Hambone v3.0

Wednesday Beyond Thunderdome Comments

I came across this editorial yesterday. Can’t say that I disagree with much:

But in the end, this Super Bowl taught me a lesson: Luxury can actually be debasing. The last great building binge in the NFL was from 1995 through 2003, when 21 stadiums were built or refurbished in order to create more luxury boxes, at cost of $6.4 billion. Know how much of that the public paid for? $4.4 billion. Why are we giving 32 rich guys that kind of money, just to prey on us at the box office and concessions? The Dallas deal should be the last of its kind.
When an owner grows tired of a facility and leaves, guess who picks up the tab? New Jersey still owes $110 million on the old Meadowlands home of the New York Giants and Jets, and when both teams moved to their new $1.6 billion, privately financed stadium, they got a huge tax break. According to the Wall Street Journal under their old agreement they paid $20 million a year in tax revenues; now they will pay only about $6 million a year. Know what New Jersey’s deficit is? I’ll tell you: $36 billion.
At its best the NFL is a deeply embedded piece of American culture, with an indissoluble bond with fans. But it’s grown far removed from the grass-roots recreation it started as, the competitive emblem of mill towns, and their enormous civic resilience. As fans, we share blame for being willing to pay anything for it. We’ve allowed league owners to cash in on American pride, and hunger for entertainment. We should insist they share American economic problems.

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201 responses to “Wednesday Beyond Thunderdome Comments”

  1. texanadian Avatar
    texanadian

    U.S. plans to inject $53 billion into passenger rail.
    Yup, reminds me of one of Reagan’s best quotes;

    In 1986, President Ronald Reagan said: “Back then (before 1981—ed.), government’s view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it.” The remark has been widely quoted to describe government at all levels.

    Mornin’ Gang

  2. Super Dave Avatar
    Super Dave

    U.S. plans to inject $53 billion into passenger rail.
    Yup, reminds me of one of Reagan’s best quotes;

    In 1986, President Ronald Reagan said: “Back then (before 1981—ed.), government’s view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it.” The remark has been widely quoted to describe government at all levels.

    Mornin’ Gang

  3. wagonburner Avatar
    wagonburner

    The United States should follow the example of Japan and China and build high-speed rail, Biden said. “If we do not, you tell me how America is going to be able to lead the world in the 21st century,” he said.

    So Biden’s idea of leading the world in the 21st century is to rely on technology from the 19th century. Gotcha.

  4. Hamous Avatar
    Hamous

    The United States should follow the example of Japan and China and build high-speed rail, Biden said. “If we do not, you tell me how America is going to be able to lead the world in the 21st century,” he said.

    So Biden’s idea of leading the world in the 21st century is to rely on technology from the 19th century. Gotcha.

  5. Tedtam Avatar
    Tedtam

    High speed rail is a metaphor for the Democrat party:
    – costly
    – showy
    – allows libs to beat their chest and brag about how “effective” they are
    – claims to help “the working people”
    – hurts business,, especially those along the proposed railway line
    – therefore hurts “the working people”
    – does much less than promised, if anything
    – allows libs to beat their chest and brag about how “effective” they are
    – is an excuse to spend even more taxpayer money
    – is likely to be ill-run and ill-implemented
    – provides another excuse for government to take private property “in the interest of the people”
    – allows libs to beat their chest and brag about how “effective” they are
    – expands government yet one more time
    – allows libs to beat their chest and brag about how “effective” they are

  6. Tedtam Avatar
    Tedtam

    High speed rail is a metaphor for the Democrat party:
    – costly
    – showy
    – allows libs to beat their chest and brag about how “effective” they are
    – claims to help “the working people”
    – hurts business,, especially those along the proposed railway line
    – therefore hurts “the working people”
    – does much less than promised, if anything
    – allows libs to beat their chest and brag about how “effective” they are
    – is an excuse to spend even more taxpayer money
    – is likely to be ill-run and ill-implemented
    – provides another excuse for government to take private property “in the interest of the people”
    – allows libs to beat their chest and brag about how “effective” they are
    – expands government yet one more time
    – allows libs to beat their chest and brag about how “effective” they are

  7. Hamous Avatar
    Hamous

    #2 Hamous: Trying to get wisdom from Joe “The D!psh!t” Biden kind of puts one in the same category.

  8. Bonecrusher Avatar
    Bonecrusher

    #2 Hamous: Trying to get wisdom from Joe “The D!psh!t” Biden kind of puts one in the same category.

  9. Hamous Avatar
    Hamous

    Re-post from yesterday’s OC thread.l
    96 Bonecrusher says:
    February 9, 2011 at 8:09 am
    Good morning gang. I checked out early last night so I would like to respond to my #49 and the sarcastic accusations that I am a hopeless romantic. For the record:
    I married Mrs. Bonecrusher 4 months after our 1st date
    We have been married for 16 years and counting
    We were married by her then brother-in-law (now deceased) in sister and brother in law’s apartment accompanied by their youngest who was about 2 at the time and their family dog
    Yes, we eloped
    Ring cost was a total of $100 for both at a pawn shop, hers was later embelished by a 1ct diamond.
    Honeymoon was at the Alsatian Inn in Castroville, TX (just west of San Antonio on hwy 90) and was paid by her employer
    If you were to ask Mrs Bonecrusher if I was a romantic she would say “HELL YES!”

  10. Bonecrusher Avatar
    Bonecrusher

    Re-post from yesterday’s OC thread.l
    96 Bonecrusher says:
    February 9, 2011 at 8:09 am
    Good morning gang. I checked out early last night so I would like to respond to my #49 and the sarcastic accusations that I am a hopeless romantic. For the record:
    I married Mrs. Bonecrusher 4 months after our 1st date
    We have been married for 16 years and counting
    We were married by her then brother-in-law (now deceased) in sister and brother in law’s apartment accompanied by their youngest who was about 2 at the time and their family dog
    Yes, we eloped
    Ring cost was a total of $100 for both at a pawn shop, hers was later embelished by a 1ct diamond.
    Honeymoon was at the Alsatian Inn in Castroville, TX (just west of San Antonio on hwy 90) and was paid by her employer
    If you were to ask Mrs Bonecrusher if I was a romantic she would say “HELL YES!”

  11. wagonburner Avatar
    wagonburner

    If ever there were a poster child for federal government boondoggles, Amtrak is it. 40 years and still losing.

  12. Hamous Avatar
    Hamous

    If ever there were a poster child for federal government boondoggles, Amtrak is it. 40 years and still losing.

  13. Tedtam Avatar
    Tedtam

    Ah, I love vinegar! I’ve had a rash on my shoulder now for about two weeks, and the usual creams and ointments haven’t done a thing for it. I soaked a rag in vinegar and let it sit on the rash last night, and this morning the itching is down considerably. I am currently pickling myself again. I hope to have it completely gone in a few days, at this rate. It stings slightly, but nothing like the itching.

    Hubby had some kind of rash on his wrist and hand, and over the period of about a year, it slowly spread up his arm almost to his elbow. The itching had become unbearable, and I hated watching him try to deal with it. The doctor prescribed several very expensive ointments, since the usual foot cream+hydrocortisone cream mixture proved ineffective. Nothing helped. I finally talked him into trying the vinegar, since he really had nothing to lose at this point, except his arm and his sanity. He hated the smell of the vinegar, and wrinkled his nose every time I clipped the vinegar cloth around his arm while he watched TV. He could only handle it for about 30 minutes at a time; occasionally I could get 45 minutes to an hour before he insisted I remove it.

    He quit complaining the morning he woke up, about two weeks into the treatment, and realized that the rash was about half its size, and that the itching was down considerably. We continued for another two weeks before he didn’t need it any more. He’s a believer, now.

  14. Tedtam Avatar
    Tedtam

    Ah, I love vinegar! I’ve had a rash on my shoulder now for about two weeks, and the usual creams and ointments haven’t done a thing for it. I soaked a rag in vinegar and let it sit on the rash last night, and this morning the itching is down considerably. I am currently pickling myself again. I hope to have it completely gone in a few days, at this rate. It stings slightly, but nothing like the itching.
    Hubby had some kind of rash on his wrist and hand, and over the period of about a year, it slowly spread up his arm almost to his elbow. The itching had become unbearable, and I hated watching him try to deal with it. The doctor prescribed several very expensive ointments, since the usual foot cream+hydrocortisone cream mixture proved ineffective. Nothing helped. I finally talked him into trying the vinegar, since he really had nothing to lose at this point, except his arm and his sanity. He hated the smell of the vinegar, and wrinkled his nose every time I clipped the vinegar cloth around his arm while he watched TV. He could only handle it for about 30 minutes at a time; occasionally I could get 45 minutes to an hour before he insisted I remove it.
    He quit complaining the morning he woke up, about two weeks into the treatment, and realized that the rash was about half its size, and that the itching was down considerably. We continued for another two weeks before he didn’t need it any more. He’s a believer, now.

  15. Sarge Avatar
    Sarge

    The United States should follow the example of Japan and China and build high-speed rail, Biden said. “If we do not, you tell me how America is going to be able to lead the world in the 21st century,” he said.

    Using Japan’s government intervention in a Capitalist economy is not the best example one could give to follow.

    Using Communist China’s economic model is laughable.

    We will lead in the 21st Century be getting the Government the frik out of the way.

  16. Sarge Avatar
    Sarge

    The United States should follow the example of Japan and China and build high-speed rail, Biden said. “If we do not, you tell me how America is going to be able to lead the world in the 21st century,” he said.

    Using Japan’s government intervention in a Capitalist economy is not the best example one could give to follow.
    Using Communist China’s economic model is laughable.
    We will lead in the 21st Century be getting the Government the frik out of the way.

  17. Tedtam Avatar
    Tedtam

    I just read the article on Fixodent and zinc poisoning. My mother uses Fixodent. I wonder how much of her loss of mobility and loss of sensation in her hands is diabetes and how much is zinc?

  18. Tedtam Avatar
    Tedtam

    I just read the article on Fixodent and zinc poisoning. My mother uses Fixodent. I wonder how much of her loss of mobility and loss of sensation in her hands is diabetes and how much is zinc?

  19. Simple Simon Avatar
    Simple Simon

    Hamous 6,

    I am in agreement with your comments on this subject, but I would interject that the American Taxpayer has been footing the bill for rail transportation a lot longer than 40 years.

    The Trancontinental Rail System was built with government subsidies in terms of large land grants (gifts) for right of way. I think it was a good deal.

    If large scale high speed passenger rail is profitable; then I believe we should build it the old fashioned way with private investment. I think there is a case to be made for high speed rail as a cost effective means of moving folks around in some areas.

    Subsidizing it solely as a jobs program is a bad idea.

    Simple

  20. Simple Simon Avatar
    Simple Simon

    Hamous 6,
    I am in agreement with your comments on this subject, but I would interject that the American Taxpayer has been footing the bill for rail transportation a lot longer than 40 years.
    The Trancontinental Rail System was built with government subsidies in terms of large land grants (gifts) for right of way. I think it was a good deal.
    If large scale high speed passenger rail is profitable; then I believe we should build it the old fashioned way with private investment. I think there is a case to be made for high speed rail as a cost effective means of moving folks around in some areas.
    Subsidizing it solely as a jobs program is a bad idea.
    Simple

  21. Super Dave Avatar
    Super Dave

    I decided to bring this forward from late last night as I find it deplorable that a good citizen cannot have a building named after him simply because someone else does not like his name. There outta be a law.
    http://politicalwire.com/archives/2011/02/08/city_unlikely_to_pick_controversial_name.html

  22. El Gordo Avatar
    El Gordo

    I decided to bring this forward from late last night as I find it deplorable that a good citizen cannot have a building named after him simply because someone else does not like his name. There outta be a law.
    http://politicalwire.com/archives/2011/02/08/city_unlikely_to_pick_controversial_name.html

  23. Katfish Avatar
    Katfish

    Subsidizing it solely as a jobs program is a bad idea.

  24. wagonburner Avatar
    wagonburner

    Subsidizing it solely as a jobs program is a bad idea.

  25. Tedtam Avatar
    Tedtam

    #11 El Gordo

    😀

  26. Tedtam Avatar
    Tedtam

    #11 El Gordo
    😀

  27. Katfish Avatar
    Katfish

    When an owner grows tired of a facility and leaves, guess who picks up the tab?

    Aren’t we still paying for the renovations on the Astrodome? Why didn’t the County Commissioners sue Bud Addams to recoup the costs of said renovations?

    Why are we building a stadium for the freakin’ soccer team? Let whoever owns the Dynamo build his own stadium or rent one of the existing ones.

  28. wagonburner Avatar
    wagonburner

    When an owner grows tired of a facility and leaves, guess who picks up the tab?

    Aren’t we still paying for the renovations on the Astrodome? Why didn’t the County Commissioners sue Bud Addams to recoup the costs of said renovations?
    Why are we building a stadium for the freakin’ soccer team? Let whoever owns the Dynamo build his own stadium or rent one of the existing ones.

  29. Super Dave Avatar
    Super Dave

    As to the NFL, toy trains, publicly financed stadia, and the like – it is obvious to anyone who reads this that the editors do not understand the first thing about being “world class.” Yes, it takes a lot of money to be world class, but having decent schools, reasonable medical services, architecturally significant churches, fire and police protection, garbage pickup, good infrastructure, and the like just won’t cut it if you want to be world class. It also helps your world class status if you can have a person of color or one who is gay to serve as your major. Dwarfs just don’t cut it anymore and Asians do not count as persons of color since they are too smart. Yes, this world class business takes a lot of balancing – except for balancing your budget.

  30. El Gordo Avatar
    El Gordo

    As to the NFL, toy trains, publicly financed stadia, and the like – it is obvious to anyone who reads this that the editors do not understand the first thing about being “world class.” Yes, it takes a lot of money to be world class, but having decent schools, reasonable medical services, architecturally significant churches, fire and police protection, garbage pickup, good infrastructure, and the like just won’t cut it if you want to be world class. It also helps your world class status if you can have a person of color or one who is gay to serve as your major. Dwarfs just don’t cut it anymore and Asians do not count as persons of color since they are too smart. Yes, this world class business takes a lot of balancing – except for balancing your budget.

  31. Hamous Avatar
    Hamous

    #10 Simple: In order for high speed rail to make any economic sense at all there must be several things in place first:
    1) A highly zoned densely populated residential district
    2) A highly zoned/regulated business district
    3) Few or no stops between the above 2 and enough distance to make the proposition attractive/necessary in the first place
    4) There must be adequate park and ride facilities as well as feeder mechanisms on both ends in order for it to be convenient for people to access.
    Problems:
    I do not want to live in that densely populated environment, and I don’t think many other people do either.
    I do not want my transportation options dictated by big brother
    There is no route flexibility with high speed rail or rail of any kind and almost infinite flexibility with rubber tired vehicles
    Rail is extremely expensive to install and to my knowledge, there is not a single passenger rail system in the USA that currently operates in the black.
    Rail is single purpose whereas everybody can use the street
    As more and more people gain the ability to access the office from home computers, the need to actually “be there all day each and every day” goes down.
    Houston, TX is NOT a viable candidate for rail as we have no zoning, therefore one of the basic necessities above is missing.

  32. Bonecrusher Avatar
    Bonecrusher

    #10 Simple: In order for high speed rail to make any economic sense at all there must be several things in place first:
    1) A highly zoned densely populated residential district
    2) A highly zoned/regulated business district
    3) Few or no stops between the above 2 and enough distance to make the proposition attractive/necessary in the first place
    4) There must be adequate park and ride facilities as well as feeder mechanisms on both ends in order for it to be convenient for people to access.
    Problems:
    I do not want to live in that densely populated environment, and I don’t think many other people do either.
    I do not want my transportation options dictated by big brother
    There is no route flexibility with high speed rail or rail of any kind and almost infinite flexibility with rubber tired vehicles
    Rail is extremely expensive to install and to my knowledge, there is not a single passenger rail system in the USA that currently operates in the black.
    Rail is single purpose whereas everybody can use the street
    As more and more people gain the ability to access the office from home computers, the need to actually “be there all day each and every day” goes down.
    Houston, TX is NOT a viable candidate for rail as we have no zoning, therefore one of the basic necessities above is missing.

  33. Katfish Avatar
    Katfish

    A good way to tell that long-distance passenger rail is not profitable – the Union Pacific abandoned such service in the first half of the 20th century.

    A good way to tell that long-distance freight rail is profitable – the Union Pacific continues to operate such service to this day.

  34. wagonburner Avatar
    wagonburner

    A good way to tell that long-distance passenger rail is not profitable – the Union Pacific abandoned such service in the first half of the 20th century.
    A good way to tell that long-distance freight rail is profitable – the Union Pacific continues to operate such service to this day.

  35. Texpat Avatar
    Texpat

    As for the NFL – IMHO they have us or WILL “get us” either way……………..if enough fans refuse to pay today’s ransom for stadium seats that will merely generate immediate pay-per-view……………………

  36. Katfish Avatar
    Katfish

    As for the NFL – IMHO they have us or WILL “get us” either way……………..if enough fans refuse to pay today’s ransom for stadium seats that will merely generate immediate pay-per-view……………………

  37. mharper42 Avatar
    mharper42

    #7 TT

    Thank you Heloise. 🙂 I’ll try that vinegar treatment next time I have a rash. I sometimes get a contact rash while working in the yard.

  38. mharper42 Avatar
    mharper42

    #7 TT
    Thank you Heloise. 🙂 I’ll try that vinegar treatment next time I have a rash. I sometimes get a contact rash while working in the yard.

  39. Katfish Avatar
    Katfish

    #16 bone
    The high-speed rail they are talking about is inter-city – e.g., NY-Chicago; Boston-DC; LA-SF; Houston-Dallas.

    On routes of that distance, assuming the train stations on either end are sufficiently close to where you intend to begin & end your trip, HS rail could possibly make sense.

    Light rail within cities will always need subsidies. I don’t think even the subways in NY & Boston pay their own ways.

  40. wagonburner Avatar
    wagonburner

    #16 bone
    The high-speed rail they are talking about is inter-city – e.g., NY-Chicago; Boston-DC; LA-SF; Houston-Dallas.
    On routes of that distance, assuming the train stations on either end are sufficiently close to where you intend to begin & end your trip, HS rail could possibly make sense.
    Light rail within cities will always need subsidies. I don’t think even the subways in NY & Boston pay their own ways.

  41. Hamous Avatar
    Hamous

    Goooood Doggies

  42. Bonecrusher Avatar
    Bonecrusher

    Goooood Doggies

  43. Katfish Avatar
    Katfish

    if enough fans refuse to pay today’s ransom for stadium seats that will merely generate immediate pay-per-view……………………

    One reason I like College football better.

  44. wagonburner Avatar
    wagonburner

    if enough fans refuse to pay today’s ransom for stadium seats that will merely generate immediate pay-per-view……………………

    One reason I like College football better.

  45. Katfish Avatar
    Katfish

    I’ve had a rash on my shoulder now for about two weeks

    Crazy Aunt walks into Walgreen’s and says to the pharmacist, “I need some ointment for this terrible rash I have.”

    The pharmacist tells her, “I have just what you need. Walk this way.”

    Crazy Aunt replies, “If I could walk that way, I wouldn’t need the ointment.”

  46. wagonburner Avatar
    wagonburner

    I’ve had a rash on my shoulder now for about two weeks

    Crazy Aunt walks into Walgreen’s and says to the pharmacist, “I need some ointment for this terrible rash I have.”
    The pharmacist tells her, “I have just what you need. Walk this way.”
    Crazy Aunt replies, “If I could walk that way, I wouldn’t need the ointment.”

  47. Hamous Avatar
    Hamous

    #20 Pyro:

    The high-speed rail they are talking about is inter-city – e.g., NY-Chicago; Boston-DC; LA-SF; Houston-Dallas.

    On routes of that distance, assuming the train stations on either end are sufficiently close to where you intend to begin & end your trip, HS rail could possibly make sense.

    Driving from Houston to Dallas is about 4 hours and you have your car so you can go all the way to your destination and still have the convenience of your car. To fly it now takes about 45 minutes of flying time and about 2-1/2 hours airport time (both ends) and you still need to rent a car/hire a taxi. By my calculations one would save around 15 minutes flying vs driving Houston to Dallas. Fuel cost is about $35.00 vs about $125 for airfare not including parking. Flying to Dallas does not make sense in my book.
    New York to Chicago is about 720 miles, IF one could travel at an average speed of 100 miles/hour on the train, it would still take over 7 hours of train time and at least 1 1/2 hours of station time at both ends, flight time is a little over 2 hours plus the 2 1/2 hours airport time, one saves 4 hours flying vs train and the fares would likely be comparable. Once again, using the Bonecrusher method of analysis “that dog still don’t hunt”.

  48. Bonecrusher Avatar
    Bonecrusher

    #20 Pyro:

    The high-speed rail they are talking about is inter-city – e.g., NY-Chicago; Boston-DC; LA-SF; Houston-Dallas.
    On routes of that distance, assuming the train stations on either end are sufficiently close to where you intend to begin & end your trip, HS rail could possibly make sense.

    Driving from Houston to Dallas is about 4 hours and you have your car so you can go all the way to your destination and still have the convenience of your car. To fly it now takes about 45 minutes of flying time and about 2-1/2 hours airport time (both ends) and you still need to rent a car/hire a taxi. By my calculations one would save around 15 minutes flying vs driving Houston to Dallas. Fuel cost is about $35.00 vs about $125 for airfare not including parking. Flying to Dallas does not make sense in my book.
    New York to Chicago is about 720 miles, IF one could travel at an average speed of 100 miles/hour on the train, it would still take over 7 hours of train time and at least 1 1/2 hours of station time at both ends, flight time is a little over 2 hours plus the 2 1/2 hours airport time, one saves 4 hours flying vs train and the fares would likely be comparable. Once again, using the Bonecrusher method of analysis “that dog still don’t hunt”.

  49. Katfish Avatar
    Katfish

    I didn’t say it unequivocally makes sense, just that the potential is there.

  50. wagonburner Avatar
    wagonburner

    I didn’t say it unequivocally makes sense, just that the potential is there.

  51. Tedtam Avatar
    Tedtam

    #21 Bonecrusher

    That was great!

  52. Tedtam Avatar
    Tedtam

    #21 Bonecrusher
    That was great!

  53. OletimerLin Avatar
    OletimerLin

    I’m in full agreement with the criticisms of the “high speed” rail boondoggle. In the first place, it isn’t high speed. Secondly, comparisons to European and Japanese passenger systems are invalid due to geographical differences, and both of those are heavily subsidized.

    That said, there are metropolitan rail systems that are beneficial, unlike Houston’s silly assed toy train. When I used to frequent Atlanta’s mega-sized airport, my colleague would rent a car for us to share. I’d grab my bags and take a quick walk to the train, which would take me all the way though downtown to north east Atlanta, where the hotel was happy to send the van over for me.

    The trains, using a combination of ground level, elevated, and underground tracks have a maximum speed of around 70mph. Even with stops, it’s quicker to take the train from the airport to north of town than it is to drive it. The last time I departed from ATL, my friend dropped me at the Cumberland station, and then drove to the airport. By the time he made the trip, dropped off the car, and got to the airport bar, I was on my second beer.

    Ridership is well over 60 million per year, it’s a cheap ride, and is funded almost entirely by a 1% city sales tax, “token” state funding, and no federal funds at all.

  54. bob42 Avatar
    bob42

    I’m in full agreement with the criticisms of the “high speed” rail boondoggle. In the first place, it isn’t high speed. Secondly, comparisons to European and Japanese passenger systems are invalid due to geographical differences, and both of those are heavily subsidized.
    That said, there are metropolitan rail systems that are beneficial, unlike Houston’s silly assed toy train. When I used to frequent Atlanta’s mega-sized airport, my colleague would rent a car for us to share. I’d grab my bags and take a quick walk to the train, which would take me all the way though downtown to north east Atlanta, where the hotel was happy to send the van over for me.
    The trains, using a combination of ground level, elevated, and underground tracks have a maximum speed of around 70mph. Even with stops, it’s quicker to take the train from the airport to north of town than it is to drive it. The last time I departed from ATL, my friend dropped me at the Cumberland station, and then drove to the airport. By the time he made the trip, dropped off the car, and got to the airport bar, I was on my second beer.
    Ridership is well over 60 million per year, it’s a cheap ride, and is funded almost entirely by a 1% city sales tax, “token” state funding, and no federal funds at all.

  55. wagonburner Avatar
    wagonburner

    Why are we building a stadium for the freakin’ soccer team? Let whoever owns the Dynamo build his own stadium or rent one of the existing ones.

    Precedent was set with Minute Maid, Reliant, and Toyota Center. If the HSA doesn’t build a soccer stadium they (and Houston) will be portrayed as a bunch of racists.

  56. Hamous Avatar
    Hamous

    Why are we building a stadium for the freakin’ soccer team? Let whoever owns the Dynamo build his own stadium or rent one of the existing ones.

    Precedent was set with Minute Maid, Reliant, and Toyota Center. If the HSA doesn’t build a soccer stadium they (and Houston) will be portrayed as a bunch of racists.

  57. Hamous Avatar
    Hamous

    #25 Pyro: I bought Lottery tickets yesterday, therefore I am a potential multi-millionaire; my practical side forbids me from signing the papers on a new yacht. . . . . . . . . . . ..yet

  58. Bonecrusher Avatar
    Bonecrusher

    #25 Pyro: I bought Lottery tickets yesterday, therefore I am a potential multi-millionaire; my practical side forbids me from signing the papers on a new yacht. . . . . . . . . . . ..yet

  59. El Gordo Avatar
    El Gordo

    If the HSA doesn’t build a soccer stadium they (and Houston) will be portrayed as a bunch of racists.

    And, like El Gordo points out, you can’t be world class if you’re portrayed as a bunch of racists.

  60. Dude42 Avatar
    Dude42

    If the HSA doesn’t build a soccer stadium they (and Houston) will be portrayed as a bunch of racists.

    And, like El Gordo points out, you can’t be world class if you’re portrayed as a bunch of racists.

  61. Hamous Avatar
    Hamous

    #30 Doooooode: I say let ’em go pound sand! We have enough blasted stadia that aren’t paid for we; don’t need another.

  62. Bonecrusher Avatar
    Bonecrusher

    #30 Doooooode: I say let ’em go pound sand! We have enough blasted stadia that aren’t paid for we; don’t need another.

  63. El Gordo Avatar
    El Gordo

    No cost is too great for Houston to be elevated to the status of “world class”. Well, apparently anyway.

  64. Dude42 Avatar
    Dude42

    No cost is too great for Houston to be elevated to the status of “world class”. Well, apparently anyway.

  65. El Gordo Avatar
    El Gordo

    I say let ‘em go pound sand!

    Clearly sir, you are a racist.

    /no, not really

  66. Dude42 Avatar
    Dude42

    I say let ‘em go pound sand!

    Clearly sir, you are a racist.
    /no, not really

  67. Hamous Avatar
    Hamous

    Clearly sir, you are a racist.

    I see, if one is practical or one refuses to believe the Bravo Sierra coming from someone who is of mixed race that makes one a racist; got it. Color me that way, practical and non BS believing.

  68. Bonecrusher Avatar
    Bonecrusher

    Clearly sir, you are a racist.

    I see, if one is practical or one refuses to believe the Bravo Sierra coming from someone who is of mixed race that makes one a racist; got it. Color me that way, practical and non BS believing.

  69. OletimerLin Avatar
    OletimerLin

    A few seasons ago I volunteered with other band boosters to be an club-level usher at Reliant Stadium. It was mutually beneficial in three ways. The Texans got relatively cheap, polite, literate, white collar labor to help folks find their seats and provide information, the band boosters got over $100 for each Sunday I “worked”, and I got to see every home game for free. And given the cost of the club level tickets, that’s the only way I’d have been able to see the inside of that stadium.

    One Sunday before the game began, I was standing in the concourse near my assigned territory, the end zone, looking for guests that looked lost. There’s a large club room with a very discreetly marked door located just behind the employee entrance to a concession stand. The clubroom overlooks the goalposts and the ticket prices are sky high. The food is catered, and the room has its own bartender.

    I was approached by this black guy, about 8 feet tall, with biceps larger than my thighs, and he was obviously wissed off. I recognized him as a former NFL player. He rather impolitely asked, “Do you know where this room is?” I looked at him, looked at his ticket, and replied, “Yes sir, I do. Please follow me.” and led him and his spouse to the “secret” entrance to the club room.

    After the game was over, I saw him again. He apologized for being terse, and explained that after looking for the clubroom so long, he’d become frustrated and concluded that someone had punked him by giving him a ticket to concession stand.

  70. bob42 Avatar
    bob42

    A few seasons ago I volunteered with other band boosters to be an club-level usher at Reliant Stadium. It was mutually beneficial in three ways. The Texans got relatively cheap, polite, literate, white collar labor to help folks find their seats and provide information, the band boosters got over $100 for each Sunday I “worked”, and I got to see every home game for free. And given the cost of the club level tickets, that’s the only way I’d have been able to see the inside of that stadium.
    One Sunday before the game began, I was standing in the concourse near my assigned territory, the end zone, looking for guests that looked lost. There’s a large club room with a very discreetly marked door located just behind the employee entrance to a concession stand. The clubroom overlooks the goalposts and the ticket prices are sky high. The food is catered, and the room has its own bartender.
    I was approached by this black guy, about 8 feet tall, with biceps larger than my thighs, and he was obviously wissed off. I recognized him as a former NFL player. He rather impolitely asked, “Do you know where this room is?” I looked at him, looked at his ticket, and replied, “Yes sir, I do. Please follow me.” and led him and his spouse to the “secret” entrance to the club room.
    After the game was over, I saw him again. He apologized for being terse, and explained that after looking for the clubroom so long, he’d become frustrated and concluded that someone had punked him by giving him a ticket to concession stand.

  71. GJT Avatar
    GJT

    G’Morning all

    The Peter Principle in full bloom.

    For those of you unfamilar with it, The Peter Principle is stated in the book by L. J. Peter (deceased 12.1.1990)with the same title:
    “In a hierarchy every employee tends to rise to his level of incompetence”. It holds that in a hierarchy, members are promoted so long as they work competently. Sooner or later they are promoted to a position at which they are no longer competent (their “level of incompetence”), and there they remain.
    Peter’s Corollary states that “in time, every post tends to be occupied by an employee who is incompetent to carry out their duties” and adds that “work is accomplished by those employees who have not yet reached their level of incompetence”. Managing upward is the concept of a subordinate finding ways to subtly “manage” superiors in order to limit the damage that they end up doing.

    AP IMPACT: At CIA, grave mistakes, then promotions

    By ADAM GOLDMAN and MATT APUZZO
    Associated Press

    WASHINGTON (AP) — In December 2003, security forces boarded a bus in Macedonia and snatched a German citizen named Khaled el-Masri. For the next five

    months, el-Masri was a ghost. Only a select group of CIA officers knew he had been whisked to a secret prison for interrogation in Afghanistan.

    But he was the wrong guy.

    A hard-charging CIA analyst had pushed the agency into one of the biggest diplomatic embarrassments of the U.S. war on terrorism. Yet despite recommendations by an internal review, the analyst was never punished. In fact, she has risen to one of the premier jobs in the CIA’s Counterterrorism Center, helping lead President Barack Obama’s efforts to disrupt al-Qaida.

    http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_CIA_ACCOUNTABILITY?SITE=FLTAM&SECTION=US

  72. OletimerLin Avatar
    OletimerLin

    G’Morning all
    The Peter Principle in full bloom.

    For those of you unfamilar with it, The Peter Principle is stated in the book by L. J. Peter (deceased 12.1.1990)with the same title:
    “In a hierarchy every employee tends to rise to his level of incompetence”. It holds that in a hierarchy, members are promoted so long as they work competently. Sooner or later they are promoted to a position at which they are no longer competent (their “level of incompetence”), and there they remain.
    Peter’s Corollary states that “in time, every post tends to be occupied by an employee who is incompetent to carry out their duties” and adds that “work is accomplished by those employees who have not yet reached their level of incompetence”. Managing upward is the concept of a subordinate finding ways to subtly “manage” superiors in order to limit the damage that they end up doing.

    AP IMPACT: At CIA, grave mistakes, then promotions
    By ADAM GOLDMAN and MATT APUZZO
    Associated Press
    WASHINGTON (AP) — In December 2003, security forces boarded a bus in Macedonia and snatched a German citizen named Khaled el-Masri. For the next five
    months, el-Masri was a ghost. Only a select group of CIA officers knew he had been whisked to a secret prison for interrogation in Afghanistan.
    But he was the wrong guy.
    A hard-charging CIA analyst had pushed the agency into one of the biggest diplomatic embarrassments of the U.S. war on terrorism. Yet despite recommendations by an internal review, the analyst was never punished. In fact, she has risen to one of the premier jobs in the CIA’s Counterterrorism Center, helping lead President Barack Obama’s efforts to disrupt al-Qaida.

    http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_CIA_ACCOUNTABILITY?SITE=FLTAM&SECTION=US

  73. Hamous Avatar
    Hamous

    This just came in on the e-mail, a letter to the foul “O”. THE PROBLEM is very accurately described.

    Dear Mr. President:
    During my shift in the Emergency Room last night, I had the pleasure of evaluating a patient whose smile revealed an expensive shiny gold tooth, whose body was adorned with a wide assortment of elaborate and costly tattoos, who wore a very expensive brand of tennis shoes and who chatted on a new cellular telephone equipped with a popular R&B ringtone.
    While glancing over her patient chart, I happened to notice that her payer status was listed as “Medicaid”! During my examination of her, the patient informed me that she smokes more than one costly pack of cigarettes every day and somehow still has money to buy pretzels and beer.
    And, you and our Congress expect me to pay for this woman’s health care? I contend that our nation’s “health care crisis” is not the result of a shortage of quality hospitals, doctors or nurses. Rather, it is the result of a “crisis of culture”, a culture in which it is perfectly acceptable to spend money on luxuries and vices while refusing to take care of one’s self or, heaven forbid, purchase health insurance. It is a culture based in the irresponsible credo that “I can do whatever I want to because someone else will always take care of me”.
    Once you fix this “culture crisis” that rewards irresponsibility and dependency, you’ll be amazed at how quickly our nation’s health care difficulties will disappear.
    Respectfully,

    STARNER JONES, MD

  74. Bonecrusher Avatar
    Bonecrusher

    This just came in on the e-mail, a letter to the foul “O”. THE PROBLEM is very accurately described.

    Dear Mr. President:
    During my shift in the Emergency Room last night, I had the pleasure of evaluating a patient whose smile revealed an expensive shiny gold tooth, whose body was adorned with a wide assortment of elaborate and costly tattoos, who wore a very expensive brand of tennis shoes and who chatted on a new cellular telephone equipped with a popular R&B ringtone.
    While glancing over her patient chart, I happened to notice that her payer status was listed as “Medicaid”! During my examination of her, the patient informed me that she smokes more than one costly pack of cigarettes every day and somehow still has money to buy pretzels and beer.
    And, you and our Congress expect me to pay for this woman’s health care? I contend that our nation’s “health care crisis” is not the result of a shortage of quality hospitals, doctors or nurses. Rather, it is the result of a “crisis of culture”, a culture in which it is perfectly acceptable to spend money on luxuries and vices while refusing to take care of one’s self or, heaven forbid, purchase health insurance. It is a culture based in the irresponsible credo that “I can do whatever I want to because someone else will always take care of me”.
    Once you fix this “culture crisis” that rewards irresponsibility and dependency, you’ll be amazed at how quickly our nation’s health care difficulties will disappear.
    Respectfully,
    STARNER JONES, MD

  75. GJT Avatar
    GJT

    First Lady Affirms: Obama Has Quit Smoking

    First Lady Affirms: Obama Has Quit Smoking in front of her.
    Fixed it for her

  76. OletimerLin Avatar
    OletimerLin

    First Lady Affirms: Obama Has Quit Smoking

    First Lady Affirms: Obama Has Quit Smoking in front of her.
    Fixed it for her

  77. GJT Avatar
    GJT

    ObamaCare Creator Making Comic Book to Sell the Legislation
    By Noel Sheppard | February 08, 2011 | 11:22

    The MIT economist behind much of the concepts involved in ObamaCare is making a comic book to try to get Americans to like his idea.

    Now we know how old they believe we are.

  78. OletimerLin Avatar
    OletimerLin

    ObamaCare Creator Making Comic Book to Sell the Legislation
    By Noel Sheppard | February 08, 2011 | 11:22
    The MIT economist behind much of the concepts involved in ObamaCare is making a comic book to try to get Americans to like his idea.

    Now we know how old they believe we are.

  79. GJT Avatar
    GJT

    There is a way to test the sanity of your family, friends, and neighbors. You simply observe their reaction to this essay written by Marko Kloos (pronounced “close”).
    If they “get it”, they are “curable”, or were mentally healthy in the first place. They may deserve the freedom that has been delivered to them on the blood of our forefathers.
    A while back I sent this essay to eight friends. Two of them actually mocked the essay. Sadly, those two people are “incurable”. Their common sense, their very self respect as human beings, has been bred out of them by our perverse, victim factory culture. (I’ve dropped them both from my life.)

    Are you “curable”, or “incurable”? See whether you agree or disagree with Marko’s essay.

    http://jpfo.org/articles-assd02/marko.htm

  80. OletimerLin Avatar
    OletimerLin

    There is a way to test the sanity of your family, friends, and neighbors. You simply observe their reaction to this essay written by Marko Kloos (pronounced “close”).
    If they “get it”, they are “curable”, or were mentally healthy in the first place. They may deserve the freedom that has been delivered to them on the blood of our forefathers.
    A while back I sent this essay to eight friends. Two of them actually mocked the essay. Sadly, those two people are “incurable”. Their common sense, their very self respect as human beings, has been bred out of them by our perverse, victim factory culture. (I’ve dropped them both from my life.)
    Are you “curable”, or “incurable”? See whether you agree or disagree with Marko’s essay.

    http://jpfo.org/articles-assd02/marko.htm

  81. GJT Avatar
    GJT

    Driving to the Post Office yesterday morning I looked over to my left and there’s this woman in a Mustang doing 65 miles per hour with her face up next to her rear view mirror putting on her eyeliner! All of a sudden she’s halfway over in my lane.

    Scared me so bad I dropped my electric razor in my coffee.

  82. OletimerLin Avatar
    OletimerLin

    Driving to the Post Office yesterday morning I looked over to my left and there’s this woman in a Mustang doing 65 miles per hour with her face up next to her rear view mirror putting on her eyeliner! All of a sudden she’s halfway over in my lane.
    Scared me so bad I dropped my electric razor in my coffee.

  83. OletimerLin Avatar
    OletimerLin

    I have my doubts that Obama is “true” Christian (his grandparents were UUs) but I think it’s pretty silly to assume that he’s a Muslim.

  84. bob42 Avatar
    bob42

    I have my doubts that Obama is “true” Christian (his grandparents were UUs) but I think it’s pretty silly to assume that he’s a Muslim.

  85. wagonburner Avatar
    wagonburner

    What we need is a mayor who is a dwarf lesbian quadriplegic post-op transsexual of Hispanic descent with an Arabic surname. THEN we’d be a world class city!

  86. Hamous Avatar
    Hamous

    What we need is a mayor who is a dwarf lesbian quadriplegic post-op transsexual of Hispanic descent with an Arabic surname. THEN we’d be a world class city!

  87. Hamous Avatar
    Hamous

    #36 OTL: Great article. I wonder, in retrospect, how tight of a ship did George H. W. Bush run when he was head of the CIA?
    It seems now that the darned thing is messed up. It could be fixed if we had some REAL RESPONSIBLE LEADERSHIP in the White House.

  88. Bonecrusher Avatar
    Bonecrusher

    #36 OTL: Great article. I wonder, in retrospect, how tight of a ship did George H. W. Bush run when he was head of the CIA?
    It seems now that the darned thing is messed up. It could be fixed if we had some REAL RESPONSIBLE LEADERSHIP in the White House.

  89. Simple Simon Avatar
    Simple Simon

    16 Boney,

    Wheew….I do not know how you read that much into my comments. I don’t know where I even said anything about high speed rail for Houston.

    FWIW….The distances from the suburbs surrounding Houston are much too short for HSR to work in Houston. I was thinking more the New England – New York – Washington corridor.

    FWIW again…..I am ok for private investment to undertake such a project, but against the government doing it. I merely pointed out that there was a long tradition going by into the 19th century of government subsidy of rail. I didn’t say it was a good idea.

    FWIW too…. I have lived in Europe (Italy) and never had a car. I did most of my travel by rail albeit the slower variety. I really liked it and there was a lot less hassle going by rail from city center to city center than going by air.

    Simple

  90. Simple Simon Avatar
    Simple Simon

    16 Boney,
    Wheew….I do not know how you read that much into my comments. I don’t know where I even said anything about high speed rail for Houston.
    FWIW….The distances from the suburbs surrounding Houston are much too short for HSR to work in Houston. I was thinking more the New England – New York – Washington corridor.
    FWIW again…..I am ok for private investment to undertake such a project, but against the government doing it. I merely pointed out that there was a long tradition going by into the 19th century of government subsidy of rail. I didn’t say it was a good idea.
    FWIW too…. I have lived in Europe (Italy) and never had a car. I did most of my travel by rail albeit the slower variety. I really liked it and there was a lot less hassle going by rail from city center to city center than going by air.
    Simple

  91. Hamous Avatar
    Hamous

    #40 OTL: What a great article! It was once said (by whom I do not know) that a well armed society is by necessity a very polite society.
    God made man. Sam Colt made them all equal.

  92. Bonecrusher Avatar
    Bonecrusher

    #40 OTL: What a great article! It was once said (by whom I do not know) that a well armed society is by necessity a very polite society.
    God made man. Sam Colt made them all equal.

  93. wagonburner Avatar
    wagonburner

    Let the bodies hit the floor:

    First-term Democratic Senator Jim Webb of Virginia will retire when his term ends next year.

  94. Hamous Avatar
    Hamous

    Let the bodies hit the floor:

    First-term Democratic Senator Jim Webb of Virginia will retire when his term ends next year.

  95. texanadian Avatar
    texanadian

    Obamacare support melting away.

    Pretty much as expected by conservatives, Obamacare has remained unpopular with the public. It’s under attack in the courts. And now, vulnerable Senate Democrats are running for the hills. ABC News reports:

    “We’re looking at everything humanly possible. I’ve always had a concern and a problem with the mandate, that we were forcing it, basically saying by the law of the land you have to buy the product,” Sen. Joe Manchin, D-WV, told ABC News today. “But on the other hand, I know that’s been the linchpin. I’m looking for flexibility any way I can.”
    Manchin is one of the moderate Democrats trying to figure out how to repeal the individual mandate. While talks are still in the early stages, Manchin hopes the push will take shape sooner rather than later.
    Joining him in these efforts could be a handful of other Democrats who are also up for reelection in 2012: Nebraska’s Ben Nelson, Missouri’s Claire McCaskill, and Montana’s Jon Tester.

    Heh

  96. Super Dave Avatar
    Super Dave

    Obamacare support melting away.

    Pretty much as expected by conservatives, Obamacare has remained unpopular with the public. It’s under attack in the courts. And now, vulnerable Senate Democrats are running for the hills. ABC News reports:
    “We’re looking at everything humanly possible. I’ve always had a concern and a problem with the mandate, that we were forcing it, basically saying by the law of the land you have to buy the product,” Sen. Joe Manchin, D-WV, told ABC News today. “But on the other hand, I know that’s been the linchpin. I’m looking for flexibility any way I can.”
    Manchin is one of the moderate Democrats trying to figure out how to repeal the individual mandate. While talks are still in the early stages, Manchin hopes the push will take shape sooner rather than later.
    Joining him in these efforts could be a handful of other Democrats who are also up for reelection in 2012: Nebraska’s Ben Nelson, Missouri’s Claire McCaskill, and Montana’s Jon Tester.

    Heh

  97. texanadian Avatar
    texanadian

    Now this is informative and frigg’n scary.
    http://directorblue.blogspot.com/2011/02/obamas-tough-budget-cuts-in-pictures.html

    h/t Michelle Malkin

  98. texanadian Avatar
    texanadian

    Now this is informative and frigg’n scary.
    http://directorblue.blogspot.com/2011/02/obamas-tough-budget-cuts-in-pictures.html
    h/t Michelle Malkin

  99. Hamous Avatar
    Hamous

    #45 Simple: I have had many vigorous discussions with “rail idiots” in the past, therefore I have lots of info and thought at my fingertips. You clearly DO NOT FALL INTO THE IDIOT CATEGORY. If private industry wants to try rail, I have no problem with that at all. I have a big problem with the accompanied imminent domain seizures of property, and outrageous government subsidies that always accompany any rail project. IMHO, the whole concept of passenger rail is fatally flawed because of the time/convenience/cost factors. If an enterprising company wanted to put passengers on existing rail lines, be they freight or whatever, then there is a possibility for a break-even operation. If new line on new routes are to be the way it will be a huge boondoggle for all concerned, particularly the tax payer.
    I am not opposed, in principle, to mass transportation and have never lived in a zoned city; I am a 5th gen Houstonian and have not experienced life/vacation/travel in Europe. In Houston, lots of buses with lots of park and ride lots going on lots of routes makes a whole lot more sense than any kind of fixed rail for moving people.

  100. Bonecrusher Avatar
    Bonecrusher

    #45 Simple: I have had many vigorous discussions with “rail idiots” in the past, therefore I have lots of info and thought at my fingertips. You clearly DO NOT FALL INTO THE IDIOT CATEGORY. If private industry wants to try rail, I have no problem with that at all. I have a big problem with the accompanied imminent domain seizures of property, and outrageous government subsidies that always accompany any rail project. IMHO, the whole concept of passenger rail is fatally flawed because of the time/convenience/cost factors. If an enterprising company wanted to put passengers on existing rail lines, be they freight or whatever, then there is a possibility for a break-even operation. If new line on new routes are to be the way it will be a huge boondoggle for all concerned, particularly the tax payer.
    I am not opposed, in principle, to mass transportation and have never lived in a zoned city; I am a 5th gen Houstonian and have not experienced life/vacation/travel in Europe. In Houston, lots of buses with lots of park and ride lots going on lots of routes makes a whole lot more sense than any kind of fixed rail for moving people.

  101. OletimerLin Avatar
    OletimerLin

    Two Cute.

    My daughter and her co-worker (who I consider my “adopted” daughter) with no prior planning, happened to wear similar outfits to work today. They’re great kids young adults, and I am privileged to be a part of their lives.

    /proud pappa

  102. bob42 Avatar
    bob42

    Two Cute.
    My daughter and her co-worker (who I consider my “adopted” daughter) with no prior planning, happened to wear similar outfits to work today. They’re great kids young adults, and I am privileged to be a part of their lives.
    /proud pappa

  103. Adee Avatar
    Adee

    Hi everybody. Blowing a gale and 29 on the north bank of the Brazos at Richmond. A light covering of ice on the roofs and everything above the ground. Stepping bricks on the walkway to the barn are glazing over, but the puddles on the driveway are still liquid–for now. The front roared in about 10, just as I was getting back in the car from an errand. Rain was reduced to a heavy mist before the wind. In the ~10 minutes to go ~4 miles home, it dropped from 45 to 34.

    Spouse insisted on going to the office this morning despite the forecast and light rain. He just called to say he’s heading home. Only worry is the office is 50 miles from here, on North Belt close to Intergalactic, and the drive is mostly on Beltway 8 and Wespark/Fort Bend tollways that stick up in the air.

    This is not a day fit for man nor beast. Must get out to the barn and fill water buckets and then turn off the water to the outside faucets and barn. And give the girls some more hay.

  104. Adee Avatar
    Adee

    Hi everybody. Blowing a gale and 29 on the north bank of the Brazos at Richmond. A light covering of ice on the roofs and everything above the ground. Stepping bricks on the walkway to the barn are glazing over, but the puddles on the driveway are still liquid–for now. The front roared in about 10, just as I was getting back in the car from an errand. Rain was reduced to a heavy mist before the wind. In the ~10 minutes to go ~4 miles home, it dropped from 45 to 34.
    Spouse insisted on going to the office this morning despite the forecast and light rain. He just called to say he’s heading home. Only worry is the office is 50 miles from here, on North Belt close to Intergalactic, and the drive is mostly on Beltway 8 and Wespark/Fort Bend tollways that stick up in the air.
    This is not a day fit for man nor beast. Must get out to the barn and fill water buckets and then turn off the water to the outside faucets and barn. And give the girls some more hay.

  105. Sarge Avatar
    Sarge

    There’s an even bigger problem with nation spanning passenger rail that is rarely dissussed.

    ALL mass transit systems are prime targets for terrorism and/or strategic attack. While air and water systems are vulnerable at the hubs (airports and port terminals), or individual carrier vehicles (air planes and ships), rail is the only mass transit system that is vulnerable throughout the entire route that can result in both mass casualties and shutting down the significant portions of the system with one attack.

    By necessity, the greater majority of any rail system, particularly high speed between major cities, must be located in rural sparsely populated areas with limited access. With high speed rail, the damage doesn’t have to be very great at all to kill hundreds of people and shut the entire system down until the equipment is cleard and repairs made. It doesn’t take much logistic support to pack a few ounces of C4 or Semtex through the boonies and put it on the rail. The terrorists would have literally thousands of miles of targeting opportunities, and defense against them would be nearly impossible and prohibitively expensive.

    But prohibitively expensive never meant much to Democrats——-

  106. Sarge Avatar
    Sarge

    There’s an even bigger problem with nation spanning passenger rail that is rarely dissussed.
    ALL mass transit systems are prime targets for terrorism and/or strategic attack. While air and water systems are vulnerable at the hubs (airports and port terminals), or individual carrier vehicles (air planes and ships), rail is the only mass transit system that is vulnerable throughout the entire route that can result in both mass casualties and shutting down the significant portions of the system with one attack.
    By necessity, the greater majority of any rail system, particularly high speed between major cities, must be located in rural sparsely populated areas with limited access. With high speed rail, the damage doesn’t have to be very great at all to kill hundreds of people and shut the entire system down until the equipment is cleard and repairs made. It doesn’t take much logistic support to pack a few ounces of C4 or Semtex through the boonies and put it on the rail. The terrorists would have literally thousands of miles of targeting opportunities, and defense against them would be nearly impossible and prohibitively expensive.
    But prohibitively expensive never meant much to Democrats——-

  107. Simple Simon Avatar
    Simple Simon

    50 Boney,

    I like the Downtown Train when I get Jury duty. I take the Eastside Express Bus to the Downtown terminus for the toy train and ride it a few blocks. I have used the same mode
    when going to the Medical Center. Ms Simple and I would go there 3-4 times a week when our granddaughter was first born. She was in the Neo-Natal ICU for six months. The train/bus system was easier when parking at the Medical Center was not always abundant.

    Houston does drop the ball with buses when compared to European Cities. There was always a central “covered” bus station. All buses went to the stazione and departed from there. It was easy to catch a bus in the northern suburbs and find a connection to the western industrial district. One was never in the the rain or too much cold. The stations were well policed and quite safe.

    In Houston….One catches a bus and gets deposited onto a downtown street, where hopefully one can catch a transfer to the right place. I would have never depended on using the bus to commute back and forth from the University of Houston. I wish Metro would spend a little money to build 2-3 stations.

    Simple

  108. Simple Simon Avatar
    Simple Simon

    50 Boney,
    I like the Downtown Train when I get Jury duty. I take the Eastside Express Bus to the Downtown terminus for the toy train and ride it a few blocks. I have used the same mode
    when going to the Medical Center. Ms Simple and I would go there 3-4 times a week when our granddaughter was first born. She was in the Neo-Natal ICU for six months. The train/bus system was easier when parking at the Medical Center was not always abundant.
    Houston does drop the ball with buses when compared to European Cities. There was always a central “covered” bus station. All buses went to the stazione and departed from there. It was easy to catch a bus in the northern suburbs and find a connection to the western industrial district. One was never in the the rain or too much cold. The stations were well policed and quite safe.
    In Houston….One catches a bus and gets deposited onto a downtown street, where hopefully one can catch a transfer to the right place. I would have never depended on using the bus to commute back and forth from the University of Houston. I wish Metro would spend a little money to build 2-3 stations.
    Simple

  109. Hamous Avatar
    Hamous

    #54 Simple: Houston is a very unique and is the DEFINITION OF A WORLD CLASS CITY. Most cities have very strict nazi zoning boards and have very well defined business centers and residential areas usually arranged in a hub and spoke fashion; that design lends itself very well to mass transit. Houston does not even come close to that model and the cookie cutter fixed-position mass transit plans that have a remote potential to be only marginally in the red (as opposed to deep in the red) in heavily zoned cities do not stand a snowballs chance in h-ll of being successful here. If it takes you 2 1/2 to 3 hours by bus to make a 45 minute car ride which one are you going to choose? There does not seem to be the concept in Houston Metro of cross town traffic and as such you have to come all the way downtown then go back out and hope you can make the schedules work. I have never taken the bus to work as I have usually not had the luxury of fixed hours and/or being any where close to a bus line and I have the necessity of carrying a massage table with me to do house/office call appointments.

  110. Bonecrusher Avatar
    Bonecrusher

    #54 Simple: Houston is a very unique and is the DEFINITION OF A WORLD CLASS CITY. Most cities have very strict nazi zoning boards and have very well defined business centers and residential areas usually arranged in a hub and spoke fashion; that design lends itself very well to mass transit. Houston does not even come close to that model and the cookie cutter fixed-position mass transit plans that have a remote potential to be only marginally in the red (as opposed to deep in the red) in heavily zoned cities do not stand a snowballs chance in h-ll of being successful here. If it takes you 2 1/2 to 3 hours by bus to make a 45 minute car ride which one are you going to choose? There does not seem to be the concept in Houston Metro of cross town traffic and as such you have to come all the way downtown then go back out and hope you can make the schedules work. I have never taken the bus to work as I have usually not had the luxury of fixed hours and/or being any where close to a bus line and I have the necessity of carrying a massage table with me to do house/office call appointments.

  111. Sarge Avatar
    Sarge

    The North Texas and Oklahoma plains have now been colder for longer and seen more snow than occurred when Custer went after the Comanche during the Washita Campaign of 1868.

    Eat buffalo shizzle, Al Gore.

  112. Sarge Avatar
    Sarge

    The North Texas and Oklahoma plains have now been colder for longer and seen more snow than occurred when Custer went after the Comanche during the Washita Campaign of 1868.
    Eat buffalo shizzle, Al Gore.

  113. Hamous Avatar
    Hamous

    #54 Simple: This is what happens with rail.

    Amtrak’s notorious book-cooking, however, has gone unabated. The agency was reprimanded during the Bush administration for misleading Congress about its solvency. But former employees faced no criminal charges for fudging the agency’s profit-and-loss statements.

    That action would get anyone in private business thrown in jail.

  114. Bonecrusher Avatar
    Bonecrusher

    #54 Simple: This is what happens with rail.

    Amtrak’s notorious book-cooking, however, has gone unabated. The agency was reprimanded during the Bush administration for misleading Congress about its solvency. But former employees faced no criminal charges for fudging the agency’s profit-and-loss statements.

    That action would get anyone in private business thrown in jail.

  115. Sarge Avatar
    Sarge

    It has now been colder for longer and more snow has fallen than occurred when Custer went after the Comanche during the Washita Campakign of 1868.

    Eat buffalo shizzle, Al Gore.

  116. Sarge Avatar
    Sarge

    It has now been colder for longer and more snow has fallen than occurred when Custer went after the Comanche during the Washita Campakign of 1868.
    Eat buffalo shizzle, Al Gore.

  117. Sarge Avatar
    Sarge

    post in the bucket

  118. Sarge Avatar
    Sarge

    post in the bucket

  119. Hamous Avatar
    Hamous

    Eat buffalo shizzle, Al Gore.

    Superlatively well spoken sir.

  120. Bonecrusher Avatar
    Bonecrusher

    Eat buffalo shizzle, Al Gore.

    Superlatively well spoken sir.

  121. Hamous Avatar
    Hamous

    This just hit my in box: I am going to try to sanitize it.

    Alan Simpson, Senator from Wyoming, Co-Chair of Obama’s deficit

    > commission, calls senior citizens the Greediest Generation as he

    > compared “Social Security” to a Milk Cow with 310 million teats.

    > August, 2010.

    >

    > Here’s a response in a letter from a unknown fellow in Montana… I

    > think he is a little ticked off ! He also tells it like it is !

    >

    >

    > “Hey Alan, let’s get a few things straight…

    >

    > 1. As a career politician, you have been on the public dole for FIFTY

    > YEARS.

    >

    > 2. I have been paying Social Security taxes for 48 YEARS (since I was 15

    > years old. I am now 63).

    >

    > 3. My Social Security payments, and those of millions of other

    > Americans, were safely tucked away in an interest bearing account for

    > decades until you political pukes decided to raid the account and give

    > OUR money to a bunch of zero ambition losers in return for votes, thus

    > bankrupting the system and turning Social Security into a Ponzi scheme

    > that would have made Bernie Madoff proud.

    >

    > 4. Recently, just like Lucy & Charlie Brown, you and your ilk pulled the

    > proverbial football away from millions of American seniors nearing

    > retirement and moved the goalposts for full retirement from age 65 to

    > age 67. NOW, you and your shill commission is proposing to move the

    > goalposts YET AGAIN.

    >

    > 5. I, and millions of other Americans, have been paying into Medicare

    > from Day One, and now you morons propose to change the rules of the

    > game. Why? Because you idiots mismanaged other parts of the economy to

    > such an extent that you need to steal money from Medicare to pay the

    > bills.

    >

    > 6. I, and millions of other Americans, have been paying income taxes our

    > entire lives, and now you propose to increase our taxes yet again. Why?

    > Because you incompetent b-st-rds spent our money so profligately that

    > you just kept on spending even after you ran out of money. Now, you come

    > to the American taxpayers and say you need more to pay off YOUR debt.

    >

    > ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

    >

    > To add insult to injury, you label us “greedy” for calling “bullsh-t” on

    > your incompetence. Well, Captain Bullsh-t, I have a few questions for

    > YOU.

    >

    > 1. How much money have you earned from the American taxpayers during

    > your pathetic 50-year political career?

    >

    > 2. At what age did you retire from your pathetic political career, and

    > how much are you receiving in annual retirement benefits from the

    > American taxpayers?

    >

    > 3. How much do you pay for YOUR government provided health insurance?

    >

    > 4. What cuts in YOUR retirement and healthcare benefits are you

    > proposing in your disgusting deficit reduction proposal, or, as usual,

    > have you exempted yourself and your political cronies?

    >

    > It is you, Captain Bullsh-t, and your political co-conspirators who are

    > “greedy”. It is you and they who have bankrupted America and stolen the

    > American dream from millions of loyal, patriotic taxpayers. And for

    > what? Votes. That’s right, sir. You and yours have bankrupted America

    > for the sole purpose of advancing your pathetic political careers. You

    > know it, we know it, and you know that we know it.

    >

    > And you can take that to the bank, you miserable son of a beyotch.”

    The day of reckoning is coming!

  122. Bonecrusher Avatar
    Bonecrusher

    This just hit my in box: I am going to try to sanitize it.

    Alan Simpson, Senator from Wyoming, Co-Chair of Obama’s deficit
    > commission, calls senior citizens the Greediest Generation as he
    > compared “Social Security” to a Milk Cow with 310 million teats.
    > August, 2010.
    >
    > Here’s a response in a letter from a unknown fellow in Montana… I
    > think he is a little ticked off ! He also tells it like it is !
    >
    >
    > “Hey Alan, let’s get a few things straight…
    >
    > 1. As a career politician, you have been on the public dole for FIFTY
    > YEARS.
    >
    > 2. I have been paying Social Security taxes for 48 YEARS (since I was 15
    > years old. I am now 63).
    >
    > 3. My Social Security payments, and those of millions of other
    > Americans, were safely tucked away in an interest bearing account for
    > decades until you political pukes decided to raid the account and give
    > OUR money to a bunch of zero ambition losers in return for votes, thus
    > bankrupting the system and turning Social Security into a Ponzi scheme
    > that would have made Bernie Madoff proud.
    >
    > 4. Recently, just like Lucy & Charlie Brown, you and your ilk pulled the
    > proverbial football away from millions of American seniors nearing
    > retirement and moved the goalposts for full retirement from age 65 to
    > age 67. NOW, you and your shill commission is proposing to move the
    > goalposts YET AGAIN.
    >
    > 5. I, and millions of other Americans, have been paying into Medicare
    > from Day One, and now you morons propose to change the rules of the
    > game. Why? Because you idiots mismanaged other parts of the economy to
    > such an extent that you need to steal money from Medicare to pay the
    > bills.
    >
    > 6. I, and millions of other Americans, have been paying income taxes our
    > entire lives, and now you propose to increase our taxes yet again. Why?
    > Because you incompetent b-st-rds spent our money so profligately that
    > you just kept on spending even after you ran out of money. Now, you come
    > to the American taxpayers and say you need more to pay off YOUR debt.
    >
    > ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    >
    > To add insult to injury, you label us “greedy” for calling “bullsh-t” on
    > your incompetence. Well, Captain Bullsh-t, I have a few questions for
    > YOU.
    >
    > 1. How much money have you earned from the American taxpayers during
    > your pathetic 50-year political career?
    >
    > 2. At what age did you retire from your pathetic political career, and
    > how much are you receiving in annual retirement benefits from the
    > American taxpayers?
    >
    > 3. How much do you pay for YOUR government provided health insurance?
    >
    > 4. What cuts in YOUR retirement and healthcare benefits are you
    > proposing in your disgusting deficit reduction proposal, or, as usual,
    > have you exempted yourself and your political cronies?
    >
    > It is you, Captain Bullsh-t, and your political co-conspirators who are
    > “greedy”. It is you and they who have bankrupted America and stolen the
    > American dream from millions of loyal, patriotic taxpayers. And for
    > what? Votes. That’s right, sir. You and yours have bankrupted America
    > for the sole purpose of advancing your pathetic political careers. You
    > know it, we know it, and you know that we know it.
    >
    > And you can take that to the bank, you miserable son of a beyotch.”

    The day of reckoning is coming!

  123. Adee Avatar
    Adee

    Spouse arrived about an hour ago and is working from home. Big relief.

  124. Adee Avatar
    Adee

    Spouse arrived about an hour ago and is working from home. Big relief.

  125. Tedtam Avatar
    Tedtam

    Heh.

  126. Sarge Avatar
    Sarge

    Double Heh

  127. Sarge Avatar
    Sarge

    Double Heh

  128. Tedtam Avatar
    Tedtam

    We are canceling our Faith Formation classes for the second week in a row. Last week I sent out my teacher notes and a completed worksheet for the lesson, hoping against hope that at least one of the kids might give it a fleeting glance. Yes, I’m an optimist.

    Tonight I had on the schedule a tour of the church. This is always one of the most popular lessons, as we get out of the classroom for a change. Many of my students don’t come to mass regularly, unfortunately, so much of what we cover is new and interesting to them. I take them to the church, where we go over proper church etiquette (genuflecting, why we genuflect, use of the holy water, etc.) and then we discuss the various parts of the church building and their uses (narthex, nave, etc.). I take them up to the altar where they get to see, not touch!, the tabernacle. I go over things like the sanctuary light, its purpose and proper use, the altar and the history thereof, the presider’s chair (which in a bishop’s home church is called a cathedra), the deacon’s chair, the differences and use thereof. The difference between the ambo and the choir music stand and what they are used for. I take them to the work sacristy and we talk about what is kept in there and when it might be used. I also take them to the priest’s sacristy and I show them the lectionaries, the vestments, and the various altar apparatus and why and when they are used. They get to see the safe where we keep the chalices. I show them the sink in the sacristy used for cleaning the vessels used in mass, and why it is unique from most other lavatories they’ll ever come across (10 points for any Hamster who knows). They get to see the choir robe room. We talk about the “language of the church,” how it talks to us throughout the year, reflecting our lives in Christ, through the colors used and the decor. We cover the parts of the mass.

    This class I love also because it ties in so much and really begins to put together a lot of what I’ve been trying to teach them. Our liturgical calendar cycle takes us through the life of Christ, and everything about our mass and how we use the church building reflects that cycle of redemption in Christ’s birth, life, death, and resurrection. They can put together the sacredness of our church and the items used in our worship to reflect the sacredness of our Lord. They begin to see how they can become part of the communion of saints by actively joining the community on Sundays in worship and other ministries, such as hospitality, choir, reading, and eventually – hopefully – becoming extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist. I show them the ambry, where we keep the different holy oils for different sacraments. We discuss the sacraments, especially confirmation, and how the church is used to celebrate those events.

    So, while last week I just passed on my notes and such, I’ve decided to take a games & review night from next month and do our tour then. I’m hoping that this is the last “snow day” we have. The rest of my lessons are closely tied to the Easter season, and will be hard to just let go.

    Right now, I’m braving a trip to the bank. I don’t know what tomorrow’s weather will bring, and I can make a run with part of the payroll and the check I have to deposit. I will see if anyone wins the 10 points when I return.

  129. Tedtam Avatar
    Tedtam

    We are canceling our Faith Formation classes for the second week in a row. Last week I sent out my teacher notes and a completed worksheet for the lesson, hoping against hope that at least one of the kids might give it a fleeting glance. Yes, I’m an optimist.
    Tonight I had on the schedule a tour of the church. This is always one of the most popular lessons, as we get out of the classroom for a change. Many of my students don’t come to mass regularly, unfortunately, so much of what we cover is new and interesting to them. I take them to the church, where we go over proper church etiquette (genuflecting, why we genuflect, use of the holy water, etc.) and then we discuss the various parts of the church building and their uses (narthex, nave, etc.). I take them up to the altar where they get to see, not touch!, the tabernacle. I go over things like the sanctuary light, its purpose and proper use, the altar and the history thereof, the presider’s chair (which in a bishop’s home church is called a cathedra), the deacon’s chair, the differences and use thereof. The difference between the ambo and the choir music stand and what they are used for. I take them to the work sacristy and we talk about what is kept in there and when it might be used. I also take them to the priest’s sacristy and I show them the lectionaries, the vestments, and the various altar apparatus and why and when they are used. They get to see the safe where we keep the chalices. I show them the sink in the sacristy used for cleaning the vessels used in mass, and why it is unique from most other lavatories they’ll ever come across (10 points for any Hamster who knows). They get to see the choir robe room. We talk about the “language of the church,” how it talks to us throughout the year, reflecting our lives in Christ, through the colors used and the decor. We cover the parts of the mass.
    This class I love also because it ties in so much and really begins to put together a lot of what I’ve been trying to teach them. Our liturgical calendar cycle takes us through the life of Christ, and everything about our mass and how we use the church building reflects that cycle of redemption in Christ’s birth, life, death, and resurrection. They can put together the sacredness of our church and the items used in our worship to reflect the sacredness of our Lord. They begin to see how they can become part of the communion of saints by actively joining the community on Sundays in worship and other ministries, such as hospitality, choir, reading, and eventually – hopefully – becoming extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist. I show them the ambry, where we keep the different holy oils for different sacraments. We discuss the sacraments, especially confirmation, and how the church is used to celebrate those events.
    So, while last week I just passed on my notes and such, I’ve decided to take a games & review night from next month and do our tour then. I’m hoping that this is the last “snow day” we have. The rest of my lessons are closely tied to the Easter season, and will be hard to just let go.
    Right now, I’m braving a trip to the bank. I don’t know what tomorrow’s weather will bring, and I can make a run with part of the payroll and the check I have to deposit. I will see if anyone wins the 10 points when I return.

  130. wagonburner Avatar
    wagonburner

    Heh heh heh. Taranto smackdown of Paulie K.

    The most intelligent thing Paul Krugman has ever written was a Jan. 28 entry, titled simply “Egypt,” on his New York Times blog:

    I don’t know anything, have no expertise, haven’t even ever looked at the economic situation. Hence, no posting. If there comes a point when I have something to say, I will.

  131. Hamous Avatar
    Hamous

    Heh heh heh. Taranto smackdown of Paulie K.

    The most intelligent thing Paul Krugman has ever written was a Jan. 28 entry, titled simply “Egypt,” on his New York Times blog:

    I don’t know anything, have no expertise, haven’t even ever looked at the economic situation. Hence, no posting. If there comes a point when I have something to say, I will.

  132. Katfish Avatar
    Katfish

    why it is unique from most other lavatories they’ll ever come across

    Can I answer?

  133. wagonburner Avatar
    wagonburner

    why it is unique from most other lavatories they’ll ever come across

    Can I answer?

  134. wagonburner Avatar
    wagonburner

    Silent Bob sheds some poundage. That’s nice. While scanning the article in Time this caught my eye:

    Smith, who’s best know for his role as Silent Bob in the movie franchise Jay and Silent Bob, spoke to Joy Behar on her CNN show Wednesday about the “traumatizing” experience that led him to lose weight — as well as his pension for wearing oversized hockey jerseys.

    Now I’m no English teacher, and have been known to misuse words on numerous occasions, then again I don’t write for Time Magazine. But even I know the word Erin was looking for is “penchant” not “pension”. Unless he’s retired and his former employer is paying him to wear oversized hockey jerseys.

  135. Hamous Avatar
    Hamous

    Silent Bob sheds some poundage. That’s nice. While scanning the article in Time this caught my eye:

    Smith, who’s best know for his role as Silent Bob in the movie franchise Jay and Silent Bob, spoke to Joy Behar on her CNN show Wednesday about the “traumatizing” experience that led him to lose weight — as well as his pension for wearing oversized hockey jerseys.

    Now I’m no English teacher, and have been known to misuse words on numerous occasions, then again I don’t write for Time Magazine. But even I know the word Erin was looking for is “penchant” not “pension”. Unless he’s retired and his former employer is paying him to wear oversized hockey jerseys.

  136. Hamous Avatar
    Hamous

    #65 TT: Is it unique because it is not to be used for any other purpose?

  137. Bonecrusher Avatar
    Bonecrusher

    #65 TT: Is it unique because it is not to be used for any other purpose?

  138. Hamous Avatar
    Hamous

    #68 Hamous: When I was taking an English class at UofH given by Professor J. P. Morgan, a single error like that would have resulted in an automatic F for the paper. She was one tough prof.

  139. Bonecrusher Avatar
    Bonecrusher

    #68 Hamous: When I was taking an English class at UofH given by Professor J. P. Morgan, a single error like that would have resulted in an automatic F for the paper. She was one tough prof.

  140. wagonburner Avatar
    wagonburner

    I’m not implying I’m smarter than Erin and I hope she doesn’t infer that

    /punkazz Okie 😉

  141. Hamous Avatar
    Hamous

    I’m not implying I’m smarter than Erin and I hope she doesn’t infer that
    /punkazz Okie 😉

  142. Katfish Avatar
    Katfish

    It took you a while, but it looks like it’s finally soaked in. 😆

  143. wagonburner Avatar
    wagonburner

    It took you a while, but it looks like it’s finally soaked in. 😆

  144. mharper42 Avatar
    mharper42

    #51 Bob
    You sure these girls really have jobs? Seems to be some big stuffed toys in the background.

    But yah they are cute. 🙂

  145. mharper42 Avatar
    mharper42

    #51 Bob
    You sure these girls really have jobs? Seems to be some big stuffed toys in the background.
    But yah they are cute. 🙂

  146. Katfish Avatar
    Katfish

    #69 bone
    Close, but not close enough.

  147. wagonburner Avatar
    wagonburner

    #69 bone
    Close, but not close enough.

  148. Simple Simon Avatar
    Simple Simon

    Boney 57

    I don’t think that I ever defended Amtrak. I know that no private enterprise & publically traded company would ever think about cooking the books. Especially here in Houston.

    /sarc off

    Simple

  149. Simple Simon Avatar
    Simple Simon

    Boney 57
    I don’t think that I ever defended Amtrak. I know that no private enterprise & publically traded company would ever think about cooking the books. Especially here in Houston.
    /sarc off
    Simple

  150. Hamous Avatar
    Hamous

    #75 Simple: I am not accusing you of anything. Amtrack is just another in a long string of public boondogles, Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae included that have to be excised from the public teat like the cancers they are.

  151. Bonecrusher Avatar
    Bonecrusher

    #75 Simple: I am not accusing you of anything. Amtrack is just another in a long string of public boondogles, Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae included that have to be excised from the public teat like the cancers they are.

  152. Hamous Avatar
    Hamous

    #75 Simple: It was not my intention to imply nor did I wish you to infer any accusation whatsoever. If you did infer accusation please forgive me as that was not my intention.

  153. Bonecrusher Avatar
    Bonecrusher

    #75 Simple: It was not my intention to imply nor did I wish you to infer any accusation whatsoever. If you did infer accusation please forgive me as that was not my intention.

  154. Tedtam Avatar
    Tedtam

    Okay, I’m back. Wagon – what is the answer?

  155. Tedtam Avatar
    Tedtam

    Okay, I’m back. Wagon – what is the answer?

  156. OletimerLin Avatar
    OletimerLin

    #65 Tedtam, believe it or not…

    (10 points for any Hamster who knows)

    …I know.

  157. bob42 Avatar
    bob42

    #65 Tedtam, believe it or not…

    (10 points for any Hamster who knows)

    …I know.

  158. OletimerLin Avatar
    OletimerLin

    #73 Mharper420, yes, that is their workplace. It’s an outfit hired by area homeowners associations, and my girls drive around looking for violations, write nag-o-grams, and on the phone, try to soothe the irate residents who receive them.

    Adopted daughter just celebrated a birthday, hence the stuffed critter.

  159. bob42 Avatar
    bob42

    #73 Mharper420, yes, that is their workplace. It’s an outfit hired by area homeowners associations, and my girls drive around looking for violations, write nag-o-grams, and on the phone, try to soothe the irate residents who receive them.
    Adopted daughter just celebrated a birthday, hence the stuffed critter.

  160. Shannon Avatar
    Shannon

    Come on, let’s have it wagonman or TT.
    I’ll add that in our chuch, unused wine is returned to the ground and NOT down some drain.
    At least it used to be. Who knows about now. Some moron decided volunteer-baked bread was cheaper than unleavened wafers!
    Don’t get me started…

  161. Shannon Avatar
    Shannon

    Come on, let’s have it wagonman or TT.
    I’ll add that in our chuch, unused wine is returned to the ground and NOT down some drain.
    At least it used to be. Who knows about now. Some moron decided volunteer-baked bread was cheaper than unleavened wafers!
    Don’t get me started…

  162. Tedtam Avatar
    Tedtam

    DING DING DING!
    We have a winner!

    Shannon – the drain pipe for the sacristy lavatory, where the vessels are washed, goes to ground, and not to any sewer line. In this way, none of the sacred body or blood is defiled.

  163. Tedtam Avatar
    Tedtam

    DING DING DING!
    We have a winner!
    Shannon – the drain pipe for the sacristy lavatory, where the vessels are washed, goes to ground, and not to any sewer line. In this way, none of the sacred body or blood is defiled.

  164. Darren Avatar
    Darren

    El Gordo #11;

    That poor man. What a name!

  165. Darren Avatar
    Darren

    El Gordo #11;
    That poor man. What a name!

  166. Tedtam Avatar
    Tedtam

    #80 Bob42

    It seems so ironic – you the libertarian, raising your kids in such a libber fashion, and your daughter works for the yard nazis.

    I hate yard nazis.

  167. Tedtam Avatar
    Tedtam

    #80 Bob42
    It seems so ironic – you the libertarian, raising your kids in such a libber fashion, and your daughter works for the yard nazis.
    I hate yard nazis.

  168. Darren Avatar
    Darren

    Shannon #81;

    I’ll add that in our chuch, unused wine is returned to the ground and NOT down some drain.

    Obviously the late Senator Ted Kennedy wasn’t a Lutheran.

  169. Darren Avatar
    Darren

    Shannon #81;

    I’ll add that in our chuch, unused wine is returned to the ground and NOT down some drain.

    Obviously the late Senator Ted Kennedy wasn’t a Lutheran.

  170. Tedtam Avatar
    Tedtam

    Darren / Shannon

    …and technically, it isn’t wine.

    Though that confuses many, especially the Kennedys.

  171. Tedtam Avatar
    Tedtam

    Darren / Shannon
    …and technically, it isn’t wine.
    Though that confuses many, especially the Kennedys.

  172. Shannon Avatar
    Shannon

    86 TT
    Yes, you’re correct. I just didn’t want to confuse anyone.
    🙂

  173. Shannon Avatar
    Shannon

    86 TT
    Yes, you’re correct. I just didn’t want to confuse anyone.
    🙂

  174. Darren Avatar
    Darren

    bob42 #42;

    By o:25 I counted 25 in attendence.
    By 1:07 I saw 9 people raise their hand to the question, “how many here believe he (Barak Obama) is a Muslim?”
    That’s less than 50% of the people in attendence who raised their hand in the affirmative.
    At 1:30 I hear “his religion is liberalism”
    By 1:39 I heard “I don’t know he’s a practicing Muslim”
    at 1:42 I heard, “his religious beliefs are liberalism” followed by, “you know, that’s the most intolerant religion of all”
    By 2:02 a lady explain “I it’s quite possible he (Barak Obama) is a Muslim…”
    At 2:11 Obama is compared to the appeasments of “Nevell Chamberlain of 1939”
    By 2:31 There’s agreement that the Egyptian crisis snuck up on Obama and he doesn’t know what to do. That he’s unprepared what to do.
    By 2:38 there’s voice opinion that Obama blames America on the world’s problem

    And the title of bob’s link is, “Iowa Focus Group on Obama Agrees: He’s a Muslim”? ❓

    – I ask, “why the confusion regarding Obama’s religious beliefs? Certainly it’s not all the Republican Caucus in Iowa’s fault. Folks here know where each other stands on religious beliefs. Why is Obama’s beliefs so confusing?
    – Is Obama sympathetic to or tolerant of or simply oblivious to Sharia law? He’s scertainly not opposed ot it. (Pssssst, bob, that should be a huge concern to anyone post WWII)

    Now let’s close this post be deemphasizing concern over Obama and focus on what the narrator said.

    At the 1:16 mark the narrator (I forget his name) starts to inquire if the audience realizes the ramifications of what these 9 people affirmed to. Then he says:

    what the media wqill say about this group

    To see how prohetic that statement is, just read post #42.

    Thanks, bob, for scorring yet another less than pro-Republican remark amidst a potential international harm. I feel vigilant more and more during the longevity of reading your posts.

  175. Darren Avatar
    Darren

    bob42 #42;
    By o:25 I counted 25 in attendence.
    By 1:07 I saw 9 people raise their hand to the question, “how many here believe he (Barak Obama) is a Muslim?”
    That’s less than 50% of the people in attendence who raised their hand in the affirmative.
    At 1:30 I hear “his religion is liberalism”
    By 1:39 I heard “I don’t know he’s a practicing Muslim”
    at 1:42 I heard, “his religious beliefs are liberalism” followed by, “you know, that’s the most intolerant religion of all”
    By 2:02 a lady explain “I it’s quite possible he (Barak Obama) is a Muslim…”
    At 2:11 Obama is compared to the appeasments of “Nevell Chamberlain of 1939”
    By 2:31 There’s agreement that the Egyptian crisis snuck up on Obama and he doesn’t know what to do. That he’s unprepared what to do.
    By 2:38 there’s voice opinion that Obama blames America on the world’s problem
    And the title of bob’s link is, “Iowa Focus Group on Obama Agrees: He’s a Muslim”? ❓
    – I ask, “why the confusion regarding Obama’s religious beliefs? Certainly it’s not all the Republican Caucus in Iowa’s fault. Folks here know where each other stands on religious beliefs. Why is Obama’s beliefs so confusing?
    – Is Obama sympathetic to or tolerant of or simply oblivious to Sharia law? He’s scertainly not opposed ot it. (Pssssst, bob, that should be a huge concern to anyone post WWII)
    Now let’s close this post be deemphasizing concern over Obama and focus on what the narrator said.
    At the 1:16 mark the narrator (I forget his name) starts to inquire if the audience realizes the ramifications of what these 9 people affirmed to. Then he says:

    what the media wqill say about this group

    To see how prohetic that statement is, just read post #42.
    Thanks, bob, for scorring yet another less than pro-Republican remark amidst a potential international harm. I feel vigilant more and more during the longevity of reading your posts.

  176. Darren Avatar
    Darren

    TT #86;

    Though that confuses many, especially the Kennedys.

    Would Ted have even cared?

  177. Darren Avatar
    Darren

    TT #86;

    Though that confuses many, especially the Kennedys.

    Would Ted have even cared?

  178. Tedtam Avatar
    Tedtam

    #89 Darren

    Would Ted have even cared?

    No, he wouldn’t. The Kennedy family has always seemed to use their Catholic faith to wrap themselves in some kind of respectability. It was more of a prop than anything else. I was always disappointed that the Church didn’t put the hammer down on their behavior and excommunicate them.

    Although at the end, it looks like Teddy might have been having second thoughts and trying to gain some hope of making things right. I would not have wanted to be him when the lights went out.

  179. Tedtam Avatar
    Tedtam

    #89 Darren

    Would Ted have even cared?

    No, he wouldn’t. The Kennedy family has always seemed to use their Catholic faith to wrap themselves in some kind of respectability. It was more of a prop than anything else. I was always disappointed that the Church didn’t put the hammer down on their behavior and excommunicate them.
    Although at the end, it looks like Teddy might have been having second thoughts and trying to gain some hope of making things right. I would not have wanted to be him when the lights went out.

  180. mharper42 Avatar
    mharper42

    #54 Simple

    I wish Metro would spend a little money to build 2-3 stations.

    I think I remember reading that Metro spent 1/2 million each on these little corner bus stops on main routes out in the city — a 3-person concrete bench under a plexiglass roof.

  181. mharper42 Avatar
    mharper42

    #54 Simple

    I wish Metro would spend a little money to build 2-3 stations.

    I think I remember reading that Metro spent 1/2 million each on these little corner bus stops on main routes out in the city — a 3-person concrete bench under a plexiglass roof.

  182. OletimerLin Avatar
    OletimerLin

    84 Tedtam, I actually love the irony, and am very pleased that daughter and adopted daughter work for an employer that flexes their hours around their school schedules.

    It seems so ironic – you the libertarian, raising your kids in such a libber fashion, and your daughter works for the yard nazis.

    I also love the fact that I haven’t received a letter from the yard nazis recently. 😉

  183. bob42 Avatar
    bob42

    84 Tedtam, I actually love the irony, and am very pleased that daughter and adopted daughter work for an employer that flexes their hours around their school schedules.

    It seems so ironic – you the libertarian, raising your kids in such a libber fashion, and your daughter works for the yard nazis.

    I also love the fact that I haven’t received a letter from the yard nazis recently. 😉

  184. Tedtam Avatar
    Tedtam

    Ah, yes, it’s good for them, I suppose.

    The yard nazis are nice to their employees.

    I still find it difficult to believe that you appreciate the irony and find such humor and pleasure that they have a job telling other people their grass is a half inch too high or their front door is the wrong color.

  185. Tedtam Avatar
    Tedtam

    Ah, yes, it’s good for them, I suppose.
    The yard nazis are nice to their employees.
    I still find it difficult to believe that you appreciate the irony and find such humor and pleasure that they have a job telling other people their grass is a half inch too high or their front door is the wrong color.

  186. mharper42 Avatar
    mharper42

    Good night all, hope every Hamster who is in an area under hard freeze is safe and warm tongiht.

  187. mharper42 Avatar
    mharper42

    Good night all, hope every Hamster who is in an area under hard freeze is safe and warm tongiht.

  188. OletimerLin Avatar
    OletimerLin

    Tedtam, the yard nazis around here are pretty reasonable. They only send me letters when a neighbor’s house is on the market and their Realtor complains.

    I got away with not mowing my back yard for 3 years, and received no yard nazi nasty-grams until the resident two gay bears wearing clown suits started singing show tunes.

    Obviously, they needed more practice.

  189. bob42 Avatar
    bob42

    Tedtam, the yard nazis around here are pretty reasonable. They only send me letters when a neighbor’s house is on the market and their Realtor complains.
    I got away with not mowing my back yard for 3 years, and received no yard nazi nasty-grams until the resident two gay bears wearing clown suits started singing show tunes.
    Obviously, they needed more practice.

  190. Tedtam Avatar
    Tedtam

    Just because you have lucked out doesn’t mean that these people shouldn’t find something better to do with their time. I have a friend who home schools her kids and got a “nasty gram” because her kids left their bicycles in the driveway while they came in to eat lunch. Her neighbor got a letter for approximately 6″ of mildew below their hose bib. I’ve had other friends who have literally seen the cars in the neighborhood where the yard nazi got out with a ruler to measure the grass. My friend and her husband spend way too much time defending themselves against their HOA than they should.

    In our neighborhood we don’t have an HOA, but out civic club has forced through restrictions that have pissed off a lot of people, but because they result in citations that could give the city more money, the city ignored the protests of the residents. One lady at one meeting where a petition was being passed around restricting “commercial” vehicle parking in the neighborhood at night, and people were signing it without even reading it. I asked what constituted a “commercial” vehicle, and was given size limits. When I pointed out that some non-commercial vehicles met those minimum measurements, I was told that “we’ll know it when we see it”. I pointed out that we lived in a neighborhood where many of the residents had to bring home work trucks, which didn’t seem to matter. One lady even said that her neighbor had “the right to not have to see something like that when she stepped outside her door”. She is seriously confused as to what a “right is, as are most of the elderly, retired busybodies that constitute most of our civic club. These people need to find something else to do with their time. Knitting, perhaps, or skydiving.

    Your hypocrisy is showing. You are PLEASED that your daughter has flexible hours, but spends her time telling others what to do with their property? What’s next? Campaigning for stronger cannabis laws?

    I will refrain from further discussion on this topic. I’m losing control, and I’d hate to offend Hammy’s grandma.

  191. Tedtam Avatar
    Tedtam

    Just because you have lucked out doesn’t mean that these people shouldn’t find something better to do with their time. I have a friend who home schools her kids and got a “nasty gram” because her kids left their bicycles in the driveway while they came in to eat lunch. Her neighbor got a letter for approximately 6″ of mildew below their hose bib. I’ve had other friends who have literally seen the cars in the neighborhood where the yard nazi got out with a ruler to measure the grass. My friend and her husband spend way too much time defending themselves against their HOA than they should.
    In our neighborhood we don’t have an HOA, but out civic club has forced through restrictions that have pissed off a lot of people, but because they result in citations that could give the city more money, the city ignored the protests of the residents. One lady at one meeting where a petition was being passed around restricting “commercial” vehicle parking in the neighborhood at night, and people were signing it without even reading it. I asked what constituted a “commercial” vehicle, and was given size limits. When I pointed out that some non-commercial vehicles met those minimum measurements, I was told that “we’ll know it when we see it”. I pointed out that we lived in a neighborhood where many of the residents had to bring home work trucks, which didn’t seem to matter. One lady even said that her neighbor had “the right to not have to see something like that when she stepped outside her door”. She is seriously confused as to what a “right is, as are most of the elderly, retired busybodies that constitute most of our civic club. These people need to find something else to do with their time. Knitting, perhaps, or skydiving.
    Your hypocrisy is showing. You are PLEASED that your daughter has flexible hours, but spends her time telling others what to do with their property? What’s next? Campaigning for stronger cannabis laws?
    I will refrain from further discussion on this topic. I’m losing control, and I’d hate to offend Hammy’s grandma.

  192. Darren Avatar
    Darren

    Tedtam #90;

    I was always disappointed that the Church didn’t put the hammer down on their behavior and excommunicate them.

    I’ve made known at least a few times that The church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints’ official political position is that of neutrality and allows all its members as citizens to vote their conscience. Fundamentally I know this is correct but I’ve had my “test of faith” a time or two for Harry Reid not being ex-communicated. But I’m very much at peace with it now. Like I said, I know such a official position by my church is correct. Ironically, it may be a cause to generate lots of conservatives. But who knows? I’m only speculating.

  193. Darren Avatar
    Darren

    Tedtam #90;

    I was always disappointed that the Church didn’t put the hammer down on their behavior and excommunicate them.

    I’ve made known at least a few times that The church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints’ official political position is that of neutrality and allows all its members as citizens to vote their conscience. Fundamentally I know this is correct but I’ve had my “test of faith” a time or two for Harry Reid not being ex-communicated. But I’m very much at peace with it now. Like I said, I know such a official position by my church is correct. Ironically, it may be a cause to generate lots of conservatives. But who knows? I’m only speculating.

  194. Darren Avatar
    Darren

    New drilling method opens vast oil fields in US

    A new drilling technique is opening up vast fields of previously out-of-reach oil in the western United States, helping reverse a two-decade decline in domestic production of crude.

    Companies are investing billions of dollars to get at oil deposits scattered across North Dakota, Colorado, Texas and California. By 2015, oil executives and analysts say, the new fields could yield as much as 2 million barrels of oil a day — more than the entire Gulf of Mexico produces now.

    This new drilling is expected to raise U.S. production by at least 20 percent over the next five years. And within 10 years, it could help reduce oil imports by more than half, advancing a goal that has long eluded policymakers.

    The liberal media is a few years behind on reporting this drilling possibility and presenting drilling in a positive light. Does that mean they’re retarded? Better late than never, I guess.

  195. Darren Avatar
    Darren

    New drilling method opens vast oil fields in US

    A new drilling technique is opening up vast fields of previously out-of-reach oil in the western United States, helping reverse a two-decade decline in domestic production of crude.
    Companies are investing billions of dollars to get at oil deposits scattered across North Dakota, Colorado, Texas and California. By 2015, oil executives and analysts say, the new fields could yield as much as 2 million barrels of oil a day — more than the entire Gulf of Mexico produces now.
    This new drilling is expected to raise U.S. production by at least 20 percent over the next five years. And within 10 years, it could help reduce oil imports by more than half, advancing a goal that has long eluded policymakers.

    The liberal media is a few years behind on reporting this drilling possibility and presenting drilling in a positive light. Does that mean they’re retarded? Better late than never, I guess.

  196. Darren Avatar
    Darren

    bob;

    Catch ya’ tomorrow sweat pea. Sleep well.

  197. Darren Avatar
    Darren

    bob;
    Catch ya’ tomorrow sweat pea. Sleep well.

  198. Darren Avatar
    Darren

    Potential 2012 presidential candidate Sarah Palin says that if she were president, she would deport pop star Christina Aguilera for botching a portion of The Star-Spangled Banner during her performance at Super Bowl XLV. Making an appearance on Sean Hannity’s radio program on Monday, Palin pointedly criticized Aguilera’s gaffe, and called her out for exhibiting ’diva behavior.’

    “Quite frankly, Sean, public figures must be held accountable for what they say,” explained Palin. “Here’s another case of an airhead diva going on TV, running her mouth off, sounding like a fool. She doesn’t understand something so basic about America, yet we’re supposed to tolerate her diva behavior? Americans can see through that, Sean.”

    That’s actually good satire. US weekly ran it as a serious report.

  199. Darren Avatar
    Darren

    Potential 2012 presidential candidate Sarah Palin says that if she were president, she would deport pop star Christina Aguilera for botching a portion of The Star-Spangled Banner during her performance at Super Bowl XLV. Making an appearance on Sean Hannity’s radio program on Monday, Palin pointedly criticized Aguilera’s gaffe, and called her out for exhibiting ’diva behavior.’
    “Quite frankly, Sean, public figures must be held accountable for what they say,” explained Palin. “Here’s another case of an airhead diva going on TV, running her mouth off, sounding like a fool. She doesn’t understand something so basic about America, yet we’re supposed to tolerate her diva behavior? Americans can see through that, Sean.”

    That’s actually good satire. US weekly ran it as a serious report.

  200. Darren Avatar
    Darren

    I’ll leave the “Hundred!” to someone else tonight. 😉

  201. Darren Avatar
    Darren

    I’ll leave the “Hundred!” to someone else tonight. 😉

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