Dubya said:

 

I would like to start off today by saying that ANYONE AND EVERYONE is welcomed to post here. This is not a forum simply for like-minded individuals.

Opposing views are what fuels debates. If your opinions differ from another poster on the forum, argue your point of view, but please don't try and run them off simply for looking at the world from a different view point.

No Flaming, Please.

~Dubya

 

Vaughn Tolle said:

 

I encourage all who may be reading this, regardless of residence, to vote today, if s/he has not already done so.

Here in Wichita, we are told that only a 20% turnout is expected. My experience this morning at the polling place would support this; my wife and I having not voted in advance went off to our appointed location, were in and out, having voted, in five minutes. Let's make Mr. Gale's prediction wrong by being an underestimate of those taking the time to exercise our right to vote.

 

longhorn said:

 

Well Dubya, it is your blog, so if you want to turn it into the Vatican west and make it all abortion all the time, like every other blog in Wichita, that is your right.

No one was flamed or run off yesterday, but your message is loud and clear. No one must question the pro birth crowd. Perhaps the pro choice folks here are just an aggrevation and should leave you true believers to post with each other. Of course, as we always say, everyone should do what suits them.

What suits me is not posting with the forced birth folks on yet ANOTHER all abortion, all the time blog. Thanks for hosting us. The internet is a big place. I wont be bothering you again.

 

lindainks55 said:

 

I walked the short two blocks to the church on the corner, voted, and was home in less than 10 minutes.

Since some polling places were closed that church is now where three precincts vote (used to be just one). So the voter checks in, signs beside their info in "the book," takes the slip they're handed with their precinct number to another poll worker. S/he puts a little "box" in a slot of the voting machine and a screen listing the three precincts pops up. The first thing this worker does is touch the precinct number listed on the screen that corresponds to the one written on the piece of paper I handed them.

Then another screen pops up and this worker touches something else. ????

I ask, “What was that you touched?” And she said it was just confirming my precinct. I have NOTHING but her word for this. I've never seen this woman before in my life. I grumble I don't appreciate someone else touching my ballot when touching is how I cast my votes. She again repeats (very casually) it was just a confirmation of your precinct.

I voted but I fumed.


Then I return home and pull up Wichita Voice and read Dubya seeming to accuse people of trying to run others off simply for looking at the world from a different view point. First I wonder WHEN that happened. Then being warned not to do something no one even thought of (except Dubya I guess), doesn't seem right. Since its Dubya’s place he gets to make the rules. He gets to control whatever he thinks needs control.

I'm outta here! A long walk is the first thing on the agenda.

 

Vaughn Tolle said:

 

Linda, and others, the same process happened at my polling place; however, I saw the poll worker specifically "touch" my precinct on the screen, so as to (I believe) generate the correct ballot. At that point, he removed the supervisor cassette and left, and I cast my vote without interruption or futher ado.

At least the machine has a "paper" trail for audit purposes.

 

Paul said:

 

Look guys, I’m not from Ks and don’t vote there obviously, but y’all have a VOICE. Don’t let them use the electronic machines….

http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2006/11/22/flori...

If you can find it, watch Hacking Democracy. If you want your votes to COUNT – use paper. The electronic machines don’t have an audit trail. I believe elections are for sale in America when electronic voting machines are used.

I could write pages on this, but I REALLY WANT Y’ALL to read and understand this. DON’T TRUST ELECTRONIC VOTING MACHINES !!!!!

 

Danny said:

 

LH,

Perhaps I speak only for myself but maybe I can speak for everyone, I'd rather not see you leave. You have some interesting information on all topics, eg regarding water issues, and as such, I do respect your opinions on matters.

I am up for you questioning me on everything I think. Hey, as I've said I do keep an open mind. Certainly, you and I will disagree on different topics, but I'll read everything you type because it is worth it in my opinion. Perhaps something will be said that sheds light on a subject differently from what I had seen before.

I look at the process of people and the thoughts people have as ever changing. Which means, I'm open to ideas. I think this little section of the internet would be dealt a loss if you do decide to not stay.

I say this to anyone and everyone in reality. I may not hold the same perspective as each of you, but contrary to that, I've read everything you have said, some things I agree with and some I disagree with. However, I support your right to say it. Perhaps you'll want to call me a conservative, fair enough I am in regards to where life begins. Some will label me a liberal, again fair enough as I think the government should help people help themselves(health care subsidies, or education, or whatever else when needed).

I look at it this way, discussion is about ideas. Sometimes ideas conflict with each other. This leads to debate and arguing points of interest. I'll hope you stay.

 

Paul said:

 

If they can throw away 18,000 votes… Damn, look at that number… 18,000 in ONE COUNTY. And no one seems to be able to do anything about it. The Democrat is trying to raise a stink, but to no avail.

How would each of you feel if you were told when you left that your vote wasn’t counted???

As you can see from Florida, after the election, NO ONE CARES !!!!!!

 

Dubya said:

 

I'm not suggesting this become some sort of "Vatican West" website at all, or a Liberal website, or a Commie-pinko website. What I am saying is that differing opinions are what help promote discussion; if everyone agreed with everyone else what would we have to talk about? The weather? :)

I don't think that's too much to ask, is it?

~Dubya

 

Dubya said:

 

Incidentally, LH, you're not bothering anyone, least of all me. I enjoy reading your posts here and I sincerely hope you're not serious about leaving.

The reason there were so many complaints at the other blog have to do with the fact that it wasn't moderated and that people were trolling as other users. My point was to not boot someone who had been reading the blog for a while and decided to start posting when a topic caught his/her interest.

I'm not censoring anyone, I'm not scolding anyone; merely asking that people be allowed to voice their opinions.

~Dubya

 

Vaughn Tolle said:

 

Paul, your point is well made; I do not believe, however, a strictly paper ballot regime makes all that much difference (see, e.g., 1960 Presidential election; Chicago; statement attributed to vote counters that "those Republicans sure press hard when they mark their ballots") when a concerted effort is under way to ensure the outcome of an election.

Maybe my age and incipient cynicism is showing; I don't know. What I do know is that the current system is ripe for abuse, and needs to be improved. However, as noted above, this is true even where paper ballots are involved. Maybe each voter should receive an NCR copy of his/her ballot after s/he marks it (assuming a paper ballot)? Anyone else?

 

Paul said:

 

The electronic could work that way. I think there should be two *receipts*; one the voter takes with him/her and another that is tallied on a spool within the machine. Each should have the same unique identifier. Should an audit be needed, voters could return their copy and bounce it against the paper copy.

The problem is right now, the source code for the machines is protected by law. It cannot be viewed or verified. It would be ever so easy to put a bit of logic in there to tally a vote for *x* as a vote for *y*. Use date stamping so that if the machine is tested prior to or after the election all seems fine.

The tallying software is FAR more suspect. As per the last media blip, the data is stored in a non-password protected Access database. Even a password protected Access database is easily hacked. Would it not make sense to use, maybe an encrypted XML file or some such? Something with a little less published on hacking?

They had this lady on a TV morning news show dramatically change the outcome of an *election* in less than 3 min. She did not look suspicious; she looked like she was just doing a job. The news casters thought it was oh so funny, I wanted to retch.

 

Vaughn Tolle said:

 

Paul, getting right out on the edge of my memory/knowledge here, but do you think the use of Open Source Software would be helpful? Or, would it just add to the problem?

Use of a non-password protected Access database is just ludicrous; in fact, use of a nonencrypted file of any type seems ludicrous to me.

 

Fundie said:

 

Hello all,

I was reading through the post both hear and on the WE and couldn't help but chuckle at the big deal that is being made out of yesterday.

I posted knowing that I would have it coming at me from all directions. I was not run off, I enjoyed the debate. I most likely will not be posting often because I enjoy being married, and that requires spending time with ones wife (and this stuff is addictive)

I hope to make it out to vote today, it is after all my moral obligation.

God Bless

 

fundie said:

 

as usual please forgive my hastefull typing and poor spelling.

 

Predestined said:

 

Dubya and all,

I thought we did pretty good yesterday with our debate on both abortion and religion. If there were flames, they were small. Sure beat some of the stuff over at the WE. :) They're still pushing buttons, trying to make the former boycotters lose their cool, but I'm proud to say it isn't happening.

LH, don't leave. The abortion issue is bound to surface now and again, thanks to its volatile nature. Scroll past that stuff if it bothers you. If Fundie was/is another version of someone else, we can deal with it if need be. The same goes for anyone else who might come here with disruption in mind.

I learned yesterday that a long time friend passed away on Saturday. She was 56. Since this is the second friend lost in just over two months, I'm feeling a little shaky.

I'm off to get some work done and will check back in later. Too windy to brave the outside today. :)

 

Paul said:

 

I agree. At least some sort of encryption. I would be even more in favor of a hardware password, such as a USB device.

No, I don’t think open source would be viable IMHO. There is absolutely no need to protect the source code by law though unless you are trying to cover something up. The source code should be open to those authorized (and educated enough) to evaluate it. The machines should be randomly tested ON ELECTION DAY for validity. The source should be randomly downloaded on election day.

One could hack the actual machine and try to sway an election, but think about that, one machine at one location. Unless you had a ton of dirty election volunteers, almost impossible to make a dent. But if the owners of the machines were paid to –ensure- results… That and the tallying machines. Memory cards are collected from individual machines and fed into the tallying machine. At that point, a –dirty person- could overwrite the data on the chip (currently the ONLY audit trail), manipulate the data after download, or manipulate the data in the data store.

If the process generated a receipt or the voter, kept a paper receipt in the machine, loading data to the tallying machine were automated, an reporting were automated with VERY FEW people having access to that process, voting would be a lot more secure.
The current electronic environment is ripe for corruption.

 

Vaughn Tolle said:

 

Topic change: the Iraqi government is "working intensively" to secure the release by the United States of the five Iranian "diplomats" seized earlier this year. Quaere: is this a rational request? Will this, as claimed by the Iraqi government, aid the obtaining the release of the 15 Brits now held by Iran? Is this evidence of the al-Malaki government playing both sides to secure its poltical life? Or, is this a piece of a carefully orchestrated ploy to allow all sides to "save face"?

http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/meast/04/03/iraq.ira...

 

Vaughn Tolle said:

 

Paul, thanks for the response. I had a thought that if the software was open source, then everyone with the right experience/knowledge would know how it's put together, allowing for a quick response to an apparent hack. You've convinced me to the contrary.

I like the idea of the "hardware password", and the receipt. Automating the transfer of data into the tallying machine is good, too.

 

Vaughn Tolle said:

 

Paul, it appears to me that the electronic machines used here in Sedgwick county have a paper trail within; it appears to be encrypted in some manner. I'm not naive enough to think that this is foolproof, given the ability to set a vote for x registers as a vote for y internally. However, it would seem to be a safeguard of some sort regarding overwriting the data on the memory chip in the transfer for tallying process.

I don't know the answer to the question I'm about to raise: I didn't see any UPS boxes at the polling place. If the memory chip is dynamic (hope this is the correct term), a power failure would cause great issues, no?

 

Paul said:

 

The memory chip is solid state, kind of like those USB thumb drives you can pick up at best buy. I am going off of what I have seen in the documentary and what happened in Florida. My Dad is a part time developer and resident of Sarasota. He is liberal and has been working on… forget her name now… the Democrat’s post election campaign. Even as a *WingNut* I am disgusted that a representative would allow this to go on if he thought the election was not just. I have been keeping up with the situation thru –limited-- media coverage and what I get from Dad.

The source code being protected by law really gets under my skin. I have seen some of this source code from the documentary. It is not rocket science. Looks like a scripted language, Jscript maybe. Nothing that is going to cure cancer. Why do you need a law to protect it? It is a glorified web page for Pete’s sake !!!!

 

mrcontroversy said:

 

I heard things were gettin' kinda dicey over here, so I thought I'd pop by.
Paul, I've always believed that scannable ballots were always the best answer. There's a Kansas company in Atchison who does it better than anyone IMHO.
Why isn't Ron Thornburg pushing Kansas technology?

 

Vaughn Tolle said:

 

Paul, you've got me in your corner on this one. Jscript? If so, or something similar, then the legal protection argument does begin to wear a bit thin. Now I'm really teetering on the brink of my (very) limited knowledge. :-)

 

Paul said:

 

I feel most comfortable with the scanned ballots as well. I still don’t trust the tallying software though. I may just be paranoid.

Seriously, keep an eye on the Florida issue and if you can, watch Hacking Democracy.

The electronic voting machines are great, if they were auditable in a fashion to satisfy MOST people.

 

Danny said:

 

Pre,

I'm sorry about the loss of your friend. :( I offer my condolences to you.

I agree, I didn't think yesterday was really flamefest. If it were, I didn't notice it. I thought all involved did pretty well at sticking to issue(s) presented fairly well.

Paul,

Electronic voting isn't really a bad idea in my opinion, the implementation of it wasn't great which led to problems. However, ultimately I think it could be made more secure to use it over other means by far and away. However, at the same time, I don't think it should completely replace paper ballots either because not everybody is comfortable with the technology involved.

 

Paul said:

 

Pre,
OMG I am soooo sorry I didn’t catch your post. I too send my condolences.

Danny,
As I stated in my last post… The problem is with the company that produced the machines, namely Diebold. In my opinion, they created the machines and got laws passed expressly to sell elections. Pretty slanted view, but given the election results, laws passed, and investigations into said machines… decide for yourself…

 

Danny said:

 

Paul,

I agree, I'm not so certain Diebold didn't screw things up. Open source software could help to address the issue, however I don't think it is necessary to be. I just think some issues regarding electronic voting machines need to be addressed and resolved.

Ultimately, I do think that they can be made to be more secure than strictly paper ballots. However, that may need to include paper trails and audits, and some kind of receipt for the voter that is encrypted with the voting of the individual.

 

Paul said:

 

I tell you what, I don’t know what the liberal stand point is, but I would love to see the biometrics come into play. How about a good old thumb print to verify who you are?

I’ve thought about this through and through. I’ve thought about e-commerce with thumb prints, replacing debit cards with thumb prints, voter registration/validation? Why not?

Open source is a mistake, IMHO for election machines. Readily available for validation by authorized personnel? THAT should be required!!!

 

Dubya said:

 

I like the bio-thumb idea. If it's good enough to wager your personal credit against (i.e. ID theft, etc.) when you go shopping at the grocery store, why not electing our public officials???

Open Source, in my opinion, is a no no. Do you really want our election software available for everyone to dissect and figure out how it works?

~Dubya

 

Vaughn Tolle said:

 

Pre, just caught your post on the loss of a friend; my deepest sympathies. As I continue on the trail (will be 57 this year), I find myself confronted with these things more often than I care to; after all, the brain says I'm just 22; not its fault that the body disagrees.

 

Predestined said:

 

Thanks, everyone. Some things just come as a shock and stop you in your tracks.

VT, please give me back my brain.

 

WSClark said:

 

A side trip from the current thread direction......

I spent a few minutes reading WE Blog this afternoon. It has already degenerated to the level it was before we left. What strikes me most is not so much the personal attacks, but the outright lies and massive distortions that some (mostly the right) use to support their arguments.

I am struck by the fact that people that I presume would never openly lie have no problem with repeating lies that have already been proven wrong. Further, I am amazed that so many of the right wingers have appointed themselves spokespersons for the left.

If I want to know what I am thinking I will ask myself. I certainly do not need a wingnut to tell me what I think.

I notice that the usual attacks on patriotism, courage and morals has begun in earnest as well as the usual "Bill Clinton!!!!" routine.

I also noticed that some of the hardcore reich wingers visit here frequently to see what we are up to. If they are going to drop in to read, they may as well post.

Anyway, WE Blog is the same old, same old - same characters, same bullshit, same ratio of insult to fact.

Damn, I am glad that I left.

If I haven't said so lately, thanks for having us Dub!

 

Danny said:

 

WS,

Word! Though, I may be on the other side of that "left-right" fence on occasion. ;)

 

WSClark said:

 

Visiting WE Blog is like watching a train wreck these days. Same crap - different day........

I truly would like to be able to have a spirited debate on the issues, without having to disprove false information and to defend myself against attacks on my patriotism and worthiness as a human being.

What amazes me about WE Blog is the same folks that were applauding themselves on their civility just a few days ago are now the ones that attack first and ask questions later.

The "new civility" on the WE Blog turned out to be just more bullshit. The King and Queen were the first to go to the mattresses................

Same stuff, same idiots.

 

Predestined said:

 

WS, you only read for a few minutes? Then you didn't catch the thread where LH and GS were going at it, I guess. Now that was something, and I'm not sure there'll be an end to it.

LH has the woman pegged, and I noticed that GS's replies were becoming weaker before she begged off to cook dinner.

I also noticed yesterday (or maybe today) that Republican mentioned that he was ready for the hot tub. Sure sounds a lot like Golfnutz to me.

Oh, well, it's much better to have a reasonable debate. I'm not in the mood to bash and rant. Hope that's okay with everybody here. ;)

 

WSClark said:

 

Well, Pre, I tried to avoid getting too caught up in the flame throwing, but I did read some of the exchange from both sides. I did notice that GS immediately went to the personal attacks. I also noticed that Khan played the pompous ass role as usual.

I was convinced that Khan was Nuts, since the Golfer has been AWOL since Khan appeared.

In all reality, I don't give a damn for the lot of them. I do wish that we had more bloggers over here, but I am committed to staying and hopefully adding to the substance that will take this blog above and beyond whatever WE Blog ever was.

As Fleetwood (the real) Mac said many, many years ago - Oh, Well!!!!

"Now when I talk to God, I knew he'd understand.
He said stick by me and I'll be your guiding hand.
But don't ask me what I think of you.
I might not give you answers that you want me to."

BTW - I saw the original Fleetwood Mac do this live with Peter Green (songwriter) in Detroit at the East Town Theatre in 1970 (?) Not sure of the actual date, I was under the influence of, ah, White Castles at the time.

 

Predestined said:

 

Rhiannon is the middle name of one of my daughters.

 

WSClark said:

 

I wandered over to the Eagle to check on election returns - stopped in on WE Blog.

RepubliKhan is busy patting himself on the back and accusing the left of starting all the flaming and insulting wars today.

This is from a guy that referred to me as "Heevie" - a self-admitted ethnic slur - with his very first post addressed to me.

Hypocrisy, thy name is Republican...........

 

lindainks55 said:

 

I prefer each of us (whoever we are and whatever we think) to be able to post our opinions. If we have questions we ask them. If someone asks us questions, we answer them. Seems to work best that way! Sometimes (I admit not often) we change our opinions. Those times we do change seem to be on the subjects we haven't really even formed an opinion on. Most of the time we’re just sharing with each other how we feel/think and we must be ready for others to share how they feel/think too. And isn't that how we learn more about each other? And we learn the other side of the story even if we decide it doesn't make as much sense to us. Most of the time we've made up our minds and a person who won't give it up and let it be just becomes annoying.

I don’t like to be preached at, hammered at… If I want to know more I will ask. Even if a person feels it’s their responsibility to spread the word of whatever, I have the right to ignore that if I choose. Everyone has the right to ignore every word I write! Agreeing to disagree is a solid choice for every subject!

AS LONG AS EVERYONE REMAINS HONEST! That is a rule I can’t/won’t get past. Yesterday when Fundie began posting he said to forgive spelling, run-on sentences… and made a little joke out of it. The errors seemed a little much and I was suspicious of someone pretending to be something different they are. I was overly critical because I was looking from my own perspective. I make lots of errors; I just try not to make the same one over and over. If I know I don’t know how to spell a word I look it up. If I know I don’t have a good grasp of sentence structure I set out to learn and improve. But when we don’t know we’re in error it becomes more difficult to fix. And, not everyone is me! Not everyone does things the way I do. OK, that’s off my chest! I will try harder to do better.

I admit I was royally pi**ed this morning when I read an accusation into what Dubya posted. I was already on the side of upset or angry (mostly at myself, more to come on that!) from my experience at the polls. I sometimes read something different than was meant. Do we all? Anyway, I'm going to hope I read something different than Dubya meant. I wish he had simply said something like everyone is welcome no matter their opinion, but he didn't. I know FOR SURE I've said things differently than I wanted to, said things I shouldn't have ever said and in ways they shouldn't have been said. Guess we are ALL too human.

 

lindainks55 said:

 

I forgot to get back to my experience at the polls! Boy, my mind wanders better than I like to admit.

That poll worker should have NEVER touched my screen (which is MY ballot) without at least letting me see exactly what the screen said and what option she was touching...

But I should never have let her! I had every right to stand up for myself. All I did was mumble that I didn't like anyone touching my screen/ballot and let it go. While I seethed inside!

And I should have (politely) told her that was wrong! I shouldn't have accepted her very casual sounding explanation! It isn't a casual subject! It's my right to cast my vote and it's serious with me -- my right and my responsibility!

I think part of it is my age and the way I was brought up. Those in authority and such. But I need to be able to speak up when it is the right thing to do!

I hope no other voter had the experience I did! I hope my mumble let that poll worker know that shouldn't happen. If there's a next time I will be very clear that touching MY BALLOT IS UNACCEPTABLE!

 

WSClark said:

 

Glad you're back Inkie! We kind of miss you today. I guess I was a bit AWOL also......

I understand your "respect authority" attitude. Despite my aggressive personality, I do not like making a scene, so I usually just ask to speak to a manager or some such when faced with your situation.

I am blessed/cursed with a face that exudes anger when I am mad. Even when I am mildly irritated, I look like a homicidal maniac, so getting the attention of a supervisor is not difficult. I also have a bad habit of getting that last (smart-ass) word in, which multiplies the effect.

Anyway....... I am glad that you are over here with us Linda Inks - don't go away.

 

lindainks55 said:

 

Anyone wanna bet there will be a recount in the race for the At Large seat of the B.O.E.?

Anyone wanna bet Linda doesn't do long shots and sticks pretty close to the sure things?

 

Predestined said:

 

Linda, when I have something like your experience happen to me, I don't speak up either. :( I'm usually too stunned at that point, and it all doesn't sink in totally until 5 or 10 minutes later, and then I'm livid and it's too late.

That happened to me about a year ago. The film in my 35mm camera was stuck and wouldn't rewind after using the whole roll. Now, I've worked in a photography studio with it's own processing and printing lab, so I know that any film before processing needs total darkness, so I closed myself up in a completely black closet and removed the film from the metal roller thingy, rolling it up and putting it a plastic cannister that light couldn't penetrate. I then to it to Wal-Mart, because it's close.

I explained the to the woman what had happened and that there would have been no light leaks on the film. She said they would open it in a black box before processing. Then she proceeded to open the cannister right in front of me, exposing the film! She said the film was out of the film metal container! Well, no kidding! I was completely speechless and asked for my film back. By the time I got to the exit, I was muttering and then complaining quite loudly.

The pictures had been taken at my oldest daughter's wedding. She had a professional photographer, but the pictures we'd taken were more personal. They're gone now, thanks to someone not having a clue what they were doing. And that someone wasn't me. I'll never take another roll of film to Wal-Mart.

Okay, rant over. *grin*

 

Hank Price said:

 

Dear Linda,

The poll worker has to 'touch' your screen. When you check in the first poll worker puts your township and precinct number on the little slip of paper then hands it to the worker that sets up your machine.

In my case it can get down to less than 60 registered voters that get the same ballot set up. I'm in Afton Township, Don't know what precicnt, (sorry) Lake Waltanna Improvement District.

The person that sets up your machine has to place their 'supervisory module' in the machine and by 'touching' the appropriate choices sets your ballot up for you.

In my case I could only vote for the Member at large for the Goddard School District. Out of eight candidates I could pick 4. I only voted for two. I didn't know two of them, didn't like two of them and I didn't think two of them should be re-elected!

Technically, it wasn't 'your ballot' until the worker set the machine up and removed their supervisory module. I'm sure they would have explained all of that to you if you'ld have asked. At my polling place it was my wife, me and seven poll workers. 8:15 in the morning!

Now, on the other hand, if they touched your screen after removing the supervisory module, or didn't leave immediately. . . .

Hank

 

darwinsdisciple said:

 

WSClark,
Those of us who were in ICT in the early 70's know "we are not worthy" -- too many Alice Cooper concerts here during that time.

Glad you, and most others, are around here. The BlogX is a cesspool of stupidity. Sorry for those folks there.

LH,
Please don't do a GMC... You know what I mean. It gets boring over here. The Best of Life are those times when it is not boring -- you provide too much of the alternative for me not to beg you to come back. As always, grrl, you know my address... You take care, regardless. My spouse's sister who is among the daughters of Sappho is inviting us to come up to Alaska this year. I am working hard for the extra funds to do that. I would like to go to CO and also see you again.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sappho

Your constant fan,
Steven Davis

 

TRACY said:

 

Howdy Hank.
Glad to hear the pup made it home safe and sound.
You should stop by over here more often.

 

lindainks55 said:

 

Hank, I had a good rant going on and then you come and bring "facts." Welllll! OK, thank you for pointing out the ballot wasn't mine until the worker did whatever she did. I would have liked to SEE what she did. You're right that I should have asked. Or, should she have explained? It isn't like she was busy. No line, few voters, the workers outnumbered the voters. Seems those who actually take time to go to the polls today are those who are pretty serious about this right/responsibility. I saw the first screen (where she chose my district number) but the second screen and whatever she touched was too fast! I didn't notice when she removed that box thing you called a supervisory module. Probably after touching the screen the second time, but... OK, there are plenty of other subjects. Surely I can find another to get into a rant over. tehe

 

TRACY said:

 

Iranian Leader Says He Will Free Britons

By Howard Schneider
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, April 4, 2007; 10:18 AM

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad today said he had "pardoned" 15 British sailors and marines seized by the Iranian military two weeks ago and would free them to be with their families.

Ending a diplomatic crisis with a bit of political theater, the Iranian president held a press conference in Tehran in which he first decorated members of the Iranian Republican Guard who had taken the 15 British personnel captive in the Persian Gulf -- then made the surprise announcement that the contingent of Royal Marines and British Navy sailors would be released.

"I announce their freedom," the Iranian president said, according to a translation of Ahmadinejad's press conference aired on CNN. "They will be free after our meeting. They will go to the airport and be with their families."

The announcement came amid intense diplomatic contacts between Iran and Britian over an issue that had increased tensions throughout the region and driven up global crude oil prices. Iranian authorities first hinted at a trial; protests broke out in London.

Prime Minister Tony Blair reacted angrily, particularly when Iranian television aired videotape of some of the captives "confessing" that they had been operating in Iranian waters. Blair insisted that the 15 were captured in Iraqi waters after carrying out an inspection of a suspected smuggling ship under a U.N. mandate.

President Bush issued sharp remarks referring to the 15 as "hostages," and the U.S. military announced that a second aircraft carrier was heading toward the Persian Gulf.

After several days of sharp rhetoric on both sides, the crisis began cooling this week.

In what U.S. and British authorities insisted was mere coincidence, an Iranian diplomat being held in Iraq was released on Tuesday.

In addition, Iran's state-run Islamic Republic News Agency reported today that Iranian personnel would be allowed to meet with five Iranian men taken by U.S. forces late last year in the northern Iraqi city of Irbil. The United States contends the men were involved in smuggling arms to Iraqi militants.

The sailors and marines from the British naval frigate HMS Cornwall were taken captive during a routine search for smugglers off the coast of Iraq in an era of repeated border disputes with Iran.

The British military says the sailors were clearly in Iraqi waters when they were encircled by boats from the Republican Guard naval corps and taken into custody.

Iran contended they had crossed the line into Iranian territory. Ahmadinejad today in fact asked Blair not to punish the sailors for their remarks on Iranian television in which he said they told the "truth" about intruding into Iranian waters.

"Iran was saddened that Great Britain violated the territorial waters of Iran," said Ahmadinejad, as he decorated three members of the Iranian military. "Iran demonstrated bravery and consistency. . . . As a representative of our great nation I want to thank our guards who bravely protected our borders."

WHAT A WONDERFUL GUY...........NOT!

 

lindainks55 said:

 

I think ALL of them are not so nice guys. Not so nice guys who posture and love power and the nonsense of politics. That definitely includes Bush.

This time Bush has lost the option of going into Iran to support the Brits. He must be sooo disappointed!

"Things" were settled (or whatever kind of word is appropriate) without blowing up a country and their innocent civilians and that is refreshing.

The British soldiers get to go home. That is great news. No one died. That is better news! All the politicians make the claim that makes them look best -- no matter how many different claims there seem to be covering the same situation.

Diplomacy isn't a word Bush knows. Even if he knows the word and understands its meaning he isn't capable of behaving diplomatically. He knows his way only. Yesterday he ranted about how Congress must fund our soldiers -- on and on about how it MUST be his way.

 

Hank Price said:

 

Thanks Tracy,

I'll drop in every now and then, only signed up to give Clark the Golden update like I promised last month. In about 20 minutes I'm going to be real busy with the dog show.

Well Linda,

There really is no excuse for them not to explain everything, that's the important part of their job. I think a lot of the voting problems are a result of inexperienced people working the polls, but....

I have mised feelings when I go to the poll and I don't have to wait. I want to get in and out fast, but I want a better turnout, more interest. Kinda like seeing your mother-in-law go over the cliff in your new truck!

Hank

 

WSClark said:

 

Happy Wednesday, boys and girls!!! Despite the lack of popular request, my random thoughts.......

The Iranians are releasing the 15 British sailors as a "Easter Gift" to the English people. Good move. I am not a fan of cowboy diplomacy, but Mahmoud Ahmadinejad just inspires anger. Thankfully, the British kept their heads.

Thanks for voting y'all!!! Speaking of poll workers, I tried that a few years back - 2004 to be precise - and it is truly a #$%&~! *)@!$ job. You get about 15 minutes of training. The facilities are lacking and the hours are ridiculous. I do have to say that it is rewarding to do your civic duty, but by the end of the day, I was ready to trade my vote for a pair of Dr. Shoal's gel inserts.

It's real peaceful here today, as opposed to that OTHER blog.............


Eddie Robinson died - Head Football Coach at Grambling - a very, very good man and a great football coach - a true American hero.

The market that McCain visited was bombed 36 hours after his stroll. So much for a safer Baghdad. I kept reading or hearing from the right wing that the Surge and Puke is "working" - when are we going to see some actual progress?

Oh, well..............

 

tracyaphillips said:

 

You know things are bad when the WaPo disses repubs like this.............
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/artic...

W will take his place in history alright.
Probably mentioned as a parallel to the Nixon admin.

 

lindainks55 said:

 

I still can't figure out how we did it, will, but it seems we've run off everyone but you and me buddy. I think it's my cooties. Didn't want to mention them before but I think folks figured it out.

Where's Gster? Do I remember him mentioning being gone but can't remember the details. Ya know I slept since then.

Pre, I didn't mention the friend you lost. I'm sorry you have to face that. It's harder when they're young. I hope all the family and friends find the comfort they need.

Boy did I get some stuff done yesterday! Guess I need to be upset with blogging more often. If someone would position potty stops around my neighborhood I could walk forever with Ginger. She is never ready to stop and usually it's my bladder that is the first body part to object. The other body parts wait for a few hours to tell me their objections.

I miss longhorn a LOT! She said everything in an interesting way. And she brought great tidbits to share. That lady has some great stuff going on and I loved getting to know her. Here's hoping she returns very soon.

Don't leave me all alone Will. I talk to myself; don't need to type to myself.

 

lindainks55 said:

 

There's Tracy! Ok, so it's the three of us. I feel better already.

 

Gster said:

 

Linda-I think I'm here, 'cause I sure as hell ain't there!

I had a little health problem- I'm a platelet donor at the Red Cross, and when I was there saturday, they told me my blood pressure was 180/105! When I got to my Doctor Monday morning, it was 210/? , and they started talking stroke and Wesley Hospital. And you think you had a shitty monday?

Anyway, everythng is ok and they are now still trying to figure it out. Up until then , I never had any problems- go figure. I sure am looking forward to next monday!

 

WSClark said:

 

As they say, it's all good. WE Blog is back to being a pissing contest just like it was before. The right gets their panties all in a wad when someone disagrees with them and the fight is on.

GSher is back to calling anyone that is against the war a traitor. Khan is playing the "do as I say, not as I do" card. HOG is full of self-righteous indignity. Same all stuff.

I am glad that we have a few non-liberals that post here - there is not much of a debate when we all agree on the topic. So far, we haven't had the name calling when we disagree.

And thankfully, we do not have a Fleetwood to provide the standard dose of inane idiocy.

Anyway, I am here - we need to recruit more folks that can handle a respect debate by using facts, not talking points.

 

Vaughn Tolle said:

 

Just stopped by over lunch to see how everyone is. Nothing (constructive or otherwise) to add to any discussion right now. Most objectionable thing going on in my world today is the contemplation of snow tomorrow afternoon/evening.

 

Fundie said:

 

Just so you know, this blog appears to have aged 50 years in the last 30 min. Linda thinks she is typing to herself, WS is rambling on like a crazy,Gster is having health problems (which i hope are fixed) and VT is talking about the weather. If I heard this conversation on the street I would say that you all are about 78 yrd old.

 

Vaughn Tolle said:

 

For my part, Fundie, I only feel like it today!

 

lindainks55 said:

 

Gster, Stroke and hospital are very scary words! I'm not going to think everything is OK until they get it figured out and get those numbers way lower. Every time I complain I find a person who has every right to complain but doesn't. I learn my lesson for a short time but always too short a time. Thanks for stopping in and letting us know. Now do whatever the doctors say. What a wonderful upbeat person you are! An inspiration.

VT, you sound busy. Glad you stopped to say hi.

Yep, Danny and Dubya aren't even around and we haven't seen the newer posters since we moved past agreeing to disagree on a certain subject.

So everyone put on your thinking caps and round up some folks with all kinds of opinions and invite them to stop by, pull up a chair and stay awhile.

 

lindainks55 said:

 

Is another sign of being somewhere in the OLD range that it takes me so long to make a post by the time it's finished it's already irrelevant? Hi fundie.

 

Gster said:

 

Linda, It's not being old-- think of it as being slightly over-matured and then everything works.
It's all semantics!

 

Predestined said:

 

I'm back and here. Just got home from the funeral. Thanks to all of you.

Fundie, most of us here probably wouldn't be considered young. We've lived some years and seen some history, which may be why we're hard headed about some things.

Gster, you take care of yourself!!! Not on any new meds, are you? Some can screw up perfectly good BP.

Hank, always good to see you here.

VT, I saw that forecast. It seems that although we're in April, we're getting March weather. It was downright cold this a.m., and I discovered while driving out of town that the heater in my car isn't working. Oh, well, I'll thaw.

Linda, keep on keepin' on, girl. *grin* (Just mixing decades here.)

 

Predestined said:

 

Oops, I hit the button before saying good morning to Will and Tracy. Hi guys!

Now to go see what insult Grunt has for me today...

 

Danny said:

 

Linda,

Sorry I'm around. Just not much happening, except a ton of work today. So I'll be more likely to be on later at night in the near term anyway. However, I'll still try to check around lunch and such and post things. :D

I'm just happy not everybody decided to leave. Really, I do hope that LH comes back though, because frankly, I'm interested in reading a more about the water issues she was bringing up. That and I have questions like:

1. If we can move oil large distances with pipelines, why can we not move water the same way?

2. If water is a shortage issue, can we not do desalinization of ocean water and transport that large distances?

Maybe I'm talking out my butt though. For all I know maybe these are things that are beginning to take place.

 

Gster said:

 

Pre- No, no new meds, in fact no meds. They think the Sudafed I was taking for allergies might be the culprit.

I asked if my mooning Bush everytime I see him on tv might not be a mitigating factor. Got no answer , but I did get "the Look"! Hmmmmmmmmmm....

 

Vaughn Tolle said:

 

Just dropped in to refresh my brain after working on a client's 1040;

Pre, check the coolant level in your radiator, etc.; often we (me included) forget to do this, and after some time passes, due to all kinds of reasons, it drops to the point it doesn't circulate through the heater. If the coolant level seems OK, then there are many potential ailments, most of which will require someone with mechanical knowledge to investigate, diagnose and suggest repair.

 

Vaughn Tolle said:

 

Forgot to add: if the coolant level is low, add some.

 

Danny said:

 

Pre,

I was thinking about the car heater problem you were mentioning here. There are a few things to check:

1. Coolant level, if not enough then don't get any hot water into the heater core.

2. Check that the thermostat valve is working(it is located in different places on different cars), but if that is eternally closed, then won't get any hot water to the heater core.

Anything beyond those two items will likely indicate needing to check belts, and the water pump.

 

TRACY said:

 

Interesting 'Cliff from Cheers' type useless fact.
Scientists used to believe that there was a static amount of water on earth, that is, always the same amount. Nothing entering or leaving the atmosphere.
Now we know that water is actually accumulating, coming into the atmosphere as ice. Last I had read about this, no science has detected moisture escaping our atmosphere.
Now, it may only be a little bit at a time, but....
like Father Guido said.........
IT ADDS UP!

CLIFFY/OUT.

 

darwinsdisciple said:

 

Tracy that was a great link to the WaPo op-ed piece. The guy only left out a small part of the Bush trifecta:
1) Start with a premise that government doesn't work.
2) Set out to prove your premise. And...
3) Declare yourself a victim of the government when it doesn't work (this was the part the author did not cover).

This last trick is like the son who kills both of his parents and then throws himself upon the mercy of the court because he is an orphan. Only in America...

 

WSClark52 said:

 

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm, what was that all about, Fundie? If I didn't know better, I would think that you were talking some smack.

Quick note to Pre - don't drive your car any distance if the heater is not working. It could very well be that there is something that is seriously wrong that could be fixed if caught in time.

The last time I gave that advice to someone, they ignored it and drove anyway. The head gasket was partially blown, the antifreeze was pumped into the engine and it seized.

Whoops!!!!

Hopefully, it is just a thermostat or a minor hole in the rad - good luck regardless.

GSter, I told you that no good could come from mooning Bush on the TV. Timeout for you.

 

Gster said:

 

WS- Thanks; now if only someone would have warned me about the static electricity burns I gathered!

 

Fundie said:

 

No smack, just a humorous observation of the topics of choice. You guys really do make me laugh, in a good way.

 

lindainks55 said:

 

Fundie, I'm an overly-ripe apple that's smelling up the fruit basket. Just ask Gster! He'll tell you. :0

Isn't that what you said gster? I remember it was overly something. Were we talking about my weight?

 

Gster said:

 

"slightly over matured" & no comment!

 

Danny said:

 

Since I know Paul reads here, and has provided some coding information as related to asp. Also know that the instantspot developers read here and chime in on occasion...

Are there any free ASP.NET hosts out there? I've been slowly working on bring my suite of card games over to asp.net, and really don't want to tick off my ISP too much by running my own IIS server. Though I have thought about doing this in java/jsf/hibernate, I want to see what asp has to offer first.

Free at the moment is about all I really want to spend, since I'm not doing this for making money on it or anything... just seeing that I can do it. Much like writing my own client/server game.

 

WSClark said:

 

Just think Fundie, some of us were known as the nastiest flame throwers on the WE Blog - fearsome liberal warriors that drew blood with every keystroke.

Well, that was pretty much just me, but you know what I mean.

Now we talk about recipes, the weather and expanding waistlines.

See what a change of venue can do for you....

 

Danny said:

 

All,

You know I read the Eagle(online edition) and seeing that what... 18% of the pop. voted. I don't know what to say, but if the remaining 82% of the people complain about their government, it would certainly seem to me they only have themselves to blame.

I don't think it is a divided country(ok it could be) but perhaps apathetic towards our currently political situation as a whole? I'm not saying all of one side is bad and the other is all good. It just seems that maybe the younger generation(myself included) just don't see their opinions really meaning anything when they vote. Further, I don't see that changing any time in the near future.

Anyway, just my two cents today. I felt like I was ragging on my hometown.

 

lindainks55 said:

 

Danny, Voter apathy is a BIG concern with me. How can we change the situation? Those I know well who don't vote say it doesn't matter who wins since they are all crooks. They think it takes several loose screws to even RUN for public office. And, sadly, our elected officials prove these statements. I've never missed voting and try to go as prepared as possible. What will it take to get more people involved?

 

Danny said:

 

I think part of the crookedness lies in the fact people aren't voting. I mean, if people aren't voting and you can be relatively assured that the base that is voting is going to vote for you, then what do you really care?

So I think to solve the crookedness requires people to vote. At the same time, because politics it seems are crooked, convincing people otherwise is going to be a difficult task. I'm not certain how to change that view. Perhaps a grassroots effort to tell people voting is really painless and it raises the bar on all the candidates involved. Further, I think easier ways to get people to vote(like mail in ballots, or absentee ballots type things) are going to be needed also.

I don't think we'd ever get the 100% turn out, but to have our governments decided by 20% of the people is almost not representative except in demonstrating voter apathy. I agree, the perceived and real corruption is what causes that apathy, but turning that apathy around is like the cure to the apathy, because as more people vote the lesser heard of names also get more votes I would think, which can only place pressure on the "big boys and girls" of politics.

In reality, I don't know that it can be solved, easily. Probably really need an approach that shows it matters, but not for the obvious reasons necessarily.

 

WSClark said:

 

Well, my two cents worth....... The political arena these days is a full contact death match most of the time. You have to have skin like an alligator just to venture into the ring, nonetheless advance through the ranks.

Over on WE Blog, GSher was posting a link that claims Barack Obama's MINISTER is concerned about his ties to Islam.......

Barack Obama has never been a Muslim.

The truthiness quotient is just too much to deal with for most would-be candidates. People can throw the most ridiculous nonsense out there and folks will believe it. Why would any semi-normal person put themselves through it to get elected?

These days, the Internet(s) allow the most vicious rumors to spread like wildfire. The most deranged blogger can post the most outrageous stories and they are given the presumption of truth. Stuff that is flat out made up soon is given factual status.

Furthermore, the denials or proof that the facts are not really facts seldom gets the same notice as the original story.

Not that I am comparing myself to Senator Obama, but let me lay out a personal illustration:

Some time ago on the other blog, I made a rhetorical statement to the effect that if someone were to invade my home, they would have a fight on their hands. GSheridan chose to conclude that I was challenging her to a physical fight. I explained that the comment was both generic (not directed at her specifically) and rhetorical. Enough said, right?

Yesterday, the same old story came back, not once but twice. Once by GSheridan and again by GMC.

The point is, some will continue to spread the lie, even though they KNOW that it is a lie, and any attempt to discount the lie is universally ignored.

Some want to believe Barack Obama is a closet Muslim terrorist because it allow them to oppose him for reasons other than he is black, just as people claim Hillary Clinton wrote a Marxist dissertation while in college because it allows them to oppose her for reasons other than she is a woman.

Politics has degenerated to horrible depths and I do not see an easy way out of the hole. Smear campaigns and attack ads work - so the polls say - so I do not see an end in sight.

 

Danny said:

 

WS,

You may have well hit a root cause there. I know people who don't vote and a reason they don't is the dirty game of politics(smear campaigns, etc). Yet, I think if we want it to end, we need more voters who vote for those people that aren't smearing their opponents and telling us where they stand.

However, that isn't going to happen when only 15 to 20% of the people are voting, because in the dirtiest most smear ridden campaign I think 20% of the people will vote because that is about the percentage of people who do want to make some sort of difference.

Maybe the lack of voting is another reflection on our society, in addition to education, workforce, and other things. I'd hope it isn't, but I think reality could be saying it is(probably is saying that). Heck I honestly don't know.

 

TRACY said:

 

WHOA THERE BRUTHA WSC......!
Before ya' go awardin yerself most improved blograt nice-ities titles and all that....
I WANNA BE NOMI-MUNATED!
If'n a body like longhorny called me "King O' Snark",
well, we's goana hafta rassle for it.
And after eyeballin yer pitcher,
this might take a while.

How big a ol' boy are ya anyway?
Okay.
I ain't goana be here ta fight with ya,
Sooo.....
Yer goana hafta pick my responses from the list below!
It ain't funny.

I'll knock a lung loose.

I'll be on you like rust on a pump handle.

I'll kick yer ass so hard you'll have to clear yer throat to fart.

I'm tougher 'n a two dollar steak.

I'll be on you like a rat on a cheeto.

I'll tear into you like a hobo into a bologna sandwich.

I'm gonna wipe the floor with ya, then whup yer ass for not gettin' in the corners.

I'm gonna hit ya so hard, yer kids'll be borned dizzy.

I'll be on you like ugly on a baboon's ass.

I'm gonna kick yer ass so hard you can whistle through yer hemorrhoids.

I'll be on you like Bobby Knight on a point guard.

Kick your ass so hard you can cough and fart at the same time

You gonna be laughin' out the other side of your face over there

I'm gonna put a pop knot on your head so big you're gonna need a support garment

I was getting ready to come over there and box your ears

You ain't bigger than a pop corn fart

I’m ready to knock a pop knot on your head big enough to need a birth certificate

I'm getting ready to kick your ass so hard you're gonna eat dingleberries in your Cap'N Crunch

I was getting ready to be on you like a cockroach on a HoneyBun

It's gonna be nothing for me to get down there to clean your clock.

Get on you like dried gum on a park bench

I'll be on you like ants on a fish head

I'll punch you right between the running lights

Be on somebody like ugly on a baboon's ass

I'm gonna be on you like a wet fart on satin undies

I'm getting ready to knock a bunch of pop knots on your head you could navigate with

I'm getting ready to be on you like Old Testament on somebody's ass

Getting ready to put a pop knot on your head big enough to have it's own social security number

I'm getting ready to be on somebody like a piss ant in a bed roll

I’ll pop a damned knot on your head so big, it’ll need a zip-code

I’ll be on you like a duck on a June bug

I’m so damned hard you could roller skate on me

Okay Clarkie? Ready....GO!
I'll be back in the mornin to see who won.

 

Danny said:

 

I suppose a good example of this smear campaigning and how it affects voting habits(of one person). My wife said, she is from now on going to vote for the person who annoys her the least. Which annoyances for her is generally the one doing the most smearing.

I laugh at this, yet some how I know that is exactly how she voted, and will continue to vote.

 

TRACY said:

 

OF COURSE I'M KIDDEN.
And I really liked the one about fartin in satin panties, eeewwwww!

And while I'm attempting humor, George Carlin is coming to our little town on the 27th for $35 a ticket. A small auditorium with narry a bad seat to be found.
If any you blograts wanna make the trip to SEK to laugh at a real pro (unlike me), I'd be glad to host you.
Have a great eve.

 

WSClark said:

 

Dang, that was some funny stuff, Trace......... I'm going to have to get back with you on a reply. I'm laughing so hard I'm crying and I'm afraid I'll short out the keyboard!

 

Danny said:

 

So, I've been sitting here thinking to myself. I have one of my degrees in Computer Science, the other in Criminal Justice, and I thought you know I don't like DRM and needing to buy music through iTunes to listen to songs on my iPod.

So.. in light of the the situation, I think Coca Cola needs to make an April Fools joke commercial next year that goes along the lines of:

Dear Coke consumers... recently we at the Coca Cola company have had serious discussions about how Coca Cola is allowed to be drank. Started today, only approved drinking containers are going to be allowed... then it could go into said containers, ending on an April fools.

This could all be done as a jab at the movie and music industries who are silly. DRM does nothing to stop piracy of their music, so perhaps it is time to lower the price of purchase of their product, and more people as a result would be likely to buy it.

Oh well... such is life... this is the dangers of waiting on software to compile.

 

WSClark said:

 

Gonzogate stuff...... This is amazing, even more outrageous than you would even expect from the Rovians.

"Internal documents from the time show officials planning to accuse Iglesias of being an "absentee landlord" to justify his firing."

http://www.tpmmuckraker.com/archives/002951.php

David Iglesias is a Captain in the Navy Reserves - he was on duty 45 days per year, something that was well known well he was appointed to the USA position.

It is against the freakin' law for an employer to discriminate against someone due to military duty.

Is this how the Bush Administration supports the troops?

 

Vaughn Tolle said:

 

WS, you just can't make this stuff up.

 

WSClark said:

 

Pretty sad, VT, very sad actually. As I have said before, some of these folks have no shame....

On a related note (shame) Cheney is criticizing Nancy Pelosi for her trip to Syria, but it appears that the Bush Administration helped the GOP Congresscritters plan THEIR trip.

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/horsesmouth/2007/...

So, the continuing theme is "It is okay for Republicans while it is wrong for Democrats....."

Or something like that!

 

gster said:

 

Pssssssssssssssssssssssttttttt-- (whispers) Is anybody there ?

 

WSClark said:

 

I am GSter, but I have to make dinner soon - steak and baked potatoes - but I am committed to this blog. Honestly, I just fired off an e-mail requesting that some of the others help support this blog.

My kid works midnights so we usually have dinner quite late nine or ten - so I have funny hours.

But what the Hell...................

 

WSClark said:

 

Crap, I just read a ESPN projection for NCAA B'Ball for 2008. They picked KANSAS to be #1. These are the same folks that picked KU to win the Tourney this year.

It's all over now....................

 

Danny said:

 

WS,

While I'm a KU basketball fan, I went to K-State(better computer science program). So I'm interested in seeing what KSU's recruiting class is capable of next year under Huggins.

 

WSClark52 said:

 

Doesn't Huggins do most of his recruiting at juvenile detention facilities and various state prisons?

(wink!)

BTW - I am a Michigan - Big Ten fan.......

 

darwinsdisciple said:

 

Submitted a thread idea, based on this Dan Froomkin (Linda Inks and my blogging hero) blog report at the WaPo:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/links...

The Danster was on fire today. I'll have to look for it, but there was a very touching piece he did, not long ago, about how he would miss the big fat target bush provided for him. His job might get harder, he lamented.

 

Predestined said:

 

VT, Danny, & WS,

Thanks for the suggestions on the no heat in my car. We know the poor thing's time is limited. I'll be taking it down to a good mechanic soon to find out how long he gives it.

As for a seizing engine, I currently have my mom's '77 Dodge Aspen that has developed a lifter problem. I expect a seizure (pun) any day, so I restrict my driving to locally with it.

It seems I was destined (Predestined?) to have car problems all my life. I won't go into the history, but suffice it to say, I'm jinxed. LOL If I won a Hummer (or a Lexus or a Mercedes or...) it would turn out to be the biggest lemon in history.

 

darwinsdisciple said:

 

Sorry to hear the news, Pre. Based on advice I've received here, I am working on purchasing a 2000 Honda Civic. It looks like a good car. I will be test driving it on Monday. I have talked to my credit union, the down payment and the money part looks right. I have hopes the deal goes well...

My plan is to maintain it, pay it off, and give it to my son as he goes to college. Sometimes the plans of men do not make the gods laugh ... We'll see if that is the case for me.

 

WSClark said:

 

I live in a mixed household - my son likes his steak well done and I like mine medium rare. I also like my baked potatoes rubbed with oil and sprinkled with Kosher salt - he likes his sans salt. I like horseradish sauce - he likes Heinz 57.

If we have steaks for dinner, cooking can be an adventure....

By the way, we only have steak about every other week, when I can find a good deal on steaks on sale at Dillon's. Given the relative rarity of the menu, we just have to make it work.....

Anyway, it looks like you made a good choice on a used car, SD.

As for you Pre - I'll be praying for you.....

See y'all tomorrow!!!!!

 

Danny said:

 

DD,

I'm a big fan of Honda's. Practically last forever, had an 84 Accord for a while with a little over 330,000 miles on it, and the worse thing going on with the car is some rust on the body. Gave it to my parents since my dad's truck didn't have AC and I had the Honda converted to use R134a.

Currently I own a CR-V now, but needed the space badly. When going to visit family we take: 1 dog, 1 cat, 1 rabbit, soon to be two kids... so even though I would have liked to have waited a bit longer on the second kid which would have meant waiting a bit longer on the car, well I'm ok with it.

WS,

Wouldn't surprise me if Huggins did. ;) From what the Collegian said, sounds like KSU has a pretty good recruiting class this coming year, so am interested in it seeing what they do.

Now back to watching the rest of the Modern Marvels show. Hehe.

 

TRACY said:

 

The Bush Virus - Causes your computer to keep looking for viruses of mass destruction.

The Kerry Virus - Stores data on both sides of the disk and causes little purple hearts to appear on screen.

The Clinton Virus - Gives you a permanent Hard Drive; with NO memory

The Al Gore Virus - Causes your computer to keep counting and re-counting

The Bob Dole Virus - Makes a new hard drive out of an old floppy

The Lewinsky Virus - Sucks all the memory out of your computer, then e-mails everyone about what it did

The Schwarzenegger Virus - Terminates some files, leaves, but will be back

The Mike Tyson Virus - Quits after two bytes

The Ellen Degeneres Virus - Disks can no longer be inserted

The Prozac Virus - Totally screws up your RAM, but your processor doesn't care

The Michael Jackson Virus - Only attacks minor files

The Lorena Bobbitt Virus - Reformats your hard drive into a 3.5 inch floppy ... then discards it through Windows

 

Gster said:

 

What happened to Longhorn? Did "They" get her? If so, she should be returning soon!

 

Vaughn Tolle said:

 

Since this thread has some comments regarding college basketball, and KSU in particular:

What are the feelings of those who follow KSU on the potential for Huggins going to West Virginia? May not happen, but it's a topic now.

On the recruiting class: I have read a WaPo article on Michael Beasley, the "keystone" of the class; it indicated he had yet to qualify for freshman eligibility under what is popularly called "Prop 48"; it is my understanding his SAT score needs to be a 920 (980? can't recall), and he's not close yet. If he doesn't so qualify, what might that do to the "class" in general?

 

Danny said:

 

Some of the students are "concerned" and hoping he doesn't go. I don't know if he will or not(the first offer to them). Personally I'd like to see what he can do with KSU for a few years but if he doesn't stay, I'm sure there are other good coaches out there.

 

lindainks55 said:

 

Good morning ALL!

Gster, I think LH is taking a blogging break and tackling the many things she needed to tackle -- planting, running her businesses, taxes... I miss
her too! She's good so will probably get caught up faster than most could.

Did Dubya take a break too?

The Brits are home! No one died! Isn't diplomacy refreshing!?

Guys, grap your crotch BEFORE you click this link.
http://blogs.usatoday.com/ondeadline/2007/04/va_su...

BushCo wants to relax some more of the No Child Left Behind rules. Give an easier test to more who are disabled. When we get an adult in the white house again maybe we can allow our teachers to get back to teaching. Other than a catchy name there is NOTHING good or beneficial to education in this really bad piece of legislation.

Gonzales is hiding out and practicing his testimony in hopes of keeping his job.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17956095/

 

TRACY said:

 

gster & Ms. Inks, I beleive you can find LH at my old stompin' grounds, under her old nic.

 

Vaughn Tolle said:

 

Danny: latest rumor: a plane from WVU will be landing in Manhattan at 10:30 or so this morning.

Linda: LH is posting on WEBlog. On your comments re: NCLB; I agree that the execution of this program is horribly flawed, but its intent (accountability to third parties) is good. I have consistently said the idea of using "standardized tests" to measure educational accomplishment is NOT good, UNLESS the tests truly measure what is to be accomplished in education; and even then, as hearlander under his various nics has posted, the test may be "gamed" in many different ways. I need to get back to work, and will check in from time to time during the day.

 

lindainks55 said:

 

I'm sorry to hear that Tracy. I don't go there. Life brings me enough frustration without seeking it on purpose. "Stupid is as stupid does..." Just too many stupids there. They aren't there to discuss but to extol their stupidity and I choose not to participate in that kind of futility. Do we still have that freedom or has bushco done away with that one too?

 

Gster said:

 

I was watching the news last night, and I got to wondering. Does anyone know if Bush ever held a job, worked for someone and/or produced something? I mean beyond his brilliant military career! I don't know, but doubt he has.

 

TRACY said:

 

GSTER, I've checked into this. It is fact.
The Bush boys (shrubs), combined, during the 1980's, cost us, the taxpayers, over ONE BILLION dollars in bail-outs, in connection with the Savings & Loan collapse. They have also cost plenty in other ventures too. why do we never hear this from the "liberal media"????

 

Predestined said:

 

According to one article, W did "work" while being a part of the Blount Senatorial campaign in Alabama. Remember his "missing year" in the Air Guard?

Here's an article that takes a look at that time period. It's a bit long, but worth the read.

http://dir.salon.com/story/news/feature/2004/09/02...

 

Gster said:

 

Pre- I'd forgotten about that.
I was always amazed that, after listening to him talk , and after doing even 3 minutes research on his background, people would vote for Bush.
Amazing, and not in a good way!