Friday, January 02, 2009

SPIRITUAL ARCHITECTURE

Quote of the Day: “If there isn't deep integrity and fundamental character strength, the challenges of life will cause true motives to surface and human relationship failure will replace short-term success." —Stephen R. Covey

One of the most inspiring stories of 2008: 'Good Samaritan' saves crying woman's foreclosed home (from CNN.com)... But first some infuriating things my husband said that weren't so funny while they were happening...


Spiritual architecture

My husband and I went to a sports bar to watch the last Packer game of the season on Sunday. We had so much fun — but we have the goofiest relationship. Paul hates it when I use big words; he always wants me to act like a dumb blonde. So when the waitress came over to take our order I happened to be telling him an idea for a chapter in my book called "Spiritual Architecture" he got really embarrassed and told me to please not use intelligent words like that. "It might make the waitress uncomfortable," he said.

WTF?? Was he implying the waitress was stupid? No. What he meant was that he wanted me to fit into the Neanderthal crowd. Usually I have to use very pornographic language just to get his attention.

When we fight, we are talking to each other's wounds...not to each other. We fight over who’s being nicer. We strangle each other over who is doing the Golden Rule better. This reminds me of my favorite line from Dr. Strangelove: “You can’t fight in here, this is the War Room!”

By the way, when I first met my husband I was shocked at how much TV he watched. And it was always some celebrity tabloid show featuring the flavor of the month. I asked him, “Don’t you think we’re too obsessed with celebrities in this culture? He just stared at the TV and said, “No, it’s educational.”

My big question is, why am I experiencing life with this particular person? Oh yeah, according to Bob Lancer -- the purpose of marriage is to learn compassion!

So I asked him, “Tell me how, how is it educational to learn how many belly-button rings or mansions Britney Spears has? I think this is making us a nation of covetous, jealous, greedy, panicky zombies.”

He wouldn't answer. He was zoned out staring at the TV, and didn't hear me.

Over Christmas, my sister and I were going through all our old record albums, LPs. I have all the original Beatles, Jethro Tull ('Benefit' is the best, especially the song 'Sossity!') Led Zeppelin, Moody Blues, ELP, The Band, Zephyr, Fleetwood Mac ('Mystery to Me' - my favorite before Buckingham-Nicks came along...) We were reminiscing about how much fun it was to put the needle into the groove of the record, even if it would scratch the record. There was something so solid about “playing a record” on an actual turntable.

I began to think about the way we are becoming less material and more digital. Doing away with cumbersome record players, cassettes, and even CDs. We are becoming "thought" -- one mind. We are able to communicate and almost think directly to each other over computer signals and “text” messages – which is like grabbing words out of thin air.

Think of the invisible notes of music or the invisible numbers of mathematics. There is a divine harmony underlying everything. Everything is beauty and harmony. The physical picture is not the real story. Kind of like the inner software in a computer — the substance, the meat. Everything else is just temporary packaging. What's real is what's inside. The invisible.

Speaking of music, our kids blew our minds on New Years Eve. We took them to a party and they sat down at the piano and played the entire night. Each separately - Kevin, 13 played Cold Play and Muse. Jack, who is 14, played songs from the new Jack's Mannequin album (his favorite band) plus The Pink Panther, Sting and lots of other stuff. Jack wants guitar lessons too. A couple of years ago, I couldn't get them to even consider piano lessons. Now they each have a Yamaha in their rooms and they compose music everyday! You can plug in your laptop and compose as it creates sheet music.

My father was a violinist, my sister is a composer who wrote a new theme song for Extreme Home Makeover (and a major Gospel Choir is singing her composition!!) and my younger brother, who died a few years ago, was a prodigy with perfect pitch.
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New Year's Resolutions
In 2009 I am going to try to be less sensitive. I am so sensitive I feel sorry for that little depressed egg bobbing around in the “Depression” commercial…

I am so sensitive, I cried at the violence in the James Bond movie and then jumped out of the car when my husband said I had “too much compassion." My son Kevin was upset that I reminded him to have a conscience after the movie – that I made him less numb to violence. In other words, I ruined his high... and therefore it’s a bad thing! …???
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Jim Bullock put his face on my body when we were signing autographs. Fans actually bought this one: (Jimmy: Sorry you missed our Christmas party and we couldn't make it to your play in KC!)
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Epiphany: I woke up on December 1, 2008 out of the ether and realized I was depressed. Usually I light a candle on this sad day, but I had even forgotten to call my mother — as it is the anniversary of my brother's death. I picked up Eckhardt Tolle's bestseller "A New Earth: Awakening to your Life's Purpose" and randomly turned to a page at the back, which said that the only times we are unhappy are when we are looking backward or forward — in other words, when we are not living in the present moment: RIGHT NOW. Right now, nothing bad is happening. It is only when we live in the past and future that we feel pain.

The book said that we must wake up and fully enjoy the present moment - be fully conscious and look at the joy we can create by being grateful for the tiniest thing. We must also see what we can do for others, for "Only a life lived for others is worth living." I realized I had two kids in the house who needed me -- and one in particular was in a lot of pain, hobbling around after his bone surgery, with his foot bent in a crooked position. He needed me to be in good spirits, to really care about him (which I always do, but sometimes I am focused on my own deadlines and projects and fear -- that I forget to "feel his pain." So I got up and made his breakfast with so much love. Then I made his lunch and put a note in it. Then I got his shoes and rubbed his feet with Tiger Balm. Then I offered to drive him to school. He was so grateful that I lifted his burdens for the morning. My whole world changed from this simple committtment to "stay in the present moment" and stay out of my head (it's a bad neighborhood.) Stay out of worry and fear -- for they are not real and do not exist. Only the GOOD is real.

God Bless sweet Jett. As everyone knows by now, John Travolta's 16-year-old son Jett passed on Friday. Please hold the Travolta family in your prayers. Personally I am devasted by Jett's death. 
Having fledgling teenage boys myself (13 and 14) — I've been crying intermittently and praying every time I think of Kelly and John and Ella Blue.
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Back from vacation! HAPPY 2009!! May you have a year filled with LOVE, joy, peace, health, wealth, happiness and success! And remember to be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.

Here is the first pic taken with my "new" iPhone (Remember the iPhone I stood in line for 5 hours to buy for my son, the very first iPhone ever made? My son finally gave it to me for Christmas, since he got a new one. Photo: Hubby and me at our kid's friend Leo's Barmitzvah, Saturday January 3, 2009


This month we will be celebrating 2009 and posting our favorite pics from 2008. I will also post "Ways to Be Happy No Matter What your Circumstances... whether in poverty or riches; whether feeling depressed, drinking too much or feeling hopeless. There are concrete ways to turn your entire life around and to be really happy. It starts with simply not thinking about yesterday or tomorrow. Right now, close off all thoughts of regret or future fear. Look around at what you have. See what you can do to make someone else happy right now. If no one is around you, make yourself happy. You can choose to feel good right now. The Buddhists say "Chop wood, carry water." Whatever you are doing, make it an art form, even if it is "chopping the wood to light the fire to make tea." Every moment is a holy moment. You are alive. This is a gift. Happy New Year!!
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We are scheduling some great guests this month, in time for Obama's inauguration! Richard Belzer, Larry Charles, Dr. Linda Durre, possibly Hillary and Bill Clinton(!) David Sedaris, Anne Lamott... If you live in Vegas you can tune in Live or go to our website and listen in the audio archives.

The Basham and Cornell Show broadcasts weekday mornings at 8 am Pacific (11 a.m. Eastern) on KLAV 1230 AM Radio live in Las Vegas. Again, all shows are simulcast worldwide on the Internet (and archived) and can be listened to at Basham and Cornell Radio

If you've missed our show, check out the audio archives for MP3 podcasts. Recent guests include: Senator Tom Daschle (Obama's Secretary of Health); CNN's Paul Begala (Former Senior Clinton advisor), Pat Buchanan (Former Reagan Advisor), John Edwards, Elizabeth Edwards, Pulitzer Prize winner Charlie Savage,CNN Crossfire's Bill Press, John Dean, Valerie Plame, NBC Bureau Chief in Tel Aviv Martin Fletcher, Congressman Dennis Kucinich, Elizabeth Kucinich; Rep. Robert Wexler, Rep. Charlie Rangel, Salon's Max Blumenthal, Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney, Rep. Patrick Murphy, Senator Byron Dorgan, Mike Gravel; Elizabeth Kucinich, Christine Pelosi, Bestselling authors Valerie Bertinelli, Naomi Klein, Paul Krugman, Christopher Cerf, Stefan Forbes,Vincent Bugliosi, etc.
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"I’m going to stop analyzing and worrying about my problems and see what happens," Lexy said to her abusive therapist Zoe.
"Are you crazy? You have to analyze your problems or they might go away!” said Zoe.
“Exactly!!" exclaimed Lexy.
- Dialogue from my film "Venus Conspiracy
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I am so proud of my sister! Her "EXTREME MAKEOVER: HOME EDITION" aired last night on ABC-TV. The episode featured a gospel song my sister Kathryn wrote especially for this episode, performed by the Mt. Ararat Gospel Choir of Pittsburgh as the home was being demolished to be rebuilt. The song is called "LET THESE WALLS COME TUMBLING DOWN".

My sister is a brilliant composer and has 4 albums out. She was a founding member of the cult band "Two Nice Girls" (there were three girls in the group -- guess only 2 of them were nice!) on Rough Trade Records (Lucinda Williams' label) and was discovered at Austin's South by Southwest Conference. She also played on an album called "Guitarrorists." She also wrote the music to FOX Morning Show. She is "extremely grateful to have been given the opportunity to write for Extreme Home Makeover!" Thank you, Jen Lane (series director)!"
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'Good Samaritan' saves crying woman's foreclosed home
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
Stranger buys foreclosed home for woman on hard times
"If it was you, you'd want somebody to stop and help you," says Marilyn Mock
Mock bought home for $30,000; says she'll work out payment deal with Tracy Orr
Orr says Mock's generosity has "given me back faith and hope to keep going"

(CNN) -- Tracy Orr sat in the back of the room and prepared to watch her foreclosed home go up for auction this past Saturday. That's when a pesky stranger sat down beside her and struck up a conversation.

Tracy Orr faced losing her home to foreclosure when Marilyn Mock, a stranger, stepped in to buy it.

"Are you here to buy a house?" Marilyn Mock said.

Orr couldn't hold it in. The tears flowed. She pointed to the auction brochure at a home that didn't have a picture. "That's my house," she said.

Within moments, the four-bedroom, two-bath home in Pottsboro, Texas, went up for sale. People up front began casting their bids. The home that Orr purchased in September 2004 was slipping away.

She stood and moved toward the crowd. Behind her, Mock got into the action.

"She didn't know I was doing it," Mock says. "I just kept asking her if [her home] was worth it, and she just kept crying. She probably thought I was crazy, 'Why does this woman keep asking me that?

Mock says she bought the home for about $30,000. That's when Mock did what most bidders at a foreclosure auction never do. "When it was all done, I was just in shock."

"All this happened within like 5 minutes. She never even asked me my name. She didn't ask me my financial situation. She had no idea what [the house] looked like. She just did it out of the graciousness of her heart, just a 'Good Samaritan,' " Orr says. "It's amazing."

Why be so generous? "She was just so sad. You put yourself in their situation and you realize you just got to do something," says Mock, who says she has trouble walking by homeless people on the street and not helping them out.

"If it was you, you'd want somebody to stop and help you."

Orr, who nearly lost her home, says her newfound friend has "given me back faith and hope to keep going and hold my head up. Things happen for a reason," Orr says.
(Read more at CNN.com)
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Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.” Dr. Seuss

201 comments:

  1. HEy Lydia how about a TCFC reunion.............they did ones for Happy Days and Dukes of Hazzard...............i'd like to see it.

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  2. BTW Happy New Year!

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  3. Happy New Year MIKE!! I tried to send you an email but your inbox was full.

    xoxo

    HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYONE,
    love
    Lyd

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  4. Please read the post and comment on John Travolta's son dying.

    Also, please leave your thoughts on Charles Barkley, Kathy Griffin or whatever else you want to talk about.

    I'd also like to know what you think Obama should say or do about the Gaza situation.

    Thanks

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  5. It should be ok now!

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  6. I honestly couldnt say how to solve the Gaza problem............I havent been following it that closely number one, and number two both parties have to ACTUALLY WANT to solve their problems for that to happen and i'm not sure thats the case.

    GWB actually seemed to make sense today when he said the Palestinians need to be held accountable..............HOWEVER so does ISRAEL for their actions.

    The Palestinians need to hold their own accountable for acts of terrorism and Israel NEEDS to stop killing innocent civilians for this to have any chance of being solved.

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  7. As far as a Too Close Family Reunion, I don't know. Ted Knight died and I think his estate owns the bulk of the show, which is why Don Taffner won't syndicate the show anymore. I am not sure, but there might be a financial power struggle because Taffner, who produced our show and "Three's Company" -- has not resold our show yet, except recently on WGN

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  8. Ahh don't worry about it Bart. That's probably one of the nicer things you've ever said to me.

    At least you didn't mention my mother...

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  9. BTW, am I on schedule?

    I never can remember wether I'm supposed to post first or an hour after someone else.

    Or is it an hour in between?...

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  10. "...the Neanderthal crowd"

    You mean commoners???!!!
    EGAD!

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  11. Just out of curiosity,

    When you usher in your new era of spiritual enlightenment will that include "the neanderthals" too, or will we have to get rid of them somehow?

    I think at least one state has declared lethal injection as "inhumane" so we'll have to find another way.

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  12. Voltron said...
    Just out of curiosity,

    When you usher in your new era of spiritual enlightenment will that include "the neanderthals" too, or will we have to get rid of them somehow?

    I think at least one state has declared lethal injection as "inhumane" so we'll have to find another way."


    Well Volty at least her definintion of "spiritual enlightenment" ACTUALLY MEANS spiritual enlightenment and isnt code for genocide like YOUR version would be............Tell me in YOUR version of "spiritual enlightenment" are the Muslim's the Neanderthals and do we have to "get rid of them", for a a guy advocating killing or torturing/deprogramming almost 2 billion people with your concentration camps and convert or die ultimatem......I find it Ironic that you are that broken up over leathal injection being ruled "inhumane" in one state...............rest assured though there's still alot of states that dont consider it inhumane.

    And i'm sure if another war criminal like GWB steals another election theres hope they could bring back hanging, death by firing squad or having a man fight a lion in the Coliseum.

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  13. And Barts right on about leaving a tv on all day..............when i'm home mine is on ALL DAY even if its just on in the background and i'm not really watching.

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  14. No code words Mikey, I never claimed that my resolution was "spiritual enlightenment".

    You never did answer my question the last time this came up though:

    Is it torture when parents have their children deprogrammed after they've been enticed to join a cult?

    If you had a child who joined the Heaven's Gate cult would you just sit back and buy the purple shroud for him?

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  15. I got it! (Bart'll love this one...)

    Perhaps the "spiritually enlightened" could live in the cloud city of Stratos, while "the neanderthals" mine the planet for zienite...

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  16. And besides Mikey, they all want to be martyrs anyway. Let's just get them to stand in a group so we can target them better.

    Actually you'd think we'd get along better. They wanna blow themselves up and we wanna blow them up, surely we can come to some sort of arrangement.

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  17. Well yeah Bart, as long as we're talking about Mikey's kid.

    Somehow I doubt that you'd feel the same way if it was YOUR kid though.

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  18. And Bart,

    I firmly believe in a person being responsible for their own decisions.

    However, when their decisions may affect my life and my decisions I fully support having some input and/or a veto.

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  19. "You guys share the same philosophies after all. Lust for war, bloodshed...holy "jihad"."

    Not really Bart.

    Obama claims he's going to pull the troops out of Iraq. He also say's that IF things get out of control we MAY have to go back in.

    Now do YOU wanna go back in and start over again, or do you want to do it right this time?

    Because that is in fact MY argument. We are facing a culture clash with Islam. Our system and their system are incompatible. War was inevitable.

    The only question is do we do it now or wait until their stronger?
    Because IF we wait there will be MUCH more bloodshed.
    What do you think it would take today to drive them back from the gates of Vienna?

    And not all cultures are equal. That is the flaw in multiculturalism. It was western European culture (and Judeo-Christianity) that conquered the world and gave us science and technology.

    That's not to say we shouldn't be nice to, or try to get along with other cultures, but survival of the fittest you know?

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  20. Yeah Bart,

    I remember all those discussions you and Mikey had about how if only someone had seen it early on Hitler could've been stopped before it took a world war.

    Someday you'll be sitting around lamenting how if only someone had seen it early on Islam could've been stopped before it took a world war.
    (hopefully you won't be lamenting in Arabic)

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  21. Hey how about that Kathy Griffin eh?

    Classy lady.

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  22. BARTLEBEE said...
    Chantron said...

    "I firmly believe in a person being responsible for their own decisions."


    No you don't.

    You believe in a police state volty. "


    EXACTLY right He not only "believes in but CRAVES a police state!

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  23. BARTLEBEE said...
    You guys share the same philosophies after all. Lust for war, bloodshed...holy "jihad". "


    Yep!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  24. It doesn't have to be armed "terrerists" Bart.

    What happens when a few more Muslim congressmen get elected? What happens when some city decides to allow Muslim immigrants to practice sharia to "ease the burden" on our court system? (that's actually been suggested in London by the way...)
    As you pointed out before Islam is one of the fastest growing religions.
    What happens when more and more of them take up politics and make more and more of our laws?

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  25. Voltron said...
    No code words Mikey, I never claimed that my resolution was "spiritual enlightenment".

    You never did answer my question the last time this came up though:

    Is it torture when parents have their children deprogrammed after they've been enticed to join a cult?

    If you had a child who joined the Heaven's Gate cult would you just sit back and buy the purple shroud for him?"



    HMMMMM..................lets see here your equating one child that fell in with a crazy cult to an ENTIRE RELIGION of 1.5 to 1.8 BILLION?

    And further saying we should build concentration camps to exterminate and/or torture those BILLIONS of people if they fail to convert to the religion YOU wanjt them to embrace...............wow that would have done the Nazi's or Big Brother proud!

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  26. Voltron said...
    It doesn't have to be armed "terrerists" Bart.

    What happens when a few more Muslim congressmen get elected?"


    Typical Reich Winger..............they babble on about how wonderful democracy is and how important it is to spread democracy throughout the world..................when the TRUTH IS.................they ONLY like Democracy if they can control and manipulate it so their guy wins.............the Right Wing has long history of undermining demoratically elected leaders if they arent the ones they want to win..............look at Iran, Vietnam etc.....

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  27. "HMMMMM..................lets see here your equating one child that fell in with a crazy cult to an ENTIRE RELIGION of 1.5 to 1.8 BILLION?"

    HMMMM........let's see here, so your saying "torture" is OK as long it's only ONE child?

    And you don't think Islam is a crazy cult?

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  28. You guys LOVE to say flowery crap like Freedom, Democracy, Small unobrusive government, privacy etc..........but you are AGAINST freedom and democracy and privacy with EVERY FIBER OF YOUR body................what You CRAVE is a POLICE STATE where you and your Idealogues get to play Big Brother!

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  29. Voltron said...
    "HMMMMM..................lets see here your equating one child that fell in with a crazy cult to an ENTIRE RELIGION of 1.5 to 1.8 BILLION?"

    HMMMM........let's see here, so your saying "torture" is OK as long it's only ONE child?

    And you don't think Islam is a crazy cult?"


    No, I'd venture to guess that around 15% of them are rabid war mongering bloodthirsty fanatics craving
    murder and death just about the Same percentage as the Neo Cons who are part of the Right Wing!

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  30. No Mikey.

    What I'm saying is that we no longer teach American exceptionalism in our schools. Immigrants aren't encouraged to blend into our society anymore. Immigrants are no longer required to learn english as a prerequisite.

    We are throwing away our democracy when we ENCOURAGE multiculturalism.

    If THAT isn't stopped we will at some point no longer have a democracy OR an America

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  31. Besides Volt if you guys want a REAL bogey man to fret about and have been reading he tea leaves lately i'd worry alot more about putin than Islamic terrorists.............there are rumors Putin could try to take the Ukrain soon just like he did Georgia!

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  32. Let me ask you this what do you think our response SHOULD be if Putin moves to take the Ukraine and control essentially ALL the Natural Gas pipelines to Europe...............Also what do you think our rewsponse SHOULD have been to Russia Crushing Georgia?

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  33. Stare him down and see who blinks first. Seriously. Match him escalation for escalation.

    Nobody screws with the insane guy. Make him think we're crazier than he is. It doesn't necessarily have to be true, just as long as he believes it.

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  34. Just like I said about terrorists hiding behind women and children.

    If you want to stop that you have to take away the value of doing it.

    WE place the women and children in danger ourselves because the terrorists know that we care.

    If they were made to think we don't care then women and children would no longer have value as shields.

    Like I was trying to tell Bart, some bloodshed now will prevent greater bloodshed later on.

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  35. I'll be back later. Gotta make a chow and ciggie run...

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  36. Nobody screws with the insane guy. Make him think we're crazier than he is. It doesn't necessarily have to be true, just as long as he believes it.

    Too bad your dumb as dirt idea won't work on juveniles who think they will get 75 virgins for being even batshit crazier then you are suggesting to be duncetron.

    Thinking God wants you to kill people and he will reward you with 75 virgins for doing it, is about as crazy as you can get as an individual don't ya thunk son?

    Oh right you don't thunk but regurgitate reich wing spin here and on your waste of bandwidth you call a blog.

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  37. Duncetron just admit it you get your rocks off watching Arabs and Muslims being killed whether their deaths could be legitimately defended or not.

    Sort of like what your historical predecessors did with their Jim Crow laws and KKK attacks against people of color the last century.

    And don't give me the wack job argument they USED to be democrats because they JUMPED to the reich wingers building the republican party southern strategy criminal conspiracy in the 1960's-early 1980's,

    You know the one where the TRAITOR Paul Weyrich (may he rot in hell)asked the Republicans to violate the US Constitutional principles by denying the right to vote to those who didn't goose-step to his wacked out ideology.

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  38. Gotta make a chow and ciggie run...

    Up the dosage son,

    try non filters while your at it.

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  39. Oh and BTW;

    Franken Jumps Out to 225-Vote Lead on Strength of Absentee Ballots

    I can't wait till BillO's head explodes when he has to say;

    Senator Al Frankin of Minnesota.

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  40. Add Al's seat to the rest of the Senate Seats held by Democratic Senators and they will have 59,

    Throw in Arlen Spector who is worried about winning in 2010 or a moderate like Susan Collins and the filibuster just might go the way of the reich-wing neo-con idiots control on power in DC.

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  41. Happy New Year Lydia!

    I sent you an email, did you get it?

    I will be in Beverly Hills ifor a week or two.. thought perhaps we could meet for coffee??

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  42. Happy New Year Mike, Clif, Bartlebee & Everyone!

    :)

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  43. Happy New Year SQ!

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  44. You know if you replaced the word Muslim with African American duncetron would have fit in the US bigots brigade from the 1870's till the mid 1970's, now he's part of it's 21st century cousin.

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  45. It was a crazy election, wasn't it? BUT, I am so glad that Obama won! :)

    17 more days...

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  46. The blogosphere was been quiet.. the holidays and I think people needed a break from blogging after the election. I know I don't blog as much as I used to.

    Wordpress upgraded and when they upgraded my blog, I lost ALL of my favorite blog links! Errr!!

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  47. Hey Mike & Bartlebee!

    2009 has to be better. At least we will have some intelligent people running this country. ;)

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  48. So, Lydia... my office over there is on "Avenue Of The Stars"..

    Let me know, ok? Send me an email.

    Take care Lydia! ;)

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  49. Hi Suzy!!

    Hey everyone -- PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE read the new items I just posted -- including the formula for staying out of depression.

    Love
    Lyd

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  50. How interesting,people who have never fought anyone or anything telling others how to win a fight.

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  51. Scent of a Woman

    .... Charlie takes a job over Thanksgiving looking after retired U.S. Army officer Lieutenant Colonel Frank Slade (Al Pacino), a cantankerous middle-aged man who is now blind, alcoholic, eccentric, and impossible to get along with.



    Slade decides to visit New York City and enlists the help of Charlie on the trip after tricking Charlie into missing his flight back. He takes a room at the Waldorf-Astoria. During dinner at the Oak Room (at the Plaza Hotel), he reveals the real purpose for his trip to New York City: to eat at an expensive restaurant, stay at a luxury hotel, see his big brother, make love to a beautiful woman and then commit suicide.



    It looks like you failed.

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  52. Col. Slade - to whom are you referring? Who has "never fought anyone or anything?"

    We've all fought someone and something. And the smart ones realize that fighting was never necessary.

    Just like the Great Peacemaker said in the Beatitudes: "Resist NOT evil"

    It will only fight back harder. But withdraw your hatred from your enemies and their vengeance will quietly expire from neglect.

    Don't make mountains out of molehills.

    Don't feed the black dog.

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  53. The current "conservatives" are trying everything in their power (and combing the Bible) to find a moral justification for selfishness. (Heard something like this recently on Tom Hartmann show)

    "The true value of a human being is determined primarily by the measure and sense in which he has attained liberation from the self."
    - Albert Einstein.

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  54. Feed the good dog

    There is a story in Native American history of an Indian chief who one night talking to his tribe tells them there are two dogs inside his mind. One is a dog that is good and courageous, the other a dog who is vengeful and spiteful. He tells the tribe the dogs are fighting to the death. A brave, not able to wait for the end of the story asks "Which one of them will win?" The chief responds "The one I feed."

    So how do you feed your good Dog?

    The best way to feed your Good Dog is by developing your own reflective practice. And while that might seem like a heretical idea in a culture that values multi-tasking and cramming more and more into each and every day, the fact is that this idea has been around for years. Literally for millennia deep thinkers, seekers and religious mystics of all traditions have written about the value of a reflective practice. It has shown up in the work of many of our best poets and writers such as Thoreau, Blake, and Whitman. Even our best corporate and political leaders have come to understand the importance of regular reflective time in separating the forest from the trees and gaining a wider perspective.

    "If you pay attention at every moment, you form a new relationship to time. In some magical way; by
    slowing down, you become more efficient, productive, and energetic, focusing without distraction directly
    on the task in front of you. Not only do you become immersed in the moment, you become that moment."
    - Michael Ray, Stanford University School of Business,

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  55. PLEASE read the new updated posts on front blog page.
    Thank you!!

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  56. Lydia:

    Congrats to your sister! That is so awesome! :)

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  57. If I was 20 years younger I'd take a blow torch to this place.

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  58. Lydia:

    Yes, it is so sad about Jett Travolta. John Travolta's attorneys said Jett may have died in John's arms..

    I cannot imagine how much grief the family must feel.

    ReplyDelete
  59. Uh-oh, I guess telling ghost stories is not kosher.

    By the way, I don't believe in an "afterlife" the way it's depicted in so many fairy tales.

    I am talking about consciousness — eternity that has no beginning and no end.

    ReplyDelete
  60. Yes, I see Rusty Slade has the old typewriter which gives him away. I mean who can type a comma so close to a word?

    

SUZI-Q, I am devasted by Jett's death. 
I've been crying intermittently and praying every time I think of Kelly and John and Ella Blue.

    I guess I'll save the philosophizing over death for another time...

    ReplyDelete
  61. Lydia Cornell said...
    Oy Vey - Bill Richardson??"


    Yeah, that sucks about Richardson.........I really liked Richardson!

    ReplyDelete
  62. Hey Lydia I watched the Extreme Makeover Home last night........cool show, i think thats only like the second time I ever watched that show..............tell your sister good job.

    ReplyDelete
  63. I got a question, are you an Iphone fanatic....... i'm looking for a new phone, my cousins and uncles all have the Iphone and they are fanatics that love it and talk it up to EVERYONE?

    ReplyDelete
  64. Hey Lydia I was flicking through the channels last night and watched My Fair Brady for a few seconds................anyone ever tell you your husband looks kinda like Peter Brady............LOL, thats not an insult, just an observation.

    Just curious if you heard that before?

    ReplyDelete
  65. As for that idiot Col, Rusty used as a sock puppet.............Will uses the name Slade occasionaly, I think Rusty was trying to get people to think it was Will and attack Will!

    ReplyDelete
  66. What does EVERYONE Think of Obama using such a large portion of tax cuts for his stimulus as opposed to infrastructure?

    ReplyDelete
  67. Voltron said...
    And besides Mikey, they all want to be martyrs anyway. Let's just get them to stand in a group so we can target them better.

    Actually you'd think we'd get along better. They wanna blow themselves up and we wanna blow them up, surely we can come to some sort of arrangement."


    Here let me correct this statement for you so its factually correct...............They want to blow us up because of YOUR belicose foreign policy of undermining their democracy or dictatotships to control their oil and YOU want to blow them up and control their oil.

    ReplyDelete
  68. Voltron said...
    Just like I said about terrorists hiding behind women and children.

    If you want to stop that you have to take away the value of doing it.

    WE place the women and children in danger ourselves because the terrorists know that we care.

    If they were made to think we don't care then women and children would no longer have value as shields."

    Like I was trying to tell Bart, some bloodshed now will prevent greater bloodshed later on."


    More flawed thinking and faulty logic...........it should be perfectly obvious to ANYONE with a functioning brain that the Islamic terrorists could care less about using women and children to protect themselves, they have little value for human life............what they are actually using the innocent civilians for is to further their cause to help recruitment of more terrorists by inflaming anger and hatred of the west.........the TRUTH IS THEY ACTUALLY WANT INNOCENTS TO DIE to make it appear America could care less about their lives............and people like Volt and GWB are just playing right into the terrorists hands by their similar thinking that shows little value for human life.


    This is a PERFECT textbook illustration of Lydia's point that fighting your enemies only makes them stronger...............if the Isralies and Palestinians REALLY want peace and the USA REALLY wants to defeat terrorism then the USA and Israel NEED to win the hearts and minds of the people not just talk tough and carpet bomb innocent civilians and say collateral damage be damned this feels good!

    ReplyDelete
  69. Lydia,

    What is the name of your book and where can I buy it? ;)

    ReplyDelete
  70. Anyone know what Jim Bullock's been up to.............is he still acting?

    ReplyDelete
  71. Yeah Will, I figured it was Crusty!

    ReplyDelete
  72. Another way to look at it Mike:

    If the Palestinians would lay down their weapons there would be no war.

    If the Israeli's would lay down their weapons there would be no Israel.

    ReplyDelete
  73. Lydia Cornell said...
    As far as a Too Close Family Reunion, I don't know. Ted Knight died and I think his estate owns the bulk of the show, which is why Don Taffner won't syndicate the show anymore. I am not sure, but there might be a financial power struggle because Taffner, who produced our show and "Three's Company" -- has not resold our show yet, except recently on WGN"



    That makes sense...........dont get me wrong I really liked Ted Knight he was hillareous...........but he ruined the show in the end and if your theory is correct he's still ruining the show from the grave and thats a shame!

    ReplyDelete
  74. Voltron said...
    Another way to look at it Mike:

    If the Palestinians would lay down their weapons there would be no war.

    If the Israeli's would lay down their weapons there would be no Israel."


    I really dont think the terrorists attacking Israel speak for ALL Palestinians any more than Osama Bin Forgotten and Al Qaeda speak for ALL MUSLIMS...............apparently YOU do though, that or you want to muddy the watters and make it appear that way to justify the WAR YOU AND THE RIGHT CRAVE!

    ReplyDelete
  75. Suzie-Q (S-Q) said...

    Lydia,

    What is the name of your book and where can I buy it? ;)


    Now, does anyone else want to argue with me about Suzy Q?

    ;)

    ReplyDelete
  76. Bart said "Ok, I'm gonna catch shit here but I just got through catching it in another blog over this topic so I'll toss my two cents worth in here.

    While I realize the absolute need for Israel to proceed cautiously here, there appears to be on the surface, sufficient reason for Israel to invade the Gaza region to root out Hamas.

    These were not "terrorist attacks" Mike. This was an officially elected party launching rockets and mortars onto civilian targets in Israel."



    Ok then if thats the case go in there and capture or kill those elected leaders that sactioned those rocket attacks and either try them for war crimes or kill them.........................rather than giving them what they want and bombing civilians................Israel's military is VASTLY superior to the Palestinians...........I cant believe that they cant get to Hamas leadership if they REALLY wanted to..................but then I havent really been following this closely.

    ReplyDelete
  77. By the way Mike did you notice that comment of Suzie Qs?

    Suzie-Q (S-Q) said...

    Lydia,

    What is the name of your book and where can I buy it? ;)


    Who else used to always say those exact same words to Lydia?

    Remember?

    ReplyDelete
  78. BARTLEBEE said...
    By the way Mike did you notice that comment of Suzie Qs?

    Suzie-Q (S-Q) said...

    Lydia,

    What is the name of your book and where can I buy it? ;)

    Who else used to always say those exact same words to Lydia?

    Remember?"


    Yeah, i thought the same thing.............BUT its way to easy to verify, Lydia has SQ's e-mail and knows how to find her on her own blog...............it would be way to stupid even for an idiot imposter like Crusty to pull that............not that he wouldnt try though.

    ReplyDelete
  79. As for Hamas thats most likely Israels reasoning to make them unpopular with the civilians to a coup develops...............still if the State leadership is authorizing this then its an act of war and I think Israel should go in there and remove Hamas from leadership of that country even if they have to declare martial law to do it................If the government is sanctioning it then its an act of war and there are consequences to that action.

    I dont think the Palestininans have a prayer of stopping Israel from conquoring and destroying the leadership if they wanted to.

    ReplyDelete
  80. Mike said...


    Yeah, i thought the same thing.............BUT its way to easy to verify, Lydia has SQ's e-mail and knows how to find her on her own blog...............it would be way to stupid even for an idiot imposter like Crusty to pull that............not that he wouldnt try though.



    Anyone can have email Mike.

    Anyone can have a blog.

    When Suzy MEETS Lydia then come talk to me. In the meantime my Trollsensor hasn't failed me yet, and I don't think it's failing me this time either.

    ReplyDelete
  81. Mike & Bartlebee:

    Huh? What are you guys talking about? Lydia had mentioned her book and I was just curious about it. I am NOT a troll! You guys are sounding really paranoid! LOL

    ReplyDelete
  82. That's a good way to get people who are NOT trolls to leave Lydia's blog..

    ReplyDelete
  83. Lydia was just on my blog and left a message for me.

    ReplyDelete
  84. Suzie-Q (S-Q) said...
    Mike & Bartlebee:

    Huh? What are you guys talking about? Lydia had mentioned her book and I was just curious about it. I am NOT a troll! You guys are sounding really paranoid! LOL"


    Yeah I know..........thats what I was saying that it would be too difficult for a troll to impersonate you.


    The reason Bart thought that is many of the trolls used to harass Lydia about the book.

    ReplyDelete
  85. BTW, if you and Lydia meet up, be sure and post some pics!

    ReplyDelete
  86. Suzie-Q (S-Q) said...
    Mike & Bartlebee:

    Huh? What are you guys talking about? Lydia had mentioned her book and I was just curious about it. I am NOT a troll! You guys are sounding really paranoid! LOL

    Suzie-Q (S-Q) said...
    Lydia was just on my blog and left a message for me.



    You mean the message where you responded by also asking her about her book? Where you also "winked" when you said it?

    You mean this?
    "Suzie-Q
    Hi Lydia!

    I’m doing well, thanks for thinking of us.

    Have a great vacation or is it a book signing tour?

    ;)


    Someone else used to do that to Lydia all the time. Now who was it....?

    hmmmmm... who was that again?

    ReplyDelete
  87. Bart -- STOP IT. APOLOGIZE to Suzi Q now.

    ReplyDelete
  88. I'm not attacking anyone. I just notice things apparently you do not.

    Why do you treat me like garbage, emailing me for favors, then acting like I'm evil or something? I see Suzy using what appears to be a taunt about your book. Someone else used to do that to if you recall. So given that and the suspicions you wrote me about so many, many times, I naturally am suspicious when I see certain things, like someone constantly asking you about your book, particularly when no one was talking about it.

    Suddenly just popping up and saying "hey, where can I buy your book", then "winking" at you, looks suspicious.

    That coupled with many other things about Suzy we've all already openly discussed in here raise a doubt or two, and I've given her the benefit of the doubt saying that if she meets with you I'll owe her an apology. But have you ever spoken to her? Do you know who she is? If so then fine. I'm wrong and guilty of being overly cautious. For that I said I would apologize. But what if I'm right?

    Anyway you've been talking to me now ever since I stopped doing things for you like I was a piece of crap, so apparently want me out of your blog. If that's so then just say the word and I'm history.

    If not, then please lighten up on me. I'm not an bad person and I'm getting tired of you acting like I am.

    ReplyDelete
  89. The other day here in the comment section, I mentioned to Suzi-Q a spiritual book I'm writing in regards to some miracles I've had - and some healings around my brother's death and my friend who lost her brother in Iraq.

    Then I realized it was premature to talk about it and I deleted the comment.

    Suzi Q was referring to my mentioning this book. It takes a long time to get rid of the B.S. and finally write the book you really wanted to write.

    ReplyDelete
  90. Bart you do make some good points on the problem with the banks on not lending, and on the economy.

    ReplyDelete
  91. Suzi Q, I know you suffered a huge tragedy this year. Glad to see you are back.

    ReplyDelete
  92. Welcome to the world of Bartlebee, Suzie Q. The man has never met a conspiracy theory he couldn't embrace. He's a walking primer of conspiracy theories, frankly. Hopefully, he'll someday get the help he desperately needs.

    ReplyDelete
  93. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  94. BARTLEBEE!!!!
    I hope that you are jesting when you talk about leaving this blog. I am very new but have enjoyed what you have to say and enjoy the entusiastic and controversial views that are so well put.

    ReplyDelete
  95. Is'nt this about the 5th or 50th time Worf,Bart,Barf,whatever has given his tearful fairwell speach?

    This fruitcake has retired more times then Evander Holyfield and I'm guessing has taken more shots to the head.

    Lets start a pool as to when he reappears.I'm taking no later then Jan.22.

    ReplyDelete
  96. I think Joey's right Bart............it was a simple misunderstanding..........if I didnt know Lydia had guest blogged on SQ's blog and e-mailed her numerous times, I would have likely thought the same thing you did.............many of the trolls like Rusty, Moo Moo and Troll Tex did taunt Lydia about the book so your response is certainly understandable.

    ReplyDelete
  97. I've been considering Obama's stimulus plan "if" he can actually get it pased immediately with overwhelming bipartisan support then i'm ok with it....................but I seriously doubt that will happen.

    I think Obama comes off as weak and the repugs will either demand all tax cuts and no infra structure spending and tax cuts for the ultra wealthy as well or they will obstruct and sabotage the plan to make obama look bad and get blamed for a deteriorating economy.

    ReplyDelete
  98. Mike,do really consider it taunting when anyone asks Lydia when one of her books will be hitting the shelves or where it can be purchased?

    Come on the woman's been writting her "book" for the past four years,first it was one about Ann Coulter then about some sort of metaphysical juju now one about personal miracles.People are just asking where or when.Including Suzie-Q,who seems to be a friend of Lydia's.

    ReplyDelete
  99. BTW,Ann Coulters new book goes on sale today.Perfect timing.

    ReplyDelete
  100. One more thing Mike....Obamas tax cuts include 100 billion for corporations.You sure theres a D after his name?

    ReplyDelete
  101. thereturnofRusty said...
    One more thing Mike....Obamas tax cuts include 100 billion for corporations.You sure theres a D after his name?"


    Like I said he looks weak..............he could have come up with a MUCH BETTER stimulus than that!

    ReplyDelete
  102. I could come up With a better stimulus than that at happy hour at the local bar.................like I said if what he is hoping for works and it passdes IMMEDIATELY then I can live with it.............BUT I highlt doubt it will pass and I think its a disapointment and a showing of weakness..........but if i'm wrong i'll eat my words!

    ReplyDelete
  103. The other day here in the comment section, I mentioned to Suzi-Q a spiritual book I'm writing in regards to some miracles I've had - and some healings around my brother's death and my friend who lost her brother in Iraq.


    Lydia:

    Yes, that was why I had mentioned it. I am sorry, that I even said anything about it.

    I have no idea who Bart is referring to because as you know, I haven't visited your blog for a long time.

    ReplyDelete
  104. Suzi Q, I know you suffered a huge tragedy this year. Glad to see you are back.

    Thank you Lydia but I didn't mean to cause you any problems.

    ReplyDelete
  105. Suzie-Q (S-Q) said...
    The other day here in the comment section, I mentioned to Suzi-Q a spiritual book I'm writing in regards to some miracles I've had - and some healings around my brother's death and my friend who lost her brother in Iraq.


    Lydia:

    Yes, that was why I had mentioned it. I am sorry, that I even said anything about it.

    I have no idea who Bart is referring to because as you know, I haven't visited your blog for a long time."


    Dont worry SQ.............theres just been alot of trolls pretending to be new bloggers and impersonating people thats why he thought that.

    ReplyDelete
  106. Mike:

    Ok, I haven't been here, so I didn't know why.

    ReplyDelete
  107. Lydia:

    I thought I had your phone # but can't find it. If you want to email me, I will give you my #. I have tried to email you but your email doesn't go through. Has it changed?

    ReplyDelete
  108. I'll drop by your place later tonight...........I was over there reading last night................GREAT content AS USUAL!

    ReplyDelete
  109. I havent been around much myself lately, Suzy-Q, but I heartily welcome you back also. I'm going to give it a bit more time before I decide if I'm going to start posting full time again.

    In the meantime, Happy New Year Lydia, Suzie-Q, Mike, Clif, Voltron and Will.

    ReplyDelete
  110. Happy New Year MCH!

    ReplyDelete
  111. Did you hear Diane Feinstein and Jay Rockefeller SCOLDING Obama for not clearing his pick for head of the CIA with them......................someone needs to tell Feinstein and Rockefeller to go suck an egg...........its INTERESTING that neither seemed to have the spine to question ANY of GWB's decisions or to do theirm damn jobs and provide the oversite to reign in a President run amuk that had been spitting on the Constitution, illegally spying on citizens, lying us into disaterous wars and torturing in our name.

    ReplyDelete
  112. Happy New Year MCH!

    You too Mikey and Lydia.

    Bart, what can I say?
    I've always enjoyed all your
    goodbye posts.

    Of course the best ones were
    the "you can all go F yourselves" ones...

    Anyway I anxiously await your
    new alias and another goodbye post
    this year.

    ReplyDelete
  113. Happy New Year Voltron!

    ReplyDelete
  114. Happy New Year everyone.

    Mike - what do we think of Diane Feinstein?

    Clif - do you think she is as progressive as we'd like?

    And what do you guys think of Leon Panetta?

    ReplyDelete
  115. Feinstein was an enanler for the TREASONOUS Bush administration that spit on the Constitution and condoned illegal unconstitutional spying and torture and lied us into to a war..............she failed utterly and completely at her job of Oversight and even tried to whitewash the crimes at times.

    No respect has to be earned not demanded and Feinstein and Rockefeller havent done a damn thing to earn anybodys respect!

    ReplyDelete
  116. I think Obama is showing weakness by making the Stimulus LESS effective to TRY to appease the repugs into giving him bipartisan cover.............I dont think it will work.


    Obama needs to offer the repugs a reasonable comromise and if they play politics to obstruct or strong arm him into tax cuts for the wealthy he NEEDS to play hardball and take this to the American people and tell them the repugs are holding up your stimulus and tax cuts and letting the economy deteriorate for political gain..............and he NEEDS to name names so people REMEMBER when these clowns are up for relection!

    ReplyDelete
  117. I wrote this on Paul Krugman's blog in response to Krugmans assessment that estimates for projected unemployment are understated.

    Krugman’s assessment is spot on as usual…………looking at how rapidly the fundamentals of the economy are deteriotating as well as looking at how unemployment has spiked in past SEVERE REcessions like 82, 74, and the Great Depression I think 9% in 2009 is a given.

    With that said i’m hoping Obama doesent water down his stimulus with far less effective measures TRYING to appease republicans.

    I think a far more effective stimulous plan that would give him a double bang for his buck would be to ONLY give tax cuts for things that increase our long term productivity and decrease our dependence on imported oil…………………For instance instead of giving tax cuts to corporations and the middle class for doing NOTHING……………pay 80% of the cost of putting solar panels on their houses for middle class citizens and give them tax breaks for buying hybrid cars that get at least 75MPG………this would put money in the pockets of Americans that could be spent in our country to stimulate the economy rather than going to Saudi Arabia to stimulate theirs.

    Further I think Obama should invest in wind and solar power plants, and give tax credits to cities and states that install public transportation and to business’s that retro fit older buildings with solar and high efficiency heating and cooling systems.............this would provide a double or triple bang for the buck as it would create a market for the technologies by stimulasting demand and would pay enormous dividends down the road by saving consumers and busninesses the costs of heating and electricity allowing that money to more productively be spend domestically to stimulate our economy rather than that of Saudi Arabia or Hugo Chavez in Venezula.

    Another component of his stimulous should include accelerated depreciation…………which would spur business’s to spend on infrastructure such as cars, truck’s computer systems,air conditioners, heaters etc…….which would further stimulate the economy and create jobs.

    Another thing i’ve been saying for 6 months now that would help the economy is lowering mortgage rates to 4% for EVERYONE……………..its about time the government starts helping regular people rather than JUST the wealthy elite and the banks that screwed up and CAUSED this crisis…………….allwing EVERYONE to take advantage of the 4% rates would reward the responsible people who werent reckless and ignite a refi boom that would create jobs and put money in peoples pockets that could be spent to stimulate our economy rather than be used for bonus’s for wealthy CEO’s or to buy up zombie companies for tax deductions.

    Its about time Washington did something to help the working class rather than JUST the Wall Street Elite.

    ReplyDelete
  118. As for Panetta...........i'm fine with him if Bob Baer likes him then he's fine by me..............Diane Feinstein needs to learn her place her lack of spine has been deplorable she didnt say boo to a treasonous unconstitutional asdministration then she has the audacity to criticize Obama because he didnt feed HER ego by asking for her advice when her judgement over the last 8 years has been NOTHING but piss poor.................sorry Diane but I dont make a habit of asking people who exhib poor judgement for advice either!

    ReplyDelete
  119. A Japanese doctor said, ‘Medicine in my country is so advanced that we can take a kidney out of one man, put it in another, and have him looking for work in six weeks.’
    A German doctor said, ‘That’s nothing, we can take a lung out of one person, put it in another, and have him looking for work in four weeks.’
    A British doctor said, ‘In my country, medicine is so advanced that we can take half of a heart out of one person, put it in another, and have them both looking for work in two weeks.’
    A Texas doctor, not to be outdone said, ‘You guys are way behind. We took a man with no brains out of Texas , put him in the White House, and now close to 27 MILLION are looking for work.

    ReplyDelete
  120. HILARIOUS Mike!

    I have a new take on Panetta after listening to Randi Rhodes today.

    She says Panetta is perfect because he will really hold everyone accountable -- and will really be able to rout out the Pentagon-CIA cronies who are deeply entrenched in the wiretapping scheme. Feinstein is against him because she has something to hide.

    Panetta was one of the first to speak up against the abuses of the CIA and torture.

    ReplyDelete
  121. Lydia Cornell said...
    HILARIOUS Mike!

    I have a new take on Panetta after listening to Randi Rhodes today.

    She says Panetta is perfect because he will really hold everyone accountable -- and will really be able to rout out the Pentagon-CIA cronies who are deeply entrenched in the wiretapping scheme. Feinstein is against him because she has something to hide.

    Panetta was one of the first to speak up against the abuses of the CIA and torture."


    Bob Baer said basically the same thing last night!

    ReplyDelete
  122. Ok, I know you've all been waiting anxiously for me to share my views on the Warren matter so I shall relieve you of your edge-of-the-chair anxiety.

    He needed to pick somebody to do the spot -- and honestly, are there any mainstream pastors out there who don't share Warren's views on gay marriage? Granted, he's been about as vocal as anybody about homosexuality as a whole but I dont think there were very many other options. He certainly couldnt have asked Rev Wright.

    The other thing to remember is despite the huge outpouring of support that Obama received from the gay community, he is not in favor of gay marriage himself. I understand their feelings of betrayal, but I hope they are also keeping in mind that for the most part, Obama is behind them in other matters of equal rights -- they would have no such assurances if the Republicans were in charge. If the more conservative players had their way, homosexuals would be banned from existance.

    Not that I'm trying to downplay the situation; my own feeling is gay marriage needs to be legalized because I have yet to hear a valid argument against it. It's a shame that equal rights have to come a piece at a time but it's better than not having them at all.

    The other thing, of course, is after 8 years of senseless war, illegal wiretapping, torture, covering up of crimes, CIA agent outings, blatant cronyism, abandonment of entire cities while you play a guitar, destruction of national wildlife, and allowing terrorist attacks ... if the worst thing Obama does is pick a homophobic preacher to lead a prayer, life will be good.

    ReplyDelete
  123. Please read the new posts from Paul Krugman's blog on Sanjay Gupta and Rick Warren.

    I just posted a New Yorker opinion on the Rick Warren issue by someone who made peace with it.

    But why didn't Obama pick Rev. Jim Wallis -- of Sojourners? He is the most wonderful, Progressive pastor -- and has had several books out. But I guess since he has Sojourners Magazine - and doesn't realy have a huge church like Joel Osteen...

    Why didn't he pick Joel Osteen of LakeWood church? Osteen never excluded gays and doesn't even mention the issue that I know of.

    He is pastor of the largest church in America in the Houston Astrodome - and is truly a preacher who lives Christ's words.

    Rick Warren bothers me in that he said he doesn't believe in evolution and won't allow gays in his church!!

    ReplyDelete
  124. Let me get this straight.....Israel and Hamas are shooting rockets at each other,people are losing their houses each day,the economy is in the shitter,the american auto industry is going under,radical Muslims hate us and want to kill your familys,we are going to have a trillion dollar bill to pay.......and you folks are worried about Rick Warren saying a
    prayer.Say it is'nt so.

    ReplyDelete
  125. Let me get THIS straight

    Israel and Hamas are shooting rockets at each other,people are losing their houses each day,the economy is in the shitter,the american auto industry is going under,radical Muslims hate us and want to kill your familys,we are going to have a trillion dollar bill to pay.......

    ANd Rusty is worrying about us worrying about Warren? Dude, get your priorities straight.

    ReplyDelete
  126. Dude,dude.... you are so cool.

    I'm guessing MCH's problem with Rick Warren may stem from Rick's adversion to bondage and things associated with bondage.

    ReplyDelete
  127. Reading through Dolty/Crusty's comments reminds me of an important message for all of you in 2009.

    No matter how good your sister may look to you-leave her the hell alone. Just look at the damage you can do. How much more of this damage can we afford?

    ReplyDelete
  128. As far as Obama goes..... the fact that he seems to be pissing everybody off a little is not a bad sign. If the train wreck Chimpy left us is to be straightened out, everyone is going to walk away from the table a little miffed.

    I'm not ready to write him off yet, or even to praise him much. We'll see.

    ReplyDelete
  129. Compassion or conservatism, all DEPENDS (no pun intended)on the issues. I think at times we all exhibit both, but we should try to exhibit compassion.

    ReplyDelete
  130. This is not a war. This is a police action, an occupation, it's not a million men fighting to keep the enemies from overunning our shores.

    When theres a war, there will be a draft.

    When theres a war, every man, women and child will be working for the war effort, and the war effort alone.

    When theres a war, you won't have to tell anyone theres a war.

    You'll know it, I'll know it, we'll all know it.

    ReplyDelete
  131. It has always amazed me how the rest of the world did nothing while Stalin starved millions of his own people to death through his collective-farm system.


    Is it morally correct, to ignore such inhumanity, for the sake of maintaining international peace???

    ReplyDelete
  132. If the lib's had their way, they would simply hand over Israel to the islamic fanatics; appeaseing the enemy to satisfy their hunger for what they foolishly envision would be a world of peace.

    ReplyDelete
  133. Lydia Cornell said...
    Please read the new posts from Paul Krugman's blog on Sanjay Gupta and Rick Warren.

    I just posted a New Yorker opinion on the Rick Warren issue by someone who made peace with it.

    But why didn't Obama pick Rev. Jim Wallis -- of Sojourners? He is the most wonderful, Progressive pastor -- and has had several books out. But I guess since he has Sojourners Magazine - and doesn't realy have a huge church like Joel Osteen...

    Why didn't he pick Joel Osteen of LakeWood church? Osteen never excluded gays and doesn't even mention the issue that I know of.

    He is pastor of the largest church in America in the Houston Astrodome - and is truly a preacher who lives Christ's words.

    Rick Warren bothers me in that he said he doesn't believe in evolution and won't allow gays in his church!!"


    Will and I think MCH raised this issue earlier and I said at that time that although I was no fan of Rick warren I was going to keep quiet on this and give Obama the benefit of the doubt...........like JR said i'm still going to give Obama the benefit of the doubt............I gave GWB the benefit of the doubt for a year and a half and I didnt even vote for him.............But that said I am becoming more disturbed by some of Obama's picks...........I dont like corporate mouthpieces than deny facts ala Gupta, and I really had no idea of the depth of Warrens bigotry and denial of science............Obama REALLY should have picked another preacher.

    I would also like to see a Greater purge of the Bush cronnies and see the DOJ take a more active role in investigating Bush/Cheney/Rove.

    ReplyDelete
  134. Jolly Roger said...
    As far as Obama goes..... the fact that he seems to be pissing everybody off a little is not a bad sign. If the train wreck Chimpy left us is to be straightened out, everyone is going to walk away from the table a little miffed.

    I'm not ready to write him off yet, or even to praise him much. We'll see."

    Nor am I JR!

    ReplyDelete
  135. JR - that 'sister" comment to hillbilly Rusty is hilarious!!

    Mike - I agree with you too.

    If Obama wanted a TV doctor as Surgeon General he should have gotten 'House' or McDreamy!

    House would be ideal. If only he weren't a ficitonal character.

    ReplyDelete
  136. Welcome Jackie. Are you a lib or a repug?

    ReplyDelete
  137. Jackie said "If the lib's had their way, they would simply hand over Israel to the islamic fanatics; appeaseing the enemy to satisfy their hunger for what they foolishly envision would be a world of peace"

    Well, I'm a liberal and I have no inclination whatsoever of handing Israel over. Please do not automatically assign what we would do or not do ... just worry about what you would do and what you would like Obama to do. Limbaugh is always trying to speak on behalf of liberals and he is dead wrong every time.

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  138. Its absolutely criminal the way the government is handling the Madoff fraud.................rewarding the ignorant and punishing the the intelligent and successful is horrific.................now granted this is a tragedy and everyone is a victim and I feel compassion for EVERYONE that was robbed and taken advantage of by Madoff.

    BUT to make those that took their money out of Madoff's ponzi scheme fund 6 years ago or more to be divided up among all the victims equally is CRIMINAL............now I could see making those that pulled their money out 6 months ago or less like they had inside info from Madoff give back their money to be divided up equally..................but to unjustly punish the intelligent ones that pulled their money out over 6 years ago because they were smart enough to realize Madoff was a fraud, or that they could make better returns elsewhere or that wanted to keep their money safe after the Bush recession of 2001, or that needed the money for a family or personal emergency have to pay their money back to compensate the victims who where ignorant or too lazy to do their due dilligence is insane.


    Like I said I feel for ALL the victims this is a tragedy and they deserve our compassion and help.................but to punish the ones that made the right and intelligent decision and protected themselves or that were forced to withdraw money because of a hardship or emergency is sickening.

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  139. I think Most have mixed feelings on Warren but like Lydia said there were BETTER choices.............its obvious like you said he was TRYING to reach out to different groups that disagree with him.........but for his inaurgeration the first REAL event of his presidency that might have been trying a little to hard when there were better alternatives clearly available!

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  140. Now, living in the St Louis area, the local news is primarily focused on Rod Blago-whatever and his pick for Senate.

    At first, I thought Burris would just go away however that has obviously not happened. Here are my current thoughts on the matter:

    Blago is not going to resign. Until they boot him from office he is still the Governor and as such has the duty of appointing the successor to Obama's Senate seat. He has done so. They need to do an investigation to make sure Burris didnt do anything illegal to get the job and then instate him. The country needs that seat filled, the Democrats need that seat filled, and Illinois deserves to have its representation.


    Side note to Will. Thank you :) Bart may appear again under yet another name and his actions will dictate whether or not I continue posting -- as long as we leave each other alone, all will be well.

    Rusty, on the other hand, makes me laugh.

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  141. I tend to agre with you on Blago.........we need to fill that Senate seat ASAP..........That said I had no idea what a wack job he really was till I heard him talk yesterday I had originally given him the benefit of the doubt think maybe the MSM or the far Right were doing a hatchet job on him.........but no more he's just a certifiable Wacko that NEEDS to be removed from office ASAP!

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  142. MCH said "Side note to Will. Thank you :) Bart may appear again under yet another name and his actions will dictate whether or not I continue posting -- as long as we leave each other alone, all will be well.

    Rusty, on the other hand, makes me laugh."


    Sorry MCH your DEAD WRONG on this one first of all Bart is not a blog troll like Rusty whose sole intent is to hijack the thread and insult liberals..............I get you and Bart dont like each other, but just for the record he may have been guilty of being too passionate at times and he had a fierry temper that let him to attack people he disagreed with or suspected of foul play at times..............BUT any comparison of him to Rusty the pathetic Slimy blog troll is plain WRONG......there is no comparison Bart is a good intelligent person that adds substance and insight with the vast majority of his posts, while Rusty has NEVER once added anything of substance to this blog...........RUSTY"S SOLE PURPOSE IS TO HIJACK THE THREAD AND INSULT AND DRIVE OFF LIBERALS..........I find that neither funny nor amusing just PATHETIC!


    For the record MCH what I said isnt meant as an insult or attack...........just stating my opinion and setting the record straight!

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  143. Ok, I need to clarify.

    Mike, in all honesty, I didnt mean to compare Bart to Rusty in that context. Here's what I meant -- Bart brought up certain interests of mine in an effort to embarrass me ... Rusty did the same thing a few postings up. That's the connection I was attempting to make and I apologize for not better communicating that.

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  144. I honestly dont think of Bart as a troll; Rusty is the very definition of a troll.

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  145. Voltron and Will have been known to make very intelligent and insightful posts, albeit with opinions frequently differing than ours. I wouldnt compare them to Rusty either.

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  146. That Freedom Fan is a good example of a troll, however.

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  147. Ok, I'll stop now. The rapid fire short posts were my tribute to Bart. Double points if you picked up on that.

    Bart, if you read this, thank you for giving all of us a lot to think about and for some very educational postings. I hope if our paths cross again, we can live together peacefully. I'm willing if you are.

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  148. I cant argue with any of that logic.........Rusty and FF are certainly trolls and Voltron and Will can make some good points from time to time.

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  149. Allright - when I said that comment to Rusty, to SHUT UP, I made an affectionate jab at Bart for personal attacks. But I didn't mean it as an attack.

    I want to say to everyone: NO PERSONAL ATTACKS.

    We have to follow Obama's peaceful example of seeing the best in each other. No one should take things personally.

    We have to set the example of what liberals are like in the world -- the Kucinich type of liberal: PEACEMAKERS.

    By attacking others because they don't see your point of view, is to lack compassion and understanding.

    Slow to anger, quick to forgive.

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  150. Get lost Crusty you pathetic Loser.........as USUAL your not fooling ANYONE!

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  151. Years of suffocating battle where trolls like bondage boy thrives. Believe me , many rough copies of this perveted troll lives in the bowels of his phony banter.

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  152. His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud: under his tongue is mischief and vanity. Bondage boy prevails

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  153. Funny, the name claims it is Jackie

    But the picture says it is, Teri Ann Linn.

    In other words "crusty" in drag .....

    after his fake soldier charade failed.

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  154. Pathetic isnt it Clif?

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  155. So .. Crusty is a cross-dresser?

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  156. "Funny, the name claims it is Jackie

    But the picture says it is, Teri Ann Linn."



    Yes but the verbiage say's it's Bart.

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  157. Voltron said...
    "Funny, the name claims it is Jackie

    But the picture says it is, Teri Ann Linn."


    Yes but the verbiage say's it's Bart."

    Or someone who wants people to THINK its Bart!

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  158. Bible quotes and a man crush on MCH

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  159. HMMMMMM............it got REAL quiet in here didnt it Voltron?

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  160. No offense to Rusty, but he either types too quickly or doesn't use spell check. Also, I've never seen him use biblical quotes.

    And remember Bart doesn't like MCH, and has went off on him regarding bondage before.

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  161. Mike, Im about 98% positive it's not Voltron pretending to be a Jackie.

    Could be Rusty (although Voltron's right, the spelling and typing is too good) or it could be Bart ... either way, matters not to me because I'm going to bed.

    Night All!

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  162. Well we could combine elements of "Jackie" and "Worf", and since we're really not sure either way just call it:

    Some JACK-ORF....

    LOL, I kill me.

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  163. Yeah its a Saturday night and i'm going out..........later Voltron and MCH!

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  164. LOL, I kill me.

    Not very effectively it seems.

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  165. Next up: The Humor Impaired

    Take it away Cliffy!
    I'm leaving as well...

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  166. Next up: The Humor Impaired

    Wher-r-r-re's crusty?

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  167. Ladies and Genitalmen,

    I am reissuing my little goodbye message due to a poorly delivered one a few nights ago and to curb some already burgeoning and fanciful rumors concerning my presence here. So let’s put it all to rest now. First, my last message was self serving and inaccurate and was not fair to the blog Hostess. It’s a credit to her that she let it stand. Lydia and myself talked a little this evening and in those talks I realized how unfair I've been in some of the things I've said in here so I want to say that I am leaving the blog voluntarily simply because I feel I'm doing more harm than good lately, and not because of any perceived wrongs committed against me.

    I still and probably always will read the blog (hard not to after being here for years) but I will refrain from commenting at this time for the reason stated above. And if I do return to commenting it will be because the blog hostess and myself feel it’s good for the blog, not bad. But if that happens it will not include personal attacks or vitriol. The time for such has passed and a newer, brighter time is before us and our communications ought to reflect that. And if I can’t find the wherewithal to conduct my communications in that manner then I won’t return to commenting. And that’s my New Year’s resolution and its one that I had to be “helped” into seeing. Lydia helped me see that, and for that I am grateful, albeit somewhat humbled.

    However know this.

    I have never posted in this blog as anyone other than myself. First by my old hand le, "Worfeus" and then when I grew weary of that handle (Mostly due to peoples propensity to mispronounce it), Bartlebee. The vain imaginings by many of you that I may be this new blogger "Jackie" or as Voltron predicts "will return under a new handle" are just that. Vain imaginings by those with either fanciful imaginations or spurious motives.

    I have been many things in this blog. Verbose, outspoken, obnoxious, mean, nice, angry, happy, and almost always sardonic. But one thing I have never been is deceptive nor dishonest. I do not "troll" and those who make such claims, (or subtle suggestions) are doing so for reasons of their own, and not for any basis in truth. In fact my proclivity towards honesty, even brutal honesty is what often gets me in trouble in here.

    I tend to more often say what I think rather than thinking about what I say. And that is my moniker. Not impersonation or subterfuge. These are the bastions of some in here but they were not mine. Feel free to indulge in your fanciful imaginings but just know they are your imaginings and have no foundation in reality.

    By the way, for those who cannot put the puzzle together, Jackie obviously is one of our regular trolls, hence his use of the name "Worfy", which only one or two of the right wing trolls ever called me, and only those who've been here for a long time would know.

    Just FYI.

    Anyway let me close with this. I came to this blog 3 years ago because a bright, beautiful and decent lady named Lydia Cornell decided it was time to speak out about the direction our country was going in and I felt that was my duty to help. There were lots of blogs out there and I could have chosen any of them. I chose this little blog because it seemed like there was room to make a difference. And I think and hope that I did that. Hopefully for the better of course. But over the last year that has changed I feel, and my presence seems to be doing less good and creating more divisiveness and discord, thus my decision to step back and let other voices move to the foreground and open the blog to a wider more diverse patronage.

    I think it s a good decision and hopefully those who know me and call me friend will understand and concur.

    Lydia Cornell is a wonderful, kind and decent lady. If you're going to troll here, then troll lightly and troll politely. Those who attack her do so out of the ugliness of their own dark souls and not due to anything she's deserved. She's tolerated us all here for so long, ...us dysfunctional miscreants. Us band of boneheads. And for that we ALL owe her a modicum of respect. If you can't give her that then you shouldn't be here.

    Well, that’s about it. If I've offended some of you, you probably had it coming (lol), but just know that no hard feelings are held on this end. I've grown used to all of you and as Bilbo so aptly stated at the onset of his voyage into a new chapter of his life, I don't know half of you half as well as I should like, and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve.

    Well that's it. I'll always be around, so know from time to time I'll see your words and hopefully they'll be kind ones. To each other. To me. And to the blog hostess.


    I'll leave you with the words of Kipling;

    "Whether down to Gehenna or up to the throne, he travels the fastest who travels alone"

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  168. My last 2 comments have magically disappeared. Wow! Another Festivus miracle! Oh well, I always kind of liked the brunette on that show better, anyway. Later, chieftains.

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  169. Will, thank you. Nice to retaliate.

    I have not deleted any comments.

    My blog administrator must have deleted your comments. Did they contain curse words or slander?

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  170. No curse words. No slander. In fact, they were quite reasonable comments. Hey, maybe that was the main problem. Can't be having one of the "trolls" talking reasonably, now can we? P.S. Sorry about the brunette comment. That was a little chippy, huh?

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  171. I came across this article on Paul Krugman's blog and I think it is brilliant and Right on:

    "January 11, 2009, 5:18 pm
    A scary analogy
    Mark Thoma:

    I think the stimulus package is like driving up an icy hill. If you don’t have enough momentum from the start and fail to provide enough “stimulus” to get the car over the crest of the hill, you can slide all the way back to the bottom, crashing into things along the way and ending up worse off than when you started. Maybe you can give it more gas along the way if needed without spinning out, and perhaps you can hold your position if you don’t make it to the top, and then start again from the higher level, but that’s not a chance I want to take when I’m sitting at the bottom wondering if I can make it to the top without wrecking my car — the possibility of falling all the way back to the bottom and ending up worse off would make me want to start with sufficient momentum and then some. Essentially, I am arguing that there are crucial economic and psychological “tipping points” that must be reached in order for the economic recovery package to be effective (or at least, there’s enough of a chance that they exist that they cannot be ignored when formulating robust policy).

    I’d add that there may also be a political tipping point: if the stimulus package is too weak, conservatives will pile on after it fails to deliver, claiming that the whole concept has been discredited."

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  172. Wow,a comment deleted by the Artful Dodger....go figure.

    Me thinks the Bimbolina is quite full of crap.Not thats theres anything wrong with that.

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  173. Mike has a man crush on Paul Krugman.

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  174. I wonder if Worf,Bart or Barf is going to post yet another farewell speech? Whats that....the 10th one?

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  175. I'd like to make a proposal here, folks. Granted, it's a simple one but maybe it can help to lower the tone at least a tad. How 'bout, from now on, the conservative commentators no longer refer to Democrats as Commies and Socialists and the liberal commentators no longer refer to Republicans as Nazis and Fascists. Like I said, it's a little thing but at least it's a start. As for me, when/if my posts get deleted again, I will address the situation more civilly and NOT again throw the cute brunette (who may or may not still be cute, who knows LOL) into Lydia's face. What do you guys think? Lydia?

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  176. Check out Jolly Roger's latest post on Bush and his facist mentality.

    Reconstitution

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  177. Hey Larry, good to have you back...............you must have been busy during the election!

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  178. Hey Will I thing it would be a MUCH better idea if Rusty stopped coming in here and insulting and attacking people...........that is if you speak for him as well!

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  179. That was a GREAT post by JR.......as usual!

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  180. Thanks Mike, the elections are over but the Depression lingers on.

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  181. Membership in the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys jumped by one-third in 2008, to an estimated 3,200 practicing lawyers.

    Thus the Bush legacy continues.

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  182. The number of people filing for unemployment benefits hit a 26-year high last week, as the deepening recession forced more employers to cut jobs.

    And today Bush said the economy was good.

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  183. Larry said...
    Membership in the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys jumped by one-third in 2008, to an estimated 3,200 practicing lawyers.

    Thus the Bush legacy continues."



    Yeah jobs for Bankruptcy Attorneys are about the ONLY job growth we'll see for the next few years!

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  184. We havent lost this many jobs since 1945...............64 years ago!

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  185. Bankruptcy lawyers and emergency room doctors treating suicide victims have secure jobs.

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  186. This Depression will also last longer.

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  187. Yes, Mike, Rusty is one of the conservatives I was referring to. I don't know, I just think it's gotten a little too heated all around. And, besides, it seems like we actually might have a president who wants a more constructive dialogue. It might not be a bad idea to emulate him - whether in fact we're liberal, conservative, OR moderate.

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  188. Will "take no prisoners" Hart said...
    Yes, Mike, Rusty is one of the conservatives I was referring to. I don't know, I just think it's gotten a little too heated all around. And, besides, it seems like we actually might have a president who wants a more constructive dialogue. It might not be a bad idea to emulate him - whether in fact we're liberal, conservative, OR moderate."


    I HAVE tried to emulate him..........if you havent noticed i've been making a sincere effort to be more civil to you and Voltron.........................Rusty comes here just to disrupt and attack though he's not worthy of any benefit of the doubt or respect just the delete button!

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  189. Yes, you have been better, Mike. And, yes, you should be commended for it. I was actually speaking more to Clif, Bartlebee, Jolly Roger, and, yes, the conservative bloggers as well. I mean, sure, there will always be disagreements but maybe without the commie/nazi stuff being thrown back and forth it won't end up getting so personal. Just a thought. I'm intersted in getting Lydia's thoughts on this.

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  190. Can I still say Redumblican? I'm awfully proud of that one.

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  191. Actually, MCH, you're one of the most civil bloggers I've ever come across. When you make a "funny" like that, I know you're not coming from a bad place. My own personal favorite is Sean Insanity. I forgot where I first saw that one. Still kinda cracks me up.

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  192. By the way, about the brunette on the show.

    Deborah Van Valkenberg was the actress who played the older sister (certain irony going on here, I'll address in a moment). Lydia's character was played up as the gorgeous one but I must confess I thought both of them were drop-dead hot. In fact, even though it's been God knows how many years, I STILL remember the scene where the girls' grandfather was visiting and made them go jogging ... Lydia and Deborah in jogging shorts. Life was good.

    Ok, the irony I mentioned. Remember the Valley Girl poster that Bart suspected was a troll in disguise ... Sara? And of course the other poster from this particular set of comments .. Jackie? The sisters from the show -- Sara and Jackie.

    Anybody else pick up that?

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  193. Welcome back Larry - we've missed you!

    New blog post is up. More will be added as facts come in.

    (Sarah and Jackie - that's pretty funny!_

    PLEASE LEAVE COMMENTS ON NEW BLOG THREAD.

    Thank you. Sorry for the delay.

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