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Sylvester Stallone
February 18, 2013 - 10:00 AM
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February 18, 2013 - 10:00 AM
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Sunday, May 19, 2013
THE ROANOKE TIMES
How powerful the media can be in limiting speech… and of course religion
http://instantanalysis.net/latest-headlines-from-the-web/2013/02/18/nbc-reporter-will-not-allow-passenger-to-quote-the-bible
Looks good. Do we have any new abilities regarding viewing posts or making them?
I didn’t know whether to “comment” or “report a problem”! This new format is AWFUL! Gone are the ten most recent posts, where they were easy to keep up with having links to them on the side. I see there is no field for my website anymore…. whatever.
Sorry, but this gets a thumbs down.
Give them a chance John Wilburn!
I like the looks of it and I think it is an improvement.
For many hours, one of the CSS files wasn’t loading, but it looks a lot better now.
It’s a vast improvement over the old one.
The avatars are clearer, but the last ten topics need to come back. It makes following conversation very difficult without them.
Agreed on the most recent thread list. Other than that though it looks very tight and cleaned up.
I also agree on the “most recent” thread list being essential. I didn’t mention it in the recent call for reactions because I didn’t imagine it disappearing. Plaease try to restore the most recent list. But a field for displaying people’s websites doesn’t matter.
I also appreciate the message “comment is awaiting moderation” although on this particular blog, it ought to say “awaiting approval” since there’s irony in saying it will be moderated.
The avatars are clearer, but that doesn’t matter either. For example, it just shows more clearly that John Wilburn dishonors flag protocol by negligently placing a gun on the flag, which is not supposed to be treated like a tabletop doily. But then, since he thinks the 2A is about protecting his ability to take violent action against his fellow citizens and even our own government, his lack of respect for the flag is not unexpected.
It is a vast improvement now, from this morning. I miss the recent thread list too. It would be nice if they could add it back. Yours seemed to be the only blog on here that had that feature. IMO they all should.
I have to say that I’m pleased nobody’s stepping up to defend the formerly employed drunken aereospace exec who slapped the crying black toddler in the face on the airplane while ordering his adoptive mother to “shut that [N-word] baby up!”
I reckon that means Tony/Jack McGuire is actually gone. . .
Dan,, re: 5:02… agreed…same goes for libprog, alec balwins disgraceful actions and slurs against women and minorities.
Alec Baldwin is a hothead. His politics have nothing to do with this. Why inject that?
Anyone see where the libprogs in washington want to allow authorities to “inspect” the homes of “legal” gun owners once per year? Even the libprogs are incensed…
http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2020373291_westneat17xml.html
or how about PA (among other states) paying prisoners unemployment…
http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/john_baer/20130218_John_Baer__Cell_earnings__Prison_inmates_collect_unemployment.html
You cant make this stuff up…
the reason alec baldwin deserves to be injected is because he is a lib.
“the reason alec baldwin deserves to be injected is because he is a lib.”
-Frank
What Frank is saying here is, it’s inherently more hypocritical for a liberal to express a racial or ethnic slur, because they are less racist than conservatives.
In other words, Frank is claiming that conservatives are more racist, so it’s LESS hypocritical for them to use a racial slur.
I don’t agree with that way of thinking, necessarily. But that’s obviously where Frank is coming from. How sad.
hey folks,
Not for nuthin,…but i am concernerned about the impact of raising the minimum wage pay rate to $9.00/hr. will have on the number of people working. On the one hand, I don’t believe that there is a preponderance of businesses paying folks the minimum wage of $7.25/hr. On the other hand, I don’t believe that businesses or governments paying folks above 7.25 and below 9.00 will be able to absorb the increase to 9.00 without either raising prices or taxes, or reducing paid employment hours.
I believe paid employment hours will be cut.
Are there any business owners out there who would care to comment?
Thank you president obama. Thank you, libs.
When did Obama raise the minimum wage, Frank?
In fact, he did not. The president has no power to unilaterally do that, despite your suggestion. You really need to bone up on this stuff.
The president PROPOSED an increase. This is a good idea for a lot of reasons — but it still would not achieve the buying power the MW had in 1968.
But it won’t happen unless the RWer-dominated House goes along.
It’s a double-edged sword…sure, raising wages will increase costs…but it also increases the buying power of those who are employed at the lowest wages. They, in return, will be able to buy more goods and services with their new incomes, which, in turn, help to support their own jobs. It’s a premise Henry Ford developed…produce high-quality, low-cost products and pay the workers the highest wages possible…so they can afford to buy what they make. We seem to have forgotten that last part.
Frank and Mike O, baiting is not discussion and you need to stop whining about receiving what you give out if this is how you choose to post.
“A full-time worker (working 2,080 hours a year) earning $7.25 an hour earns $15,080 per year. Although this is slightly above the poverty line for one person, it is clearly a wage that is inadequate for someone who must support a family.”
“The poverty threshold, also known as the poverty line or the federal poverty level, is the point at which one is thought to be able to achieve a minimum standard of living. Although the poverty threshold does not take into account regional differences in the cost of living, the calculations do make allowances for age and family size. Currently, $11,170 is the poverty threshold for one adult under the age of 65. Two adults under the age of 65 living together must earn $15,130 or less to fall under the poverty line”
http://tinyurl.com/b6nfjkt
Do the math Frank, minimum wage = poverty. If you are strongly in favor of minimum wage, don’t complain about families using government programs to stave off starvation…
People on the lower end of the wage scale invest 100% of their income into the economy. OTOH, those on the other end of the spectrum offshore and stash away their cash, defrauding our local economy of its benefits.
So who are the real patriots? Where are we better off putting our money ? It’s not hard, folks. Invest our money with those who will make it work to the benefit of all of us.
It’s kinda funny Dan,
Franks need to inject Alec Baldwin into the baby slapping incident shows he is assuming that the Ahole who slapped the baby Is a conservative,republican or teabagger. For all we know the guy is a die hard democrat liberal communist fascist who watches MSNBC all day. Hmmm.
Now here’s an idea…
Fat-Cat Pay Makes Swiss So Mad Wages Face National Vote
“With more than 100,000 Swiss citizens having signed a petition to limit “fat-cat” pay, voters will decide at a March 3 referendum whether top executives should have their compensation set by shareholders. While a poll shows a majority may vote yes, the industry’s lobby group warns that it will drive out tax-paying companies and is campaigning for a softer counter proposal. ”
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-02-13/fat-cat-pay-makes-swiss-so-mad-ceo-salaries-facing-national-vote.html
btw I support raising the minimum wage to at least $9.00 per hour. I don’t bring anyone on at minimum wage, and I will continue to hire above minimum wage in the future, whatever that may be.
sandi,
All who have responded to my question regarding obama’s hope that congress (nod to you, dan) will raise the minimum wage provided good responses. All you did was attack me for whining. That’s not something I do, Sandi. Go look in the mirror.
No doubt that $7.25 is not a livable wage on which to raise a family. No doubt also that there are not many business that pay the minimum.
Does anyone have any thoughts for the folks whose hours get cut so the business or government employer won’t have to raise prices or taxes?
Raising the minimum wage doesn’t catapult folks out of poverty, either.
hi dan,
actually, i should have aslo mentioned that alec baldwin is a hollywood celebrity lib. i think those folks are more hypocritical than regular libs.
sorry.
And this looks like a tiny step forward…
Colorado House Passes Ban on Concealed Weapons on Campus, Slew of Other Gun Bills
1. Background checks on private sales and transfers of firearms
2. Limiting gun magazines to 15 rounds
3. Requires gun buyers to pay for their own background checks
4. No concealed weapons on college campuses
http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_22613895/colorado-house-debate-gun-bills-again-but-limited
The bills now go to the CO Senate…amazing that these passed in the conservative hunter crazed state legislature of CO…
Executive pay set by shareholders? Why, it sounds like socialism!
Why shouldn’t the execs be allowed to score all they can off the little folks?
Cold, Frank wants to know how many people you’re gonna lay off at the $9 per hour Obama is NOT gonna force you to pay.
A good chart about the minimum wage.
http://anticap.wordpress.com/2013/02/18/chart-of-the-day-180/
Here, according to David Cooper, is what the federal minimum wage in the United States ($7.25) would have been under three different scenarios:
if the minimum wage had kept pace with average wages ($10.46)
if the minimum wage had kept pace with productivity ($18.75)
if the minimum wage had gone up at the same rate as incomes for the top 1 percent ($28.34)
ZERO. Right now I’m actually looking for help. Business is good.
Another important graph at the link below.
Note in the mid-70′s when inflation started to get out of control, the minimum wage continues to go up and kept pace resulting in near constant buying power. In 1980 when Reagan came in, the minimum wage stagnated and real buying power dropped.
After that, each time the minimum wage went up, real buying power went up to match but then slowly dropped as inflation ate away at those gains.
We really do need to raise the minimum wage.
http://anticap.wordpress.com/2013/02/13/inventing-professor-neumark/
If Professor David Neumark didn’t exist, he’d have to be invented.
Why? Otherwise, the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal wouldn’t have anyone to call on to give American employers the academic cover for their opposition to Obama’s call to raise the federal minimum wage in 2015 to $9 an hour.
Meanwhile, according to my calculations, in order to maintain the purchasing power of what the federal minimum wage was in 1968 ($1.60 an hour), today it would have to be about $10.50, and in 2015 it would have to rise to $11.25.
If Obama had proposed such an increase in the federal minimum wage, they’d have to invent a whole army of Professor Neumarks. Or just turn to what neoclassical economists teach in the classroom every day.
There you Frank! Cold is a business owner. If the minimum wage increases, he’s hiring.
that’s good to hear, cold. are you having any difficulty filling the positions you are trying fill?
dan,
cold n p is looking for help NOW. he’s not gonna wait until the rate goes up to hire folks.
maybe if he raises his wage to $9 now, he’ll fill his vacant positions faster, and be better able to meet demand.
A review of the new book by Ken Cuccinelli.
http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2013/02/12/1578761/medicare-is-despicable-and-nine-other-crazy-ideas-in-ken-cuccinellis-new-book/?mobile=nc
Virginia’s tea partying Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli (R) has a new book out today: The Last Line of Defense: The New Fight for American Liberty. Here are ten of the most bizarre ideas advanced by this book:
1) Medicare Is ‘Despicable, Dishonest, and Worthy of Condemnation’
More….
I’ve worked for two local businesses (food service) who paid five and ten cents above minimum wage, respectively. They would gladly tell anyone who’d listen that they “start everybody off above the minimum wage.”
-
To say that “not many businesses pay the minimum” is a little misleading, though I wouldn’t go so far as to say it was intentional in this case.
http://hamptonroads.com/2013/02/sources-mcdonnell-talks-romneys-finance-chief
Even as Gov. Bob McDonnell remains mum about his political future, here’s a hint he’s exploring his options: Virginia’s governor recently spoke with the man who oversaw financial matters for Mitt Romney’s presidential campaigns.
A discussion between McDonnell and Spencer Zwick, Romney’s finance chair in 2008 and 2012, occurred within the past two weeks, sources told The Virginian-Pilot.
Zwick worked for Romney when he was governor of Massachusetts and alongside last year’s Republican presidential nominee when he was called on to help rescue the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah.
He is a co-founding member of Solamere Capital, a Boston, Mass.-based investment firm, along with Romney’s oldest son Tagg — Romney reportedly keeps an office at the firm’s headquarters.
more…
Also, Mississippi finally ratifies the 13th Amendment making slavery illegal.
http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20130217/NEWS01/302170050/Historic-oversight-corrected-Film-Lincoln-inspires-look-into-slavery-vote?nclick_check=1
Oscar-nominated “Lincoln,” which depicts the political fight to pass the 13th Amendment abolishing slavery, played a role in Mississippi officially ratifying the amendment this month — a century and a half later.
more…
WOW, Just finished watching “Hubris” WOW.
Frank, I didn’t mention a wage. How do you know I don’t start at $9 or higher now? There you go making assumptions, again.
in my background as a business owner, I and my industry stayed $2-$3 above the minimum for folks upon hire. in my own business, we went up in pay each six months. longevity paid off. we gave .25/hr. bonuses just for folks showing up on time and working each scheduled shift for two consecutive weeks. an increase in the minimum also shouldn’t be considered to be a pass thru to other staff who are already above $9/hr.
in my opinion, that $9/hour minimum wage comment by obama is nothing more than a red herring, and if passed by congress will result in very few folks making more money …with which to pay more FICA taxes.
and, for those low margin businesses and industries which do pay at the minimum wage level, i know that paid hours will be reduced. those folks who do gain by their hourly wage going up are also likely to see their paid hours drop to compensate.
sad but true.
FWINW, I didn’t lay that gun on the flag. “Warren” worries about a perceived lack of flag protocal, but has no concern for growing an ounce of class.
Take all the last words you want….
cold, i missed your post at #26.
btw, dan lied to you. i never asked how many people you were gonna lay off. ever. dan like to twist things, ya know.
i hope your business continues to do well, and that you continue to hire at well above minimum wage.
Thank you Frank.
“In my background as a business owner, I and my industry stayed $2-$3 above the minimum for folks upon hire. in my own business, we went up in pay each six months. longevity paid off. we gave .25/hr. bonuses just for folks showing up on time and working each scheduled shift for two consecutive weeks. an increase in the minimum also shouldn’t be considered to be a pass thru to other staff who are already above $9/hr.
in my opinion, that $9/hour minimum wage comment by obama is nothing more than a red herring, and if passed by congress will result in very few folks making more money …with which to pay more FICA taxes.
and, for those low margin businesses and industries which do pay at the minimum wage level, i know that paid hours will be reduced. those folks who do gain by their hourly wage going up are also likely to see their paid hours drop to compensate.
sad but true.”
–Frank
Frank,
If “very few” folks are going to make more money if/when the MW is raised, then very few businesses are going to suffer. The ones that will are bottom-feeding off the shameful fact that our nation’s leaders have not allowed the minimum wage to keep pace either with inflation or with gains from productivity.
In essence, that shameful failure has been subsidzing bad business models and weak management. It’s been a gift to owners of those businesses, allowing them to profit off employing people at poverty-level wages. I’m not comparing it to slavery, but remember that? According to plantation owners, that was pretty good for their business, too.
Congrats for not being a bottom-feeder yourself, I guess. But shouldn’t we assume there were good business reasons why you paid $2-3 above the MW, and why you paid bonuses for employees to show up on time, as scheduled? (I’ve worked a lot of different menial jobs at the MW and I’ve never heard of such a thing).
There are 18 or 19 states, btw, that have higher MWs than the federal rate. They aren’t collapsing and their doesn’t appear to be a correlation between their wages and unemployment rates.
One of certain conservatives’ holy grails has been to abolish the MW. But the absence of a MW, or a much lower minimum wage in no way guarantees low or lower unemployment. Somalia has no minimum wage, and the job prospects there are pretty grim. In Belize it’s the equivalent of $1.65 an hour. Their unemployment rate is 8.2 percent.
Wait, is Frank now pretending to be a business owner?
“I also appreciate the message “comment is awaiting moderation” although on this particular blog, it ought to say “awaiting approval” since there’s irony in saying it will be moderated.”
–Warren
Warren, I’ve trashed 2 of your comments in the past month. Are you suggesting I should have trashed more? At least a couple of regulars believe I should have.
gdad, I take Frank at his word that he was, or is, a business owner. Don’t allow yourself to stoop to you-know-who’s level.
Only Dan’s comment at 11:47pm is showing, as comment #1, when it says there are 51 comments in this thread.
hey gdad,
are you sayin’ bad thingies about me again? it’s way past time for you to put your peashooter away and go out and catch the bus. and, don’t let those tougher kids keep stealing your lunch money.
go on now and have a good day.
Oh the irony of Frank accusing others of using a “peashooter”.
Now why would I ever say anything about a blog entity like you who spreads lies and doesn’t make sense about half the time, Frank?
Frank, gdad, why don’t you guys knock it off and discuss issues?
Wonder what the rest of the comments were on this thread? Can’t see ‘em.
Hi Dan and gdad,
Here’s an issue, I think. The president says that “thousands of teachers and educators will be laid off” if republicans “allow” sequestration to happen.
Dan and gdad, how many teachers do you think Virginia will be forced to lay off if the sequestration happens?
Do you think sequestration will affect more Roanoke City teachers than Roanoke County teachers?
http://news.yahoo.com/obama-warns-grim-meat-cleaver-spending-cuts-175955011–abc-news-politics.html;_ylt=A2KJ2UZiwiNRn0UAFyrQtDMD
Gosh, Frank, what a deep and thought-provoking subject. I guess I could flip a coin. But it doesn’t really matter to right wingers, who WANT the budget cut, which inevitably will lead to job loss.
Oh crap, I forgot that the government doesn’t create jobs.
gdad,
That’s a cop-out answer, and you know it. C’mon, why don’t you take a stab at it? What have you got to lose? I’d bet that NO teachers or educators in either jurisdiction will get laid off due to sequestration…..but that is so clearly in direct conflict with what that smart guy, obama, is spewing, that I just have to be wrong, don’t I?
Your silence to this post will be deafening, and telling.
Now you see, Frank, if you’d just come out and make clear what you mean to start with, wouldn’t that be just so much better? Instead, you have to play idiotic, meaningless elementary school-level games.
If you had simply said you didn’t think Congressional sequestration would end up costing any local teachers their jobs, I probably wouldn’t have replied at all, or I would have said that a loss of that much federal money will without question cost some people their jobs somewhere (some of them in private businesses that depend on federal contracts), but whether any area teachers will lose their jobs remains to be seen an depends on how locals want to spend. It will also depend on how much more state money is coming in.
Instead, you asked a completely brainless question about which locality would lose more, NOT whether or not they would lose at all.