Daffodils are blooming everywhere. Mine have been blooming since the end of February. I don’t think that mine will begin to see April for those April showers.
Is this a sign of climate change? Is it normal for daffodils to bloom in February? How about early March? What else is blooming around town?
Does that mean that the iris will be along in 3 weeks?
It is supposed to get colder. Will that affect the bloom?
When do the bluebells peak?
CPAC starts today. This is an opportunity for Donald Trump to squawk “Whar’s da birth certificate? Whar’s da birth certificate?”
What an opportunity….@ Starry. Did you ever think that so many of America’s biggest A-Holes would be all under one roof, so close by?
Bwaaahahahahahahahah
Hey, Starry. Did you hear who’s giving the opening remarks?
(KC-gag)
Hand me the tissues. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/09/cpac-speech-ken-cuccinell_n_1266416.html
Can you say Crocodile Tears, Cindy? Thanks, for sharing. I really need a good laugh.
His actual speech: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMUYUBeKrzs
What a contrast to the words and actions of the world’s newest spiritual leader, humble, and ready to work for the poor.
Excellent point, Cindy. I witnessed a humble man become the leader of the Roman Catholic Church yesterday. Cocky Ken should take a page from his book.
Citing efforts by the Catholic Church to alleviate the suffering of the poor and marginalized, saying it has “always cost [Americans’] liberty,” Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli blasted church leadership for fighting for universal health care and immigrants’ rights while speaking at September’s Cherish Life Ministries Christian Life Summit, the blog ThinkProgress has learned.
http://www.catholics-united.org/content/press-release-cuccinelli-blasts-catholic-church-%E2%80%9Ccreating-culture-dependency%E2%80%9D-caring-poor
Maybe he will be denied communinion for not sticking with church doctrine. Couldn’t happen to a nicer guy.
@Starryflights
I have to agree with Starry on this one. Obama’s birth certificate has always been a contrived, bogus issue. However, I do want to see Obama’s college and law school transcripts. His supporters portray him as the greatest genius since Einstein but hold those transcripts under tighter security than the nuclear launch codes. Why not just let us see them?
One’s transcripts certainly don’t tell the whole story. Plenty of brilliant people have lousy grades and plenty of very average people have excellent grades, depending on the amount of preparation they do. I’d rather have a B average person with some extra curriculars and sports than a straight A president.
I simply don’t feel his grades are any of my business. Who cares in the long run/.
@Need to Know
The clamor for Obama’s college transcripts is just as contrived as Trump’s squawking about the birth certificate. I would have thought an issue such as Romney’s tax returns would have been more relevant during the last election. After all, we’ve had four years of Obama’s presidency by which to judge his performance.
I’d sound like a total nut if I walked into your office and asked what your grades were in phys. ed. or accounting. The fact that you graduated from an accredited school and hold professional certifications, and are recommended by people who know you should be enough. If I continued to gripe to all my acquaintances that you wouldn’t tell me your college standing from 20 years ago and if you’d taken Art 201 and not an additional business course as an elective, most listeners would know which of us were a bit off.
The “black dude” won the election and is president for four more years. It’s time to move on.
@Censored bybvbl
You would be a total nut to walk into my office and ask for that because I’m not running for any elected position. I just want verification of claims that have been made. We’ve all been told that Obama makes the rest us look like dunces. College and law/grad school grades are one way to prove it. Obama refuses to release his transcripts or LSAT score. No one is disputing that the he graduated from college or law school, as some claimed at the expense of their own credibility that he is not a natural-born American citizen.
Most people don’t know, but Mensa will waive the requirement to take their admissions test if you provide a qualifying score on another accepted test. That includes the LSAT, which President Obama has taken:
http://www.us.mensa.org/AML/?LinkServID=005EB3F7-B83A-44BA-B4FFD5114A1AC31D
If he would just tell us his LSAT score, his supporters could verify their claims of what a genius he is.
We know the academic records of Bush, Jr. and Kerry. Both went to Yale and were mediocre students, with “C” averages. Their GPAs were very similar. Many Democrats used that fact to claim Bush is not very bright, while conveniently ignoring Kerry’s very similar academic record. Now, Democrats tell us what a genius Obama is. Let’s see some proof. If he’s really that great, why not just release the transcripts or LSAT score and shut up everyone who wants to know? Why the secrecy?
I never heard anyone claim that Obama is the greatest genius since Albert Einstein. I prefer to evaluate him based on his job performance as president, rather then what he scored on his LSAT 30 years ago.
Totally agree here also.@Starry.
Look at Einstein who couldn’t find his butt with both hands.
I’ve never heard anyone claim that Obama was a genius either. It’s as silly as the right-wingers who claim his followers view him as the Messiah. (Maybe this is dog-whistle for “too uppity”.)
When I think of the extraordinarily successful entrepreneurs we have in our society, I don’t think of their college standing, whether they belong to Mensa, or where they went to school. Many of them are college drop-outs.
I read that Ken Cuckoonelli gave a very moderate speech to CPAC, calling for education reform and never mentioning his opposition to the transportation bill. He is moving to the political center.
I hope no one falls for that crap. If Cucinnelli is a moderate then I am a ex member of the Weathermen.
@Censored bybvbl
Many people who are academic underachievers are members of Mensa. Their academic underachievement is usually because of lack of opportunity or, in some cases, lack of social skills (i.e., “Big Bang Theory”-type personalities). Success in gaining admission to Mensa is for many members a way of acknowledging their capabilities, which might have gone unrecognized in other ways by society. While sometimes accused of being elitist, it is one of the most inclusive organizations you can find. It includes and welcomes people of all races, religion (or lack of religion), economic background or any other non-relevant factor. Anyone who scores in the top two percent of the population on an accepted test of cognitive ability is welcome to join.
Most underachievement by academically capable students is because they don’t give a rat’s ass about academics. I would also throw in that academic smarts isn’t the only kind of smarts. I am a firm believer in multiple intelligence. I’ve done a lot field experience.
DITTO!!
I find it worse that Mitt Romeny did not release his tax returns beyond the mandated 2 years – like most every candidate has done in recent times. He even went against his own fathers statement about being able to game the system by only releasing 2 years worth.
Re Obama and the school records – right wing nonsense. Just like the birther issue, it is just to stir up the base. Too bad people, who consider themselves leaders, like McConnel did not step up to squash it, now he is complaining because people are attacking his wife’s heritage. Look at Eric Cantor on the birther issue – http://www.newrepublic.com/blog/jonathan-chait/82069/eric-cantor-and-the-birthers# – why give them any more fodder.
I am sure Trump will spout some birtherism out of himself – and all those around him will Yuk it up with him – and then they want us to imagine CPAC being a legitimate org.
I hear CPAC has invited Clint Eastwood’s empty chair to speak, bwahaha!
Heh….this should cheer up Moonhowlings about Cuccinelli.
“Americans for Tax Reform President Grover Norquist Thursday criticized Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli for refusing to sign his tax pledge, saying Virginia voters have already been fooled once. “
Yea, they have been fooled by Cuccinelli. He is trying to deceive them again. both are losers.
“Quadruple Witching poised to jolt stock trading volume”
(WSJ 3-15-2013)
Darn. That doesn’t sound good.
I forget what causes thast, Steve. Quarterly earnings and what other 3 things?
Hard to believe this is the third Friday of March.
from investopedia:
Definition of ‘Quadruple Witching’
The expiration date of various stock index futures, stock index options, stock options and single stock futures. All stock options contracts expire on the third Friday of each month and once every quarter – on the third Friday of March, June, September and December – all four asset classes expire on the same day. Because futures and options investors must close out of their positions on those days, they often witness increased trading volume.
Read more: http://www.investopedia.com/terms/q/quadruplewitching.asp#ixzz2NdahPeo9
Not a good way to increase appeal to minorities by having a Tea Party Patriot sponsored CPAC seminar on appealing to minorities turn into a racial shouting match.
http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2013/03/tea-party-event-on-racial-tolerance-turns-to-chaos-as-white-supremacists-arrive.php?m=1
@Moe
UFB
I can’t believe it.
@Morris Davis
Wowsers! What a seminar! Now we’re going to have to listen to Republicans cite Frederick Douglass as one of their own just as women have had to listen to the anti-choice crowd wrap themselves in Susan B. Anthony’s cloak. How long will it be before someone on here cites Douglass to promote his or her right-wing agenda? Hours? Days? I can hear the ground swell now. His name will join Saul Alinsky’s, ACORN, and a host of others regurgitated by the inane mass of ditto heads who got the latest email.
More details and quotes from that seminar…
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/compost/wp/2013/03/15/how-not-to-sound-racist-the-most-awkward-cpac-panel-ever/?hpid=z4
@Morris Davis
It shows that CPAC has had a change of presidents doesn’t it. One year….. different than the next. New president seems to be ticking of EVERYBODY.
And, of course, every event brings out nuts.
Something to think about–Willie Nelson will be 80 on April 30 of this year. UFB
@Cargosquid
I wish I could be a fly on the wall.
Certifiable nuts cases.
@Moon-howler
That means that after all these years he’ll finally be as old as he’s always looked like he was.
Good point, Moe. I just don’t expect Willie Nelson to be any age, I guess. He is timeless.
Snow and sleet predicted for tomorrow morning. I hope the daffodils survive.
“That the onset of eighty-five billion dollars
worth of automatic spendings cuts should be
followed within days by the Dow’s reaching a
record high seems worthy of a Seussian verse:
‘Said John Boehner, complainer, the Republican’s man/
We’re run out of road, now we can’t kick the can/
The books would not balance, triggered sequestration/
But the markets still rise, like Obama’s frustration./’ ”
New Yorker (3-28-2013)
I am amazed that people worry about pornograhy after watching The Bible
on the History Channel.
It has been many years since I have done much major Bible reading. I am horrified at the violency and cruelty.
It really makes one think……
Perhaps the Bible should be the first book to be taken out of the hands of children.
Chris Cillizza
The Fix
Will the real Republican Party please stand up?
By Chris Cillizza, Sunday, March 17, 1:18 PM
You could be forgiven for thinking that there were two Republican parties on display over the last few days at the Conservative Political Action Conference in suburban Washington.
On one side was the “compromise equals surrender” crowd led by Sens. Rand Paul (Ky.) and Ted Cruz (Tex.) with an assist from Sarah Palin and her Big Gulp soda. On the other was what passes for the party establishment, represented by former Florida governor Jeb Bush and Sen. Marco Rubio (Fla.).
The two groups’ analysis of the current state of the Republican Party made it sound as though they were on two different planets. Cruz, who delivered the final speech of CPAC on Saturday night, insisted that “we’re winning right now.” Bush, who spoke 24 hours earlier, told attendees that “way too many people believe Republicans are anti-immigrant, anti-woman, anti-science, anti-gay, anti-worker.”
http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/will-the-real-republican-party-please-stand-up/2013/03/17/9f61709c-8f15-11e2-bdea-e32ad90da239_story.html?hpid=z2
The republicans are lost in space.
Cuccinelli misleads Virginians on transportation
http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/cuccinelli-misleads-virginians-on-transportatoin/2013/03/17/cf0d70bc-8ce9-11e2-b63f-f53fb9f2fcb4_story.html?hpid=z4
and cnsnews wonders why most do not think it is a news organization – http://cnsnews.com/video/international/state-dept-if-request-were-made-international-monitoring-papal-election-we-would
Do they think wasting everyone’s time on such nonsense gives them credibility?
Gotta admit whomever did the casting for the devil knew what they were doing:http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2295082/Why-does-devil-The-Bible-look-exactly-like-President-Obama.html
Why the GOP is finally embracing immigration reform
By Keith Wagstaff | The Week
The RNC and Senate Republicans lead the way in the GOP’s quest to woo more Hispanic voters
The GOP appears ready for a big shift on immigration: Republicans on a bipartisan Senate committee are close to finalizing a plan that would allow undocumented workers to earn legal status after 10 years and citizenship three years after that, according according to The New York Times. Meanwhile, the Republican National Committee has officially endorsed immigration reform as part of a $10 million outreach to minorities.
http://news.yahoo.com/why-gop-finally-embracing-immigration-reform-124500757.html;_ylt=AndQW9xfZkUXr0bAsTKHD5vNt.d_;_ylu=X3oDMTVxYmw0NzMwBGNjb2RlA2dtcHRvcDEwMDBwb29sd2lraXVwcmVzdARtaXQDQXJ0aWNsZSBNaXhlZCBMaXN0IE5ld3MgZm9yIFlvdSB3aXRoIE1vcmUgTGluawRwa2cDMDg4NDExMjgtMGNlNS0zNDI2LWExMzEtODVlNTAyNmUyOGQ4BHBvcwMyBHNlYwNuZXdzX2Zvcl95b3UEdmVyAzkxYmVjMTEzLTkwMDUtMTFlMi1iN2Q5LTM5N2E3YzIzODFjNw–;_ylg=X3oDMTMxYzhxYWJjBGludGwDdXMEbGFuZwNlbi11cwRwc3RhaWQDNmU0NDBhMDMtZThiYy0zMjhkLWFjZWItMjNlYjdkM2JkNGRmBHBzdGNhdAMEcHQDc3RvcnlwYWdlBHRlc3QDVGVzdF9BRkM-;_ylv=3
Good to see republicans coming around on immigration reform.
@Starryflights
Except that it won’t help them to pander to the Hispanics about legalizing illegal immigration.
The votes after Reagan’s amnesty proved that.
It’s also about the perception that the Democrats will empower a larger safety net. The Hispanic community is all about protecting the family.
And so, the only way to pander for that vote is to out-promise the Democrats.
I am not sure I would use the word pander unless I was ready to have it applied to who the Republicans pander to.
Cory Stewart and his speech at CPAC on “how to spread conservatism to all Americans”:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_Uz6oQj73U&feature=youtu.be
Rand Paul endorses immigrant path to citizenship
Associated Press – 3 hrs ago
WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky is endorsing a pathway to citizenship for the nation’s 11 million illegal immigrants, a significant move for a favorite of tea party Republicans who are sometimes hostile to such an approach.
In a speech to be delivered Tuesday morning to the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the potential 2016 presidential candidate declares, “If you wish to live and work in America, then we will find a place for you.” A copy of the speech was obtained in advance by The Associated Press.
http://news.yahoo.com/rand-paul-endorses-immigrant-path-citizenship-033313583–politics.html?.b=index&.cf3=&.cf4=2&.cf5=Associated+Press&.cf6=%2F
Now even Rand Paul, tea party hero, has come around to supporting comprehensive immigration reform, including a path to citizenship. This is good.
And I disagree, I think supporting this will help republicans. George W’s support for immigration reform helped him with Latino voters, enough to win him a second term in 2004. Without their support, he would likely have lost such a close election.
Tomorrow [Wednesday], the House will vote on Paul Ryan’s radical budget.
It cuts taxes for the top 1 percent, and cuts Medicare and Obamacare for everyone else.
Paul Ryan calls it a budget – if anyone produced that as a budget at any level of government, we would be calling for their resignation. Too many holes and undefined entries. It is a policy paper, not a budget.
@Pat.Herve
And what’s your opinion of the Senate budget?
I like it.
Most Americans back path to citizenship for illegal immigrants: poll
Reuters – 7 hrs ago
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The majority of Americans favor giving millions of illegal immigrants a way to earn citizenship, according to a survey released on Thursday, highlighting public support for efforts in Congress to reform immigration law.
In the Public Religion Research Institute poll, 63 percent of Americans said they supported a path to citizenship for undocumented foreigners if they meet certain requirements.
Seventy-one percent of Democrats and 53 percent of Republicans backed eventually allowing illegal immigrants to become Americans.
The path to citizenship idea is the centerpiece of both a bipartisan immigration plan in the Senate and President Barack Obama’s immigration reform proposals.
This week, Republican Senator Rand Paul, a libertarian and favorite of the conservative Tea Party movement, called for legalization of the 11 million undocumented foreigners, the majority of who are from Latin America.
http://news.yahoo.com/most-americans-back-path-citizenship-illegal-immigrants-poll-040734110.html?.b=index&.cf3=U.S.+News&.cf4=4&.cf5=Reuters&.cf6=%2F
Good to see a majority support reform
I would hope that there were caveats. I don’t think any of us want to open up the door for those with long criminal records.
The Paul Ryan non-budget passed the House.
Hold on to your medicare!
I have not seen the Senate budget proposal – I had heard it is more specific in many areas than the Ryan plan.
well here goes – the Post Office which is common fodder for all – wants to do two things – close under performing post offices and reduce mail by a day. The House just passed a CR, which tells the Post Office that it must maintain 6 day delivery. They have previously blocked closing of Post Offices. So, what does the House want them to do?? This is where there is a disconnect from the Republican sound bites and their actions. They can rail against the Senate for not producing a budget, but the House initiates all the CR’s to fund it all. Just sound bites for political gain.
The senate rejected the Ryan budget. Even Rand Paul voted against it, ahaha!
THIS should get interesting very quickly.
http://www.opposingviews.com/i/society/crime/louisiana-judge-declares-statute-preventing-felons-owning-guns-unconstitutional
OF course, I use the Chinese perspective on “interesting.”
That guy who shot the prison chief in Colorado was an ex-con. I wonder why gun rights groups are so determined to preserve gun rights for murderers, drug dealers, pimps and other garbage.
@Starry flights
ACTUALLY, gun rights people are some of the most vehement at NOT giving those rights back.
But then….. in your eyes Starry, if the guy had not bee an ex-con, and just a run of the mill gangbanger….that would have been better?
Besides, if one is too dangerous to be around guns, shouldn’t they just be in jail instead of released?