packsaddle

Heh, heh, GWD, I think you may be correct if you meant to say that Obama himself is the offspring of an interracial union. However, our new President is the result, I hope, of far more than that.

Welcome Hobcaw! Nice name. GWD, if you'd take a look at the history surrounding the Baruch estate/plantation and that area of the state you'd get the name better. You can still hear references to the Hobcaw Barony, although that's a ways up the coast from Charleston. I am guessing the Chaos part is from working with young people. Just a guess.

OK, I just came back to this thread after a really nice hiatus (and that ain't a medical condition;)). Has anyone defined 'creepy' yet. Mr. Boyce, with regard to 'creepy' women, I think I might actually find some of them very intriguing, perhaps even - well - attractive. Until someone explains the term, 'creepy' in a way that has the same common meaning to everyone, I think I'll only use it in jokes or something. I can't really take it seriously otherwise.

H'mmmm maybe Whoopi does have something to worry about if she goes to VA. The thing that would change the minds of the majority quickest is if it cost them something to maintain this policy. As it is, most of the costs are borne by the minority. I agree, sad decision. How long after the Civil War did it take African Americans to gain full civil rights? What did it take? I'm fairly certain that if not for Federal influence, segregationists would still be a strong political force, at least in some states.

"I think there's a chance that we're still da home of the Brave, though. I think Americans can rise to the occasion, face their fears and worries, role up their sleeves and grab a shovel. Pay for the services they get, instead of borrowin' from the Chinese. I think we can even get to an energy plan that leaves Venezuela and Iran choking on their oil. But not without sacrifice, and not without some pain." I'm with Beavah on this although I am not sure I share his optimism. The problem of energy is not something we can drill our way out of and there are good reasons why we should continue to rely external sources of energy. The problem is not how much is produced but how it is used. What Beavah's really describing is a significant change in lifestyle and we've clearly demonstrated an inability to do that voluntarily. The pain part may be the result of circumstances that force the change on us. But I am confident that the way we've lived in the past...may be in the past. Perhaps that alone is reason for optimism.

Hops, I know you meant well. But I am capable of sifting through the posts, even if they are drivel, and it helps to be able to read all of the posts. As it is, I am fairly confused by the ones you evidently let stay in and I'm wondering if the missing stuff might have made things clearer. I suggest that if the moderators are going to use the heavy hand of censorship, they might just as well close the thread and allow another to start. I'm guessing that those who have been censored directly are not happy about it and I'm letting you know that if I'm not allowed to make my own decisions about which posts have merit, I'm not happy about it either.

I heard about it. Here's what I could find online: http://miamiherald.typepad.com/nakedpolitics/2008/11/bogus-text-tell.html http://blog.wired.com/27bstroke6/2008/11/bogus-robo-text.html One thing I heard was that whoever concocted it was clever enough to route it through Democratic Party computers to try to cover their tracks. I suspect the students weren't fooled, considering (as Kahuna noted) the result.

I watched the speeches. Both were wonderful. McCain was gracious and Obama was inspirational. I am not optimistic. Ohio_Scouter, my wallet has already taken a 50% hit. The retirement I once looked forward to is now not possible. I doubt that Obama can top that. If the popular vote is now being touted as the basis for non-mandate, I sure wish we could go back and apply that standard to the 2000 election. Otherwise, the vote that counts is 349 (Obama) vs 147 (McCain). My math makes that roughly 70% to 30%. I'd call that a mandate. Terry, don't take this the wrong way...I am pleased that Obama was elected. However, he was elected primarily because Bush dragged McCain (and the country) into an abyss. I could be wrong but if the Republican Party is affected for a generation it will probably have more to do with bad memories held by the people than with whatever merit Obama can martial. I really hope I'm wrong about Obama and that he can turn this thing around. Who cares anyway about the future of either party? The speeches were really nice. They count for almost nothing. The legacy Bush has left is crammed with gargantuan problems. I wish Obama well but I am not optimistic. At least we had a choice between two honorable candidates. Best of all...it's finally over.

Kahuna, correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't it the Republicans who championed Presidential term limits as a result of FDR? If so, I'm reminded of Barbara Bush's quote about "...getting some of his own.."

After what the people of Northfield did to Jesse James and gang, I'd say that he got off lightly with a resignation. I agree with LisaBob, I survey our faculty and I see a few hotheads, capable of incredibly bad choices under the wrong circumstances. The school handled it well up there.

"You've come close, but you haven't creeped me out yet." Man, I've gotta start working harder on this....

"And since they failed, you now want to put the Democrats in charge of everything?" If you've read my posts on this topic, you'd know I don't want to put Democrats in charge of everything. The likelihood is that they're GOING to be in charge of two branches of government but that won't be my doing. It will be the wish of the majority of the voters, mostly because they are so fed up with the Republicans. In this sense, the Republicans did it to themselves. You are interpreting my views way too positively.

Dan, I would say that it is definitely complex - in the sense that there is a lot we still don't understand about it. The term 'disorder' has connotations I wouldn't apply as it's largely dependent on the view of the individual. For example, I know some women who think 'maleness' is a disorder. I obviously don't share their opinion (nor do some other women, but I like all of them regardless of their view of my disorder;)). I often wonder why it is that so many of us seem to want to judge others? And we seem to want to do this on the basis of any difference we can identify: skin color, gender, religion, politics, sexual orientation, creativity, intellect, etc.

I guess I'm one of the creeps that stuck around after his son 'graduated'. I did this because the new SM was really green and he asked me to stay for the sake of continuity. I also stayed because there were seversl boys who hadn't finished yet and wanted me to stay as a resource while they finished Eagle. After that, they just keep asking me to stay. I'd much rather be CM again and I just noticed that the CO is looking for a new CM so I may jump back to the cubs. Or is that, like, super creepy? Maybe I need to keep up appearances and just quit.

Brent, since I teach on this topic, I want to understand different viewpoints. So what is YOUR approach to the national energy problems? Go into as much detail as you like.

Brent, 'hatred' is your term. I think that I have never said that I hate Bush. That's your interpretation. Besides, I have to wonder about the concept of degrees of hatred (minimal vs extreme..or would minimal be one of two extremes?). Anyway, I don't hate Bush (here, think in terms of a famous Nixon quote). No, I pity Bush (here, think Nietzsche) and I have contempt for what he's done to our country. If you think those crafty, sinister Democrats pulled one on the poor, unsuspecting, innocent Republicans, dream on. Bush had the entire government under his control for six years. Control, opportunity, power. They could have addressed these problems and they could have taken the country into fiscal responsibility. They didn't. I don't worry for my sake. I'll be dead in a few years and none of this will matter. But I do worry for my children - and yours. I see really bad possibilities and I fear they are unavoidable. They were avoidable 8 years ago. Here's one difference between your view and mine. In 2000 I was optimistic and hopeful about Bush even though I didn't vote for him. I wasn't prejudiced. I didn't change my view until several years into his term. His actions were the basis of my negative view. In contrast, in 2008 you've already decided about the likely next President. Now think about that term 'extreme'. Anyway, in 2000 Bush could have led the country out of trouble. In 2000 I was actually optimistic that he might. Instead, Bush led all of us into it. Yes, he was responsible.

Trev, you may be right. I'm sensitive to the topic because there have been calls in which the person is asked for views on the issues. If the views were in agreement with those of the party of the caller, the person was then asked if they were registered. And if not, an offer was made to register that person. If the person expressed views in disagreement, they were thanked. Click. This has sensitized me to this particular aspect of "trustworthy". It smacks of tactics used in my region in the past to keep minorities away from the polls and more recently to bias the registration process. Sorry.

Terry, I agree with you and Beavah (I share the disdain for more bureaucracy). However, you must have known that your reasons might be viewed as a virtual 'stick in the eye' by those who disagree. A few months ago I could have voted for McCain. I have said that I believe both candidates are honorable men. I still do. I believe that McCain has exhibited some characteristics of desperation. There's still a chance that he'll eek this out but that looks doubtful. But what I am reading here is more opposition to Obama than support for McCain. They seem to be voting against something, rather than FOR something. I can sympathize, I suppose. Regardless of who is elected, I still don't have much optimism. Brent mentions Carter and the concept of 'genius' in the same sentence. Comparison to Bush has already solidified Carter's genius. Neither McCain nor Obama have much chance of overcoming the economic disaster they are going to inherit. But those who are disheartened by the chance that Obama will be elected should swallow this hard fact: this outcome probably would not happen if not for the incompetence and lies of George W. Bush. Bush and his cronies have practically handed the whole government over to anyone who ISN'T one of them. McCain wasn't competing with Obama. McCain was impossibly handicapped by the bitter taste left by this president. All Obama really needed to do was show how different he was. REAL change. Speaking of the race card, if the race card hadn't been played by Bush against McCain in SC in 2000, McCain might have gotten the nomination and McCain probably would have led an honorable presidency. But as sure as Bush did it to McCain in 2000, he's doing it to McCain this time as well. I just wish Bush hadn't done IT to the country in the meantime. He did. I wish the winner well, and the best of luck. I'm not optimistic.

There's another kind of call that asks questions about political views and then, if the person being called is in support of certain views, they are asked if they are registered to vote...and if they are not registered an offer to register is given? Those who are not in support of certain views are merely thanked. Click.

"Trustworthy", I was just thinking the same thing. I also voted absentee a few days ago.

I don't expect something for nothing. I think it is better to pay a bill than to borrow and expect that bill to be paid by our children. As a responsible citizen I don't make purchases I can't pay for. If I make a purchase, when I get the bill I pay it. I don't kite checks or piggyback credit cards, putting off the result for my heirs. I disagree that this has anything to do with patriotism. It is merely being responsible. The people of this country also should pay their debts as a nation. We don't. And you can see and feel some of the results right now. We shouldn't expect something for nothing. We won't get something for nothing. We seem to expect to get something, and then let future generations shoulder the burden of payment. I think that is obscene. That said, I am interested in the Fair Tax idea. I just don't see enough courage in the public to adopt that approach. We'd rather run up the credit cards without a care for the future. As for the implications of selfishness and patriotism, what do YOU propose in order to pay the huge debts we've accumulated? Funny thing about debt...the market can contract, reducing our net worth. But the number in the debt doesn't change. It's just as big. Not diminished at all...unless it's paid. So how do you propose to pay it? Or do you?

I have and use both. Stainless is nice if you don't need to hold an edge as long but need the corrosion resistance. But I also really like a blade that can attain a really sharp edge and then hold it, realizing that there's a trade-off - I need to be careful to prevent rust or corrosion. My sentimental favorite is still Kabar. Alas, hard to find. But For stainless I choose whatever is most cost-effective. I enjoy the look on my students' faces when I whip out the blade (either one) and shave some hair off my arm just before cutting a rope like it's butter. But I add that I have demonstrated empirically that both are really good at cutting fingers and hands. Always need to be careful.

And here I had actually hoped you'd bring the thread back to topic. Sigh.

Eamonn, I'm with you. And with regard to gifts, I too have everything I really need. So when I am asked what I want for Christmas I respond: A nice, thoughtful, handwritten letter; from my neices and nephews, a nice hand drawing or news of a good report card; from my children, good grades and letters of happy, successful lives; from my wife, more good days together, maybe a pair of hiking socks. But then, who needs the holiday if you have all those things? I really don't need anything else.

First I have to say "welcome" to a fellow Southerner! I've done some research on Carter's Lake in the past and your area is really a great area for scouting. If the unit doesn't have its own TIN, and most don't, it is probably best to use the CO's number, with their consent of course. If the CO is a business, they might even get a tax deduction as a result...or they might object to the extra paperwork. Either way I'd ask for their opinion before I did anything else. In the past I've opened non-interest-bearing accounts for the purposes of organizing professional meetings and banks were able to do this without the TIN or SSN. I walked up to the manager with a deposit in hand and he quickly figured out a way to take the money. Go figure. But this may have changed, it's been a few years. Getting a TIN for the unit involves some work and it would really be better if the CO could accommodate your needs somehow. I agree with regard to using a personal SSN. Not the best way to operate.