Sobering up for the Monday OPEN thread
Shot by Zach Sunday along the Blue Ridge Parkway (there was no checkpoint).
“There is nothing wrong with sobriety in moderation.”
John Ciardi
Well, the three-day binge of fun and frolicking in Barney Day’s back yard is over. I never made it to Floydfest (Barniefest is much more fun and relaxing) but Zach made it over there for a few hours Saturday afternoon.
Here’s a shot he took on our way back, along the Blue Ridge Parkway.
July 30, 2012 - 8:29 AM
Roanoke Times Facebook page back to endorsing President Obama.
I had a great trip to Alexandria via the Connector Bus and Amtrak this weekend. Rode the Metro all weekend to get around. What a great way to travel.
Richard…
Please elaborate…
I can easily get from DFW to DCA..
Is there an easy way from DCA-ROA?
I hate connections…but wouldnt mind
if I had time to do the scenic tour DCA-ROA.
Interesting results from this Koch-funded climate change study…bet Cuccinelli’s head is spinning about now! He should especially enjoy the tweet from one of his favorite climatologists, Michael Mann.
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2012/07/28/602151/bombshell-koch-funded-study-finds-global-warming-is-real-on-the-high-end-and-essentially-all-due-to-carbon-pollution/?tw_p=twt
Joe – Caught the Connector Bus at the Civic Center Friday morning at 5:57 to Lynchburg $4.00. Took Amtrak direct to Alexandria King Street arriving at 11:30 – $38.00. Took Metro around DC all weekend costing $10.00. Caught 5:07 Amtrak back to Lynchburg on Sunday arriving 9:30+- for $38.00 and caught COnnector back to the Civic Center $4.00 Arriving about 10:30 pm
Could have gone directly into DC on Amtrak but my son lives in Alexandria.
He Insults the British, calls for War with Iran, insults the Palestinians. Wow, let’s let Romney stay overseas a few more days and WWIII will break out.
I read Rmoney was trying to differentiate his foreign policy from Obama’s. Shouldn’t be hard to do…Rmoney’s clearly not ready for prime time.
He….insults the Palestinians
That’s horrible. He insults bloodthirsty Muslims who strap bombs to little children? He probably insults al-queda too.
Great stuff Richard…
Now does the connector and Amtrak have bike carriers?..
That would be a dream,,but even bike rental in DC would be good.
Sobering and stubborn facts?
http://tinyurl.com/cfs8f6t
**
Mitt Romney vs. stubborn facts
By Donna Brazile, CNN Contributor
(CNN) — John Adams once said, “facts are stubborn things.” These days, another Massachusetts politician has found that saying to ring especially true.
While it’s still unclear how Mitt Romney can be the CEO, chairman, president and sole shareholder of Bain Capital, a company that he claims no responsibility for, it’s become increasingly evident that candidate Romney simply doesn’t want to talk about the facts of his business record.
In an interview with CNN’s Piers Morgan, Romney suggested that to question his experiences is to “attack success.” If this is the case, and if we’re also not supposed to talk above a whisper about Mitt’s record as governor, including his signature accomplishment in health care reform, then which parts of his biography remain on the table?
Romney clearly prefers his largely undisclosed experiences in the private sector over his publicly poor record in Boston. At every turn, Romney and his campaign have attempted to steer the discussion toward business matters for just this reason.
SNIP
**
And ..Americans drop bombs on little children..
lets be careful about all Americans and/or all Palestinians..
But sorting through the chaff has never been one of your
stronger points.
Romney was a huge fail across the pond..
Pull up your big girl panties and deal with it.
His Olympic gaffes will likely fade into the background soon…
However the longer he continues to hide his tax returns the more
conservatives and liberals alike will be more dismissive of him..thats not conjecture..its happening now.
ARSE:
N Slang
1. The buttocks
2. The anus
3. A stupid person; fool
4. Mitt Romney (added by Bill on 7.26.2012 as a result of his stupid comments in the UK)
Origin: centuries old “Anglo-Saxon” word
Rmoney should welcome the opportunity to talk about his experience with Bain. Obama’s giving him just that opportunity!
This guy’s going to get crushed when the debates come along.
9. Joe – Amtrak and Metro has room for bikes. The Connector would appear to only have room in the storage underneath (subject to other luggage).
8. Suzie – Palestinians strapping bombs to children? (Do you have a cite for that?
Joe,
More people are concerned with how Obmama is spending THEIR money than how Romney spent his own.
8. Suzie – I believe it is Obama who has pretty much taken al-Qaeda out of business.
Joe – Actually DC has a public bike rental system. Yo pay when you pick up the bike and drop it off at various locations.
How’s your Mom doing, Dan?
Private sector (insurance) at work:
http://tinyurl.com/bnyyy39
Penn State insurer seeks to deny coverage
By Dominique Debucquoy-Dodley, CNN
updated 10:44 AM EDT, Thu July 26, 2012
(CNN) — Penn State’s legal battles continued Wednesday with the university’s primary general liability insurer filing a motion claiming coverage should be denied because the administration failed to disclose what it knew about former coach Jerry Sandusky’s behavior, according to legal documents.
The motion, filed in common pleas court by the Pennsylvania Manufacturer’s Association, says Penn State did not provide it with information relevant to the insurable risk the association assumed. The association has already sued Penn State over the coverage of one of Sandusky’s victims’ claims against the university, filed in November 2011.
SNIP
“It would be unlawful and contradictory to public policy to require PMA to provide coverage to PSU under any policy issued to PSU after May 1998 with respect to PSU’s concealment of Sandusky’s sexually abusive conduct … and failure to take appropriate action to prevent Sandusky from molesting minors,” the motion read.
SNIP
**
Contra, thanks for asking.
She’s doing better when the “nurses” and the continuing care community where she resides are not doping her up with Seroquel three times a day. And when they give her her Parkinson’s meds on time, which they weren’t doing when I got there, or even afterwards. She paid A LOT of money up front just to get into that so called “premier” joint, and tens of thousands more annually to stay there, and the level of care leaves a lot to be desired.
I would love to share with you the letter I wrote the administrators and nursing home staff following my visit there. Boy, that really got their attention. There’s an emergency family meeting with the place today.
Maybe I’ll share the letter later . . .
Bob as usual u missed the point..and try diversions..
Its not a question of how Romney spent his money..
its about his tax returns..deductions (SOB type stuff)
ya got it?
That sounds like a good day trip Richard!!
Thanks…
Come on September!!
12. Bill – For sure!
Kristen ..have you watched Mittsters speaking style
or do you reside on a wholly different planet?
Joe, I’m not sure how you can “watch” a speaking style and I have no idea what you’re talking about. I guess I reside on a wholly different planet, as opposed to a partially different one.
Glad she’s doing better, Dan. I hope your family meeting gets the results you need for her care.
Joe, apparently Kristen has never heard of body language.
Kristen..
Try to find the light switch,,,
It would equate to watching the man speak.
Watching his mannerisms..and noting the frequent
look of sheer terror in his eyes…
He is a man very uncomfortable in his own skin.
He is so far removed from the average person in this
country right now its laughable. That should scare the
hell out of the electorate. This is exactly what America
DOES NOT need right now. A man who is bought and paid for and
without any doubt will push the agendas of those who paid for him..
certainly not folks like you and me.
Joe, you do realize that when I said “This guy’s going to get crushed in the debates”, I was referring to Rmoney not Obama?
Find the lightswitch yourself. If you haven’t figured out yet from my posts where I stand in this election, I fear for your literacy. Take a context clue and spare me your snotty comments.
Joe, deductions don’t indicate where Romney spent HIS money?
Please elucidate.
One thing I have learned from Romney’s commercials is that the “Brain from Bain” can’t sing.
Chuck…apparently not.
Body language can be a killer..
Just look at the infamous Kennedy/ Nixon debate..
Most historians say this is what lost it for Nixon.
There are some interesting side notes to that debate
and the posturing that went on beforehand.
Whats old ..is new again…
Apologies for the thought balloons
(which are very dear to my heart of course)
they are quite distracting…the video alone
speaks for itself.
Body language and eye movement say a lot about a
person..and a candidate.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QazmVHAO0os
Then we agree Kristin..
You can take your own offering of snot back as well…
Note..when u refer to 2 seperate people in one sentence..
then say “he will be crushed” It might help to say which he you
are talking about.
Lets agree to agree and wipe each others rightous upper lips.
Bob ..theres nothing left to clarify..
I care about his deductions…
Not how much money he has in U.S. banks..
What I care about is his deductions in the Bain timeframe.
..That said how many Americans have foreign bank accounts??
Kristen, I don’t know if debating Romney will help Obama or not. Gore and Kerry both crushed Bush and he was still elected (sort of).
Although, Romney will be all alone up there with Obama. He won’t get to stand there like a storefront mannequin in a suit like he did in the Republican primary debates.
don, that is actually a nobama commercial (paid for and authorized by nobama himself)… therefore it has probably been altered behind the scenes. Much like Moochelle’s earmarked salary increase when she worked at the hospital which benefited from an earmark while nobama was Senator.
Kristen,
I see Romney’s style as sincere and honestly trying to answer appropriate questions. Like he did regarding the Olympics and participation by the locals. Apparently he had a point, if you look at the thousands of empty seats at events. But we should never let facts get in the way of a good story.
Unlike Obama, who has promised everyone, “everything” and come up short on “everything” except campaigning for reelection for the past 3 ½ years. (I know “he” got Bin Laden, but hey… he “didn’t get him on his own”…lol) (oh… and I forgot “golf” he has done really well at getting that in his busy schedule)
Looks like Romney’s trips to Israel and Poland have gained him virtual endorsements from those “one time” allies; maybe if he wins we can return to good relations with “old” friends instead of bad relations with “everyone”.
Don’t forget, unless the rules are changed, there will not be a teleprompter at the debates.
Richard,
Re: “Palestinians strapping bombs to children? (Do you have a cite for that?”)
Are you kidding? A simple search will find many examples… here are a couple:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Child_suicide_bombers_in_the_Israeli%E2%80%93Palestinian_conflict
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/03/25/international/middleeast/25BOY.html
Not to mention that if we use the definition of “children” in Obamacare everyone up to 26 would be considered a “child”.
No need to attempt a response…
All this talk about Romney…he, like every republican, loves big government when it can be tapped into for their own selfish purposes, yet all republicans will object to it when government can help ordinary people. Romney is a caricature of “Mr. Potter” [from the movie “It’s A Wonderful Life”] – and to watch this movie is to view Romney’s career in black and white.
Belonging to the hierarchy in the Mormon Church, with his belief in the ‘White Horse Prophecy’, and his following the “Lying for the Lord” philosophy, Romney envisions the presidency as his “destiny.” That seems to be the only belief he consistently holds. Although Mormons don’t believe in gambling, Romney has sacrificed his Mormon beliefs and his soul to casino moguls Donald Trump and Sheldon Adelson in exchange for their millions to help him realize this “destiny.” What do these billionaires behind Romney offer him? The attainment of a trophy presidency – which he will ultimately outsource to his financiers and backers. Knowing Romney will follow their orders, Grover Norquist put it succinctly – all they will need of a president is one “who has enough digits to hold a pen.” And what will Americans get in exchange for Romney fulfilling his “destiny?
If we are so unfortunate to have a Romney presidency, he will leave business policy to his billionaire backers; war policy to neo cons like Cheney, Rice and Bolton, and social policy to Ryan and Rove – then, those of us in the middle class, along with our poorer “brethren” will be totally on our own.
Ronmey – buying and lying his way to a presidency.
☻On the neo cons who are the Ronmey policy advisors
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=KrC2pFaaR70
☻On buying the presidency
http://www.motherjones.com/mojo/2012/06/sheldon-adelson-10-million-restore-our-future-super-pac
☻On the Mormon “White Horse” prophecy
http://www.salon.com/2012/01/29/mitt_and_the_white_horse_prophecy/
☻On the Mormon doctrine “Lying for the Lord”
http://www.mormonwiki.org/Lying_for_the_Lord
Mike O – Did you look at the date on those cites. Different time. Suzie’s attempt to lump all of Islam together as terrorists is irresponsible. While Palestime can erupt at any moment, and the unemployed young have little hope there, it has been a while since there have been bombs strapped to children.
39. Mike O – Speaking of BS.
Wow.
Romney is really putting out some effective ads.
Focused…personal…powerful. Very nice!
This one is from Ohio…with business owner Dennis Sollman of Sollman Electric.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CylDvgsrBxA&feature=player_embedded
This one has Kristi Yamaguchi talking about Romney saving the Winter Olympics.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=OdWyxXBQvyM
Richard,
You are joking right???
If I do not give you an example of “yesterday” you think the leopard has changed it’s spots? I gave you the first I found for myself; do some research on your own to find the truth and get back.
This reminds me of a quote I heard recently…
“Arguing with some liberals is like playing chess with a pigeon. No matter what happens, the pigeon is just going to knock over all the pieces, crap on the board, and strut around the table acting victorious.”
MikeO,
Thank you for the nice note. Fyi, you can always email me at dan.casey@roanoke.com
So why are you here doing so Mike O. The “pigeons” have made short work of you and your posts on more than one occasion.
Mike O…its too bad you didnt source the Pigeon quote..
Its not a phrase created for or by the right..
It was changed by some talentless bloodsucker from the usual places.
Here is the source..and it has to do with evolution VS creation…
I think you know which side is the pigeon…you are going all twisty on us.
http://pigeonchess.com/playing-with-pigeons/
Dan,
Re: thanks
Well, we all live on the same planet except Suzie, Kristen, Richard, will… ok just joking…
We all come from different places, and may see the same thing in a different prism; no better example than your most recent thread (re: FFRF) (congrats you chapped everyone’s a$$ on that one);
but I will always believe we are all still “a piece of the continent a part of the main”.
No matter our disagreements today, there is a bigger picture.
Frankly, I believe in God, and that all things work towards his will. All the petty things we might daily see are not so important as the love we might give to one another.
I enjoy the banter of your blog, as I find there is much (OK some…lol) intelligent converse. But more importantly I “feel” there is a sincere “familial” atmosphere that is often disregarded or unappreciated in less “communal” public discourse.
Wow, this really is a left leaning blog. Biking and trains. That’s ok different approaches to life are things that make America great.I will say this I learn a lot from liberal bloggers. I don’t disagree that most liberal folks are intellectual. You all just look at the world differently, and that is ok. I prefer driving my 13 miles per gallon suburban and shooting wild boar. Actually I accomplish several things by shooting the pigs, the farmers want them killed as they destroy crops and I get great pork for my “Big Green Egg”. Glad you had a nice trip Richard.
The silly obstructionism and stupidity of the Senate Republicans knows no bounds. Here is an appeals court nominee UNANIMOUSLY endorsed by the Senate Judiciary Committee and strongly supported by the TWO Republican Sernators from his home state. So what do the Senate Repubs do? They block his appointment with a filibuster because after all, he was nominated by Barack Obama This is why we continue to have an economic crisis and why nothing is getting done to solve our problems. Add them to the tea party nuts who dominate the House and the country ceases to function.
http://news.yahoo.com/republicans-block-confirmation-oklahoma-judge-232822668.html
Romney will be as stiff, condescending and stammering at the debates as he is in every other venue. He cannot hold a candle to Obama in debating, speaking or connecting with people.
You may cheer his insults to Palestinians as you choose, but the fact is, you cannot foster a peace by treating one party with deliberate disrespect and feeding into extremist hate is never a good idea when it can so easily be avoided. Romney’s entire trip was lose/lose.
Obama 2012!
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/29/westboro-baptist-church_n_1717142.html?utm_hp_ref=mostpopular
The best thing that can be said about someone is that WBC picketed their funeral.
@50. Sounds like Howsyshell should vacation with Suzie.
Michael H…
U prefer to get 13mpg and tie that to shooting pigs?
I can shoot them here in Texas from my Ford Focus…
Why would anyone prefer to get 13mpg?
I didnt follow your logic on that one..
Kristin, your link doesn’t make sense; zombies eat brains. Why on earth would they be mulling around a WBC picket unless they were dieting?
“Escaped youth returned to Christiansburg detentian home
The teen’s weeks of freedom ended after his parents provided information to police.”
Damn, c’mon Roanoke Times…
You know a redneck is about to get hurt when he says,“hey y’all watch this..”
I think Rmoney and his spokespeople are taking turns offending people!
http://news.yahoo.com/mitt-romney-spokesman-tells-reporters-kiss-polish-holy-110442318–abc-news-politics.html
50. Michael Howdyshell – Add a private plane trip to Pikeville on Thursday. it was a week on the move.
Hmmm. Did RJB take a flight with Suzie to Pikeville, Ky, for lunch at Sam’s Hot Dog Stand of Regina?
61. LOL Dan – That would have been epic. Pretty neat. Pikeville is a pretty nice place that I had never been. Got me a Friend of Coal sticker while I was there as well. There goes my liberal label.
Did actually have a hotdog, but it was at a fair and not from the stand. Maybe I can get back one day for another.
Only my second flight in a private plane. Must say, it makes me want to sign up for lessons.
Joe
Simply because I love my Suburban. It has 194000 miles and has to be the most un PC vehicle on the road.
Alfred
The best on is: what are the last words out of a rednecks mouth? “Hold my beer and watch this”.
Michael, I am sure you love the notion that liberals hate your Suburban. The truth is we don’t give it a moment’s thought. And your belief otherwise is emblematic of conservatism circa 2012. The people invested in it are living in a fantasy world.
#65 The only reason I give it a thought, Dan, is that folks who drive gas guzzlers cost me more money by driving up the demand for oil and therefore the price.
Michael, I am sure you love the notion that liberals hate your Suburban. The truth is we don’t give it a moment’s thought.
I believe Christian Trejbal once said he cuts SUVs off. Is that him acting alone or is it the policy of the Roanoke Times?
Michael@50,
Do you process your own meat too? What’s the stuff like compared to farm raised pork?
@67 – There is no way Trejbal has the conjones to do that.
Just because Suzie claims he said it doesn’t mean it’s true. If she can’t substantiate it, there’s nothing to believe.
Who is Trejbal…and why can’t he come here?
Is he being held hostage in The Berglund repair shop?
Sorry ive been absent a lot of days.
Christian Trejbal is an editorial writer and columnist for the newspaper. He’s on the RT blog. Suzie got kicked out of that sandbox long ago.
Not for nothing, MichaelH, but drive past Tinnells at dinner time and there are a few dozen tennis mommies there picking up dinner in their Yukons, Suburbans, Excursions…name your oversized vehicle. It’s not unusual at all and I don’t think anyone cares. Needs of the family dictate what vehicles they have…we have 2 Jeeps because we like 4WD. I don’t love the fuel inefficiency, but that’s life.
Growing up on a farm, slaughtering animals for food and profit was always one of the tougher things we had to do. Watching the life drain out of a being is a sad occasion even when the animal was raised for that purpose. As their eyes dim, you have to question your place in the universe. I have never forgotten the tears my Dad shed each time he killed an animal whether chicken, steer, or hog. I have never been a hunter for that reason; I simply have no joy in killing. I recognize the need for food, safety, and war, but I have never been able to accept such for sport.
#67 I believe the tooth fairy brings little kids money for their teeth.
Richard,
I have all but given up hunting on our land as I no longer need it for sustenance. However we still allow others to hunt to keep the population under control (and they need the meat). I agree, it does give pause, to our “place in the universe”.
I have, also, seen the devastation that overpopulation can have on crops and even forest land; until they slowly starve to death (en masse) because there is just not enough sustenance for them to survive.
It is much easier for society these days, as we just walk into the grocery store and choose what we want, most, never knowing the experience you relayed.
Another milestone/millstone I think this is the first time we have agreed on something.
I fear my liberal side is intensifying… I must run to Chick fil A…
gdad,
If you post that there is no Santa Claus, i may never respect another of your posts… gotta go, i am following a rainbow… i will get that pot of gold if it is the last thing i do…
Sounds like mike o is heading off to the Rainbow Festival.
Oh wait. This year’s is over.
lol…
now that is a sense of humor…
Agree Kristen. I had “wilbur” the pig cut up by professionals. When I get home I’m going to fry some sausage and eggs. I will let you all know how it is tomorrow.
Michael, you got eggs from the pig you shot? Damn! You conservatives know all the tricks. How many dozen?
I remember the column Suzie referenced. I don’t think he said he cuts SUVs off. He did say he intentionally drives aggressively toward people who drive SUVs or who have political bumper stickers he disagrees with. He refuses to let them in when they try to merge and he refuses to yield to them. His exact words were:
“At the other end of the political spectrum, stickers for failed Republican candidates such as George Allen and slogans of blind support for the president or the war in Iraq reveal much.
The nice thing about the political ones is that they encourage a marketplace of ideas on the highway. When I see a car plastered with stickers promoting candidates or views with which I disagree, I treat them just like the gas-guzzling, road-hogging sport utility vehicles I find equally morally bankrupt: I don’t yield to them.
When someone throws on a turn signal indicating he wants to break into traffic, in most circumstances there is no obligation to give way. If a vehicle sports one of those ironically misguided fish-eating-the-fish-with-feet, forget it. If it has the “Coexist” sticker with all those different religious symbols for letters, well, then I’ll make some room.”
The link to the column is here:
http://www.roanoke.com/editorials/trejbal/wb/110226
Like most of his columns, Trejbals little rant merely exposed how small and narrow minded most liberals are when faced with something they don’t like. Their moto should be “Intolerance in the name of Tolerance”.
Unfortunately the attitude at the RT remains the same. It’s like Radmacher is still there. Submit a blog entry that points out the inconsistency and hypocrisy in the RTEB’s position and they simply won’t post it.
Michael, love me some pork belly. I’m jealous and congrats on your pig.
Chuck,
Thanks for doing Suze’s homework for her and providing the cite she failed to. Now we know why she wouldn’t. She was making up stuff that Chris never wrote.
But seriously, it’s apparent to me that he was joking, and insulting just about everybody he could (Naderites and bicycle riders, too, btw) along the way — in what is a not particularly well-focused column. Here’s the “tell.”
“I assume people of all political persuasions follow similar driving maxims, even if subconsciously. One of the reasons to wear politics and religion on the sleeve — or in this case the bumper — is to evoke a reaction. Perhaps if enough motorists refused to yield to SUVs, their owners might reconsider their automotive choice.”
That’s ridiculous on its face, and you’re taking that seriously, you’re as bad as those angry atheists out there who are who are swamping my inbox with hate mail because they’re too dumb, or wound to tight, to get the joke of my July 26 column.
The wild boar sausage was excellent. Very dry with little grease but tasty just the same. Traci actually tried a small bite. Can’t wait to smoke a but. Kristen you are more then welcome to some sausage as we have 31 packs.
#85 I’m stunned to find out that suzie was wrong yet again.
Actually Dan, I’m not taking it seriously. I am impressed that Suzie rememebered that little gem of a column from 5 years ago though. That was back in the day when all Christian seemed to do was try to provoke people by what I believe he called poking snide fun.
Interesting how vitriolic the atheists can be, isn’t it? Some of the most tolerant folks you could ever hope to meet. ( A little snide fun of my own there.)
Chuck,
I have a special column upcoming about the angry atheists. It’ll run on this blog Sunday or Monday, not quite sure. It’s a hoot (but don’t tell them that. It’ll just make’m madder).
BTW, Suzie misremembered it in a key way. . .
It’s completely unsurprising that SuzieQ would remember something on the RT from 5 years ago. Or 10.
MichaelH, I’d be willing to swap some sausage for some mahi we brought back from the beach, if your family enjoys fish.
Absolutely Kristen thank you
LOL @the clowns Dan and Gdad. Chuck proves I was correct in principle. Girl remembers a reference to Christian Trejbal’s dangerous aggression towards SUV drivers.
Don’t you morons EVER get tired of wearing egg on your faces by challenging Girl?
Five years later. Girl’s memory is awesome!