Saturday, June 28, 2008

Unbought & Unbossed - NOT!

Anyone besides me old enough to remember the phrase that Rep, Shirley Chisholm used when she ran for the Vice-Presidency?
Unbought & Unbossed

Well, that DOESN'T describe Sen. Clinton, who traded a pay-off of her unpaid campaign debt - over $20 million - for her smiling and twinkly support of Sen. Barack Obama. [why do I feel the need to use both names? Surely no one could mistake him for some OTHER Obama. But I still do it - madness.]

The report below says PART of her debt - bet she gets it all.

Barack is Broke - IF You Believe This Video

This is priceless! Barack is asking for even more money - because John McCain (and the Shadowy group behind him) are so loaded.

Here's the text copy of the video appeal from David Plouffe.

I checked - the RNC, in fact, has more money than the DNC. It appears that Barack burnt through much of the money he raised so far (via The Moderate Voice.
Based on the numbers so far, the Republican Party appears poised to act as the financial equalizer in the fall campaign. The RNC disclosed that it ended May with $53.5 million in the bank, compared to $3.9 million for the Democratic National Committee, which is headed by Howard Dean.

McCain, an Arizona senator, had $31.6 million as of May 31, compared with $33.3 million for Obama, Federal Election Commission records show. The RNC had $53.5 million to just under $4 million for the Democrats. The party committees act as shadow campaigns, concentrating their efforts on backing the presidential candidates.


Don't get over-confident - the RNC and McCain can still use your donations.

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

China's Foreign Trade

I've been hearing about declines in China's foreign exports - particularly in the area of finished products. Clothing is growing, but at a slower pace. Toys, not unexpectedly, are down. Tea is up - well, that mirrors my experience. This year, my husband and I discovered Teavana, a high-end loose tea shop. VERY pricy, but the tea is also VERY good.

I'll be checking out some online tea sources this month - if they're comparable, but less money, I'll post about that.

New Term - Wonder If It Will Make It Into the History Books?

I found this reference to a meeting of world leaders conferencing about the Mideast.



Condi looks tired - I would imagine she feels under pressure to achieve some milestone that marks her place in history.

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Can-Do Spirit Applauded

I found this little gem on Ann Althouse's blog.

I come from a long line of people who endured tough times; my paternal grandmother was widowed young, with 7 kids to support. THAT was tough - today's single moms have a cakewalk, by comparison. That's true of many difficult situations, today. If you think you've got it tough, imagine living even 50 years ago in the same circumstances. Then get down on your knees, and thank God you're living in modern times.

I'm OUTRAGED!

I found this post on Megan McArdle, and thought it was a CLASSIC:
It would be nice if I were right about absolutely everything--so right that anyone who disagrees with me must be doing so from vicious ulterior motives. But I have friends across the political spectrum, and frankly, I haven't noticed any clustering of personal virtue. Not among the liberals, nor the conservatives, nor even the libertarians so dear to my own heart. Life is complicated; we're all groping in the dark.
Don't fail to read the entire thing - including comments. The comments are precious!

Sunday, June 22, 2008

The Human Torch


I'm sitting here in SC, in summer (average temperature for the month of June is in the mid-90s). About 2-10 times a day, a power surge kicks in. Or as my husband says,

FLAME ON!

So, why is the Human Torch a young male, instead of a middle-aged woman?

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Blogs for Borders Videoburst

After a long absence, I'm back to posting the weekly videos.

This week's video.

News is Slow, But, It's Summer, and So Am I

I did rouse myself from my lazy stupor to find an interesting story about a private school in Lawrence, MA. In that city, only 4 out of 10 students graduate on time.



One aspect of this school leaps out - it's single-sex (girls). I'd love to see more schools adopt the separation of genders during upper elementary and middle school years. They need the concentration on studies during those years to develop as scholars, not "playas".

Monday, June 16, 2008

McCain & the Age Issue

The Obama campaign is playing hardball with Joh McCain.

They are suggesting that age is making him not capable of the job.



The AP quotes the McCain campaign's response:



McCain's campaign admits that some may be concerned about his age, and for that reason, his choice of a VP is critical. But, that's true of EVERY presidential candidate - no matter how young (remember JFK?), presidents may not survive their term.

I just checked on iGoogle - how come the same people that think John McCain is too old at 71 have no problem with Ralph Nader - age 74?

I tested out both men with the Death Clock

John McCain - height 5' 7" - weight 160 - non-smoker

Predicted date of death - Monday, August 22, 2033 - in an optimistic mode

Barack Obama - height 6' 1/2" - weight - smoker (yeah, I know he has said he's quit, but I know that he's also been caught recently)

Predicted date of death - Wednesday, October 31, 2040 - also in an optimistic mode

The difference isn't that great - and, for both, it's long after their term of office would be over.

Sunday, June 15, 2008

Taking Responsibility for your Life

I've been goofing off earnestly searching for time- money- and life-saving tips, and found this post:
Just as a little background, Celebrity Fit Factor is a show where 8 overweight celebrities sign up for an 8-week challenge to lose weight and get in shape. They go through all kinds of physical challenges, split into two teams.

Well, one of the worst competitors in Season 6 was Dustin, who really couldn’t complete any of the challenges because of various reasons — injuries, out of breath, just didn’t have it in him. One week, he didn’t even show up. Another week, he was calling his lawyer because the boot camp drill sargeant was calling him names.

And the whole time, Dustin went on and on about how he was being picked on, how nobody was backing him up, how everybody was against him.

I kept wanting to yell at the TV: “Wake up Dustin — you’re responsible for your situation! Nobody likes you because of your actions and attitude!”
I started thinking of this in the context of the SSM (Same Sex Marriage) debate.

Why is it so important?

Because of the health benefits - no, that can't be it. Many employers are already extending them to domestic partners.

Because of the right to make decisions for an incapacitated partner - no, that can't be it. Partners can already make durable Power of Attorneys that extend those rights - and specifically exclude family members from over-riding that decision.

Because of the adoption rights - no, that can't be it. Adoption of children is for the few; the supply of adoptable children is severely limited, so adoption agencies are very choosy. Many heteros are turned away, as well. Adoption of biological children? If there is an existing father or mother without custody, they will be automatically turned to, in case of death. That won't change. If the child is conceived while the partners are together, it shouldn't be a problem to allow adoption by a domestic partner.

Because of the Social Security benefits - no, that can't be it. Few of us married couples will take out benefits earned by a partner - that little situation is pretty much gone in the Boomer generation. Most of the women worked in their marriage, and will do better to take their income as earners, not wives. The relatively few that would do better, are those whose partner earned considerably more than they - not that many, in all. Future generations will be even less likely to collect a partner's earnings.

And the ones that DO collect as a SAHM (Stay-at-home-mom) will have done so, due to child care/elder care responsibilities. There aren't many of those left.

Society originally set up the SS system this way, because, when it originated, pregnancy wasn't something women scheduled or planned. Because it was unpredictable, the government gave them a break, and provided money to keep them from starving (BTW, the amount involved is generally REALLY puny).

Because of the pension benefits - no, that can't be it. Most of us will only be collecting the pension that we stuck in an IRA.

For that matter, why should a healthy person need to collect their partner's benefits? They should do what most of us married folks do, and go out and earn a living. This isn't a situation that came up suddenly - we have years to plan out what will happen when we die or become disabled.

The agitation, for most gays, started when relatively young men started dying of AIDS. They hadn't planned on dying young, and structures weren't in place for "what-ifs". Some truly unfair and inequitable situations occurred, when long-time partners were dumped on the street, or not been permitted to be there at the end.

I can certainly understand the distress this caused. They truly couldn't have reasonably anticipated the pickle they found themselves in.

However, that was then. This is now.

And, NOW, domestic partners need to have some discussions with lawyers, to sign the documents that will create the protections that marriage also provides. They will do it with contracts.

But, but...that's so UNFAIR - why should they have to sign a contract?

Because that's what underlies all marriages - a contract. When we marry, we make a contractual agreement. True, most of the protections and responsibilities are not laid out right then (mustn't scare the bridal kiddies), but they are available because of Contract Law.

But, but...Society treats us differently because we're not married.

No, kid, Society treats you differently because you are different. It's not a legal issue, it's a cultural issue.

And, whether SSM is made legal, or not, don't expect changes soon. The law may change to allow SSM, but nobody says that Society has to like it. And, judging from the votes when that Society is asked, they don't. You may be able to ram the legal recognition down people's throats, but they don't have to give you respect. You may wait a long time for family and co-workers to accept your choice, if ever. It's their choice to accept you and your partner - or not.

So, what this all is about is, take responsibility for yourself and those you care for. Get thee to a lawyer, and sign those agreements.

A great project for public-minded lawyers would be to create a legal package that sets up comparable protections/benefits/authorizations for domestic partners in that state. Once created, they could offer it on the Web, as a fill-in-the-blank, pay a small amount, print out and have witnessed, legal contract.

Stop whining for Society to change. Start taking action for yourself.

Saturday, June 14, 2008

The Luxury of Time

Instead of madly dashing around, trying to come up with good posts in a timely fashion, I've decided to de-stress myself this summer, by using the Draft Blogger function.

It looks a little different at the sign-on screen, but otherwise functions just like Blogger. The major difference is that you can use it to test out the Post Later function.

As I will be traveling for a week or so at a time, and I can't vouch for the existence or quality of Internet connections at each stop, I'll be using the pre-post setup, to ensure that my posts are reasonably spaced out, no matter when written.

Think of it as the Lazy Blogger's Summer Pace.

Friday, June 13, 2008

Future Posting Test

I'm using Draft Blogger to test out whether it works for setting up future posts. If you can read this before 2:00 pm, Eastern time, it didn't work - let me know if that's the case.

Imagine My Surprise!

I ran across this article about CA's legalization of "medical marijuana" laws. I put the quotes in there, because it's a B^!!$#&@ way to get public approval of the issue - FEW of the users and growers have medical conditions.

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

NOT the Day to Have No A/C!

This morning, the Internet went out. When the serviceman came, he informed us that the cable had fried, and that we needed to get an electrician here to make some repairs.

That took a few hours to get someone in - fortunately, they had some open time. That bill will be about $1200.

Yeah.

Because of the repairs, the phone, security system, Internet, and A/C were out most of the day. With temperatures in the 90's, this was not the best day we've had.

Fortunately, everything is back in operation now.

Monday, June 09, 2008

What is Grace?

I'm watching Bill O'Reilly, and he tags Laura Bush as a "Patriot" for her kind defense of Michelle Obama's remarks.

I can't agree. Laura doesn't qualify as a patriot for her remarks; to me, the word Patriot implies an action that is protective of our country.

What she is, is a tremendously kind and gracious woman. It was an example of courtesy and class that Michelle Obama would do well to emulate.

But that's not likely.
I ran across this article about CA's legalization of "medical marijuana" laws. I put the quotes in there, because it's a B^!!$#&@ way to get public approval of the issue - FEW of the users and growers have medical conditions.



Drew Carey is one of the vocal supporters - hey, Drew, been getting the munchies too often lately? You're beginning to look like Shamu - AFTER she OD'd on pot.

This is one of my favorite soapboxes. The legalization crowd is a mixture of overgrown Deadheads, Libertarians, commercial pot growers, sophomores (both HS and college), and naives. The arguments, to them, sound so straightforward - just legalize the growing and use of small amounts for medical conditions, and the drug problem is solved.

Simple, heh?

Not as simple as those who buy this nonsense.

Folks, there is no easy solution to the drug problem. Legalization just allows the "first-rung" user to escape the consequences of their decision to break the law. The medical rationalization is bogus - if marijuana were a legal drug trying to get approval, it would be soundly rejected. The "evidence" in favor of it is all anecdotal. Studies have been done, but no medical benefit can be shown.

Wednesday, June 04, 2008

On Vacation

I'm out of school for the summer, and, right now, on vacation.

I'll post when I feel like it.




There's a lot of buzz on the Internet about Michelle Obama, and a picture showing her posing with Minister Farrakhan.

Meh.

It looks like many pictures of a group of people. It doesn't necessarily mean that they are BFF. Many public figures have similar pictures with notorious people.

Lies of the Left

This COULD be a lengthy post. But, I'll try to winnow it down to a reasonable length. The CA Parent Bribery 'Scandal' - the 1...