Dear Jon,
Today, we sadly find ourselves at the very point in Iraq I feared most when I opposed giving the President the open-ended authority to wage this war in 2002 – an occupation of undetermined length, at undetermined cost, with undetermined consequences in the midst of a country torn by civil war.
We have waited and we have been patient. We have given chance after chance for a resolution that has not come, and, more importantly, watched with horror and grief the tragic loss of thousands of brave young Americans.
The time for waiting in Iraq is over. The days of our open-ended commitment must come to a close. And the need to bring this war to an end is here.
That is why today, I’m introducing the Iraq War De-escalation Act of 2007. This plan would not only place a cap on the number of troops in Iraq and stop the escalation, it would begin a phased redeployment of U.S. forces with the goal of removing of all U.S. combat forces from Iraq by March 31st, 2008 – consistent with the recommendations of the bipartisan Iraq Study Group that the President ignored.
The redeployment of troops to the United States , Afghanistan , and elsewhere in the region would begin no later than May 1st of this year, toward the end of the timeframe I first proposed in a speech more than two months ago. In a civil war where no military solution exists, this redeployment remains our best leverage to pressure the Iraqi government to achieve the political settlement between its warring factions that can slow the bloodshed and promote stability.
The U.S. military has performed valiantly and brilliantly in Iraq . Our troops have done all we have asked them to do and more. But no amount of American soldiers can solve the political differences at the heart of somebody else’s civil war, nor settle the grievances in the hearts of the combatants.
When it comes to the war in Iraq, the time for promises and assurances, for waiting and patience, is over. Too many lives have been lost and too many billions have been spent for us to trust the President on another tried and failed policy opposed by generals and experts, Democrats and Republicans, Americans and even the Iraqis themselves.
It is time to change our policy.
It is time to give Iraqis their country back.
And it is time to refocus America ’s efforts on the challenges we face at home and the wider struggle against terror yet to be won.
Sincerely,
U.S. Senator Barack Obama
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Random Music Shuffle-
Stones - Neil Diamond
The Great Mandala- PPM
I Don’t Want to Talk About It- Rod Stewart
You Got to Me (live from stages) - Neil Diamond
Come Sail Away - STYX
Nikita- Elton John
Bridge Over Troubled Waters- Simon and Garfunkel
I can’t Tell You Why- Eagles
Canadian Railroad Trilogy- Gordon Lightfoot
For Cryin’ Out Loud- Meatloaf
Using random setting on your digital music system list the first ten sings that come up.
The Great Mandala- PPM
I Don’t Want to Talk About It- Rod Stewart
You Got to Me (live from stages) - Neil Diamond
Come Sail Away - STYX
Nikita- Elton John
Bridge Over Troubled Waters- Simon and Garfunkel
I can’t Tell You Why- Eagles
Canadian Railroad Trilogy- Gordon Lightfoot
For Cryin’ Out Loud- Meatloaf
Using random setting on your digital music system list the first ten sings that come up.
Monday, January 29, 2007
Saturday, January 27, 2007
Moron of the week... Dick Morris
It would have been easy to go with GW Bush again. But hey, there are too many morons out there to keep singling out the obvious.
Dick Morris has committed himself personally to the effort to completely discredit Hillary Clinton and ensure that she will never become president. He is going to smear her with such relevant information as how many times her hair style and color have changed during her public life- GASP!!! Didn't they try that with Ronald Reagan, too?
Dick Morris has committed himself personally to the effort to completely discredit Hillary Clinton and ensure that she will never become president. He is going to smear her with such relevant information as how many times her hair style and color have changed during her public life- GASP!!! Didn't they try that with Ronald Reagan, too?
Friday, January 26, 2007
A Dear Jon Letter,
Dear Jon,
If nothing else, the last election proved that politics-by-slogan and poll-tested sound bites aren't going to cut it with the American people anymore, and that's why the real test of leadership is not what the President said to Congress last night, but how he works with Congress in the months to come to find real solutions to America's problems.
The good news is that in the halls of Congress and across the nation, there is widespread support from both Democrats and Republicans on how to meet the major challenges facing America.
Most Americans believe that escalation will not bring the war in Iraq to a responsible end, and that's why I've proposed not just a troop cap, but a phased redeployment that will start bringing our troops home.
Most Americans believe that energy independence will come from using more biofuels like ethanol and making cars that actually use less oil, which is why I proposed a bipartisan plan that would raise fuel economy standards for the first time in decades.
Most Americans believe that the biggest domestic challenge facing the country is the high cost of health care, and that's why incremental plans that do nothing to bring down costs or guarantee coverage are simply no longer sufficient. We must pass universal health care for every American.
The American people are looking for something new. They are hungry for a different kind of politics. In the last week, I've been humbled and inspired to see more than 100,000 of you sign up to join our efforts to change the debate in this country, so that we can begin solving our common problems and pursuing our common dreams.
Last night was an evening for rhetoric and promises. But now is the time for action - now is the time to actually get something done. You deserve leadership that's commensurate to the challenges we face in this country, and I look forward to working with all of you to make this happen in the days and months to come.
Sincerely, U.S. Senator Barack Obama
Vist Obama's website to get your own letter
If nothing else, the last election proved that politics-by-slogan and poll-tested sound bites aren't going to cut it with the American people anymore, and that's why the real test of leadership is not what the President said to Congress last night, but how he works with Congress in the months to come to find real solutions to America's problems.
The good news is that in the halls of Congress and across the nation, there is widespread support from both Democrats and Republicans on how to meet the major challenges facing America.
Most Americans believe that escalation will not bring the war in Iraq to a responsible end, and that's why I've proposed not just a troop cap, but a phased redeployment that will start bringing our troops home.
Most Americans believe that energy independence will come from using more biofuels like ethanol and making cars that actually use less oil, which is why I proposed a bipartisan plan that would raise fuel economy standards for the first time in decades.
Most Americans believe that the biggest domestic challenge facing the country is the high cost of health care, and that's why incremental plans that do nothing to bring down costs or guarantee coverage are simply no longer sufficient. We must pass universal health care for every American.
The American people are looking for something new. They are hungry for a different kind of politics. In the last week, I've been humbled and inspired to see more than 100,000 of you sign up to join our efforts to change the debate in this country, so that we can begin solving our common problems and pursuing our common dreams.
Last night was an evening for rhetoric and promises. But now is the time for action - now is the time to actually get something done. You deserve leadership that's commensurate to the challenges we face in this country, and I look forward to working with all of you to make this happen in the days and months to come.
Sincerely, U.S. Senator Barack Obama
Vist Obama's website to get your own letter
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
How many ways is this a stupid idea?
as taken directly from the "State of the Union Address":
And so tonight, I propose two new initiatives to help more Americans afford their own insurance. First, I propose a standard tax deduction for health insurance that will be like the standard tax deduction for dependents. Families with health insurance will pay no income or payroll taxes on $15,000 of their income. Single Americans with health insurance will pay no income or payroll taxes on $7,500 of their income. With this reform, more than 100 million men, women, and children who are now covered by employer-provided insurance will benefit from lower tax bills.
At the same time, this reform will level the playing field for those who do not get health insurance through their job. For Americans who now purchase health insurance on their own, this proposal would mean a substantial tax savings -- $4,500 for a family of four making $60,000 a year. And for the millions of other Americans who have no health insurance at all, this deduction would help put a basic private health insurance plan within their reach. Changing the tax code is a vital and necessary step to making healthcare affordable for more Americans.
Let's start with the obvious:
A family of four who lives off the income of one full-time worker at $15.38/hr makes $615.38 per week and assuming paid vacation and holidays $32,000 per year.
It would be a very modest family health care plan that could be purchased for the average family of four at $15,000. The household would need to choose to purchase this plan at exactly 46.875% of their total household income leaving $17,000 for all their other needs. Even supposing the tax credit will benefit the family by say $2000 (which is highly dubious) that would only improve their annual income to $19,000 or $1583.33/month.
at 50%, thats $791.67 for rent
at $125/person groceries at $600.00
That leaves $191.66 for gasoline, auto insurance, car maintenance, clothing, electricity, heating or AC. In addition there would be co-pay and prescription drug costs, eye glasses, dental costs, school supplies. As the list piles up- what family wouldn't choose to go without health insurance or look to the state to take the burden.
Even if you doubled the income amount there would be precious little room for dreams like home ownership.
Businesses across the country will quickly give up the cost of offering insurance and transfer a supposed equal amount toward salaries thereby benefitting from reduced HR costs. Individuals would see 'huge' increases in their salaries--- or would they?
Take the individual above making $32,000 per year. Let's suppose that he currently gets a benefit from his employer for personal health insurance at $5200/year (most companies offer family coverage at a cost to the employee). Let's also suppose that the company transfers that whole benefit into salary. The employee's income would increase to $37,200 annually, $3100/month or $17.88/hr- an increase of 16.25%.
But in real dollars the take home pay would be much less. The minimum increase to payroll taxes would be the 7.5% for FICA ( $390.00). The annual salary is thereby reduced (optimistically) to $36810. Let's crunch the numbers again.
First we take out the $15,000 for health insurance $21810
Monthly Income $1817.50
Let's assume nothing else changes
rent $791.67
groceries at $125/person $600.00
In this new paradigm the family has $234.17 'extra' each month to cover all the extra costs described above. Probably still not enough to convince them to by the insurance. But the benefit is dependent on the good will of the employer who would be under no obligation to increase salaries in this way.
I would be curious at some point to do the math on the $60,000 senario. It looks dubious.
I already know that the employer cost for my health insurance next year will be about $7800/year. Therefore, straight out of the shoot with no other changes my tax burden increases. In future years, with the cost going up and the benefit remaining the same- with a relatively fixed income my personal tax burden would increase.
Great Plan "W" !!! Who really benefits from this?
And so tonight, I propose two new initiatives to help more Americans afford their own insurance. First, I propose a standard tax deduction for health insurance that will be like the standard tax deduction for dependents. Families with health insurance will pay no income or payroll taxes on $15,000 of their income. Single Americans with health insurance will pay no income or payroll taxes on $7,500 of their income. With this reform, more than 100 million men, women, and children who are now covered by employer-provided insurance will benefit from lower tax bills.
At the same time, this reform will level the playing field for those who do not get health insurance through their job. For Americans who now purchase health insurance on their own, this proposal would mean a substantial tax savings -- $4,500 for a family of four making $60,000 a year. And for the millions of other Americans who have no health insurance at all, this deduction would help put a basic private health insurance plan within their reach. Changing the tax code is a vital and necessary step to making healthcare affordable for more Americans.
Let's start with the obvious:
A family of four who lives off the income of one full-time worker at $15.38/hr makes $615.38 per week and assuming paid vacation and holidays $32,000 per year.
It would be a very modest family health care plan that could be purchased for the average family of four at $15,000. The household would need to choose to purchase this plan at exactly 46.875% of their total household income leaving $17,000 for all their other needs. Even supposing the tax credit will benefit the family by say $2000 (which is highly dubious) that would only improve their annual income to $19,000 or $1583.33/month.
at 50%, thats $791.67 for rent
at $125/person groceries at $600.00
That leaves $191.66 for gasoline, auto insurance, car maintenance, clothing, electricity, heating or AC. In addition there would be co-pay and prescription drug costs, eye glasses, dental costs, school supplies. As the list piles up- what family wouldn't choose to go without health insurance or look to the state to take the burden.
Even if you doubled the income amount there would be precious little room for dreams like home ownership.
Businesses across the country will quickly give up the cost of offering insurance and transfer a supposed equal amount toward salaries thereby benefitting from reduced HR costs. Individuals would see 'huge' increases in their salaries--- or would they?
Take the individual above making $32,000 per year. Let's suppose that he currently gets a benefit from his employer for personal health insurance at $5200/year (most companies offer family coverage at a cost to the employee). Let's also suppose that the company transfers that whole benefit into salary. The employee's income would increase to $37,200 annually, $3100/month or $17.88/hr- an increase of 16.25%.
But in real dollars the take home pay would be much less. The minimum increase to payroll taxes would be the 7.5% for FICA ( $390.00). The annual salary is thereby reduced (optimistically) to $36810. Let's crunch the numbers again.
First we take out the $15,000 for health insurance $21810
Monthly Income $1817.50
Let's assume nothing else changes
rent $791.67
groceries at $125/person $600.00
In this new paradigm the family has $234.17 'extra' each month to cover all the extra costs described above. Probably still not enough to convince them to by the insurance. But the benefit is dependent on the good will of the employer who would be under no obligation to increase salaries in this way.
I would be curious at some point to do the math on the $60,000 senario. It looks dubious.
I already know that the employer cost for my health insurance next year will be about $7800/year. Therefore, straight out of the shoot with no other changes my tax burden increases. In future years, with the cost going up and the benefit remaining the same- with a relatively fixed income my personal tax burden would increase.
Great Plan "W" !!! Who really benefits from this?
Monday, January 22, 2007
Check out 'Page Too'
There is a link at the upper left . I am attempting to create a free comment space.
Check it out and enjoy.
Check it out and enjoy.
Sunday, January 21, 2007
Music Shuffle-
"Whispered Words" - - Peter Paul and Mary
"Play the Game Tonight" - Kansas
"Do I creep you Out" - Weird Al
"Dig In" - Neil Diamond
"Your Song" - Elton John
"I’m not supposed To Care" - Gordon Lightfoot
"Blues Run the Game" - Simon and Garfunkel
"This Old Guitar" - John Denver
"Keep the Customer Satisfied" - Simon and Garfunkel
"Movement" - Yadiki Beat (instr.)
"Play the Game Tonight" - Kansas
"Do I creep you Out" - Weird Al
"Dig In" - Neil Diamond
"Your Song" - Elton John
"I’m not supposed To Care" - Gordon Lightfoot
"Blues Run the Game" - Simon and Garfunkel
"This Old Guitar" - John Denver
"Keep the Customer Satisfied" - Simon and Garfunkel
"Movement" - Yadiki Beat (instr.)
Saturday, January 20, 2007
Stupid Criminals
There's this story about the 29 year old who was passing himself off as a 12 year old to have sex with small boys. He was living with 2 other men who were passing themselves off as his granparents to enroll him in various schools.
It was not clear is the man was acting for himself or stalking on behalf of the other two as well. What is clear is the two older men were having sex with the 29 year old - normally a legal activity. The stupidity and hilarity ensue as they start to engage in converations with the police and media:
Stiffler and Robert James Snow, 43, "were very upset when the detectives told them they had been having a sexual relationship with a 29-year-old man and not a pre-teen boy," Quayle said.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16716644/?GT1=8921
It was not clear is the man was acting for himself or stalking on behalf of the other two as well. What is clear is the two older men were having sex with the 29 year old - normally a legal activity. The stupidity and hilarity ensue as they start to engage in converations with the police and media:
Stiffler and Robert James Snow, 43, "were very upset when the detectives told them they had been having a sexual relationship with a 29-year-old man and not a pre-teen boy," Quayle said.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16716644/?GT1=8921
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Moron of the Week, Week 3- 2007
Attorney General Gonzales- (see link click above)
In an obvious ploy to try to further ignore the courts the Bush Administration has sent forth the AG as its lackey to promote the notion that their version of 'National Security' trumps the constitution. In this case, any jurist who would try to defend what remains of the Constitution (that is their job, afterall) is written off as an 'activist judge.'
Did anyone think there would actually be a new tone in DC?
In an obvious ploy to try to further ignore the courts the Bush Administration has sent forth the AG as its lackey to promote the notion that their version of 'National Security' trumps the constitution. In this case, any jurist who would try to defend what remains of the Constitution (that is their job, afterall) is written off as an 'activist judge.'
Did anyone think there would actually be a new tone in DC?
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
Okay, so here's the thing. I have been putting my Christmas stuff away over the past week or so. That is a bigger job than it should be, but that is another story.
What do you do when you have a particular ornament that is simply too good to put away in a closet for a year? Is it reasonable at all that such a decoration could find a place in the home throughout the year?
I am not talking about those people who are too lazy to put their tree away and just leave it in an upstairs or basement corner until next year. What would you do if you had the handsome devil shown here?
Monday, January 15, 2007
A New look, and Era for "A Page That Aches"
In an effort to diversify, I have been playing with a new look. I hope that with my new abilities to add pictures the front page will be more dynamic.
I hope you will find the expansion of topics refreshing as well. But, as the new political campaign heats up, you can be sure that this favorite passion of mine will remain a topic of interest.
As Always, I welcome your input and suggestions. I welcome also any comments to any of the topics provided. Enjoy, and share your feedback. It is bound to make "APTA" a much more dynamic place to visit.
I hope you will find the expansion of topics refreshing as well. But, as the new political campaign heats up, you can be sure that this favorite passion of mine will remain a topic of interest.
As Always, I welcome your input and suggestions. I welcome also any comments to any of the topics provided. Enjoy, and share your feedback. It is bound to make "APTA" a much more dynamic place to visit.
What is my Preppy Name?
| Your Preppy Name Is... |
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Music Shuffle
Using your digital music library select random setting and post the 1st 10 songs:
Come Sail Away STYX (Grand Illusion)
Everything’s Alright Jesus Christ Superstar (Original London Cast)
We Belong Pat Benatar (Greatest Hits)
The Time Warp Halloween Party (Rocky Horror Picture Show Soundtrack)
The Killing of Georgie (pts 1&2) Rod Stewart (Greatest Hits)
Thank The Lord for the Nighttime Neil Diamond (Gold)
Shiny Happy People REM (Out of Time)
Seedy Films Soft Cell (Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret)
Rainy Day People Gordon Lightfoot (Gord’s Gold)
For Crying Out Loud Meatloaf (Bat Out of Hell)
Hmm, If there is a theme or tone there- I am not picking it up. It is random though.
Come Sail Away STYX (Grand Illusion)
Everything’s Alright Jesus Christ Superstar (Original London Cast)
We Belong Pat Benatar (Greatest Hits)
The Time Warp Halloween Party (Rocky Horror Picture Show Soundtrack)
The Killing of Georgie (pts 1&2) Rod Stewart (Greatest Hits)
Thank The Lord for the Nighttime Neil Diamond (Gold)
Shiny Happy People REM (Out of Time)
Seedy Films Soft Cell (Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret)
Rainy Day People Gordon Lightfoot (Gord’s Gold)
For Crying Out Loud Meatloaf (Bat Out of Hell)
Hmm, If there is a theme or tone there- I am not picking it up. It is random though.
Friday, January 12, 2007
How do you change the mind of a conservative? (see link)
Take away their money!!!
Al Gore must be celebrating this news. There is still question if its not too little too late.
Al Gore must be celebrating this news. There is still question if its not too little too late.
Thursday, January 11, 2007
"WE ARE MARSHALL"
Suppose you don't like sports movies. Suppose also that you are no fan of Matthew McConaughey either. What possible reason could you have then for seeing this movie that focusses on the rebuilding of a college football team after a tragic airplane crash that killed most of the team and coaching staff, as well as a collection of boosters?
How about a recommendation that this film is fantastic and my current favorite for the Oscar for Best Picture.
McConaughey plays the bumkin coach that comes from the outside to help the college and town begin to rediscover normal. The character is offbeat enough that McConaughey pulls it off quite nicely.
The story is very heavy and all the more predictable but it is also a testament to the human spirit. The Soundtrack is very strong pulling from music that was popular in 1970-71 including Cracklin Rosie by Neil Diamond. Just so you know- that is an incidental comment and not cetral to my strong recommendation for this film.
How about a recommendation that this film is fantastic and my current favorite for the Oscar for Best Picture.
McConaughey plays the bumkin coach that comes from the outside to help the college and town begin to rediscover normal. The character is offbeat enough that McConaughey pulls it off quite nicely.
The story is very heavy and all the more predictable but it is also a testament to the human spirit. The Soundtrack is very strong pulling from music that was popular in 1970-71 including Cracklin Rosie by Neil Diamond. Just so you know- that is an incidental comment and not cetral to my strong recommendation for this film.
George W Bush actually said
Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan and Persian Gulf states need to understand that a U.S. defeat in Iraq ”would create a new sanctuary for extremists — and a strategic threat to their survival.”
Why did it take him so long to get the message? didn't Collin Powell say exactly the same thing prior to our invasion? Didn't France? Others?
He finally got the message but his bumbling of this whole mess for over 4 years has taken closer to that point. His policies drew the terrorists to Iraq- pick off an American Soldier like going fishing at a fish pond or trout farm. No challenge.
Now they are there and we have a real enemy. Time to send in more bait- er ...soldiers. And this time we mean business.
In the earliest days of 2003 I was asking this question: What cost would there be in waiting?
Today, that question hardly makes sense. If we accept the Powell doctrine that says- if you break it, its yours- we need a plan now that requires real thought and has the courage to listen to the views and ideas of the rest of the world. It means genuine humility and a willingness to start with the premise that we do not have all the answers. It means developing and understanding and a combined consciousness that escalating the number of soldiers and the number of weapons in a particular area eascalates the violence in that same area.
Maybe to it means admitting the possibility that- Democracy cannot be imported to any region at the point of a gun and that the American form of democracy might not be a solution to all the problems of the world.
Why did it take him so long to get the message? didn't Collin Powell say exactly the same thing prior to our invasion? Didn't France? Others?
He finally got the message but his bumbling of this whole mess for over 4 years has taken closer to that point. His policies drew the terrorists to Iraq- pick off an American Soldier like going fishing at a fish pond or trout farm. No challenge.
Now they are there and we have a real enemy. Time to send in more bait- er ...soldiers. And this time we mean business.
In the earliest days of 2003 I was asking this question: What cost would there be in waiting?
Today, that question hardly makes sense. If we accept the Powell doctrine that says- if you break it, its yours- we need a plan now that requires real thought and has the courage to listen to the views and ideas of the rest of the world. It means genuine humility and a willingness to start with the premise that we do not have all the answers. It means developing and understanding and a combined consciousness that escalating the number of soldiers and the number of weapons in a particular area eascalates the violence in that same area.
Maybe to it means admitting the possibility that- Democracy cannot be imported to any region at the point of a gun and that the American form of democracy might not be a solution to all the problems of the world.
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
retirement has been planned for me- no more need to worry (click)
since I turn 65 days before this event. No mor eneed for me to work on that Pesky ROTH.
Moron of the week 2 for 2007.
I believe I have shown remarkable restraint in holding off a week for this one:
George W. Bush becomes 2007’s second moron of the week.
Insanity is defined loosely as continuing to do an act that does not yield the intended end. All the more insane repeatedly doing a thing that causes you harm (slamming your head against a wall, etc).
Tonight “W” will unveil the “plan” he has been working on for over two months, a plan that his own military advisers tell him has limited to no chance for success.
I wish someone could help the Commander in Chief grasp these realities:
Coalition Casualties in Iraq (Military March 20, 2003- January 9, 2006)
US UK Other Total
3017 128 123 3268
Non-mortal Casualties (US) including non-hostile and medical evacuations
46,880
The most conservative numbers available recording Iraqi security forces and civilian deaths are those provided through the media. By all accounts these appear to be grossly underestimated at 19,090.
"The plan" is to put 20,000 additional troops into the middle of this chaos with a hope that their presence- the very presence that is causing the anger and turmoil- will somehow bring an end.
How many more must die?
I plan on watching the speech tonight. Maybe he will prove the media wrong and I can cheerfully recant.
George W. Bush becomes 2007’s second moron of the week.
Insanity is defined loosely as continuing to do an act that does not yield the intended end. All the more insane repeatedly doing a thing that causes you harm (slamming your head against a wall, etc).
Tonight “W” will unveil the “plan” he has been working on for over two months, a plan that his own military advisers tell him has limited to no chance for success.
I wish someone could help the Commander in Chief grasp these realities:
Coalition Casualties in Iraq (Military March 20, 2003- January 9, 2006)
US UK Other Total
3017 128 123 3268
Non-mortal Casualties (US) including non-hostile and medical evacuations
46,880
The most conservative numbers available recording Iraqi security forces and civilian deaths are those provided through the media. By all accounts these appear to be grossly underestimated at 19,090.
"The plan" is to put 20,000 additional troops into the middle of this chaos with a hope that their presence- the very presence that is causing the anger and turmoil- will somehow bring an end.
How many more must die?
I plan on watching the speech tonight. Maybe he will prove the media wrong and I can cheerfully recant.
Monday, January 08, 2007
In Fairness to Zak George
Check out the "other channel" of Zak George on YouTube. He pulled the video rantings to which I commented below. While his rationale is dubious I am, none the less, grateful for the change. The site referenced here with clickable link is very entertaining and informative. He still has an ego but in the context of such entertainment that is forgivable.
Check out Zak and his dogs- family and other happenings in his life.
Check out Zak and his dogs- family and other happenings in his life.
Music (iPod) Shuffle-
Since I don't have an iPod I need to come up with a better name for this. The idea is simple: Using your digital music storage component select random shuffle for your whole music library.
Post the first 10 songs that come up. here is my list for January 7, 2008.
"Superman" - REM
"I Can't Tell You Why" - Eagles
"Innuendo"- Queen
"Hear Them Bells"- Neil Diamond
"If You Could Read My Mind- Gordon Lightfoot
"Punky's Dilemna"- Simon and Garfunkel
"Mony Mony"- Billy Idol
"I'm Still Standing"- Elton John
"We Belong"- Pat Benetar
"Jungletime"- Neil Diamond
Have fun with your own digital music device and share your results.
Post the first 10 songs that come up. here is my list for January 7, 2008.
"Superman" - REM
"I Can't Tell You Why" - Eagles
"Innuendo"- Queen
"Hear Them Bells"- Neil Diamond
"If You Could Read My Mind- Gordon Lightfoot
"Punky's Dilemna"- Simon and Garfunkel
"Mony Mony"- Billy Idol
"I'm Still Standing"- Elton John
"We Belong"- Pat Benetar
"Jungletime"- Neil Diamond
Have fun with your own digital music device and share your results.
Saturday, January 06, 2007
Best of 2006
Best News Commentary: Keith Olbermann
His ‘Special Commentary’ segments are truly must see TV. This is apparently the only media personality left with a spine. I encourage everyone to check him out at MSNBC.
Best Local Weather Personality: Sven Sungaard
This guy may not be the best at what he does but at 25 years old he is very well seasoned. He is very short and based on the MN State Fair live appearances he has a legion of 12 year old girls following him. He seems a bit too intelligent to fit in with the rest of the weekend crew at KARE11 but he has a way of making the weather more watchable.
Best 2006 Election Result-
Hands down, for me this was Amy Klobuchar in the US Senate for Minnesota. The first woman elected to the senate for Minnesota Amy brings a glimpse of what the Dems have to offer for the future. As an added bonus she blocked Mark Kennedy from the ambition set forth for him by Chenney and Co out of Washington. If Coleman gets similarly routed in 2008 I will indeed be a happy man.
Best Decision of the Bush Administration
The final disposition of Donald Rumsfeld. If only it had been 3 or more years earlier.
Best Celebrity Moment
I can’t think of one, sorry.
His ‘Special Commentary’ segments are truly must see TV. This is apparently the only media personality left with a spine. I encourage everyone to check him out at MSNBC.
Best Local Weather Personality: Sven Sungaard
This guy may not be the best at what he does but at 25 years old he is very well seasoned. He is very short and based on the MN State Fair live appearances he has a legion of 12 year old girls following him. He seems a bit too intelligent to fit in with the rest of the weekend crew at KARE11 but he has a way of making the weather more watchable.
Best 2006 Election Result-
Hands down, for me this was Amy Klobuchar in the US Senate for Minnesota. The first woman elected to the senate for Minnesota Amy brings a glimpse of what the Dems have to offer for the future. As an added bonus she blocked Mark Kennedy from the ambition set forth for him by Chenney and Co out of Washington. If Coleman gets similarly routed in 2008 I will indeed be a happy man.
Best Decision of the Bush Administration
The final disposition of Donald Rumsfeld. If only it had been 3 or more years earlier.
Best Celebrity Moment
I can’t think of one, sorry.
Friday, January 05, 2007
Housekeeping
To all of my reader:
When leaving comments-
If you are not registered at blogspot you can leave your name in the text of your message so I can identify you.
If you know me from other sites by other names, please call me "Jon" at this site.
Please, please, please... tell all your friends about our little site. I will try to do more to keep their interest.
Peace in 2007
When leaving comments-
If you are not registered at blogspot you can leave your name in the text of your message so I can identify you.
If you know me from other sites by other names, please call me "Jon" at this site.
Please, please, please... tell all your friends about our little site. I will try to do more to keep their interest.
Peace in 2007
Kudos to Jim Tucker at Dappled Things!!!
I highlighted the Moron of the week, Zak George because of his displayed ignorance at (mis) AdventuresofZak on YouTube. It is fitting that I should give Kudos to Jim Tucker at Dappled Things (clickable link above) for his blog entry on January 3, 2007 accounting of an officer who is refusing to return to Iraq.
Unlike Zak, Jim has a way of clarifying the issues without inserting his own opinion. His balance is refreshing. He brings illumination to the topic and challenges the reader to deeper thought. He says, in part:
“Even if we grant that the decision to invade Iraq was wrong and immoral (as I have held from the start), now that our forces are there and everything's in chaos, what is the morally most correct way for us to deal with the mess we've made? What kind of an obligation have we incurred toward the Iraqi people as a consequence of our government's decision to conquer their country?”
I like Jim’s blog but regret that he does not allow comments. Check it out.
It is regrettable too that when I tried to add this comment to AdventuresofZak he refused my comment- probably too political for him.
I hope, if I actually get readers and commenters some day that I will be more hospitable.
Unlike Zak, Jim has a way of clarifying the issues without inserting his own opinion. His balance is refreshing. He brings illumination to the topic and challenges the reader to deeper thought. He says, in part:
“Even if we grant that the decision to invade Iraq was wrong and immoral (as I have held from the start), now that our forces are there and everything's in chaos, what is the morally most correct way for us to deal with the mess we've made? What kind of an obligation have we incurred toward the Iraqi people as a consequence of our government's decision to conquer their country?”
I like Jim’s blog but regret that he does not allow comments. Check it out.
It is regrettable too that when I tried to add this comment to AdventuresofZak he refused my comment- probably too political for him.
I hope, if I actually get readers and commenters some day that I will be more hospitable.
Thursday, January 04, 2007
iPod Shuffle (revisited)
The shuffle yesterday was unbalanced since only about half of my music was on my computer. Also, I have isolated the Christmas music out now. So Here is the new entry for the week.
My Sweet Lady- John Denver
Crossroads- Gordon Lightfoot
Dear Father- Neil Diamond
For Lovin Me- Gordon Lightfoot
Show Me the Way- Styx
Circle of Love- Elton John
Chelsea Morning- Neil Diamond
Do Ya Think I’m Sexy- Rod Stewart
Under Pressure (remix)- Queen
LA Woman- Billy Idol
My Sweet Lady- John Denver
Crossroads- Gordon Lightfoot
Dear Father- Neil Diamond
For Lovin Me- Gordon Lightfoot
Show Me the Way- Styx
Circle of Love- Elton John
Chelsea Morning- Neil Diamond
Do Ya Think I’m Sexy- Rod Stewart
Under Pressure (remix)- Queen
LA Woman- Billy Idol
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
iPod Shuffle
Take your ipod, or other music system (mine is my laptop currently). Chosoe the random setting and post the first ten songs to play. Here are mine for this first attempt at this:
1. "Love Montage" from Les Misrables- Original London Cast
2. "It's Raining" Peter, Paul and Mary
3. "Bat Out of Hell" Meatloaf
4. "I'm Guilty" Neil Diamond
5. "Whispered Words" Peter, Paul and Mary
6. "Joy to The World" Neil Diamond
7. "Everybody" Neil Diamond
8. "For Cryin' Outloud" Meatloaf
9. "I Dreamed a Dream" Neil Diamond
10. "Father and Son" Cat Stevens
Interesting, no?
1. "Love Montage" from Les Misrables- Original London Cast
2. "It's Raining" Peter, Paul and Mary
3. "Bat Out of Hell" Meatloaf
4. "I'm Guilty" Neil Diamond
5. "Whispered Words" Peter, Paul and Mary
6. "Joy to The World" Neil Diamond
7. "Everybody" Neil Diamond
8. "For Cryin' Outloud" Meatloaf
9. "I Dreamed a Dream" Neil Diamond
10. "Father and Son" Cat Stevens
Interesting, no?
Moron of the Week- (clickable link) Zak George
Keith Olberman does a nightly bit about the 'stupidest person in the world.'
I don't claim to know the rest of the world enough to know if that is true but I do feel confident in identifying the biggest moron I have encountered in a long time. I don't mean to imply that the person is too stupid to live. In fact, I make no estimation of their intellect at all. The designation is reserved for statements or acts that define moronness, whether in a temporary or permanent state.
The first Moron of the Week I found on YouTube. I was first very interested in his work with dogs but am getting the idea now that dogs, who tend to be good natured to the point of sappiness, are his only company.
When I happened upon his response to a girl singing a christmas message for her brother who is serving in Iraq I found him to be (seemingly) reasonable and rationed.
But apparrently his meds don't mix well with egg nog.
His next two video blogs, both recorded for some unknown reason in duplicate on his YouTube site, make me want to scream out " YOU TUBE!!!" His position is ridiculous, to say the least.
He claims to run a site for 'civil discussion of controversial issues. He tries for civility, and is mostly polite, but misses the mark when he does not attempt genuine discussion.
Anyone who disagrees with his position is 'playing politics' or as he said of one contributor who was particularly well versed in facts:
You're just playin' politics bro. You're too concerned with being correct than you are about actual solutions. You're welcome to hang out here, but I'd like you to contribute something more valuable to the conversation if you don't mind.
Oddly, the point Zak fails to grasp is that when you are correct you rarely need to be concerned about it. It is when you are wrong and can't acknowledge that there are things you may not know that you have to get so defensive.
Check out his site- he watches his numbers as a way of inflating his ego as I saw on his other, more watchable site. Watch and see why Zak George is the "A Page That Aches" MORON OF THE WEEK!!!.
I don't claim to know the rest of the world enough to know if that is true but I do feel confident in identifying the biggest moron I have encountered in a long time. I don't mean to imply that the person is too stupid to live. In fact, I make no estimation of their intellect at all. The designation is reserved for statements or acts that define moronness, whether in a temporary or permanent state.
The first Moron of the Week I found on YouTube. I was first very interested in his work with dogs but am getting the idea now that dogs, who tend to be good natured to the point of sappiness, are his only company.
When I happened upon his response to a girl singing a christmas message for her brother who is serving in Iraq I found him to be (seemingly) reasonable and rationed.
But apparrently his meds don't mix well with egg nog.
His next two video blogs, both recorded for some unknown reason in duplicate on his YouTube site, make me want to scream out " YOU TUBE!!!" His position is ridiculous, to say the least.
He claims to run a site for 'civil discussion of controversial issues. He tries for civility, and is mostly polite, but misses the mark when he does not attempt genuine discussion.
Anyone who disagrees with his position is 'playing politics' or as he said of one contributor who was particularly well versed in facts:
You're just playin' politics bro. You're too concerned with being correct than you are about actual solutions. You're welcome to hang out here, but I'd like you to contribute something more valuable to the conversation if you don't mind.
Oddly, the point Zak fails to grasp is that when you are correct you rarely need to be concerned about it. It is when you are wrong and can't acknowledge that there are things you may not know that you have to get so defensive.
Check out his site- he watches his numbers as a way of inflating his ego as I saw on his other, more watchable site. Watch and see why Zak George is the "A Page That Aches" MORON OF THE WEEK!!!.
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