Thursday, July 29, 2010
Comments (60)
Showing 1-50 of 60
Max,
You had a post on here about the Republican opposition to the Disclosure Act but you failed to mention the opposition by the AFL-CIO. In a letter to the Senate the AFL-CIO said: ""The Senate bill imposes extraordinary new, costly, and impractical record-keeping and reporting obligations on thousands of labor (and other non-profit) organizations, with regard to routine inter-affiliate payments that bear little or no connection about federal elections"
This was a bad bill to start with, including it's exemptions for certain organizations.
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Since about the only bank robbery photos you ever see on here are from L.R. now let's help track down a noon (today) bank robbery in Fayetteville. Chris Spencer at Ozarks Unbound does the good deed:
http://www.ozarksunbound.com/bank-robber-p…
"Fayetteville Police Chief Greg Tabor announced today that the Fayetteville Police Department is investigating the robbery of a local bank.
At approximately 12:00 P.M., Fayetteville police officers responded to a report of a robbery at First Federal Bank at 3460 North College Avenue. Bank employees reported a man came into the bank, presented a note and demanded money. The man left the bank with an undisclosed amount of currency. No vehicle was seen.
Surveillance photographs from the bank are included in this news release. Anyone with information is asked to call the Fayetteville Police Department at 479-587-3555 or the Federal Bureau of Investigation at 479-443-3181.
I somehow have have found myself on Boobman's email newsletter and it has a photo of him receiving an award from the Club for Growth, the Republican organization that works on the premise that rich people should have to pay taxes at all (because afterall, they are RICH people):
"
"The Club for Growth recognized Congressman Boozman for his support of economic growth with its Defender of Economic Freedom award."
How can you get an award for doing nothing? Sort of the Republican example of the workman leaning on a shovel and watching the rest of the group actual work to finish a job.
Top 5 Social Security Myths
Myth #1: Social Security is going broke.
Reality: There is no Social Security crisis. By 2023, Social Security will have a $4.6 trillion surplus (yes, trillion with a 'T'). It can pay out all scheduled benefits for the next quarter-century with no changes whatsoever.1 After 2037, it'll still be able to pay out 75% of scheduled benefits—and again, that's without any changes. The program started preparing for the Baby Boomers' retirement decades ago.2 Anyone who insists Social Security is broke probably wants to break it themselves.
Myth #2: We have to raise the retirement age because people are living longer.
Reality: This is a red-herring to trick you into agreeing to benefit cuts. Retirees are living about the same amount of time as they were in the 1930s. The reason average life expectancy is higher is mostly because many fewer people die as children than they did 70 years ago.3 What's more, what gains there have been are distributed very unevenly—since 1972, life expectancy increased by 6.5 years for workers in the top half of the income brackets, but by less than 2 years for those in the bottom half.4 But those intent on cutting Social Security love this argument because raising the retirement age is the same as an across-the-board benefit cut.
Myth #3: Benefit cuts are the only way to fix Social Security.
Reality: Social Security doesn't need to be fixed. But if we want to strengthen it, here's a better way: Make the rich pay their fair share. If the very rich paid taxes on all of their income, Social Security would be sustainable for decades to come.5 Right now, high earners only pay Social Security taxes on the first $106,000 of their income.6 But conservatives insist benefit cuts are the only way because they want to protect the super-rich from paying their fair share.
Myth #4: The Social Security Trust Fund has been raided and is full of IOUs
Reality: Not even close to true. The Social Security Trust Fund isn't full of IOUs, it's full of U.S. Treasury Bonds. And those bonds are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States.7 The reason Social Security holds only treasury bonds is the same reason many Americans do: The federal government has never missed a single interest payment on its debts. President Bush wanted to put Social Security funds in the stock market—which would have been disastrous—but luckily, he failed. So the trillions of dollars in the Social Security Trust Fund, which are separate from the regular budget, are as safe as can be.
Myth #5: Social Security adds to the deficit
Reality: It's not just wrong—it's impossible! By law, Social Security's funds are separate from the budget, and it must pay its own way. That means that Social Security can't add one penny to the deficit.
http://www.eoionline.org/retirement_securi…
http://www.newdeal20.org/2010/06/14/to-def…
My wife retires tomorrow after 30+ years on the job. Pension and social security (thanks eL for the SS news) begins next month. Anyway, here are a few funnies in her honor tonight:
Memory Test
Three elderly men, Eddie, Jenkin and Martin men go to the doctor's for their memory test. It's a miracle they remembered the appointment! Anyway, the doctor begins by asking Eddie, "What is five times five?"
"191," is his reply.
The doctor rolls his eyes and looks up at the ceiling, and says to Jenkin, "It's your turn. What is five times five?"
"Wednesday," replies Jenkin man.
The doctor shakes his head sadly, then asks the third man, "Okay Martin it's your turn. What's five times five?"
"Twenty five," says Martin.
"That's great!" says the doctor. "How did you get your answer?"
"Easy," says Martin, "just subtract 191 from Wednesday."
Priceless Antique?
Claire, after retiring from a busy life in business, travels around the country visiting antique shops trying to find bargains.
One day she goes to an antique shop in Stratford upon Avon, England. Here, Claire speaks to Victoria, the shop's owner, 'When I was in here last week I saw a big mug with a flat head that holds a lot of beer. I'd like to buy it.'
'Sorry,' replied Victoria, 'but I can't possibly sell you that.'
'Oh, what a pity, but why not?' inquired Claire.
'Because,' said the owner, 'that's my husband.'
Quote
Imagination was given to man to compensate him for what he is not. A sense of humor was provided to console him for what he is.
— Horace Walpole
elwood, the social security trust fund doesn't exist. It is not filled with money but IOUs that are backed by Treasury Securities that depend on the government to make them good. Don't be silly and lie to these people giving them a false sense of security. That is irresponsible. I suspect what the government will end up doing out of desperation is to 'confiscate' private pensions and 401 (k)s.
Harvey,
I'm not trying to start a debate with you, and I won't comment whatever your answer (although I can't speak for others). I'm curious -- if the presidential election were today, who would you favor? If you tell me it's none of my business ... I'd agree with you.
Frankly, that is a very good question. I will not vote for the usual suspects----Gingrich(ugh), Huckster, McCain (can't think of anyone else). I really don't know. No one rings my chimes except maybe Paul Ryan but he isn't likely. I'm still locked into Reagan. I think Jindal is on the horizon but not yet. Larry Sabato knows politics but not as a candidate. I'm rambling cause I really don't know.
Jake, congratulations to your wife (and you). May you both enjoy a long retirement.
Harvey, you forgot your hero Palin. Can you imagine that clan in the White House?
Why is anyone engaging this fraud Horvey? He still hasn't had the gumption to answer my policy questions from a few nights back. Why? Because he isn't about solutions, he's just about taking random snipes from the sidelines.
Still waiting, Horvey.
Okay; thanks, Harvey. I'm guessing you're representative of a pretty good chunk of the Republican party; that's the reason I asked. Doesn't sound like Palin, Jeb Bush or Romney exactly excite you either.
No, none of them. I am an Independent not a Republican. From my point of view, we are going through a period of a dearth of leadership. Nothing rings my chimes.
>>elwood, the social security trust fund doesn't exist. It is not filled with money but IOUs that are backed by Treasury Securities that depend on the government to make them good.<<
Harv-freddo-succo-strange, what you fail to understand is that banks across this nation and the WORLD are filled with Treasury Securities that depend upon the gubmint to make them good. Numerous corporations, trusts and estates also hold U.S. Treasury notes.
You think all the cash you and thousands of others may have in CDs at the local bank is actually at the bank?
Grow up a little Harv-freddo-succo-strange. We live in a world of bookkeeping entries backed up by contractual agreements.
.
There is a note on page 1 of the ARDemGaz (or DoG) about the Highway Department holding a meeting to discuss improvements (translate=more lanes) to I-40 between Conway and Little Rock. How about some data on how many of those cars are driving from Conway to Little Rock to just sit on paved over ground until they can be driven back out again?
We need to think a little bit about whether more lanes really solves a problem or just moves the problem to exchanges with I-30, I-430, and the I-430/I630 interchange? Maybe it is time to look at alternative ways of moving people without also moving 2000 lb of steel at the same time. Light rail could move down the median on I-40 and make use of the space before someone decides that it would be the place for a medium-level prison. Gas prices are going to keep rising and sooner or later we will need to face this issue before we end up paving most of Little Rock for parking lots.
Jake, give our warm wishes to your better half. I just read your "memory test" joke to sweetie and she cracked up! She works with the deranged almost daily and has to remind them that not everything blasting away on FOX TV in their rooms is the absolute truth. FOX keeps the elderly scared to hell while the nurses must find ways to calm and soothe them.
zelda, Sound Policy, and other hummingbird lovers, it looks as though Harvey (with help from some of the regulars) is about to take over yet another Open Line.
So before the thread goes entirely to hell I wanted to tell you that a snow-white hummingbird has showed up at a residence in DeQueen, and has been there several days.
Folks at the Audubon Society hope to band it. They say there are about four Arkansas sightings of these unusual beauties every year.
I’ve seen a photo of the DeQueen bird, but don’t know how to post it here; however, on the link below, you can see one that’s identical to it.
A bobcat in the wild and a white hummingbird --- two things I’ve never seen in the Natural State but know are here.
PS: I’m told there’s no such thing as an albino hummer. The whites are just flukes that crop up from time to time. Yet another wonder of Mother Nature.
http://www.hiltonpond.org/images/RTHULeuci…
The highway department builds highways. That is what they do. They will support light rail about the time hell freezes over, unfortunately.
I-40 is covered up with 18-wheelers. That cargo could move just as well by train. Can you imagine being able to drive to Memphis and not fight big trucks the entire way? Wow, how great that would be.
It sure would be somethin' to see one of those little guys, Durango. It never even occured to me that was possible.
congrats to Mrs. Jake. enjoyed the funnies.
we dont have a white hummingbird but we do have a family of hummingbird moths next door. I've never seen them before. they have a beak like a hummingbird (duh) but it can bend without breaking. They're just a little bit smaller than a hummingbird and come to visit my neighbor's 4 o'clocks and .... morning glories? I forget. would love to see a white hummingbird, I didnt know they existed.
Elwood, Banks, unlike the federal government, have to keep a certain ratio of capital to liabilities. The feds can just spend, borrow, spend, borrow without ANY regard to that ratio. They can do things that are illegal for the private sector to do. The money isn't there, pal. When baby boomers start withdrawing they will eventually come up dry so the government will simply monetize the debt. Do you understand what that means?
durango, I posted the 5 Myths about S.S. in part to inform and in part to bait ol strange cause I knew he couldn't resist taking my bait. It works both ways.
Here's some more "bait":
Shirley, bloggers recall all the claims that the mortgage meltdown was due to Barney Frank's gay lover, Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae misdeeds? If you don't just google AT/blog Fannie Mae and you will find numerous posts by strange of how the entire thing is the fault of those two organizations plus Barney Frank.
Now, here's one worthy of a bookmarks about the housing boom and bust that will take about 2 minutes of seeing/hearing your favorite conning Amurikin going on how important it is to use "taxpayer's money" to get those pesky down payments out of the way.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNqQx7sjoS8…
>>Banks, unlike the federal government, have to keep a certain ratio of capital to liabilities. The feds can just spend, borrow, spend, borrow without ANY regard to that ratio. They can do things that are illegal for the private sector to do. The money isn't there, pal.<<
Just who was it that bailed out the local failed banks? You know, those banks that had or were supposed to have a "certain ratio" of capital to liabilities.???
Gee, let's say it together. It was government!! Government bails out banks that cannot remain solvent no matter the "ratio" of capital.
Wonder who those depositors depended upon to bail them out when "certain ratios" failed? GOVERNMENT. That the same GOVERNMENT that you don't trust to pay Social Security. I do. When was the last time the federal government reneged on a trust instrument?
The banks don't have your money, pal. They all got it invested in Government Securities.
HHW and Tina, what I really want to see is a bobcat in the wild. As long, however, as the thing doesn’t get a notion (due to rabies or whatever) to chase me down. They’re elusive and seldom seen by hunters, but I’ve seen game-camera footage of what appeared to be a 30-pound bobcat taking down a small deer in the White River bottoms. Not a particularly pretty sight.
eLwood, you mischievous devil, we’re gonna have to stand you in the corner.
Congratulations to Mrs. Jake!
Durango--who knew that a white hummingbird even existed. Thanks for the picture!
Well, Durango, I'll just leave that bobcat spotting to you and instead keep a watch for the little white hummer. I'm pretty sure it's a lot safer and that the hummer won't come pouncing and try to rip out my throat.
Oh, but wait....do hummingbirds get rabies?
I'm in the corner boss. Not even playin with my self either.
Meant to mention earlier, before I was 'baitin' to say that I have seen a bobcat in the wilds of Hot Springs and I have seen a panther in the wilds of the Little Missouri River.
During my youth dad took us camping every summer for about 6 years to Camp Albert Pike. You could hear the big cats scream at night. So one day my uncle and dad decided to track one and we did. We lost it on a sheer cliff above the river but about sundown one of us spotted the big 'yeller' cat crossing the river about 200 yds from us. It was a sight I shall never forget. Cats do swim.
Bobcats are plentiful in neighboring Madison County. My two lebo friends built them a wonderful getaway-survival cabin over there and have seen at least a couple of bobcats. She keeps promising a night pic as soon as her remote-controlled cam is installed.
White Hummingbird sounds like a new strain of White Widow, ha. I'd love to see one, and a bobcat, too. We've been pretty lax on the hummingbird feeding over here this year. I have heard what I think was a cougar scream one night. Scary enough that my dogs even came up and got on the porch.
Don't you just love technology?
I just got an IM from WBW on the other side of the globe. It's early morning over there and she's not looking forward to the mandatory PT (physical training), though she runs circles around everybody - including the guys.
She's also dreading it because she knows she'll run into a guy that's been relentless in his pursuit of her. I told her just to tell him that she had a "boyfriend'' back home, but she refuses. WBW absolutely hates playing games (which is one of the reasons I love her so).
I had to miss the blog girls dinner the other night because I had a prior commitment with some former neighbors who became dear friends.
Not to beat the L horse in the ground, but yes, it was an L couple. They've been together for 22 years and have taught me a thing or two about lasting relationships (they shook their heads in disappointment at the girlfriend I had before I met WBW).
This couple is as good as gold and could teach us all about commitment. One is in her late 40s and is the picture of health. The other is in her mid-50s but has had a myriad of health issues for the last 3-4 years. They don't socialize very often so I jumped at the chance when they were open to dinner.
Despite ALL the obstacles, their bond has gotten stronger. They dote on each other like no other couple I've seen. I want us (WBW & me) to be them when we grow up.
It makes me chuckle when the anti-gay groups love to portray us as over-sexed, chandelier-swinging, heathens who are just living for the moment. I wish they could meet my friends.
The L diary is concluded for the night:)
I’m not going to congratulate Jake’s wife because I’m jealous. Have about decided to cut back on work, myself, though: Thinking about not working on any day that ends with a Y.
Not surprised that you and your dad spotted a panther or cougar in the Hot Springs area, eL. A year or two ago there were several sightings of one in the city proper over there.
The boys and girls with the AGFC promptly dismissed the reports, of course, saying “No way. We don’t have those things in Arkansas.” Everybody knows AGFC is full of it. So many sightings all over the state; all denied by the AGFC.
Roland, the hummers are drinking me out of house and home this summer. I’m having to refill the feeders every other day. The folks next door say it’s the same with them. I’m not complaining, though; love the little guys and gals.
Bumper sticker seen today at Rodney Parham and Brookside in LR:
I’m Suicidal and Killed My Twin Sister By Mistake
>>I told her just to tell him that she had a "boyfriend'' back home, but she refuses.<<
Give the girl an engagement ring. It wouldn't be dishonest and she need not tell to whom she is engaged.
stj,
Years from now some young woman will be posting on the cyberhologram- mindnet, and she'll tell her friends about the amazing old married couple she knows, and how brilliantly their love shines after all these years.
Fortunately (or unfortunately), you and your WBW will not be up on the latest technology and will not read her cyberhologram-mindnet post about you.
But if you did, it would remind you of tonight.
You're a dear man, Tap. I hope this doesn't throw a monkey-wrench in our ongoing blog affair. I would be truly hurt, especially with football season just a month away. Please don't leave me for at least the next 8 1/2 months! I beg you.
And, eL, we both wear wedding bands (we're way past the "engagement'' charade). I, on my left hand, and she on her right because she can't raise suspicion. The girl's got way too much invested to be thrown out now.
Sister--WBW doesn't have to lie. She can just say she isn't interested because she is seriously involved with someone at home and leave it at that.
We missed you at blog girl's night out!
Durango--it sounds like a good retirement plan!
Roland, speaking of White Widow this should be one helluva year, eh.
Where are you located again?
I think so, too, NVR! I'll keep ya posted. Maybe I'll then have time to attend the blog girls' nights out. Perhaps Tap and some of the other guys will come along, too. The "all girls" thing is gender discriminatory, ya know, and ya need to let us boys fix that.
The only bobcat I ever saw in the wild was in Big Bend. I was amazed at how small the critter was -- not much bigger than a house cat. Small enough that I wanted to go poking around in the brush to get another look until a friend pointed out that Mama might just be bigger.
Cougar? Big Bend too. Stuffed, but definitely big enough that I said no thanks on hiking the mountain trails.
Now a few years back, we kept hearing an ungodly squall at night right here on the old home place. Just knew we had a cougar around. Just knew it. Made sure the little dog we had then didn't venture outside alone and carried a gun when I went to the barn, shivering the whole time.
A neighbor told me it was nothing but a lost, squalling fawn. I'm still not sure whether to believe him.
eL, not surprised you would find suh an erroneous site to prop up the fiction of SS solvency. Like the treasury bonds and our money, it is faith based, without even as much factual support as the Flying Spaghetti Monster. I will refernece a few books for a more full and factual basis on the problems with SS. Open line, though, is too nice, right now, to do that.
STJ, glad you had a good, quiet, friendly evening. Like you, I have seen the crazed straights with their wild notions of how those 'others' live. They haven't a clue. A friend who was widowed, met me when he tried to pick me up. He was a she, then, and I politely demured, but started chatting her up. She told me of how her man of 30+ years died. Their families were not at the funeral, so I heard of how their only had each other because they meant what they said when they said they loved each other forever. I listenedand felt pity. Not for the delightful young woman who would go to work tomorrow as a man, but for the discussions people missed having with this facinating human being just because f some notion and much prejudice. We hung out a lot, me flying wing when she didn't want attention, or when some troglodyte would get too aggressive.
Love is Love, for Pete's sake, why not let other enjoy it without being violent reactionaries? STJ, you are blessed, if after so much heartahce, you have finally found the One. Damn, took me 40 years to find the right one, and in the meantime, I did get to raise a beautiful, thoughtful, dependable and independant daughter while with Ms. Wrong. Still, after hiding my soul for so long, it feels nice to share, laugh, love to FEEL again.
Thanks for sharing, Sista, have yourself a wonderful weekend. Think thoughts of such winsome delight that your WBW gets warm fuzzies in her neck of the desert. As for WBWs parasite, she might simply tell him, forcefully, that she is TAKEN! She doesn't have to be specific, just emphatic.
Take care, all of you.
>>refernece
Hey dumb ass. When you see your term underlined in red it means you misspelled it.
I rarely take book recommendations from a parts clerk.
Lap dancers in Vegas are reporting that earnings are down fifty per cent.
Know what you get for that? A half-assed dance.
Leno
Durango, take a cold shower, friend.
I remember seeing bobcats twice out on the northwest side of Lake Maumelle off Hwy 113 when I was a kid back in the 60's. Beautiful animals, but probably not as beautiful as your white hummer.
eL, you may have fed the troll, but your trap was entertaining.
Gee, steven, all of life is kind of faith based, don't you think?
Durango & others, there are some hummingbird banders at Cook's Lake with an offer you maybe can't refuse (this was posted July 12 on ARBIRD, the bird listserv run by the U of A Fayetteveille):
We are finishing up our summer workshops at Cooks Lake and preparing for our hummingbird programs that will begin in August. If anyone is interested they can contact either Tana or myself at 870-241-3373 or e-mail me at dmmcswain@agfc.state.ar.us. If you would like you can come in on a Monday or Wednesday with the program being given on Tuesdays and Thursdays and spend the night in our Lodge. We will offer a dinner, country breakfast and lunch. To cover the cost of meals we will need to charge for an overnight stay and the meals. The program and banding demonstrations are at no charge. We can also offer just a day trip with lunch being furnished for five dollars per person. If you choose an overnight stay it will be fifty dollars per person. If you choose the overnight stay we would need at lease 6 people to come at one time and no more than 12. Thanks, and if interested get in contact with us. Don
The facilities at Cook's Lake were purchased by the Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation (I think). It used to be an exclusive hunting club with lodge and terrific grounds. If you've never been there, you owe it to yourself. You have to have an offer or invite like this to visit Cook's Lake. You'll thank me afterward.
Here are two other hummingbird links posted on ARBIRD recently:
1) a general site that tracks hummingbirds in spring and fall is: http://www.learner.org/jnorth/
2) a specific site on mostly Ruby-throats is: http://www.hummingbirds.net/
Ruby-throat hummingbirds are migrating south through Arkansas now and being banded and seen in large numbers. So keep fresh sugar water (1/4 cup sugar to 1 cup water, microwave to a boil and then let cool- store extra in the frig) in those feeders. In this heat it will go bad every few days if not consumer by hummers. Take care of these incredible creatures. And be on the lookout for vagrant hummers all year round. Keep a feeder up in the winter time and report any hummers you see to either:
arbirds.org (Arkansas Audubon Society) or ascabird.org (Audubon Society of Central Arkansas)
eLwood,
Don't be so sure about Social Security. Last week I read that one of Obama's advisors was calling for some of the money to be invested in Wall Street because of the lack of interest from U.S. Treasury Bonds.
Also, by law each year the Social Security's trustees' annual report is issued by April 1st of each year. This report details the outlook for the next 75 years but this year nothing has been released.
At the first of the month the CBO said Social Security was running a deficit this year but last year's trustees' report said that would not happen until 2015. If they missed this one by five years what else did they miss?
As for point #5 that is not so. According to the CBO : "the resources to redeem government bonds in the trust funds and thereby pay for benefits in some future year will have to be generated from taxes, other government income, or government borrowing in that year." If taxes are not raised or the government does not come up with additional income then the government will have to borrow the money. When this happens the debt will go up because the government doesn't have the cash on hand.
I'll be right here, stj, cheering with you against the Crimson Mulletts -- unless I get stoned for being an adulterer, i.e., one who refuses to become a eunuch after being put away by a spouse for a cause other than adultery.
You might want to keep Durango on the speed dial just in case.
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