Do you fart in bed?
If this story doesn't make you cry from laughing so hard, let me know and I'll pray for you.
This is a story about a couple who had been happily married for years.
The only friction in their marriage was the husband's habit of farting loudly every morning when he awoke. The noise would wake his wife and the smell would make her eyes water and make her gasp for air.
Every morning she would plead with him to stop ripping them off because it was making her sick.. He told her he couldn't stop it and that it was perfectly natural. She told him to see a doctor, she was concerned that one day he would blow his guts out.
The years went by and he continued to rip them out. Then one thanksgiving morning as she was preparing the turkey for dinner and he was upstairs sound asleep, she looked at the innards and neck, gizzard, liver and all the spare parts and a malicious thought came to her.
She took the bowl and went upstairs where her husband was sound asleep and, gently pulling the bed covers back, she pulled back the elastic waistband of his underpants and emptied the bowl of turkey guts into his shorts.
Some time later she heard her husband waken with his usual trumpeting which was followed by a blood curdling scream and the sound of frantic foot steps as he ran into the bath room. The wife could hardly control herself as she rolled on the floor laughing, tears in her eyes! After years of torture she reckoned she had got him back pretty good.
About twenty minutes later, her husband came downstairs in his bloodstained underpants with a look of horror on his face. She bit her lip as she asked him what was the matter.
He said, 'honey you were right.' 'All these years you have warned me and I didn't listen to you.'
'What do you mean?' asked his wife.
'Well, you always told me that one day i would end up farting my guts out, and today it finally happened.'
'But by the grace of God, some Vaseline and two fingers. I think i got most of them back in.'
Friday 27 February 2009
Thursday 26 February 2009
New Footprints
| New FOOTPRINTS This new version of the 'footprints' story really caught me off guard at the end...What a blessing. JUST READ IT! FOOTPRINTS...A New Version Imagine you and the Lord Jesus are walking down the road together. For much of the way, the Lord's footprints go along steadily, consistently, rarely varying the pace. But your footprints are a disorganized stream of zigzags, starts, stops, turnarounds, circles, departures, and returns. For much of the way, it seems to go like this, but gradually your footprints come more in line with the Lord's, soon paralleling, His consistently. You and Jesus are walking as true friends! This seems perfect, but then an interesting thing happens: Your footprints that once etched the sand next to Jesus' are now walking precisely in His steps. Inside His larger footprints are your smaller ones, you and Jesus are becoming one. This goes on for many miles, but gradually you notice another change. The footprints inside the large footprints seem to grow larger. Eventually they disappear al together. There is only one set of footprints. They have become one. This goes on for a long time, but suddenly the second set of footprints is back. This time it seems even worse! Zigzags all over the place. Stops. Starts. Gashes in the sand. A variable mess of prints. You are amazed and shocked. Your dream ends. Now you pray: 'Lord, I understand the first scene, with zigzags and fits. I was a new Christian; I was just learning. But You walked on through the storm and helped me learn to walk with You.' 'That is correct.' 'And when the smaller footprints were inside of Yours, I was actually learning to walk in Your steps, following You very closely.' 'Very good.. You have understood everything so far.' When the smaller footprints grew and filled in Yours, I suppose that I was becoming like You in every way.' 'Precisely.' 'So, Lord, was there a regression or something? The footprints separated, and this time it was worse than at first.' There is a pause as the Lord answers, w ith a smile in His voice. 'You didn't know? It was then that we danced!'  To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven: A time to weep, a time to laugh, a time to mourn, and a time to dance. Ecclesiastes 3:1,4. |
A Disappointing Month
Obama's First Month Has Been Marked By Wasteful Spending, Failed Bipartisanship, And Questionable Ethics
President Obama Promised To Slash Earmarks And Stop Wasteful Spending:
President Obama Pledged To "Slash Earmarks." "Slash Earmarks: ... In the past two years, the Democratic Congress has cut earmarks nearly in half, to $17.2 billion in 2008. Obama and Biden are committed to returning earmarks to less than $7.8 billion a year." (Obama For America, Blueprint For Change, www.barackobama.com, p. 20, Accessed 2/19/09)
President Obama: The Stimulus Has No Earmarks. "'I am confident that by the time we have the final package on the floor that we are going to see substantial support, and people are going to see this is a serious effort. It has no earmarks. We are going to be trimming out things that are not relevant to putting people back to work right now,' Obama said." (Douglass K. Daniel, "GOP Leader Doubts Stimulus Bill Will Pass Senate," The Associated Press, 2/2/09)
But President Obama Just Signed An Economic Stimulus Package Full Of Wasteful Spending:
Despite Promises, The Stimulus Is Not Free Of Money For Special Interests. "The compromise stimulus bill adopted by House and Senate negotiators this week is not free of spending that benefits specific communities, industries or groups, despite vows by President Obama that the legislation would be kept clear of pet projects, according to lawmakers, legislative aides and anti-tax groups." (Dan Eggen and Ellen Nakashima, "Despite Pledges, Package Has Some Pork," The Washington Post, 2/13/09)
The Bill Even Includes $30 Million For Salt Marsh Harvest Mice In San Francisco. "Lawmakers and administration officials divulged Wednesday that the $789 billion economic stimulus bill being finalized behind closed doors in Congress includes $30 million for wetlands restoration that the Obama administration intends to spend in the San Francisco Bay Area to protect, among other things, the endangered salt marsh harvest mouse. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi represents the city of San Francisco and has previously championed preserving the mouse's habitat in the Bay Area." (S.A. Miller, "Pelosi's Mo use Slated For $30m Slice Of Cheese," The Washington Times, 2/12/09)
And President Obama Campaigned On The Promise Of Bipartisanship And Said He Wanted Republicans To Vote For His Stimulus Package:
"Obama Has Said He Plans To Work With Republicans To Cut Through Partisan Gridlock That Often Blocks Legislative Progress." (Sabrina Eaton, "Ohioan An Early Obama Critic," [Cleveland] Plain Dealer, 1/29/09)
President Obama Wanted Not Only "Quick Congressional Action" But Also "Significant Numbers Of Republicans" To Vote For The Stimulus. "In pursuit of his twin goals of reviving the economy and transforming the political climate in Washington, President-elect Barack Obama not only wants quick congressional action on his mammoth stimulus package but also wants significant numbers of Republicans to join in voting for it." (James Puzzanghera and Christi Parsons, "Obama Aims For Quick Economic Stimulus, Bipartisan Support," Chicago Tribune, 1/6/09)
But The Stimulus Package Was Not Bipartisan; House Republicans Were Not Even Allowed At The Table When The Bill Was Written:
Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA): We Won The Election, We Wrote The Bill. "Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) parried GOP assaults on Democrats' $825 billion stimulus package Thursday and refused to slow the bill down to give more time for Republican input. 'Yes, we wrote the bill. Yes we won the election, but that doesn't mean we don't want sustainability or Republican support,' Pelosi said." (Steven T. Dennis, "Pelosi Defends Democrats' Vetting Of Stimulus Plan," Roll Call, 1/22/09)
Democrats Rolled Over House Republicans And "Yielded No More Than Necessary" In The Senate To Pass The Stimulus Package. "In the case of the stimulus bill, Democrats used their solid majority to roll over House Republicans and yielded no more than necessary to garner three critical GOP votes in the Senate." (Janet Hook, "Bipartisanship Faces Stiff Test," Chicago Tribune, 2/16/09)
For President Obama, "Urgency Trumps Bipartisanship." "But with the economy in crisis and the stimulus his top priority, [President Obama] also made clear that urgency trumps bipartisanship." (Todd J. Gillman, "Selling The Stimulus Bill President Discovering That Bipartisanship Has Its Limits," The Dallas Morning News, 2/10/09)
And President Obama Pledged Transparency And Openness Before Signing Legislation:
During The Campaign, President Obama Promised To Give The American Public 5 Days To Review Legislation Before Signing Any Bill. "Sunlight Before Signing: Too often bills are rushed through Congress and to the president before the public has the opportunity to review them. As president, Obama will not sign any non-emergency bill without giving the American public an opportunity to review and comment on the White House website for five days." (Obama For America Website, www.barackobama.com, Accessed 2/19/09)
But The Obama Administration Has Failed To Allow The Public 5 Days To Review Legislation It Has Signed:
According To The Nonpartisan PolitiFact, President Obama Did Not Provide 5 Days Before Signing His First Bill, The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. "But the first bill Obama signed into law as president -- the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act -- got no such vetting. In fact, the Congressional Record shows that the law was passed in the Senate on Jan. 22, 2009, passed in the House on Jan. 27, and signed by the president on Jan. 29. So only two days passed between the bill's final passage and the signing." (Angie Drobnic Holan, "Obama Signs First Law Without Web Comment," St. Petersburg Times' "PolitiFact," www.politifact.com, 1/29/09)
* President Obama's Second Bill Signing Occurred Hours After Passed By Congress. "For his second bill, Obama signed an expansion of the State Children's Health Insurance Program, which provides health coverage for low-income children. He signed it on Feb. 4, 2009, just hours after it was finalized in Congress." (Angie Drobnic Holan, "Still No 'Sunlight Before Signing,'" St. Petersburg Times' "PolitiFact," www.politifact.com, 2/4/09)
And During The Campaign, Obama Said Lobbyists Wouldn't Dominate His White House Or Work For Agencies They Used To Lobby:
During His Campaign, President Obama Promised To "Stop The Revolving Door That Lets Onetime Lobbyists Go To Work For The Federal Government." "[O]n the campaign trail, Obama vowed to stop the revolving door that lets onetime lobbyists go to work for the Federal Government and oversee contracts that could harm -- or help -- their former employer." (Mark Thompson, "Obama's Lobbyist Ban Meets A Loophole: William Lynn," Time, 1/27/09)
President Obama Signed An Executive Order Banning Lobbyists From Working For Agencies They Used To Lobby. "And one of the first things the new President did in office was seemingly make good on that promise, signing an Executive Order barring former lobbyists from joining his Administration to work at agencies they recently lobbied." (Mark Thompson, "Obama's Lobbyist Ban Meets A Loophole: William Lynn," Time, 1/27/09)
But President Obama Has Appointed Numerous Former Lobbyists:
President Obama Has Appointed At Least 21 Former Federal Registered Lobbyists, Including Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. "A USA TODAY review of Obama hires shows that 21 have registered as federal lobbyists, although most have not done so within the past two years. They include White House aide Cecilia Munoz, who lobbied last year for the National Council of La Raza, and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, who lobbied in 2007 for a national teachers union." (Fredreka Schouten, "Geithner Names Ex-Lobbyist As Treasury Chief Of Staff," USA< /st1:country-region> Today, 1/27/09)
President Obama Appointed Former Raytheon Lobbyist William Lynn As Deputy Secretary Of Defense. "This year President Barack Obama is putting Raytheon's recently departed top lobbyist in charge of the Pentagon's day-to-day management. ... Not surprisingly, Obama's good-government backers were less than pleased to see the President, only a few days after signing the blanket ban, issue a waiver permitting William Lynn to serve as Deputy Secretary of Defense." (Mark Thompson, "Obama's Lobbyist Ban Meets A Loophole: William Lynn," Time, 1/27/09)
In Addition To These Issues, President Obama Has Had Difficulties Appointing People To Fill Top Positions In His Administration:
"But Mr. Obama Lost Four Nominees To Tax And Other Issues And The Pace Of Appointments Slowed." (Peter Baker, "Obama Team Has Billions To Spend, But Few Ready To Do It," The New York Times, 2/17/09)
Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner Failed To Pay Taxes While Working For The International Monetary Fund. "Timothy Geithner didn't pay Social Security and Medicare taxes for several years while he worked for the International Monetary Fund, and he employed an immigrant housekeeper who briefly lacked proper work papers." (Jonathan Weisman, "Geithner's Tax History Muddles Confirmation," The Wall Street Journal, 1/14/09)
Health And Human Services Secretary Nominee Tom Daschle Withdrew His Nomination After Reports That He Had Failed To Pay Taxes. "Former Sen. Tom Daschle has withdrawn his nomination to head the Department of Health and Human Services, according to a statement Tuesday from the White House. ... Daschle, the former Senate majority leader, apologized Monday for failing to pay his taxes in full. He said earlier he was 'deeply embarrassed' for a series of errors that included failing to report $15,000 in charitable donations, unreported car service and more than $80,000 in unreported income from consulting." (Ed Henry and Kristi Keck, "Daschle Withdraws As HHS Nominee," CNN, 2/3/09)
Nancy Killefer Withdrew Her Nomination For Tax Problems Dating Back To 1995. "They knew about Nancy Killefer's tax problem from 1995, yet they nominated her for a post in the office of management and budget anyway. This morning she withdrew." (Sam Donaldson, Op-Ed, "Sam On What Nominees' Withdrawal Says About Obama," ABC News, 2/3/09)
Commerce Secretary Nominee Bill Richardson Withdrew His Nomination After Reports That State Contracts In New Mexico Were Under Investigation. "First, they knew about Gov. Bill Richardson's potential problem in the New Mexico investigation into state contracts, but they nominated him to be commerce secretary anyway. We eks later, of course, Richardson withdrew." (Sam Donaldson, Op-Ed, "Sam On What Nominees' Withdrawal Says About Obama," ABC News, 2/3/09)
source: www.gop.com
President Obama Promised To Slash Earmarks And Stop Wasteful Spending:
President Obama Pledged To "Slash Earmarks." "Slash Earmarks: ... In the past two years, the Democratic Congress has cut earmarks nearly in half, to $17.2 billion in 2008. Obama and Biden are committed to returning earmarks to less than $7.8 billion a year." (Obama For America, Blueprint For Change, www.barackobama.com, p. 20, Accessed 2/19/09)
President Obama: The Stimulus Has No Earmarks. "'I am confident that by the time we have the final package on the floor that we are going to see substantial support, and people are going to see this is a serious effort. It has no earmarks. We are going to be trimming out things that are not relevant to putting people back to work right now,' Obama said." (Douglass K. Daniel, "GOP Leader Doubts Stimulus Bill Will Pass Senate," The Associated Press, 2/2/09)
But President Obama Just Signed An Economic Stimulus Package Full Of Wasteful Spending:
Despite Promises, The Stimulus Is Not Free Of Money For Special Interests. "The compromise stimulus bill adopted by House and Senate negotiators this week is not free of spending that benefits specific communities, industries or groups, despite vows by President Obama that the legislation would be kept clear of pet projects, according to lawmakers, legislative aides and anti-tax groups." (Dan Eggen and Ellen Nakashima, "Despite Pledges, Package Has Some Pork," The Washington Post, 2/13/09)
The Bill Even Includes $30 Million For Salt Marsh Harvest Mice In San Francisco. "Lawmakers and administration officials divulged Wednesday that the $789 billion economic stimulus bill being finalized behind closed doors in Congress includes $30 million for wetlands restoration that the Obama administration intends to spend in the San Francisco Bay Area to protect, among other things, the endangered salt marsh harvest mouse. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi represents the city of San Francisco and has previously championed preserving the mouse's habitat in the Bay Area." (S.A. Miller, "Pelosi's Mo use Slated For $30m Slice Of Cheese," The Washington Times, 2/12/09)
And President Obama Campaigned On The Promise Of Bipartisanship And Said He Wanted Republicans To Vote For His Stimulus Package:
"Obama Has Said He Plans To Work With Republicans To Cut Through Partisan Gridlock That Often Blocks Legislative Progress." (Sabrina Eaton, "Ohioan An Early Obama Critic," [Cleveland] Plain Dealer, 1/29/09)
President Obama Wanted Not Only "Quick Congressional Action" But Also "Significant Numbers Of Republicans" To Vote For The Stimulus. "In pursuit of his twin goals of reviving the economy and transforming the political climate in Washington, President-elect Barack Obama not only wants quick congressional action on his mammoth stimulus package but also wants significant numbers of Republicans to join in voting for it." (James Puzzanghera and Christi Parsons, "Obama Aims For Quick Economic Stimulus, Bipartisan Support," Chicago Tribune, 1/6/09)
But The Stimulus Package Was Not Bipartisan; House Republicans Were Not Even Allowed At The Table When The Bill Was Written:
Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA): We Won The Election, We Wrote The Bill. "Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) parried GOP assaults on Democrats' $825 billion stimulus package Thursday and refused to slow the bill down to give more time for Republican input. 'Yes, we wrote the bill. Yes we won the election, but that doesn't mean we don't want sustainability or Republican support,' Pelosi said." (Steven T. Dennis, "Pelosi Defends Democrats' Vetting Of Stimulus Plan," Roll Call, 1/22/09)
Democrats Rolled Over House Republicans And "Yielded No More Than Necessary" In The Senate To Pass The Stimulus Package. "In the case of the stimulus bill, Democrats used their solid majority to roll over House Republicans and yielded no more than necessary to garner three critical GOP votes in the Senate." (Janet Hook, "Bipartisanship Faces Stiff Test," Chicago Tribune, 2/16/09)
For President Obama, "Urgency Trumps Bipartisanship." "But with the economy in crisis and the stimulus his top priority, [President Obama] also made clear that urgency trumps bipartisanship." (Todd J. Gillman, "Selling The Stimulus Bill President Discovering That Bipartisanship Has Its Limits," The Dallas Morning News, 2/10/09)
And President Obama Pledged Transparency And Openness Before Signing Legislation:
During The Campaign, President Obama Promised To Give The American Public 5 Days To Review Legislation Before Signing Any Bill. "Sunlight Before Signing: Too often bills are rushed through Congress and to the president before the public has the opportunity to review them. As president, Obama will not sign any non-emergency bill without giving the American public an opportunity to review and comment on the White House website for five days." (Obama For America Website, www.barackobama.com, Accessed 2/19/09)
But The Obama Administration Has Failed To Allow The Public 5 Days To Review Legislation It Has Signed:
According To The Nonpartisan PolitiFact, President Obama Did Not Provide 5 Days Before Signing His First Bill, The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. "But the first bill Obama signed into law as president -- the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act -- got no such vetting. In fact, the Congressional Record shows that the law was passed in the Senate on Jan. 22, 2009, passed in the House on Jan. 27, and signed by the president on Jan. 29. So only two days passed between the bill's final passage and the signing." (Angie Drobnic Holan, "Obama Signs First Law Without Web Comment," St. Petersburg Times' "PolitiFact," www.politifact.com, 1/29/09)
* President Obama's Second Bill Signing Occurred Hours After Passed By Congress. "For his second bill, Obama signed an expansion of the State Children's Health Insurance Program, which provides health coverage for low-income children. He signed it on Feb. 4, 2009, just hours after it was finalized in Congress." (Angie Drobnic Holan, "Still No 'Sunlight Before Signing,'" St. Petersburg Times' "PolitiFact," www.politifact.com, 2/4/09)
And During The Campaign, Obama Said Lobbyists Wouldn't Dominate His White House Or Work For Agencies They Used To Lobby:
During His Campaign, President Obama Promised To "Stop The Revolving Door That Lets Onetime Lobbyists Go To Work For The Federal Government." "[O]n the campaign trail, Obama vowed to stop the revolving door that lets onetime lobbyists go to work for the Federal Government and oversee contracts that could harm -- or help -- their former employer." (Mark Thompson, "Obama's Lobbyist Ban Meets A Loophole: William Lynn," Time, 1/27/09)
President Obama Signed An Executive Order Banning Lobbyists From Working For Agencies They Used To Lobby. "And one of the first things the new President did in office was seemingly make good on that promise, signing an Executive Order barring former lobbyists from joining his Administration to work at agencies they recently lobbied." (Mark Thompson, "Obama's Lobbyist Ban Meets A Loophole: William Lynn," Time, 1/27/09)
But President Obama Has Appointed Numerous Former Lobbyists:
President Obama Has Appointed At Least 21 Former Federal Registered Lobbyists, Including Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. "A USA TODAY review of Obama hires shows that 21 have registered as federal lobbyists, although most have not done so within the past two years. They include White House aide Cecilia Munoz, who lobbied last year for the National Council of La Raza, and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, who lobbied in 2007 for a national teachers union." (Fredreka Schouten, "Geithner Names Ex-Lobbyist As Treasury Chief Of Staff," USA< /st1:country-region> Today, 1/27/09)
President Obama Appointed Former Raytheon Lobbyist William Lynn As Deputy Secretary Of Defense. "This year President Barack Obama is putting Raytheon's recently departed top lobbyist in charge of the Pentagon's day-to-day management. ... Not surprisingly, Obama's good-government backers were less than pleased to see the President, only a few days after signing the blanket ban, issue a waiver permitting William Lynn to serve as Deputy Secretary of Defense." (Mark Thompson, "Obama's Lobbyist Ban Meets A Loophole: William Lynn," Time, 1/27/09)
In Addition To These Issues, President Obama Has Had Difficulties Appointing People To Fill Top Positions In His Administration:
"But Mr. Obama Lost Four Nominees To Tax And Other Issues And The Pace Of Appointments Slowed." (Peter Baker, "Obama Team Has Billions To Spend, But Few Ready To Do It," The New York Times, 2/17/09)
Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner Failed To Pay Taxes While Working For The International Monetary Fund. "Timothy Geithner didn't pay Social Security and Medicare taxes for several years while he worked for the International Monetary Fund, and he employed an immigrant housekeeper who briefly lacked proper work papers." (Jonathan Weisman, "Geithner's Tax History Muddles Confirmation," The Wall Street Journal, 1/14/09)
Health And Human Services Secretary Nominee Tom Daschle Withdrew His Nomination After Reports That He Had Failed To Pay Taxes. "Former Sen. Tom Daschle has withdrawn his nomination to head the Department of Health and Human Services, according to a statement Tuesday from the White House. ... Daschle, the former Senate majority leader, apologized Monday for failing to pay his taxes in full. He said earlier he was 'deeply embarrassed' for a series of errors that included failing to report $15,000 in charitable donations, unreported car service and more than $80,000 in unreported income from consulting." (Ed Henry and Kristi Keck, "Daschle Withdraws As HHS Nominee," CNN, 2/3/09)
Nancy Killefer Withdrew Her Nomination For Tax Problems Dating Back To 1995. "They knew about Nancy Killefer's tax problem from 1995, yet they nominated her for a post in the office of management and budget anyway. This morning she withdrew." (Sam Donaldson, Op-Ed, "Sam On What Nominees' Withdrawal Says About Obama," ABC News, 2/3/09)
Commerce Secretary Nominee Bill Richardson Withdrew His Nomination After Reports That State Contracts In New Mexico Were Under Investigation. "First, they knew about Gov. Bill Richardson's potential problem in the New Mexico investigation into state contracts, but they nominated him to be commerce secretary anyway. We eks later, of course, Richardson withdrew." (Sam Donaldson, Op-Ed, "Sam On What Nominees' Withdrawal Says About Obama," ABC News, 2/3/09)
source: www.gop.com
The End of Obama-Mania
The End of Obama-Mania
By Bill O'Reilly for BillOReilly.com
Thursday, Feb 26, 2009
The TV ratings for February have been tabulated, and in the world of cable news, there is weeping among the left. The two networks that most favor President Obama, CNN and MSNBC, got hammered by the Fox News Channel, which is generally tougher on the president. In fact, Fox News was the third highest prime-time rated cable network in America, behind USA and TNT. CNN was 15th, MSNBC... a dismal 23rd.
Also, unique visitors for the Obama-loving website Daily Kos have declined a whopping 73% since last fall—a disaster. So what's going on?
It all has to do with fear. While President Obama retains a high approval rating, many Americans are flat-out scared about the economy. The recession is bringing massive pain to America, and responsible citizens want the truth about public policy, not partisan cheerleading.
Thus, news operations and websites that have a vested interest in seeing Barack Obama succeed in the White House are not trusted by many news consumers. One look at NBC News, for example, and you know the company line is to help President Obama, not report the unvarnished truth.
Spinning the economy does not really help people whose jobs may be in jeopardy. They need solid information about what is actually happening in order to make difficult decisions on personal spending and, perhaps, seeking new employment in a more secure industry. So, self-protection dictates they secure the most reliable sources of information available.
On the other side, Obama bashing doesn't do the folks much good, either. Why waste time on attacks, when information is what the folks need? I think it's fair to say that this brutal economic downturn took most Americans by surprise. It certainly shocked me. Even though I'm a journalist, I had no idea that mortgage companies were gaming the system by bundling risky loans and selling them to dunces at Lehman Brothers. I was clueless. In hindsight, I should have been more skeptical of the housing bubble.
The point is that concentrating on ideology rather than accumulating information can lead to a distorted view of reality. Much of the media these days is in business to promote a political philosophy rather than to protect the folks by exposing dangerous situations. The watchdog press that the Founders envisioned has been corrupted by ideology.
And so the folks are left to fend for themselves, and they are gravitating toward news agencies that seemingly tell it like it is. Committed left wing newspapers are folding in Seattle, Minneapolis and perhaps in San Francisco. The New York Times had to borrow money from a Mexican guy at 14% interest. The far-left TV news operations are sinking fast.
President Obama still has wide support, but not fanatical support. Most of the folks simply want the truth, even though these days the truth can be hard to handle.
Source: http://www.billoreilly.com
By Bill O'Reilly for BillOReilly.com
Thursday, Feb 26, 2009
The TV ratings for February have been tabulated, and in the world of cable news, there is weeping among the left. The two networks that most favor President Obama, CNN and MSNBC, got hammered by the Fox News Channel, which is generally tougher on the president. In fact, Fox News was the third highest prime-time rated cable network in America, behind USA and TNT. CNN was 15th, MSNBC... a dismal 23rd.
Also, unique visitors for the Obama-loving website Daily Kos have declined a whopping 73% since last fall—a disaster. So what's going on?
It all has to do with fear. While President Obama retains a high approval rating, many Americans are flat-out scared about the economy. The recession is bringing massive pain to America, and responsible citizens want the truth about public policy, not partisan cheerleading.
Thus, news operations and websites that have a vested interest in seeing Barack Obama succeed in the White House are not trusted by many news consumers. One look at NBC News, for example, and you know the company line is to help President Obama, not report the unvarnished truth.
Spinning the economy does not really help people whose jobs may be in jeopardy. They need solid information about what is actually happening in order to make difficult decisions on personal spending and, perhaps, seeking new employment in a more secure industry. So, self-protection dictates they secure the most reliable sources of information available.
On the other side, Obama bashing doesn't do the folks much good, either. Why waste time on attacks, when information is what the folks need? I think it's fair to say that this brutal economic downturn took most Americans by surprise. It certainly shocked me. Even though I'm a journalist, I had no idea that mortgage companies were gaming the system by bundling risky loans and selling them to dunces at Lehman Brothers. I was clueless. In hindsight, I should have been more skeptical of the housing bubble.
The point is that concentrating on ideology rather than accumulating information can lead to a distorted view of reality. Much of the media these days is in business to promote a political philosophy rather than to protect the folks by exposing dangerous situations. The watchdog press that the Founders envisioned has been corrupted by ideology.
And so the folks are left to fend for themselves, and they are gravitating toward news agencies that seemingly tell it like it is. Committed left wing newspapers are folding in Seattle, Minneapolis and perhaps in San Francisco. The New York Times had to borrow money from a Mexican guy at 14% interest. The far-left TV news operations are sinking fast.
President Obama still has wide support, but not fanatical support. Most of the folks simply want the truth, even though these days the truth can be hard to handle.
Source: http://www.billoreilly.com
A New Assault Weapons Ban Will Not Reduce Crime In This Country
A New Assault Weapons Ban Will Not Reduce Crime In This Country
By John R. Lott, Jr.
Author, “Freedomnomics“/Senior Research Scientist, University of Maryland
It is pretty hard to seriously argue that a new so-called “assault weapons” ban would reduce crime in the United States. Even research done for the Clinton Administration couldn’t find that the federal assault weapons ban reduced crime.
There are no academic studies by economists or criminologist that find the original federal assault weapons ban reduced murder or violent crime generally. There is no evidence that the state assault weapons bans reduced murder or violent crime rates –and there’s even some evidence that they may have caused murder to actually rise slightly. Since the federal ban expired in September 2004, murder –and overall violent crime rates– have remained virtually unchanged.
If Holder thinks that it is so easy to control drug gangs’ access to guns, one way to show it is by proving that he can stop drug gangs’ access to drugs.
In fact, when the assault weapons ban went off into the sunset in September 2004 there was no explosion of murder and bloodshed as gun control advocates feared. Immediately after the law expired murder rates fell and they fell more in the states without state assault weapon bans than the states with them.
But yesterday, Attorney General Eric Holder offered a new justification: “I think that will have a positive impact in Mexico, at a minimum.”
Mexico does have a horrible drug gang problem. Despite Mexico’s strenuous efforts, they haven’t been able to stop the flow of drugs into their country on their way to the United States.
The problem is that even if all our guns disappeared in the United States, there is no more reason to expect the flow of guns to Mexico to stop than there is to believe that we can stop the flow of drugs.
The drugs that these gangs sell are extremely valuable. They want to protect these drugs not only from the Mexican government but also from other gangs. Just as these gangs have a huge incentive to smuggle in guns, they have a huge incentive to smuggle in the guns used to protect them.
Even island nations — such as Ireland, Jamaica, and the UK — that can’t remotely begin to blame their crime problems on the United States have seen large increases in murder rates after gun bans at least in part because of increased drug gang violence.
If Holder thinks that it is so easy to control drug gangs’ access to guns, one way to show it is by proving that he can stop drug gangs’ access to drugs. No one should hold their breath for him to accomplish that task.
John Lott is the author of Freedomnomics and a senior research scientist at the University of Maryland.
source: http://foxforum.blogs.foxnews.com/2009/02/26/lott_holder_gun/
By John R. Lott, Jr.
Author, “Freedomnomics“/Senior Research Scientist, University of Maryland
It is pretty hard to seriously argue that a new so-called “assault weapons” ban would reduce crime in the United States. Even research done for the Clinton Administration couldn’t find that the federal assault weapons ban reduced crime.
There are no academic studies by economists or criminologist that find the original federal assault weapons ban reduced murder or violent crime generally. There is no evidence that the state assault weapons bans reduced murder or violent crime rates –and there’s even some evidence that they may have caused murder to actually rise slightly. Since the federal ban expired in September 2004, murder –and overall violent crime rates– have remained virtually unchanged.
If Holder thinks that it is so easy to control drug gangs’ access to guns, one way to show it is by proving that he can stop drug gangs’ access to drugs.
In fact, when the assault weapons ban went off into the sunset in September 2004 there was no explosion of murder and bloodshed as gun control advocates feared. Immediately after the law expired murder rates fell and they fell more in the states without state assault weapon bans than the states with them.
But yesterday, Attorney General Eric Holder offered a new justification: “I think that will have a positive impact in Mexico, at a minimum.”
Mexico does have a horrible drug gang problem. Despite Mexico’s strenuous efforts, they haven’t been able to stop the flow of drugs into their country on their way to the United States.
The problem is that even if all our guns disappeared in the United States, there is no more reason to expect the flow of guns to Mexico to stop than there is to believe that we can stop the flow of drugs.
The drugs that these gangs sell are extremely valuable. They want to protect these drugs not only from the Mexican government but also from other gangs. Just as these gangs have a huge incentive to smuggle in guns, they have a huge incentive to smuggle in the guns used to protect them.
Even island nations — such as Ireland, Jamaica, and the UK — that can’t remotely begin to blame their crime problems on the United States have seen large increases in murder rates after gun bans at least in part because of increased drug gang violence.
If Holder thinks that it is so easy to control drug gangs’ access to guns, one way to show it is by proving that he can stop drug gangs’ access to drugs. No one should hold their breath for him to accomplish that task.
John Lott is the author of Freedomnomics and a senior research scientist at the University of Maryland.
source: http://foxforum.blogs.foxnews.com/2009/02/26/lott_holder_gun/
Wednesday 25 February 2009
March to Socialism - handling cash
February 25, 2009
GLENN: Well, one of the basic assumptions of socialism is that the government is able to handle conducting business better than the private sector. Well, Barack Obama is testing that with a stimulus package. Of course, he did say and so did Geithner that they were going to have to try out new things. Well, here we go. The Washington Post looked up exactly what that means. For example, you hear Barack Obama say the stimulus package is going to help the poor. Well, here's one of the ways that that's supposed to happen. Again think of the logistics of this. Processing the rush of money is complicated by the requirements unique to the stimulus act... this is quoting the post. The Department of Housing and Urban Development is getting $1.5 billion for homelessness prevention, a task in which it has never engaged. I'm just letting that sink in there. Homelessness prevention, $1.5 billion flooding into a government institution to accomplish something it's never even tried before. What could possibly go wrong with your money?
How about this one? The National Endowment For the Arts is receiving $50 million in stimulus money but must use criteria that it does not prioritize it giving out its $122 million in annual funding, whether a particular grant is likely to preserve jobs. Wait a minute. That means assessing the financial health of the arts organizations to determine which might cut back without a grant. Means assessing the financial health of art organizations to determine which would cut back without a grant. So in other words it's like a stress test for the banks except it's for the arts. I'm sure the business geniuses over at the National Endowment For the Arts will be analyzing the proper staffing of individual arts organizations on the fly. We might as well light that $50 million on fire. We can -- you know what? We could. I know it's got a picture of the flag and everything on the back, but that's art. If we're burning it, it's art.
Here's another classic example. The Maryland Energy Administration gets $1 million a year from the federal government to improve energy efficiency. The stimulus act is providing 57 times that amount on top of the $65.million the state is getting to weatherize individual homes. You think there may be a possibility of being overwhelmed when your organization goes from trying to spend a million dollars to between $57 and $122 million with just a flick of the president's pen? You think maybe the structure's not there for that? You are so cynical.
If you're skeptical and you think that it's easy to suddenly handle that flux of cash, just think of every single lottery winner you've ever heard of.
VOICE: That was even more overwhelming evidence that we are destined to be a bunch of socialist pigs very, very soon on the Glenn Beck Program.
Today, Wednesday
Feeling much better my only complaint is the stuffy nose and even that seems tolerable now.
Started a knitting project that I posted the link to in my links section. So far I'm on row 21 and need to complete 39 for the whole pattern, then get to do it again. There were a few mistakes along the way but they are a pair of slippers for Rob and he said keep going don't rip it out. So he'll have one slipper that was a learner and the other will hopefully be as perfect as I can get it. The colours are white and burgundy. I'm getting better at it but think I still prefer crochet as it works up much quicker. I'm just glad I can do both now.
Found another pattern I want to try after I get slippers done. I need to get a new teapot as the one I have is much too small for me and my tea drinking habit. So thought if I got a larger perhaps an 8 cup teapot I could make a cozy for it to keep warm. Think I'll make another one for my Mum as her cozy has seen better days or she can have a spare for when she washes the other one.
Tomorrow or Friday has the potential to be a roadtrip day. Rob has a midterm to work on today and if tomorrow looks as beautiful as it does right now (sunny, clear) he is wanting to go for a road trip to Algonquin Provincial Park. A 5 hour drive, it'd be a day trip for sure. So he wants me to make hamburger buns (the 40-Minute Hamburger Bun recipe I posted) and we'll take a picnic up. I'm thinking it can be a great photo opportunity day. I hope we can go.
This weekend is going to be a write off as he has a midterm project that needs to be completed.
For someone who's trying to be unemployed (LOL) he's not being very unsuccessful. He has applied for 3 executive positions in the area. One being a CFO (like a CEO only in the Finance field) and two controller positions. The CFO looks promising - base salary $100,000 to $120,000 yearly and could live along the lake. *sighs*
Listening to Il Divo's Amazing Grace and no matter how many times I hear that song it sends shivers down my spine. Especially the video they did - sung in the Roman Collesium where Christians were fed to the lions so long ago.
Well, time for me to get off here and get some stuff done want to take advantage of feeling better and get some work done.
Jenn
Started a knitting project that I posted the link to in my links section. So far I'm on row 21 and need to complete 39 for the whole pattern, then get to do it again. There were a few mistakes along the way but they are a pair of slippers for Rob and he said keep going don't rip it out. So he'll have one slipper that was a learner and the other will hopefully be as perfect as I can get it. The colours are white and burgundy. I'm getting better at it but think I still prefer crochet as it works up much quicker. I'm just glad I can do both now.
Found another pattern I want to try after I get slippers done. I need to get a new teapot as the one I have is much too small for me and my tea drinking habit. So thought if I got a larger perhaps an 8 cup teapot I could make a cozy for it to keep warm. Think I'll make another one for my Mum as her cozy has seen better days or she can have a spare for when she washes the other one.
Tomorrow or Friday has the potential to be a roadtrip day. Rob has a midterm to work on today and if tomorrow looks as beautiful as it does right now (sunny, clear) he is wanting to go for a road trip to Algonquin Provincial Park. A 5 hour drive, it'd be a day trip for sure. So he wants me to make hamburger buns (the 40-Minute Hamburger Bun recipe I posted) and we'll take a picnic up. I'm thinking it can be a great photo opportunity day. I hope we can go.
This weekend is going to be a write off as he has a midterm project that needs to be completed.
For someone who's trying to be unemployed (LOL) he's not being very unsuccessful. He has applied for 3 executive positions in the area. One being a CFO (like a CEO only in the Finance field) and two controller positions. The CFO looks promising - base salary $100,000 to $120,000 yearly and could live along the lake. *sighs*
Listening to Il Divo's Amazing Grace and no matter how many times I hear that song it sends shivers down my spine. Especially the video they did - sung in the Roman Collesium where Christians were fed to the lions so long ago.
Well, time for me to get off here and get some stuff done want to take advantage of feeling better and get some work done.
Jenn
Transparent???
President Obama quietly signs Pro-Union Executive Order
February 9, 2009
While everyone is talking about the pork laden stimulus that Obama and many Democrats in Congress are pushing, President Obama very quietly signed a pro union executive order. It ordered the use of union labor for federal construction projects. This is one of the most blatant payoffs ever seen.
Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele has made the following statement.
"President Obama's executive order will drive up the cost of government at a time when we should be doing everything possible to save taxpayer dollars. Federal contracts should go to the businesses that can offer taxpayers the best value - not just the unions who supported the Democrats' campaigns last year. Quietly signing executive orders to payback campaign backers undermines Obama promise to change Washington. It is a disappointment for Americans hoping for more transparency and less politics as usual in Washington."
It is nothing less than a payoff to the unions who supported his campaign with both money and troops. And the fact that it was done with no media coverage shows that he once again is trying to slip one by Americans, which is anything but transparent.
**********************************
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Obama signs 4th pro-union regulation
President Obama on Friday quietly signed an executive order pushing federal construction projects to favor union workers, undoing yet another Bush administration labor rule and generating criticism of political "payback."
The order - a substantial boost to unions - says government contractors should favorably consider "project labor agreements," which carve out jobs for union workers. It overturns President Bush's 2001 order banning PLAs, which had overturned a Clinton order, which had overturned an order from President George H.W. Bush.
Unions said the agreements ensure certainty in both costs and timelines, making them worthwhile for government spending.
"PLAs help build America by ensuring that projects are completed on time and under budget, while turning jobs into careers with good pay, benefits and skills training that open doors to new opportunities for workers and contractors alike," said Terry O'Sullivan, president of Laborers' International Union of North America.
Mr. Obama's order encourages government agencies to use PLAs on projects costing at least $25 million, but unions said it also directs his administration to report back to him on whether he should go further and require PLAs for federal contracts.
Unlike each of the other 10 orders Mr. Obama has signed so far in his young administration, the president signed this one with no fanfare and out of the public eye.
"This executive order encouraging all federal agencies to adopt discriminatory, union-only project labor agreements is a shameless giveaway to Big Labor, which spent over a billion dollars to get Obama and pro-forced-unionism Democrats elected last year," said Stefan Gleason, vice president of the National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation.
Mr. Obama has made extensive use of executive orders to undo Bush administration policies, and on Thursday he promised congressional Democrats he would at some point sign another order overturning Mr. Bush's embryonic stem cell research funding policy.
"I guarantee you that we will sign an executive order for stem cells," Mr. Obama said, according to several sources who heard the president make the promise during a closed-door portion of his meeting with House Democrats in Williamsburg on Thursday night.
Mr. Obama said the timing of the executive order would be coordinated with Congress, and said it was important that Congress also pass a law codifying his order so that a future president couldn't simply reverse the policy.
Among his 11 executive orders so far, Mr. Obama has signed four that aid unions, part of a union-friendly blitz in his early days.
Some observers said he's trying to do all he can for unions now because Democrats are unlikely to be able to deliver on unions' top priority, the Employee Free Choice Act, which would allow unions to form without a secret-ballot vote by workers. Business groups say there are likely enough votes in the Senate to block the measure by filibuster.
PLA supporters said the agreements hold down costs by creating certainty, promoting quality and improving coordination - all benefits Mr. Obama cited in his order.
"It is the policy of the federal government to encourage executive agencies to consider requiring the use of project labor agreements in connection with large-scale construction projects in order to promote economy and efficiency in federal procurement," Mr. Obama said in his order.
Opponents, though, said the agreements can increase costs by as much as 20 percent because of higher union wages.
"Union-only PLAs drive up costs for American taxpayers while unfairly discriminating against 84 percent of U.S. construction workers who choose not to join a labor union," said Kirk Pickerel, president of Associated Builders and Contractors. "All taxpayers should have the opportunity to compete fairly on any project funded by the federal government."
Friday 20 February 2009
Thursday 19 February 2009
i cant bweeb
(LOL) This nasal congestion is driving me up the wall so figure I will be making myself a hot toddy and seeing if it actually works.
Making some headway on my knitting on my first project. It entails a combination of knit stitches and purling. After a few how to videos and visiting a forum to troubleshoot, I'm now off to the races and hope to become proficient at knitting slippers for hubby and I like my Dad's Mum used to. w00t!
Jenn :D
Making some headway on my knitting on my first project. It entails a combination of knit stitches and purling. After a few how to videos and visiting a forum to troubleshoot, I'm now off to the races and hope to become proficient at knitting slippers for hubby and I like my Dad's Mum used to. w00t!
Jenn :D
chills, fevers, sneezing and snowsqualls.
I must have been born under a funny sign because it never fails. I ALWAYS get sick on or around my birthday. Mind you this year wasn't too bad... I just had a dry throat for a good chunk of the day... but the day after (yesterday) my nose couldn't decide if it would run or stop (I would prefer a runny nose to a stuffy one if I had to pick) and at times decided to not let me breathe. Then I couldn't get warm. Then I got hot. ugh.. I never got out of my pajamas at all yesterday. In fact I'm still in them. I went to bed around 9:30 last night to hopefully get some extra rest. That's when the fevers started LOL Was up at 5AM and just stuffy.
I had a nice birthday asides all that though. We had ordered my custom car tags and they came in the mail, I got some stuff to use with the camera so one might say my birthday was celebrated early. My secret sister from Kinettes gave me Lindor chocolate, a 2 piece pajama set (the one I never got out of at all yesterday) and some bath stuff. Mum and Dad surprised me with a new pair of birkenstock sandals. I guess mine were ready to fall apart. Mind you the sole is in great condition it's the artificial leather that was starting to go. Amazing since I've had that particular pair for 6 years. The ones I have now are very pretty. They look like this:
And some more bath stuff. If anything I'll be clean LOL
We're under a snowsquall warning today, they are supposed to intensify by afternoon. Rob was done work early yesterday and was bored out of his mind so he was home by 1:30 pm. I hope that if the weather is sucky he'll be able to get out early this afternoon. I should come up with a shopping list for him. We're nearly out of Orange Juice and need some draino. It seems I shed pretty good and actually clogged the bathroom sink just from brushing my hair. Amazed I'm not bald yet. This snowsquall is predicted to get up to 1cm of snow per hour and it looks like it could last some time also. Looking at the radar map we're on the edge of the system now but it's heading our way.
Well, I'm going to migrate back over to the couch and finish up my tea and make some more. Have a great day everyone!
Jenn
I had a nice birthday asides all that though. We had ordered my custom car tags and they came in the mail, I got some stuff to use with the camera so one might say my birthday was celebrated early. My secret sister from Kinettes gave me Lindor chocolate, a 2 piece pajama set (the one I never got out of at all yesterday) and some bath stuff. Mum and Dad surprised me with a new pair of birkenstock sandals. I guess mine were ready to fall apart. Mind you the sole is in great condition it's the artificial leather that was starting to go. Amazing since I've had that particular pair for 6 years. The ones I have now are very pretty. They look like this:
And some more bath stuff. If anything I'll be clean LOL
We're under a snowsquall warning today, they are supposed to intensify by afternoon. Rob was done work early yesterday and was bored out of his mind so he was home by 1:30 pm. I hope that if the weather is sucky he'll be able to get out early this afternoon. I should come up with a shopping list for him. We're nearly out of Orange Juice and need some draino. It seems I shed pretty good and actually clogged the bathroom sink just from brushing my hair. Amazed I'm not bald yet. This snowsquall is predicted to get up to 1cm of snow per hour and it looks like it could last some time also. Looking at the radar map we're on the edge of the system now but it's heading our way.
Well, I'm going to migrate back over to the couch and finish up my tea and make some more. Have a great day everyone!
Jenn
Sunday 15 February 2009
Friday 13 February 2009
Is It Time to Fire the Government?
Glenn Beck: Is It Time to Fire the Government?
February 13, 2009 - 1:30 ET
The Ninth Principle to show that You Are Not Alone is: The government works for me. Not the other way around.
Let me show you how understanding that principle changes everything.
First, check out this picture with Harry Reid and a couple Republicans after they worked out a compromise spending bill. Doesn't that look just like a giant roulette wheel behind his head? If the government were a regular worker, they probably would have rethought the polar habitat. Instead they are betting on Black 22 and screaming, "Let it ride!"
They are gambling with your future and your children's future.
And how are they going to pay for it? It's not exactly a state secret: They're going to print money, issue debt and raise your taxes.
Back to the principle. If anyone in the government actually held a real job, they would know not to ask for a raise right now.
You know not to go to your boss when times are tough and ask for more money; you go when times are good. You don't say, "Hey, I noticed that you've been laying off a lot of people lately. Does that mean more money for me?"
Instead, you have President Obama and Chris Dodd in your office demanding more money to pay for illegal immigrants, to add back in the welfare that President Clinton rolled back in the mid-'90s, planting the seeds for universal health care and a tax break of $13 dollars a week -- or about $600 in a year.
A very smart woman said something that perfectly sums that up: "You're getting $600. What can you do with that?... You go out and you buy a pair of earrings."
Although, she may regret having said that. Because that was Michelle Obama, talking about the Bush tax cuts last summer.
Back to the Nine Principles: You are the boss. The government is not just asking for a raise, but demanding one -- when the economy is going down the crapper.
If Chris Dodd comes into my office and says he has ideas that will help the company make money, I'll listen. And if he demands a raise, I'll gently explain to him the financial mess we're in.
But if he comes in and suggests things that will actually hurt the company, while also demanding more money, I don't know about you, but I would say "Get the hell out of my office! No actually, don't just get out. You're fired!"
Source: http://www.glennbeck.com/content/articles/article/198/21434/
Monday 9 February 2009
Some things you just can't explain (Funny)
A farmer is sitting in the neighborhood bar getting soused.
A man comes in and asks the farmer, 'Hey, why are you sitting here on this beautiful day getting drunk?'
Farmer: Some things you just can't explain.
Man: So what happened that's so horrible?
Farmer: Well, today I was sitting by my cow milking her. Just as I got the bucket about full, she took her left leg and kicked over the bucket.
Man: OK, but that's not so bad.
Farmer: Some things you just can't explain.
Man: So what happened then?
Farmer: I took her left leg and tied it to the post on the left.
Man: and then?
Farmer: Well, I sat back down and continued to milk her, just as I got the bucket about full, she took her right leg and kicked over the bucket.
Man: Again?
Farmer: Some things you just can't explain.
Man: So... What did you do then?
Farmer: I took her right leg this time and tied it to the post on the right.
Man: and then?
Farmer: Well I sat back down and started milking her again. Just as I got the bucket about full, the stupid cow knocked over the bucket with her tail.
Man: Hmmm....
Farmer: Some things you just can't explain.
Man: So what did you do?
Farmer: Well, I didn't have anymore rope, so I took off my belt and tied her tail to the rafter. In that moment, my pants fell down and my wife walked in..........
Me Day
Worked a lot this weekend on getting dishes done, laundry somewhat caught up (doing the last little bit right now) and getting websites done (got paid $200 w00t!) I think I'm going to have a nice slower day.
I have one cake to do in HLC for Misty her birthday is on the 28th. Lizz is apparently doing mine (ut oh LOL)
Rob left for work around 9:15 this morning and I had my shower afterwards. Currently my hair is still wrapped up in a towel drying.
Temp is 42ºF niiiice :) Made a batch suet yesterday following a recipe my friend Julie gave me. So far no takers but it will probably take time.
Have a great day everyone :)
Jenn
I have one cake to do in HLC for Misty her birthday is on the 28th. Lizz is apparently doing mine (ut oh LOL)
Rob left for work around 9:15 this morning and I had my shower afterwards. Currently my hair is still wrapped up in a towel drying.
Temp is 42ºF niiiice :) Made a batch suet yesterday following a recipe my friend Julie gave me. So far no takers but it will probably take time.
Have a great day everyone :)
Jenn
Sunday 8 February 2009
Bullied boy hit back, court told
For two years, he was bullied, physically and verbally, by other kids at school.
He had been battling with depression and anxiety and was receiving psychological help from The Hospital for Sick Children. But, he reached his breaking point.
It's not that he wanted to kill anyone, he told police. He just wanted to scare them like they scared him.
This was the picture Crown attorney Barboura Ferns painted in a Jarvis St. youth courtroom yesterday while a 12-year-old boy accused of pointing a gun at his teacher sat in the prisoner's box.
Cops were called to Runnymede Junior and Senior Public School on Runnymede Rd., north of Bloor St., around 10 a.m. Thursday.
BAYONET
About 10 minutes after class had started, a boy walked into his Grade 7 classroom, apologized for interrupting and told the class not to panic, Ferns alleged.
A bayonet with a 25-cm, double-edged blade was pulled out, waved around and pointed at the teacher and students. The teacher pleaded for the boy to put down the weapon while another kid said, "Come on man, do it."
The comment was relayed to police by the accused, so it wasn't clear whether it was meant to egg him on or encourage him to drop the weapon.
"Shut up," Ferns alleged the boy said.
The bayonet was placed on a desk. Then a gun was pulled out -- a .32 calibre revolver with a plugged barrel and welded trigger. It was inoperable.
Again, the teacher pleaded with him to put down the weapon, and he did, before he walked into the hallway and began to cry, Ferns said.
A pipe wrench, firecrackers, boxcutter and folding knife the boy allegedly brought in a box weren't pulled out.
He was charged with two counts of weapons dangerous, possession of a prohibited weapon, unauthorized possession of a firearm, careless storage of a firearm and pointing a firearm.
The baby-faced boy with blond hair and rosy cheeks sat quietly yesterday while the allegations against him were read out.
He was granted bail on conditions that included staying away from the school and his teacher and continuing to receive counselling under his parents' direction.
"We're just upset and distraught," was all his father could say.
PROGRAMS IN PLACE
Runnymede principal Amelia Dennis assured that her school has several anti-bullying initiatives in place, including programs run by police liaison officers, social workers and guidance counsellors.
"Obviously, we can only act on what is being shared with us," Dennis said. "I really can't give a blanket statement on how each (bullying) case is being dealt with, but we do have a procedure in place."
Local trustee Irene Atkinson refused to comment.
"The situation ... raises a lot of questions again and it's always good to review procedures and to see what else can be done," superintendent Manon Gardner said.
"We will be debriefing again, certainly on Monday, and then most likely weekly to say, okay, what else can be done, what else can we put in place?"
He had been battling with depression and anxiety and was receiving psychological help from The Hospital for Sick Children. But, he reached his breaking point.
It's not that he wanted to kill anyone, he told police. He just wanted to scare them like they scared him.
This was the picture Crown attorney Barboura Ferns painted in a Jarvis St. youth courtroom yesterday while a 12-year-old boy accused of pointing a gun at his teacher sat in the prisoner's box.
Cops were called to Runnymede Junior and Senior Public School on Runnymede Rd., north of Bloor St., around 10 a.m. Thursday.
BAYONET
About 10 minutes after class had started, a boy walked into his Grade 7 classroom, apologized for interrupting and told the class not to panic, Ferns alleged.
A bayonet with a 25-cm, double-edged blade was pulled out, waved around and pointed at the teacher and students. The teacher pleaded for the boy to put down the weapon while another kid said, "Come on man, do it."
The comment was relayed to police by the accused, so it wasn't clear whether it was meant to egg him on or encourage him to drop the weapon.
"Shut up," Ferns alleged the boy said.
The bayonet was placed on a desk. Then a gun was pulled out -- a .32 calibre revolver with a plugged barrel and welded trigger. It was inoperable.
Again, the teacher pleaded with him to put down the weapon, and he did, before he walked into the hallway and began to cry, Ferns said.
A pipe wrench, firecrackers, boxcutter and folding knife the boy allegedly brought in a box weren't pulled out.
He was charged with two counts of weapons dangerous, possession of a prohibited weapon, unauthorized possession of a firearm, careless storage of a firearm and pointing a firearm.
The baby-faced boy with blond hair and rosy cheeks sat quietly yesterday while the allegations against him were read out.
He was granted bail on conditions that included staying away from the school and his teacher and continuing to receive counselling under his parents' direction.
"We're just upset and distraught," was all his father could say.
PROGRAMS IN PLACE
Runnymede principal Amelia Dennis assured that her school has several anti-bullying initiatives in place, including programs run by police liaison officers, social workers and guidance counsellors.
"Obviously, we can only act on what is being shared with us," Dennis said. "I really can't give a blanket statement on how each (bullying) case is being dealt with, but we do have a procedure in place."
Local trustee Irene Atkinson refused to comment.
"The situation ... raises a lot of questions again and it's always good to review procedures and to see what else can be done," superintendent Manon Gardner said.
"We will be debriefing again, certainly on Monday, and then most likely weekly to say, okay, what else can be done, what else can we put in place?"
Monday 2 February 2009
Good Night
Sweet dreams everyone, I'm going to migrate to the couch for awhile and then to bed.
Jenn :D
Jenn :D
Stats
In my quit group we just had a round of people sharing their quit stats so thought I'd toss mine in here while I had the meter open.
I quit smoking One year, seven months, one week, five days, 23 hours, 1 minute and 5 seconds ago. I have saved $3,391.96 by not smoking 11879 cigarettes. I have also saved 5 weeks, 6 days, 5 hours, 55 minutes of my life that I would have otherwise spent smoking a cigarette. My quit date was June 20th, 2007 at 4:43 pm.
I quit smoking One year, seven months, one week, five days, 23 hours, 1 minute and 5 seconds ago. I have saved $3,391.96 by not smoking 11879 cigarettes. I have also saved 5 weeks, 6 days, 5 hours, 55 minutes of my life that I would have otherwise spent smoking a cigarette. My quit date was June 20th, 2007 at 4:43 pm.
Got up to 47ºF today!
I couldn't believe it I thought I was seeing things when I saw the thermometer read 47ºF today. It's back down to 35ºF now but the sun has been shining all day which is very nice to see.
Got a bunch of housework done, caught up on the weekend dishes and now working at the laundry.
It was so nice out yesterday that Rob and I hopped in the car and drove to Elora. Very pretty and quiet this time of year. Photos still on the camera but plan on emptying the card soon and will share.
Have some website updates for Paddyfest and think I'll do that this evening. For now I'm all caught up on mail (dating from Jan 31) and fixing to make myself a snack and work at some knitting which I've recently taken up. It's a lot different from crocheting that's for sure LOL
Have a nice afternoon everyone.
Jenn :D
Got a bunch of housework done, caught up on the weekend dishes and now working at the laundry.
It was so nice out yesterday that Rob and I hopped in the car and drove to Elora. Very pretty and quiet this time of year. Photos still on the camera but plan on emptying the card soon and will share.
Have some website updates for Paddyfest and think I'll do that this evening. For now I'm all caught up on mail (dating from Jan 31) and fixing to make myself a snack and work at some knitting which I've recently taken up. It's a lot different from crocheting that's for sure LOL
Have a nice afternoon everyone.
Jenn :D
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