Friday Full Employment Open Comments

I sure am glad we threw that huge pile of money into the middle of the street and set fire to it all those many months ago, otherwise the unemployment rate would be well above 8% and perhaps showing no signs of decline.

At least we can take comfort that those who have jobs have fulfilling work suited to their experience level and are able to put their talents to full advantage.

We can also be thankful that the pace of layoffs have slowed and more Americans are experiencing a stable work environment.
It’s good to have a good, stable economy.
And President Obama has it all under control.


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161 responses to “Friday Full Employment Open Comments”

  1. Simple Simon Avatar
    Simple Simon

    First

  2. Simple Simon Avatar
    Simple Simon

    First

  3. Sarge Avatar
    Sarge

    I’ll be out most of the morning.

    FMT can wait, unless somebody else wants to start it.

  4. Sarge Avatar
    Sarge

    I’ll be out most of the morning.
    FMT can wait, unless somebody else wants to start it.

  5. El Gordo Avatar

    Another interesting chart via The Market Ticker. That one shows employment rate in the US. Good thing that Porkulus I stimulated people to jump into the job market, huh?

  6. Dooood Avatar

    Another interesting chart via The Market Ticker. That one shows employment rate in the US. Good thing that Porkulus I stimulated people to jump into the job market, huh?

  7. Super Dave Avatar
    Super Dave

    I’m glad that our President was not concerned that some of these funds might be handled in an inappropriate manner since he indicated that so long as the money gets out into the economy, it really doesn’t matter how it got there. I’m also very proud of out Senators who voted for TARP and set the ball rolling for unlimited government spending. Think how bad things would be without our blessed federal government to guide us as we try to muddle through each day and make decisions on our own.

  8. El Gordo Avatar

    I’m glad that our President was not concerned that some of these funds might be handled in an inappropriate manner since he indicated that so long as the money gets out into the economy, it really doesn’t matter how it got there. I’m also very proud of out Senators who voted for TARP and set the ball rolling for unlimited government spending. Think how bad things would be without our blessed federal government to guide us as we try to muddle through each day and make decisions on our own.

  9. Southern Tragedy Avatar
    Southern Tragedy

    I’m just thankful we no longer have a president and administration in bed with Big Oil driving up fuel prices.

  10. GJT Avatar
    GJT

    I’m just thankful we no longer have a president and administration in bed with Big Oil driving up fuel prices.

  11. Sarge Avatar
    Sarge

    I’m incredibly thankful for all those green jobs that are solving the unemployment problem.

  12. Sarge Avatar
    Sarge

    I’m incredibly thankful for all those green jobs that are solving the unemployment problem.

  13. El Gordo Avatar

    I’m thankful for reality, brought to us by decades of lying politicians.

    There is no Social Security or Medicare “Trust Fund.” Beginning in the 1980s they were effectively merged into the general fund and immediately spent. The funds were not invested, they were stolen. The claim that there is a “trust” is an accounting fiction. If you or I did this with our kid’s UTMA account (college trust account) we’d go to prison.

    The money is gone. The so-called “IOUs” are not negotiable debt instruments. They have no formal, legal standing as debt. Further, they cannot be exchanged for actual cash unless the Treasury is able to issue actual debt into the market, because Treasury has no cash either; it is spending $1.7 trillion more than it takes in every year. If that ability to issue ceases, the $4.6 trillion will not be paid. Period.

    Neither Social Security or Medicare can pay what has been promised. Social Security is cash-flow negative now (as of last year) and will be permanently on a forward basis. Within 20 years there will be one retiree for every two persons working. But the amount of tax received from those workers will only cover somewhat less than half of the money that has been promised to be paid out. In other words once the IOUs are depleted the promised funds will not be paid. Period.

    Social Security, by law, cannot borrow nor can go in the hole. By law when either (1) the IOUs run out or (2) the Treasury cannot issue any more actual debt into the market to cover the IOUs Social Security is required under existing law to reduce payments so that it is cash-flow neutral. This means that under existing law when the IOUs run out – in the best case – only about half of the promised benefits can be paid.

    Medicare is even worse. There the pay-out to pay-in ratio is more like 4:1. There is also far less tax revenue available, since Medicare has a combined rate of 2.9%, where Social Security is 10.4% (12.4% after two years, assuming it goes back up.) That is, Medicare is trying to fund itself with a revenue base of about 1/4 that of Social Security, although Medicare is paid on all earnings as there is no cap. Medicare is also cash-flow negative on a permanent basis right now.

    Clinton never ran a surplus. He stole the Social Security and Medicare surplus funds and spent them. This made his budget look like it had a surplus when it really did not. The claim of a “Trust” is belied by this fact, along with all the other budgets since Reagan – you cannot have a Trust arrangement if the entity allegedly encumbered, in this case the government, isn’t actually holding the funds in trust but rather is counting them for general revenue purposes!

    Like OTL mentioned yesterday, if you haven’t planned for your own retirement, you’re going to be sorely disappointed.

  14. Dooood Avatar

    I’m thankful for reality, brought to us by decades of lying politicians.

    There is no Social Security or Medicare “Trust Fund.” Beginning in the 1980s they were effectively merged into the general fund and immediately spent. The funds were not invested, they were stolen. The claim that there is a “trust” is an accounting fiction. If you or I did this with our kid’s UTMA account (college trust account) we’d go to prison.
    The money is gone. The so-called “IOUs” are not negotiable debt instruments. They have no formal, legal standing as debt. Further, they cannot be exchanged for actual cash unless the Treasury is able to issue actual debt into the market, because Treasury has no cash either; it is spending $1.7 trillion more than it takes in every year. If that ability to issue ceases, the $4.6 trillion will not be paid. Period.
    Neither Social Security or Medicare can pay what has been promised. Social Security is cash-flow negative now (as of last year) and will be permanently on a forward basis. Within 20 years there will be one retiree for every two persons working. But the amount of tax received from those workers will only cover somewhat less than half of the money that has been promised to be paid out. In other words once the IOUs are depleted the promised funds will not be paid. Period.
    Social Security, by law, cannot borrow nor can go in the hole. By law when either (1) the IOUs run out or (2) the Treasury cannot issue any more actual debt into the market to cover the IOUs Social Security is required under existing law to reduce payments so that it is cash-flow neutral. This means that under existing law when the IOUs run out – in the best case – only about half of the promised benefits can be paid.
    Medicare is even worse. There the pay-out to pay-in ratio is more like 4:1. There is also far less tax revenue available, since Medicare has a combined rate of 2.9%, where Social Security is 10.4% (12.4% after two years, assuming it goes back up.) That is, Medicare is trying to fund itself with a revenue base of about 1/4 that of Social Security, although Medicare is paid on all earnings as there is no cap. Medicare is also cash-flow negative on a permanent basis right now.
    Clinton never ran a surplus. He stole the Social Security and Medicare surplus funds and spent them. This made his budget look like it had a surplus when it really did not. The claim of a “Trust” is belied by this fact, along with all the other budgets since Reagan – you cannot have a Trust arrangement if the entity allegedly encumbered, in this case the government, isn’t actually holding the funds in trust but rather is counting them for general revenue purposes!

    Like OTL mentioned yesterday, if you haven’t planned for your own retirement, you’re going to be sorely disappointed.

  15. Adee Avatar
    Adee

    In Yesterday’s OC

    Thanks El Gordo and Texpat for the links regarding Wisconsin/Texas/New York student performance. I put most of that information into an email with appropriate links to send to a good friend in Wisconsin.

  16. TexMo Avatar
    TexMo

    In Yesterday’s OC
    Thanks El Gordo and Texpat for the links regarding Wisconsin/Texas/New York student performance. I put most of that information into an email with appropriate links to send to a good friend in Wisconsin.

  17. Texpat Avatar
    Texpat

    The story of Nancy Genovese is instructive when considering recent police union activities in support of teacher and other public sector employee protests. When law enforcement unions publically threaten to selectively enforce the law, surreptitiously abet lawlessness as they did in Wisconsin and ultimately violate their oath of office by passively refusing to protect all of the community, the social contract of democracy is in jeopardy.
    There are countless examples of cops across the U.S. harrassing and arresting private citizens for taking photographs in clearly open, public spaces since 9/11/2001. Despite the fact there is not a single word in the Patriot Act or Homeland Security Act addressing or prohibiting American citizens from taking photos or video in public places, law enforcement’s petty thugs have taken it upon themselves in virtually every jurisdiction to violate the rights of the people they are sworn to protect.
    Given the prevailing attitudes and unauthorized and unwritten doctrines adopted by cops in the current environment, I no longer trust them. And that is a sad statement from someone who has been a lifelong supporter of law enforcement. If you think police organizations and unions today are dedicated to protecting your rights as enumerated in the Constitution, you are mistaken.

    During the remainder of the six hours that Nancy Genovese was forcibly detained on the side of the road, she was taunted, verbally harangued, threatened, belittled, abused, humiliated and harassed by members of the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office. For example, Deputy Carlock repeatedly referred to Nancy as “a right winger” and “tea bagger”, and threatened that they were going to arrest her for terrorism to make an example of her to other “tea baggers” and “right wingers”.
    Around midnight, officials from the airport and federal law enforcement agencies determined that Nancy posed no terrorist or other security threat. Once most of the other law enforcement officials left the scene, Deputy Carlock ordered Nancy Genovese to be handcuffed by another member of the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office. Before placed in handcuffs, Nancy attempted to give her purse containing her wallet and cell phone to her sons. Her wallet contained approximately $13,000 in cash, money she was holding to pay tuition that day for her son’s college and her daughter’s Catholic school tuition. Deputy Carlock refused to allow her sons to take her bag, and ordered her to leave it on the front seat of her unlocked vehicle, even after being informed of the value of its contents. When Nancy’s sons objected, Deputy Carlock threatened to arrest them if they touched it, and ordered them to leave the scene. Not knowing what to do, they left.
    When Nancy’s sons responded to a call from the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office in the early morning hours to pick up their mother’s vehicle from the roadside, they found $5,300 of the $13,000 missing. The money was never returned. In addition, the contents of the glove compartment box was missing, and there was damage to the body of the car, particularly around the trunk.

    If I were an attorney in the state of New York, I would take Mrs. Genovese’s case pro bono for the sheer joy eventually seeing every, single one of these cops fired, damages rendered and owning their police department before it was over.
    HT: Instapundit

  18. texanadian Avatar
    texanadian

    OK, so a Lear Jet from Mexico gets diverted to Hobby because of fog. It’s also foggy at Hobby so he skids off the runway. Now for the important part, the aircraft was transporting a paitient to UTMB in Galveston. WTF? I though Mexico was one of those countries with socialized medicne, which IS BETTER (naturally) than anything we have here. I don’t get it.?
    Mornin’ Gang

  19. Super Dave Avatar
    Super Dave

    OK, so a Lear Jet from Mexico gets diverted to Hobby because of fog. It’s also foggy at Hobby so he skids off the runway. Now for the important part, the aircraft was transporting a paitient to UTMB in Galveston. WTF? I though Mexico was one of those countries with socialized medicne, which IS BETTER (naturally) than anything we have here. I don’t get it.?
    Mornin’ Gang

  20. Dooood Avatar

    #10 SD

    The child was being transported to the Shriners’ Hospital in Galveston, not UTMB.

    From the Shriners’ Galveston website:

    Eligibility and Application

    Children up to the age of 18 are eligible for care at Shriners Hospitals for Children® if, in the opinion of our physicians, there is a reasonable possibility they can benefit from the specialized services available. Acceptance is based solely on a child’s medical needs.

    Application Procedures for Orthopaedic Care, Spinal Cord Rehabilitation, Cleft Lip and Palate Repair and Non-Emergency Burn Care

    The service area of Shriners Hospitals for Children® includes the United States (including Puerto Rico), Canada, the Republic of Panama and Mexico. As of April 2009, we are temporarily not accepting new patients residing outside of these areas.

    Download an application for treatment…

  21. Texpat Avatar
    Texpat

    #10 SD
    The child was being transported to the Shriners’ Hospital in Galveston, not UTMB.
    From the Shriners’ Galveston website:

    Eligibility and Application
    Children up to the age of 18 are eligible for care at Shriners Hospitals for Children® if, in the opinion of our physicians, there is a reasonable possibility they can benefit from the specialized services available. Acceptance is based solely on a child’s medical needs.
    Application Procedures for Orthopaedic Care, Spinal Cord Rehabilitation, Cleft Lip and Palate Repair and Non-Emergency Burn Care
    The service area of Shriners Hospitals for Children® includes the United States (including Puerto Rico), Canada, the Republic of Panama and Mexico. As of April 2009, we are temporarily not accepting new patients residing outside of these areas.
    Download an application for treatment…

  22. Tedtam Avatar

    My sister sent me this one:

    I was eating lunch today with my 10 year old grandson when his mom asked him “What is tomorrow?”

    He said “It’s President’s Day.”

    She asked “What does that mean?” I was waiting for something profound…….

    He said “President’s Day is when Obama steps out of the White House and if he sees his shadow, we have 2 more years of unemployment.”

    I almost snorted my iced tea.

  23. Tedtam Avatar

    My sister sent me this one:
    I was eating lunch today with my 10 year old grandson when his mom asked him “What is tomorrow?”
    He said “It’s President’s Day.”
    She asked “What does that mean?” I was waiting for something profound…….
    He said “President’s Day is when Obama steps out of the White House and if he sees his shadow, we have 2 more years of unemployment.”
    I almost snorted my iced tea.

  24. El Gordo Avatar

    So who’s up for some $4/gal gasoline?

    http://finance.yahoo.com/q;_ylt=AuJsExhg3AwYgB7r527vtue7YWsA;_ylu=X3oDMTE2aWM5a3FrBHBvcwM5BHNlYwNtYXJrZXRTdW1tYXJ5SW5kaWNlcwRzbGsDb2ls?s=CLJ11.NYM

    Margin compression baby. Only a problem if you use fuel, eat food, or use electricity. Us normal folks who don’t do those things won’t be affected.

  25. Dooood Avatar

    So who’s up for some $4/gal gasoline?
    http://finance.yahoo.com/q;_ylt=AuJsExhg3AwYgB7r527vtue7YWsA;_ylu=X3oDMTE2aWM5a3FrBHBvcwM5BHNlYwNtYXJrZXRTdW1tYXJ5SW5kaWNlcwRzbGsDb2ls?s=CLJ11.NYM
    Margin compression baby. Only a problem if you use fuel, eat food, or use electricity. Us normal folks who don’t do those things won’t be affected.

  26. GJT Avatar
    GJT

    G’Morning all

    On the gubmint spending too much money, I got this in my email. Typical of email, I don’t know if it’s true or not, but it is very well written.

    THIS SENIOR CITIZEN NAILED 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 “B.S.” on your incompetence. Well, Captain B.S., 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 B.S, and your political co-conspirators called Congress who are the “greedy” ones. It is you and your fellow nutcases 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 S.O.B.

  27. OletimerLin Avatar
    OletimerLin

    G’Morning all
    On the gubmint spending too much money, I got this in my email. Typical of email, I don’t know if it’s true or not, but it is very well written.

    THIS SENIOR CITIZEN NAILED 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 “B.S.” on your incompetence. Well, Captain B.S., 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 B.S, and your political co-conspirators called Congress who are the “greedy” ones. It is you and your fellow nutcases 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 S.O.B.

  28. GJT Avatar
    GJT

    #12 Tedtam

    Good one. I just put it in my mental databank for future use.

  29. OletimerLin Avatar
    OletimerLin

    #12 Tedtam
    Good one. I just put it in my mental databank for future use.

  30. GJT Avatar
    GJT

    Prince William’s nightclub-owner friend told reporters Wednesday he’s planning to throw a wild bachelor party for the prince next month.

    It gotta be weird stuffing a stripper’s g-string with a bill that has your grandmother’s picture on it.

  31. OletimerLin Avatar
    OletimerLin

    Prince William’s nightclub-owner friend told reporters Wednesday he’s planning to throw a wild bachelor party for the prince next month.

    It gotta be weird stuffing a stripper’s g-string with a bill that has your grandmother’s picture on it.

  32. Katfish Avatar

    Did you ever wonder why there are no dead penguins on the ice in Antarctica – where do they go ?

    Wonder no more!

    It is a known fact that the penguin is a very ritualistic bird which lives an extremely ordered and complex life.

    The penguin is very committed to its family and will mate for life, as well as maintaining a form of compassionate contact with its offspring throughout its life.

    If a penguin is found dead on the ice surface, other members of the family and social circle have been known to dig holes in the ice, using their vestigial wings and beaks, until the hole is deep enough for the dead bird to be rolled into and buried. The male penguins then gather in a circle around the fresh grave and sing:

    “Freeze a jolly good fellow”
    “Freeze a jolly good fellow.”

  33. wagonburner Avatar
    wagonburner

    Did you ever wonder why there are no dead penguins on the ice in Antarctica – where do they go ?
    Wonder no more!
    It is a known fact that the penguin is a very ritualistic bird which lives an extremely ordered and complex life.
    The penguin is very committed to its family and will mate for life, as well as maintaining a form of compassionate contact with its offspring throughout its life.
    If a penguin is found dead on the ice surface, other members of the family and social circle have been known to dig holes in the ice, using their vestigial wings and beaks, until the hole is deep enough for the dead bird to be rolled into and buried. The male penguins then gather in a circle around the fresh grave and sing:
    “Freeze a jolly good fellow”
    “Freeze a jolly good fellow.”

  34. Dooood Avatar

    The sales figures for the car American taxpayers have funded via the Obama takeover of General Motors:
    The Chevy Volt was predicted to sell 10,000 units this year, the full limited run, and the demand was astroturfed by a GM and an acquiescent press. Curiously, for a $40,000 car supposedly in high demand, GM has been offering an $8K rebate.

    Why would they need to do that, you ask ?

    Official Chevrolet Sales Data:

    January 2011 units sold – 321
    February 2011 units sold – 281
    Total units sold since Nov. 2010 release date – 921 (large government orders included there)

    They just can’t make them fast enough !!!

  35. Texpat Avatar
    Texpat

    The sales figures for the car American taxpayers have funded via the Obama takeover of General Motors:
    The Chevy Volt was predicted to sell 10,000 units this year, the full limited run, and the demand was astroturfed by a GM and an acquiescent press. Curiously, for a $40,000 car supposedly in high demand, GM has been offering an $8K rebate.
    Why would they need to do that, you ask ?
    Official Chevrolet Sales Data:
    January 2011 units sold – 321
    February 2011 units sold – 281
    Total units sold since Nov. 2010 release date – 921 (large government orders included there)

    They just can’t make them fast enough !!!

  36. GJT Avatar
    GJT

    lives an extremely ordered and complex life.

    The bachelors draw lots to see who gets to console the grieving widow.

  37. OletimerLin Avatar
    OletimerLin

    lives an extremely ordered and complex life.

    The bachelors draw lots to see who gets to console the grieving widow.

  38. Katfish Avatar

    Things are probably really ugly (ok, uglier than usual) around SJL’s office today. The Daily Caller published a profile of the esteemed Congressperson from the 18th Congressional District of Texas and it’s very, very not pretty.

    A lot of politicians give nicknames to their aides. George W. Bush famously referred to his attorney general, Alberto Gonzalez, as “Fredo.” Mitch Daniels, then head of the Office of Management and Budget, was known as “The Blade.” Barack Obama reportedly called Larry Summers, his chief economic advisor, “Dr. Kevorkian.”

    Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas also hands out nicknames to the people who work for her. The Houston Democrat addressed one of her employees as “you stupid m*****f*****.” And not just once, but “constantly,” recalls the staffer, “like, all the time.”

    Did Congress exempt itself from the “hostile work environments” laws & regulations?

    Read the article; it’ll make you wonder why anyone would want to even be near her. She’s a bitter, bitter, and lonely person.

  39. wagonburner Avatar
    wagonburner

    Things are probably really ugly (ok, uglier than usual) around SJL’s office today. The Daily Caller published a profile of the esteemed Congressperson from the 18th Congressional District of Texas and it’s very, very not pretty.

    A lot of politicians give nicknames to their aides. George W. Bush famously referred to his attorney general, Alberto Gonzalez, as “Fredo.” Mitch Daniels, then head of the Office of Management and Budget, was known as “The Blade.” Barack Obama reportedly called Larry Summers, his chief economic advisor, “Dr. Kevorkian.”
    Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas also hands out nicknames to the people who work for her. The Houston Democrat addressed one of her employees as “you stupid m*****f*****.” And not just once, but “constantly,” recalls the staffer, “like, all the time.”

    Did Congress exempt itself from the “hostile work environments” laws & regulations?
    Read the article; it’ll make you wonder why anyone would want to even be near her. She’s a bitter, bitter, and lonely person.

  40. GJT Avatar
    GJT

    #18 Texpat

    Here’s why.

    Consumer Reports says the 2011 Chevrolet Volt extended-range electric car won’t go as far as it is billed.

    Consumer Reports magazine offers its initial assessment of the two reigning wondercars of our times, the Chevrolet Volt and Nissan Leaf, in its April issue and finds both may not be such good deals after all.

    Not only has Consumer Reports’ test car been coming in at the low end of the electric-only mileage range — 23 to 28 miles, not 25 to 50 miles as billed — before the gasoline power kicks in, but CR had to pay over list to the get the car. It says it had to pay $48,700 — full price plus options and a $5,000 windfall to the dealer.

    It gets worse. CR figures the cost of recharging the Volt would work out to about 5.7 cents a mile for electric mode and 10 cents a mile for gas. Yet a Toyota Prius, which gets about 50 miles a gallon, would cost 6.8 cents a mile to operate. A Prius costs half as much as a Volt.

    http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2011/03/consumer-reports-pans-range-of-chevrolet-volt-nissan-leaf/1

  41. OletimerLin Avatar
    OletimerLin

    #18 Texpat
    Here’s why.

    Consumer Reports says the 2011 Chevrolet Volt extended-range electric car won’t go as far as it is billed.
    Consumer Reports magazine offers its initial assessment of the two reigning wondercars of our times, the Chevrolet Volt and Nissan Leaf, in its April issue and finds both may not be such good deals after all.
    Not only has Consumer Reports’ test car been coming in at the low end of the electric-only mileage range — 23 to 28 miles, not 25 to 50 miles as billed — before the gasoline power kicks in, but CR had to pay over list to the get the car. It says it had to pay $48,700 — full price plus options and a $5,000 windfall to the dealer.
    It gets worse. CR figures the cost of recharging the Volt would work out to about 5.7 cents a mile for electric mode and 10 cents a mile for gas. Yet a Toyota Prius, which gets about 50 miles a gallon, would cost 6.8 cents a mile to operate. A Prius costs half as much as a Volt.

    http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2011/03/consumer-reports-pans-range-of-chevrolet-volt-nissan-leaf/1

  42. duhmoose Avatar
    duhmoose

    When are Conservatives going to figure out how to present Conservative values as a value in and of themselves rather than relying on the “we’re better than the pond scum” argument? When I talk to my friends and neighbors about my faith and values, I don’t feel the need to belittle someone else, compare myself to others or demonize those who oppose me. I have enough confidence that what I believe is correct that I can let it stand on its own. Conservative values are good for Americans simply because they provide provable , strong and beneficial results. Conservatism is a better ideal than Liberalism. Both are workable systems to provide for an end result. I just happen to think the path Conservatism offers is the only one to foster a world I would want to live in.

  43. duhmoose Avatar
    duhmoose

    When are Conservatives going to figure out how to present Conservative values as a value in and of themselves rather than relying on the “we’re better than the pond scum” argument? When I talk to my friends and neighbors about my faith and values, I don’t feel the need to belittle someone else, compare myself to others or demonize those who oppose me. I have enough confidence that what I believe is correct that I can let it stand on its own. Conservative values are good for Americans simply because they provide provable , strong and beneficial results. Conservatism is a better ideal than Liberalism. Both are workable systems to provide for an end result. I just happen to think the path Conservatism offers is the only one to foster a world I would want to live in.

  44. SC Avatar
    SC

    #20 WB Rush read that on the air yesterday. Widely distributed. I wonder if SJL is looking for a camera today or hiding.

  45. SC Avatar
    SC

    #20 WB Rush read that on the air yesterday. Widely distributed. I wonder if SJL is looking for a camera today or hiding.

  46. Texpat Avatar
    Texpat

    Incidentally, reading this reminds me of an interesting story about Woodward I read in Can’t Find My Way Home: America in the Great Stoned Age, by Martin Torgoff. Torgoff recounts how Judy Belushi encouraged friends to cooperate with Woodward when he was writing Wired: The Short Life and Fast Times of John Belushi, but that many were furious after the book came out. Penny Marshall is reported to have said that the book was so factually inaccurate, “It makes you think that Richard Nixon may have been innocent.”

    From Ken Silverstein at Harper’s
    Be sure to check out the surgical fisking Woodward gets on Donald Rumsfeld’s Facebook page for the lies he wrote in a Foreign Policy article.
    It’s devastating.

  47. Shannon Avatar
    Shannon

    17
    You get five demerits for that one.

  48. Shannon Avatar
    Shannon

    17
    You get five demerits for that one.

  49. GJT Avatar
    GJT

    #22 duhmoose

    Well said …………………..but……………….imagine the lefties as the schoolyard bullies. They understand bullying talk or physical beatings only. anything else to them is a sign of weakness on your part, thus they win, and continue on their merry way. Sad commentary about today’s ruling class.

    Takes you back to the old cowboy movies about the evil guy who owned the town and sheriff and was gobbling up all the small landowners to increase his fiefdom. It always took an outsider to stand up to him and take the town back in the last reel.

    Like the small landowners, the Pubs have been spineless so long that they began automatically rolling over and peeing on themselves . Hopefully, the Tea Party will be our outsider that can take the government back.

  50. OletimerLin Avatar
    OletimerLin

    #22 duhmoose
    Well said …………………..but……………….imagine the lefties as the schoolyard bullies. They understand bullying talk or physical beatings only. anything else to them is a sign of weakness on your part, thus they win, and continue on their merry way. Sad commentary about today’s ruling class.
    Takes you back to the old cowboy movies about the evil guy who owned the town and sheriff and was gobbling up all the small landowners to increase his fiefdom. It always took an outsider to stand up to him and take the town back in the last reel.
    Like the small landowners, the Pubs have been spineless so long that they began automatically rolling over and peeing on themselves . Hopefully, the Tea Party will be our outsider that can take the government back.

  51. OletimerLin Avatar
    OletimerLin

    I have the perfect body. I’m storing it in the trunk for now.

  52. bob42 Avatar

    I have the perfect body. I’m storing it in the trunk for now.

  53. Katfish Avatar

    NASA launch of an environmental monitoring satellite fails. Missile and payload are “somewhere in the South Pacific Ocean”.

    I blame Global Warming.

  54. wagonburner Avatar
    wagonburner

    NASA launch of an environmental monitoring satellite fails. Missile and payload are “somewhere in the South Pacific Ocean”.
    I blame Global Warming.

  55. Dooood Avatar

    TexMo

    RE: The superiority of Texas over Wisconsin.

    Think Tanks by State

    Texas – 47
    Wisconsin – 22

    Proof there is much more thinking going on in Texas.

  56. Texpat Avatar
    Texpat

    TexMo
    RE: The superiority of Texas over Wisconsin.
    Think Tanks by State
    Texas – 47
    Wisconsin – 22
    Proof there is much more thinking going on in Texas.

  57. OletimerLin Avatar
    OletimerLin

    #29 Texpat, Texas has 25.145 million people, Wisconsin has 5.686 million. Care to do the per capita math?

  58. bob42 Avatar

    #29 Texpat, Texas has 25.145 million people, Wisconsin has 5.686 million. Care to do the per capita math?

  59. Hamous Avatar

    Those violent Methodists and Lutherans just can’t seem to get along.

    H/T rueters.com

    The overnight clashes were triggered by a family dispute or a car accident, or both, according to different accounts, although the government said the cause of the dispute was “simple.”

    “There were about a hundred people involved,” one resident said as police helicopters circled overhead and ambulances rushed from the scene.

    “One man fell down and a large group came and beat him. There’s still groups with sticks everywhere but fighting has largely stopped,” a witness told Reuters.

    . . . . . .ain’t love and tolerance just grand?

  60. Bonecrusher Avatar
    Bonecrusher

    Those violent Methodists and Lutherans just can’t seem to get along.
    H/T rueters.com

    The overnight clashes were triggered by a family dispute or a car accident, or both, according to different accounts, although the government said the cause of the dispute was “simple.”
    “There were about a hundred people involved,” one resident said as police helicopters circled overhead and ambulances rushed from the scene.

    “One man fell down and a large group came and beat him. There’s still groups with sticks everywhere but fighting has largely stopped,” a witness told Reuters.

    . . . . . .ain’t love and tolerance just grand?

  61. texanadian Avatar
    texanadian

    #11 texpat

    The child was being transported to the Shriners’ Hospital in Galveston, not UTMB.

    I knew that but I guess the coffee hadn’t kicked in yet. 😉

  62. Super Dave Avatar
    Super Dave

    #11 texpat

    The child was being transported to the Shriners’ Hospital in Galveston, not UTMB.

    I knew that but I guess the coffee hadn’t kicked in yet. 😉

  63. Hamous Avatar

    #28 Pyro: From your linkie thingie:

    The $424 million mission is managed by the NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland. NASA paid Orbital about $54 million to launch Glory, according to Orbital spokesman Barron Beneski. The Taurus rocket has launched nine times, six of them successfully.

    NASA launched a 424 million dollar mission on a rocket system that has now proven itself to fail 33% of the time!?!?

    The 2009 failed satellite, which would have studied global warming, crashed into the ocean near Antarctica. Officials said Glory likely wound up landing in the same area. Both were on Taurus rockets launched by Orbital Sciences Corporation of Dulles, Va.

    I just wonder how “connected” Orbital Sciences Corp is to the foul “O” and/or Mr. Spooky Soros?

  64. Bonecrusher Avatar
    Bonecrusher

    #28 Pyro: From your linkie thingie:

    The $424 million mission is managed by the NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland. NASA paid Orbital about $54 million to launch Glory, according to Orbital spokesman Barron Beneski. The Taurus rocket has launched nine times, six of them successfully.

    NASA launched a 424 million dollar mission on a rocket system that has now proven itself to fail 33% of the time!?!?

    The 2009 failed satellite, which would have studied global warming, crashed into the ocean near Antarctica. Officials said Glory likely wound up landing in the same area. Both were on Taurus rockets launched by Orbital Sciences Corporation of Dulles, Va.

    I just wonder how “connected” Orbital Sciences Corp is to the foul “O” and/or Mr. Spooky Soros?

  65. Dooood Avatar

    #30 bob42

    Per capita ? Who cares ?

    These are people who walk around with giant foam rubber cheese slices on their heads.

  66. Texpat Avatar
    Texpat

    #30 bob42
    Per capita ? Who cares ?
    These are people who walk around with giant foam rubber cheese slices on their heads.

  67. Hamous Avatar

    Further to my #33: In reality, I think that the payload was so pizzed off that it had to participate in the MMGW fraud that it committed suicide.

  68. Bonecrusher Avatar
    Bonecrusher

    Further to my #33: In reality, I think that the payload was so pizzed off that it had to participate in the MMGW fraud that it committed suicide.

  69. Sarge Avatar
    Sarge

    . . . . . .ain’t love and tolerance just grand?

    You see it on display nearly every year in cities like Chicago, Detroit, etc. whenever the home town team wins an NBA or NFL title.

  70. Sarge Avatar
    Sarge

    . . . . . .ain’t love and tolerance just grand?

    You see it on display nearly every year in cities like Chicago, Detroit, etc. whenever the home town team wins an NBA or NFL title.

  71. Texpat Avatar
    Texpat

    RE: Tedtam’s advice about circulating sufficient water volumes through household waste systems
    Her excellent recommendations don’t just apply to homes. See what happens when entire public utitlity waste systems are starved for water:

    San Francisco’s big push for low-flow toilets has turned into a multimillion-dollar plumbing stink.
    Skimping on toilet water has resulted in more sludge backing up inside the sewer pipes, said Tyrone Jue, spokesman for the city Public Utilities Commission. That has created a rotten-egg stench near AT&T Park and elsewhere, especially during the dry summer months.
    The city has already spent $100 million over the past five years to upgrade its sewer system and sewage plants, in part to combat the odor problem.

  72. Hamous Avatar

    RE: Looming fresh water shortage: Those areas near the coasts (just happens to be over 1/2 the population of our great USofA) need to invest in Nuclear powered plants to pull the salt out of ocean water. the volume of salt water is limitless and nuclear power lends itself perfectly to this application, full blast full time.

  73. Bonecrusher Avatar
    Bonecrusher

    RE: Looming fresh water shortage: Those areas near the coasts (just happens to be over 1/2 the population of our great USofA) need to invest in Nuclear powered plants to pull the salt out of ocean water. the volume of salt water is limitless and nuclear power lends itself perfectly to this application, full blast full time.

  74. texanadian Avatar
    texanadian

    Morning all. Red State has a disconcerting article about our governments energy policy.

    “This administration’s policies have been designed to drive up the cost of energy in the name of reducing pollution, in the name of making very expensive alternative fuels more economically competitive,” Barbour said…

    http://www.redstate.com/vladimir/2011/03/03/barbour-on-energy-and-salazars-puzzling-reponse/

  75. texanadian Avatar
    texanadian

    Morning all. Red State has a disconcerting article about our governments energy policy.

    “This administration’s policies have been designed to drive up the cost of energy in the name of reducing pollution, in the name of making very expensive alternative fuels more economically competitive,” Barbour said…

    http://www.redstate.com/vladimir/2011/03/03/barbour-on-energy-and-salazars-puzzling-reponse/

  76. OletimerLin Avatar
    OletimerLin

    Hang on to your hats homophobes. I’m siding with the Pentecostal (would be) foster parents on this one.

    Eunice and Owen Johns, aged 62 and 65 respectively, couldn’t convince judges at London’s Royal Courts of Justice that a British city discriminated against them after they expressed their views on homosexuality, the Guardian newspaper of London reported Monday.

    The case stems from the Johns telling a Derby city social worker in 2007 that they couldn’t tell a child that a “homosexual lifestyle” was acceptable, the Guardian reported. The couple had cared for foster children in the past and wanted to take in children aged 5 to 10.

    If a person that is interested in being a foster/adoptive and has the means and the clear intent to provide for the child’s needs in a safe environment, the state should not become hung up on their religious beliefs, or lack thereof.

  77. bob42 Avatar

    Hang on to your hats homophobes. I’m siding with the Pentecostal (would be) foster parents on this one.

    Eunice and Owen Johns, aged 62 and 65 respectively, couldn’t convince judges at London’s Royal Courts of Justice that a British city discriminated against them after they expressed their views on homosexuality, the Guardian newspaper of London reported Monday.
    The case stems from the Johns telling a Derby city social worker in 2007 that they couldn’t tell a child that a “homosexual lifestyle” was acceptable, the Guardian reported. The couple had cared for foster children in the past and wanted to take in children aged 5 to 10.

    If a person that is interested in being a foster/adoptive and has the means and the clear intent to provide for the child’s needs in a safe environment, the state should not become hung up on their religious beliefs, or lack thereof.

  78. duhmoose Avatar
    duhmoose

    #26, I would say that if we are forced to use the same tactics as the Liberals, name calling, vilification and appeals to emotion without any facts or logic, they have won. By using their ways, we legitimize how they practice. The fight of Conservatives is not Liberal vs Conservative in a boxing match, it is a fight for the common man to persuade them to our way of thinking. Tactics influence ideals and ideals influence tactics. An ideologue is not going to be swayed from their way of thinking, but the independent thinker can be.

  79. duhmoose Avatar
    duhmoose

    #26, I would say that if we are forced to use the same tactics as the Liberals, name calling, vilification and appeals to emotion without any facts or logic, they have won. By using their ways, we legitimize how they practice. The fight of Conservatives is not Liberal vs Conservative in a boxing match, it is a fight for the common man to persuade them to our way of thinking. Tactics influence ideals and ideals influence tactics. An ideologue is not going to be swayed from their way of thinking, but the independent thinker can be.

  80. Sarge Avatar
    Sarge

    OK.

    I’m back at work now.

    How bout an FMT, or do I have to do this kind of thing here?

  81. Sarge Avatar
    Sarge

    OK.
    I’m back at work now.
    How bout an FMT, or do I have to do this kind of thing here?

  82. texanadian Avatar
    texanadian

    Not surprized, but doesn’t the term secret mean you aren’t supposed to tell anyone?

    A NATO team mostly comprising US personnel has been deployed to eastern Libya to determine whether a no-fly zone could be imposed in response to the crackdown by Colonel Moammar Ghadaffi against reform-minded protestors, Jane’s understands from international sources.

    Read more: http://defensetech.org/2011/03/03/nato-troops-already-in-libya/#ixzz1FeTYAWDw
    Defense.org

  83. texanadian Avatar
    texanadian

    Not surprized, but doesn’t the term secret mean you aren’t supposed to tell anyone?

    A NATO team mostly comprising US personnel has been deployed to eastern Libya to determine whether a no-fly zone could be imposed in response to the crackdown by Colonel Moammar Ghadaffi against reform-minded protestors, Jane’s understands from international sources.
    Read more: http://defensetech.org/2011/03/03/nato-troops-already-in-libya/#ixzz1FeTYAWDw
    Defense.org

  84. Katfish Avatar

    #42 sarge
    You might have email.

  85. wagonburner Avatar
    wagonburner

    #42 sarge
    You might have email.

  86. Sarge Avatar
    Sarge

    Obama must know he’s in poltical trouble now.

    He’s going for the Dood vote.

    Barack Obama will go down in history as, among other things, the first president to brew his own beer in the White House.

    The blog Obama Foodorama reported this week that the president’s Super Bowl party featured a selection called “White House Honey Ale,” brewed right at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.

    snip

    Although the White House isn’t ready to release the recipe yet, a spokesman told Foodorama that “White House Honey Ale” isn’t a one-time thing.

    “It is very safe to assume that there will be more White House beer in the future,” White House East Wing spokeswoman Semonti Stephens said.

    Notice how the consumption of alcoholic beverages in the White House goes up in direct corellation to the price of gas?

  87. Sarge Avatar
    Sarge

    Obama must know he’s in poltical trouble now.
    He’s going for the Dood vote.

    Barack Obama will go down in history as, among other things, the first president to brew his own beer in the White House.
    The blog Obama Foodorama reported this week that the president’s Super Bowl party featured a selection called “White House Honey Ale,” brewed right at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.
    snip
    Although the White House isn’t ready to release the recipe yet, a spokesman told Foodorama that “White House Honey Ale” isn’t a one-time thing.
    “It is very safe to assume that there will be more White House beer in the future,” White House East Wing spokeswoman Semonti Stephens said.

    Notice how the consumption of alcoholic beverages in the White House goes up in direct corellation to the price of gas?

  88. Simple Simon Avatar
    Simple Simon

    33 Bonehead,

    Check out the profiles of the CEO and board members. They are a lot closer to being buddies of “W” and NOT George Soros.

  89. Simple Simon Avatar
    Simple Simon

    33 Bonehead,
    Check out the profiles of the CEO and board members. They are a lot closer to being buddies of “W” and NOT George Soros.

  90. Simple Simon Avatar
    Simple Simon

    33 Bonehead,

    From Orbital’s “Admire Me!” page on their website.

    Mr. Thompson is Orbital’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of the company.

    Before co-founding Orbital in 1982, Mr. Thompson was special assistant to the president of Hughes Aircraft Company’s Missile Systems Group and was a project manager and engineer on advanced rocket engines at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center. As a college student, he worked on the first Mars landing missions at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and on Space Shuttle projects at NASA’s Langley Research Center and Johnson Space Center.

    As a result of his work at Orbital, Mr. Thompson was awarded the National Medal of Technology by President George Herbert Walker Bush, was honored as Virginia’s Industrialist of the Year, and was named High-Technology Entrepreneur of the Year. In addition, he received the National Air and Space Museum Trophy by the Smithsonian Institution, was selected as Satellite Executive of the Year by Via Satellite Magazine, and was presented with the World Technology Award for Space by The Economist Magazine.

    Mr. Thompson is a Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, the American Astronautical Society, and the Royal Aeronautical Society, and is a member of the U.S. National Academy of Engineering and the International Academy of Astronautics. He received a bachelor’s degree in aeronautics and astronautics from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, a master’s degree in aeronautics from California Institute of Technology and a M.B.A. from Harvard Business School.

  91. Simple Simon Avatar
    Simple Simon

    33 Bonehead,
    From Orbital’s “Admire Me!” page on their website.

    Mr. Thompson is Orbital’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of the company.
    Before co-founding Orbital in 1982, Mr. Thompson was special assistant to the president of Hughes Aircraft Company’s Missile Systems Group and was a project manager and engineer on advanced rocket engines at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center. As a college student, he worked on the first Mars landing missions at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and on Space Shuttle projects at NASA’s Langley Research Center and Johnson Space Center.
    As a result of his work at Orbital, Mr. Thompson was awarded the National Medal of Technology by President George Herbert Walker Bush, was honored as Virginia’s Industrialist of the Year, and was named High-Technology Entrepreneur of the Year. In addition, he received the National Air and Space Museum Trophy by the Smithsonian Institution, was selected as Satellite Executive of the Year by Via Satellite Magazine, and was presented with the World Technology Award for Space by The Economist Magazine.
    Mr. Thompson is a Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, the American Astronautical Society, and the Royal Aeronautical Society, and is a member of the U.S. National Academy of Engineering and the International Academy of Astronautics. He received a bachelor’s degree in aeronautics and astronautics from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, a master’s degree in aeronautics from California Institute of Technology and a M.B.A. from Harvard Business School.

  92. Adee Avatar
    Adee

    RE Chevy Volt
    I did not know GM was offering a rebate on the Volt. I read an article similar to the one posted by Ole Timer in #21. In this article it mentioned the fact that the testers paid a $4,000 dealer premium. I can not find the link now.

  93. TexMo Avatar
    TexMo

    RE Chevy Volt
    I did not know GM was offering a rebate on the Volt. I read an article similar to the one posted by Ole Timer in #21. In this article it mentioned the fact that the testers paid a $4,000 dealer premium. I can not find the link now.

  94. Sarge Avatar
    Sarge

    As a result of his work at Orbital, Mr. Thompson was awarded the National Medal of Technology by President George Herbert Walker Bush,

    If that’s the extent of the association with the Bushes, allow me to present this.

    (Reuters) – President Barack Obama awarded America’s highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, on Tuesday to an eclectic group ranging from a Republican predecessor to artists and civil rights figures.

    George H.W. Bush, the 41st president, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who was not present for the White House ceremony, were the senior political figures on the list of 15 recipients.

  95. Sarge Avatar
    Sarge

    As a result of his work at Orbital, Mr. Thompson was awarded the National Medal of Technology by President George Herbert Walker Bush,

    If that’s the extent of the association with the Bushes, allow me to present this.

    (Reuters) – President Barack Obama awarded America’s highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, on Tuesday to an eclectic group ranging from a Republican predecessor to artists and civil rights figures.
    George H.W. Bush, the 41st president, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who was not present for the White House ceremony, were the senior political figures on the list of 15 recipients.

  96. Tedtam Avatar

    Just saw this quote:

    “The welfare of the people in particular has always been the alibi of tyrants.” Albert Camus

    Gee, that sounds familiar. Who is it that keeps talking about taking care of “the people”? Hmmm…..

  97. Tedtam Avatar

    Just saw this quote:

    “The welfare of the people in particular has always been the alibi of tyrants.” Albert Camus

    Gee, that sounds familiar. Who is it that keeps talking about taking care of “the people”? Hmmm…..

  98. Simple Simon Avatar
    Simple Simon

    Sarge,

    I just guessing here, but I expect that the National Medal of Technology recipients come from a different demographic than the Medal of Freedom.

    This award is administered by the US Patent Office and looking at the list of winners…the
    phrase “Techo-Business-Geek” comes to mind.

  99. Simple Simon Avatar
    Simple Simon

    Sarge,
    I just guessing here, but I expect that the National Medal of Technology recipients come from a different demographic than the Medal of Freedom.
    This award is administered by the US Patent Office and looking at the list of winners…the
    phrase “Techo-Business-Geek” comes to mind.

  100. SC Avatar
    SC

    #49 I thought it was a tax credit

  101. SC Avatar
    SC

    #49 I thought it was a tax credit

  102. Sarge Avatar
    Sarge

    Gee, that sounds familiar. Who is it that keeps talking about taking care of “the people”? Hmmm…..

    Good article by Peggy Noonan that touches on that.

    As for unions looking out for the little guy, that’s not how it’s looking right now. Right now the little guy is the public school pupil whose daily rounds take him from a neglectful family to an indifferent teacher who can’t be removed. The little guy is the beleaguered administrator whose attempts at improvement are thwarted by unions. The little guy is the private-sector worker who doesn’t have a good health-care plan, who barely has a pension, who lacks job security, and who is paying everyone else’s bills.

  103. Sarge Avatar
    Sarge

    Gee, that sounds familiar. Who is it that keeps talking about taking care of “the people”? Hmmm…..

    Good article by Peggy Noonan that touches on that.

    As for unions looking out for the little guy, that’s not how it’s looking right now. Right now the little guy is the public school pupil whose daily rounds take him from a neglectful family to an indifferent teacher who can’t be removed. The little guy is the beleaguered administrator whose attempts at improvement are thwarted by unions. The little guy is the private-sector worker who doesn’t have a good health-care plan, who barely has a pension, who lacks job security, and who is paying everyone else’s bills.

  104. Katfish Avatar

    The much-awaited Friday Music Thread is available for your enjoyment.

  105. wagonburner Avatar
    wagonburner

    The much-awaited Friday Music Thread is available for your enjoyment.

  106. El Gordo Avatar

    I don’t foresee Obama ever getting my vote. If he wants to send me some brew I’d give it a try though. POTUS brew. Hmmm… I’ve probably had worse. Like that brown ale I bought once that tasted like the water that hot dogs were boiled in.

  107. Dooood Avatar

    I don’t foresee Obama ever getting my vote. If he wants to send me some brew I’d give it a try though. POTUS brew. Hmmm… I’ve probably had worse. Like that brown ale I bought once that tasted like the water that hot dogs were boiled in.

  108. Adee Avatar
    Adee

    Good afternoon Hamsters. Little fog and 62 at 6, more fog arrived by 7 but not–thankfully–the pea soup of yesterday. Still a bit overcast but not gloomy in anticipation of the next front’s rain tonight. It will be welcome if it materializes on our dirt.

    Renovation activity around the place keeps on but with fewer vehicles in the driveway, only one or two that don’t block our getting out. Painters are busily caulking the new siding today so it should be finished in case we actually have rain. Painting it will have to wait until next week. Mariposa is happy the racket from the past two days is mostly over. We are grateful the interior renovations were done several years ago, as we could not stand the disruption now. Barely could stand it then. The only salvation was having at least one or two rooms that were “normal” to be refuges from the chaos. We called home Chaos Manor then. 🙂

  109. Adee Avatar
    Adee

    Good afternoon Hamsters. Little fog and 62 at 6, more fog arrived by 7 but not–thankfully–the pea soup of yesterday. Still a bit overcast but not gloomy in anticipation of the next front’s rain tonight. It will be welcome if it materializes on our dirt.
    Renovation activity around the place keeps on but with fewer vehicles in the driveway, only one or two that don’t block our getting out. Painters are busily caulking the new siding today so it should be finished in case we actually have rain. Painting it will have to wait until next week. Mariposa is happy the racket from the past two days is mostly over. We are grateful the interior renovations were done several years ago, as we could not stand the disruption now. Barely could stand it then. The only salvation was having at least one or two rooms that were “normal” to be refuges from the chaos. We called home Chaos Manor then. 🙂

  110. Tedtam Avatar

    Lovely Daughter is coming home for a visit! (happy dance)

    Handsome Son is leaving for a basketball tournament. (not so happy dance)

    Saturday, Lovely and Aggie Beau are going to College Station to look over various wedding things. I shall have to entertain myself on Saturday, it seems.

    Not to worry…my to-do list is long enough to keep me busy for the next umpteen years.

  111. Tedtam Avatar

    Lovely Daughter is coming home for a visit! (happy dance)
    Handsome Son is leaving for a basketball tournament. (not so happy dance)
    Saturday, Lovely and Aggie Beau are going to College Station to look over various wedding things. I shall have to entertain myself on Saturday, it seems.
    Not to worry…my to-do list is long enough to keep me busy for the next umpteen years.

  112. Katfish Avatar

    I’ve probably had worse.

    I’ve prolly made worse. Like the batch that wound up waaaaaaaay over-hopped.

  113. wagonburner Avatar
    wagonburner

    I’ve probably had worse.

    I’ve prolly made worse. Like the batch that wound up waaaaaaaay over-hopped.

  114. fat albert Avatar
    fat albert

    Here’s a great article about the current state of the Astrodome and how badly the Harris County Government has screwed it up.

    Yet more evidence to support my theory that being elected to office causes you to lose at least 50% of your IQ.

  115. fat albert Avatar
    fat albert

    Here’s a great article about the current state of the Astrodome and how badly the Harris County Government has screwed it up.
    Yet more evidence to support my theory that being elected to office causes you to lose at least 50% of your IQ.

  116. texanadian Avatar
    texanadian

    Some good ideas here.

    The energy crisis is real. It is worldwide. It is a clear and present danger to our nation. These are facts and we simply must face them …

    I am tonight setting a clear goal for the energy policy of the United States. Beginning this moment, this nation will never use more foreign oil than we did in 1977 — never. From now on, every new addition to our demand for energy will be met from our own production and our own conservation…
    snip
    To give us energy security, I am asking for the most massive peacetime commitment of funds and resources in our nation’s history to develop America’s own alternative sources of fuel — from coal, from oil shale, from plant products for gasohol, from unconventional gas, from the sun…

    I will urge Congress to create an energy mobilization board which … will have the responsibility and authority to cut through the red tape, the delays, and the endless roadblocks to completing key energy projects. We will protect our environment. But when this nation critically needs a refinery or a pipeline, we will build it…

    a surpising source
    http://opinion.latimes.com/opinionla/2011/03/where-have-you-gone-jimmy-carter-a-nation-turns-its-lonely-eyes-to-you-every-time-i-pull-in-for-gas-these-days-i-think-o.html

    I need to learn that tiny linky thingy.

  117. texanadian Avatar
    texanadian

    Some good ideas here.

    The energy crisis is real. It is worldwide. It is a clear and present danger to our nation. These are facts and we simply must face them …
    I am tonight setting a clear goal for the energy policy of the United States. Beginning this moment, this nation will never use more foreign oil than we did in 1977 — never. From now on, every new addition to our demand for energy will be met from our own production and our own conservation…
    snip
    To give us energy security, I am asking for the most massive peacetime commitment of funds and resources in our nation’s history to develop America’s own alternative sources of fuel — from coal, from oil shale, from plant products for gasohol, from unconventional gas, from the sun…
    I will urge Congress to create an energy mobilization board which … will have the responsibility and authority to cut through the red tape, the delays, and the endless roadblocks to completing key energy projects. We will protect our environment. But when this nation critically needs a refinery or a pipeline, we will build it…

    a surpising source
    http://opinion.latimes.com/opinionla/2011/03/where-have-you-gone-jimmy-carter-a-nation-turns-its-lonely-eyes-to-you-every-time-i-pull-in-for-gas-these-days-i-think-o.html
    I need to learn that tiny linky thingy.

  118. malcolm Avatar
    malcolm

    IF, 20 years ago, … Congress, special interest groups and the tree huggers had not blocked entrepenurs, oil companies and new alternatative fuel innovators from doing what they knew could be successful and the U.S. had started building more refineries and drilling where they kew there was easy to get to oil, worked on cleaning up the coal fired plants, built 10-15 nuclear power plants, seriously perfected wind and solar, we would not be in the situation we are today. That was do-able 20 years ago. Plus the $ we send to the rag heads would be staying at home and helping our own economy. But that’s just me. I have perfect hindsight!

  119. malcolm Avatar
    malcolm

    IF, 20 years ago, … Congress, special interest groups and the tree huggers had not blocked entrepenurs, oil companies and new alternatative fuel innovators from doing what they knew could be successful and the U.S. had started building more refineries and drilling where they kew there was easy to get to oil, worked on cleaning up the coal fired plants, built 10-15 nuclear power plants, seriously perfected wind and solar, we would not be in the situation we are today. That was do-able 20 years ago. Plus the $ we send to the rag heads would be staying at home and helping our own economy. But that’s just me. I have perfect hindsight!

  120. Dooood Avatar

    Bonecrusher & Simple Simon

    RE: Orbital Sciences Corp. / David W. Thompson, Chairman / James R. Thompson, CEO

    I found one record of $2,300 donated to Sen. Barbara Mikulski D-Maryland, a leftist liberal, by J.R. Thompson and several contributions by David Thompson to Rep. Frank Wolf R-Va, Mikulski, Al Gore and George W. Bush. It was not that much money spread over two decades. The contributions are primarily to Republicans, but whatever Orbital is doing, they are not doing it by throwing around big political donations.

    I suspect they do not even know George W. Bush, George Soros or Barack Obama.

  121. Texpat Avatar
    Texpat

    Bonecrusher & Simple Simon
    RE: Orbital Sciences Corp. / David W. Thompson, Chairman / James R. Thompson, CEO
    I found one record of $2,300 donated to Sen. Barbara Mikulski D-Maryland, a leftist liberal, by J.R. Thompson and several contributions by David Thompson to Rep. Frank Wolf R-Va, Mikulski, Al Gore and George W. Bush. It was not that much money spread over two decades. The contributions are primarily to Republicans, but whatever Orbital is doing, they are not doing it by throwing around big political donations.
    I suspect they do not even know George W. Bush, George Soros or Barack Obama.

  122. duhmoose Avatar
    duhmoose

    Come on Texpat, are you saying things can get done in Government without bribery?

  123. duhmoose Avatar
    duhmoose

    Come on Texpat, are you saying things can get done in Government without bribery?

  124. Simple Simon Avatar
    Simple Simon

    Tex,

    Thank you for completing my point! Boney sees the “foul O” and Soros behind everything. Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar.

    Simple

  125. Simple Simon Avatar
    Simple Simon

    Tex,
    Thank you for completing my point! Boney sees the “foul O” and Soros behind everything. Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar.
    Simple

  126. Simple Simon Avatar
    Simple Simon

    Tex,

    “Babs” might be a lefty, but she is a lefty who strongly supports NASA, which might be a good reason for Orbital to donate to her campaign.

    Simple

  127. Simple Simon Avatar
    Simple Simon

    Tex,
    “Babs” might be a lefty, but she is a lefty who strongly supports NASA, which might be a good reason for Orbital to donate to her campaign.
    Simple

  128. OletimerLin Avatar
    OletimerLin

    #63 A glimpse of reason in an otherwise mostly irrational world is very welcome.

  129. bob42 Avatar

    #63 A glimpse of reason in an otherwise mostly irrational world is very welcome.

  130. Katfish Avatar

    #63 texpat
    Next you’re gonna be saying the Koch brothers aren’t pulling the strings of Gov. Walker.

  131. wagonburner Avatar
    wagonburner

    #63 texpat
    Next you’re gonna be saying the Koch brothers aren’t pulling the strings of Gov. Walker.

  132. Katfish Avatar

    You know all those guns that us right-wing nutcases are supposedly smuggling over the border into Mexico? Well, it turns out that the BATFE ordered its agents to allow it to happen.

    An Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms senior agent assigned to the Phoenix office in 2010, Dodson’s job is to stop gun trafficking across the border. Instead, he says he was ordered to sit by and watch it happen.

    Who came up with such an idiotic idea?

    Agent Dodson and other sources say the gun walking strategy was approved all the way up to the Justice Department. The idea was to see where the guns ended up, build a big case and take down a cartel. And it was all kept secret from Mexico.

    ATF named the case “Fast and Furious.”

    How about “Stupid and Idiotic”? Thenumber of guns being smuggled without the Mexican government’s knowledge was significant enough that it helped fuel the carnage going on down there.

    Dodson feels that ATF was partly to blame for the escalating violence in Mexico and on the border. “I even asked them if they could see the correlation between the two,” he said. “The more our guys buy, the more violence we’re having down there.”

    Senior agents including Dodson told CBS News they confronted their supervisors over and over.

    One of these guns wound up in the hands of a smuggler in December of last year. It was used to murder Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry, who was ordered to fire only beanbag loads via another idiotic policy.

    We’re in the best of hands.

  133. wagonburner Avatar
    wagonburner

    You know all those guns that us right-wing nutcases are supposedly smuggling over the border into Mexico? Well, it turns out that the BATFE ordered its agents to allow it to happen.

    An Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms senior agent assigned to the Phoenix office in 2010, Dodson’s job is to stop gun trafficking across the border. Instead, he says he was ordered to sit by and watch it happen.

    Who came up with such an idiotic idea?

    Agent Dodson and other sources say the gun walking strategy was approved all the way up to the Justice Department. The idea was to see where the guns ended up, build a big case and take down a cartel. And it was all kept secret from Mexico.
    ATF named the case “Fast and Furious.”

    How about “Stupid and Idiotic”? Thenumber of guns being smuggled without the Mexican government’s knowledge was significant enough that it helped fuel the carnage going on down there.

    Dodson feels that ATF was partly to blame for the escalating violence in Mexico and on the border. “I even asked them if they could see the correlation between the two,” he said. “The more our guys buy, the more violence we’re having down there.”
    Senior agents including Dodson told CBS News they confronted their supervisors over and over.

    One of these guns wound up in the hands of a smuggler in December of last year. It was used to murder Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry, who was ordered to fire only beanbag loads via another idiotic policy.
    We’re in the best of hands.

  134. texanadian Avatar
    texanadian

    A Texas lawmaker is pushing a bill that would ensure most people caught with small amounts of marijuana do not face jail time.

    The proposal, which the Texas Democrat has introduced before, would make getting caught with an ounce or less of pot similar to getting pulled over for speeding. Instead of facing up to six months in jail, the culprit would face a maximum $500 fine.

    http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/03/04/texas-pol-wants-make-pot-penalties-similar-speeding-ticket/?test=latestnews

  135. texanadian Avatar
    texanadian

    A Texas lawmaker is pushing a bill that would ensure most people caught with small amounts of marijuana do not face jail time.
    The proposal, which the Texas Democrat has introduced before, would make getting caught with an ounce or less of pot similar to getting pulled over for speeding. Instead of facing up to six months in jail, the culprit would face a maximum $500 fine.

    http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/03/04/texas-pol-wants-make-pot-penalties-similar-speeding-ticket/?test=latestnews

  136. OletimerLin Avatar
    OletimerLin

    #70 Teanadian, of the 70,000 or so people who are arrested, handcuffed, and hauled to jail for possessing a plant every year in Texas, over 90% were caught holding less than one ounce. The direct tax payer costs related to such policies are estimated to be at least $300M annually.

    But don’t worry, HB 548, and two other bills that would keep terminally ill people out of the expensive criminal justice system will die in committee, just as their predecessors have for the last three lege sessions.

    There are some subjects that professional politicians just aren’t willing to discuss on the floor of the house or senate.

  137. bob42 Avatar

    #70 Teanadian, of the 70,000 or so people who are arrested, handcuffed, and hauled to jail for possessing a plant every year in Texas, over 90% were caught holding less than one ounce. The direct tax payer costs related to such policies are estimated to be at least $300M annually.
    But don’t worry, HB 548, and two other bills that would keep terminally ill people out of the expensive criminal justice system will die in committee, just as their predecessors have for the last three lege sessions.
    There are some subjects that professional politicians just aren’t willing to discuss on the floor of the house or senate.

  138. Dooood Avatar

    #66 Simple

    Yes, she has long been a NASA ally. It crosses regions and political boundaries.

    The low-spotlight position she holds now in the Senate is actually quite powerful. Sen. Mikulski is:

    Chairwoman, Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee

    Many of the bills concerning NASA and financial oversight of their funds are handled directly through this subcommittee.

  139. Texpat Avatar
    Texpat

    #66 Simple
    Yes, she has long been a NASA ally. It crosses regions and political boundaries.
    The low-spotlight position she holds now in the Senate is actually quite powerful. Sen. Mikulski is:
    Chairwoman, Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee
    Many of the bills concerning NASA and financial oversight of their funds are handled directly through this subcommittee.

  140. Darren Avatar
    Darren

    Wagon #69;

    If I’m not mistaken, that case is breakng publicly because border agents are to use bean bags to fire on armed Mexican nationals illegally crossing our southern border.

    CONFIRMED: Border Agent Terry Was FORCED TO USE BEANBAGS Against Armed Mexican Killers in AZ Before He Was Shot Dead

  141. Darren Avatar
    Darren

    Wagon #69;
    If I’m not mistaken, that case is breakng publicly because border agents are to use bean bags to fire on armed Mexican nationals illegally crossing our southern border.
    CONFIRMED: Border Agent Terry Was FORCED TO USE BEANBAGS Against Armed Mexican Killers in AZ Before He Was Shot Dead

  142. Darren Avatar
    Darren

    I first read about Judge Gladys Kessler’s utterly ridiculous decision that “mental activity” can be regulated by the government thus Obamacare IS constitutional on Pajamas Media. Later today I spotted an article by Rich Lowry on Human Events called, Hands off My Mental Activity which I found humorously brilliant regarding Kessler’s absurdity. Emphasis mine.

    At issue is the individual mandate. Two other district-court judges have struck it down on the grounds that Congress doesn’t have the power under the Commerce Clause of the Constitution to require that everyone buy health insurance. If someone doesn’t purchase insurance, he hasn’t done anything. He isn’t engaged in activity that may or may not affect interstate commerce, but in sheer inactivity. Never before has anyone thought Congress could regulate nonevents.

    The easy-to-grasp distinction between an activity and inactivity is one of the most powerful legal arguments of Obamacare’s opponents. But they hadn’t yet run up against a jurist as ingenious as Judge Kessler. She brushes the activity/inactivity distinction aside because not doing something is a choice and therefore “mental activity.”

    Why hadn’t someone thought of that before? The sophists in Eric Holder’s Justice Department must be embarrassed that they didn’t dredge up this killer rejoinder themselves.

    LOL!

    Now, since this was a court case and thus unbiased and evidence-based, I’m sure bob42 is happy as a lark in its outcome. But one more tret specifically for bob is the following:

    Long ago, the Commerce Clause got stretched beyond recognition. In 1942, the Supreme Court used it to uphold a law penalizing a farmer for growing wheat in excess of his approved allotment, even though it was for his own consumption. At least the poor sap was doing something. According to Kessler, Congress could also punish him for deciding not to grow wheat.

    I wonder what group of people did that?

  143. Darren Avatar
    Darren

    I first read about Judge Gladys Kessler’s utterly ridiculous decision that “mental activity” can be regulated by the government thus Obamacare IS constitutional on Pajamas Media. Later today I spotted an article by Rich Lowry on Human Events called, Hands off My Mental Activity which I found humorously brilliant regarding Kessler’s absurdity. Emphasis mine.

    At issue is the individual mandate. Two other district-court judges have struck it down on the grounds that Congress doesn’t have the power under the Commerce Clause of the Constitution to require that everyone buy health insurance. If someone doesn’t purchase insurance, he hasn’t done anything. He isn’t engaged in activity that may or may not affect interstate commerce, but in sheer inactivity. Never before has anyone thought Congress could regulate nonevents.
    The easy-to-grasp distinction between an activity and inactivity is one of the most powerful legal arguments of Obamacare’s opponents. But they hadn’t yet run up against a jurist as ingenious as Judge Kessler. She brushes the activity/inactivity distinction aside because not doing something is a choice and therefore “mental activity.”
    Why hadn’t someone thought of that before? The sophists in Eric Holder’s Justice Department must be embarrassed that they didn’t dredge up this killer rejoinder themselves.

    LOL!
    Now, since this was a court case and thus unbiased and evidence-based, I’m sure bob42 is happy as a lark in its outcome. But one more tret specifically for bob is the following:

    Long ago, the Commerce Clause got stretched beyond recognition. In 1942, the Supreme Court used it to uphold a law penalizing a farmer for growing wheat in excess of his approved allotment, even though it was for his own consumption. At least the poor sap was doing something. According to Kessler, Congress could also punish him for deciding not to grow wheat.

    I wonder what group of people did that?

  144. Darren Avatar
    Darren

    I forgot to link the PM article mentioned above.

    Don’t Want ObamaCare? That Means Obama Can Force You to Have It (UPDATED)

    That’s a good article on Judge Vinson’s ruling on O’Care. That judge’s been brilliant!

  145. Darren Avatar
    Darren

    I forgot to link the PM article mentioned above.
    Don’t Want ObamaCare? That Means Obama Can Force You to Have It (UPDATED)
    That’s a good article on Judge Vinson’s ruling on O’Care. That judge’s been brilliant!

  146. Southern Tragedy Avatar
    Southern Tragedy

    #20
    WB
    re: SJL

    I remember reading an article (Houston Post, Houston Press?) about SJL’s abuse to staffers when she was on Houston City Council, she is something.

    Michael Berry made a tribute to her yesterday.

  147. GJT Avatar
    GJT

    #20
    WB
    re: SJL
    I remember reading an article (Houston Post, Houston Press?) about SJL’s abuse to staffers when she was on Houston City Council, she is something.
    Michael Berry made a tribute to her yesterday.

  148. Super Dave Avatar
    Super Dave

    175 years ago, the Alamo was still under siege by Santa Anna’s forces. Virtually every hour that they could hold off SA was more time for Sam Houston to muster forces for the next encounter. Would you, or anyone you know, cross that line in the sand and be willing to stand to the death for liberty? I guess we’ll really never know unless we encounter that situation ourselves. Freedom isn’t free.

  149. El Gordo Avatar

    175 years ago, the Alamo was still under siege by Santa Anna’s forces. Virtually every hour that they could hold off SA was more time for Sam Houston to muster forces for the next encounter. Would you, or anyone you know, cross that line in the sand and be willing to stand to the death for liberty? I guess we’ll really never know unless we encounter that situation ourselves. Freedom isn’t free.

  150. gtotracker42 Avatar
    gtotracker42

    Just an idea for what may be a rainy weekend. Howza abouta a book thread. Lots of folks mention books they have read. Shannon posted a picture of hisself reading one, though he was likely pretending to be able to just to impress some chick. Sarge has mentioned a few history books I have found worth the time to read. Lots of comments to and fro from books I do not read but posters here seem to find interesting.

  151. gtotracker42 Avatar
    gtotracker42

    Just an idea for what may be a rainy weekend. Howza abouta a book thread. Lots of folks mention books they have read. Shannon posted a picture of hisself reading one, though he was likely pretending to be able to just to impress some chick. Sarge has mentioned a few history books I have found worth the time to read. Lots of comments to and fro from books I do not read but posters here seem to find interesting.

  152. Tedtam Avatar

    GTO

    Sounds like a good idea. A movie thread someday would be good, also.

  153. Tedtam Avatar

    GTO
    Sounds like a good idea. A movie thread someday would be good, also.

  154. Super Dave Avatar
    Super Dave

    I’m left speechless:

    Chivalry Is Dead Was Murdered by Zero Tolerance

    Radley Balko | March 4, 2011

    A Virginia middle school student has been suspended for . . . opening the door for a woman whose hands were full.

    “Students are not allowed to open the doors, and if anyone does, they will be suspended,” said Dr. Wayne K. Smith, executive director of administration and personnel.

    A districtwide policy prohibiting students and staff from opening doors to the outside was recently adopted after a $10,800 security system was installed at the middle school, Southampton High School, Southampton Technical Career Center and Nottoway, Meherrin and Capron elementary schools. Riverdale Elementary had a similar system installed when it was built three years ago.

    All of the schools’ doors are locked during the day. Visitors must ring a buzzer and look into a camera before office personnel can let them in.

    Smith said everyone knew about the policy and its consequences. The middle school student was the first to be suspended for opening a door. Smith did not say how many days of suspension the unidentified student received.

    You can’t be too careful. Your average middle school, high school, or college can expect to see an on-campus shooting about once every 12,000 years. If Southhampton Middle School hasn’t had at least one shooting since 10,000 B.C., they’re really just on borrowed time.

  155. El Gordo Avatar

    I’m left speechless:
    Chivalry Is Dead Was Murdered by Zero Tolerance
    Radley Balko | March 4, 2011
    A Virginia middle school student has been suspended for . . . opening the door for a woman whose hands were full.
    “Students are not allowed to open the doors, and if anyone does, they will be suspended,” said Dr. Wayne K. Smith, executive director of administration and personnel.
    A districtwide policy prohibiting students and staff from opening doors to the outside was recently adopted after a $10,800 security system was installed at the middle school, Southampton High School, Southampton Technical Career Center and Nottoway, Meherrin and Capron elementary schools. Riverdale Elementary had a similar system installed when it was built three years ago.
    All of the schools’ doors are locked during the day. Visitors must ring a buzzer and look into a camera before office personnel can let them in.
    Smith said everyone knew about the policy and its consequences. The middle school student was the first to be suspended for opening a door. Smith did not say how many days of suspension the unidentified student received.
    You can’t be too careful. Your average middle school, high school, or college can expect to see an on-campus shooting about once every 12,000 years. If Southhampton Middle School hasn’t had at least one shooting since 10,000 B.C., they’re really just on borrowed time.

  156. Adee Avatar
    Adee

    #80 El Gordo; Wow, what a relief to know other states have maroons in positions of authority besides Texas. Of course SJL wins hands down. Bet she makes the delightful lady Barbara Jordan regularly spin in her grave to think her Congressional seat has sunk so low.

  157. Adee Avatar
    Adee

    #80 El Gordo; Wow, what a relief to know other states have maroons in positions of authority besides Texas. Of course SJL wins hands down. Bet she makes the delightful lady Barbara Jordan regularly spin in her grave to think her Congressional seat has sunk so low.

  158. Dooood Avatar

    #78 gto

    Nice idea.

  159. Texpat Avatar
    Texpat

    #78 gto
    Nice idea.

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