Open Thread……………………………………..Wednesday, October 12

MoonHowler

 

In fourteen hundred and ninety two

Columbus sailed the ocean blue

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Today is real Columbus Day–the day the Columbus voyage first landed on the island in the Caribbean, southeast of Florida.  Columbus was a great visionary.  He imagined what others did not see.  Unfortunately, his discovery marked the beginning of the demise of the native people of North and South America.  Today’s Columbus Day celebrations are often quiet and low key.  Are we correct to keep Columbus Day low key or should we be shouting from the roof tops?  Just something to consider…..

Meanwhile…have at it on whatever topic you want.

 

FEMA flicks off Virginia, again

MoonHowler

 

Richmond Times Dispatch:

Still fuming from a denial of federal aid for earthquake-battered Louisa County, Gov. Bob McDonnell has invited President Barack Obama to join him in Louisa next week during Obama’s swing-state bus tour.

McDonnell, chairman of the Republican Governors Association, wrote in a letter Tuesday to Obama that “it would benefit your administration to understand the devastation brought on by this historic earthquake, and to see how the community’s recovery will be hindered as a result of FEMA’s denial of important emergency relief funds.”

The Aug. 23 magnitude-5.8 earthquake that shook much of the East Coast was centered near Mineral.

The state was notified Friday that its request to the Federal Emergency Management Agency for assistance for residents of Louisa was turned down. The declaration would have made federal grants and low-interest loans as well as unemployment assistance and crisis counseling available to homeowners, renters and businesses.

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Bocephus Blames Fox News

MoonHowler

Yesterday Hank Williams Jr. appeared on The View, sporting a Mickey Mantle baseball shirt. He made an even bigger fool of himself and showed little class. He did explain that he didn’t think of Obama as Hitler, he was making an analogy. He has another analogy about ‘kicking cow turds.”

He now is blaming ESPN and Fox News for his troubles and feels he was set up. He is calling for a boycot  of ESPN and Fox News in his new song that came out at 3 pm 10/10/11,” Keep The Change.”

You know, I never ever thought I would be in the position of defending Fox News.  I guess this is just one of those times.  Williams might as well be saying the Devil Made Me Do It.

I am also getting over the gross out of Williams wearing the shirt of St. Mickey Mantle.  Some things are sacred!  The Mick wouldn’t like this.

The Adventures of Dewey the Cat Continue……….

Elena

 

  

Bedtime is always a tad hectic in our household.  “Mom, I am NOT tired, everybody else I know gets to stay up much later” and then little sis chimes in, “Yeah, I agree with what Eli says”.  Exhausted audible sigh as I respond, trying to dig deep for that much needed patience that is so elusive at days end “well, guys, here is the deal, in this house, bedtime is 8:00, and I am not really too concerned about what other kids do or don’t do”.  “Now, lets brush teeth, and get jammies on so we can have snuggle time, I will be back in five minutes, so get cookin’  “. 

Walking into my bedroom to enlist “dads” help, I notice Dewey, frozen, almost as if in mid stride, staring at something. My eyes follow the direction of his body………. 

“What the (expletive that begins with F) is THAT in our shower?  Honey, you BETTER be playing a joke on me!” I loudly exclaim.

My husband walks over, his eyes now following in the same direction where Dewey AND I are intently focused, and, ever so calmly replies “yeah, I’m not playin’ a joke on  you, that’s a real snake.” 

“You go occupy the kids while I take care of the snake” he says.  Well, that sounded like a fair trade to me!  He comes back up the stairs less then ten minutes later, empty handed.  Whew!  Crisis resolved, my husband, the snake handler.

Dewey on the other hand, did not seem so relieved.  For the next hour, he sat vigil on the bed, staring intently at every movement he saw OR thought he saw. 

I gave him lots kisses and cuddles, but he was shaking for the longest time, and never, ever, in all my years of being a cat owner, have I ever seen a cat TUCK his tail between his legs.  Dewey wants to be brave, wants to be the house protector, but maybe he will just have to settle for cat sleuth.

Disclaimer:  This picture is a re-enactment with a fake snake from the toy box.  No snakes were harmed in this story, my husband carried the snake out by its neck and released it into the back yard.

Joe Scarborough says Jeffress threw Jesus under the bus

MoonHowler

From Joe Scarborough in Politico:

“Judge not that ye be not judged”; so said Jesus. But don’t try telling that to Southern Baptist pastor Robert Jeffress.

Jeffress, a prominent Texas preacher and Rick Perry supporter, created a firestorm at last weekend’s Values Voters Summit by omnipotently declaring that cult member Mitt Romney was headed straight for hell.

Isn’t that special?

I have always been fascinated by mere mortals who arrogantly ignore Jesus’s teachings to make declarations about the salvation of other men’s souls.

By assuming the Almighty’s role, Jeffress has embraced the proud tradition of Christian stalwarts like Jimmy Swaggart, Ted Haggard and the PTL Club’s Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker.

Modern American politics as practiced by Jeffress and his ilk require that Jesus Christ be thrown under the bus with great regularity by the very same people who claim His name.

For these modern day Pharisees, a president who declares Jesus Christ as his personal lord and savior is to be doubted if he is from the wrong political party.

“I came to know Jesus Christ for myself and embrace him as my lord and savior,” Barack Obama declared at this year’s National Prayer Breakfast.

And when the president explained how he got through his most difficult years, Obama bluntly proclaimed, “My Christian faith has been my sustaining force.”

And yet the same pastor who declared Mitt Romney unfit for office called the defeat of this president “a spiritual imperative.”

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Perry’s Pastor Proclaims Mormons are a Cult

MoonHowler

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

The Reverend Robert Jeffress introduced presidential hopeful Governor Rick Perry this past weekend at a conservative gathering, the Values Voter Summit.  Unfortunately, he was asked about Mitt Romney who is a Mormon.  Jeffress declared that while Mitt Romney was a moral,  decent person, he wasn’t a Christian because Mormons are a cult.  He further stuck his foot in his mouth by declaring that most of mainstream Christianity felt Mormons  were also a cult. 

He spoke the following words about Rick Perry  describing him as: “a proven leader, a true conservative, and a committed follower of Christ.” However, he just wasn’t a Christian. 

Supposedly both Rick Perry and his campaign have repudiated Jeffress’s words.

So will the GOP now fight it out over who is a Christian and who isn’t?  I have a problem with anyone declaring someone else is not a Christian, especially when that someone is a member of a church called Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  Was that a different Jesus?  I think not.  It is interesting that Jeffress doesn’t elaborate on WHY he doesn’t feel Mormons are Christians and just what makes a ‘cult.’   He seems like a decent man.  I haven’t figured out why he would say such a thing. 

Is it just me or is a person’s religion sort of personal and not something you attack them on unless they are being jerks about it?  Mitt Romney has been rather quiet about the personal side of his religion and that is his right.  His personal beliefs really are not our business.  Mormons are Christians if they say they are Christians.  It is not up to us to question an entire religious movement.  

There is no religious test in America.  A person can be Christian, Jew, Muslim, Mormon, Catholic, Presbyterian, Hindu, Atheist, Agnostic…or plain old nothing.  I guess really, there is a religious test and there should not be.

Meanwhile, between Mormons, N-head rock, and immigration, Rick Perry’s ascent to the stars seems to be over and he seems to be in free-fall mode. 

 

 

 

 

 

Incendiary Cases before the Supreme Court this term

MoonHowler

From Politico.com:

“When either side, conservative or liberal, has a serious loss, it motivates their base. It may not be long-lasting, but it certainly has a meaningful impact, usually at the level of volunteers, more than changing votes,” said Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli. “Engaging them in the process is worth a lot.”

He was speaking of the upcoming Supreme Court session. 

A handful of blockbuster Supreme Court cases are poised to be decided next year — just in time to wreak havoc on the 2012 presidential campaign.

Among the potential grenades that could be rolled into the race: Decisions involving President Barack Obama’s health care plan, affirmative action, immigration, the division of church and state and the recognition of Israel.

And depending on how quickly the lower courts move, gay marriage might get on the docket too. There’s even a chance school prayer might get a new hearing as well.

It’s an incendiary mix — and one that could have serious electoral consequences.

Holy Cow!!!  What’s left?  That’s pretty much everything worth fighting for except the 2nd and 14th amendments and Roe v Wade.   I rarely agree with Cuccinelli but this time I will make an exception.  Nothing brings out  group of people, especially politically inclined people, like a perceived loss at the Supreme Court level.  Regardless of which way these cases go, it will motivate the opposition to go to the polls in droves.  The 2012 session will be like throwing a match in a  can of gasoline, just in time for the presidential election. 

Palin just wont go away

MoonHowler

Palin says it is time to ‘Reload for America.”

She also just won’t learn from her mistakes. 

From the Richmond Times Dispatch:

LYNCHBURG – During a speech at Liberty University that focused on faith and family, former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin called for the “restoration of America.”

Palin’s 90-minute speech during the Extraordinary Women Conference veered from stories about moose hunting to tea-party politics to the challenge of raising a son with Down syndrome. Her message centered on the importance of having faith in God and steering America “back on the right track.”

“Now isn’t the time to retreat – now is the time to reload with truth so we can fight for this country and reload for America,” she said to more than 10,000 Christian women who traveled from across the country to hear her speak.

The theme for the evangelical Christian women’s conference was “extraordinary hope,” and Palin said, “I’m talking about real hope, not that ‘hopey changey’ stuff.”

The visit was Palin’s first to Liberty.

Let’s hope it will be her last visit down there and to Virginia.  What does ‘reload’ for America mean?  Is this Palin defiance rearing its ugly head again?  Where will she make her next million?   I understand what men see in Palin.  I don’t see what women see in her.  She is a poor role model.  She doesn’t stay home and take care of her children and she didn’t fulfill her elected obligations.  I certainly don’t see the good Christian as nasty as she talks about everyone.  I did see her clubbing a fish in the head.  Not a good image either.

What is she going to do with that bus with the Constitution painted on the side of it?

Thieves amongst us

MoonHowler

Sentencing has been postponed for one Maneesh Gupta, age 47 for embezzling millions of dollars from Prince William County while he was the head of the IT Department in Prince William County government.

Insidenova.com:

Gupta was set to be sentenced Thursday, but the sentencing was continued to Nov. 3.

At Thursday’s hearing, Prince William Circuit Court Judge Richard B. Potter formally accepted a plea agreement in the case.

According to the terms of the agreement, Gupta will be sentenced to serve three years in prison, with another 48 years suspended and 10 years of probation and to repay $3.7 million the county lost in the scheme.

Prosecutors said Gupta and three other men created a company and arranged for most of the OIT office’s bids to be awarded to that company, between 2004 and April 2009.

I am offended.  3 years?  48 suspended?  Why?  $3.7 million bucks is a lot of money.  How about 20 years for being a thief and if his relatives repay the money he took, then he gets to come out after 20 years.  I think he got slapped on the wrist.  How long does he have to repay the money he took?  What happens if he doesn’t?  Will he go back to prison?

This dude has always managed to find a way to find a short cut.  I feel confident he will find a way to never repay that money. I hope the County has a back up plan.

 

A quick refresher course

MoonHowler

It isn’t all innocent and well-meaning. I see about every form of presidential mockery I can think of. There is Che Obama, Hitler Obama, Liar Obama, Treasonist Obama, Socialist Obama, Traitor Obama, Thief Obama, Joker Obama, Butt Obama….so many Obamas!!

And yes, the signs are  all protected by free speech. No one said free speech has to be n good taste.  The point of this short review is to bring back a few memories regarding behavior.  No one was arrested, to my knowledge.  No one stormed a bridge.  This group seemed a little old for bridge stormin’.  Perhaps in their younger days.  The messages, however, were just as pointed and perhaps even more condemning.

Much of Friday was spent here with TPP trying to convince the readership that the TP was somehow more dignified and better behaved than the OWS crowd.  That is probably true.  I wasn’t really thinking of comparisons for real.  Perhaps I should have.  I still want to sit back and observe the OWS.  The Republicans have already begun the words game of vilifying them and defining them.  Far Left, dirty, socialist, Let’s wait and see.  Right now this TP demonstration isn’t giving me a warm fuzzy either.  I wouldn’t want to have to spend any time around either crowd.

Glenn Beck still the quintessential D* Bag

MoonHowler

 

From www.politicususa.com:

Beck played a clip of Stewart asking how the Occupy Wall Street protesters aren’t like the tea party, and said, “How long do you have Jon? You’ve only got a half hour show. I’ve got a two hour show, and I can’t fit it in two hour, Jon. Open your eyes, you moron. Stu said, Yeah, but if you just say it, and the crowd laughs, it’s true that makes it true. They’re the same. They’re exactly the same. How are they different? They’re talking about killing and cannibalizing the rich. Just like the tea party.” Beck chimed in, “They’re talking about revolution in the streets and destroying the entire system, just like the tea party.” Stu said, “Remember when the tea party talked about Google Jews and how evil they are?” Beck came back with more insults for Stewart, “It must be true, you dope. You know Jon Stewart; I have absolutely no respect for you. You are not a thinking man at all.”

There are a couple people not to mess with on here. One is Bill Clinton and the other is Jon Stewart. I might have to add Steve Jobs to the list but so far, he is not on there. This was Glenn Beck and crew’s response to the video segment on the Daily Show entitled Parks and Demonstration.

Glenn Beck basically has no class. He is coarse and common and it is wonderful that he is no longer on Fox News. Actually the gang of 5 who replaced him are doing a pretty decent job. Of course, they profit by comparison. The first thing Beck needs to do is grow up. Maybe his wife can help him work on acquiring some class. His bishop needs to get hold of him. No Mormon I have ever known has acted like this.

Jon Stewart is probably smirking right now.  Go Jon.

Misuse of parking spaces?

MoonHowler

 

 

 What’s wrong with this picture?  Plenty, actually.  The signs say:  Jury Parking-Towing Enforced.

The new reserved spots are in the public parking lot where 28 splits at the courthouse and rescue squad.  There is very little parking left for the public with this expanded jury space.  However, do you think the owner of that truck is really on a  jury?    I bet not. 

Perhaps Prince William needs to adopt a policy similar to Arlington– After 11am the spots become public parking. No juries are starting up after that time.  However, I am not so sure the sheriff’s political truck constitutes being ‘the public.’

While we are discussing the court house, how does one order up the golf cart if they have mobility issues?  I see it out there but if Ihad to park on the south 40 and had, say, a broken foot, how would I get a ride?  It looks nice but is the concept utilized by the handicapped?