Trouble Ahead, Trouble Behind: Still More Current Events

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June 3, 2011 - 9:44am

1,297 replies

marye

Joined:
May 26, 2007

Nuclear power! Carcinogenic cell phones! The Stanley Cup! and the usual parade of kids dancing and shaking their bones, politicians throwing stones, etc. Discuss.

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May 14, 2012 - 11:16am

#431

fluffanutter

Joined:
February 25, 2012

The US is not far behind Greece

If one does the simple math it is quite clear that the US is treading the same road as the poorer nations of the EU. It will take some time but the bite is surely coming. Some stats about the US government: U.S. Tax revenue: $2,170,000,000,000 Fed budget: $3,820,000,000,000 New debt: $ 1,650,000,000,000 National debt: $14,271,000,000,000 Recent budget cuts: $ 38,500,000,000 Now, remove 8 zeroes and pretend it’s a household budget: Annual family income: $21,700 Money the family spent: $38,200 New debt on the credit card: $16,500 Outstanding balance on the credit card: $142,710 Total budget cuts: $385 From these numbers above it is quite clear that we are living on borrowed time and our politicians are not different from the Greek ones. While it is true that we have some very different conditions that we, as the largest economy on the planet with the world's preferred reserve currency, can use, it probably won't matter in the mid-term future... Our kids will be starving and the rich will still be using their influence to buy elections and not pay their fair share of taxes. The peasants won't revolt or vote their way out of this. I don't know what to say... Keep partying and apply for new credit cards? Saving for a rainy day sounds like a crazy idea when it's going to rain so hard it will carry your house away. I can hear Mitt Romney saying that we have to use the entrepreneurial spirit to grow our way out of this. Bill Clinton and the internet did it before that bubble burst. It is possible. If we don't do it here soon I think it sure it can't be done anywhere...
May 14, 2012 - 10:56am

#432

fluffanutter

Joined:
February 25, 2012

Schoolchildren Starving in Greece

PE is not being conducted in Greece because hungry kids can't handle it from the poorer homes. People are lining up for potatoes. Things are bad there. The Greek government is going to sell off it's surplus property and impose taxes on the rich. This is their answer. Not much of a solution. The Greek people are completely pissed that their debt was structured in such a way that they are paying massive amounts of interest to banks. While it is true that politicians have caved to unions for too long in that country and they have been living above their means for a very long time, the humanitarian crisis is now hitting hard and it seems they are going to tell the banks where to go at the peril of the losing their status in the EU and being subject to the forces of the free market. Grim.
May 14, 2012 - 10:55am

#433

marye

Joined:
May 26, 2007

the house that was once Jerry's

is on the market again, having apparently failed to sell last time it was listed at nearly 4 mil. Price now reduced somewhat. Maybe if we all kick in ten bucks...
May 11, 2012 - 11:18am

#434

EagleWingedPalace

Joined:
November 1, 2010

Orange County Heads! Join us on 5.19.12

Mountains of the Moon, an acoustic, Americana-themed cocaine cowboy celebration of the Good 'Ol Grateful Dead, performs at Brix in Sunset Beach, CA Come holler, sing along, and share your stories about truckin' up the coast with some of LA's finest players and pickers http://www.facebook.com/events/399993226707506/?ref=ts
May 11, 2012 - 5:12am

#435

fluffanutter

Joined:
February 25, 2012

Nor surprised by the NC vote, GDean

39 states have now enshrined hate and bigotry in the form of affirming marriage as being between one man and one woman. In Vermont, first state to allow such unions, in the very conservative northeast part, there is a business that does wedding receptions. The owners always have a "gatekeeper" instead of dealing with the public themselves. The gatekeeper told a gay couple from NYC that they don't do gay receptions. Big mistake. The gay couple sued. The owners fell all over themselves saying their gatekeeper made a mistake and that was not their policy, blah, blah, blah. The couple relented somewhat and altered their suit to make it only for $1 in damages. In the process of discovery, evidence was found that this Inn was indeed involved in an egregious pattern of discrimination based on sexual preference. Now the couple is suing for millions and the ACLU and the State and God know who else is involved on the plaintiff's side. Moral of the story? Even if you don't agree with it based on moral or religious or personal preference, be happy for other people who are in love and support their right to form a union. legal contract and basis for a happy life. It's a no-brainer, no matter what part of the country you live in.
May 11, 2012 - 4:57am

#436

fluffanutter

Joined:
February 25, 2012

A bank admits it is stupid

The CEO of JP Morgan Chase is today admitting his bank is stupid in losing 2 billion dollars and possibly an additional billion in yet another complicated hedge fund scheme. Asked if any other banks could possibly have made the same type of investment he replied by saying, in as many words, we don't know if any other banks are as stupid as we are. The stock market is punishing this bank and I believe the consumer should also by not paying credit card and loan payments. The government should not bail out this bank. Bail outs only lead to this type of stupid investment being repeated. A major bank is not your prodigal son who needs another loan to save his ass from crisis. It is amazing how most people in this country were all duped into believing that we needed to support the government and Fed's decision to throw 13 trillion dollars at banks and sundry others to "save" our economy. The real poison of inflation is about to hit with a vengeance. To soak up that kind of paper will take decades and possibly the scrapping of the entire system of sovereign currencies. Isn't that a scary thought? Ready to get the implant under your skin and turn in your dollars for Esperantos?
May 11, 2012 - 4:46am

#437

gratefaldean

Joined:
June 22, 2007

Here in NC

I guess I'd be remiss if I didn't at least comment on the fact that about 61% of my fellow voting NC citizens decided that discrimination against gay and lesbian couples would be a nifty addition to our state constitution. Aside from the obvious, I'm not sure what part of this has me more upset: -- At a relatively high voter turnout for a primary election of about 34%, this still means that a paltry 21% of registered voters carried the day for approval of the amendment. That's just about as distressing as you can get. -- Voting for this amendment at primary time (with the presidential race already decided) obviously led to a lower participation rate than we'd expect come November. So why? -- This ballot question was pushed through the NC legislature by the first Republican majority in the state in many decades. How cynical was this process? Thom Tillis, the House Majority leader, supported the amendment while predicting that it would be overturned in a generation. So what was the point? -- On the turnout side, it was the Democrats, not the Republicans, who pushed for holding the vote at primary time. This was because they feared that a big conservative/religious turnout at general election time would hurt the Dems' chances in November. So they punted on this civil rights issue to improve their chances of victory in the general election. They were also probably correct in their assessment of the situation. -- NC already has a law mandating the "one man, one woman" status of marriage, why the amendment? Aside from those who strongly believe that activist judges and liberal politicians pose a threat to the law (and there are plenty), there is a political/cynical side of this issue: this is also a means of splitting the African-American vote, as it is generally overwhelmingly Democrat while also very conservative on certain social issues, gay marriage being one. Thus the fears of the Dems. I'm not even going to go into the slippery slope created by the vague wording of the amendment. We'll see how all that plays out in years to come.
May 9, 2012 - 12:15pm

#438

fluffanutter

Joined:
February 25, 2012

The latest terrorist threat

The BBC's earliest reporting on this matter had the proviso "If the American's are to be believed...". Clearly there is doubt if this has been a manufactured crisis or not. It has stuck around in the headlines, almost the headline story, each day, for over two days. Today there are Congressional hearings that the CIA and other Homeland organs of state security are testifying at. They have to do with the sunset laws on certain security provisions. If Congress doesn't reauthorize then they will expire at the end of this year. There are people on talk shows and on websites all promoting this same thing. This is a carefully coordinated blitz to once again scare the living shit out of us and make our representatives surrender our civil liberties. I don't know which sucks more -- their ability to manipulate or the fact that they may be right. Both are to be feared and loathed. Picture The Scream painting with the words "The Homeland!" coming out of the main figure's mouth.
May 9, 2012 - 11:12am

#439

Gr8fulTed

Joined:
July 9, 2007

What a fine mess you've gotten us into, Stanley !

or was this comedy line directed toward Ollie ? Greece is in a really precarious position with a lot on the line for many of us around the globe. An old friend once said...Nothing left to do but smile, smile, smile,..but now he's gone.
May 9, 2012 - 5:01am

#440

fluffanutter

Joined:
February 25, 2012

A modern day Greek tragedy

Greece is now assured of defaulting on it's debt and being thrown out of the EU. That in turn will put the whole Euro Zone in crisis. The entire EU may collapse as it is now unclear whether Germany, France and Britain will agree and then provide the collective muscle needed to prop it up. If the EU goes then the contagion may spread to the US. Everything is very unclear because players behind the scene like Goldman Sachs (who "rescheduled" Greek debt 5-6 years ago) have been manipulating things for quite a while and it would seem as if the main recipient of economic gain from all this turmoil will be the US. I don't to see how that is going to evolve. It seems quite scary to pretend like this. I think the players have more of a hope than a sure thing. They gamble that they will profit and if they do then the average American will also. If they lose? Because they didn't gain we all lose. What a system!

John Perry Barlow

John Perry Barlow

Forums

News and Talk

Nuclear power! Carcinogenic cell phones! The Stanley Cup! and the usual parade of kids dancing and shaking their bones, politicians throwing stones, etc. Discuss.

hey, it's a press release

email 'em and ask for yourself! Seriously, never hurts to raise this stuff as an issue.

good idea!

good idea!i'll have to wait until their website is up and runnin' as i don't use Facebook.

--------------------------------(-----@

Alright! Thank you marye, xo!The Sweetwater Music Hall read was fantastic! Very special to have such a historic site in good hands. ----------------------------------(----@ Woo Hoo Indeed, xo! How about a new thread called the Newspaper. Trouble ahead and Trouble behind---isn't very fitting for such a great read. Current Events - does it but---(eye's crossed) only -kinda, xo. Okay, 1,000 other things to say but only time to say.... I love you, all, xo! Congradulations Bob and The Other Ones! @smmmmm- Sweetwater -@smmmmmmm

from the Marin Independent Journal

Jonapi, I saw this while surfing around the 'net this morning: Sweetwater Music Hall tickets are available at http://sweetwatermusic hall.inticketing.com. From the same article, Phil Lesh announced that he's bought the Seafood Peddler restaurant in San Rafael and an adjacent ballroom he's transforming into a concert hall called "The Grate Room." Is this to be the Terrapin Crossroads?

where crickets and cicadas sing

yep, that is certainly Terrapin Crossroads, Gr8fulTed!!!!see here - http://terrapincrossroads.net/home/ absolutely fantastic news, i think we all agree. and yes, i saw that address for inticketing; had a quick search to look into them but can't yet confirm whether that's all they're going to use. i really hope so. be splendid to think that both enterprises will be independent. i know i know, it sounds like more kvetching, but i really don't mean it in that way; just believe that, as both are one-off venues, how wonderful would it be if they kept everything in-house and handled all their own sales. a perfect opportunity, right? (can't seem to find any contact email for Terrapin either, but maybe that will come in due course). i recently read your article Mary, Burners Without Borders, and your musings about wishing 'Shakedown Street' was more Burning Man-like; "...would turn into–a group of creative, skilled people assembled for a common purpose to accomplish a shared goal". just would love to see that these two ventures maintain or generate such a spirit. but am really excited about what lays ahead. both venues are fantastic news.

Lancaster, Calif., Mayor Thinks Bird Song Reduces Crime

This is a headline from today's Wall Street Journal We all know it's a great song, but I was very happy to hear it also reduces crime.

show me all that you know

on the nights they nailed it, i think that song could cure cancer.

cutest new arrival

Gotta love those aardvarks

Samantha Fish is coming to Europe!

This young lady is phenomenal!! Samantha plays a Telecaster and sings the blues. She'll be in Germany, with visits to France, Switzerland, Romania and Denmark. I'll see here at a bar down the street tomorrow in Overland Park, KS, her last U.S. show for awhile. http://www.samanthafish.com/

and now a message from Bob Weir about The Cove race car...

Bob Weir I wanted to share this project with you, which is very important to me personally and desperately needs help now: On behalf of dolphins everywhere, my sister in law Leilani has teamed up with the Oceanic Preservation Society (makers of the Academy Award winning documentary "The Cove") to bring awareness to mainstream America about the captivity and slaughter of our friends in the sea. There are many recorded incidents throughout history of dolphins saving the lives of people, and now it's time for us to return the favor. This will be the first ever ocean awareness themed race car to race the high banks of Daytona, and you can help make it happen! Anything you can donate is greatly appreciated and tax-deductible: RACE CAR DRIVER & ECO ACTIVIST LEILANI MUNTER IS GETTING IN GEAR TO TAKE "THE COVE" MOVIE TO THE HIGH BANKS OF DAYTONA: Activist Raising Funds For a "The Cove" Themed Race Car to Help Raise More Mainstream Awareness of Dolphin Captivity and Slaughter WHERE: Daytona International Speedway, FL WHEN: February 18, 2012 WHAT: #1 Spectator Sport in America WHO: Leilani Munter, race car driver and passionate environmentalist TRACKSIDE AUDIENCE: 100,000 TV: Live on SPEED, available in 79 million homes in USA FUNDS ALREADY RAISED: $15,000 REMAINING FUNDS NEEDED: $30,000 HOW TO HELP WITH A TAX-DEDUCTIBLE DONATION: http://www.opsociety.org/donate/DaytonaCarDonation.htm Full story here: http://leilanimunter.com/12-01.03.htm

the babbster, the babbsmeister, the babbs-in-the-wood, the....

probably the wrong topic for this but it's a current interview so i'm gonna clutch some straws here!! great little interview with Ken Babbs - http://www.jambands.com/features/2012/01/21/kesey-cassady-meatspace-and…

blue coral sway

that's great news about The Cove. the film definitely needs more widespread attention, especially in Japan where a lot of people really weren't aware of the situation. (Japanese media notorious for not reporting anything that shames or embarrasses it's own people).i just really hope that the government deals with it in a sensible, practical way. it's a bit like the whaling issue; simply stopping the hunting outright will not work. these people have families and responsibilities. you can't suddenly take it away without some serious planning and forethought. employing the hunters as conservationists or educators as they did in the nature reserves in Africa with the poachers would be a great start. involve them in contributing towards scientific and marine biology data. involve the tourism industry. turn the cove into a reserve. offer help with relocation maybe for those who want it and integrate them into other areas of the fishing industry (maybe not the best time for this considering the still appalling and vastly under-reported radiation that is still being found-in cement used for construction and in school playgrounds, let alone the ocean and it's inhabitants). some of these dolphins were used for marine parks in the U.S. and around the world. this also needs to be addressed. personally, i'm not a fan of zoos or these kinds of attractions. if you can't see an animal or mammal in it's natural surroundings i'm afraid that's too bad. (i remember the great Alexei Sayle noting that children in London have no right to see tigers up close; just like a child in Africa has no right to see a Chelsea Pensioner!!). but i fear pride will get in the way of such advancements and common sense. i think the Japanese have had enough of America telling them what to do and interfering that they will drag their heels and be stubborn out of sheer bloody-mindedness. not an intelligent way to act but understandable i guess. hopefully this car will come to fruition. anything to publicise this is greatly appreciated. never mind the mercury levels in the meat, now we have radiation to consider too. so sad. by the way, someone has posted the entire film on dailymotion. the first part is here - http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xbc9ds_the-cove-part-1_animals also, a quick shout out should be given to Bill Kreutzmann for highlighting this film a long long time ago on his website (ya a bit behind Bobby, even when you first mentioned it ha ha!!!!!). I'd highly recommend checking out his 'Tribes' section; there is a lot fantastic ocean related conservation links. http://www.billkreutzmann.com/

Super Bowl 46

or is it XLVI ? Wonder who Lamagonzo(not verified) will be rooting for (LOL). I'm leaning toward the Patriots; however, the Giants are on a roll w 2 impressive road victories.

i couldn't agree more

well worth supporting everyone.sweet-vibed new song to highlight and protest against Walmart invading downtown Athens, GA. don't let them gut the heart of a vibrant community. more details can be found here - http://protectdowntownathens.com/

no reason or rhyme but the mattress was my defense

not sure about the Super Bowl Gr8fulTed.but let's hope it doesn't descend into the horrific spectacle that recently occurred in Egypt between two rival football teams. what is the world coming to? let there be chili dogs, jalapeño laced nachos, philly cheese steaks and cold cold beer....not missile propulsion, violence and death. mmmmmmm nachooooooosssssssssssssss...... mmmmmmmmmm beeeeeeeeeeeerrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.......... man, brings back memories of American Football first being broadcast in the U.K. in 1982. obsessed as a youngster. my first ever real American football saw plenty of action in that sleepy suburb.

SUPERBOWL!!!!!!!!!!!

My friend SImone and I will be watching it, with our sons! GO GIANTS!! Midnight snacks, and am looking foreward to it! :D

melted smoked cheese in the wee wee hours

gonna be some mental scheduling here in the UK too but i'll do my best!is there anything better than midnight snack-aroos? i don't think so.....

Midnight snacks

are the BEST! Since it's so cold, I am making mushroom and wild rice cream soup with garlic bread for ours :D Maybe some jerk chicken wings too

monchichi says cheesy smoke, monchichi says cheesy smoke

do you do takeaways?two portions of your very best to our humble establishment if you please!! ours, maybe hot onion soup with sunken french bread dripped in Stinking Bishop cheese! some Gruyère possibly also. corn chips, garlic comfort and scotch bonnet heat; smoked paprika amongst the cheesy lava flow. garlic chutney says the Giants to win! crackers and crispy biscuit snap. did i mention cheese? finger dips and horizontal gait. i raise cold ones to the winners. but, tee hee, i have garam masala tuna and dwarf bean savoy cabbage curried pasta to introduce first. well.....it IS only 6.00pm here...... snack-aroonies come later. much later.....

really!

sounds like a feast at TL's!

Super Bowl and flame retardant chemicals

I truly am a Giants fan. I truly am a Patriots fan. It's a long story, but here I am. 100% sure that the team I'm rooting for will win the Super Bowl. 100% sure that the team I'm rooting for will lose. Can't win for losing. What's a body to do? I spent the day in a small workshop listening to Arelene Blum tell us why flame retardants are killing us. And then brainstorming ways to make it all stop, as if we can magically make these persistent organic pollutants all disappear out of our bodies, out of our homes, out of this hunk of plastic that I'm typing on right now. Sometimes this stuff is so energizing, and sometimes it's just so overwhelming. Today it was both. Somehow, these two stories are connected. Maybe I'm just a little toasty around the edges today. Or burnt to a crisp. Early flight home tomorrow. Maybe I just need some sleep.

Superbowl & Flame Retardants

Interesting combination, Ted! :) Honestly I don't care who wins, I just wanna see a good game. Am just leaning towards the Giants, cuz my son is favoring them, and a buddy in Ireland is a life-long Giants fan. But you are right, one will win and one will loose, and who will butcher the National Anthem this time? Quite a descriptive food-flow Jonapi! :)

earplugs, i need earplugs...

bring back Roseanne Barr, TL..........!!

Isn't Roseanne

but you still might need your earplugs, I heard this morning it's gonna be Madonna!!! Luckily the German network doesn't broadcast the halftime show. I guess it costs a couple more million that they don't want to dish out. We get to watch game analysis instead.

pass the bucket

come on sniper, where are you?!!!!!!! maybe Bob Weir is pleased though; he liked wearing Madonna shirts in that cheeky little tight shorts combo! very Shoreline, dahhhling......

Jeez TL

I know I haven't been around here much lately, but don't confuse me with Ted. You can call me Al, if you'd like. So I found another little crack in the wall my company's servers have erected around this site. Maybe it's a backdoor that I can use, or maybe I just get lucky now and again. We'll see. It's fun trying, if nothing else. So the Giants win, Pats lose, and as exciting as the game was, I spent the entire time half-wishing for a blowout so that I could stop the incessant push-pull over which team to cheer for. The next time that these two meet in a Super Bowl, remind me that I've vowed NOT to watch... Meantime I need to 'splain this flame retardant stuff to my bosses. I'm not going to be making myself particularly popular, I think.

Flame retardant stuff?

Does it work for forum posts too? If so, you could probably sell some to jonapi, or Gonz if he ever comes back...

FR stuff?

Not a bad idea, Mr Pid. If it could reduce the online flamethrowing that goes on, while spreading its associated toxicity in a digital format -- as opposed to spreading it through the biosphere -- well, food for thought. BTW, I'm blaming the "spreading through the biosphere," in large part, on a 1975 (or so) regulation in California called "Technical Bulletin 117." As a result of that ineffective regulation (ineffective at reducing fire deaths) that became a de facto national standard (big state, big market, big influence), we've been spreading organohalogens all over this planet of ours for decades, but mostly in North America, and especially in CA. So if you see some legislation to rescind this regulation, make sure your representative listens to the scientists instead of to the scare tactics from the FR chemical manufacturers' lobby ("Californians for Fire Safety") when casting his/her vote. SB147 went down in flames last year due to that lobbying effort...don't let it happen again! Soapbox moment ended.

flaming nerve

Just what are you suggesting, Mr. Pid?How very dare you, Sir!!!! Am i to understand that you regard my posts as some form of verbal flame thrower?!!! that i pour molten verbiage upon the open forum of the very most High?!!! Why, drop and give me twenty you fiend!!! I haven't posted a diatribe or rant-asaurus, inflammatory language-bomb in quite a while now, i'll thank you!!!! You are a dastardly cad my dear fellow! the only retardation has been proffered on behalf of multiple entheogenic enlightenment and no mistake! I offer a hand of shake-ability in your direction and hope your handicap, in the very most golfing terms, is lowered to facilitate maximum birdy potential. check your PM for aural accompaniment you P-meister, you.

Bye Bye Birdie

Retardant would be used to deter flames, not promulgate them. I'm a big free speech proponent. Don't like what others have to say? It is possible to choose to not listen, or read, as the case may be. My son in law is a Marine, and perhaps he can put together shaking your hand while doing push-ups, but I guarantee you that's well beyond my physical abilities at this stage of the game. So I'll pass on the push-ups, toss you the missing R from fiend and meet your outstretched hand. No longer strangers, k? Canyon Critter is the resident golf pro around here. I'm just a hacker, and that's okay by me.

left, right, left, right, left

just realised that i didn't reply to your post, Mr. P!!!too busy cozying up to you in a PM stylee; couldn't drag myself away from the mirror either (well it was Valentine's day yesterday)......my appearance takes time, ya know? because i'm worth it, yessir! disappointing to hear you're not in tippity-top press-up condition. you really must try harder, babes. personally i can push-up on one little finger but i won't brag about it here...... can't think of anything topical to post. lots of death and destruction and famine and silliness around but then what's new? true to form, there was a typically ghastly front page headline in that toilet paper of a tabloid (i won't even type it's name in case my fingers get dirty) here in the UK, about Whitney Houston...."Whitney's Death Bath", accompanied by a blurred picture of a bathtub and an even blurrier-eyed Whitney. How utterly ghastly and contemptuous. luckily, a fantastic documentary on the Berber people in my wife and i's beloved Morocco, cheered me up. thank the Lord for small mercies. anyone interested in the Arsenal vs AC Milan game tonight? No? Just me then.

I'm not here

To cast aspersions on the deceased, but am I the only one who's dismayed about Whitney Houston's death (aside from its real and all-too-familiar tragic nature) because I'm once again being barraged by that finger-nails-on-the-chalkboard sound of "I Will Always Love YOUUUUUUUUUU-oooooo-ooo-ooo" a couple of decades after its first time around? Must be the Mean Al in me coming out, but I've always loathed that song and can't...take....hearing....it....EVER....again!

seppuku, if you please

no, you are not the only one.personally, i simply cannot STAND that abysmal song. inadvertently, she spawned a whole host of appalling singers who have habitually ruined any notion of real emotion. it's beyond poison; the devil's utterances and no mistake. but that isn't her fault of course. she is most certainly not to be held accountable for others (even if she is patently guilty of inflicting such babbering and histrionic caterwauling in the possibly the worst and most wasted 4:35 in history). a crime against the tympanic membrane!! but, she as an individual, had some demons. and that's a sad thing. lurid reportage only reduces her very spirit to a state of worthlessness. fodder for the educationally challenged. i am only commenting on the music, not the person. (i'm happy to admit that a tear was shed when footage of her singing the star mangled banner was shown. even if those performances have the tendency to make the rest of the world laugh, i'm a sucker for that kind of sentimentality. i inadvertently felt myself getting to my feet and yelling "Go, girl!!!". and i make no apologies for it). i think it's a crying shame that another human being's life (this life, anyway), is cut short. i hope she now finds the peace that she was always, perhaps inevitably, looking for. she did have some powerful lungs; (and no, that punctuation isn't meant as a "wink") she had some strength inside her, she had some battles and she expressed herself, perhaps not enough, through music. a disappointing aside was LL Cool J's probably planned, forced, goaded and dare i say trite opening at the grammys. starting with a "prayer". i wonder just how much of a "sister" she was to everyone before she died prematurely. i will, of course, stand completely corrected if respect was always there and i've let my annoyance, suspicion and cynicism get the better of me. i hope she rests in peace and the hacks leave her alone in perpetual memory and refrain from digging up exploitative and sensationalistic tidbits to feed to the hungry, stupid masses. lets remember her, if applicable, for the music that may have entertained us so. not for human frailty or alleged "faults". i for one, do miss her on the physical plane. the planet is emptier. let's hope she isn't hounded posthumously. it isn't nice.

now personally

I love the song, though not particularly Whitney's version. The Dolly Parton/Vince Gill version caused me to pull the car to the side of the road till it was over so I could listen to it better and find out what it was, and go buy it. That Dolly is a hell of a songwriter, and if Whitney made her another boatload of money with that movie, good for her.

I watched

AC vs. Arsenal, and YAWN! Shouldn't Henri be retiring soon, instead of being on loan?

what a surprise

another class act from the Arsenal defenders!!!!why they are there is completely beyond me; two of them in particular routinely make mistakes. my young nephew's team defends better than that!!! bye bye champions league.... and yes, i'm with you mary!! i love Dolly Parton!! classic writer and performer. still going strong!

Not so much the song

As the performance. I'm also in Dolly Parton agreement. But that over-the-top over-faux-emoted singing style, that let loose the Celine Dion and Mariah Carey set onto the world: I could have lived without that. Actually, with today's laser-edge segmentation of the rock/pop world (as opposed to my 60s youth -- remembering the days of hearing both the Supremes and the Vanilla Fudge versions of "You Keep Me Hanging On" on the same radio station), by and large I HAVE been able to live without coming into much more than casual contact with it. But still, some of it filters through. So we're talking about some kind of sporting event? Have you caught onto "Lin-sanity?" Much preferable to "Tebow-mania," IMHO.

gooners gone

Us Tottenham fans greet Arsenal's thrashing with unconfined delight. I hope Arsenal fire Arsene Wenger and they make him England manager so we can keep Harry "Houdini" Redknapp.

C.B.

My footie-friend (remember mythicalethicalicycletricycle) posted me this on FaceBook last night, when I asked him if he were watching the game. His observations about soccer never cease to crack me up! "Yeah, with the sound down. Arsenal are pathetic in both the big and the small picture. Wenger gets 'em a stadium built to accommodate 22K additional fans per home match and then serves 'em up a bunch of second-tier chinadoll continentals who can't handle the brio of the English game and are out hurt for club internationals. When they finally hit bottom, will they hear themselves go :splatt!: ?"

and yeah, Dean

a soccer match last night was the other topic. Sorry also about the name confusion before!

arsehole-nal more like....

yep, that about sums Arsenal up.will never understand why they signed Miyaichi (a fine player) and then gave him a sporadic kick-around before loaning him to Bolton!!! the age old tactic of letting him make a coupla mistakes and giving him experience at some other club's expense before (hopefully), taking him back in top form. we'll wait and see.... if it wasn't for CSKA Moscow being relentless pricks, Wenger might've signed Honda (now THERE'S a player). Atsuto Uchida is unhappy at Schalke, and he's probably cheap too, so start doing a bit of signing action, Arsene!!! and Badger, deny all you like, but we all know that Harry will eventually leave Spurs!! he could use that money in...ohhh, where is it?...on the tip of my tongue....errrrm...oh YEAH, Monaco!!!! (i was actually a Spurs fan back in the days of Ossie Ardiles and Ricardo Villa!! used to pretend i was from Argentina in my garden!!! that back fence took many a right-footed strike!!).

Being from New Cross/Peckham

Being from New Cross/Peckham I used to go to Millwall as a boy, but it got so violent there I was not allowed to go and my dad took me up to Spurs to get me away from it. There I saw Jimmy Greaves etc and there I stayed (but I always look for the Millwall results too). As for Harry..how he got away with that tax evasion charge I do not know! But his admission in court that he had never written a letter in his life, is useless with money and can hardly read and write is remarkable since he runs a multi million pound business. Last of his kind.

'ave a banana....

yeah, Harry is a classic!! some of his interviews are priceless!but we all, and certainly, methinks, smells a rat ha ha!!! but Spurs are looking pretty happening; Bale is world class amongst others, so good luck to 'em. and yeah, i thought i spotted the badger throwing bricks from the Millwall terraces...brings it all back now. nothing like a bit of casual racism to get the game rolling!!!

Eagles in Iowa

A nesting pair of eagles are nesting in Decorah IA. Check out Mom eagle rippin' apart a grey squirrel, too. She should be laying her first egg any minute. Raptor Resource Project has placed a camera high up in a cottonwood tree. http://www.ustream.tv/channel-popup/decorah-eagles

star mangled banner

looks good

cookies and beer

i'm missing johnman today. i want him to smack me upside the head with some cookie logic in the religious topic and make the world feel better again! anyone any further news? wherefore art thou, brother? hope you and your son are hangin' in there. i miss you, man. and clean up those crumbs, dammit!!!!!