Speak Out June 30 to August 3, 2009

I have a couple of questions...maybe a kind sole here can point me in the correct direction.

1) "Citizens Of Truth" sage...I didn't get a letter but I would like to read the content or get some details. Is there a link or a post or...?

2) The school issue...can someone tell me dollars and cents what this will cost...not a total (18.5 mil or some such)...but what I am looking at forking out. Will it be an increase in already high taxes? Sales Tax? Property taxes?

Sorry to ramble, or if you can just provide a link that would be so helpful. Thanks much!! ;)

The people/persons behind Citizens for Truth can't stay anonymous forever. It is bound to get out who the member(s) might be at some point. Not sure if they knew the extent of the legal trouble they have brought on themself with the slanderous letter, but once they are outed, the consequences for their actions will be tenfold. Hopefully justice will prevail sooner rather than later.

The Donut,

Give them time to get the hang of things. I have had thier donuts and they are fine. As far as being sold out all the time, they will need a little time to determine the best times to be open and how many to make compared to average daily sales without ending up with too many leftovers. Just give them time to work out the kinks.

Ok I have a few things I want to talk about....On Saturday I walked into Family Dollar Store and to my surprise the store is closing in 1 week. This saddened me immediatly. I am guessing that its because of the new dollar store coming into town. Now that its closing what about people who dont have transportation who walk there to get their monthy/weekly supplies they need have to walk all the way out to walmart as there is no taxi service anymore. It just saddens me. nd on another note the new "DONUT" SHOP. How many people have been able to get a 'DONUT" from there. For the last several weekend i have one up there by 8-8:30 and there is alwaays a sing "SOLD OUT". Obviously they are not making enough or something the sign says they open at 4 am now come on actually how many people are going to be up at 4 am for them to sell out in 4 hrs. Come on guys start getting it right or you will be they next to be closing your doors. I will just stick with Wal-mart glazed donuts YUM

buffettandtrump: You asked for an explanation of the document purported to be Obama's Kenyan birth certificate. It is a fake. The document states it is from The Republic of Kenya. It is my understanding that Kenya was not a republic on the date of that document's origination.

OK, time to change the subject back to saving the planet and I have a plan. Remember the gas lines of the 70's where you could only get gas on alternate days depending on whether your lis. plate # was odd or even?

Well, since human breathing emits more carbon dioxide than most anything else because there's so many of us, here's the plan! You can only breath every other day depending on the day of your birth, odd or even.

Of course, there will have to be exceptions for politicians, health care workers, police and of course me since I came up with the idea.

And, since plants are what burns and uses carbon dioxide, I suggest all of you do as I do and refuse to mow the lawn when the ballgame is on. "Just trying to save the planet, dear! The more grass and trees, the less carbon stuff." WT aka Robert Abney

Third Child,

I agree...we need to end all wars and bring all our troops home where they belong.

Oh... and I was not cheering our troops on in Dessert Storm or any other war. I oppose all war and all violence, and I only support peaceful resistance as taught by Gandhi and King.

http://ia331319.us.archive.org/0/items/B...

WonderJim that is a marvelous idea I hope they are still up with all the construction but I will mention that to some people who might want to look into it thanks

WTF:

I have have had more than one child go through all of the schools here in Marshall district and the only incident where some one was hurt may have been the girl at the high school, but the potential is there each and every day, specifically at the two schools I mentioned in my earlier post. Safety may not be one of the reasons that the school board has mentioned, but I do not want any of my kids, nor anyone else's hurt in the process of getting to school or going home. Safety is a concern to me and everyone's children in my eyes. Once a child is hurt or worse will you be convinced then?

That was only one of my concerns, and as stated before I do not live in the country club nor would the new location be convenient to me, but I feel we need a new school to house K-8, that being said I would vote yes. If the building would not include all of the afore mentioned grades my vote would be no, so you are debating a mute point with me, my Friend.

It has not been proposed to build such a campus, the school board has not yet seen the big picture that more yes votes would be there, if we would build the right school not one that only accommodated part of the elementary body.

Freedom of speech is, indeed, a very slippery slope. While I agree that some individuals who choose to post to these forums DO possibly overstep the boundaries of what SHOULD be posted (borderline libelous comments naming specific individuals, etc...), I don't think that the real problem here is free speech. I believe that human nature is truly the culprit.

People tend to do and say things that are inappropriate when they know that they will not be held accountable for them. If people were unable to post things anonymously via username, and required instead to post under their real names, I think, possibly, the damaging comments might be kept to a minimum. In the meantime, if people would just follow the posted rule "Please be respectful of others...", there might be fewer inflammatory/defamatory comments posted on the boards, and fewer insulted readers....

Oaklahoma,

That internet neutrality act sounds like a darn good idea.

Just a little humor to lighten things up. I don't know if this is left, right or center, maybe all three? Anyway here it is fair, and unbalanced.http://www.markfiore.com/

My issue with kids walking has nothing to do with how many cars and trucks there are on our streets. It has to do with how society, not the quantity of vehicles, have changed. There are many more meth addicts out there. I believe there is more juvenile crime now. I remember George W.'s father saying, "We need a kinder, gentler nation." Yeah, well it hasn't happened.

As for the location of the school. When the last bond issue failed, the proposed site was across from Blumhorst Veterinary Clinic. I personally didn't care for that area as there was so much truck traffic on Boyd. I could just see some little kid whose parents work at ConAgra getting themselves up in the morning and heading across Boyd Street on a bike. Folks, it doesn't matter where they try to suggest, there are always going to be complaints.

As for the k-5 neighborhood schools, our buildings would not hold them now. More trailers, higher cost to build new schools later, more teacher in-service time needed for teachers to get together since each grade level will be in different buildings. This collaboration is a state level recommendation. It's not something made up by Marshall Public Schools.

Anyone who thinks the present buildings are in good shape has not been in all of them. Bottom line is just how long do we wait? What is the magic number? These buildings are inching toward 90. We need to let them rest in peace!

HEALTH CARE AND OTHER CONCERNS:

I have been watching the ongoing National debate regarding health care reform in the United States with great interest. Of course, I have had a lot of time to watch it since I have the swine flu right now. Yep folks, I got it. I will elaborate on that further down in my comment, but for now I want to talk about health care reform.

Its difficult to pinpoint exactly where National health care reform is at right now...its seems to change day by day. However, I believe that right now we could sum it up as: Insurance companies will no longer be able to deny pre-existing conditions, and the insurance companies will be able to continue their oligopoly of the health care system allowing them to raise rates as high as they want and there will be no public option.

From an economic standpoint, I would predict...based upon what I see emerging from Congress right now...insurance rates will likely quadruple over the course of next year. The reason I predict this is because the cost of insuring and paying for treatment from pre-existing conditions is enormous and will be recouped by passing on the cost to the consumers. This alone will cause a sharp increase in the cost of premiums.

With a sharp rise in premiums, its likely many young folks...who typically don't use their insurance nearly as much as middle aged or elderly folks...will likely drop their insurance coverage thus removing from the insurance pool a great deal of revenue. This loss of revenue will also have to be recouped by the insurance companies in order to maintain their high profits and to cover the high cost of continuing to insure the middle aged and the elderly. This revenue will be recouped by significant increases in insurance rates paid by you, the consumer.

Since there is no incentive for the insurance companies to reduce insurance rates or to keep them at their current levels due to competitive pressure (such as that which would be provided by a public option), and since the insurance companies tend to keep their rates about the same across the board, there is no reason for them to not increase their rates. If you want to be insured, you will have to pay what big insurance wants you to pay.

So in the end folks, if you want your insurance rates to sky rocket next year, encourage a no-public option health care package.

As to my ongoing adventure with swine flu. I called my physician as soon as the swine flu symptoms appeared. The doctor's office set my appointment for one hour later...which is typical. So I called at 8 am and I was being treated by 9 am. My cost? Nothing. I live in Australia where we have socialized medicine. There is no bill, no co-pay, no deductible, and I don't pay any insurance premiums. The cost of our medical care is paid by taxes and everyone in Australia...except for tourists and illegal immigrants...are covered. My taxes here are no higher than they were on the same level of income in the United States, I picked my doctor from the phone book, and the longest I have ever had to wait was 1 week for major surgery. I might also point out that we are not in an economic depression or recession in Australia and the IMF says Australia has the best economy in the World right now.

So thanks to socialized medicine, I have been treated for swine flu, I feel much better now and am recovering very nicely, and it cost me nothing.

Good luck with those steep insurance rate hikes next year folks, and when you finally get tired of getting jerked around by the insurance companies (owned by the same fat-cat bankers that stole your 401ks and gave you the Great Depression II)...maybe you will finally demand a single payer system like all the other modern industrial countries in the World have. After all, if we have money to kill with (military spending) we have money to heal with.

Not all English instructors are failed writers...just for the record. :)

Again...the irony. "Citizens for Truth" (which I've never heard of) and organizations like them are usually *politically* motivated in their goals and pursuits. So...aren't such organizations really just a "residual" oxymoron? Politics? Truth? Hahahahahaha...

Dumb question time. Ahem, cough...cough, (loogie sticking in the vocal cords), hcccucccccukkks, COUGH...beg pardon:

"Whose truth?"

I might have missed a story here and there, but I don't recall anything stated by the school system about safety issues at any of the elementary schools. Yes, the traffic is crowded, but it's not like Marshall is a major metropolitan area. My kids went through this maze everyday and all is well. Quite simply the children who live in the country could go the elementary school closest to their rural district, just like some used to when their schools closed. If only the people who live in these neighborhoods were dropping off and picking up were there, it would be far less traffic around any one particular school, rather than the whole town around one school and trying to beat it across town to another school to pick up other children. And, as far as safety is concerned what about the kids who do walk...would you want your child walking that far out on Business 65? Is the city, then going to be required to build sidewalks all the way down the highway, or would that be the responsibility of the school district? Either way, it will rest on the tax payers.

Explain to me just how the neighborhood schools would fix the safety situation? You can't possibly think by making the the "town kids" go to the closest school that there won't still be issues with picking up and dropping off process? Also, please enlighten me as to where all the "country kids" would go?

The buses would still be running the country routes and taking those kids to town to how many different schools?

littlemissme,

You have confirmed the crux of my arguement for me. If we went back to neighborhood schools each one K-6 as intended there wouldn't be the traffic nightmare's you speak of. Again, this town is no bigger than it was when I went to grade school. I have no problem spending money on the exsting systems but a "new" grade school campus is absurd.

I think we do need a new school. One that houses K-8.

The current use of 5 buildings is nuts! The trailers are a disgrace!

The heating and cooling of some buildings is a joke.

The safety of the children is a BIG issue at some of these schools, any one ever dropping off or picking up at Benton, or Bueker knows what I am talking about.

One elementary campus means one principal not 5, when one class is larger the movement of teachers would prove to be easier, no need to have 5 secretarial staffs, janitorial staffs.

Now lets discuss busing. There would be two stops one at the elementary campus and one at the high school none of this back and forth across town, saving money.

Those are my arguments, and no I do not live in the country club.

Dear "Citizens for Truth",

Please remove my name from your mailing list. I am not sure what your agenda is, but I find your letter a bit troubling. I understand why you didn't sign your name. Is "defamation" in your vocabulary?

You state "...someone's personal life is simply that". Maybe you should respect that.

I have to go now and delete my facebook account. I don't want to be perceived as a "predator". I am older than Mr. Raines but have some "friends" who are much younger...

www.marshallnews.com/story/1558876.html

"The Banks property is located near Stone Hedge Country Club on South Business Highway 65."

...and so it begins. The country club folk will get a shiney new school right in thier neighbor hood and use your money to do it. Meanwhile the four perfectly good school buildings that we have will be left to wither and die. Vote no.

Hey Squirrel,

I found this posted on your site.

"The most pressing point is to defeat this Obamacare. It will legalize killing(or at least just let them die) of anyone who is of no value to the economic picture. Both unborn, infants with defects, and the elderly with bad hips, heart surgeries, medications to give them a better life etc."

Is this what you believe?

WTF,

Unless I lived within sight of the school my child was walking to (so that my husband or I could watch them along their way) none of my children would walk alone to school. And no it has little to do with traffic in this town although that is part of it. My biggest reason has to do with stories like this one: http://www.marshallnews.com/story/155798... . I try to safeguard my children from things like this. The only place my children go without my supervision is school and I hope they are safe there.

Blackbird,

I agree with you 100% but maybe we can change things. I understand what you mean about today's society but that doesn't mean that we can't start somewhere instead of shuffling let's say a family of three or four to 4 different schools in some SUV or a big 'ol school bus.

While we're on the subject the month of August used to be considered a summer month. What has happened to that? Has the school year been lengthed to allow for extended winter breaks and all of these teacher "In Service" days? It would be wise for parents to remember that the school district works for you, not the other way around.

I guess like everything else it's all about the money which is probably the only thing the kids will ever really learn.

Oneofmany,

I didn't have a stay at home Mom either but I think that point is irrelevent in terms of whether or not we bus kids all over the place when thier schools could be within walking distance.

"They will tell you how the dynamics of our community have changed and the effect it has had on our children."

Yes, the dynamics have changed much to our chagrin and to the detriment of the children.

Why wouldn't you want your children to walk to school in this day and age? There were cars and trucks when we did it so what's problem?

Blackbird, no I am not joking. I am very serious. I'm not sure what you mean about Con Agra wanting more room in town. Is that your response about what to do with the old grade schools?

What The F......

I agree with you 100% about the rich folk. But....kids walking to school, riding their bikes, TAKING RESPONSIBLILITY FOR GETTING OUT OF BED AND GETTING THEIRSELF READY FOR AND TO SCHOOL ON THEIR OWN, AND ON TIME????? You're joking, right? We did that when we were kids, but hey, it's a different time. And I bet ConAgra would like some more space in town.

Ok Third Child,

Don't take the vaccine. Problem solved.

Maybe you could do us all a favor and give us a one time list of all the websites you think we should visit instead constantly cutting and pasting some lengthy manifesto everytime you post. The sky is falling, we get it.

Eric, here's what happens when a newspaper editor doesn't get enough sleep before writing or editing an article: http://bit.ly/9MNVC

Nonny

Hey NB! Good to see you again.

Typo's only count in typing class. :)

Also...on Redman Street, this, I think, 1 1/2 story dutch colonial type of home...next door to where the Lickey's lived. It is smalled than the other I previously mentioned. It was for sale not too long ago, maybe in the past year.

Jo, there was an article in the local paper of a letter to a syndicated Dr. who answers letters and gives advice.

The letter to him was from a man who's wife at age 88 or so was diagnosed with MD causing lose of about 45% of vision. She was told, "No cure, will only get worse." She started taking Bilberry extract (didn't say how much but I take about 360 mg in 3 capsules of 120 ea. through out the day).

A year later, a new test showed she had re-gained most of the lost vision and shortly after that was back to full vision. She passed away at age 92 with full vision the last few years.

Of course, no way to tell for sure except with double blind cross-over testing but her husband credits the improvement to the Bilberry. The nice thing about such suppliments, almost impossible to "overdose" unlike most drugs. WT

WHITETORNADO, KATHY: Thank for the Info! I'll give both a try! Macular Degeneration,on my last Examination! But i'm old enough, that i should be ok for the rest of my life. But this can't hurt. Thank again!

Jo, if you do the exercises, I'd be very interested in a progress report in a week or so. To gauge your results, before you do them, sit in a favorite chair and closely check things you can or can not see clearly. Then re-check after and compare. I think the contrast bathing was the quickest and easiest to see results for me.

I hit the weights and hot tub every other day while doing aerobics for an hour the odd days. In the hot tub is where I do most of my eye exercises. WT

Jo, the vitamins actually came later and have been helpful but the initial gain/recovery was due to some exercises I developed from different articles and books. Most of the exercises are simple and easy to do.

One of the best things is "contrast bathing" by getting one wash cloth as cold as possible and one as hot as possible under the faucet. Alternate holding tightly to the eyes for about 1 min. each time for several reps. (Promoting blood flow.)

Next is cupping, for about one min. blocking out all light with your hands while "looking" all around as far as you can in all four directions. Repeat a couple of times. (Muscle exercise for all four major muscles.)

For accommodation, take a printed item at arms length, focus on one letter and slowly bring into your nose even as it gets blurry and you are squinting. Then slowly back out to arms length keeping the focus on the same letter. Repeat a few times.

Massage gently around the eyes especially against the nose where the optic nerves are, where most folks get "bags". Now, very important, do all this without glasses or contact lens.

Obviously I can't make any guarantees but I can tell you it's been over 30 years (I turn 72 July 31st) and has seemed to work for me.

Here's some information on Bob James:

http://www.bobjames.com/bio.php

biggens, I think someone was messin' with your head on his name, but I will continue searching for evidence, how's that?

I heard that Bob James's real first name was spelled with a silent "K". Bkob, but pronounced Bob instead of Buh-Kob...can anyone verify this?

White Tornado: You posted 2 or 3 supplements you used for your Eyes. Can you repost them for me? I would be grateful, Thank You!

You can own the Bob James home if you like. http://www.unitedcountrymissouri.com/

by the way, the doughnuts were kinda skinny, did notice that ... very good, but not a true glazed doughnut. i'll give'em time to correct that. where's cosa nostra on this one, lol. the mafia is usually all over the donut bidness.

After seeing the health care costs for obesity, perhaps the "skinny" doughnuts are just what all of us should order.

Oklahoma Reader, you made some excellent points. When Bob came several years ago, the old high school's auditorium was packed...many of whom were people who drove from KC to hear him. I'd forgotten he also came for an outdoor concert as well, probably in the last 5-10 years. There were lots of out-of-towners at that one too. By the way, Bob James's family home is for sale right now. It's in no danger of being torn down. It's been well cared for and is beautiful.

Smokin, Ok Reader, Nana Dot, I may have stepped in it but I just posted my blob on illegal immigrants. Take a look and let me know what you think.

Yeah Slater, what little cream, if any that upon impact spurted from the skinny donuts would be much less problematic than the contents of turkeys. :)

Just to stay with current threads...what about a double bill....Homer "uuuum donuts" Simpson, and Bob James entertaining all of the civilian detainees at the Marshall Area FEMA/Homeland Security Concentration Camp. Call it "The Fear Nothing Jazz plus Comedy Concert and Skinny Donut Festival".

There could be an overflight of black helicopters dropping skinny donuts to the imprisoned souls below.

According to current alarmist projections on this blog we may have only a couple of years to plan this remarkable event...so get busy. The urgency must be proclaimed. I suggest for starters that the city hire all those folks that have been pushed out of jobs by Latinos to don sandwich boards stating "Democracy Ends Soon". They should then walk the square, the Walmart parking lot, and Indian Foothills Park twenty four hours a day.*

*The preceding comment is satire. No offense is intended toward the fine musician Bob James, nor counter culture hero Homer Simpson, nor the skinny donut man. Nor black helicopters, individual posters on any subject, nor "uuum" donuts, whether skinny, fat, over filled, underfilled, or just right. If any other party is offended by this posting, I humbly beg your pardon.

The donut shop on the square had yeast donuts this morning that were rolled out way too thin--trying to make them go further, I suppose!! Very tasty, but it was so thin you could hardly pick one up. That is rolling dough way too thin!!

Here's a fun little ditty that'll take your mind off the so-named slings and arrows of misfortune:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_yExwkQYc...

Not to belittle the city of Slater in its effort to acknowledge the memory of Steve McQueen, but, after all, he wasn't even from there, and he spent very little time in that area.

On the other hand, I'm concluding that Bob James was born and raised in or around Marshall, and his contribution to the cultural arts is unquestioned and certainly far-reaching.

I would hope that long-time Marshall residents, as well as those who love good music, will come together and appeal to the city to show its regard for this man of distinction.

Who knows? Perhaps he may write a song about Marshall one day. :)

Third Child...we are talking donuts now, not Roman poets. Keep up!

Speaking of donuts, The Donut has good tasting donuts, the chocolate is wonderful, but they need to train their employees that fill the donuts to get something in the middle. If I pay $1.19 for a creme filled donut....I should get a creme filled donut!!!!

Regarding Donuts:

I love donuts!

Sure I know they are not the healthiest things in the World, but still I am drawn to donuts like a duck is drawn to water. And there are few things better than good, professionally made donuts. Marshall is so lucky to have the new donut shop!

So how is the new Donut Shop? Is business doing well?

About Time, I know I saw one of the television stations run lengthy features on Volney Ashford. President Humphrey, MVC's current president was interviewed as well as Jim Heinzler, who played for Volney. I was impressed with the coverage. I'm not sure how many people who played for Volney were contacted. I did google his name and found that MVC's Facebook made the announcement in May. I've posted links below. I don't know how practical it would be to personally contact each former player. In the age of technology, many people can get info about their alma maters and stay connected. Valley also has a website. The information about the broadcasting of the ceremony was listed there as well. I think the DN first ran an article the last week in May.

Here are some links:

http://www.moval.edu/athletics/index.asp

http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id...

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/...

Better yet, here is Bob James himself explaining what is going on with his wine gig.

http://www.smoothviews.com/interviews/bo...

Well I stand self corrected. Apparently Bob James does have a winery, as I originally thought.

Here is a link to one source:http://www.snooth.com/wines/bob+james/

Bob James was here in OKC seversl years ago, heck it may have been ten years (I'm old)....he shared billing with his daughter, a singer. It was at a nice outdoor amphitheatre. He thoroughly entertained about five thousand of us.

It seems to me that he, and I believe his daughter, have a winery...I think in Australia. Maybe News Across can enlighten us.

Meanwhile I'll see if I can locate info on that. It may be that a local wine shop would want to carry it because of the local connection, and because Australian wines are hot right now in our country. Particularly so if a regular customer wanted it.

Third Child: Are you aware of any more recent studies that follow up, and further confirm the opinions of Robert Kennedy Jr.?

Thank you for calling our attention to this publication.

Here's a litle tune featuring the greatest tenor sax player I've heard.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbUklDXdH...

Oklahoma Reader, thanks for sharing the Bob James stories. Another one I had often heard was that he was supposed to play a classical piece at his graduation. Halfway through, he forgot the piece as it was composed and ad libbed until he could get back to the original composition. Only a few people knew, but they were amazed that this young man could do that!

Oklahoma Reader, et al, nice to see the names Skip Frazee and Bob James. Skip was in my class and Bobby was a couple of years behind. His sister Katie was a year ahead but we met up years later when her husband and I were Pan Am pilots at SFO. If you know any more about her and Bobby I'd be interested to hear it. She and my wife were good friends for a while until work transfers sent us to different parts of the world.

Katie husband Jim was killed in a plane crash, small plane not commercial, and I haven't heard much about her since. As I remember Bob was professional involved musically, writing, composing and directing Sarah Vaughan.

Also, Ben Swinger is a name I remember. Give them all my best from WT

Sorry to see the Family Dollar Store closing......gone by Aug 8. I hope these ladies end up with even better jobs!!

MyVoiceIsHeard, here ya go:

http://www.marshallnews.com/gallery/live...

Editor Crump's post got buried beneath the late night flurry. :)

Thanks for that link. There's some pretty interesting information in there.

What do you suppose the "brain trust" knows that's driving some decisions to appear contrary to logic?

At the Mary Lou. I also saw Stan Kenton that night.

I had forgotten that Skip Frazee worked at KMMO.

More good jazz musicians that you mentioned. I listen to more jazz than anything else these days.

Completely off the subject but here is a neat graph re:deficit spending since nineteen forty.http://zfacts.com/p/318.html

Slater K.C. had awesome jazz I believe that it still does. Charlie "Bird" Parker stayed there for awhile. I liked, still do, all those you mentioned. Throw in John Coltrane, and I can stay with that play list for a good long while.

By the way, I would be remiss if I did not mention KMMO radio, that's right, KMMO as a provider of good jazz that was an early influence on my listening habits. Ben Swinger spun the records on a jazz show, and played really tasty stuff. Thats where I first heard Horace Silver. Ben was a good friend of Bob James, who may be the finest musician Marshall has produced.

I was in a study hall with Bob James who was a class ahead of me. Every day he would sit in study hall with score sheets filling them with music. Now there is a guy who knew where he was headed.

Third Child,

I know you have plenty to think about already, but you should be interested in this link, if you haven't seen it.

It comes courtesy of ceh_meh:

http://www.globalincidentmap.com/home.ph...

Heh heh heh...you'll lose that bet, WJ. :)

I can dig it, CH. :)

Wonder Jim, what type of list would I be put on for proclaiming my adoration of this person, the greatest female actor of all time, in my view:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eja-popoj...

I know some folks have been waiting to see the rest of the photos from the county fair livestock and ham sale. They are all posted (171 of them) now at www.marshallnews.com/gallery/livestocksa...

Sorry it took so long!

WonderJim, and Slater: Shhhhh, don't say nuttin.

Wonder Jim,

I have no interest in rumor or speculation, nor am I concerned that my liking of a song will cause me to be the subject of any kind of investigation.

Explain your perceived correlation between the song's lyrics and rabbits, unless you're worried that any dialogue with me will land you on the "watch list." :)

Slater - loved it then, too. thanks! :>)

This is for OKR, ND, Cheetah, all the others in our enclave, and anyone else with compassion and humility:

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1g7hw_...

Dear Cosa Nostra (or should I just call you Mafia, the name you've chosen for yourself),

Is there any truly reputable mainstream media sources anymore? All I see is talking heads spewing propaganda anymore in between ad nauseum flagrant public diversion using celebritys as fodder for the masses.

Meanwhile our political system has become the Cosa Nostra Mafia, stealing us blind, giving the money to global corporate interests bent on setting up their New World Order, and spitting in our faces because they control the mainstream media.

God forbid anyone should actually post an actual clip of Cronkite himself, who we've all been taught to blindly trust, saying he's glad to be seated at the right hand of Satan.

But, don't argue the facts, let's just attack the messenger, because that makes us feel so much better.

Context, context, context. It amazes me how many people ignore context.

Perhaps there is a short circuit in some human brains that prevents any understanding of other than single thought phrases. These unfortunates can not grasp that phrases must be understood as but a part of a larger communication, one that has an entirely different meaning than any individual phrase within its body.

These same people also seem to see everything as either black or white,and are either unable, or refuse to see that most things are some shade of gray.

They are the type of people who will sit down to a breakfast of delicious bacon, eggs done to a turn, and toast that is slightly burned, and exclaim that the breakfast was awful.

They exasperate the rest of us. We should muster pity for them, and understand that they can not help themselves, but we should never, ever forget that their thoughts are not complete because their understanding is not complete.

Walter Conkrite at the right hand of the devil? Hog wash.

Lol, that's not a link from a reputable source. That's a link to some video potpourri put together from a videotaping of a tv by some You tube user from who knows where...Kansas maybe?

Again, anything mainstream? Aka...Time? Newsweek? Anything that somebody has halfway heard of?

ND: Interesting site,thank you for sharing. Still I have a hollow feeling in my gut because my brain tells me too little, too late.

Statistics show that more people die each year from automobile wrecks than from cancer and heart disease. Cigarettes kill around 300 people a day who suffer from long term addiction. Until there is a public uproar and outcry to address these problems let those who want to legally (as guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States)own, carry and use their guns.

Thirty years ago a person could be sentenced to two years in prison for carrying a concealed weapon, although the definition of a weapon was vague. The State Legislature passed the law allowing Missouri Citizens to carry concealed weapons. If you have a complaint address the issue with your representative.

Cosa Nostra the reason gun owners "freak out" when the issue of gun control comes up is because the 2nd amendment garantee's our right to keep and bear arms. Whenever the subject of violent crime is the topic it's always "ban the guns" well how about "ban the crimmainal." I believe this attitude comes from people who lack the testicular fortitude to stand up to evil people and evil actions. Let's face it, some people are just bad. No amount of rehab, understanding, love or compassion is going to change that.

I do have a ccw permit and carry a firearm every day, all day. I hope that i never have to use a firearm to protect myself or my family, but do not think for a moment that i will not meet the boogie man head. Gun Control:The theory that a women found dead in an alley, raped and strangled with her own pantyhose, is somehow morally superior to a woman explaining to police how her attacker got that fatal bullet wound. So I guess this makes me an angry American clinging to my religion and guns...... I can live with that.

I also was wondering if you were going to post more pictures in the livestock sale gallery. I hope so!

ND,

Idealistic? Sure. Unrealistic? Perhaps, but we just have to think about the consequences of where we'd be if nobody cared.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0g9PiEgYY...

When FDR said 'we have nothing to fear but fear itself', he was talking about the insanity and meanness and hatred that ALWAYS accompanies fear...it turns us against each other. If our only answer is to hoard, hole up and shoot, then the powerful, the wealthy, the greedy have already won.

The rise of the 'individual above all' pits us all against each other and the earth. It's no longer a 'balancing act' between the civil society and the common good, and the rights of the individual - it's all about me/mine/us. And if we do not stop participating in the lies of John Wayne and Horatio Alger, we will kill each other off and the corporations, the 'masters of the world' win.

If there is any hope at all, it is ONLY in taking care of each other and this abundant planet where we are privileged to spend our mortal lives. The one thing that ALL of these 'big powers' hate is unified action by those whom they would oppress. Extreme individualism - the me/mine/us mentality fosters fear of any 'other'. 'Fear is the mind-killer'. "They" don't have to do anything because we will kill each other off FOR them.

Gandhi knew this. Jesus and Buddha and Black Elk and countless others knew this. Compassion is the only answer. Idealistic? Unrealistic? Maybe - but we have to try.

I think we need a new statistic regarding gun control. Let's survey the victims and see how many of them wish that when they were raped, robbed, assaulted, or even murdered (okay, so they may not respond to the question)that someone with a "legal" gun was standing with them? Hmmmm. Now THAT would be a statistic that I would be interested in!

cheetah - i think i get your drift concerning population control. we'd better not go there.

i was doing ok with all the banter until this morning. now i'm wondering how many of the folks who post on this site really are mr stewart. cheetah - are you really mr stewart too?

just how many aliases can one man have? too much for me to comprehend. i will be content to just sit and listen to the loons cry and the waves slap against the hull of the boat tied to the dock. peace - and be nice to one another.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4BYMvVvM...

Does anyone want to interpret the 2nd amendment and explain how/why it now differs from its creation 250 years ago?

As one who believes mankind would be in a much better state than it is today without two things...guns and religion. Please explain to me why gun owners "freak out" as to the mere suggestion that they at least be required to file paperwork and pass checks to own something that does so much harm to so many things? You cling to your firearms like they hold the last molecule of oxygen on the planet.

Smokin' Cheetah, firearms have basically not changed in over 300 years? If only so many senseless school/workplace shootings over the last few years had required the shooter stop, reload and have it go boom as you suggest, like we are still using muzzle loaders while committing these acts. The founders of the constitution never envisioned assault rifles, trust me.

Spend less time listening to the brainwashing the NRA does so well on its members and more time in reality. I don't want to take away your guns, that would be impossible. I just want them to end up in the right hands as much of the time as possible. I think any hoop that a gun owner has to jump through to get and keep guns is justified considering the destruction that they are capable of in society.

News Across Oh I read it maybe u should reread it cause not all the people were law abiding people.Someone didnt do a proper background on them but just cause they had a right to carry doesnt mean it wouldnt have happened.

Dont make new gun laws ENFORCE the ones we have now.People more laws only hurt THE LAW ABIDING PERSON NOT THE LAW BREAKERS get a clue.

klop, Yup. You read right.

Generally speaking, when you seek to insult someone's intelligence, it's best to be certain you're holding the upper hand.

Now, we can tire the editor with a some childish bantor if you desire. Ultimately, we will get censored and/or deleted. If we don't get booted off, then I assure you this is not a contest you want to engage me in. You will not win, and you will only reassure me of my position on population control.

Or...

You could accept the term as satirical, and ask me to explain more clearly what I meant by "population control" so that we may better understand one another as mature adults.

Shall we dance, klop?

Population control....Smokin' Cheetah, what have you been smokin'.

Haha! Thank you, Kathy:)

And klop: The measure Mr. Stewart wrote of reduces gun violence only in theory at this point, while trodding on and stomping the rights of responsible American gun owners. Remove the guns, the violence is still there. Sociopathic, violent, murdering people won't be magically reformed simply because a firearm is harder to obtain legally.

In fact, NR-45 may prove counterproductive. It seems convoluted enough to make even a responsible gun owner want to shoot someone after going through all the proposed red tape!

Literaly reducing any kind of violence will require measures no one reading this forum or any other will want to entertain: Population control.

...not that I wouldn't personally support it:)

Guns are largely unchanged in principle, remaining basic and fundamental for roughly 300 years now: Gunpowder, lead, trigger, barrel, boom. What *has* changed is people. We're suddenly an angry species...

Maybe Stewart isn't the "wierd" one.

You've heard it said time and again - "if you criminalize gun ownership, only criminals will have guns."

This bill will probably die in Congress - as it should - but it's not just this bill - it's the control issue that has so many people - pardon the pun - up in arms.

As for the theory that gun control would make the world a safer place - I don't believe that has ever been proven in any "civilized" society.

cr

Cheetah, you rock!

Third Child:

Here's another way of characterizing what I think people are trying to say to you about the subject of fluoridation. You have for weeks and weeks posted numerous comments with quotes from numerous sources you believe worthy and links to information that supports your view. People have had plenty of opportunities to change their views *if they are inclined to do so.* At this point, the possibilities of persuasion are approaching zero. More comments and more information are likely to have the opposite effect you intend -- if it's your intention to persuade people to oppose fluoridation. A number of readers have asked you to give the subject a rest. Now I'm asking, too. There are other issues to discuss.

Just when we all thought it was safe to get back in the water again....anybody hearing the theme from "Jaws?"

As I said, pointless.

Well Kathy...

...I really hadn't noticed New Zealand being any closer. However, I say the closer the better. My wife attributes our proximity to New Zealand as the primary reason we don't have hurricanes in Sydney. I am not sure of her logic behind that belief, but I must note that in all my years in Sydney I have yet to see any hurricanes down this way.

Oddly enough, the Australians are the big boys in this neighborhood of the World economically and militarily (although the Australian forces are actually a combined Australian/New Zealand military, airforce, and navy) . So New Zealand is actually quite dependent on Australia, and a lot of New Zealanders live and work in Australia. Many Australians have told me that the New Zealanders sound so different from Australians, however they all sound the same to me. I cannot tell any difference.

I have not yet been to New Zealand though its just a short flight from Sydney and my wife says its incredibly beautiful there. So I guess we will be going there some time probably in 2011. Everyone I know who has been there says New Zealand is a must see, and at least now its about a foot closer...lol.

Thanks for posting that article Kathy!

Scarpetta,

That circus sure sounds like a lot of fun.

Circuses always mean great fun for the whole family. I wish we had those here in Australia...but we don't. I am happy for the folks there in Marshall though. I hope everyone will get the opportunity to enjoy the fun the circus has to offer.

Third Child,...

...quit trying to deprive me and other folks of our fluoridation. I was opposed to fluoridation until I read your many allegations and it then occurred to me. If you oppose it...it must be something good.

you nailed it midmocat! exactly! good to see some on here have some common sense.

Third Child,

What would you have us do, go and shoot someone? You first. Let us know how that works out for ya. I guess now your implying that the lengthened runway at airport was done so soley for the coming military takeover of Marshall?

On one hand it's an interesting theory although I imagine it could be achieved without a single aircraft. On the other hand it seems to be the epitome of paranoia. I think there is something in your water.

Went to the Circus and had a blast!!

WATCH THE COLBERT REPORT, TONITE

The MSDC is all talk and no action. A lot of empty promises and nothing to show for it. Everything is always coming and nothing actually materializes.

On the bright side of things, it looks like Third Child has moved on to a new topic!

MHDC and Marshall, let the Union Pacific Railroad pull out/abandon it's railroad line right into Marshall, from the East side of town without any protest! 2 major railroads serving a town of approx 14,000 is a bonus for Economic Development! Con Agra used to ship 11 refrigerated boxcars daily except Sundays out of Marshall up until the mid 1990's. A lot of truck traffic around Marshall, would be decreased if MHDC had tried to put in a trailer and container loading onto railroad flatcars facility. This would have created numerous new good paying jobs and could have had both railroads serving it! Con Agra could have cut it's shipping costs of frozen foods immensely out of Marshall, which would keep the plant here longer! Also happened to the Soy Sauce Plant that was supposed to be a boom for Saline County soybean farmers?

That does raise a good question. How long has the MSDC been in exsistence and what businesses have they brought in? How much revenue have they generated for Saline county? How much of Saline County's money, if any, have they spent?

Yes, Slater, *if* he believed that. I don't think he's ever suggested anything remotely similar.

The city's rationale for improving the airport is to make it capable of handling corporate jet traffic, which is a component of economic development. As Roy Hunter, director of Marshall-Saline Development Corporation explained to me once: If companies have to fly in to Sedalia and drive to Marshall, they may be more likely to locate their businesses in Sedalia. In his view, a better airport helps Marshall compete for businesses.

That's great news about the rottie on South English, Marshallite. I wonder about the sheep dog behind the print shop just off of Arrow?

Don't forget about the others too.

www.salineanimalleague.org

good news for the rottie in south english. dog belongs to the son of my good friend and the dog has been turned into a house dog!! thanks to all who are concerned about our dog friends!!

Kathy Fairchild,

I join you in asking missouriwoman3 to qualify her outrageous statement.

missouriwoman3...let's see your absolute, documented evidence that leads to the one and only one conclusion that you have drawn.

Let's see your proof!!!

missouriwoman3

You are oh so wrong I was hired at one of those places on the same day as 6 other non-hispanics and 7 hispanics I am the only non-hispanic that was still employed there 6 months later.

It is now going on 7 years and all but one hispanic and myself are still there.

Out of the other, (non-hispanics) that were hired two simply would not show up for work, so they "pointed out" and the remainder left on their own accord, mostly because they did not like working long hours.

It simply is a lie that "Americans" can not get work in this town because of the hispanics.

If it is anything like every other similar plant owned by them elsewhere, the problem isn't that 'white' people can't GET the jobs, it's that they can't KEEP the jobs... In other locations, the immigrants, who are used to brutally hard work, take bets on how many HOURS the Anglos will last...

This health care debate has a tricky angle to it--you have people naturally wanting to do good things for other people through nationalized(socialized) medicine. They base their opinions in some cases on their experiences with medicare, and how it compared to their former private insurance. What they don't understand that trying to cover all people plus the 30 million illegal aliens will naturally result in rationing of health care;ie, sort of a triage approach to who gets treated and who doesn't. In other words the older or sicker that you are, the less chance that you will receive treatment--the younger and more politically correct that you are will increase your chances of getting health care, however based on all other socialized medicine societies such as Canada--even that will take several months of waiting. Approximately 50% of health care costs could be wiped out by tort reform, exclusion of illegals, and wiping out fraud-instead there is this god forsaken rush to add $1.8 trillion to our national debt with a plan that will result in death for many older people and currently sick people.

Three cheers for Tom Watson. He did not win the British Open, but boy he sure made it interesting. Atta boy Tom!

Well, in this economy I have to pick and choose the movies I see very carefully. Although I receive great joy from reviewing movies good or bad, my wallet prefers me to see movies that I really enjoy. It also prefers it if I only watch one movie per week. I try to see most of the movies that get released in Marshall, but every once and a while I choose to go to Sedalia to see what I want to rather than what Marshall gets. Hence, the "Public Enemies" review that can be linked to from my previous post or from the comments section of my "Transformers" review. I skipped "Ice Age" to see that one.

As for "Bruno" I just couldn't work a movie into my busy schedule last week. I hear "The Proposal" is very good, so I probably would've caught that one instead anyway. Honestly, I wasn't so impressed with "Borat" as everybody else seemed to be. I thought it was funny, but not groundbreaking. I have the impression that "Bruno" is the exact same movie, but with a different character. Now, don't take that as a critique, because I haven't seen it. Since I doubt it will be coming to Marshall, I'm just going to have to see it on video like most everybody else in Marshall.

WonderJim - I won't be reviewing "Bruno". My Harry Potter review will be posted within the next 24 hours. I did write a review of "Public Enemies" exclusively for my A Penny in the Well site. You can that read by following this link.

http://apennyinthewell.blogspot.com/2009...

Thanks for posting the pictures of the home at 750 Eastwood. Thanks too, for Carolann Marsh's background information on the home's history. Picture #7 did raise a question. It looks as if a second home had been tacked onto the original structure. Ms. Marsh said that the addition had been done by McClure. Was the small structure at the side, the garage? It was so small.

It's over, now Marshall's citizens must urge the town council to examine laws pertaining to maintenance of properties.

For the record, my most recent visit to Marshall was September 2006. I spent a goodly amount of time looking around. Thought it looked quite nice. I visited the dog park. And now, I'm looking forward to seeing the new museum and having a hamburger at the bowling alley. See ya!

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090718/ap_o...

Thought this was interesting considering the article a few weeks ago. Hope everyone is alright.

Here I am, posting another music link or two. Of course these are tunes that passed into rock and roll history a long time ago, but what does that matter?

These are both Kinks tunes, the first one being an energized version of one from the early '60s:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2lcsVIYi...

This next one is one of my favorites by the group:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mrmQB38aT...

OKR and I are languishing in the high heat and gazing at the world through the slit between our eyelids.

Cold drinnks for everyone! On me, at Humphrey's. :)

Green Eyes I think at the moment I would prefer a three toed sloth. It has been hitting around 105 F. here day after day. For right now I think a sloth is about all I can keep up with.

Oklahoma,

...did you say 300 lbs? well that is a bit more pig than I want. We have also toyed with the idea of getting a big red kangaroo. They stand about 6 foot tall...12 foot including their tale. Surprisingly, kangaroos make excellent pets. They won't wander off or leave as long as they have food to eat. The only problem with them is their claws are very sharp and they have to be clipped. Other than that, they are pretty docile and friendly. However, I doubt we will get one of those either. Still...I wish I could have a pet pig.

Hey I am on medicare now. Compared to coverage I had when I had to self pay (small business), and what I paid for it medicare is great. Simple enough, offer medicare to everyone. Keep private insurance available for those who want no part of "socialism" or guvment run programs", but make those people get out of the way of the rest of us.

Cosa Nostra: et tu. :)

Thanks to everyone for the advice on the pet pig and for the great stories. Of course, we would never mortgage or sell our pet pig should we get one.

When an animal becomes part of our family...which currently includes 2 dogs, 2 cats, and one rabbit...then that animal remains a cherished member of our family for life. My wife wouldn't have it any other way.

I don't know if we will actually get a pet pig, but we have been thinking about it and discussing it and I have heard they are as smart or smarter than most dogs.

Thanks again for the advice friends.

I see the McClure house on Eastwood was scheduled for demolition today.

For the life of me, I cannot understand the point of filling the basement with concrete. Dirt would seem to me to be a good choice.

Newsacross when I was a little kid my siblings, and I had a pet pig, a Hampshire. It was the runt of an oversized litter so we hand fed it from birth.

Well, four little kids on a marginal farm in the nineteen forties could be highly entertained by such a situation. It reacted to our affection much as would a dog. It hung out in our yard as would a dog, it came running when whistled for, and loved to have its back scratched.

Problem: It was not our pig, it belonged to the mortgage company.

We had an old two wheel trailer that my Dad pulled behind our car. As the pigs grew to be shoats, and market size my Dad would load them in the trailer three at a time. He would haul them to the Sedalia sale.

Of course the time came when there were only two pigs left in the lot... and our pig. My Dad whistled, and our pet ran up the ramp into the trailer where Dad waited. The other two pigs were then loaded. Off to the sale as four little kids cried, and waved good bye.

So, based on my experience I think that if you have the space, that you should get you a pig. They can give you the same rewards provided by a dog. However do not borrow the money to get the pig, and use it as collateral.

How about the pig, Arnold, on Green Acres years ago? Actually, we raised pigs when I was young on the farm in Napton and I had several that were quite friendly. Pigs are much cleaner and neater than they are given credit for and are quite intelligent.

I never did but a lot of kids in my era raised them to show at the Fair in Sedalia. WT

News, how about if I round up a few javalina and ship to you? They might make decent pets once you gain their favor. heh heh

snoozes,

18

There was a game I had when I was a kid. A ball on a string attached to a paddle and it sounded like this.... wackowackowackowackowackowacko

Third Child,

The reason you havn't seen any "pro" fluoride arguments is because I don't think it's an issue of whether you are agreed with or not. It has however become an issue of when will you let it go.

You have made your point. Over and over and over and over and over and over and over again.

Time to move on.

Oh, OK news. I get what you mean.

News,

When I was covering city government in another Missouri city back in the last century (the nineteen and eighties to be approximately exact) there was a petition brought to the city council demanding the removal of fluoride from the city water supply. A brief but energetic debate ensued, but as I recall, the council declined to comply with the request. So I guess the issue is resurgent here but not really new.

waterman7622,

Are you serioulsy trying to blame fluoridation on Obama? You mean we've only been doing it since the end of Jan. 2009?

Kind of a stretch don't you think?

3rd child,

You're right we're poisening our youth...and our selves. We've been posning ourselves since the early 90's when we started injecting Hydorflorisilic acid "floride" into our water supply at the direction of the "MDNR". After all it was free to the water supply system. It didn't cost us anything. The Federal and State Government gave us the equipment and the material "free". Hell, what more could you ask for. If you don't spend the money, we won't get it next year. But a great big "but" enough. I, You, Me arn't going to change anything............ we're going to get more of the same..... from the "yes we can man".

hunterfisher,i dont have a raingage but i can tell you that the rural areas of the county have received more rain than marshall itself.

I hope the stray cats let both dogs loose. Seriously though, I haven't seen them on the salineanimalleague.org website, that is why I was wondering.

Snoozes,

I'll bet some of those stray cats turned him loose.

I know this was posted before and seemed to get overlooked, but what has happened to the dog on Morrow, and the old english sheep dog behind Green Printers?

Just a reminder: Please don't write long comments in Speak Out, especially those that consist mostly of quoted material from other sources. It's good to share important information, but I'd suggest more summarizing and including URLs, titles and other reference information rather than copying and pasting into this forum. Thanks!

Thanks BlackBird,

I can't imagine anyone even suggesting taking it down. Those men were great heroes everyone of them.

Thanks for the info!

Does anyone know if...

...they will keeping the indoor memorial to the WWII vets in the Courthouse after the renovations there?

My Uncle and a lot of other of Marshall's WWII heroes are listed by name on it. I sure hope they don't take it down. Its all the WWII vets from Marshall that were all highly decorated (Silver Stars, Bronze Stars, that kind of thing).

So...does anyone know anything about whether or not they will be leaving it up after the renovations?

Pressman,

Again, thanks for the link to Boomer's radio. :)

Here's a quirkly little thing I found on YouTube that made me smile. Obviously, it won't work for everyone, but I'm sharing it nonetheless. This first link is accompanied by the real thing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVVJKGLGV...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJiaIxgY0...

This song caused a great deal of controversy during the Vietnam war, and the irony is that its message is timeless.

Oklahoma Reader

That was a very interesting article. Thanks for posting that link.

Here in Oz its customary to use reusable grocery sacks. It hasn't completely eliminated plastic sacks yet but we are headed in that direction.

Its such a simple way to reduce the amount of plastic trash.

Third Child, decaf, decaf, decaf...using water with no fluoride in it of course.

TC: Does that make you my Third Child twice removed? Relationships surely can get sticky.

Some folks here on "Speak out" have a "The sky is falling" mentality. Perhaps, they could take a deep breath and prepare a list of their greatest concerns. The news about plastic leaching into beverages and food has been out there for quite awhile. You can use canning jars, which conveniently come in quarts, pints, half pints to store leftovers (until you clean out the refrigerator:}

Some minds are firmly closed. Remember Ike said not to get down to argue w/someone. They'll pull you down to their level and beat you every time.

With the tenor of some of these screeds, it might be a good idea to maintain our screen identities. Never know when someone might come along and "nutter" the person who questioned "the latest" conspiracy theory.

I feel a great sadness that 15 young Americans were killed last week in defense of our country.

OKR - I don't know; perhaps my view is restricted by the porcelain...

Selmac8

I'm nutered and I do stay at home.

Third Child,

I have made no statements regarding fluoride other than a few light-hearted comments. You however cited a source as a qualification for your thesis, and in the end it seems you know nothing about that source's background or expertise.

When you use a source as a qualification and that source is someone not commonly known, it becomes necessary to explain why that person is a qualified source...what their level of expertise in the field is, the number of years they have studied in that field, and any public recognitions of their work. It is not the reader's responsibility to qualify your statements or your sources. It is your responsibility to do so.

I have never claimed any expertise in fluorides or chemistry nor have I made any serious statements regarding this issue. I simply asked you what qualified the source you quoted. It appears that as yet you unable to do so thus making your statement nothing more than an empty opinion.

Is that all to difficult for you to understand?

Third Child,

One more thing. WE GET IT ALREADY!

Seriously, you should think about starting your own blog or website so that you may state your views there instead of constantly subjecting everyone here to your incessant bloviation of conspiritorial pablum.

Once again, WE GET IT ALREADY!

"If you own a cat it should be made to stay in your own fenced yard or on a leash just like a dog. If found unattended it should be picked up and nuttered or put to sleep." By Waterman7622

Yes its comments like this that help any problem? People like Waterman7622 have one way of thinking "Kill it to fix the problem" Hmm can anyone remember someone in history that started this way? Wait could it be a ever so evil German dictator? Death is never a way to solve a problem and killing animal simply because there "Stray" or running around is wrong.

This way of thinking has to stop or we will all suffur in the end.

Waterman7622 maybe if your not in your yard or your just out running around you should be picked up and neutered so that this backward way of thinking ends with you and your kind.

I am curious about a couple of things --

"feeding a couple of strays" If you begin feeding the cats, aren't you "assuming" some care of them? Then they would no longer be "strays"?

What happened to the dog on the corner of Morrow? Is he still there? His little house has been empty the past several times I've been by....

Just curious.

NanaDot,

I am far from uneducated but what does "certainly differently" mean??? Have I missed something?

Third Child

Its your citation...now establish its qualification. Who is the Author. I am betting you don't even know who the Author is. You read it and you believe it.

Scarpetta,

I believe I could almost live at a doughnut shop...and they always have the best columbian coffee too!

I know news across, I hope they have those cake ones with the brown sugar frosting...yummmmmmm!!

Well, I guess I should get my 2 cents in on fluoride too.

I like fluoride!

Yep, I do.

I like the lemony/minty fresh flavor it adds to the water...and my teeth are pearly white.

What more could a fella want.

Watch Bill Moyers Journal this week for good info on healthcare reform...

There is a practice/concept called the Precautionary Principle that is gaining wide acceptance among those who are concerned about human health, natural resource management and biodiversity conservation.. it is worth a look

http://www.sehn.org/precaution.html

ya know this fluoride thing was voted in....and could be voted OUT!!

Way to go Waverly!!

Your Civil War History Festival on June 27 & 28th was absolutely fabulous! Your small community really came together, and my thanks to all who helped and gave their support: the Waverly Arts Council; Mayor Barbara; John Hinz; all the ladies I met and talked to (you know who you are); those who prepared and served the great meals at the firehouse, at the church, and for the Shelby family members; the participants in the re-inactment battles; the venders; Mark Alley; those who drove the carts and wagons; those who provided water; those who donated during 26 years to see the completion of the magnificent General Jo Shelby statue; the speakers who bravely withstood the intense heat at the statue dedication; the librarian who trusted me with that book [which I did pay for, by the way :)]; everyone who came - locally and from several different states - to see your local history unveiled... (sorry if I left anyone out)

I felt like a celebrity and was given VIP treatment. I was never so proud to "share" my

heritage of being related to General Jo.

I will always remember the two days that we shared together. :)

THANKS AGAIN, WAVERLY!!

Sincerely,

Susan Shelby

WonderJim, those links are quite interesting, and serve as a reminder.

You know, when Gov. Sanford was offering his uninspired and insincere explanation for his irrational behavior, I noticed something very queer about him, or more specifically, AROUND him, and now, after reviewing those links, I know what it was:

SCALES!!!!!! Scales were sloughing off of him!

news across ... i'm kind of worried about you with the bunny post, lol.

Stacy Keach, or maybe Jack Nicholson. Also Dennis Hopper and Captain America.

Hey!

Speaking of Rabbits...we found a white, domesticated rabbit in our yard recently. We kept him. He walked right over to my wife and waited for her to pick him up.

Now he is Mommy's little rabbit.

That rabbit is spoiled rotten. He has a very large, 3 floor, carpeted cage (hay on the bottom level of course), and she feeds him all of his favorite foods, cuddles him, and of course he can pretty much come and go from his cage all he wants...with minimal clean up, if ya know what I mean. Our 2 dogs and 2 cats accept him as part of the family and they all play together. Oh by the way, his very clean cage (I am chief cage cleaner) is kept in the living room by our front, picture glass window so he can watch TV with my wife. He does watch TV, by the way. I don't know why, but he does.

He is the happiest bunny rabbit I have ever seen.

WonderJim, do these lizards also smoke marijuana?

thank you - i think... white rabbit, and all.:>))

TC - Great post - agreed, fluoride in the water is pure poison. Appreciate the research! Thanks.

Back in early grade school, my future wife lived across from the old Fair Grounds, when the circus came to town. She skipped school that day so she could watch from her front yard as the tent and booths were erected. It's one of her fond memories.

Third Child - just for you since I know your interest in fluoride..

http://www.ewg.org/pethealth/report/fluo...

Not only has the reassessed thing come at a bad time, minimum wage will be going up on July 24, 2009. Prepare to see prices driven higher and more people in line for help. With sales down, employers can't afford the additional payroll...hours will be cut back and jobs will be lost.

Changing the subject... Has anyone else's house been reassessed/reappraised or whatever the City of Marshall calls it? My parent's went up over 25%, on a fixed income. They have lived in their home less than five years and it has changed three times. No improvements have been made, explain this to me.

I thought the real estate market was DOWN! Prices haven't gone up.

First off to all the people that don't like long posts sorry for the book but I want to do my best to answer all the questions.

Jo said:

Gal66: It's a good thing you do, but it shouldn't be that way! No one should have that burden! What happens when you're gone, or disabled! There are a lot of People in those circumstances! The Bootstrap thing is fine, but not feasible for some! But I congratulate you on your efforts!!

Jo I really do think we should take care of our own.

The topic of being gone or disabled has been a burden that has been very heavy for us we have given a lot of thought to placing her in a non state run home when something happens to us with our life insurance she will be well taken care of, now if we became disabled then yes we would have to depend on the state for help we would not be happy about it but we would do what we have to do.

NanaDot said

Gal66 - and what are you going to do when that child turns 18, and your insurance won't cover her anymore? Is she worth less care?

No she is not worth less care and she will not get less care.

With any luck the major expenses are over and our insurance does not cover expendables very well at all anyway.

Other than that we will be paying out of our own pocket.

Newsacross said: There is an old African folk-saying that I think remains true, "it takes an entire village to raise a child."

I do not have a problem with that.

The welfare and well-being of all children are all our responsibility.

I am sorry I do not agree with this the welfare and well-being are the responsibility of the parents.

Now don't get me wrong I know when something happens with parents say drugs then there are ways to help but it's not giving that parent more money to by more drugs with.

Third Child,

I think the use of "child" in your screen name is delicious irony.

Gal66: It's a good thing you do , But it shouldn't be that way! No one should have that burden! What happens when your gone, or disabled! There is a lot of People in those circumstance's ! The Bootstrap thing is fine, but not feasible for some! But i congratulate you on your efforts!!

Reader101 - Medicare, government employees, the military, Congress - that's a pretty big program that seems to be running just fine...

"Too bad there's nothing free and universal in God's non-socialist America. Like roads, police protection, fire departments, public schools, and public parks where we can protest against public programs like funding for parks.

But Mitch McConnell says that in Canada people have to wait for a knee replacement. See now, if I'm getting a free knee replacement surgery without fear of being dropped by my health insurance carrier or having to run up credit card debt in order to cover the co-pay, the co-insurance and the deductible, I want my damn knee replacement yesterday.

Waiting eight weeks (the average wait time) for a free Canadian knee replacement surgery is eight weeks too long. In America, I can have my knee surgery over lunch, yes? Of course I have to pay more for such a convenience. And I'm participating in an enterprise that could easily screw me out of the coverage entirely. But I can have my surgery whenever I want it. (Actually, it's about a 21 day wait.)"

Bob Cesca

"If You Don't Want the Public Option, Get the Hell Out of the Way"

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bob-cesca/...

I'm not sure what to think of the idea of Nationalized Health Care. I've seen the Canadian system up close and personal, and while everyone gets free care, it's not really efficient or timely, and many citizens choose to seek their own care, that they pay for themselves, in the US. On the other hand, as news across has indicated, the Austrailian system seems to work well. My biggest concern about US Nationalized Health Care isn't about taxes necessarily, it's about the ability of the government to run a program this big. Let's face it, the US government's track record on running anything in an effiecent manner is about ZERO.

Upsedaisy, if I didn't misread your comment I would say that you've put me in my place while opening my eyes at the same time.

I reviewed a few of my latest harangues and I see I'm guilty as charged.

I agree that our energies could be expended in more productive ways.

If I can possibly stir my addled brain into formulating cohesive and reasonable options to the plans on the table in Washington, I'll send them along to our esteemed legislators.

Thank you for the plea!

Kathy - I DO love Bob Cesca's bluntness - good one.

TC - you DID resort to name calling = 'Freedumb in Australia" is NOT a sentence, it is a direct salutation, such as 'Mr. Jones'... talk about sad...

Blogger Bob Cesca has a suggestion for those who don't want a national health care system:

www.huffingtonpost.com/bob-cesca/if-you-...

Third Child,

I did re-read your name-calling several times. Your attempt to back-peddle now is rather pathetic.

Frankly, I would think an adult in your current position would have done the right thing by apologizing and moving on.

...but not you, eh Third Child?

Third Child,

I see you are now resorting to name calling...well that's ok...I don't really care what you call me, as long as you don't call me late for supper...lol lol lol, I have always liked that one.

Anyway, that collection of peashooters you conservatives like to keep (by the way, we liberals like to hunt too and I am a United States Army veteran [Vietnam era, full Honorable Discharge, with medals and ribbons], a marksman with a rifle, and a damn good shot at that!) do not secure your freedom...not in the least. A tank would flat out blow you away...gun or no gun. A stealth bomber would blow you away before you ever got near your gun,... and did I mention artillery shells and Tomahawk missiles? I think you can see the picture pretty well.

Oh...one other thing...I am an American...born and bred in the US of A. I vote in every Missouri/American election either by absentee ballot or electronically at the American Consulate in Sydney. It is true that I am a naturalized Australian citizen (dual citizenship)...however that does not negate my American citizenship which cannot be taken from me under any circumstances, nor did I check my citizenship and Constitutional rights at the door when I emigrated to Australia. Just setting the record straight.

Third Child,

Again, I see you failed to do your research.

In Australia you certainly can own a gun. In fact, hunting is very popular in Australia, and guns are a necessity on the farms here due to the fact that we have some of the most dangerous snakes in the World here. However, the guns are wisely well regulated. In Australia, if a person wishes to own a gun they have to have a good reason in order to get the permit. Good reasons include being a hunter, joining a shooters club, or having an occupation that may require the gun for safety...such as a security guard or a farmer. If one will be carrying their gun to hunt with or to go shooting at a shooters club, they merely contact the State Police, let them know when they will be carrying the weapon, where they will be carrying it, and for what purpose and they are free to go about their business. So this notion that Australian can't own guns is absolutely untrue and only reflects poor research on the part of anyone who would make such a claim.

However, in modern times rifles, shotguns, and pistols aren't much good for defense against an oppressive government. To test this, try shooting at a modern tank with any of your guns and see how many penetrate the armor.

Instead, as has been said so many times, "the pen is mightier than the sword" and as Gandhi and Dr. King so aptly demonstrated, revolutions can be won with out ever firing a shot. Australians are civilized people, and they do their fighting with words, concepts, and ideas...and they do so within a proper democracy..which is far more powerful than any gun.

news across: I'm sure you don't need encouragement from me to please stick around, but I'm equally sure I speak for many who feel the same way.

I'm with you 100%, Scarpetta!

We employed tax payers pee in a cup, or even have a strand of hair tested... So should those who receive govenment assistance!

Scarpetta,

Your suggestion excuses drug addicts like Rush Limbaugh from seeking medical treatment for his addiction to Oxycontin. Having a prescription to satisfy one's addiction does not make the illness any more justified nor does it make it any less worthy of treatment.

Further, you now make the assumption that privacy rights do not or should not exist just because the illness is addiction. Its a lot like saying one doesn't deserve privacy with their medical decisions just because they have a flu or some other illness you erroneously assume is a moral problem but not a medical problem... and I certainly hope you are not attempting to place police powers and duties upon our medical professionals. That is not their place or their job.

Finally, you keep referring to "you" in your comment and it appears as if you are talking about me. I am not suffering from drug addiction and the only medicine I take is to treat high cholesterol...it is prescribed by my physician and it is not addictive. Please be careful how you phrase things in the future.

I guess all I can say in regards to all that conservative nonsense you are spewing is thank God I live in a free Nation that has socialized medical care and not in a police state that leaves 40 million people empty handed and in desperate need for medical care. No wonder the American economy has collapsed.

Scarpetta,

Drug addiction...be it by prescription (as in the case of Rush Limbaugh)...or street drugs...is a medical illness and as such requires treatment. In addition, even in a Nation with socialized health care (such as where I live), medical treatment is between a person and their doctor...and that is how it should be.

Gal66 - and what are you going to do when that child turns 18, and your insurance won't cover her anymore? Is she worth less care?

news across who owns the companys for the most part?

snoozes,

#1 I did not say that everyone would qualify for Medicaid.

If and only if you can not afford health insurance and you are not living above your means and have no possiable way to work a 2nd job then I would not have a problem with you being able to get some form of aid for health care.

I am not saying this is you but I have a real problem when I go to the Dr. and I see someone that is not paying for their health care and they have a body full of tatoos and pericings or are driving a brand new car or a big SUV and you hear them talking about their day and it's laying around watching TV all day and partying all night to me that is BS.

Jo,

Yes I have been in a bad position a few times in my life.

When I was a child in north Missouri my mother was raising 5 kids as a single parent yes we did get some assistance in the form of commodities I am sure you know what they are but my mother worked 2 and sometimes 3 jobs to keep a roof over our heads.

All of us kids did as much as we could to help out too the two oldest had jobs after school the rest of us either baby set or mowed yards to help, I mowed a lot of yards for .50 cent or a dollar.

I started throwing papers when I was 12 so I know what it is to work.

I don't have a problem with people get help if and when they help themselves!

You want to talk about health problems our 16 year old daughter is a special needs child the cost of just the supplies to keep her alive would shock the hell out of most people.

Try 27 operations in her 16 years with no help from anyone except our insurance that we work hard to pay for.

Try $600 dollars a month for daycare.

One or both of us have worked 2 jobs for the last 14 years.

Yes we could get some assistance but our child's care and well being is not anyone else's responsibility it's ours.

"Give away all you have, and follow Me" - ???

The answers to my questions would be nice not just more comments!!!

I would not have a problem with a flat tax rate.

I just hate it when people in this country want to give out something for nothing!

Lets look at one item on your the list from the link you posted.

Why on earth should we as working people want to give health insurance for free to someone that does not have it?

If someone does not have health insurance most likely they would be able to get Medicaid so there is your health care.

I have seen figures not sure where but I will try to find them that said there are something like 18 million people eligible for Medicaid but only 11 million signed up

Holy criminy! No one is talking about DEPRIVING the poor oppressed wealthiest 10% of any of their goodies - the tax 'cuts' would only roll back the rate to pre-Bush - and HE's certainly made billions on oil, gas, and munitions over the last 8 years, and I guarantee that he won't be any more deprived than he was BEFORE....

With the $2.1 BILLION that the richest 10% in missouri are getting in tax cuts:

http://www.nationalpriorities.org/tradeo...

Well folks,...

...there ya go...the Global Warming issue has been resolved by Dr. Cheese...undisputed World expert on climate and weather...as well as Nobel Laureate.

He has given it his final "nuf said."

So tell us again your qualifications cheese? And what gives you the right to put this issue to rest?

Global warming is a load of crap...nuff' said.

Basic physical geology on the composition of the ATMOSPHERE:

http://www.physicalgeography.net/fundame...

TC - you have to have an occurrence of something before it can be prosecuted - given the huge numbers of assaults, killings, etc against specific particular groups (usually by Christian extremists, I might add) nothing can be prosecuted or considered a 'targeted population'... so the question stands... on what grounds?

news across - "nature always bats last"...:))

TC - What reports of 'hateful, atheist gays' killing, burning, dragging behind someone's truck, dismembering, or blowing up of Christians in this country have you heard about lately?

You guys are too optimistic for me. I think I'll go watch the movie On the Beach. :( :)

Cheetah, in reference to your link: It may be a reach to keep the rise in global temperature to two degrees celsius, but not as big a reach as somehow going back in time to 1990 to begin the new program to do so. I know that they have fantastic hush, hush things going on in secret "guvment", especially at the Pentagon, but I had no idea that such an elaborate time machine existed. I feel better now.

Maybe there is a t.v. series in it somewhere, that would take our minds off things.

News,

The claim the GOP made about Obama's lack of experience appears to have some validation so far. I've wondered if maybe he's the victim of his own making by the content of his "advisory" group. During the previous administration we saw Cheney's influence over presidential decisions, and now we seem to have a similar situation. I do believe Obama is a gifted thinker, but his "blank slate" appears to be filling with skewed advice.

It's so disappointing, no, disgusting, that the two parties are going about their business like two bratty children who dislike one another and insist on having their way about everything. Yet, the majority of the American people are uncaring, just as long as their lives aren't affected to a discernible degree.

Obviously, all ideas won't be embraced by all the members of the parties, primarily because those holding the seats have gotten used to thinking of themselves as being the center of the universe. I only know of one way to break that mentality, and that would be to elect new people at every election. Period. They won't set term limits for themselves, so I don't see any other choice. If you took all the ones who have made significant contributions to our country's welfare and world standing, you might have a handful, and that being the case, nothing is lost by turning over the faces at every opportunity.

In spite of my dour thoughts I still have faith that Obama will prevail, even if it's just enough of a beginning so that people will see the benefit to climbing out of the trench and recognize the need for a new direction.

I keep thinking about Peter with his finger in the dike.

Slater - While I understand 'relative deprivation', I also know that 'absolute deprivation' (lack of food, medical care, a decent place to work, live, etc) are what really drive mass change. I think, unfortunately, that Obama encountered the same jackals that others have, and have probably died defying...

ND,

While ruminating over some of what's been going on I thought about James Davies et.al. and their study of the social conditions contributing to the violence in the African-American communities during the 1960s. During the time of rising expectations for increased prosperity and social equality the blacks were being left behind, producing what Davies termed "relative deprivation."

Some days I almost think that Obama is unwittingly turning the tables on a good portion of America by not living up to his words.

Mr. Walnuts,

Heaven forbid! I have offended thee by posting my thoughts, which "pushed yours down" below the threshhold!

I do apologize for being so wordy, but at the same time I could suggest that you get with the webmaster and see if it's feasible to give this blog a two-column width. Maybe do away with the temperature forecasts and stories in the news sections, etc., for example. :)

I guess I will post this again since Slater decided to post another novel and it got pushed down so quickly.

On the bright, less argumentative side of things. I found out today the Saline Animal League has a new website.

www.salineanimalleague.org

So, why was the article concerning the beer garden at the Saline County Fair dropped from the headlines??? Too many comments??? Seems kind of fishy it was on the front page of the paper and now it is not even on the web for viewers to see and comment on?!?!? What's the deal?!??!

"Many gardeners will agree that hand-weeding is not the terrible drudgery that it is often made out to be. Some people find in it a kind of soothing monotony. It leaves their minds free to develop the plot for their next novel or to perfect the brilliant repartee with which they should have encountered a relative's latest example of unreasonableness." ~Christopher Lloyd, The Well-Tempered Garden, 1973

Karl Popper on Hegel: "The worship of power is an old religion, and Hegel, to go no farther back, is full of it"

upsedaisy: agreed:a cold local brew on a hot day is a joy to savor. agreed: same joy is not the road to perdition. Parental example has a lot to do with it - cheers!:>))

Jo here's an interesting read:

http://www.yesmagazine.org/article.asp?i...

And we gotta start SOMEwhere...:)

I think i would prefer to have Obama at the Helm , than a Pathetic little Man, like Bush! I think everyone has forgotten that all these guys should be in Federal Prison by now! Obama is doing the best he can , with the Tools he was left with! He may never get it done, it is a mess!

Check it out - the lobbyists are lining up to stop any attempts at consumer financial protection and any form of national health care... and for those who are parroting "harry and louise" corporate propoganda, read further - you were set up...

http://www.democracynow.org/2009/7/7/hea...

Third Child - please note that this time, it is news across who is agreeing with your position... as I have in the past..we can and have acknowledged the validity of SOME of your positions.

IF that is possible, and we know that 'governments lie', is it not also possible that our corporate controlled government(s) don't want us to know how perilous our future on this planet is becoming due to climate change, whatever direction you choose - warming or cooling - because it might cut into their profits?

Is it just possible that we, too, are concerned about what our governments are NOT telling us - like anything approximating the truth...?

OR do you just want to be ANTI- everything and everybody, regardless? There IS common ground...

Third Child,

I agree that one cannot argue with physics. The laws of physics cannot be broken...ever. So when our government tells us that a single bullet killed John Kennedy and wounded the Texas Governor -- requiring that it make a 90 degree turn in midair...with out striking anything...or that a falling building can fall at the free fall rate...in direct violation of Newton's Law of Gravity, I know that someone somewhere doesn't want me to know the truth.

Nuttin wrong w/recipes turning up occasionally. Ran across my copy of "Kitchen Klatter" from the 60s. Back then people phoned the radio station w/recipes and they were carefully copied down by listeners. I'll check to see if there are any special BBQ Sauce recipes. Today, there's food network, epicurious.com and myrecipes.com among others, no end to variations on a theme.

TC, since you asked, I'll tell you what I see in the sky: nothing.

Beginning in January 1983 I started having problems with my vision. A visit to the ophthalmologist showed a degeneration in the retinal tissue, and the diagnosis was Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP), which is a progressive and permanent degeneration of retinal tissue. In my case it results from the collapse of blood vessels supplying the retinas. No cause has been determined. That briefly describes my situation.

It's been reported that contrails form when the heat from the engine exhaust combines with the cold, moist air, forming ice crystals.

I'm sure that the composition of the atmosphere has changed over the years since I was lying in the grass looking up at the trails. Everything else is becoming tainted, thanks to the human race, so whatever you believe to be happening and whatever you believe is the cause, or causes, may very well be true. I'm not a scientist, so I have no learned opinion of such matters.

Maybe science is more exact than economics, but there seems to be some argument about the issue of global warming. Why, I'm not sure, because there does seem to be enough real evidence that CO2 is doing a great harm to the planet.

Maybe people are like the group of legislators who said a few years ago while working on fixing social security, "Why should we bother? We won't be around 50 years from now to know the outcome. (paraphrased)

I have my doubts that our current crop of government officials are capable of ever doing the right thing about anything, and I'm not certain that we'd ever have a group dedicated to the preservation of our country and our Earth.

Anyone feel like dancin'? :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06OsXHxZ3...

And whats wrong with that SalineFire?

I mean really, A Recipe on the blog wall?

Slater, our eyes play tricks upon us. Especially if we're sampling a Shiner or two. "Commemorator"? Who named the beer? George W. Bush? I read your post and thought Shiner beer was going out of "bidness" at the end of the year. Then I reread the post and realized that "Commemorator" was in limited production. Perhaps, if others like it as much as you do, Shiner will keep the formula going for the next 100 years! Cheers!

news across .. completely agree with you on the fair tax thoughts.

still though ... you and your battle with third child ... yawwwwwwwwwwwwn .. i skip on by them! tired of it. as i'm sure many on here are.

i'm glad you and the third child are having fun with it though, that's what this is all about, free speech. enjoy yourselves.

OKR, something very queer has happened, but I want to preface it by talking a little about Shiner, TX.

Shiner is the home of Shiner Brewery (nope, this isn't the oddity), and 2009 marks the 100th year of production.

To mark this milestone, the brewery has made what it's calling Shiner Commemorator, which tastes much like many of the marvelous beers I consumed while in Germany during my Army days. Unfortunately, 12/31/09 will see the end of this very tasty brew.

Now, that brings me to the odd happening. I read your post with the link to that NYt article, but somehow I see I managed to click on the link posted by News about Oz being the third best place on Earth to live, and that's how the US stat got into this.

Once I realized my error, I started scrolling down to your link, but, lo and behold, it's gone!

I remembered the problem you encountered a while back, when a big chunk of the posts weren't showing on your screen, but I suppose sooner or later it'll return.

Before anyone begins offersing suggestions about clearing the cache, etc., those factors don't enter into my particular situation. Rather, I think I may still be delirious from all the Commemorator I've consumed during this weekend.

If its days are numbered, I have to do what I can to show my support for their fine products. :)

Foggy Mountain Breakdown.

Thanks News, I'll check it out.

I hope you had a wonderful holiday.

Hey Slater. I hope you enjoyed Independence Day. I certainly did. Firecracker Day with Grand Kids, ice cream, and strawberry shortcake (my wife's awesome secret recipe). Then beer and conversation with the adults of a gang of fifteen at the gathering.

We followed by visiting the traveling Vietnam Memorial today. We were fortunate to have it in our locale this holiday. It is good to be reminded that many are dead, and that their families suffer on from a war long ago ended. War and its lingering effects on good people teach the lesson that war should always be a last resort. I saw a lot of tears, and the even sadder faces of some who can no longer cry.

Slater, I can't seem to find a reference for your comment about the U.S. being 114th in the Frank Rich column. Could you have drawn that stat from elsewhere?

A most interesting article, OKR. US at 114th place, eh? Well, I don't know if that's so surprising, really.

Maybe, somehow all of us who care about others and about equality could find a country to occupy - maybe the area west of the Mississippi. Put all the greedy b*****ds on the other side.

I would never have imagined that 9 of the first 10 places would be Latin American countries. Maybe I'm guilty of stereotypical thinking.

News made a good choice by picking Oz to settle in.

Hey News! Is Qantas using the same methods as New Zealand Air to edify it passengers? heh heh

BTW:

Any one with small children Blind Pony was great the kids caught at least 30 fish :) and we were only there from 12:00 until 4:00. The kids were pulling them in cast after cast. I did not see any big ones but we sure had fun! It is well worth the trip to see the smiles on the kids faces!

I see that the ability to post comments was removed from this article.

http://www.marshallnews.com/story/154880...

I went back to check and see if any of the questions had been answered. There are several questions there, including one from myself, that deserve an answer.

Any plans for a follow up story from Geoff Rands, Eric?

"The passions unleashed by economic inequities are explosive because those inequities violate the fundamental capitalist faith. It's the bedrock American dream that virtues like hard work and playing by the rules are rewarded with prosperity." Frank Rich from his column July 5th, 2009.

Here it is, a good read made easy: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/05/opinio...

notgvnasht

I agree with you 100%

They do the same thing in Australia. Fun is Fun, but some of us need our sleep.

Third Child,

As a voter, I would much prefer to have a President that does a courteous gesture in a diplomatic fasion, than one that actually goes as far as to hold hands with the Saudi King...as Bush did.

As I have said Third Child, We the People are not about to turn the reigns of the Government over to the same party that has caused us so many wars and so much economic grief...just because our President makes a slight, courteous gesture to foreign emissaries.

See you at the voting booth in 2010 and 2012.

On this 4th of July I want to wish everyone a happy Independence Day!

In honor of our Founding Fathers and the American Majority, I hope you all join me in saying,

GOD BLESS PRESIDENT OBAMA, OUR FIRST LADY AND THEIR WONDERFUL CHILDREN!! GOD BLESS THE USA!!

Mentioning fiddle camps in Montana brought to mind a couple of opportunities to hear some great strings:

The Appalachian String Band Music Festival (304-558-0220; www.wvculture.org/stringband) at Camp Washington-Carver in Clifftop, W.Va., will be held on July 29 to Aug. 2 this year.

The Old Fiddler's Convention will be held at Felts Park in Galax, Va. (276-236-8541; www.oldfiddlersconvention.com). It is scheduled for Aug. 3 to 8.

Thanks for responses on Blind Pony, I am taking an 8 year old and 7 year old so it doesn't matter how big the fish are as long as they are biting:)We just returned from a week up North and caught enough catfish to get a good taste.

Ms. McKinney is in a position she chose to be in. I don't feel sorry for her.

Interesting story, WT. Macular Degeneration occurs in two forms - one is treatable, and the other is progressive and permanent. Obviously the woman had the treatable kind.

If the medical people in that part of Washington didn't know the difference, then I suppose it's possible that she died from herbal poisoning.

Litlmissme, check out this link for Blind Pony Lake:

http://mdc.mo.gov/areas/central/blindpon...

Here's another link with a detailed explanation of the tax structure. It's in PDF format, so you'll need Adobe Reader to open it:

http://ase.tufts.edu/gdae/Pubs/wp/03-10-...

Third Child,

I can give you many examples of Vice President Gore's selflessness, but I think the one that strikes me most significantly is how, despite the fact that his Father was Senior Senator from Tennessee and could have easily gotten Al Jr. out of service in Vietnam, Al gore Jr. volunteered to serve in the United States Army in Vietnam.

In fact, though he was strongly opposed to the war in Vietnam on moral grounds, and despite the fact that many other Harvard grads were opting out of service in 'Nam by joining the National Guard or registering as conscientious objectors, Al Jr. was determined to join up...and for 2 very good reasons. He didn't want his opting out (as GW Bush did by joining the National Guard) to damage his Father's career, and more importantly, he felt that if he avoided that immoral war then some economically disadvantaged (poor) kid would end having to serve in his place. Al joined up and served with distinction.

Wiki carries an extensive biography of Vice President Gore. You will find this story and many others about his selflessness there if you are truly interested (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Gore#Harvard.2C_Vietnam.2C_journalism.2C_and_Vanderbilt_.281965-1976.29. However you asked for one example and now you have it.

Third Child, I hope you will understand that I am tiring of this back and forth with you about Al Gore. I don't see anything positive coming from it. Aikman recently helped me realize something I think important...we can all work together in finding solutions to our Nations problems if we choose to...despite our differences or Party affiliations. I hope in the future you will join me and others in a positive effort to make our Nation a better place...not by destroying good reputations of good men...but rather by finding solutions to the problems our Nation is suffering.

Here is a real good reason for all Americans to band together this 4th of July and start coming up with better ideas to get our Nation out of this economic mess and back on the road to prosperity.

"Out of Iraq's frying pan,

into an economic fire"

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31707683/ns/...

These, our children who did our bidding and served our Nation with honor and distinction deserve better.

conservative softie ... lol countryman. just recognizing something for what it is, and i admire what news across has done. it needs to be acknowledged.

however, i don't personally agree with very many of his political views, and i think i can speak for others (except for the demo news who probably loves the controversey, drives people to their web site), when i say ... news across and third child, give it a break! we're tired of reading your hissy fits at each other. it's gotten to the point where i just scroll on by them and don't even read, too long. admire your passion but ... call a truce guys, it's getting old.

Thank You NanaDot for your kind Independence Day wishes.

The Australians don't celebrate our Independence day but my wife and I do. Interestingly enough, by the way, the Australians have a law that guarantees immigrants to Australia the right to take off work (without pay) to celebrate their major holidays. So if I was working a 9 to 5 job, I would be able to take off on the 4th to celebrate and not risk being disciplined or terminated by my employer for doing so.

As it is we plan to BBQ on the 4th (it will actually be the 5th here) and we are inviting a few Aussie friends to help us celebrate.

Thanks again NanDot and I hope you and your wonderful family have the best 4th of July celebration yet!

Happy Independence Day to everyone. Hip Hip Hooray

Third Child,

I checked your sources you attempted to use to qualify your argument. Both are right-wing extremist opinion pieces. They provide no evidence what so ever that Vice President Gore ever intended to mislead. Instead, they quote some of his testimony then the authors offer up their unqualified opinions which differ from Vice President Gore's estimates and then claim that because his estimates and opinion are different from the authors' opinions that he, Gore must then be lying.

Please spare us this clap trap and these spurious, unqualified accusations against this great American. Such nonsense only makes you look (1) foolish and (2) lend credence to the notion many folks have that those of you on the right of this issue are nothing more than a bunch of angry, ignorant, pitch-fork wielding, sore losers viciously lashing out at any known liberal and grasping in the air for straws.

The right-wing will never win any elections that way.

Third Child,

I checked your source you used to qualify your last comment. It is an empty, conservative opinion...and op-ed piece -- (that is what most blogs are...opinion pieces). The author, James Corbett, has no expertise in the field of environmental sciences and his article is based mostly on sources taken out of context, other biased, non-expert conservative op-eds, and his interpretation of the information he sources. I don't know of any accredited university or college that would accept him as an acceptable source.

In the end, your problem is this. You quote a non-expert, conservative opinion. You will have to do better than that if you want to qualify your comment.

Third Child: On June 17th, 2009 you said "either way, my reactions to you are now going to be few and far between. If you can come up with an honest debate on something, I'll reconsider." I replied on the same date "So long Third Child I am just going to join others in ignoring you."

Judging your comments regarding me since that time you obviously do not think I have come up with an "honest debate" on anything. So, why do you persist in reacting to me?

The only reason I said anything directly to you in my last comment was that you as usual just assumed that I was in favor of "cap and trade", and stated that I was. I stated that I had never stated a position on cap and trade on the blog, still haven't. As usual you ignored the point of my comment. Most people would have replied sorry I misrepresented your position, not you.

While I do agree with you on some issues my honest opinion is that you are a confused person who sees a conspiracy around every corner, and that there appears to be no rational connection between your all over the map opinions.

Now, that is the last comment I will make to you. Say what you will, I will leave it up to others to judge the veracity of your comments. I am confident that you will be the source of your own undoing.

Cheetah, heavenly days, you are in danger of losing your soul over the use of the acronym ROTFLMAO. It apparently contains an unacceptable word, or so I'm told...I think the word in question might be "laughing..." but I'm sure someone will soon set you straight on that. Oh, that reminds me, I'm also ROTFLMAO over Eric's comment :)

Aw geez, you guys aren't going to start arguing about whether you agreed to stop arguing are ya?

Third Child, we had an agreement that we were going to ignore each other. I have stuck to the bargain. You continue to misrepresent, and to misinterperet my statements, and positions. I have never stated my position on cap, and trade, on this blog, nor any other. So unless something is whispering secret thoughts to you, you are clueless. Must you run on driven by your erroneous assumptions?

Can you not at least keep your word?

news across ...

no need to get so defensive, i was just curious what your story was and what angle you were coming from, because not many living in australia care about anything posted on this little demo news web site. in fact .... ummmmm ... let me think .... you might be the .... ummmm ... only australian posting here? lol.

i don't agree with your opinions and silly thoughts at all, but ... i do respect them, that's what makes america great, we all are able to have an opinion that can be verbalized and won't get us in trouble or followed by the government. well, at least not yet ... your guy nobama IS in charge for the next 1360 days or so.

or maybe it's less than that ... CHANGE is truly coming with the 2010 elections ... by then your guy nobama will have ticked off nearly every american with his spendathon and immature policies.

i welcome you as a fellow marshallite. thank you for explaining where you're coming from on all this. inquiring minds wanna know, lol.

TC: To begin with, the group that we in the US call "neocons" are known as "neo-liberals" in the rest of the world, therefore, a look at neoliberalism might be useful.

http://www.corpwatch.org/article.php?id=...

http://www.globalissues.org/article/39/a...

"Enviornmentalism should be about healthy things and the absence of harmful additives in the air water and food." Absolutely and Agreed.

"If Al gore really cared about our health and future he would stand up against GMO food, aspartame, SSRIs, fluoride in the water and in the food, high fructose corn syrup, and mercury added to already dangerous vaccines." He has.

CO2 is only one component of what is known as 'global warming' - so is agricultural methane, the melting of the northern permafrost and deep ice in Antarctica, the slowing of the Great Conveyor Belt, and the melting of the glaciers...

While we cannot change the natural cycles of the sun, or global temperature, we CAN control some of the human activities that are having seriously negative impacts on the environment. There are villages in the Arctic that are being inundated, islands in Micronesia that are shrinking, permafrost in Alaska and Siberia that have are defrosting... if enough of it melts, it desalinates and slows or stops the Great Conveyor Belt, then we go into another Ice Age. But it's NOT a hoax.

And Al Gore is 'old money' - he already has millions, so pfft on that... he is NOT the issue.

If 'environmentalism should be about healthy things', then should we not also look to the health of the planet on which we live?

Third Child,

As to whether or not President Obama is a neocon or follows neocon ideology, I don't really know. He may, he may not. I know that I would certainly not jump to that conclusion just because he inherited 2 unfinished wars from the Republican Party. However, I do agree with our President that withdrawing our troops from Iraq as soon as possible is a good thing. I disagree with our President regarding Afghanistan, and I strongly urge him to immediately withdraw all of our troops from all areas outside our borders and bring them to home to America where I believe they belong. I tend to think he believes otherwise and that is his prerogative as President. As to whether or not this difference in opinion will affect my vote in 2012 I cannot say at this time. For now, I intend to vote for his re-election, but 2012 is still a long ways off. However one thing is for sure, if I should decide to not support the President in 2012, I certainly would not vote to turn the reigns of government over to conservatives...not after what I have seen them do when they were in complete control of our Government from 2000 to 2007 (and defacto control from 2007 to 2009). Doing so would seem to me to be the same as concluding that since the trained dogs cannot protect the chickens, the farmer should turn the protection of the chicken house and chickens over to the weasels.

Also, you ask, "Is it seditious to point out another Obama lie?" I believe the answer is no. I have examined the sedition laws

(http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/18/usc_sec_18_00002384----000-.html

http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/18/us...

http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/18/us...

http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/18/us...

and I see nothing in these laws that would even remotely relate to your question, nor do I believe that your question in anyway calls for the armed over-throw of our Government. You may want to closely inspect the laws you will find at the links I have provided and see what you think. I believe after reading the laws on sedition, you will also come to the same conclusion.

As to your allegations of the President lying, I know of no legitimate evidence to support such an outrageous accusation, and I believe such is nothing more than partisan speculation on the part of a Party of sore losers.

Third Child,

Your comment regarding my statement is almost interesting but irrelevant.

Neither my American citizenship or birth and partial upbringing in Missouri are up for debate.

As to the America you are familiar with, well I guess its true that we are all products of our experiences. You have yours, I have mine.

Finally, as to your interpretation of Aikman's question to me, he did state that he was "just curious." I thought that was fair enough and I answered him. As to the legality of sedition...the laws are on the books, the United States High Court has repeatedly and consistently supported the constitutionality of these laws, and it remains a crime to call for armed rebellion against the United States Government. As the Character Barretta in the tv series of the same name used to say, "If you can't do the time, don't commit the crime." If you don't like the law, I recommend you contact our Senators and your Congressman and try to change it, but please don't cry about it to me about them. I think laws against sedition are well justified and I agree with the Supreme Court of the United States that sedition is not free speech and is a crime against the People of the United States.

Sweet

I almost mentioned Skaggs and McCroury, but decided to go with my short list.

Keep Pickin Buddy!

Hey Eric

Ever heard much from Sam Bush - formerly of the New Grass Revival?

Bush on mandolin, Bela Fleck on Banjo, Jerry Douglas on dobro, and Pat Flynn on flat-top guitar - what a sweet sound that was. I think Douglas has been playing with Allison Krause and Union Station for a few years now.

Bush and Jimmy Ibbotson of the Dirt Band are both fine mandolin pickers in their own right.

May want to throw in Vince Gill too - who is probably better known for his guitar work.

Just a few idle thoughts.

Maybe we can get together and pick sometime.

upsedaisy,

Yes my BBA has two majors, Economics and Accounting, and yes my journey with the violin family began with my enrollment in a special program for musically gifted kids in Chicago when I was 10 years old. I was originally a violist and switched to the violin a few years later. The switch was no problem though since all violins, be it a violin, a viola, a cello, or a double Bass violin are basically the same as are the techniques used to play them.

My life has been an interesting one...to me anyway lol...however, I suspect most folks would find it pretty boring. I have been told that the story of how my wife and I met and ended up married is pretty interesting and some have told me (including my wife) that it would make a good love story in the form of a book.

However, rather than let my ego grow any bigger than it already is, when folks tell me my life is interesting I always try to remember something my Father told me when I was in college. I had been taking some advanced courses in English literature and had decided that I might want to write some short stories or perhaps even a novel someday. I told my Dad about what I had been thinking and he asked me, "What do you plan to write about...yourself?" Actually, my own life story was the last thing I wanted to write about (especially since a novel is a work of fiction), but I was curious as to why he asked me that and he said, "Well, a lot of folks tend to write books about themselves...and most of those books never end up published because nobody but the author thinks its an interesting story". That is pretty much how I think about my life. It has been an interesting road to travel...for me...but would probably bore the pants off of everyone else. However, there is no need to worry...I won't be troubling anyone with it anytime soon...lol.

Thank you for your kind comment though.

so, news across, if u live in australia, what's your connection to marshall and this web site? why do you care? just curious

That's good advice, News. I believe I'll take it.

News across already clarified the string question, but I have seen 4-string mandolins. One, anyway. It was an electric.

I envy you, News. I toyed with the idea of taking up the fiddle, too, but then I came to my senses. Starting this late in life, I'd end up being really bad at two instruments instead of less bad at one. I got *some* pride, after all :-)

Besides, I think it's unwise to "toy" with the idea of playing fiddle. It demands more commitment than that!

ok thought I was seeing things

Thanks

news across I may be seeing things but I think I count 8 tuning machines on the mandolin's the are playing in the video.

Eric are mandolin's like guitars in that some of them have more strings than others?

Eric,

I enjoyed your comment regarding "fiddle camp."

I am a violinist. The mandolin and the violin are similar in a number of ways, but perhaps the most important is that they both have 4 strings and tune the same (G,D,A,and E). Many violinists also play mandolin although I haven't as yet purchased a mandolin. I am thinking of doing so though. Its a wonderful instrument with a truly unique sound.

Third Child,

Sedition is not free thought. Sedition is not the Constitution. Sedition is not global warming or those who support global warming, nor is it those who oppose global warming.

Sedition is the calling for armed revolt against the United States Government and it is a crime...so says the Supreme Court of the United States ((Schenck v. United States, 249 U.S. 47 (1919), Debs v. United States, 249 U.S. 211 (1919), Gitlow v. New York, 268 U.S. 652 (1925), Dennis v. United States 341 U.S. 494 (1951)). Sedition is a serious crime and folks have gone to prison for it before, and it looks like some may go to prison for it again.

In another matter, recently a right wing extremist blogger, Harold "Hal" Turner, was arrested and charged for urging people to kill 3 Chicago Federal Judges (http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/wire/sns-ap-us-judges-murder-threats,1,6778202.story). He was also just recently denied bail and is facing a potentially long stretch in prison. We the People will not tolerate right-wing extremists continuing to break our laws like their leaders Bush and Cheney did any more than we will tolerate drug dealers or bank robbers breaking our laws.

Finally Third Child, don't worry about who I am...I live way, way, way down on the other side of the Earth in Australia and you don't know me.

Editor Crump, this is a very enjoyable way to start the new page. :)

I also enjoyed Bach's Goldberg Variations since I've been a nearly life-long fan of J.S. Bach's music.