An Ol' Broad's Ramblings
Archive for 22 March 2008
Might I Suggest…..
….a change of scenery?
I could suggest a certain part of the planet, but that might be misconstrued as racist.
H/T: Taking On Moonbats One By One Since 2001
An Addition
I’m going to have to link to this guy! Granted, he’s only made one post so far, but I see good things ahead. I mean, after all, if No Runny Eggs is linking….. 
 So, Do The Right Thing, and keep an eye on him, K?
A Picture Is Worth…..
Swiped from Christy Li.
Faces of Evil
Disabled pregnant woman used as target practice
Banished to the basement, the 29-year-old mother with a childlike mind and another baby on the way had little more than a thin rug and a mattress to call her own on the chilly concrete floor.
Dorothy Dixon ate what she could forage from the refrigerator upstairs, where housemates used her for target practice with BBs, burned her with a glue gun and doused her with scalding liquid that peeled away her skin.
They torched what few clothes she had, so she walked around naked. They often pummeled her with an aluminum bat or metal handle.
Dixon — six months pregnant — died after weeks of abuse. Police have charged two adults, three teenagers and a 12-year-old boy with murder in the case that has repulsed many in this Mississippi River town.
“This is heartbreaking,” police Lt. David Hayes said. “It was almost as though they were making fun of the abuse they were administering. This woman was almost like living in a prison.”
Investigators put much of the blame on Michelle Riley, 35, who they said befriended Dixon but pocketed monthly Social Security checks she got because of her developmental delays.
Dixon saw little, if any, of the money, Hayes said. For months she weathered the torment to keep a roof over her head and that of her year-old son, who weighed just 15 pounds when taken into state custody after his mom’s death.
There are no words strong enough to express my disgust that excrement like this even shares the same universe with me. Under normal circumstances, I would never consider myself above anyone else. This is one exception!
Saturday Afternoon LOTS of Laundry Time
School Boards Paying Extra to Departing Superintendents – Boots & Sabers
We, The People – Redstate
5 Years 2 Many – Bear Creek Ledger
Obama demanded Lott resignation – Stop the ACLU
“Bin Laden” Is Back, Yeah Right – Taking On Moonbats One By One Since 2001
COMING HOME TO ROOST – Mick Wright
Some day all the old hippies will be dead – Right Wing News
An Agent, a Green Card, and a Demand for Sex - TexasFred’s
Real Solutions to Real Problems – Daily Dollop
Question of the Day – Isn’t It Rich
Journal Sentinel has no problem offending Christians over Easter Weekend – Badger Blogger
Why Insult McCarthy by Comparing to Clinton? – Big Dogs Weblog
Okay. Let’s All Be Silly – The Happy Circumstance
I’m not sure what the right noun to use is – Hasenpfeffer Incorporated
Friday Afternoon Roundup – Sultan Knish
I am off today (heh) – Old Soldier
Rosie O’Donnell, traitor, heathen, media whore – Southern Sass on Crime
He Died For Our Sins – Chicago Ray
No Security Required – Right Truth
Where will Obama be for Easter? – Michelle Malkin
Bloated government – No Runny Eggs
Shame on You, Switzerland – The Brussels Journal
John Kerry: race trumps experience – This ain’t Hell
NOW, BACK TO THAT “OBAMA ISN’T MUSLIM†MEME – KICKIN’ AND SCREAMIN’
Bye, bye bunny! – From Where I sit
Help Give Hollywierd A Clue – BLACKFIVE
Election 2008: Clarifications and Apologies – Freedom Eden
“One hand cannot clap alone.” – The Blog
HERE’S AN IDEA… – Raging Wildfire
What is Wisconsin Missing? – Milwaukee ID10T
THIS IS A GREAT VIDEO AND SONG!!!!! – Disgruntled Truck Driver!
The Senate fails to stand up for the United States Marines in the Peoples Republic of Berkeley…. – Disgruntled Truck Driver!
Memphis Paper Talking About Gun Control – Rustmeister’s Alehouse
The BBC’s coverage of the five year anniversary of the Iraq war – Sister Toldjah
Will anyone actually be held accountable for their actions anymore? – Milwaukeean Rhapsody
GB Internet Gun Dealer Partners With Students – The Daily Ramble
Naifeh. Sucks. As do the Republicans who crossed and got him re-elected Speaker of the House – The Cutting Edge
Patriot Act snagged Spitzer, he was on a SAR – Taxing Tennessee
Pacman Survey Results.. – Ick’s Corner
Still Empty
Will Facts Give It A Smack Down?
CATASTROPHIC predictions of global warming usually conjure with the notion of a tipping point, a point of no return.
Last Monday – on ABC Radio National, of all places – there was a tipping point of a different kind in the debate on climate change. It was a remarkable interview involving the co-host of Counterpoint, Michael Duffy and Jennifer Marohasy, a biologist and senior fellow of Melbourne-based think tank the Institute of Public Affairs. Anyone in public life who takes a position on the greenhouse gas hypothesis will ignore it at their peril.
Duffy asked Marohasy: “Is the Earth stillwarming?”
She replied: “No, actually, there has been cooling, if you take 1998 as your point of reference. If you take 2002 as your point of reference, then temperatures have plateaued. This is certainly not what you’d expect if carbon dioxide is driving temperature because carbon dioxide levels have been increasing but temperatures have actually been coming down over the last 10 years.”
Duffy: “Is this a matter of any controversy?”
Marohasy: “Actually, no. The head of the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) has actually acknowledged it. He talks about the apparent plateau in temperatures so far this century. So he recognises that in this century, over the past eight years, temperatures have plateaued … This is not what you’d expect, as I said, because if carbon dioxide is driving temperature then you’d expect that, given carbon dioxide levels have been continuing to increase, temperatures should be going up … So (it’s) very unexpected, not something that’s being discussed. It should be being discussed, though, because it’s very significant.”
Duffy: “It’s not only that it’s not discussed. We never hear it, do we? Whenever there’s any sort of weather event that can be linked into the global warming orthodoxy, it’s put on the front page. But a fact like that, which is that global warming stopped a decade ago, is virtually never reported, which is extraordinary.”
Typical?
I’ve given this some thought. Granted, not a whole lot, just some. I don’t know about you, but I find it offensive to be called a typical anything. I’m female, but not a feminist, nor am I overly feminine, so that’s not typical. I have fairly pale skin, but so do a lot of other people. Is that typical? Well, no, because there are many other people who have various shades of skin color, so that’s not typical either. I also could be considered American Indian because my biological grandmother was full blooded. Her husband was Irish, French and Indian. Does that make me typical? Ummm….nope. I’m not your typical grandmother, I don’t bake cookies. Shoot, I rarely, if ever, even cook. I’m not a typical wife and mother. Actually, when ya get right down to it, I’m not so good at either one, but I make an effort….at least in the wife department. The mother part, I won’t get into. She’s 33 fer cryin’ out loud.
Do I get nervous when I see a black man walking down the street? Nope. How ’bout a groups of young black men, with gang tattoos and bad attitudes? Damn straight. Hispanics. Not usually. A large group, speaking Spanish, copping attitude? You betcha. A gang of white kids with the same type of attitude? No doubt about it. It doesn’t matter what color their skin is, if they behave in a manner less than respectful of others, I see them as less than worthy of my respect. Typical? Well, yeah, maybe.
The only thing I could be consider typical….is an American. Yep, I’m a typical American!
Morning Coffee 03/22/08
Hopes for Wireless Cities Are Fading
It was hailed as Internet for the masses when Philadelphia officials announced plans in 2005 to erect the largest municipal Wi-Fi grid in the country, stretching wireless access over 135 square miles with the hope of bringing free or low-cost service to all residents, especially the poor.
There is already internet access for anyone who needs it…..it’s called a library.
Group urges living wage debate
“If a man that works ain’t got a decent wage, he is definitely going to wind up on the street,” said Miles, who for the first time in his life is homeless. “I don’t think it’s getting any cheaper to live.”
A report out this month illustrates the rising cost of transportation, food, shelter, health and child care in Metro Nashville.
Its authors want to prompt conversation about the ethics of paying less than what they term a “living wage” and the burden borne by taxpayers when not enough people earn one.
If a man is 47 years old, and still making minimum wage, then there is something seriously wrong……with the man!
Cheney in oil talks with Saudis
US Vice-President Dick Cheney has met Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah to discuss ways of stabilising the oil market. US officials said there was “a lot of commonality” in the talks in Riyadh on the way to move forward in the global energy market. Oil prices have risen about 16% this year, but the oil producers’ cartel, Opec, has declined to raise output.
It seriously chaps my hide that a U.S. Vice President, whoever he is, or will be in the future, has to go begging to a foreign nation for energy. This is the greatest nation in the world, and in the history of the world, and we can’t drill for oil in our own back yard to meet our needs until some other viable alternative is found? Disgusting! Those responsible, and you know who you are, should be ashamed!
Women Key Customers in Saudi Car Market
The purchasing power of Saudi women is perhaps one reason why the car showroom is an open venue for men and women. While most commercial establishments allow men and women to shop together, the vehicle showroom is usually a less crowded place. Similar commercial spaces require male and female sections, such as banks or literary events; not so in a vehicle showroom. Nevertheless, in 2006 a number of companies began women only showrooms, because, despite the stereotypes that portray gender segregation as an imposition by men, many Saudi women actually prefer and feel more at ease to shop or sit in cafes without the presence of large groups of single men. Showroom sales representatives say that women are often the ones making the choice for vehicle options and colors. Omar Al-Anzi, a Cadillac sales representative, said ladies could be picky when it comes to appearance and they are more likely to be finicky and select options that add to the price tag.
I cannot, for the life of me, ever imagine living in such a society. I suppose if that’s all you’ve ever known, it’s not a problem. Rather sad though.
China’s Ruling Party Paper: ‘Crush’ Tibetan Protests
The flagship newspaper of China’s ruling Communist Party called Saturday for efforts to “resolutely crush” anti-government demonstrations by Tibetans, while Beijing urged people to turn in those on a “Most Wanted” list of 21 protesters.
As Chinese troops smothered Tibetan-heavy areas to avert additional unrest, U.S. presidential hopeful John McCain, a Republican, and House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a Democrat, joined a growing international chorus of criticism against the crackdown.
If people are ever given a choice, they usually choose not to live under oppressive rule. Makes me wonder why so many in the U.S. seem to think it’s a good idea. Probably because it’s not something they’ve never actually experienced.
State education leaders seeking gentler euphemism for failure
Apparently “underperforming” is not a gentle enough euphemism to describe the state’s failing schools.
more stories like thisThe state Board of Education is considering new words to describe schools that aren’t meeting the grade. Educators say a label like “underperforming” can be devastating to the morale of a school’s staff and students.
Among the replacements being considered for “underperforming” is calling the school a “Commonwealth priority.”
Schools in the most dire condition are now called “chronically underperforming.” The Boston Globe reports that could be changed to “priority one.”
Call a spade a spade. Failure apparently is an option for most public schools, since a good chunk of them are in that category, but heaven forbid, we wouldn’t want to demoralize those causing the failures. Pfft!
Bush to Attend Beijing Olympics
The White House says China’s crackdown in Tibet won’t stop President Bush from traveling to the Beijing Olympics.
Presidential spokeswoman Dana Perino says the president’s believes the Olympics should be about the athletes, and not necessarily about politics.
At the same time, the administration is interceding on behalf of the Tibetan protestors and wants a firsthand look at how the Chinese police are dealing with them.
It should be about the athletes, no doubt about that. I am starting to question Bush’s reasoning for attending though. Seriously, China has been trying to kill our children with lead paint, poisoned toothpaste, etc., they are aiding in the destruction of our economy, put viruses in electronics, and he’s going to play nice with them?
Fed’s Moves Bring Praise, New Scrutiny
The Federal Reserve has taken its boldest action since the Great Depression, invoking rarely used powers in an effort to contain a panic threatening to undermine the economy. The central bank acted with speed the White House and Congress only could envy.
And that ‘speed’ scares me. This is not a good move, and I’m afraid no one will learn from their mistakes. Why should they, the gubmint will be there to bale their sorry asses out next time too. Big mistake! What happens when there is no longer a ‘safety net’?
General Assembly weighs proposal on Security Council expansion
An interim proposal to tackle the divisive issue of Security Council reform would expand the UN’s most powerful body from 15 to 22 members but leave it up to the 192 UN member states to decide what countries should fill them.
The proposal, obtained Friday by The Associated Press, also leaves it up to UN members to decide how long the new seats should be held – with suggestions of two years, five years and permanent seats as possible options. It leaves the contentious issue of veto power to future negotiations.
Hog wash! Instead of expanding that useless bunch of weasels, they need to scrap the whole thing.
Verse of the Day
Ephesians 6:10-11
10Â Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11Â Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
