Friday, September 17, 2010

Though We've beaten You And Flayed You

Today is Constitution Day, the 233rd anniversary of the formation and signing  of the finest document of governance ever written by the hand of man or God.

You can tell what an important holiday it is by the massive coverage of the media, and the stirring speeches given by so many politicians in honor of our founding principles.

Sigh.

63 comments:

  1. Interesting that the link is to Hillsdale College, one of the finest, yet very small, private liberal arts schools in Michigan, let alone the country. LINK

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  2. Ari, I just reclicked my link, and do not find the connection to Hillsdale.

    The only address or phone given is in Florida.

    That said, I agree with you completely about Hillsdale, and strongly recommend their more than excellent'Imprimus' newsletter, which I have received for years, and is free for the asking, by going to their website, here:

    http://hillsdaleoffer.com/

    I still don't know how to add links to comments, dammit.

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  3. Will they send the newslatter to Canada?

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  4. I don't know, Matt - all you can do is try. It is certainly worth it.

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  5. I still don't know how to add links to comments, dammit.

    Compose your comment in the new post screen and link as you would if you were composing a post. Then cut and paste to the comment box.

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  6. I actually have a small, hard-cover copy of the Constitution. My father gave it to me last year; he found an old box of family heirloom stuff and knew I'd be interested. Anyhow, the book had belonged to my grandmother and has her name inside with the date, Feb 1930 (so it only has the first 19 amendments). It's a pretty nice copy of the Constitution, as it has titles- for the various articles and sections- that don't exist in the original. It certainy makes it easier to find specific sections (you'd think those founding fathers would have though of that! : )

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  7. Mark Levin often talks up Hillsdale College, so I'm somewhat familiar with it. I should sign up for the newsletter (you can also get a free copy of the Constitution).

    DWT- there's a link to Hillsdale College on the bottom of the Constitution Day main page. I guess that they're the ones who set up the Constitution Day website. I found a link on the Hillsdale College site to an article by Pat Sajak (yes- that Pat Sajak, as if there are any others. Apparently, he's vice chairman of Hillsdale's Board of Trustees). This short article greatly raises my respect for the old Wheel-of-Fortune guy, and not just for this great line:
    "If you think most colleges and universities offer courses on the Constitution, think again. Even a long-time shop teacher can use the fingers on one hand to count those that do.

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  8. Sorry, DWT... I didn't mean to show off that I can put links in comments : P

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  9. I got to see the actual Magna Carta recently up at Hereford Cathedral. If I was being honest I'd say that was the most beautiful document written by man simply because of its brilliance at the time and it's fundamental relevance to everything which followed - Common Law, Bill of Rights and finally your Constitution. It was amazing to see it "in the flesh" and I was very proud (and astonished as we are so hated over Empire for some weird reason) when the Pope on his visit paid tribute to our part in the grand scheme of western success all in this regard.

    Just up the road from me here in a debating church a woman named Mary Wollstonecraft, hundreds of years back, played an active part in the discussions on Rights, France, America. Ahead of Paine she challenged that idiot Rousseau on women's education and penned a fascinating response to Edmunde Burke called the "Rights of Man". I disagreed with her conclusion as I've always supported Burkes point of view overall but between them it was one of the best political debates I have ever read regards constitutional rights. A Vindication of the Rights of Women was her major work so far as legacy though. I'd recommend her story and that book to all.

    I often wonder if we ourselves are not living through revolutionary times and just don't realise it. Nothing stays the same politically and even though the Constitution is undoubtedly a great body of political work is it really the ultimate and end of all political debate in this area? I think the constant challenges made against it, rightly or wrongly, show it isn't simply because that is the nature of man.

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  10. Here's a good piece along those lines I just came across:

    http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1312405/TEA-PARTY-poll-breakthrough-The-start-second-American-Revolution.html

    I wonder at the end of this Revolution if the Constitution will have additional protection afforded to protect it in its current form and render your governments legislators bound to it precisely?

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  11. DWT..."re-check" your link again, (srsly) then scroll down to the part labeled "Constitution Day Events"...Hillsdale College is the only location listed. If they're not the main sponsor I'd be very surprised.

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  12. Allison...I am old enough to know for certain that we are living in revolutionary times, and that the portent is not good at present. The left has been kidnapped by suicidal demagogues and the right, including the Tea Party, has be similarly co-opted by idiots who make a lot of noise drowning out the ordinary folk.

    Ignorance is NOT the antidote to radical leftismo....or radical Islam either. It is the same thing in reverse or "negative" form.

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  13. In the category of "ignorance" and dimwitted-ness ...we have Palin and spawn just driving the revolution forward! +)) Ca-CHING.

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  14. Fifteen or more years ago I went with my uncle, an avid historian, to a small Church not too far from Nottingham here in England. It was from the pulpit of this Church that the first sermon advocating the move to the New World was delivered. From this sermon came the voyage of the Pilgrim Fathers.
    Nothing, absolutely nothing in that Church has been changed since that momentous day. The pulpit, the Bible on the pulpit and the pews are all the original items which were in place when that first Sermon was delivered.
    I was awed by the sense of history in that small building. To think that from this very structure the United States was eventually born.
    Stunning.

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  15. Ah, yes...from the humble yearnings and beginning in Nottingham, to this ham hocked representation of humble conservative values....

    imgw:"http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/aridog/0917-bristol-promo-7.jpg"

    What's next...a book co-authored by Sarah and Obie?

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  16. I realize that by harping on Palin I disappoint some of all y'all who buy he shtick. Please understand why I do it...she is a charlatan of the first order, one I have had passing and as well as specific experience (on value of life issues) with for over 4 years. She can smell a "buck" (and I don't mean an ungulate with antlers) from 100 miles off. Her values have a pesonal "$" in front of them.

    We've had this kind of "Republican" in Michigan for years (decades) and they're no different than our Democrats. Fact is, the highest state taxation ever in our history came under the Republican banner. That particular "Republican" governor (Milliken) formally endorsed John Kerry in 2004....and was the principle advisor to our current Democratic governess (Jenny the Dim) in revising (making worse) those same taxes. IIRC we still "lead" the nation in unemployment.

    So, please pardon me if I take exception to Palin and company's BS....I have a lifetime of experience with manure and know it when I send it, hear it or smell it.

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  17. alison,

    Thank's for posting about Mary Wollstonecraft - she sounds fascinating. (And what by the way is a "debating church"? From my read of 17th century religion in New England - which was fractious and schismatic - most churches were "debating churches"...)

    With respect to the Constitution, I think the best way to understand it is to realize that it isn't just a secular, legal document but has been made sacred as part of our civic religion. We have no Emperor or King, we have the Constitution and all authentic revolutions are in the name of the Constitution, the way that all authentic revolts in Japan are in the name of the Emperor (see e.g. the "Ni Ni Roku" incident in the thirties).

    This is an aspect of republican (the category, not the political party) government that we share with ancient Rome - their civic religion was more explicit; contravening the institutions of the Republic was not just illegal, it was blasphemous.

    Now every sacred text comes with several strains of exegesis. Right now the tension between the divergent exegesis of the Constitution have reached a breaking point.

    Given the magnitude of the civic tension, the outcome mirrors the economic forcast: highly uncertain.

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  18. I can't speak for everyone, Ari, just myself. I'm not disappointed by your harping on the Palins. I do tend to tune out name-calling by anyone, though.

    Let me give a non-Palin example. I'm ready to smack the shit out of the next person who refers to Michelle Obama as (a) a Wookie, or (b) fat. Not only is it breathtakingly disrespectful to dismiss her that way, but she is most certainly NOT fat. In the least. She's built (much taller, of course) the same way I am and she tends to pack on muscle. I'm pretty sure she could kick the ass of just about any guy who makes those comments.

    And I am FAR, FAR, FAR, FAR from a Michelle Obama fan. I'm less of a Michelle fan than I am a Barack Obama fan, which is really saying something.

    As far as the Palins go - I was so excited by the thought of Sarah Palin in August '08. She seemed like me, if that makes sense. She didn't get sent to school on Mom and Dad's dime, she didn't start out with a trust fund.

    And as far as Bristol went, I was a teen mother myself, so I felt something there as well. I was a mom before I was an adult, and when people made asinine comments about that, I took it personally.

    Now... Not so much. I'm really disillusioned with the Palins, to say the least (although I still think that Todd Palin's hot factor is at least part of the reason some of the liberal female talking heads hate Sarah Palin so much. The two do have a good functioning marriage, and he is a manly guy - something a lot of Manhattanite/Angeleno showbiz and pundit types are missing).

    I no longer feel represented by the Palins. The Dancing with the Stars thing is horrid. But I wish people would argue real facts against them and not make blanket statements. For instance - the railing against the "hypocrisy" of saying pre-marital sex is a bad idea while being a teen mother.

    Um, been there, done that. And I can say for 100% certainty that pre-marital sex may not be going away, but it certainly should not be treated like it's no big deal among teenagers. And a teen mom might be the PERFECT person to make that point.

    We can argue those points with civility. The issue that I find most irritating is that whether the subject is Michelle Obama or the Palins, it is hard to find civility in the discussion. I didn't become disenchanted with Sarah Palin because anyone harped on how awful she is or called her names. In fact, I will admit that it probably took me longer to admit my disenchantment because of the plethora of Palin nastiness.

    On the other hand - disenchantment is probably the nicest way to describe how I feel about all politicians right now. ALL OF THEM. Disgust is another good word. I'd like to spit on quite a few of them. Maybe just an entire session of Congress.

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  19. "Um, been there, done that. And I can say for 100% certainty that pre-marital sex may not be going away, but it certainly should not be treated like it's no big deal among teenagers. And a teen mom might be the PERFECT person to make that point."

    Common sense says that listening to someone who made a mistake and paid for it would be a good thing to do.

    I also do not understand the attitude of "teenagers are going to f**k like rabbits so we may as well let them do it, and their hormones are working overtime anyway." So teenagers 60 years ago did not have hormones? Are hormones an innovation only present in recent generations?

    Religions have been the traditional teachers of societies. Morals developed from the hard-learned lessons of human experience. I agree that sometimes the message becomes lost, and that is certainly a shame. But it is a greater tragedy is that as religion became marginalized, morals were rejected -- and society is paying the price. Notice that the answer to these problems seems to be to let someone else pay for it. There are only so many someone elses -- it is a finite supply. When someone who is caught in such a bind makes a stand, does the right thing, and becomes a roll model for sanity -- that person should be applauded.

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  20. "I can't speak for everyone, Ari, just myself."

    Well... you might not be able to speak for everyone, afw, but I'm pretty certain I presented you with a "Speaks for me!" card while ago. In fact, you usual write what I'm thinking much better that I do.

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  21. Very interesting comments. Sorry for slow reply but a) i am absolutely enraptured by the welcome the Pope has received here in the face of fierce media attacks by a couple of atheist blowhards. It's been nothing short of sensational watching London overflowing with people out to welcome the Pope and shut the aggressive atheists up. They who declare this country devoid of religion and newly secular were proven wrong! We spent most of the day outside Hyde Park trying to catch a glimpse of him. Sensational days here at mo. And b) I have a lousy cold.

    From what I read of your comments Aridog we share the same views. I'm especially mortified at what constitutes conservatism these days - we live in an odd world when conservative values are all bellicose, bling and frankly all that over sexed nonsense too. I don't get it.

    The church up the road I was referring to...I guess being a relaxed catholic I'm not sure of any other churches but ones used for solemn Mass...so I merely meant this one historically is where people used to openly debate politics back in revolutionary times...

    With the incredible debate the Pope has opened up here about religion in society it feels even more like we are living through revolutionary times!

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  22. Oh and how LOVELY to see the words SHALOM on a banner in Hyde Park. Judeo christian values forever!

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  23. For the record, that photo of Mz Abstinence (crotch hugging a stranger) I posted above is not representative of AFW back in her teen days.

    Next item on the agenda of disregard for any sense, or other people's circumstances, is the notorious flight by the good Sarah on a commercial airliner for some 8 hours after her water broke and she was going in to labor.

    A. Uh, airlines don't allow that normally, so she had to lie for self serving purposes.

    B. She proved (if true) a total disregard for the circumstances of other passengers, focusing only on her own need to "get back to Alaska."

    C. I am a bit of a "truther" on that incident, I admit (about 80%)....I don't believe it happened...I do believe she was covering for a kidlet's preggers condition and made up a story. The hurry to Alaska bit just doesn't wash otherwise.

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  24. Ari, whether the truth be A, B, C, or all of the above... I find it difficult to even care in the least bit. Our country is in deep and getting deeper. Unemployment has doubled in the past two years. Doubled. I have plenty of friends and neighbors who are out of work; in one case both husband and wife are out of work for a good year now. The lucky folks who do manage to find new jobs (me being one of them) in most cases take whatever they can get- regardless of how crappy the commute, pay and company are- just to have something rather than sit at home and leach off of the nation's backside. Companies don't want to hire, expand or invest in their company since they have no idea what the implications are going to be. Property taxes- mine have doubled in the last ten years. Sure, I could pack up the family and move someplace cheaper, but I'd have to sell my house to do that. Too bad there ain't nobody buying. Foreclosures in the US are at a 50 year high. Poverty, now there's a war that's gone well, huh? Healthcare- yeah, that's going to work out just lovely as well. Crime- I don't know things are in your parts, but around here it's- to steal a line from Mick Jagger- going up, up, up, up, up. Speaking of crime... Obama, Pelsoi, Reid & crew are spending us into a hole from which we will not be able to climb out for many, many years to come. China is building their military on our dime. Iran... do they have a nuke yet? Soon? Probably. (Hooray for dialogue!) Ground Zero is still a big empty hole in the middle of the city after nine years. The government wants to see my naked splendor when I get on a plane, but doesn't give a damn who, and with what, is traipsing across our borders...

    And I'm supposed to care about Sarah Palin's daughter? Or Sarah Palin's baby? Or her daughter's baby? Really?

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  25. Wow Alphie, I am sorry to hear that. Seems like we have been spared here in Canada. As I personally don't know anyone who has lost their job or home.

    And you are right, in light of all the hardships you document, who really gives a rat's tail about Palin or her kids.

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  26. Thanks, Fay.

    Eh... I know Ari doesn't like Palin (to put it mildly) and I don't mean to pile on him, but I'm in a seriously foul mood- all the time- lately. 10% unemployment doesn't sound so bad, but that's 1 in 10 people. 20 adults on my block- 2 are out of work. 30 close friends- 3 out of work. Add in class parents from the kids' school- that's another 6 or 7 more. Have friends in any type of construction related work- it's more like 1 in 4 out of work for them.

    I took my current job thinking that it would at least be a paycheck until I found something better. I knew in the first few days that it was a mistake, but I figured I'd stick it out for a month, or two, or three. It's been a year now. I hate it. But... it's a paycheck, and there are plenty of others who will be more than happy to take should I not want it.

    Heck, I shouldn't even be sitting here ranting online in the middle of the night, since I have work to finish for my old boss who is still trying to finish up a random job here and there even though he closed up the office over a year ago. Hey, I'm not going to turn away work even if I have to stay up half the night 2 or 3 days a week to get it done.

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  27. It's not all bad, though. At least for the first time in my adult life I'm proud of my state's governor

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  28. Gov. Christie! I love him!

    Could you send him up here please.

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  29. So sorry about your pridcament and that of your friends and neighbours alphie. We are, I guess, blessed up here in the great white north.

    But then we do have a Conservative government (by the skin of our teeth, that is).

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  30. Love ya, Alphie. Love your governor too :-)

    I hope things are looking up for you and yours. What you describe is pretty much the situation here. Tom doesn't want to talk to his boss about the company's plans to keep the logyard open until his retirement (7 years, earliest) because we're afraid to hear the answer. At least he still has his job, so for that we're grateful!

    I miss all you fine people. I've been working my fingers to the bone outside, clearing, planting, transplanting, etc. I'm looking forward to this winter for more time on TCKT - hopefully with a new laptop...

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  31. (heh, heh, I just had to post a link in the comments too, lol)

    Dances, we may get to meet one of these days as my nephew in Ohio just informed the family that he will be a dad in 6 months. I'm hoping the next thing I hear is that there will soon be a wedding.

    img:"http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y117/floranista/lolcatswhyioughta.jpg"

    Anyway, if that happens I hope we can meet for lunch or an espresso!

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  32. oopsie, guess I should have resized.



    *slinking off now*

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  33. Alphie, I'm sorry that the inspiration had to be so visceral, but your enumeration of the problems is dead on.

    Aridog, see, this is the situation:

    I subscribe to Alphie's list.

    I believe the problems at the center of the miserable vortex of the economy, fiscal debt, and monetary craziness are absolutely existential for this nation.

    I believe that not only have the current set of elites failed, but the mechanism by which they may be removed "within the system" as it were are frozen up. This is the essence of my comment a few threads ago - the Republican party being the village that needs to be destroyed in order to be saved.

    The only remedy is a (peaceful and political) revolt.

    What do we know about revolutions?

    They aren't dinner parties.

    And they aren't breakfast clubs, either.

    So given that politics is warfare by other means, and given also that this particular forum fashions itself (brilliantly, as I see quite clearly now) as a Kitchen Table, I will refrain from waging politics while seated here.

    (I was goaded into waging politics in other forums and I'm therefore complicit in the degeneration in atmosphere at those forums. I won't repeat that mistake here.)

    With respect to Palin, I've said my peace long ago within the bounds of reasoned discourse. I could recite some talking points - and I probably will continue to formulate and float talking points, even here - called out as such. I would like to think I will refrain from wielding talking points here and if I fail I would ask to be reminded.

    It would be nice if we lived in a world where talking points and slogans were of no service to any cause. Sadly, that's not the world we live in - talking points and slogans matter when waging politics.

    e.g.: Yeah, but she's our witch!. Yes, this is what it's come to.

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  34. Love you too, afw; thanks for your post #20. I don't agree with everything but I'm with you on many issues and love reading your posts, Aridog's too (even though he holds me in little esteem as I'm a WalMart shopper, enjoy Glenn Beck greatly, like Palin very much, and I LOVE DWTS, it's one of the few tv programs I look forward to watching, along with RedEye).

    That's OK, we're all animal-lovers.

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  35. Alphie....just who brings up and runs out in public Palin's person affairs? Palin, that's who. From there, it is about credibility. Or the lack thereof.

    Lewy14 and Alphie....tell you what, give me a list of the specific concrete things you believe Palin, or yee Dawd O'Donnell, or their acolytes, would do if elected. Make them things they've detailed in their stump rump flatulence, okay?

    Florrie....you like DWTS, great!! Be sure to watch tonight as Bristol Palin takes her spin, with Mom in the audience (well announced in advance) no doubt holding g-baby Tripster.

    No wait, we wouldn't want to involve Palin's family in publicity stuff, eh.

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  36. For the record, I was a life long registered Democrat until 2004, when IMO, the party was taken over by cake eating liars and frauds....most significantly their Prez candidate.

    Now comes the Tea Party with good intentions and motives...and guess what, they've been co-opted by charlatans as well, with Beck, Palin, O'Donnell, et al. making the noise.

    Man, I have no where to turn now. What? A choice between a Pelosi witch or a Palin idiot? I'm not at all sure that cure isn't worse than the problem. But it would be nice if Pelosi just up and quit and went on book tour.

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  37. Alison - In Washington, at the National Archive, where the original copy of both the Declaration and the Constitution are displayed in a suitable style, there is, first, in an ante-chamber a mounted copy of the Magna Carta.

    I was stuck my it in much the same way as you were. However...

    Lewy14 - ...is right, as usual, in that the elites produced by both these august traditions---the great British Constitution so beloved of Burke and our own Constitution, rightly called a civic religion--are completely inept, unequal to the task and have become actually dangerous to the countries the rule. Not just kind of dangerous but actually existentially dangerous.

    And Lewy is also correct that in both nations there is NO WAY TO CORRECT this within the confines of either Constitutions (except for one thing under the British, under which an exceptionally talented monarch COULD exercise such a massive revolution in the name of the Crown; however, Elizabeth II is not such a monarch nor are any of the heirs so this won't happen.)

    So...

    Aridog - ...is right that this means that we are fundamentally in a revolutionary moment.

    Sure, the tea party and Palin and Beck and all are totally ridiculous. But these folks are nothing more than all-American Kerenskys, who will be swept away as the Elite massively over-responds to even these minor, silly protests and more and more people will realize that voting R, even the right kind of R, IS NOT A SOLUTION.

    This place is gonna SovUnion on us, quicker than we think. The only question is: will it be Velvet?

    Or will some of our own Ceacescus end up against the wall?

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  38. Lewy said: "Sadly, that's not the world we live in - talking points and slogans matter when waging politics."

    Said another way: "the first liar doesn't stand a chance."

    Which is why we are in the toilet today. No substance, just gas, and we accept it. I've often remarked we get the governance we deserve. Al Franken and Christine O'Donnell are evidence of that. More's the pity.

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  39. Lewy said: "(I was goaded into waging politics in other forums and I'm therefore complicit in the degeneration in atmosphere at those forums. I won't repeat that mistake here.)"
    You are no more complicit in said degeneration than anyone here, or anywhere, perhaps least of all. When a forum becomes primarily one liners and blatant agenda wonkisms, it is no longer a forum. "Discussion" is gone...and in discussion you were and are among the most civil on the Internet.

    As for "Kitchen Tables"...yep, they're not for slinging knives at each other, but historically in this country's farm belt they were for animated discussion. In the old farm house the kitchen was the biggest room and had the largest table...and is where almost all substantial things were handled.

    Just saying. I'd be horribly bored here if there weren't differing opinions, not just "points." I've been known to change my mind when presented with cogent facts.

    Exchange of ideas in detail isn't a bad thing...heck this thread shows that. And NO, I haven't changed my mind about Mizz Sarah :))...but I will enjoy Florie's analysis of her chunky spawn's performance tonight on DWTS =))

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  40. Jourdan....the new American Legislature model?

    imgw:"http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/aridog/parliament_fight_ukraine.jpg"

    imgw:"http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/aridog/parliament_fight_turkey.jpg"

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  41. Just for giggles while I was looking for the photos above I noticed 13 items deleted from my Photobucked account. A couple had partial views of buttocks (hairy ones), and the most absurd was a photoshop of Al Franken with a bunny hat on & a body wearing a diaper. There was NO porn

    Guess I'm going to have to edit my P-Bucket account then cancel it. The Chinese Commies are less "sensitive".

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  42. Heh...I'm betting the dweeb screening my uploads will ax this one next :-o

    imgw:"http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/aridog/HillaryandAbuMazencopy.jpg"

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  43. Aridog #41 said: "As for "Kitchen Tables"...yep, they're not for slinging knives at each other, but historically in this country's farm belt they were for animated discussion. In the old farm house the kitchen was the biggest room and had the largest table...and is where almost all substantial things were handled.

    Just saying. I'd be horribly bored here if there weren't differing opinions, not just "points." I've been known to change my mind when presented with cogent facts."


    That's very well said, aridog. I hope this will always be a place for animated discussion and differing opinions, tempered by old-fashioned good manners.

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  44. Fay- I'm glad to hear things are going well up north. Hold on to the conservatives in your government; we won't be sending any your way, as we have few to spare. I certainly don't think we'll be letting go of Christie any time soon, we need him here in Jersey more than anything. I don't agree with him on everything, but he seems to be getting enough of the important stuff right... primarily cutting the state budget.

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  45. Alphie, we may be stealing Christie for a Presidential run in 2012. So far, I really like what I see.

    Christie/West? Oh yeah.

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  46. florrie, I love that photoshop (I don't think I ever noticed that you turned the mouth upside-down). I do feel like that, except everyone's saying that the hurricane has passed when it's really still out there, growing.

    Thank goodness, though, that the recession ended over a year ago. I can just picture the enonomists who made that brilliant declaration sitting around a table, looking at each other- "Hey, we all have jobs, so the recession must be over."

    I'd love for them to be correct... but I fear they're not.

    Hope things work out with Tom's job. As for you, get those plants taken care and get back to the table!

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  47. Alphie, we may be stealing Christie for a Presidential run in 2012. So far, I really like what I see.

    Might be a bit early to tell if he's presidential material. I suspect he's not, but we'll see. I'd just be really happy if he straightens out our state.

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  48. lewy- How do you manage to say the things I think, but just can't figure out how to say? (I'm stunningly brilliant in my mind. Really!)

    I honestly don't have much great insight into politics, at all. I've all but ignored what's been going on in the world- and the country- for a good part of the last year. I'm still trying to catch up.

    And I can't recall you having ever wage politics. I was probably too busy photoshopping stuff into satellite photos of hurricanes or something...

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  49. just who brings up and runs out in public Palin's person affairs? Palin, that's who.

    Maybe she does, but just as [insert name of drunken hollywood starlet here] can't help but expose herself every other day it doesn't mean everyone has to carry the story and ost the photos.

    I konw you don't like Palin. I know you have good reason not to. But if you don't cut back the Palin posts... I'm going to devote my life to finding out the next time you will be getting on a commercial aircraft, just so I can put my three boys in the seat behind you : P

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  50. Lewy14 and Alphie....tell you what, give me a list of the specific concrete things you believe Palin, or yee Dawd O'Donnell, or their acolytes, would do if elected.

    Well... Palin's not running for anything at the moment (is she?), I have absolutely no ambitions for O'Donnell, and I don't even know who any of their acolytes even are. Heck, there aren't even any Senate seats in play here in NJ, nor any House seats that I have any choice in.

    I wish I had something detailed to offer you, but I honestly have no clue what any of the "non-establisment" candiates will be capable of. However, I'd like to believe that they have be better than what we have now on both sides (but mostly the left :P ) of the political spectrum?

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  51. I wouldn't elect Palin or O'Donnell for their brains.

    I'd elect them for their butts.

    (Pause) (Smirk)

    Because their butts would be occupying chairs that the current political class would be thrown out of.

    :D

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  52. I actually have a serious answer too, but the above was just too tempting.

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  53. That O'Donnell has a serious bad-girl look. I was not at all surprised when I found out later she was a bit of a rebel in highschool (Witch! Burn her!) and a bit of a party girl in college. She just has that look. That "two martinis away from possible girl-on-girl action" look, which is just what I want to see in more Republican women.

    That's my deep political thought for the day.

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  54. Alphie, #48, I never did alter the photoshop, that's the original!!

    I saved a number of yours and RIP Ford's for posterity (and because they RAWK, as afw says :-).

    I try to remember to take some shots every now and then of the landscaping/gardening project. It's amazing what a difference a year makes.

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  55. And thanks for your kind thoughts - right back at ya :-)

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  56. Alphie said: "Well... Palin's not running for anything at the moment (is she?)"

    Donno...but this stuff is for sale almost anywhere she speaks or appears. You tell me?

    imgw:"http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/aridog/PalinforPrezbutton.jpg"

    imgw:"http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/aridog/PalinforPrez.jpg"

    And if not "running" for office, what's this?

    imgw:"http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/aridog/300x250_donate-1.jpg"

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  57. Jourdan said: "That O'Donnell has a serious bad-girl look."

    Great. A mouthy ditz with little self-control.

    imgw:"http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/aridog/PH2010091407011.jpg"

    imgw:"http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/aridog/213557850-L.jpg"

    Uh, I'd vote for the monkey.

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  58. WTF..that first "image" was supposed to be ....

    imgw:"http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/aridog/PH2010091407011.jpg"

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  59. Alphie said:"I'm going to devote my life to finding out the next time you will be getting on a commercial aircraft, just so I can put my three boys in the seat behind you : P"

    Dang! My reputation follows me, eh?

    Thye've got non-smoking flights, no food flights, cattle car no reserved seat flights, etc...howz about no kidlet flights.

    I did witness one woman with 4 kids flying on the same flight I was handle everything with great aplomb, however (plus she was good looking to boot)...she needed seats altogether in the 3/2 row configuration of the plane...and sweetly threatened others to switch seats with her until she got the 5 across she needed. People obviously didn't wish to be seated next to a 6 something booger vault...so I ain't alone. BUT, the best part was this lady kept all 4 kids silent as lambs and in their seats for the entire 3 hour flight. I was impressed....and said so as we deplaned.

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  60. I want a flight where I'm allowed to punch the person sitting next to me if they creep into my seat space.

    That arm rest? It's not for arms, buddy. It's the DMZ of the airline seating arrangement. And your shoulders better stay on YOUR seat. I'm a broad shouldered chick and I've figured out how to keep them to myself. If you can't, buy two seats.

    At this point, all I can do is go to the bathroom 18 times in a three hour flight to make Shoulder McElbowass as uncomfortable as possible. Next time I'm going to take a DVD of Jesus Christ, Superstar to play sans headphones. NO ONE can withstand that. NO ONE.

    God, I hate flying.

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  61. JC Super Star? I LOVE it. Saw it on stage twice. It also serves me well when the cat-with-balls-in-vise neighborhood music gets too loud...I just open a window or door and pump up the volume on my ear shattering fine stereo. I save "Hava Nagila" for those special days when I am pissed off. :D

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