Does this bother you?

The new student loan bail out

Today I was watching a program on college student debt, graduates living with their parents, and Obama to step in with yet another government solution. This is so counter productive. 1) Grow the economy and get them employed; 2) stop funneling money for loans so colleges won't continue to raise tuition and fees at the feed trough. Also, I don't know a single recent graduate (who chose a smart degree field) that isn't employed and whittling down his debt without my help.

http://money.cnn.com/2014/06/08/pf/college/obama-student-loans/

I don't expect the government to "create" the jobs that would help the college students pay down their debt, move out of mom's basement, get married, buy a home, etc. But I do expect the federal government to stop making it so difficult for investors to help the entrepreneurs, to stop adding burdens with new EPA regulations and health care taxes that discourage expansion, and stop making it easier for the underemployed to stay that way through transfer payments.

A message from the Master

Remember the Folger’s ads?

Petty conservatives

Ridiculing Obama because of his weights work out or for chewing gum. Come on folks. Stick to the important policy/political stuff.

Our presidents need to stay fit. I didn't remember this incident from Nov. 2004, but it seems President Bush rescued his own Secret Service agent.

http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/president_bush_aids_secret_service_agent_/

Kicking a gift horse in the teeth

Last year Wal-Mart donated $3 million to New York City charities, including $1 million to the New York Women’s Foundation, which offers job training, and $30,000 to Bailey House, which distributes groceries to low-income residents. It’s donated some $22.5 million all across New York state. In 2011, it donated $4 million to a city program that offers summer jobs to young people and since 2004 it has donated $16 million to the city’s charter schools. But corporate good will flies in the face of progressives' agenda so NYC Council has order Wal-Mart to stop. Meanwhile, unemployment and poverty in NYC is way above the national average, and under the leftist regime of De Blasio I suspect will get worse.

http://247wallst.com/retail/2014/06/07/new-york-city-ensures-no-good-deed-wal-mart-does-will-go-unpunished/#ixzz3447pq2rV

Wal-Mart the company and foundation gave more than $1 billion in cash and in-kind contributions during 2012, a record for Wal-Mart or any retailer. If De Blasio doesn't want the money, maybe your organization could use it.

http://foundation.walmart.com/apply-for-grants/local-giving

Jobless rate holds steady at 6.3%

After reading the butterfly kisses account of the “recovering economy” in the Washington Post (all jobs lost during the recession are back, and oh yes, labor participation rate is the lowest since 1978) I scanned through the comments.  Noticed this realistic one—can’t tell if the writer is left, right or middle, but s/he has obviously lost the rose colored glasses the government economists have been passing out for 5 years.

I think most of us are smart enough not to swallow the government data on job growth, rising home prices, or the brainless comment that "“we’re in the clear for the second quarter,” or any other data they throw at us. We're not as gullible as they think we are...we live in the REAL world, not from their fantasy realm in some ivory tower where they look down their noses at the working classes and fudge the numbers to make their assessments look good. How do they sleep at night?

Wonk blog, Washington Post

Here’s what an Obama recovery with added taxes, regulations, bank bail outs and crazy “cash for clunkers” looks like: 2.5years longer than any other recovery since WWII.

Is Obama inept?

Unlike many conservatives who think Obama is a bad leader, dumb, crazy or inept, I tend toward the view he is deliberately trying to destroy the economy.

 http://www.nationalreview.com/article/379654/obama-just-trying-tank-economy-stephen-moore#!

Raise minimum wage above market levels like FDR did (and half a million blacks lost their jobs); go around the Congress that voted the latest EPA regulations down because they realized what it would do to the economy; promote abortion in a country whose birth rate is already below replacement; encourage weak borders and nice perks for illegals so the non-existent citizens that were aborted can be replaced by outsiders; dumb down the education system so we can't compete in the world economy; destroy the best health care system in the world and make it even more expensive; allow a bloated bureaucracy to run the government and claim it's a complete mystery how these scandals got "whipped up."

No, that doesn't sound like a dumb or inept man--only dumb voters.

The Cool Whip President

He's being called the "cool whip President." He referred to the Bergdahl swap as "a whipped up controversy." Really, Mr. President?  It’s just a golf cliché?  "What difference does it make?" retorted Harry Reid, echoing Hillary Clinton on Benghazi. What a low opinion they have of Americans and our military and families who have lost family members. As Jonathan Turley said, "He's the president Richard Nixon always wanted to be."

PRESIDENT OBAMA in press conference in Brussels: I’m never surprised by controversies that are whipped up in Washington, all right?  [Actually he probably was surprised and shocked—he has no understanding of the American people.] That’s — that’s par for the course. But I’ll repeat what I said two days ago. We have a basic principle. We do not leave anybody wearing the American uniform behind [notice how he clarified in uniform so he can exclude an ambassador and his body guards]. We had a prisoner of war [who walked away or deserted and possibly has converted to Islam]  whose health had deteriorated [they threatened to kill him after 5 years?] and we were deeply concerned about. And we saw an opportunity and we seized it. And I make no apologies for that [No apologies for Fast and Furious, NSA snooping, IRS illegal targeting of conservatives, VA wait lists, going a round Congress after it defeated Cap and Trade, releasing information of CIA chief in Afghanistan, Benghazi deaths and gun running to Syria, supporting Arab spring, and so on].

We had discussed with Congress [in 2011] the possibility that something like this might occur. But because of the nature of the folks that we were dealing with [and the Republican House]  and the fragile nature of these negotiations, we felt it was important to go ahead [against the law he signed requiring 30 days notice]  and do what we did. And we’re now explaining [after the fact, because he’s King] to Congress the details of how we moved forward.

Seniors can ask for a discount (I’ve only tried a few)

RESTAURANTS:
Applebee's: 15% off with Golden Apple Card (60+)
Arby's: 10% off ( 55 +)
Ben & Jerry's: 10% off (60+)
Bennigan's: discount varies by location (60+)
Bob's Big Boy: discount varies by location (60+)
Boston Market: 10% off (65+)
Burger King: 10% off (60+)
Chick-Fil-A: 10% off or free small drink or coffee ( 55+)
Chili's: 10% off ( 55+)
CiCi's Pizza: 10% off (60+)
Denny's: 10% off, 20% off for AARP members ( 55 +)
Dunkin' Donuts: 10% off or free coffee ( 55+)
Einstein's Bagels: 10% off baker's dozen of bagels (60+)
Fuddrucker's: 10% off any senior platter ( 55+)
Gatti's Pizza: 10% off (60+)
Golden Corral: 10% off (60+)
Hardee's: $0.33 beverages everyday (65+)
IHOP: 10% off ( 55+)
Jack in the Box: up to 20% off ( 55+)
KFC: free small drink with any meal ( 55+)
Krispy Kreme: 10% off ( 50+)
Long John Silver's: various discounts at locations ( 55+)
McDonald's: discounts on coffee everyday ( 55+)
Mrs. Fields: 10% off at participating locations (60+)
Shoney's: 10% off
Sonic: 10% off or free beverage (60+)
Steak 'n Shake: 10% off every Monday & Tuesday ( 50+)
Subway: 10% off (60+)
Sweet Tomatoes: 10% off (62+)
Taco Bell : 5% off; free beverages for seniors (65+)
TCBY: 10% off ( 55+)
Tea Room Cafe: 10% off ( 50+)
Village Inn: 10% off (60+)
Waffle House: 10% off every Monday (60+)
Wendy's: 10% off ( 55 +)
White Castle: 10% off (62+) This is for me ... if I ever see one again.

RETAIL & APPAREL:
Banana Republic: 30% off ( 50 +)
Bealls: 20% off first Tuesday of each month ( 50 +)
Belk's: 15% off first Tuesday of every month ( 55 +)
Big Lots: 30% off
Bon-Ton Department Stores: 15% off on senior discount days ( 55 +)
C.J. Banks: 10% off every Wednesday (50+)
Clarks : 10% off (62+)
Dress Barn: 20% off ( 55+)
Goodwill: 10% off one day a week (date varies by location)
Hallmark: 10% off one day a week (date varies by location)
Kmart: 40% off (Wednesdays only) ( 50+)
Kohl's: 15% off (60+) Modell's Sporting Goods: 30% off
Rite Aid: 10% off on Tuesdays & 10% off prescriptions
Ross Stores: 10% off every Tuesday ( 55+)
The Salvation Army Thrift Stores: up to 50% off ( 55+)
Stein Mart: 20% off red dot/clearance items first Monday of every month ( 55 +)

GROCERY:
Albertson's: 10% off first Wednesday of each month ( 55 +)
American Discount Stores: 10% off every Monday ( 50 +)
Compare Foods Supermarket: 10% off every Wednesday (60+)
DeCicco Family Markets: 5% off every Wednesday (60+)
Food Lion: 60% off every Monday (60+)
Fry's Supermarket: free Fry's VIP Club Membership & 10% off every Monday ( 55 +)
Great Valu Food Store: 5% off every Tuesday (60+)
Gristedes Supermarket: 10% off every Tuesday (60+)
Harris Teeter: 5% off every Tuesday (60+)
Hy-Vee: 5% off one day a week (date varies by location)
Kroger: 10% off (date varies by location)
Morton Williams Supermarket: 5% off every Tuesday (60+)
The Plant Shed: 10% off every Tuesday ( 50 +)
Publix: 15% off every Wednesday ( 55 +)
Rogers Marketplace: 5% off every Thursday (60+)
Uncle Guiseppe's Marketplace: 15% off (62+)

TRAVEL :
Airlines:
Alaska Airlines: 50% off (65+)
American Airlines: various discounts for 50% off non-peak periods (Tuesdays - Thursdays) (62+)and up (call before booking for discount)
Continental Airlines: no initiation fee for Continental Presidents Club & special fares for select destinations
Southwest Airlines: various discounts for ages 65 and up (call before booking for discount)
United Airlines: various discounts for ages 65 and up (call before booking for discount)
U.S. Airways: various discounts for ages 65 and up (call before booking for discount)
Rail:
Amtrak: 15% off (62+)
Bus:
Greyhound: 15% off (62+)
Trailways Transportation System: various discounts for ages 50+

Car Rental:
Alamo Car Rental: up to 25% off for AARP members
Avis: up to 25% off for AARP members
Budget Rental Cars: 40% off; up to 50% off for AARP members ( 50+)
Dollar Rent-A-Car: 10% off ( 50+) Enterprise Rent-A-Car: 5% off for AARP members Hertz: up to 25% off for AARP members
National Rent-A-Car: up to 30% off for AARP members

Overnight Accommodations:
Holiday Inn: 20-40% off depending on location (62+)
Best Western: 40% off (55+)
Cambria Suites: 20%-30% off (60+)
Waldorf Astoria - NYC $5,000 off nightly rate for Presidential Suite (55 +)
Clarion Motels: 20%-30% off (60+)
Comfort Inn: 20%-30% off (60+)
Comfort Suites: 20%-30% off (60+)
Econo Lodge: 40% off (60+)
Hampton Inns & Suites: 40% off when booked 72 hours in advance
Hyatt Hotels: 25%-50% off (62+)
InterContinental Hotels Group: various discounts at all hotels (65+)
Mainstay Suites: 10% off with Mature Traveler's Discount (50+); 20%-30% off (60+)
Marriott Hotels: 25% off (62+)
Motel 6: Stay Free Sunday nights (60+)
Myrtle Beach Resort: 30% off ( 55 +)
Quality Inn: 40%-50% off (60+)
Rodeway Inn: 20%-30% off (60+)
Sleep Inn: 40% off (60+)

ACTIVITIES & ENTERTAINMENT:
AMC Theaters: up to 30% off ( 55 +)
Bally Total Fitness: $100 off memberships (62+)
Busch Gardens Tampa, FL: $13 off one-day tickets ( 50 +)
Carmike Cinemas: 35% off (65+)
Cinemark/Century Theaters: up to 35% off
Massage Envy - NYC 20% off all "Happy Endings" (62 +)
U.S. National Parks: $10 lifetime pass; 50% off additional services including camping (62+)
Regal Cinemas: 50% off Ripley's Believe it or Not: @ off one-day ticket ( 55 +)

CELL PHONE DISCOUNTS:
AT&T: Special Senior Nation 200 Plan $19.99/month (65+)
Jitterbug: $10/month cell phone service ( 50 +)
Verizon Wireless: Verizon Nationwide 65 Plus Plan $29.99/month (65+).

MISCELLANEOUS:
Great Clips: $8 off hair cuts (60+)
Supercuts: $8 off haircuts (60+)

Seen at https://www.onmogul.com

Sweet Hawaiian Crock-pot chicken

2 lb. Chicken tenderloin chunks
1 cup pineapple juice...
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup soy sauce
Combine all together, cook on low in Crock-pot 6-8 hours...that's it! Done! Serve with brown rice and you have a complete, easy meal!!

I haven’t tried this yet, but I think I’ll put it on my “bucket” list.

Comfort and diet in the same title?

I’m relocating this cook book to my Lakeside kitchen.  Not sure where I got it—yard sale, or library sale, or Volunteers of America thrift shop. But it’s fun to read in the car even if I don’t really need recipes for most of my day to day cooking.  I learned today there is a new place to eat down the road from Lakeside, Hidden Beach Bar.  "The perch are great as are the cocktails," reports a friend.

Rachel Carson’s legacy for the poor and dark skinned

The legacy of Rachel Carson [her book Silent Spring launched the modern environmentalist movement 51years ago] is that tens of millions of human lives – mostly children in poor, tropical countries – have been traded for the possibility of slightly improved fertility in raptors. This remains one of the monumental human tragedies of the last century." What are the trade offs for American's poor and low income with Obama's new oppressive EPA regulations?
http://www.forbes.com/sites/henrymiller/2012/09/05/rachel-carsons-deadly-fantasies/

 

http://cei.org/news-releases/new-study-rachel-carson-was-wrong?

As a direct result of Bergdahl’s actions

MSG Mark Allen

"Meet my husband, injuries directly brought to you by the actions of this traitor. He can't give an account of what went down, because he can no longer speak. Now, which guy is a 'hero' again?!? Sick."

Yup.

“Hip bursitis may involve pain on the side of the hip, often radiating to the thigh. The hip area may be painful to the touch. Although range of motion of the hip may appear normal during the physical exam, the symptoms of trochanteric bursitis may be exacerbated by lying on your side, walking (especially uphill), climbing stairs and standing up from a seated position.”

Physical therapy is making a difference, but slowly. I can now walk downstairs without pain, but walking upstairs is still an effort. I think I’m walking faster, but still limp. The exercises are for strengthening the core so that I don’t reinjure anything, and for making the left leg stronger, because apparently the right was doing more than its share, thus causing the inflammation.

Based on the pain, I realize this had gradually been coming on for years, but because it would go away when I stopped whatever aggravated it, I didn’t give it much thought.  In mid-December, after a vigorous day of up and down stairs in various buildings, the pain just never stopped.

Inspiring, but makes my bursitis hurt just thinking about it

91-year-old Harriette Thompson set a new world record Sunday after she ran a marathon in San Diego in little over seven hours! Her feat, which also made her the second-oldest woman to complete a marathon in US history, is especially remarkable given that Thompson only completed her last radiation treatment for skin cancer one month ago. The grandmother of ten from Charlotte, North Carolina beat... the previous marathon record for women 90 and up by two hours and 45 minutes.

Thompson ran her first marathon at age 76 and tells people that "it's never too late" to start exercising. She has run in 15 out of the past 16 Rock ‘n’ Roll San Diego Marathons and raised over $90,000 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in the process. A classically trained pianist, Thompson told WFAE that she replays pieces in her head to keep pace while running: "I usually think of Chopin etudes, the ones that are technically difficult, because usually they're pretty fast, and it stimulates me to go a little faster, and also helps pass the time."

http://ftw.usatoday.com/2014/06/harriette-thompson-marathon

http://www.people.com/article/harriette-thompson-91-finishes-marathon-in-san-diego

http://running.competitor.com/2014/06/news/record-setting-day-harriette-thompson-san-diego_104482

Bergdahl and Obama

When the President loses the support of the New York Times, Washington Post, CNN AND CHRIS MATTHEWS, he's in deep doo-doo. He's traded five of the most powerful guys of the Taliban for one deserter, who will just come back to kill more Muslims and more Americans, and probably our allies who went to war with the U.S. 10 years ago. Bush had a lot of support here at home, from both parties and from numerous allies. Even Senator Obama said Afghanistan was the "good war." Obama has zip nada zilch for breaking the law in what he did--I haven't heard a single person on the left (except Rice) say this was a good idea.

The soldiers who served with this guy are able to break
their gag law now and speak out, and we know at least 6 Americans died looking for Bergdahl after he deserted. They've got his messages and e-mails about his disillusionment and hate for the military and his country.

At first I thought this happy clappy joyful bringing home a POW might just be to cover the VA mess, but although it did wipe that out of the head lines, this is just too bizarre. We don't need any conspiracy theories from the Tea Party--this is open, stupid and right out there for everyone to see. Calls for impeachment are getting loud. This seems to be worse than diddling an intern and then lying about it on the stand.

They had family too.

CNN reports: "On August 18, 2009, Staff Sgt. Clayton Bowen and Pfc. Morris Walker were killed by an IED in the search for Bergdahl. Staff Sgt. Kurt Curtiss was killed on August 26; 2nd Lt. Darryn Andrews and Pfc. Matthew Michael Martinek were killed after being attacked in Yahya Khail District on September 4; Staff Sgt. Michael Murphrey was killed September 5 by an IED at the Forward Operating Base, Sharana.

Moreover, other operations were put on hold while the search for Bergdahl was made a top priority, according to officers who served in Afghanistan in that time. Manpower and assets -- such as scarce surveillance drones and helicopters -- were redirected to the hunt. The lack of assets is one reason the closure of a dangerous combat outpost, COP Keating, was delayed. Eight soldiers were killed at COP Keating before it was ultimately closed."

Outing the CIA station chief

Religion in the public square

"What we believe--or don't believe--about God profoundly shapes what we believe about the nature of the human person and the purpose of human society. It follows that the more we remove God from our public life, the more we remove the moral vocabulary that gives our public institutions meaning. The more secularized we become, the more we undermine the common good and the more we feed the problems that are hurting us as a nation." Charles J. Chaput, archbishop of Philadelphia, “We can’t be silent,” First Things, May 2014