More iris as long as they bloom.  I have had a month of them now.  The pink one did not come back this year.  Cry!

It seems like we have had 2 months of spring and summer already.  Will May be hot?

Catepillars are out in force.  EEEWWWWWWWWW!

Ticks are horrible this year.

Snakes and frogs, not so much.

103 Thoughts to “Open Thread……………………………………………………Friday, April 27”

  1. Cindy B

    Big Day of Serving Manassas in the Bristoe Station Neighborhood on Saturday, May 5. Volunteer crew leaders for 23 backyard makeovers still welcome, and we are looking for donations of orange juice and 700 sandwich bags. Read “Don’t Go to Church – Be the Church” on the religion page of Saturday’s News & Messenger. Contact Christen Zenich at [email protected].

  2. Starry, Bulls and Bears discussed Apple. All of those guys said if it drops, buy more. They are very bullish on it. Some are predicting it will go to $1000.

    Just repeating. Not sure if I believe $1000 or not. If it drops, I will buy more. Its just so expensive I can’t buy that much at once.

  3. AndyH

    Damn tent catepillars are back. I hate those things.

    1. This is where torches come in handy. Just a suggestion….

  4. On that note, Andy’s blog is back up, if anyone needs an Andy fix. MSOTF. The link is here.

    Be prepared to register. I am still trying to figure out how to change my password. I used my magic finger print reader on it. We’ll see.

  5. 6 candidates throw their hat in the ring for Haymarket council member. Only 5 filed on time.
    http://www2.insidenova.com/news/2012/apr/28/six-write-candidates-tossing-hat-haymarket-race-ar-1876483/

    So what happens? Do they go forward with only 5 people for 6 slots?

    How does this work? Maybe the City of Manassas could cut a deal and send an extra over to Haymarket. This would be a good opportunity to do some first hand negotiating regarding Lake Manassas being opened up to County residents, since Haymarket is right there near the lake.

  6. Allergy alert!!!

    Today’s allergy levels for MANASSAS, VA:
    Sunday – 9/Medium-High

    Today’s predominant pollen:
    Maple, Cedar/Juniper and Ash.

  7. Steve Randolph

    “And this, our life, exempt from public haunt, finds tongues in trees,
    books in running brooks, sermons in stones, and good in everything.”

    As You Like It, Act II

  8. Ray Beverage

    Campaign flyer stuck in my mailbox today: “Vote for Lovejoy, Carnahan and Way”. Mostly an attack on “Marky Wolf”….several neighbors and I had a good laugh over first: Who’s Carnahan? and then the misspelt Wolfe.

  9. THIS is why the GOP snatches defeat from the mouth of victory.

    McCain should have put this all over the news. I hope Romney is a fighter.

    http://www.businessinsider.com/leaked-stratfor-emails-democrats-tampered-with-2008-election-2012-4#ixzz1shLeFgu7

  10. @Ray, do you think a kid did that?

    I howled over it.

    Apparently that “ticket” is the favorite amongst the uber-cons. (aka the Archies)

  11. Oy Vey

    This comment appeared on bvbl and it brought me to tears with laughter:

    “Greg, I have known you for a few years now, and what you are doing lately is “yellow blogism,” not reporting. You have no idea why Anna did not attend the Committee dinner, and it does not become you to report or even allude to something when it has no shred of truth. Shame on you.

    People know you by the way you act and what you say, which seems most unprofessional lately. I am appalled- no matter what your political leanings, and disappointed, because I have always thought you were a gentleman, but I see I was mistaken. Whether you like Anna or Jo Ann for what they stand for, personal attacks do not become you.”

    Oh the irony!

    1. Had I read it first, I would have laughed until I cried, Oy Vey.

      I guess some folks just don’t wear the gentleman and a scholar mantle too well.

  12. J. Adams

    FYI folks – it is illegal to place political fliers in mailboxes. You have to put them in people’s front doors. Nothing can go in a mailbox that doesn’t have postage on it. Just thought you would want to know.

  13. Oy Vey

    @J. Adams

    Also, according to the link Mr. Randolph posted yesterday, isn’t a disclaimer required on fliers, identifying who is or isn’t paying for them?

  14. Ray Beverage

    @Oy Vey
    General Assembly repealed that, so there is no requirement for it. Think Steve Thomas mentioned it in another thread here.

  15. Oy Vey

    @Ray Beverage
    Mr. Beverage,

    I am not aware of the link your referred to, where Steve Thomas mentioned anything. I was talking about the link that Steve Randolph posted yesterday. In it the article says
    “The State Board of Elections on Aug. 23 revised the policy. Virginia also does not require disclosures for political novelty items, including buttons, magnets, pencils and pens.

    Items that do require disclaimers include billboards, bumper stickers, business cards, media advertisements, fliers, websites and e-mails.”

    If the information in the article is accurate, then flyers do require a disclaimer.

  16. Ray Beverage

    @Oy Vey
    Thanks Oy Vey! Had my “Steve” mixed up. Knew I read it on here…

  17. Starryflights

    Obama derides Romney’s view on Osama bin Laden
    Stephen Collinson, Agence France-Presse
    May 1, 2012 – 1:02 AM ET

    U.S. President Barack Obama Monday questioned whether his foe Mitt Romney would have taken out Osama bin Laden, but denied indulging in “excessive celebration” over the terror leader’s death.

    Mr. Obama personally stepped into a fierce election-year row sparked by the anniversary of bin Laden’s death in a raid in Pakistan by U.S. special forces, in a sharp, implicit criticism of his presumptive Republican White House rival.

    “I said that I would go after bin Laden if we had a clear shot at him and I did it,” Mr. Obama said in a White House press conference, taking place on the eve of the anniversary of the U.S. Navy SEAL raid which killed bin Laden.

    “If there are others that said one thing and now suggest they would do something else, I would let them explain it,” Mr. Obama said.

    Mr. Obama did not mention Mr. Romney by name in his comments, which escalated a blazing campaign row over who should get credit for the daring helicopter-borne raid deep into Pakistan that killed the terrorist mastermind.

    But he was clearly referring to comments Mr. Romney made in 2007, when the Republican questioned whether it would be right to infringe Pakistani territory if Islamabad refused to act on intelligence on terror suspects.

    “It’s wrong for a person running for the president of the United States to get on TV and say, ‘We’re going to go into your country unilaterally,’” Mr. Romney said in August 2007.

    http://news.nationalpost.com/2012/05/01/osama-bin-laden-death-anniversary/

    Mitt Romney would never have authorized the raid that killed bin laden, unlike President Obama. Mitt Romney is a big chicken. It is good that we have a strong commander in chief who will act boldly and with courage when America’s national security is at stake. Americans can sleep better at night knowing our commander in chief will look out for our safety and security.

  18. Morning Joe Scarborough excoriated Romney this morning for taking a cheap shot at Jimmy Carter. He said it is time to stop taking cheap shots–at least President Carter did something and the day of that failed rescue was the worst day of his life.

    At what point do we stop digging at something that was beyond the president’s fault? Had D-Day not worked, would we have blamed FDR? The fact that it worked was a miracle.

  19. @Starryflights
    Reuters
    Approximately one year after the assassination of Osama bin Laden, a memo written by former CIA Director Leon Panetta has been obtained, revealing that President Obama was not, in fact, in charge of operation strategy in the hunt for the terrorist mastermind.
    Panetta received a call from National Security Officer Tom Donilon confirming that President Obama had made the decision to “proceed with the assault” on bin Laden’s compound in Pakistan after assessing a risk profile. However, the memo, released by Time Magazine, states that “the timing, operational decision making and control are in Admiral McRaven’s hands.”

    So, Admiral McRaven made the decision to go in. HE made the decision. President Obama provided the general guidance.

    Which is as it should be. This “victory lap” about his “hard decision” is crass. President Obama would look more presidential if he DIDN’T talk about it and just congratulated the military, and left it at that.

    1. Just hold your ears then, Cargo. How did you handle Mission Accomplished, just out of curiosity?

      You weren’t there. The President ultimately gave the green light. The SEALs did the work.

      PS approximately a year ago? I think the anniversary date is May 2.

  20. Steve Randolph

    http://www.stlyrics.com/lyrics/camelot/thelustymonthofmay.htm

    “It’s mad! It’s gay! A libelous display!”

    WHAT!!! Do the he the Republicans know about this?

    Look for a movement soon to change the month between April and June
    to “Reagan”.

    1. The R’s aren’t going to vote for a Gay Month.

      @Steve R

  21. @Steve Randolph
    Nah….

    Republicans are traditionalists.

    When ev’ry maiden prays that her lad
    Will be a cad!

    We like this sort of thing. Well… we LOUISIANA Mardi Gras Republicans…..

  22. Steve Randolph

    Laissez les bons temps rouler!

    1. Steve R

      Did you happen to see a couple of hooved beasts with rings through their noses CHARGING through here? Oh happy days!!! Toros!

  23. Steve Randolph

    Let the good times roll!

  24. Starryflights

    Romney just tweeted on his facebook page that he commends Obama for his gutsy decision to approve the bin laden raid. Romney said in 2008 he would not have approved the raid for fear of offending the Pakistanis. He is a chicken!

    1. It sounds like he is trying to do nthe right thing now. Let’s give him credit for that.

  25. Starryflights

    Now Mitt Romney Says The Auto Bailout Was His Idea
    FLIP-FLOP ALERT:Brett LoGiurato|April 30, 2012|832

    Read more: http://articles.businessinsider.com/2012-04-
    30/politics/31485960_1_auto-bailout-mitt-romney-eric-
    fehrnstrom#ixzz1tcJFIRdb

    Amazing! This Romney guy now says the auti bailout was HIS idea! He must be shaking that etch-a-sketch might hard! Can’t believe Repugs are dumb enough to trust this guy on anything he says!

    1. Starry You are making at least one of the guys whine at me!

      Now, is everyone happy?

  26. SlowpokeRodriguez

    Moon and Elena’s obvious condoning of Starry’s name-calling is getting more obvious by the minute, here! “He’s a chicken, they’re dumb?” I suppose, as an outside observer, I can understand that name-calling is really the only way a liberal can make a point, but anyone watching how hard they come down on anyone lobbing a name from right-to-left and how they condone, almost encourage, name-calling from left to right really has to see how the hypocrisy works!

    1. Slowpoke This is a no whine zone today. I cannot and will not sit here and baby sit this blog every second of the day.

  27. marinm

    @SlowpokeRodriguez

    Her house, her rules.

    On the upside I’ve not seen Starry use anything but boilerplate soundbites that are easily refuted by even a simple cursory google search. So I wouldn’t stress.

    1. Thank you, marin.

      Agreed.

  28. Starryflights

    So was the auto bailout Romney’s idea or not?
    Posted by Ezra Klein at 08:45 AM ET, 04/30/2012
    TheWashingtonPost

    Mitt Romney, Feb 4, 2012:

    “The president tells us that without his intervention things in Detroit would be worse. I believe that without his intervention things there would be better.”

    Eric Fehrnstrom, senior adviser to the Romney campaign, April 30, 2012:

    Romney’s “position on the bailout was exactly what President Obama followed. I know it infuriates them to hear that. The only economic success that President Obama has had is because he followed Mitt Romney’s advice.”

    http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/ezra-klein/post/so-was-the-auto-bailout-romneys-idea-or-not/2012/04/30/gIQA30ITrT_blog.html

    I think the two statements above pretty much make the point for me without my name-calling. The man is making a fool of himself and, by extensions, his party. Better start your google searching, marinm.

    1. Only in Romney’s own mind. I thought everyone was howling over “bailing out” GM.

      I get tired trying to keep track of it.

      Good for OBAMA for saving GM. The auto industry is more than plant work. It affects many aspects of business and society.

  29. Steve Randolph

    http://hamptonroads.com/2012/04/dont-be-free-rider

    Apparently Hampton has the same problem we have – fewer and
    more polarized people, with less and less unbiased information
    deciding the future of our communities.

    Sad.

  30. I hear voter turn out is light. That’s too bad. More people should be casting a vote.
    http://manassas.patch.com/

  31. So, how are you guys celebrating Loyalty Day?

    @Moon-howler

    Reuters wrote “approximately”

    Personally, because I, and many others, think its crass, I hope that President Obama continues to brag about “bagging” Osama. If he wants to continue to look bad… so be it.

    Now…if he congratulated the Admiral in charge of the op for making the right decisions…he’d look good.

  32. Me? I celebrate Beltane. I usually do a thread about it but I didn’t want to detract from the City election.

    Actually, I am kidding. I acknowledge Beltane. That is more accurate.

    Good for Obama for bagging Osama. I don’t think he looks bad for notching it. I think killing nearly 3000 people is crass. Good for Obama for keeping up the efforts of George Bush who had a wanted dead or alive poster on that bastard.

    I was pleased that Obama didn’t drop the efforts. Did you want to cut and run or what?

  33. Steve Randolph

    “Dow Reaches 4 Year High, 13,279, Average Not Seen Since Dec. 31,2007”
    WSJ (5-1-2012)

    Obama inherited a Dow from Bush II of 7949 and dropping like a rock.

    When Clinton left office it was 10,587.

    1. Somehow it just doesn’t seem the same. Of course, when Clinton left office, my finances were different.

      As for the inheritance, that was horrible but I don’t blame anyone for that crash. I think it was just a matter of time.

  34. SlowpokeRodriguez

    marinm :
    @SlowpokeRodriguez
    Her house, her rules.

    I have never suggested otherwise!

    1. No you haven’t. I will agree with you.

      You all will have to co-exist though.

  35. marinm

    SlowpokeRodriguez :

    marinm :
    @SlowpokeRodriguez
    Her house, her rules.

    I have never suggested otherwise!

    No doubt. Just saying that she can enforce (and not) her rules. I come here with the understanding that the “rules” are not applied evenly. I can leave anytime I want. 🙂

  36. Emma

    It must be tough for Obama to admit that the enhanced interrogation tactics that Senator Obama opposed were what enabled him to give the order to capture and kill bin Laden once he was president. I guess those were only “war crimes” up until Obama saw an opportunity for a victory lap.

  37. Marinm

    @Emma

    Well THAT and the sheer number of women, children and school houses destroyed by a sitting Nobel Peace Prize President. The NeoCons are thrilled with this guy.

  38. Emma

    @Marinm From the Nobel committee:

    Obama has as President created a new climate in international politics…Dialogue and negotiations are preferred as instruments for resolving even the most difficult international conflicts.

    Oh, and anonymous drone attacks. Snicker, snicker…

  39. Emma

    Moderation? Really?

  40. Steve Randolph

    Unofficial Election Results – City of Manassas

    Winners:

    City Council: Wolfe, Way, Lovejoy

    School Board: Chavez, Albrecht, Bushnell, Purdy

  41. SlowpokeRodriguez

    Anyone wants to pee on themselves laughing, check out the video of Chris Matthews and Jim Moron (D-VA) going goo-goo-eyed over Obama talking to the troops….comparing it to Henry V. It’s took funny!

  42. So it truly was, much ado about nothing.

    Thanks Steve for your early reporting.

  43. Steve Randolph

    Unofficial
    Council total:

    Lovejoy- 1243
    Way – 1327
    Wolfe – 1363
    Richie-Folks -787
    Carman – 842
    Write -in – 1052

  44. Steve Randolph

    Unofficial
    School Board totals:

    Albrecht – 1307
    Bushnell – 1211
    Chavez – 1366
    Dance – 1055
    Magee – 854
    Purdy – 1185
    Sutherland – 805
    Write-in – 805

  45. Lafayette

    So glad to be a county resident tonight after seeing those results for council. 👿

  46. Expecting a different outcome? @Lafayette

  47. Lafayette

    No. Just being a smart a$$. The county gets ragged on by some of the city folks.

    I was listening to our own entertainment in the chambers.
    Wally had the best line of the night. “It’s much easier to send me an email the next day, telling me why I’m wrong”. I bet I name a couple on that list of emailers from his district. Remember Brentsville is where my family landed in when they came to PW. 🙂

    1. I couldn’t bring myself to listen today. @Laf

  48. Starryflights

    Obama makes surprise trip to Afghanistan to sign key pact, mark bin Laden raid

    By Kevin Sieff and Scott Wilson,
    Wednesday, May 2, 4:41 A
    MThe Washington Post

    KABUL — President Obama outlined his plan to end America’s longest foreign war during a visit here Tuesday colored by election-year politics and economic uncertainty, declaring that “this time of war began in Afghanistan, and this is where it will end.”

    “We have traveled through more than a decade under the dark cloud of war,” the president said at a U.S. military base. “In the pre-dawn darkness of Afghanistan, we can see the light of a new day on the horizon.”

    Obama delivered his address at the end of an unannounced visit here to sign a long-term partnership agreement with the Afghan government and to mark, alongside American troops at Bagram air base outside this capital city, the first anniversary of the raid that killed Osama bin Laden.

    http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/obama-makes-surprise-trip-to-afghanistan-to-sign-key-pact-mark-bin-laden-raid/2012/05/01/gIQAvYHduT_story.html

    It is good that President Obama is bringing the wars to successful conclusions. Americans should be proud of our Commander-in-Chief!

Comments are closed.