Review & Outlook: A Downgrade Awakening - WSJ.com

"Let's recall how we arrived at this crossroads. A credit mania of several years that no one wanted to end suddenly turned into a financial panic in 2008. In their anxiety, and with Republicans holding the White House but having no explanation, the voters turned to the candidate who seemed coolest under fire. Though relatively unknown, Barack Obama was at least promising "hope and change."

Upon taking office, Mr. Obama proceeded to unleash the entire liberal economic and social policy arsenal in the name of ending the panic. Whether or not these were his own convictions, the President allowed the Pelosi Congress to use that rare political opening—and 60 Senate Democrats—to pursue a 40-year wish list."

Review & Outlook: A Downgrade Awakening - WSJ.com

How did purchasing this van help the economy?

I noticed a white van parked at the hotel this morning. There are several high school sports teams in town for sports camps--we see them running past our cottage with their coach on a bike. I suppose this was their transporation. Just curious how this van helped either the town or the state since federal stimulus funds were used to purchase it. I looked up Louisville, Ohio + ARRA and discovered it received about $330,000 to fix an intersection. Didn't see anything about purchasing vehicles for the schools.

Farmers' Market August 2011 Lakeside

It was a beautiful day for the farmers' market today. There was even a street musician. I bought a red cabbage and a cucumber.

Krauthammer on Obama blame game

“Leadership starts at the top with the presidency. Here he is way into our crisis, way in this issue of the double-dip, low growth rate, high unemployment, instability. After all of this, in office three years and today he says, ‘I will have recommendations on reducing the debt.’ Where was he in December when his own commission reported and he ignored it? Or with the budget in February, which increased our deficit and increased the debt by $10 trillion. All of a sudden he discovers the virtues of presenting the proposal. He has put nothing on the table and he blames everybody else.”

Krauthammer | Obama | The Daily Caller

ABC suggests there is a free lunch (coupons)

ABC News last night was pushing coupons as a way for Americans to save money in “these difficult times.” The usual coupon queen interviews--trying to convince you that companies on stay in business to give away stuff. Manufacturers use coupons to grab a larger share of the market, and since they don’t build brand loyalty, they primarily just reduce competition, and eventually raise prices for everyone as there are fewer companies to compete for your dollar. And since ABC ‘s advertisers are also the promoters of these schemes, this really wasn’t a news story at all but a pay-off for their sponsors and owners.

Whether it's Groupon, the newest version on the internet, the wooden nickle the oldest from my grandparents' days, or S&H green stamps your mother stuck in little books, . . . I tell you for the umpteenth time THERE IS NO FREE LUNCH!

Female mosquitoes tricked by spermless males : Nature News

Unlike human females who are tricked by spineless males.

Female mosquitoes tricked by spermless males : Nature News

Obama's Close Friend Arrested During Prostitution Sting in Hawaii - FoxNews.com

His "friends" list is starting to rival Bill Clinton's.

Obama's Close Friend Arrested During Prostitution Sting in Hawaii - FoxNews.com

Obama will succeedd--in destroying the country!

Obama has succeeded beyond his wildest dreams. Didn’t he warn the Republicans if they didn’t play ball, or call his bluff, or eat their peas, or kick the can they’d be blamed for the downgrad? Laughs are on them. The game was fixed either way. They might as well have played hard ball.

The spending the first day of his new slush fund was higher than the cuts agreed to for the duration. No other President has been able to do what he has done and it took him less than 3 years! As a bonus play, he made the Republicans look like absolute dupes and fools and the Tea Party members brilliant political strategists.

Democrats over 60 hoping to retire with that 403-b or 401-k: I hope you like the change your guy has brought to your living standard. Democrats under 60: unless you work for the government or Hollywood, better stick with the job you have even if there is no hope and lots of change.

Dollar a bag book sale!

At 4 p.m. yesterday the Women’s Club book sale went to a $1/bag, so I went back and picked up some I had noticed earlier.

1. Lutheran Book of Worship, 1978, (the green book). HC. I’ve been looking for one. Our church has not given it up for traditional services, and I often see something on Sunday I’d like to look at later. I've tried some sections of the newest Lutheran hymnal, but it just doesn't have the lovely flow and rhythm of the LBW. Originally Missouri Synod was in on this one, but never adopted it.

2. Founding Brothers by Joseph J. Ellis. (2000) PB originally $14.00

3. A nostalgia for camels by Christopher Rand (c1952, 1954, 1955, 1956, 1957). HC. I noticed a number of books on the middle east with Sally Sue Witten’s name in them, but which had been written in and annotated by “Siegfried” and dated 2011. He noted ”54 years later not much has changed but we are deeply involved in A/P (Afghanistan/Pakistan?). Sorry about that.” This collection was written from 1948-1956. Unfortunately, the 2nd owner marked it up with ballpoint ink. Hate that. But for 20 cents, what can you expect?

4. Traveling mercies; some thoughts on faith by Anne Lamott (1999). PB I read excerpts from this about 10 years ago when I discovered her writing.

5. Slow waltz in Cedar Bend by Robert James Waller (1993) HC. Fiction, and this is an example of why I usually don’t buy it--it’s got a pretty cover and a one hit wonder author, but not much else to recommend it.

------------------------------

The "Oslo Syndrome" and the Terror Attack in Norway

Barry Rubin is being attacked for pointing out:

One of the most sensitive aspects of the very sensitive subject of the murderous terrorist attack in Norway by a right-wing gunman is this irony: The youth political camp he attacked was at the time engaged in what was essentially (though the campers didn’t see it that way, no doubt) a pro-terrorist program.

The camp, run by Norway’s left-wing party, was lobbying for breaking the blockade of the terrorist Hamas regime in the Gaza Strip and for immediate recognition of a Palestinian state without that entity needing do anything that would prevent it from being a terrorist base against Israel. They were backing and justifying forces that had committed terrorism against Israelis and killing thousands of people like themselves.

A terrorist on the right takes his justification for terrorism from the left. Now the messenger must be attacked.

If you argue politically that terrorists are justified in the Middle East or, to put it a different way, that they aren't terrorists at all, you are making terrorism more likely to happen. It is tragic--not justifiable or deserved but horrible--that such people or such a country then becomes the target of terrorism.

RubinReports: The "Oslo Syndrome" and the Terror Attack in Norway

John Kerry: Media Has "Responsibility" To "Not Give Equal Time" To Tea Party

SEN. JOHN KERRY: "And I have to tell you, I say this to you politely. The media in America has a bigger responsibility than it's exercising today. The media has got to begin to not give equal time or equal balance to an absolutely absurd notion just because somebody asserts it or simply because somebody says something which everybody knows is not factual."

"It doesn't deserve the same credit as a legitimate idea about what you do. And the problem is everything is put into this tit-for-tat equal battle and America is losing any sense of what's real, of who's accountable, of who is not accountable, of who's real, who isn't, who's serious, who isn't?"

The only Media source that claims to be fair and balanced about Tea Party coverage is Fox, all the rest are in the pocketbook of the Democrats, so is that what he's suggesting? Or does he want to be the Big Czar who decides which ideas are "real" and who is "accountable?" It certainly can't be that he thinks ABC or NBC has given the Tea Party too much time, unless it is time denigrating them.

I'm amazed that people like Kerry, the war protestor who probably extended the VietNam war with his post-military antics, continue to get elected since they are diametrically opposed to everything that is American, but then I thought that about the Kennedys too. Maybe it's Massachusetts.

John Kerry: Media Has "Responsibility" To "Not Give Equal Time" To Tea Party | RealClearPolitics

Being poor and not too bright is a plus

"OSU is conducting a clinical research study of an investigational oral medication for birth control. Qualified participants will receive at no cost for up to 12 months: periodic gynecological exams, investigational oral birth control medication. Females that are 18-40 years of age, sexually active, and have regular menstrual cycles may be eligible for participation. Compensation is available for time and travel."

I wonder if there is compensation for the abortion or live delivery if the medication doesn't work? Or the health problems if this turns out to be something not so great for the female body. Of course these days, even abortificants are called birth control.

Congress Should Come Back Now says LaHood

It's a labor union issue--card check (aka no secret ballot)--and the Democrats are holding the bill hostage in the Senate. They messed around on the phony baloney ceiling which no one else in the country enjoys who can't print money, and let thousands get furloughed, and returned billions to the flyers in tax money. So the Democrats further mucked up the economy. I doubt that even the Democrats (i.e. everyone) at Obama's birthday party believed him when he whined about it.

"All it will take to end this crisis is for the Senate to pass the House-approved FAA extension," Boehner said in a statement. "I respect the fact that Senators have certain objections, but they have had two weeks to respond to the House bill and done nothing, leaving tens of thousands of workers in limbo. The House has done its job, and now it’s time for Senators to do theirs.”

Ray LaHood: Congress Should Come Back Now And Pass Clean FAA Bill

Obama Tells Donors Debt Debate is all about him

We all know that Obama didn't create our debt--he just expanded it beyond belief. But Obama tells his supporters the debt debate is all about him. Everything is always all about him. He's a total narcissist, but in this case, I agree that people are figuring him out and the "happy days are here again" campaign looks a little grim since he loses against unnamed candidates. I don't claim to understand it, but this kind of whining really gets Democrats to open their wallets. The birthday boy really raked it in.

Obama Tells Donors Debt Debate Shows Stakes in 2012 Election - Bloomberg

A Reader thinks I have Lakeside sand in my ears

Says I don't see (hear) the racism of the Tea Party. Not much sand in Lakeside--it was built on rock and The Rock. 140 years later it’s pretty rock solid liberal Democrat, and if there are any Tea Partyers here, they must be white haired pensioners watching their grandchildren’s future being frittered away by two parties that are tweedle-dumb and twiddle dumber.

I have seen racist stuff on the internet about Obama and I move on, but it is still not reaching the decibel level of the anti-Bush mania of his two terms, but I suppose it could come to that. It's not close to the misogynist, anti-disabled, anti-Palin, ageist, anti-Tea Party nonsense that streams from the main stream media. If Joe 6-pack sends racist jokes to his buddies, it's free speech, but what is it when MSNBC or the View get hysterical about a grass roots quasi-organized non-party? They are talking to thousands (well, MSNBC maybe hundreds).

Is the Tea Party a party like the two who have put us in this financial mess? Do they have talking heads reading script on ABC, CBS or NBC? Has the Tea Party run up a deficit? Have they put people out of work? What subversive action have they taken? Have they shot up a military base and had it hidden by the MSM? Have they sold guns to Mexican organized crime like our Attorney General and kept their jobs? Have they been tweeting pictures of their naked skinny bodies like Weiner? I’d like to know what qualifies as terrorism and racism to a Democrat. Apparently, protected free speech, disagreeing with an unqualified black president, and ridiculing his attempts at restoring the economy would be three. Those are the ones I've heard from Tea Party representatives on news shows. I don't count the ridicule by the liberal comedians like Maher and Letterman. You have to consider the source. Maher calls Tea Partyers "morons" and "Zombies" so I doubt that he's too reliable.

I've never been a member of a Tea Party group, but I have been a registered Democrat. I know how they think--or don't think. It's why I left. Too much feeling and not enough thought.

Cleveland Landmarks Commission to vote on demolishing century-old Columbia Building

It came down this week. That's what Ohio needed--another Casino where people could throw away their money. Legal gambling hurts the poor the most. Especially the lottery. The "something for nothing" appeal is very strong--much stronger than work, save, invest, and enjoy the fruits of your labor. Ohioans voted down casino gambling year after year, but the big boys finally won. Going to help our tax base. Yeah. Sure.

Cleveland Landmarks Commission to vote on demolishing century-old Columbia Building | cleveland.com

Back to school shopping

Schools in Georgia are already in session (hope they have AC). In the Columbus area I think they start in about 3 weeks. When I was young, it was usually around Labor Day week-end. One year, I think it was 1953 or around then, it was so hot we were dismissed to come back after the week-end. Wal-Mart has been showing back to school items since right after the July 4th stuff went to the remainder stores.

What were your "must have" items in your back to school wardrobe? In 1956-57 it was pencil straight wool skirts (mid-calf, getting shorter), sweater sets, cool colors pink and grey (even for cars), white collars, fake flowers for neck pins, cute scarves, winter "car coats," boy's jeans for casual wear, saddle shoes, or bucks for the feet, and 3" heels for Sunday dress up. Within a year the empire waist was replacing the cinched look and skirts were right below the knee cap.

From my blog Memorypatterns: "Young ladies of the 50s usually had four wardrobes. School. Sunday. Leisure/casual. Party/prom/dance. Our styles had flare and balance. Darts and starch. If you had a nice figure it would show; if you didn't you could cover it. You could sit down and not see London or France. You could twirl and swish, or run the bases in a softball game."

I think we can kiss that civility schtick good-bye--Democrats have gone over a cliff

James Taranto counts the ways the Democrats have gone bonkers on the wild, violent language to describe the Tea Party. And so soon after Obama launched his 2012 campaign at a funeral where people were shot by a crazy man who was inflamed by Palin's use of the word "cross-hairs."

Joe Nocera rants: You know what they say: Never negotiate with terrorists. It only encourages them. These last few months, much of the country has watched in horror as the Tea Party Republicans have waged jihad on the American people. . . . Their goal, they believed, was worth blowing up the country for, if that's what it took. . . . For now, the Tea Party Republicans can put aside their suicide vests. But rest assured: They'll have them on again soon enough.

Last Wednesday Thomas Friedman described the Tea Party as the GOP's "Hezbollah faction." The same day Maureen Dowd approvingly quoted "some Democrats" as describing the Tea Party as "the Republican 'Taliban wing.' " (In fairness we should note that the Times's Roger Cohen registered a partial dissent: "Hatred of Muslims . . . is a growing political industry. It's odious, dangerous and racist.")

We're hanging Christmas lights

We've never participated in the Light up Lakeside week-end, but this year bought several strings of lights. My husband is on the roof seeing if he can make this work. I don't think they'll do much lighting up, but it's our first try. Maybe they'll look better at night. I passed a cottage on my morning walk that had created two American flags on their hedge out of decorative lights and chicken wire.

Met a man at the coffee shop with a nice fawn colored short legged dog this morning. "A corgi?" I asked. "Yes," and then he told me they'd found her at the Humane Society a few weeks ago, they thought she was about 3 years old, and she was a wonderful pet, already one of the family. I don't know much about the breed except they are Queen
Elizabeth's favorite. This one didn't have a distinctive white collar, but she had a beautiful face and eyed me a bit suspiciously like she should be protecting her newly found savior.

Farmer's Market was in really good shape today. I bought collard greens, onions, beautiful tomatoes, green beans, and small potatoes. Earlier in the season there wasn't much, and last Friday it rained so hard that there were only two vendors.

Walking to the little store this morning I passed a really cute wicker rocker in a drive-way for sale for $55, so I bought it. I now have my side chair wicker in my drive-way for $30. Switched the cushions. This one could use some paint touch up, but right now it's too hot.

I stopped at the community hoe-down last night, which is sort of country dancing in the street. Lots of fun to watch people from 3 years old to 80 dancing together. There was a live band--3 women and 2 men. Everyone got a bandana and dessert and soft drink.

ACORN Thugs Stink Up the Wrong Bank - Big Government

"Predatory lenders Herb and Marion Sandler paid ACORN $11 million over the years to attack Wells Fargo, the main competition in California for their lending institution, World Savings Bank. The Sandlers are radical left-wingers who belong to George Soros’s Democracy Alliance, a club of billionaires that funds political infrastructure aimed at pushing America to the left.

The Sandlers are loan sharks whom Time magazine included in its “25 People to Blame for the Financial Crisis” list. They preyed on the poor for years and paid ACORN, which also preys on the poor, to help them."

» ACORN Thugs Stink Up the Wrong Bank - Big Government

"In the early 1980s, the Sandlers' World Savings Bank became the first to sell a tricky home loan called the option ARM. And they pushed the mortgage, which offered several ways to back-load your loan and thereby reduce your early payments, with increasing zeal and misleading advertisements over the next two decades. The couple pocketed $2.3 billion when they sold their bank to Wachovia in 2006. But losses on World Savings' loan portfolio led to the implosion of Wachovia, which was sold under duress late last year to Wells Fargo."

Read more: http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1877351_1877350_1877343,00.html #ixzz1TolDsX00

"Through their charity, the Sandler Family Supporting Foundation, they gave at least $5,723,222 to the ACORN network. Specifically, the charity gave $4,498,222 to American Institute for Social Justice (since 2003), $700,000 to Project Vote (in 2005), $525,000 to ACORN (2000–2001 according to Activist Cash). This excludes any contributions that either Sandler may have made personally to ACORN or its affiliates." American Spectator

Every Move You Make, Every Click You Take, I’ll Be Watching You

Just like the anti-Bush war protesters--the anti-Bush privacy protectors seem to have disappeared. This administration doesn't want a warrant for a search--just wants all your information, "just in case." I have serious doubts that this is about child pornography and is all about those who don't like Obama. All the lefties who objected to filters on library computers to protect children must be behind this. After their conversion, of course.

Belmont Club » Every Move You Make, Every Click You Take, I’ll Be Watching You#more-16002#more-16002#more-16002

The end of Obamanomics

What a ridiculously racist statement--Obama can't tax and spend his way to prosperity!

"As the U.S. debt crisis drags through next week and then spills over into next month and next year, one thing seems clear. These may well be the last days of Obamanomics and the general idea — adopted around the globe — that governments can tax and spend their way to prosperity via mass redistribution of income and wealth."

The end of Obamanomics | Economy | Financial Post

Yes we Spam: Phone calls to House spike again following Obama plea for action

Obama urges Americans to spam their congress people.

Phone calls to House spike again following Obama plea for action - The Hill's Hillicon Valley

A letter from 43 Senators about

Harry Reid's plan: "The plan you have proposed would not alter the spending trajectory that is putting our economy and national security at risk. In return for an unprecedented $2.4 trillion debt limit increase, your amendment reduces spending by less than $1 trillion over the next decade. Setting aside the $200 billion shortfall between the CBO scored savings and the $2.4 trillion debt limit increase, identified by the Congressional Budget Office, most of the proposal’s alleged savings are based on a false claim of credit for reductions in war-related spending that were already scheduled to occur. This amendment proposes no change to our military posture and, for that reason, these savings are the sort of widely ridiculed accounting gimmick that breeds cynicism about our ability to tackle our fiscal challenges. The only possible justification for a $2.4 trillion increase in borrowing authority is to allow the President to avoid any accountability for these issues before his 2012 election. " Signed by 43 Senators

Money not spent is money saved

Our "new" free washing machine works great!

Recently my washing machine died--it was just the right size for our tiny basement and it had a matching tiny dryer. To buy an energy and water efficient front load model for $800+ it would have taken 9 years to see the savings in utilities to make up the higher cost. And that’s assuming there were no repairs, that I used it exactly according to manufacturers recommendations, that the electric and water rates didn’t go up (due to people using less) and I were using it 12 months a year instead of 10 weeks. Obviously, even a math midget like me can see there had to be a better way to save money.

My neighbor gave me his old washer that may last another 3 years (and actually does a better job than my old one in spinning out water and accepting larger loads). He and his nephew even hauled it down our steep basement stairs that resemble a ship’s ladder. Even if water and electric rates go up, even if it is inefficient, this deal is better than any offered by the government or Sears.

And it doesn’t cost you, the tax payer, a dime. The tax credit on energy efficient appliances are paid for by all of us from the time they are a gleam in a politician’s eye until they get to the paperwork at the store and to your accountant who has to fill out several forms. That credit has passed through many hands. A 25% credit on an $800 washer might be a $200 credit on your taxes, but it costs the American tax payer much, much more than that, and of course, a low income person probably doesn’t itemize, or doesn’t file an income with the IRS at all, nor could she come up with the balance.

Another plus. The old washer in the photo was made in the U.S.A.

The down side of historic preservation

I love “historic preservation.” After all, preservation, conservation and confirming what was good in the past is what conservative politics means. It represents what is often years of work and lobbying by local groups.

But there is a down side of unintended (or sometimes intended) consequences. There is no place for the poor or low income in historic, authentic neighborhoods, whether it’s Lakeside, Ohio, the German Village area of Columbus, Bay Point, Michigan, or Williamsburg, Virginia. Even if the government (assuming it is done with government grants) has set asides for low income, the requirements would mean a low income resident would lose his home if his income rises, and it won’t bring back the former residents now scattered through subsidized housing--it will only draw new “poor.” Nor is there any way you can require that your next door neighbor on government assistance or who is a plumber's assistant with a 25 year old truck, will necessarily have the values of the rest of the "preservationists."

A case in point is the restoration and renovation of The Abigail Tearoom (1933-2008). I used to suspect that the wallpaper (pieces of which are for sale at the Archives) and grape vines were holding it together. We had many wonderful meals there from 1974 until it was sold and then closed and auctioned, purchased by a young, talented architect. The meals were not gourmet, but ham loaf, stuffed green peppers and Swiss steak tasted pretty good there topped off with home made peach pie, or Mississippi Mud cake. The Abigail was two houses--one on Central built in the classic 19th c. style, and one on Third, a former boarding house with sleeping porches. The two houses were probably only about 2 feet apart, so a passage was built, and a kitchen tacked on to the rear.

The 20th c. house has been finished, staged, and is for sale--for $549,000. The other one which is still a work in progress will have 5 bedrooms, a family room, huge bathrooms, a lovely patio and landscaping, plus all the amenities today’s family thinks it needs, and will probably be around a million. Not even school teacher DINKS will be able to afford such a home--it will need to be lawyer, businessman, funds manager with a stay at home wife, and some money in the family tree that will fall when shaken.

These renovations are private money, but there are always tax credits for “green” and energy efficient appliances and building innovations, even insulation, which most cottages don’t have. Tax credits are also something only the well off can afford--like cash for clunkers and home insulation breaks. And what they truly cost after they pass from the tax payer in Ohio to the agency in Washington which will redistribute the money though dozens of agencies and the paychecks of bureaucrats, to the appliance dealer who has to fill out the paperwork and the owner’s accountant who has to figure it all out next April, with several forms, each costing you. Home mortgage “loopholes” are something we’ve all come to expect, but which the low income can’t really qualify for. At least I hope we've learned from the last housing bubble that tried that and crippled the nation economically.

Huge storm over Lakeside

The home show has just finished and lots of people were strolling the lakefront for the craft show, and all of a sudden the skies opened and deluged the place. Even in a golf cart these people won't be protected!

My husband was stationed at the Kunze house on Jasmine because he designed it. He said he got lots of positive comments. He rolled up here on his bike as the first drops of rain fell.

GOP is looking for an Obama win in 2012

If the GOP caves on this cut cap and balance, they are handing Obama a win in 2012. Obama will blame them either way. I've tried to follow this in the news and it's too frustrating and confusing. We do know it's only a cut in the increase, not a true cut. We do know that Obama is just too clever and has too many brain dead followers for the likes of Boehner to go up against.

When has your credit rating ever been improved by doing what the Democrats want?

The GOP regulars and RINOs are unhappy with Conservatives and Tea Party folk. Was it John McCain who said something about their experience? Well, who got us into this mess? Republicans who believed the lies of the Democrats! And compromised.

Am I tech savvy or what?

Connectivity has been a huge problem, as I noted before. So I've set the laptop up on the porch on the "kitty condo" and I'm sitting on a low camp stool. I have a sailing book on my right knee and the mouse is on that. Things seem to be working right now. The cat has moved to the porch furniture and doesn't seem too upset with this arrangement.

This condo was purchased for our previous cat, the lynxpoint, that didn't live very long. She also never figured out what her tail was, and would race inside out through the little kitty condo chasing it.

Reagan's error or Obama's?

Can he spare a dime for fact checkers before he looks even more uninformed and foolish than he already is? The deal was made--Democrats reniged! That should be the lesson for today. We know there will be no cuts, but the tax increased will last forever!

Reagan’s Error - By Yuval Levin - The Corner - National Review Online

Back in Lakeside

but no internet connection, so like the vacationers, I'm at the coffee shop. Glad they have wireless, but it sure is inconvenient! And laptops are heavy, at least those bought 9 years ago!

Hot and muggy. People are setting up for the craft show which begins tomorrow. The home tour (run by the Women's Club) is also tomorrow. Too hot for me to stand in line, although I love to look at cottages.

Signing off at 6:54 a.m.

Where would spending be without Iraq?

Obviously, we'd still have a huge problem.

Chart from American Thinker using CBO figures.

Anders Behring Breivik

Mr. Breivik, the 30-something terrorist who has killed almost 100 of his fellow countrymen, is being called everything from a Christian to a war gamer to a neo-nazi to a right wing fanatic. No one is calling him a socialist, but that's the society in which he grew up. Why deny the biggest influence in his life? Norway has low unemployment, almost zero poverty, the environment is gorgeous and carefully nurtured,and in a word, it is government controlled at every turn. The Christian church has no influence there, even if babies are baptized and teen-agers are confirmed. I'm not sure this is still the case, but their taxes used to support the church; it was not the responsibility and act of worship of the believers as it is in the U.S.

Do you suppose Breivik saw the push for multiculturalism and diversity and the acceptance of the Muslim culture as a threat to Norway's tightly regulated national spirit? After all, socialism is no match for fundamentalist Islam. National socialism is first and always, national in focus.

Calorie counts found lacking in fast food restaurants

This is why I always order dressing on the side and use the dipped fork method rather than pouring it on.

"Posted calorie counts in chain restaurants are often inaccurate, and weight-conscious consumers who select soups and salads are especially likely to be served heftier dishes than advertised, according to a new study from Boston researchers [reported in JAMA]."

However, it's important to remember that there is a vendetta out on so-called "fast food" restaurants. So read with a word of caution. Eat less, move more--that's the plan that will help both your body and your brain.

Calorie counts found lacking - Boston.com

Magic of Ordinary Days

I watched the Hallmark movie (2005) last night and I thought it was quite good--The magic of ordinary days. The plot is a college woman is pregnant by her soldier boyfriend (a cad, but she doesn't realize it), so her father arranges a marriage for her to a farmer in a remote area of Colorado a super nice guy whom she doesn't at first appreciate) who agrees to be the husband and father. There's a subplot involving Japanese farm workers whom she befriends.

In the end, of course, they fall in love.

But did rural women really wear hats while singing in the church choir in robes (one very brief scene)?

The male lead is Skeet Ulrich, whose real name is Bryan Trout. He's very good, and has appeared on some TV series, most recently Law and Order; Los Angeles.

This was adapted from a book by the same name, which might be worth reading, and there is a sequel in the works according to Wikipedia.

Garth's Auctions--mid century modern

Early in our married life (1960s) I admired our friends who had Eames style furniture, but I think they are uncomfortable, and there must have been a million knock-offs in all sorts of weird colors.

I'm beginning to see why my Mom wasn't too excited about Grandma's furniture from the 1920s or 1930s. You hate to see your era become an "antique."

Garth's Auctions, Inc. - Auctioneers & Appraisers : Full Details for Lot 216

So I looked up a few Paul McCobb pieces of furniture (mostly designed late 50s) for the budget conscious that we bought around 1963. The prices are astounding, so I guess they are antiques now, too. But also, they are comfortable.

Bookclub selections 2011-2012

I'd better get busy. I usually use the summer to start to prepare at least for September. One book has 562 pages--maybe I should start that one now. The 1910 fire in Montana book sounds good--we were at Glacier National Park in 2003 when it was burning.

September 12
Two Girls of Gettysburg by Lisa Klein. (for middle school--we often select a children's or local author book) Led by Carolyn A. Author is from Clintonville, Ohio.

October 3
The Bonfire of the Vanities by Tom Wolfe led by Dorothy.

November 7
In a Heartbeat: sharing the power of cheerful giving by Leigh Anne and Sean Tuohy. Led by Justine.

December 5
Lest Innocent Blood Be Shed by Philip Hallie. Led by Peggy.

January 9
The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski (562 pages!). Led by Judy. January's meeting will be at Panera's Beechwold meeting room from 2-4 PM

February 6
The Big Burn: Teddy Roosevelt and the fire that saved America by Timothy Egan. Led by Jean. February's meeting will be at Panera's Beechwold meeting room from 2-4 PM.

March 5
The Good Earth by Pearl Buck. Led by Patty. [I read this in high school--thought it was a great book.]

April 2
Wait Till Next Year by Doris Kearns Goodwin. Led by Carolyn A.

May 7
Hold Up the Sky by Patricia Sprinkle. Led by Carolyn C.

The Story of Dick Cheney's Heart

Even if you hate Dick Cheney (as some of my regular readers do), this article is well worth reading. A first heart attack at 37? We've known people like that and the second one was usually fatal. He's had 5 and now suffers from congestive heart failure. After his last surgery he was in intensive care for 5 weeks, and then rehab.

A few years in heart research is a generation. But no medical miracles would matter if the patient didn't have spirit.

"You could, and some people do, become so fixated on the disease that they, well, they don't get to get on with their lives. You've got to get on with your life," Mr. Cheney says. "It's never stopped me, though there's nothing in particular special about me. It's a reflection about how good the technology has grown."

The Weekend Interview: The Story of Dick Cheney's Heart - WSJ.com

Terror blast in Oslo

By the time I heard about the blast (it has since been determined that it was a bomb) Obama was giving a speech and he was lying on all news outlets. Finally, (11:35 a.m.) Fox has moved its attention to Norway.

Michelle Malkin » Terror blast in Oslo – “massive vehicle bomb;” Update: Norway had taken action against jihadi cleric who threatened to kill politicians

Update: Shortly after the explosions, which appeared to be a bomb attack, a man dressed as a police officer opened fire on a summer camp for young members of the ruling Labor Party on the island of Utoya in the Oslo fjord, about 25 miles from the city, and wounded at least five, a Norwegian security official said.

“The situation’s gone from bad to worse,” said Runar Kvernen, spokesman for the National Police Directorate under the Ministry of Justice and Police, adding that most of the children at the camp were between 15 and 16 years-old. There were initial reports that Mr. Stoltenberg was scheduled to attend a meeting at the camp.

As fear spread through the capital, the police moved to lock down a wide area of the city center, where the streets were already nearly deserted.
NYT Europe

Update: A blond Norwegian who bought 6 tons of fertilizer has been arrested. Sounds like the Scandanavian Timothy McVey.

Would you follow this leader?

Warns against scare speeches and hyperbole, then gives scare speeches.

He blasts income tax rates as too low and only for the rich, then agrees to extend them.

Insults and regulates businessmen and bankers, and then complains and whines that capitalists aren’t investing in the American economy enough to bail him out of his bad behavior.

Presents a budget with a $1.6 trillion deficit and then says our spending is unsustainable.

Votes against raising the debt ceiling when he was in Congress in 2006 (Democrats), when it was manageable, and warns of the consequences if Congress (Republicans) doesn’t raise it in 2011.

Presents no plan to reduce costs, then complains about the Republicans’ plan which actually is a plan.

In March Assad of Syria (a dictator) was a “reformer,” and now Syria needs “regime change” (same dictator).

Was against wars the last administration was involved in and gave comfort to the enemy with his votes and words, and now he has started his own in Libya.

Guantanamo--who even knows what is going on there, but he was against its existence 4 years ago and promised to close it during his campaign, but hasn‘t done anything.

He’s against wiretaps, deep water drilling, etc. but it’s OK for other countries, even those near by.

Yes, this man who waffles and wiggles and lies, is our president.

Blogging may be light

I've apparently picked up another computer infection--not sure why my MacAfee and firewall stuff aren't working. Gary says you can get them between updates of the virus protection. It's really irritating. Wicked people in the world. So I'm in the kitchen at the laptop which prefers to try to connect to my neighbor next door instead of my office in the next room! Anyway. . . thoughts along the way. . .

Although it was totally narcissistic, Obama's comment that the 2012 vote will be about him and his policies not the other candidate is something I agree with. He currently loses against any unnamed person of any party. Still, "this is all about me all the time" attitude irks me. I saw something at Tammy Bruce about a campaign ad, but didn't see a link.

His whining over the debt ceiling is so irritating. Not even Richard Nixon, old Tricky Dick, was this annoying.

And we think Obama had too little experience to be a president? Look at poor Syria. "Until he became president, Bashar al-Assad was not greatly involved in politics; his only public role was head of the Syrian Computer Society, which introduced the Internet to Syria in 2001." [Wikipedia] I think Assad is an ophthalmologist by training, and his wife was born in the UK.

The House approved the Republican "Cut, Cap, and Balance" deficit plan to end the federal government's cycle of borrow and spend, borrow and spend. This wouldn't have happened if it weren't for the Tea Parties. Let's see if they can stop the stampeding elephants and RINOs from crushing the plan. Republicans helped create this debt.

Tom Zawistowski of the Portage County (Ohio) Tea Party reminds Boehner, "Most in Washington are representing the people who will get the money when they raise the debt ceiling but few are representing the people who will be on the hook to pay another $2 trillion in debt plus interest. We expect the conservatives we helped elect to represent us, the taxpayer." Boehner's another Nancy Pelosi type, an old timey wheeler and dealer, except he weeps and she didn't. Not sure these new guys have the patience for that.

Our oppresive heat continues. I walked early this morning and was still looking for shade at 7:20. My daughter, who is at the lake house, says the heat index there is 120. We thought that sounded a bit high, but I suspect it's for Toledo, 50 miles to the west, which is always hotter than Lakeside since it isn't on the Lake. But at least they did have some rain up there. We almost lost our impatiens during Methodist conference, but they've come back nicely with daily watering.

After 60 Years, Campus Crusade for Christ to Change Name

Has Campus Crusade for Christ gone all soft and emergent? They've changed the name to "Campus Crusade." That could be for environmentalism, or panty raids, or more beer. God help them (no he won't).

After 60 Years, Campus Crusade for Christ to Change Name

Bodice rippers workshop

Romance novelists have to be accurate (historical romance is 25% of the take), so someone (the cleverness of these people just amazes me) supplies a clothing workshop on Victorian dress. Deeanne Gist shows writers how "to squeeze into a dozen layers that a lady would have worn in the 1860s—stockings, garters, bloomers, chemise, corset, crinoline or hoop skirt, petticoats, a shirtwaist or blouse, skirt, vest and bolero jacket. By the end, workshop attendees were skeptical that seductions ever occurred, with so many sartorial barriers."

I've never worn a corset, but I do occasionally wear a back brace, and I can assure you there's nothing easy about that, and something has to go under it to protect my skin. Whatever it pushes out of the way in keeping me from bending over, bulges out somewhere else! And in Victorian days they didn't have velcro which makes getting in and out a little faster than lacing. And in those days bloomers were not pants, but two legs tied together at the waist so one could use the toilet without disrobing. So maybe. . .

How to Undress a Victorian Lady in Your Next Historical Romance - WSJ.com

The End of the Growth Consensus

Both parties have forgotten the lessons of the 80s and 90s, when 44 million jobs were created. Technically, this recession ended two years ago--but Obama is killing us and investment with his redistribution and "fairness" plans. Bush was certainly no small government guy and was a big spender, but he makes Obama, who is building on his mistakes, look like a drunken Teddy Kennedy with a credit card with no limits.

Big government has proved to be a clumsy manager, and it did not stop with monetary and fiscal policy. Since President Obama took office, we've added on complex regulatory interventions in health care (the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act) and finance (the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act). The unintended consequences of these laws are already raising health-care costs and deterring new investment and risk-taking.

Read the whole story here: John Taylor: The End of the Growth Consensus - WSJ.com

Who's the bigger hypcrite?

Bob Conners on WTVN this morning interviewed a woman named Heather about some awards for really "bad-for-you" restaurant food, where a serving might have enough sugar and cholesterol for 3 days, and enough calories to fuel you for an entire day. I was waiting for one more nanny-state recommendation like eating green or planting a garden, but then she surprised me with her own hypocrisy. She put herself through graduate studies in nutrition by working at the Cheesecake Factory (and she was bold enough to claim you could eat healthy there if you reduced your portions, which of course no one does. You don't go to the Cheesecake Factory for a low-calorie, healthy meal.) She said her customers always looked a bit shame faced when she told them what she was studying, because they knew without being told, that they weren't eating right.

This is a different case, but I can recall NOT applying for the Women's Studies Library position at Ohio State University back in the 80s because I knew, 1) I would be required to buy, disseminate and distribute materials that violated my personal ethics, and that, 2) I wouldn't be able to do a good job for the people who needed that library for their research because of my own beliefs. Sure, I could've slipped in a title or two with a Christian viewpoint, but who would be fooled by that?

Everyone makes choices, Heather. You could've worked in the Human Ecology library and made less, but with a clear conscience.

2012: The End of the World As We Know It

"Like a replicating amoeba, America is pulling apart into two separate cultures. One is strongly committed to the birth of an even more robust, pro-growth, entrepreneurial capitalism. The other thinks Che Guevara and Karl Marx had important social insights relevant to America today, and wants to follow the path of Juan Peron 's Argentina, if not Hugo Chavez's Venezuela. This is the stark choice facing the American people in 2012." Read the rest: The American Spectator : 2012: The End of the World As We Know It

It's just too darn hot

Ella Fitzgerald sang that, and probably the lyrics are too racy to post, so I won't.

I walked for 10 minutes at 7:30 and at 8:45 went out for another 20 minutes. I stepped aside for the joggers, not out of respect because truly I think they are crazy, but because I didn't want to be splatter with sweat!

It's in the 90's here in Columbus with a heat index over 100, but there has been plenty of rain. That keeps things lush and green, but a bit like being in a steam bath. The Nationwide PGA tournament is going on across the street--I think it would be awfully hot on the golf course. Lots of trucks, toilets and traffic for tournaments this big.

Yesterday on my way to get my hair cut I was driving along Rt. 33 and noticed a change in the road crews from 2 or 3 years ago. Remember all those jobs Americans wouldn't do at 4.5% unemployment? At 9.2% they are doing them quite nicely. The crews are older, lighter and taller. (Although I wish they'd wear safety goggles when using tree chippers.) There could be two things happening: Mexican workers have gone home, or even the state is checking for illegal documents and complying with the law.

Didn't see any women. During the blush years of the feminism of the 70s, you saw women trying everything from carpentry to road work to truck deliveries. If they stayed with it, they probably got promoted to a desk job, and younger women decided they'd try something cooler and more attractive even if the pay and perks weren't that great.

Right here in Ohio--O’Keefe’s latest sting target: Medicaid bureaucrats

The Ohio Medicaid female employees assisting these "Russian drug dealers" seem to have passed their customer/client workshops with flying colors. They are helpful and friendly, assuring them that Medicaid workers won't look for drugs, and offering advice on Planned Parenthood services for abortions for their underage "sisters" who "do favors" for customers. To me this is a bigger problem than the ACORN videos (which apparently these women never watched since they got so little coverage on the main stream media) in which illegals were being helped. The "Russian" even calls back to thank them and assure them nothing like this sort of help would be offered in Russia. I bet not.

O’Keefe’s latest sting target: Medicaid bureaucrats « Hot Air

In the video, the men explain to Ohio Medicaid workers that they are Russian immigrants who sell illegal drugs, drive a modified McLaren F1 sports car with a gold-coated engine, and use their underage sisters to perform sexual favors in exchange for drugs.
In response, Ohio employees tasked with disbursing federal Medicaid dollars are shown coaching the men through the process of applying for benefits. “If it’s not something registered here, maybe I just wouldn’t mention it,” a Franklin County Medicaid officer named Traci Daniels tells the men, when asked whether they should mention owning a vehicle that retails for nearly $1 million, as they apply for government aid designed to help poor people. “Not that I can say that. You didn’t hear that from me. But, that would right there, that would throw him off. He would be immediately not qualified.”

The Association between Penis Size and Sexual Health among Men Who Have Sex with Men

I found 251 matches on Google for this author and the grant number "t32 da07233" that supported this and other non-essential sex research. I suspect most gay men know the answers to his questions, and if there's a way to be paid for sex and not be a pimp or prostitute, Mr. Grov has apparently found it. As our Congress and President spar between the teams of "revenue" (increased taxes) and reduced spending (cuts), I hope they consider that we are overloaded with frivolous wasteful government jobs that pay the mortgage for one employee but don't benefit the public.

The Association between Penis Size and Sexual Health among Men Who Have Sex with Men

Now with a title like this, we'll see how good my filter and spam catcher is.

At the bus stop on Kenny Road

The group waiting at the suburban bus stop on Kenny Road was the picture of American diversity. We don't have very good public transportation in Columbus, so I'm guessing this bus was going somewhere near the OSU campus or downtown. Without my naming gender or ethnicity, I'll just say that some were listening to music nodding their heads (at least you don't need boomboxes anymore), some were talking animatedly with their hands, one was leaning out into the street to see where the bus was, and one was sitting on the ground quietly reading a book--a real book, a print on paper book.

The one reading a book was Asian--don't know if he was Japanese or Chinese or Indonesian or Korean. But I think he is a good example of why Asian immigrants do so well in the United States. There are only 20,000 genes in the human body, and all groups are 99.9% the same in make-up, but there seems to be something about the free market and the mix if genes in Asians that works very effectively. Maybe the ones wanting hand-outs and government control of their lives stayed in the old country, I don't know, but when I look around my neighborhood, there is no shortage of small, family run businesses owned by Asian immigrants.