Thursday, December 08, 2011
Moving Day!
I'm tired of Blogger constantly leaving me bloggered. So, we're moving to Typepad. Update your bookmarks! Access the new Froth Slosh's B'Gosh here!
Wednesday, December 07, 2011
Tuesday, December 06, 2011
I Really Don't Care
About Tim Tebow.
That said, I do agree with many of the insights in this piece, and at the end of the day, its a freakin' football game. If there is a god, I doubt he cares about the outcome, but if Tebow wants to make a show of his faith, so what? And if other players want to mock his piety, again, so what?
That said, I do agree with many of the insights in this piece, and at the end of the day, its a freakin' football game. If there is a god, I doubt he cares about the outcome, but if Tebow wants to make a show of his faith, so what? And if other players want to mock his piety, again, so what?
Sunday, December 04, 2011
Kentucky Church Shows Its True Color
That color would be "white."
A small Pike County church has voted not to accept interracial couples as members or let them take part in some worship activities.
Sheesh, wonder what the pastor's vestments are? White robe and hood??
In early November, Thompson proposed the church go on record saying that while all people were welcome to attend public worship services there, the church did not condone interracial marriage, according to a copy of the recommendation supplied by the Harvilles.
The proposal also said "parties of such marriages will not be received as members, nor will they be used in worship services" or other church functions, with the exception of funerals.
Thankfully, the community at large is critical of this repugnant stand.
A small Pike County church has voted not to accept interracial couples as members or let them take part in some worship activities.
Sheesh, wonder what the pastor's vestments are? White robe and hood??
In early November, Thompson proposed the church go on record saying that while all people were welcome to attend public worship services there, the church did not condone interracial marriage, according to a copy of the recommendation supplied by the Harvilles.
The proposal also said "parties of such marriages will not be received as members, nor will they be used in worship services" or other church functions, with the exception of funerals.
Thankfully, the community at large is critical of this repugnant stand.
Saturday, December 03, 2011
Hey! My Canary Is Dead!!
Wondering if this will ever sink in with the dunderheads?
Arctic air temperatures were higher – about 2.5 degrees F (1.5 degrees C) higher in 2011 than the baseline number for the previous 30 years – and there was a dramatic loss of sea ice and glacier mass, the scientists said in a telephone briefing. With less bright ice to reflect sunlight, and more dark open water to absorb it, the Arctic’s changed characteristics are likely to feed on each other and accelerate.
While I'm not comfortable in saying every prediction has come to pass, I am confident in asserting that nearly every prediction for what global warming will entail has come, or is coming to be. But since it might mean a few less coin in the Koch brothers' pockets, we cannot do anything about it.
Arctic air temperatures were higher – about 2.5 degrees F (1.5 degrees C) higher in 2011 than the baseline number for the previous 30 years – and there was a dramatic loss of sea ice and glacier mass, the scientists said in a telephone briefing. With less bright ice to reflect sunlight, and more dark open water to absorb it, the Arctic’s changed characteristics are likely to feed on each other and accelerate.
While I'm not comfortable in saying every prediction has come to pass, I am confident in asserting that nearly every prediction for what global warming will entail has come, or is coming to be. But since it might mean a few less coin in the Koch brothers' pockets, we cannot do anything about it.
Friday, December 02, 2011
The Grover
I never knew Muppets had so much power!
The Grover has spoken. A tax increase on millions of Americans is not actually a tax increase because the Social Security Tax Holiday is temporary and will expire without Congressional action to extend it.
But, The Grover does not apply the same logic to every temporary tax cut with an expiration date. As a demigod who makes the rule, The Grover can also break them. In a complete flip-flop, The Grover has also ruled that letting the temporary Bush Tax cuts for the top 1% expire in January 2013 would be increasing taxes. Strange are the ways of The Grover and one should never expect consistency from a conservative grifter demigod.
I think equating Norquist to a Muppet is appropriate, as his ideas and pronouncements appeal to the toddler-level intellect of most conservative politicians. No, scratch that. My two-year old has a greater intellect than most conservative politicians.
A Club of Liars, Demagogues and Ignoramuses
As usual, if you want actual political commentary, you got to go to the foreign media.
They lie. They cheat. They exaggerate. They bluster. They say one idiotic, ignorant, outrageous thing after another. They've shown such stark lack of knowledge -- political, economic, geographic, historical -- that they make George W. Bush look like Einstein and even cause their fellow Republicans to cringe.
"When did the GOP lose touch with reality?" wonders Bush's former speechwriter David Frum in New York Magazine. In the New York Times, Kenneth Duberstein, Ronald Reagan's former chief-of-staff, called this campaign season a "reality show," while Wall Street Journal columnist and former Reagan confidante Peggy Noonan even spoke of a "freakshow."
Thanks Teabaggers!
They lie. They cheat. They exaggerate. They bluster. They say one idiotic, ignorant, outrageous thing after another. They've shown such stark lack of knowledge -- political, economic, geographic, historical -- that they make George W. Bush look like Einstein and even cause their fellow Republicans to cringe.
"When did the GOP lose touch with reality?" wonders Bush's former speechwriter David Frum in New York Magazine. In the New York Times, Kenneth Duberstein, Ronald Reagan's former chief-of-staff, called this campaign season a "reality show," while Wall Street Journal columnist and former Reagan confidante Peggy Noonan even spoke of a "freakshow."
Thanks Teabaggers!
Thursday, December 01, 2011
There Are Days....
....when I can access my comments, and there are days when I cannot. Today appears to be a "cannot" day. Sigh.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Happy Birthday Mr. Clemens!
According To Conservative Economic Theory....
The Employment Pony should be shitting jobs left and right.
After reading the article and looking at the numbers, the only logical conclusion is that conservatives are full of crap. There is indeed class warfare being waged; its the well-heeled that are on the offensive.
After reading the article and looking at the numbers, the only logical conclusion is that conservatives are full of crap. There is indeed class warfare being waged; its the well-heeled that are on the offensive.
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
No Thank You, I'll Take The Train
Ouch!
Of course, I've all but given up on flying to avoid the groping and the perv-o-scans of TSA. The train is more relaxing as well, and costs just $52.00. If you want the more comfortable business class, its still a reasonable $76.00, compared to the nearly $700.00 USAirways will soak you for.
Of course, I've all but given up on flying to avoid the groping and the perv-o-scans of TSA. The train is more relaxing as well, and costs just $52.00. If you want the more comfortable business class, its still a reasonable $76.00, compared to the nearly $700.00 USAirways will soak you for.
Nice Little Tuition Assistance You Have Here
Principals in the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh were told last month that parents who received tuition assistance had to lobby state legislators to pass a school voucher bill -- and document it -- or lose their funding.
The Church has since corrected Assistant Superintendent Ronald T. Bowes directive, which included this threat:
"we must be relentless in our efforts to help pass school choice this year. I am asking you to inform parents that have received tuition assistance that they must contact their legislators and return the contact form attached to you in order to receive a grant next year. I then want you to return these contact forms to me. This way we can insure that a solid effort is being carried out by our diocese."
The attached forms ask for the date, the name of the parent and the school, the name of the state senator and state representative, the number of times contacted and how, the legislator's position and "if oppose, why?"
The attached forms ask for the date, the name of the parent and the school, the name of the state senator and state representative, the number of times contacted and how, the legislator's position and "if oppose, why?"
Yes, nothing like a little arm twisting of those receiving a helping hand to get them to do your political bidding for you, is there?
After Ronald T. Bowes, assistant superintendent for policy and development, emailed those instructions to the principals Oct. 20, the diocese sent out its own directive Nov. 16, saying Mr. Bowes had "misstated long-standing diocesan policy relative to the distribution of financial aid to parents."
Hmmm...nearly a month later. I suspect the Church corrected the memo as such a directive could potentially cost Catholic schools their tax-exempt status, but then again, I'm a cynic.
And Another One
Herman Cain's shot at the presidency is pretty much over anyway, but why not pile on?
Republican presidential hopeful Herman Cain faced new allegations Monday concerning his conduct with women, this time from an Atlanta woman who claimed that they had a 13-year affair.
In an interview Monday night, Ginger White told WAGA, the Fox News outlet in Atlanta: "It was pretty simple. It wasn't complicated. I was aware that he was married. And I was also aware I was involved in a very inappropriate relationship."
We live in a hypocritically prudish society. Personally, I care not a whit if Cain, or any other politician is married, not married, cheating, or nor cheating. It has no real bearing on wether or not he can get the job done, in the same sense that a CEO's private life, or a ballplayer's, or a garbageman's has a noticable effect on how they go about earning their pay. I DO find it amusing that self-proclaimed "family values party" has so many cads within it, as Cain's recent spot in the sun is now occupied by serial adulturer Newt Gingrich. There seems to be an awful lot of stepping out by many, many married folks!
However, from the above story, I find this quotation from Cain's lawyer to be quaintly charming:
"This is not an accusation of harassment in the workplace — this is not an accusation of an assault — which are subject matters of legitimate inquiry to a political candidate. Rather, this appears to be an accusation of private, alleged consensual conduct between adults — a subject matter which is not a proper subject of inquiry by the media or the public."
1998 anyone?
Republican presidential hopeful Herman Cain faced new allegations Monday concerning his conduct with women, this time from an Atlanta woman who claimed that they had a 13-year affair.
In an interview Monday night, Ginger White told WAGA, the Fox News outlet in Atlanta: "It was pretty simple. It wasn't complicated. I was aware that he was married. And I was also aware I was involved in a very inappropriate relationship."
We live in a hypocritically prudish society. Personally, I care not a whit if Cain, or any other politician is married, not married, cheating, or nor cheating. It has no real bearing on wether or not he can get the job done, in the same sense that a CEO's private life, or a ballplayer's, or a garbageman's has a noticable effect on how they go about earning their pay. I DO find it amusing that self-proclaimed "family values party" has so many cads within it, as Cain's recent spot in the sun is now occupied by serial adulturer Newt Gingrich. There seems to be an awful lot of stepping out by many, many married folks!
However, from the above story, I find this quotation from Cain's lawyer to be quaintly charming:
"This is not an accusation of harassment in the workplace — this is not an accusation of an assault — which are subject matters of legitimate inquiry to a political candidate. Rather, this appears to be an accusation of private, alleged consensual conduct between adults — a subject matter which is not a proper subject of inquiry by the media or the public."
1998 anyone?
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Happy Thanksgiving!
Friday, November 18, 2011
Service Interruption
I will be in Gettysburg this weekend for Remembrance Day, and am spending the following week in North Carolina with my extended family. Have a wonderful holiday week, and I'll be back in a week!
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Dollar For Your Thoughts??
Eliminate the dollar bill?
One of the proposals the congressional supercommittee is considering to cut federal spending and decrease the national debt would eliminate the paper dollar bill from circulation and replace it with dollar-denominated coins.
At a time when the nation faces a $14 trillion deficit and every dollar counts, the U.S. Government Accountability Office estimates that replacing the $1 note with the $1 coin could save taxpayers $5.5 billion over the next 30 years.
But Americans have a strong affinity for the iconic dollar bill, and old habits die hard.
I'd disagree with that last part. I don't have any particular attachment to the one dollar bill as opposed to the coin, and most of the people I know don't either. Sure, that's just anecdotal "evidence," but let me explain.
When I go to Canada, and break a twenty, I'm very likely to receive as part of my change one and two dollar coins (Loonies and Twonies). I spend these, along with the quarters, nickles, dimes and pennies I may have in my pocket. Folding money in one and two dollar denominations isn't circulated in Canada.
However, here in the 'States, when I fork over a Jackson, I get one dollar bills, even when the dollar coin is an option. I don't think U.S. citizens are less apt to use dollar coins, its just that if you want them, you generally have to go to the bank (or a casino) to get them. When I withdraw, say, $100 from my account, I get five 20's, not four 20's, a ten, a five and five one dollar coins. If you want me to consistently use the dollar coin, make it convenient for me, and stop printing dollar bills!
According to this site, the average life of a dollar bill is less than two years. According to the U.S. Mint, a coin's average lifespan is 25 years. I routinely use coins that are more than 40 years old, and frequently encounter coins that are much, much older and still in circulation.
One of the proposals the congressional supercommittee is considering to cut federal spending and decrease the national debt would eliminate the paper dollar bill from circulation and replace it with dollar-denominated coins.
At a time when the nation faces a $14 trillion deficit and every dollar counts, the U.S. Government Accountability Office estimates that replacing the $1 note with the $1 coin could save taxpayers $5.5 billion over the next 30 years.
But Americans have a strong affinity for the iconic dollar bill, and old habits die hard.
I'd disagree with that last part. I don't have any particular attachment to the one dollar bill as opposed to the coin, and most of the people I know don't either. Sure, that's just anecdotal "evidence," but let me explain.
When I go to Canada, and break a twenty, I'm very likely to receive as part of my change one and two dollar coins (Loonies and Twonies). I spend these, along with the quarters, nickles, dimes and pennies I may have in my pocket. Folding money in one and two dollar denominations isn't circulated in Canada.
However, here in the 'States, when I fork over a Jackson, I get one dollar bills, even when the dollar coin is an option. I don't think U.S. citizens are less apt to use dollar coins, its just that if you want them, you generally have to go to the bank (or a casino) to get them. When I withdraw, say, $100 from my account, I get five 20's, not four 20's, a ten, a five and five one dollar coins. If you want me to consistently use the dollar coin, make it convenient for me, and stop printing dollar bills!
According to this site, the average life of a dollar bill is less than two years. According to the U.S. Mint, a coin's average lifespan is 25 years. I routinely use coins that are more than 40 years old, and frequently encounter coins that are much, much older and still in circulation.
Monday, November 14, 2011
The Ends Justify The Means
Insiders
Friday, November 11, 2011
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Rioters For Rape
The entire Penn State cover up of Jerry Sandusky's alleged raping of young boys is one of the most disgusting things I've witnessed outside the Catholic Church covering for pedophile priests, but to have the students riot when Penn State rightly fires Paterno for doing next to nothing to protect children from a sexual predator? The University should make every effort to identify students who were involved in property destruction and move to expel them from the school. How big of an asshole to you have to be to support a man who through his inactions helped protect a child molester?
