash.....
With two more deaths in Southern Afghanistan today, this is perhaps the moment we all consider allowing gay Americans to take some pride in kicking homophobic Taliban ass. Besides women, I can't think of any with a bigger horse in this battle than, well, Jews..........
Dang, Flatus, that gives me chills up my spine! One of the tasks that fell to me (as the low person on the office totem pole:)) was to work out routes out of every department in the building in case of fire--at least two from each department. But what was scary and sobering about the whole situation was simply this: fire was a very real possibility on any given day, between the cloth piled everywhere, the cloth dust that most days hung in the air in a cloud, and all that electrical machinery--not to mention that, for most of my time there, we were not a non-smoking facility, which meant that, on cold or rainy days, the smokers were inside--fortunately in the aisles and break room, but still a scary thought.
We also had steam presses and more than once had people out for weeks on end with scalds and burns from presses that shut improperly. We think of mining, steel milling and etc. as dangerous jobs, but they've all got possible dangers.
ANyone care to guess the amount of asbestos crumbling behind pre war walls of plaster and mesh in Manhattan? The mold and vermin beneath wht surfaces of million dollar boxes of brick and steel?
And then the lead paint, the noxious century old dust.
I think of all who didn't use their space suit, the ones without masks in clouds of dust from grinders and concrete. My hats off to the survivors of repetitive motion and solents, cast iron loads and breoken fingers........
Drisilla? Kind like Bush on downers and acid, but strangely infectious...........http://www.last.fm/music/Kate+Bush/_/Wuthering+Heights
Wonderful posts, Fair. When I was in college, I worked in a factory that made capacitors for telephones. As telephones no longer use capacitors, this kind of assembly work is no longer done. My first job at this plant was to test capacitors, one at a time, by running the wires over an electricity source and seeing whether a connection was made. Forty-five hours a week of BORING. But it wasn't all that easy. One night a woman died in the de-greasing vat. She went in just for a moment, and was overcome by the fumes. I used that vat, too, from time to time. Explains a few things about my brain, even today, but I'll never forget how scared I always was to go in there. Later, I got a different job working in a specialty department, and it was much better. But even there, one girl spent almost all of her 8-hour day with her hands in acetone as she cleaned off mis-marked capacitors for re-marking. Oh. My. God. You could smell it where I sat at the next table. I always wonder whether that affected her long-term health. There ought to be a song about capacitor-makers, don't you think? ;)
Fair and maxtrue ~ In the early years of my career, I was involved in asbestos litigation. Fortunately, my clients were always bit-part players who rarely were involved in the worst of the exposure. But I remember sitting at endless hours of depositions listening to boilermakers talk about how they would work in these facilities while clouds and clouds of asbestos-laden dust drifted down on them. Or else would cut and fit asbestos pipe covering or sand linoleum floors filled with asbestos. The saddest case was sitting in the living room of a man who was too sick to travel for his deposition and sipping lemonade and eating cookies that he provided while defense counsel politely asked him questions designed to show our clients weren't liable for the (fatal) condition he was in (mesothelioma). I even held his dog, for heaven's sake, while asking my six little questions. The whole thing was heartbreaking. Needless to say, they don't do those jobs anymore, at least not using asbestos, but those images will NEVER leave me.
That's much more down your alley than mine, Fair. I was thinking a musical ... maybe like Sweeney Todd. Or the Phantom of the De-greaser. Something like that. ;)
That Palouse worm is creepy! I think it adds a new
intensity to the graphic quality of:
Men have died and worms have eaten them, but not, I think, for love.
It's a nice day out, maybe a little warm, but for the first time we've started thinking early, and are going to barbecue steak and eat on the deck before it cools off too much. It tends to suddenly get cool before the daylight is gone, and then it's not comfy to eat outside.
So steak, french green beans, sald, red wine, and dessert - ooh la la. Oh, yes, with just a slight breeze and maybe 70 degrees.
Btw, do any of know of women, or men, who scrub kitchen floors on their hands and knees.
"one girl spent almost all of her 8-hour day with her hands in acetone "
Anna,
I bet it did affect her health. I notice that all the professional manicurists wear masks now (not that my nails ever get manicured, far from it).
I saw on tv that Erin Brockovich has a new crusade. It's re the contamination of that ash pit - I think it's the one with the tva in your neck of the woods, Patsi. they're calling it the worst environmental disaster. It sure sounded like it to me when it happened.
Erin Brockovich was recently here near where I live. She was helping people near here are in a water contamination battle with the Birdseye Corporation.
Ha, Chloe! It's like that here all summer except on really hot days. When my sister built her dream house, she had two patio areas set in for nice dining, but it's seldom that appealing at night. So tonight, we're actually going to get the timing right and early, and then will be able to see out shows! When they're over we'll still have time to read!!!!!!!!!!!!!My god, what heaven!
That's much more down your alley than mine, Fair. I was thinking a musical ... maybe like Sweeney Todd. Or the Phantom of the De-greaser. Something like that. ;)
Posted by: AnnaMolly | July 12, 2009 5:48 PM
Sondheim or Lloyd Webber? INNteresting.;)
Alas, with the exception of Steve Earle, most of my favorite songwriters are already gone to Tin Pan Alley in the sky. Can't help you there.
Alas, with the exception of Steve Earle, most of my favorite songwriters are already gone to Tin Pan Alley in the sky. Can't help you there.
Posted by: http://openid.aol.com/ktartiste | July 12, 2009 6:09 PM
Maybe, but it's fun to think about what it might have sounded like if done by a) Elvis Presley; b) The Beatles: c) Queen; d) Michael Jackson; or e) Britney Spears. Who would you pick?
......................................
I bet it did affect her health. I notice that all the professional manicurists wear masks now (not that my nails ever get manicured, far from it).
Not that she could ever prove it now.
Posted by: chloe | July 12, 2009 5:56 PM
I think about that every time I remove nail polish. That's bad enough. As for proving it, I think the company went out of business many years ago. It was partly the same problem with asbestos litigation. The pockets you could still get to were no longer that deep. Sad.
"Feelings are not facts," as the saying goes, but an awful lot of actions-and-reactions are unleashed in their wake.
You can get it via "Kindle" if you have one of those machines ($299). I don't - not sure if I would get my money's worth. I have a bookcase filled already with more than I can finish in a lifetime.
Maybe, but it's fun to think about what it might have sounded like if done by a) Elvis Presley; b) The Beatles: c) Queen; d) Michael Jackson; or e) Britney Spears. Who would you pick?
Oh no...that 60 Minutes piece about the woman who misidentified her rapist is re-running shortly...story had me shedding copious tears the last time it was aired.
"Btw, do any of [you] know of women, or men, who scrub kitchen floors on their hands and knees."
Of course, Bethy, Stinky does it because it's the only way to get a floor really clean. Ask her. Evening things out, I crawl under our cars to change the oil and do heavier maintenance, too. And, I take my turn scrubbing the shower. And, the old guy was on the ladder again today changing the air conditioning filters.
" do any of [you] know of women, or men, who scrub kitchen floors on their hands and knees"
I do it on my hands and butt, my knees are too bony. It's the only way to get some of the spots off the floor. I have one of those floormates but it still won't get some of the tough spots up.
Re asbestos, when I was 20 something I worked for a short while as a mechanic in a friends shop. We did a lot of brakes. We would clean the brake dust off with an air hose. The we worked in a cloud of asbestos dust. It may get us one of these days.
but it is always something when you work for a living. An uncle , who was a Kansas wheat farmer died from grain dust and mold ruining his lungs.
Down in the Blue river bottoms is a plant that does electro plating. The paint on the sheet metal siding is corroding away from the chemicals in the air. God knows what it is doing to the lungs of the workers.
Nitrocellulose
Nitrocellulose lacquer is made by mixing fast-drying solvents with wood and cotton pulp containing cellulose that has been broken down by nitric and sulfuric acid. Edmund Flaherty, a chemist working for the DuPont Chemical Company, is credited for inventing nitrocellulose lacquer in 1921. It was quickly picked up by Henry Ford for his mass-produced automobiles because finished cars could come off the assembly line faster. Not long afterward, nitrocellulose lacquer replaced shellac and oil-based varnishes and became the preferred finish and the industry standard for furniture and cabinet manufacturers.
The benefits for large and small production shops are considerable: nitrocellulose lacquer is relatively inexpensive and dries quickly. The cured resins provide a reasonably good protective layer of film over the wood. After the hard film cures, it rubs out well; and its slightly amber color enhances both light and dark woods with a warm, attractive patina. Also, because it is an evaporative finish, each new coat of lacquer blends into all the previous coats, making it easy to repair.
The disadvantages to using nitrocellulose lacquer are also notable. The film yellows as it ages, and it can eventually shrink to the point of causing cracks (often called crazing) to form in the surface. Although some versions are made and sold as brushing lacquers, you can obtain much better results by spraying it on; but the overspray is highly flammable. (The same ingredients that go into nitrocellulose lacquers are also used in the manufacture of some explosives.)
Ivy, The Kindle is worth every penny. You can download books on the spur of the moment (except occasionally, ones not available yet), either wireless or hooked to your computer. You can also download audio books, get news and blogs since it's also wireless (I haven't done it all, but will eventually). Once you get used to it, it starts feeling as good as a real book. Check out books you like on Amazon, and see that most are available for Kindle. It's getting better all the time (and you know it holds lots of books, and indexes them for you). Very handly and very convenient. If you do order one, I would recommend the Mighty Bright attachable light too.
"Btw, do any of know of women, or men, who scrub kitchen floors on their hands and knees."
Bethy
Oh god yes daily! I do the shiny tile floors on my hands and knees and all bathrooms.The mop leaves streaks on shiny tile..I find the most important thing in floor care is to vacuum before and after a good washing.I also use a crevasse tool with my vacumm to get in those hard to reach areas...I use a swiffer and a rag on wood floors with a little Murpheys and continual rinsing of the rag. I also vacuum before and after..The main thing in cleaning is to listen to the person your cleaning for because everyone has a different idea of what it takes for them to feel that things are clean..I will say I haven't had a client yet that has asked for me to clean any floors on my hands and knees....
cleaning on hands and knees.........reminds me of the bullfighter's mother in "Blood and Sand" with Tyrone Power and Rita Hayworth.......which then calls to mind "The Bobo" with Peter Sellers and Britt Ekland........
saw this while i was rummaging around in the internet attic:
"The happiest moments my heart knows are those in which it is pouring forth its affections to a few esteemed characters."
Tony, You are such an expert on house cleaning, and I always appreciate the tips you leave here. A while back you said you used Kaboom, so I got some and loved it. Now I'm going to try some of that Murphy's on my hard wood floor. What do you use on those shiny tiles?
Hope you're doing well. I know, as always, you're working too hard. But I also know you're one of those people who love it. I wish I did.
I was thinking of the poll climbers. More and more lines are going underground.
The Central offices with the step by step equipment for dial phones are all gone. About the only operators left are international and military .... Certainly not the 200 or so for 24/7 shifts at switchboards in every town of any size.
Thanks for the info on Kindle. Hubs saw "an old lady" with one in the airport, so he figured from that, the technology might be "my speed" (I'm less challenged than he thinks, but he likes making the jokes, so I let him).
I was wondering about battery-life and rechargeability (Kindle's, not Hubs' - I know his rechargeability is low.)
Hi Chloe
Ah yes Kaboom is great! It and a non- scratch scrubber or Magic Eraser works great on water spots and soap scum. I use Fabuloso in a bucket of water and a rag on tile floors.I also dry the floor with a dry rag to minimize streaking on shiny floors.I find a little Murphys oil soap diluted in a bucket of water and a rag work well on wood floors.I don't like to overly wet the floor.I use the floor swiffer and put the rag on it.I do some of the floor take it off the swiffer rinse it in the bucket and put it back on.I continue this over and over till the floor is done..Also remember the rag has 2 sides so you can use 1 side flip it and use the other before you have to rinse again.I've settled on Murphy's because a lot of the floor cleaners are filmy and have a build up..In a pinch some plain vinegar and water work just as well but some clients don't care for the smell of vinegar..Oh yes Chloe i like to work especially cleaning work its that instant gratification one feels when you complete the job..I know you have to work hard just keeping up with little Emma and your house and property along with all the critters..Ha,you just don't realize all you accomplish in a day...
I wish I could get hubs to adopt your methods of cleaning and vacuuming. He seems not to recognize it's about actually removing the dirt. He thinks as long as he's covered the geography, he did the job.
Sturg , interesting about solvents. And I love the smell of galosine and contact cement, but fortunately I know better. Polyurethane is pretty nasty in a closed room. Jack, so true about car mechanic exposures. And doesn't the clutch have an asbestos pad too? It is amazing the neanderthal world we used to live in.
Used to? AnnaMolly, I see it still today in NYC. Some contractor sends in five Mexicans to demo out an apartment. He doesn't even give them masks. There is asbestos in some of those ancient radiator cover boxes. And some of pipes still have crumbling asbestos. The boss desn't even tell them to water the crap down. It is disgusting. The super doesn't care as long as the building isn't alarmed, The cartage company just wants nasty stuff double bagged. But where does the crap go? Nobody cares. And nobody cares if the illegals breath in compond dust, asbestos etc. Problem? The astronomical price of removing asbestos and lead paint legally.
Thank God I started out with good habits long ago. I thank my sensitive sinuses for that. I always wore a respirator and always washed and kept clean the site. If I saw anything wrong, I would make my client deal with it legally. I would never send a friend/worker into a dangerous situation. Period. And I always sealed the gutted walls with plasterweld which is what the EPA approves for lead paint encapsulation. I hate dust. So my anality seems to have saved me. I have my blood checked every once an a while. Nothing bugs me more than a cluttered and dirty construction site. I go nowhere without my trusty mastercraft vac.
Still, it kills me to see the dangerous crap in NYC basements. It angers me to see the dangerous exposures sleazy contractors place on their cheap labor. It amazes me cartage people dump nasty stuff somewhere and that Supers are fearful of alarming co op owners of real dangers.
We have a long way to go, but my heart goes out to all who worked away improving homes, cars, ships, buildings etc. That's not even mentioning the people who died in making such things like the Brooklyn Bridge or the Hoover Dam. We forget how much of the life these lasting tributes took out of the people who built them. The son of the designer of the Brooklyn Bridge who finished it died from the effects his underwater worksite had with all that pressure. How many lives were shortened. At least he worked along side his workers.
And then there are those who either died from things like the Gulf War syndrome or making things like the 70,000 warheads we built. There should be a tarif of some kind on the products that have cost others their health. The leather workers in Bombay are an example. I tell my clients they don't pay me enough for me to risk my health. But there are others who would gladly risk the health of their exploited workers. If they were all fined or jailed, I would be doing extremely well. Instead I fight all the time against contractors who have no conscience.
GIrlfriend just got a KIndle 2. It is on sale now for #60 off price. Excellent. The cheaper leather cover is as good as the more expensive one. You will have fun. The other competition is not as good.
Ha,Ivy
Yes it is about actually removing the dirt.It is the very reason I also vacuum after washing because if you don't you leave some of the dirt and crumbs you have broken loose during the wash.I wish you good luck with you husband..I think its good he actually does something..I have many of my female clients who tell me they can't get there husbands to do anything so in order to avoid arguments they hire Grace and I...
Tile sealers....try Lacrete line of products. I only use lacrete grouts that have a special water proofing agent in them.
Murphy soap is great for matte finished woods floors. There is also a polyeurethane restorer.
Stay away from water based covering for flooring if you can. Nothing beats oil products but many States are trying to ban them. There are some expensive latex products. Sometimes it pays to recoat floors rather than trying to polish them up.
Wood rot on the outside of your house? I have used Dr. Rot products from Seatle. They are great. I can take badly damaged wood and make it stronger than the orginal. You do need a hot dry spell and be prepared for a noxious three part expoxy process. Wear a respirator, safety glasses, a harness when high on a ladder and gloves that don't melt from chemicals.
I confess to having about given up on teaching him to clean. I just go behind him and re-do it if necessary without making a issue. What I trade-off for is the cooking...he's much better than me and actually likes to create healthy gourmet meals, whereas I'd make sandwiches every night if it was up to me.
Tony, I should send you some pics of work. I think I will. One of resoring the exterior wood of a Scarsdale Tudor and metal window frames. Another would be some custom work and last the SOB jobs that require rebuilding all those nasty pre-war walls in Manhattan. Tell me what you think some other day.
And yes, I wish you guys could be honored for kicking some militant homophobic ass. It would nice to one day see a gay medal of honor winner, instead of olympic golds for gay male skaters.
It is rather sad that journalism in America has become a mouth piece for politics rather than fact."
Actually, the Newsweek article drew attention to national censi, scientifically based private polls and academic population studies that refute the rightwingnuts' anecdotes, extrapolations, and guesses. That must be pretty demoralizing for a pro-genocide foreign devil like tony blankley to have Newsweek make him out to be the liar he is.
Regarding the amusing comment that "journalism in America has become a mouthpiece for politics rather than fact", all that happened during the Presidency of John Adams.
maxtrue's 3:21 pm post is so full of misinformation, partisan inuendo, and guile that it belongs in a Tall Tale contest.
Muslims blowing up commie China, my ass. The Pakistani military has been slaying alqaeda and taliban with a joyous abandon. Pakistani intelligence DEMANDING the US talk with Omar, my ass. You may be confusing Pakistan with bill frist.
Posted by: maxtrue | July 12, 2009 4:30 PM : "With two more deaths in Southern Afghanistan today, this is perhaps the moment we all consider allowing gay Americans to take some pride in kicking homophobic Taliban ass. Besides women, I can't think of any with a bigger horse in this battle than, well, Jews.........."
I didn't notice the taliban killing any Jews. However, in Afghanistan they have engaged in genocide against the Shi'ite Muslim Hazara and the Muslim Sufis, and in Pakistan they have been trying to exterminate the Shi'ite Turkic tribes in the Karakorum. Jews, na.
Xrepublican, I don't think I posted something at 3:21. You are a bit off the wall in your comments. Read CNN on the request by Pakistan for the US to negotiate with Omar. I posted that, so read it and argue with the many reports AND HISTORY of Pakistan negotiating with the militants they do not have the stomach to defeat. If you read the CNN article you would understand.
Where did I say that Muslims were going to blow up China? And Frist talked about negotiating with "moderate" Taliban if there are any. The guy who trained Omar says Obama better talk to him. If you think Pakistan has things anywhere near controlled, change the meds. And opposition to the Pak government has spread South.
HMmm, what else? Oh the Newsweek article, Let me answer that with someone who can do that much better........http://www.jihadwatch.org/archives/2009/07/026902print.html
Did I leave anything out? Oh yeah, Iraq:
"Baghdad - Aziz Rozko Hanna, director of the northern Iraqi city of Kirkuk's Department of Financial Control, was assassinated on Sunday, police said.
Hanna, a Christian, was driving with his daughter in Kirkuk when gunmen pulled him from the car and shot him dead, police there told the German Press Agency dpa.
His daughter witnessed her father's murder, which took place in the predominantly Christian neighbourhood of Dumiz, police added...."
Why kill these people? Who did it? And does Biden speak for Obama on Iraq? Think the Press will characterize these murders as Muslim based?
Something from the mastermind of the "end of history"..Oh, he has had some revelations since then, but what is happening in Europe is clear. I have friends in France and England who are considering immigrating here. The daily events in Europe are startling and stirring up such discomfort that polls moved RIGHT. Many experts on the subject have voiced comments like Fuky's and Newsweek's article is psuedo journalism, just like their attitide on global warming. Why print opposing views because they aren't rational? Now there's fair and balanced.
And of course the NYT claims Bush offered Iran no incentives. That of course, is a lie. My opinion on media stands unless you have a better counter than telling me once again I'm a Republicam, NeoConservative full of false facts and tall tales.
Come on XRepub, you can do better than that........
Battery life is long Ivy (on the Kindle that is :). The charger cord that it comes with is much like what you'd use on a lap top, but lasts a lot longer (if you check out the specifics at Amazon, it probably tells you exactly how long it is). I've never had a problem taking it with me for the day. I always keep a ac/dc converter in my car, which plugs in the cigarette lighter, and I can recharge my computer, etc (and that would work on the Kindle too). if I'm traveling or gone for a long time. I've never had a problem when I take it out for the day though, or days on end. If your hub is joking about it being easy to use, he's right. It is.
hahaha, so you see no threat o the Jews. I guess Bibi should wait until they come knocking. OH, and AQ in Palestine has absolutely no connection to the Taliban. AQ and the Taliban have no realtionship? And the Taliban feel kindly to Jews as they do to women and gays?
Yep, X, that's the ticket.
Chloe, no problem. Ask and I will always try to answer. Not sure some understand the answer however......
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Comments
woo (hiccup) hoo
Posted by: sturgeone
| July 10, 2009 6:01 AM
I post therefore I am, I think.
Posted by: sturgeone
| July 10, 2009 6:15 AM
Good morning...
ivygreen...
http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/07/nancy-was-right.html#comment-242893
I don't have cable so what I do is watch K.O. around 10-10:30pm online and watch Rachel in the morning at work online, when I have some free time.
Jeffrey Sharlet has been on her show before and does a good job of stating his case, whatever it may be about at the time.
I'll be turning to MSNBC sometime this morning and let you know what I think sometime today or later tonight.
The Republicans have perverted Religion so much that they give Christianity a bad name. These people are pure evil and I'm not sure that even President Obama can return Our Country to the greatness it once was or fully restore Our Constitution as he may need the powers that those elected to serve gave the Bush\Cheney War Crimes Family.
Their being more vocal in their hate and fear mongering on a daily basis and at some point we as a Nation may end up in another Civil War right here at home. I sincerely hope not, however that's what it looks like were heading for.
Anyway I have to go and get some work started. Take care and ...
Have a good day.
Posted by: anon-paranoid
| July 10, 2009 7:01 AM
christianity might not be so bad were most christians not so ignorant of their christ and his message......they turn it into a clown show. check out their ultimate clown in his six-million dollar hat.............or the little fellers in their church passing around the rattlesnake as if it were some sort of revelation bearing sign from above.
fooie
Posted by: sturgeone
| July 10, 2009 7:23 AM
Jeff Sessions...Putz of the Year
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ian-millhiser/sessions-uses-sotomayor-a_b_228482.html
Posted by: Patsi
| July 10, 2009 7:29 AM
Fly like an eagle.....
G8 thinks Obama's great?
May the extreme be with you!
Posted by: Ping Pong
| July 10, 2009 7:30 AM
sturgeone...
So very true.
Posted by: anon-paranoid
| July 10, 2009 7:32 AM
Economy may force politicians to have sex with their own wives:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/john-marshall/economy-may-force-politic_b_229228.html
Posted by: Patsi
| July 10, 2009 7:41 AM
LMAO -- Ping -- one of your Republican compadres on C-Span has it a little confused. He was saying that Obama (and Clinton & Bush, for that matter) were dedicated Marxists AND part of Hitler's New World Order....:)
Posted by: Patsi
| July 10, 2009 7:44 AM
Craig...
now that's the way to fly..... and have leg room to boot...
THE SUN IS SHINING..... THE SUN IS SHINING....
and not a drop of rain expected today....
Patsi... really... that sounds like bad new for the politicians wives...
Posted by: RebelliousRenee
| July 10, 2009 7:53 AM
Also...I just saw an ad for a "conservative t-shirt" site. The shirt they used in the promo ad said: "I'd Rather Be Waterboarding"
Posted by: Patsi
| July 10, 2009 7:59 AM
"really... that sounds like bad new for the politicians wives..."
Ha! Yes indeed, Renee!
Posted by: Patsi
| July 10, 2009 8:01 AM
We ate fish every Friday, because "the Pope said so." We weren't Catholic, though. The Pope was kind of our unofficial head of Christianity. Obama is "the world's president." Unlike the guy on MoJo who asked what exactly Obama had done so far...well, he's managed to inspire a lot of people.
Posted by: blueINdallas
| July 10, 2009 8:01 AM
He was? The Pope? Now that's interesting...
Posted by: Patsi
| July 10, 2009 8:05 AM
Ivy....
I LOVE skunks.... as long as you don't bother them, they won't bother you...
and they would take care of that grub problem fast.... it's their favorite meal...
an infestation of rabies killed off a lot of them here in the northeast several years ago.... before that we saw them nightly.... they are nocturnal and love to rummage for grubs around my bird feeders.... their stripes are very distinctive and we used to name them.... I would talk to them from our open windows....
I think that's why we never got sprayed.... even when we'd encounter one in the yard after coming home from wherever we went.... I'd say Howdy... and it would leave us alone.... I really loved the one we named Pogo...
Posted by: RebelliousRenee
| July 10, 2009 8:06 AM
Reb - We got your rain down here now... But good thing high of only mid 80's
Posted by: Ping Pong
| July 10, 2009 8:19 AM
Had a question arise in my mind this morning after yesterday's rowdiness. The question is: Which service stations sell canned Vitriol?
Posted by: Flatus
| July 10, 2009 8:25 AM
We had an inch last night. We really need all we can get (I hope I don't regret saying that!).
Posted by: Flatus
| July 10, 2009 8:30 AM
http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/07/nancy-was-right.html#comment-242911
Jamie --
My dad owned the original Camelot LP, and I about wore all the grooves off of it!
(^_~)
Posted by: ivygreen.myopenid.com
| July 10, 2009 8:39 AM
http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/07/the-worlds-president-1.html#comment-242946
Patsi --
You're going to make me regret my vote.
Posted by: ivygreen.myopenid.com
| July 10, 2009 8:43 AM
http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/07/the-worlds-president-1.html#comment-242956
Renee --
Maybe I should try to import some PA skunks down here?
Posted by: ivygreen.myopenid.com
| July 10, 2009 8:46 AM
http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/07/the-worlds-president-1.html#comment-242944
Anon --
I saw as soon as I went looking that Jeffrey Sharlet has been speaking out on "The Family" for some time. Why has no one been listening? Maybe now that several of their "kids" are in the news and their perversely inverted values are on display, we'll get some exposure. Such groups don't like the spotlight.
Posted by: ivygreen.myopenid.com
| July 10, 2009 8:54 AM
Special for Colorado Bob!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgxfthPHTwc&feature=related
Posted by: Flatus
| July 10, 2009 8:57 AM
Great Grandfather Ohlfahrt was an Orangeman. If the Pope said something, he would try doing the polar opposite.
Posted by: Flatus
| July 10, 2009 9:02 AM
The latest RNC attempt at rallying the terminally dumb:
"Dear Flatus,
Vice President Biden warned us that there would be "waste" in the stimulus bill. The latest proof comes from the General Services Administration, which announced that the Obama administration is spending $18 million to redesign the Recovery.gov website to show Americans just where their hard-earned tax dollars are being spent. This is unreal and outrageous. If the Obama administration is willing to devote $18 million in taxpayer dollars to a website, imagine what government-run health care will charge taxpayers for an MRI.
In response, the RNC released a web video on President Obama's failed stimulus plan, entitled "Nothing," which can be viewed here:
Don't let President Obama and Congressional Democrats waste your tax dollars or divert attention away from the failure of their economic plan. Pick up the phone now. Call the White House at 202-456-1111 and tell President Obama you have had enough.
Sincerely,
Michael Steele
Chairman, Republican National Committee"
Posted by: Flatus
| July 10, 2009 9:10 AM
Wonderful video, Craig. When Obama heads back to the middle east, I would love to see you on a magic carpet ride.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwDa5dMmfZ4
Patsi...enjoying your posts, today.
Posted by: Blonde wino
| July 10, 2009 9:10 AM
mornin.
Renee, I got skunk stories. Pogo, skunks, New Hampshire - there's a story there. When I first moved to NH the (then) wife and I were the houseparents and teachers at Waterville Valley Academy (Ski Academy). The girls' dorm was a victorian fram house - used to be a sommer cottage - whose only foundation was hay bales. When the weather started turning cold in November, we were greeted one morning with a very strong skunk scent throughout the house. After a couple of days of incredibly strong skunk odor, I borrowed a hav-a-hart trap to try and get rid of what I thought was the offending interloper. Now, understand, the students were privileged kids of well to do families from the NY, MA, CT area by and large, and one thing they had no tolerance for (one of many) was a skunky odor in their house. Using the universal bait (peanut butter) I got one and drove it about 5 miles downstream and let it go. Next day, house still smelled. Repeat peanut butter, repeat driving skunk away and letting it go. Same thing again - After the 7th skunk, the odor went away and we didn't have any more skunks. No animals were harmed in the conduct of that quest, and I lost my fear of being sprayed by skunks.
Craig, haven't almost all modern (post WWII) US presidents assumed that president of the world - or at least president of the free world - mantle?
Posted by: newpogo.myopenid.com
| July 10, 2009 9:12 AM
http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/07/the-worlds-president-1.html#comment-242954
Blue --
Which Pope was that? My favorite was John XXIII.
Posted by: ivygreen.myopenid.com
| July 10, 2009 9:12 AM
http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/07/the-worlds-president-1.html#comment-242951
"...now that's the way to fly..... and have leg room to boot..."
I'm impressed Craig flew with no goggles.
Posted by: ivygreen.myopenid.com
| July 10, 2009 9:17 AM
Also while driving in PA, I noted at a commercial car wash was also located a coin-operated pet wash that advertised "de-skunking" for your dog. I guess cats know not to get that close.
Posted by: ivygreen.myopenid.com
| July 10, 2009 9:22 AM
Great skunk story, Pogo. Skunks live in the arroyo behind my house...and I have had a few early morning encounters when I feed the birds...usually the skunk and I are startled to see each other and I retreat quickly back into the house. I haven't been sprayed yet...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=PaxDeJLwHYU
Posted by: Blonde wino
| July 10, 2009 9:26 AM
Craig,
Very nice video. I would expect you would leave a very small carbon footprint with that mode of travel. On the other hand, the in-flight food service might be tricky.
Posted by: cajunjoe.pip.verisignlabs.com
| July 10, 2009 9:28 AM
The first entry should detail how the $18 million was used to redesign the website. What good is it to see after the fact anyway.
Posted by: buford.myopenid.com
| July 10, 2009 9:28 AM
Blondie, that isn't my only skunk story, or my funniest.
Posted by: newpogo.myopenid.com
| July 10, 2009 9:31 AM
Pogo...the funniest? I need a laugh.
Posted by: Blonde wino
| July 10, 2009 9:33 AM
opps..link did not work...second try
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PaxDeJLwHYU
Posted by: Blonde wino
| July 10, 2009 9:37 AM
Checking out those Specter-Sestak links Craig provided might lead one to think that the PA Dem primary fight for that senate seat might be entertaining at a minimum.
Posted by: newpogo.myopenid.com
| July 10, 2009 9:37 AM
Pogo....
I knew there was a reason I feel you and I are kindred spirits.... you didn't solve the problem with a gun....
Flatus.... without the occasional rowdiness.... this place would be mucho boring... and every time it happens I vow not to get involved.... yet somehow I do.... I swear.... I don't know how that happens.... :0)
Posted by: RebelliousRenee
| July 10, 2009 9:48 AM
I listened to Tim Geitner yesterday and his mutual admiration of Bernanke...and I just wonder?? Bernanke in August of 2007 allowed the housing crisis to explode...one chance to head-off all of the mortgage problems and he raised interest rates at a time when the resets on the many mortgages were occurring. New Orleans was at the start of the foreclosure mess due to Katrina....and that idiot let it all happen. It doesn't mean it wasn't a mess, but he sent it nuclear.
http://la.indymedia.org/news/2008/06/218157.php
Posted by: Blonde wino
| July 10, 2009 9:50 AM
OK, Bloondie, I think this is it.
After my third semester in grad school, a college friend and I decided to take a semester off and try and hike the Appalachain Trail. We recruited a third friend and set off, starting in Georgia and headed north. When we got to the Nantahala Forest in NC, we stopped one night at a shelter on Standing Indian Ridge. The Trail Guide mentioned that there were skunks that were active around the shelter, so you needed to actually hang your food rather than try and secret it in your pack. Well there was a guy we had run across from time to time over the previous week or so who was at the shelter when we got there. When it got dark and we turned in, sure enough, the rustling about started. We turned on a flashlight to see whether the varmints were skunks or just mice, and of course, were greeted by the eyes of about half a dozen skunks. Having done what the guidebook said and hung our food, we just laid there listening - until the skunks started wandering all over the shelter, including over our bunks and sleeping bags, sniffing and hunting for food everywhere. We burrowed in and pulled the drawstrings on our hoods tight so the skunks couldn't actually get in the bags with us, and tried to lay still so as not to startle the little buggers. The other guy who was there had not hung his food, but had just put it in his pack, which was beside the shelter door. He began to get angry and agitated by the skiunks, and particularly mad when the one skunk that found his pack started clawing at it to get to the food inside. He was rustling around, making all sorts of noise, and we told him to settle down and shut up so he wouldn't make the skunks spray in defense. He was young and impulsive - so instead of settling down, he sat up, grabed one of his boots and threw it at the skunk on his pack. Well the skunk let go and hit him - getting his face, chest, and more importantly, his sleeping bag. Man, talk about stink. We pushed out of there in the morning and got a day or so ahead of him over the next couple of days. We ran into him again in the Smokies about a week or so later - and his bag still reeked. We ran into more than a few other hikers who had run across him - and they all laughed about how much he and his sleeping bag stunk - and he became known a sSkunk Man among us.
Posted by: newpogo.myopenid.com
| July 10, 2009 9:58 AM
In Russia, he cut nuclear quotas.
Then G-8, which seemed like nothing but phot-as.
But in meeting the Pope
Obama proves he's no dope
As Catholics are regular vot-as.
Posted by: cajunjoe.pip.verisignlabs.com
| July 10, 2009 10:03 AM
pogo...thank you for a great story...it concerned me when you started-off with a hike on the Appalachian Trail (sanfording),however, this is how Sasquatch rumors get started.
Posted by: Blonde wino
| July 10, 2009 10:03 AM
and now for a regularly scheduled skunk story....
A few years back, there was this one skunk that came out to my bird feeders almost nightly. My neighbor thought it was funny that I liked to name these critters so I named this one after him.... Fred. I talked to Fred often and I swear he was listening. At the time I had one of those black and white cats that look like Hitler. We named her Moustacha. Now I always take my cats into the house at dusk. There's too many predators prowling around when it's dark. One night about 9 o'clock I look out my front door and see something black and white sitting on the welcome mat. Without thinking I assumed it was my cat and opened the door while stating "Moustacha, what the hell you doing out at this time of night". And yup... I was staring straight down at Fred.
After a moment of surprise, I calmingly said "Hi Fred. Nice night. How's the grub hunting going?" Then I slowly closed the door. Fred didn't spray.
Posted by: RebelliousRenee
| July 10, 2009 10:03 AM
Number games.....you've got to love them
Excerpt from Stratfor...
More than 90 Percent?
For several years now, Mexican officials have been making public statements that more than 90 percent of the arms used by criminals in Mexico come from the United States. That number was echoed last month in a report by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) on U.S. efforts to combat arms trafficking to Mexico.
According to the report, some 30,000 firearms were seized from criminals by Mexican officials in 2008. Out of these 30,000 firearms, information pertaining to 7,200 of them, (24 percent) was submitted to the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) for tracing. Of these 7,200 guns, only about 4,000 could be traced by the ATF, and of these 4,000, some 3,480 (87 percent) were shown to have come from the United States.
This means that the 87 percent figure comes from the number of weapons submitted by the Mexican government to the ATF that could be successfully traced and not from the total number of weapons seized by the Mexicans or even from the total number of weapons submitted to the ATF for tracing. The 3,480 guns positively traced to the United States equals less than 12 percent of the total arms seized in 2008 and less than 48 percent of all those submitted by the Mexican government to the ATF for tracing.
Posted by: jaxtrader
| July 10, 2009 10:03 AM
No, Renee, although when a diseased skunk decided to hang out at the foot of the basement stairs under our back porch (the back porch of the house we live in now), basically leaking its "perfume", scaring the crap out of my dog, who was trapped under the porch by the skunk and making the house a god awful place to be, I was tempted to - until I was told that the skunk would probably shoot it's load if it was shot. It died after about a day - without spraying the rest of its musk - and I disposed of the carcass.
Posted by: newpogo.myopenid.com
| July 10, 2009 10:04 AM
Blondie - the difference being that unlike Sanford I actually did start hiking on the AT.
Posted by: newpogo.myopenid.com
| July 10, 2009 10:06 AM
pogo...so you just didn't pack hiking gear in the car and pretend?
Posted by: Blonde wino
| July 10, 2009 10:08 AM
I think all of the republican men with their zipper problems will only strengthen Palin. If she can stay affair-free in the next few years, I think she has a chance in national politics.
Posted by: Blonde wino
| July 10, 2009 10:10 AM
Craig,
This is one of your best videos. MSNBC should put them on air. They are certainly better than some of the videos they use.
Posted by: Jamie
| July 10, 2009 10:10 AM
many years ago, I worked as a switch man for the Frisco Railroad. I worked a lot of second trick shifts. (4-midnight) I lived out in the country at the family farm house. One night coming home I hit a skunk and I think it rolled up into the wheel well and MY LORD did it ever stink. I drove around for about 2 hrs until it dropped away somewhere on somebody else's road. Surprisingly, the next day the odor was gone.
Posted by: yo soy Horsedooty!
| July 10, 2009 10:12 AM
Jax, those kinds of numbers are always suspect. But they do come from somewhere, and if they are of anything other than lower caliber weapons, the US is one of the prime likely sources, us being right next door and having very liberal gun laws and all.
From Wiki:
"Mexico
Main article: Gun politics in Mexico
Mexico has strict gun laws. Mexican citizens may purchase arms for self-protection or hunting only after receiving approval of a petition to the Defense Ministry, which performs extensive background checks. The allowed weapons are restricted to relatively low-caliber and must be purchased from the Defense Ministry only. President Felipe Calderón has recently called attention to the problem of the smuggling of guns from the United States into Mexico, guns which are easily available both legally and illegally in the United States, and has called for increased cooperation from the United States to stop this illegal weapons trafficking."
Posted by: newpogo.myopenid.com
| July 10, 2009 10:15 AM
It is illegal to keep skunks for pets in California but some were sort of "grandfathered" in when the law was passed. A friend had one named "MACE". He was a wonderful pet (deskunked), but had to have his yearly radies booster. They are really sweet creatures unless frightened.
There is one town that was having a major skunk population problem until they got people to stop putting out food for the stray cats. Seems the cats and skunks had formed a mutual survival pact making the rounds for free food every night.
Posted by: Jamie
| July 10, 2009 10:15 AM
Blondie, LOL, no. We were dropped off at the trailhead near Dahlonega by my friend's mom.
Posted by: newpogo.myopenid.com
| July 10, 2009 10:16 AM
Pogo,
Everyone with a view on the problem will take the extreme that suits them. 90% or 12%. I'm sure the truth falls somewhere in between.
Posted by: jaxtrader
| July 10, 2009 10:17 AM
Jamie...that is how Pepe Le Pew and the pussycats got together!
Posted by: Blonde wino
| July 10, 2009 10:20 AM
Here's a more extensive treatment of Mexican gun laws.
http://www.davekopel.com/Espanol/Mexican-Gun-Laws.htm
The laws themselves start about halfway down the article.
Posted by: newpogo.myopenid.com
| July 10, 2009 10:21 AM
Re: Sarah Palin.
Put a fork in her, she's done. How do you explain an inability to complete her first and only substantive elected office (mayor of Wasilla notwithstanding)? She's on to the talk-circuit, where she will be making millions. If she puts her mind to it, she will replace Rush in the hearts and minds(?) of the dittoheads.
Posted by: cajunjoe.pip.verisignlabs.com
| July 10, 2009 10:22 AM
Jax, I'm sure you're right - exactly what percentage woudl be speculation.
Posted by: newpogo.myopenid.com
| July 10, 2009 10:22 AM
Off to tend to the gardens...
Posted by: Blonde wino
| July 10, 2009 10:23 AM
Well, this stinks :-) but I gotta hit the road to go retrieve LP from a week wtih the grandparents and the Cavs. See you all next week.
Posted by: newpogo.myopenid.com
| July 10, 2009 10:26 AM
It's not Obama that's got me inspired this morning! LOL!
Posted by: Corey
| July 10, 2009 10:29 AM
garden looks great except for my chile peppers....
Joe...my hubby thinks the same thing as you about Palin. I am not so sure. I find her dim, but I also find a lot of dim politicians who keep getting elected. Personally, I am sick of the sex scandals...I know they have been happening since the beginning of time, but I am still sick of them. It comes down to 'quit fucking around on company time'....most of us would get fired and these guys get press time to expose their stupidity.
Posted by: Blonde wino
| July 10, 2009 10:38 AM
Bye, pogo...be safe.
Posted by: Blonde wino
| July 10, 2009 10:39 AM
the north koreans must be up to hacking again...internet keeps crashing...good time to say have a great day, all! See ya later.
Posted by: Blonde wino
| July 10, 2009 10:58 AM
a skunk sat on a stump
the stump thunk the skunk stunk
but the skunk thunk the stump stunk
Posted by: sturgeone
| July 10, 2009 11:00 AM
Blonde,
You, Bart and Bolgna are all gorgeous!
Thank you so much for those pictures!!
(and the wedding dresses, your's and Bolognas are beautiful too!)
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!
http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/07/the-worlds-president-1.html#comment-242958
Vitriol?
Excuse me, while I go suck on the hose of sulfuric acid at the local gas station. (They stash and supply just for me, their biggest customer.. I'm stimulating the economy)
Posted by: chloe
| July 10, 2009 11:16 AM
Just think, this could have been John Kerry // John Edward's second term.
Oh my!
Posted by: cajunjoe.pip.verisignlabs.com
| July 10, 2009 11:25 AM
More of Republicans think the rules don't apply to them
Fiorina failed to register business, foundation
Lance Williams,Carla Marinucci, Chronicle Staff Writers
Friday, July 10, 2009
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/07/10/MNKQ18LN01.DTL&tsp=1
bethy took me out for a birthday treat and we had a great time...any of you Northbay lurkers --come on out...we plan to have trailmix meetups again
http://www.flickr.com/photos/31303776@N02/3706640451/
Bethy's picture does not do her justice...mine looks like me :))))
Posted by: Katherine Graham Cracker
| July 10, 2009 11:25 AM
KGC....
great picture!
you both look happy, beautiful, and wise.....
CJoe... on the first hour of Diane Rehm's Friday round table.... the consensus about Palin agreed with you....
Sturg.... I want you to say that really fast 20 times NOW...
Posted by: RebelliousRenee
| July 10, 2009 12:19 PM
Many people in the United States and Europe are seeing gorgeous lavender sunsets lately thanks to the eruption more than two weeks ago of Russia's Sarychev Peak volcano.
The volcano blew its top June 12, generating a remarkable shock wave in the atmosphere seen in a photo taken by astronauts. It also hurled massive plumes of sulfur dioxide into the air, and that material has been circling the globe.
Deep purple hues and ripples of white characterize the spectacular views the past few evenings.
http://www.livescience.com/environment/090701-volcanic-sunsets.html
Posted by: Colorado Bob
| July 10, 2009 12:29 PM
Good clip
Good pics
Good grief I'm late.
Off to the corn bread lab.
Posted by: Colorado Bob
| July 10, 2009 12:31 PM
c-bob,
Purple Haze?
Posted by: cajunjoe.pip.verisignlabs.com
| July 10, 2009 12:43 PM
KGC, You and Bethy are both so attractive. Now I just wish I could have heard all the things you talked about.
Joe, I think this is what CBob was talking about:
Volcano's Eruption Creates Colorful U.S. Sunsets
"Deep purple hues and ripples of white characterize the spectacular views the past few evenings.
The phenomenon occurs when the ash and fine particles sprayed high into the atmosphere by the volcano scatter light. The sulfur dioxide ejected by Sarychev Peak interacts with the atmosphere to form tiny particles called sulfate aerosols.
Light scattering happens all the time. It's why the sky is blue and sunsets often red or orange. Particles in the atmosphere scatter short-wavelength blue light more effectively, to make the sky appear blue. When the sun sets, its rays have more atmosphere to travel though to reach our eyes, so more of the long-wavelength red light makes the journey. "
http://www.livescience.com/environment/090701-volcanic-sunsets.html
Posted by: chloe
| July 10, 2009 12:59 PM
c-bob,
Purple Haze?
Posted by: cajunjoe
--------------------
Yes,
That's what's wrong with with country , you can't get a good $5 tab of acid anymore.
Posted by: Colorado Bob
| July 10, 2009 1:22 PM
My relief column seems to be lost.
Posted by: Colorado Bob
| July 10, 2009 1:28 PM
And we can't seem to write simple declarative sentences.
Posted by: Colorado Bob
| July 10, 2009 1:29 PM
Stewart Varney rakes Ruppert over the coals -
But it was anchor Stuart Varney's first question to his media mogul boss that stopped the interview dead in its tracks:
Varney: The story that's really buzzing all around the country and certainly here in New York, is that the News of the World, a News Corporation newspaper in Britain used --
Murdoch: I'm not talking about that issue at all today. I'm sorry.
Varney: No worries, Mr. Chairman. That's fine with me.
Murdoch: I'm sorry.
Varney: OK. That's all right, sir.
http://www.mediabistro.com/tvnewser/fox_biz/rupert_murdoch_im_not_talking_about_that_issue_at_all_today_121187.asp
Posted by: Colorado Bob
| July 10, 2009 1:31 PM
Nice pictures and Palin can always come back given the right make over. You all should be defending her if you think she is such a losing candidate. And let's take he former son in law's remarks for what they are worth. Nothing. It is he that is hoping for a book deal and money. I wouldn't be surprised to see Palin on TV or cable. She needs some speech therapy first and a
smart advisor.
ANd now for some news of the day:
http://www.debka.com/headline.php?hid=6173
AQ using Egyptians and Palestinians tries to screw the world. Despite Obama spinning progress the G-8 did not stand up to Iran, North Korea or even Global Warming.
As the world's President, I'm not sure Obama has a very good report card beyong a popularity contest.
F-22 getting trashed in the defense budget wars, but this article is not fair and the F-22 will lilely will more life: http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2009/07/pentagon-stealth-fighter-is-a-lame-jammer-end-it-already/
The new jet fighter is still in the process of upgrades and completion. No, it was never intended to be a growler, but the final version will no doubt beat the aging F-18 in dog fights, be able to penetrate advanced air defense systems the Russians are selling to our foes and provide a quick defense to missile attacks with the ability to loft ABM into high alltitude. The arguements here are silly as the military agreed on the F-22 long ago to replace many aging air craft. How does the Raptor fair against the F-35? Adding seven more air craft to keep open necessary manufacturing lines, is not that much considering the budget in general. There are other features about the F-22 Wired does not even discuss.
Despite what Biden says, the next US strategy in Iraq will determine the outcome:
http://counterterrorismblog.org/2009/07/iraqi_success_will_depend_on_n.php note the move by the Kurds today.
And as for Huff, yeah right, or left that is:
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0709/24681.html
This woman makes my skin crawl.
Posted by: maxtrue
| July 10, 2009 1:45 PM
KGC, You and Bethy are both so attractive. Now I just wish I could have heard all the things you talked about.
Chloe
Thank you and RR for the nice comments
We almost solved all the world's problems but left a few for next time.
A big shout out to Craig Crawford for having a place like this that attracts so many interesting and fun people....some I even get to meet.
Posted by: Katherine Graham Cracker
| July 10, 2009 1:53 PM
Cbob,
Is "coloradobob1@mac.com" the best email for you?
Posted by: Rezdog
| July 10, 2009 2:08 PM
The House down on the next block (a nice 1300ft ranch) sold 2 yers ago for the unheard of price( at least in this neighborhood) od $100,000. It qickly became a bank repo and the bank listed it at $50,000.
It sold last month for $24,675.
Mean while I just bought a lot with a three bay garage 24' by 30' 12 ft high concrete block walls new flat roof.
the house on the property had burned and was tore down some time ago.
No electricity but it does have a lot of dry storage.
Cost $1500.
Looking through it I think the previous owner may have left several hundred dollars worth of doors and building materials. But then he has also left several hundred dollars of desposal costs too.
I was like a kid at christmas yesterday as I inspected it.
Anybody need an antique wooden ironing board? I think I will have at least 10 after the deal goes through.
Jack
Posted by: whskyjack
| July 10, 2009 2:12 PM
KGC
One question about the picture.
Where was your baseball bat?
When ever you post here I'm certain you always have one in your hand. usually pointed at my head.
(grin duck and run)
Jack
Posted by: whskyjack
| July 10, 2009 2:16 PM
http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/07/the-worlds-president-1.html#comment-243025
Jack,
Now you have a place to park you Benz, Jag and Vette. :-)
Posted by: Rezdog
| July 10, 2009 2:18 PM
Jacks,
Sounds like someone made off (lol) like a bandit in that house deal.
Posted by: Rezdog
| July 10, 2009 2:26 PM
Rez
Had to sell them,
In this neighborhood the police just automatically assume such a car is either stolen or a drug dealer.
Got so I couldn't even drink a little whiskey. with out getting into trouble.
Jack
Posted by: whskyjack
| July 10, 2009 2:27 PM
KGC
Thanks for sharing. You & Bethy both look great.
Posted by: Coreen
| July 10, 2009 2:27 PM
Craig, funny clip and you look in great shape so I wouldn't be planning retirement any time soon.
I've got to resist your conclusion however. I rather doubt Obama will pressure the Kremlin with his popularity, nor will the Mullahs, Assad, Kimmie, Hu, Chavez, Castro or even the Pols in Europe.
Likability, and "talking" is not winning much concessions. Obama's problems within his majority here at home revolve around policy and getting results. Had Obama been a less telegenic person or GOd Forbid, a Republican, al we would be seeing now on Liberal Media would be bowing, slipping, breaking promises, looking weak and getting very little from either allies or foes.
Still, you are always entertaining as I suspect am loud.
P.S. some after thoughts I see that Panetta gave Pelosi the poker chip she is trying to use to divert the Intelligence BIll away from her verifiable dishonesty. As people cry out over the CIA lying (which the CIA should not do), remember Durban once told OBL and the Congress in session the US was tracking OBL on his cell phone. I can list many other breaches of security which amazingly enough, were never investigated by a partisan Congress. Many Democratic leaders demanded the President take force off the table with Iran and leave a lost Iraq. I think the Democrats as well as BushCo share in twisting the relationship between Intelligence and leadership. For how many years did Democrats scoff at the Intel that Gaddafi was building WMD facilities in those huge under ground pipes? That was one reason CIA was quiet about our making the last nuclear weapon to be added to our inventory. It was designed to take out bunkers and Bush wanted to make this a smaller more clean version. Npt making it was something we should leverage with Iran. Not what I would call negotiating 101.
Posted by: maxtrue
| July 10, 2009 2:34 PM
Posted by: whskyjack Author Profile Page | July 10, 2009 2:16 PM
Why under the table of course!
Posted by: Katherine Graham Cracker
| July 10, 2009 2:47 PM
Coreen
Thanks. We had a great time.
Posted by: Katherine Graham Cracker
| July 10, 2009 2:48 PM
cbob
i don't know but crawford might be able to help find that
hit of acid ''' looks like he's been tripping
Posted by: mqw
| July 10, 2009 2:49 PM
Rez
There are deals out there but you got to live here and know the neighborhood.
the same as anywhere.
Updated the house might bring $70,000. But it will need $20,000 to do that. So the most it was worth, even when it sold for $100,000 was $50,000. And remember you have to discount that price for your risk and profit.
But yeah $ 25000 was a good deal. It is a rental property and the man should do OK.
It will rent for about $600 a month here.
The thing to remember about realestate is location location location.
I just insulted a woman from California today who doesn't understand that.
She has a house that if it was 5 miles west of here would be a real money maker for her.
But I offered $5000 dollars for it and felt stupid for doing that.
When you have a house that has become a hangout for local gangsters and has all the visble wiring an copper plumbing tore out. No kitchen no bathrooms a big hole where tyhe downstairs bath has rotted through the subfoor around the stool. Add on to that She is setting in California trying to hire contractors to do the work.
So tell me how do you do all that and bring it in for under $70,000.
lol
You don't.
But as my mother said education always costs and that woman still has a few more semesters that she needs to pay for.
Posted by: whskyjack
| July 10, 2009 2:51 PM
mqw, I thought the same thing, or at least stoned.....
Another peice of the behind the door negotiating.
http://www.debka.com/headline.php?hid=6172
And this is poetic as Israel helped uncover the attempt of terrorism by Syrian/Iranian backed Hizb'Allah in the very country Assad is now visiting. And note the pressure by Saudis and Egypt to turn Assad.
This move takes advantage of:
1. The world is watching closely if Ahmadinejad starts something and thus hindering his options.
2. Ahmadinejad not doing something now, shows Assad that Iran has their own problems.
3. Obama's inability to pressure Israel beyond a certain point, moves Israel into the driver seat given the signals being sent by all that Iran will be dealt with by September should they ignore warnings, slaughter their people or further green light their proxies into war and terror.
Posted by: maxtrue
| July 10, 2009 3:08 PM
Hey Boomers
Come August 15 it has been 40 years.
If we have really pissed our life away, I didn't know pissin' was so much fun.
Jimmie Hendrix at woodstock, Purple Haze
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIvs4j4IniA
Jack
Posted by: whskyjack
| July 10, 2009 3:16 PM
for Bethyboo and KGC
Jimi Hendrix - Foxy Lady
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPUQTi0y3Do
Posted by: whskyjack
| July 10, 2009 3:33 PM
Woman Power Again, this time in China:
http://www.rr.com/home/home/article/rr/9000/8257141/Muslim_women_lead_protests_in_restive_west_China
A woman leader being held in Burma as two US woman reporters go to jail in North Korea.
Saberi and the Neda in Iran as a woman leads the international anti-Mullah movement in exile.
Hey guys, testosterone not high enough?
Posted by: maxtrue
| July 10, 2009 3:36 PM
http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/07/the-worlds-president-1.html#comment-243011
We TMers are a proud crowd!
Posted by: Flatus
| July 10, 2009 3:53 PM
CBob, Jack
Jack's purchase of the garage is interesting, not just for the obvious storage potential, but because of its potential use as a medium scale solar heat collector and heat storage and transfer facility.
Consider this. Although solar collectors on carts are inherently attractive and will draw crowds to witness how we can convert the sun's energy to a practical use, I can't imagine how they can be put to widespread use; there are just so many potential problems ranging from the vagaries of 'productive' sunlight, to the inherent mechanical fragility of the system.
What if we take advantage of the large fixed roof of Jack's garage turning it into a medium sized solar collector which would, in-turn, store that heat in any variety of media including salt.
The stored heat would be consumed the following day--preferably during the traditional early morning hours that bakers seem to favor. The ovens themselves would be fixed devices of heavy construction that would not only bake, but would be a secondary storage medium for the collected energy.
With a lot of ingenuity, the liquid salt could also be transferred to mobile ovens such as the one Bob has already constructed. Because the solar panels would no longer be necessary, the devices would be much more mobile making them suitable for 'route' use.
Just my thoughts.
Posted by: Flatus
| July 10, 2009 4:29 PM
Jack,
Sorry just back from lunch. . .
I wasn't very clear because it reads both ways.
I was thinking the orginal seller at 100K or some mortgage broker, bank, or even buyer was the bandit (s). Isn't this the kind of deal that was the reason for bursting the real estate bubble.
Posted by: Rezdog
| July 10, 2009 5:09 PM
Flatus
as the lot sets up on the hill, you could run a pipeline of liquid salt down to the intersection of Truman road and I435 ( an area locally called Dogpatch) and open up a 24 hour pizzaria. It would be a welcome addition to the liquor stores, adult book shops and strip club that currently occupy the spot.
Jack
Posted by: whskyjack
| July 10, 2009 5:14 PM
Love the video Craig, but the title made me wanna hurl.
Posted by: oldseahag
| July 10, 2009 5:17 PM
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8145451.stm
Turkey (of all countries to cry genocide) blasts China.
Strange things are happening in the world. Sunni Israeli alliance. Russia and China known dominators of Muslims. Russia tried it in Afghanistan and supported Serbia while Chinese Hans make Uighers and other Muslim Asians second class.
Arabs are aware Russia arms Iran while China provides some weapons to the Taliban. Funny, because China is building a huge port in Pakistan.
Will US foreign policy take advantage of geopolitical changes? With growing nationalism in Central Asia, Russia and China are at the border of radical forces. Will their military alliance in Central Asia fall apart because they do not support Muslim nationalism as the US does. Yep militants at our competitor's door.
Even stranger, WE are fighting to contain them.
Posted by: maxtrue
| July 10, 2009 5:22 PM
http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/07/the-worlds-president-1.html#comment-243011
You gals are both très belle. Thanks for sharing your visit with the rest of us.
Posted by: ivygreen.myopenid.com
| July 10, 2009 5:26 PM
http://www.france24.com/en/20090710-verdict-expected-anti-semitic-torture-case-halimi-trial-paris-france
Quite incredibly, French media is loath to utter the word Islam or Muslim. They call this person a thug and ring leader. The call him anti-semitic. They even report some things he said at trial like "Allah is Great", but France does not want to look too deeply at the Muslim network involved or the clerics involved in the dissemination of such hatred.
Posted by: maxtrue
| July 10, 2009 5:31 PM
Rez
The transaction that caused that house to be sold for $100,000 is a poster child for our realestate/banking fiasco.
I'm not even sure who bought it for $100,000, they never lived there that I know of and went bankrupt in less than a year. We had two such properties on our block.
Yes, the original sellers enjoyed a windfall.
As it wasn't me all I can do is shake my head in amazement at their good luck in finding someone with that much money and that little brains.
Jack
Posted by: whskyjack
| July 10, 2009 5:32 PM
http://www.memritv.org/clip/en/2169.htm
Gee, are these the partners for peace Obama is pressuring Israel to give land to? And is it any wonder why France is having problems? Really.
I do understand why some people want to eliminate such people. This makes me feel unclean just watching it.
Another case for gays in the military.
Posted by: maxtrue
| July 10, 2009 5:36 PM
Flatus
I mowed the weeds on that lot yesterday , they were waist high in some spots,
So I can guarranttee that it has plenty of solar heating capacity.
Jack
Posted by: whskyjack
| July 10, 2009 5:37 PM
Well, Jack, get a herd of goats to take care of the weeds, let them multiply, and have totally solar-provided goat roasts.
Posted by: Flatus
| July 10, 2009 6:19 PM
Thanks for the sweet comments on the pix, but I hate having my pix taken, for obvious reasons. (She promised me she'd photo shop it!) But it's a great photo of KGC.
Jack, It might surprise you and others to learn that KGC is very mellow and relaxed and even light-hearted- but she does pays attention and knows what is going on. Forget about the baseball bat - she doesn't need it!.
We found a lot of areas we really agreed on, including some local politics.
Wish you could have been there, too, Chloe. It's interesting to meet someone you've been talking with for over a year. In addition, it was a beautiful day and we sat outside on the patio in the shade - but the blender was broken so the margaritas weren't frozen. I'm checking before I go there again!
I am bemused by Sarah Palin's grandchild's father. I can't understand how she missed signs about what a
loose cannon he is - really weird!
And, Jack! You are a true hero! Energy, vision, generosity, a kind heart, and smart to boot!
Posted by: bethyboo
| July 10, 2009 6:50 PM
Good idea, Flatus.
It has been some time since I have done the world famous
"Whskyjacks Annual Goat Roast and National Birthday Party"
Note the use of capital letters
Digging into my memories I seem to remember the need for liquid libation though to be honest I can't remember ever consuming any. For some reason my memory is a bit foggy as to what really happens at a world famous goat roast.
Though it was fun,
I think.
I wonder if Bob could build us a solar still ......
Jack
Posted by: whskyjack
| July 10, 2009 7:03 PM
Flatus! I'm surprised at your suggestion that Jack should use the goats and then serve them up for dinner.. is that any way to treat someone who does you a good turn?
Posted by: bethyboo
| July 10, 2009 7:06 PM
Bethy
That weed filled lot is goat heaven so there would be no use involved.
And instead of serving them I prefer the term honour.
we would give them a taste of heaven then we would honour them with a celebration.
Jack
Posted by: whskyjack
| July 10, 2009 7:12 PM
"Patsi...enjoying your posts, today."
Because all I have done is post links? :)
I prertty much have decided that's the best plan...
Posted by: Patsi
| July 10, 2009 7:22 PM
I shocked myself with that, Bethy. Understand, though, that the people of Kansas City are good God fearing souls and that the harvesting of the goats is completely consistent with Genesis. And, that they will have had the pleasure of multiplying before said harvest.
Jack, I would guess that some in the immigrant population on your block could offer suggestions as to libations. Either a cerveza or a ron are perfectly suited to solar-heat help.
Posted by: Flatus
| July 10, 2009 7:34 PM
Jack, I know, but they're so cute! :)
Flatus, I did think about the enjoyment you allowed for, and it is a cogent argument!
They use goats out here to get rid of the tall grass since they don't cause sparks, and they did add some manure - but then, since when did weeds need manure?
They're also useful on all the hilly land - if they turn over, they just roll. No drivers to get hurt.
Posted by: bethyboo
| July 10, 2009 7:40 PM
Bethy
I've heard of using goats for weed control but the problem I've always noticed with goats is they would much rather munch on your neighbors prized rose bushes than on the weed patch you need removed.
Jack
Posted by: whskyjack
| July 10, 2009 7:50 PM
I can see that, but out here they use them on fenced in land that is hard to get to. There are businesses that rent them out, and in the summer that spaek business is for real. My sister and bil pay a guy with a big mower to cut theirs and I'll bet the goats would enjoy a lot more than weeds!
Posted by: bethyboo
| July 10, 2009 7:59 PM
I finally remembered! My favorite country song and group:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pKLkdwKfb8
Posted by: bethyboo
| July 10, 2009 8:25 PM
lol
It is Friday Afternoon and bad news about the Bush administration gets released. Didn't we have an election?
Report: Bush surveillance program was massive
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090710/ap_on_go_co/us_domestic_surveillance
Posted by: whskyjack
| July 10, 2009 8:45 PM
Ok
I'll let you be the judge but was Obama giving the young lady's backside an admiring look?
Was Obama checking out a little action at the G8 and what does Michelle think.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbifTbJtgJA
Jack
Posted by: whskyjack
| July 10, 2009 8:55 PM
http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/07/the-worlds-president-1.html#comment-243071
Bethy --
Statler Brothers are from Staunton (say "STAN-ton") Virginia...another factoid picked up last week during my visit there...their notable contribution to their hometown was founding an annual Fourth of July music festival...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Staunton,_Virginia
Posted by: ivygreen.myopenid.com
| July 10, 2009 8:56 PM
http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/07/the-worlds-president-1.html#comment-243077
Sure looks to me like pictures can be deceiving, and the still that was taken from this video is indeed deceitful. Big surprise!
Posted by: harborwoman
| July 10, 2009 8:59 PM
Rachel doing another segment with Jeff Sharlet and the "C Street Band..."
Posted by: ivygreen.myopenid.com
| July 10, 2009 9:02 PM
Even more ogling from those that lead the world.
What a randy bunch
Did these people get any work done?
http://passport.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2009/07/10/berlusconi_wants_in_on_the_ogling_action
Posted by: whskyjack
| July 10, 2009 9:03 PM
HW
I vote that he looked, He just did a good job of camouflaging the move. Unlike the French guy.
Jack
Posted by: whskyjack
| July 10, 2009 9:07 PM
Jack, don't have a heart attack. And Obama is not likely to allow pulling the veil back on deep black programs. Some beauts were liberally constructed. Or can't we remember history... http://www.wired.com/politics/law/news/1998/10/15429
The question is over sight. What troubles me is both the lack of it and the shifting partisan claims of what is constitutional. I can hear NP moaning, but enemy combatants can be held indefinitely. Top Secret operations created by both Parties designed for national security purposes have not been refuted by SCOTUS. I see many present legal debates far off the mark.
Take Gitmo. The question is not about trials really. It is about determining status. Does the government have a sufficient case to deem someone an illegal combatant? Innocent people have a right to be free. So this is not about a trial. Like FISA, a panel of judges could determine status on evidence. It determines if indictment holds. The process then due a legal detainee is nothing like due process for a citizen. One could imagine a capital punishment for illegal combatant activities and then determination of status in itself could mean death. The Liberal argument is backwards and assumes detainees are innocent. We are accusing our government, intelligence services and military of detaining innocent people which hardly makes sense. Sufficient review of the process is needed without twisting the problem into a debate about Left v the Right.
As far as Big Brother, much of WMD forensics will require it. The volume of data connections defies the process of warrants being conducted largely by AI. Obviously reform is needed, but first we need to break this tit for tat between Congress and Intel before we get screwed again.
Who watches Big Brother? I can appreciate the struggle between the President and Congress, between the permanent agencies and their political regulators. It is a tough balance to watch, operate and direct such intelligence gathering abilities, but don't be shocked: we always err on the Big Mother side. The stakes are too high.
On another note: Hillary never bitched about her snukey treatment on South Park, but Putin seems to have clipped himself out of an episode shown in Russia. Hell, Bush suffered Lil Bush. Tzar Putin is about as touchy as a Mullah.
Posted by: maxtrue
| July 10, 2009 9:37 PM
And note the wrong conclusion the author at Wired makes in 1998 regarding Russia at the end of his "report".
Posted by: maxtrue
| July 10, 2009 9:44 PM
Great picture Jack....
Posted by: maxtrue
| July 10, 2009 10:32 PM
That picture is a classic example of how popular culture infects us all and how the depiction of women minimizes their capabilities. That young woman was a youth leader, but I'm sure someone captioned it with
"Baby Got Back"
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Baby+Got+Back
I consider it both sexist and borderline racist.
Posted by: Jamie
| July 10, 2009 10:34 PM
Ivy, I just learned that, also, when I was tracking down the song. I was so sorry when their show finished.
The best line in that song is You'll know that you've been loved. What a wonderful idea.
I don't know that Obama was checking it out, but put it in context with the video, I suspect he wasn't.
But the other photo! I have to tell you that I got so sick of that kind of thing when I was young and pretty. If you wnat to know what is sexist, that's it. It's one thing to look and admire, but it's something else to make it so familiar and obvious. American men are a lot better today, but Sarkozy and Berlusconi are supremely un-attractive men - if they were truly suave, they'd check it out and keep it to themselves.
I'm fat today, 60 lbs overweight. Somebody said last week that fat people are always on a diet - true, maybe, for everyone but me. I don't want to rob the word diet of its meaning so will only use it when I know when I'll stick to it.
Right now, I'm enjoying being fat - men don't look at me like that any more FOR THE MOST PART. But I still get it - I'm fat and 66, and no, they don't look like that because I'm a freak. I've learned the difference. Those men are the freaks.For years I felt bad because I thought I looked like a slut - I was shy and un-comfortable. I was also scared of their aggression.
Posted by: bethyboo
| July 10, 2009 10:39 PM
"Neo-Nazis in the Ranks"
I am a long-time supporter of SPLC...
'The Southern Poverty Law Center today urged Congress to investigate growing evidence that racial extremists are infiltrating the U.S. military in order to ensure that the armed forces are not inadvertently training future domestic terrorists."
"Evidence continues to mount that current Pentagon policies are inadequate to prevent racial extremists from joining and serving in the armed forces," SPLC founder Morris Dees wrote. He added, "Because the presence of extremists in the armed forces is a serious threat to the safety of the American public, we believe Congressional action is warranted."
"...the overwhelming majority of U.S. servicemembers reject extremism and are dedicated to serving and protecting the highest ideals of our country" and notes that there will never be a fail-safe system to weed out all extremists. "But we owe it to our courageous men and women in uniform, and the American public, to remain vigilant to ensure that the ranks are as free of extremists as possible," Dees wrote.
http://www.splcenter.org/news/item.jsp?aid=384
Posted by: ivygreen.myopenid.com
| July 10, 2009 10:48 PM
One more point and then I'll stop. I do not have the personality of a beautiful woman, and didn't when I was a girl. I never wanted to be sexy. I wanted to be liked, yes. It seems that today all females want to be beautiful and sexy. Farah Fawcett and JLO seem to enjoy it and I'm happy for them. I didn't enjoy it. I'm kinda bookish, a bit of a loner, and, I guess I have to say, kind. I am filled with good will for my fellow man.
I haven't asked for or wanted any of the words or suggestions or looks I've received from so many men and boys over the years. I've learned to get some bit of payback for gropes and attempts to cop a feel - almost knocked an 85 yearol man off his feet once. I fight back somehoe for the gropes. Maybe men don't understand how that makes a woman feel, but before they indulge, I'd suggest they know the woman wants that kind of attention.
For the record, I like the way you guys talk about woman and to us - except the guy who said he tells his dates marriage is just a piece of paper. That's just sour grapes.
Posted by: bethyboo
| July 10, 2009 10:53 PM
I've loved the Statler Brothers for over 45 years ...
One of the fun ones: The Class of 57 . A little too close since I was Class of 61
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zonSL24AJ44
Posted by: Jamie
| July 10, 2009 11:01 PM
Ivy, I also support the SPLC. I'm in awe of Morris Dees and I hope someone in Congress or the Pentagon listens to him.
I'm tired of hearing myself talk. Bye.
Posted by: bethyboo
| July 10, 2009 11:04 PM
Bethy --
You are humble of character, but a genuine beauty that shone brightly in the liveliness of your written words are the same traits we now see "written all over your face."
"He giveth grace to the humble."
- 1st Peter
Posted by: ivygreen.myopenid.com
| July 10, 2009 11:17 PM
Well, Jerry Tracey's done giving us the weather forecast on NBC 13 in HD. Surprise - 90s all week.
Hubs leaves in the morning for a week at "guitar camp." Gotta get up early to schlep him to the airport. Ambien kickin' in...bite the bed bugs.
Posted by: ivygreen.myopenid.com
| July 10, 2009 11:23 PM
Ivy, I just caught the tail end of Dees giving a speech at the National Press Club.Remarkable man, I hope his security precautions are good enough.
Posted by: bethyboo
| July 10, 2009 11:42 PM
http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/07/the-worlds-president-1.html#comment-243099
Bethy --
It's pretty good, I hear from inside sources. He's been at the top of White Supremacists' hit lists for more than 25 years. They've planted bombs and taken shots at him...his story was made into a movie starring Corbin Bernsen.
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Lawyers-Journey/Morris-Dees/e/9781570739941/?itm=1
Posted by: ivygreen.myopenid.com
| July 10, 2009 11:50 PM
Ivy - that's good to hear. thanks.
I just saw Garrett Morris on a tv ad and realized I thought he had died, so I googled him, and darned if he ain't still drawin' breath! He was always one of my favorites. Apparently, he once told in an interview that the guy who beat him up was in prison, and some of the inmates who were also his fans beat the guy up.
Happy ending.
I think I'm gonna go read. The only one who'll talk to me after my rant is Ivy and she just took an ambien!
Posted by: bethyboo
| July 11, 2009 12:04 AM
WATCH THIS and get MAD!!
"Bill Moyers Show Tonight Reveals Insurance Lobby's Secret Plan to Attack 'Sicko' and Michael Moore"
From one of the usual bastard suspects.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mv1FwOCNoZ8
GRRRRrrrrrrrrrrrr.
tt
Posted by: tiptoe
| July 11, 2009 1:44 AM
Book this everybody -
Wed. - 106
Thur. - 107
Fri. - 105
Sat. Forecast ... 102
Watch the Texicans come forth tomorrow morning. Hundreds of them .
Washing my "Attack the Messenger " shirt greet them all in.
What a hoot.
Shiny side - up, rubber side down.
Posted by: Colorado Bob
| July 11, 2009 2:38 AM
Would you by a used ear of corn from this guy ?
http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p51/coloradobob/coloradobob7-2009.jpg
Posted by: Colorado Bob
| July 11, 2009 2:46 AM
" Blinded by the light, cast off, ............. like a deuce in the middle of the night . "
Bruce Springsteen
Posted by: Colorado Bob
| July 11, 2009 2:55 AM
Shoot, Jack! I wandered away to watch a movie with my son, and missed your comment. I vote he was turning to lend a hand to the other young woman behind him, who was preparing to go down the steps. I simply do not see him as a man callow enough to be so obvious...and he knows the camera is omnipresent....
Posted by: harborwoman
| July 11, 2009 3:04 AM
hello ms harborous.......
the fest of crabs tonight was fortuitous.......
Posted by: sturgeone
| July 11, 2009 3:20 AM
damn....i always thought that said "cast off like a douche".......
Posted by: sturgeone
| July 11, 2009 3:22 AM
What a clever video! Craig I always enjoy your work!
Sturgeone, speaking of "douche", in Dutch "douch" means shower, so fi you were to call someone, say "douche bag" you'd be calling them a shower tote - LOL.
Posted by: eurotom.myopenid.com
| July 11, 2009 4:16 AM
best video to date and without glasses yet!
well done, craig and andrew.
Posted by: patd
| July 11, 2009 6:58 AM
Ya know Craig, if you ever get tired of this job you have, you have a couple of other options open, acting and comedy. You would be good at both.
KGC and Bethy, good pic. Now what did you have to eat? If I'm going to share this vicarious experience, I need to know what was on the menu.
I have a question for you guys. If Sarah P. makes a little over 100 grand a year as govenor and she really does have this half million in legal fees and she didn't start out with a silver spoon in her mouth like so many politicians, how does she go about paying those bills? Does she open a website, please pay my bills? Just curious because I'm one of those people who doesn't believe in living on credit.
I know that quitting her job labels her as a quitter and will most likely hurt her chances of running for the presidency, maybe, but staying limits her opportunities for growth, keeps her vulnerable to more scrutiny, and most of all limits her money earning potential. Call me an idiot but I think I would do what she is doing, staying as govenor just keeps her in a box. Like she said, "if I die, I die".
I have found in life that it is always easier to criticize than to create.
Posted by: ct
| July 11, 2009 7:05 AM
Bethy,
The dope who said marriage is "just a piece of paper" apparently doesn't understand that it is a contractual agreement and legally binding.
Years ago, a law firm I worked in once launched an alienation of affections suit. Clerk Dodo refused to accept it, saying that such suits "are always filed AFTER the divorce". Dodo was adamant on this point.
Our colleague took took the matter to Judge Solomon. The attorney told that worthy Judge, "the order of filings is not set by Statute, but is merely a custom, with these exceptions...." He rattled off a list of such alienation suits going bact to the 1820s. After listening, Judge Solomon ordered Clerk Dodo to accept the filing.
I asked the attorney why he went to the considerable bother and expense of doing things out of the usual order. He replied that the reward for his work would be 4 fold :
1. The outcome of the suit would tend to derail the alimony that the errant wife would demand.
2. The offending adulteror was made out of money, and no one, judge or jury, likes a rich man who poaches on a poor man's preserve. "They'll squeeze him underfoot like a grape at harvest time."
3. Other attorneys would hear the tale of the unusual suit and spread the tale around. In this way, the story would reach a greater number of people than one about a normal alienation suit would. The greater the number of ears that hear about the consequences of defiling a marriage bed, the better our nation's social behavior will become.
4. "My client is pleased to think that in the future, the rival for his wife's affection will experience a localized decrease in blood pressure, whenever he sees her."
Posted by: xrepublican
| July 11, 2009 7:08 AM
lightning struck sunday. blew the bark off a very big oak nearby and dug a trench twelve inches wide for a few feet. wonder if that's what they mean by grounding.
it also fried parts of two computers. fortunately or unfortunately, the local 'puter doc fixed them at the insurance company's behest (there went dreams of a new expensive apple gratis). but did get to upgrade the telephone system which was zapped and a lamp which blew up about 6 feet away from me and terrified both me and billie bob, the dog princess. hmm, maybe i can charge them for lightning induced stress. lost all the outlets in two rooms which electrician easily fixed. am cautiously waiting for some residual pent up surge to nuke the next unwary flipper of switches.
all in all, i feel like the monster that just got volted to life by dr frankenstein. as some great film writer said once "she's baaaccck" and she missed you all, every one.
Posted by: patd
| July 11, 2009 7:23 AM
Bob Herbert on joblessness:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/11/opinion/11herbert.html?ref=opinion
Posted by: Patsi
| July 11, 2009 7:34 AM
I'm curious X. I'm not sure I have all the details of you case correct . If the wife dumped her poor husband to go after a rich dude, she doesn't likely have any money he can get if he wins. The poor dude is likely to end up a little poorer if the suit is unsuccessful. If she was rich, it doesn't seem that she would be filling for alimony in the first place.
If she does or doesn't end up marrying the rich dude, is he responsible to pay for her alienation of affection? Maybe the rich dude, if asked, would have given him some affection.
Another factor the litigating attorney may fail to realize is that humans have a tendency to think, it won't happen to me.
See, it is easier to criticize than to create.
Posted by: ct
| July 11, 2009 7:39 AM
Military health experts now want to ban tobacco. Too many batte-word" soldiers rely on it to relieve stress. Unbelievable. Send them into battle and worry about their smoking habits/
http://www.usatoday.com/news/military/2009-07-09-smoking_N.htm?poe=HFMostPopular
Posted by: Patsi
| July 11, 2009 7:44 AM
That should be "battle-worn".....
Posted by: Patsi
| July 11, 2009 7:46 AM
Patd,
Glad to know that you are still in the neighborhood.
Missed your morning wakeup sonnets.
Posted by: Coreen
| July 11, 2009 7:47 AM
I guess it will now be under the bed for the dog princess Pat. I still haven't cured my Maggie of her fear of lightening, mainly because I'm always trying to get under there with her. Not a good role model.
And I guess you have a very ethical puter doc and/or he didn't sell expensive Apples. He could have seen to it that your puter was fried.
Thank God you and the princess survived.
Posted by: ct
| July 11, 2009 7:51 AM
Now it is off to weedwack before the serious heat sets in.
Posted by: ct
| July 11, 2009 7:56 AM
I had high hopes that The Daily Beast might turn into a thoughtful place...but today, as has become far too common, two of the top five stories are just mindnumbingly stupid: Swimsuits that Changed the World, and Is Michael Jackson in Heaven?
Posted by: Patsi
| July 11, 2009 7:58 AM
Just another reminder that things are not really improving for many Americans, a pretty good summary
of how lenders are not trying to modify mortgages for
stressed borrowers and the attempt by the Obama
administration to again "push" them to action.
"From treasury to banks, an ulitmatum on mortgage
relief" by Joe Nocera NYT
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/11/business/11nocera.html?pagewanted=1&8dpc
Posted by: Coreen
| July 11, 2009 8:15 AM
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/11/us/11gay.html?_r=1&th&emc=th
"Civil Rights Group Divided Over Gay Marriage"
"LOS ANGELES — The Southern Christian Leadership Conference, the 50-year-old civil rights organization founded by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and others, is seeking to remove the president of its Los Angeles chapter in response to his support of same-sex marriage in California."
Posted by: tonyb39
| July 11, 2009 8:21 AM
And the flip side to lenders failure to work to modify loans in default, the response to the past abuses
in lax loan underwriting is to so severely restrict the requirements to obtain a loan, that
those who likely would be good borrowers are being
turned away from purchasing a home.
"Tight mortgage rules exclude even good risks"
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/11/business/11housing.html?hp
Posted by: Coreen
| July 11, 2009 8:31 AM
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/11/opinion/11collins.html?th&emc=th
"What Happened in Vegas"
"We hardly need to point out that Ensign was one of the people who demanded that President Bill Clinton resign over the Lewinsky affair, that he votes against financing for education and contraception services to combat teenage pregnancy and that he supports a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage. In the world of politics, hypocrisy is a hard market to corner, but lately the Republicans have been making a Microsoft-like effort to do it."
Posted by: tonyb39
| July 11, 2009 8:35 AM
Coreen
From my experience the banks have went back to traditional standards.
I believe our refinance required a 20% equity stake.
we are looking at mortgaging some rental property and they will only loan up to 70% of the worth.
These limits are often set by the FDIC as is the % of a banks portfolios in any one sector. I suspect that some banks that are heavy into realestate loans are being encouraged to diversify.
As far as the banks modifying loans, They have no incentive to do so.
From their point of view where does it stop.
They are better off taking a 50% lose on 5% of their portfolio then they are to take a 10 to 25% loss on 100% of the portfolio.
I think we are at the point where we need to bight the bullet and move on.
Those that loose their homes give them vouchers for housing and help them get back on their feet.
Jack
Posted by: whskyjack
| July 11, 2009 8:48 AM
http://cspan.org/Watch/Media/2009/07/10/HP/A/20649/Sec+of+State+Clinton+Town+Hall+Meeting+on+Diplomacy.aspx
"Sec. of State Clinton Town Hall Meeting on Diplomacy"
Posted by: tonyb39
| July 11, 2009 8:48 AM
Patsi,
Herbert is calling for a new WPA which is what the Progressives expected Congress and Obama to do ... a whole new program to rebuild all the broken stuff. This would take years and would concentrate the money in the US. You can't outsource a bridge to China.
Unfortunately, you start to suspect that all that money floating around is going to end up in the already well padded pockets. I actually think Herbert is off in his figures. I think it is closer to 20% of the population either unemployed, under employed, retired earlier than practical ... however you describe them, they aren't working for enough to live without fear.
Posted by: Jamie
| July 11, 2009 8:49 AM
Patsi
Three articles in the Daily Beast on racism in the Young Republicans
http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2009-07-10/the-gops-day-of-reckoning/?cid=hp:mainpromo2
Posted by: Jamie
| July 11, 2009 8:52 AM
It's amazing that the Young GOP would elect an openly racist president (I figured they'd at least TRY to hide it) -- glad at least that Meghan McCain is speaking out about it.
Posted by: Patsi
| July 11, 2009 9:02 AM
One other thing, when we got our loan from BOA they took 4 months to close. They are overwhelmed. Part of is they layed off people last fall. The other part is they are still absorbing Countrywide and dealing with the many messes they created. One of them is next door.
They took over the property in Feb and are just now getting it ready to put on the market..
Jack
Posted by: whskyjack
| July 11, 2009 9:04 AM
Update from New Mexico...
Hubby and I did the deed yesterday evening..
http://cbhopibluecornexperiment.blogspot.com/
I also received a letter and op ed from Sen. Bingaman...I write to him frequently regarding health care. I will not copy the whole op ed, but I felt his closing paragraphs got my attention. (If anyone wants a copy, let me know...it is NOT on his website.)
"Finally, I believe it is important
Posted by: Blonde wino
| July 11, 2009 9:11 AM
continued...
"that reform includes real competition between public and pirvate insurance plans. The only way to do this is to make sure there is at least one plan whose focus is providing care -- not simply making a profit."
Posted by: Blonde wino
| July 11, 2009 9:15 AM
Tony, re: 8:21 post, that group needs to change their name from "Civil Right" to "AA Rights" and from "Christian" to "Religious" because what they are doing is neither "Civil" nor "Christian" in IMHO.
Posted by: ct
| July 11, 2009 9:20 AM
Patsi..thanks for the post on Herbert. I also believe during this depression, that discrimination is on the rise...age, sex and race...with every job opening. If there are five candidates for every job, I'll bet the selected candidate will be the younger man of little color.
I feel more like soylent green fodder every day!
Posted by: Blonde wino
| July 11, 2009 9:23 AM
Patsi, MJ did his time in hell right here on earth. Just getting out of here has to qualify for some kind of heaven.
Posted by: ct
| July 11, 2009 9:28 AM
And I think that most people who abuse drugs are trying to achieve a little bit of heaven here on earth. It usually doesn't work though and many end up getting the opportunity to find out if there is one somewhere else.
I talked to a younger middle aged adult this week in jail. He got hooked up with crack cocaine. His excuse was that his wife left him. He is now in jail, no wife, lost a great paying job, and is losing a $200,000+ house. I asked him if that short high he got from the drug was worth it.
He was spending everything he made on the crack so at the time he must have thought it was worth it. Now it didn't seem that it was. Don't mess with crack.
Posted by: ct
| July 11, 2009 9:37 AM
Elizabeth Edwards on CSPAN 3 about health care now. Watch or catch online if and when available. Every argument for public plan you have ever wanted to hear made!!!
Posted by: Jamie
| July 11, 2009 9:48 AM
Jack,
The context of the NYT aritcles (& what those of us who represent borrowers are seeing) is that new rules in underwriting suggest that the lenders are not just returning to former guidelines, but are becoming more restrictive in loan underwiring, (courtesy of Fannie Mae and/or FDIC as you state) thus removing the opportunity for otherwise qualified borrowers to purchase a home & consequently help to turn the economy around.
And at the same time the lenders are doing little to address the continuing mortgage foreclosure crisis that has not
really subsided.
If 50% of the housing inventory is made up of foreclosed property---it will be quite some time before the economy turns around.
If the lenders do not attempt to stem the tide of the
foreclosures that are continuing nationwide---like what you have described in your neighborhood---there will be increasing burdens on the communities where foreclosures have overwhelmed & hastened the decay of those areas.
I believe this aspect was addressed here early on
when the extent of the housing crisis became known.
As far as letting the chips fall wherever & give those that lost their house a voucher to move on--I am not
sure who you want to give the vouchers--the lender,
the govt--and am not sure how that aids in correcting
the housing foreclosure crisis.
As far as Bank of America, my clients just closed on
a purchase through them & it took about 3+ months
to process the loan documents---the processing was
slowed by what BofA claims is the new rule that
does not allow them to speak directly with an appraiser
causing them to delay clearing the loan to
close.
Also, it is my understanding that the delay in processing loans for awhile was
because of the less than 5% interest rate that was
offered earlier this year, which increased the volume of applications, and has since lessened as the rate went up.
For me, the bottom line is that until the housing/mortgage foreclosure crisis is corrected,
the economy will not move forward & so far there has
been little evidence that the problems have been
adequately addressed.
Posted by: Coreen
| July 11, 2009 10:07 AM
In my above mortgage foreclosure comments, that would be "underwriting" not underwiring.
Posted by: Coreen
| July 11, 2009 10:12 AM
http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/07/the-worlds-president-1.html#comment-243143
Coreen,
Drat! I was hoping the whole thing could be fixed with a good bra fitting.
Posted by: Jamie
| July 11, 2009 10:28 AM
Oh Jamie,
Thanks much for providing a smile! And if that would help the economy---I'm all for it.
Posted by: Coreen
| July 11, 2009 10:32 AM
Jamie, And why is it so difficult to find a bra without underwires? Some of us don't need any support, the wire just serves as a torture device. Have you ever experienced a underwire across a nipple? And have they ever tried underwire bras instead of waterboarding?? It might be just or more effective.
Posted by: ct
| July 11, 2009 10:51 AM
If I find this report of efforts by supporters of Judge Sotomayor, (if accurate) not only discouraging but absolutely unnecessary, since there is virtually little chance that Judge Sotomayor will not be confirmed.
This type of attack was disgraceful when it was used against Anita Hill & likewise should be avoided now.
"Sotomayor backers urge reporters to probe New Haven firefighter"
http://www.mcclatchydc.com/227/story/71660.html
Posted by: Coreen
| July 11, 2009 10:52 AM
Just had a Jehovah Witness come to the door. Haven't had one come down this long driveway in years. Now Rick and I know what to do in order to survive the upcoming end of the world..... we are overjoyed....
Carol....
I ran for a local election position 4 times. The term was 6-years. After 3 terms (18 yrs), I had had my fill of it. Yet I let someone talk me into going after a 4th term... for which I blame myself. Two years into it, I really wanted to quit. After much soul searching I came to the conclusion that I put my name on the ballot, people voted for me, and I had a responsibility to fulfill my commitment. I did the job the remaining 4 yrs to best of my ability and with a smile on my face.
Palin chose differently..... that's her right. I criticize that choice.... that's my right. This is a political blog.... we criticize politicians everyday.
We are leaving for the big city of Manchester in a few hours. We have tickets to see a matinee of Cirque du Soleil. Happy, happy, joy, joy....
Posted by: RebelliousRenee
| July 11, 2009 11:27 AM
oh god.... I forgot something I wanted to say....
my brain is holding too much lately..... or maybe it's just water logged....
patd....
sorry to hear about your storm problems.... very glad to have you back....
because this is a big vacation week.... I thought you might be on one....
hope you get to take one if you need one....
Posted by: RebelliousRenee
| July 11, 2009 11:49 AM
"Drat! I was hoping the whole thing could be fixed with a good bra fitting."
HA!!!!!
Posted by: Patsi
| July 11, 2009 12:23 PM
Correen
for us the Appraiser was trying to schedule a visit a week after the application. We put him off 2 weeks because we had some repair and painting to do but we had his report within 3 weeks. and 2 of those were caused by us.
They did turn it over to their case manager(my term I can't remember his real title) for almost 2 and 1/2 months. After that it took about 3 weeks, part of that was waiting for my wife to find the time in her very busy schedule.
To be honest I don't know what is traditional for standard mortgages this is the first one my wife and I have ever had. However each of us have owned property and borrowed money on our property for 35 years. Neither one of us for some reason went the standard mortgage route.
As to the voucher, It should go to the person being evicted so they can find a place to live.
Six months ago I was in the "they ought to do something" crowd.
But now I'm more in the "Amputate doctor"and get it over with so we can move on" crowd.
It may have something to do with the email I got yesterday from a lady that is trying to do realestate investment in my neighborhood from a multi million dollar house in California. She was delusional IMO.
There are a number of people like her that need to be told "Get out , cut your losses and thank god it wasn't worse."
The house is in her name, and it is standing wide open with weeds 3 ft high in the yard, It has become a hang out for vagrants and local teen gangs. Think of the her liability. If some one gets killed she could loose everything she owns.
*head shake*
Jack
Posted by: whskyjack
| July 11, 2009 12:53 PM
I may be wrong but I believe the wife got rid of all her underwire bras. She got tired of having a metal detector shoved down the front of her blouse by airport security.
She is such an obvious terrorist
Jack
Posted by: whskyjack
| July 11, 2009 1:00 PM
coreen, ct, renee,
thanks for the kind welcome back.
coming back to trailmix after a long hiatus is sometimes like picking up a good tolstoy or dostoyevsky novel in the middle and trying to remember characters, plots and subplots. a mixture of religion, passion, high emotions, political intrigue and some gardening thrown in with a little humor here and there. ahh, yes and a balalaika playing in the background.
Posted by: patd
| July 11, 2009 1:11 PM
http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/07/the-worlds-president-1.html#comment-243147
CT
As age weighs down the originally heaven sent, I've been considering a block and tackle.
Posted by: Jamie
| July 11, 2009 1:16 PM
Pat, glad you and your household are mostly alright! Lightning strikes are really scary.
Please make sure your electricians checked the house grounding. Everything in the entire house, including satellite antennas, the central electric circuit, and telephone lines must all terminate at the _same_ ground stake. And, it must be a really effective earth ground (they can be tested).
Posted by: Flatus
| July 11, 2009 2:10 PM
I don't think we ever had a mortgage that took more than a couple of weeks--but they were the VA flavored ones.
Posted by: Flatus
| July 11, 2009 2:16 PM
Ladies, please keep your upper rigging problems in perspective:
"We must, indeed, all hang together, or most assuredly we shall all hang separately."
Benjamin Franklin
-In the Continental Congress just before signing
the Declaration of Independence, 1776.
Posted by: Flatus
| July 11, 2009 2:22 PM
BW! Your corn is magnificent! And, that ear looks tasty, too.
Posted by: Flatus
| July 11, 2009 2:26 PM
Hey RR, wack away at Palin. Don't think, when I disagree I'm not having fun. I just love a good debate. If ya'll all start taking up for Palin, I'll find something to get her for, if there is anything ya'll haven't already covered.
My father, who has been gone for more than 3/4s of my life now, just loved to argue. He came from a family that did also. If we all started to agree, half changed their minds and it started all over again. It's aerobics for the brain.
Posted by: ct
| July 11, 2009 2:48 PM
I just got back from Wally World where I spent way too much money on crap I don't need. Most of it was in the fishing department. I pretty much have a fishing department here now. I have things that I don't even know what they do but they were cute. I can entertain myself trying to figure out what they do and then why I needed one.
Posted by: ct
| July 11, 2009 2:51 PM
"that ear looks tasty, too"
flatus, watch that sweet talking about bw's pix or i'll tell stinky.
and thanks for your concern and comment at
http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/07/the-worlds-president-1.html#comment-243158
the electrical contractor that wired the house when it was built came out for the check up that the insurance company wanted. hope he did a thorough job like you described.
curious thing about the blown lamp was that it was the ceramic gizmo and not the bulb that blew. the lamp was not turned on, just plugged into the outlet. the sharp sound of the strike was accompanied by a bright blue light and there was ceramic shrapnel all over the place. billie bob went bonkers, ran up stairs, ran downstairs, in circles; but bobo (the best dog in the world) and the two old cats just took it in stride. they grew up with the ever present electrical storms of florida.
Posted by: patd
| July 11, 2009 2:59 PM
"As age weighs down the originally heaven sent, I've been considering a block and tackle"
Jamie, I spent a lot of my younger years distressed because heaven left me out. My girlfriend's mom lied to me and told me that late bloomers usually got the best ones. That held me over for several years then I was really pissed at her when it didn't happen.
It wasn't easy out there fishing without those things. My twin sister got all the good up in that area and she was the runt. We are fraternal twins. Because she did, she got all the boy friends. Without boyfriends to distract me I spent more time getting an education. Now I have a better career. All those boyfriends didn't work out well for her but I still have a better career. Nah, nah, nah, nah, nah.
Sorry Flatus.
Posted by: ct
| July 11, 2009 3:03 PM
Any Tim O'Brien (the bluegrass/Americana musician, not the novelist) fans here?
Now me, he's my favorite living male singer, and this, arguably, is my favorite of his recordings:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbylluDDcc4
More links over at Fairweather.
Posted by: http://openid.aol.com/ktartiste
| July 11, 2009 3:33 PM
And for those of you with skunk issues, a great skunk song:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yOL_14NgG6E
Porter Wagoner, "Wake Up, Jacob"--not the best audio but a great song nonetheless.
Had skunk issues for awhile here, too. They loved the cat's dry food, and during rainstorms one in particular would make his way through a hole in the foundation into the basement (which, thank goodness, is only under one room of the house) for shelter. That hole, needless to say, has since been packed with concrete.
Posted by: http://openid.aol.com/ktartiste
| July 11, 2009 3:40 PM
http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/07/the-worlds-president-1.html#comment-243166
ct
Sounds a lot like me and my cousin of the same age. When she was 16, she asked how do you get a boy to kiss you. I wanted to know how do you keep them away? Fortunately for me, I was a bookworm with other interests at the time.
Posted by: Jamie
| July 11, 2009 3:57 PM
Still, in all my years, haven't figured out what is so attractive about two mounds of fat and flesh. If we have them anywhere else, except maybe just firmly packed on the booty, we don't want them.
Posted by: ct
| July 11, 2009 4:11 PM
speaking of worms, book ones and otherwise, they're looking for the palouse giant worm in idaho. shades of dune.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iJ2H31OEqLkMUl3ybH4LDk9DN0cQD99CE6I80
Posted by: patd
| July 11, 2009 4:21 PM
http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/07/the-worlds-president-1.html#comment-243136
Carol
I so totally agree! That's my problem with some groups that claim to be Christian.If they were following Jesus there wouldn't be all this BS...Oh yes and the so-called civil rights groups.Its really just civil rights for there particular group,the hell with anyone else...I'll admit after the California Prop 8 vote it was hard for me to understand how some AA's that were denied civil rights for so long voted to deny gays there civil rights,sad really...As Solar would say its about religion..
Posted by: tonyb39
| July 11, 2009 4:22 PM
Hey all
I was going to my jobs this morning here in little old New Smyrna Beach and there was an anti -Obama protest at the Monorca complex on the Atlantic.It consisted of maybe 100 people holding signs.I have no problem with people protesting but some of the signs were despicable lies.Some of the signs read 'Obama please don't let Grandmother die","Obama is a Socialist for Socialized medicine", "Obama want's to pick my doctor","Obama has stolen my Grandchild's future"and so on....Its a complex with a lot of wealthy folks living there basically just wanting lower taxes..I told Grace you have had lower taxes for years and you still have lower tax rates than under your hero Reagan so whats the bitch? I hope the President pushes his agenda(healthcare) despite them...
Posted by: tonyb39
| July 11, 2009 4:37 PM
Hey everybody
Signs of the times,
At Walmart there were 3 checkout lines where the casher was a fifty something man.
Jack
Posted by: whskyjack
| July 11, 2009 5:03 PM
http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/07/the-worlds-president-1.html#comment-243155
Patd:
I didn't realize you were on hiatus because I was on hiatus too...glad you're back...your description of the "re-entry process" is a hoot!
Hubs is off to guitar camp for a week, so I will either have lots of time on my hands, or no time on my hands, depending on whether anything around the house breaks down or blows up while he's gone.
Posted by: ivygreen.myopenid.com
| July 11, 2009 5:04 PM
Tony
How did your pension and health care fair under the new lean mean GM
Jack
Posted by: whskyjack
| July 11, 2009 5:05 PM
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/12/us/politics/12intel.html?_r=1&hp
"Cheney Is Linked to Concealment of C.I.A. Project"
"The Central Intelligence Agency withheld information about a secret counter terrorism program from Congress for eight years on direct orders from former Vice President Dick Cheney, the agency’s director, Leon E. Panetta, has told the Senate and House intelligence committees, two people with direct knowledge of the matter said Saturday.
The report that Mr. Cheney was behind the decision to conceal the still-unidentified program from Congress deepened the mystery surrounding it, suggesting that the Bush administration had put a high priority on the program and its secrecy.
Mr. Panetta, who ended the program when he first learned of its existence from subordinates on June 23, briefed the two intelligence committees about it in separate closed sessions the next day."
Posted by: tonyb39
| July 11, 2009 5:05 PM
http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/07/the-worlds-president-1.html#comment-243168
kt --
I discovered raccoons like cat and dog food too. They can slice an opening in a screen that may go undetected for days while they come and go at will. Now I make sure to pick up pet bowls immediately after feeding time.
Posted by: ivygreen.myopenid.com
| July 11, 2009 5:10 PM
My favorite skunk song is, you know, you got your Loudon Wainwright III in the middle of the road...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yuY44PHC0wI
Posted by: ivygreen.myopenid.com
| July 11, 2009 5:17 PM
Posted by: ivygreen.myopenid.com | July 11, 2009 5:10 PM
We had raccoons eating the cat food, too, Ivy. Never got in the house (we don't raise the glass in the storm door) but they'd come prop up on the storm door and we'd talk to them. They acted like they understood every word. Funny curious little critters.
The skunks seldom come around anymore, we had the raccoons trapped and taken away--and I think the possums, who also used to raid the cat food, all wound up as road kill. But for a few years there we had quite a menagerie. I ended up having to feed the cat indoors for several years, although in summer he prefers to dine al fresco.;)
Posted by: http://openid.aol.com/ktartiste
| July 11, 2009 5:21 PM
http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/07/the-worlds-president-1.html#comment-243176
Hi Jack
The Pension is holding for now.The new GM took on the burden of the pensions under an agreement with the UAW.I still don't have all the details but it has to do with stock ownership in exchange for pension funds.Last contract GM divested itself of our medical coverage through funding what is called a VEBA.GM was to put so many millions into this fund that was to be invested so that it would fund the system for current retirees for life.GM couldn't honor there agreement so again the UAW took stock ownership in the new GM in exchange for the billions for healthcare.I guess at were all just hoping for the stock to rise enough in the future so it can be sold to fund the pensions and medical? I so far have only lost mt dental and eye coverage under my insurance plans along with some co-pay rises..I consider myself lucky at this point but how things go in the future is anyone's guess?I just did my part and bought just yesterday a new Pontiac Vibe,my last Pontiac!! Sad...
Posted by: tonyb39
| July 11, 2009 5:26 PM
Hey Tony...I don't know if you caught my post on a recent meeting Obama sent Jarret to. One of the guest speakers claimed Katrina was punishment for our gay tolerance. No comment from the White House because it was a Muslim conference.
Obama has generated much of the fear that is blocking his path. I note your remark on Health Care. Franken gives Obama the theoretical edge, but Democrats laughing at the idea of reading a Bill before voting on it is bad PR. It is just a different form of Republican arrogance.
As you remember, Obama's sales pitch on the Stimulus Bill was poor. He was in such a rush, yes?Polls indicate they do not like the results so far or the administration's delivery. The best thing Obama could do would be to scrape the first Stimulus Bill and create a better one, but people fear that too.
Clinton used the Republicans to keep his forces in line. Instead with Obama Democrats add a wandering Energy Bill (with the G-8 drawing blanks) and the revolt among Democrats over the Health Care costs and service, you get political uncertainty. Do you want the Democrats to loose in 2010? Frankly, this was political arrogance on OBama's part and foreign policy will continue to eat up Obama's time. Most are looking down the one year road and it don't look pretty.
The sad part is that this is not the very transparent or vetted process Obama promised. Pork, partisanship, extremes, arrogance and down right chaos. The costs and assumptions are all over the place and a trillion dollar interest payment per year is in the back of American's minds. Then there is the likely new taxes and another broken promise.
A smart energy bill wuld be great. A safety net and relief to the MIddle Class would be great for healthcare along with intelligent reforms. Prudent changes in tax structure, targeted stimulus for job growth, mortgage stability and credit lines makes sense.
I thought that Hillary would be more focused in a pragmatic way, but Obama is doing exactly what we all suspected. The irony is that the Left and Right are moving against him while the moderates in the middle have not found Obama to be particularly supportive beyond national security converns. And even they have some serious problems with that direction too.
I see why Pelosi and Reid wanted Hillary on the road tours, but her sensibilities might have been a steadier handle on foreign affairs and the economy. Those were here strengths including health care and I think she would have use the Republicans much more to her advantage. Obama is never going to satisfy the Left and I rather doubt they were or are more important than Blue Dogs....
Also, GM had it right back in 1998 when they designed their electric car concept off a ethanol electrical generator charging up the electrical car. That was ten years ago. It still makes sense. It reduces the battery size, the need for plugging in and fuel cells with hydrogen that don't make great sense. A Cellulosic generator with modern pollution controls could power up the batteries and deliver almost 200 a gallon. That is the best stage one their is, yet most hybrids are still a combustion engines with electrical alternative.
The Democrats are pushing corn instead of cellulosic biomass.
I saw a tri-wheel car. Front two wheels pitch into turns and the weight is composite with a nice passenger cabin. Handles better than a car. The generator recharges the battery on the fly if need be and an electric motor runs the oversized rear wheel. I think the version I saw used diesel. There is no reason why we can't start revoltionizing autos again.
Posted by: maxtrue
| July 11, 2009 5:45 PM
"Hey Tony...I don't know if you caught my post on a recent meeting Obama sent Jarret to. One of the guest speakers claimed Katrina was punishment for our gay tolerance. No comment from the White House because it was a Muslim conference."
Hi Max
I did read your post.I also watched the video of that mad man..Its really hard to understand how people can be filled with such hatred! I learned it first hand when I was friends with Hani(my friend from Saudi Arabia) back in Michigan.It was after 911 when I couldn't be friends with him any more.I asked Hani why did he think so many men from his country would hijack planes and fly them into The World Trade Center and The Pentagon.Hani's answer was it was the Jews! It took my breath away,i said the Jews how there's even video footage of your fellow citizens boarding the planes?Hani's answer was the Jews in Hollywood made up the footage...This guy was a 4.0 student...Shocking for me!! I never knew he had any hatred in him before 911....
Max
I think as Solar keeps saying why doesn't the President just release the funds for his current stimulus package?I wish the current stimulus package just went for infrastructure(proven job creators) and funding new technology for solar and energy.I don't even take Nuclear Power off the table in are current situation or clean burning coal as you mentioned the other day..
Posted by: tonyb39
| July 11, 2009 6:11 PM
" MJ did his time in hell right here on earth. Just getting out of here has to qualify for some kind of heaven. "
Carol -- Agree that MJ had a rough start. With Joe Jackson as a parent I don't see how he could have come out "normal" -- whatever that is.
Posted by: Patsi
| July 11, 2009 6:11 PM
Hi Patsi
Thanks for the Herbert column this morning!! I'm really am concerned as to where all these jobs are going to come from? I just look at in my life time.When I hired in at GM there were 457,000 GM middle class good paying jobs and today 41,000...What will replace these jobs?The President says green jobs,Hillary too but a whole house solar system costs I think around $40,000.I know costs will come down but it seems like it will take years and the cheap labor countries will be the ones building everything...
Posted by: tonyb39
| July 11, 2009 6:19 PM
http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/07/the-worlds-president-1.html#comment-243173
Tony,
As I wrote to my girlfriend who forwards all the right wing (Exclamation Point, All Caps, and Many Colors) of things I must see and beware: "You have to stop communicating with people on A OLD L "
Maybe we should picket them back with "Stop Scaring Grandmothers!!!!"
Posted by: Jamie
| July 11, 2009 6:38 PM
http://www.investigativeproject.org/1085/mainstream-islamist-convention-features-hate
I meant this link where the speaker talks about Katrina. I note the convergence of Homophobia and Anti-semticism coming from Obama described as "moderate Muslim views" one would expect of this crowd. Also this is exactly the view from some Right Wingers and even some Left Wingers. It is indeed a strange convergence.
You mentioned some things about the health care push, but he has been off on tour feeling the heat on North Korea, Iran and over Afghanistan.
Just for Hillary supporters, let's bring up some primary issues. Obama said chaos was acceptable in Iraq and that Afghanistan is the central front in the war on terror, or the war on made disasters..
Hillary instead suggested we be concerned about stability in Iraq and that Afghanistan was in part an issue about the lack of world support and conditions in Pakistan that enable militants which might not be greatly improved by a more moderate regime. This was all realpolitik and she was right.
Obama has backed himself into a corner with the two year road map of his winning plan.
A. He will not be able to push Netanyahu very far in Obama’s pressure for concessions of State given the gift the Mullahs, Hamas and Hizb’Allah gave Bibi.
B. Obama’s calibrated dance with Iran is not likely to produce any real results anytime soon.
C. AQ has stepped up their attacks focusing on Sunni moderates in Yemen, Egypt, Iraq (hitting Sunnis in the Great Awakening), West Bank, Gaza and Saudi Arabia rather than Shia groups. Strategically they are therefore united in targeting the same people as the Iranian regime.
D. Pakistan, who is wavering in eliminating militants wants to deal with Omar making Obama’s present Afghanistan policy heading towards defeat.
http://www.debka.com/headline.php?hid=6174
http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/07/10/pakistan.taliban.omar/index.html?iref=24hours
Taxes, Afghanistan, Energy and Healthcare, Stimulus, Iran. Iraq, Defense Budget, North Korea, Honduras, Immigration, Card Check all present problems that the Obama administration hasn’t found a fix for yet that’s convincing. Time is not on Obama’s side. Again, the range of incertain issues has broadened. Without any real positive gains tied to his administration, uncertainty clouds the agenda from energy to health care, from Honduras to Afghanistan.
I did suggest Obama make a more genuine move towards the Right (helping to split it) before it looks like it is a calculated move out of political necessity rather than a stroke of genius…….but then I don’t have his email address….
Fascinating map collection
http://www.nti.org/e_research/profiles/Iran/index_5651.html
http://www.seamzone.mod.gov.il/Pages/ENG/map_eng.htm
http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/middle_east_and_asia/persian_gulf_1973.jpg
http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/middle_east_and_asia/iran_strait_of_hormuz_2004.jpg
Posted by: maxtrue
| July 11, 2009 6:52 PM
"I meant this link where the speaker talks about Katrina. I note the convergence of Homophobia and Anti-semiticism coming from those who Obama describe as holding the "moderate Muslim views"."
Sorry about that..
Posted by: maxtrue
| July 11, 2009 6:56 PM
"Maybe we should picket them back with "Stop Scaring Grandmothers!!!!""
Jamie
It may come down to that.I think Blond W that mentioned the other day about us taking to the streets to demand a public option! I'm all for demonstrating against things you don't like from are government but they need to also put up some constructive idea's on how to fix this mess called the US heathcare system...
Posted by: tonyb39
| July 11, 2009 7:11 PM
It was disgusting the way some Democrats seemed to be actually hoping that Bush's policies in Iraq, for example the surge, would fail. And even now some are reluctant to credit the policy with leading to more stability, which in turn has allowed some stand down of U.S. troops.
It is equally disgusting to see the Republicans now, almost gleeful that the economy has not rebounded. People like Eric Cantor (and Max) want to call it Obama's recession. But it's not quite that easy to revise such recent history. It was eight years of Republican economic policy (regrettably sometimes supported by Dems, including Frank and Dodd) that got the economy in such a tragic mess of a condition.
Anyone who has paid attention should know that recovery is
only expected to START to rebound in the third and fourth quarter. And that now looks optimistic. The stimulus spending has not yet either peaked nor has had the chance to bring about its desired effects, which include reducing unemployment. As painful as it might be, look for unemployment to remain over 7% for the entire remainder of the year. (Employment is a lagging indicator.) There will be real economic growth in the third and fourth quarter in terms of GDP.
If unemployment is over 6% next summer, it will be bad news for the Dems. But it is too early now for the R's to be so happy at their good fortune that the American people suffer from a lousy economy.
Posted by: cajunjoe.pip.verisignlabs.com
| July 11, 2009 7:12 PM
Carol - KGC had a fish taco and I had two soft tacos with shredded beef. I hadn't had lunch yet and since I expected to drink two margaritas, I figured I'd better have something to keep them company. Anyway, they were good - fresh tomatoes and cooked tomatoes and lettuce etc.
Xrep, I'm not sure who said he always told his girlfriends that marriage is just a piece of paper. I think it was Max or Don1 - but he got an earful, as you can imagine. It's obviously not just a piece of paper,
but if one insists, it's a piece of paper that packs quite a punch.
I've decided that this blog is an endless opportunity for me to make an ass of myself.
Posted by: bethyboo
| July 11, 2009 7:19 PM
"In her remarks, Senior Advisor for Public Engagement and International Affairs Valerie Jarrett noted she was the first White House official to address ISNA. She spoke in general terms about interfaith dialogue and cooperation. She praised her hosts for "the diversity of American organizations, and ideas that are represented and will be debated" at the convention."
Max
This doesn't surprise me.It wasn't long ago that this Administrations Justice Department put forth a legal brief to defend DOMA!! None of this would have shocked me if we were talking about the Bush Administration...Its unacceptable and wrong...
Posted by: tonyb39
| July 11, 2009 7:19 PM
Carol --
I'm relegated to the Weather Channel for entertainment this evening, but they just showed Lake Charles storms from...was that yesterday? Wild...
Posted by: ivygreen.myopenid.com
| July 11, 2009 7:25 PM
Aww - just saw my first post-mortem Billy Mays ad (on W.C.). We didn't even know about his death until almost a week afterwards. They say, he would have wanted his ads to keep running.
Posted by: ivygreen.myopenid.com
| July 11, 2009 7:27 PM
"f unemployment is over 6% next summer, it will be bad news for the Dems. But it is too early now for the R's to be so happy at their good fortune that the American people suffer from a lousy economy."
Joe
Well said! I keep thinking Obama has only been President for what 7 months and these nay saying Republicans are asking why the worst economic downturn since the Depression hasn't turned around yet...I wish they would have been as critical when Bush was President...Instead they rubber stamped everything Bush put forward...Look at the vote to continue the war funding,4 Republican votes!! If a Republican President were in office they would have all voted to continue the funding and Democrats would have allowed them to paint anyone who didn't support the measure as unpatriotic....
Posted by: tonyb39
| July 11, 2009 7:29 PM
Hmmm. As in, "The show must go on ?"
Posted by: xrepublican
| July 11, 2009 7:30 PM
Hi Bethy
The photo of you and KGC was splendid!! I wish I could have been there with you two!! Sorry the Margarita's weren't frozen,yuck!! Glad to see folks from here meet up.How's that TV working out?Next you will be telling us you have a DVR,ha ha...Love my DVR. I'm spoiled but not rotten!! T
Posted by: tonyb39
| July 11, 2009 7:36 PM
A little good news from newsweek
"Holder, 58, may be on the verge of asserting his independence in a profound way. Four knowledgeable sources tell NEWSWEEK that he is now leaning toward appointing a prosecutor to investigate the Bush administration's brutal interrogation practices, something the president has been reluctant to do. While no final decision has been made, an announcement could come in a matter of weeks, say these sources"
BTW this is a good article on Holder
http://www.newsweek.com/id/206300
Jack
Posted by: whskyjack
| July 11, 2009 7:41 PM
Joe
I give the appointment of Gates more credit than the surge in the quieting of Iraq. He did many more things than just use more troops.
Jack
Posted by: whskyjack
| July 11, 2009 7:47 PM
"The CIA "withheld information about a secret counterterrorism program from Congress for eight years on direct orders from former Vice President Dick Cheney, the agency's director"
so when did an order from the VP become more than a suggestion. Who put him in the line of command? When and is he still?
Jack
Posted by: whskyjack
| July 11, 2009 7:51 PM
Jack,
I agree with your good point about Gates..
Posted by: cajunjoe.pip.verisignlabs.com
| July 11, 2009 7:55 PM
To answer the Q Posted by: ct | July 11, 2009 7:39 AM
The wife was shacking up with the rich dude, but as far as anyone knew there was no talk about them getting married.
An alienation of affections action puts a monetary value on the affection and familial services that the husband (in this case) has lost. The concept goes back to the days when wives were property, which is a disgusting concept. The alienation suit in the case I related was meant to to bleed the 'wife stealer' and foul up the errant wife's romance. It accomplished both missions. The affair ended abruptly, and Mr. Adultery settled out of court for what wass then a tidy sum.
Around the same time the same attorney filed an alienation of affection suit for a wife after her husband absconded with another woman. What is sauce for the goose ought to be sauce for the gander.
Anyway within a few days of getting the first alienation suit filed, the attorney gained a reputation around the court house as the great expert on alienation of affections. I don't know what kind of expert he was, but he certainly stirred things up.
Posted by: xrepublican
| July 11, 2009 8:39 PM
Tony, It would have been so cool for you to be there with KGC and me. We'd probably still be there talking and laughing!
My tv is great, but I've been having trouble with getting everything hooked up. I paid a professional installer to hook up the dvd, vcr and tv and comcast hd box, and he got it. The only problem was that it really hadn't been activated by comcast, altho they said it had been, and a lot of stations weren't coming on. So I called comcast, got a guy with an accent and bad phone connection who re-programmed everything FROM his desk. So now my vcr doesn't work and I can't tape anything. A guy is coming out from comcast to set it up for me on monday for 13.99, a price comcast had previously said was 15.95.
But the beauty is that I can get great reception on my favorite classical station, 102.1 from SF. I't very popular, and on-line so they get comments from people around the world. At night when tv is barren, I turn it on very low and play on the computer or read
with the door open and the cool breezes coming in.
Nice.
Posted by: bethyboo
| July 11, 2009 8:43 PM
Dang X, I didn't know you could sue the other person in a relationship when it is the spouse who alienates the affection. I guess you can actually sue for just about anything, but it is winning that can be tricky.
It seems that the only one who came out ahead there was the lawyer but that usually is the case isn't it?
Posted by: ct
| July 11, 2009 8:50 PM
http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2009/jul/11/battle_boeing_stirs_up_virtual_attacks_o88927/
battle for boeing stirs up virtual attacks on South Carolina.....
Posted by: sturgeone
| July 11, 2009 8:51 PM
Excerpt from the article:
One poster from Bellevue, Wash., summarized the Palmetto State this way: "S.C. has an obscene tax base based on liquor, cigarettes, sales, and income. ... If you wonder how they get away with it, just move there and talk to the people. Not very educated, hate change, think liberals are evil, and don't mind working a production line for minimum wage (except when they are competing with the illegals, then they mind), and think educated people are snobs."
lol
Posted by: sturgeone
| July 11, 2009 8:53 PM
Sturgeone, I noticed that about you early on.
Posted by: bethyboo
| July 11, 2009 9:05 PM
Great 7:29 post, Tony!!! Spot on.
Posted by: Patsi
| July 11, 2009 9:08 PM
http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/07/the-worlds-president-1.html#comment-243206
Hey Bethy
Ha yes,maybe some day? I want to at least get back out LA to visit Ismael and Clinton this year.Ismael wants to drive me up the coast to see SF so maybe then we could arrange something? The TV sounds fab! Wish I lived near, I can hook up all that stuff in a snap.I love tech stuff.I have a DVR and a DVD recorder.I record onto DVD and send all the American Showtime and HBO shows along with many other things to my friend Baz in Australia ...I have for years he calls it Tony TV..HA HA
Posted by: tonyb39
| July 11, 2009 9:14 PM
Tony, my Michigan grandson arrived here today. He related a story about one of his classmates who was hired on to a GM assembly line three or four years ago. He said the young man was there for a year and a half when GM decided to close the factory. He says his friend was paid $60k to leave without fanfare, which he did.
Posted by: Flatus
| July 11, 2009 9:19 PM
Palin-Sanford in 2012
lol
Posted by: sturgeone
| July 11, 2009 9:24 PM
Posted by: bethyboo | July 11, 2009 7:19 PM :
"I've decided that this blog is an endless opportunity for me to make an ass of myself."
---------------------------------------------------------------------
You are never an ass, Bethyboo. You are both intelligent and kind - a much more pleasant person than I have ever been. lordbloggington and maxtrue can attest to that, as can he who must NOT be named, and brian the Chicommie mouthpiece from Brooklyn.
Anywhat, if you were ever to become an ass, I'd just have to say, ' Look at that nice ass ! OooeeeEEE !!! '
I think that line is direct quote from the Roman novel, The Metamorphoses of Lucius Apuleius, but my memory of the book may have been clouded by the seemingly sudden elapse of 4 1/2 decades.
Anyhow, no one ever accused me of being an expert on Latin idioms, and Sweetie says that my memory isn't worth poop anymore.
Posted by: xrepublican
| July 11, 2009 9:34 PM
I can't resist......
a carolinian retorts:
(a comment from the "boeing" article above)
Posted by postman01 on July 11, 2009 at 4:11 a.m.
Our best ally? The stereotyping of condescending and ignorant LEFT WINGERS who, as usual, do not know what they are talking about.
There's a reason why Boeing is ditching Washington state for another place. The temporary dominance there of grossly confused left wingers.
This is part of the suicidal aspect of the relatively primitive left wing mindset, which is clearly incapable of prioritizing correctly. We are seeing this deficiency in California, in the newspaper industry, and elsewhere. It is the suiciidal behavior of the LEFT WING RELIGION adherents who are quite willing to commit a form of suicide (in this case financial suicide) because their totem pole political religion is more important to them than survival!!! This indicates a mental problem, of course
Posted by: sturgeone
| July 11, 2009 9:44 PM
My favorite skunk song is, you know, you got your Loudon Wainwright III in the middle of the road...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yuY44PHC0wI
Posted by: ivygreen.myopenid.com | July 11, 2009 5:17 PM
LOL!! Good one, Ivy. Thanks for the link!:)
Posted by: http://openid.aol.com/ktartiste
| July 11, 2009 10:10 PM
Sturg, the polar extremes are truly deviant.
Posted by: Flatus
| July 11, 2009 10:14 PM
ct,
It may be tricky to prove that louse-infested skunk stole your spouse, broke your heart, and forced you to hire a driver, janitor, maid, nanny, and chef. However, folks have done it and made the skunk bleed money. It is a beautiful sight to see.
Regarding my own situation and ideology, I am VERY married, and I think that is an Honorable Estate. If I were to make a hash of my relationship with Sweetie, I would lose the 2 greatest gifts that I have been blessed to receive : Sweetie, and my self respect.
I believe in the sanctity of marriage, which in MY lexicon means, EXCLUSIVE partners
(incidentally w/benefits) until death makes that arrangement impractical and unsanitary.
I know people make mistakes, and I make a large allowance for divorce. However, a promise is a promise, and a promise made in the presence of God and the assembled beloved witnesses ought to mean some dam' thing, don't you think ? I say it does. Therefore, there is a proper choreography of social events in any well-ordered Universe : the divorce decree comes first, the shacking up w/new hunnybun comes later.
People like my former US Senators dirty dave durenburger and grotty rod grams got the order of these events reversed. Btw, they were "pro-family" republicans. The adulterous conduct of the repulsive Senator dirty dave was the last straw for me as a republican.
There. Now, I have finally exposed what is really important to me. Everyone now knows more about me than I feel comfortable with them knowing. I feel naked, somehow.
I shall comfort myself with the thought that naked is indeed the best disguise.
Hmmm. While, I'm naked, I think I'll go see what Sweetie thinks of this disguise.
Posted by: xrepublican
| July 11, 2009 10:15 PM
http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/07/the-worlds-president-1.html#comment-243214
Hey Flatus
Yes that's pretty typical at GM today.It sounds like GM wanting to get rid of anyone especially someone hired before the last contract when the UAW agreed to a two tier wage system.I guess the UAW felt it was necessary for GM's long term survival.I think the top wage now for a new employee is somewhere around $15 an hour.I wonder though how do we compete with the Chinese when a good wage there is $400 a month?Where does your grandson live in Michigan?
Posted by: tonyb39
| July 11, 2009 10:22 PM
Polar extremes ?
Are Penguins and Polar Bears global warming extremists ?
(In case you are wondering about my romantic progress, Sweetie seems to have stepped out to chat with a neighbor. Our town frowns menacingly on naked-is-the-best-disguise type folks wearing their disguises in public. I am therefore back in my Trail Mix uniform, and thinking about policy, budgets, and other frivolities)
Posted by: xrepublican
| July 11, 2009 10:24 PM
Sturge, a cousin of mine lived in Seattle for several years. She was a union organizer for Boeing. She wasn't a very popular person. My brother-n-law's sister and her husband return from Alaska tomorrow. They have had a bad time in Alaska. The temps have been 75-80 and they've had wildfires there so it's been hazy and smoky. They didn't get an accurate viewing of the glaciers, nor have they been able to take many pictures because of the conditions there.
Posted by: Corey
| July 11, 2009 10:24 PM
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/12/us/politics/12intel.html?_r=1&hp
"Cheney Is Linked to Concealment of C.I.A. Project"
NOOOOOOOO........say it ain't so, Joe.
I'm SOOOOOOOOOOO surprised!!!!!!!
tt
Posted by: tiptoe
| July 11, 2009 10:26 PM
Ya know tiptoe
There is going to be a very good book or more exploring the Cheny VP.
How he did it and the extent of his influence.
His power behind the power is strange for American politics.
Jack
Posted by: whskyjack
| July 11, 2009 10:33 PM
Watching After Words interview, Peggy Noonan interviewing Joe Scarborough ... Head is exploding.
God would I love to be in a room with that man. He makes me crazy by being half right and half assed.
Posted by: Jamie
| July 11, 2009 10:48 PM
X, Sweetie is a pretty lucky girl to have you. Now don't scare the neighbors with your disguise. You just might find yourself in court.
Posted by: ct
| July 11, 2009 10:55 PM
He lives in Lake Orion, Tony.
Posted by: Flatus
| July 11, 2009 10:56 PM
XR
Americans suffer from the romantic ideal of happily ever after. That isn't what marriage is about. It's nice to be in love, but marriage is about the creation of a life. You are building a future for yourselves and your children. Along the way you may not like each other for a while, but you hang in there and somewhere along the way you get comfortable, you contribute to the world, you leave another generation, and you end up with a full life.
Judith Viorst had a great quote: Marriage is what keeps you together long enough that when you fall out of love, you have time to fall back in again.
Posted by: Jamie
| July 11, 2009 10:58 PM
From ridiculous to sublimated.
Around 2000 GM pressed Congress to vote massive subsidies for gas hogs w/ cd changers and cupholders. The idea was to gain a temporary edge over the 'imports' who were behind the curve on SUVs.
If instead, GM had asked for massive subsidies for their electric car, as a national security issue, GM would still be a titan today. Except for Toyota, the foreigners were even farther behind the curve on electrics, than they were on SUVs. Therefore GM's advantage in the race would have been greater. Of course, every electric car would also have to come with a cd changer and cup holders. I mean coffee and toonz are what cars are for, right ?
Today the gas hog subsidy is an advantage peed away under the bridge. It gained 2 years and profited America nothing.
10 years from now, Tata will swallow GM without a burp, and the HQ of what was once the largest manufacurer in the sidereal universe will move to a suburb of Bombay. The GM towers will be turned into SROs for unemployed people, the factories will be the haunt of birds and unclean things. Michigan will revert to a rural state. To paraphrase Prince Pierre Bezuhov, "Dam' you auto execs. Dam' you all to hell."
Posted by: xrepublican
| July 11, 2009 11:00 PM
"Polar extremes ?
Are Penguins and Polar Bears global warming extremists ?"
But, of course--statistically, their normal habitats are at the lower polar extreme of those habitats favored by mammals.
But, as their respective habitats are at the opposite ends of our globe, they are quite properly classed as "global warming extremists".
Posted by: Flatus
| July 11, 2009 11:06 PM
I brought this up the other day.
Cheney Assassination Squad...
Secret Program that Seymour Hersh mentioned that I posted a link too and I'm sure many other secret programs as well that the Republicans and possibly even some Democrats were aware off.
But to actually stun even Republicans I would go with the Assassination Squad program. This is the one that would get both Bush\Cheney prosecuted and imprisoned IMHO.
Posted by: anon-paranoid
| July 11, 2009 11:06 PM
On another note...
I am not aware if you have heard about this or not, however the Banks and Credit Card Companies have already found a way around the new Credit Card Bill that was passed.
I heard about this a while back and today I got my new change notice to my credit card rules of acceptance. So what is the big change to skirt the new law passed?
My credit card interest rate will no longer be fixed. It will now be a variable rate running between 10% and 18% monthly on the unpaid balance.
This will make the Banks and Credit Card Companies a lot of money since most people do not pay off their credit card balance every month like the rich do.
Or the few people like me who are not rich, but only use my one card I have for some purchases and I do pay it off every month.
I am what is considered a lose for Banks and Credit Card Companies since they make no money off me by my having a credit card. Also my card does not carry a yearly fee like say American Express and others just to have the Companies Credit Card.
So if you have cards you that carry a monthly balance expect to see your interest rates go up soon if they have not already.
Also if your late of miss a payment your interest rate will go up to whatever the limit is and you will end up deeper in debt.
Be smart and pay your cards off. If you can not than make sure you pay your monthly balance plus extra to get them paid off as fast as you can.
Otherwise you will never get out of credit card debt as the interest rates will eventually drive you to bankruptcy.
Posted by: anon-paranoid
| July 11, 2009 11:19 PM
Sure got quiet in here tonight. No comments since I left mine at 11:19pm.
Did the blog ghost take over the blog again?
Good night and I'll see if the blog is back up again in the morning.
Posted by: anon-paranoid
| July 12, 2009 1:51 AM
whskyjack, there'll be many books and some even like McNamara's 50 years from now.
Cheney just TOOK the power and ran with it, so to speak. He had free reign.
Power corrupts...absolute power corrupts absolutely.
tt
Posted by: tiptoe
| July 12, 2009 2:54 AM
XR, I'm reading from the bottom up so the first one of your posts was the one about not going outside naked, and I wondered what I had missed. Then several minutes I found your serious one re your feelings about marriage and I was charmed.
It would be nice if everyone could face things as honestly as you do, but I'm afraid many/most don't. I think yours is the best attitude and the reason why I never married. I don't have the ability to trust. I think the happiest people are the ones who see marriage as a creation itself, like a house but invisible, which is
built over the years, requiring a lot of maintenance and money and elbow grease, and a willingness to ignore the demands of ego occasionally. I've watched friends and neighbors do it for up to 55 years, and I am in awe
of you all.
Tony, I'm not moving anywhere for years and I know KGC loves California,so.... Tony tv is great!
The Old Ladies Club watched a tape of an old Dalziel and Pascoe show - terrific.
Posted by: bethyboo
| July 12, 2009 3:24 AM
americans are beginning to be disappointed and
disillusioned with obama's handling of the economy'
we had the tarp bill '' toxic assets relief program'
that didn't buy any toxic assets'' just seemed to throw money at the banks'' we had the detroit bail out that
didn't save gm or Chrysler from bankruptcy''' we had the
stimulus bill that doesn't stimulate anything but more
spending'' it isn't so much that the economy hasn't
turned around but the fact that the government has
blown through 3 or4 trillion dollars of borrowed money
with no tangilble results
Posted by: mqw
| July 12, 2009 5:09 AM
Bill Moyers interviews Cigna whistleblower:
http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/07102009/profile.html
Posted by: Patsi
| July 12, 2009 5:35 AM
Bethy & KGC- great photo, 2 beautiful women! What fun, am glad for you two.
XR- don't feel exposed- just lucky.
Jamie- hope you're feeling better!
I miss Gordo.
Posted by: oldseahag
| July 12, 2009 7:06 AM
'Did the blog ghost take over the blog again?"
Anon, that's funny. I call that snipe hunting, when everyone runs off and leaves you holding the bag. With my tendency toward paranoia, I usually think I ran people off. But even with our addiction to this place we do find an occasional life beyond this blog. When it calls we run off, and often without warning.
mqw, where have you been? All that worries me too. I got a sickening feeling in the pit of my stomach ever since the "bossman" put the Fox in charge of the hen house. Not just the Fox, but the Fox that helped supervise the building of some of that hen house. (This is in code)
With all that money flying around and very little accountability and oversight, I just wonder how many people filled up thier hands. I bet there are people who were responsible for helping to create this financial nightmare that made up for their losses while the rest of us poor suckers are paying even more for it. Just call that my intuition. And let me tell ya something, unfortunately my intuition is usually, as Patsi would say, spot on.
Posted by: ct
| July 12, 2009 7:32 AM
And why I don't really discuss health care reform anymore is that my intuition regarding that is that we are not likely to see much of it. Hope I'm wrong.
It's the golden rule silly, he who has the gold, makes the rules.
Posted by: ct
| July 12, 2009 7:43 AM
And as for that giant Palouse earthworm someone mentioned yesterday, I'm still trying to figure out how many fish I can catch with that baby. They say it is 3 feet long. I usually can get 4-5 bites/fish out of those Canadian cold worms and they are only about 5-6 inches long.
Posted by: ct
| July 12, 2009 7:53 AM
CT
Maybe this lady could help you with the bait questions
http://www.uphaa.com/uploads/174/115955760_52478ea423.jpg
Posted by: Jamie
| July 12, 2009 8:13 AM
Jamie, I need a bigger hook!
Posted by: ct
| July 12, 2009 8:18 AM
Carol -- I also have serious doubts about the possibility of getting any real health care reforms. I think we'll get smoke and mirrors.
Posted by: Patsi
| July 12, 2009 8:35 AM
And Jamie -- I so agree that the thing most irritating about Scarborough is the half truths...then he twists and runs.
But my biggest beef right now is that Republicans are trying to act as if Bush never existed, never created this economic nightmare (using Reagan deregulation to the hilt)....Now it's as if Obama created it personally and should have solved it in two weeks. Sweet Jeezus.
Posted by: Patsi
| July 12, 2009 8:38 AM
Carol, fishing off the pilot boat pier in Panama, we used this type of worm:
http://z.about.com/d/saltaquarium/1/0/T/1/bristlewormpickeoki_300.JPG
I recall them as being about 10-inches long.
Posted by: Flatus
| July 12, 2009 8:55 AM
Patsi, I agree about the healthcare reforms.
If it was up to me, I would prepare backgrounders for each of the known, potential objections to single-payer, lay those on the table, then swing for the bleachers. I'm one of those people who thinks we need to go for broke on healthcare.
I'm willing to join in street demonstrations in support of single-payer.
Posted by: Flatus
| July 12, 2009 9:00 AM
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/12/opinion/12rich.html?th&emc=th
Good morning all
I read Frank Rich this morning and I think this quote from the piece is the reason the extreme left is so obsessed with Sarah Palin..
"In the aftermath of her decision to drop out and cash in, Palin’s standing in the G.O.P. actually rose in the USA Today/Gallup poll. No less than 71 percent of Republicans said they would vote for her for president. That overwhelming majority isn’t just the “base” of the Republican Party that liberals and conservatives alike tend to ghettoize as a rump backwater minority. It is the party, or pretty much what remains of it in the Barack Obama era.
That’s why Palin won’t go gently into the good night, much as some Republicans in Washington might wish. She is not just the party’s biggest star and most charismatic television performer; she is its only star and charismatic performer. Most important, she stands for a genuine movement: a dwindling white nonurban America that is aflame with grievances and awash in self-pity as the country hurtles into the 21st century and leaves it behind. Palin gives this movement a major party brand and political plausibility that its open-throated media auxiliary, exemplified by Glenn Beck, cannot. She loves the spotlight, can raise millions of dollars and has no discernible reason to go fishing now except for self-promotional photo ops."
Posted by: tonyb39
| July 12, 2009 9:02 AM
http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/07/the-worlds-president-1.html#comment-243230
"Dam' you auto execs. Dam' you all to hell."
X
Oh ya!! As always you make so much sense.I do hope your wrong regarding Toyota swallowing GM...
Posted by: tonyb39
| July 12, 2009 9:09 AM
http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/07/the-worlds-president-1.html#comment-243251
Tony he was talking about the Indian mega-outfit Tata--the one that bought Jaguar and Land Rover. The Economist suggests they might be overextended considering the current economic climate. But, who isn't?
Posted by: Flatus
| July 12, 2009 9:16 AM
http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/07/the-worlds-president-1.html#comment-243249
Flatus
Good comment! I would also be willing to take to the streets for a single payer health care option.Oh and Lake Orion is a very nice Michigan city..I was only there a few times touring a GM plant..Its a nice place for your Grandson to live....
Posted by: tonyb39
| July 12, 2009 9:16 AM
http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/07/the-worlds-president-1.html#comment-243252
HA ,I thought it was a typo!! I'll have to look into Tata...
Posted by: tonyb39
| July 12, 2009 9:19 AM
http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/07/the-worlds-president-1.html#comment-243247
Patsi,
Scarborough keeps saying he is a "classic conservative" while quoting Burke and Smith. Unfortunately, he only quotes the parts that support being a "classic Republican". Instead of a classic conservative economic philosophy that acknowledges the wealth that arises from and protects labor, he follows the "I've got mine FU" classic Republican spiel.
You cannot divorce ethics from economics and still have a successful capitalism.
Posted by: Jamie
| July 12, 2009 9:19 AM
sea, i miss the g-man too. he was sort of like our greek chorus.
Posted by: patd
| July 12, 2009 9:25 AM
Doing my Sunday surfing to see what might be out there among the tubes and found a book I just may have to buy. :-)
Horrible Histories: Bloody Scotland
Terry Deary
Scottish History with the nasty bits left in!! Want to know: how to play gruesome games like Twisting the Cow? what the Scots used to do with burnt pigeon droppings? Whether you're galikit, douce or peelie-wally? Read this book for fascinating facts on cool kings, cruel kings, mean queens and wise women. Find out the disgusting details of sick Scottish torture techniques. History has never been so horrible!
http://clyde-valley.com/lanark/index.htm
Posted by: Jamie
| July 12, 2009 9:28 AM
http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/07/the-worlds-president-1.html#comment-243248
Flatus --
Can I add some of them to the pan with the grubs?
Posted by: ivygreen.myopenid.com
| July 12, 2009 9:30 AM
Ivy, but, of course! Just cut down on any salty seasonings.
Posted by: Flatus
| July 12, 2009 9:32 AM
Flatus, that critter looks scary. I'll stick with my cold worms. You were fishing in salt water? Looks more like a salt water bait.
Posted by: ct
| July 12, 2009 9:51 AM
Jamie
Nobody is better at killing a Scotsman than another Scotsman.
Jack
Posted by: whskyjack
| July 12, 2009 10:02 AM
Jamie -- can't remember if I posted this before, but here's a book I think you'd love:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0312428324/ref=ox_ya_oh_product
(what really happened in the Americas between Columbus and the pilgrims)
Posted by: Patsi
| July 12, 2009 10:07 AM
OSH, Pat
As Gordo was a cut and paste artist, it would not suprise me that he/she is still around and posting.
Although he/she may have left but not out of boredom.
I mean after all when the discussion of the morning is the size of your worm.......................
Jack
Posted by: whskyjack
| July 12, 2009 10:09 AM
By the way -- did I mpost that hysterical statement from the Fox news guy about Americans marriying outside their "species" -- as in the Irish and the Italians????
Posted by: Patsi
| July 12, 2009 10:10 AM
http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/07/the-worlds-president-1.html#comment-243264
I posted a link to it a couple of posts ago when I again called the Republicans Nazi's.
Posted by: anon-paranoid
| July 12, 2009 10:13 AM
Patsi
You directed me there before. Books you might like: Lies My Teacher Told Me & Teaching What Really Happened.
http://sundown.afro.illinois.edu/
Posted by: Jamie
| July 12, 2009 10:15 AM
Anon
the problem was you were so busy calling him a rasist that you missed his very valid point.
And Patsi imo, the "slipup" was intentional and intended to get a laugh
Jack
Posted by: whskyjack
| July 12, 2009 10:21 AM
Jack,
Reminded me of your efforts in your neighborhood when I read this the other day, but forgot to send it along.
"Fixing up foreclosures for safety, not style"
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/09/business/smallbusiness/09hunt.html?scp=1&sq=fixing%20up%20foreclosures%20for%20safety&st=cse
Posted by: Coreen
| July 12, 2009 10:22 AM
"Patsi imo, the "slipup" was intentional and intended to get a laugh"
I only read about it -- haven't seen it -- WAS it a joke?
Posted by: Patsi
| July 12, 2009 10:24 AM
Carol, yes it is saltwater bait. The canal itself is all fresh water. But, the shipping lanes extend for several miles beyond the final locks at either end of the canal. This particular jetty that we fished from was on the Pacific side at Ft Amador. The fort was built during the Great War and had _very_ large coastal artillery pieces to protect the canal itself.
It's now completely controlled by Panama.
Here's a map of the region. Because of the way the Isthmus is 'arranged' the Pacific side is actually to the East of the Atlantic. You can see the location of Ft Amador all the way out on the right side of the map.
Posted by: Flatus
| July 12, 2009 10:30 AM
What link, you say:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/ac/CanalZone.gif
Posted by: Flatus
| July 12, 2009 10:31 AM
Cirque du Soleil was fabulous! It's a touring show called Alegria.... if they come to your neighborhood I highly recommend the show.
AnonP.... your credit card company may not make as much money directly off of you by your paying your monthly balance.... but they are making money off of every purchase you make from the retailer. I have to take credit cards in my business. I pay 5% for every dollar I take in purchased on a credit card.
I also take this fact into consideration on pricing my products.... as does every retailer.... so everyone is paying for credit card use even if they pay in cash.
I read a really good book about Cheney entitled "Dick: The Man Who Is President" by John Nichols. It was written while Bush and Cheney were still in office and Nichols makes a very compelling case that it was Cheney who was actually running the country at the time.
Posted by: RebelliousRenee
| July 12, 2009 10:39 AM
And Anon, you may find this of some interest in view
of your comments about credit cards.
"Economic growth through the 1990s & up until 9/11 was very impressive, as were productivity gains in the U.S. economy.
But something was gravely wrong, & by the middle of tthe 1990s some observers were getting worried. The
economy was growing.
Real wages & earnings were not. In fact, median before tax family income in 2001 dollars peaked in 1976 ($42,000) & has been nowhere near the level since. Layoffs, job instability &
family income volatility all rose to near record levels.
Yet spending & consumption rose almost continuously from 1992 to now as household revolving debt grew from essentially zero in 1976 to over $9,000 per household by 2005.
Total consumer debt outstanding went through the roof & has only tailed off in the past 18 months or so.
Slowly but surely in the U.S. we substituted borrowing & lending for getting paid."
"Is Borrowing a Substitute for getting paid?"
http://www.creditslips.org/creditslips/2009/07/is-borrowing-a-substitute-for-getting-paid.html#more
Posted by: Coreen
| July 12, 2009 10:40 AM
Patsi
You know how these morning shows are 2 "serious" reporter types and a side kick who does pratfalls and usually the weather.
He was the pratfall guy making a comment on some study out Sweden
IMO he was right in that you can't compare a monolithic culture like Sweden or Japan to this hodge podge we call American culture.
I mean where but in America can a 15 year old runaway from the hills of Kentucky move to Chicago convert to Judaism and become more Jewish than her Jewish inlaws. But my brother in law's grandmother did. None of her grandchildren knew about it until after her death.
Jack
Posted by: whskyjack
| July 12, 2009 10:41 AM
http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/07/the-worlds-president-1.html#comment-243267
Flatus/Patsi/Anon
When I read it, it struck me as an attempt at a joke, but I'm still not sure. If it was a joke, it was a poorly structured one.
Posted by: Jamie
| July 12, 2009 10:42 AM
Oy veh
Posted by: Flatus
| July 12, 2009 10:44 AM
http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/07/the-worlds-president-1.html#comment-243275
Jamie, I'm missing something (probably a lot). I read little of AP's stuff, bless his heart, if that's what you're referring to.
Posted by: Flatus
| July 12, 2009 10:50 AM
Good morning you all. Beuatiful day in NYC and the park calls.....
Before I run, ss I noted many weeks ago, Debka bet that Obama would trade Iranian Quds caught in Iraq for Saberi. One would think that given events in Iran, Obama would change his mind. Now this is a bit partisan, but Democrats should understand the case being formed on the right.
http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=ZjY0MjkwOWVkYTNlYzE2ZjM1N2E5M2M0MTdiYTI3MzM
And add to that the conflicting reports from Pakistan. One half of their government demands the US negotiate with the Taliban. In the news this morning, Obama says he going after the Taliban as does the Pakistan President. http://www.thenational.ae/article/20090712/FOREIGN/707119898/1135
Americans do NOT know what is going on anymore than they understand the dangerous fight going on in Washington over the CIA. And Panetta's disclosure has little to do with Pelosi's verfiable lies. No doubt the Democrats will bring up Cheney again and perhaps Holder will start a criminal investigation. Prediction: that would be the downfall of the Democrats in 2010 if stagnation on many fronts doesn't cause that anyway. I think Obama will try to resist this as he can see how many will start to read his administration as Carter on steroids pretty soon.
For all who care about real journalism, note the NYT recently said that the Bush administration did not offer incentives to Iran to stop their enrichment program. That is a bald-faced lie. Bush had Germany even offer an American reactor to Iran among many incentives. Why does the NYT lie?
And Newsweek has a wonderfully idiotic article: http://www.newsweek.com/id/206230
It is rather sad that journalism in America has become a mouth piece for politics rather than fact.
Posted by: maxtrue
| July 12, 2009 11:01 AM
Coreen
good article.
What he is doing only works if there is strict city enforcement of codes.
What he would be competing against around here is cosmetic rehabbers.
Make it pretty and sell it. They often are the lender too.
I'm hoping that my approach to rentals, where I insulate them and make them weather tight for energy effeciency will give me more long term renters as they can afford to pay bought the rent and their energy bills.
As the owner/contractor I am also able to add touches like stone tile counter tops in workable kitchens.
the price of tile and stone has dropped dramatically in the last 5 years. Even ghetto houses can have stone counter tops. It is an eyepopping feature in the ad and attracts quality renters.
Jack
Posted by: whskyjack
| July 12, 2009 11:12 AM
Jamie
I never said he did good comic relief, after all it is Fox.
Jack
Posted by: whskyjack
| July 12, 2009 11:15 AM
http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/07/the-worlds-president-1.html#comment-243277
Flatus,
I was referring to the "outside of ones species" statement. It sounded bad and yet as you point out, it might have simply been a comment about the Heinz 57 nature of most Americans.
Posted by: Jamie
| July 12, 2009 11:16 AM
flatus
I think Jamie may have you and I confused.
It is our obvious good looks that cause such problem.
Jack
Posted by: whskyjack
| July 12, 2009 11:16 AM
P.S. Holder going after harsh interrogations will likely involve Obama's leading Afghanistan general, McChrystal. I rather doubt Obama will do that, so it will be interesting to watch what happens.....
I think Americans do not understand what a complete bind Obama is in regarding foreign policy at the moment. Much as a result of his primary tactics. Perhaps his only bright spots are the present stability in Iraq and the Sunni/Israeli alliance. Two things he had little to do with.......
A few morning maps before I run....
http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/middle_east_and_asia/gaza_strip_may_2005.jpg
http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/middle_east_and_asia/middle_east_earthquake_1973.jpg
http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/middle_east_and_asia/middle_east_pol_2003.jpg
Later........
Posted by: maxtrue
| July 12, 2009 11:18 AM
Thinking about jobs situation. How many songs can we come up with for jobs that no longer exist or are on their way to obsolesence never to provide employment again.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qoymGCDYzU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2iS8XctJKo
Posted by: Jamie
| July 12, 2009 11:28 AM
Going to the races with Harborwoman and her son. Be kind to each other.
Posted by: Jamie
| July 12, 2009 11:29 AM
Patsi...
Here is the comment I left regarding the "Pure Society" by Faux News.
http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/07/health-reform-battle-lines.html#comment-242574
Posted by: anon-paranoid
| July 12, 2009 11:30 AM
Patsi
Here is the clip
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfOMGefMXTE
Jack
Posted by: whskyjack
| July 12, 2009 11:31 AM
"It is our obvious good looks that cause such problem"
Jack, undoubtedly you are correct.
I've come to calling our family an 'international family'. And, that pretty well describes it while getting away from all the misplaced ex-pat descriptions that add the wrong kind of baggage to our relationships.
Posted by: Flatus
| July 12, 2009 11:32 AM
whskyjack ...
http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/07/the-worlds-president-1.html#comment-243267
Sort of like blacks and whites marrying. You know the mingling of the races.
I didn't miss no point. He was serious.
Posted by: anon-paranoid
| July 12, 2009 11:33 AM
Jack...
looks like you've got a very good plan for attracting good renters....
I know it's been discussed here before about how much our society would benefit from schools teaching civics classes again.... I think the same could be said for teaching classes on how to handle money and the basics of running a business. The ignorance over some very simple things can be shocking.
Posted by: RebelliousRenee
| July 12, 2009 11:36 AM
Jamie
Linemen are alive and well. and expanding.
Some one has to maintain those millions of miles of cable out there.
I was going to say there arn't as many poles but I'm not sure that is true.
.
Jack
Posted by: whskyjack
| July 12, 2009 11:37 AM
RR...
http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/07/the-worlds-president-1.html#comment-243272
I'm aware that the companies who accept credit cards as payment pay a fee to the card holding company.
This is the work around of the new credit card bill that was passed and signed by President Obama.
Cards use to carry a fixed rate annually so your rate was set unless you missed payments or defaulted.
Now they will be variable and change every month adding more interest charges on those who carry a monthly balance. Also since the rate is variable it can go {like mine will} from the 10% to 18% rate in one month.
This is how they will make up the money they would have made under the old law that they would lose under the new law.
Posted by: anon-paranoid
| July 12, 2009 11:40 AM
coreen...
http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/07/the-worlds-president-1.html#comment-243273
And very soon the credit card bubble will burst and our economy will take another big hit.
The credit card bubble is big. No let me rephrase that, it is huge. Bigger than you or I might know or think we know. And like the housing bubble we will see more failures from companies that are supposedly too big to fail.
Think about that one for a while.
Posted by: anon-paranoid
| July 12, 2009 11:45 AM
Well I am out of here for a while. Take care and be good to one another.
Posted by: anon-paranoid
| July 12, 2009 11:49 AM
Renee
Some things have to be done. I think you learn budgeting by doing.
Fortunately I learned business budgeting in HS in my FFA vo-ag classes, where it was required you have a farming project. They had a great basic form for planning your budget and keeping track of expenses.
Nothing like having a little skin in the game to make the numbers matter.
Jack
Posted by: whskyjack
| July 12, 2009 11:53 AM
AnonP....
Yeah... I know... credit card companies prey on people.
I held out for a long time without taking credit cards as did a number of my fellow crafters. People paid me in cash or checks. But I started to lose sales at shows noticeable enough to make me break down. I don't know any professional craftspeople at this point that don't take cards.
I have been taking in more cash over the last few years. But the bulk of my sales are still done with credit cards. Unfortunately, it's become a must do for retailers of any size in order to survive today.
Posted by: RebelliousRenee
| July 12, 2009 11:55 AM
Mean while I have a painter showing up Monday and I need to do some prep work so I don't waste his time and my money.
Later
Jack
Posted by: whskyjack
| July 12, 2009 11:56 AM
Jack....
ah.... the old one must experience it in order to fully understand....
actually..... that's an excellent point.... there really is no substitute...
the sun is shining and it's a beautiful summer day here in NH.... finally....
I'm off to find a bit of shade with a good book in hand....
Posted by: RebelliousRenee
| July 12, 2009 12:01 PM
on the subject of credit cards.
sorry if this ap story was posted before, but i just saw it and remembered someone saying the rfid chips will also be in some credit cards. anyone know if this is true? it's bad enough that they're in gov documents, but to allow private sector tracing is outrageous.
"Embedding identity documents — passports, drivers licenses, and the like — with RFID chips is a no-brainer to government officials.
Increasingly, they are promoting it as 21st century technology that will help speed border crossings, safeguard credentials against counterfeiters, and keep terrorists from sneaking into the country.
Dubbed ‘Little Brother'
Paget's February experiment demonstrated something privacy advocates had feared for years: RFID, coupled with other technologies, could make people trackable without their knowledge or consent."
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/tech/news/6525301.html
Posted by: patd
| July 12, 2009 12:06 PM
Flatus
I think enternational families are more common then some people think.
Even in Mono cultural enclaves like the Ozarks, I had neighbors who had married when they were in the army over seas. Off the top of my head, Irish, german Phillipino.
In this neighborhood it is the norm
With my favorite( mostly because I just learned about it)
being the Engs' daughter. Her family immigrated from Vietnam and she grew up in the house she is living in. She is married to a recent immigrant from Italy.
Jack
Posted by: whskyjack
| July 12, 2009 12:16 PM
http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/07/the-worlds-president-1.html#comment-243259
Flatus --
The extra salt may flavor-up those grubs. They are kinda bland.
Posted by: ivygreen.myopenid.com
| July 12, 2009 12:22 PM
RE: the Fox guy...okay -- I've seen that guy enough to know he's not smart enough to make a joke about ethnicity and use "species." He was just being dumb there. Aside from that I don't know what he was trying to say.
But I'll tell you this much,, I had a LOT of fun with my Friend Tom who is a big Italian Irishman....and he's now calling his relatives on both sides of the "species" tent to rag on them a bit as well.
Posted by: Patsi
| July 12, 2009 12:28 PM
http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/07/the-worlds-president-1.html#comment-243271
Hubs travels to Panama regularly. He travelled through the Canal a day or two before it was turned over to Panamanian control. I wondered if he was one of the last American citizens through before it ceased being American.
Posted by: ivygreen.myopenid.com
| July 12, 2009 12:30 PM
Thought for the day :
" The fewer the facts, the stronger the opinion. "
Posted by: Colorado Bob
| July 12, 2009 12:39 PM
I have to say that I've had Amex for years and they are the only credit card company that actuals looks out for the client. After 9/11 they suspended balance due. They have always been polite and stayed with their APR provided of course, I never miss a payment. They did however, lower the credit line slightly for all after the recent banking problems, but not much.
Good luck however, trying to get a card from Chase.
Worst: Bank of America gave me a 16 month no interest card. After 16 months my APR would be around 10%. That was for three months and then they raised all such offers to 23% APR for no reason. I refused and they let me keep it at 7% APR without card use until my balance was paid off. A
nother time they tried to break my 16 month interest free when the telephone operator kept me waiting until 5:05 pm to process my phone payment on the due date. Then she told me I was late. After some nasty words they changed their minds. Also, another time they accidently recorded me as late, broke the agreement and put the late charge on my credit report. It took 6 months to have it removed and my APR corrected. Last, they allowed third parties to bill my card without authorization several times and it took hours on the phone to correct it. When my balance is paid, that will be the end.
Posted by: maxtrue
| July 12, 2009 12:45 PM
dictionary definition'' opinion'
an opinion is a belief that may or may not be backed up with evidence. It is normally a subjective statement
and may be the result of an emotion or an interpretation of facts. People may draw opposing
opinions from the same facts..
anyway thats my opinion
Posted by: mqw
| July 12, 2009 1:07 PM
" The fewer the facts, the stronger the opinion. "
.... that sounds more like faith.
Posted by: chloe
| July 12, 2009 1:07 PM
"It is normally a subjective statement and may be the result of an emotion or an interpretation of facts."
Or maybe even wishful thinking?
Posted by: chloe
| July 12, 2009 1:09 PM
Patsi
I don't know if the man is dumb or not but he certainly plays one on TV
Hey, for Fox, that is high comedy.
Jack
Posted by: whskyjack
| July 12, 2009 1:21 PM
Thinking about jobs situation. How many songs can we come up with for jobs that no longer exist or are on their way to obsolesence never to provide employment again.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qoymGCDYzU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2iS8XctJKo
Posted by: Jamie | July 12, 2009 11:28 AM
Got one for you, Jamie. Bit of background--I worked as a general secretary and insurance clerk in a textile factory here in my hometown for nearly ten years. Our factory made women's suits for Casual Corner, Belk's, J.C.Penney, and any number of other companies while I was there, but it had been in operation for over forty years before I went to work and had made menswear and Lord knows what all in those early decades. There were many women who had worked there from the time it opened in the 1950s, who had supported their families on the meager wages they made--it was a flat base and you only made real money if you made "over production". The older ones were left with few options when the factory closed in 1993--pre-NAFTA victims of companies who opted for lower overhead (and poor quality garments) from Central American factories. Because I got to know and love those gallant ladies who'd done that monotonous work for most of their lives, getting older and more arthritic and with scoliosis from sitting hunched over the machines for decades, this song will always have resonance for me:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pEyB4ULfd2k
Especially the last lines:
So may I work the mills just as long as I am able
And never meet the man whose name is on the label
Then it's me and my machine for the rest of the morning
For the rest of the afternoon
For the rest of my life.
Dang, Miss Emmy was young then. No silver in her hair!:)
Posted by: http://openid.aol.com/ktartiste
| July 12, 2009 1:31 PM
Max
If you think BOA is bad you should try Citibank. We have found we can deal with BOA and they will lower the interest.
But they all play those games even Amex , which my wife uses on her business travel. She called them up and pointed out the amount of business she churned through that account and they backed down.
Jack
Posted by: whskyjack
| July 12, 2009 1:31 PM
"Because I got to know and love those gallant ladies who'd done that monotonous work for most of their lives, getting older and more arthritic and with scoliosis from sitting hunched over the machines for decades, this song will always have resonance for me"
I feel like I should clip this one and keep it for when ever someone gets all nostalgic.
those were hard tough jobs that made a person old before their time and I doubt that many of the women wished the same life on their children and grand children.
Jack
Posted by: whskyjack
| July 12, 2009 1:41 PM
those were hard tough jobs that made a person old before their time and I doubt that many of the women wished the same life on their children and grand children.
Jack
Ain't that the truth, Jack. Ain't that the Lord's dyin' truth.
Posted by: http://openid.aol.com/ktartiste
| July 12, 2009 1:59 PM
Who, me?
Posted by: dark-lord-bloggingham.myopenid.com
| July 12, 2009 2:04 PM
Posted by: whskyjack Author Profile Page | July 12, 2009 11:56 AM
...no tape.
Posted by: dark-lord-bloggingham.myopenid.com
| July 12, 2009 2:05 PM
You will never leave Harlen alive
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3IrnNAweM0
Jack
Posted by: whskyjack
| July 12, 2009 2:10 PM
Johnny Cash - Pickin' Time
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfN_KiAm_cI
Posted by: whskyjack
| July 12, 2009 2:22 PM
Your lordship
Don't worry , I got tape and drop cloth enough for the job,
and all the brushes and rollers you'll need and a 6pack of PBR for when you are finished. (no drinking on the job)
Jack
Posted by: whskyjack
| July 12, 2009 2:39 PM
I'm the son of a truck driver, who pushed his children into going to college so at least we had a choice.
He always said that this song had to be written by an over the road trucker.
He like the Dave Dudley version
Six Days On The Road
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPPNNIe4xUY
Posted by: whskyjack
| July 12, 2009 2:55 PM
Jack,
You're right. I had Citi years ago. One day I went in and deposited $750 in cash at the teller. Days later I noticed they removed $100. I asked why and they said the teller had counted my money wrong. I showed them the deposit slip and asked what proof they had. They just said they don't make mistakes and inisited I had not given the $750. NewPogo can probably tell me why they were wrong, but I pulled my little money out and that was that.
Amex isn't a Saint, but their operators do try to help and IF you have a good payment record, they will make some exceptions. HSBC is terrible. Citi is pretty bad. Bank of America is strange. They couldn't even stop THEIR approved third parties from taking money from my checking account so they asked me to change my account. Now how lame is that? Their third Party insurance scams couldn't be stopped. I waited almost 6 months to have them refund the moeny they had taken for accident insurance without my approval.
And Chase. When they make a mistake they will refund over draft charges UP TO $125. After that, they don't even pay for their mistakes without a major fight with Bank Manager.
As everyone here can recount, banks are pretty bad unless you have lots of money and then I still wonder what little amounts they take anyway.
Posted by: maxtrue
| July 12, 2009 2:58 PM
KT, Jack
Every industry that uses people as a commodity could have a song like this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkzll37266Y
Posted by: Flatus
| July 12, 2009 3:19 PM
I hate to be such a bummer, but as this week unfolds please be aware of some real road blocks to Obama's spin on his foreign policy to date.
First, a big reason why Obama will back track on his vision of porgress in the Palestinian ISraeli conflict:
http://www.jihadwatch.org/archives/2009/07/026904print.html
It is amazing the facts out their (not opinions) that media here does not print.
http://www.rr.com/home/home/article/rr/9000/8315347/Car_bomb_explodes_outside_Iraqi_church_kills_4
Actually 5 churches were bombed and the attempt by AQ and Iran seem obvious here, yet Obama released Quds prisoners and Biden had the smarts to tell Iraqi TV we would not come back if trouble started. Brilliant Joe, just brilliant.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/12/world/asia/12baluchistan.html?_r=1&em
Pakistan is far from pushing back the militants as Obama suggests. In fact, Pakistan intelligence services demand the US negotiate with Omar. In the south anoter region threatens to explode putting strategy in Afghanistan in question. Brown is under strong attack to explain to the Brits how Afghanistan is winnable.
As Israel talks about a possible embargo of Iranian shipping backed up by Israeli Naval forces, Iran makes a pathetic attempt on the world stage. First they accuse Italy of brutal acts against G-8 protesters and now accuses the West of starting trouble in China despite Muslims actually blasting China.
http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=100509§ionid=351020101
Beware of false flag operations and Obama certainly has a full plate.
http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/middle_east_and_asia/iran_strait_of_hormuz_2004.jpg
Other than that, it is a beautiful Sunday in NYC. Best to all.......
Posted by: maxtrue
| July 12, 2009 3:21 PM
http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/07/the-worlds-president-1.html#comment-243327
Max
I absolutely agree with you.BOA sucks!! I have been with them for a long while and there is no costumer service with them.I think it was about 6 months ago they changed the ATM's.I generally make a deposit every Friday with 5 or more checks and lots of cash,well try and get the machines to read the checks fully or take all of your cash...I have complained and been told at first I wasn't used to them and now I'm told to come in and see the tellers..I don't want to go back to banking like I was a kid again.Who wants to follow bankers hours again,not me...Now I'm told its just the way it is...I have already done away with my BOA mortgage and my investments I have moved into and annuity.I guess i will pull my checking/debit next and try and find a more user friendly bank..
Posted by: tonyb39
| July 12, 2009 3:48 PM
Well, Tony, banks are about utilizing my wealth I guess....the less you have, the more disinterested. Still, that isn't an excuse for bad service, false advertizing and arbitrary increases. I'd love to jack up my rates everytime I get low on cash.....
http://www.rr.com/home/home/article/rr/9000/8324026/Allies_stance_cited_in_US_gays-in-military_debate
With two more deaths in Southern Afghanistan today, this is perhaps the moment we all consider allowing gay Americans to take some pride in kicking homophobic Taliban ass. Besides women, I can't think of any with a bigger horse in this battle than, well, Jews..........
Posted by: maxtrue
| July 12, 2009 4:30 PM
Posted by: whskyjack Author Profile Page | July 12, 2009 2:39 PM
PBR, huh? No wonder you have to do the prep.
Posted by: dark-lord-bloggingham.myopenid.com
| July 12, 2009 4:39 PM
He like the Dave Dudley version
Six Days On The Road
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPPNNIe4xUY
Posted by: whskyjack | July 12, 2009 2:55 PM
Good one, Jack. And true.
Posted by: http://openid.aol.com/ktartiste
| July 12, 2009 4:41 PM
KT, Jack
Every industry that uses people as a commodity could have a song like this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkzll37266Y
Posted by: Flatus | July 12, 2009 3:19 PM
Dang, Flatus, that gives me chills up my spine! One of the tasks that fell to me (as the low person on the office totem pole:)) was to work out routes out of every department in the building in case of fire--at least two from each department. But what was scary and sobering about the whole situation was simply this: fire was a very real possibility on any given day, between the cloth piled everywhere, the cloth dust that most days hung in the air in a cloud, and all that electrical machinery--not to mention that, for most of my time there, we were not a non-smoking facility, which meant that, on cold or rainy days, the smokers were inside--fortunately in the aisles and break room, but still a scary thought.
We also had steam presses and more than once had people out for weeks on end with scalds and burns from presses that shut improperly. We think of mining, steel milling and etc. as dangerous jobs, but they've all got possible dangers.
Posted by: http://openid.aol.com/ktartiste
| July 12, 2009 4:53 PM
ANyone care to guess the amount of asbestos crumbling behind pre war walls of plaster and mesh in Manhattan? The mold and vermin beneath wht surfaces of million dollar boxes of brick and steel?
And then the lead paint, the noxious century old dust.
I think of all who didn't use their space suit, the ones without masks in clouds of dust from grinders and concrete. My hats off to the survivors of repetitive motion and solents, cast iron loads and breoken fingers........
Drisilla? Kind like Bush on downers and acid, but strangely infectious...........http://www.last.fm/music/Kate+Bush/_/Wuthering+Heights
Posted by: maxtrue
| July 12, 2009 5:15 PM
http://www.last.fm/music/Kate+Bush/_/Wuthering+Heights
That's easier...
Posted by: maxtrue
| July 12, 2009 5:16 PM
Wonderful posts, Fair. When I was in college, I worked in a factory that made capacitors for telephones. As telephones no longer use capacitors, this kind of assembly work is no longer done. My first job at this plant was to test capacitors, one at a time, by running the wires over an electricity source and seeing whether a connection was made. Forty-five hours a week of BORING. But it wasn't all that easy. One night a woman died in the de-greasing vat. She went in just for a moment, and was overcome by the fumes. I used that vat, too, from time to time. Explains a few things about my brain, even today, but I'll never forget how scared I always was to go in there. Later, I got a different job working in a specialty department, and it was much better. But even there, one girl spent almost all of her 8-hour day with her hands in acetone as she cleaned off mis-marked capacitors for re-marking. Oh. My. God. You could smell it where I sat at the next table. I always wonder whether that affected her long-term health. There ought to be a song about capacitor-makers, don't you think? ;)
Posted by: AnnaMolly
| July 12, 2009 5:34 PM
There ought to be a song about capacitor-makers, don't you think? ;)
Posted by: AnnaMolly | July 12, 2009 5:34 PM
Sounds that way to me, AM. Any ideas who we could get to write it?:D
Posted by: http://openid.aol.com/ktartiste
| July 12, 2009 5:43 PM
Fair and maxtrue ~ In the early years of my career, I was involved in asbestos litigation. Fortunately, my clients were always bit-part players who rarely were involved in the worst of the exposure. But I remember sitting at endless hours of depositions listening to boilermakers talk about how they would work in these facilities while clouds and clouds of asbestos-laden dust drifted down on them. Or else would cut and fit asbestos pipe covering or sand linoleum floors filled with asbestos. The saddest case was sitting in the living room of a man who was too sick to travel for his deposition and sipping lemonade and eating cookies that he provided while defense counsel politely asked him questions designed to show our clients weren't liable for the (fatal) condition he was in (mesothelioma). I even held his dog, for heaven's sake, while asking my six little questions. The whole thing was heartbreaking. Needless to say, they don't do those jobs anymore, at least not using asbestos, but those images will NEVER leave me.
Posted by: AnnaMolly
| July 12, 2009 5:45 PM
Any ideas who we could get to write it?:D
That's much more down your alley than mine, Fair. I was thinking a musical ... maybe like Sweeney Todd. Or the Phantom of the De-greaser. Something like that. ;)
Posted by: AnnaMolly
| July 12, 2009 5:48 PM
That Palouse worm is creepy! I think it adds a new
intensity to the graphic quality of:
Men have died and worms have eaten them, but not, I think, for love.
It's a nice day out, maybe a little warm, but for the first time we've started thinking early, and are going to barbecue steak and eat on the deck before it cools off too much. It tends to suddenly get cool before the daylight is gone, and then it's not comfy to eat outside.
So steak, french green beans, sald, red wine, and dessert - ooh la la. Oh, yes, with just a slight breeze and maybe 70 degrees.
Btw, do any of know of women, or men, who scrub kitchen floors on their hands and knees.
Posted by: bethyboo
| July 12, 2009 5:52 PM
"one girl spent almost all of her 8-hour day with her hands in acetone "
Anna,
I bet it did affect her health. I notice that all the professional manicurists wear masks now (not that my nails ever get manicured, far from it).
Not that she could ever prove it now.
Posted by: chloe
| July 12, 2009 5:56 PM
I saw on tv that Erin Brockovich has a new crusade. It's re the contamination of that ash pit - I think it's the one with the tva in your neck of the woods, Patsi. they're calling it the worst environmental disaster. It sure sounded like it to me when it happened.
Posted by: bethyboo
| July 12, 2009 5:57 PM
Erin Brockovich was recently here near where I live. She was helping people near here are in a water contamination battle with the Birdseye Corporation.
Posted by: Corey
| July 12, 2009 5:59 PM
"It tends to suddenly get cool before the daylight is gone, and then it's not comfy to eat outside."
Here too Bethy.... but not until October. :)
Sounds like a wonderful dinner Bethy.
Posted by: chloe
| July 12, 2009 5:59 PM
Ha, Chloe! It's like that here all summer except on really hot days. When my sister built her dream house, she had two patio areas set in for nice dining, but it's seldom that appealing at night. So tonight, we're actually going to get the timing right and early, and then will be able to see out shows! When they're over we'll still have time to read!!!!!!!!!!!!!My god, what heaven!
Posted by: bethyboo
| July 12, 2009 6:05 PM
Any ideas who we could get to write it?:D
That's much more down your alley than mine, Fair. I was thinking a musical ... maybe like Sweeney Todd. Or the Phantom of the De-greaser. Something like that. ;)
Posted by: AnnaMolly | July 12, 2009 5:48 PM
Sondheim or Lloyd Webber? INNteresting.;)
Alas, with the exception of Steve Earle, most of my favorite songwriters are already gone to Tin Pan Alley in the sky. Can't help you there.
Posted by: http://openid.aol.com/ktartiste
| July 12, 2009 6:09 PM
Alas, with the exception of Steve Earle, most of my favorite songwriters are already gone to Tin Pan Alley in the sky. Can't help you there.
Posted by: http://openid.aol.com/ktartiste | July 12, 2009 6:09 PM
Maybe, but it's fun to think about what it might have sounded like if done by a) Elvis Presley; b) The Beatles: c) Queen; d) Michael Jackson; or e) Britney Spears. Who would you pick?
......................................
I bet it did affect her health. I notice that all the professional manicurists wear masks now (not that my nails ever get manicured, far from it).
Not that she could ever prove it now.
Posted by: chloe | July 12, 2009 5:56 PM
I think about that every time I remove nail polish. That's bad enough. As for proving it, I think the company went out of business many years ago. It was partly the same problem with asbestos litigation. The pockets you could still get to were no longer that deep. Sad.
Posted by: AnnaMolly
| July 12, 2009 6:43 PM
CNN's Fareed Z. wants us to read this...
"The Geopolitics of Emotion: How Cultures of Fear, Humiliation, and Hope are Reshaping the World" by Dominique Moisi
http://www.amazon.com/Geopolitics-Emotion-Cultures-Humiliation-Reshaping/dp/0385523769/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1247438008&sr=1-1
"Feelings are not facts," as the saying goes, but an awful lot of actions-and-reactions are unleashed in their wake.
You can get it via "Kindle" if you have one of those machines ($299). I don't - not sure if I would get my money's worth. I have a bookcase filled already with more than I can finish in a lifetime.
Posted by: ivygreen.myopenid.com
| July 12, 2009 6:45 PM
Maybe, but it's fun to think about what it might have sounded like if done by a) Elvis Presley; b) The Beatles: c) Queen; d) Michael Jackson; or e) Britney Spears. Who would you pick?
Buddy Holly.;)
Posted by: http://openid.aol.com/ktartiste
| July 12, 2009 6:52 PM
http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/07/the-worlds-president-1.html#comment-243347
Bethy --
If I ever buy another house in the South, I swear its kitchen will not face the afternoon sun.
Posted by: ivygreen.myopenid.com
| July 12, 2009 6:54 PM
Oh no...that 60 Minutes piece about the woman who misidentified her rapist is re-running shortly...story had me shedding copious tears the last time it was aired.
Posted by: ivygreen.myopenid.com
| July 12, 2009 7:15 PM
http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/07/the-worlds-president-1.html#comment-243342
"Btw, do any of [you] know of women, or men, who scrub kitchen floors on their hands and knees."
Of course, Bethy, Stinky does it because it's the only way to get a floor really clean. Ask her. Evening things out, I crawl under our cars to change the oil and do heavier maintenance, too. And, I take my turn scrubbing the shower. And, the old guy was on the ladder again today changing the air conditioning filters.
Posted by: Flatus
| July 12, 2009 7:18 PM
http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/07/the-worlds-president-1.html#comment-243354
Flatus --
I do. It's why I dumped my house cleaner. She wouldn't.
Posted by: ivygreen.myopenid.com
| July 12, 2009 7:22 PM
" do any of [you] know of women, or men, who scrub kitchen floors on their hands and knees"
I do it on my hands and butt, my knees are too bony. It's the only way to get some of the spots off the floor. I have one of those floormates but it still won't get some of the tough spots up.
Posted by: ct
| July 12, 2009 7:49 PM
http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/07/the-worlds-president-1.html#comment-243339
I nominate John Prine
John Prine : Paradise / Donald & Lydia
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNAuDEUcHvU
Posted by: whskyjack
| July 12, 2009 7:56 PM
I try not to do anything on my hands and knees. It is too far to get back up any more.
Jack
Posted by: whskyjack
| July 12, 2009 7:58 PM
Anna
Re asbestos, when I was 20 something I worked for a short while as a mechanic in a friends shop. We did a lot of brakes. We would clean the brake dust off with an air hose. The we worked in a cloud of asbestos dust. It may get us one of these days.
but it is always something when you work for a living. An uncle , who was a Kansas wheat farmer died from grain dust and mold ruining his lungs.
Jack
Posted by: whskyjack
| July 12, 2009 8:06 PM
Down in the Blue river bottoms is a plant that does electro plating. The paint on the sheet metal siding is corroding away from the chemicals in the air. God knows what it is doing to the lungs of the workers.
Jack
Posted by: whskyjack
| July 12, 2009 8:12 PM
http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/07/the-worlds-president-1.html#comment-243356
http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/07/the-worlds-president-1.html#comment-243358
Carol & Jack --
A little padding (towel or old chair pad) saves bony knees, and the getting-back-on-one's-feet can be configured into a yoga workout...
(^_~)
Posted by: ivygreen.myopenid.com
| July 12, 2009 8:19 PM
cabinet-making sawdust and floor-refinishing sawdust are pretty rough as well, cancerwise...........
Posted by: sturgeone
| July 12, 2009 8:35 PM
not to mention nitro-cellulose lacquer........rough stuff, that.....
Posted by: sturgeone
| July 12, 2009 8:36 PM
Nitrocellulose
Nitrocellulose lacquer is made by mixing fast-drying solvents with wood and cotton pulp containing cellulose that has been broken down by nitric and sulfuric acid. Edmund Flaherty, a chemist working for the DuPont Chemical Company, is credited for inventing nitrocellulose lacquer in 1921. It was quickly picked up by Henry Ford for his mass-produced automobiles because finished cars could come off the assembly line faster. Not long afterward, nitrocellulose lacquer replaced shellac and oil-based varnishes and became the preferred finish and the industry standard for furniture and cabinet manufacturers.
The benefits for large and small production shops are considerable: nitrocellulose lacquer is relatively inexpensive and dries quickly. The cured resins provide a reasonably good protective layer of film over the wood. After the hard film cures, it rubs out well; and its slightly amber color enhances both light and dark woods with a warm, attractive patina. Also, because it is an evaporative finish, each new coat of lacquer blends into all the previous coats, making it easy to repair.
The disadvantages to using nitrocellulose lacquer are also notable. The film yellows as it ages, and it can eventually shrink to the point of causing cracks (often called crazing) to form in the surface. Although some versions are made and sold as brushing lacquers, you can obtain much better results by spraying it on; but the overspray is highly flammable. (The same ingredients that go into nitrocellulose lacquers are also used in the manufacture of some explosives.)
Posted by: sturgeone
| July 12, 2009 8:40 PM
http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/07/the-worlds-president-1.html#comment-243350
Ivy, The Kindle is worth every penny. You can download books on the spur of the moment (except occasionally, ones not available yet), either wireless or hooked to your computer. You can also download audio books, get news and blogs since it's also wireless (I haven't done it all, but will eventually). Once you get used to it, it starts feeling as good as a real book. Check out books you like on Amazon, and see that most are available for Kindle. It's getting better all the time (and you know it holds lots of books, and indexes them for you). Very handly and very convenient. If you do order one, I would recommend the Mighty Bright attachable light too.
Posted by: chloe
| July 12, 2009 8:56 PM
Ivy, The new touch ipod is also wireless.
Posted by: chloe
| July 12, 2009 8:58 PM
"Btw, do any of know of women, or men, who scrub kitchen floors on their hands and knees."
Bethy
Oh god yes daily! I do the shiny tile floors on my hands and knees and all bathrooms.The mop leaves streaks on shiny tile..I find the most important thing in floor care is to vacuum before and after a good washing.I also use a crevasse tool with my vacumm to get in those hard to reach areas...I use a swiffer and a rag on wood floors with a little Murpheys and continual rinsing of the rag. I also vacuum before and after..The main thing in cleaning is to listen to the person your cleaning for because everyone has a different idea of what it takes for them to feel that things are clean..I will say I haven't had a client yet that has asked for me to clean any floors on my hands and knees....
Posted by: tonyb39
| July 12, 2009 9:07 PM
http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/07/the-worlds-president-1.html#comment-243332
Max
Thanks for that link,very good..I am feeling more hopeful after reading that AP piece...
Posted by: tonyb39
| July 12, 2009 9:17 PM
cleaning on hands and knees.........reminds me of the bullfighter's mother in "Blood and Sand" with Tyrone Power and Rita Hayworth.......which then calls to mind "The Bobo" with Peter Sellers and Britt Ekland........
saw this while i was rummaging around in the internet attic:
"The happiest moments my heart knows are those in which it is pouring forth its affections to a few esteemed characters."
- Thomas Jefferson
Posted by: sturgeone
| July 12, 2009 9:24 PM
tote that barge......scrub that floor.......lift that bale......
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1399/882561264_45e286a370.jpg?v=0
Posted by: sturgeone
| July 12, 2009 9:29 PM
http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/07/the-worlds-president-1.html#comment-243367
Tony, You are such an expert on house cleaning, and I always appreciate the tips you leave here. A while back you said you used Kaboom, so I got some and loved it. Now I'm going to try some of that Murphy's on my hard wood floor. What do you use on those shiny tiles?
Hope you're doing well. I know, as always, you're working too hard. But I also know you're one of those people who love it. I wish I did.
Posted by: chloe
| July 12, 2009 9:37 PM
laid-back cat with a look of disdain:
http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/c301062bce/cat-chillin-on-a-bed
Posted by: sturgeone
| July 12, 2009 10:00 PM
Red and Kitty sing a song for the adulterators:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXiImWJDdwA
Posted by: sturgeone
| July 12, 2009 10:05 PM
http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/07/the-worlds-president-1.html#comment-243293
Jack,
I was thinking of the poll climbers. More and more lines are going underground.
The Central offices with the step by step equipment for dial phones are all gone. About the only operators left are international and military .... Certainly not the 200 or so for 24/7 shifts at switchboards in every town of any size.
Posted by: Jamie
| July 12, 2009 10:11 PM
http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/07/the-worlds-president-1.html#comment-243365
Chloe --
Thanks for the info on Kindle. Hubs saw "an old lady" with one in the airport, so he figured from that, the technology might be "my speed" (I'm less challenged than he thinks, but he likes making the jokes, so I let him).
I was wondering about battery-life and rechargeability (Kindle's, not Hubs' - I know his rechargeability is low.)
(^_~)
Posted by: ivygreen.myopenid.com
| July 12, 2009 10:28 PM
http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/07/the-worlds-president-1.html#comment-243371
Hi Chloe
Ah yes Kaboom is great! It and a non- scratch scrubber or Magic Eraser works great on water spots and soap scum. I use Fabuloso in a bucket of water and a rag on tile floors.I also dry the floor with a dry rag to minimize streaking on shiny floors.I find a little Murphys oil soap diluted in a bucket of water and a rag work well on wood floors.I don't like to overly wet the floor.I use the floor swiffer and put the rag on it.I do some of the floor take it off the swiffer rinse it in the bucket and put it back on.I continue this over and over till the floor is done..Also remember the rag has 2 sides so you can use 1 side flip it and use the other before you have to rinse again.I've settled on Murphy's because a lot of the floor cleaners are filmy and have a build up..In a pinch some plain vinegar and water work just as well but some clients don't care for the smell of vinegar..Oh yes Chloe i like to work especially cleaning work its that instant gratification one feels when you complete the job..I know you have to work hard just keeping up with little Emma and your house and property along with all the critters..Ha,you just don't realize all you accomplish in a day...
Posted by: tonyb39
| July 12, 2009 10:33 PM
http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/07/the-worlds-president-1.html#comment-243367
Tony --
I wish I could get hubs to adopt your methods of cleaning and vacuuming. He seems not to recognize it's about actually removing the dirt. He thinks as long as he's covered the geography, he did the job.
Posted by: ivygreen.myopenid.com
| July 12, 2009 10:46 PM
Sturg , interesting about solvents. And I love the smell of galosine and contact cement, but fortunately I know better. Polyurethane is pretty nasty in a closed room. Jack, so true about car mechanic exposures. And doesn't the clutch have an asbestos pad too? It is amazing the neanderthal world we used to live in.
Used to? AnnaMolly, I see it still today in NYC. Some contractor sends in five Mexicans to demo out an apartment. He doesn't even give them masks. There is asbestos in some of those ancient radiator cover boxes. And some of pipes still have crumbling asbestos. The boss desn't even tell them to water the crap down. It is disgusting. The super doesn't care as long as the building isn't alarmed, The cartage company just wants nasty stuff double bagged. But where does the crap go? Nobody cares. And nobody cares if the illegals breath in compond dust, asbestos etc. Problem? The astronomical price of removing asbestos and lead paint legally.
Thank God I started out with good habits long ago. I thank my sensitive sinuses for that. I always wore a respirator and always washed and kept clean the site. If I saw anything wrong, I would make my client deal with it legally. I would never send a friend/worker into a dangerous situation. Period. And I always sealed the gutted walls with plasterweld which is what the EPA approves for lead paint encapsulation. I hate dust. So my anality seems to have saved me. I have my blood checked every once an a while. Nothing bugs me more than a cluttered and dirty construction site. I go nowhere without my trusty mastercraft vac.
Still, it kills me to see the dangerous crap in NYC basements. It angers me to see the dangerous exposures sleazy contractors place on their cheap labor. It amazes me cartage people dump nasty stuff somewhere and that Supers are fearful of alarming co op owners of real dangers.
We have a long way to go, but my heart goes out to all who worked away improving homes, cars, ships, buildings etc. That's not even mentioning the people who died in making such things like the Brooklyn Bridge or the Hoover Dam. We forget how much of the life these lasting tributes took out of the people who built them. The son of the designer of the Brooklyn Bridge who finished it died from the effects his underwater worksite had with all that pressure. How many lives were shortened. At least he worked along side his workers.
And then there are those who either died from things like the Gulf War syndrome or making things like the 70,000 warheads we built. There should be a tarif of some kind on the products that have cost others their health. The leather workers in Bombay are an example. I tell my clients they don't pay me enough for me to risk my health. But there are others who would gladly risk the health of their exploited workers. If they were all fined or jailed, I would be doing extremely well. Instead I fight all the time against contractors who have no conscience.
Posted by: maxtrue
| July 12, 2009 10:52 PM
GIrlfriend just got a KIndle 2. It is on sale now for #60 off price. Excellent. The cheaper leather cover is as good as the more expensive one. You will have fun. The other competition is not as good.
Posted by: maxtrue
| July 12, 2009 10:53 PM
http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/07/the-worlds-president-1.html#comment-243377
Ha,Ivy
Yes it is about actually removing the dirt.It is the very reason I also vacuum after washing because if you don't you leave some of the dirt and crumbs you have broken loose during the wash.I wish you good luck with you husband..I think its good he actually does something..I have many of my female clients who tell me they can't get there husbands to do anything so in order to avoid arguments they hire Grace and I...
Posted by: tonyb39
| July 12, 2009 10:57 PM
Tile sealers....try Lacrete line of products. I only use lacrete grouts that have a special water proofing agent in them.
Murphy soap is great for matte finished woods floors. There is also a polyeurethane restorer.
Stay away from water based covering for flooring if you can. Nothing beats oil products but many States are trying to ban them. There are some expensive latex products. Sometimes it pays to recoat floors rather than trying to polish them up.
Wood rot on the outside of your house? I have used Dr. Rot products from Seatle. They are great. I can take badly damaged wood and make it stronger than the orginal. You do need a hot dry spell and be prepared for a noxious three part expoxy process. Wear a respirator, safety glasses, a harness when high on a ladder and gloves that don't melt from chemicals.
Posted by: maxtrue
| July 12, 2009 11:01 PM
Tony --
I confess to having about given up on teaching him to clean. I just go behind him and re-do it if necessary without making a issue. What I trade-off for is the cooking...he's much better than me and actually likes to create healthy gourmet meals, whereas I'd make sandwiches every night if it was up to me.
Posted by: ivygreen.myopenid.com
| July 12, 2009 11:05 PM
Tony, I should send you some pics of work. I think I will. One of resoring the exterior wood of a Scarsdale Tudor and metal window frames. Another would be some custom work and last the SOB jobs that require rebuilding all those nasty pre-war walls in Manhattan. Tell me what you think some other day.
And yes, I wish you guys could be honored for kicking some militant homophobic ass. It would nice to one day see a gay medal of honor winner, instead of olympic golds for gay male skaters.
Posted by: maxtrue
| July 12, 2009 11:07 PM
Posted by: maxtrue | July 12, 2009 11:01 AM : "And Newsweek has a wonderfully idiotic article: http://www.newsweek.com/id/206230"
It is rather sad that journalism in America has become a mouth piece for politics rather than fact."
Actually, the Newsweek article drew attention to national censi, scientifically based private polls and academic population studies that refute the rightwingnuts' anecdotes, extrapolations, and guesses. That must be pretty demoralizing for a pro-genocide foreign devil like tony blankley to have Newsweek make him out to be the liar he is.
Regarding the amusing comment that "journalism in America has become a mouthpiece for politics rather than fact", all that happened during the Presidency of John Adams.
Posted by: xrepublican
| July 12, 2009 11:07 PM
http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/07/the-worlds-president-1.html#comment-243379
Max --
Thanks for the Kindle info. This is always the best place to do "consumer research."
Posted by: ivygreen.myopenid.com
| July 12, 2009 11:14 PM
maxtrue's 3:21 pm post is so full of misinformation, partisan inuendo, and guile that it belongs in a Tall Tale contest.
Muslims blowing up commie China, my ass. The Pakistani military has been slaying alqaeda and taliban with a joyous abandon. Pakistani intelligence DEMANDING the US talk with Omar, my ass. You may be confusing Pakistan with bill frist.
It's a one man disinformation office.
Posted by: xrepublican
| July 12, 2009 11:24 PM
Posted by: maxtrue | July 12, 2009 4:30 PM : "With two more deaths in Southern Afghanistan today, this is perhaps the moment we all consider allowing gay Americans to take some pride in kicking homophobic Taliban ass. Besides women, I can't think of any with a bigger horse in this battle than, well, Jews.........."
I didn't notice the taliban killing any Jews. However, in Afghanistan they have engaged in genocide against the Shi'ite Muslim Hazara and the Muslim Sufis, and in Pakistan they have been trying to exterminate the Shi'ite Turkic tribes in the Karakorum. Jews, na.
Posted by: xrepublican
| July 12, 2009 11:41 PM
G'night.
Posted by: xrepublican
| July 12, 2009 11:43 PM
Xrepublican, I don't think I posted something at 3:21. You are a bit off the wall in your comments. Read CNN on the request by Pakistan for the US to negotiate with Omar. I posted that, so read it and argue with the many reports AND HISTORY of Pakistan negotiating with the militants they do not have the stomach to defeat. If you read the CNN article you would understand.
Where did I say that Muslims were going to blow up China? And Frist talked about negotiating with "moderate" Taliban if there are any. The guy who trained Omar says Obama better talk to him. If you think Pakistan has things anywhere near controlled, change the meds. And opposition to the Pak government has spread South.
HMmm, what else? Oh the Newsweek article, Let me answer that with someone who can do that much better........http://www.jihadwatch.org/archives/2009/07/026902print.html
Did I leave anything out? Oh yeah, Iraq:
"Baghdad - Aziz Rozko Hanna, director of the northern Iraqi city of Kirkuk's Department of Financial Control, was assassinated on Sunday, police said.
Hanna, a Christian, was driving with his daughter in Kirkuk when gunmen pulled him from the car and shot him dead, police there told the German Press Agency dpa.
His daughter witnessed her father's murder, which took place in the predominantly Christian neighbourhood of Dumiz, police added...."
Why kill these people? Who did it? And does Biden speak for Obama on Iraq? Think the Press will characterize these murders as Muslim based?
Last: http://www.brusselsjournal.com/node/3017 some history that refutes some claims made by Obama...
and the reality: http://www.slate.com/id/2136964/
Something from the mastermind of the "end of history"..Oh, he has had some revelations since then, but what is happening in Europe is clear. I have friends in France and England who are considering immigrating here. The daily events in Europe are startling and stirring up such discomfort that polls moved RIGHT. Many experts on the subject have voiced comments like Fuky's and Newsweek's article is psuedo journalism, just like their attitide on global warming. Why print opposing views because they aren't rational? Now there's fair and balanced.
And of course the NYT claims Bush offered Iran no incentives. That of course, is a lie. My opinion on media stands unless you have a better counter than telling me once again I'm a Republicam, NeoConservative full of false facts and tall tales.
Come on XRepub, you can do better than that........
Posted by: maxtrue
| July 13, 2009 12:06 AM
http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/07/the-worlds-president-1.html#comment-243375
"I was wondering about battery-life and rechargeability (Kindle's, not Hubs' - I know his rechargeability is low.)"
Battery life is long Ivy (on the Kindle that is :). The charger cord that it comes with is much like what you'd use on a lap top, but lasts a lot longer (if you check out the specifics at Amazon, it probably tells you exactly how long it is). I've never had a problem taking it with me for the day. I always keep a ac/dc converter in my car, which plugs in the cigarette lighter, and I can recharge my computer, etc (and that would work on the Kindle too). if I'm traveling or gone for a long time. I've never had a problem when I take it out for the day though, or days on end. If your hub is joking about it being easy to use, he's right. It is.
http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/07/the-worlds-president-1.html#comment-243376
Tony, Thanks for the additional tips! I have the Fabuloso already, and will continue to use it on the tile.
Max, Thanks for the tips you gave too!
Posted by: chloe
| July 13, 2009 12:13 AM
hahaha, so you see no threat o the Jews. I guess Bibi should wait until they come knocking. OH, and AQ in Palestine has absolutely no connection to the Taliban. AQ and the Taliban have no realtionship? And the Taliban feel kindly to Jews as they do to women and gays?
Yep, X, that's the ticket.
Chloe, no problem. Ask and I will always try to answer. Not sure some understand the answer however......
Posted by: maxtrue
| July 13, 2009 12:22 AM
NEW THREAD
tt
Posted by: tiptoe
| July 13, 2009 3:21 AM
Red and Kitty sing a song for the adulterators:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXiImWJDdwA
Posted by: sturgeone
LOL, Sturg. EXCELLENT choice.
Posted by: http://openid.aol.com/ktartiste
| July 13, 2009 11:50 AM
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