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Good morning!
Today’s movie quote:
“Maycomb was a tired old town, even in 1932 when I first knew it. Somehow, it was hotter then. Men’s stiff collars wilted by nine in the morning. Ladies bathed before noon after their three o’clock naps. And by nightfall were like soft teacakes with frosting from sweating and sweet talcum.”
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To kill a mockingbird?
Hey, kBells, that’s what I was going to guess. I don’t really know, though.
I actually came to ask a question from a few days ago, but I can’t remember now what it was. I’ll be back.
C’mon Lynn, how easy was that movie quote. Yes, it’s To Kill a Mockingbird. My fave.
On yesterday’s “Whirled Views”, #16. I told Brad, “Sawgunner”, that I liked all the Hanks.
Hank Thompson was one of them.
I often mention the women I was in love with, (Anita Carter, Katherin Grayson, Megyn Kelly, etc.) We saw Hank at Wolf Trap some time ago. I thought I was going to lose my wife to him. I have to admit he was good. But she went home with me.
Hank Thompson died last night in Fort Worth. I’m sorry about that.
Q. from an ignunt yankee: How can a lady bathe before noon after her three o’clock nap?
Frank, I’m assuming it means that it was so hot the three o’clock nap came much earlier.
kBells wins! To Kill a Mockingbird is correct. Enjoy your digital puppy…
/’.’\
,(_),
(I know it was easy, Adios…but I couldn’t resist the lovely writing…)
Thanks for the puppy. What does he eat? Should I put something down so he won’t leave little commas all over the screen?
kbells, an Elvis inpersonater, an ELVIS impersonator? His mama must be proud.
Kim, we all are.
I have been thinking about something the last few days: how well behaved (civil) people have been on here lately. I wondered why that is and what has changed. I’ve thought about 3 reasons in particular:
1. Lynn. She has done a wonderful job keeping everyone in line. I think we are all grateful for her fine work on here since she took charge. I think a woman’s touch is exactly what this place needed.
2. The editors/writers. I think over the last year they have improved a lot. I want to commend them for their restraint in using divisive language. It has set the tone for a more civil discussion on here. I especially want to mention Harrison Scott Key who has posted some great, thought provoking blogs.
3. You, the bloggers. Other than an occasional spat, the level of civility has gone up significantly on here. The credit goes to each one of you, who has held your tongue, refrained from making personal attacks, and exercised restraint.
There is a “community” on here and it does matter how each of us behaves. One of the things I try to do before I post is think about the long term implications of what I’m saying. Will it increase or decrease civility? Will it cause anger or will it cause other people to think? Am I responding in anger or am I being kind? Am I addressing the issue or am I attacking the person? Am I jumping to conclusions or trying to understand?
I am far from “Mr. Perfect” on here. Some of the things I say sometimes are unfair, use pejorative language, or are said in anger. For those things I apologize to all.
There are many blogs out there that are mean, uncivil, and just downright nasty. So, what we have here is pretty unique in the blogosphere. It makes this site fun to come to every day. May we all do our part to keep it that way.
Since I see you’re on, Anlir, I just want to thank you for the Pakistan primer yesterday. It helps.
Can you explain the stock market to me now?
I have a question for all the avid readers out there. One of my favorite movies from the ’90’s is “The Hunt for Red October” (please, no Fred Thompson comments!). When I was in college, I remember a roommate of mine commenting that one of the reasons that the Captain of the USSR sub chooses to defect is because, after the death of his wife, he realizes that he will never see her again (the Capt. is a Christian, or at least is seen reading his Bible at times; his wife was a faithful Communist — hence his rejection of his government — and not a Christian).
Now, I am remembering that comment from almost 20 years ago. Is it even remotely accurate with regard to the book? I am not attempting to start a debate, only to faithfully recall something from a book, one I’ve never read and am too lazy to pick up!
And, just for the curious, I’m pretty sure Cameron has read the book (I think she’s read everything by Clancy), but she never retains the details, it seems (easier to re-read books that way, though!).
This morning on my way into the office I had the radio on and was listening to John Boy and Billy, something I haven’t done in several years. There was a lady on named Tina Word from Virginia who was talking about making Christmas Shoe Boxes for Samaritans Purse and how she had gone on a mission trip to Uganda and actually met the father of the child who got her shoebox. I started crying it was so wonderful!!! What are the chances of something like that actually happening? This was all without it being set up to happen that way.
Our copy is long gone, TJ, but I do have a story about the book The Hunt for Red October.
My husband’s submarine went to sea shortly after the book came out and the CO (Commanding Officer) got a copy and thus the first read. One morning as the CO was reviewing operations for the day, he began to describe a scenario considerably different from what the wardroom thought they were doing in the North Atlantic.
The men looked among themselves. “Sir?”
“Oh!” The CO slapped his hand against his forehead. “That must have been in the book I was reading last night. Our mission is . . . .”
Very realistic, and one of our favorite movies, too. I don’t remember Ramius being a Christian, but I haven’t read the book since the movie came out.
(Humming the Russian singing at the start of the movie, Michelle goes to walk her real dog.)
For the record, I knew the movie quote. (Only the second one I’ve known.)
I can’t think of anything else to add, though, except a great billboard I saw the other day and a “product warning” that seemed a little extreme (geared for our lawsuit-friendly age).
The billboard: In a tie, the train wins. If you’re thinking of racing a train, don’t. [I thought that first sentence was great.]
The package: This product is wrapped to keep the product inside. Do not eat the wrapping. [That’s my memory of what it said. I should have written it down.]
Anyone else have favorite product warnings?
Re: Hunt for Red October, I read it when it first came out; my first Clancy book. I don’t remember the captain being a Christian, and I think I would have. I didn’t see the movie, but I enjoyed the book. There was one thing I noticed that I mentioned to a co-worker, a Lt.Col. who likes that sort of thing. Nobody messes up in the book, not the president, SecDef, CINCLANT, NOBODY! Other books have corrected that.
Re: Samaritan’s Purse (#14). Improbable, but I think it could have happened. My wife’s WMU here prepares Samaritan’s Purse shoeboxes every Christmas. She has just finished one and plans for more.
I know rants are tomorrow, but I will have forgotten by then (I hope).
I have to go out and spread mulch most of the day. It’s 43 degrees out there, heading for mid 50’s. But I wanted it to get cool. Now for some rain.
Coming up tomorrow (Friday) on WorldMag:
“Rants! & Raves!” - I’ve been saving mine up all week. I hope ya’ll have too. Don’t just be a “Rant’er!”
“College Football Saturday” contest - tomorrow morning I’ll post 5 games. You pick the winners, and you’ll win a nice, gooey, hot off the campfire *digital* S’more.
Re. Kristin’s “Robertson backs Giuliani” thread yesterday: Doug Wilson has weighed in:
Be sure not to miss the donnybrook that erupted when some poor, hapless soul bad-mouthed Ron Paul … in Ron Paul country!
=8-{D>
Chas #4. A cute song I have sung to my daughters is one Hank Thompson did with Junior Brown. The recurring chorus is “You gotta sell those chickens before they die and the eggs before they hatch.” A few years back Hank did a great album with new and way way old country stars.
I have always liked the way Kitty Wells recorded a “rebuttal” to Hank’s song “The Wild Side of Life”. I believe her number sold much more than the song Hank recorded.
I had not heard of Hank’s passing. Another one of the old-time giants of what made/makes real country stand the test of time.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Strained by extended tours in Iraq, growing numbers of military reservists say the government is providing little help to soldiers who are denied their old jobs when they return home, Defense Department data shows.
The Pentagon survey of reservists in 2005-2006, obtained by The Associated Press, details increasing discontent among returning troops in protecting their legal rights after taking leave from work to fight for their country.
warplan_iraq_us.troop.03.jpg
Video
More video
Roach: Congress’ war on globalization
Morgan Stanley Asia Chairman Stephen Roach blasts U.S. lawmakers for blocking worldwide development and trade.
Play video
It found that 44 percent of the reservists polled said they were dissatisfied with how the Labor Department handled their complaint of employment discrimination based on their military status, up from 27 percent from 2004.
Nearly one-third, or 29 percent, said they had difficulty getting the information they needed from government agencies charged with protecting their rights, while 77 percent reported they didn’t even bother trying to get assistance in part because they didn’t think it would make a difference.
Legal experts say the findings might represent the tip of the iceberg. Formal complaints to the Labor Department by reservists hit nearly 1,600 in 2005 — the highest number since 1991 — not counting the thousands more cases reported each year to the Pentagon for resolution by mediation.
(Disclosure: I had a draft exemption during Vietnam.)
I wonder if the Iraq/Afghanistan war, although fought by a volunteer army, will leave a bitter, disillusioned generation as the Vietnam war did after a drafted army.
This is probably not good for the future of our country.
Speaking of Country Music, here are some of the winner’s from last night’s CMA Awards:
Female Vocalist - Carrie Underwood
Male Vocalist - Brad Paisley
Vocal Duo - Sugarland
Vocal Group - Rascal Flatts
Entertainer - Kenny Chesney
Horizon Award - Taylor Swift
Single - Carrie Underwood (”Before He Cheats”)
Album - George Strait (”It Just Comes Natural”)
Video - Brad Paisley (”Online”)
A thought struck me and I figured I’d toss it out here for further opinionating. Huckabee is setting himself up perfectly to be VP. If Guiliani wins the nominatio, he’s desperately going to need Southern credibility and to appeal to the religious right and Huckabee gives him both. If Romney wins he’s desperately going to need Southern credibility and to appeal to the Christian right, and Huckabee gives him both. Unless they’re looking for a VP from outside the race (and no must-have names jump out at me), Huckabee seems perfectly lined up no matter who wins.
Wadayathink?
Your premise is good, Stephen. I think some of the so-called second tier candidates stick it out in order to either have an influence in the platform or get the VP nod (or some Cabinet position) or to be considered the front runner in the next race (think McCain or John Edwards here). I am wondering if Sen. Obama is not staying in the race for one of these reasons.
Thanks for the info about Hunt, Chas and Michelle. No Christian references at all, huh? The Captain’s wife did at least die, though, right (die before the events of the book). The roomie in college who told me this, btw, wasn’t a Christian, so don’t anyone flame me about Christians reading stuff into books and such. Maybe he was just trying to impress me or something. If no one can confirm my previous post, I’ll drop the idea, or at chalk it up to faulty 40 year old memory.
PAGING MR. MEANER … PAGING MR. MEANER …
On the “Shooting Yourself in the Foot” thread the other day, you made the remark, “Why vote, if my only choice is liberal, liberal lite,or libertarian Hobbit? If I have to make that choice, I’ll go with the Hobbit.”
I’m curious: Did you come up with the Hobbit thing, or did you hear or read it somewhere else?
A News Update:
-Pakistan. Bush’s friend Gen. Pervez Musharraf has had as many as 500 opposition party members arrested to quell a protest.
-Republican Bernard Kerik is expected to be indicted today on charges that include tax fraud, corruption and conspiracy counts.
-Republican Former Gov. George Ryan reported to prison today to begin serving his sentence for 18 counts including racketeering, conspiracy, and fraud.
-San Franciscans are busy today cleaning up a 58,000 gallon oil spill that is working its way up the California coast.
-Federal Reserve Chairman Bernanke is trying to play down fears that the slumping US dollar is losing its place as the world’s reserve currency. He says the Fed expects slower growth and inflation.
What a day….
Ooops. How could I overlook this one.
-Abstinence Only programs, those that focus exclusively on abstinence, have taken tens of millions in federal grant money, but a long term study shows they don’t work.
Weather Update:
Atlanta: 56
Boston: 42
Chicago: 50
Denver: 69
Islambad: 59
New York: 45
San Diego: 61
Vic will be back with Sports right after the break.
Peter, I don’t think Obama is merely sticking around to build the brand for the next election — he’s sticking around in the hopes of Hillary slipping up and being able to step into the gap.
I got stuck at youtube… Have any of you ever watched Red State Update? Great stuff!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f45K8Jh14-k
HAMACHITWO, I understand that several studies have also shown that the anti-drug program DARE does not work either, yet money keeps getting thrown at that. In fact, have any of the anti-drug programs worked? Just curious.
I see Night Train and Victoria went bonkers on my ‘Stop Blaming White People’ post yesterday. There was nothing offensive in it in the least and the only joke was the last sentence that was clearly marked with a Smiley Face. You lefties need to get a life and learn to read.
These same folks were upset with my post on Chantix yesterday. I guess that means it was good. Once again the post was completely truthful, not offenseive in the least and these folks need to get a life and a sense of humor too.
I had not heard any side effects that Chantix makes one violent and in fact it is quite calming for me. I have no urges for a smoke either. It has been a breeze. I recommend it highly for those that want to stop smoking and my Doc was right - I can see how his patients have had such good luck using it although Chantix claims a lower success rate by far.
The debate dream in France was hilarious but I still haven’t found a way to make it pass WMB muster yet but I am working on it - success is not far away. The moderators asked great questions and the answers were just as good - unlike real debates
Chantix is also great the way you can remember your dreams too.
I also saw no reason for WMB to delete the ’stop blaming white people’ thread either.
I get a kick out of warnings on products as well, but my pet peeve is the signs attached in bathrooms at restaurants, reminding the employees they must wash their hands before returning to work…Yuck!!
I did my Samaritans Purse shopping this morning. I didn’t get a doll this year. I couldn’t find one that wasn’t dressed like a slut. Has anyone ever heard the little girl from Romania who was adopted by a Samaritans Purse volunteer? She is a spokesman for them now.
As for product warnings, I once bought a jump rope that contained instructions on how to use it…
Llama,
That was definitely an interesting post yesterday…
sounds like Chantix has some weird sleep-related side effects like Ambien. I hadn’t even heard of it until your post. Wellbutrin/Zyban? is also used for stopping smoking and has few side effects, AFAIK.
The Stop Blaming White People thread was almost what you’d call Flamebait. I’m sure there’s truth in it [the book], and Cosby should have some credibility, but white people should probably keep their mouths shut and just let him do the talking.
Re: Product warnings
Any food, cosmetic, or toy labeled “Made in China” should be considered a de facto product warning, it seems.
Frank
It came to me a month or so ago.
I was thinking about how much Perot and Paul have in common, as far as both being altitudinally challenged. And how both being Texans, are, or will be responsible for a Clinton being elected.
And their voices both sound kind of Hobbit-like.
I kind of think that Tony Blair had that Hobbit look going, too..So, it’s not necessarily a bad thing, in itself.
If you say his first and last name together, it almost sounds like he could be one of Frodo’s distant cousins, or a wizard, or something.
Ronpaul the wizard!
See? it fits.
Condoms have been proven ineffective as well, yet the leftists continue to say they’re the answer to all the problems in the world.
Yet when has abstinence been proven ineffective?
“The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with
the blood of patriots and tyrants. It is its natural manure.”
– Thomas Jefferson (letter to William Stephens Smith, 13
November 1787)
I shop for my Samaritan’s Purse Shoebox items all year round. I find after holiday sales and back to school sales really saves me money. Anything that isn’t perishble is something I can buy ahead of time. I found several little girl dolls in an after Easter sale that are very nice. I wish I would have thought of making extra clothes for them. After Halloween sales bring in some good candy prices or I make sure I buy something that can be sent in the shoeboxes. I keep one bag in my closet to collect everything and then take it out close to when I need to get the box ready. Then I purchase whatever I haven’t gotten like batteries and toothpaste.
Did you hear about the plastic bead toy being recalled in Australia - made in China - that when ingested by kids, a component in it metabolizes into GHB, the “date-rape” drug?
Amazing.
Correction: Recalled in US and Australia.
2 hospitalized in US, 3 in Australia.
Toys R Us had ‘em.
“Because religious belief, or non-belief, is such an important part of every person’s life, freedom of religion affects every individual. State churches that use government power to support themselves and force their views on persons of other faiths undermine all our civil rights. Moreover, state support of the church tends to make the clergy unresponsive to the people and leads to corruption within religion. Erecting the “wall of separation between church and state,” therefore, is absolutely essential in a free society.
Thomas Jefferson, to the Virginia Baptists (1808)
momoffour: Welcome back. You may have been around but I missed you. Anyhow, it’s good to hear from you.
KI - Your avatar is striking - but what is it?
Kbells - I’m sorry you’ve had trouble finding a nice doll - I’m not doubting you, but it does seem hard to believe.
“when has abstinence been proven ineffective?”
I think her name was Mary.
TRR,
Yes, I heard about the Aquadots on the news today. The reporter said that if you child chews on them and falls asleep and you can’t wake them up “you might have a problem”. might have a problem??
I can see it now, some idiot parent will not be able to wake their kid up, and they’ll let their kid go into a coma and/or die. The parent will say that the news only said it “might” be a problem. Then the lawsuits will be flying.
If you can’t wake your kid up, call 9-1-1!
Mr. Meaner -
“Ronpaul Brandybuckt” … Hmm … You could have something there …
Be assured I took no offense at the remark. I only asked because my wife claims she came up with the simile.
“I dunno, dear,” I tells her, “there’s lots o’ Tolkien fans about. Lots o’ Ron Paul fans, too. I has to imagine the two sets share a broad overlap …”
“Brandybuck,” i.e. …
heh
Your wife sounds quite observant, and I’m guessing highly intelligent
Well, there you have it.
Two separate witnesses.
I guess this means RP will carry the shire region with no problem.
And he should capture the Led Zeppelin fan vote.
heh
abstinence works but abstinence education does not
KI, I have to admit I only looked in one place and I should have mentioned I was looking for a, Barbie-sized, fashion doll for an older girl. One set of dolls were dressed in Brittany Spears video looking school girl uniforms.
Travis: The exception does not prove the rule.
Sorry, I guess they don’t teach that until fifth grade . . .
outkast post 41,
hmm from a practical perspective it appears that abstinance programs are not particulary effective:
http://www.advocatesforyouth.org/publications/stateevaluations/index.htm
Do you have statistical data showing that after training in abstinance programs, teen pregancy rates are reduced?
outkast post 41,
Or perhaps this study:
http://www.siecus.org/policy/research_says.pdf
“Over the past 25 years, Congress has spent over $1.5 billion on abstinence-only-until-marriage programs, yet no study in a professional peer-reviewed journal has found these programs to be broadly effective. Scientific evidence simply does not support an abstinence-only-until-marriage approach.”
I am having trouble finding any objective data which shows that abstinence only approaches actually reduce teenage pregnancy.
Perhaps you have some references here?
outkast post 41,
and the following report seems particularly interesting:
http://oversight.house.gov/Documents/20041201102153-50247.pdf
This documents what appear to be a series of scientific errors in the abstinence only curriculum that were reviewed.
outkast post 41,
and the following article:
http://www.teenpregnancy.org/resources/data/pdf/abstinence_eval.pdf
appears to specfically address the standards of evidence problem which appears to be at least in part at root for the controversy which arrises in these discussions.
Interestingly this organization appears to have a decidedly conservative flavor:
“The National Campaign’s goal is to improve the lives and future prospects of children and families and, in particular, to help ensure that children are born into stable, two-parent families who are committed to and ready for the demanding task of raising the next generation.”