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Plausibility.....
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Dec 3, 2009 7:02 am
Mood: contemplative,
132 Views
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Despite the uproar that is taking place relative to whether or not GLOBAL WARMING is taking place... I think there is an important aspect of this subject which can't be overlooked. THAT is PLAUSIBILITY.....
Think about what has taken place during the modernization of this world.....
In past times, the work that was done was limited to subsistance living, with the power provided limited to the efforts of men and beasts..... In time, people learned to harness the power of falling water, so the rivers of the world were dammed - where possible - and that power was used, mostly, to perform knitting and spinning operations, and the earliest of wood and metal forming....
With the invention of steam engines people could burn the available fuels..... coal, wood and other cellulose, at first... and the available power - AND it's portability - made a step jump.... allowing ships and railroads to be invented...
With the discovery of fossil fuels - oil and gas - people then had an easier-to-handle and more portable fuel with which to power newer, more-powerful and more efficient internal-combustion engines.... Save for nuclear fission as a heat source, that is pretty much the picture of power sources today.
NOW.. here's my take on plausibility: The fossil fuels that people are burning now release billions, trillions, gazillions or some other "-illions" of HEAT.... British Thermal Units being the standard unit measure. With today's great population of the world...and the wide-spread use of burning fuels it stands to reason - in my head - that we are ADDING HEAT to that closed system which is the Earth and its atmosphere. In centuries and millenia past, the addition of heat, from efforts of men and beasts, was miniscule relative to todays additions....
I daresay that, each year, now, we burn more fuel (hence produce more heat) than was produced from the earliest of civilized times up until the Industrial Revolution started....
Naysayers of the global warming concept seem to say that the Earth has survived and not faced any warming (or OVERwarming) conditions in all past times. AGREED!!!! BUT, today there is a different dynamic.... the amount of heat being poured in to the atmosphere is HUGE.... and the Earth is likely (I say it's PLAUSIBLE) that the amount of heat radiated out in to space (our only "sink" for heat) can't keep up....
Sure, some people may have a person agenda and monetary stake in the concept of global warming... but, we ALL have a stake in it if the end-result of unlimited heat prodution DOES raise the temperature of this finite Earth to something more than can be dispersed.....
I don't propose that we revert to Luddism... but I'd sure like to see people embrace the concept of working together to see HOW we can try to maintain the life-styles that we have without burying the Earth with excess heat (atmospheric temperatures) to which mankind probably can't adapt quickly enough to survive....
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17
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Has anyboy noticed....
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Nov 28, 2009 9:44 am
283 Views
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.. that Tiger Woods can drive a Titlest like no other.... but the guy can't drive an Escalade out of his neighborhood?????
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23
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Names...
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Nov 24, 2009 10:21 am
280 Views
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Do you have a favorite name? ... one that, anyone who has it, you believe that they MUST be predisposed to be your friend/acquaintance/lover????.......
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26
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Health care - and reform - in the USofA, America....
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Nov 7, 2009 3:13 am
215 Views
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I think there is really only ONE germane detail in any/all discussion of this subject. That is; Whatever any final legislation and arrangement looks like..... it should be the very same health care system that the Congress, the Executive Branch and the Judicial systems have for ALL their people....
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15
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Curtis McGhee Jr and Terry Harrington
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Nov 5, 2009 10:00 am
Mood: angry,
184 Views
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Go take a look at this name on Google..... These young men were high-school students when they were framed for murder by an Iowa prosecutor [along with local police] in 1979. Evidence is that the prosecutor AND police had a much-better suspect (probably the perpetrator) but chose to NOT pursue a case against him...
Based on a carefully-crafted prosecution story, McGhee and Harrington were convicted and spent 25 years in prison before the excupating evidence was brought to light, in 2003. They are now free... but have not received any consideration for their time spent unjustly incarcerated.....
They are suing the prosecutors of the case in their case which is now before the U.S. Supreme Court...
There is widespread support for prosecutorial immunity for this... Current Solicitor General Elena Kagan argues in a friend of the court brief that local, state, and federal prosecutors must enjoy absolute immunity from citizen lawsuits – even when they sent innocent men to prison for life by fabricating incriminating evidence and hiding exculpatory evidence. .. AND, Attorneys general from 27 states and the District of Columbia [also] filed a friend of the court brief urging the high court to embrace this broader view of absolute prosecutor immunity.
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11
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Movie ideas...
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Oct 14, 2009 10:52 am
407 Views
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I went to see the movie "Inglorious Basterds" last weekend.... What a great show... lot's of shoot 'em up and special effects and blood and guts...
Now..... I'm inspired to make a screenplay for a whole host of similar movies, building on this concept....
And,.... I thought I'd put out a call to my SFF friends for some help... So.... please feel free to offer suggestions for these movies..... title and VERY basic story line, as follows:
Inconsiderate Bas**rds: About people who go to the "Express" checkout line in the grocery store with MORE THAN 12 items....
Incontinent Bas**rds: About a bunch of old men who have "those" problems.... and how they handle it....
Indelible Bas**rds: About a group of dry-cleaners who work together to figure out how to mark their customers' garments without leaving a stain from the cleaning process....
Insignificant Bas**rds: About people who are just John or Jane Doe[s]... but who are drama kings and queens who think the whole world revolves around them...
Intercontinental Bas**rds: About people who travel by air all over the world....
Please feel free to offer additional titles that I could use... and help me with details that I might include in THESE scripts...
Thanx....
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25
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NASA Moon crash probe....
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Oct 9, 2009 11:22 am
315 Views
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IN a report this afternoon, NASA reveals that the bomb shot in to the Moon this (10/9) morning was more valuable than scientists had expected...
Millions of Americans who were watching live on morning TV shows were disappointed that the expected flume - from the blast - was not visible on TV, from the cameras on the follow-on rocket (which also slammed in to the Moon).
In further analysis by NASA, it was revealed that the bomb had, indeed, produced a substantial flume. Spectographic analyzers on the follow-on probe showed that the flume was comprised mainly of green cheese....
Late Friday afternoon, NASA began preparing a follow-up probe to the Moon.... which will be equipped with large quantities of crackers which will be used to scoop up the green cheese and prepare it for astronauts who are scheduled to arrive shortly thereafter.....
Because this morning's probe revealed that there is no water on the Moon... this follow-up probe will be equipped with several vats of red and white wine....
The OMB reported, this afternoon, that the total cost of the astronaut's wine-and-cheese will be on the order of $140 million dollars.... about what it would otherwise cost to shore up a bank with 100,000 non-performing mortgages...
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8
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Fox News.... through the ears of a Middle American....
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Sep 26, 2009 10:25 am
407 Views
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One of my local radio stations used to be "goldie oldie" format....and recently changed to Fox News format.
Being too lazy to change that button on my radio front, I am listening to this station... as I noted recently in a blog...
A few days ago, 60min posted a blog to which I responded as below... In my original blog, I misidentified 60min by calling him "Dan".... apparently, my brain was on holiday that day, and I was confusing 60min with DanDee... (Sorry 60min... sorry Dandee....)
Nonetheless... here is my submittal... word for word. Forget that I addressed it to a "Dan".... and take what I have to say for whatever you think it merits....
To wit:
Hi Dan... I listened to this "news" station on my way home from tennis today (9/23/09)..... Got Rush Limbaugh... and thought I'd share a bit of his program with you....
1. Seems Hillary Clinton opined that the US Commander in Afghanistan had said something to which Hillary said, (paraphrasing) "... he doesn't know what he's talking about..." The subject matter, apparently, was troop numbers and strategy. Limbaugh DIDN'T provide the sound clip of exactly what Hillary said...
Limbaugh's response to this was to question Hillary's "military credentials"... in this manner... He played a clip from 1994 in which she claims that, in 1975 she had investigated joining with the Marines or National Guard in some capacity that would be beneficial to her and the country. Apparently, she was not considered for any position. Limbaugh THEN went on to opine that SHE HAD BEEN DECLINED FOR THAT MILITARY SERVICE BECAUSE THEY DID NOT HAVE A UNIFORM WHOSE PANTS WOULD FIT HER BOTTOM... AND WHOSE BOOTS COULD ACCOMODATE HER ANKLES!!!!!!
THIS, Dan, is the kind of opinion and discussion from a network leader... and spokesman for the Conservative position????
Second item: Based on the now-current talk of Michael Dukakis being seated in Ted Kennedy's vacant seat.... Limbaugh played MANY minutes of some band/orchestra leading in to some sort of Dukakis rally... which Limbaugh chose to criticise by noting that "... Dukakis could never play third base because he is too short to see over the Pitcher's mound to make an accurate throw to first base....."
THIS, Dan, is the kind of opinion and discussion from a network leader... and spokesman for the Conservative position????
The final point I remember is Limbaugh boasting about his fauxes pas regarding taunting about people's appearance and capabilities... and he noted that his Mother had contacted him to tell him that it was in bad taste for him - in 1994 - to opine that Amy Carter was the ugliest First Daughter, ever. And that his Mother had noted to him that Margaret Truman might have that honor!!!
THIS, Dan, is the kind of opinion and discussion from a network leader... and spokesman for the Conservative position????
Yes, Dan, I love to listen to this radio station and to Fox on TV... because, for the most part, it shows me a certain kind of idiocy which many people expose themselves to, deliberately.... and apparently not realizing that its only REAL redeeming value is to show the silliness of those who wrap themselves in the flag and claim that THEY are the "real Americans" ... and they follow, and support the REAL American values.....
If so, I guess those real American values have a large "silly" component....
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11
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Health care.....
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Sep 16, 2009 4:18 am
Mood: contemplative,
522 Views
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I've posted before as to my confusion over what is and isn't "Health care"???? Now, let me add some ponderings....
Isn't health care something that we want/expect EVERY person in the US of A, America to have or have access to????? So... there is much stirring in Decadence Central ("DC" to the unannoited) to conjure up some sort of legislation to address this.... and there is much turmoil and disagreement on Main St, USofA about it.... I can't help but wonder this:
What other products and services are Universally available to people? I can think of several: Water, Sewage collection, Electricity, Education, telephone/communication service..... Sooooooo,.....
WHY is it such a problem to come up with a scheme to make medical/health care available to the masses???? I suggest that our legislators take a look at the Electricity production/distribution in this country and model Health care after that? We have a mix of PRIVATE and PUBLIC utility companies... The Commonwealth Edisons and the TVA and the many-many municipal grid co-ops deliver power to (effectively) 100& of American homes. Would it be so difficult to model a health care plan on THAT???????
Comments, invited....
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13
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Health care. I have no idea....
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Aug 5, 2009 10:49 am
Mood: contemplative,
857 Views
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... how proposed or alternative health care schemes might affect me.... Frankly, I consider virtually all the hype and publicity to be for naught....
As regards health care, I have only a couple of thoughts:
1. I am not employed, nor am I covered for medical costs through any arrangement, save for the medical insurance that I purchase on my own. I pay about $400 a month, and have a $5000 deductible. So, you see, I really have no effective insurance for anything except a serious/substantial medical problem...
2. I understand that Congress and other political big-wigs have a nifty health insurance coverage of their own... and, like their not utilizing Social Security for their retirements, it is basically a better arrangement for them... and to heck with the tax-paying populace. Any health care legislation proposed for me, you and the rest of our fellow taxpayers.... I am suspicious if the Washington elite are not included within its coverage....
3. I believe that a fair arrangement for health care in this country WOULD be rather "socialistic" appearing... as our neo-right has claimed that existing or proposed legislation is.... To this I say: Let's AGREE that health care should be a "socialist"-like arrangement.... much like public education, police and fire coverage, utilities and infrastructure... THEN, let's agree that we ALL take part in a system that provides excellent health care [both preventions and treatments] .
The hodge-podge of "health care" that exists [has evolved] is embarrasing for a Country which is as smart as this great Country is.... and which has such generous means available to ourselves...
P.S. I can imagine paying for a LOT of health care and retirement benefits by not sending American tax dollars to God-forsaken places where it's not appreciated..... and mostly goes to crooked regimes, anyway....
As well, we could STOP squandering valuable tax dollars on those pet projects that surface in the Golden Fleece awards, regularly....
Really, isn't it time that we invested heavily in OUR OWN Country? ,.... in OUR OWN citizens???? THAT should be the fiscal/financial/fiduciary responsibility that we should expect from our Legislative and Executive leaders!!!!
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13
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