Good bye summer.  Hello school next week.  Hello Democratic Convention.  I don’t know about you but I am getting “conventioned out.”

The Gulf Coast is getting tired of slow moving Hurricane Issac.   Issac brings a new dimension to the word “stalled.”

Kids, it’s time to get back on the “cheese” and head back to school.

155 Thoughts to “Open Thread……………………………………………….Friday, August 31”

  1. That hurricane could be an analogy for….nah…too easy.

  2. From Smithsonian Magazine:

    This Friday, look to the night sky and you’ll see what’s referred to as a “blue moon”—the last time you’ll get the chance to glimpse this phenomenon until 2015. Those expecting to see a moon that’s actually an unusual color, though, will be disappointed. The term simply refers to the unusual occurrence of a second full moon within one calendar month, and since we already had a full moon on August 2, this will be a blue moon, the first seen in the United States since December 2009.

  3. kelly_3406

    There are very rare cases when the moon actually does turn blue in color. These cases are associated with aerosols high in the atmosphere that have uniform diameters close to that of red light and which cause red light to be preferentially scattered. This uniform size distribution can sometimes be produced by forest fires or volcanos. There were reports of a blue moon associated with the Mt. Pinatubo eruption in 1991.

    So these “blue color” events are even more rare than the blue moon referred to by the Smithsonian.

    1. @Kelly,

      Can they be seen with the naked eye?

  4. The Derecho has a great article illustrating why PWC isn’t really attracting high paying, high tech jobs like the chairman proports.

    http://thederecho.blogspot.com/#!/2012/08/pwc-hotbed-of-job-growth-and-business.html

    This is a great read and The Derecho backs up his facts with figures.

  5. @Moon-howler
    I would hold off on the praise as I’m going to have to do a follow up post, the news is actually worse than it first appears. I based that post on a first blush review of data posted by the State. When you look deeper into the numbers and those posting the job openings you find that while most if not all of the retail/restaurant jobs are physically located in PWC, the white collar jobs are not. A significant percentage are in Manassas and an even larger percentage, while advertised in PWC, are actually located in Fairfax or inside the beltway. What’t particularly troublesome is that the exact opposite is true for the Loudoun jobs, the vast majority are actually located within the county’s boundaries.

  6. Let us know, Derecho, when the final copy goes to print.

    Shall we start up a collection for a new GPS for Core-man while he is in China.

  7. From the Daily Beast:

    Rove Jokes About Akin’s Murder

    Just how unpopular has Todd Akin become in the Republican Party? Now even über-conservative GOP maestro Karl Rove disowned him—at least in an off-color joke. At a fundraiser on the final morning of the convention, Rove joked: “We should sink Todd Akin. If he’s found mysteriously murdered, don’t look for my whereabouts!” The jibe came during a speech in which Rove outlined what he believes his party should do to win crucial Senate and House races. Akin has been the object of furor since he made comments about “legitimate rape” earlier this month.

  8. SlowpokeRodriguez

    That’s a little rough for Akin, there. Rove’s pissed because it wasn’t even a race until Akin crammed his foot in his mouth. Now it’s a toss-up. Is it really that hard to watch what comes outta yer mouth? Must be! How many of these jokers have clearances?

  9. Starryflights

    NEW YORK — A black camerawoman who works for CNN said Thursday that she was not surprised to have two people at the Republican National Convention throw peanuts at her and say “this is what we feed animals.”

    The two white people were immediately removed from the Tampa, Fla., convention arena by security officials on Tuesday, and their identities weren’t revealed. The camerawoman, Patricia Carroll, wasn’t able to tell definitively where they were from.

    1. I really hope you are kidding.

  10. Emma

    Starry, what were you doing at the Convention?

  11. SlowpokeRodriguez

    @Starryflights
    That was news a couple days ago. Better still was Chis Matthews getting into it with a couple of GOP delegates in a Tampa restaurant. They zinged him about being all “tingly”. Matthews said “what is this, a d-bag convention?” They shot right back “No, that’s next week!” Classic!!

    1. I hope he said, but not in Tampa! Ah, children will be children.

      I didn’t realize Victoria Jackson from SNL was at the convention or that she was 53!

  12. Steve Randolph

    http://www.roanoke.com/editorials/commentary/wb/313428

    Going out for breakfast – is being seen at McD’s ok for an Independent?

  13. @Steve

    Enjoy. I just shared an egg McMuffin with my dogs. They shared hash browns.

  14. I was wrong. The Republican platform is 62 pages. Perhaps the Democrats will list theirs also. I would like to see it in the end.

    According to the WaPo, individuals don’t matter as much as that platform for either party,

    http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/whats-ahead-if-the-republicans-win-its-all-in-the-platform/2012/08/31/67906d04-f3bf-11e1-adc6-87dfa8eff430_story_1.html

  15. SlowpokeRodriguez

    The Feds quietly dropped all charges against Joe Arpaio! [doing my happy dance!]

    1. GGRRRRRRRR! He is such a jerk. (not eastwood)

  16. Starryflights

    Two people removed from RNC after taunting black camera operator

    Posted by
    CNN Political Unit
    Tampa, Florida (CNN) – Two people were removed from the Republican National Convention Tuesday after they threw nuts at an African-American CNN camera operator and said, “This is how we feed animals.”

    Multiple witnesses observed the exchange and RNC security and police immediately removed the two people from the Tampa Bay Times Forum.

    The convention released a statement saying, “Two attendees tonight exhibited deplorable behavior. Their conduct was inexcusable and unacceptable. This kind of behavior will not be tolerated.”

    CNN also acknowledged the incident, saying, “CNN can confirm there was an incident directed at an employee inside the Tampa Bay Times Forum earlier this afternoon. CNN worked with convention officials to address this matter and will have no comment.”

    http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2012/08/29/two-people-removed-from-rnc-after-taunting-black-camera-operator/

    It happened.

    1. Good for the RNC for addressing the issue swiftly and without equivocation.
      There are pigs in every crowd.

  17. SlowpokeRodriguez

    @Starryflights
    Nobody has denied this………but you can keep posting the same story from different sources! Maybe that’s the problem, you just haven’t posted the same thing enough times.

  18. ICE chief of staff Suzanne Barr resigns amid misconduct claims.

  19. Starryflights

    Why so hostile, Slowpoke? @SlowpokeRodriguez Some people did doubt it.

    I’ll tell you what – your party better learn to adapt to a changing America, or become irrelevant.

  20. SlowpokeRodriguez

    I wouldn’t call what I said hostile, but I am dealing with the professional-victim left.

  21. Steve Randolph

    Noticed yesterday that some jerks have littered the public-right-of way
    on much of Sudley Rd. with dozens of “Roomstore – Going Out of Business”
    signs. Not sure about PWC, but this is illegal in the City of Manassas.

    1. It is illegal here too I think. I didn’t realize room store was going out of business.

  22. Emma

    Saw an official Obama campaign lawn sign in Old Town this morning that said “Occupy the Vote.”

    That tells me all I need to know about the opposition to voter ID laws.

    1. @Emma

      I don’t even get it. I have no problem with Virginia’s ID laws. It sounds like to me, that even a church could sponor a photo ID session for its members.

  23. Emma

    sorry, wrong thread.

    1. @Emma, you get the biggest stretch award. You know, I have not heard one person mention anti mormon sentiments. You might say the same thing about Baptists, at least in public.

      If I wanted to do a dog whistle I might make a comment about coffee. I think the ban on cokes and pepsi has been lifted.

  24. Steve Randolph

    http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2012/09/02/3495934/with-dnc-hope-for-the-best-but.html

    Great encouragement from the home town paper just before the national
    spotlight shines on their community.

    “Lets just avoid catastrophe”!

  25. SlowpokeRodriguez

    Favorite headline from the weekend: “President tours Hurricane Issac damage, followed by Obama”

  26. SlowpokeRodriguez

    More great speakers announced for the DNC Convention. RI Governor Lincoln Chafee (with a monster approval rating of 22%), and Jimmy Carter, the closest thing to Obama you can get.

  27. Marinm

    Is this code, too?

    “Tim Russert told me that, according to his sources, Bill Clinton, in an effort to secure an endorsement for Hillary from Ted Kennedy, said to Kennedy, “A few years ago, this guy would have been carrying our bags.”

    1. That doesn’t even make sense. Russert is dead and so is Kennedy. Who is the speaker and to whom is he/she referring?

  28. Marinm

    Just remember whenever you buy a latte at Starbucks those liberal arts majors need those tips so we can ‘improve the gender pay gap’. So sig deep and plunk down an extra quarter! 😉

    http://www.learnliberty.org/content/do-women-earn-less-men

    1. That guy is basically full of crap. The Lillie Ledbetter act didn’t just evolve. There are clear indicators that women are not promoted the same or given raises the same as men.

      Additionally, many jobs just weren’t open to women. The fallout from exclusion doesn’t just disappear over night.

      As for nurses, has anyone checked out their pay lately? I wouldn’t use that as an indicator.

      I am not sure what you are calling a “liberal arts major.” I graduated from a liberal arts college. People there graduated with majors in math, various sciences, music, foreign languages, English, psychology, various histories and social studies. One of my friends was the head of the FAA. She has a degree in international studies, another one of those liberal arts thingies. Another classmate 2 years behind me was Elizabeth Dole. They certainly didn’t want for money.

      The one thing I will say about liberal arts majors is that they can generally read and write the king’s English. they are often hired for their communication skills. I am not a particularly good example of that, compared to many people.

      If the dig about Starbucks was intended for me, insult taken. However, she doesn’t get tips. She is management. Having the people skills and organizational skills to represent what has become a major international company is not anything to sneeze at. Most people cannot do it.

  29. Marinm

    The Starbucks bit wasn’t intended for you or your kin. Actually at a friend of a friend but SBX is a good example of employing a pretty diverse and educated workforce at rock bottom prices.

    Yay capitalism!! I want the person making my latte versed in Dante..

  30. Marinm

    Moon-howler :
    That doesn’t even make sense. Russert is dead and so is Kennedy. Who is the speaker and to whom is he/she referring?

    Roger that. Not code if it’s from anyone with a D behind their name. It must’ve been a misunderstanding or out of context.

  31. Marinm

    @SlowpokeRodriguez

    You mean a 4 year Federale criminal investigation found nothing? I would’ve expected more from Holder like planting some crack dust on the good sheriff.

  32. Lyssa

    Liberal arts majors are usually capable of good conversation, forming a postion and interviewing well. I know it’s just like Roman Numerals and cloth napkins. Now we all think being ghetto dawgs is more down to earth. It’s down alright. I mean ah-ite.

  33. Very good political quiz: http://www.isidewith.com/

    It allows you to pick a different answer other than yes/no/maybe.

    91% libertarian – Gary Johnson
    87% Romney.

    Then, I changed the “tone” of a couple of answers: 92% Mitt, 88% Gary Johnson.

    Interesting. Both times, Obama – 20% The funny part has me siding with the Virginia and US voters more when I’m more in line with Gary Johnson.

    I ended up with 70/68% in common with Virgil Goode.

    1. Who is Jill Stine and do I now want to go shoot myself?

      It was a health care question.

      Didn’t we do this one before, Cargo?

  34. Pat Herve

    ah liberal arts majors – I am not one, but would enjoy being in the company with the likes of –
    John F Kennedy
    Sally Ride
    Harold Varmus (Nobel prize winner)

    or even college drop outs such as
    Steve Jobs, Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg.

  35. SlowpokeRodriguez

    Oh! Another One!

    http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/candidate-match-game

    I was 60% Romney (7 of 14 issues), 40% Obama (5 of 14 issues), no opinion about 2 issues. The more of these you do, the more you realize that it really is all in how the questions are phrased.

  36. SlowpokeRodriguez

    I was a history major. I wouldn’t trade my liberal arts background for anything under the sun. For the MOST part, you need a four year degree. I’m not absolutely convinced that what the degree says means a whole heck of a lot. The process of finding out what your god-given talents are and what blows your skirt up takes longer for some than others. It was once thought (in that distant past the so of us pine for) that a solid grounding in the classics (Western classics), would prepare you for anything. I tend to agree.

    1. Oh dear God, stop, THE PAIN! IT HURTS! I agree 100%, Pokie.

  37. SlowpokeRodriguez

    I used to think that WHAT college you went to made little difference. Then I (scholastically) partnered up with a Yale graduate and we sailed through our Master’s degree together. Jesus, that kid was smart! Maybe they really don’t let dummies into Yale, Harvard, etc.

  38. SlowpokeRodriguez

    I’m thinking that Marin would agree with me that Starbuck’s has SOMETHING on the ball. Go in there in the morning, and you’ll be convinced they’re still more popular than sex.

  39. SlowpokeRodriguez

    Helene Cooper: “Four years of covering Barack Obama, he does not play the race card. Not in a negative way. He does not do that.”

    Joe Klein, TIME: “He hates it. He hates it. He probably should, though. He probably should address it because the bitterness out there is really becoming marked.

  40. Steve Randolph

    “Republicans have been accused of of abandoning the poor.
    It is the other way around. They never vote for us.”

    Dan Quayle

    1. Too funny, Steve. Is that true or are you making it up?

  41. punchak

    @Moon-howler
    Either way / it”s funny.
    DOES sound Dan Quayle, I must say.

  42. punchak

    @Moon-howler
    The quizz showed me closest to Jill Stine. I hadn’t heard about her until right now.
    To my surprise, I was 56% with Virginia voters and also with the US voters.

    1. I was 64% with the virginia voters. @punchak

  43. SlowpokeRodriguez

    MD Governor Martin O’Malley on Sunday: “We’re not better off now”
    MD Governor Martin O’Malley on Monday: “We’re clearly better off now”

  44. Steve Randolph

    “The nation has not made the durable progress,
    either in reform or recovery, that we had a right to expect.
    The time has come to stop fumbling with recovery and
    unshackle the initiative and free spirit of American enterprise.
    Liberate business from governmental hostility and
    extravagence!”

    Gov. Alf Landon (1936 GOP candidate for President)

  45. Steve Randolph

    http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/d/dan_quayle.html

    M-H, the quote is accurate (scoll to page 4).

  46. Lyssa

    Yale, Harvard – St John’s in Annapolis is another worthy look I’d classical is your thing. I focused on classical studies with a degree in Philosphy – critical thinking and I wouldnt change that either. I just kept feeling smaller and smaller…… 🙂

  47. Ray Beverage

    The amusing item of the day: While looking thru the Manassas Observor (that great little free paper with more local news then the N&M), I saw an add for the RRC 2nd Annual Fundraiser being held at Harris Pavilion. Looking at the list of sponsors, I saw listed “Wally Covington, Attorney”. Guess saying “supervisor” is becoming outmoded? 🙂

    1. @Ray

      I guess that he reads the Sheriff. They have taken quite a bit of heat over using the term supervisor for fundraising and special interest. I wonder whose $$$ he is sponsoring with. I hope his own.

  48. SlowpokeRodriguez

    Lyssa :
    Yale, Harvard – St John’s in Annapolis is another worthy look I’d classical is your thing. I focused on classical studies with a degree in Philosphy – critical thinking and I wouldnt change that either. I just kept feeling smaller and smaller……

    That’s the problem, isn’t it? The more you know about what’s around us, both science and history, you start to feel teeny-weeny and really insignificant.

    1. What does that mean, Pokie? Most people don’t major in everything. Classicial studies is pretty much the beginning of civilization and very much is history.

      I have a minor in it and it doesn’t make me feel insignificant at all. It makes me think I know something that most of the dumb asses in the world don’t know. Does that make me a snob?

      Actually I have forgotten most of it.

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