Taliban Video Shows Captive US Soldier
[Link: www.liveleak.com...]

Prayers for his safe return.
Then we can deal with the AWOL.

Lizards are cool. This place rocks.

Apollo 11: Onto a New World

A human first set foot on another world on July 20, 1969. This world was Earth's own Moon. In honor of today's 40th anniversary, NASA has released a digitally restored video of this milestone in human history.

Music is the best ... politics sucks ... the floor needs sweeping .... they bought and sold you ...

I have suffered for my music. Now it’s your turn.

— Neil Innes

Oh man, I love this quote. I love it.

I'll go ahead and repost this from the tail of the previous thread.

Frankie McCourt died today.

My sister in law (SIL), had worked at WNET with her best friend, Ellen. She had since moved on to work as Jane Curtin's dogsbody. Ellen mentioned that she was dating this schoolteacher, seventeen years her senior. She said he made her happy and made her her laugh. Before my SIL moved to the UK to be Anthony Andrew's dogsbody, She Who Must Be Obeyed and myself went to see her. Ellen and Frankie showed up at the pub. This was probably three years before "Angela's Ashes" (AA) was published. He was delightful. We drank Guinness and told lies. Lovely.

I next saw Frankie and Ellen when he came to Austin for a talk to a crowd after AA was published. It was old home week! My SIL was in town! Frankie had not changed a bit. Telling stories, telling lies, with a twinkle.

We saw Ellen and Frankie twice since, both times in London, where my SIL was living (actually, during the first encounter she was living in London, the second time we trained in from the unfortunately named village of Leighton Buzzard, where she had relocated). The last time we got together Frankie complained about his myeloma, saying that as he was a human who, genetically, was, "white as aspirin" and horribly susceptible to the disease, it seemed unfair. He also said that, being Irish, he accepted that the hammer would reasonably fall squarely on his ass.

Right up to the end, he was a funny guy.

It wasn't the cancer that got him, though. It was an opportunistic meningitis infection that snuck in because of his chemotherapy.

He was a great guy, a great storyteller, and a dear friend. I grieve for his widow, Ellen, who is an absolute sweetheart, and all who knew him.

Good thoughts all around, please, from all Lizards.

re: #3 Racer X

Apollo 11: Onto a New World

It's all a phony, didn't you see the movie OJ did about it?
////////////

40 years, damn..... I remember listening to the landing on AFRS in Kermanshah Iran, it was Monday morning for us.

Nice shot of Apollo 11 launch.

BTW, a nutcase came into the department recently and wanted us to admit there was no moonlanding. He also wanted advice on how to stop gevernment thought control lasers.

I told him they came from Ron Paul.

re: #8 LudwigVanQuixote

BTW, a nutcase came into the department recently and wanted us to admit there was no moonlanding. He also wanted advice on how to stop gevernment thought control lasers.

I told him they came from Ron Paul.

Tell him tin foil doesn't work anymore, we're putting nanotech repeaters in tinfoil to boost the signal.

"I have suffered for my music. Now it’s your turn."

naw dude..... i have a volume control. %-)

G'night all.

I find television very educating.
Every time somebody turns on the set,
I go into the other room and read a book.
Groucho Marx

re: #10 redc1c4

No way, Red....we need a fairness doctorine for music dontchya know?

How children are being 'cured' of peanut allergy

Doctors have developed a potential cure for peanut allergies in a breakthrough that could help tens of thousands of children. The pioneering therapy uses carefully controlled doses of peanut flour to 'retrain' a child's faulty immune system and bring it back to normal.

In early trials, doctors successfully treated 20 children suffering from severe peanut allergies.

re: #12 Fenway_Nation

No way, Red....we need a fairness doctorine for music dontchya know?

No Habla!

re: #13 Racer X

Hooray! Peanut-butter sandwiches and satay for all!

re: #13 Racer X

How children are being 'cured' of peanut allergy

Doctors have developed a potential cure for peanut allergies in a breakthrough that could help tens of thousands of children. The pioneering therapy uses carefully controlled doses of peanut flour to 'retrain' a child's faulty immune system and bring it back to normal.

In early trials, doctors successfully treated 20 children suffering from severe peanut allergies.

duh............. but now there are 20 less victims: i say we sue the doctors and the facility that did the trials.

re: #5 capitalist piglet

Did you hear about this?

MrPaulRevere

Don't get carried away with that. It does not end well.

Let it pass.

To the people out there who "think" they know both parties ... get off the internet and get on the ground ... go to the party meetings ... listen ... go to the democrat organizing meetings and the republicans ... go past the speeches and listen ... you will hear all you need to hear ... the "big" speeches for the cameras DO NOT tell you what the parties want to happen ...

I have asked many times of people here who favor the democrats (or more often than not just swirl their opinions) if they have ever been to a meeting of democrat party groups ... have they ever been to organizing drives ... no response .. do you really know what they do? ... do you really know how they target? ... have you ever been to the meetings when they get together with Union officials? ... do you know? ...

Black/White is way past party affiliations ... this country is so fucked right now ... but it will get better ... I hope ...

Good night, all. Sleep calls. A sad night for me.

Sigh.

re: #20 austin_blue

G'nite, Austin

Because the world needs some "do wah ditty ditty dum ditty do!"

re: #19 JacksonTn

that reminds me: i gotta go get in the face of the local PTB..... they were anemic in the City Council election, and the worse candidate wone by ~800 votes.

i can fix that next time. i can't get a conservative, but i can get a rational person, and that's a start.

re: #19 JacksonTn

I have been to them. both sides. Three sides if you count the Libertarians.

JacksonTn is right. Go to the meetings. Meet those people who you are talking about.

re: #22 Floral Giraffe

Because the world needs some "do wah ditty ditty dum ditty do!"

[Video]

FG ... oh, I love Manfred ....

re: #24 Syrah

I have been to them. both sides. Three sides if you count the Libertarians.

JacksonTn is right. Go to the meetings. Meet those people who you are talking about.

with or without bail arranged?

re: #26 redc1c4

with or without bail arranged?

Always have bail pre-arranged. Sometimes you could find yourself sorely tempted to do something really dumb. I once nearly slugged Pete Stark. He is a rat bastard. One of my friends who was with me had to physically drag me out of the room.

re: #25 JacksonTn

I too, love Manfred Mann. The world seemed simpler then....

re: #17 Syrah

Did you hear about this?

Oh, dear. Thank you. I know one of the guys who's been playing in Heart in recent years, but I didn't know this engineer; I have no doubt that I know a number of people who did, though.

re: #27 Syrah

Always have bail pre-arranged. Sometimes you could find yourself sorely tempted to do something really dumb. I once nearly slugged Pete Stark. He is a rat bastard. One of my friends who was with me had to physically drag me out of the room.

temper, temper..... either you are setting the ambush, or you are getting ambushed.

always decide the OPTEMPO.

/learned the hard way

re: #27 Syrah

Always have bail pre-arranged. Sometimes you could find yourself sorely tempted to do something really dumb. I once nearly slugged Pete Stark. He is a rat bastard. One of my friends who was with me had to physically drag me out of the room.

Syrah ... hey ... sometimes it is just worth it ...

Really ... good night now Lizards ...

The House ...

re: #27 Syrah

Always have bail pre-arranged. Sometimes you could find yourself sorely tempted to do something really dumb. I once nearly slugged Pete Stark. He is a rat bastard. One of my friends who was with me had to physically drag me out of the room.

Pre-arranged bail is a GOOD THING!
Martha Stewart channeling off.....

Israel: Barack Obama is no friend of ours…

Only 6 percent of Jewish Israelis consider the views of American President Barack Obama's administration pro-Israel, according to a new Jerusalem Post-sponsored Smith Research poll.

I had not seen this until tonight.

re: #29 capitalist piglet

Oh, dear. Thank you. I know one of the guys who's been playing in Heart in recent years, but I didn't know this engineer; I have no doubt that I know a number of people who did, though.

It is a pretty disturbing story.

I heard a few things about it second hand today. I don't know how the shooter is getting away with a 2nd degree charge. If what I heard is true, it should be a capital case.

re: #33 sngnsgt

Israel: Barack Obama is no friend of ours…

I had not seen this until tonight.

and yet, even Helen Keller saw it coming, long before November '08.....

too bad US voters didn't.

re: #35 redc1c4

SOME of the US voters saw it coming. Just not 51% of us.....

re: #36 Floral Giraffe

SOME of the US voters thought he'd 'govern from the center', too. How's that working out so far?

Good night, Lizards.
Stay scaly.
We continue to fight the good fight!
And, that's MY big warm rock over to the right, you can have t'other!
;)

re: #35 redc1c4

and yet, even Helen Keller saw it coming, long before November '08.....

too bad US voters didn't.

I tend to think at least some of them did, and were pleased with what they surmised. Of course, this doesn't surprise me, because I pay the occasional visit to DU to see what's going on in the mind of the hardcore leftist nutburger.

re: #37 Fenway_Nation

Fenway, I never honestly gave a thought to what the 0 would do. I thought the voters were smarter than that.

Happy end of weekend, everyone.

Did I miss anything exciting online while I was out enjoying the clean(ish) fresh(ish) air?

re: #36 Floral Giraffe

SOME of the US voters saw it coming. Just not 51% of us.....

No, most of the Barack Obama enablers are still going strong. Excusing, rationalizing, justifying, spinning and twisting themselves into pretzels to make it look like there's some logic to the idiocy. I've lost all patience with it.

Really, good night, this time! ;)

If Obama's damage to the country was embodied....this is what it would look like

re: #40 Floral Giraffe

To be honest, I knew 0bama would be doing exactly what he's doing right now. The only thing that surprises me is the pace of his crippling redistributive economic policies, enemies-first/allies-last foreign policies and punitive labor, environmental or tax policies. He's doing this shit much quicker than I anticipated...

re: #37 Fenway_Nation

SOME of the US voters thought he'd 'govern from the center', too. How's that working out so far?

seems a bit off..... maybe it's my glasses?

re: #42 kynna

No, most of the Barack Obama enablers are still going strong. Excusing, rationalizing, justifying, spinning and twisting themselves into pretzels to make it look like there's some logic to the idiocy. I've lost all patience with it.

you had patience with it? you're a better lizard than me.

re: #42 kynna

No, most of the Barack Obama enablers are still going strong. Excusing, rationalizing, justifying, spinning and twisting themselves into pretzels to make it look like there's some logic to the idiocy. I've lost all patience with it.

They have "Faith" in Obama.

re: #43 Floral Giraffe

Really, good night, this time! ;)

DAYUM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

re: #37 Fenway_Nation

SOME of the US voters thought he'd 'govern from the center', too. How's that working out so far?

I think a lot of people that voted against him even gave him the benefit of the doubt.

Of course yesterday India refuted Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's prostrating request regarding carbon caps:

India Refuses to Bend to U.S. Pressure on Carbon Caps

July 20 (Bloomberg) -- India won’t bend to demands from the Obama administration or threats from the U.S. Congress to adopt legally binding caps on its carbon emissions, the country’s environment minister told visiting U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton yesterday...

re: #47 redc1c4

you had patience with it? you're a better lizard than me.

Well, I was able to stay in the same room with the dolts but now I have to find a way to take a walk. I'm thinking of taking up smoking just to have an excuse to leave the building with they start their pathetic prattling.

And they still have the nerve to be smug about it all. It's bizarre.

re: #47 redc1c4

Am I a bad person for wanting to hawk a big fat green loogie at every vehicle I see still sporting a 0bama/Biden bumper sticker?

/no shortage still, altho' I suspect it's only a matter of time before some of them come off due to sheer embarrassment

re: #49 redc1c4

DAYUM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

make that #44.................. WTF?

re: #52 Fenway_Nation

Am I a bad person for wanting to hawk a big fat green loogie at every vehicle I see still sporting a 0bama/Biden bumper sticker?

/no shortage still, altho' I suspect it's only a matter of time before some of them come off due to sheer embarrassment

2h6 started flipping all of them off from her MB long before i did.....

and this is Left LA. go for it!

re: #50 Gus 802

Whiskey Tango Fucks-trot?

We're now trying to dictate other countries emissions w/cap and trade? Isn't this imperialism with a smiley face?

re: #52 Fenway_Nation

Am I a bad person for wanting to hawk a big fat green loogie at every vehicle I see still sporting a 0bama/Biden bumper sticker?

/no shortage still, altho' I suspect it's only a matter of time before some of them come off due to sheer embarrassment

I always go through a mental scenario of doing physical damage to the person in the car, but OBVIOUSLY those are just pleasant fantasies :)

re: #52 Fenway_Nation

Am I a bad person for wanting to hawk a big fat green loogie at every vehicle I see still sporting a 0bama/Biden bumper sticker?

/no shortage still, altho' I suspect it's only a matter of time before some of them come off due to sheer embarrassment

Still the most hilarious one is at my son's school. One of those useless "Smart" cars with an Obama bumper sticker. LOL. An expensive car that rides rough, only seats two people, doesn't much better gas mileage than an average economy car and requires premium gas. If that's not the automotive metaphor for the Obama administration I don't know what is.

re: #55 Fenway_Nation

Whiskey Tango Fucks-trot?

We're now trying to dictate other countries emissions w/cap and trade? Isn't this imperialism with a smiley face?

Right. Yeah, it was part of an Obama/Clinton apology no less where Clinton said "we made mistakes." Looks like her apology didn't work. There's something regarding having American pay for carbon caps for the Chinese today. From the administration no less.

re: #56 TheMatrix31

I always go through a mental scenario of doing physical damage to the person in the car, but OBVIOUSLY those are just pleasant fantasies :)

if they are behind you, and texting, hit the brakes hard.

re: #58 Gus 802

Right. Yeah, it was part of an Obama/Clinton apology no less where Clinton said "we made mistakes." Looks like her apology didn't work. There's something regarding having American pay for carbon caps for the Chinese today. From the administration no less.

like this?

re: #58 Gus 802

Didn't W encourage more military and counterterrorism cooperation with India while he was in office?

re: #55 Fenway_Nation

Whiskey Tango Fucks-trot?

We're now trying to dictate other countries emissions w/cap and trade? Isn't this imperialism with a smiley face?

Right here:

Commerce Secretary: Americans ‘Need to Pay’ for Chinese Emissions

With the U.S. secretaries of energy and commerce in China this week, much of the attention focused on the standoff over emissions reductions or small breakthroughs in clean-tech cooperation.

But yesterday, Commerce Secretary Gary Locke said something amazing—U.S. consumers should pay for part of Chinese greenhouse-gas emissions. From Reuters:

“It’s important that those who consume the products being made all around the world to the benefit of America — and it’s our own consumption activity that’s causing the emission of greenhouse gases, then quite frankly Americans need to pay for that,” Commerce Secretary Gary Locke told the American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai...

More BS from the crazies in the administration.

re: #61 Fenway_Nation

Didn't W encourage more military and counterterrorism cooperation with India while he was in office?

Yeah, and he helped set up a deal for two new nuclear power plants with American companies for India.

Ironically Clinton is also there for that nuclear plant deal. Still hearing crickets regarding nuke plants for here however.

re: #59 redc1c4

What if they're at the throttle of a trolley or locomotive?

re: #57 kynna

Still the most hilarious one is at my son's school. One of those useless "Smart" cars with an Obama bumper sticker. LOL. An expensive car that rides rough, only seats two people, doesn't much better gas mileage than an average economy car and requires premium gas. If that's not the automotive metaphor for the Obama administration I don't know what is.

Especially the referring to itself as "Smart" part.

re: #64 Fenway_Nation

What if they're at the throttle of a trolley or locomotive?

none of them 'round here...... call it 'risk management' %-)

re: #57 kynna

Still the most hilarious one is at my son's school. One of those useless "Smart" cars with an Obama bumper sticker. LOL. An expensive car that rides rough, only seats two people, doesn't much better gas mileage than an average economy car and requires premium gas. If that's not the automotive metaphor for the Obama administration I don't know what is.

One of my environmental science professors argued that every true-blue environmentalist should run out and buy old second hand Dodge Darts. The car is very well designed, very easy to maintain and they are already built. No new resources need to be extracted or processed to make them. They are sitting in peoples driveways or rotting in their back yards nearly free for the taking. (that was 15 years ago.)

re: #62 Gus 802

So let's see.....our manufacturing sector gets decimated (and eventually gets replaced with job as well-defined as unicorn farts) and we get to pay the Chinese for the privelege?

re: #59 redc1c4

if they are behind you, and texting, hit the brakes hard.

LOL good idea! Since we're being fucked in the ass by Obama and by his supporters, it'll be such a nice metaphor.

re: #66 redc1c4

Might want to take a look at that 2nd link, red.

re: #69 TheMatrix31

LOL good idea! Since we're being fucked in the ass by Obama and by his supporters, it'll be such a nice metaphor.

butt, with a good lawyer, you could at least afford the lube......

re: #68 Fenway_Nation

So let's see.....our manufacturing sector gets decimated (and eventually gets replaced with job as well-defined as unicorn farts) and we get to pay the Chinese for the privelege?

Yeah, something like that. I think we're supposed to get "green jobs." Or something. Maybe become a civil servant for The State. I think the green idea has something to do with money growing on trees.

Somewhere along the line these geniuses have forgotten about productivity.

Nah, doesn't make any sense. It's not supposed to. We're talking Utopia and Unicorns.

re: #68 Fenway_Nation

So let's see.....our manufacturing sector gets decimated (and eventually gets replaced with job as well-defined as unicorn farts) and we get to pay the Chinese for the privelege?

I wonder if the Chinese will loan us the money to pay their share.

re: #70 Fenway_Nation

Might want to take a look at that 2nd link, red.

i don't go anywhere near the rail line, and, if i do, as someone who grew up next to a main line, i stay the hell away from trains. Mass x Velocity = Force, and that big shit doesn't need to be moving very fast to fuck you smooth the fuck up.

i stand clear.

re: #73 capitalist piglet

I wonder if the Chinese will loan us the money to pay their share.

Hmm, don't we "owe" them money for Chiang Kai-shek?

Chinese reparations -- liberal guilt tripping has no limits.

////

I joined late. Has anyone posted this Neal Innes?

re: #73 capitalist piglet

I wonder if the Chinese will loan us the money to pay their share.

just to see that again..... re: #72 Gus 802

Yeah, something like that. I think we're supposed to get "green jobs." Or something. Maybe become a civil servant for The State. I think the green idea has something to do with money growing on trees.

Somewhere along the line these geniuses have forgotten about productivity.

Nah, doesn't make any sense. It's not supposed to. We're talking Utopia and Unicorns.

/skittles!

re: #77 redc1c4

Taste the unicorn farts rainbow....

re: #78 Fenway_Nation

Taste the unicorn farts rainbow....

Another week of rainbows start soon. What will they think of next. No wonder my sleep cycle is a mess.

BTW.....for all these worthless cocksucking libs who'd keep rhetorically asking 'Where does it say you have a right to assault weapons in the Bill of Rights?' I'd like to ask:

'Where the fuck does it say in the Constitution that the president's job is to 'spread the wealth around'?'

Neil Innes (The Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band)

Death Cab for Cutie....

Gone Fishin'....

re: #81 Mr Pancakes

Was that George Harrison and John Lennon at beginning?

re: #67 Syrah

One of my environmental science professors argued that every true-blue environmentalist should run out and buy old second hand Dodge Darts. The car is very well designed, very easy to maintain and they are already built. No new resources need to be extracted or processed to make them. They are sitting in peoples driveways or rotting in their back yards nearly free for the taking. (that was 15 years ago.)

He would probably be pleased to learn that during last year's gas price spike, ancient Geo Metro 3-cylinders were selling like hotcakes.

re: #83 BatGuano

Sure looks like em doesn't it..... very possible.

re: #83 BatGuano

Was that George Harrison and John Lennon at beginning?

Looks like them for sure. Also...

The song is one of the better known songs in the Bonzo Dog Band canon because it was featured in the Beatles' television film Magical Mystery Tour. Performed on stage by the Bonzos at the Raymond Revuebar in London, it was the accompaniment for a striptease act performed by Jan Carson while she was ogled by club customers including John Lennon and George Harrison.

[Link: en.wikipedia.org...]

Not the exact reference but it works.

re: #87 Gus 802

Close enough. Thanks!

re: #88 BatGuano

Close enough. Thanks!

I don't ever remember seeing these guys as a kid. Must have been more of an underground thing at the time.

re: #80 Fenway_Nation

'Where the fuck does it say in the Constitution that the president's job is to 'spread the wealth around'?'

That is pretty straightforward...

The Constitution gives the Congress the responsibility to pass laws regarding taxes and to spend money. And that is exactly what Congress does (with aplomb.)

re: #90 freetoken

So suddenly it isn't a living document subject to interpitation.....

/interesting

Happy 40th anniversary of the landing of Apollo 11 on the moon. It will become official at about 9pm (EST) this evening.

re: #90 freetoken

That is pretty straightforward...

The Constitution gives the Congress the responsibility to pass laws regarding taxes and to spend money. And that is exactly what Congress does (with aplomb.)

So your saying that it is applicable to use the Constitution as a vehicle to "spread the wealth" by way of taxes and spending?

Pure poetry in lotion.....

Ivor Cutler was a very good friend of Neil Innes and was in the Beatles movie "Magical Mystery Tour".

Ivor died a couple of years ago....... RIP

re: #96 buzzsawmonkey

Americans need to pay for Chinese emissions?

How 'bout I just cut my own emissions by giving up Chinese food?

Yeah. I'm sure "they" will find something in the Constitution that says it's OK. //

Or maybe they'll find something that Bush did. //

re: #98 buzzsawmonkey

The blame bushes are looking lovely this year. It's all the rain, I think.

That must explain all of the sneezing!

But hey, when they're not watering the blaming bushes they're blaming Reagan. Even getting up-dinged for it. :=/

Stay tuned..........I heard tonight that NBC's Meredith Vieira will be sitting down for another "intimate chat" with, (can you keep from creaming your jeans?) "The One we've been waiting for".

Worship Him!
Adore Him!
So what He is fucking your country to death!
OH! OH! OBAMAGASM!

/sssssppppitttttttttttttt!

re: #98 buzzsawmonkey

Mine are looking a little scrawny and withered. I blame global warming.

Damn that Dick Cheney....

re: #98 buzzsawmonkey

The blame bushes are looking lovely this year. It's all the rain, I think.

Rove, you incredible bastard! Or was it Cheney?

Guys, be careful of not going down the Michele Bachmann path... remember her a couple of weeks ago, when she thought she was drilling the Treasury at a Congressional hearing, by inquiring what gave them the right to do this and that?

The answer was of course obvious - Congress had previously passed laws directing the government to do so.

As such, Bachmann ended up looking like a fool.

Yes, the Constitution really does give Congress the right/responsibility to raise taxes and spend money.

There is nothing in the Constitution about sending a man to the moon either... are you saying that was somehow unconstitutional?

re: #102 IslandLibertarian

Rove, you incredible bastard! Or was it Cheney?

Maybe it was Bachmann.

Of course it could have been Haliburton.

//

re: #103 freetoken

I think the point was regarding "spreading the wealth" not in creating taxes and spending.

Good night, Lizards. It is time that I folded my leather wings.

re: #106 BatGuano

Good night, Lizards. It is time that I folded my leather wings.

"leathery". PIMF.

re: #62 Gus 802

More BS from the crazies in the administration.

The remainder of the article suggests that this is an end run around tariff restrictions. China is refusing to go along with any sort of carbon tax, the US is not happy because this tilts the playing field much too far in China's favor, and the low-hanging fruit - imposition of tariffs on Chinese imports - violates all sorts of international trade agreements and laws. So they're cooking up a way to slap a tariff on Chinese goods that isn't really a tariff.

The end results are the same - higher prices for Chinese goods. And the goal is the same, too - forcing China to bargain on carbon caps with the threat of making their imports less attractive.

Frankly, I think an alternative approach might be more successful - edcuate Americans on where their dollars are going, and what the departure of dollars from the country means in terms of the livelyhood of Americans. Walk through any department store and examine the product tags; it's difficult to find anything at all that isn't made in China. Of those items that are made elsewhere, they more than likely contain components made in China.

And increasingly, the same is true at the supermarket. The US now imports vast amounts of raw foodstuffs from China.

The benefit? Cheaper prices for a huge range of foods and goods. The downside? American producers lose, causing job losses and a decrease of money circulating through the local economy.

Tariffs - of whatever sort - ought to be a last resort in a market-oriented economy. Appealing to the populace to examine their buying habits would potentially have a faster, deeper impact on this problem. I don't really have a problem shelling out another quarter for a box of spaghetti if the large-scale return for that added cost is lower unemployment and greater overall local wealth. At least that extra quarter goes to a local merchant, and thence through additional American middlemen. Tariffs come straight out of my pocket and go straight into the government's pockets. They accomplish the same end, but not as efficiently and without the added benefit to American businesses.

re: #108 SixDegrees

Common sense is not allowed in aMeRiCa!

/silly!

re: #105 Gus 802

I think the point was regarding "spreading the wealth" not in creating taxes and spending.

But that's exactly how wealth gets spread.

Example: the interstate highway system required a gazillion construction workers, most of whom were pretty well-paid, and a lot of materials that came from mostly domestic manufacturers that had to hire a lot of people, most of whom were pretty well paid, and these well-paid construction workers and cement factory people bought cars to drive on those new highways and the car manufacturers hired a bunch of people who could buy houses farther from town now that there's the great new highways and that means more houses being built and more schools, by workers who buy more cars....

Lots of wealth got spread around.

Good morning, afternoon, evening *everyone*!™

Fruitcup is on the buffet --------------------->
Help yourselves!

re: #103 freetoken

Yeah.....wouldn't want to pass $787 billion in kickbacks without reading the fine print or legislation that would increase prices for energy production, utilities, transportation and energy exploration across the board.....

re: #110 sagehen

But that's exactly how wealth gets spread.

Example: the interstate highway system required a gazillion construction workers, most of whom were pretty well-paid, and a lot of materials that came from mostly domestic manufacturers that had to hire a lot of people, most of whom were pretty well paid, and these well-paid construction workers and cement factory people bought cars to drive on those new highways and the car manufacturers hired a bunch of people who could buy houses farther from town now that there's the great new highways and that means more houses being built and more schools, by workers who buy more cars....

Lots of wealth got spread around.

Sure but that's as a result of government or infrastructure projects. The same with any other government contract: military, space, forestry, etc. The intention is not to spread wealth through the spending but the result is revenue generation for the contractors and workers. However, it does negate the GDP so in the end there is a net loss to the private sector. That has to be kept low and in balance.

That being said roads, space, and many other infrastructure programs and services can be provided by the private sector. One example is toll roads and private highways not funded by the public but run as a good old fashioned American business.

re: #111 littleoldlady

Good timing and luck #111 to boot. Congrats, LoL....you are now ready to play powerball w/the best of them

re: #112 Fenway_Nation

Yeah.....wouldn't want to pass $787 billion in kickbacks without reading the fine print or legislation that would increase prices for energy production, utilities, transportation and energy exploration across the board.....

But I thought government spending was all good and altruistic? Are you telling me there is grafting, corruption, unions, and other nasty things involved? /

re: #108 SixDegrees

Frankly, I think an alternative approach might be more successful - edcuate Americans on where their dollars are going, and what the departure of dollars from the country means in terms of the livelyhood of Americans. Walk through any department store and examine the product tags; it's difficult to find anything at all that isn't made in China. Of those items that are made elsewhere, they more than likely contain components made in China.

While I agree with this in theory..... Americans don't want to pay $400 for a DVD player.... they'd rather spend $30.

We are our own worst enemy.

My industry was devastated 15 years ago by China........ now I just have to be creative to survive.

Fenway! :-)

Okay, I'll play the Powerball...as long as I get to win! ;-)

/gmsc was right. LGF is on "Apple time".

re: #116 Mr Pancakes

Creativity is not allowed in aMeRiCa!

/get with the program!

re: #116 Mr Pancakes

While I agree with this in theory..... Americans don't want to pay $400 for a DVD player.... they'd rather spend $30.

We are our own worst enemy.

My industry was devastated 15 years ago by China........ now I just have to be creative to survive.

Adding to the irony? American companies but produced in China. You really can't find many electronic products made in the USA? Are there any? These same electronics or computer companies at the same time promote the policies of cap and trade: Microsoft, Apple, etc. In that regard there are usually two faces to these corporations both public and private.

re: #118 littleoldlady

Creativity is not allowed in aMeRiCa!

/get with the program!

Must be...... feeding the family somehow....... maybe it's the leftover fruitcups.

re: #118 littleoldlady

Creativity is not allowed in aMeRiCa!

/get with the program!

But what if the creativity if for the greater good and benefits the collective?

//

re: #119 Gus 802

Adding to the irony? American companies but produced in China. You really can't find many electronic products made in the USA? Are there any? These same electronics or computer companies at the same time promote the policies of cap and trade: Microsoft, Apple, etc. In that regard there are usually two faces to these corporations both public and private.

Well... back in the mid 80's there were over 5000 manufacturers making printed circuit boards (my industry)...... today there are less than 400 left.

Morning Lizards.

re: #120 Mr Pancakes

Must be...... feeding the family somehow....... maybe it's the leftover fruitcups.

Shhhh!

/.........the ears have walls

Our local dollar store is positively wonderful and I've discovered that it's possible to eat quite well buying their offerings.

/okay, okay....not QUITE well
//not well at all
///still, we're EATING

re: #121 Gus 802

But what if the creativity if for the greater good and benefits the collective?

//

Gus! :-)

Would I just be better off running for Congress?

/the altruism of public service at all that jazz...

rightside! :-)

re: #122 Mr Pancakes

Well... back in the mid 80's there were over 5000 manufacturers making printed circuit boards (my industry)...... today there are less than 400 left.

Any particular reason for the demise? I remember when the USA had cornerstone companies like IBM, Xerox, 3M, Dennison, etc. IBM was a big part of the New York state economy. The demise started in the late 1970s thereabout.

re: #124 littleoldlady

Shhhh!

/.........the ears have walls

Our local dollar store is positively wonderful and I've discovered that it's possible to eat quite well buying their offerings.

/okay, okay....not QUITE well
//not well at all
///still, we're EATING

Hey our dollar store.... forgive me .... 99 cent store, sells canned chili....... I can cook a meal fit for a king with a can of chili. The only thing is..... Vons has it on sale for 79 cents.

re: #125 littleoldlady

Gus! :-)

Would I just be better off running for Congress?

/the altruism of public service at all that jazz...

Go for it! What's the pay over 100K a year. Full, gold plated benefits. If you last for your term you get a great "retirement" plan. If you get elected as a Democrat all you have to do is blame Republicans for your term and vote present on anything you want.

//

re: #116 Mr Pancakes

While I agree with this in theory..... Americans don't want to pay $400 for a DVD player.... they'd rather spend $30.

We are our own worst enemy.

My industry was devastated 15 years ago by China........ now I just have to be creative to survive.

Most electronics are made in Japan or other parts of Asia; China isn't really a big-time player in this market yet, although they're certainly angling for a piece of it. The vast majority of Chinese exports to the US, in terms of dollars, are in the form of much simpler goods requiring light manufacturing and a fair amount of manual labor - textiles, raw foodstuffs like starches and sugar syrups, simple injection-molded plastics and that sort of thing. As I said, you can see this for yourself in the aisles of any department store.

And it isn't necessary to reject absolutely everything that's Chinese; even a small reduction in US imports has a big impact on the Chinese economy, and would cause them to sit up and take notice.

As a general rule, I like to keep my money circulating as close to me as possible. But I'm not obsessive about it. I buy local produce when it's available, but if the quality of something trucked in from another state is better, and that's what I need, I go for that. Manufactured goods are admittedly trickier - there simply isn't much American manufacturing anymore, so I'm often forced to look overseas. In such cases, I'm going to have a preference for goods coming from countries that are friendlier toward the US than others. But it's only a preference. The point is that shifting the emphasis from 'dirt cheap' to 'as local as possible' across the consumer spending spectrum can have a significant impact on where your dollars ultimately wind up, and doesn't require a whole lot of work, thought or even sacrifice.

re: #113 Gus 802

That being said roads, space, and many other infrastructure programs and services can be provided by the private sector. One example is toll roads and private highways not funded by the public but run as a good old fashioned American business.

So toll roads means drivers have to bottleneck at toll points, or get an E-Z pass electronic reader that keeps a permanent record of when and how often your car went through. And where are people who don't want to pay a toll supposed to drive? Do we forbid them movement, or do we have to build another (public) road anyway? And where does the land that the toll road is built on come from if not government action?

I hate toll roads. I hate the very concept of toll roads. I can barely stomach tolls for bridges and tunnels. I think gas taxes should be high enough to cover all highway maintenance beyond the initial construction.

re: #127 Gus 802

Any particular reason for the demise? I remember when the USA had cornerstone companies like IBM, Xerox, 3M, Dennison, etc. IBM was a big part of the New York state economy. The demise started in the late 1970s thereabout.

Labor costs.... Mexico thought they could compete, they couldn't..... no shops left in Mexico and they were paying their people $1.00 an hour.

re: #126 littleoldlady

lol!

re: #128 Mr Pancakes

Yes! Our supermarket is catching on, too. This week at Acme...orange juice, large loaf of white bread, doz & 1/2 eggs, 8 oz chunk or shredded cheese (real cheese!) all for $1 each!

/Welcome to Omeletteville!
//I've already made French Toast twice and it's not even snowing...

re: #130 SixDegrees

Most electronics are made in Japan .

Japan... no way.

Not when it comes to printed circuit boards....... can't even compete.

re: #132 Mr Pancakes

Labor costs.... Mexico thought they could compete, they couldn't..... no shops left in Mexico and they were paying their people $1.00 an hour.

Ah, the machiladoras. Oddly enough my monitor which I had to swap because it wasn't built very well came either from Mexico or China. Mexico's production didn't pan out as well as expected regarding electronics. A lot of it is the domain of China.

re: #129 Gus 802

Sounds like a plan!

re: #136 Gus 802

The monitor is a Samsung which is a "South Korean" company.

re: #138 Gus 802

The monitor is a Samsung which is a "South Korean" company.

Korea, Taiwan, and India can't compete with China anymore.........

re: #127 Gus 802

Any particular reason for the demise? I remember when the USA had cornerstone companies like IBM, Xerox, 3M, Dennison, etc. IBM was a big part of the New York state economy. The demise started in the late 1970s thereabout.

In many cases, it hasn't been so much a demise as consolidation. There used to be dozens of aerospace firms in the country; now there are only a handful. It isn't because the work has disappeared - there's probably more now than ever, overall - but because the companies that are left have bought up all their former rivals.

It is true that a lot of manufacturing jobs have moved offshore. Look at the price and availability of machine tools you can get from China. There's a reason for it - they use them domestically. One difference is that the relatively unskilled labor it takes to produce a lot of goods is way cheaper in China than it is in the US. Another is that China hasn't yet experienced anything like the US Labor Movement, and it's demands for higher wages, pensions, health benefits and eventual crushing of individual initiative and productivity, although that will inevitably come to China in time.

It's actually somewhat surprising that the UAW and Teamsters aren't already setting up shop over there.

re: #134 littleoldlady

Yes! Our supermarket is catching on, too. This week at Acme...orange juice, large loaf of white bread, doz & 1/2 eggs, 8 oz chunk or shredded cheese (real cheese!) all for $1 each!

/Welcome to Omeletteville!
French Toast

French Toast? I feel slighted.

re: #141 SixDegrees

Well....the last time a bunch of people got together and demanded something from the ChiComs, it didn't end too well for them.

/20 years ago last month, I seem to recall

re: #142 Mr Pancakes

WHOOOPS! Sorry!

/I'll check the price of pancake mix when I'm over there today stocking up on more eggs...

;-)

re: #141 SixDegrees

Yes. Since the cost of living is so low in China the result is lower wages. American unions are still trying to make inroads worldwide. Most of the time they're focusing on Central and South American nations. Due to the nature of the Chinese government I don't think they'll see anything approaching the American labor movement. Ironic of course. They also play a role in the service and maintenance industry. The largest worldwide airliner maintenance facility is in China.

Iron Fist! :-)

re: #148 Iron Fist

They don't need a labor unino. They've got the Communist Party looking out for the workers' rights and interests! What could be better than that?

Exactly. They also take names.

re: #145 Iron Fist

I've got a friend you used to work at Phillips (I knew most of their engineering team for a while). He used to tell horror stories about the absolute shit that they'd get in from Mexica.

Phillips Lighting has a large manufacturing plant in Tijuana.

re: #150 Mr Pancakes

As does Samsung, if I'm not mistaken.

re: #112 Fenway_Nation

Whether something is wise or not is quite a different question than whether something is constitutional or not.

re: #145 Iron Fist

I've got a friend you used to work at Phillips (I knew most of their engineering team for a while). He used to tell horror stories about the absolute shit that they'd get in from Mexica. The most amusing was a run of motherboards. When they opened the boxes, the motherboards were fine. Every part was in its place, and it may have even been tested (I don't really remember). The problem was when they removed them from the box. Everything was on the motherboard, hooked up and in the right place. It was just that none of it had been soldered together on the motherboard. Everything fell off when you took it out of the box.

I remember when I first started buy Chinese products. It was a really bad experience. Most of it was junk that literally lasted only week. They've gotten better. Repairing products is no longer an option and replacement is the way it's done. That almost applies to software come to think of it.

re: #152 Fenway_Nation

As does Samsung, if I'm not mistaken.

A lot of big manufacturers are down there...... big names..... some of which are my customers.

re: #132 Mr Pancakes

Labor costs.... Mexico thought they could compete, they couldn't..... no shops left in Mexico and they were paying their people $1.00 an hour.

Mexico has another gigantic problem - virtually all of their labor force that is even slightly motivated to work has fled to the US. It's not only a problem for us - it's a gigantic problem for Mexico, because their own workforce is totally depleted of people capable of doing even relatively simple work. As a result, Mexico's economy slides a little further into the swamp, driving even more across the border looking for work, further depleting the workforce...a negative feedback loop if ever there was one.

re: #154 Iron Fist

Yeah. The people I knew were in their TV side. All that is moved to Southeast asia, now. Singapore and Malysia, IIRC. Even the engineering jobs are gone overseas.

At one time Tijuana was the TV manufacturing capital of the world (back in the 90's even)....... I think not anymore.

re: #131 sagehen

So toll roads means drivers have to bottleneck at toll points, or get an E-Z pass electronic reader that keeps a permanent record of when and how often your car went through. And where are people who don't want to pay a toll supposed to drive? Do we forbid them movement, or do we have to build another (public) road anyway? And where does the land that the toll road is built on come from if not government action?

I hate toll roads. I hate the very concept of toll roads. I can barely stomach tolls for bridges and tunnels. I think gas taxes should be high enough to cover all highway maintenance beyond the initial construction.

It does present a conundrum. Having all options available would suffice.

re: #151 Iron Fist

Awwww!

/blushing

I'm okay, thanks for asking. Still managing to look at every Monday as a clean slate just waiting for me to get creative to work...

/or another coupla chances to win the Powerball ;-)

How's by you?

re: #157 SixDegrees

Mexico has another gigantic problem - virtually all of their labor force that is even slightly motivated to work has fled to the US. It's not only a problem for us - it's a gigantic problem for Mexico, because their own workforce is totally depleted of people capable of doing even relatively simple work. As a result, Mexico's economy slides a little further into the swamp, driving even more across the border looking for work, further depleting the workforce...a negative feedback loop if ever there was one.

I lived in Mexico for years........ labor has always been hard to find. A shop we used to build boards for had a bus driving around all day, all over town with a loud speaker seeking employees.

Goodnight all

re: #163 Mr Pancakes

Farewell, Sr. Flapjacks!

'Night Mr Butterworth! :-)

re: #162 Iron Fist

It definately applies to software if we can convince the consumer to view it that way. I'd much rather uninstall a unit and do a fresh install (better yet, burn a disk image of the product, and replace everything while you are at it. That way you can control what state the entire machine is in. You don't have to worry about whether they have the latest patch, and whether or not it breaks your current software). It is just hard to keep consumers in the mood to do that very long. I certainly don't want to do it that way. I'm still limping along on old copies of Office 2000 because I have legal copies of it and I don't want to pay my tithe to the Evil Empire.

Might be the way to go even with a new computer. Reformat and reinstall the software and streamline as much as possible. With software I am reminded of the constant stream of new product from MS that are literally defective. XP to a certain extent and worse so was Vista which is now already considered "obsolete" by MS. Not everyone had problems but it was significant enough to result in a newer upcoming release. How effective that is is yet to be seen. Myself I've never had an addiction to software updates and still use 7 year old software for work. It's more than efficient.

re: #166 Iron Fist

Oh boy! :-( {Iron Fist}

Moving is up there in the top 3 of stressful life changes, IMO. If I was smart I'd put this house up for sale but the thought of trying to get rid of as much junk as we have, whipping the joint into shape, and most of all, severing my emotional attachment to this house is stopping me cold.

Yeah, people come and go, lifestyles and situations change, but my home is my anchor...

Huh, Louis Vuitton has a promotional surrounding the moon landing featuring Buzz Aldrin, Jim Lovell and Sally Ride.

[Link: www.louisvuittonjourneys.com...]

Kind of a CPU hog.

Speaking of coming and going...I just went. :-(

/verybigsigh

Good day, ALL!™

re: #171 littleoldlady

Good day, LoL!

re: #171 littleoldlady

Speaking of coming and going...I just went. :-(

/verybigsigh

Good day, ALL!™

Bye! Get to work! ;)

Bailing too.

Magnificent desolation.

Later

re: #175 Gus 802

Not too magnificent from where I'm sitting..

/

Thoughts for the Day

What's the difference between a Fascist and a Progressive?

One wears a silly uniform and the other is just silly.

At the core of both movements is the belief that all aspects of human life must be controlled by the apparatus of the state. Or, to put it another way, it doesn't matter if you're bitten by a rabid doberman or a rabid poodle, you're still going to get rabies shots.

Here's a lot more on this phenomena.

While going out on my morning walk yesterday I passed a newly opened restaurant that had a sign out claiming that it served "organic" vodka.

I thought this organic fetish was silly back in the seventies. What's next? Organic bathtub gin?

So how's your day going?
_

re: #177 The Other Les

Organic moonshine ethanol....

And here's more on the origins of Fascism.

re: #179 The Other Les

And here's more on the origins of Fascism.

Other Les, the John J Ray guy you're linking is not a credible source. He's not out in shrieking harpy (aka Crazy Pam) territory, but he's not someone you'd want to cite. Just a head's up.

How's everybody today?

re: #180 iceweasel

I should amend this to say:

He's not quite out in shrieking harpy (aka Crazy Pam) territory,

He's close. I remember his name coming up a few times on the left side of the blogosphere for various things. I'm not going to link his site, (anyone who wants can find it by googling him) but this is an example, plucked off his sidebar (I didn't even have to cherrypick, he lets his crazy flag fly free):

"People who mention differences in black vs. white IQ are these days almost universally howled down and subjected to the most extreme abuse. I am a psychometrician, however, so I feel obliged to defend the scientific truth of the matter: The average black adult has about the same IQ as an average white 11-year-old."

He 'sources' all this with pseudo-scientific babble and footnotes. Bottom line: well-known crank whose work can't be trusted on anything, and who presents himself as an authority on everything.

Morning all. Is this a Buchanan- free zone?

re: #177 The Other Les
My college had so many moonbats they had an organic chemistry course.

'Morning, Folks.

I almost woke up grumpy today, but thankfully she rolled over and went back to sleep.

S'up?

We've finalized the vacation plans. The wife and I are taking the fourteen years olds (who have a fair grasp of the French language) to Paris and Nice.
The poor Fwench won't know what hit them.
I'm expecting a diplomatic incident.

re: #183 razorbacker
Morning razorbacker, how is life in Booger Hollow?

re: #184 jim in virginia

We've finalized the vacation plans. The wife and I are taking the fourteen years olds (who have a fair grasp of the French language) to Paris and Nice.
The poor Fwench won't know what hit them.
I'm expecting a diplomatic incident.

*Note to self. Short the CAC.*

re: #185 jim in virginia

Morning razorbacker, how is life in Booger Hollow?

I'm okay. Wouldn't want to speak for anyone else.

How's tricks in ol' Virginny?

I just saw a fascinating bit on Fox. Mark Muller, owner of Max Motors in Butler, Missouri, is giving a voucher for an AK-47 with the purchase of each pick-up truck.

re: #188 MandyManners

I just saw a fascinating bit on Fox. Mark Muller, owner of Max Motors in Butler, Missouri, is giving a voucher for an AK-47 with the purchase of each pick-up truck.

You remember that it is the home of Robert Heinlien. Bob would have approved.

I'd rather see them give away a nice Remington, or Savage, or Ruger. But still, they know their target demographic better than I (Heh!).

re: #189 razorbacker
Last year it was a handgun. They're trying to set a sales record.
Muller got in a tiff with the CNN newsbabe. "Why is your slogan God, guns, guts and America?"
"Our slogan is God, guns, guts and American trucks. It's because we sell cars."

re: #190 jim in virginia

Last year it was a handgun. They're trying to set a sales record.
Muller got in a tiff with the CNN newsbabe. "Why is your slogan God, guns, guts and America?"
"Our slogan is God, guns, guts and American trucks. It's because we sell cars."

The closest towns are Virginia and Peru. 'Course the closest town that you've actually heard of is Kansas City.

It's a nice place, on US71 (the same one that runs through Fayetteville). I did some reset work there, and an old boss of mine has moved there.

Here's the CNN/ Muller link.

re: #189 razorbacker

You remember that it is the home of Robert Heinlien. Bob would have approved.

I'd rather see them give away a nice Remington, or Savage, or Ruger. But still, they know their target demographic better than I (Heh!).

Maybe next year.

re: #191 razorbacker

It's not that far from Carthage or Joplin.
The Joplin football team motto: "Carthage delenda est!"

(**made up factoid.)

re: #192 Jim in Virginia

Here's the CNN/ Muller link.

The joke's on her.

re: #194 Jim in Virginia

Man. That's one of those factoids that just oughta be true.

I proclaim it a fact.

What? That seems to be all that is necessary, nowadays. For some nameless loon on the intraweb to proclaim something.

We can't all be government employees, you know.

Good morning.

The market futures are pointing to an opening on the upside due to anticipated improving profit numbers.

You see, all the layoffs and cut backs tend to lower operating cost, so even though sales may be down and the economy crummy, profit numbers can be improving.

Max Motors.

re: #197 3 wood

Good morning.

The market futures are pointing to an opening on the upside due to anticipated improving profit numbers.

You see, all the layoffs and cut backs tend to lower operating cost, so even though sales may be down and the economy crummy, profit numbers can be improving.

I been noticing that. At some point rising unemployment will grab attention, and we'll see an pullback, but for now this ride up is nice for some brokers and Wall Streeters.

Listening to Mr. Muller, I'm struck by one of those passing factoids.

He says that an AK-47 sells for $450 to $500. That is up considerably since I paid attention to Commie guns. A very few years back you could get a 47 for $250, and an SKS for $75 to $125.

Ah well, inflation marches on. I suppose.

Got into a debate last night with a friend who works for the local school board. He got pulled into a meeting because he stopped by his house and checked his mail. He was waiting for a check. I tried to explain that if they are being bothersome about something so small, he really needs to be careful. He said he has 17 years there and they couldn't fire him. He said it took 2 years for the guy he works with to get on board, so he feels safe. I asked if the other guy could do his job if my he were out of work for an extended time. He said yes. I asked, "why pay you when I have a guy that makes 6 bucks an hour less?" I tried to explain budget cuts and that he is 3 years from a pention. Then he wanted to fight.(drunk)

re: #201 Cannadian Club Akbar

Got into a debate last night with a friend who works for the local school board. He got pulled into a meeting because he stopped by his house and checked his mail. He was waiting for a check. I tried to explain that if they are being bothersome about something so small, he really needs to be careful. He said he has 17 years there and they couldn't fire him. He said it took 2 years for the guy he works with to get on board, so he feels safe. I asked if the other guy could do his job if my he were out of work for an extended time. He said yes. I asked, "why pay you when I have a guy that makes 6 bucks an hour less?" I tried to explain budget cuts and that he is 3 years from a pention. Then he wanted to fight.(drunk)

Maybe he'll think differently when sober.

re: #197 3 wood
Profits arrive as a huge elephant on the backs of the workers. Profits must be stopped at all costs.
All companies should be run as non profit orgs.

//Moonbat comment to me on Friday! I remember his face and will make sure to stay clear of him from now on though (instinct to punch and all). He is a professor at the local University. Our kids are really in trouble when it comes to higher education if this is what it represents.

re: #200 razorbacker

Listening to Mr. Muller, I'm struck by one of those passing factoids.

He says that an AK-47 sells for $450 to $500. That is up considerably since I paid attention to Commie guns. A very few years back you could get a 47 for $250, and an SKS for $75 to $125.

Ah well, inflation marches on. I suppose.

I think lots of gun prices are up now because of the general run on guns/ammo, no?

re: #197 3 wood

Good morning.

The market futures are pointing to an opening on the upside due to anticipated improving profit numbers.

You see, all the layoffs and cut backs tend to lower operating cost, so even though sales may be down and the economy crummy, profit numbers can be improving.

So we can expect the MSM and droolers to tell us this is good news. How about card check getting dropped although they still need to drop the interest arbitration clause as well.

Sports Nerd Corner:

Congrats to Stewart Cink for winning the British Open, and for Tom Watson coming in second and giving us geezers an enjoyable weekend.

This was a real bad weekend for sports announcers. I heard two of the worst cases of a sports announcer running their mouth and not thinking I've heard in my life.

First, in one of the more obvious misrepresentations of fact by a broadcaster I've ever heard , as Tiger Woods was winding down his last hole or two of his train wreck round on Friday to miss the cut, Ian Baker-Finch kept saying that Tiger was 5 over par, only one stroke away from making the cut, and could make that up on his last hole or two. Problem is, Woods was 6 over par for the tournament, not 5, and every leader board out there was showing that. There was no way Woods was going to get 2 birdies coming in and about 9 guys would have had to fall apart for the cut line to have moved to 5 over. It was an obvious attempt to cheerlead and keep the Woods fans in the TV audience for a few more minutes.

Second, on ESPN friday night there was a group of sports guys analyzing the baseball teams. One genius (forgot who) said that the Boston Red Sox "have too much pitching".......

For those not familiar with baseball, saying a team has too much pitching talent is like saying that a runner is too fast, or a weight lifter is too strong.

To his credit, Buck Showalter who was on the show took the guy to task for that comment.

If sure BoSox fans out there will be all worried that they have "too much pitching".

re: #199 razorbacker

Lowering personnel costs lowers your break even point, so you can make a profit on a lot less business.

re: #195 MandyManners

The joke's on her.

I watched that whole piece, which parenthetically is more CNN than I've seen in quite some time, and it kind of indicates why CNN has a ratings problem in MidAmerica.

They just don't get the mindset. MidAmerica likes them some preachers, but they expect preaching from preachers, not newsreaders.

re: #203 1SG(ret)

Profits arrive as a huge elephant on the backs of the workers. Profits must be stopped at all costs.
All companies should be run as non profit orgs.

//Moonbat comment to me on Friday! I remember his face and will make sure to stay clear of him from now on though (instinct to punch and all). He is a professor at the local University. Our kids are really in trouble when it comes to higher education if this is what it represents.

Just how in the world does he think those employees' pay come about if not for profits? How old is this nitwit?

re: #206 3 wood

Sports Nerd Corner:

Congrats to Stewart Cink for winning the British Open, and for Tom Watson coming in second and giving us geezers an enjoyable weekend.

This was a real bad weekend for sports announcers. I heard two of the worst cases of a sports announcer running their mouth and not thinking I've heard in my life.

First, in one of the more obvious misrepresentations of fact by a broadcaster I've ever heard , as Tiger Woods was winding down his last hole or two of his train wreck round on Friday to miss the cut, Ian Baker-Finch kept saying that Tiger was 5 over par, only one stroke away from making the cut, and could make that up on his last hole or two. Problem is, Woods was 6 over par for the tournament, not 5, and every leader board out there was showing that. There was no way Woods was going to get 2 birdies coming in and about 9 guys would have had to fall apart for the cut line to have moved to 5 over. It was an obvious attempt to cheerlead and keep the Woods fans in the TV audience for a few more minutes.

Second, on ESPN friday night there was a group of sports guys analyzing the baseball teams. One genius (forgot who) said that the Boston Red Sox "have too much pitching".......

For those not familiar with baseball, saying a team has too much pitching talent is like saying that a runner is too fast, or a weight lifter is too strong.

To his credit, Buck Showalter who was on the show took the guy to task for that comment.

If sure BoSox fans out there will be all worried that they have "too much pitching".

That very thought keeps me awake at night. Although the last time I heard we had too much pitching they ended up trading Bronson Arroyo for Willy Mo Pena.

re: #203 1SG(ret)

Profits arrive as a huge elephant on the backs of the workers. Profits must be stopped at all costs.

I have every confidence that Commrade Obama will accomplish that end.

re: #208 razorbacker

I watched that whole piece, which parenthetically is more CNN than I've seen in quite some time, and it kind of indicates why CNN has a ratings problem in MidAmerica.

They just don't get the mindset. MidAmerica likes them some preachers, but they expect preaching from preachers, not newsreaders.

We're just bitter clingers in fly-over land.

re: #204 iceweasel

I think lots of gun prices are up now because of the general run on guns/ammo, no?

Could be. I'm not in that market, so I don't know.

I do know that there are tens of millions, if not hundreds of millions of AK-47s around the globe. Not a particularly rare or valuable commodity.

But temporary market pressures can distort prices in the short run.

re: #211 3 wood

I have every confidence that Commrade Obama will accomplish that end.

If he doesn't accomplish it with Cap and trade or Nationalized health care what will come out of his bag of tricks?

re: #209 MandyManners

Just how in the world does he think those employees' pay come about if not for profits? How old is this nitwit?

I really didn't stay around him long enough to get his full take on the subject (goes back to the puch instinct). He is product of the early 60's movement! Probably around 65 or so.

Each department is supposed to cut $100,000,000.00 from her or his budget by today. Not a word from the White House on the status of each department today. Was it just a gimmick?

re: #203 1SG(ret)

He is a professor at the local University. Our kids are really in trouble when it comes to higher education if this is what it represents.

I am not surprised, I hear stuff like that from my fellow Professors all the time. If you really want a jolt, walk through the teacher parking lots at any public university and look at the bumper stickers.

Joe Stalin would be proud.

re: #216 MandyManners

Each department is supposed to cut $100,000,000.00 from her or his budget by today. Not a word from the White House on the status of each department today. Was it just a gimmick?

The only one he gives a shit about presenting any cuts is Defense, so I wouldn't expect anything from the soon to be Red House.

re: #215 1SG(ret)

I really didn't stay around him long enough to get his full take on the subject (goes back to the puch instinct). He is product of the early 60's movement! Probably around 65 or so.

He's in an industry that does not produce profits but that's really no excuse. I hope he's retired soon.

re: #209 MandyManners

Just how in the world does he think those employees' pay come about if not for profits?

People like that think all good things come from the government.

re: #218 soxfan4life

The only one he gives a shit about presenting any cuts is Defense, so I wouldn't expect anything from the soon to be Red House.

Soon? Heck, some would say it already is.

re: #216 MandyManners

wow, that'll knock about 1/2000th off the deficit.

re: #220 3 wood

People like that think all good things come from the government.

Those same people bitch about the one good thing our government provides, a strong National Defense.

re: #220 3 wood

People like that think all good things come from the government.

I guarantee you he voted for FCBBHO.

re: #210 soxfan4life

Although the last time I heard we had too much pitching they ended up trading Bronson Arroyo for Willy Mo Pena.

The White Sox could be persuaded to part with Paul Konerko for one of your young live arms. It would be a sacrifice for the White Sox, but we would try to grit our teeth and get over it.

re: #222 sagehen

wow, that'll knock about 1/2000th off the deficit.

Better than nothing.

re: #217 3 wood

I am not surprised, I hear stuff like that from my fellow Professors all the time. If you really want a jolt, walk through the teacher parking lots at any public university and look at the bumper stickers.

Joe Stalin would be proud.

'Course I'm long removed from my school daze, but were I a bright-eyed young fellow today I think that I'd go to a good technical school, learn an actual trade that will make a living, and then attend a liberal arts college nights and weekends for the classical education.

I really enjoyed college, and found the lifestyle beguiling, but as far as really using the teachings to make a living, well, results have been decidedly mixed.

A chemistry professor in a large college had some exchange students in the class. One day while the class was in the lab the Professor noticed one young man (exchange student) who kept rubbing his back, and stretching as if his back hurt.

The professor asked the young man what was the matter. The student told him he had a bullet lodged in his back. He had been shot while fighting communists in his native country who were trying to overthrow his country's government and install a new communist government.

In the midst of his story he looked at the professor and asked a strange question. He asked, 'Do you know how to catch wild pigs?'

The professor thought it was a joke and asked for the punch line. The young man said this was no joke. 'You catch wild pigs by finding a suitable place in the woods and putting corn on the ground. The pigs find it and begin to come everyday to eat the free corn. When they are used to coming every day, you put a fence down one side of the place where they are used to coming.

When they get used to the fence, they begin to eat the corn again and you put up another side of the fence. They get used to that and start to eat again. You continue until you have all four sides of the fence up with a gate in The last side. The pigs, who are used to the free corn, start to come through the gate to eat, you slam the gate on them and catch the whole herd.

Suddenly the wild pigs have lost their freedom. They run around and around inside the fence, but they are caught. Soon they go back to eating the free corn. They are so used to it that they have forgotten how to forage in the woods for themselves, so they accept their captivity.

The young man then told the professor that is exactly what he sees happening to America . The government keeps pushing us toward socialism and keeps spreading the free corn out in the form of programs such as supplemental income, tax credit for unearned income, tobacco subsidies, dairy subsidies, payments not to plant crops (CRP), welfare, medicine, drugs, etc..

While we continually lose our freedoms -- just a little at a time. One should always remember: There is no such thing as a free lunch! Also, a politician will never provide a service for you cheaper than you can do it yourself.

Also, if you see that all of this wonderful government 'help' is a problem confronting the future of democracy in America , you might want to send this on to your friends. If you think the free ride is essential to your way of life then you will probably delete this email, but God help you when the
gate slams shut!

Keep your eyes on the newly elected politicians who are about to slam the gate on America .

re: #214 soxfan4life

If he doesn't accomplish it with Cap and trade or Nationalized health care what will come out of his bag of tricks?

Higher taxes regardless and punishing the successful.

The Democrats are focused on punishing the successful now. They are not happy unless everyone is miserable. It's not fair that you succeed by hard work while others fail.

re: #225 3 wood

The White Sox could be persuaded to part with Paul Konerko for one of your young live arms. It would be a sacrifice for the White Sox, but we would try to grit our teeth and get over it.

The talk here is Clay Buchholtz, Daniel Bard,Micheal Bowden and Lars Anderson for Roy Halladay, which to me is way too much to give for a 32 yr old pitcher who has spent time on the DL and is under contract through next year. I'd rather see the Sox put together a trade package for Hanley Ramirez from the Marlins, and spend the money to tie him up long term, give them some power to make up for Big Papi. As for White Sox fans, 0 is one so I hope they suffer for at least as long as we will suffer from him. Cubbies are a different story.

re: #217 3 wood
You are so right. They have little to no idea how their lives would be different under a gov they aspire to see take hold here. Of course they would be the elite class!
My real problem is that I have a son that will be attending that school in 2 years. He (son) does have a good grasp of how one gets ahead in the real world though. Just hope he can maintain his cool (not punch) and graduate!

Work calls early around here so, must get to it. All have a good day!

re: #229 3 wood

The libs want guaranteed equal outcomes, not equal opportunity.

Got to head for work and pay for Obama's next apology tour.

Good Morning LGF.
I hear we got us an extremely big problem lately with all these fucking extremists all over the place - the left, the right, zealots, atheists, terrorists, pacifists, whackos, moonbats, commies, globalists, nationalists, liberals, fascists, nazis, tree-huggers, racists, greens - to name just a few.
It's getting kind of risky to be absolutely sure of anything these days.
/

Well....it's been exactly six months since Obama's been office.

His grade? F for failed.

Our grade? F for fucked.

re: #228 rightside

DOANT EET TEH FREE KORN!

re: #232 rightside

Did you see my post yesterday about returning to Hood? Job market there is so much better than here in the People's Republic of MA. Start a job with Lockheed Martin on August 3 doing the same thing I did in the Army for part of my time and will be making much more than the Army paid me and with no PT.

re: #232 rightside

The libs want guaranteed equal outcomes, not equal opportunity.

Maybe that's one of the flaws in the Constitution that FCBBHO wants to "fix".

I see Howard Dean on the tube saying that private health insurance has failed during the past 30 years because they haven't controlled price increases.
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I loves me some irony, and the irony of a government ruler complaining about the private sector not controlling price increases is....MWAH!...so tasty. So tender and delicious. It slides down the gullet without so much as a single chewing motion.

re: #232 rightside

The libs want guaranteed equal outcomes, not equal opportunity.

No shithead left behind.

re: #232 rightside

The libs want guaranteed equal outcomes, not equal opportunity.

Not for all, they want guaranteed outcomes for the oppressed minorites, if they could guarantee failure for white,male, veterans they would put what they are doing now on the back burner.

re: #237 soxfan4life

No, I didn't, but congrats. Hmm, I've heard of that company...I will have to search our corporate directory for you now LOL.

Good for you!

Good morning all. Just checking in before I see where this thread has been and is going. Also figuring out what the hell has been going on here at work.

re: #238 MandyManners

Absolutely. Returning the country's wealth back to its rightful owners. Despite ginormous amounts of proof, they still cling to the notion that it's a zero sum game. In order for one person to make a dollar, another must lose it.

re: #242 rightside

No, I didn't, but congrats. Hmm, I've heard of that company...I will have to search our corporate directory for you now LOL.

Good for you!

It's DS2 and I will be doing HVAC work at Fort Hood. I can't wait to get there and get started, but man don't you accumulate alot of stuff in 7 years.

re: #239 razorbacker

Like a fine, single-malt scotch, or ice cold triple-filtered vodka.

re: #245 soxfan4life

I am doing essentially the same thing I did back in the Navy, at the exact same place I used to instruct, and getting paid much more for it now.

Congrats on getting your job!

re: #243 BlueCanuck

This may sound weird, but until recently, your av was a shade of green to me.

Well, Folks and Folkettes, there's my hour of blather.

I'd better go see what fresh mischief awaits. What I can do to tinker about in this great engine of prosperity today.

Work hard today, people. The world depends on you.

re: #249 razorbacker

and others' health insurance!

re: #247 rightside

Thanks, it was a long time coming. And in this economy it seems like a big accomplishment.

re: #246 rightside

Like a fine, single-malt scotch, or ice cold triple-filtered vodka.

As an aside:

For years, the tipple of choice has been Wild Turkey 101. Due to rising price I recently tried Old Charter 101.

A revelation. Smoother, more drinkable, and cheaper. What's not to like?

re: #235 TheMatrix31

Well....it's been exactly six months since Obama's been office.

His grade? F for failed.

Our grade? F for fucked.

Good morning. Obama a failure? Puuuuleze, the stimulus has created millions of jobs & he singlehandedly captured Bin Laden, while setting a new tradition for men to jet off to New York once a week with their wives for date night.

re: #244 rightside

Absolutely. Returning the country's wealth back to its rightful owners. Despite ginormous amounts of proof, they still cling to the notion that it's a zero sum game. In order for one person to make a dollar, another must lose it.

Equal opportunty misery.

re: #253 opnion

Good morning. Obama a failure? Puuuuleze, the stimulus has created millions of jobs & he singlehandedly captured Bin Laden, while setting a new tradition for men to jet off to New York once a week with their wives for date night.

Don't forget he singlehandedly saved the teleprompter industry as well.

Movie review! I saw "knowing" with Nicholas Cage & a bunch of people that you never heard of. It all has to do with numbers predicting tragedies & Cage an MIT prof tries to ward them off. Just when you think that it can't get sillier Extra Terrestrials show up. It is two hours of my life that I'll never get back.

re: #252 razorbacker

What's a few libations between friends?

re: #256 opnion

Kind of how I feel after watching most of the crap Hollywood puts out these days.