Recent Blog Posts: Bakersfield.com

Shining the light of the Catholic faith on the Culture of Death: Health-care reform bill barely wins House OK

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 22:25:15 PST

Now it's on to the Senate for approval: http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/nov/09110707.html

The Stupak-Pitts amendment to explicitly bar abortion funding passed rather handily, but some Catholic bloggers are worried that it will eventually get stripped out during reconciliation over the Senate and House versions. We'll see. One commentator has this to say:

Hey, "we" won a major battle here. Don't dismiss it. This is tremendous news! We showed the Democratic party, and namely the drum-tight facelift reject that they can NOT simply dictate policy to the American people, and least of all to Catholics living in America. The bill prohibits abortion coverage in both the public option and the "insurance exchange" (i.e. clearing house/money laundering scheme) so at present, there is no back door for abortion coverage. It's locked pretty tight. Don't you dare try to sell this moment short.

From this point on, we need to continue to be active, vigilant and steadfast in our faith. If the Democrats try to "sneak" abortion back into the bill, you bet your sweet bippy we will raise all holy hell and force their hand AGAIN.

There have been few moments these last few years where I have been truly proud of my church. This is sad, but true. And this is definitely one of them.

What I see: Edison Hwy Canal Party

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 21:04:31 PST

Between Sterling Road and Edison Hwy near Woodbine Court and Austin Street behind a few houses on Zinnia St. 904Pm November 07 2009 till 4am at least

ObamaCare endorsements: What the bribe was

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 19:29:58 PST

By Dick Morris and Eileen McGann

As the suicidal Democratic congressmen proceed to rubber-stamp the Obama healthcare reform despite the drubbing their party took in the ’09 elections, the president trotted out the endorsements of the AMA and the AARP to stimulate support. But these — and the other endorsements — his package has received are all bought and paid for. Here are the deals:

· The American Medical Association (AMA) was facing a 21 percent cut in physicians’ reimbursements under the current law. Obama promised to kill the cut if they backed his bill. The cuts are the fruit of a law requiring annual 5-6 percent reductions in doctor reimbursements for treating Medicare patients. Bravely, each year Congress has rolled the cuts over, suspending them but not repealing them. So each year, the accumulated cuts threaten doctors. By now, they have risen to 21 percent. With this blackmail leverage, Obama compelled the AMA to support his bill … or else!

· The AARP got a financial windfall in return for its support of the healthcare bill. Over the past decade, the AARP has morphed from an advocacy group to an insurance company (through its subsidiary company). It is one of the main suppliers of Medi-gap insurance, a high-cost, privately purchased coverage that picks up where Medicare leaves off. But President Bush-43 passed the Medicare Advantage program, which offered a subsidized, lower-cost alternative to Medi-gap. Under Medicare Advantage, the elderly get all the extra coverage they need plus coordinated, well-managed care, usually by the same physician. So more than 10 million seniors went with Medicare Advantage, cutting into AARP Medi-gap revenues.

Presto! Obama solved their problem. He eliminates subsidies for Medicare Advantage. The elderly will have to pay more for coverage under Medigap, but the AARP — which supposedly represents them — will make more money. (If this galls you, join the American Seniors Association, the alternative group; contact sbarton@americanseniors.org .)

· The drug industry backed ObamaCare and, in return, got a 10-year limit of $80 billion on cuts in prescription drug costs. (A drop in the bucket of their almost $3 trillion projected cost over the next decade.) They also got administration assurances that it will continue to bar lower-cost Canadian drugs from coming into the U.S. All it had to do was put its formidable advertising budget at the disposal of the administration.

· Insurance companies got access to 40 million potential new customers. But when the Senate Finance Committee lowered the fine that would be imposed on those who don’t buy insurance from $3,500 to $1,500, the insurance companies jumped ship and now oppose the bill, albeit for the worst of motives.

The only industry that refused to knuckle under was the medical device makers. They stood for principle and wouldn’t go along with Obama’s blackmail. So the Senate Finance Committee retaliated by imposing a tax on medical devices such as automated wheelchairs, pacemakers, arterial stents, prosthetic limbs, artificial knees and hips and other necessary accoutrements of healthcare.

So these endorsements are not freely given, but bought and paid for by an administration that is intent on passing its program at any cost.

Source:
http://thehill.com/blogs/pundits-blog/healthcare/66717-obamacare-endorsements-what-the-bribe-was

Crashing through the phony left-right paradigm : Clinic threatens to pull treatment, call cops for patient’s 1979 60 minutes swine flu vac report DVD

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 18:45:41 PST

Clinic threatens to pull treatment, call cops for patient’s swine flu DVDs

Told to sign ‘behavior agreement’

Joey G. Dauben
The Ellis County Observer

www.elliscountyobserver.com/

WAXAHACHIE, TEXAS – A kidney dialysis clinic threatened to pull treatment from an elderly patient who distributed DVDs warning of the dangers of the swine flu vaccine, and then was told to sign a “behavior agreement” to cease the practice.

The patient, who requested anonymity for fear that she would be retaliated against by doctors and medical staff for coming forward, was cited once before by specialists and office managers for distributing Aaron Russo’s America: From Freedom to Fascism as well, she said.

Located on Interstate 35 East and Farm to Market Road 66, the officer manager for FMC Dialysis Services who handed the patient the “behavior agreement” refused to comment.

“Our company is a large company, so I can’t comment,” the office manager said, who refused to give her name. “I don’t make company policy, I just follow it.”

The two-page behavior agreement came with an audio recording prohibition policy after the patient attempted to record meetings with the doctors and staff who threatened her.

The patient, who still must rely on the dialysis center for treatment, said she is fearful that causing “trouble” by coming to the press will cause the clinic to follow through on their threats.

The swine flu DVD, the patient said, was the 1979 60 Minutes clip that broadcast a report about the dangers of taking the swine flu vaccination.

Russo’s America: From Freedom to Fascism details the allegations into the unconstitutionality of the U.S. income tax, a film distributed widely among “tax honesty” advocates across the nation.

“Notice both documents say law enforcement will be called in if necessary,” the patient said. “The office manager threatened me several times with that if I didn’t sign the behavior agreement. Their handbook doesn’t have any of this in it. They repeatedly told me I had signed ‘the papers.’ They only produced [one] signed paper in which I gave my consent for dialysis treatments and acknowledged the risks of the treatments.”

Documents:

Page 1 | “Behavior Agreement”

Page 2 | “Behavior Agreement”

Page 1, 2 | Policy on Non-Audio Recording of Doctors, Staff:

Media Inquiries:

For patient: 972-937-4428/twotexashands@yahoo.com

For reporter: 972-891-2135/joeygdauben@gmail.com

------------------------------

--------------------------------------------

www.freedomtofascism.com/

video.google.com/videoplay

Aaron Russo

February 14, 1943 - August 24, 2007

You changed America with your presence, you have awoken millions to the truth, we will finish the game.

In 1913 America was a free country. Then a band of powerful bankers achieved their fathers' and great grandfathers' goal. America has never been the same. Soon the world will not be the same.

Aaron Russo expertly exposes the traitorous Federal Reserve Act and the fact that there is no law that stipulates American citizens have to pay income taxes. The ratification of the 16th amendment, also known as the "Tax amendment", represents a fundamental undermining of Constitutional law in America. It is the greatest hoax ever perpetrated against the American people by the elite private banking institutions that have usurped government as an arm of their overall control mechanism.

Russo presents interviews with an impressive range of government officials, IRS special agents , FBI officers, Politicians and tax attorneys who have researched and subsequently campaigned against the Federal Reserve Act and thus reveals why the IRS is an illegal foundation.

The income tax does not meet either criteria of Constitutionally legal taxation in America, that is direct apportioned tax or indirect uniform tax. The IRS claims that the 16th Amendment allowed for a third form of taxation, however, the Supreme court ruling on the amendment states that it allows for no new forms of taxation. More supreme court cases in the same period confirm the same conclusion. The 16th Amendment did not allow the Federal Government to levy a new tax, thus there is no Constitutional basis for the income tax.

The findings of the Grace Commission, a Blue-Ribbon panel appointed by President Ronald Reagan found that:

"One hundred percent of what is collected is absorbed solely by interest on the federal debt. All individual income tax revenues are gone before one nickel is spent on the services taxpayers expect from government."

Education, health and community up keep is paid for out of state and local property taxes, gas taxes, liquor taxes, you name it. Proceeds from the income tax do not pay for these things.The income tax money goes to pay for defense and the expansion of corporate America. In essence everyday American people are funding expansionist wars and the playboy lifestyle of the financial institutions that then further profit from that activity and become ever more powerful.

The income tax is the tool of totalitarianism. It is the means by which the corporate controlled government manipulates the people on a mass scale and locks them into servitude. If the people do not know what their rights are then an agency that knowingly breaks the law is not going to tell them.

The banks now control America. They print the currency and tell the people what it's worth. They have the legal right to counterfeit money. This coup d'etat of benign open and accountable government by elitist private interest represents the tipping point from freedom and the long slide towards fascism. Since the government's primary goal stopped being the welfare of the people it has ceased to exist as a legal entity.

This is exactly what Thomas Jefferson warned the American people may happen. Jefferson said:

"If the American people ever allow the banks to control the issuance of their currency...the banks and corporations that will grow up around them will deprive the people of all property, until their children wake up homeless on the continent their fathers conquered."

Russo, the award winning filmmaker who produced "The Rose" and "Trading Places", confronts the IRS in Washington and is quickly reprimanded by Homeland Security. He discovers that those who have stood up to the income tax slave system and simply asked the question "where is the law?" have been slandered and personally attacked because to reduce the issue to a rational debate would immediately expose the truth behind the entire scam.

Russo discovers that this has not come about by accident it is a planned and coordinated agenda. The younger generations have no concept that they have been drawn into a trap from which they cannot escape. The middle class is being systematically and purposefully wiped out, leaving behind a population on the brink of serfdom. The purchasing power of the dollar has been destroyed BY DESIGN, leaving behind a cost of living only affordable to those who profit from the system.

New laws passed through Congress seek to further enslave people by making it harder to declare bankruptcy while at the same time allowing the banks to charge huge amounts of interest. thus both parties, working with the banks, legally enslave the nation.

The people of America are being fed upon by the elite and devoured alive and they barely even recognize it. It is the perfect crime, the pinnacle of criminal capitalism

It is with this in mind that Russo delves deep into the big brother control agenda and places it succinctly within the context it needs to be understood in. What is being sold to the American people today as patriotism is fascism, and it is part of the same overall agenda to rape the people financially, spiritually and mentally. This is the only place to go to get more out of America. If you can literally control the movements people make and the actions they take then you own their world.

You need to see this film now. In one hour and forty nine minutes Aaron Russo spells out what is at stake and what happened when the American people stopped questioning and started trusting their government.

No holds barred: Indian casino OK with me

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 18:34:09 PST

Oh yes, if the Tejon Indian tribe gains federal recognition, Kern County will likely have an Indian gaming casino in its future. Probably somewhere near Mettler, close to Interstate 5.

And I’m fine with that.

I’m not a gambler, but other people enjoy it and as long as it’s legal, who am I to stand in their way?

As for arguments that Indian casinos don’t play by the same rules as other gaming houses in California, that people aren’t protected by the same liability rules, safety regulations and other laws when they’re in those casinos, I say, yup, caveat emptor, my friend.

Things are different in Mexico, Canada and other countries all over the world.

People who harp about how Indian casinos get special treatment because they’re not subject to the same taxation as other businesses sound like they’re talking through a big old mouth of sour grapes to me.

Native Americans weren’t exactly dealt a fair hand back in the day. We (and by that I mean the U.S. government — not you or I personally, so calm down) took their land, killed their people and gave them smallpox in return.

As a small, “’scuse our genocide” token, the federal government created the reservation system, which gave recognized tribes sovereign rights.

Well, they found a way to use those rights to their benefit. Ahhh! The American way!

But back to the Tejon tribe. If you’ve never heard of them, don’t feel bad.

The Chumash and Yokuts seem to have gotten more notice over the years.
But the Tejon tribe has always been here, according to Jim Appodaca, vice chairman of the tribe.

There are more than 200 registered members, many of whom still live in the area. They have regular meetings and four major events a year, he said.

A couple of their members are trained as archeologists and regularly called to check construction sites for Native American habitation. The tribe is also in the process of contacting a linguist to help bring back their language, as the Tubatulabal in the Kern River Valley did several years ago.

Documentation on the Tejon tribe is extensive. The federal government knew about them, set aside lands for them, helped build a church and school on those lands and even sent representatives to check on them after the 1952 earthquake.

The reservation, which was mostly uninhabitable hillsides, was dissolved in the 1960s. Then when the government decided to list all recognized tribes in the 1970s, the Tejon were left off.

“We had always had a government-to-government relationship,” Appodaca said. “Then it just stopped. Our contention is we were recognized but were left off the list through an administrative error.”

(In the interest of full disclosure, Appodaca works for The Californian in new business development, but I did not know about his connection to the tribe until I started making calls looking for a tribal spokesperson. Small world, huh?)

He and his aunt, Kathy Morgan, chairwoman of the tribe, have been working for federal recognition going on 15 years or more, he said.

At the end of September, they met with the undersecretary of the Department of the Interior and showed they had jumped through all the hoops to prove their bloodlines. He was supposed to get back to them in 30 days, which was up on Nov. 1.

Appodaca sighed when I asked what their next move was. That will likely involve lawyers.

Speaking of lawyers, the tribe has some good ones through Patton Boggs, a Washington, D.C., lobbying firm specializing in indian recognition issues.

They were hired in 2008 and since have been paid nearly $300,000 on the tribe’s behalf. Appodaca acknowledged they have a “financial backer” who’s helping them, but he declined to tell me who that was. He wouldn’t even say how the tribe hooked up with this backer.

Clearly, the backer is betting on a casino.

“It’s really a crap shoot for him, though,” Appodaca said, noting the ongoing struggle for recognition.

If they gain recognition, the tribe will consider a number of economic development methods, including a casino, he said.

The primary goal is to create funding so they can take care of older tribal members and provide for the education of the children. A casino would be the fastest, most effective way to do that.

I spoke with Supervisor Don Maben, who said a casino wouldn’t be a good fit for Kern. He cited law enforcement issues and the arguments I listed already.

Casinos may not be subject to direct taxation, but they bring money in other ways — such as jobs, tourism and other contributions to the community.

Seems to me Indian casino would be a much better fit than prisons and sludge dumps.

Opinions expressed in this column are those of Lois Henry, not The Bakersfield Californian. Her column appears Wednesdays and Sundays. Comment at people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/noholdsbarred, call her at 395-7373 or e-mail lhenry@bakersfield.com

Comments:
ezekiel51 commented:

I bet the backer is Harvey Hall

dragoon commented:

What is their tribal name? Most of the Indians in this area have been here for approximately 1000 to 1500 years. The name Tejon is a Spanish word for badger. The Spanish came into this area at about 1773. The only topographical area named Tejon around here is a creek near which the Sebastian Military Preserve (or Tejon Indian Reservation) was established around 1853 and remained until 1864, a period of eleven years. If, as Jim Apodoca asserts, "We have always had a govt. to govt. relationship", why isn't the Tejon Indian Tribe listed in A.L. Krober's Handbook of the Indians of California which is an unabridged republication of Bulletin #78 of the Bureau of American Ethnology of the Smithsonian Institution, 995 pages, first published in 1925? Krober did an exhaustive study of the California Indians for a period of 17 years of intermittent acquaintance and occupation, surely he would have heard of the Tejon Tribe and included them in his tome. If they took their name from the reservation then who were they before they came to the reservation? I've done an internet search and found that the Kawaiisu are claiming the title of "the tribe of the Tejon Indian Reservation" and even Krober notes in his book that the Kawaiisu were known as the Tejon Indians to the local Americans. But, the Tejon Indian Reservation was in the Kitanemuk range, and the Tejon Pass and Fort Tejon was approximately 17 miles to the west which was in the Chumash range. So, is this Tejon Indian Tribe separate and apart from any of the other tribes that inhabited the area that we know as Tejon? I would like to learn more about them.

maybelline commented:

I'm with you dragoon. I thought Tejon was a Spanish word. Tell us more Lois.

If a casino is in the works, may I recommend purchasing the Big West refinery or the PG&E place on Rosedale and converting it to a gaming casino? Perhaps with that added economic boost, Lois would get her water in the river.

Breaking News: LAPD motorcycle officer hurt in Interstate 5 crash

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 18:08:37 PST

A Los Angeles Police Department motorcycle officer was in stable condition
Saturday after colliding with a pickup truck on Interstate 5, police said.

The cause of the crash was under investigation.

LAPD Officer Timothy Kay was headed northbound on I-5 north of the Tejon
Summit at an unknown speed when he collided with the left rear of a red 2001
Chevrolet pickup traveling in the No. 2 traffic lane about 6:23 a.m.
Saturday, according to a news release issued by the California Highway
Patrol.

The collision sent Kay, who lives in Frazier Park, out of control and he was
ejected. The officer suffered a broken right arm, minor cuts on his forehead
and a major cut on the back of his head, police said.

He was taken to University of Southern California Medical Center via air
ambulance.

A CHP officer could not be reached Saturday to comment on whether injuries
were sustained by Joel Lopez of Artesia, who was in the pickup.

Comments:
DWFerguson commented:

Is this not old news from 10-7-09?

Condors Talk: Ducks assign another first-round draft choice to Condors

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 16:23:58 PST

The Anaheim Ducks assigned defenseman Mark Mitera to the Condors on Saturday and he will be in the lineup tonight when the Condors play host to the Las Vegas Wranglers.
A first-round draft pick of the Ducks in 2007, Mitera had been in the American Hockey League with San Antonio where he had no points in five games.
Mitera, 22, played four years for the University of Michigan and was the top-scoring defenseman as junior with 23 points in 43 games. He captained the team as a senior but only played eight games due to a knee injury.
To make roster room for Mitera, Mathieu Aubin was moved to the 7-day IR from the 3-day IR and defenseman Patrik Prokop was played on 3-day IR.
Center Matt Myers, who has cleared immigration, has not been added to the team and will not play.
On another front, goaltender Justin Pogge, called up to Anaheim, could be back in Bakersfield early next week as Ducks coach Randy Carlye said Jean-Sebastien Giguere might be able to provide backup duties when the Ducks begin a four-game road trip in New Jersey on Wednesday.

Things that interest ME: Fresno State Game Tonight

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 15:02:34 PST

This one is televised.

Comments:
NancyII commented:

Starring Ryan Mathews. 7:30 ESPNU if the guide is right. See ya there. Well, in spirit anyway.

This should be a tough one.

witterpitters commented:

Nancy, thanks for the heads up! We will be watching!!

culvermoon commented:

Do you really think that article about the football game newsworthy? Nancy do you just like to see your name in print or what? If you were really interested in football, you would have already know it was going to be on, I knew since last Wed. I am really glad that you got off the losing band wagon on medical marijuana issue. Like I said before, you may win a battle or two, but you won't win the war, with an 80% approval rate to just plain LEGALIZE IT. So now you make a for sure newsworthy article on a football game........my God Nancy get a job or something. Make sure you chew those words when you were knocking around the marijuana issue.....like the song goes........now they should be regulating liquor stores, child molesters must carry a card. that so they can't feed their sexual appetites by letting them in strip joints. Those are the dangerous people certainly not pot smokers.......I hope you have been reading all the research done on Marijuana if you don't get by now Grandma, you never will.

It take all kinds of weird human beings to make this world go around, and I got you listed as a circus who like to see her name in print. Geeeeez what would we be writing about tomorrow after the game is over......I just can't wait to see what the circus has to say.

NancyII commented:

Culver, a family member is playing for Fresno State and I always let the folks here know (maybe as a reminder) when the game is going to be on. Last week Zack gave us a play by play since it wasn't televised. This weeks it's on ESPNU and I wanted to let folks who care about the team, and about Ryan, know they could watch if they choose to.

I really don't know why you're so hateful but bear in mind your hate eats at you and not me.

For the Bulldogs fans, enjoy the game.

(for the record, I've mentioned it before. As motopoet says, I'm a Ryan fan, not a football fan. The Bulldog games are the only ones I watch.)

anglo1 commented:

culvermoon seems like such an understanding, loveable guy. Must be having a really bad day. Sucks to be culvermoon tonight.

NancyII commented:

Or anytime. Just about the only time he makes and appearance is to rip into me.

I plan on enjoying the game anyway. Motopoet is out for the evening and DVR'ing it so my job is to send stats on yds to him and to Ryans mom Trish. She's at the game and they don't get that info I guess. The last football game I went to was Ryans senior year at West so I know nada.

NancyII commented:

First play of the game, from the line of scrimmage Ryan ran a 67 yard touchdown. Arijmatutu ran another. 14 zip so far.

anglo1 commented:

OMG. I haven't followed his career but he is sounds like he is the real deal and something very special. Good for him and good for his family. [ I will be name dropping tomorrow like I know his dad and grandma ].

Bakersfield Boomers: Here's a quick personality test you can take.

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 14:18:13 PST

http://www.41q.com/

My results tell me that I'm:

intuitive, feeling, and introverted, judging. A good career choice for me would be (hold on to your hats) the clergy. LOL

Have fun!

Comments:
AudreyB commented:

Your personality type:

Quietly forceful, original and sensitive. Tend to stick to things until they are done. Extremely intuitive about people and concerned for their feelings. Well-developed value systems which they strictly adhere to. Well-respected for their perserverence in doing the right thing. Likely to be individualistic, rather than leading or following.

Careers that could fit you include:

Counselors, clergy, missionaries, teachers, medical doctors, dentists, chiropractors, psychologists, psychiatrists, writers, musicians, artists, psychics, photographers, child care workers, education consultants, librarians, marketeers, scientists, social workers.

Ray_Harwick commented:

It's the Myers-Briggs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Audrey!! I KNEW IT!!! You're an INFJ!!!! Meeeeee Tooooooo!!!!

http://www.typelogic.com/infj.html

AudreyB commented:

The who? Myers Briggs?

Is being a INFJ good or bad? I'm a little worried about the J part.

AudreyB commented:

OMG How interesting Ray. I read your link. There's more of us!!

witterpitters commented:

Here's me :-)

Your personality type:

Enthusiastic, idealistic and creative. Able to do almost anything that interests them. Great people skills. Need to live life in accordance with their inner values. Excited by new ideas, but bored with details. Open-minded and flexible, with a broad range of interests and abilities.

Careers that could fit you include:

Actors, journalists, writers, musicians, painters, consultants, psychologists, psychiatrists, entrepreneurs, teachers, counselors, politicans, diplomats, television reporters, marketers, scientists, sales representatives, artists, clergy, public relations, social scientists, social workers.

http://www.41q.com/type.41q?p=14687023

Ray_Harwick commented:

It's not actually a Personality test. It's a Temperament analysis which is quite different.

The "J" part has NOTHING to do with being judgemental. There's a very complex explanation for it that would take me a while to explain, but if you Google "Myers Briggs" you can get tons and tons of information about the terms

Basically speaking, your temperatment *trends* in certain ways of solving problems.

You are basically introverted but not excruciatingly so like I am (deafness has a profound effect)

You are intuitive which is the MB way of saying you see things in a kind of "big picture" way.

Okay. This could take HOURS to get into, so I'm not going to go into the "F" (feeling) and "J" (judging) parts. But I wlll say that of ALL the 16 MB temperaments, INFJ is the most rare (about 1% of the population).

There are lots of positives and a few negatives about being an INFJ.

NancyII commented:

Here's me.....

Your personality type:

Serious and quiet, interested in security and peaceful living. Extremely thorough, responsible and dependable. Well-developed powers of concentration. Usually interested in supporting and promoting traditions and establishments. Well-organized and hard working, they work steadily towards identified goals. They can usually accomplish any task once they have set their mind to it.

Careers that could fit you include:

Business executives, administrators and managers, accountants, police, detectives, judges, lawyers, medical doctors, dentists, computer programmers, systems analysts, computer specialists, auditors, electricians, math teachers, mechanical engineers, steelworkers, technicians.

Math teachers...ROFL, I HATE math....grandson is a math teacher and I think even he gave up on me.

Ray_Harwick commented:

Witters looks like a Myers-Briggs E.N.F.P.

Witters, do you spend a lot of time taking care of people; not out of necessity, but because you seem naturally compelled to do so?

AudreyB commented:

Witters

Your intuitive is off the map. Are you sure you're not psychic?

Ray

I really am judgmental, unfortunately. It's something I've been working on my whole life. That combined with my intuitive skills, makes me a mean (as in nasty) opponent.

INFJ's make only 1% of the population. THAT explains a lot. LOL

Ray_Harwick commented:

Nancy, you're a I.S.T.J.

Read this for a full explanation. See if you think it's basically accurate.

http://www.typelogic.com/istj.html

AudreyB commented:

Nancy is a

ISTJ

Wow! Nanc you could model for a new rendition of "the Thinker". LOL

edit:

this is Nancy to a T.

ISTJs are often called inspectors. They have a keen sense of right and wrong, especially in their area of interest and/or responsibility. They are noted for devotion to duty

NancyII commented:

WOW Ray, that was pretty darned accurate..and scary.

Except for the part about going off and dying just because Lazarus did. I'm not THAT dedicated...lol.

AudreyB commented:

Not willing to croak, Nancy. Lol

Ray_Harwick commented:

Audrey, it also means that your intuition is almost always correct and that you take quite a bit of time to arrive at your judgements. Rarely are snap judgements something you employ unless in an emergency. Your judgments are based on a combination of experience, study and a natural tendency to explore deeply things you don't understand but want a kind of mastery of, just so you can speak about them with credibility.

The down side is (full disclosure alert) that an iNFJ has to be careful about wanting revenge. Of course, revenge isn't an ugly word. It's sometimes a powerful force toward seeking justice on many, many different levels including simply winning a verbal argument. It's my knowing that about myself that keeps me from engaging in so many of the blogs. I have to stop, breath into a bag, and ask myself if I want to engage a particular subject that is gnawing at my emotions.

NancyII commented:

We had a specific program to follow when I was at the county and I was a by the book person. We were using a new program and if we didn't adhere to fidelity how would we know if it worked or not? Some of the others went off course and added their own thing to it...drove me completely BONKERS! Some thought I was a control freak but it wasn't that, it was that there were rules.....

Just an example..and one that got me laughing when I read the description.

Ray_Harwick commented:

Okay. I HAVE to say this about Witters . Her E.N.F.P (I"m fairly sure) is the EXACT person you'd want to have as a best friend and I have ssoooooooooo many good reasons for saying that because my dear friend here in Cat City is and ENFP and a TREASURE because they are such CARING people who have REMARKABLE physical energy. Need to organize your garage? Call Witters even if it's just for advice.

AudreyB commented:

I had a counselor tell me once that I was extremely intuitive but that I ought to counter it with a little more kindness.

I've always known I was this way. That I can "feel" out a perons's weaknesses and strengths.

But when I'm wrong about someone, I'm really wrong!

I have also been there for people when others didn't even realize that a problem existed!

Are you that way too, Ray?

NancyII commented:

Thanks for posting that Audrey, that was fun. (I think..I'm still not sure if mine was good or bad....lol)

AudreyB commented:

We had a specific program to follow when I was at the county and I was a by the book person.

Nancy I don't have to use my intuitive skills to know this. Your own posts revealed that about you. Tee hee

AudreyB commented:

Nancy

I think the reults for all of us are a lot of good mixed with a little bad. That's what makes us human.

Ray_Harwick commented:

WOW Ray, that was pretty darned accurate..and scary.

That's the EXACT reaction I had when I took the MB analysis several years ago. I felt like someone had been following me around keeping notes. I think the MB Temperament is a very valuable personal tool.

witterpitters commented:

RAY: yes, I'm always "helping out". Is there a Web site for ENFP'S??? When I worked at the college I was always involved in somebody's project! I was the cheerleading advisor for 4 years - don't know who had more fun, me or the kids!!!

AUDREY: sometimes yes RE: psychic question. I get "feeling" about people. My sensativities are on high alert when I feel an "evil" not good presence around me. I usually have to leave the area if it is really strong.

AudreyB commented:

Witters

DO NOT go see Paranormal Activity at the movies. It will send your recepttors into overdrive.

witterpitters commented:

OK..................I found it!!!!!

ENFP
Warmly enthusiastic and imaginative. See life as full of possibilities. Make connections between events and information very quickly, and confidently proceed based on the patterns they see. Want a lot of affirmation from others, and readily give appreciation and support. Spontaneous and flexible, often rely on their ability to improvise and their verbal fluency.

NancyII commented:

I'm not sure if this figures into this blog or not but the paranormal brought it to mind. Last summer the grandkids went to visit her family in TX and took a trip to the cemetary to visit the graves of her great grandmother and great grandmother. The baby was just about 14 month old or so and when they turned him loose he went straight to the headstone of what would be his great great grandmother and put his hand on it and started babbling. Then he went to the adjoining gggrandfathers head stone and said "papa." Seems that's what the kids called him. Then he plucked some grass and strowed it on the footstones. They were all freaked out by his actions. And they said he was not shown the graves nor did he go to any others.

Wonder what his type would say on the test. Intuitive?

witterpitters commented:

LOL Audrey! Actually I don't like those kinds of movies. I do like The Witches of Eastwick and the new TV program Eastwick.

Psycho sent me into overdrive!!

On the other side, my empathy is so sensitive I can't even watch commercials with animals who are caged or hurt without going into tears and sometimes deep depression. Sometimes I can actually "feel" another persons/animals physical/emotional pain. Like when you and I were "going at it" on the blogs I KNEW something was wrong 'cause you just don't usually talk that way (to me anyway!), and I could "feel" how you later told me you were feeling at that point in time.

Yes, I know, I'm weird!!!!! BUT.....................I always see the glass half full!!!

Shwaine commented:

Oi, mid-test blogging here... but does anyone else find these questions are not specific enough? "Things" and "events" really aren't precise enough for me. For example, I like some "things" to be planned and other "things" can just happen, so what the heck do I select? I guess this is because I have a formal vs informal mindset. Formal things like conferences and business meetings for specific agendas should be planned. Informal things like going out with friends should just unfold organically.

Ray_Harwick commented:

Are you that way too, Ray?

I am EXACTLY that way, Audrey; and in every respect you just now stated. When I'm RIGHT i'm DEAD RIGHT and when I'm wrong I'm not merely WRRRROOOOOONNNNGGG, I'm harshly critical of MYSELF for being wrong.

witterpitters commented:

Nancy: Children are more intuitive and sensative to those things. It is the adults who push it out of kids instead of allowing it to flourish.

As you can see from what I said to Audrey, my mother encouraged my "feelings".

AudreyB commented:

LOL Nancy

That child needs his own TV show.

Ray_Harwick commented:

Witters, yes. It's here:

http://www.typelogic.com/enfp.html

Very, very intriguing temperament and if I may say so, a GIFT to mankind. We need LOTS of Witters in the world.

witterpitters commented:

SHWAINE: My whole life is/has been "informal" !!! I think that also goes with being a dead center Gemini Extrovert!!!

AudreyB commented:

Let's send Witters to Sacramento. She can kick some congressional butt!

witterpitters commented:

Lordy RAY!!!! don't tell my family that!!!! They think one of me is enough for any planet to handle!!

Although.....................I have a cousin in Canada who is my "personality" twin and I have a grandson who is my "clone"!!!!!! My daughter is not a happy camper with that!!!!

AudreyB commented:

Shwaine

I don't think any one question is important, its the slant of your answers overall that "tells the tale'.

Shwaine commented:

Okay, so I just went with informal situations on those answers, because I figure that was more what they were looking for. Work is work and playtime is more yourself. So here's what I got:

Your personality type:

Independent, original, analytical and determined. Have an exceptional ability to turn theories into solid plans of action. Highly value knowledge, competence and structure. Driven to derive meaning from their visions. Long-range thinkers. Have very high standards for their performance and the performance of others. Natural leaders, but will follow if they trust existing leaders.

Careers that could fit you include:

Scientists, engineers, professors, teachers, medical doctors, dentists, corporate strategists, organization founders, business administrators, managers, military, lawyers, judges, computer programmers, system analysts, computer specialists, psychologists, photographers, research department managers, researchers, university instructors, chess players.

Guess that fits with being a computer geek.

Ray_Harwick commented:

Shwaine, the best way to approach the analysis is to

1. Respond the way you ARE as opposed to how you'd like to be.

2. Understand the words in the questions using your own sense of what they mean. If you take the word literally, answer it literally. If figuratively, answer it figuratively.

There several variations on the exam and sometimes it a good idea to find one that makes sense to you. But some of the questions are HARD to answer because they force you to split hairs, to decide what is your own most likely tendency. Remember, this isn't about personality. It's really about how you resolve problems.

witterpitters commented:

AUDREY: they would throw me out in a heartbeat!!! Not to mention my sensitivities for evil going off the board!!!

THEY can't handle the truth !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

witterpitters commented:

RAY: It's really about how you resolve problems. That is another thing people were always calling me about when I worked!!! For some reason most people take the steps: A-B-C-D-E-F........... to get a final result. I almost always found a way to eliminate 3-4 of those steps and get the same end result!! Wha-La............done!

Shwaine commented:

Just for fun I ran through it a second time, answering the opposite way on those questions that I found were imprecise. The results were slightly different:

Your personality type:

Logical, original, creative thinkers. Can become very excited about theories and ideas. Exceptionally capable and driven to turn theories into clear understandings. Highly value knowledge, competence and logic. Quiet and reserved, hard to get to know well. Individualistic, having no interest in leading or following others. Highly analytical, they can discover connections between two seemingly unrelated things and work best when allowed to use their imagination and critical thinking.

Careers that could fit you include:

Physicists, chemists, biologists, photographers, strategic planners, mathematicians, university professors, computer programmers, computer animators, technical writers, engineers, lawyers, forensic researchers, writers, artists, psychologists, social scientists, systems analysts, researchers, surveyors.

Ray_Harwick commented:

Swaine, your an I.N.T.J. which is DEFINITELY perfect for someone in your line of work.

http://www.typelogic.com/intj.html

NancyII commented:

I added the pics from the paranormal channeling post.

I had the story backwards..seems he went to "papas" grave first.

Shwaine commented:

And Ray, the problem was the way I am said "ERROR: this does not compute" on that handful of questions. There just is no preference. Both sides are present and equally loud. I like structure in some tasks, but I like other tasks to unfold organically. It's mostly on a work/non-work divide, but not entirely. Like my pet routine is a structured task. Same with my meal schedule (needed since I am prone to low blood sugar). These are practical things that need to be structured in order to preserve sanity and health.

But I don't insist on a schedule when going out with friends. I don't cook by recipes once I've mastered the basic steps. And at work, I don't run my servers by the book but instead view them as evolving beings that need to be handled individually by their quirks and setups. I've got a bit of a dualistic mindset I suppose. Maybe that's another Gemini trait.

AudreyB commented:

Shwaine

Was Ray's analysis correct? It's been right on the money for the rest of us.

Ray_Harwick commented:

Witters, you sound just like my friend. Case in point, your ABCDE example.

I was talking to him one day and asking him how he is able to get so much done. His explanation is that when he's faced with a job, he JUST STARTS DOING IT even if he has to redo some things. Okay, the thing you just described about your co-workers who want an ABCDE approach is that they are Temperments who like to have a SET PLAN firmly in mind BEFORE they start. You require NO SUCH PLAN. You DIVE IN and get half the work done before they get started.

Right?

AudreyB commented:

We're all introverted except for Witters. Anybody else notice that?

witterpitters commented:

RAY: it's called multi-tasking also!!! and you are right - I jump in with both feet and just start working! I have had many jobs wherein I had to do just that - clean up the paper trail mess left by the person before me and get it organized! At home I'm a mess but work has to be semi organized. I set things up so if I'm not there anybody can find what they are looking for. I like "clean-up" office jobs!!! One can actually learn a lot about the job they will be doing by "cleaning up" as you have to go thru everything to get to the bottom of the mess!!!

witterpitters commented:

HEE HEE HEE!!!!!!! WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!! This is the week I'm on the up swing of my "manic" mode!!!!

AudreyB commented:

Bye guys. I have to put dinner on the table. This has been fun. Thanks for sharing.

Ray_Harwick commented:

Shwaine is borderline in two areas

1. Sensing - Intuition
2. Judging - Perceiving

In a case like that, where you are on the borderline, sometime you have to read the options you trend that are on the opposite side of the graph. I have this examine on my IPHONE and it shows what your top 3 or 4 most likely temperaments are (actually much better than this online quiz Audrey found).

This isnt Astrology. There's some hard science behind the Myers Briggs so it's not really correct to compare this stuff with your astrological sign. This is Jungian psychology.

Shwaine commented:

I've taken Myers-Briggs online in other forms before and usually end up in either INTJ or INTP. You can see that variation between J and P on the above graphs on the last line. It really depends on the subject domain and how I'm feeling. Today, this test is bringing out my INTP side, which is quibbling with its lack of sufficient data, heh. INTP page: www.typelogic.com/intp.html

Ray_Harwick commented:

We're all introverted except for Witters. Anybody else notice that?

It LEAPED out at me and I've been watching for someone to come up as extrovered. Introversion and extroversion are the two terms we all understand well, but the way the MB talks about them is more revealing.

Extroverts and not merely in their element with people, they are ENERGIZED by them.

Introverts can be VERY social people, but they WANT and NEED time to REFUEL. I'm am the KING of introverts in terms of needing to refuel (to rest and think about what I just did in a social situation). I will TAKE **weeks** of refueling if I can swing it. I don't know anyone who is more contemplative than I but I suspect Sam Heath is in that class. INFJ like myself are at near perfect peace alone because we are very good at entertaining ourselves. At some point we like to talk to others and we're most pleased when we get to talk about something we've spent a great deal of time studying and thinking about.

Ray_Harwick commented:

Thanks Audrey. I've been wanting to get into this precise discussion for a very long time and leave it to another iNFJ to initiate it. Great minds????

:-)

Shwaine commented:

And Ray, I've read the ISTP and ISTJ profiles and those are not really me, but they do fit with certain family members (my dad for example displays many ISTP traits). My Sensing traits mostly come from wanting some tasks to be ordered and getting grumpy if they aren't. Like a poorly run conference where people are not kept to their time limits for talks really irks me. I find it not only unprofessional, but rude to the presenters that come after. So I have some tasks I consider to be ordered and they darn well better be ordered or my Sensing side wakes up (and wants to take over to get things back to order).

But otherwise I'm mostly on the Intuitive side of things. It's the Judging/Perceiving line that I tend to straddle and it's really rather situational. It seems to be related to my confidence levels. I find the more knowledge I have of the situation, the more I trend towards Judging. When dropped straight into an unknown situation with no ability to look up information, my Perceiving side takes over and starts screaming "ERROR: data needed". Then again, some might argue that's an INTJ trait of knowing what I don't know except that I do have to make a conscious effort to silence that side of me. Maybe my inner child is INTP while my inner adult is INTJ, heh.

Ray_Harwick commented:

Swaine, I put great stock in the MB for the reason that it nails my temperament so comprehensively. It gives me the creeps to realize how intimately it nails me. My reading on the subject confirms what you've experienced with the bobbles in the final outcome. I sometimes test as INTJ but that's one out of every ten times. Seems to me I read that people who test at INFJ or INFP tend to think that they are represented by *all* the MB temperaments. I had that feeling from reading them, but the INFJ analysis specifically says it is the one temperment that persistently has that "I'm all of these" sense of the possibilities.

bakoblue commented:

I've taken this test several times over the years, and I always, always get INTJ --- the personality type description is dead-on :-)

Your personality type:

Careers that could fit you include:

Shwaine commented:

I'll have to say my tendancy to want to take over things when they aren't led well probably puts me more on the INTJ side of things than the INTP side of things. But on the flip side, sometimes I want to take over to just dismantle the whole leadership hierarchy because it's getting in the way, which is more of an INTP thing. Really, reading both profiles on both the site you gave and elsewhere, I could go either way. And in other tests, it's been about a 50/50 split between the two. Maybe I'm an INTPJ (INT in pajamas :) ).

Ray_Harwick commented:

Bakoblue, INTJ. http://www.typelogic.com/intj.html

Totally fascinating!!!

VirgilAnderson commented:

Here's mine !

Your personality type:

Quiet, reflective and idealistic. Interested in serving humanity. Well-developed value system, which they strive to live in accordance with. Extremely loyal. Adaptable and laid-back unless a strongly-held value is threatened. Usually talented writers. Mentally quick and able to see possibilities. Interested in understanding and helping people.

Careers that could fit you include:

Writers, artists, counselors, social workers, English teachers, fine arts teachers, child care workers, clergy, missionaries, psychologists, psychiatrists, scientists, political activists, editors, education consultants, journalists, religious educators, social scientists.

--virgil

bakoblue commented:

Love it, Ray. Pretty dead-on, too. Thanks for passing that along. I have to admit, I love this kind of stuff. Would love to see more folks play along over the weekend. I'll see if I can drag the spouse into it :-)

Shwaine commented:

Here's another Myers Briggs personality test: www.ithaca.edu/mathcs/LearnStyle/MyersBriggsTest.shtml

It only gives you a numerical output instead of a visual scale, but the questions might appeal to people like me who like a little more situational detail. On this one, I was INTP, but I again straddled the P/J bridge, with a slight lean towards P (4 P, 3 J).

bakoblue commented:

I got the same outcome, INTJ. Though I have to say that thus far, my favorite part was reading Ray's expanded description of my type and seeing that Hannibal Lecter and I share the same personality type :)

Ray_Harwick commented:

Shwaine, I was INFJ (again) on this one. It's nice to have more than one quiz to try out.

Bakoblue: I'm totally infatuated with the MB temperament stuff and I wish everyone at Bako.com would participate. Some people are naturally skeptical about virtually any test having to do with how they think and in some case the MB profile they get will actually identify them as the "temperament type most likely to disregard the results of their analysis."

After nearly a decade, I'm still pretty amazed at how it pegged me.

Ray_Harwick commented:

Wow Virgil. You're on the borderline in three areas but it look like INFP is your type.

http://www.typelogic.com/infp.html

Ray_Harwick commented:

Virgil, DON'T miss the list of famous INFPs. The second name on the list is a familiar one. <LOL>

VirgilAnderson commented:

Thanks, Ray ! I saw that ...

Look, you guys, who else I share my personality traits with :

Famous INFPs:

Homer
Virgil
Mary, mother of Jesus
St. John, the beloved disciple
St. Luke; physician, disciple, author
William Shakespeare, bard of Avon
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (Evangeline ...

Heh, ... with the Virgil ! : )

--virgil

anglo1 commented:

http://www.41q.com/type.41q?p=1467 I hate to show my internet ignorance but I couldn't figure out how to post the results.

Shwaine commented:

Just highlight the results, copy and paste into the comment box anglo1.

witterpitters commented:

I'm the same on this one :-) Shwaine

Myers-Briggs Analysis:

Total E: 14
Total I: 0

Total S: 2
Total N: 12

Total T: 2
Total F: 14

Total P: 10
Total J: 4

Your Type is: E N F P.

vanityfair commented:

Sorry about the format ... I took the test on my phone earlier today when I had some downtime at an event and emailed it to myself. So, here it is:

Practical, traditional and organized. Likely to be athletic. Not interested in theory or abstraction unless they see the practical application. Have clear visions of the way things should be. Loyal and hard-working. Like to be in charge. Exceptionally capable in organizing and running activities. 'Good citizens' who value security and peaceful living.

Careers that could fit Vanity include:

Military, business administrators, managers, police/detective work, judges, financial officers, teachers, sales representatives, government workers, insurance agents, underwriters, nursing administrators, trade and technical teachers.

msemilyh commented:

istj for me

honorerdieu commented:

Perhaps this is an accuate assessment of me. I do tend to be very analytical at times.

Careers that could fit you include:

CatherineBaker commented:

Haha! I've taken this quiz several times throughout my adulthood and I score something different every time. When I was in college I was an INTP, then in business I was an ENTP, and now as a stay-at-home Mom I'm an EITP. Maybe 10 years from now I'll be something else. I guess I'm a personality chameleon, adapting to my environment. ; )

Creative, resourceful and intellectually quick. Good at a broad range of things. Enjoy debating issues and may be into 'one-up-manship'. They get very excited about new ideas and projects, but may neglect the more routine aspects of life. Generally outspoken and assertive. They enjoy people and are stimulating company. Excellent ability to understand concepts and apply logic to find solutions.

PS--Fun blog, Mom!!!

CatherineBaker commented:

Hey Ray--from your link:

"Clever" is the word that perhaps describes ENTPs best. The professor who juggles half a dozen ideas for research papers and grant proposals in his mind while giving a highly entertaining lecture on an abstruse subject is a classic example of the type. So is the stand-up comedian whose lampoons are not only funny, but incisively accurate.

ENTPs are usually verbally as well as cerebrally quick, and generally love to argue--both for its own sake, and to show off their often-impressive skills. They tend to have a perverse sense of humor as well, and enjoy playing devil's advocate. They sometimes confuse, even inadvertently hurt, those who don't understand or accept the concept of argument as a sport.

Oh ho ho--am I really a show-off who argues for sport? Surely not. : P

Sam Heath: The Weedpatch Gazette

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 13:40:30 PST

When I learned the Large Hadron Collider had to contend with a bird having dropped a piece of bread in the works halting the operation I immediately thought of the ravens feeding Elijah: I Kings 17:6: “And the ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning, and bread and flesh in the evening; and he drank of the brook.”

FOXNEWS: November 7, 2009: “The massive machine at the center of the world's biggest scientific experiment has malfunctioned again – derailed by a bit of bread dropped by a bird. The Hadron Collider, buried 100m under the ground near Geneva, Switzerland, is supposed to recreate conditions seen after the Big Bang. Scientist’s hope the $7.3 billion machine will shed light on the event that many scientists believe gave birth to the universe around 14 billion years ago, but the project has suffered a series of setbacks. The latest saw a ‘bit of baguette,’ thought to have been dropped by a bird, fall onto machinery, causing a fault. Sections of the machine, which fires protons round a 17-mile-long tunnel at close to the speed of light in order to smash them in to each other, then overheated. Members of the public who had been looking at data published online noticed the temperature changes and contacted journalists at The Register. They alerted those in charge of the project at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN). According to scientists, had the Collider been in operation at the time it would have shut down automatically, avoiding the damage of last September when a large amount of helium leaked into the tunnel. But the difficulties faced by those working on the project have prompted some members of the scientific community to speculate, in all seriousness, that the machine is sabotaging itself — from the future. The theory is that the particle that physicists hope to produce might be ‘abhorrent to nature,’ so that once created it would work backwards through time to put a stop to whatever created it. However Dr Mike Lamont, who works at the CERN control center, said that the nature of the experiment meant that glitches were inevitable. ‘This thing is so complicated and so big, it's bound to have problems sometimes,’ he said.”

I’m still of the mind the investors in the LHC are looking for an enormous payoff rather than purely adding to scientific knowledge and the project does seem to be “jinxed” so far, at least to those of a mind to consider such a thing plausible. There is no doubt in my mind God knows every sparrow that falls to the ground as Jesus said, and just as He caused the ravens to feed Elijah could cause a bird to interfere with the LHC. However, just as Dr. Lamont stated; a machine of such mind-boggling complexity is fraught with potential problems, and even if these are finally overcome we still don’t know what is going to happen when and if the LHC does fulfill its intended function.

That some are seriously speculating about the possibility of Einstein’s “spooky action (or communication) at a distance” in relation to something (or someone?) from the future sabotaging the LHC at least sustains my continuing to believe there are people of science keeping an open mind to the fantastic. The more that science enables us to peer into atomic structure and our universe the more is discovered that opens the door to speculation about the fantastic. While many are willing to credit Newton with rare genius, they are not so willing to credit his attempts to interpret Scripture or his conviction that Intelligent Design of God was at work in creating the universe and life. But, Alchemy and the Philosopher’s Stone (one possible discovery using the LHC?) are beginning to get the attention of scientists and some are even speculating as I have done about Astrology, knowing as anyone does that the Constellations as per the ancient maps and zodiacs could not be discerned by the naked eye in ancient times any more than they can be today. So, as with many mysteries concerning ancient people and the artifacts declaring they could not have possibly accomplished some of these things without “outside help” of one kind or another I continue to call attention to God putting it in the minds of people like those specially chosen to build the Tabernacle to put it into the minds of others to do His bidding.

On the other hand, I believe the Devil sure has those to do his bidding as well. To paraphrase Thoreau, while God may seem without much company the Devil draws a crowd. And let’s face it; from its infancy the “news” doesn’t make money telling of the good works of good people; it is still the accident drivers slow down to look at, and just as “Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.”

While I see Intelligent Design the result of the mind of God in all of His creation the mysteries of God are abundant as well. “Who has known the mind of God that he may instruct Him?” As thoughts of the fantastic and speculation about many things flow through my own mind, I am given more and more to wonder at the mysteries of God. But these thoughts and speculations invariably call to mind as well the words from a hymn: “Farther along we’ll know all about it, farther along we’ll understand why.”

Comments:
paxchristi3 commented:

Well said, Sam. Let's see what happens when--and if--they get this thing fired back up next month. Interesting that it was the public that alerted the scientists to the latest bugaboo: http://threshinggrain.blogspot.com/2009/11/cern-news.html

That blog has a link to another blog by GeekDad that offered this gem:

One of these theories is that the Higgs boson has traveled back in time to prevent its own creation. This is not a joke, though you could easily be forgiven for thinking so. Two respectable physicists have published papers on the possibility, and they have even come up with a test they say will determine whether or not they’re right. One might argue, of course, that if the Higgs boson is crafty enough to kill its own grandfather, as it were, it would also cover its tracks.

Of course, other respectable scientists think this idea is… well, as ridiculous as it sounds. If the LHC fails yet again, though, you can be sure more people will start subscribing to this theory. The great physicist Niels Bohr once reportedly said “We all agree your theory is crazy. The question is whether it’s crazy enough to have a chance of being correct.”

As a parent, I do advise that it might not be a good idea to let your kids read about this Douglas Adams-esque idea. I can just picture my kids saying “Daddy, it’s not my fault! The Higgs boson went back in time and made me get a bad grade on my math test!” And how do you respond to that?

samheath commented:

Thank you Pax; I have a good imagination but there are many things beyond our imagining. But it's good to read the speculations of scientists as they delve ever deeper into the things of God.

Stranger in a Strange Land: Words From a True Patriot

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 13:03:34 PST

For those of you not familiar with Congressman Patrick Murphy, he was the first veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom to be elected to Capital Hill. He served valiantly in Iraq as the leader of the first legal team that helped Iraqi citizens with the complications of a U.S. occupation, and his team was also responsible for the first arrests of insurgents, made jointly with Iraqi police. My best friend served under Murphy, and is even mentioned on numerous occasions in Patrick's autobiography Taking the Hill: From Philly to Baghdad to the United States Congress.

Here is a man who willingly put his life before others, serving our country proudly in the Army, and now he serves his hometown as their representative to the U.S. Congress. I value his opinions highly, and as it pertains to Healthcare legislation, I respect his views. If you're unwilling to buy what Pelosi or Reid is trying to sell, at least listen to someone who has no reason to lie to the American people.

His article can be seen below:

www.huffingtonpost.com/rep-patrick-murphy/why-we-cant-afford-to-fai_b_349592.html

Comments:
Ray_Harwick commented:

Pregnancy as a pre-existing condition. Makes me want to be President of the Right To Life and turn them loose on insurance companies like killer bees. The very idea that a child in a mother's womb is an uninsurable condition!!!!! Just makes me ILL!!!!

witterpitters commented:

Hmmmmmmmmm I don't know why they would not insure an unborn baby - moms now get to collect disability for being pregnant. Maybe since the state considers pregnancy a "disability" the lady could get medi-cal. Worth a shot eh.

FloridaStateGrad commented:

Witter.. Medi-cal is here locally, not in PA where the Congressman is from..

witterpitters commented:

OK. didn't know that. So, there is not a government medical program anywhere in PA? What about the clinics? When I was down and out and poor and had no insurance I was able to take my baby to the well baby clinic for all her check ups and shots, it was free. Clinics see pregnant ladies also for little or no cost.

midterm2 commented:

Something is fishy here! We don't have the whole story. Did this woman have health coverage with her job? If so, she can continue that coverage under COBRA. If not, she can be covered under the Pennsylvania Medical Assistance program operated in conjunction with the Medicaid program. Otherwise, there are many free clinics throughout Pennsylvania.

FloridaStateGrad commented:

midterm.. do you know how much Cobra actually costs the recipients?

witterpitters commented:

Cobra is very expensive!!!! and you can only have it for a few months! She would be better off paying cash to a doctor/hospital/clinic.

When I retired I thought I would keep my life insurance but downgrade it from $50,000 to $10,000............even that was very cost prohibitive so I said no thanks. What my husband and I have done, is go thru Greenlawn and got a funeral program we could pay monthly for and now we are both paid for!! It was cheaper (per month) to get the insurance on our mortgage and auto loan.If/when either of us die and the items are not yet paid off, they will be at that point in time.

NancyII commented:

My ex landlord had Cobra and he paid in the neighborhood of $500 per month for just himself.

Ray Harwick: How To Open A Bottle Of Wine Without A Cork Screw

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 12:50:42 PST

Behold the amazing ingenuity of drunk Frenchmen.

CLICK HERE

Comments:
paxchristi3 commented:

Are you drinking, are you drinking, brother John? Brother John?

Good thing they can't turn water into wine. ;)

honorerdieu commented:

That was pretty neat!

I find this humorous:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8beGM6OksB4

But this woman is the real deal... ouch!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCYs8UyV-Sg

VirgilAnderson commented:

That's nothing ... I can open a bottle of beer with a bic lighter . : )

--virgil

honorerdieu commented:

That's nothing ... I can open a bottle of beer with a bic lighter . : )

Proooove itttttt....

VirgilAnderson commented:

Honore,

some people think it's really cool to have a church-key sown into the bottom of their tshirt . I say, Naaah :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDMCkYqbI30

--virgil

Bakersfield Boomers: Can You Stand Another Blog about Blogging?

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 12:46:11 PST

I've tried to make a change in the way I blog for the last few weeks. Sometimes I fail at this with spectacular results and go off on whoever is in my line of sight. Ie Apollo Dawn (apologies).

Yesterday I had a meltdown when I saw several blogs which were negative about Obama. It seemed overkill to me.

The way I reacted may have been over the top but it was heart felt and sincere. I was sickened by the whole blogging process and everyone who engaged in it.

My old ex enemy, Sioux of all people, emailed me with some encouraging words and helped me find center again.

I think all of us "old time bloggers" are sick of the dissension and negativity we find on the blogs lately. It would be easy to blame the newcomers but that's not the truth either. One things for sure, no one side is to blame any more than the other. And neither side can make a change for the better, alone.

What we all need to do is examine our own part in spreading the dissension on this blog site and do what we can to stop it. We need to remember that behind those avatars are real people with real feelings.

Use qualitative terms when dealing with issues. Some...In my opinion....mostly.....etc.

Comments:
AudreyB commented:

The good news is, people are trying harder to get along.

ApolloDawn commented:

I appreciate that, Audrey; you have my apologies as well. I have been a bit of a coiled-up rattlesnake lately, and I am not proud of that.

My compliment to you on Learnem's blog was sincere.

AudreyB commented:

I don't think any of us are very proud of ourselves lately.

Maybe we can start over Apollo Dawn. ;-)

ApolloDawn commented:

Yes, we can. :)

pogo commented:

Good post Audrey. I will say when I signed in yesterday AM and saw the titles of some of the blogs I started getting pissed. Then when I began by reading comments from the usual suspects I just lost it and started getting nasty.

I still think when any of us is going to make a statement (unless we have solid proof) we should start with "in my opinion".

AudreyB commented:

Pogo

I think the only way this is going to change is for us to police ourselves. Like Sioux did for me by telling me to calm down.

We need to let someone know, as kindly as possible, when they're getting out of hand. And we need to make our support bipartisan.

I think we all miss the blogs the way they used to be when we all had so much fun. We were a group of friends and I have confidence that we can be friends again.

pogo commented:

For me, it is going to be a matter of reading what is going on first, then taking a very deep breath before I decide to jump in.

For example, I've been reading Alicen/Ron Mexico, etc. comments about the 10% un-employment and have decided I don't need that on a nice Sat. aft.

Guess I'm getting mellow in my old age.

I got an e-mail from Sioux (my old adversary) the other day which was very nice and informative.

AudreyB commented:

Pogo

I think we've come to the same conclusion.

I was just talking to my daughter, Catherine, and told her that I'm going to skip the blogs which make me see red. Negative Obama blogs are a fact of like, but that doesn't mean I need to participate in them.

siouxcityranch commented:

'remember' *grin*

pogo commented:

Sounds like a plan, my friend, thanks for this blog.

I'm off for errands.

AudreyB commented:

Have a good weekend Pogo.

AudreyB commented:

Yes, Sioux.

witterpitters commented:

AudreyB commented:

Thanks Witters

You also rock.

honorerdieu commented:

I never read the rules on debating until I googled it. I don't follow every rules to heart, but I personally like # 3-6, 8, and 13-22.

http://www.paulnoll.com/Books/Clear-English/debate-advice.html

Avoid the use of Never.
Avoid the use of Always.
Refrain from saying you are wrong.
You can say your idea is mistaken.
Don't disagree with obvious truths.
Attack the idea not the person.
Use many rather than most.
Avoid exaggeration.
Use some rather than many.
The use of often allows for exceptions.
The use of generally allows for exceptions.

Quote sources and numbers.
If it is just an opinion, admit it.
Do not present opinion as facts.
Smile when disagreeing.
Stress the positive.
You do not need to win every battle to win the war.
Concede minor or trivial points.
Avoid bickering, quarreling, and wrangling.
Watch your tone of voice.
Don't win a debate and lose a friend.
Keep your perspective - You're just debating.

AudreyB commented:

Gosh honorerdieu

GREAT POST. I'm going to copy it down and keep it by my computer. THANKS.

paxchristi3 commented:

Certainly I need to chill out from jacking up the acrimony on the blogs as well. No doubt I have let my emotions get the best of me just like anyone else as well as Catholic League's Bill Donohue as he noted in his recent column in which he forgave atheist Christopher Hitchens after he apologized for calling Mother Teresa the "B" word: http://www.catholicleague.com/release.php?id=1711

Hopefully someday we will all come to the realization that Satan indeed is behind all this in seeking to divide and destroy--and rise up against him. Meanwhile, just know that whenever I come in here and start throwing bombs, it's not aimed at my brothers and sisters but the one whom Jesus called "a murderer from the beginning" and the father of lies. For now he is a tough one to torpedo.

I'm fully aware that some folks may think I've lost my mind in talking like this. But's it's all biblical and prophetic. And we know who wins in the end.

berean7 commented:

Throw your bombs at Satan, and I will be there with you. Throw your bombs at human beings who are not intentionally and knowingly doing evil, and you will hear from me.

We do indeed know who wins in the end. With the right approach, more unsaved souls might accept the gift of forgiveness from the Winner.

anglo1 commented:

I don't comment as often as many but I can go off on a tangent sometimes and I would welcome a email or message from someone maybe not to close to the issue that would let me know if I'm being a jerk. Not if I'm wrong that would take to much out of your day but if I'm being a jerk or disrespectful.

Seems more civil around here Audrey, maybe you started something.

The View From Here: Obama Snubs Fort Hood To Relax At Camp David

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 11:37:10 PST

While Dubya and Laura give a lesson on class acts...

the Narcissist in chief doesn't listen.

November 07, 2009

Obama snubs Ft. Hood to relax at Camp David

Clarice Feldman

Dan Riehl checks the President's schedule and learns that Obama's not going to Fort Hood, but rather to Camp David for the weekend. In an update, Dan notes that his predecessor is more sensitive to the situation.

Fox Reports GWB and Laura spent a few hours at Fort Hood, no photo ops. Now that's a CIC.

Are you kidding me? Camp frickin' David? What, does he have a tee time close by? For heaven's sakes, he's the CIC. And he's taking the weekend off? This guy simply doesn't care. Unbelievable via Fox.

11:25AM THE PRESIDENT addresses the House Democratic Caucus - Cannon House Office Building

2:30PM THE PRESIDENT makes a statement to the press on Health Care - Rose Garden

2:45PM THE PRESIDENT and THE FIRST LADY depart The White House en route Camp David - South Lawn

That Dancing with the Indians conference must have really worn the poor guy out so much he can't spare time to comfort the survivors of the jihadi Major's massacre.

Comments:
catpaw commented:

Every president from FDR has taken vacations and get-aways to work in seclusion. Unless there's been a retraction I don't know of, the president is slated to attend one of the memorial services. I get the feeling, however, had the president dropped everything and rushed to Ft. Hood, he'd be accused of looking for a photo-op. (As was the case when he was present for returning coffins at 4:00 in the morning.)

But then, your source is Fox News.

drilnliftcrude commented:

But then, your source is Fox News.

Is there an untruth up there anywhere? You are insinuating that the Fox News report of 0bama's schedule is false? Prove it. Are you saying that the Fox News report of the Bush's visit is false? I also included the link to the AP story.

I would go on and make some snarky comments about illiteracy and lack of education, but I've seen what it makes FreeShoesGraduate look like so I'll refrain.

NancyII commented:

What amazes me is that no matter how many sources tell the same story, if you use a Fox link the story must be false, A comment would have a lot more credibility if it just disagreed on it's own merit and not used it as an opportunity to bash Fox. Especially when it's been run elsewhere.

spam code LYE XV

Shwaine commented:

I think the point catpaw was making, which is getting lost on the Fox News supporters, is that this is another case of petty partisan nitpicking from the right. That no matter what Obama did for the Veterans Day weekend, the right would find something to criticize, no matter how trivial. It's getting old fast.

NancyII commented:

And you continually playing interpreter for others comments is also getting old. They are perfectly capable of speaking for themselves.

It has less to do with Fox supporters than it does with people who won't accept a true story if Fox is attached to it even if the story came off a major news source.

People here have the right to voice their opinion and their displeasure with the president and they shouldn't have to be told they are "petty partisans" by someone who is blatantly partisan.

VirgilAnderson commented:

Nancy,

" It has less to do with Fox supporters than it does with people who won't accept a true story if Fox is attached to it even if the story came off a major news source."

That's because Fox News is not a credible news source.

That's true.

--virgil

catpaw commented:

...Dan notes that his predecessor is more sensitive to the situation.

That's a fact from an unbiased reporter?

This guy simply doesn't care. Unbelievable via Fox.

Strange. I haven't heard that fact repeated on CNN, HLN, PBS, the networks, or seen it on Time. Why is that? While you're at it, does Rush have any "facts" worth repeating?

VirgilAnderson commented:

Last month, Fox, the so-called news source, editorialized in favor of legalizing marijuana.

They gave NORML a half-hour interview, and everything.

--virgil

drilnliftcrude commented:

...Dan notes that his predecessor is more sensitive to the situation.

That's a fact from an unbiased reporter?

The quote you reference isn't even from a Fox report.

Bakersfield Boomers: What is your favorite part of your house. What is your favorite downtime activity.

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 10:07:05 PST

I think one of the reasons we fail to treat each other with respect is because we can't feel any commonality. We can't get past our political/religious differences to see the person behind the comments.

In an effort to get to know each other better, I want to open this blog to each of you so you can share as much or as little as you feel comfortable doing. Or nothing at all.

Me first.

The part of my house that I love the best is actually on the outside of the house, our back patio, where I spend 90% of my leisure time. I have a 20 year old porch swing which is large enough to lie down on with room to spare. I sit, recline or lie on this porch swing and read every evening.

There's a honey locust tree in the back yard which is a bird magnet. It's so peaceful and life affirming to watch this tree leaf out and turn colors as the months go by.

Comments:
AudreyB commented:

The only stipulation I want to make on this blog is, please don't share stories of your sex lives or bathroom habits. ;-)

witterpitters commented:

Well hell Audrey...............guess I can't tell you about my favorite part of the house!!!! (giggle!)

Actually, I love my craft room, which is a mess right now, but I can close the door, turn on the TV (NASCAR/NFL/MLB) or radio (NO phone) and "create" to my hearts content. Creating something relieves my stress 'cause I'm not thinking about anything else except the project I'm working on :-) Lots of mess but NO stress!!!!

Oh, you might mention that this blog will contain NO political/religious comments! hmmmm ok, I just did mention it for ya!!!

witterpitters commented:

nice yard!!!!!

paxchristi3 commented:

There's nothing like dozing off on my recliner late at night while watching the Eternal Word Television Network and hearing the likes of Fr. George Rutler in his "Christ in the City" series and the station's founder, Mother Angelica, give the secular culture the smackdown.

honorerdieu commented:

Call me weird, but my favorite part of the house is the inside doorway area of the front door where we enter through. Two dark stained doors with oval mosaic glass windows, are erected with tan colored tiles on the inside. Outside, is a wavy concrete path that leads to the driveway. There's a nice floral colored rug, with black borders around it, where we place our shoes on. On one side of the front door is a dark wicker basket for slippers and umbrellas. On the opposite side is a dresser stand or something, but it comes with a separate large oval mirror that is mounted on the wall. On the dresser is an earth colored vase with fake red-orange poppy flowers.

Every morning before I walk out to the world, I sit down on one of the dining table chairs next this area to lace up my shoes. Subtle morning lights go through the windows so it's not too dark nor too bright. Nice hues. I always checking myself in the mirror to make sure I'm groomed well for work. And everytime I exit throught the door, the doorknob makes the same creak. It's sort of my morning ritual everyday, I guess.

AudreyB commented:

Witters

My yard looks nice in the picture because you can't see the crab grass taking over a flower bed in another part of the yard. ;-)

edit

Re: arts and crafts, I love them too. Needlepoint, crochet, refinishing furniture, sewing, whatever!

AudreyB commented:

honorerdieu

You described it wonderfully. I think we all need beauty in our lives so we're good at finding it where ever it exits.

Ray_Harwick commented:

I have a nicely shaded patio on the south side of my doublewide and when I'm not at my computer, I'm sitting there and it's a nirvana experience for me. Coffee with sugar and cream, pack of smokes, a book (or not). Heaven. I really, really love it. Heading there now.

Ray_Harwick commented:

I can't picture myself sitting and gabbing with Pax in that environment since I'm a televison phobe, but with you Audrey, and with Witters and honorerdieu, it seems very cozy.

AudreyB commented:

Ray

You sound like my kind of dude!

Its not the big things in life that make us the happiest, its the small things.

VirgilAnderson commented:

and a good thing, too, Ray.

Because you're not missing much .

--virgil

AudreyB commented:

Is anyone else out there addicted to Soduko. Working one of those puzzles is like an out of body experience.

motopoet commented:

My bedroom. It is my sanctuary. My children are not allowed in my room except when they need to tell or ask me something, or on the occasion they need to use my bathroom. I know some people hang out on their beds with their kids..Not me! I can go in there and just chill, I read, watch my History and Military channel DVR'd programs and, until Cassie moves out, it's where I play my guitars.

Running a close second is the kitchen..I like to cook and that's where the food is!

AudreyB commented:

Mark, I hear you.

My bed with the TV and clicker is my second favorite part of my house.

anglo1 commented:

I like to read on the upstairs deck in the evenings. usually while I'm grilling some form of flesh. I have three pretty nice views of the ocean between the houses and trees. I do the cooking so I like the kitchen almost as much, nice views of the Dunes to the south, that's over the sink so I'm probably doing the cleanup or prep for dinner with a good stiff drink or a good Zin.

AudreyB commented:

It sounds like you've made a paradise for yourself anglo1. I bet you get awesome sunsets.

anglo1 commented:

It's something I've dream about for decades and with the down real estate market and historically low loan rates it was just bearly do able. Total fixer upper, had multiple families in it until mid 08. My favorite activity is just hanging around the beach and anything to do with the water. I see Bakersfield and Shafter people where I hang out in the mornings nearly every day. I would like to see some of the bloggers come by, I think might recognize some from the photos of the get togethers.

AudreyB commented:

I look at mountain properties all the time Anglo. Not that I can afford any of them. But, if I found one that was cheap enough I'd be willing to fix it up. It wouldn't matter if it was a one room shack, as long as it had a view of the mountains.

girlsmom commented:

I will let you know when my daughter is grown, we don't have any activities to go to and I get to have a favorite part of the house!!! We are never home long enough to get a favorite part. Although when I am home I love being outside, I hate being "in" the house, was that way when I was a kid too. working with the animals, gardening, anything outside. i love to sit in my chair and just watch our chickens peck the ground and wander around the back yard. I never knew how cool chickens were.

FloridaStateGrad commented:

Since my wife and I are new homeowners as of last month, I can proudly say that my favorite room in the house is my office/music room/man cave. I painted it my favorite colors: Garnet & Gold to signify my pride for my Alma Mater: Florida State University. This room is big enough for my desk system, a full electric piano, bookcases for both work related material and my entire collection of History/Philosophy/Religious books, my guitars, an entertainment center (which will have a TV in it soon enough) and many of my collectables (military memorabilia, etc.). Once I hang the guitars on the wall, I can fit a loveseat or recliner as well... and there'd still be plenty of space.

anglo1 commented:

FSG, there's a 40" LCD HDTV at Costco starting 11-12-09 for $499. Need a coupon. FYI.

Ray_Harwick commented:

Man cave.

LOL!!!!!

AudreyB commented:

FSG

I heard you have an awesome piano! And that your historic memorabilia is to die for.

pogo commented:

Right where I am now, at computer, surrounded by my books, pictures of family, looking out the bay window at front lawn.

AudreyB commented:

I can see my honey locust tree from our computer setup in the breakfast nook.

It's so lovely when the wind blows and the leaves swirl around like rain. I love it here.

FloridaStateGrad commented:

FSG, there's a 40" LCD HDTV at Costco starting 11-12-09 for $499. Need a coupon. FYI.

Crap..

Not sure if I want LCD.. I hear they're hard to view from an angle. We're thinking of Plasma to go in the living room, and then we'll move the regular TV we currently use in my man cave.

I heard you have an awesome piano!

It needs a lot of work, but I can't complain about something I got for free!

And that your historic memorabilia is to die for.

Thanks.. it's a fledgling collection, but quality is definitely better than quantity. I'm positive you'll be able to come view it one day.

Shwaine commented:

Don't forget to look up the energy effciency of the TVs you're looking at FSG. Plasmas can be energ hogs unless you're careful when selecting. Check the on-power and standby/idle usage on the specs.

Shining the light of the Catholic faith on the Culture of Death: N.Y. lawmakers may vote on gay marriage Tuesday

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 10:00:16 PST

The gay marriage proponents sure are relentless, aren't they? Well, two can play this game. Just days after having their rear ends handed to them in Maine where the voters stunningly voted to repeal the law allowing gay marriages that the legislature imposed on them, New York's Gov. Paterson and his fellow Democrats apparently haven't learned a lesson: http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/nov/09110604.html

Thankfully one Democrat, Ruben Diaz, is bucking the party on this. Hopefully he succeeds in delaying the vote on this until next year when his fellow Dems will be forced to decide whether they want to imperil their re-election chances. Should he succeed, then I will toast him as well as celebrate my birthday that day by ordering a Reuben sandwich, making for a perfect day as his picture illustrates.

The View From Here: Government Run Health Care

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 09:50:19 PST

Post Office Returns 107,831 Tax Refund Checks to IRS Due to Faulty Addresses

Oh, but it will be different when the gov't run health care agency inform's you that you have a compatible donor for that liver transplant.

Comments:
FloridaStateGrad commented:

Yes, because it's the government's job to keep tabs on where you live.

I'm willing to wager my house that the majority of those faulty addresses are because the recipients didn't update their address.

drilnliftcrude commented:

Your wager accepts the notion that just under half, or 53914, of those faulty addresses are the governments fault. That is of little comfort to the millions of people whose health could be adversely affected by such expected government bungling.

girlsmom commented:

I was at a place yesterday that required payment to enter. This lady borrowed my phone to call someone to come and get her because she was upset they would not let her in free. The place had to keep the lights on and fill the bathroom with toilet paper and free is not an option.

Now if the government would let hospitals/ER's run like regular businesses, no, free is not an option, that would solve the entire problem, either you have insurance or cash to get in,Period. No one would go to jail and the hospitals would not go broke and it would cost the government nothing. it would get the intended result too, people would get health insurance without the government intervening. Insurance companies would scramble to get policies to those who don't have them. People will rise to what is required of them. Jail is not the solution.

I have noticed that a lot of people in certain ethnic groups drive very nice new cars but want free health care. I drive an old paid off car and my husband pays $500 a month his portion for our health insurance, his work pays the other half. $500 is a car pymt and then some. he said today we should drop our insurance, utilize the free ER care and get a new car! LOL

Problem solved.

girlsmom commented:

Also Dolores Huerta said in an interview that Mexico has great socialized medicine and we are so behind the times and we need this bill passed, if that is so why do they all come here for medical care? just a thought.

Bakersfield Boomers: Miss California, Carrie Prejean drops lawsuit after a sex tape of her emerges.

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 09:40:41 PST

A legal standoff betwen Carrie Prejean, Miss California USA and pageant officials reportedly ended when a pageant lawyer played his trump care: a sex tape far more hard-core than the nude pictures which have previously scandalized her - and in which she had the starring role.

After being shown the hardcore home video - in which she apparenetly engages in a ............

http://www.nydailynews.com/gossip/2009/11/05/2009-11-05_carrie_prejean_sex_tape_forced_exmiss_californias_lawsuit_settlement_report_.html

Comments:
AudreyB commented:

I knew there was (something else) phony about her.

She was too good to be true.

FloridaStateGrad commented:

That footage is now worth millions.. I wonder how long it'll take to leak and surface online..

VirgilAnderson commented:

I'll ask my brother, Bob, to look into it for us.

I'd like to see it too. For its historical value, of course.

--virgil

jfrancais commented:

She was just participating in a little bit of evangelism.

Some churches even give out free food to get the attention of the homeless.

AudreyB commented:

I'm curious. How long did she think she could carry on her charade of "little miss righteousness" with this tape squirreled away in her makeup case.

VirgilAnderson commented:

I wanna see how really righteous she really is !

--virgil

paxchristi3 commented:

It's nice that the secularists realize that she did something wrong, should go and sin no more, and be thankful that none of them feel qualified to cast the first stone.

savvydude commented:

Christian bashers unite!

Your post is another jab at persons of faith. But if it gets you all stimulated to do it, knock yourself out. One little problem, though - this story was on TMZ.com last week but was removed because there is no proof of the allegation. Nobody on either side will validate the story, and both parties are bound to silence on the legal agreement.

I know you really, really want this to be true. But you're kind of stuck now - but don't let the reality get in the way of your fantasy, okay?

VirgilAnderson commented:

But, Pax !

What about the movie ?

Everytime it's viewed, she will be sinning.

--virgil

VirgilAnderson commented:

" But you're kind of stuck now - but don't let the reality ... "

um, I ain't stuck.

I just wanna see the pictures .

--virgil

witterpitters commented:

Wow, I wonder who "outed" the tape to the lawyer? With friends like that who needs enemy's???

AudreyB commented:

Witters

That's exactly what I was wondering? Her boyfriend had control of the tape so how did it get into someone elses hands.

witterpitters commented:

Follow the money!!!!

IF it was the boyfriend......................................oh boy he would be singing in the Vienna boys choir real soon!!!!

AudreyB commented:

It's nice that the secularists realize that she did something wrong, should go and sin no more,

Actually Pax the only comfort and support she seems to be getting is from NOW. Funny huh considering it's a liberal organization.

AudreyB commented:

Savvydude

How do you figure this? Your post is another jab at persons of faith.

When her story was being told on (and given full support) Fox News was that a jab at non Christians.

If, in your estimation, one statement is true.........doesn't it followthat the other is also true.

savvydude commented:

Sorry, Audrey, I was referencing the fourth post and his reaction to the story.

VirgilAnderson commented:

"Sorry, Audrey, I was referencing the fourth post and his reaction to the story"

He can't mention the avatar ... and, because this is serious business !

--virgil

AudreyB commented:

Correction noted savvydude.

BakoBeachBumm commented:

I guess that it is a good thing that she is Christian since if she had been Muslim there would probably many heads truly loped off for the criticisms of her religion.

I guess that many of us are perfect and that walking on water is as normal as a walk down the street. I am by no means perfect how ever I try to do my best everyday. However when I do make a mistake does it negate all the good that I had done before or after? Man am I glad that when I die I don't have many on the board judging me!

I guess that the day that anyone of us are perfect in everything that we do then God will have to move over but since he is the supreme to this day I guess that none of us have reached that plane ...yet.

motopoet commented:

I wonder where I can get a copy? GIGITTY-GIGITTY!

AudreyB commented:

As soon as Carrie Prejean realizes the commercial value of her video, I'm sure she'll have a website where you can order one.

VirgilAnderson commented:

See, savvy Dude .

Motopoet likes it !

--virgil

FloridaStateGrad commented:

I guess that it is a good thing that she is Christian since if she had been Muslim there would probably many heads truly loped off for the criticisms of her religion.

Actually, it'd be her head being lopped off.

AudreyB commented:

My gut feeling is that Carrie Prejean was an opportunist. She tried to get as much mileage out of her 15 minutes of fame as she could.

The victims in this sorry mess are the Christians, which she used, .who really believed in her basic decency. I feel bad for them.

ronmexico commented:

The victims in this sorry mess are the Christians, which she used, .who really believed in her basic decency.

Christians still believe in her basic decency. That is part of being Christian. I even believe in your basic decency. That is part of having incredible faith...

FloridaStateGrad commented:

Prejean is an attention whore, nothing more. Then again, so is everyone in Hollywood.

paxchristi3 commented:

But, but ... Perez Hilton, the attention whore deluxe, started it all!

Shining the light of the Catholic faith on the Culture of Death: Enter ye the gates of hell with Eduardo Verastegui

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 01:00:28 PST

After finally getting around to watch a video shortie that a pro-life warrior gave me featuring an actor who starred in the movie "Bella," I had to let my blood stop boiling before I could post this to avoid lacing it with epithets.

I have to tell you that seeing graphic pictures of abortion or Holocaust victims are not even remotely as disturbing as seeing these video clips.

Frankly, I don't see any distinction between the barbaric insanity that is abortion and anything that the Nazis have done. This is anything but a simple "medical procedure." Those who refuse to see abortion for what it is are cowards; those who do but do not find it repulsive are cold-hearted animals. It's that simple.

Fortunately the video is available online in both English and Spanish for all to see: http://www.massmediamail.com/durarealidad/

Comments:
paxchristi3 commented:

WOO! Finally! After the Democrats had shot down a couple of dozen or so attempts to drive a stake into the heart of the foul-smelling beast that is abortion funding in the PelosiCare bill, they caved in late last night and allowed for a House vote on the only issue that has kept 40 or so pro-life Democrats from supporting the reform of health care: http://lifenews.com/nat5629.html

Now this is going to get interesting. I'm fully expecting Pelosi and many of her fellow Catholic Democrats to continue disobeying the bishops with their votes that will make it crystal clear where they really stand when it comes to abortion. They will be voting just on this single issue, with no other attachments to it that could allow them to once again weasel their way around this and make more excuses for siding with the pro-abortion folks. Should they fail to do the right thing, then I hope their bishops will do the loving thing out of concern for their eternal salvation by excommunicating their sorry asses and loudly proclaiming once more:

If the amendment passes, Henry Hyde can rest in his grave knowing that his amendment to outlaw funding of abortions lives!

paxchristi3 commented:

Mind you, even if the amendment passes, I'd still not like like PelosiCare as it takes away our freedom by unconstituionally mandating health care insurance, not to mention the clauses that'd allow for euthanasia and death panels. But if they're going to ram this stinker through, then at the very least I want to see abortion funding stripped.

catpaw commented:

Equating clinical abortions with nazi atrocities is not an accurate comparison. The immediate flaw of that logic is that it ignores the human condition that leads to terminating a pregnancy contrasted to a policy of genocide.

Few women terminate a pregnancy as a casual medical procedure. For most, it is an agonizing decision. Calling them cowards and cold-hearted animals is not my idea of Christian compassion. It's that simple.

adampayne commented:

Misogyny lives every day on these blogs with your posts.

jfrancais commented:

It's fair to make the parallels between nazi atrocities and abortion in that lives are being loss. There is no way to do the mental gymnastics around it. Women's rights are important but there is no advocate for this unborn child/fetus. The rights of the fetus should take precedence.

berean7 commented:

You have done it again, sir with the most unbefitting online name.

You have taken a viewpoint that I agree with this time, but put it in a way that makes our faith look like a loveless, soulless, whitewashed tomb.

AudreyB commented:

I think I could grow to like berean7.

Bloggers should understand that sometimes its not the message that turns people off, its the manner in which its presented.

paxchristi3 commented:

You'll have to excuse me for not showing more patience, but the progress against this monstrosity that was allowed to fester and claim the lives of 50 million or so souls for nearly 40 years has been, quite frankly, too glacial for me. It'd be interesting to know if any of you would agree with the many folks who blasted the pope for seemingly being too Christian-like in opposing the Holocaust.

girlsmom commented:

Cat~I would have to disagree with you about some of the women who have abortions~it really is not an agonizing decision for them and yes it is used as a casual medical procedure. I used to work in a medi-cal women's clinic doing intake. These women used abortions as birth control. 7,8,9,10 or more abortions in their histories. Now yes for some it is a tough decision but for a lot not so true. And frankly Pax is correct in one way, think about who has most of the abortions, poor black women and who has the highest welfare participation, poor black women, it is the political leaders way of keeping the welfare doles down, sad but true. No one really wants to admit we have this going on in this country so they just sweep it under the carpet.

berean7 commented:

Then by all means continue to harden people's hearts.

I will do instead the Lord's work.

paxchristi3 commented:

Thanks for the support, jfrancais and girlsmom.

Now going back to PelosiCare, maybe I shouldn't get too giddy about the Stupak amendment and instead just hope that the lawmakers will kill the bill. The amendment may just be a red herring, to hear the Creative Minority Report tell it: http://www.creativeminorityreport.com/2009/11/careful-what-you-wish-for.html

ApolloDawn commented:

I'm already growing to like Berean7.

Your avatar is the perfect color. You are Christian gold.

I wrote a couple of articles that you might appreciate:

When Spirituality Leaves a Church, Spiritual People Follow

http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/ApolloDawn/43548

http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/ApolloDawn/43579

I write from the perspective of a Wiccan, but I wrote this, as I write about many spiritual things, in a way that people of any or no faith can appreciate.

VirgilAnderson commented:

She's a witch.

--virgil

ApolloDawn commented:

Thank you for the compliment. :)

VirgilAnderson commented:

Here's a nice pic ...

--virgil

MRAllred commented:

Pax I believe like you

Abortion is murder

Where we differ

The Catholic Church would never excommunicate for their abortions

Pax after the death of Ted Kennedy you said the Church would not hold services for him He was one of the strong Senators for Abortion

But Pax it did come out They gave him full Catholic services but out of the view of others

How much money did your Church receive for his Catholic burial ( in secert )

drilnliftcrude commented:

The good news is that, with the government takeover of health care coming, improvements in ultrasound technology that belies the myth that abortion *doesn't* kill itty bitty babies will be stifled to keep this progressive experiment in eugenics going on as long as possible.

berean7 commented:

Apollodawn, I read your articles. You are another very good writer.

I'll tell you up front that I am an Independent Baptist, which I'm sure you know means we have many theological disagreements. I'll also tell you up front that I have never read a better analysis of the spiritual demise of a church.

This paragraph of yours hit the nail squarely on the head - "From such a place, the spirituality has left; what was once inwardly directed constructiveness has been replaced with outwardly directed destructiveness. If anything could be called anti-spirituality, this is it, for any applicability or relevance to one's own spiritual state has ceased to exist."

"Outwardly directed destructiveness". That is exactly what I see in some of the "Christian" posts that I have answered, an attitude that looks more like destructive maliciousness than a Godly spiritual walk.

You surprise me with your knowledge of Scripture. You have quoted Scripture in a way that tells me that you didn't find it in a quick search through a concordance. You knew it was in God's Word and you knew where to find it.

Thank you again for the kind words.

paxchristi3 commented:

Mr. Allred, indeed it has been frustrating to see the princes of the church betray the flock by being too pastoral with those who have been Judases. But take heart that more bishops of the orthodox stripe are coming into the fold and being put into high places in the Vatican in an attempt to rid the church of the "smoke of Satan."

Laypeople like potential presidential candidate Rick Santorum recognize this as well; in fact, he went so far as to say "shame on them" for their support of PelosiCare: http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/oct/09101909.html

He called them out again just the other day: http://www.creativeminorityreport.com/2009/11/santorum-appalled-at-catholic-bishops.html

With progress like this, time is on our side.

MRAllred commented:

Pax keep up the good fight against ABORTION

catpaw commented:

Pax keep up the good fight against THE SEPERATION OF CHURCH AND STATE; GENDER EQUALITY; CRITICL THINKING IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS; BIRTH CONTROL; GOVERNMENT BY THEOCRACY....

Shining the light of the Catholic faith on the Culture of Death: Baguette trips Large Hadron Collider

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 22:43:22 PST

Yep, just another thing that makes you go "hmmm." Sam Heath will find this interesting as I did, especially considering it was recently theorized that some particles are coming back from the future to keep the collider from discovering them: http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2009-11/bread-loving-bird-shuts-down-lhc

One of the jokes was that the particles may cause a janitor to trip over the collider's power cord just in time.

Comments:
samheath commented:

Thanks Pax. Fascinating to speculate about such things. Helps keep your mind agile.

witterpitters commented:

Maybe this 'machine' just isn't meant to work................ya think? Sometimes I think we push 'science' too far. Why can't we spend those billions of dollars here on this planet and get things 'fixed' here before we try to bombard other planets? I.E., blasting a rocket to the moon to punch a hole in it.

samheath commented:

Old saying and you know it's true WP: Follow the money.

witterpitters commented:

Boy that is the truth Sam! I wish I had some of that money to follow!!

Well, money or no, science or no, somebody higher then us will take care of it! Mother Nature will do what she will with the weather, air, water, ice flow, etc whether we like it or not. If the ice is melting, it is not "gobal warming" it is as it is supposed to be at this point in time of this planet. There have been ice ages and then the reverseal of that and back again. The difference is, that humans are making money (greed) by spreading this garbage around this time, which in and of itself will be the destruction of this planet.

As has already been demonstrated.

paxchristi3 commented:

Well said, WP. Indeed, we still have yet to learn the lesson of the Tower of Babel.

Crashing through the phony left-right paradigm : Excellent Article & Interview: How Goldman Sachs secretly bet on the U.S. housing crash

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 20:24:44 PST

By Greg Gordon | McClatchy Newspapers

WASHINGTON — In 2006 and 2007, Goldman Sachs Group peddled more than $40 billion in securities backed by at least 200,000 risky home mortgages, but never told the buyers it was secretly betting that a sharp drop in U.S. housing prices would send the value of those securities plummeting.

Goldman's sales and its clandestine wagers, completed at the brink of the housing market meltdown, enabled the nation's premier investment bank to pass most of its potential losses to others before a flood of mortgage defaults staggered the U.S. and global economies.....

Read full article here: www.mcclatchydc.com/227/story/77791.html

---------------------------

Greg Gordon appeared on the Alex Jones radio/TV show this morning. 11/6/09 (video below, in 3 parts)

www.mcclatchydc.com/146

CORRESPONDENTS

Greg Gordon

Investigative

E-mail Greg Gordon at ggordon@mcclatchydc.com

Greg Gordon, an investigative reporter, has spent 30 years uncovering waste, fraud, abuse and misconduct in Washington. Since joining McClatchy’s national staff in 2006, he has helped expose partisanship in the Justice Department and gaps in U.S. homeland security. Earlier,, he spent 13 years with the Minneapolis Star Tribune, covering the prosecution of al Qaida terrorist Zacarias Moussaoui and writing about asbestos in the workplace, money and politics, aviation, law enforcement and the environment. He also worked for The Detroit News and United Press International, where he headed its investigative team and won the 1983 Raymond Clapper award for coverage of an EPA scandal. In 1990, he and co-author Ronald E. Cohen won Sigma Delta Chi's gold medal for their book "Down to the Wire," chronicling UPI's financial collapse. In 2008, he, along with Margaret Talev and Marisa Taylor, won a McClatchy ``President’s Award’’ and Scripps Howard’s Raymond Clapper Memorial Award for Washington reporting for exposing the Bush administration’s politicization of the Justice Department. This is Gordon's second Clapper Memorial Award.

Greg Gordon's Latest Story

Why did blue-chip Goldman take a walk on subprime's wild side?

By Greg Gordon | McClatchy Newspapers

Goldman Sachs was one of the last Wall Street giants to enter the subprime lending world, but when it did, it quickly climbed into bed with profligate, highflying firms — companies such as New Century Financial Corp. » read more

Posted on Wed, November 4, 2009

Greg Gordon's Recent Stories

· Goldman left foreign investors holding the subprime bag

11/03/2009 12:00 am EDT
· Goldman takes on new role: taking away people's homes

11/02/2009 12:00 am EDT
· How Goldman secretly bet on the U.S. housing crash

11/01/2009 12:00 am EDT
· Why did Goldman stop scrutinizing loans it bought?

11/01/2009 12:00 am EDT

Go here for more extremely important information: www.youtube.com/user/TheAlexJonesChannel

Greg Gordon on Alex Jones Tv 1/3:Goldman Sachs's Little Secret!!

www.youtube.com/watch

Crashing through the phony left-right paradigm : 81-year-old Tasered by Eielson Air Force Base police

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:54:41 PST

by Chris Freiberg / cfreiberg@newsminer.com

FAIRBANKS — An 81-year-old man was Tasered during a traffic stop last week.

It is the second time since 1998 that police have had to make a show of force during a traffic stop to arrest Glen M. Wilcox, a Fairbanks-based Episcopalian priest and real estate agent.

Court documents allege that officers with Eielson Air Force Base’s 354th Security Forces Squadron pulled Wilcox over just after 1 p.m. Wednesday for going 11 miles over the speed limit on the Richardson Highway.

An officer, identified as a senior airman in court documents, took Wilcox’s license, registration and proof of insurance and wrote him a traffic citation. When he returned to Wilcox’s car, Wilcox refused to accept the documents and sped down the highway, according to a criminal complaint filed in court.

Wilcox disputes that version of events.

“They waved to me and I thought that meant I could go on,” Wilcox said. “They stopped me again and told me to get out of my car.”

Alaska State Troopers were notified of the incident, and the 354th “initiated a high-risk traffic stop” near 336 Mile Richardson Highway. When Wilcox, a former commander of the Civil Air Patrol, again stopped, he initially refused to roll down his window.

He eventually got out of his vehicle and was told to put his hands behind his back, something he claims is physically impossible for him.

“I showed them I could barely touch my fingertips and they insisted,” he said.

Charging documents allege Wilcox used profanity with the airmen. When they tried to handcuff him, Wilcox, described in court documents as being 6 feet 1 inch tall and 250 pounds, allegedly tried to jerk away from the airmen and used his body to push them around, a claim he also disputes.

After several warnings, one of the airmen used a Taser on Wilcox to take him into custody.

“It hurts like hell,” Wilcox said. “I’m laying on the ground when they Tasered me. It’s painful and very sharp.”

Wilcox said the incident left his arms bruised and he had to seek treatment at a doctor. He also obtained a lawyer but would not elaborate on how he intends to pursue the case.

“If I were their base commander, I would put them in jail,” he said. “Four young men in their 20s do not need to Taser and handcuff an 81-year-old.”

The next day, prosecutors dropped a charge of fourth-degree misdemeanor assault against Wilcox. He pleaded not guilty to counts of resisting arrest — a misdemeanor — and failure to stop at the direction of a peace officer, a felony. He later posted $250 bail.

Air Force regulations authorize law enforcement officials to use Tasers to arrest subjects who are actively resisting arrest or noncompliant with law enforcement orders, said Staff Sgt. James Stewart, a spokesman for Eielson. Regulations do not give different directives on how to deal with older subjects.

The airmen used a minimum amount of nonlethal force to resolve the situation, Stewart said.

In May 1998, Wilcox was accused of a similar incident when Fairbanks International Airport police pulled him over for driving with expired tags. Wilcox reportedly became belligerent with police and grabbed and twisted a female officer’s arm. In that case, he had to be pepper-sprayed to be taken into custody.

Wilcox said the truck he was driving at the time had an issue that it would not start again within five minutes of starting it up. He pulled the officer’s arm away to keep her from grabbing the key out of the ignition, he said.

He later pleaded guilty to a reduced count of disorderly conduct and a misdemeanor count of failure to stop at the direction of a peace officer. He successfully completed probation and more than 100 hours of community service.

Several people who said they knew Wilcox for decades wrote letters to the judge before sentencing, saying the incident was extremely out of character for him.

Contact staff writer Chris Freiberg at 459-7545.

newsminer.com/pages/full_story/push

Comments:
midterm2 commented:

Looks as if this old fart has been a jerk all his life!

Infowar commented:

So being an 81 year old jerk is justification for the use of a taser?

NancyII commented:

Sounds like It is in this case.

Infowar commented:

Often times officers will lie in the report to cover their butts.

CheckMate commented:

Really infowar?

Perhaps the officer should have skipped the taser and just given this crotchety old cuss a good smack atop his head with a hickory oak baton.

Infowar commented:

You people are sick.

Lingtaowoo commented:

Indeed...we are a paranoid nation--whos dad was that again??

Logansdad commented:

So two incidents with police officers where the guy is being noncompliant, and he is the victim somehow? Tell me, at what age does a person no longer have to follow the same laws as everyone else? If the man is resisting, should the officers have just let him go because of his age? Because obviously you think they do not have the right to detain him at all.

VirgilAnderson commented:

"Really infowar?"

Yes they do, mate. You should know that one, for sure !

--virgil

lanabuford commented:

Those are some weak....! young cops who couldn't subdue an 81 yr old man without the use of a taser gun!....

jfrancais commented:

Did you want them to perform combatitives/hang to hand combat on him?

lanabuford commented:

Whats 'hang to hand combat'?? seriously...how fast can an 81 yr old man run? how many times can he attempt to hit you before his arthritis kicks in? .....That much force wasn't needed!

jfrancais commented:

My bad- hand to hand combat.

They could have thrown him to the ground and performed a drill 1 and 2 on him if they wanted to and permanently hurt the guy. What are they to do?

As a matter of principle, I don't want anyone hitting me, regardless of age. Combabtitives training doesn't discriminate. The taser is about one of the few techniques those Security Force personnel are taught to use as "non-lethal".

midterm2 commented:

This man was resisting arrest. It is irrelevant that he was 81 years old. An 81 year old could just as easily pull a handgun from his waist band and open fire on the officers as could a 61 year old or a 21 year old. Recent shootings by real old guys confirm this danger. This guy was fleeing the scene. There must have been a reason he refused to obey the law and sign the citation.

lanabuford commented:

He should have done what was ask of him....but pepper spray wouldn't have worked? it just had to be the taser?...OK!

Ray_Harwick commented:

I read this earlier this week in the Anchorage paper. Eielson was my first duty assignment when I joined the Air Force. I was stationed there for two years and what I can't figure out is why the Air Force patrols the Richardson Highway. That highway is not on military property as far as I know. It's the road that goes from Fairbanks, past Eielson, then for hundreds of miles south to Anchorage. Since when did the military take responsibility for the Alaska Highway Patrol?

The base is about 35 miles south of Fairbanks.

I can't imagine someone involved in such a no-brainer situation not being compliant. He's certainly not exempt from the requirement to follow the orders of a peace officer, which is the state-side duty of Air Force security personnel. It's too bad this guy is a dork.

Infowar commented:

The military is violating posse comitatus when they patrol U.S. Highways & engage the citizens. To bad the cowardly American public doesn't hold them accountable. It's all about mindless worship of the government nowadays.

Crashing through the phony left-right paradigm : Was Fort Hood Killer On Psychotropic Drugs?

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:19:45 PST

Despite clear link between anti-depressants and mass shootings, media fails to ask if Hasan was on SSRI’s

Despite the fact that Fort Hood gunman Nidal Malik Hasan was a psychiatrist, the media has failed to even raise the question of whether he was taking psychotropic drugs before he gunned down over a dozen of his colleagues during yesterday’s tragic rampage, a hefty indictment of how the establishment rushes to blame politics, religion, gun rights, or any other factor for mass shootings in order to hide the direct link between such massacres and the use of anti-depressant drugs.

It has been confirmed that Hasan was an Army psychiatrist at Fort Hood. Psychiatrists have a history of “self-medication” because of the easy access they have to psychotropic drugs.

In almost every major mass shooting over the past two decades, since anti-depressant drugs became popular, the killer has been on SSRI’s – serotonin reuptake inhibitors.

The establishment media, allied closely as it is with the pharmaceutical industry, uniformly fails to stress this common factor, preferring instead to blame shootings on gun rights or, as in the case of Hasan, political motives.

However, any fair study of mass shootings cannot justifiably come to any other conclusion but the fact that SSRI’s play a central role in causing assassin’s to go berserk and engage in the kind of carnage that the average person struggles to comprehend.

Immediately after we learned of the Virginia Tech massacre, the largest mass shooting in U.S. history by a single gunman, we predicted that the assassin would be on psychotropic drugs, which is exactly what turned out to be the case.

Columbine shooters Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, as well as 15-year-old Kip Kinkel, the Oregon killer who gunned down his parents and classmates, were all on psychotropic drugs.

Robert Hawkins, the 19 year old who killed himself and eight other people with an assault rifle in Omaha, Nebraska in December 2007 had a history of treatment with psychiatric drugs for depression and ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) and was on prozac.

Jeff Weise, the Red Lake High School killer was on prozac, “Unabomber” Ted Kaczinski, Michael McDermott, John Hinckley, Jr., Byran Uyesugi, Mark David Chapman and Charles Carl Roberts IV, the Amish school killer, were all on SSRI psychotropic drugs.

Northern Illinois University killer Steven Kazmierczak had taken Prozac.

Since these deadly drugs are prevalent in almost all mass shooting incidents, where is the call to ban prozac? Why is the knee-jerk reaction always to attack the 2nd Amendment rights of Americans to self-defense? The fact that yesterday’s shooting occurred on an Army base is the only reason that the establishment media has been unable to blame the carnage on gun rights. Instead, they have exploited Hasan’s religion to stir up more hatred for Muslims in a crude attempt to reinvigorate flagging public support for the war on terror.

Scientific studies proving that prozac encourages suicidal tendencies are voluminous and span back nearly a decade.

In 2005, it was revealed that Eli Lilly had full knowledge of a 1200% increase in suicide risk for takers of their Prozac. This evidence came in the wake of findings published in the British Medical Journal a year previously.

In 2006 a report was published outlining the fact that anti-depressant drug Paxil doubles the risk of violent behavior. Another study published in the Archives of General Psychiatry revealed that teens taking antidepressant drugs are more likely to commit suicide.

It is a well known fact among the makers of these drugs that they are directly linked to behavioral disturbances including agitation, panic attacks and extreme aggression, yet their use is so commonplace that they have now even found their way into our drinking water.

The corporate media, owned as it is by the U.S. military-industrial complex, will continue to gratuitously and shamelessly exploit yesterday’s tragedy by characterizing Hasan’s religious and political beliefs as the main motivation behind the massacre, without even investigating whether or not he was taking psychotropic drugs and what role these played in why he suddenly snapped, a character trait completely at odds with how Hasan’s own family described his personality.

The videos below highlight the connection between psychotropic drugs and violence.

..
....

.
.
........

Paul Joseph Watson
Prison Planet.com
Friday, November 6, 2009

URLs in this post:

[1] Prison Planet.com: http://prisonplanet.com

[2] Psychiatrists have a history of “self-medication”: http://www.prisonplanet.com../was-fort-hood-psychiatristshooter-on-drugs-that-cause-homicidalsuicidal-reactions-16-of-psychiatrists-%E2%80%9Cself-medicate%E2%80%9D.html

[3] exactly what turned out to be the case: http://archives.chicagotribune.com/2007/apr/18/nation/chi-0704170925apr18

[4] Image: http://infowars-shop.stores.yahoo.net/faofreprofba.html

[5] Robert Hawkins: http://infowars.net/articles/december2007/061207Shooter.htm

[6] was on prozac: http://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/26/national/26shoot.html?ex=1269493200&en=3f84c15a8b8943c4&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt

[7] had taken Prozac: http://edition.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/02/25/antidepressants.violence/

[8] Scientific studies: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/758763.stm

[9] 1200% increase in suicide risk: http://www.newstarget.com/003086.html

[10] British Medical Journal: http://www.prisonplanet.com../articles/december2004/311204elililly.htm

[11] Paxil doubles the risk of violent behavior: http://www.newstarget.com/020406.html

[12] published in the Archives of General Psychiatry : http://www.newstarget.com/020643.html

[13] found their way into our drinking water: http://www.prisonplanet.com../articles/august2004/080804prozacwater.htm

Comments:
drilnliftcrude commented:

He was trippin' on Jihad.

Joe Jackson seeks stipend from son’s estate

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:02:56 PST

This man is UNbelievable!!!

Will only called for money to be paid to mother, three children, charities

updated 2 hours, 50 minutes ago

LOS ANGELES - Michael Jackson’s father is seeking an allowance from his son’s estate to help cover expenses that exceed $15,000 a month, according to court documents filed Friday.

The request seeking an unspecified amount for Joe Jackson was filed by lawyer Brian Oxman, who said there was no apparent reason for the administrators of the estate to not seek an allowance for the 81-year-old Jackson family patriarch.

Michael Jackson’s 2002 will, however, only called for money to be paid to his mother, Katherine, his three young children, and various charities.

A judge has approved more than $26,000 in payments to Katherine Jackson each month, and a $60,000 monthly payment for the care of the children.

The latest court documents say Joe Jackson receives a $1,700 monthly Social Security payment and had relied on his son for support for many years.

Joe Jackson sufferers from diabetes and had a stroke in 1998, the filing states.

“He does not have a regular or steady source of income, and he was dependent upon the money provided by his son, Michael Jackson, through his wife, Katherine Jackson, for his support,” the filing states.

An itemized list of expenses says Joe Jackson spends $1,200 a month on rent for his Las Vegas home; $2,500 to eat out; $1,000 on entertainment, gifts and vacations; $2,000 on air travel and $3,000 on hotels.

A phone message left for Oxman was not immediately returned.

James Bates, a spokesman for the administrators of Jackson’s estate, did not immediately respond to an e-mail seeking comment.

A judge denied Joe Jackson’s petition for an expedited hearing on the matter and his request to file the motion under seal.

Comments:
siouxcityranch commented:

too bad micheal didnt kick him in the grape sack once he got big enough too..

Patrick319 commented:

I second that sioux. Joe is a sick excuse for a human being. All he's ever viewed Michael as is a meal ticket.

CheckMate commented:

So typical for a person like Joe Jackson. Wanting something, for doing nothing.

But he forgot to list his monthly expense for the peach pomade for his hair.

ghostriter commented:

Once a jerk, always a jerk. Go easy on the guy. After all, he has his reputation as a money-grabbing pimp to protect.

I want to belch every time I see his smarmy face in those ever-present sunglasses. May he rot.

NancyII commented:

I can see that the whole family is just barely getting by. My heart goes out to them in their time of financial distress.

Ptewy ptewy ptwey.

: Analysis: 10 percent jobless is Obama's new world

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:48:32 PST

By JIM KUHNHENN, Associated Press Writer Jim Kuhnhenn, Associated Press Writer – 2 hrs 42 mins ago

WASHINGTON – For months he had warned it was coming but that didn't ease the political shockwaves for President Barack Obama when unemployment topped 10 percent.

A year after his election Obama finds it increasingly difficult to blame the sour economy on George W. Bush or offer reassurances that jobless Americans will soon find work.

Never mind that the economy itself grew in the last quarter, that the recession by most accounts is over and that the number of jobs lost in October was less than one-third the number of job losses at the start of his presidency.

At 10.2 percent, the October unemployment climbed to chart-topping heights unseen in more than a quarter century. The bottom line is that more than 15 million Americans are out of work and 3.5 million lost their jobs while Obama was president. Expected or not, this is Obama's new reality.

"I won't let up until the Americans who want to find work can find work, and until all Americans can earn enough to raise their families and keep their businesses open," the president declared Friday.

That's a hopeful promise but not very realistic.

And it shows that, for the time being, action to tackle record budget deficits will simply have to wait.

Obama, appearing at the White House Rose Garden on Friday three hours after the jobless numbers were made public, said his administration was looking at additional spending for roads and bridges and energy efficient buildings. Additional tax cuts for businesses and steps to increase credit for small businesses were also on the bill.

The new unemployment rate also came on the same day Obama signed a $24 billion bill to extend jobless benefits and spur homebuying

In a sign of Democratic thinking, Rep. Carolyn Maloney, who heads Congress's Joint Economic committee, said Democrats would consider new aid to states, an "infrastructure bank" to increase construction jobs and small business tax credits.

"I think we're witnessing a political renaissance about concerns about jobs," Lawrence Mishel, president of the labor-leaning Economic Policy Institute, said approvingly. "It will put the deficit concerns into their appropriate context."

What all this amounts to is another stimulus for the economy. Though don't look for Democrats to call it that; Democrats have a tough enough time debating the merits of the $787 billion stimulus Congress passed earlier this year.

Republicans were quick to pounce on the proposals. Internal polling by the Republican National Committee after Republican gubernatorial victories in New Jersey and Virginia showed that Republican candidates could do well by arguing against additional spending while promoting job growth through tax cutting alone.

But in rhetoric and in deed, Obama is being forced to address an unemployment picture his economic team had long ago expected to avoid.

Many economists predict the jobless rate will rise again, peaking at 10.5 percent sometime next year before employment makes a turnaround in the spring. That still means unemployment will remain high for some time. The administration's own projections still see unemployment at 8 percent by the end of 2011.

Such lingering discomfort can have economic and political consequences.

Consumer spending likely won't increase rapidly. Foreclosures will continue to rise, hitting not just subprime borrowers, but prime mortgage holders as well. Commercial real estate lending, already teetering, could plunge in the face of rising vacancy and loan delinquency rates.

Politically, Democrats are staring at some damage — and the fear of unemployment — themselves. Exit polls Tuesday in the New Jersey and Virginia GOP victories showed that the economy was the top issue in the minds of voters. And national public opinion surveys show that a majority of the public doesn't believe Obama's economic policies are working.

Couple that with traditional losses by the president's party during midterm elections and Democrats have cause to worry about their own fate.

The unemployment number masks the fact that job losses slowed compared to past months — the work force went down by 190,000 in October compared to 219,000 in September. What's more, the Bureau of Labor Statistics said job losses in August and September had been overstated by 91,000.

In addition, the economy grew by 3.5 percent in the third quarter. And Christina Romer, a top Obama economic adviser, noted an increase in temporary service jobs. "That's often the first sign of firms kind of dipping their toe back into hiring people," she said in an interview with The Associated Press.

But since the start of the recession in December 2007, 7.3 million Americans have lost their jobs and key sectors — construction, manufacturing and retail trade — are still seeing significant declines.

The president has not been helped by reports of flaws in the administration's count of jobs created by the $787 billion stimulus.

Ten months into the job, Obama did not even try to lay the blame for the economy at Bush's feet, as he has in the past. His only criticism was implied.

"When we first came into office, our immediate goal was to stop the free fall that caused our economy to shrink at an alarming rate," he said. "We've succeeded in achieving that goal, as our economy grew last quarter for the first time in a year."

But Obama has already taken ownership of the economy.

Republicans, he noted wryly during a July speech in Michigan, were eager to blame him for the economy.

"That's fine," he added, "Give it to me!"

Four months later, it would be hard to give it back.

___

EDITOR'S NOTE — Jim Kuhnhenn covers economics and politics for The Associated Press

Comments:
Patrick319 commented:

That's cool. He can take responsibility for it. So, if the economy happens to improve in the next 3 years, will his critics credit him or just say 'oh, well, the economy is cyclical'? Keep in mind that he inheritted an already spiralling economy.

Infowar commented:

The number is actually around 20%.

ronmexico commented:

That's cool. He can take responsibility for it.

He is not taking responsibility for it. That is the problem..

Patrick319 commented:

Ron-he is taking responsibility for it, fiscal conservatives simply don't agree on the steps he's taken thus far. And partisan bickering by both sides stunts any true change. Both sides are stonewalling the other. That's not Obama's fault.

casooner90 commented:

The economy could improve, but what about the debt Obama will put on our kids and their kids and their kids...

Infowar commented:

Obama is just a spokesperson. The financial collapse is being engineered by scum way above Obama.

Patrick319 commented:

...which will mean nothing casooner if we continue to make cuts to education, healthcare, and social services that allow them to become healthy, informed, and employable adults. Its not fair to slight our children because THIS generation doesn't want to invest in their future. They will already be garnered with a debt; we might as well prepare them to be in a position to pay it.

timmyg commented:

what about the debt "w" put us in and how many jobs were lost in those eight years? this is not a corperation where you can fire people. you wait for the next election to do that. we weren't smart enough to fire "w" after the first 4 years. so that means conservatives are just as spend happy as dems but the dems put it in american hands in stead of those wealth few(friends).At least i can say i didn't vote for "w" and i didn't vote for gore either.

NancyII commented:

And the debt obama is putting our grandchildren in doesn't bother you at all?

Logansdad commented:

Actually Patrick, Obama and his cronies still try to blame things on Bush. Go figure, just like some of you in this thread. So the real question is, if all the blame is on Bush, if the economy picks up will Bush get the credit also?

JohnfromBakersfield commented:

10% eh? Back to Reagan numbers. I bet you guys are feeling comfortable right about now.

casooner90 commented:

Patrick, to paraphrase, are you saying our kids are already in debt so piling on won't be that bad? Does this work for individuals today? A little bit of personal debt is same as big debt?

John, 10% Reagan number? Then what happens after? We are at 10.2% official unemployment and could be high as 20% counting all those that have taken on temp jobs to make end meet. The 10.2% is like the numbers during Carter administration when our parents were paying upwards of 10% interest on mortgage.

Check this out: http://tipstrategies.com/archive/geography-of-jobs/ Where will it stop and when does Obama's stimulus money kick in? How long will you drink the cool aid before it is too late and our kids are strapped with a debt they can't manage? China has stopped buying US T bills - anyone know what that means?

It's one thing to justify the current admin, but its another to turn blind eye to him while he robs our future.

drilnliftcrude commented:

What Hussein promised, and what Hussein has delivered.

The facts are coming in as to what He promised we would see if we passed His $787,000,000,000.00 stimulus and what we have gotten. You can attach the results of that promise to the ones we're hearing about about the costs of His health care scheme.

Destroying America and giving fist bumps at the the White House.

samheath commented:

I wonder if China is aware of the political kool aid here in America "Too big to fail?" If so, they aren't buying into it.

VirgilAnderson commented:

"And the debt obama is putting our grandchildren in doesn't bother you at all?"

not much of a choice ... kinda likke the choice we had with Jr's gratuitous war in the Middle East.

We killed other people's children for no reason. I wonder if Mr. Heath's god would be pissed at that ?

--virgil

drilnliftcrude commented:

Obama lied.

Jobs died.

VirgilAnderson commented:

Jr. is sub-mental.

And half human.

--virgil

drilnliftcrude commented:

But he saved jobs! Let's not forget how President TruthChallenged counted those numbers.

The government’s latest tally of stimulus jobs counted pay increases for existing workers as jobs saved ...

Health and Human Services spokesman Luis Rosero defended the practice. “If I give you a raise, it is going to save a portion of your job,’’ he said.

Most of the inflated figures were like those cited in the 935 saved jobs reported by the Southwest Georgia Community Action in Moultrie, Ga.

Director Myrtis Mulkey-Ndawula said she followed the guidelines the Obama administration provided and multiplied her 508 employees by 1.84 - the percentage pay raise they received - and came up with 935 jobs saved.

ronmexico commented:

I recieved some stimuls money. I gave my 3 employees each a 100% raise. That results in 300 jobs saved. Then I told them I could not afford the raise, and put their salarys back to what it was prior to the raise. Then I went to Costco and bought myself a Cessna 172 for my ~~personal~~ company use. Ain't the stimulus great??

ALICEN commented:

sioux: Oh, how I love the stories of how many jobs were "saved." Isn't it really reassuring? Heart-warming? Doesn't it make you feel all warm and fuzzy?

I could never really understand how you count "saved" jobs. Does it mean that you simply weren't fired or laid off? I think there may be a little fuzzy (warm and fuzzy) math going on. There aren't a bunch of bean-counters up there for nothing, I guess.

My daughter is one whose job wasn't "saved." She'll be among the numbers of additional lost jobs at the end of this month. It seems that somebody is doing a pretty good job of counting the jobs lost, but I still can't figure out how a job is saved, particularly by the government or its so-called leader.

VirgilAnderson commented:

I think god must be punishing us ... with our so called leader.

--virgil

VirgilAnderson commented:

That could explain his African American origins.

--virgil

motopoet commented:

I love the fact the someone is claiming to have saved jobs, since there is no real way to compute that. I guess after Pelosi's ignorant figure awhile back that America was losing..what was it..??..30..40 million jobs a month..Whatever it it was, it would have been more than the population of America in 18 months, well after that statement, I guess they CAN say they have saved jobs. All administrations take credit for things they had nothing to with and blame others for lingering problems. Not to do so would entail responsible behavior, and we all know that ain't happening in Washington, especially in this administration.

It's sad that, until the next two generations of liberals are dead and gone, that Bush will be blamed for everything from Alzheimers to Zoo's being closed. At least Obama will be a one term president(even his handlers can't save him from this debacle)and whomever takes his place can blame HIM for the mess. Ahhh..The circle of life!

VirgilAnderson commented:

Job loss due to our current recession brought on by Jr's economic policies will reach more than 12 percent before the end of the year !

I'm excited.

Happy Holidays !

--virgil

VirgilAnderson commented:

A positive, however, is that the DOW is up !

That's what you call stimulus ( but, only, it should've been more ).

--virgil

ALICEN commented:

One zoo isn't closed yet. Its resident is a chimp. He's on TV as frequently as he can possibly get there -- compliments of the lame stream media. I don't think he appears on Animal Planet. Not yet anyway.

VirgilAnderson commented:

Oh, you gotta stop it, Alicen.

We don't understand what you're trying to say.

--virgil

ronmexico commented:

He's clean and articulate...

siouxcityranch commented:

hay ron.. i wonder if Bidens wife told Joey that after he gave her that big fat kiss on the lips..

I mean Joey couldnt have made a statement like that up without first hand knowledge..

ronmexico commented:

Joe seems to have more hair these days too.....Is that his wife's tongue in the back of the Post Turtles cheek??

drilnliftcrude commented:

Is that his' creating that bulge half way down her neck?

ronmexico commented:

LOL.. I didn't notice that. You know what they say about clean articulate men!!

PELOSI: Buy a $15,000 Policy or Go to Jail

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:04:45 PST

http://republicans.waysandmeans.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=153583

JCT Confirms Failure to Comply with Democrats’ Mandate Can Lead to 5 Years in Jail

Friday, November 06, 2009

Today, Ranking Member of the House Ways and Means Committee Dave Camp (R-MI) released a letter from the non-partisan Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT) confirming that the failure to comply with the individual mandate to buy health insurance contained in the Pelosi health care bill (H.R. 3962, as amended) could land people in jail. The JCT letter makes clear that Americans who do not maintain “acceptable health insurance coverage” and who choose not to pay the bill’s new individual mandate tax (generally 2.5% of income), are subject to numerous civil and criminal penalties, including criminal fines of up to $250,000 and imprisonment of up to five years.

In response to the JCT letter, Camp said: “This is the ultimate example of the Democrats’ command-and-control style of governing – buy what we tell you or go to jail. It is outrageous and it should be stopped immediately.”

Key excerpts from the JCT letter appear below:

“H.R. 3962 provides that an individual (or a husband and wife in the case of a joint return) who does not, at any time during the taxable year, maintain acceptable health insurance coverage for himself or herself and each of his or her qualifying children is subject to an additional tax.” [page 1]

- - - - - - - - - -

“If the government determines that the taxpayer’s unpaid tax liability results from willful behavior, the following penalties could apply…” [page 2]

- - - - - - - - - -

“Criminal penalties

Prosecution is authorized under the Code for a variety of offenses. Depending on the level of the noncompliance, the following penalties could apply to an individual:

• Section 7203 – misdemeanor willful failure to pay is punishable by a fine of up to $25,000 and/or imprisonment of up to one year.

• Section 7201 – felony willful evasion is punishable by a fine of up to $250,000 and/or imprisonment of up to five years.” [page 3]

When confronted with this same issue during its consideration of a similar individual mandate tax, the Senate Finance Committee worked on a bipartisan basis to include language in its bill that shielded Americans from civil and criminal penalties. The Pelosi bill, however, contains no similar language protecting American citizens from civil and criminal tax penalties that could include a $250,000 fine and five years in jail.

“The Senate Finance Committee had the good sense to eliminate the extreme penalty of incarceration. Speaker Pelosi’s decision to leave in the jail time provision is a threat to every family who cannot afford the $15,000 premium her plan creates. Fortunately, Republicans have an alternative that will lower health insurance costs without raising taxes or cutting Medicare,” said Camp.

According to the Congressional Budget Office the lowest cost family non-group plan under the Speaker’s bill would cost $15,000 in 2016.

Comments:
donmason commented:

According to the Congressional Budget Office the lowest cost family non-group plan under the Speaker’s bill would cost $15,000 in 2016.

The tables show this maximum premium is paid only by those families with a net income of $105K or over.

That's 15% of income. Heck , most folks with nanny employer insurance are expecting the poor employer to pay more than that right now for a family of 5.

But, I guess we could just let people pay their taxes and insurance premiums only if they want to, then the rest of us could support them.

Hmmm, isn't that what we're doing right now?

midterm2 commented:

AND, of course, when you are in jail or prison, you get comprehensive medical, dental, and vision care, FREE. Clog our jails and prisons with those without healthcare insurance and let the federal judges order the release of all the violent criminals!

witterpitters commented:

MIDTERM: Works for Moi' !!!!!!! a roof, bed, food, tv, work out room, library, AND all the bennies that I don't have to pay for!!! Wonder if we can reserve a room now???

paxchristi3 commented:

"Madame Speaker, where specifically does the Constitution grant Congress the authority to enact an individual health insurance mandate?"

That was the question asked of her at a press conference only to draw this arrogant retort from her after a hesistation that indicated what Joseph Farah of World Net Daily calls confusion, disorientation, stunned bemusement: "Are you serious? Are you serious?"

Farah concludes that her actions amount to nothing short of treason: http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=115143

paxchristi3 commented:

Henry Lamb is heartened by the response to modern Marxism in his commentary that was posted on World Net Daily, saying:

It is increasingly clear that the battle is no longer between Democrats and Republicans; it is between liberals and conservatives. Since these terms, too, are fuzzy, let's be perfectly clear: The battle is between the people who subscribe to the principles of freedom set forth in our founding documents, and the people who subscribe to the principles of collectivism set forth by Karl Marx.

But I have to wonder if it is too little too late. I sure hope as heck enough of the conservatives will rise up this weekend and give the health-care reform bill the very treatment that the liberals have been giving the Constitution:

ALICEN commented:

WP: I just hope that everybody who understands what's going on will write their Congressmen. Pax's pic of the Constitution being shredded is, I think, appropriate.

jfrancais commented:

"Madame Speaker, where specifically does the Constitution grant Congress the authority to enact an individual health insurance mandate?"

I think a more approporiate question is where does the constitution prohibit congress from implimenting such legislation?

midterm2 commented:

jfrancis: Our Constitution would need to be about 2 million pages long if had to include an article on every single imaginable, and unimaginable, thing that Congress was prohibited from doing.

jfrancais commented:

Congress is allowed to make laws (i.e. mandate health insurance).

mandate- to authorize or decree (a particular action), as by the enactment of law.

Bakersfield Real Estate: THE FEDERAL HOMEBUYERS TAX CREDIT HAS BEEN EXTENDED AND EXPANDED

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:18:01 PST

THE FEDERAL HOMEBUYERS TAX CREDIT HAS BEEN EXTENDED AND EXPANDED

The extended Federal tax credit for first-time homebuyers remains 10% of sales price up to $8,000

The new Federal tax credit for move-up homebuyers, who have used their previous home as a principal residence for five of the previous eight years is $6,500

The income level to qualify is $125,000 for single filers or $250,000 for joint filers

The maximum eligible home price has been increased to $800,000

The Federal tax credit runs from December 1, 2009 to April 30, 2010

Sales contracts signed as of April 30, 2010 must close by June 30, 2010

*Contact your tax advisor for full details.

Further Details about this and other bills signed into law today in the Washington Post article

Comments:
bakersfieldrealestate commented:

I said in a previous blog that the tax credit had a 95% chance of being extended. Can I say 'I told ya so'?

Republicans and Democrats agreed, and President Obama was expected to sign it. Now it has passed the House and the Senate and Obama signed it today. An interesting twist is the expansion to Move-Up Homebuyers. Now you can get a $6,500 tax credit if you buy a house and have lived in your previous house for 5 out of the past 8 years. Other restrictions might apply, so consult a tax professional before making major buying decisions based on this information.

honorerdieu commented:

I'm assuming you meant to say that a single must not make more than 125,000 a year to qualify for the tax credit?

bakersfieldrealestate commented:

The income level to qualify is $125,000 for single filers or $250,000 for joint filers

Yes, I did mean that was the maximum, not the minimum income level to qualify.

honorerdieu commented:

Thanks for the clarification. I've been hoping that the tax credit would extend to next year. That would allow me more time to look for a property to purchase.

CheckMate commented:

Damn, my wife and I don't qualify! We would love to sell our house and move out of this crappy state.

And please don't block me from posting comments on your blogs, like the refiguy, (Robert Russo), did today. He is all touchy because I mentioned his bankruptcy, which was reported in the local news.

casooner90 commented:

Wasn't this how we got into the current ecomic turmoil? By getting people in houses they couldn't afford in the first place? Is the current policy out to promote irresponsibility all over again? Just asking.

drilnliftcrude commented:

Isn't this a tacit admission that less taxes helps the economy?

jfrancais commented:

It's an explicit admission that house prices are still too high in a supposed free market system. It's also tacit admission that people have to continually buy expensive stuff on credit (i.e. that they can't afford) for this whole economic system to work.

casooner90 commented:

JF: I beg to differ (with your first sentence). House prices are set by consumer. Consumer can drive the prices up by willing to pay higher prices. This is then inflated by infusion of funny / stimulus money. Bottom line is the consumer needs to be responsible and buy a home they can affor and not a home they want to be judged by. Its all too easy to blame the creditors or the banks or the politicians, but there is only one person signing the bottom line. I do agree with your second sentence.

drilnliftcrude commented:

When is the government going to offer tax credits for porterhouse steaks, of which "prices are still too high in a supposed free market system"?

jfrancais commented:

Casooner, I will be the first to admit I am no economist and have a very rudimentary understanding of it. I agree that house prices are set by the consumer. With that being said, why is there a need for a tax credit to give incentives to consumers to buy a house? If the house prices were lower (less at least the value of the tax credit) or people buying them at true market value would there be a need for this?

I'm not really blaming creditors on this one. I'm probably placing fault more at the government which feels the need to keep prices of goods artificially high. If people don't buy at high prices, creditors and banks don't have the business. The free market should play itself out without the government trying to manipulate the numbers.

jfrancais commented:

When is the government going to offer tax credits for porterhouse steaks, of which "prices are still too high in a supposed free market system"?

Exactly.

jfrancais commented:

By doing this the government only prolongs the inevitable (the search for the market bottom) which causes the federal government to do things like extend unemployment benefits which equates to more spending.

When will the bleeding stop? What are the nation's priorities? We can't save everything and everyone.

jfrancais commented:

A Question for any economic history buffs- Has the government always believed it can control domestic and global markets? Is this a relatively new approach to policy in American history?

ALICEN commented:

bakersfieldrealestate: My husband and I, both retired, have been solicited at least twice by some rather suspicious-looking outfits to take advantage of the home buyers' tax credit. We're hardly qualified, because our house is far from our first. Presumably a few people, similarly unqualified, have gamed the system to "qualify," thus ultimately sticking other taxpayers with the tab; the "tab" may be nebulous, but I guarantee it's there. When will it stop?

When we bought our first house, we were scared to death about how we were going to make the payments. But we did make them. These days, it hardly seems to matter. Those big, stupid taxpayers are there with a safety net to catch the ne'er-do-wells before they go splat on the rest of us. I'm sick of it.

Shwaine commented:

Alicen, scammers are scammers, you're going to find them all over the place, government program or not. What the government does need to do is borrow some programmers from the credit card industry so these scammers can be better detected.

LEFT blaming the RIGHT, and VISE-VERSA... making sure the same idiots get re-elected: BLOGGING 101...What did we learn today?

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:38:37 PST

a TON of CRAP was tossed back and forth today between the sides that were involved....

it took a post from AudreyB for me to reflect what really happened today.

Im sure i piss a few people off today..I know i made some personal attacks against some people. Looking back...i need to apologize for that. IM sorry.

I think we have to realize that there are those of us that may just never find common ground, that I have to give up trying to make people see things from "my" perspective

i know it would be much easier for us to get along better if politics were just not a part of the bako blogosphere.

This is to EVERYONE out there (yes, even you RF) if you catch me at all being snarky, brutal, nasty, attacking, dimwitted or just plain stupid...please remind me of this blog. I would appreicate it.

thanks

Comments:
learnem commented:

i would like to hear what anyone else learned today...please feel free to post. i will not bash your comments

anglo1 commented:

That I like to stay in the background as much as possible and read both sides of these much too common trashings and don't feel like getting involved. There are other things to do that are way too much fun. Most on this site really don't seem very happy. Just how it looks to me.

pogo commented:

Well put learn, I appreciate your candor. This was a particularly mean day for some reason. Maybe Monday will be better. Have a good weekend.

goldilox commented:

I have stayed clear of the blog posts for a while now, too ridiculous & childish.

Everyone on earth has a different opinion, THAT my friends is what makes the world go 'round !

If we all thought alike, we would be robots and stepford wives...get real, and realize that you cant force us to see 'your' opinion by childish name calling and personal attacks.

Even when some of us non-political and non-religious style bloggers TRY to start a nice, and fun blog topic, we get thrown under the non-stop BUS of in-fighting, and our fun-blogs are immediately turned into a fight carried on from one blog to the next.

I have been amazed by the adolescent behavior on the blogs for the past 2+ weeks ~ grown, INTELLIGENT, educated adults acting like naughty 7 year olds, it JUST plain outright amazes me.

Logansdad commented:

It is funny you say that the blogs get more or less hijacked Goldilox. I went to a lecture last night on Nazi Medicine last night at CSUB, and somehow, it turned into a healthcare reform debate. A nice lecture, what started as an engaging Q&A session, and then someone starts in bashing the views that he did not hold to. Ruined the whole thing for me.

goldilox commented:

YEP ~ everyone on their own soapbox...drives me nuts! sheesh!

i HOPE this blog thread gets a good viewing and good input...i AM gonna think positive, that is supposed to help !

thanks learnem, good topic!

msjenny commented:

I know I get crazy and sometimes I just look and don't say anything and then I blow it by putting my foot in my mouth.

Actually Learn: the post about kern schools was a great one. but i told you that.

NancyII commented:

What I posted earlier bears repeating.

Why not just say "I disagree with you" or "I think you're wrong" instead of "you're an idiot if you think that way?"

When we disagree in our family I can't imagine anyone calling names or getting hateful. We just disagree.

Good post.. learnem.

MadMan commented:

I signed up for an account just so I could make the following comments. This is my first (and likely last) comment on this blog.

First of all, I've been reading The Bakersfield Californian blogs for quite a while. One of the reasons I have never signed up for an account is and participated in the blogs here is because of how nasty some of the people can be, and I don't want to be a part of it. Today's display of name-calling and personal attacks is a prime example of why I have avoided making any comments up to this point. Every now and again, someone will post something interesting that doesn't lead to the equivalent of an online shouting match, but not too often. I was hoping today might be that day, but sadly that wasn't the case.

Secondly, it appears that some people make posts just to get attention and to draw ire from those who don't see things the same way. Without fail, someone takes the bait and the cycle of name-calling and personal attacks begins anew. I hope you realize something that I learned a long time ago from my Dad: when you resort to name-calling and insults, you have lost the argument. He also said to never argue with a fool, for he will bring you down to his level and then beat you with experience.

Third, I've got an honest question. I'm assuming that some of you have jobs. For thos of you who do, is your company hiring? I would love to work at a place that would give me enough time to allow me to make blog comments all day. I'm willing to take a pay cut.

I'm guessing things around here aren't about to change based on the behavior I've witnessed over the years, so I understand that these comments I'm making are likely to fall on deaf ears. But for what it's worth, that's what I think. I will keep all further comments to myself. Have a nice day.

Logansdad commented:

I like the part about being dragged down and beaten with experience. Makes a lot of sense actually, but I like the verbal sparring. Although, I am not going to be dragged into name calling. Much to the chagrin of Random I am sure. But there is nothing like a good discussion. I use the word argument sometimes, but I guess I should say discussion.

pogo commented:

We would all be a lot better off if, when we wanted to state our point of view, we started with "in my opinion" instead of making some asinine statement as a fact. Like, 'what about Iran? we know Obama won't do anything.'

NancyII commented:

At least if we say "in my opinion" no one can demand links and proof. :-)

CheckMate commented:

"In my opinion", there have been a lot of idiots on these blogs over the years.

(Sorry, I couldn't resist...) LOL.

FloridaStateGrad commented:

I went to a lecture last night on Nazi Medicine last night at CSUB, and somehow, it turned into a healthcare reform debate.

That reminds me of a time in college.. it was fall of '04, and the course was the History of Iran & Iraq - an excellent course taught by one of the best History Professors we had, Dr. Garettson. We had a guest speaker in class one day - a woman of half Iraqi/half British descent who grew up in Iraq and later moved to the UK. She had written a novel that was in essence half autobiographical of her experiences growing up in the middle east in a mixed household. She spoke nothing of the war in Iraq during her speech, however upon time for questions, students began to pry and prod her to get her opinion on what had been going on. Things became rather heated at one point, but there's one thing she said which will always stick with me (mind you, she still has family in Iraq): the Iraqi's in general were happy to be rid of Saddam, but to claim that we marched in and gave them freedom is the furthest thing from the truth. She spoke of censorship brought on by the Americans, and she spoke of the unfairness of awarding contracts to U.S. companies instead of Iraqi's, who actually needed the money to feed their families.

Sorry to go off on a tangent..

BTW.. a lecture on Nazi medicine should have been fascinating - was there much mention of the gruesome experiements performed on prisoners "in the name of medicine?"

witterpitters commented:

What Goldilox said at 3:16pm :-)

Logansdad commented:

He did cover Mengele and Hirt, and went over a little of what they did. Did not go into detail though. But he covered stuff like Lebensborn and their euthanasia program. A lot I had already know, but there was still stuff to learn.

I will go with you on the giving contracts to Iraqi's FSG. Obviously Iraqi's would be unable to do every job, but there is no reason we couldn't have done a better job in that aspect.

FloridaStateGrad commented:

Lebensborn is chilling when you really think about it...

ApolloDawn commented:

Good for you, Learnem; I'm proud of you.

And a heartfelt congrats to Audrey for inspiring a positive change.

Patrick319 commented:

I have a few thoughts that, while honest, are bound to p#ss everyone off.

Please spare eachother your sense of righteous indignation. The way both the right and the left play 'victim' on here is nauziating. There are no victims, so quit with the 'doomsday paranoia'. Liberals and conservatives want the same things, we just have fundamentally different ideas on the means to achieve those ends. Debate the issues! Discuss philosophical differences! And for crying out loud stop attacking eachother! Are we such intellectual midgets that we have to demonize the other side? I'll agree to lay off Limbaugh and Beck and you can lay off Pelosi and Obama and lets discuss what matters- healthcare and foreign policy. Maybe we need to all just grow a skin rather than calling eachother righties, lefties, and doo-doo heads.

FloridaStateGrad commented:

Patrick - well said.. that's what I try to do on a daily basis. Obviously note try.

adampayne commented:

learnem, I did not see the comments you made today that resulted in this post. I, too, appreciate your candor and honesty here. I have noticed your comments over the past couple of weeks have shifted from what you used to normally post. I appreciate the shift in comments, as well, and this is another example. We can merrily agree to disagree.

adampayne commented:

Don Draper (er MadMan AdMan), thanks for your comment. I do hope hope you'll post here again. Good posts on interesting topics makes the blog.

youngconservative commented:

Patrick319:
"I'll agree to lay off Limbaugh and Beck and you can lay off Pelosi and Obama and lets discuss what matters- healthcare and foreign policy"

The difference between the two, are that Obama and Pelosi are elected officials heinously trying to destroying our country,

Beck and Limbaugh, you can deal with and listen to as a CHOICE!

vanityfair commented:

it took a post from AudreyB for me to reflect what really happened today - Learnem

Good for you, Learnem; I'm proud of you. And a heartfelt congrats to Audrey for inspiring a positive change. - ApolloDawn

What really happened today was a couple of baiting, passive-aggressive bloggers rattled cages then posted sweetness and light. Looking for validation? Learnem, you have sunk to a new low. Apollo was already there. Hope ya'll are having fun together.

Audrey and I disagree on most things political, but I respect her for many reasons. Anyone who raises a daughter with such great wit is a friend of mine.

dragoon commented:

Have been scanning the blogs but haven't found much that I cared to have an interest in commenting on as of late. This beating-up then making-up cycle is reminiscent of domestic violence.

NancyII commented:

The blog is in the "honeymoon phase."

Sorry if I sound jaded, I've just been around too long. Lets enjoy it while we can.

Logansdad commented:

Youngconservative has a point Patrick. We have to deal with Pelosi and Obama. To further expand on that, Pelosi and Obama are the ones overseeing healthcare and foreign policy. So talking about them is a given.

casooner90 commented:

It was a beautiful day yesterday. Although I went into work on my day off yesterday morning and posted couple of comments, I spent most of the day away from the office and got 18 in at SCC - man are they're greens lightening fast. I like my SOCC much better as the greens are more manageable and actually gives you a fair chance at scoring. I'll have to get out later and see if I fair better - way off on tangent.

I did notice venom starting Thursday (my personal experience was when miles, the weatherman, threatened to give me a 'ass whoopin' - I'm still laughing over that). Then I noticed couple more 'meet you outside after school' type of posts. Then I guess all sh#t must have flown off of the handle.

Albeit most of us work, there are some that seems to linger on PC all day and post stuff just to irritate others (namely, v, pogo, random). My suggestion is to reply to the post rather than use post as an opporutunity to take a jab at someone (guilty). Having said that, I don't really see a solution as every issue posted on TBC is argued right down the political affiliation line. I don't know if there are any moderates left anymore if the TBC is so divided by the red / blue line.

Ray_Harwick commented:

casooner90 wrote: I don't know if there are any moderates left anymore if the TBC is so divided by the red / blue line.

Don Mason, Dirty Shirt, Ray Harwick, Sagefever, JFrancais, CatherineBaker and probably two dozen others, in my opinion, are mainstream moderates with some trending left and some trending right of center. We are people who don't draw lines but recognize politics as shades of gray. If you allow them to, the media will always reinforce division using symbolic red/blue "lines drawn" baloney and every other "identity" strategy to divide people. I **hate** being pigeon-holed and I'm at least in agreement with InfoWar on one thing he posts on his blog - that the "Left - Right Paradigm is Phony" and I'd go on to say it is cooked up by people who seek to keep people who would otherwise be friendly neighbors constantly at each-other''s throats using every kind of scare tactic available.

motopoet commented:

WOW! I missed it! This is exactly why I am taking five. I wouldn't have become involved anyway. I'm still in "chill" mode. I'm just sitting back, watching, writing poetry instead of attacks or defenses. It feels good! I know of three regulars here who have joined me in the "non'aggression" act of 2009 on here. I'll bet THEY feel better as well.

FSG..How about that beer?

AudreyB commented:

Ray

Catherine and I are (basically) fiscal conservatives and social liberals.

I believe in the death penalty,

a citizens right to own a gun,

a strong law enforcement presence,

a woman's right to choose,

the absolute separation of church and state,

contolling our boarders,

a public option in health care,

regulating big business,

help for small business owners,

medical marijuana for anyone who needs it,

a person's right to decide how/when to end their lives in the case of a terminal illness,

equal rights for gays (ie marriage).

etc.

It depends on the issue.

Ray_Harwick commented:

Audrey, you certainly came to mind while I was sitting in my cozy patio just now. I've recognized conservative values in you since I first subscribed to Bako.com. I do understand how each of us has limits and how "conservative" these days hardly resembles what it did, say, prior to Ronald Reagan, especially when the religious right became so deeply involved in the political arena.

What many of the conservatives on this forum seem not to notice about the people they argue with is that people who argue liberal positions often also argue in favor of core conservative positions. I think that is especially true of, say, RandomFactor. If the GOP truly was the big tent it claimed to be, we'd all be making fools of both the Democrats and Republicans when they sought to divide us over these "identity" issue what, in the course of our everyday lives, we live with and tolerate very successfully in our own neighborhoods.

No holds barred: PG&E SmartMeter problems, how to get involved!

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:48:26 PST

I may have had this info before, but have been asked for it again so here goes:

After State Sen. Dean Florez', hearing in Bakersfield Oct. 5 regarding problems with PG&E's SmartMeters and rate hike, a local group was formed to try and deal with this issue.

TURNaroundBakersfield is a local chapter of the state utility watchdog group called TURN (The Utility Reform Network) based in San Francisco.

The local group hopes to keep pressure on PG&E as well as the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to correct billing problems and get some independent verification of the SmartMeters' accuracy.

The locals are also circulating a petition with a laundry list of demands to the PUC and Legislature including an investigation of the SmartMeter program.

For more information contact Liz Keogh at (661) 872-1898 or elizkeo@aol.com.

After Florez held a similar hearing in Fresno, a local group there was also formed.

For more information on the Fresno group, contact Marin Cantu (559) 224-1935 or mifamiliacantu@yahoo.com.

Comments:
midterm2 commented:

TURN has been around for more than 30 years. TURN actually stands for Toward Utility Rate Normalization.

goldbaker88 commented:

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blog entry.

Regards,

Maryland Pharmacy

catpaw commented:

You think PG&E is screwing (indelicate term, but accurate) its customers, talk to a few employees. PG&E has eliminated jobs to outsource them to India. An employee union is filing suit. Whether or not this legal action will prevent or delay the lay-offs which are slated to take effect the end of the month remains to be seen.

Meanwhile, local news has reported that a Bakersfield customer has filed a class action suit against PG&E related to the billing coinciding with the new meters.

PG&E has cited the economic hardships for their lay-offs and outsourcing. At the same time the CEO and execs have received a substantial raise in the millions of dollars.

BakoBeachBumm commented:

If we are looking at what the health insurance companies profits are then why not look at what the profits of PG&E are.

PG&E says that the smart meters are for our benefit but in reality "I" think that is their benefit since they don't have to pay the meter readings going thru each neighborhood as they use to. First they went from reading monthly to averaging the neighborhood which assumed that you used the same as your neighbor.

It would be nice to have a real over site of PG&E, remember during the building hay days here that it take PG&E MONTHS to get a business hooked up. I was in a particular project where PG&E held up the completion of a new RITE AID store opening for 3 months and this was in an existing neighborhood so it wasn't like they had to actually run new wires. I am very sure that RITE AID pays ALOT for the usage they use. In my business if I had people wanting to give me to come hook them up so that I would then be able to charge them thousands of dollars a each and every month, I would not just be working days but would be there anytime they needed me.

ronmexico commented:

Just what are the health insurance profits these days?? ANyone care to speculate??

ronmexico commented:

Health insurance companies make 4.9 cents for every dollar of sales.

The government takes 35 cents for every dollar of profit.

It sure would be nice to have some oversight of the Federal Government.....

catpaw commented:

So that's why millions of Americans can't afford health insurance. Those poor CEOs must be starving to death. The greedy government is taking all the profits. Thanks for clearing that up.

HAS ANYONE HEARD OF THIS 10% CA TAX

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:36:21 PST

Ok maybe it is a hoax ....but i heard today at work that CA is going to tax us 10% more and credit it back to us in April ....any truth to this ??????????

Comments:
bakoblue commented:

http://www.bakersfield.com/opinion/community/x1260873823/In-case-you-missed-It-Californians-withholding-taxes-are-going-up-by-10-percent

FloridaStateGrad commented:

Sneaky weasels we have up there in Sacramento.

If anything were to get me on board a tea party, it'd be this.

AudreyB commented:

Pay attention Refi guy.

This is the third blog written on this subject.

http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/AudreyB/50960

learnem commented:

dang audrey....a litle snarky today are we (i would be to if i were exposed like you were today)

yes...unfortunately it is true...then those rat bastards have the SACK to try to sue the taxpayers of the state because we cut their pay for their SHIATTTY job they have done the last few years.

shame shame shame...i say we vote another pay decrease for them next year

AudreyB commented:

Not until I got a lesson in blogging from Refi guy. I was ready to turn over a new leaf until then.

FloridaStateGrad commented:

i say we vote another pay decrease for them next year

I'll get behind that.

AudreyB commented:

Learem

Go through all the blogs I've ever written and list all their titles. Then do the same for yourself, ronmexico, sioux, witters, pax, savvydude, and a few other right wing bloggers. In the last few weeks, I've tried my darndest to blog in a less controversial . I guess some people took it as a sign of weekness.

At any rate, I put my blogs up against theirs or yours any day of the week for their decency.

I could have deleted that post at any time. I didn't because I don't believe in censorship, as I have said repeatedly over the years. However, it wouldn't have mattered anyway because Refi guy kept a dossier of my blogs in a personal file. Creepy!

I can post nice and I can post mean. And I can post meaner. The funny thing is, being nice is the hardest way to post. That's why its so unpopular.

LOL and kma

FloridaStateGrad commented:

At any rate, I put my blogs up against theirs or yours any day of the week for their decency.

I'll second that, Audrey.

learnem commented:

you dont need to justify anything to me Audrey...it is what it is.....I could really care less if someones blog is better than mine. its all opinionated

it comes down to if you enjoy your life, and like what you do...you seem like you do...so i think your good to go....i think you just got your cage rattled, like what RF used to do to me....i finally had to say EFFE it...its just the internet...ive more important things in my life that doing the internet arguing idiots thing...im sure you do to

hope you have a good weekend audrey! : )

AudreyB commented:

Thanks FSG

pogo commented:

Tell you what guys: let's see who can be positve the longest. Kind of like how long the kids can stay quiet on a road trip. I don't know any progressives/liberals who are posting hate and discontent. Yes, we can get testy when answering back some of the idiotic postings we see from the right, so as far I go, I will do my best to be nicer and more civil. Why don't you on the right try it?

AudreyB commented:

You're finally right about something learem. I don't have to justify anything to you.

But a piece of advice to anyone who's interested. My kid gloves are off for anyone that I haven't made a personal truce with.

And those people know who they are.

pogo commented:

I'm with you Audrey, I'm going to try the civil, sane discourse route one more time.

If that doesn't work, nasty Pogo will be in the house.

refiguy commented:

just goes to show you Audrey .....I usually never read your blogs cause they are hatefully .....

sux being called to the mat .........

so for about a half of an hour you were nice ...a.nd the past two years well you ve summed it up ....

hatefully, hurtful blogging .....

oh who turned this blog from a peaceful blog to an angry one HMMMMMMMM

CheckMate commented:

Hey refiguy, did you know Microsoft will pay you $245 for every person you forward certain e-mails to? You can make thousands of dollars doing it.

donmason commented:

yes...unfortunately it is true...then those rat bastards have the SACK to try to sue the taxpayers of the state because we cut their pay for their SHIATTTY job they have done the last few years.

Don’t worry , since you’ve never paid any net taxes. Leave that to those with the SACK to compete in the private sector. Nothing we like better than supporting institutional socialists.

shame shame shame...i say we vote another pay decrease for them next year

And while we’re at it, let’s give our educators pay parity with actual results achieved on the tax payers dime.

Oh yeah, if we did that, they’d sue.

refiguy commented:

check mate give me your bosses name maybe this weekend I can go stand on the corner with you and advertise pizza

ronmexico commented:

But a piece of advice to anyone who's interested. My kid gloves are off for anyone that I haven't made a personal truce with.

So what do you get with a truce? A hug and a sloppy wet kiss???

Roysan commented:

I did not know this until I saw it on O'Reilly 2 days ago. Our Reps in the Assemby should have given us an FYI.

honorerdieu commented:

I'll read blogs posted by people like Audrey with an open mind anytime. It really doesn't matter which end of political spectrum the blogger speaking from, as long as it leads to an open dialogue without the name calling.

It's too bad these are hard to find. It's like sifting through garbage to find the good ones.

casooner90 commented:

How did this happen? I didn't see any memo on this. Is this legal? Can I just walk into your bank account and borrow your money without telling you about it? Without paying any interest? And, you have to file a complaint (1040) to get your money back?

No more incumbents - fire everyone in Sacremento.

drilnliftcrude commented:

The payroll department at my employer sent this out last week to all employees.

Notice to Employees
Changes in California State Income Tax Withholding
As part of the recent actions by the State of California during its budget process, beginning with wages paid in November 2009, the State will require employers to withhold additional income taxes that will result in a tax increase of 10 percent. For example, if an employee's current State tax withholding is $200, under the new State law an additional $20 will be withheld so that tax withholding will become $220. The 10% increase is not applied to any additional withholding being withheld. The rates for supplemental wages will also increase to 6.6 % and 10.23% for bonus payments. These changes will be effective through December 31, 2009.
As always, please consult a licensed tax professional for any tax questions that you may have.

The line, "These changes will be effective through December 31, 2009." makes it sound like it is only for the last two months of the year. But I guess that is naive to think in a blue state.

casooner90 commented:

Drilin, no such memo was circulated in my company (that's funny), but I was also aware that this is only for the last two months of the year. I'm just pissed that the state can do this without a vote, announcement or an apology letter. I still say fire everyone in Sac.

jfrancais commented:

I still say fire everyone in Sac.

Not a bad idea. The term limits was a start/

Shwaine commented:

Casooner, go back and look at the budget deal from the summer. Maybe then you'll figure out how this 10% "got in". Let me give you a hint, there was a vote.

Politics, anyone?: Fuller likely to run for state Senate

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:59:41 PST

Assemblywoman Jean Fuller said Friday she's leaning toward running for the state Senate and not for re-election to her current post.

If she indeed goes that way, other candidates' plans should firm up, too.

Bakersfield psychologist Dean Haddock, Kern High School District Trustee Ken Mettler and Taft College instructor Harold Pease have said they will run in the 32nd Assembly District Republican primary if Fuller does not. Most of Bakersfield is in that district.

"Constituents have been coming forward to encourage me to run for State Senate in 2010 and because of that encouragement, I am leaning more towards running for the Senate than the Assembly," Fuller, R-Bakersfield, said in a statement.

Fuller would be vying for the 18th Senate District seat now held by the terming-out Roy Ashburn, R-Bakersfield.

Former Assemblyman Bill Maze, R-Visalia, has also filed intent to run papers for the 18th District Republican primary.

Fuller has said she will make her final decision after a water deal is done in the Legislature. Assembly and Senate lawmakers approved a package earlier this week.

"Now that the water package has passed, I am focused on ensuring that officials and constituents understand the impact the water bond would have on their area," Fuller's statement also said.

"Because of my active involvement in the water deal, I was invited by the Governor to join him at a signing ceremony this morning in Los Angeles, and will also join the Governor on Monday in Fresno as he signs the water bond."

- Government editor Christine Bedell

UPDATE: Bakersfield’s Stan Ellis, who owns the Bakersfield Jam and about a dozen other businesses, announced Friday he’s endorsing Mettler in the 32nd.

Ellis unsuccessfully sought the same seat in 2006.

“Ken Mettler is a strong candidate who will fight for the things that I care about in a representative - less regulations, lower taxes and real accountability to the voters who put you there in the first place,” Ellis said in a news release.

“Ken will provide principled representation for our community. I intend to support Ken all the way in order to gain a real fighter for us up in Sacramento.”

Comments:
jmabbott888 commented:

Who is she running against? I'm voting for them. This person (trying to be polite) cost me on my dredge permit & made a 1400 dollar dredge useless. Dredging kills fish...... i think you wacked out polititians, idians & enviro wackos forgot to tell the fish, they feed at the end of the dredge, as far as destroying the water course.... thats illegal per the regulations. After all this this assemblywoman won't even answer as to why she voted to shut down recreational gold dredging when asked. Sorry, she lost my vote.

JKeyes commented:

Politicians in this area need to fight for this idea. Let the liberals have their own State

WWW.DownsizecaNow.com

www.DownsizeCa.org

Democrat consultant: White House "warned me" after appearing on Fox News

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:30:18 PST

Gee, the tolerance. The inclusion. The liberty. We were promised "hope" - barriers would fall, the masses would unify, the lamb would lay down with the lion. And now this.

The Obama White House seems to have a real problem with citizens flexing their First Amendment rights. If you don't do it "their " way, you will be punished. Banished. Destroyed. But it's not sitting well with some Americans. And this time it's a Democrat who is being threatened.

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-obama-fox7-2009nov07,0,7720786.story?track=rss

Comments:
Mountianman commented:

Welcome to Obama land, Can the Liberals in the white house really be this stupid?? Fox news ratings are going thru the roof!!!

donmason commented:

“The Obama White House seems to have a real problem with citizens flexing their First Amendment rights. If you don't do it "their " way, you will be punished. Banished. Destroyed. But it's not sitting well with some Americans. And this time it's a Democrat who is being threatened.”

The Valerie Plame affair comes to mind. First amendment rights and all.

Welcome to Obama land, Can the Liberals in the white house really be this stupid?? Fox news ratings are going thru the roof!!!

Successful mass marketing has always depended upon pandering to the lowest common denominator.

nooneisabovethelaw commented:

Why the heck anybody would believe anything Pat Caddell says is beyond me, for starters.

The White House has vehemently denied the allegation.

An the Pox News ratings figures? Not as impressive as Pox wants you to believe.

pogo commented:

Mountain, did middle school have 1/2 day today? You are posting a little early.

savvydude commented:

Watching liberals squirm. It will be interesting to see when you are willing to admit to any issues with this administration. I'd bet it is never.

JohnfromBakersfield commented:

I see no problem here

casooner90 commented:

Mountain, did middle school have 1/2 day today? You are posting a little early.

Pogo, was this before or after you decided to play 'nice'?

Successful mass marketing has always depended upon pandering to the lowest common denominator.

I belive this is how Obama got into the office - first time voters, over 90% of the black votes, recent legal / illegal immigrants. People with mind of their own choose to watch a news that will give you the full story. Fox News has been blowing the alphabet channels away on almost every measure. Why? Because they don't drink the same cool aid. Before criticizing the Fox News, listen to what they are saying and not where the news is coming from.

THE MISSING LINK: If you're missing a link, they're all here.: FRAUD, FRAUD, FRAUD -- CAN YOU SAY IT 1.5 TRILLION TIMES?

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:19:10 PST

Michael F. Cannon, the director of health policy studies at the Cato Institute and coauthor of Healthy Competition: What's Holding Back Health Care and How to Free It, has written an article that appeared in various places, incuding The National Review Online, titled "The $1.5 Trillion Fraud." It relates to the current Democrat strategy for "hiding the true cost of their legislation." The link for the article is as follows, and I recommend it for anyone who wants a peek inside some of the intricacies of the Democrats' attempts to pass their health-care overhaul this weekend.

http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=ODU0NGRhY2FhNDAyZDA4MzAzMDBlZTJiZjM3ZjA4NDM=

While it's highly recommended to read the entire article, here are some of the salient paragraphs:

"If House Democrats hold a vote on their health-care overhaul this weekend, they might as well vote on abolishing the Congressional Budget Office too. It would be no more audacious -- and much more honest -- than their current strategy for hiding the true cost of their legislation.

"Never mind the everyday budget gimmicks House Democrats have used, such as removing $250 billion of deficit spending to be voted on separately. Or claiming their bill would cost just $894 billion -- around $400 billion less than the CBO actually projected. We've seen this kind of trickery plenty in recent years; to suppress an inconvenient cost estimate of its proposed Medicare drug entitlement, the Bush administration threatened to fire Medicare's chief actuary.

"Deceptions on this scale are child's play, at least when compared to what has to be the biggest fiscal obfuscation in the history of American politics: The current leadership has rigged the legislation so that 60 percent of its total cost will not be made public by the CBO in advance of the House vote. Here's how they did it."

.....

"So while the CBO estimates that the coverage expansions in the House Democrats' legislation would trigger about $1 trillion of new federal spending over ten years, the actual cost of those coverage expansions is more like $2.5 trillion.

"The CBO exists to bring honest accounting to the federal government. House Democrats are gaming the CBO, subverting this purpose. Anyone who cares about honest accounting or transparency in government should put the brakes on this vote until the American people have all the facts.

As soon as this blog is published, I'm going to send the same text to my Representative, along with some words of advice for him.

Comments:
samheath commented:

Keep up the good work Alicen; you know the old saying "Figures don't lie but liars figure."

ALICEN commented:

Sam -- The liars are figuring up one side and down the other. Hope their memories don't change.

Ron Mexicos view of life: Winner, winner, Chicken Dinner!!!

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:46:48 PST

BREAKING: ACORN’s New Orleans Office Raided by Louisiana Attorney General

by Capitol Confidential

In a fast-breaking development comes word that agents of the Attorney’s General office in Louisiana have raided ACORN’s offices in New Orleans. ACORN’s New Orleans was, for decades, the headquarters of the national community organizing association. News of the raid comes from Marcel Reid and her colleagues at ACORN 8, an association of former ACORN leaders and board members. Many of the individuals involved with ACORN 8 were fired from ACORN for demanding a forensic audit following an embezzlement scandal involving Dale Rathke, brother of ACORN co-founder Wade Rathke.

Check back her for more details, as well as a statement from ACORN 8 head Marcel Reid.

Update: Big Government has contacted the Louisiana Attorney’s General office. We are told that all of the press officers are “out to lunch” right now. We have been promised a return call later this afternoon.

According to NOLA.com:

Attorney General Buddy Caldwell has served a search warrant at the ACORNoffice at 2609 Canal Street, according to Tammi Arender Herring, a spokeswoman with the office.

Investigators in khaki pants and polo shirts loaded several dozen computers and other electronic items into an SUV. They are also carrying records out of the building on handcarts.

The large office building sits at the corner of Dorgenois and Canal. ACORN staffers were given no notice that a search would be conducted today, Herring said.

Whole story here.

From WDAM in New Orleans:

Caldwell said investigators will copy records and hard drives, then return them to ACORN.

He said the original allegations of embezzlement were made last year by ACORN board members who were fired after they asked for a forensic examination of the group’s books.

ACORN fired the longtime director of its Louisiana chapter last month, citing a lack of accountability.

Whole story here.

Big Government readers may remember that the ‘longtime director’ ACORNS’s LA chapter is Beth Butler, longtime companion/wife of ACORN co-founder Wade Rathke.

Comments:
ronmexico commented:

I'd like to give a shout out to those fine people in the Attoney Generals Office of Louisianna. Lets drain this swamp and then move to Washington.....

http://sroblog.com/2009/10/09/pelosis-sinking-in-the-swamp-foxnews-com/

savvydude commented:

. . . and then go west to Sacramento.

siouxcityranch commented:

can we maybe kick Pelosi's door down on our way through ..its somewhere in Pacific Heights.. a high rent district in San Francisco..our jet plane ought to be completing its touchdown right about now for her weekly conjecual visit

ALICEN commented:

A hurrah for the good guys!

Ask The Californian: Can we silence ambulances during quiet times?

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:23:51 PST

Q: Is there anything that can be done about the nightly assault on the neighborhood peace by the local ambulance company?

Unfortunately I live near South H Street. Every night at least once, if not more, I am awakened by an ambulance running "code 3.” Many times this is during the very early morning hours when there is absolutely no traffic in sight. Many cities have adopted local ordinances limiting the use of sirens during these “quiet times.”

What can we do to stop this attack on the public peace?

- Stephen Humphreys

A: There are no ordinances regulating the use of ambulance sirens in the city of Bakersfield or county of Kern because it could endanger public safety or cause liability problems, said Paula Caughron, Emergency Medical Services coordinator for the Kern County Emergency Medical Services Department.

She'd heard of noise ordinances related to trains but not ambulances.

Even in the middle of the night there are cars on the road and those drivers could be sleepy or otherwise impaired -- further necessitating siren use, Caughron said.

She said there could be liability problems if there's an accident involving an ambulance that was being sped to an emergency without its lights and sirens on, Caughron said.

But if members of the public have questions or concerns about ambulances, Caughron said, they can call EMS Director Ross Elliott at 868-5200.

Q: In last Thursday's "Ask The Californian" you mentioned 24th and Oak Street intersection improvements as part of TRIP (Thomas Roads Improvement Program).

What exactly is planned for the improvements at the intersection? My husband and I have lived near this intersection for nearly 40 years and would like to see improvements made on the corner as well. Is there any timeline for the TRIP work?

- Barbara Jackson

A: Ted Wright, an engineer in the TRIP office, answered:

No final decisions will be made about this intersection until the final environmental document is completed and approved. But planning for the Oak Street/24th Street intersection currently calls for widening the existing signalized intersection to decrease traffic delays at the intersection and improve traffic flow in the area.

This widening would include adding additional turn lanes for northbound Oak Street as it approaches the intersection, and would also add westbound and eastbound through lanes on 24th Street through the intersection.

There was an initial public information meeting held for this project last year and there will be more as the project's planning and environmental process continues to progress.

The construction of these improvements is expected to begin in early 2013.

Editor's note: In last Thursday's Ask The Californian, we asked readers if they know what might be the source of a loud horn-like sound in the early morning hours around Gosford Road and White Lane.

City officials guessed it's a train; an area resident who originally posed the question to us didn't think so.

We got four responses as of Friday afternoon.

Two readers said it’s definitely a train. One said San Joaquin Valley Railroad switches over Gosford Road right past Home Depot and probably blows its horn when it approaches the intersection. She said it blows again when it switches back over.

“The sound of the train really carries a long way,” she said in a voicemail message.

But Marie Schroepfer, who lives in the area, said one recent morning she heard the sound emanate from a black pickup truck.

She guessed the owner had the truck horn modified to sound like it does and that person either lives in or visits people in the neighborhood.

Agreeing was Derek Davis, another area resident.

"It definitely is NOT the train that cruises through a few blocks south," he e-mailed us. "I heard this in the middle of the day and it seemed like it was right in the intersection of White Lane/Gosford, but it was only one short burst. I believe this is a train horn mounted in someone's truck.

"Here's the link to one type of kit available: www.hornblasters.com.

"I believe they are illegal, but some of the videos online are pretty funny."

Ask The Californian appears in the newspaper on Mondays and Thursdays. Submit questions to asktbc@bakersfield.com or to The Bakersfield Californian, c/o Christine Bedell, P.O. Bin 440, Bakersfield, CA 93302.

Comments:
witterpitters commented:

How about silencing the idiot train horns in the middle of the night?! From way before So. Chester, thru Planz, Across So. "H", across White Lane some idiot engineer does a CONTINUAL blast at 11:30pm. My understanding was it was to be 2 long and 2 short blasts - prior to an intersection (regardless of whether they have arms, beeps/lights/and whistles) however some nut case literally blasts that horn for miles. Since the weather has cooled, I like to sleep with my windows open - holy cow!!!!! I'm rudely awakened in the middle of the night! We have lived in this location for 30 years and these trains have become totally obnoxious. During the day - with doors and windows open for the cool air - I can't even hear my own TV in my own living room!!!

Just because some idiots chose to cross the tracks w/out looking or thinking they could "beat the train" and got smooshed is no reason to torture the rest of us. What happened to the "quiet zone".

NancyII commented:

I think, but could be wrong, that the quiet zone was for the trackes downtown mainly for BNSF. The tracks in the Southwest are now privately owned and operates more as a spur.

FloridaStateGrad commented:

I used to live over near South H and Pacheco and I'm familiar with hearing those sirens all the time. You know what I did? I sucked it up. It's an emergency vehicle - I think they are justified in blaring that siren any time of day if it'll save a life.

People will complain about anything, won't they?

DogGone commented:

That horn that goes off is different from the trains in that area. I've driven around at nite trying to locate after it woke me. It's been going off for years.

The siren answer from Paula Caughron, Emergency Medical Services coordinator for the Kern County Emergency Medical Services Department is B.S. When was the last time you saw a fire truck or ambulance speed? They drive the speed limit. A driver with his windows rolled up and radio on can't hear the siren till they're on you a$$. How bout they only use them when traffic is heavy or running a red lite. Seems logical. Other when the fire dept goes to the grocery store, or to the gym to work out, when was the last time you saw them w/o lites and sirens. Every call is red lites and sirens. Studies have been done timing emergency vehicles traveling across town. Very little time difference between code 3 or not.

lzarox commented:

People like this are what's wrong with this community. Whining and complaining about things that are a part of life in a city.

The reason there's very little difference is because people need to learn how to get the @#%$ out of the way when an emergency vehicle is rolling code 3. And today's newer cars with sound proofed interiors don't help cause you can't hear the sirens.

Train horn blasting? I think the tracks were probably there when you moved in, were they not?

Like the idgits that moved in to houses next to Mesa Marin Raceway then complained about the noise....helllooooooo

People are even complaining about the construction noise going on right now on Golden State during the evening. They have to work during non-peak hours, if they did it during the day, everyone would be complaining about the traffic snarls. And if they didn't fix it at all then there would be complaints to alleviate the traffic jams. As it was when Stockdale was getting repaired people complained about that too, but that couldn't be done at night cause there are houses right on Stockdale.

People even complain about street sweepers making noise! But then complain there's too many leaves and trash in the gutters and it'll trap water and breed mosquitoes....oh my...But could you imagine the traffic snarls with slow moving street sweepers out during the day on major thoroughfares? Or trying to sweep up parking lots during business hours?

Me, me, me, screw everyone else.

goldilox commented:

AS soon as we ask the emergency vehicles to stop sounding their sirens, is when 10-fold MORE accidents will occur, and the injured will SUE big-time, then the same folks that wanted the sirens silenced will be on the blogs demanding WHY this accident occurred? lord ...

I live by a fire station, and hear them respond all the time, my thoughts dont go inward for 'poor me' they woke me up, my thoughts immediately go to the poor family that lives have JUST been interrupted or ruined - and needed to call 9 1 1

witterpitters commented:

lzarox : Train horn blasting? I think the tracks were probably there when you moved in, were they not?

I believe I said we have lived here for 30 years, which would indicate, yes, the tracks were here. HOWEVER, it has only been in the last year that the engineers have begun totally blasting away for miles and miles and miles. Just as a point, I used to live in an apartment on California Ave right across the street from the train switching house. I slept with my windows open and never heard the booming and banging. A horn blasting continuously is a whole other bag of bolts. So yes, it ticks me off because for 29 years they have not done that but when some idiots got crunched by trains because they thought they were smarter they passed an edict that they had to blow the horns prior to EACH intersection. As mentioned, my understanding was 2 long 2 short blasts but these engineers are literally blasting that horn from way before any intersection thru 4 intersections that happen to be fairly close together. ALL of those intersections have bells, flashing lights and crossing arms.

SPAM CODE: B CUZE..................I can

SteveMcqueen187 commented:

http://www.sfphes.org/publications/Noise_and_Sirens.pdf

http://www.emergencydispatch.org/articles/lightssirenliability1.htm

DogGone is right.....

Logansdad commented:

DogGone is about as wrong as you can get. Having worked in E.M.S. I can tell you that you open up a bad can of worms if you think rolling code through town without sirens is safe. And if you honestly think there is no difference between code 3 and code 2, then I hope you never have a serious emergency that requires a bus to run code, but they take their time and stop at all the lights so they do not have to disturb anyone. What is more, how do you know there isn't a patient in the back they are working, and they have to run code because every second counts? Find something real to complain about like the trains, don't try to blast E.M.S. for doing their jobs.

But I guess the problem is, if you aren't in the back, you want them to be quiet and slow down. But if you are in the back, they can't get there fast enough.

SteveMcqueen187 commented:

Logansdad; The key phrase is "they have to get there" I seen several crashes that have been caused by ambulances running code and crashes that the ambulance itself was involved in. You have to get there to do any good and if that means slowing down, so be it....

http://www.emergencydispatch.org/articles/lightssirenliability1.htm

PatFeelsAngst commented:

Is this the "horn" people are hearing?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0x_PyLw_xp8

witterpitters commented:

PFA: Nope. What we get ARE train horns blaring!!!

EHerrera commented:

I too have been wondering if the sirens from the Hall Ambulances could be toned down, I live on a main street used to take people to KMC. The police cars have a different sounding siren, why can't Hall Ambulance retune there sirens to sound like Harps being played by angels. It might help the passenger feel a little more comfortable.

motopoet commented:

I have harped on this subject before, even having had an opinion page in TBC awhile back. As far as emergency vehicles..Have you ever noticed how many people simply run stop signs and red lights coming off side streets? I see it a dozen times a day, and it's even more prevalent at night. What about pedestrians? It's not just the big intersections where their lights and sirens are needed. It's everywhere. Should the emergency departments create a new position for someone to only focus on the sirens, etc and traffic in the area? Of course not. I know it sucks sometimes, but were it one of my kids in that ambulance, or my home the fire dept were responding to, I'd wan't them to arrive in one piece in a timely manner. As someone stated..It's just part of modern life.

As for the trains. Contact San Joaquin Valley Railroad and complian about the issue. Note the time and dates involved. There is no pre detrmined way engineers use their horns, but if it is a nuisance, perhaps the Trainmaster for SJVRR can do something.

In finishing, I'll re-state my problem with no whistle zones and any attempt to silence emergency vehicles. They are there for a very specific reason. PUBLIC SAFETY. But, as with coprorations and most individuals, safety is a thing of convenience. But let one schoolbus get hit, one pedestrian be run down, and I promise you, the very same people who were griping about noise will be outraged at the irresponsiblity of the entities involved. I have simply seen it happen too many times.

anglo1 commented:

The modern firetrucks cocoon the passengers, to the amount of noise they create, due new headsets that operate the radio system for dispatching and responding. Some Engineers [ FF ] use the sirens from the time they pull out of the station until they either arrive on scene or are turned around. These types also like to blow the air horn constantly. Personally I hated the air horns and thought they sometimes unnerved some drivers to the point of confusion. I liked the sirens at intersections and only used the air horn if someone was not moving to the right. Code three is faster but not by a huge amount. All emergency vehicles should stop or be able to stop when they come to an intersection. Just my opinion. Two blocks from a hospital were no no's so I think night responding should also dictate how much siren and horn operation is really necessary.

Shwaine commented:

When I lived in an apartment near a common route used by Hall and I got sick of the sirens, I moved. When I bought a house, I made sure it was near no major streets, train tracks, etc. Some noise is needed for safety, particularly for ambulances.

witterpitters commented:

The fire truck/police/ambulance sirens do not bother me - they are enroute to save/arrest/water down (fire) someone. THEY can blast all they want! I agree with Moto - if it my house or my loved one needing any of their services I want them here in a heart beat. I'm not even bothered by the "bear in the air" and I live in an area where they are frequent!!

luzeeta commented:

For S/H Be happy you are safe as well your family when you hear them. Some Love one did not make it home

maybelline commented:

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph! Have a couple of hot toddies and sleep well knowing you're safe. As for the 11:30 whistle, have another toddy.

1 ounces Whiskey
1 ounce Honey
ounce Lemon Juice
3 ounces Water (Hot)

SteveMcqueen187 commented:

maybelline; AA has a hot-line.

LEFT blaming the RIGHT, and VISE-VERSA... making sure the same idiots get re-elected: HATE FROM THE LEFT AT AN ALL TIME HIGH AT TBC (tolerance???)

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 10:55:13 PST

I troubles me that we have people on these blogs that CLAIM they want Obamacare because its best for ALL Americans, yet they don't want Americans to know that Terrorist Cells exist in the US and that the FT HOOD SHOOTER was a terrorist

You guys cant even keep up with the crap you posted yesterday. you turn right around and contradict yourself sooner or later.

then you attempt to laugh it off as humor

I dont know if it all the drugs you guys are doing...or you trully are SOCIOPATHS.

Comments:
learnem commented:

no wonder the left cant pass crap with a super majority....they all lie to each other

miles661ca commented:

And your PhD is from...?

Obviously anyone disagreeing with you is either "on drugs" or "sociopaths".

Tell, me- in your "expert" opinion- which am I?

What a sad, little, frustrating world you must live in.

siouxcityranch commented:

ya i enjoyed that lefty love fest they held on this yesterday...the way they dogpiled youngconservative for voicing his opinion was disgusting to even read..

learnem commented:

AHHH the first example steps up to the plate and hits a home run

And your PhD is from...?

Obviously anyone disagreeing with you is either "on drugs" or "sociopaths".

Tell, me- in your "expert" opinion- which am I?

What a sad, little, frustrating world you must live in.

randomfactor commented:

You're linking a reform bill for health care insurance with the shooting of dozens of people. I don't think you qualify to judge sociopathy except by comparison with your own.

Logansdad commented:

I am not saying everyone on the left is on drugs or sociopaths. But what I will say is, the majority of you can not have honest discussions. Look at your compatriot Random, he can't go a single post without trying to personally attack someone, and without an actual target then just throw jabs at the Right in general. I am willing to debate how the Left is going to ruin this country with you, if you can refrain from personally attacking me, and as of late the last resort response, falling back on the good old racism card. I can talk to you all day about how your probable views, although mostly noble, will never work.

FloridaStateGrad commented:

I'm a firm believer that Hasan commited acts of terrorism yesterday. I'm also "liberal" as you like to call it.

NancyII commented:

Not to worry miles. Anyone on here disagreeing with the left here is either in idiot, a liar, or ignorant. Just ask them. It's on darned near every blog. It's tit for tat.

randomfactor commented:

Logansdad, I give back what I am given, in kind. Learnem has a long history of personal comments and as such I give him no slack--within the bounds of the TOS, of course. With his educational background he's doing the best he can, I'm sure.

The preponderance of the right-wing crap posted here is similarly personal in nature. And yes, a great deal of it originated--in my opinion--from a racial hatred of the current President of the United States.

As for Hasan, I think the guy just snapped. I do not think he was directed from anywhere else (as the 9/11 hijackers were) nor do I think he was trying to make a political statement. As I observed elsewhere, he was in the Army. They tend to use bullets where other tactics might be better. I think that if he recovers he will find himself horrified by what he has done. Again, just my opinion. I will be genuinely astonished if he claims any al Qaeda affiliation or Hamas or whatever.

This is not a man who has the personal motivators suicide bombers have (many of them economic.) I think he was genuinely terrified of being sent into a situation he did not feel he could handle; I think he heard too many horror stories from the PTSD victims he was treating. I think he snapped, and because of his occupation he had access to weapons. Had he been a bus drive, the death toll might have been similar.

pogo commented:

Nancy, as my dear old great-aunt Betty would say, "If the shoe fits, wear it."

msjenny commented:

Has it been determined that he was a cell?

Logansdad commented:

Random, this will be the last time I respond to you..... probably.

The resistance that Obama is feeling, is not because he is black. It is because he wants to "fundamentally change" the greatest nation on Earth because he does not agree with our system of government. There are many nations that are Socialist in nature, if he, or even you, do not like the Capitalist nature of our country, nobody is stopping him, or you, from moving to one of them. I do not support our current President, at all in fact. Does this mean I am a racist? Because last I checked, my bi-racial children would say otherwise. Are you saying my Caucasian parents are racist? Because they taught their children that the color of a man's skin means nothing, only their actions. And it is the actions of President Obama by which I, my parents, and everyone I know that is like-minded, judge him. Your own argument is meaningless when you attempt to label opposition to the President as being racist. Or did you call black people that opposed Bush racist as well? I think you probably did not. Just like you think that ONLY Fox is biased right?

As far as what Hasan had access to on a military base, I can clearly see you have never served your country in the armed forces. I have, and I can tell you that weapons are kept in armories. Furthermore, should he gain access to an armory, which he can't, there is zero ammunition kept in armories. And since you want to turn this monster into a man by attempting to allude that he was somehow not in control of his actions, I hope you one day know the personal loss of a loved one to terrorism. This was an act committed by a religious zealot. This man is a dog and deserves no more sympathy than what you would give to a cockroach that is crushed beneath the heel of your shoe.

So you can attempt to attack me personally now. That is fine by me, because I know that your obvious belief in your own self-worth and superiority is as fickle and false as that of Princess Pelosi. You cannot bring a real debate or point of view to these blogs, because all you attempt to do is attack people. If you are as truly intelligent as you believe you are, then attempt to stay away from personal attacks, and just argue with actual, and possibly valid, points. Otherwise, when you do have a valid point to make, it is completely shot out of the water by your name calling and mud throwing. If someone else does it then why don't you act like the bigger and smarter person, as you think you are, and let your facts do the talking for you.

This is my second day looking at these blogs and responding, and you have already attempted to attack me. But in my first day without calling you any type of name, I called you out for what you are. False. And how did I do that? You attacked Youngconservative over Fox News and talk radio calling it biased. And I simply responded by saying "Cause MSNBC and CNN are unbiased right? Confirm/deny."

See what I did there? I put the BS that you spout to people right back in your own face, without personally attacking you. Come on smart guy, or girl, why are you unable to do that when you are obviously the smartest person here?

And btw, you make yourself sound dumb when you talk about the military when you know nothing about it.

learnem commented:

I'm a firm believer that Hasan commited acts of terrorism yesterday. I'm also "liberal" as you like to call it.

sorry i pigeon-holed you FSG....ill remember to leave you out the next time i make a blanket "liberals are all" post

learnem commented:

logansdad

thats why they worked so hard to get him elected...so any criticism of their agenda...and they KNEW their agenda was going to be hated from the get-go, could be deemed racism

randomfactor commented:

Random, this will be the last time I respond to you.....

I appreciate that. You're wasting my time.

And btw, you make yourself sound dumb when you talk about the military when you know nothing about it.

I was an Air Force brat. Speaking of making *YOU* sound dumb.

I am aware that ammunition on a base is strictly held. He got his training and his orientation towards solving problems with bullets from the military, however . I'm quite curious as to where he got the weaponry and ammunition he used. I'm content to find out later. Again, had he been a bus driver with a grievance he'd have used *THAT*. Being military he responded with guns. He apparently bought that gun privately, off-base--but I don't think that's been established yet.

You attacked Youngconservative over Fox News and talk radio calling it biased. And I simply responded by saying "Cause MSNBC and CNN are unbiased right? Confirm/deny."

You can never assume something on a blog from what *ISN'T* said. In this case, I didn't see your posting. Yes, I confirm--both MSNBC and CNN are essentially biased towards the right-wing also, with the occasional exception of an MSNBC program or three.

Particularly exhibiting that bias on MSNBC, for example, is the Morning Joe program with the guy who was involved in Republican politics until his girlfriend died mysteriously. There is no similarly liberal program on Fox, for example.

learnem commented:

you have lied so much in the past Random...no one is going to believe you know anything about the military...i certainly dont

and this guy went to school and became a psychiatrist... he allegedly knew better than to solve problems with guns...which his problem obviously in the entire United States.

BTW..your response to logansdad dropped your credibility even lower than what is already was...its junk status now....

maybe if you quit lying...eventually, we can actually believe you again...but i doubt it

Logansdad commented:

both MSNBC and CNN are essentially biased towards the right-wing also

I think you are the only person that believes this.

If I am wasting your time, please do not respond to this.

Air Force brat, makes you a fount of all knowledge that has to do with the military.

Good thing I said probably.

randomfactor commented:

learnem, your incoherent and misspelled screeds on these blogs hardly make you a trustworthy source about me. I have documented in the past specifically where you have altered quotations to claim I said something I did not.

My credibility here is *WAY* above yours. Sorry about that. Must suck to have paid so much for your education and have it do nothing for you...

I'm off to enjoy the rest of the day, so if logansdad fails to get any more of his questions answered...well, too bad.

Mountianman commented:

Logansdad, BRAVO! yours was the most eloqent and right on target expose and definition of Random, well done and please continue to post on this blog!

NancyII commented:

This occurred to me the other day and I think it's appropriate right here.

How hard is it to just say "I think you're wrong" "I think you have it backwards?" instead of "You nut job wackos don't know what you're talking about?"

And puleeze, don't lets start with the "he said it first" BS. After all these years no one knows who said what first but I'll say one thing. When I started posting on the actual blog I was one of the very, very few conservatives here. I was outnumbered by a staggering number back then but I'm not easily intimidated so I hung in. I was insulted at every turn if not personally, then by my position. When one blogger was ranting in general about the evil conservatives I called a foul and I was told by that blogger that if I got in his line of fire it was just tough.

It doesn't seem to matter what the topic is, there are always at least two camps and they are always at each others throats. Always have been and looks like they always will be. So carry on folks, there's not a person on here that hasn't gotten their digs and jabs in at people in the other camp at one time or another. This pure as the driven show baloney is just that....baloney.

Drop the halos, they don't fit anyone here. Including me. But at least I'm honest about it.

learnem commented:

however you have to spin it RF to make yourself feel better..yes..you are way above my own credibility level

Logansdad commented:

I agree with you Nancy. Obviously politics is a big thing these days, and it infringes on every topic as you said, no matter what the topic may concern. It is just silly to me when instead of fighting back with facts or personal beliefs on a subject, someone responds with personal attacks on another just because there are differing political ideologies. Everyone loves a good argument, it is stimulating. But all of the fun is taken out of it when an argument degrades into name calling, or as is quite prevalent, commenting on the intelligence, or the claimed lack thereof, of other posters.

One further point to people that want to argue, bad spelling does not equal ignorance. If a person misspells a word or thirty (that is a joke), then that does not make them dum. See what I did there? All that means is they probably type faster than their fingers move, and could care less about spell check. Bad spelling does not make an argument invalid, calling someone racist because they do not agree with the President does however make an argument invalid.

adampayne commented:

I really do not understand a blog heading like this one. The header is nonsense.

"It is because he wants to "fundamentally change" the greatest nation on Earth because he does not agree with our system of government. There are many nations that are Socialist in nature, if he, or even you, do not like the Capitalist nature of our country, nobody is stopping him, or you, from moving to one of them. I do not support our current President, at all in fact." -Logansdad-

I believe if you stop and think about what you wrote you you might take some of those statements back. What has Barack Obama done, or said, that leads you to believe he wants to "fundamentally change" the United States of America? Do you really believe because he is proposing reform of our health care system this is a fundamental change in the nation. By expressing his views on equal rights for all and more access for those currently denied those rights, how does this get construed to mean a "fundamental change."

There is nothing in our Declaration of Independence or in the United States of America's Constitution where any economic philosophy is endorsed, or even mentioned. America is not a nation founded or determined to be capitalist or socialist or feudalistic. The government was created to "establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity" for the people of this nation.

What do you think the "general Welfare" means? Does that mean that those who cannot afford to be treated for illnesses or accidents are just out of luck? Does that mean that because you cannot afford an education you do not get one? Does that mean that the richest one percent of America should always have more than 95% of the American population combined?

What do you mean when you say America is the "greatest nation on Earth"? Can you objectively state what greatest means? I have always found the word to be very subjective in nature, and cause for all kinds of discussions around sports figures. It is very hard to state definitively what greatest means, because one person's idea of greatest might not be another person's idea of what greatest signifies.

It is patently obvious you do not support our current President, but based on your comments you don't know why.

ronmexico commented:

What has Barack Obama done, or said, that leads you to believe he wants to "fundamentally change" the United States of America?

It's time to fundamentally change the way that we do business in Washington.

siouxcityranch commented:

logansdad..trust me there are many people on this blog that welcome anyone that shares our dislike of RF and his little whisps of self appointed marterism he enjoys so much...his usual attacks are on some ones spelling whether its true or not just to belittle them..or he attacks their religious beliefs because he has none and disrespects anyone that does..then he moves on to the black thing or he ricochets off calling them ignorant etc etc... dont let him get to you.. his following is a small group of Bush haters..Most everyone agrees Bush screwed the pooch so their continual comparisons regardng our current complaints are mute..they dont ever seem to get that...

anyway enjoyed your response and looking forward to more.

Ray_Harwick commented:

Looks like Logansdad got his ticket punched by TBC. Sock puppet?

siouxcityranch commented:

are you saying they kicked him off ray? how would you know that

ricktracy commented:

This blog is over the top. Why are you posting something that is clearly only meant to irritate? Accusing the bloggers of doing drugs (even in jest) and calling them sociopaths is clearly wrong. With all the schooling you claim to have, you missed CHARM SCHOOL

Ray_Harwick commented:

No I'm not sure and I don't know at all. It's just that his profile doesn't seem to be accessible. His name appears in gray (isn't clickable) while everyone else's is hyperlinked.

Logansdad commented:

First off Adam, Jon Stewart is not a source for actual news. If you are going to attempt to pick apart my argument, then do so with knowledge on the sources you use. I am going to use one fact, that is 1, un, uno, eins, to make your entire argument invalid, and send you back to wikipedia to learn something and try to come back and break me down.

"General Welfare"

James Madison, the primary author of the Constitution, as everyone should know. People, such as yourself and even Alexander Hamilton, have always used those two words to imply that the government should more or less take care of the people. Did you know that Madison hated Hamilton for interpreting the Constitution in that way? So, what does that say to you? Because to me, it says you read into something that the author did not put in there.

If you honestly think that people can not receive medical treatment, then I suggest you get into the healthcare profession, has I have been, and you will see that people without insurance are still treated at the emergency room. Also, there are FREE clinics for people without insurance.

And so what if 1% of our population has more wealth than 95%, that is capitalism. You think none of those people worked for it? What in the Constitution that you want to attempt to throw in my face says you are entitled to someone else's money? Where does it say that everyone should have the same amount of wealth?

If you do not like this country, there are many out there with your point of view. Why don't you move there and see if you like how things are run. Otherwise, stop trying to force your ideologies on a large portion of this country that do not want socialism. FDR gave us enough socialism, we do not need anymore.

pogo commented:

I hate to hear that Ray, I didn't agree with him, but he made some good points and in a more coherant way than some.

Nancy, Bravo for a great post! I wish we could all say those things and move on. Seems to me that there is too much old animosity in here, old scores to settle. Hell, Refi was keeping a file on Audrey for heaven's sake! Anyway, I really liked what you said and will do my best to follow those guidelines.

Can't wait to say, "Nancy, I think you are wrong on that."

Ray_Harwick commented:

I guess that wasn't the case. I just wasn't aware that any subscriber could make their profile private.

[Edit] Well, after reloading the page for about the fifth time, Logansdad's profile is now clickable. Maybe it's my computer that's the problem.

Logansdad commented:

I never made my profile public. This is only my second day on here, not familiar with how all of this works.

Ray_Harwick commented:

Thanks LD. I'm relieved it's not my computer.

pogo commented:

Logansdad, I take back the "coherant" part, you are getting a little far afield my friend. Adam doesn't need me to defend him, but I find nothing in his post about John Stewart. Second, you are dead wrong on the Madison/Hamilton thing. Hamilton was the arch Federalist who favored something akin to the aristocracy. He could care less about the general wellfare. Madison was more allied with Jefferson in having a populist view, although they were split on giving too much power to the people, Madison was afraid of what an un-educated majority could accomplish, like they were doing in France.

No one has said they don't like this country, just that it can be better. Is that un-patriotic? Demogogues from time immemorial have shouted "We are the greatest country in the world", then set about to wage war to prove it.

I love this country. I fought under its flag. I've worked all over the world and was always happy to come home. But believe me, things can always be better.

Logansdad commented:

LOL No it was not your computer. It was my inability to use mine properly.

AudreyB commented:

Off topic but relevant in it's way:.

Why do some people post their comments in Headline 1 font? If you notice, it's always someone who dispises liberals.

Really you guys! Why the big type? Are you trying to give your remarks an importance that they don't otherwise have. Small message - big font?

In that case you could use a sky writer to spell out your message and it would still be a pointless, cowardly attack on liberals.

Don't forget

Big letters = small brain.

pogo commented:

Audrey, they are shouting.

Logansdad commented:

Pogo, when I brought up John Stewart, I meant it because these days that is where people get their information. And Adam talking about the rich being rich while the poor is poor and how that is wrong is the same kind of rhetoric that is spouted from shows that are based on political satire. But I am sure you know that many people more often than not take that satire as fact.

I know what political views these men had. I was not writing about that. What I was writing about was how James Madison did not like people like Alexander Hamilton twisting his words. Look it up sometime, it is true. And by the way, Madison wanted to limit the power of the government. Limit I would think being the key word. But that is off topic.

Ray_Harwick commented:

Scene from Who's Afraid Of Virginia Wolfe:

George: Stop braying, Martha.

Martha: I'm not braying! (she responds, braying)

Audrey, please don't set me up for failure. I can actually see that bold type better. Wish everyone would use it. We could all bray at each other more forcefully.

catpaw commented:

RF - True, arms and ammunition on a military base is issued from a secured arms room when in use.

From my own experience in the military, the army has enough alcoholic NCOs and mentally ill officers to make you wonder how it can function.

According to HLN, this major (a field grade officer and a shrink, yet) used personal guns and, presumably, ammo; which is allowed. Nothing I've yet heard indicates he was from a terrorist cell. The major's family did make a statement to the press, expressing sympathy and remorse.

Ray_Harwick commented:

From my own experience in the military, the army has enough alcoholic NCOs and mentally ill officers to make you wonder how it can function.

Deja vu, Catpaw. I have vivid memories of encountering some of the most screwed up people I've ever met during my eight years in the Air Force. One guy, whom I met at the NCO Leadership Academy in 1975, let everyone know he was a forceful proponent of euthanizing anyone who had a physical or mental handicap. Creepy! He was absolutely unrepentant about it. I wondered how anyone so openly hostile to the handicapped could ever achieve NCO rank. He was a Security Police, carried a gun all the time.

jfrancais commented:

The military is a little different now. I've seen drastic changes in my career. Gone are the days of getting drunk in the motor pool or at the NCO club during duty hours. The army doesn't play that anymore. We still have our mill of people who either should not be in or would not be able to do any other job as a civilian. Soldiers are allowed to have POWs (privately owned Weapons) but they must be registered with the post and some units require soldiers that live on post to leave them in the armory room.

adampayne commented:

Logansdad, I was not quoting Jon Stewart, although I do find his humor refreshing and pertinent, I do not use him as source material. You have your views on the Constitution and I have mine. I do so get tired of the if-you-don't-like-it-leave-it rant, although in frustration I have urged Libertarian wags to seek Afghanistan as a residence if they want exceptionally limited government as a model. And as Pogo politely pointed out, you confused the two principle arguers in the Federalist Papers over the points of what government should or should not be about.

Growing up I never saw the vast chasm that separates the economic classes in the manner they are separated today. I believe it is one of the biggest reasons for such anger and hostility today. If you want to know why there are no jobs simply look at where all the money went. You mentioned the Wikipedia and here is a link to a graph utilizing data from the US census bureau.The graph clearly shows the bottom 80% getting left further and further behind by the top 5% of earners.

A startling similarity exists between the rise of the top 5% of earners and the rise of our prison population in America. Here are some graphs and figures to look at and digest with all the numbers taken from our government's Department of Justice data. You may or may not know that the United States incarcerates more people per capita than any other nation on the planet.

I never said anyone is entitled to another person's money. I do believe in having a government work to keep as fair and level a playing field as is humanly possible to promote opportunity for all citizens, not just those lucky enough to have been born into the American aristocracy. Your comments sound absolutely Victorian in nature, and reflect the attitude that only the landed gentry really should determine what is best for everyone. That is not and has never been what the American ideal represented to the world, however it is certainly closer to the reality we find today.

montfred commented:

Your headline HATE FROM THE LEFT AT AN ALL TIME HIGH AT TBC (tolerance???) drew me in,

only too read that it "... troubles me that we have people on these blogs that CLAIM they want Obamacare because its best for ALL Americans, yet they don't want Americans to know that Terrorist Cells exist in the US and that the FT HOOD SHOOTER was a terrorist

As a Vietnam era vet, I now enjoy the best medical treatment I could ask for, I have never had to wait for an authorization for treatment from an insurance company for medication, tests or any other request of my primary doctor, and I think it would be great for America if everyone had the same government health care.

You are wrong that it woud follow that I am unaware that there are terrorist cell's in the U.S. In fact I expect that the evidence will show this killer detested our 'wars' and sympathized with other terrorists.

Unlike you, who somehow find hate from the 'left' in health care for everyone, I think it would be honorable if you "tea parities" would admit that what troubles you is that 'Obamacare' would enact a reversal of the "natural order" of white supremacy

ALICEN commented:

Audrey, not all large fonts are used for the reason you suggest. In my own case, I still haven't gotten my glasses prescription changed, and my eyes know it. I strain to read many of these posts and comments, and frankly I appreciate the big fonts. I use big fonts myself so I can see what I'm writing as well as what I'm reading. Sometimes I forget, but not always. Using "small" fonts (in the "size" choice while commenting) is great, but when the comment is printed, it's much smaller. I'll never understand that.

Some of the fonts used are so small, I just pass on reading whatever's there. I've GOT to get new glasses.

Logansdad commented:

Well you see Adam, you laid all of your cards on the table with your first comment. I could tell what type of person you were right away. Whereas you seem to have mistaken who I happen to be. You see, I am not so far right that I am an anarchist and want no government, or even hardly any at all. I just want the growth of our government to stop. As you and Pogo may one day learn, you are both actually wrong. But I can obviously not convince you that your lack of knowledge concerning Madison and Hamilton is laughable at best. Because all you two seem to do, is tell me what their political views are. And you are both even wrong concerning that. But if you will take a moment to read my post and digest what I had written, you would then see that I had not commented on their political views. I commented on Madison's hatred towards Hamilton because Hamilton was twisting the words in the Constitution to fit his needs. How you got from that one point that I had commented, or even cared, about their political views is astounding to me.

Also, you can link all of the graphs you want. I do not care who has how much money. Have you ever heard of the myth of success? Social Darwinism? The Protestant work ethic? You see, some of the people that are at the top, may have very well been born into that money. But I will bet you that most of them worked, and continue to work, for that money. They earned it. Do you understand the concept of earning? Why should the government "level the playing field?" Because you are poor? You attempt to act like you know me by my comments? Let me ask you a question, do you know what the symbol is that I use as my signature? It is not the symbol for the landed gentry. That is the crest for the 9th Cavalry Regiment. I did not grow up poor, nor did I grow up rich. But what I can tell you is, I never thought I was entitled to another persons wealth as you obviously think you are.

Tell you what, since I am all kinds of broke, how about you work a few extra hours this week, and send me the money you get for your overtime. Since you want to share the wealth, share some of yours. As soon as you have a check ready to go, just hit me up and I will send you my address. I think it is time for you to get a "little skin in the game."

Or did you overlook the fact that your messiah and his wife are both millionaires? Oh Michelle is all heart, she worked for a non-profit, but her income was over 500k a year for working there. I guess you think the Obamas are landed gentry as well right? Or how about Princess Pelosi. Last I checked she has a couple of bucks in the bank. Do you despise her and her wealth as well? Or dare I say, the Kennedy clan. Well, they need their money because they have to buy planes to crash and cars to park underwater. And yes, I know they are dying off, and I shed a whole tear for them. Not really. I guess the Big O in Chicago doesn't deserve her billions. That is with a "b" by the way.

Demonize the rich because they have what you don't. And it is all their fault, it is not fair that you weren't born into royalty. So since you aren't rich, well by god they shouldn't be rich either.

You can attempt to break me down champ, but at the end of the day it is not Logansdad82 that is crying because the rich are rich. My parents have both worked their way up the food chain, and now in their golden years they are being considered wealthy because they do not live on 30k a year. My mother became a VP for her bank, and she started as a teller. My father is a manager for a propane company, their most successful one actually, and he started as a serviceman. Neither have any type of schooling past high school. But they are landed gentry.

Your own arrogant and misinformed comments destroyed your argument before it could even take flight. How many sympathizers do you think you will find with your attitude that you deserve something that belongs to another?

Again, I will be waiting for the notice from you on when my check is ready. Get some skin in the game champ.

AudreyB commented:

Alicen

That reason never occured to me. Thanks for the heads up. ;-)

Shwaine commented:

Another post that makes me think "blah blah blah blah blah". [sarcasm] Let's use hate to complain about hate! That'll be effective! [/sarcasm]

youngconservative commented:

So, Adam.

No comment on logansdads post?

NancyII commented:

Funny, growing up as a little Fruitvale bumpkin kid I definitely saw the chasm between the haves and have nots. In fact at times I think it's not as wide now as it was then.

Kids on welfare with cell phones? At least one TV in every house no matter the income? Most people have at least one car. EVERYone has a phone of some kind.

It wasn't like that when I was young and it was obvious who, in my school, were the kids of well off parents and the ones who weren't. It was also very easy to see who the kids of poor families were. They were the ones who had holes and patches in their clothing when you didn't have to pay 50 bucks to buy them that way. They had holes and ragged edges on their shoes when it wasn't the fashion to buy them already trashed.

I met a young man today from a European country who, I was told, was amazed at all we have as a country. I'll just say what I've already said and get off the soapbox. I didn't earn any of the money that reach people have and I don't owe anyone anything out of the money I earn. We pay a lot out in taxes to help the people who are in need and to gouge the rich because they are successful is contrary to what this nation stands for. And that is the right to the pursuit of all they can earn. If they inherited it, so be it, it won't continue to grow if they don't take care of it and THAT is their job. It DOESN"T MATTER. I don't have a right to your hard earned car, lawn mower, or hand tools. They don't belong to me, they belong to you. As does your money.

anglo1 commented:

Very good post logansdad. Good post Adam. I really can get wishy washy around those that can really put a good argument to print.

Montfred, this is true. A guy I speak to everyday, who is very liberal. He says just left of Gandhi. When Bush was in office, he had nothing but venom for the VA. Like magic he now thinks it is wonderful like the other vets around us have always thought. Not being argumentative but I pointed this out to him and he said it was true, it's way better now. It is good for a laugh.

One more thing. I don't think this attack had hardly anything to do with religion it had to do with a guy losing his mind or having a weakened sense of reality for a very long time and stress and circumstances brought it out in a horribly violent way.

dragoon commented:

"I don't have a right to your hard earned car, lawn mower, or hand tools. They don't belong to me, they belong to you. As does your money."

Nancy, try explaining that concept to a meth user.

By the way Logansdad..... HUZZAH!

anglo1 commented:

I only agree with Montfred that the vets are getting good care now just like they have in the past in most cases. Your "white supremacy" BS is just that BS.

: UPDATE: Suspect identified in Orlando office building shooting

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 10:47:38 PST

ORLANDO, FL -- Officials searched Friday for a gunman who opened fire in a downtown office building. At least eight people were hurt.

People streamed out of the high-rise building around lunchtime and some told local television stations they had barricaded themselves inside their offices.

Orlando Fire Department District Chief Michael Droege said an unknown number of people were still in the building and could be injured. He said the SWAT team was still trying to pull people out.

"The building is not secure now," he said. "It's still unfolding."

Orlando police spokeswoman Barbara Jones identified the gunman as Jason Rodriguez, 40, and said he might be in a 2002 silver Nissan SUV with license plate D119UX. She said he used to work at the building.

"I would consider him armed and dangerous," Jones said. She said multiple people were hurt but she could not say how many. She said five people were taken to the hospital and another had chest pains but did not go to the hospital.

Gerry Gilgo, who works on the floor where the shooting occurred, told The Associated Press she was meeting a co-worker at the elevators for lunch.

"She yelled there are gun shots! There are gun shots! Get back in your office," Gilgo said.

Will Halpern, an attorney works on the building's 17th floor, was among the last group to be evacuated. He said the lobby was filled with about 20 officers in SWAT gear, carrying assault weapons, ready to search the building.

The Orlando Fire Department told WESH-TV that at least eight people were injured. Interstate 4 was closed in both directions through downtown and nearby schools were locked down.

Rows of ambulances lined up outside the building as police snipers took up positions around the building and officers on foot and horseback searched the area.

California lawmakers got their pay cut - now they're threatening to sue!

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 10:43:46 PST

Question: can you name to worst legislative body in the history of the known universe? Yeah, you could say the current U. S. Congress - and that would be a good guess, but there is one even worse. Answer: The California legislature. Ding-ding-ding - you win!

You see, there is a panel that oversees the salary and perks enjoyed by California lawmakers, and earlier this year they ruled that the legislators base pay be cut from $116,000/year down to $95,000/year. Plus they removed the legislator's car allowance. And it is all supposed to start next month. But wait!

Karen Bass (D-Los Angeles), leader of the state Assembly, isn't at all pleased. In her obvious delusion she believes the legislature has done a magnificent job - so they deserve every dollar they can get. They are, of course, the HIGHEST PAID lawmakers in the United States. And they have made us the laughing stock of the nation. Here is the awful story:

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-state-pay6-2009nov06,0,2559381.story

Comments:
witterpitters commented:

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-state-pay6-2009nov06,0,2559381.story

SAVVY - your link took me to the LA Times but said it was incorrect!!! So, I sent the article to myself and copied the exact connection to the article. :-)

witterpitters commented:

how weird!!!! my link is the same as your yet mine goes right to the article.....................go figure!!!!

learnem commented:

i dont know what their bitching about....they can just make it all up with their special interest slush funds they all have

witterpitters commented:

Not to mention the bennies they get via health care that we DON'T get nor will we ever get.

savvydude commented:

I fixed the link - it's working now.

casooner90 commented:

So, while we can scrutinize the CEOs of private companies, the legislators that have failed repeatedly is complaining about their salary cut (rightfully for fiscal irresponsibility)? I say let them keep their pay increases. Then vote everyone of those incumbents out and get a fresh bunch in there. Newbys certainly can't do this any worse than the current bunch.

LEFT blaming the RIGHT, and VISE-VERSA... making sure the same idiots get re-elected: OBAMA ADMNISTRATION FAILED TO PROTECT PUBLIC FROM FT HOOD TERRORIST

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 10:36:02 PST

It seems that the FT HOOD terrorist was on the local law enforcement radar for internet posts about suicide bombings and other threats.

hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_FORT_HOOD_SHOOTING_SUSPECT

it also has been reported that the muslim terrorist was shouting ALLAH AKBAR during the attack

news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091106/ap_on_re_us/us_fort_hood_shooting

at least no one can point to SHRUB and say he lacked in homeland security.

Comments:
learnem commented:

make no mistake about it...we JUST got hit again by Muslim Terrorists

randomfactor commented:

No, learnem, we got hit by a lone man who was deeply troubled (and apparently quite religious, which was almost certainly the source of much of his mental illness. Too much "god" will do that to ya.

There was apparently an attempted attack a few months back which the FBI rolled up without much fanfare at all. Which is as it should be.

learnem commented:

read the links...check google news RF...its all there..thats where i got the links above...not some "extremeist" site...or is google EXTREME right to you too?

randomfactor commented:

at least no one can point to SHRUB and say he lacked in homeland security.

Except for that pesky 9/11 incident.

And the anthrax.

And the anti-abortion terrorism.

randomfactor commented:

Of course he was shouting "god is great" when he killed them. He was driven around the bend by the thought that there is some sort of god.

Religion isn't healthy for you.

AudreyB commented:

This blog bottoms out as a new low for the right. Every time I think you can't sink any further, you prove me wrong.

Congratulations, you've written the most pointless driivel of the day.

randomfactor commented:

Nineteen people were shot in Florida this morning. I suspect Christian involvement.

learnem commented:

maybe you two will see the light....AFTER your head gets cut off while muslim terrorists shout ALLAH AKBAR

miles661ca commented:

We're all gonna die anyway, learnem. But I s'pose your death will be better than mine...

randomfactor commented:

Learnem, chances are far worse that I'll be killed by a golf-ball hit by a left-handed right-wing fundamentalist Christian.

savvydude commented:

learnem, just ignore and don't respond to randomfactor. Anti-religious bigotry has no place in civilized society, but the radically unhinged are out there pleading for attention. Don't give them any.

Watching the left squirm around this case is almost funny. Here you have a highly educated non-Christian east-coaster who flipped out and murdered 12 innocents. He's not like McVeigh or Eric Rudolph, so they just can't explain how this could have happened.

siouxcityranch commented:

where do you play..id like to watch..

learnem commented:

i actually find it comical savvydude...they must actually care about this information a lot to attack it they way they did...give me a lot of insight as to the way they think

randomfactor commented:

He's not like McVeigh or Eric Rudolph,

How not?

learnem commented:

youre smart, so you say...you cant figure that one out?

savvydude commented:

AudreyB wrote: "This blog bottoms out as a new low"

Sorry, Audrey, but you are not the arbiter of all that is acceptable and righteous in the world, though you might think you are. In fact, looking over YOUR posting history it is easy to see that you cratered down the the lowest of depths long ago with your slanders, judgements, accusations and foolish loathing.

pogo commented:

Savvy, you are the least savvy person that posts here. I put you in the don't read category from here on out. The only slanders, judgements, accusations and foolish loathing that I have ever seen here are posted by you and your ilk. There is never any hard evidence for your childish, whiny, claims - only some right wing drivel you've gleaned from radio or Fox.

So bring it on big boy and we'll see who is the last one standing.

randomfactor commented:

I'm just interested, learnem, that savvydude recognizes some fundamental difference between Hasan and the two terrorists he named. If he recognizes a difference from *HIS* dimly-lit corner, it must be some huge thing.

Of course, he may just be claiming the only difference between coldly planning and executing indiscriminate bombings, and going nuts with handguns in a shooting spree, is the religion of the person involved.

As far as I'm concerned, those who want to use the Texas shootings to justify further discrimination against the shooter--must agree with him on some level.

savvydude commented:

blah, blah, blah

Oh, no - I'm so scared. Please don't hurt me!

pogo commented:

Not hurt my friend, just show you up for the un-informed blowhard you are.

randomfactor commented:

Gee, savvydude, go change your shorts, will you?

paxchristi3 commented:

Random, certainly you know about the ties between radical Islam and Nazism: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/816232/posts

And the ties between Nazism and occultism: http://www.ewtn.com/library/NEWAGE/HITLEROC.TXt

And that the Islamists won't even say thank you to the Jews and other leftist for their generous appeasement before lopping their heads off?

savvydude commented:

Friend? Yeah, right. So sorry to get you all stimulated up. But if you want to have a civil conversation as to why the left is so dumfounded as to why this perp is not a white, rural, uneduated Christian, I will oblige.

But if your frenzied angst is about my taking on AudreyB and her nonsense, I can talk about that, too.

You pick.

randomfactor commented:

And I'm also aware of the close ties between the Catholic Church and naziism. In fact, the Catholics of Germany were the ones who put Hitler into power in the first place (after signing an appeasement accord with them.

Your point is that all religions are equally nutball? I can accept that, coming from you.

By the way...Godwin be with you.

randomfactor commented:

why this perp is not a white, rural, uneduated Christian

Ah, so it *IS* race with you.

savvydude commented:

pax, you're trying to reason with a bigot. Don't waste your time

randomfactor commented:

Pax is fond of wasting his time. Prayer is good practice for doing just that.

pogo commented:

why the left is so dumfounded as to why this perp is not a white, rural, uneduated Christian, I will oblige.

Who has been dumbfounded? Please oblige oh wise one.

msjenny commented:

No savvydude you have created bad blogs, not Audrey, and Nancy has done better blogs than you, and several others, I put your blogs with ron's blog

learnem commented:

losers on the left say that calling the shooter a muslim terrorist is discrimination...who the HELL let Al Sharpton on the board?

not letting the justice system work the way its intended is akin to treason.

randomfactor commented:

not letting the justice system work the way its intended is akin to treason.

And what, exactly, are you talking about now? If you know, I mean.

Do you mean someone is advocating removing the rights of Muslim-Americans to join and serve in the Armed Forces? I agree, that would be treason.

learnem commented:

i cannot believe you would take my words and twist them so bad that you have completely obscured what i typed...but then, thats what all good communists do.

randomfactor commented:

learnem, the words are already twisted when they left your fingers.

I have quoted, word-for-word, what you typed. If the words are twisted it's your fault not mine.

savvydude commented:

Who has been dumbfounded? Please oblige oh wise one

First, thank you for the compliment. Martha Raddatz, ABC News correspondent at Fort Hood, quoted someone who said "I wish his name had been Smith". Then, this morning on Good Morning America, Diane Sawyer said "We heard Martha Raddatz say last night that the wife of a soldier said ‘I wish his name had been Smith,’ so no one would have a reflexive question about [a religious motive]."

learnem commented:

please elaborate on how the words MUSLIM TERRORIST is twisted.

pogo commented:

I fail to see how that is "dumbfounded" but you are welcome to your own interpretation.

I wish his name had been Smith too, then we wouldn't have to worry about there being some Muslim conspiracy, or having religion in it.

I actually, like everyone else, wish it could have been prevented.

FloridaStateGrad commented:

Too much "god" will do that to ya.

There are plenty of us who are religious and do not shed blood in the name of God.

Regardless of whether this man was mentally ill or not, the fact is that the acts he committed are terrorism - whether sanctioned by an actual organization or not.

Technically, I think that anyone who commits senseless acts of violence has psychological problems - which normally have nothing to do with one's spirituality, and everything to do with brain function.

AudreyB commented:

Jerome Corsi crawls out of the woodwork once more to make life a little uglier.

Well, if you were wondering what paranoiac smear artist would be the first to step out and attempt to name President Barack Obama as the man who guided Nidal Malik Hasan to his murderous rampage at Fort Hood yesterday, the answer -- naturally! -- is Jerome Corsi

Read more at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/11/06/iwndis-jerome-corsi-claim_n_348461.html&cp

savvydude commented:

I wish his name had been Smith too, then we wouldn't have to worry about there being some Muslim conspiracy, or having religion in it.

Which makes the point perfectly. His name IS NOT Smith and this murderous thug IS Muslim. Why you would "wish" simply illustrates the confusion liberals feel. The rest of us - we get it.

honorerdieu commented:

Savvy, it's funny how you're so focused on Muslim terrorists when the there have been more masscres committed by our own citizens on US soil. Where have you been in the last 10 years?

http://www.mapreport.com/citysubtopics/usa-c-m.html

Lingtaowoo commented:

Jokes..Jokes...all jokes...the man blew a fuse--that's all....

Please don't kill my ice cream man....

Breaking News: Father shoots, kills grown son in California City

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 10:26:47 PST

California City Police Department

21130 Hacienda Blvd.

California City, CA 93505

(760) 373-8606

PRESS RELEASE

TITLE: “Father shoots and kills son ”

BY: Chief Steve Colerick

DATE: November 6, 2009

Shortly after midnight, police officers from the California City Police Department responded to the 21200 block of Kenniston Street to a report of a gunshot victim. Officers met Robert Lee Beard, 63 years, in the front yard of the residence. Inside the home, Officers discovered Terry Lee Dillon, 36 years, deceased in the hallway. Both subjects reside at the Kenniston home and are father and son.

Beard told detectives that he had been arguing with his son earlier in the evening, over Dillon moving out of the house. Dillon had refused, so Beard retrieved a .38 pistol and threatened Dillon to leave. A struggle ensued, and Dillon was struck twice by gunfire, and died at the scene. Beard was arrested by officers and booked into County Jail in Bakersfield on a charge of murder.

The last homicide in California City was in March of 2007, when 14 year Jamesha Terry was murdered by her uncle. That case is pending in Bakersfield Court.

Chief Steve Colerick

Homicide in California City

NEWS RELEASE
KERN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
CORONER DIVISION

This news release is prepared under the direction of the Sheriff-Coroner-Public Administrator for the convenience of news reporters. Facts concerning news events of major importance, which occur after the preparation of this release, will be made available to reporters at their request as soon as it is possible to do.

DECEDENT'S NAME: Terry Lee Dillon          CASE #: C02086-09
CITY OF RESIDENCE: California City          AGE: 36 years
TYPE OF CASE: Homicide
DATE OF INCIDENT: 11/06/2009          TIME: 0033 hours
LOCATION: 2100 block of Kenniston Street, California CIty
DATE OF DEATH: 11/06/2009         TIME: 0037 hours
PLACE OF DEATH: At the scene
INVESTIGATING AGENCY: California City Police Department

Details:The decedent was shot by anotherin his residence. He expired at the scene from his injuries. One person was taken into custody from the residence.

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