"Never measure the height of a mountainuntil you have reached the top.
Then you will see how low it was."
Dag Hammarskjold
Former UN Secretary-General
Sunday, January 31, 2010
For those who are serious climbers
"Never measure the height of a mountainuntil you have reached the top.
Then you will see how low it was."
Dag Hammarskjold
Former UN Secretary-General
Saturday, January 30, 2010
See Dick. See Dick dumb. See Dick losing it.
Actual quote from 'da Dick' re: Michael Scott:
"The credit card, that's all it was. It wasn't much, when you look at it," Daley said. "But, again, that doesn't -- I don't condone it. He can be accountable. If he was lying, he'd be accountable for it."
Hey, Dick!
He's no longer accountable. Remember, HE'S DEAD!
"The credit card, that's all it was. It wasn't much, when you look at it," Daley said. "But, again, that doesn't -- I don't condone it. He can be accountable. If he was lying, he'd be accountable for it."
Hey, Dick!
He's no longer accountable. Remember, HE'S DEAD!
Truth or Dare?
OBAMA: We had nothing to do with the Cornhusker kickback
EMANUEL: Yes we did
Hours before his embattled boss gave his first State of the Union address, White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel contradicted President Barack Obama’s claim made just two days before that he had nothing to do with the much maligned deal to get the vote of Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Nebraska) for the Senate’s healthcare bill just before Christmas.
Speaking to ABC News’ World News Tonight anchor Diane Sawyer in an exclusive interview on Monday, Obama denied being involved in what has come to be known as the “Cornhusker Kickback”.
SAWYER: A lot of people think you must say at the end of the day, this is not who I was in 2008, these deals with Nebraska, with Florida…
OBAMA: "Let’s hold on a second, Diane. I mean, I think that this gets into a big mush. So let’s just clarify. I didn’t make a bunch of deals. There is a legislative process that is taking place in Congress and I am happy to own up to the fact that I have not changed Congress and how it operates the way I would have liked. So that’s point number one."
In an interview with CBS Evening News anchor Katie Couric on Wednesday, Emanuel flatly stated that he and the Obama administration were heavily involved in the Cornhusker Kickback as well as the other deals that provoked outrage from the public and helped Republican Scott Brown win the U.S. Senate seat formerly held by the late Ted Kennedy of Massachusetts.
Couric: As you know, people were pretty disgusted by deals that were made up on Capitol Hill like the one given to Ben Nelson to win his support. If the White House was so involved, was this done with your blessing? But…
Emanuel: "Look, we were involved in the legislation all the way through."
Couric: Were you involved in that?
Emanuel: "Yeah. I’m not gonna go through all of it…"
Couric: But in the Ben Nelson deal?
Emanuel: "We were helpful in getting the bill off the Senate floor. And in retrospect the things – as I said to you just earlier, things you woulda done different."
To repeat what Obama told Diane Sawyer about the Cornhusker Kickback:
"So let’s just clarify. I didn’t make a bunch of deals. There is a legislative process that is taking place in Congress and I am happy to own up to the fact that I have not changed Congress and how it operates the way I would have liked."
The mainstream media has thus far ignored Obama being exposed as a liar by his own chief of staff.
A few conservative outlets have noted a Washington Post article from December 20, 2009 that reported the involvement of Emanuel and other White House staff in the Senate negotiations.
With Emanuel himself confirming the Obama administration’s involvement with the Cornhusker Kickback, Obama has some explaining to do.
Well, he would if he were a Republican president.
*********
Rahm is not long for this world.
EMANUEL: Yes we did
Hours before his embattled boss gave his first State of the Union address, White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel contradicted President Barack Obama’s claim made just two days before that he had nothing to do with the much maligned deal to get the vote of Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Nebraska) for the Senate’s healthcare bill just before Christmas.Speaking to ABC News’ World News Tonight anchor Diane Sawyer in an exclusive interview on Monday, Obama denied being involved in what has come to be known as the “Cornhusker Kickback”.
SAWYER: A lot of people think you must say at the end of the day, this is not who I was in 2008, these deals with Nebraska, with Florida…
OBAMA: "Let’s hold on a second, Diane. I mean, I think that this gets into a big mush. So let’s just clarify. I didn’t make a bunch of deals. There is a legislative process that is taking place in Congress and I am happy to own up to the fact that I have not changed Congress and how it operates the way I would have liked. So that’s point number one."
In an interview with CBS Evening News anchor Katie Couric on Wednesday, Emanuel flatly stated that he and the Obama administration were heavily involved in the Cornhusker Kickback as well as the other deals that provoked outrage from the public and helped Republican Scott Brown win the U.S. Senate seat formerly held by the late Ted Kennedy of Massachusetts.
Couric: As you know, people were pretty disgusted by deals that were made up on Capitol Hill like the one given to Ben Nelson to win his support. If the White House was so involved, was this done with your blessing? But…
Emanuel: "Look, we were involved in the legislation all the way through."
Couric: Were you involved in that?
Emanuel: "Yeah. I’m not gonna go through all of it…"
Couric: But in the Ben Nelson deal?
Emanuel: "We were helpful in getting the bill off the Senate floor. And in retrospect the things – as I said to you just earlier, things you woulda done different."
To repeat what Obama told Diane Sawyer about the Cornhusker Kickback:
"So let’s just clarify. I didn’t make a bunch of deals. There is a legislative process that is taking place in Congress and I am happy to own up to the fact that I have not changed Congress and how it operates the way I would have liked."
The mainstream media has thus far ignored Obama being exposed as a liar by his own chief of staff.
A few conservative outlets have noted a Washington Post article from December 20, 2009 that reported the involvement of Emanuel and other White House staff in the Senate negotiations.
With Emanuel himself confirming the Obama administration’s involvement with the Cornhusker Kickback, Obama has some explaining to do.
Well, he would if he were a Republican president.
*********
Rahm is not long for this world.
Upon looking older and more partisan...
Obama Admits Partisanship at GOP Retreat; Forgets About Change.gov
Building on Real Clear Politics observation by Tom Bevan:There’s been a remarkable amount of coverage of President Obama’s appearance at the House Republican retreat today, but I haven’t seen anyone focus on the President’s rather stunning admission about the Democrats’ health care legislation:
President Obama stated at the GOP retreat in Baltimore:
“The last thing I will say, though — let me say this about health care and the health care debate, because I think it also bears on a whole lot of other issues. If you look at the package that we’ve presented — and there’s some stray cats and dogs that got in there that we were eliminating, we were in the process of eliminating.
"For example, we said from the start that it was going to be important for us to be consistent in saying to people if you can have your — if you want to keep the health insurance you got, you can keep it, that you’re not going to have anybody getting in between you and your doctor in your decision making.
"And I think that some of the provisions that got snuck in might have violated that pledge.”
Spewing, just spewing!
*********
And when will this man learn to speak in a proper grammatical manner, and throw to the wayside the 'Negro dialect' he thinks the American citizens desire (Kool-aid, anyone?)!
Building on Real Clear Politics observation by Tom Bevan:There’s been a remarkable amount of coverage of President Obama’s appearance at the House Republican retreat today, but I haven’t seen anyone focus on the President’s rather stunning admission about the Democrats’ health care legislation:
President Obama stated at the GOP retreat in Baltimore:
“The last thing I will say, though — let me say this about health care and the health care debate, because I think it also bears on a whole lot of other issues. If you look at the package that we’ve presented — and there’s some stray cats and dogs that got in there that we were eliminating, we were in the process of eliminating.
"For example, we said from the start that it was going to be important for us to be consistent in saying to people if you can have your — if you want to keep the health insurance you got, you can keep it, that you’re not going to have anybody getting in between you and your doctor in your decision making.
"And I think that some of the provisions that got snuck in might have violated that pledge.”
Spewing, just spewing!
*********
And when will this man learn to speak in a proper grammatical manner, and throw to the wayside the 'Negro dialect' he thinks the American citizens desire (Kool-aid, anyone?)!
On a roll today...
Don't think I've ever posted so much on one day, but...just had to show you this.
The tall building is the 'Farcroft', on Fargo Avenue between Sheridan Road and Lake Michigan. Its apartments are empty now, after the magnificent building was purchased by James N. Pritzker. Total rehab will begin soon, I was told.
Here's a shot of the fireplace in the Farcroft lobby.
Here's a shot of the fireplace in the Farcroft lobby.
The entire building is quite a fascinating piece of architecture, and I am certain Mr. Pritzker (et al) will do it justice.
Downtown Evanston is at the center of the horizon.
Just wanted to share this lovely view with you, my few readers, and to thank my Creator for all the blessings bestowed upon me, as three and a half years ago, I was a quarter-inch from death, again.
Though I am no longer being given credit as co-founder (and SEEDER) of Rogers Park Chamber of Commerce, I have no regrets regarding my resignation from that entity.
I have a certain high standard of ethics...the rest of the board apparently does not. Simple as that. In fact, one board member, whom I shall thank so much for the "UNCONDITIONAL LOVE", has resorted to name-calling in my e-mail. Don't ya just love insecurity?
And, the Chamber still owes me over $1,000, for which I shall have to wait a year to be repaid.
In addition, Bill Morton has a more-than-significant personal debt with me...which he continues to ignore.
Downtown Evanston is at the center of the horizon.
Just wanted to share this lovely view with you, my few readers, and to thank my Creator for all the blessings bestowed upon me, as three and a half years ago, I was a quarter-inch from death, again.
Though I am no longer being given credit as co-founder (and SEEDER) of Rogers Park Chamber of Commerce, I have no regrets regarding my resignation from that entity.
I have a certain high standard of ethics...the rest of the board apparently does not. Simple as that. In fact, one board member, whom I shall thank so much for the "UNCONDITIONAL LOVE", has resorted to name-calling in my e-mail. Don't ya just love insecurity?
And, the Chamber still owes me over $1,000, for which I shall have to wait a year to be repaid.
In addition, Bill Morton has a more-than-significant personal debt with me...which he continues to ignore.
Rogers Park News, Updated
On January 12th, I posted these:
I noticed, the other day (but had no camera with me), that this VAST IMPROVEMENT has been made by Lake Shore Rehab.
Well, two outta three ain't bad!
I noticed, the other day (but had no camera with me), that this VAST IMPROVEMENT has been made by Lake Shore Rehab.
Well, two outta three ain't bad!
Happy Days Are Here...Again?
Taxpayer-funded drinking...ain't it great?
No wonder she looked so whippy at SOTU! Or should that be SOT, YOU?
Wilkommen, Bienvenu, and sooo Strange!
I am beginning to think...
...that Michelle's fashion "faux pas" problem is equated with the fact that she is trying to tell Barry she WANTS ANOTHER CHILD. She continues to accentutate that protruding abdomen, especially revealing in outfits like the above retro piece.
Boob belts, high-waisted dresses...mmm, mmm, mmm. Now that she is 46, she should really stop thinking about having a child, wouldn't you think? Or, is it just from snarfing down all that Wagyu beef and cherry pie?
Perhaps her Momma can help out, chanting around some chickens?
Need to hear from Rasmussen, NOW!
Wax ON!
Wax OFF!Just havin' some kinda FUN today, it being Saturday and all!
The next time...
...anyone tries to explain how great life is in Cuba under the Castros (or should I call them 'castrattos'?), have them visit this site:
www.therealcuba.com
See what Fidel's communism has wrought!
Miss and Mrs. Wagyu, who are currently esconced in the Waffle House, invite you, too, to become a member of this Marxist society.
Please visit this site, but only if you have not just eaten. It drove me to many tears. Sooo sad!
www.therealcuba.com
See what Fidel's communism has wrought!
Miss and Mrs. Wagyu, who are currently esconced in the Waffle House, invite you, too, to become a member of this Marxist society.
Please visit this site, but only if you have not just eaten. It drove me to many tears. Sooo sad!
O-bumpy
Care to comment, heavily-costumed, self-appointed 'holy' man? (You know who you are!).
Or, will you accuse me of 'racism' AGAIN?
Or, will you accuse me of 'racism' AGAIN?
Srsly...
...I love my CS4 Photoshop. I use it to enhance my photographs. It's better than a darkroom!
But should it be used for this?
Just another nice Catholic girl growing old, huh?
But should it be used for this?
"Newsweek has a feature on their Web site that shows the amount of photo retouching goes into making celebrities the fakes they are.
When I saw Madonna, I was scared, ser(i)ously scared.
She looks like a nasty, skanky grandma that running a Nevada whore house--not that I have been there or anything.
This is clear(l)y a woman who has been around the block... 11 abortions last time I checked.
What's(t) that tell ya.
Real sweet woman there.
Her last abortion happened because she thought it would hurt her career.
That may be the most selfish thing I have ever heard in my life."
Posted by Bungalow Bill at 4:28 PM Labels: Abortion, Madonna
*********
From Wiki
Madonna was born in Bay City, Michigan at 7:05 AM on August 16, 1958, to Madonna Louise (née Fortin), who was of French Canadian descent, and Silvio Ciccone, who was a first-generation Italian American Chrysler/General Motors design engineer, originating from Pacentro, Abruzzo, Italy.
Madonna is the third of six children; her siblings are Martin, Anthony, Paula, Christopher, and Melanie. Through her mother, she is a descendant of Zacharie Cloutier and Jean Guyon du Buisson.
Madonna was raised in the Detroit suburbs of Pontiac and Avon Township (now Rochester Hills).
Her mother died of breast cancer at age 30 on December 1, 1963. (She was named for her mother).
Then her father married the family's housekeeper, Joan Gustafson, and they had two children; Jennifer and Mario Ciccone. Madonna commented on her father's second marriage: "I didn't accept my stepmother when I was growing up ... In retrospect, I think I was really hard on her."
She attended St. Frederick's and St. Andrew's Elementary Schools (the latter is now known as Holy Family Regional School), and after that West Middle School. There she became known for her high GPA - and for her "unusual" behavior, particularly a kind of an underwear fetish:
Madonna performed cartwheels and handstands in the hallways between classes, dangled by her knees from the monkey bars during recess, and thought nothing of tugging her skirt up over her desk during class so that all the boys could see her briefs.
Later, she went to Rochester Adams High School, becoming a straight-A student and a member of the cheerleading squad. Madonna received a dance scholarship to the University of Michigan after graduating from high school.
She wanted to take ballet lessons and convinced her father to allow her to partake the classes.
Her ballet teacher persuaded her to pursue a career in dance, so she left the college at the end of 1977 and relocated to New York City.
Madonna had little money at that time and hence lived in squalor, working as a waitress in Dunkin' Donuts and with modern dance troupes.
Of her move to New York, Madonna said, "It was the first time I'd ever taken a plane, the first time I'd ever gotten a taxi cab. I came here with $35 in my pocket. It was the bravest thing I'd ever done."
While performing as a dancer for the French disco artist Patrick Hernandez on his 1979 world tour, Madonna became romantically involved with the musician Dan Gilroy, with whom she later formed her first rock band, the Breakfast Club, in New York.
She sang and played drums and guitar for the band and lived in a converted synagogue in Corona, Queens. However, she departed from them and formed another band called Emmy in 1980, with drummer and former boyfriend Stephen Bray.
She and Bray wrote and produced dance songs that brought her to local attention in the New York dance clubs. DJ and record producer Mark Kamins was impressed by her demo recordings, so he brought her to the attention of Sire Records founder Seymour Stein.
*********
When I saw Madonna, I was scared, ser(i)ously scared.
She looks like a nasty, skanky grandma that running a Nevada whore house--not that I have been there or anything.
This is clear(l)y a woman who has been around the block... 11 abortions last time I checked.
What's(t) that tell ya.
Real sweet woman there.
Her last abortion happened because she thought it would hurt her career.
That may be the most selfish thing I have ever heard in my life."
Posted by Bungalow Bill at 4:28 PM Labels: Abortion, Madonna
*********
From Wiki
Madonna was born in Bay City, Michigan at 7:05 AM on August 16, 1958, to Madonna Louise (née Fortin), who was of French Canadian descent, and Silvio Ciccone, who was a first-generation Italian American Chrysler/General Motors design engineer, originating from Pacentro, Abruzzo, Italy.
Madonna is the third of six children; her siblings are Martin, Anthony, Paula, Christopher, and Melanie. Through her mother, she is a descendant of Zacharie Cloutier and Jean Guyon du Buisson.
Madonna was raised in the Detroit suburbs of Pontiac and Avon Township (now Rochester Hills).
Her mother died of breast cancer at age 30 on December 1, 1963. (She was named for her mother).
Then her father married the family's housekeeper, Joan Gustafson, and they had two children; Jennifer and Mario Ciccone. Madonna commented on her father's second marriage: "I didn't accept my stepmother when I was growing up ... In retrospect, I think I was really hard on her."
She attended St. Frederick's and St. Andrew's Elementary Schools (the latter is now known as Holy Family Regional School), and after that West Middle School. There she became known for her high GPA - and for her "unusual" behavior, particularly a kind of an underwear fetish:
Madonna performed cartwheels and handstands in the hallways between classes, dangled by her knees from the monkey bars during recess, and thought nothing of tugging her skirt up over her desk during class so that all the boys could see her briefs.
Later, she went to Rochester Adams High School, becoming a straight-A student and a member of the cheerleading squad. Madonna received a dance scholarship to the University of Michigan after graduating from high school.
She wanted to take ballet lessons and convinced her father to allow her to partake the classes.
Her ballet teacher persuaded her to pursue a career in dance, so she left the college at the end of 1977 and relocated to New York City.
Madonna had little money at that time and hence lived in squalor, working as a waitress in Dunkin' Donuts and with modern dance troupes.
Of her move to New York, Madonna said, "It was the first time I'd ever taken a plane, the first time I'd ever gotten a taxi cab. I came here with $35 in my pocket. It was the bravest thing I'd ever done."
While performing as a dancer for the French disco artist Patrick Hernandez on his 1979 world tour, Madonna became romantically involved with the musician Dan Gilroy, with whom she later formed her first rock band, the Breakfast Club, in New York.
She sang and played drums and guitar for the band and lived in a converted synagogue in Corona, Queens. However, she departed from them and formed another band called Emmy in 1980, with drummer and former boyfriend Stephen Bray.
She and Bray wrote and produced dance songs that brought her to local attention in the New York dance clubs. DJ and record producer Mark Kamins was impressed by her demo recordings, so he brought her to the attention of Sire Records founder Seymour Stein.
*********
Just another nice Catholic girl growing old, huh?
Thanks to Disney, your child may become ill!
'Princess and Frog' children's necklaces recalled for cadmium
Federal consumer safety regulators on Friday announced the recall of The Princess and The Frog pendants because of high levels of the toxic metal cadmium, an unprecedented action that reflects concerns of an emerging threat in children's products.
The recall affects two products, about 55,000 items in total, sold exclusively at Walmart stores for $5 each. The action was taken voluntarily by Rhode Island-based jewelry company FAF Inc., which did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, which disclosed the recall, had been testing for cadmium in children's metal jewelry for several weeks in response to an Associated Press investigation that reported high levels of the known carcinogen in the Disney movie-themed pendants and other children's metal jewelry imported from China.
In reaction to the AP's reporting earlier this month, Wal-Mart Stores Inc. had pulled three items from its shelves, including the two recalled Friday — a crown pendant with UPC number 72783367144 and a frog pendant with UPC number 72783367147.
The items had been on sale at Walmart stores since November, in conjunction with release of the animated movie.
Soon after Wal-Mart pulled the items, the CPSC's chairman advised parents to throw away all pieces of inexpensive metal jewelry, noting that children who chew, suck on or swallow a bracelet charm or necklace may be endangering their health.
Consumers can return the two recalled items "to any Walmart store for a full refund or a free replacement product," according to the recall notice.
Wal-Mart did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The recall marks the first time any consumer product has been recalled in the United States because of cadmium, which recent research also suggests can harm brain development in children.
The CPSC said in a statement that there have been no reports of cadmium poisonings associated with the pendants but that its investigation into other pieces of jewelry "remains open and active."
The Walt Disney Co., which produced the movie, said: "Disney supports the decision by FAF and the CPSC to recall the jewelry."
The Fashion Jewelry Trade Association, which represents the industry, had no immediate comment.
Lab tests conducted on 103 pieces of low-priced children's jewelry as part of AP's original investigation found 12 items with cadmium content above 10% of the total weight.
One item consisted of 91% cadmium by weight.
Pendants from four "The Princess and The Frog" necklaces ranged between 25 and 35% cadmium, according to the testing.
At the time, Walt Disney said in a statement that test results provided by FAF Inc. showed the item complied with all applicable safety standards.
But in the case of cadmium, unlike lead, there have been no specific levels that would automatically trigger health risks to children or a push for a recall.
As part of its investigation, the CPSC bought pieces of the jewelry cited in the AP reports, tested them in the agency's lab and found high levels as well.
Based on the Federal Hazardous Substances Act, agency staff determined that the items posed a health risk to children, according to agency spokesman Scott Wolfson.
The agency then approached FAF, which cooperated with the investigation and agreed to the recall.
*********
The recall affects two products, about 55,000 items in total, sold exclusively at Walmart stores for $5 each. The action was taken voluntarily by Rhode Island-based jewelry company FAF Inc., which did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, which disclosed the recall, had been testing for cadmium in children's metal jewelry for several weeks in response to an Associated Press investigation that reported high levels of the known carcinogen in the Disney movie-themed pendants and other children's metal jewelry imported from China.
In reaction to the AP's reporting earlier this month, Wal-Mart Stores Inc. had pulled three items from its shelves, including the two recalled Friday — a crown pendant with UPC number 72783367144 and a frog pendant with UPC number 72783367147.
The items had been on sale at Walmart stores since November, in conjunction with release of the animated movie.
Soon after Wal-Mart pulled the items, the CPSC's chairman advised parents to throw away all pieces of inexpensive metal jewelry, noting that children who chew, suck on or swallow a bracelet charm or necklace may be endangering their health.
Consumers can return the two recalled items "to any Walmart store for a full refund or a free replacement product," according to the recall notice.
Wal-Mart did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The recall marks the first time any consumer product has been recalled in the United States because of cadmium, which recent research also suggests can harm brain development in children.
The CPSC said in a statement that there have been no reports of cadmium poisonings associated with the pendants but that its investigation into other pieces of jewelry "remains open and active."
The Walt Disney Co., which produced the movie, said: "Disney supports the decision by FAF and the CPSC to recall the jewelry."
The Fashion Jewelry Trade Association, which represents the industry, had no immediate comment.
Lab tests conducted on 103 pieces of low-priced children's jewelry as part of AP's original investigation found 12 items with cadmium content above 10% of the total weight.
One item consisted of 91% cadmium by weight.
Pendants from four "The Princess and The Frog" necklaces ranged between 25 and 35% cadmium, according to the testing.
At the time, Walt Disney said in a statement that test results provided by FAF Inc. showed the item complied with all applicable safety standards.
But in the case of cadmium, unlike lead, there have been no specific levels that would automatically trigger health risks to children or a push for a recall.
As part of its investigation, the CPSC bought pieces of the jewelry cited in the AP reports, tested them in the agency's lab and found high levels as well.
Based on the Federal Hazardous Substances Act, agency staff determined that the items posed a health risk to children, according to agency spokesman Scott Wolfson.
The agency then approached FAF, which cooperated with the investigation and agreed to the recall.
*********
I have a dear friend, whose grandfather told him years ago, "Do not trust the yellow man."
So many contaminated toys are produced today in China, a Communist country, where life is not respected. And we continue to buy their junk, under the guise of trademarks like those of the Disney corporation.
Cheap junk...purchasing any of it places our children, our FUTURE, in harm's way.
So many contaminated toys are produced today in China, a Communist country, where life is not respected. And we continue to buy their junk, under the guise of trademarks like those of the Disney corporation.
Cheap junk...purchasing any of it places our children, our FUTURE, in harm's way.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Ready...Aim...Sharpie!
From Samuel, via directorblue.blogspot.com
One of the best marksmen in the FBI was passing through a small town.
Everywhere he saw evidence of the most amazing shooting. On trees, on walls, and on fences there were numerous bull's-eyes with the bullet hole in dead center.
The FBI agent asked one of the townspeople if he could meet the person responsible for this wonderful marksmanship. No problem. The marksman turned out to also be the town drunk.
"This is the best marksmanship I have ever seen," said the agent to the man. "How in the world do you do it?"
"Nothing to it," said the wobbling man. "I shoot first and draw the circles afterward."
One of the best marksmen in the FBI was passing through a small town.Everywhere he saw evidence of the most amazing shooting. On trees, on walls, and on fences there were numerous bull's-eyes with the bullet hole in dead center.
The FBI agent asked one of the townspeople if he could meet the person responsible for this wonderful marksmanship. No problem. The marksman turned out to also be the town drunk.
"This is the best marksmanship I have ever seen," said the agent to the man. "How in the world do you do it?"
"Nothing to it," said the wobbling man. "I shoot first and draw the circles afterward."
My dear friend 'D' is moving back to Indiana...
...so I invited her in, and asked her to choose (almost) anything off my walls. She chose this.
She liked it because it didn't blare out "Chicago", which has not been a good time for her.
But, it IS Chicago, specifically the pool at the Art Institute.
Unless you were familiar with the location, you would not know it.
But for my dear friend 'D', it can be anywhere!
She liked it because it didn't blare out "Chicago", which has not been a good time for her.But, it IS Chicago, specifically the pool at the Art Institute.
Unless you were familiar with the location, you would not know it.
But for my dear friend 'D', it can be anywhere!
The Wolf Moon: Going out tonight?
Biggest and Brightest Full Moon of 2010 Tonight
Tonight's full moon will be the biggest and brightest full moon of the year. It offers anyone with clear skies an opportunity to identify easy-to-see features on the moon.
This being the first full moon of 2010, it is also known as the wolf moon, a moniker dating back to Native American culture and the notion that hungry wolves howled at the full moon on cold winter nights. Each month brings another full moon name.
But why will this moon be bigger than others? Here's how the moon works:
The moon is, on average, 238,855 miles (384,400 km) from Earth. The moon's orbit around Earth – which causes it to go through all its phases once every 29.5 days – is not a perfect circle, but rather an ellipse.
One side of the orbit is 31,070 miles (50,000 km) closer than the other.
So in each orbit, the moon reaches this closest point to us, called perigee. Once or twice a year, perigee coincides with a full moon, as it will tonight, making the moon bigger and brighter than any other full moons during the year.
Tonight it will be about 14 percent wider and 30 percent brighter than lesser full Moons of the year, according to Spaceweather.com.
As a bonus, Mars will be just to the left of the moon tonight. Look for the reddish, star-like object.
Full moon craziness
Many people think full moons cause strange behavior among animals and even humans. In fact several studies over the years have tried to tie lunar phases to births, heart attacks, deaths, suicides, violence, psychiatric hospital admissions and epileptic seizures, and more. Connections have been inclusive or nonexistent.
The moon does have some odd effects on our planet, and there are oodles of other amazing moon facts and misconceptions:
A full moon at perigee also brings higher ocean tides. This tug of the moon on Earth also creates tides in the planet's crust, not just in the oceans.
Beaches are more polluted during full moon, owing to the higher tides.
In reality, there's no such thing as a full moon. The full moon occurs when the sun, Earth and the moon are all lined up, almost. If they're perfectly aligned, Earth casts a shadow on the moon and there's a total lunar eclipse. So during what we call a full moon, the moon's face is actually slightly less than 100 percent illuminated.
The moon is moving away as you read this, by about 1.6 inches (4 cm) a year.
The moon illusion
Finally, be sure to get out and see the full moon as it rises, right around sunset. Along the horizon, the moon tends to seem even bigger. This is just an illusion.
You can prove to yourself that this is an illusion. Taking a small object such as a pencil eraser, hold it at arm's length, and compare its size to that of the moon just as it rises. Then repeat the experiment later in the night and you'll see that the moon compares the same in both cases.
Alternately, snap two photos of the moon, with a digital camera or your cell phone, when the moon is near the horizon and later when it's higher in the sky. Pull both photos up on your computer screen and make a side-by-side comparison.
Astronomers and psychologists agree the moon illusion is just that, but they don't agree on how to explain it.
*********
So now you know all about the moon, right.? And you're going to go roust about all the loonies, right?
Best you should be in Washington, DC, and have your cameras at the ready!
There are all sorts of surprises THERE!
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Last Night's Treat: Pizza from Scratch!
The crust:
1 tsp. dry yeast dissolved in 1/4 C. warm water (add 1/4 tsp honey--it helps the yeast). Let that sit until it begins to froth a little.
In a bowl, combine:
1 1/2 C. unbleached flour
1/2 tsp. sea salt
a generous sprinkling of dried oregano, dried basil, and dried crushed red pepper
Add the yeast and approximately 1/2 C more warm water (you've got to have a 'feel' for how much is needed). You can also add a T. or so of olive oil at this point.
Mix thoroughly and turn out on a floured surface. Knead for several minutes, then place in a bowl which has been rubbed with olive oil. Cover the bowl and set in a warm place.
At this point, you can chop garlic, slice mushrooms and grate mozzarella cheese.
When the dough has risen by half, turn it out into a pizza pan which has been rubbed generously with olive oil. Nudge the dough carefully to the edges of the pan.
My favorite ingredient here is pesto sauce, which I usually thin with a bit of olive oil. This pizza required 3 T. of pesto; then I loaded it with garlic, Crimini mushrooms, fire-roasted red peppers and a generous sprinkling of grated Romano cheese.
Here's how it looked, ready for the oven!
I slid it into a pre-heated 425 degree oven for about 14 minutes, then added the grated mozzarella and let it bake until the cheese got bubbly (about 6 minutes more).
And then, it was done! A nice crisp-but-chewy, flavorful crust with very healthful toppings!
I then sat and watched "Abraham Lincoln" (1930, with Walter Huston) on IMDb, before hitting Fox Live for the SOTU.
My pizza was much more spectacular than the speechifying, thank you!
1 tsp. dry yeast dissolved in 1/4 C. warm water (add 1/4 tsp honey--it helps the yeast). Let that sit until it begins to froth a little.
In a bowl, combine:
1 1/2 C. unbleached flour
1/2 tsp. sea salt
a generous sprinkling of dried oregano, dried basil, and dried crushed red pepper
Add the yeast and approximately 1/2 C more warm water (you've got to have a 'feel' for how much is needed). You can also add a T. or so of olive oil at this point.
Mix thoroughly and turn out on a floured surface. Knead for several minutes, then place in a bowl which has been rubbed with olive oil. Cover the bowl and set in a warm place.
At this point, you can chop garlic, slice mushrooms and grate mozzarella cheese.
When the dough has risen by half, turn it out into a pizza pan which has been rubbed generously with olive oil. Nudge the dough carefully to the edges of the pan.
My favorite ingredient here is pesto sauce, which I usually thin with a bit of olive oil. This pizza required 3 T. of pesto; then I loaded it with garlic, Crimini mushrooms, fire-roasted red peppers and a generous sprinkling of grated Romano cheese.
Here's how it looked, ready for the oven!I slid it into a pre-heated 425 degree oven for about 14 minutes, then added the grated mozzarella and let it bake until the cheese got bubbly (about 6 minutes more).
And then, it was done! A nice crisp-but-chewy, flavorful crust with very healthful toppings!I then sat and watched "Abraham Lincoln" (1930, with Walter Huston) on IMDb, before hitting Fox Live for the SOTU.
My pizza was much more spectacular than the speechifying, thank you!
Dissing the SCOTUS? What a schlub!
Justice Mouths 'Not True' as Obama Slams Court
Screen capture, found on YouTube, showing Justice Samuel Alito at left
WASHINGTON -- The man in the House chamber openly disagreeing with President Barack Obama as he spoke to Congress wasn't an over-the-top Republican or a seething Democrat. He was a Supreme Court justice, Samuel Alito.
Obama had taken the unusual step of scolding the high court in his State of the Union address Wednesday. "With all due deference to the separation of powers," he began, the court last week "reversed a century of law that I believe will open the floodgates for special interests -- including foreign corporations -- to spend without limit in our elections."
Alito made a dismissive face, shook his head repeatedly and appeared to mouth the words "not true" or possibly "simply not true."
A reliable conservative appointed to the court by Republican President George W. Bush, Alito was in the majority in the 5-4 ruling.
Senate Democratic leaders sitting immediately behind Alito and other members of the high court rose and clapped loudly in their direction, with Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., leaning slightly forward with the most enthusiastic applause.
The rest is here.
*********
"With all due deference to the separation of powers..."--an interesting line, isn't it? Even more interesting was the underlying snide tone of the president's voice.
The impression given is that the president would like to 'do away with' the separation of powers. He, who knows very little American history, seems to continue to think that the Office of President of the United States automatically grants him dictatorial rights over the citizens of this great nation!
Obama seems to not understand the words of a former President, Abraham Lincoln:
"Government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the Earth."
Screen capture, found on YouTube, showing Justice Samuel Alito at leftWASHINGTON -- The man in the House chamber openly disagreeing with President Barack Obama as he spoke to Congress wasn't an over-the-top Republican or a seething Democrat. He was a Supreme Court justice, Samuel Alito.
Obama had taken the unusual step of scolding the high court in his State of the Union address Wednesday. "With all due deference to the separation of powers," he began, the court last week "reversed a century of law that I believe will open the floodgates for special interests -- including foreign corporations -- to spend without limit in our elections."
Alito made a dismissive face, shook his head repeatedly and appeared to mouth the words "not true" or possibly "simply not true."
A reliable conservative appointed to the court by Republican President George W. Bush, Alito was in the majority in the 5-4 ruling.
Senate Democratic leaders sitting immediately behind Alito and other members of the high court rose and clapped loudly in their direction, with Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., leaning slightly forward with the most enthusiastic applause.
The rest is here.
*********
"With all due deference to the separation of powers..."--an interesting line, isn't it? Even more interesting was the underlying snide tone of the president's voice.
The impression given is that the president would like to 'do away with' the separation of powers. He, who knows very little American history, seems to continue to think that the Office of President of the United States automatically grants him dictatorial rights over the citizens of this great nation!
Obama seems to not understand the words of a former President, Abraham Lincoln:
"Government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the Earth."
CBS Lies!
These shots ARE worth another thousand words. Compare, and see for yourself.
This caption reads:
Glenview, Ill.
Kiran Gyawali, a salesperson with an electronic store, watches President Barack Obama deliver his State of the Union address in Glenview, Ill., Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2010.
Even my own poor vision can tell the difference.
Does CBS, like the president, think we are stupid?
The caption reads:
Tokyo
A shopper watches flat panel TV screens showing live broadcast of President Barack Obama's State of the Union address from Washington at Yamada Denki discount store in Tokyo, Thursday, Jan. 28, 2010.
But, where are Nancy and Joe? And the RED tie?
This caption reads:
Glenview, Ill.
Kiran Gyawali, a salesperson with an electronic store, watches President Barack Obama deliver his State of the Union address in Glenview, Ill., Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2010.
Even my own poor vision can tell the difference.
Does CBS, like the president, think we are stupid?
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Ooooh! Aaaah! ARGH!!
Chicago cancels July 3 fireworks showThat rumble you just heard was the old man, rolling over in his grave!
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Quote to ponder for a bit
"The trouble with the world is that the stupid are cocksure
and the intelligent are full of doubt."
and the intelligent are full of doubt."
Oops!
Met's rare Picasso damaged when art student stumbles into painting
Pablo Picasso's "The Actor"
It probably happened because THIS is what she saw!
Pablo Picasso's "The Actor"It probably happened because THIS is what she saw!
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