At the first bar of Christmas . . . on the Sunday OPEN thread
Shot by Dan Saturday on Jefferson Street
At the first bar of Christmas
My true love gave to me
A bottle that came from
A pear tree.
Behold the ladies on the left. They accosted me on Jefferson Street Saturday afternoon, and were among 300 or more participants in the Square Society’s “12 bars of Christmas” pub crawl.
The middle one’s name is CeeJay. One of the others is named Rachel, but I can’t recall which. What a cool event. I now know where I’m gonna be on the second Saturday in December next year!
December 9, 2012 - 10:00 AM
Even if you’re giving up alcohol for Christmas, Dan?
dave, I was talking about NEXT Christmas’s pub crawl!
Dan. Don’t postpone joy. Certainly not till next Christmas.
I went to Target today, and among other items I bought a bottle of wine. I’d never bought wine there before, so I don’t know if this is new or if they’ve been doing it a while, but I was carded and he scanned my ID. It must be a mandatory thing, b/c I’m 55 years old with gray hair.
In Palestine, if Mary and Joseph were to travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem today, they would cross 11 checkpoints, a security check, and a 30 ft wall, as well as a few tanks and a few white phosphorus canisters.
In short, they wouldn’t make it and neither would the three wisemen. Just a thought.
Debbie – but obviously a YOUNG looking 55 year old with gray hair!
Wow…haven’t we heard this before? And from reading some of the RWers’ posts on Dan’s blog, I know one’s IQ plummets…
“Researchers at The Intelligence Institute, a conservative non-profit group, tested 5,000 people using a series of tests that measure everything from cognitive aptitude to common sense and found that people who identified themselves as Fox News viewers and ‘conservative’ had, on average, significantly lower intelligent quotients. Fox Viewers represented 2,650 members of the test group….
Test subjects who received their news from other outlets or reported they do not watch the news scored an average IQ of 104, compared to 80 for Fox News viewers.”
According to Lead researcher, P. Nichols, “Fox News’ content is presented at an elementary school level and plays directly into the fears of the less educated and less intelligent.”
http://news.yahoo.com/intelligence-institute-study-shows-fox-news-viewers-iq-034622242.html
Hahahahahahaha…..
A very sad thought, Ron.
http://truth-out.org/opinion/item/12889-want-to-help-small-businesses-bring-on-taxmageddon
I thought this was funny…
How many Republicans does it take to change a lightbulb???
None!!
Republicans fear change even when it makes the world a brighter place!!!
Thank you, Shrillary. First time I’ve been carded in 15 years. The clerk and I both had a laugh about it.
Debbie,
The Indiana legislature, 3 years ago, passed a law which required every person purchasing alcohol to be carded. It required whoever rang up the sale to enter your drivers license # on the cash register. That law was repealed last year. The primary objectors to the legislation were the retailers across the state. It slowed down the check out process and caused the most “unfriendly” exchanges between sales clerks and customers. The law now requires the clerk to card anyone who, in the clerks opinion, looks under the age of 35. That gives whiteheaded, wrinkly faced guys like me a pass now.
Ron, When he asked for my license and scanned it, I figured it must be a mandatory thing for them. Probably for marketing purposes, as I’ve never been carded at the grocery store or the small store that I sometimes buy wine from. No wrinkles yet for me.
It would take a better reason than that for me to have an unfriendly exchange with a sales clerk.
I didn’t have an unfriendly exchange with the clerk at a local fast food place recently, but I won’t be going back there. A few weeks ago I was at Tower’s Mall and stopped at the hot dog place. My bill for a dog and a bottle of water was 4.95. I gave the clerk, a young woman, a 20.00 and she gave me back 5.05. I said, I gave you a 20.00. She said, Yes and I gave you a 5.00. I said, My bill was 4.95 and I gave you a 20.00. She replied again, Yes and I gave you a 5.00. I told her, Yes you did, but you owe me 15.00. She got an annoyed look on her face, opened the register and gave me a 10.00 and stomped off to the back room. It’s not like she had to figure out how much I was owed, it came up on the register. I tip well, but not that well.
The link below provides some interesting information.
http://www.businessinsider.com/profits-versus-wages
For AC, Doto and others, From Alternet; 10 things the Republicans don’t want you to know about the “fiscal cliff.”
Pay particular attention to number nine. (Warning; requires reading)
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/09/craig-allen-loughrey-killed_n_2267433.html?icid=maing-grid7%7Cipad%7Cdl2%7Csec3_lnk3%26pLid%3D243216
So maybe guns do fire themselves?
“State police Lt. Eric Hermick said Sunday the father had secured a rifle in the back of the truck and placed his pistol on the console when the handgun went off. “
Question – Who was the first liberal Democrat?
Answer – Christopher Columbus. He left not knowing where he was going, got there not knowing where he was, left not knowing where he’d been and did it all on borrowed money.
Thought this blog needed a little humor balance!!
Cheers!
As for being carded, more and more retailers are doing like Target. While recently traveling through Tennessee, I made two liquid libation tranactions, carded, and was told that’s their law, at a grocer and a c-store.
Hey Ron, makes wonder how quick Santa will get shot down for being in someone’s air space this Christmas.
Justin,
I guess that would be true if Santa was flying over Israeli, Iranian or North Korean airspace.
Yeah, that was hilarious Mike3. The way I heard the joke was: “Christopher Columbus, the greatest Republican of them all. He left not knowing where he was going, and when he got there he did not know where he was. He returned not knowing where he had been, decimated the well-being of the majority of the population while he was there, and did it all on someone else’s money.”
http://www.guy-sports.com/humor/saints/columbus_day_jokes.htm
BTW, you will not get far in life or in this blog by trying to pretend the TP/R Party doesn’t do things with other people’s money. We do somewhat different things but make no mistake, they are not letting go of any purse strings, they just protect the wealthy and gouge the rest of us instead.
12 bars of Christmas” pub crawl.
This strikes me as a little perverse. Can’t we EVER give up the partying college kid routine? It was never that cool to begin with.
Suzie, how do you know what is perverse? Your religion is perverse. Getting together with folks and having a good time is perverse? But worshiping a scapegoat isn’t?
Get over yourself. Why don’t you try something before bashing it. You might accidentally have fun. But then again, you might cause an earthquake and Pat Robertson will shout you out for it.
Ron,
I don’t think all children are bad in those countries. Everyone needs some Christmas cheer at some point… even if you do oppress women.
I’ll bet most of the libs who profess to care about the poor and hungry don’t even know which organization feeds the most people in Roanoke day in and day out by a wide margin. It’s the Christian Solders Food Pantry.
The RT does stories about RAM House, the politically connected TAP, and the other organizations which have paid directors and receive government funding. Sure, some of these groups do some good work, but you don’t hear about the 100% private organization that feeds more poor people in the area than anyone else..
The Christian Soldiers Food Pantry operates out of a rundown building in Southeast. It’s staffed 100% by volunteers. The food is donated by private businesses and individuals, and it’s run by a Baptist minister. Just like with Katrina and New York floods, it’s politicians doing all the posturing, while the tough gritty REAL work is done by quiet unassuming Christians.
“I’ll bet most of the libs who profess to care about the poor and hungry don’t even know which organization feeds the most people in Roanoke day in and day out by a wide margin.”
So let’s see, if a person doesn’t know about it but does volunteer work at RAM House or the food pantry at their own church, you know, one of those small places that doesn’t give out as much food as Christian Solders Food Pantry, does that mean they somehow don’t really care?
That would certainly seem to be what you’re suggesting.
Silly girl.
Justin,
I don’t recall ever having been personally or legally accused of oppressing women. As an avowed atheist how do you get your Christmas cheer Justin? Just asking….
So let’s see, if a person doesn’t know about it but does volunteer work at RAM House or the food pantry at their own church, you know, one of those small places that doesn’t give out as much food as Christian Solders Food Pantry, does that mean they somehow don’t really care?
That would certainly seem to be what you’re suggesting.
Not really. ‘Most liberals” aren’t volunteering at Ram House or the food pantry at their own church. Most liberals in here don’t even go to church.
Interesting link Ron:
“1) Corporate profit margins just hit an all-time high.
2) Wages as a percent of the economy are at an all-time low.”
Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/profits-versus-wages#ixzz2EfJhcXqe
I would more than imagine that has something to do with a lot of the problems in this nation.
I could be wrong, but in countries where women are oppressed, I am not certain “Santa” is celebrated or expected either. Muslims do not celebrate Christmas, I would imagine that in North Korea, the celebrations are for the government cronies not the people per se. No doubt Israeli children feel secure their army we supply can take care of the Hanukkah or Christmas deliveries. Gaza? Maybe not. Does any country match our crass consumerism and over the top celebrating?
Ron… I think you may possibly be taking me the wrong way here. I wasn’t trying to attack you at all. I apologize for my writing skills, they apparently aren’t up to par this morning, or perhaps ever… When I said, “even if you do oppress women.” I didn’t mean you personally, Ron. I was referring to the countries you stated, “Israeli, Iranian or North Korean”, I was merely going for a chuckle and obviously missed the mark.
And I get my Christmas spirit just as any American would. Christmas is like morality, Christians do not own the copyrights to it. Christmas is a holiday for all who wish to participate because it is a syncretic holiday (HOLIday= HOLY day). I get into the spirit by hugging and kissing my children, I go and see as many friends and family that gas prices will allow, and I think how thankful I am to have been born into a country where we can celebrate and be who we are without the fear of an oppressing government.
Happy Holidays, Ron!
You can check out this short video if you have time.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=rLjHAzqqOm0
It’s because the Christians running the Christian Soldiers Food Pantry are quiet and unassuming, that the place isn’t well known. God bless them for their service to the poor.
BTW Suzie, sanctimoniousness is not a great Christian trait. It doesn’t bring people in, it makes them run away. Just some food for thought.
WDBJ did a story on the food pantry earlier this year.
http://articles.wdbj7.com/2012-04-23/pantry-workers_31388701
“‘Most liberals” aren’t volunteering…”
Gee, I don’t see where I mentioned liberals at all in my reply. And of course most liberals I know volunteer at something, whether or not it’s affiliated to some religion. More topic avoidance by suzie.
Isn’t the Rescue Mission privately funded?
I’m pretty sure it is, Kristen. Joy Sylvester-Johnson’s parents started it.
I bet most libs here also don’t tell fibs about going to Zimbabwe to feed the poor either.
The United Way has a pretty extensive list of Food Pantry charities and many churches offer them as well. My tiny church does a meal and groceries once a month and maintains a Clothes Closet too. There is a lot of help in almost every community and we can all feel good about that. Knowing all these organizations are still not enough tells us why the government is also involved. Food and clothing are as basic as needs get.
http://www.uwrv.org/sites/uwrv.org/files/United%20Way%20Resource%20Document%208_6_2012.pdf
The Rescue Mission does not take Federal, State or Local government money.
http://rescuemission.net/documents/nofederalfunds.pdf
Many faith based ministries do not.
The Rescue Mission does pretty incredible work. They can be a little sanctimonious but there’s no doubt they’ve gotten a lot of junkies and alcoholics clean after everyone else has given up on them.
I also love Second Helpings, the restaurant the Mission operates on Williamson Road in the old Sears building. Some of the best homemade soup I’ve ever had. Their lobster bisque is unbelievably good. They also have a great art gallery with local artists. All profits and tips go to help the less fortunate.
Geez Sandi Saunders,lighten up a little,,please do not tell me how far far I can get in life,,it’s a lot further and better than I ever expected,at my lesisure and speed and so far it’s been a great ride,,keep your purse strings to yourself.I still control my own.
Gee, I don’t see where I mentioned liberals at all in my reply.
That is who I was talking about in the post your responded to? Did you change the subject without telling anyone?
BTW Suzie, sanctimoniousness is not a great Christian trait. It doesn’t bring people in, it makes them run away. Just some food for thought.
I will grant that maybe I shouldn’t taken the little dig at liberals. Other than that, it’s not sanctimonious to ask the question: Why does a fully private organization with no government-funding, no fancy taxpayer-built building, no board of directors, and very little public PR do a better job feeding the hungry than everybody else in Roanoke?
I hope that all you good and moral folks out there have learned a lesson from Suzie. You can only be moral if you go to church, and you can only support the less fortunate community through your church.
SteveC, every year the ladies in my office have a festive holiday lunch and collect money or gifts towards a different charity. Last year we had it at Second Helpings and collected personal care items to drop off at the Rescue Mission. I think we all bought something in the gift shop.
“Did you change the subject without telling anyone?”
Gosh, if I did, I wonder who I learned that trick from?
Carried away much Mike3.
Question Dan, does the Roanoke Times software check for people using multiple ID’s over different blogs?
“Question Dan, does the Roanoke Times software check for people using multiple ID’s over different blogs?”
That Mike3 “punctuation” sure looks familiar, doesn’t it?
“Question Dan, does the Roanoke Times software check for people using multiple ID’s over different blogs?”
Sandi, not that I’m aware of.