June 23, 2012

In light of the Sandusky case, please pass this on or post it, etc.

RT @McMurphyCBS: RT @ErinAndrews:
The National Sexual Assault Hotline number is 800-656-HOPE
Pass it on.

June 23, 2012

"He's always been a law abiding member of this community

except for these allegations."
-Karl Rominger
(Sandusky's attorney)

"So, other than that, how did you like the play, Mrs. Lincoln."

June 23, 2012

Meanwhile on another planet, UVA had a coup & President Sullivan was ousted

McDonnell tells U-Va. board to resolve leadership crisis, or he will remove members
<snap>
McDonnell (R), who had repeatedly resisted involving himself in the escalating troubles at the state’s flagship university, sent a stern three-page letter to the Board of Visitors late Friday, nearly two weeks after the ouster of President Teresa Sullivan.

The board has called a special meeting Tuesday to discuss whether to reinstate Sullivan. But McDonnell said if the 15 voting board members cannot make a decision at that meeting, he will ask all of them to resign. If they refuse, he will remove them for cause, a power granted to him by state law but rarely used.

“Let me be absolutely clear: I want final action by the board on Tuesday,’’ he wrote. “If you fail to do so, I will ask for the resignation of the entire board on Wednesday. Regardless of your decision, I expect you to make a clear, detailed and unified statement on the future leadership of the university.”

Rector Helen E. Dragas, head of the board and advocate of replacing Sullivan, said in a statement that she agreed that a final resolution is needed so the “U-Va. family” can move on.
<snap>
http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/dc-politics/u-va-dean-tapped-for-interim-president-suspends-discussions-about-new-job/2012/06/22/gJQAniQ0uV_story.html

Dragas called members of the Board of Visitors and rounded up enough votes to ask Sullivan to resign. Some members weren't even contacted. It was done with no transparency. For some reason, most followed like sheep and held to this shameful sham until it was made public.

After the shite hit the fan, the backlash was fierce. Major and smaller donors pulled their funds. Others threatened. A distinguished professor resigned immediately in protest. The students protested, and the Faculty passed a measure of 'no confidence' in the BOV.

The BOV tried to rectify this mess in a closed meeting that lasted until past 2am. The appointed a Dean as an interim president. After there was another wave of anger at the closed proceedings, he resigned.

Dragas thinks she will remain for some reason. However, she is the one they want rolling in a tumbril so they can get her head.

McDonnell tried to sidestep this entire fiasco, but after returning from an overseas trip, he realized that wasn't going to happen. I think the eleventy billion messages of all types he received changed his mind.

BTW there are about an equal number of Dems and GOPeas on the BOV. McDonnell has 2 or 3 appointments coming up shortly. Dragas is up for reappointment.

So the die is cast. Tuesday is the day of reckoning for all.

June 11, 2012

Robin Roberts has 'Myelodysplastic syndrome'

<snip>
Myelodysplastic syndromes are a group of disorders caused by poorly formed or dysfunctional blood cells. Myelodysplastic syndromes occur when something goes wrong in your bone marrow — the spongy material inside your bones where blood cells are made.

There is no cure for myelodysplastic syndromes. Treatment for myelodysplastic syndromes usually focuses on reducing or preventing complications of the disease and its treatments. In certain cases, myelodysplastic syndromes are treated with a bone marrow transplant, which may help prolong life.
<snip>
http://www.bing.com/health/article/mayo-MADS00596/Myelodysplastic-syndromes?q=myelodysplastic+syndrome&qpvt=Myoplastic+syndrome

She just announced this on GMA. her sister is almost a perfect match, and when ready, she will be having a bone marrow transplant.

Feels like it's raining all the time.

June 11, 2012

THE WEEK IN GREED #8: EXPLAINING TAXES TO A FIVE YEAR OLD

One nice thing about small children is that they aren’t scared to ask questions. They haven’t completely absorbed the idea that ignorance is shameful. Sometimes these questions are devastating, because small children also haven’t learned the trick of swallowing their fears and doubts.
<snip>
Josie paused. She is, at five years old, a devout collector of money.  “Why do we have to pay taxes?” she said.
***
“We pay taxes for things we need,” my wife said.

“Like a bunk bed?”

“No,” I said. “We have to pay for a bunk bed ourselves. Taxes are to pay for things we all share.”
<snip>
“Taxes didn’t pay for our car,” I said. “But what do cars drive on?”

“The road,” Josie said.
<snip>
On the way home from the visit with our friends, we took a short cut onto a private road. It was littered with massive potholes. As Erin’s old Honda bounced into one, Josie shrieked from the backseat. “You know what this place needs? Some taxes!”
Much longer article worth reading:
http://therumpus.net/2012/06/the-week-in-greed-8-explaining-taxes-to-a-five-year-old/

Maybe teaspitters could get it. maybe.

June 11, 2012

One 'stimulus' project states in Tornado Alley should begin:

The tornadic activity we have seen is going to become the norm IMHO. Some people still have tornado shelters,but many people don't. They were just not built with homes after a while.

I would recommend that a program be started to either pay for or help people pay for the installation of tornado shelters. There are many pre-fab types available, and many of them are made in the USA.
These are examples from just one company:



http://www.stormandtornadosheltersoftx.com/index.html

They make them that will hold up to 50 people.
I am not recommending this company. There are many examples if you do a search.
If this was done, planning their installation would be critical. Think twice. Dig once.

These mega-storms that contain huge tornadoes and a lot of them are not going away. While there should also be wind-resistant building principles applied in any new structures, none of them can withstand a major storm. Shelters would mitigate loss of human life.

June 10, 2012

3 Auburn football players shot- 2 dead (deaths confirmed, but not names)

RT @ToddKincannon: RT @WestonEast
#Auburn shooting: Ed Christian pronounced dead at U Village. Ladarious Phillips dead in hospital, Eric Mack in hospital.

http://twitter.com/chaddicusjones/statuses/211728401298501632

Horrible!

June 10, 2012

Sen.Sherrod Brown smacks down Dana Loesch at NN12:

RT @Lizardoid: Awesome! RT
@DLoesch "Sen Brown do u have time for a question?" me "Not from you I don't." - Sen. Sherrod Brown
#nn12 | Oof!
http://twitter.com/GottaLaff/statuses/211621707381866496

Ha! Way to go Sen.Brown!

June 9, 2012

Carrie Underwood: Country queen speaks out for gay marriage,but how will conservative fans take it?

Christian singer Carrie Underwood risks wrath of the faithful with backing for equal rights for homosexuals.

She is the musical darling of American conservatives: a God-fearing farm girl from Oklahoma who became a music phenomenon on the back of wholesome hit records about faith, family and the greatness of the United States.

Until now, that is. In a development that will doubtless outrage her many fans on the religious right, the nation's most popular country singer, Carrie Underwood, has come out vehemently in favour of gay marriage.

The endorsement, in an interview with The Independent, puts Underwood in the line of fire of one of America's most divisive social debates. Barack Obama recently endorsed same-sex unions, indicating that he wishes to make the subject a key talking point in the forthcoming presidential election.
<snip>
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/carrie-underwood-us-country-queen-speaks-out-for-gay-marriage--but-how-will-conservative-fans-take-it-7831956.html

This will be interesting. She has a huge country fan base.
Carrie has always been a talented singer who is warm and approachable. I've always liked her.

I wonder if somebody will try to make her walk this back or if she will stick to what she said. Hope she sticks!

June 9, 2012

'Girls & Boys' - a great redneck It Gets Better video. Could be from Mayberry.

Even if you don't like country music, watch this. It's like a version from Mayberry.

Love it!
Andy would be proud!