How many years have we debated DC?

I'm a huge fan of our Constitution, and I always find it funny when Congress argues about the constitutionality of something when we have so many things that happen that were not what our founding fathers anticipated. Like taxes...Or blacks and women voting...So I have a hard time using the argument that DC doesn't deserve congressional representation because the constitution didn't give it to them. Frankly, perhaps DC should become a State, but I'm not sure of the constitutionality of that being allowed to take place, because of Article 1, Section 8:

To exercise exclusive Legislation in all Cases whatsoever, over such District (not exceeding ten Miles square) as may, by Cession of particular States, and the acceptance of Congress, become the Seat of the Government of the United States, and to exercise like Authority over all Places purchased by the Consent of the Legislature of the State in which the Same shall be, for the Erection of Forts, Magazines, Arsenals, dock-Yards, and other needful Buildings;

This would appear to prevent DC from being able to be a state, but Congress did decide in 1973, to enact the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, which allowed residents to elect a mayor and a city council. Personally if they are not going to be allowed to become a state, or they are not going to be allowed to have equal representation than perhaps they shouldn't be taxed, unlike Puerto Rico or Guam, which also have non-voting delegates, citizens of the District of Columbia are subject to all U.S. federal taxes. Which is why so many feel this is taxation without representation...

This topic has been discussed for quite some time, recently in 2007 it was the "hot topic" for discussion. Now it's come up again and both those for and against are making some of the same arguments few addressing the easiest solution, if you want DC to be like Puerto Rico and Guam? Quit making them pay federal taxes...If you want their money? Give them representation...

For me baseball means a mascot...

For me growing up in Toledo, Ohio the home of the Toledo Mud Hens, one of the things you think of is our mascot, "Muddy" and as an afterthought a later addition, "Muddona". The topic came up of New York Yankees tickets and I gave away my lack of knowledge when it came to the Yankees, I wondered what mascot they have. Evidently, mascots aren't popular in New York, of the nine professional sports teams in the New York market, five do not have mascots: the Yankees, Jets, Giants, Knicks and Rangers.

I read that the previous New York Yankee's Mascot, "Dandy" was beaten up by fans, but I was unable to confirm that as a source, and it's funny in reading this blurb that it appears some of the Yankee Management doesn't even want to acknowledge they had a mascot:

As Joseph M. Perello, vice president for business development for the Yankees, put it: ''Fans come to see the Yankees win. And that's entertainment.''

Mr. Perello said that as far as he knew, the Yankees has never had a mascot. Lonn Trost, the Yankees' general counsel, said there are official Yankee hamburgers, hot dogs and popcorn. But a mascot? No, he didn't think the team ever had one.

From 1982 to 1985, though, the Yankees had Dandy, a pinstriped character designed by Ms. Erickson.

Dandy was a failure. Mr. Harrison said that was because he wasn't allowed out of the nosebleed area in the stands. Nor did he do any outside appearances. According to Mr. Harrison, George Steinbrenner, the Yankees' principal owner, was less than enthusiastic about the mascot after Lou Pinella, the Yankee outfielder, got so angry at the San Diego Chicken's clowning that he threw his glove at the bird (not a Harrison/ Erickson creation). Mr. Steinbrenner, through his spokesman Howard Rubenstein, said he had no recollection of the pinstriped mascot.

Strangely enough, there are not many pictures out there of "Dandy", I've only been able to find one...Did Dandy exist or his he a figment of the imagination? I'll leave that to the hard core New York Yankee fans to debate...

Happy Meal conservatism: cheap, childish, familiar

With all of the discussion related to the Fairness Doctrine, I found this article by John Derbyshire to be an interesting read. While he's clearly a conservative, he offers some thoughts on what is good and what is not so good about right wing radio. What struck me, especially from a local perspective was what he commented on when it came to what was wrong, some selected portions:

Much as their blind loyalty discredited the Right, perhaps the worst effect of Limbaugh et al. has been their draining away of political energy from what might have been a much more worthwhile project: the fostering of a middlebrow conservatism. There is nothing wrong with lowbrow conservatism. It’s energizing and fun. What’s wrong is the impression fixed in the minds of too many Americans that conservatism is always lowbrow, an impression our enemies gleefully reinforce when the opportunity arises. Thus a liberal like E.J. Dionne can write, “The cause of Edmund Burke, Leo Strauss, Robert Nisbet and William F. Buckley Jr. is now in the hands of Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity. … Reason has been overwhelmed by propaganda, ideas by slogans.” Talk radio has contributed mightily to this development.

It does so by routinely descending into the ad hominem—Feminazis instead of feminism—and catering to reflex rather than thought. Where once conservatism had been about individualism, talk radio now rallies the mob. “Revolt against the masses?” asked Jeffrey Hart. “Limbaugh is the masses.”

In place of the permanent things, we get Happy Meal conservatism: cheap, childish, familiar. Gone are the internal tensions, the thought-provoking paradoxes, the ideological uneasiness that marked the early Right. But however much this dumbing down has damaged the conservative brand, it appeals to millions of Americans. McDonald’s profits rose 80 percent last year.

Why engage an opponent when an epithet is in easy reach? Some are crude: rather than debating Jimmy Carter’s views on Mideast peace, Michael Savage dismisses him as a “war criminal.” Others are juvenile: Mark Levin blasts the Washington Compost and New York Slimes.

One could add scenarios like Peter Boyles, a Colorado radio show host calling Congresswoman DeGette as “Vagina DeGette” or some silly man who supposedly stated on the air here in Toledo that I was an "exercise in masturbation" and we could go on and on, which to me is one of the reasons I don't think right wing radio is that much of an threat, it's hard to take most of what is being said seriously. There are a few who do attempt to actually cover facts rather than play the never ending name calling game. But it's clear, there are those that enjoy listening to that type of "entertainment" just like there are those who watch South Park or any variety of programming that isn't my personal favorite...

When something is said that is offensive it's of course understandable people will react, which is why I used the South Park reference, it too has had it's time in the public line of fire. I was raised with the suggestion to "consider the source" which when done whether it's South Park or right wing radio, or even some of the left wing tv shows, they are all at times ridiculous...

I like my tower better than my laptop but...

I know many people prefer a laptop, I'm one of those who doesn't. Though my laptop is great for when I go to work since I can take it with me and it would be pretty hard to carry my tower around and it's fantastic when it comes to live blogging, I prefer the touch of a traditional keyboard and I like my 22 inch monitor. I'm even picky about my keyboards, not to mention that I type so much that I wear off the markings on the keyboard, which for me is not a problems since I used to be an administrative assistant. I actually try them out when I have to replace one because the touch matters to me. Which I guess if you type as much as I do, is understandable, or I'm just picky (smile). Wearing the letters off however does cause issues for family members who are not expert typists (which isn't all a bad thing since it keeps them off of my computer).

This particular laptop I am using now was given to me by my oldest daughter since she upgraded to a newer laptop after she saw some really good laptop deals out there and she wanted one that was more designed for game playing, since she's into that. Laptops are also great for traveling, like when I went to California to visit her, I could still keep up to date on my work and blogging during the day while she was at work.

Urge Congress to read bills and to make sure we can too

I received this via e-mail and I wanted to share it, because I agree with this 100%:

Here's something terrifying: Congress passed the $787 billion Stimulus Bill and we're pretty sure the people who voted on that legislation didn't actually read it. And for sure you didn't have a chance to look at it, either. That's not the first time important legislation has rushed through Congress in a matter of hours. By hurrying to vote on these bills, members of Congress might miss an earmark or tax break that could have a lasting impact on you and your community.

Congress just passed the largest piece of spending legislation in history and no one Read The Bill. Let's make sure this doesn't happen again. Demand that they Read The Bill and sign our petition now:

www.ReadTheBill.org/petition

Read The Bill is a commonsense solution -- we want Congress to post all bills online for 72 hours before they are debated. That gives members of Congress - and you - three days to read legislation and consider how it could potentially affect each of us in our daily lives. A 72-hour rule would also give you a chance to let your representative in Congress know what you like, or don't like, about a bill before he or she votes.

Here are some examples of bills that were passed when members of Congress only had a few hours to read each one.

-TARP bailout bill (2008): rushed through Congress with few provisions for accountability

-Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008: Congress' Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac bailout

-PATRIOT Act (2001): rushed through Congress and, consequently, expanded the federal government's ability to gather intelligence, engage in domestic surveillance and secret searches and detain immigrants with little restraint

Just yesterday, the House of Representatives approved a $410 billion omnibus spending bill. Unlike the Stimulus Bill, it was posted online for two days, which allowed members of Congress - and citizens, alike - to read and discuss the bill for a short period of time before it was considered in Congress. But even that is not enough. Let's remove the disparity and uncertainty that makes some bills available while others are cloaked in secrecy. Let's continue to allow everyone to Read The Bill for at least 72 hours before it is considered in Congress.

Thank you for your time on this important matter.

Sincerely,
Ellen Miller
Executive Director, Sunlight Foundation

Its better to laugh...Stimulus Payment Information

I'm not a huge fan of e-mail forwards but this one is worth a read:

Stimulus Payment Information

"This year, taxpayers will receive an Economic Stimulus Payment. This is a very exciting new program that I will explain using the Q and A format.


Q. What is an Economic Stimulus Payment?

A. It is money that the federal government will send to taxpayers.

Q. Where will the government get this money?

A. From taxpayers.

Q. So the government is giving me back my own money?

A. Only a smidgen.


Q. What is the purpose of this payment?

A. The plan is that you will use the money to purchase a high-definition TV set, thus stimulating the economy.

Q. But isn't that stimulating the economy of China ?

A. Shut up.


Below is some helpful advice on how to best help the U.S. economy by spending your stimulus check wisely:


* If you spend that money at Wal-Mart, all the money will go to China .
* If you spend it on gasoline it will go to the Arabs.
* If you purchase a computer it will go to India .
* If you purchase fruit and vegetables it will go to Mexico , Honduras , and Guatemala (unless you buy organic).
* If you buy a car it will go to Japan .
* If you purchase useless crap it will go to Taiwan .


And none of it will help the American economy.


We need to keep that money here in America.

NOTE: You can keep the money in America by spending it at yard sales, going to a baseball game, or spend it on prostitutes, beer and wine (domestic ONLY), funerals, weddings, or tattoos, since those are the only businesses still in the USA .

So! It might be time to get that tattoo!

Ohio's own controversy in portraying President & First Lady as monkeys

Cross posted here since it's related to the previous discussion:

There has been quite a bit of discussion in parts of the blogosphere related to the New York Post cartoon and the racism issue that some have raised. Part of that discussion has hinged on the debate aspect that the cartoonist claims the cartoon was not designed to represent President Barack Obama. Yet here in Ohio, there is a controversy brewing over two scenarios where there is no doubt that the President and the First Lady are being compared to monkeys. This is taking place on a website known as the Whistleblower that is online through the Cincinnatus Standard which states it is, "SW Ohio's Online Home for the Conservative Movement" where in fairness, it should be noted that the Cincinnatus does have a specific disclaimer related to the Whistleblower content.

That said, The Cincinnati Beacon has been out there on this story, trying to raise awareness on what is being written on the Whistleblower beyond the monkey comparisons, there have also been jokes made regarding the assassination of President Obama.

While I do not believe the New York Post cartoon was intended to be racially offensive, I believe the cartoonist was referring to Congress as the "crazed monkey"; I fully realize that former President Bush was often portrayed as a monkey, we could debate that part of the topic endlessly as to the double standard aspect. The reality is there has been and will be a racial connotation attached to comparing any black person to a monkey that does not exist with whites. There's also the reality that many found the lack of respect given President Bush to be an issue, which would be my "if it's wrong it's wrong" theory even without the additional racism aspect. We could also debate the theory of free speech and how we have no real protection from being offended, that if you disagree with this type of cartoon or joke the solution is to just ignore it, that by blogging about it or covering it you give it more attention than it deserves.

We could provide cartoon after cartoon to demonstrate there is not an equal response/reaction even when the political cartoonist target has been a black person. We could point out previous scenarios where Bush assassination jokes have been made with apparently no real accountability beyond apologies. (Hevesi resigned but not related to the joke.) We could point out that some of us so want to believe "the other side is evil" that they'll put out there that John Gibson compared Eric Holder to a monkey with a bright blue scrotum.

That still returns us to the point we are right now. What can or should be done about it and how many more times will we spend hours upon hours debating this topic, selectively demanding resignations or action in relation to racism or sexism? The suggestion when some were offended by sexist cartoons directed at Hillary Clinton was that we just needed to get a better sense of humor...So in that spirit, is that something that we should all do or is it perhaps time to realize that part of the problem is the general lack of respect and perhaps that's what should be worked on...

It is entirely possible to do political cartoons/satire without invoking racism or sexism...I remember a time when it was said the goal was to re-create a "a kinder, and gentler nation" perhaps that never happened because neither side was willing to be the first to practice this towards each other...

A musical memory moment...

I'm one of those people that when a word or phrase comes into my head I think of a song, or song lyrics. Years ago before YouTube, I'd have to go through my albums, cassettes, etc., to find the song that was now in my head thanks to a word association. Take as an example if I came across the term, weight loss supplements, I would think about the lyrics from "White Rabbit":

one pill makes you larger and one pill makes you small...

Now all I have to do is go to YouTube, search for the song, find a nice rendition of it and, voila...

Are we racist cowards?

As I read Gary Graham's piece, I'm a racist coward a good portion of it really struck me, and I had to really think about what he was writing. I can't say I disagree with quite a bit of what he wrote, especially these parts:

I always thought that I treated everyone fairly in my daily life with no preference or deference to anyone based solely on skin color. I always loved the words of Dr. Martin Luther King who said so eloquently, that he dreamed of a day when people “would be judged, not by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character”. But now…I find out that that philosophy is racist and cowardly. And it is proclaimed by the top law enforcement officer in the land, our new Attorney General, Eric Holder.

Apparently, I’m a racist coward because I want to be color blind. This great national offense of racism doesn’t want to die - even though we just elected our first black president. Just when you thought it was okay to climb out of the past, to put racial injustice and animosity behind us…the Attorney General in the national media yesterday drags it back out.

I don’t believe in Black History Month any more than I believe in White History Month. To me, Black History Month is a complete insult to Blacks. We must prop up an entire race of people, give them special awards, honors, and recognitions, underscoring their accomplishments and achievements and contributions to society, based on their color… as if it’s so truly remarkable that they did it in the first place…and are African American to boot? Stop the presses! A black person accomplished something great! As if they couldn’t have done it on their own, without help. As if they are somehow inferior to whites. That they somehow overcame their blackness…and did all these wonderful things despite the obvious disadvantage, encumbrance, disability…of being a person of color.

Am I the only one in America…who finds this the least bit patronizing and insulting…and downright, well, racist?

I also recommend this article in the New York Times by Charles M. Blow, he shares a bit different of a view:

First, white people don’t want to be labeled as prejudiced, so they work hard around blacks not to appear so. A study conducted by researchers at Tufts University and Harvard Business School and published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology found that many whites — including those as young as 10 years old — are so worried about appearing prejudiced that they act colorblind around blacks, avoiding “talking about race, or even acknowledging racial difference,” even when race is germane. Interestingly, blacks thought that whites who did this were more prejudiced than those who didn’t.

Second, that work is exhausting. A 2007 study by researchers at Northwestern and Princeton that was published in the journal Current Directions in Psychological Science found that interracial interactions leave whites both “cognitively and emotionally” drained because they are trying not to be perceived as prejudiced.

The fear of offending isn’t necessarily cowardice, nor is a failure to acknowledge a bias that you don’t know that you have, but they are impediments. We have to forget about who’s a coward and who’s brave, about who feels offended and who gets blamed. Let’s focus on the facts, and let’s just talk.

If you did not hear Eric Holder's words? Watch here.

This is especially an important topic given that the NAACP is now demanding that the New York Post fire Sean Delonas. It's situations like this cartoon, that clearly was not referencing Obama that create the fear of offending that Blow describes in his article. It's those of us who believe if it was Obama (which it wasn't) there should be no double standard of expectation such as Graham expresses...

Former President Clinton gives silly advice...

I'm not one of the Clinton bashing bunch, regular readers know this, but in hearing the advice suggested by Former President Clinton to current President Obama it's silly:

Former President Bill Clinton gives President Barack Obama an "A" grade for his first month in office, but tells ABC News that Obama needs to put on a more positive face when speaking to the American people about the economy...

The American people, well most of them anyway, are not stupid. When they read news like Krugman shared, and they look and see what is happening in many of the places they live, things are pretty bleak economically in many parts of the country.

It's not going to be a quick turnaround, and frankly if the President goes out there and puts a more "positive face" out there, in a few months when things don't get better, people are going to have unrealistic expectations. We don't have to have all doom and gloom but there is a point when some creation of honest expectations would be refreshing...

Something a bit cheerier...

After reading Krugman's article I needed to think of something that would cheer me up a bit. I started thinking about the last time I visited my daughter in California and I saw for the first time what Loquat trees look like. She actually has one in the backyard of where she is living, as well as an orange tree and a kumquat tree, well several kumquat trees, which had fruit on them. I wasn't brave enough to try one, but perhaps next time I'll be there when the loquats are ready to try...

There, that's a much cheerier thought than years more of economic problems...

This was depressing - Krugman's column

I don't recommend reading Paul Krugman if you are in a happy, hopeful mood. It will kill it. Infact if you are in a happy, hopeful mood, you might want to stop reading this post now.



Still here? Okay, you were warned, here's the part that got to me the most:

To appreciate the problem, you need to know that this isn’t your father’s recession. It’s your grandfather’s, or maybe even (as I’ll explain) your great-great-grandfather’s.

Your grandfather’s recession, on the other hand, was something like the Great Depression, which happened in spite of the Fed’s efforts, not because of them. When a stock market bubble and a credit boom collapsed, bringing down much of the banking system with them, the Fed tried to revive the economy with low interest rates — but even rates barely above zero weren’t low enough to end a prolonged era of high unemployment.

Now we’re in the midst of a crisis that bears an eerie, troubling resemblance to the onset of the Depression; interest rates are already near zero, and still the economy plunges. How and when will it all end?

You'll discover not for some time...

Buying wholesale online...

There are all kinds of auction sites online, but I didn't realize that there are also places where you can buy wholesale housewares in a variety of quantities. While you or I as the average consumer might not be interested in a lot of 2,640 automatic sugar and spice dispensers, it does show another way that businesses can buy and sell online and avoid the middleman by purchasing direct. There are also quite a few items sold with just one or two in a lot, in a variety of conditions. This can at times be helpful if you are looking for parts to repair something...Yes, when I'm not a blogger I'm a fix it type person, who is always happy when she puts something back together and it not only works but does not have any missing pieces lying around.

:-)

Newsflash...the monkey wasn't Obama...

A friend emailed about this cartoon earlier today, and I've been reading some of the controversy that has arisen over this cartoon from the New York Post


Apparently some people were not aware of the recent news story involving a chimpanzee that police shot and killed:

Doctors say a Connecticut woman mauled by a 200-pound chimpanzee is making slight progress after more than seven hours of surgery by four teams of surgeons. Dr. Kevin Miller of Stamford Hospital says 55-year-old Charla Nash suffered extensive facial and hand injuries when she was attacked Monday. He says stabilizing her condition took more than seven hours of surgery.

Nash was attended by hand specialists, plastic surgeons and specialists in orthopedics, ophthalmology and trauma.

Miller says it's good that Nash has made some progress, but she has a long way to go.

Nash was attacked by a 14-year-old domesticated chimpanzee owned by her friend, Sandra Herold of Stamford. Police shot and killed the chimp.

Al Sharpton had stated that this cartoon was racially biased...He's quoted as stating:

"The cartoon in today's New York Post is troubling at best given the historic racist attacks of African-Americans as being synonymous with monkeys. One has to question whether the cartoonist is making a less than casual reference to this when in the cartoon they have police saying after shooting a chimpanzee that "Now they will have to find someone else to write the stimulus bill."

Evidently Sharpton forgot about this type of thing, which if the cartoon chimp was Obama, which it doesn't appear it was in this case, why is it okay to compare one president to a monkey and not the other? If it's wrong, then it's wrong, but considering the news of the Connecticut woman, it's hard to argue this was racially motivated.

Let's not monkey around with this one...

Political campaigning, go for local or go for price...

I often get asked advice when it comes to campaign 101 basics. It may seem like a simple decision, but the reality is depending on what you are running for and what promises you have made, at times you can create controversy over your decision of who to have print your campaign material. From custom bumper stickers to t-shirts, if you don't do some careful decision making it can be a problem. Something as simple as being a candidate who promotes a green message who doesn't use campaign material that is considered "green" can be an issue raised by your opponents.

Then there is the issue of cost, many times going with a local printer will cost your campaign more money. Thanks to the internet there are a variety of companies out there that can save you hundreds of dollars on campaign material.

You also need to be aware of traditions in your area, it does not mean that you necessarily have to follow them, but you should be prepared to explain when you don't. Take my area as an example, wearing a name tag with your name and the office you are seeking is one of those "must do" moments. If you are a candidate out in public without one? Chances are someone is going to ask you, "Where is your name tag?" Which is why I warn new candidates, buy more than one...wear it...

I also really recommend using door hangers, which companies like PSPrint Online Printing have easy to use templates for. If you are planning on doing a traditional door to door campaign, you will knock on doors where no one is home, having something as simple as a door hanger lets people know you stopped by without having to hear complaints about a brochure or a flyer blowing off their porch or making the mistake of using a mail box, which is against the law. One campaign locally that became an issue and you as a candidate want to be able to focus on the reasons why you should be elected.

Dan Aykroyd returns to SNL for Republican spoof...

One thing remains constant no matter what is happening, SNL always has someone to make fun of. This time? Republicans...

I hope they are not illegal beavers...

In Detroit they have been celebrating because for the first time in 75 years a beaver was spotted near the Detroit River, it's actually made the news all over, even national news. This beaver spotting took place in November according to the Detroit Free Press but was not reported then, supposedly to make sure the beaver was safe.

Which of course leads to questions, was he moved into some type of beaver protection program? If beavers were gone from the area for almost 75 years, where did he come from? Is he an illegal beaver? A terrorist beaver? A Toledo area beaver leaving the area because of the economy? (Wait, Michigan's economy is as bad as ours)...

Will more beavers follow? Is the water intake harmed? Will we now see a few years from now reports that there is a huge beaver problem impacting the water supply for Detroit? (See the is it a terrorist beaver question)...

Adding responsibilities bogs you down...

Once again I find myself in a situation where I've added on more things to try to accomplish than there are hours in the day. Which creates situations where I get behind in my blogging and in real life as well. Those of you who know me would say that there is an easy way to drop some of these tasks, even easier than it would be for someone to pop some diet pills to drop some unwanted pounds. I could try just saying..."No" or "I'm sorry I can't do that right now."

Yeah, that will happen.

:-)

Timothy Geithner underwhelming many...

If Timothy Geithner thought things were tough related to the media coverage on his tax issues, it doesn't appear it's getting any better. His first press conference does not appear to have wowed many. In fact, it appears to be the opposite:

Geithner Can’t Find Gun, Let Alone Silver Bullet

For Geithner’s Debut, a Lukewarm Reception

Why Markets Dissed the Geithner Plan

Is Geithner Ready for Prime Time?

Tim Geithner's troubled premiere

Canada’s Dollar Falls as Geithner Plan Fails to Spur Confidence

Timothy Geithner no superhero

Any bets on how long Geithner will be around?

Krugman makes some valid points...

In this piece written by Paul Krugman, The Destructive Center this stuck in my mind:

One of the best features of the original plan was aid to cash-strapped state governments, which would have provided a quick boost to the economy while preserving essential services. But the centrists insisted on a $40 billion cut in that spending.

The original plan also included badly needed spending on school construction; $16 billion of that spending was cut. It included aid to the unemployed, especially help in maintaining health care — cut. Food stamps — cut. All in all, more than $80 billion was cut from the plan, with the great bulk of those cuts falling on precisely the measures that would do the most to reduce the depth and pain of this slump.

On the other hand, the centrists were apparently just fine with one of the worst provisions in the Senate bill, a tax credit for home buyers. Dean Baker of the Center for Economic Policy Research calls this the “flip your house to your brother” provision: it will cost a lot of money while doing nothing to help the economy.

There are questions related to the $16 billion dollars on school construction, but I don't think all of that should have been cut. I don't however disagree with Krugman's point that many of the measures that would have done the most to reduce the economic pain being felt by citizens have been diluted/eliminated. The explanation for those cuts is something that Senator Arlen Specter doesn't share in his defense of why he is supporting the changes to the stimulus plan.

Commenting FYI for those of you using Firefox

For some reason, Firefox does not seem to be working with blogger anymore when it comes to logging in to work on a blog or even something as simple as logging in to comment on a blog. I have not been able to determine if this is an issue related to one specific version of Firefox, but I have been able to confirm it is happening to a large number of people with thus far no one from Blogger providing an answer as to why this begain happening the other day.

So, if you are viewing this site in Firefox? You may not be able to comment unless you switch over to IE or Google Chrome. If you attempt to comment and then log in using Firefox, your comment could disappear. As soon as this is resolved? I'll update.

We trimmed the fat, fried the bacon and milked the sacred cows

So, the Senate, at least some of them seem to have come to an agreement related to the Stimulus Plan with the remaining question still being, "Will it work?"

I'm not sure what, if any impact this will have on my family, some of whom are really struggling related to unemployment and increased health care costs. There's very little in there that helps people directly, which I supposed could change depending on what the States do with their share. Most of the aid designed for home owners won't help those in my circle who rent, spending millions on home weatherization would be great, this old house leaks like a seive but? We are renters.

Many of those in my neighborhood are like us, hopeful, believing a better economy will eventually "trickle down" to us but not really seeing any potential for an immediate improvement for us. If however someone like James Kenneth Galbraith (curtsey to Newswriter) was in charge? His suggestions would have an immediate impact for a lager group of people, just the temporary elimination of collection on Social Security for employers and employees would have a dramatic increase in not only personal but business cash flow.

It could create a scenario where some who are laid off could be called back to work, and here in Ohio where people are netting less total income than two years ago? It'd be a nicer raise than many have gotten in some time.

So, while the Senate is trimming the fat, frying the bacon and milking sacred cows? Many of us are waiting to see how it impacts us being able to put bread on the table...

Things you should always have...

It'd be easy right now with as bad as it is economic wise for people to stop paying for things like life insurance, let alone worry about life insurance rates depending on which part of the country you live in. If your home is in danger of being foreclosed on, if you just lost your job or your hours have been cut, you get into what I call "crisis survival mode" where all you end up focusing on is how to get through the next day, and at times the next hour.

It could however be worse for your family if you are experiencing that type of a financial crisis and something happens to you, or to one of them. Before you stop paying, if you can't pay, talk to your agent, check around and see if there is a better option that you can afford, but don't let your insurance lapse unless you have no choice...I've seen too many people recently have some pass away and not only not have the money for a funeral but no money to help them survive the loss of income.

The return of the fairness doctrine?

I recommend reading the title linked post, and I recommend listening to the audio:



Here in Toledo, the airwaves are now dominated by one view, we've never had a "liberal" station and the few radio hosts who have tried to present a different view point are gone for one reason or another. Is this however because there is not a market or because Clear Channel and Cumulus won't provide alternatives unless forced?

Considering how popular my local blog is, it's hard to imagine that a radio show with a similar format of really trying to be fair and as unbiased as possible would not work. It's hard to imagine why the current system of bash, attack and name call does work, but apparently, it does...

DTV or no DTV that is the question...

So, the House changes their minds and they vote to delay the digitial transition until June 12th, which ends up meaning basically zilch because tv stations can switch in February anyway. Which doesn't address the coupon or the money aspect of that which was supposedly the problem.

Which all was created because the federal government wanted to make money by selling the analog frequencies to cell phone providers and they don't care if millions of Americans have no access to public television or the Emergency Broacast system. Which means that whole "in case of an emergency please tune to" is not a valid system. Imagine if tomorrow all radio stations had to be satellite and the only way you could hear a radio station was to have to buy a new car radio.

That's probably next, and this will force people into either buying new tv's with digital tuners which will add to our growing landfills as we through away perfectly good televisions, or be faced with crappy converters that don't provide as good of a picture as was out there before even with the new "digital" or you'll be forced to get cable or satellite tv, and if you live in a rural area? Sorry about your luck...

I still haven't heard on my "appeal" on the whole expired coupon deal, perhaps by the time they finally figure that one out, they'll have more money for coupons.

:-)

I won the E-Lottery! Whippee!

I realize that the reasons why asshats like this still send out these emails is because there are people stupid enough to believe they've won something. That also don't seem to grasp that normally when you win a lottery? You don't have to pay anything to collect. I'm in an evil enough mood to have some fun...

Here's the email:

This is to inform you that, you have been selected as one of our winner in this year
online E-lottery.that held last month January 2009. Cash on file: 250,000.00 GBP
for more information please contact the claims manager for full details.

Dr Christopher Logan
E-mail:claims_accountdepartmentsec@hotmail.com
Regards,
Mrs.Randall Smith(Online National Sweepstakes)

Someone wants to hire Rod Blagojevich

This in today from my newswire that I subscribe to:



NASHVILLE, Tenn., Feb. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- TNA Wrestling is offering the newly created position of Chairman for its Main Event Mafia faction -- and the opportunity to openly sell chairs, steel chairs -- to ousted Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich.

TNA officials confirmed today that Blagojevich, who was impeached by the Illinois Senate on January 29, is being offered the "Chairman" job within its Main Event Mafia faction, an elite unit which includes U.S. Olympic Gold Medal winner Kurt Angle, former World Heavyweight Champions Kevin Nash, Booker T., and Scott Steiner, and reigning TNA Wrestling World Heavyweight Champion Sting.

Blagojevich was arrested on criminal charges on December 9, 2008, for conspiring to sell the senate seat vacated by then-President Elect Barack Obama to the highest bidder, but Angle truly believes in the American justice system.

"He's innocent until proven guilty," Angle said. "As the leader of the Main Event Mafia, I am a huge fan of the Illinois style of politics. As such, Governor Blagojevich is welcome to join me and the entire Main Event Mafia at any and all TNA events in the future, and certainly is welcome to sell his seat with us should he choose not to accept our generous offer."

Blagojevich is a former amateur boxer, so Angle is convinced Blagojevich, "easily will be able to handle the transition to pro wrestling," Angle said.

The Illinois House of Representatives voted in favor of impeachment by an astounding margin of 114-1. The Illinois Senate voted 59-0 to remove him as governor, and passed legislation to prevent him from returning to office in the future.

Cross The Line to TNA Wrestling, the most innovative experience in professional wrestling. The superstars of "TNA iMPACT!" can be seen every Thursday at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Spike TV and more than 110 countries worldwide.

TNA Entertainment, LLC is a privately-held company headquartered in Nashville, Tenn.

Spike TV is available in over 96 million homes and is a division of Viacom International Inc.

Cross The Line at www.tnawrestling.com.

In Defense of Jimmy Carter...

I don't really find huge similarities to former President Jimmy Carter and current President Barack Obama, despite the hype being presented out there that's supposed to be a slam on the former and the current president in articles like this one, ‘Jimmy Carter’ tag has Obama wincing where it states:

LESS than two weeks into his administration, President Barack Obama is being portrayed by opponents as a new Jimmy Carter - weak at home and naive abroad - in an attempt to dim his post-election glow and ensure that he serves only one term.

The charge has stung because it was made privately by Hillary Clinton supporters during a hard-fought primary campaign and plays to fears about Obama’s inexperience.

He is engaged in early trials of strength with Republicans in Washington and critics of the United States around the world – not least Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the Iranian president. Obama faces battles to talk Wall Street into giving up its addiction to large bonuses and US banks to start lending again.

“Barack Obama thinks he can charm his adversaries into changing their ways but his personality can’t change the dynamics,” said Tom Edmonds, a Republican consultant.

Jimmy Carter was the first president I voted for, he's also one of my favorite presidents to date, Barack Obama is not even close to Jimmy Carter in a huge number of ways but larger than that, is the statement that Carter was "weak at home and naive abroad," that's revisionist history. The reasons why Carter had issues was because he was what Obama is not, a true Washington outsider and he could not get the system to change, it infact resisted against him. A more realistic historical review of Jimmy Carter can be found here:

On President Carter's first day in office, he pardoned all the draft evaders of the Vietnam War.

Carter had won his election campaign as an outsider, and came to Washington intent on using that to his advantage. Unfortunately he found that this made almost all his activities more difficult. He proposed an ambitious energy program, only to see it severely watered down in Congress. Carter was instrumental in concluding a treaty to turn over the Panama canal to the Panamanians, but he was forced to commit enormous political capital, getting Congress to approve.

Carter's largest success was his successful negotiations of the camp David Peace agreement, between Israel and Egypt. His success at the Camp David underlaid his greatest strength that ultimately became one of his greatest weakness. President Carter had tremendous personal tenacity in dealing with issues, and became involved in all the details. That allowed him to succeed at Camp David. However, it forced him to become too involved in day to day management. The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan destroyed what was left of detente, and the Iranian seizure of American Hostages, dominated all other government activities in Carter's last year in office, insuring his defeat to Ronald Reagan.

Scrubs as a fashion style?

I'm a big fan of comfort clothing and anyone who knows me knows, that's one of the things I love about blogging is the ability to work from home without having to do the whole "dress up" thing. That said, I'm not sure how I feel about noticing more and more people wearing medical scrub clothing as a fashion style because they don't work in the medical profession. Both online and in stores you find people purchasing cherokee scrub pants who the closest they are going to get to a medical profession is brushing their teeth.

It's interesting because it is one of the few professions where you see this happening, in part because the clothing was designed to not fit snug, so that there did not need to be a huge selection of sizes, but now some of these brands like landau medical scrubs as one example, are a far cry from the traditional blue/green scrub that some think of. Though some of the landau scrubs are still the style you'd recognize, there are a number of colors and styles.

I also wondered if part of the scrub wearing public is influenced by shows like Grey's Anatomy, which by the way has a line of it's own scrub wear for those of you who want to dress like your favorite character. Perhaps since I have not tried scrubs, I haven't experienced the comfort zone many have stated as a motivating reason, but either way? I'm seeing more and more people wearing them at the grocery store, at the mall and as casual wear.