from Oz on the Potomac.
We've been saved!
Now all we need to do is sit back and watch the blame-placers and credit-takers.
'Cause we don't have anything to worry about now.
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Thought for Sunday
Dog getting so old, instead of jumping up on the couch and snuggling under my arm, he sits on the floor, staring up at me. Lays his ears back, starts barking. What's that all about? Ask him what he wants, he barks more.
I sometimes wonder if barking is what God hears when we address Him. Not that He cannot understand us, but that we don't know how to address Him.
The directions are in the Book. Fortunately, unlike the dog, we can read the directions.
I sometimes wonder if barking is what God hears when we address Him. Not that He cannot understand us, but that we don't know how to address Him.
The directions are in the Book. Fortunately, unlike the dog, we can read the directions.
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Another Saturday with Herkimer
"A woman is the only creature known to science who thinks she can change the past by carping about it in the present." --Herk Bitterman
I don't know what it is between Herk and Tildy, and I'm not going to get into it. But he will go on about "stuff."
I don't know what it is between Herk and Tildy, and I'm not going to get into it. But he will go on about "stuff."
Friday, July 29, 2011
Solving the Debt Crisis
ML Senator Harry Reid filibusters himself.
"Not a minute to lose" Harry postpones vote for two days.
I know I am missing something here, but it is not my marbles. --Bob Warr
"Not a minute to lose" Harry postpones vote for two days.
I know I am missing something here, but it is not my marbles. --Bob Warr
Economic Recovery
"The U.S. economy slowed in the first six months of 2011 to its weakest pace since the recession ended." --WaPo. two minutes ago.
Note how the lapdog press keeps promoting the official admin line.. recession "ended."
I bet there are a few million Americans who would dispute that.
Note how the lapdog press keeps promoting the official admin line.. recession "ended."
I bet there are a few million Americans who would dispute that.
Atheists, Get a Life
The empty-headedness of certain of our fellow citizens demands attention. Two steel I-beams erected in NYC are offensive? Really?Image: Atheists.org
Don't look at them; don't think about them. You've nothing better to do than file lawsuits, willy-nilly and with no logical basis?
What sad and empty lives you lead.
Don't look at them; don't think about them. You've nothing better to do than file lawsuits, willy-nilly and with no logical basis?
What sad and empty lives you lead.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Constitutional Law
So now some democrats are suggesting that the President can unilaterally raise the debt limit under the provision of the Fourteenth Amendment. But for the three pesky words "authorized by law" they might have an argument. Did you notice that they are pretending these words are not there? Well, what did those old dead white guys know, anyway? Eliminate the superfluous verbiage.
Pesky Constitution. How long before someone suggests we don't need it anyway?
Pesky Constitution. How long before someone suggests we don't need it anyway?
Progress
$278 to replace a car key. Computer chip, you know. And the car won't start without it.
My first car: flip up the switch on the steering column, press clutch to floorboard, thereby punching starter button. No key needed, unless, of course you wished to lock everything up, and then a coat-hanger would work as a substitute if you lost the key. But no one locked anyway.
Isn't progess/technology wonderful?
(Of course, when you were buying your used car for $35, it can hardly be compared to the $60,000 set of wheels you have now. But a stranded car is a walking driver, no matter how you look at it. No, wait. Take you phone out of your pocket and ...)
Daddy, what's a clutch?
My first car: flip up the switch on the steering column, press clutch to floorboard, thereby punching starter button. No key needed, unless, of course you wished to lock everything up, and then a coat-hanger would work as a substitute if you lost the key. But no one locked anyway.
Isn't progess/technology wonderful?
(Of course, when you were buying your used car for $35, it can hardly be compared to the $60,000 set of wheels you have now. But a stranded car is a walking driver, no matter how you look at it. No, wait. Take you phone out of your pocket and ...)
Daddy, what's a clutch?
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
I am Getting Discouraged
It seems to me that one of the roles of the President is to be Encourager-in-Chief. That's not an officially recognized designation, but he should act as though it were. What we are now hearing are discouraging words, threatening words.
The President calls for prime time exposure to the nation for an important address. This has occured from time to time, and these are momentous occasions in the life of the nation. We are under attack, we are going to attack, we have been subjected to a horrendous event, and the President wishes to inform us, encourage us, outline proposals for solutions to the difficulty.
Monday evening the President got his prime time. He offered no solution to our problem, he basically had nothing to say, but he said it very well. He chides and criticizes the congress and points to their responsibility for finding a solution to the crisis. Then he tells us that when they do pass legislation, he will veto it. What? Not that the congress is behaving in a responsible manner, as I have suggested earlier.
Come, Mr. President. Encourage us, at least to the extent that you offer a proposal. And have sufficient courage to sign the legislation if it lands on your desk. Quit thinking about November 2012. You have created within yourself such a habit of running for President that you can't put that down long enough to govern now that you are the President. Every "decision" apparently must be preceded by examination of the question, "How will this affect my chances at re-election?"
The President calls for prime time exposure to the nation for an important address. This has occured from time to time, and these are momentous occasions in the life of the nation. We are under attack, we are going to attack, we have been subjected to a horrendous event, and the President wishes to inform us, encourage us, outline proposals for solutions to the difficulty.
Monday evening the President got his prime time. He offered no solution to our problem, he basically had nothing to say, but he said it very well. He chides and criticizes the congress and points to their responsibility for finding a solution to the crisis. Then he tells us that when they do pass legislation, he will veto it. What? Not that the congress is behaving in a responsible manner, as I have suggested earlier.
Come, Mr. President. Encourage us, at least to the extent that you offer a proposal. And have sufficient courage to sign the legislation if it lands on your desk. Quit thinking about November 2012. You have created within yourself such a habit of running for President that you can't put that down long enough to govern now that you are the President. Every "decision" apparently must be preceded by examination of the question, "How will this affect my chances at re-election?"
Energy Drinks
Your MonsterTM and your RockstarTM will do what for you? Make your thumbs faster for your egames?
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Name That Game!
"Kick the Can"
"Chicken"
"Pin the Tail"
"Dodgeball"
"Tug of War"
"A Trip Down a Rabbit Hole"
"Poker"
It cannot be Poker, because that is an adult game. There are no adults in this game.
"Chicken"
"Pin the Tail"
"Dodgeball"
"Tug of War"
"A Trip Down a Rabbit Hole"
"Poker"
It cannot be Poker, because that is an adult game. There are no adults in this game.
My Classic Country
..easy listening in the afternoon,
Love doaka measy--Conway Twitty
Why should I key ploving you?-- Freddy Fender
You picked a fine time to leave me, Loose Eel--Kenny Rogers
Lard, we had a good thing go ween--George Jones
...and a bonus
Gladly the cross-eyed bear--church hymn
Andy walks with me, Andy talks with me-- church hymn
Gee, these days, old sour red grapes, those were the days-- Edith and Archie Bunker
Love doaka measy--Conway Twitty
Why should I key ploving you?-- Freddy Fender
You picked a fine time to leave me, Loose Eel--Kenny Rogers
Lard, we had a good thing go ween--George Jones
...and a bonus
Gladly the cross-eyed bear--church hymn
Andy walks with me, Andy talks with me-- church hymn
Gee, these days, old sour red grapes, those were the days-- Edith and Archie Bunker
Monday, July 25, 2011
Late Breaking Nothing-news
Obama asked Americans to urge their lawmakers in Congress to strike a deal on the issue. He said he would not agree to a short-term increase, as proposed by House Speaker John A. Boehner (R-Ohio), saying it amounted to "kicking the can down the road." He added: "We can't allow the American people to become collateral damage to Washington's political warfare."
"I made a sincere effort to work with the president. ... I gave it my all," Boehner said. "Unfortunately, the president could not take yes for an answer." He added: "The president wanted a blank check six months ago, and he wants a blank check today. This is not going to happen."
I've an idea about what might be kicked down the road.
"I made a sincere effort to work with the president. ... I gave it my all," Boehner said. "Unfortunately, the president could not take yes for an answer." He added: "The president wanted a blank check six months ago, and he wants a blank check today. This is not going to happen."
I've an idea about what might be kicked down the road.
Congress Performs Its Duties. Not.
I made the mistake Friday of turning the TV to a news channel. Such posturing; such braying; such failure on the part of the duly ordained "leaders" to lead.
I engage in sarcasm on occasion, always, I hope, tinged with humor. I sink into cynicism from time to time, for I am, after all, a part of the human race. How could I be surrounded with such creatures and yet fail to doubt their ability to reason their way out of a wet paper sack (bag, poke, choose your nomenclature). Yet my point is that I am a positive person. Oh, you don't see that? Well, I am particularly positive at this moment. I am positive that we lack true leadership. I know that we selected these clowns to represent us and to conduct our business. We are culpable. I am braying. Call me an ass, but be aware that I am no more an ass than are the asses about whom I am braying.
Sincerely,
Bob Warr
This was written over three months ago. I simply had no place to put it until now. If things have changed since then, it is only for the worse.
I engage in sarcasm on occasion, always, I hope, tinged with humor. I sink into cynicism from time to time, for I am, after all, a part of the human race. How could I be surrounded with such creatures and yet fail to doubt their ability to reason their way out of a wet paper sack (bag, poke, choose your nomenclature). Yet my point is that I am a positive person. Oh, you don't see that? Well, I am particularly positive at this moment. I am positive that we lack true leadership. I know that we selected these clowns to represent us and to conduct our business. We are culpable. I am braying. Call me an ass, but be aware that I am no more an ass than are the asses about whom I am braying.
Sincerely,
Bob Warr
This was written over three months ago. I simply had no place to put it until now. If things have changed since then, it is only for the worse.
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Bedtop Chapel
at St. Mattress Cathedral this morning. It was either that, or sit in the pew and sleep right in front of the preacher and everybody.
Indiana Image
Whatever you may think about Indiana's republican administration, you have to admit we have the cutest Lieutenant Governor in the land.Mrs. Skillman projects a great image in the official presentations the State gets itself involved in.
Style, substance, and the importance of looking good!
Saturday, July 23, 2011
"If you're not part
of the solution, you are part of the problem." This mantra springs to mind and I apply it to myself as I sit here and snipe at the congress creatures in Washington. And yes, of course, I am part of the problem. I am one of the people to whom the government owes money. Of course, I loaned it to them when it appeared that they were a creditable, reliable and honest borrower. Should I have anticipated that they would try to live in perpetuity on borrowed money, ultimately paying me back with money borrowed elsewhere, or defaulting? Or is this not the definition of a Ponzi scheme, for which countless people are imprisoned?
I am reminded of Jerry Clower's illustration in which he likened government programs for the "benefit" of the people to a transfusion in which the donor and the recipient are the same. "They draw blood out of one arm, and run it back in in the other arm, and spill about half of it in the process."
Looks like a rough ride ahead.
I am reminded of Jerry Clower's illustration in which he likened government programs for the "benefit" of the people to a transfusion in which the donor and the recipient are the same. "They draw blood out of one arm, and run it back in in the other arm, and spill about half of it in the process."
Looks like a rough ride ahead.
Amity in the Home
"Lose control of the remote, there's going to be a lot of Oxygen, Lifetime, and HGTV coming into the house." --Herk Bitterman
Herk is just a whiner. We know he has another TV in the house.
Herk is just a whiner. We know he has another TV in the house.
Friday, July 22, 2011
Breaking News
States cut programs to help poor cool their homes (front page headline)
Oh, that's wonderful! State governments are cutting other programs to make it a priority to assist the poor during this heat wave.
No, that is not what it means.
"SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP)--
Many states hit hardest by the week's searing heat wave have drastically cut or entirely eliminated programs that help poor people pay their electric bills, forcing thousands to go without air conditioning when they need it most."
...and so on.
Oh, I see.
Oh, that's wonderful! State governments are cutting other programs to make it a priority to assist the poor during this heat wave.
No, that is not what it means.
"SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP)--
Many states hit hardest by the week's searing heat wave have drastically cut or entirely eliminated programs that help poor people pay their electric bills, forcing thousands to go without air conditioning when they need it most."
...and so on.
Oh, I see.
You know
you are getting old when the "before" pictures in the anti-aging products ads look better to you than the "after" pictures.
Sadly, True
535 congress creatures haven't enough collective wisdom to pound sand in a rat hole.
But you can bet their paychecks will be the last to be withheld if we go into free fall.
But you can bet their paychecks will be the last to be withheld if we go into free fall.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Down on Foggy Bottom
the beat goes on.
What ever happened to "we're all in this together"? We're all going to be in this together soon enough. In the soup, I mean, and it getting hotter by the day, if certain people remain intransigently unwilling to place the welfare of the country above their own selfish interests.
Oh, I dream of better things, things that never were, and mayhap shall never be.
What ever happened to "we're all in this together"? We're all going to be in this together soon enough. In the soup, I mean, and it getting hotter by the day, if certain people remain intransigently unwilling to place the welfare of the country above their own selfish interests.
Oh, I dream of better things, things that never were, and mayhap shall never be.
Crystal Ball
87% of Americans think the government will never default on its obligations. 100% of the people who boarded the Titanic thought they were going to America.
Most of the statistics in this blog are made-up on the spot. In this post, the 100% figure, however, is accurate.
Most of the statistics in this blog are made-up on the spot. In this post, the 100% figure, however, is accurate.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
I can take the heat,
after all, I grew up on the High Plains. And, I am not saying it is muggy, but when you jump into the pool and nothing feels any different, something's just not right.
Poirot Knows
In Agatha Christie's The Three Act Tragedy, to the line, "So many people are disgusting when it's about money," Poirot responds, "So many people are disgusting about so many things."
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Do You Think?
Heard on WTHR Channel 13 Eyewitness News at Noon
Scott Swan: We are under an excessive heat warning. What does that mean?
Chikage Windler, aka Weather Girl: An excessive heat warning means "Complaining is allowed."
Chikage. Really.
Scott Swan: We are under an excessive heat warning. What does that mean?
Chikage Windler, aka Weather Girl: An excessive heat warning means "Complaining is allowed."
Chikage. Really.
Gold Line. Life Line?
I thought about jumping on the "gold bandwagon," but how are you going to "chip off" a chunk to pay for a gallon of milk? Or who is going to make change for your $1600 coin?
Yet, the "smart money" is going there.
Yet, the "smart money" is going there.
Brilliant!
Added another dozen 100-watt incandescent bulbs to my stash. Couple more times, I'll have enough to last me into my ninety-third year. Don't misunderstand me, I think the little 23-watt curlicue bulbs are cute and all. They are a great replacement for the hooded things in the kitchen ceiling. But for my reading lamps, I will have light by which I can read. And that would not be a curlicue.
Monday, July 18, 2011
Breaking News
Headline: Obama: I'll veto balanced budget proposal.
Observation: Of course he will. What democrat would ever want to be constrained from profligate spending?
Observation: Of course he will. What democrat would ever want to be constrained from profligate spending?
For What It's Worth
I have been blogging for about three years. (String Too Short to Tie, Retrotechnocracy) A few days ago, a friend suggested that I might engage in political commentary. I have tried to stay out of that arena. Yet once in a while...
I may well be a bit more unleashed here. Agree with me, or disagree with me; but don't hate on me. Everyone is entitled to an opinion, even if it is wrong. But do try to avoid being wrong. We respect all people. All opinions, not so much.
A few days ago, my beautiful spouse was reading a travelogue I had written. I had used the term "bob warr" for which she immediatly chided and chastised me. "Barb wire," she said, "b-a-r-b w-i-r-e." "Not so," said I. "It is bob warr, and I spelled it correctly."
Yours for correctness, meaning behaving in the right way for the right reason, whether or not it is politic,
Bob Warr
If I were going to give an inch in this argument, I would point out that the technically correct term would be "barbed wire," but I'll not be revisiting this topic with the Loved One.
I may well be a bit more unleashed here. Agree with me, or disagree with me; but don't hate on me. Everyone is entitled to an opinion, even if it is wrong. But do try to avoid being wrong. We respect all people. All opinions, not so much.
A few days ago, my beautiful spouse was reading a travelogue I had written. I had used the term "bob warr" for which she immediatly chided and chastised me. "Barb wire," she said, "b-a-r-b w-i-r-e." "Not so," said I. "It is bob warr, and I spelled it correctly."
Yours for correctness, meaning behaving in the right way for the right reason, whether or not it is politic,
Bob Warr
If I were going to give an inch in this argument, I would point out that the technically correct term would be "barbed wire," but I'll not be revisiting this topic with the Loved One.
Sunday, July 17, 2011
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