By DICK MORRIS & EILEEN MCGANN
Published on TheHill.com on November 6, 2009
As the suicidal Democratic congressmen proceed to rubber-stamp the Obama healthcare reform despite the drubbing their party took in the '09 elections, the president trotted out the endorsements of the AMA and the AARP to stimulate support. But these -- and the other endorsements -- his package has received are all bought and paid for.
Here are the deals:
* The American Medical Association (AMA) was facing a 21 percent cut in physicians' reimbursements under the current law. Obama promised to kill the cut if they backed his bill. The cuts are the fruit of a law requiring annual 5-6 percent reductions in doctor reimbursements for treating Medicare patients. Bravely, each year Congress has rolled the cuts over, suspending them but not repealing them. So each year, the accumulated cuts threaten doctors. By now, they have risen to 21 percent. With this blackmail leverage, Obama compelled the AMA to support his bill...or else!
* The AARP got a financial windfall in return for its support of the healthcare bill. Over the past decade, the AARP has morphed from an advocacy group to an insurance company (through its subsidiary company). It is one of the main suppliers of Medi-gap insurance, a high-cost, privately purchased coverage that picks up where Medicare leaves off. But President Bush-43 passed the Medicare Advantage program, which offered a subsidized, lower-cost alternative to Medi-gap. Under Medicare Advantage, the elderly get all the extra coverage they need plus coordinated, well-managed care, usually by the same physician. So more than 10 million seniors went with Medicare Advantage, cutting into AARP Medi-gap revenues.
Presto! Obama solved their problem. He eliminates subsidies for Medicare Advantage. The elderly will have to pay more for coverage under Medigap, but the AARP -- which supposedly represents them -- will make more money. (If this galls you, join the American Seniors Association, the alternative group; contact sbarton@americanseniors.org. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .)
* The drug industry backed ObamaCare and, in return, got a 10-year limit of $80 billion on cuts in prescription drug costs. (A drop in the bucket of their almost $3 trillion projected cost over the next decade.) They also got administration assurances that it will continue to bar lower-cost Canadian drugs from coming into the U.S. All it had to do was put its formidable advertising budget at the disposal of the administration.
* Insurance companies got access to 40 million potential new customers. But when the Senate Finance Committee lowered the fine that would be imposed on those who don't buy insurance from $3,500 to $1,500, the insurance companies jumped ship and now oppose the bill, albeit for the worst of motives.
The only industry that refused to knuckle under was the medical device makers. They stood for principle and wouldn't go along with Obama's blackmail. So the Senate Finance Committee retaliated by imposing a tax on medical devices such as automated wheelchairs, pacemakers, arterial stents, prosthetic limbs, artificial knees and hips and other necessary accoutrements of healthcare.
So these endorsements are not freely given, but bought and paid for by an administration that is intent on passing its program at any cost.
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Monday, November 16, 2009
View your web site as a graph
Here's what The Muse News looks like.
View your web site as a graph
I also ran my Crossed Brush Studio and Windows Into Our Past. They look so cool.
Legend for the colors:
View your web site as a graphI also ran my Crossed Brush Studio and Windows Into Our Past. They look so cool.
Legend for the colors:
- blue: for links
- red: for tables
- green: for DIV tag
- violet: for images
- yellow: for forms
- orange: for linebreaks and blockquotes
- black: the HTML tag, the root node
- gray: all other tags
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Very Productive Day
It has been a productive day. I got a lot of stuff done at the house. This afternoon, Walt & I did some household errands and ended up finding a bunch of stuff that we needed to get to be prepared for the upcoming holidays.
After much searching, seemingly every store on Hull Street Road, we found the perfect mantle for above the fireplace at Lowe's. We also picked up a table for the foyer. While in Target we found some truly disturbing Christmas cards featuring the President. They weren't right.
We made a stop by the Hallmark store for an ornament and ended up getting a snowman. It is going to be so cool.
Walt's going to be busy putting together the table and then we both are going to work on the mantle. It would be great if we could get it up before the weekend.
We watched Disney/Pixar's Up last night and then caught the extras. The short, Partly Cloudy was a scream. I laughed so hard that I was crying. Here's a copy that I found on YouTube.
Email & Newsletter Gleanings:
Think Test Give it a try...
Click on the link below and take the test. The normal rate is 7 out of 25. Good Luck! Be sure to forward to your friends. Don't be Embarrassed if it's not so high. Not many people score more than 5.
A Think Test
After much searching, seemingly every store on Hull Street Road, we found the perfect mantle for above the fireplace at Lowe's. We also picked up a table for the foyer. While in Target we found some truly disturbing Christmas cards featuring the President. They weren't right.
We made a stop by the Hallmark store for an ornament and ended up getting a snowman. It is going to be so cool.
Walt's going to be busy putting together the table and then we both are going to work on the mantle. It would be great if we could get it up before the weekend.
We watched Disney/Pixar's Up last night and then caught the extras. The short, Partly Cloudy was a scream. I laughed so hard that I was crying. Here's a copy that I found on YouTube.
Email & Newsletter Gleanings:
Click on the link below and take the test. The normal rate is 7 out of 25. Good Luck! Be sure to forward to your friends. Don't be Embarrassed if it's not so high. Not many people score more than 5.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
November Fun
It's been a pretty good day. Headed out to iHops for brunch this morning with Walter, Josh and his nieces. It was a real experience. Fun stuff.
Walt & I made a 'journey' to WalMart. I was surprised that we were able to get in and out without standing in a never ending line. Glad we got that over with. Hopefully I won't need to go back into the store until after the holidays, sometime in January. I just know it was a fluke that it wasn't crowded today. The craziness all begins in a couple of weeks.
On the Christmas shopping front, I have managed to either already pick up or at least know what I getting for everyone on my list. With just a hair of luck I'll have everything finished off before Thanksgiving. I plan on spending the day after Thanksgiving decorating the house for Christmas.
We've got a movie plans for the evening, a screening of Disney/Pixars Up. It promises to be an entertaining movie.
Email & Newsletter Gleanings:
Thought For the Day: "America once made the required nod to the Constitution. When We the People wanted to make some fundamental change or expand the federal government's reach, we did the right thing and amended the Constitution. ... If we once thought that we had to amend the Constitution to ban 'intoxicating liquors' and later had to again amend the Constitution to re-legalize the stuff, wouldn't we need an amendment to allow the government to intrude even more intimately into our lives? ... If Congress were to do the right thing and initiate an amendment to enshrine the 'individual mandate' in the Constitution ... it would fail miserably. If America is still America, Americans will not tolerate being told they have to buy something, especially if it's for no other reason than that they exist. ... I'm afraid Congress has not only misread the Constitution, but they've also misjudged the American people. Or maybe they just don't know what country they live in." -- Jon N. Hall at American Thinker
We Noticed President Obama:
Today I read of your administrations' plan to re-define September 11 as a National Service Day. Sir, it's time we had a talk.........
During your campaign, Americans watched as you made mockery of our tradition of standing and crossing your heart when the Pledge of Allegiance was spoken. You, out of four people on the stage, were the only one not honoring our tradition.
YES, "We noticed."
During one of your many speeches, Americans heard you say that you intended to visit all 57 states. We all know that Islam, not America has 57 states.
YES, "We noticed."
When President Bush leaned over at Ground Zero and gently placed a flower on the memorial, while you nonchalantly tossed your flower onto the pile without leaning over.
YES, "We noticed."
Every time you apologized to other countries for America's position on an issue we have wondered why you don't share our pride in this great country. When you have heard foreign leaders berate our country and our beliefs, you have not defended us. In fact, you insulted the
British Crown beyond belief.
YES, "We noticed."
When your pastor of 20 years, "God-damned America" and said that 9/11 was "America 's chickens coming home to roost" and you denied having heard recriminations of that nature, we wondered how that could be. You later disassociated yourself from that church and Pastor Wright because it was politically expedient to do so.
YES, "We noticed."
When you announced that you would transform America, we wondered why. With all her faults, America is the greatest country on earth. Sir, KEEP THIS IN MIND, "if not for America and the people who built her, you wouldn't be sitting in the White House now." Prior to your election to the highest office in this Country, you were a senator from Illinois and from what we can glean from the records available, not a very remarkable one.
YES, "We noticed."
All through your campaign and even now, you have surrounded yourself with individuals who are basically unqualified for the positions for which you appointed them. Worse than that, the majority of them are people who, like you, bear no special allegiance, respect, or affection for this country and her traditions.
YES, "We noticed."
You are 9 months into your term and every morning millions of Americans wake up to a new horror heaped on us by you. You seek to saddle working Americans with a health care/insurance reform package that, along with cap and trade, will bankrupt this nation.
YES, "We noticed."
We seek, by protesting, to let our representatives know that we are not in favor of these crippling expenditures and we are labeled "un-American", "racist", "mob". We wonder how we are supposed to let you know how frustrated we are. You have attempted to make our
protests seem isolated and insignificant. Until you, Americans had the right to speak out.
YES, "We noticed."
On September 11, 2001 there were no Republicans or Democrats, only Americans. And we all grieved together and helped each other in whatever way we could. The attack on 9/11 was carried out because we are Americans.
And YES, "We noticed."
There were many of us who prayed that as a black president you could help unite this nation. In six months you have done more to destroy this nation than the attack on 9/11. You have failed us.
YES, "We noticed."
September 11 is a day of remembrance for all Americans. You propose to make 9/11 a "National Service Day". While we know that you don't share our reverence for 9/11, we pray that history will report your proposal as what it is...a disgrace.
YES, "We noticed."
You have made a mockery of our Constitution and the office that you hold. You have embarrassed and slighted us in foreign visits and policy.
YES, "We noticed.."
We have noticed all these things. We will deal with you. When Americans come together again, it will be to remove you from office.
Take notice.
Walt & I made a 'journey' to WalMart. I was surprised that we were able to get in and out without standing in a never ending line. Glad we got that over with. Hopefully I won't need to go back into the store until after the holidays, sometime in January. I just know it was a fluke that it wasn't crowded today. The craziness all begins in a couple of weeks.
On the Christmas shopping front, I have managed to either already pick up or at least know what I getting for everyone on my list. With just a hair of luck I'll have everything finished off before Thanksgiving. I plan on spending the day after Thanksgiving decorating the house for Christmas.
We've got a movie plans for the evening, a screening of Disney/Pixars Up. It promises to be an entertaining movie.
Email & Newsletter Gleanings:
Thought For the Day: "America once made the required nod to the Constitution. When We the People wanted to make some fundamental change or expand the federal government's reach, we did the right thing and amended the Constitution. ... If we once thought that we had to amend the Constitution to ban 'intoxicating liquors' and later had to again amend the Constitution to re-legalize the stuff, wouldn't we need an amendment to allow the government to intrude even more intimately into our lives? ... If Congress were to do the right thing and initiate an amendment to enshrine the 'individual mandate' in the Constitution ... it would fail miserably. If America is still America, Americans will not tolerate being told they have to buy something, especially if it's for no other reason than that they exist. ... I'm afraid Congress has not only misread the Constitution, but they've also misjudged the American people. Or maybe they just don't know what country they live in." -- Jon N. Hall at American Thinker
Today I read of your administrations' plan to re-define September 11 as a National Service Day. Sir, it's time we had a talk.........
During your campaign, Americans watched as you made mockery of our tradition of standing and crossing your heart when the Pledge of Allegiance was spoken. You, out of four people on the stage, were the only one not honoring our tradition.
YES, "We noticed."
During one of your many speeches, Americans heard you say that you intended to visit all 57 states. We all know that Islam, not America has 57 states.
YES, "We noticed."
When President Bush leaned over at Ground Zero and gently placed a flower on the memorial, while you nonchalantly tossed your flower onto the pile without leaning over.
YES, "We noticed."
Every time you apologized to other countries for America's position on an issue we have wondered why you don't share our pride in this great country. When you have heard foreign leaders berate our country and our beliefs, you have not defended us. In fact, you insulted the
British Crown beyond belief.
YES, "We noticed."
When your pastor of 20 years, "God-damned America" and said that 9/11 was "America 's chickens coming home to roost" and you denied having heard recriminations of that nature, we wondered how that could be. You later disassociated yourself from that church and Pastor Wright because it was politically expedient to do so.
YES, "We noticed."
When you announced that you would transform America, we wondered why. With all her faults, America is the greatest country on earth. Sir, KEEP THIS IN MIND, "if not for America and the people who built her, you wouldn't be sitting in the White House now." Prior to your election to the highest office in this Country, you were a senator from Illinois and from what we can glean from the records available, not a very remarkable one.
YES, "We noticed."
All through your campaign and even now, you have surrounded yourself with individuals who are basically unqualified for the positions for which you appointed them. Worse than that, the majority of them are people who, like you, bear no special allegiance, respect, or affection for this country and her traditions.
YES, "We noticed."
You are 9 months into your term and every morning millions of Americans wake up to a new horror heaped on us by you. You seek to saddle working Americans with a health care/insurance reform package that, along with cap and trade, will bankrupt this nation.
YES, "We noticed."
We seek, by protesting, to let our representatives know that we are not in favor of these crippling expenditures and we are labeled "un-American", "racist", "mob". We wonder how we are supposed to let you know how frustrated we are. You have attempted to make our
protests seem isolated and insignificant. Until you, Americans had the right to speak out.
YES, "We noticed."
On September 11, 2001 there were no Republicans or Democrats, only Americans. And we all grieved together and helped each other in whatever way we could. The attack on 9/11 was carried out because we are Americans.
And YES, "We noticed."
There were many of us who prayed that as a black president you could help unite this nation. In six months you have done more to destroy this nation than the attack on 9/11. You have failed us.
YES, "We noticed."
September 11 is a day of remembrance for all Americans. You propose to make 9/11 a "National Service Day". While we know that you don't share our reverence for 9/11, we pray that history will report your proposal as what it is...a disgrace.
YES, "We noticed."
You have made a mockery of our Constitution and the office that you hold. You have embarrassed and slighted us in foreign visits and policy.
YES, "We noticed.."
We have noticed all these things. We will deal with you. When Americans come together again, it will be to remove you from office.
Take notice.
Cozy Carla
I ordered Carla a new bed at the end of last week, this one is 'heated'. Since the weather has turned cooler, her arthritis is beginning to act up. If I had any doubt that I had made a good choice it has been wiped away. Once she found out that it was warm, she has been curled up there ever since. It was funny last night she was ready to go to bed, which means in Walter's room, and she kept staring at us till we moved the new bed back in to his room for the night. Then this morning we were in the living room and she did the same thing until we brought the bed into the room where we were. She's loving it.
Evening Out
It has been a busy day, working on video editing. Almost finished the 6th video in a series. Just a few more edits and it will be done, but that will have to wait till Monday.
This evening the group got together at Guiseppe's for dinner followed by another get together at Buffalo Wild Wings. There was a good sized crowd at BW3's.
Guiseppe's and Buffalo Wild Wings Photos
Email & Newsletter Gleanings:
Thought For the Day: "If we can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people, under the pretence of taking care of them, they must become happy." -- Thomas Jefferson
Do you remember 1987
Thought you might be interested in this forgotten bit of information..........
It was 1987!
At a lecture the other day they were playing an old news video of Lt. Col. Oliver North testifying at the Iran-Contra hearings during the Reagan Administration.
There was Ollie in front of God and country getting the third degree, but what he said was stunning!
He was being drilled by a senator; 'Did you not recently spend close to $60,000 for a home security system?'
Ollie replied, 'Yes, I did, Sir.'
The senator continued, trying to get a laugh out of the audience, 'Isn't that just a little excessive?'
'No, sir,' continued Ollie.
'No? And why not?' the senator asked.
'Because the lives of my family and I were threatened, sir.'
'Threatened? By whom?' the senator questioned.
'By a terrorist, sir' Ollie answered.
'Terrorist? What terrorist could possibly scare you that much?'
'His name is Osama bin Laden, sir' Ollie replied.
At this point the senator tried to repeat the name, but couldn't pronounce it, which most people back then probably couldn't... A couple of people laughed at the attempt. Then the senator continued. Why are you so afraid of this man?' the senator asked.
'Because, sir, he is the most evil person alive that I know of', Ollie answered.
'And what do you recommend we do about him?' asked the senator.
'Well, sir, if it was up to me, I would recommend that an assassin team be formed to eliminate him and his men from the face of the earth.'
The senator disagreed with this approach, and that was all that was shown of the clip.
By the way, that senator was Al Gore!
Also:
Terrorist pilot Mohammad Atta blew up a bus in Israel 1986. The Israelis captured, tried and imprisoned him. As part of the Oslo agreement with the Palestine and in 1993, Israel had to agree to release so-called 'political prisoners.'
However, the Israelis would not release any with blood on their hands, The American President at the time, Bill Clinton,
and his Secretary of State, Warren Christopher, 'insisted' that all prisoners be released.
Thus Mohammad Atta was freed and eventually thanked us by flying an airplane into Tower One of the World Trade Center ... This was reported by many of the American TV networks at the time that the terrorists were first identified.
It was censored in the US from all later reports.
RULES OF MARRIAGE - as described by kids
1. HOW DO YOU DECIDE WHO TO MARRY?
-You got to find somebody who likes the same stuff.. Like, if you like sports, she should like it that you like sports, and she should keep the chips and dip coming. -- Alan, age 10
-No person really decides before they grow up who they're going to marry. God decides it all way before, and you get to find out later who you're stuck with. -- Kristen, age 10
2. WHAT IS THE RIGHT AGE TO GET MARRIED?
Twenty-three is the best age because you know the person FOREVER by then. -- Camille, age 10
3. HOW CAN A STRANGER TELL IF 2 PEOPLE ARE MARRIED?
You might have to guess, based on whether they seem to be yelling at the same kids. -- Derrick, age 8
4. WHAT DO YOU THINK YOUR MOM AND DAD HAVE IN COMMON?
Both don't want any more kids. -- Lori, age 8
5. WHAT DO MOST PEOPLE DO ON A DATE?
-Dates are for having fun, and people should use them to get to know each other. Even boys have something to say if you listen long enough. -- Lynnette, age 8 (isn't she a treasure)
-On the first date, they just tell each other lies and that usually gets them interested enough to go for a second date. -- Martin, age 10
6. WHEN IS IT OKAY TO KISS SOMEONE?
-When they're rich. -- Pam, age 7
-The law says you have to be eighteen, so I wouldn't want to mess with that - Curt, age 7
-The rule goes like this: If you kiss someone, then you should marry them and have kids with them. It's the right thing to do. - - Howard, age 8
7. IS IT BETTER TO BE SINGLE OR MARRIED?
It's better for girls to be single but not for boys. Boys need someone to clean up after them. -- Anita, age 9 (bless you child )
8. HOW WOULD THE WORLD BE DIFFERENT IF PEOPLE DIDN'T GET MARRIED?
There sure would be a lot of kids to explain, wouldn't there? -- Kelvin, age 8
And the #1 Favorite is ..........
9. HOW WOULD YOU MAKE A MARRIAGE WORK?
Tell your wife that she looks pretty, even if she looks like a dump truck . -- Ricky, age 10
This evening the group got together at Guiseppe's for dinner followed by another get together at Buffalo Wild Wings. There was a good sized crowd at BW3's.
Guiseppe's and Buffalo Wild Wings Photos
Email & Newsletter Gleanings:
Thought For the Day: "If we can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people, under the pretence of taking care of them, they must become happy." -- Thomas Jefferson
Thought you might be interested in this forgotten bit of information..........
It was 1987!
At a lecture the other day they were playing an old news video of Lt. Col. Oliver North testifying at the Iran-Contra hearings during the Reagan Administration.
There was Ollie in front of God and country getting the third degree, but what he said was stunning!
He was being drilled by a senator; 'Did you not recently spend close to $60,000 for a home security system?'
Ollie replied, 'Yes, I did, Sir.'
The senator continued, trying to get a laugh out of the audience, 'Isn't that just a little excessive?'
'No, sir,' continued Ollie.
'No? And why not?' the senator asked.
'Because the lives of my family and I were threatened, sir.'
'Threatened? By whom?' the senator questioned.
'By a terrorist, sir' Ollie answered.
'Terrorist? What terrorist could possibly scare you that much?'
'His name is Osama bin Laden, sir' Ollie replied.
At this point the senator tried to repeat the name, but couldn't pronounce it, which most people back then probably couldn't... A couple of people laughed at the attempt. Then the senator continued. Why are you so afraid of this man?' the senator asked.
'Because, sir, he is the most evil person alive that I know of', Ollie answered.
'And what do you recommend we do about him?' asked the senator.
'Well, sir, if it was up to me, I would recommend that an assassin team be formed to eliminate him and his men from the face of the earth.'
The senator disagreed with this approach, and that was all that was shown of the clip.
By the way, that senator was Al Gore!
Also:
Terrorist pilot Mohammad Atta blew up a bus in Israel 1986. The Israelis captured, tried and imprisoned him. As part of the Oslo agreement with the Palestine and in 1993, Israel had to agree to release so-called 'political prisoners.'
However, the Israelis would not release any with blood on their hands, The American President at the time, Bill Clinton,
and his Secretary of State, Warren Christopher, 'insisted' that all prisoners be released.
Thus Mohammad Atta was freed and eventually thanked us by flying an airplane into Tower One of the World Trade Center ... This was reported by many of the American TV networks at the time that the terrorists were first identified.
It was censored in the US from all later reports.
1. HOW DO YOU DECIDE WHO TO MARRY?
-You got to find somebody who likes the same stuff.. Like, if you like sports, she should like it that you like sports, and she should keep the chips and dip coming. -- Alan, age 10
-No person really decides before they grow up who they're going to marry. God decides it all way before, and you get to find out later who you're stuck with. -- Kristen, age 10
2. WHAT IS THE RIGHT AGE TO GET MARRIED?
Twenty-three is the best age because you know the person FOREVER by then. -- Camille, age 10
3. HOW CAN A STRANGER TELL IF 2 PEOPLE ARE MARRIED?
You might have to guess, based on whether they seem to be yelling at the same kids. -- Derrick, age 8
4. WHAT DO YOU THINK YOUR MOM AND DAD HAVE IN COMMON?
Both don't want any more kids. -- Lori, age 8
5. WHAT DO MOST PEOPLE DO ON A DATE?
-Dates are for having fun, and people should use them to get to know each other. Even boys have something to say if you listen long enough. -- Lynnette, age 8 (isn't she a treasure)
-On the first date, they just tell each other lies and that usually gets them interested enough to go for a second date. -- Martin, age 10
6. WHEN IS IT OKAY TO KISS SOMEONE?
-When they're rich. -- Pam, age 7
-The law says you have to be eighteen, so I wouldn't want to mess with that - Curt, age 7
-The rule goes like this: If you kiss someone, then you should marry them and have kids with them. It's the right thing to do. - - Howard, age 8
7. IS IT BETTER TO BE SINGLE OR MARRIED?
It's better for girls to be single but not for boys. Boys need someone to clean up after them. -- Anita, age 9 (bless you child )
8. HOW WOULD THE WORLD BE DIFFERENT IF PEOPLE DIDN'T GET MARRIED?
There sure would be a lot of kids to explain, wouldn't there? -- Kelvin, age 8
And the #1 Favorite is ..........
9. HOW WOULD YOU MAKE A MARRIAGE WORK?
Tell your wife that she looks pretty, even if she looks like a dump truck . -- Ricky, age 10
Friday, November 13, 2009
Java for the Troops
Stopped by Starbucks, located inside of the Ukrops on Midlothian Turnpike, on the way into the office this morning for some Chai tea and saw that they are running a promotion to send coffee to the troops in Afghanistan. They are sending the new Via instant coffee packages. Purchase either a 3 or 12 pack, write a sentiment on the packaging and they will send it off.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Time to Build An Ark?
Just loving all this rain. Being locked away in my office most of the time, I missed the memo on the storm that was heading our way. It really surprised me on Tuesday night as I left work to rain (I had worked late). It took until Wednesday for me to find out just how much rain we are expected to get.
Brian F. at the office has been Twittering sarcastically about seeing someone building an ark. At the pace that it is going we just may at least need to break out a boat to get around.
Coal for Congress!
Coal for Congress! Wow what a cool idea. One of the local radio hosts here on WRVA came up with this way to show Congress how 'bad' they were being and help out a great cause at the same time. For a donation to the WRVA-Alden Aaroe Shoe Fund they will have a lump of Virginia coal hand delivered to Congress in your name. One can only image how that will be received. Sounds good to me.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
A Very Full Tuesday
The day started off normally enough, but it has turned into a true marathon. A full day of video editing, more to come over the next few days. Followed by a evening of teleconference call preparation and recording.
Wow! We had more than our share of gremlins in the phones this evening. Our start time was pushed back by more than 30 minutes and still there was some scratchy sounds on the line. We'll try to fix it during editing tomorrow.
I'm heading out in the next hour to pick up Sean from the high school. He's finally taking his driver's education classes. I know he will be happy to get his drivers license and I'm sure that it will be a help to everyone at his house as well.
It's going to be a late dinner tonight. I'm stopping by Ukrop's on the way to find something delicious and quick!
Wow! We had more than our share of gremlins in the phones this evening. Our start time was pushed back by more than 30 minutes and still there was some scratchy sounds on the line. We'll try to fix it during editing tomorrow.
I'm heading out in the next hour to pick up Sean from the high school. He's finally taking his driver's education classes. I know he will be happy to get his drivers license and I'm sure that it will be a help to everyone at his house as well.
It's going to be a late dinner tonight. I'm stopping by Ukrop's on the way to find something delicious and quick!
A New Form of Debtor's Prision???
Interesting article with a disturbing conclusion, don't purchase health insurance and get fined or jailed! Interview with the President: Jail Time for Those without Health Care Insurance?
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Shocking video from CBS 60 Minutes
How sad that Mr. Rooney is does not like being called a Veteran, yet that is his choice. But to suggest that we that should not honor our veterans on Veteran's Day, and instead celebrate a "No War Day" is offensive.
Remember our Veterans and thank them for their service to us and our nation. They deserve the day of honor.
Click Here to See the Video on CBS's own site.
Remember our Veterans and thank them for their service to us and our nation. They deserve the day of honor.
Click Here to See the Video on CBS's own site.
Sunny Sunday
After several weeks of dreary looking Sundays we are being treated to a cool yet cheerfully bright and sunny morning.While standing on the porch there was quite a show going on the front yard the squirrels were rummaging though the leaves for the acorns that had fallen from the nearby oaks. They are a busy pair. Scrambling all over the front yard, stopping to eat then discarding the hull as they move on in search for the next snack.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Saturday Shoot
I headed out this morning to the office for a video shoot. We were working on getting shooting the footage for a new series that Dr. Martin will be doing. Great material. The videos look good now, but once we get all the editing and additions done I'm sure they will look fantastic.
This afternoon I got started on my next class, Design and Composition. The first assignment is already done and turned in. I'll most likely work through the next lesson tomorrow, but I don't want to get too far ahead of my graded work, in case there is an element that I miss.
It was a bright afternoon when I got back in from the office. There haven't been that many nice days lately to enjoy when I get home. This bunch of mushrooms had sprung up on one of the stumps leftover from the deforestation of the yard this spring.
Speaking of Spring I was shocked to see the rhododendron blooming! I do believe that it is a bit confused.
Walter headed out before I did this morning to attend the football game at William & Mary in Williamsburg. He rolled in around 8 this evening. William & Mary won.
Email & Newsletter Gleanings:
Thought For the Day: "Work as if you were to live 100 Years, Pray as if you were to die tomorrow." -- Benjamin Franklin
The Yellow Shirt
The yellow shirt had long sleeves, four extra-large pockets trimmed in black thread and snaps up the front. It was faded from years of wear, but still in decent shape. I found it in 1963 when I was home from college on Christmas break, rummaging through bags of clothes Mom intended to give away.
'You're not taking that old thing, are you?' Mom said when she saw me packing the yellow shirt. 'I wore that when I was pregnant with your brother in 1954!'
'It's just the thing to wear over my clothes during art class, Mom. Thanks!' I slipped it into my suitcase before she could object. The yellow shirt be came a part of my college wardrobe. I loved it.
After graduation, I wore the shirt the day I moved into my new apartment and on Saturday mornings when I cleaned.
The next year, I married. When I became pregnant, I wore the yellow shirt during big-belly days. I missed Mom and the rest of my family, since we were in Colorado and they were in Illinois . But, that shirt helped. I smiled, remembering that Mother had worn it when she was pregnant, 25 years earlier.
That Christmas, mindful of the warm feelings the shirt had given me, I patched one elbow, wrapped it in holiday paper and sent it to Mom. When Mom wrote to thank me for her 'real' gifts, she said the yellow shirt was lovely. She never mentioned it again.
The next year, my husband, daughter and I stopped at Mom and Dad's to pick up some furniture. Days later, when we uncrated the kitchen table, I noticed something yellow taped to its bottom. The shirt!
And so the pattern was set.
On our next visit home, I secretly placed the shirt under Mom and Dad's mattress. I don't know how long it took for her to find it, but almost two years passed before I discovered it under the base of our living-room floor lamp. The yellow shirt was just what I needed now while refinishing furniture. The walnut stains added character.
In 1975 my husband and I divorced. With my three children, I prepared to move back to Illinois. As I packed, a deep depression overtook me. I wondered if I could make it on my own. I wondered if I would find a job. I paged through the Bible, looking for comfort. In Ephesians, I read, 'So use every piece of God's armor to resist the enemy whenever he attacks, and when it is all over, you will be standing up.'
I tried to picture myself wearing God's armor, but all I saw was the stained yellow shirt. Slowly, it dawned on me.. Wasn't my mother's love a piece of God's armor? My courage was renewed.
Unpacking in our new home, I knew I had to get the shirt back to Mother. The next time I visited her, I tucked it in her bottom dresser drawer
Meanwhile, I found a good job at a radio station. A year later I discovered the yellow shirt hidden in a rag bag in my cleaning closet.
Something new had been added. Embroidered in bright green across the breast pocket were the words 'I BELONG TO PAT.'
Not to be outdone, I got out my own embroidery materials and added an apostrophe and seven more letters.
Now the shirt proudly proclaimed, 'I BELONG TO PAT'S MOTHER.' But I didn't stop there. I zig-zagged all the frayed seams, then had a friend mail the shirt in a fancy box to Mom from Arlington , VA. We enclosed an official looking letter from 'The Institute for the Destitute,' announcing that she was the recipient of an award for good deeds.
I would have given anything to see Mom's face when she opened the box. But, of course, she never mentioned it..
Two years later, in 1978, I remarried. The day of our wedding, Harold and I put our car in a friend's garage to avoid practical jokers. After the wedding, while my husband drove us to our honeymoon suite, I reached for a pillow in the car to rest my head. It felt lumpy. I unzipped the case and found, wrapped in wedding paper, the yellow shirt. Inside a pocket was a note: 'Read John 14:27-29. I love you both, Mother..'
That night I paged through the Bible in a hotel room and found the verses: 'I am leaving you with a gift: peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give isn't fragile like the peace the world gives. So don't be troubled or afraid. Remember what I told you: I am going away, but I will come back to you again. If you really love me, you will be very happy for me, for now I can go to the Father, who is greater than I am. I have told you these things before they happen so that when they do, you will believe in me.'
The shirt was Mother's final gift. She had known for three months that she had terminal Lou Gehrig's disease. Mother died the following year at age 57.
I was tempted to send the yellow shirt with her to her grave. But I'm glad I didn't, because it is a vivid reminder of the love-filled game she and I played for 16 years. Besides, my older daughter is in college now, majoring in art. And every art student needs a baggy yellow shirt with big pockets.
Coffee!
This gives us something to think about.
A carrot, an egg, and a cup of coffee...You will never look at a cup of coffee the same way again.
A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up; she was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved, a new one arose.
Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots came to boil. In the first she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and in the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil; without saying a word.
In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl. Turning to her daughter, she asked, ' Tell me what you see.'
'Carrots, eggs, and coffee,' she replied.
Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft. The mother then asked the daughter to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard boiled egg.
Finally, the mother asked the daughter to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled as she tasted its rich aroma. The daughter then asked, 'What does it mean, mother?'
Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity: boiling water. Each reacted differently. The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior, but after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened. The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water.
'Which are you?' she asked her daughter. 'When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?
Think of this: Which am I? Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength?
Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a breakup, a financial hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff? Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and hardened heart?
Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor. If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you. When the hour is the darkest and trials are their greatest do you elevate yourself to another level? How do you handle adversity? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?
The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything that comes along their way. The brightest future will always be based on a forgotten past; you can't go forward in life until you let go of your past failures and heartaches.
May we all be COFFEE!!!!!!!
This afternoon I got started on my next class, Design and Composition. The first assignment is already done and turned in. I'll most likely work through the next lesson tomorrow, but I don't want to get too far ahead of my graded work, in case there is an element that I miss.It was a bright afternoon when I got back in from the office. There haven't been that many nice days lately to enjoy when I get home. This bunch of mushrooms had sprung up on one of the stumps leftover from the deforestation of the yard this spring.
Speaking of Spring I was shocked to see the rhododendron blooming! I do believe that it is a bit confused.Walter headed out before I did this morning to attend the football game at William & Mary in Williamsburg. He rolled in around 8 this evening. William & Mary won.
Email & Newsletter Gleanings:
Thought For the Day: "Work as if you were to live 100 Years, Pray as if you were to die tomorrow." -- Benjamin Franklin
The yellow shirt had long sleeves, four extra-large pockets trimmed in black thread and snaps up the front. It was faded from years of wear, but still in decent shape. I found it in 1963 when I was home from college on Christmas break, rummaging through bags of clothes Mom intended to give away.
'You're not taking that old thing, are you?' Mom said when she saw me packing the yellow shirt. 'I wore that when I was pregnant with your brother in 1954!'
'It's just the thing to wear over my clothes during art class, Mom. Thanks!' I slipped it into my suitcase before she could object. The yellow shirt be came a part of my college wardrobe. I loved it.
After graduation, I wore the shirt the day I moved into my new apartment and on Saturday mornings when I cleaned.
The next year, I married. When I became pregnant, I wore the yellow shirt during big-belly days. I missed Mom and the rest of my family, since we were in Colorado and they were in Illinois . But, that shirt helped. I smiled, remembering that Mother had worn it when she was pregnant, 25 years earlier.
That Christmas, mindful of the warm feelings the shirt had given me, I patched one elbow, wrapped it in holiday paper and sent it to Mom. When Mom wrote to thank me for her 'real' gifts, she said the yellow shirt was lovely. She never mentioned it again.
The next year, my husband, daughter and I stopped at Mom and Dad's to pick up some furniture. Days later, when we uncrated the kitchen table, I noticed something yellow taped to its bottom. The shirt!
And so the pattern was set.
On our next visit home, I secretly placed the shirt under Mom and Dad's mattress. I don't know how long it took for her to find it, but almost two years passed before I discovered it under the base of our living-room floor lamp. The yellow shirt was just what I needed now while refinishing furniture. The walnut stains added character.
In 1975 my husband and I divorced. With my three children, I prepared to move back to Illinois. As I packed, a deep depression overtook me. I wondered if I could make it on my own. I wondered if I would find a job. I paged through the Bible, looking for comfort. In Ephesians, I read, 'So use every piece of God's armor to resist the enemy whenever he attacks, and when it is all over, you will be standing up.'
I tried to picture myself wearing God's armor, but all I saw was the stained yellow shirt. Slowly, it dawned on me.. Wasn't my mother's love a piece of God's armor? My courage was renewed.
Unpacking in our new home, I knew I had to get the shirt back to Mother. The next time I visited her, I tucked it in her bottom dresser drawer
Meanwhile, I found a good job at a radio station. A year later I discovered the yellow shirt hidden in a rag bag in my cleaning closet.
Something new had been added. Embroidered in bright green across the breast pocket were the words 'I BELONG TO PAT.'
Not to be outdone, I got out my own embroidery materials and added an apostrophe and seven more letters.
Now the shirt proudly proclaimed, 'I BELONG TO PAT'S MOTHER.' But I didn't stop there. I zig-zagged all the frayed seams, then had a friend mail the shirt in a fancy box to Mom from Arlington , VA. We enclosed an official looking letter from 'The Institute for the Destitute,' announcing that she was the recipient of an award for good deeds.
I would have given anything to see Mom's face when she opened the box. But, of course, she never mentioned it..
Two years later, in 1978, I remarried. The day of our wedding, Harold and I put our car in a friend's garage to avoid practical jokers. After the wedding, while my husband drove us to our honeymoon suite, I reached for a pillow in the car to rest my head. It felt lumpy. I unzipped the case and found, wrapped in wedding paper, the yellow shirt. Inside a pocket was a note: 'Read John 14:27-29. I love you both, Mother..'
That night I paged through the Bible in a hotel room and found the verses: 'I am leaving you with a gift: peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give isn't fragile like the peace the world gives. So don't be troubled or afraid. Remember what I told you: I am going away, but I will come back to you again. If you really love me, you will be very happy for me, for now I can go to the Father, who is greater than I am. I have told you these things before they happen so that when they do, you will believe in me.'
The shirt was Mother's final gift. She had known for three months that she had terminal Lou Gehrig's disease. Mother died the following year at age 57.
I was tempted to send the yellow shirt with her to her grave. But I'm glad I didn't, because it is a vivid reminder of the love-filled game she and I played for 16 years. Besides, my older daughter is in college now, majoring in art. And every art student needs a baggy yellow shirt with big pockets.
This gives us something to think about.
A carrot, an egg, and a cup of coffee...You will never look at a cup of coffee the same way again.
A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up; she was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved, a new one arose.
Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots came to boil. In the first she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and in the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil; without saying a word.
In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl. Turning to her daughter, she asked, ' Tell me what you see.'
'Carrots, eggs, and coffee,' she replied.
Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft. The mother then asked the daughter to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard boiled egg.
Finally, the mother asked the daughter to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled as she tasted its rich aroma. The daughter then asked, 'What does it mean, mother?'
Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity: boiling water. Each reacted differently. The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior, but after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened. The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water.
'Which are you?' she asked her daughter. 'When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?
Think of this: Which am I? Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength?
Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a breakup, a financial hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff? Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and hardened heart?
Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor. If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you. When the hour is the darkest and trials are their greatest do you elevate yourself to another level? How do you handle adversity? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?
The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything that comes along their way. The brightest future will always be based on a forgotten past; you can't go forward in life until you let go of your past failures and heartaches.
May we all be COFFEE!!!!!!!
Friday, November 6, 2009
Funky Friday
It has been a bit of a funky Friday. I didn't want to get out of the bed this morning. I was cold and didn't want to crawl out from under the covers. Once up and going things moved along fairly well. Although there was a definitely weird feel to the whole day. I guess you could say it had an odd vibe.
Apparently there has been some strange things going on at the house today. This hand magically appeared when they put a waffle in the toaster. Sort of reminded me of this video that Walter found online.
This evening we're going to watch some movies. Perhaps Walt will build another fire, if not there is going to be some upward movement in the thermostat.
Apparently there has been some strange things going on at the house today. This hand magically appeared when they put a waffle in the toaster. Sort of reminded me of this video that Walter found online.This evening we're going to watch some movies. Perhaps Walt will build another fire, if not there is going to be some upward movement in the thermostat.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Thursday
For the moment it seems that I have been spared from the yuck that has been being passed around lately. I surely thought last night that I was going come down with something.Found this shocking picture of eggs on WRVA's website. Truly funny.
We've got company heading over for dinner this evening. Walt has decided that there is still time to get some grilling done. He's going to grill some veggies and steaks this evening. Wow! I don't even have to cook.
Email & Newsletter Gleanings:
Thought For the Day: "It does not take a majority to prevail ... but rather an irate, tireless minority, keen on setting brushfires of freedom in the minds of men." -- Samuel Adams
The exam purposely covered a broad array of topics.
I call your attention to question # 11, which simply read:
LIST, IN ANY ORDER, THE FOUR SEASONS:
1.. ________ 2. ______ 3. ______ 4. _________
Now, could you possibly imagine that 67% of the students
gave the following answer?
- SQUIRREL SEASON
- DEER SEASON
- RABBIT SEASON
- TURKEY SEASON
West Virginia
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Wacky Wednesday
It has been an odd day. Things at the office have gone well, just odd. A few of the projects that I thought I might have to work on I've not had to. Then the odd restructuring of an email campaign. It is tedious task changing the attachments over to an html version, although it could be much worse.The Republican Party here is Virginia has been celebrating the victories in Tuesday's election. Tomorrow it will be time to roll up our sleeves and get to business of begin prepared for the next challenge.
The photo is a little cell phone silliness from Walter.
Email & Newsletter Gleanings:
Thought For the Day: "How many people are stuck in jobs they hate and aren't good at, rather than going out and doing something useful, because they need the health insurance from their employers? I'm not just talking about MSNBC anchors -- I mean throughout the entire economy." -- columnist Ann Coulter
I received this link from one of the business people that I follow on Twitter. Really cool stuff!
45 Free Useful Thumb Drive Applications
WOW, this is just toooooooo clever:
HEMA is a Dutch department store. The first store opened on November 4, 1926, in Amsterdam. Now there are 150 stores all over the Netherlands .
Take a look at HEMA's product page. You can't order anything and it's in Dutch - but just wait a couple of seconds and watch what happens.?
Don't click on any of the items in the picture, just wait and see what happens.?
This company has a sense of humor and a great computer programmer, who has too much time on his hands..? (naturally, "I" DISAGREE with that statement...... whoever did this was.... EXTREMELY CREATIVELY TALENTED..... bjs)
Click link here and enjoy - you need sound to enjoy it best!!?
Barack Obama meets with the Queen of England. He asks her, "How do you run such an efficient government? Are there any tips you can give to me?"
"Well," says the Queen, "the most important thing is to surround yourself with intelligent people."
Obama frowns. "But how do I know the people around me are really intelligent?" he asks.
"Oh, that's easy," says the Queen. "You just ask them to answer a simple riddle."
Just then Gordon Brown walks into the room.
"Gordon, your mother and father have a child," says the Queen. "It is not your brother and it is not your sister. Who is it?"
Brown answers, "Oh. That would be ... me, your majesty?"
"Yes! Very good," says the Queen.
Upon his return to Washington, D.C., Obama asks Joe Biden the same question. "Joe. Your mother and your father have a kid. It's not your brother and it's not your sister. Who is it?"
"I'm not sure," says Biden. "Let me get back to you on that one." He goes to his advisers and asks every one, but no one can give him an answer. Finally, he ends up in the men's room and recognizes Robert Gates' shoes in the next stall. Biden asks Gates, "Robert! Can you answer this for me? Your mother and father have a child and it's not your brother or your sister. Who is it?"
Gates responds, "That's easy. It's me!"
Biden smiles, and says, "Thanks!" Then, he goes back to speak with Obama.
"Say, I did some research and I have the answer to that riddle. It's Robert Gates."
Obama gets up, stomps over to Biden, and angrily yells into his face, "No, you idiot! It's Gordon Brown!"
A mature (over 50) lady gets pulled over for speeding...
Older Woman: Is there a problem, Officer?
Officer: Ma'am, you were speeding.
Older Woman: Oh, I see.
Officer: Can I see your license please?
Older Woman: I'd give it to you but I don't have one.
Officer: Don't have one?
Older Woman: Lost it, 4 years ago for drunk driving.
Officer: I see...Can I see your vehicle registration papers please..
Older Woman: I can't do that.
Officer: Why not?
Older Woman: I stole this car.
Officer: Stole it?
Older Woman: Yes, and I killed and hacked up the owner.
Officer: You what?
Older Woman: His body parts are in plastic bags in the trunk if you want to see
The Officer looks at the woman and slowly backs away to his car and calls for back up. Within minutes 5 police cars circle the car.
A senior officer slowly approaches the car, clasping his half drawn gun.
Officer 2: Ma'am, could you step out of your vehicle please! The woman steps out of her vehicle.
Older woman: Is there a problem sir?
Officer 2: One of my officers told me that you have stolen this car and murdered the owner.
Older Woman: Murdered the owner?
Officer 2: Yes, could you please open the trunk of your car, please.
The woman opens the trunk, revealing nothing but an empty trunk.
Officer 2: Is this your car, ma'am?
Older Woman: Yes, here are the registration papers.
The officer is quite stunned.
Officer 2: One of my officers claims that you do not have a driving license.
The woman digs into her handbag and pulls out a clutch purse and hands it to the officer.
The officer examines the license. He looks quite puzzled.
Officer 2: Thank you ma'am, one of my officers told me you didn't have a license, that you stole this car, and that you murdered and hacked up the owner.
Older Woman: Bet the liar told you I was speeding, too.
Don't Mess With Mature Ladies
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