Another $17 trillion surprise found in Obamacare

By Neil Munro
    Senate Republican staffers continue to look though the 2010 Obamacare law to see what’s in it, and their latest discovery is a massive $17 trillion funding gap.
    “The more we learn about the bill, the more we learn it is even more unaffordable than was suspected,” said Ala. Sen. Jeff Sessions, the Republican’s budget chief in the Senate.
    “The bill has to be removed from the books because we don’t have the money,” he said.
    The hidden shortfall between new Obamacare spending and new Obamacare taxes was revealed just after Supreme Court judges grilled the law’s supporters about its compliance with the constitution’s limits on government activity. If the judges don’t strike down the law, Obamacare will force taxpayers find another $17 trillion to pay for Obamacare’s spending.
    The $17 trillion in extra promises was revealed by an analysis of the law’s long-term requirements. The additional obligations, when combined with existing Medicare and Medicaid funding shortfalls, leaves taxpayers on the hook for an extra $82 trillion over the next 75 years.
    The federal government already owes $15 trillion in debt, including $5 trillion in funds borrowed during Obama’s term.

BLACK ATHLETES among those targeted by New Orleans Saints NFL Coach Payton

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Sean Payton is seeking some relief from the NFL.
The Saints coach has decided to file an appeal on Friday with the league on his season-long suspension for his involvement in New Orleans' bounty system, a person familiar with the decision said.
The appeal will also ask NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell for his guidance on the parameters of the suspension, the person told The Associated Press Friday on condition of anonymity because the league and the Saints have not announced Payton's plan to appeal.
Goodell last week announced the suspension of Payton, starting Sunday, for his role in connection with New Orleans' bounty system, which offered improper cash bonuses for big hits that either knocked opponents out of games or left them needing help off of the field.
The commissioner has since said the Saints' coach would be allowed to continue working if he appealed, while the process played out. However, he added that the appeal would be expedited, indicating that Payton would not likely be able to add on much work time should his appeal be upheld.
Goodell also said at NFL meetings this week in Florida that Payton could have some contact with the team but did not go into detail, and Payton indicated that he was still a little unclear about that as well.
With all the uncertainty, Payton is trying to compress as much planning for the 2012 season into whatever time he has left at Saints headquarters this weekend.

In my opinion, Payton should be arrested and prosecuted for "Authorizing" HITS on opposing players. The injuries sustained could have led to "death" or permanent disability. If the league agrees to ANY concessions they should be made to account for their decisions. Let's just say Payton put out "contracts" to "hurt, injure, or cripple" BLACK ATHLETES, as many of those involved would have been. Get Jesse Jackson and the "boys" on this situation. "PAYTON APPROVES ELIMINATING BLACK ATHLETES FROM THE NFL"

Whole Foods -- Way to go .....

WHOLE FOODS

Oh buoy! As of Earth Day 2012, we no longer carry red-rated wild-caught fish in our seafood departments! It’s our way of supporting our oceans and helping to reverse overfishing trends.

We give you the whole story on the wild-caught fish we sell. Wild-caught seafood from fisheries certified sustainable by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) is the top choice for sustainability and we offer the widest selection available.

We display the color-coded sustainability ratings of our partners, Monterey Bay Aquarium (MBA) and Blue Ocean Institute (BOI), on all wild-caught seafood that’s not certified by MSC to help customers make informed choices. And we only carry green- and yellow-rated choices. Red ratings typically suggest that the fish is over fished or caught in ways that harm other marine life or habitats.

We promised to eliminate all wild-caught seafood from red-rated fisheries and we did it—ahead of our deadline. We’ve always been on the leading edge with our commitment to responsibly caught seafood. Years ago we stopped selling species that were extremely depleted in the oceans, such as orange roughy, shark and bluefin tuna.

When did it happen?

Ellen DeGeneres wears neckties, 

and all the men on TV, don't.

 What happened?

Take a few moments to watch this .....

Take a few minutes and watch this, people can work together and accomplish good things.

You will applaud their efforts.

http://elcomercio.pe/player/1384898

I remember .....................

I remember, years ago, I would say,  "Hey, Dad, I need a couple of bucks, want to get something to eat and go to a movie."

Later on, a five would put gas in the car, get a couple of burgers and fries, and still have enough left over for a movie. Now it would probably take a fifty to accomplish that.

In the fifties, in Nevada, the answer to a gamblers prayers was to hit it big in Keno, "a dollar ten eight spot" would get you $25,000.00. Enough to buy a new Caddie, head home with a bundle in the pocket, and live happily ever after.

In the sixties we bought a house with "nothing" down and a monthly house payment just over $100.

Now, "I need a hundred, gonna put a little gas in the car, rent a flick, and get a few things at Walmart."

Obama outspends Republican campaigns by millions

By JACK GILLUM and STEVE PEOPLES

CHICAGO (AP) — With Republicans locked in a contentious and expensive primary, President Barack Obama has spent a small fortune in recent months to build and maintain a campaign operation that is larger, more diverse and more focused on November's general election than any of his opponents' organizations.

Republican contenders like Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum have surely been watching their expenses during their primary elections: millions here for ad spending, millions there for travel, rallies and consulting fees. What's left keeps the lights on, the phones ringing and the staff paid.

But Obama, who faces no serious challenger for the Democratic nomination, has sunk his cash into an expansive brick-and-mortar operation with offices in nearly every state.

His campaign has spent more than $135 million on operations through February, according to an Associated Press analysis of Federal Election Commission records.

That's about $3 million more than all his GOP challengers combined.

I wonder if any sitting president has ever spent this much in the past, must be a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, that we are not aware of. And, the campaign has not started yet, or has it?

Oh, RATS!!!! OOOOohhhhhhhh, rats!

When it comes to giant rat infestations,  New York gets all the attention.

But a breed of giant, Gambian rats have been rapidly reproducing in the Florida Keys despite a decade-long effort to wipe them out. KeysNet reports the invasive, African native species first began showing up between 1999-2001 after a local exotic animal breeder released eight of the rats into the wild.

"We thought we had them whipped as of 2009," said Scott Hardin, exotic species coordinator for Florida's Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. "We think they have not moved far but they clearly reproduced," he said.

The rodents, officially known as the Gambian pouched rat, are the largest known breed of rats in the world. They can grow up to three feet in length and weigh as much as nine pounds. Wildlife officials fear that if the large-sized rodents make it to the Florida mainland, they could devastate local crops if they reach the Florida mainland.

Pat Summitt, perhaps a farewell ............

A victory Monday extended Baylor’s quest for the big four oh.

It may have also marked the end of Pat Summitt’s storied career as the Tennessee women’s basketball coach.

The Bears beat Summitt’s Lady Vols 77-58 in an Elite Eight match-up at Des Moines’ Wells Fargo Arena, seizing control after the first media timeout and cruising to their third Final Four appearance in eight years.

Summitt, meanwhile, was seeking her 19th Final Four berth. A crowd of 9,068 greeted her with an ovation as she walked onto the court during warm-ups. The focus now shifts to her future plans.

Summitt, who owns a career record of 1,098-208 and eight NCAA titles, was diagnosed with early onset dementia last year. Her son, Tyler, told The Des Moines Register last week the family plans to sit down in the next few weeks and discuss whether Summitt will continue to coach.

Bears coach Kim Mulkey considers Summitt a mentor, and is establishing herself as potential dynasty-builder for a new generation.

I admit it, I just cried some, genuine tears. I hope it is not true, but Pat Summitt may have coached her last game for the Tennessee Vols Ladies Basketball team. They got beat by Baylor, but I think it was a bit of a bittersweet victory for all. The victory congratulatory hug between Pat and Kim Mulkey  was more than that. It could have been a farewell hug. Many of the Baylor players gave Pat an extra hug, I know it got to me. Could have been the end of a legendary career. I hope she returns next year, ladies basketball will never be the same without Pat. She was more than just a coach, she was a Vol, through and through, any sport, men's or woman's, Pat was there to support it. She was Tennessee.

You think you know them?

The boy you punched in the hall today. Committed suicide a few minutes ago.

That girl you called a slut in class today. She’s a virgin.

The boy you called lame. He has to work every night to support his family. …

That girl you pushed down the other day. She’s already being abused at home.

That girl you called fat. She’s starving herself.

The old man you made fun of cause of the ugly scars. He fought for our country.

The boy you made fun of for crying. His mother is dying.

You think you know them. Guess what? You don’t!


Pass this blog on to those on your mailing list. Just maybe, someone will read it, think, and stop.....

Obama Caught Fibbing at Oil Field

Domestic oil production overall in the U.S. is at its highest level in the past eight years, according to the Energy Department.

But production on federal lands was down 14 percent year-over-year in 2011, and overall remains 13 percent lower than it was in 2003.

Still, Obama – who has made renewable energy a hallmark of his administration — insisted he’s not backing away from drilling or searching for more oil.

“You wouldn’t know it from listening to some of these folks running for office, but producing more oil here in our own country has been, and will continue to be, a key part of our energy strategy,” Obama said.

“We’re drilling all over the place,” he said.

The New ACORN?

 Taxpayer-Funded Nonprofit Teaches Homeless How to ‘Squat’ in City 

The New York Post is reporting on a taxpayer-funded nonprofit in the Bronx that is giving a crash-course in “squatting.”

The group, called “Picture the Homeless,” has targeted city-owned buildings in particular. Andres Perez, who “teaches” the course, said, “The best properties are city-owned properties or bank-owned properties…They warehouse these properties. They’re sitting on them.”

The organization has received $240,000 in taxpayer funds over the last five years.

Obama Tells Russia He’ll Have ‘More Flexibility’ After The Election

In a conversation that was picked up Monday by live microphones, President Obama privately told Russia he will have “more flexibility” to deal with missile defense after the election.

Speaking to Russian President Dmitry Medvedev ahead of a global nuclear security summit in South Korea, Obama asked for “space” and “time” to deal with the missile defense issue.

“Yeah. I understand. I understand your message about space. Space for you,” Medvedev said.

“This is my last election,” Obama said. “After my election, I have more flexibility.”

“I will transmit this information to Vladimir,” said Medvedev, who will hand the Russian presidency over to Vladimir Putin in May.

Sunday Morning, March 25

Why is it that there are so many TV commercials about buying insurance to cover funeral costs? Why not get insurance to help your kids pay some of the bills, or to help them out? The small amount advertised does not yield much money, not even close to pay the undertaker off.

Heraldo blames the "hoodie" and what it stands for on the recent shooting. I tend to agree with him. I remember one afternoon I was in our local Walmart and three men came in wearing hoodies. I must admit I was somewhat intimidated by their appearance. I know they got the attention of the store security people. It is a symbol of something sinister. I agree also that there may not have been a shooting if he had not been wearing the "hoodie." Not an excuse for what happened, but could be the reason.

Politics. There is NO way that Romney can win against Obama. Romney is "Unelectable" as a candidate for the presidency. With all the millions he has spent, he is still NOT a clear cut victory in that race. I have to believe that it is still somewhat of an open race. Perhaps some new names will emerge, or an unsuspected candidate may become a front runner. Who can win in a presidential race against Obama, who, oh who? Certainly not a candidate whose persona and perception is encased in a ragged, ripped pair of blue jeans, and with no charisma.

Weather. Cloudy in Ohio, have had some really great days, and look forward to having more.

Tragedy Gives The Hoodie A Whole New Meaning

by LINTON WEEKS

James Gilchrist of Orlando, Fla., attends a rally for slain teenager Trayvon Martin in Sanford, Fla., on Thursday. Trayvon was wearing a hoodie when he was shot.

From the tragic death of Trayvon Martin, a symbol emerges: the hoodie.

A simple hooded sweatshirt has become emblematic of certain assumptions in America. And of a desire by many to overturn those assumptions.

To a neighborhood watch volunteer in a Sanford, Fla., gated community, the young man in "a dark hoodie, a gray hoodie" was a "suspicious guy." That's what George Zimmerman told the 911 dispatcher before he shot and killed the 17-year-old. Zimmerman, 28, says he acted in self-defense; he has not been charged with a crime.

On Friday, Geraldo Rivera said on the Fox & Friends TV show that "the hoodie is as much responsible for Trayvon Martin's death as George Zimmerman was." Rivera warned parents not to let their children wear hoodies — unless it is raining or they are at a track-and-field event. He said it sends a sinister signal.

"You cannot rehabilitate the hoodie," Rivera said. "Stop wearing it."

jbd: I have watched security guards and store detectives "perk up" when "blacks wearing hoods" have entered the store. Bank robbers have worn hoodies. Robbers have worn them also, generally when we see video of robberies or break ins, the thieves are wearing hoods. The KKK wore hoods. I guess that hoods and "hoodies" are a signal that the wearer does not want to be recognized. They are a statement of being "bad." A child in Columbus, Ohio, or anywhere, being shot in "crossfire" is just as tragic, but those shootings are soon forgotten, and quite possibly, the shooter, was wearing a hoodie. In some ways, wearing a hoodie is like wearing a mask.

Texting Woman Falls Off Pier Into Lake Michigan

By Suzan Clarke
    A Michigan woman who was texting as she walked along a pier was so distracted that she tripped and fell backward into Lake Michigan.
    Bonnie Miller was walking along the pier at about 9:30 p.m. Monday with her husband, Greg, and son Quinn, 15, when she realized she had made an appointment for the wrong time. She started texting in order to correct the error, she told ABC affiliate ABC57 News in South Bend, Ind.
    The Benton Harbor woman said she sent "about three words" before tripping and falling an estimated six feet into the water.
    "Quinn said he just heard me say, 'Oh God' and then a splash," she said.
    Miller's husband and a bystander, Rebecca Van Zant, 19, jumped in after her. They helped her stay afloat until emergency responders arrived a few minutes later.
     Bonnie Miller acknowledged that she was extremely embarrassed, and added that she was grateful to be alive. "I have a new lease on life," Miller told ABC57 News.
    In addition to that new lease on life, she's also compelled to warn people about the potential hazards that could come from texting while performing other activities. "I couldn't let pride stand in my way of warning other people to not drive and text or walk and text," she said.  "It can be dangerous."
    Miller didn't suffer serious injuries.
    Distracted texting has been blamed for a growing number of serious car accidents and pedestrian injuries, as well as numerous everyday mishaps.

Some 'Brand New Players' Might Emerge At GOP Convention

by MARK MEMMOTT

Saying that Mitt Romney may not be able to "grind his way toward the nomination" despite a huge fundraising advantage, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich told NPR today that he sees no reason to exit the Republican presidential race and that there's a chance of a new contender emerging at the party's convention in August.

"I'm not so sure you wouldn't get a series of brand new players" stepping forward during a brokered convention, he told Morning Edition co-host Steve Inskeep.

Or, he said, he might emerge as the convention's choice. Gingrich said he expects to end the primary season with the third most delegates — with Romney at No. 1 and Rick Santorum at No. 2.

Gingrich also repeated criticisms he has leveled at Romney throughout the campaign. First, that "conservative voters are deeply worried about Gov. Romney." Second, that if the former Massachusetts governor is heavily outspending his GOP rivals and "is barely winning" in the battle for the nomination, there's "no reason to think Romney is going to with the general election" against President Obama.

APPALLING - Slap on the Wrist

“Payments were made for plays such as interceptions or fumble recoveries. All such payments are against league rules. Payments also were made for plays on which opposing players were injured. In addition, specific players were sometimes targeted. The investigation showed bounties being placed on four quarterbacks of opposing teams – Brett Favre, Cam Newton, Aaron Rodgers, and Kurt Warner. Multiple sources have confirmed that several players pledged funds toward bounties on specific opposing players, with defensive captain Jonathan Vilma offering $10,000 to any player who knocked Brett Favre out of the NFC Championship Game in 2010.”

The punishment was NOT DRASTIC, it was a slap on the wrist. Outside of  football, it is called "taking out a contract" on someone and is punishable by arrest and JAIL TIME, not a CRUMMY one years suspension. Coach now will have time to spend some of his MILLIONS he has made being a totally unprincipled morally bankrupt football coach. And, he can come back in a  year and do it all over again. PLEASE don't expect me to believe that the entire organization was not aware of this policy. Make them change their name to the "New Orleans Sinners." they certainly are not Saints. 

Read more here: http://scottfowlerobs.blogspot.com/2012/03/cam-newton-was-target-of-bounty-program.html#storylink=cpy

Sad News: Marlboro’s Carmen Congelli passes away

I did this blog some time ago, I was so inspired by her story, it has been seen many times. And now, the end of the story. I did not know her, only her story, and I am posting this with tears in my eyes.


By JUSTIN RODRIGUEZ
On a personal note, Carmen was an inspiration to me, as well as so many of you. I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to work with her and her parents, Ray and Joann, during her courageous fight with cancer.

During her long battle with cancer, Carmen Congelli inspired her hometown – Marlboro – small and tight-knit.
Congelli’s strength, bravery and grace, also moved opponents and coaches across Section 9. How could it not? For 2 ½ years, she fought through long, draining days filled with chemotherapy and radiation treatments.
However, now Brave Carmen is gone.

Congelli, who inspired Section 9 during her fight with rhabdomyosarcoma — a rare soft-tissue cancer — died at home at approximately 9 p.m. Saturday night. She was 17.

“I’m broken-hearted, but at the same time I’m a little relieved,” Congelli’s father, Ray, said. “As tough as she was, Carmen went through hell that last few years. But she went peacefully.”

Ray Congelli said Carmen was surrounded by friends and family at her bed when she passed away. Marlboro athletic director Jonnah O’Donnell, a close friend of the family and Carmen’s former softball coach, arrived to the home shortly after she passed away.

“I think Carmen was holding on to see her friends,” Ray Congelli said. “The last two days she was in bed the whole time. I think she knew it was time, but she didn’t give up. Carmen fought like a champion the whole way.”

Congelli was diagnosed on Sept. 18, 2008 with rhabdomyosarcoma, a fast growing, highly malignant tumor. Her first question when her parents, Ray and Joann, broke the news: “How much longer do I have to live?” Congelli and her family thought she had beat cancer back in November of 2009.

OBITUARY

Senior Citizens Reflections

I got this in an email this morning and it does say a lot, not sure about the last item, it's a different "having the time of my life."  Just waking up is exquisite, little things that I used to take for granted, are now so greatly appreciated.  Being able to stand and not get dizzy, is cause for celebration. Same game, different set or rules ...........

Senior citizens are constantly being criticized for every conceivable deficiency of the modern world, real or imaginary We know we take responsibility for all we have done and do not blame others.

HOWEVER, upon reflection, we would like to point out that it was NOT the senior citizens who took:

The melody out of music,
The pride out of appearance,
The courtesy out of driving,
The romance out of love,
The commitment out of marriage,
The responsibility out of parenthood,
The togetherness out of the family,
The learning out of education,
The service out of patriotism,
The Golden Rule from rulers,
The civility out of behaviour,
The refinement out of language,
The dedication out of employment,
The prudence out of spending,
The ambition out of achievement

    And we certainly are NOT the ones who eliminated patience and tolerance from personal relationships and interactions with others!!
    And, we do understand the meaning of patriotism, and remember those who have fought and died for our country.
    Just look at the Seniors with tears in their eyes and pride in their hearts as they stand at attention with their hand over their hearts!

YES, I'M A SENIOR CITIZEN!

I'm the life of the party...... even if it lasts until 8 p.m.
I'm very good at opening childproof caps.... with a hammer.
I'm awake many hours before my body allows me to get up.
I'm smiling all the time because I can't hear a thing you're saying.
I'm sure everything I can't find is in a safe secure place, somewhere.
I'm wrinkled, saggy, lumpy, and that's just my left leg.
I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
Yes, I'm a SENIOR CITIZEN and I think I am having the time of my life!

One More .................

OIL IS SOLD ON THE “WORLD MARKET”…THEREFORE PRESIDENT OBAMA’S POLICIES CAN’T INFLUENCE THE PRICE OF OIL

FALSE:

“How much oil we produce here at home, because we only have 2 percent and we use 20, that’s not going to set the price of gas worldwide, or here in the United States.  Oil is bought and sold on the world market.” (March 7, 2012, North Carolina)
HE EMPHASIZES THIS AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN:
We can’t just allow ourselves to be held hostage to the ups and downs of the world oil market. (February 23, 2012, Miami, FL)
We’re not going to, overnight, solve the problem of world oil markets. (February 23, 2012, Miami, FL)
“Gas prices and the world oil markets right now are putting a lot of pressure on families right now.” (March 15, 2012, Prince George’s Community College.)
“When prices spike on the world market, it’s like a tax, it’s like somebody is going into your pocket.” (March 15, 2012, Prince George’s Community College.)

TRUE:

President Obama and his allies have repeatedly suggested his policies can’t be blamed for high gasoline prices because oil is “bought and sold on the world market” over which he has no control. But prices on the “world market” are determined primarily by supply and demand, and the President is blocking development of substantial oil supplies offshore and in the American West, which together are several times the known reserves of Saudi Arabia. No one has claimed the President can “set” the price of oil, but his choice to close these areas affect the price significantly.
He could reverse his policies on these federal lands with the stroke of a pen. There is nothing special about the “world market” that would prevent that large increase in supply from putting downward pressure on price.
The President’s own actions have betrayed the knowledge that even marginal production changes have a significant effect on oil prices. When his administration asked Saudi Arabia to increase its own oil production, its goal was to lower prices in the U.S., and when he tapped the Strategic Reserve during the Arab Spring in 2011, he did so for the same reason. His claims to be powerless in the “world market” are just a bad excuse for the results of his anti—American-energy policies.

“WE’RE USING 20%, WE HAVE 2%”

OBAMA SAID: 

“America uses more than 20 percent of the world’s oil.  If we drilled every square inch of this country — so we went to your house and we went to the National Mall and we put up those rigs everywhere — we’d still have only 2 percent of the world’s known oil reserves.  Let’s say we miss something — maybe it’s 3 percent instead of 2.  We’re using 20; we have 2.” (March 15, 2012, Prince George’s Community College.)

TRUE:

The President derives his “2 percent” from America’s “proven reserves,” about 20 billion barrels of oil. Proven reserves are the “quantity of energy sources estimated with reasonable certainty, from the analysis of geologic and engineering data, to be recoverable from well-established or known reservoirs with the existing equipment and under the existing operating conditions.”

The U.S. was said to have 30 billion barrels of “proven reserves” in 1980. Yet from 1980 to 2008, we produced about 75 billion barrels of oil.

No one thinks the proven reserves numbers come anywhere close to capturing our oil resources–even the U.S. government. The Energy Department estimated in 2006 that there were about 400 billion barrels of technically recoverable oil, including undiscovered resources and that does not even include oil shale.  That’s 5 times the number President Obama is using. And oil shale is another 800 billion to 1 trillion barrels.

Total estimated resources exceed 1.4 trillion barrels of oil in the United States, and Goldman Sachs predicted last year that the U.S. has the potential to be the world’s largest oil-producing country by 2017. The number the President is using, about 20 billion barrels, is less than the current best estimate for the Bakken formation in North Dakota alone.

In addition, the President’s claim that “we use 20% of the world’s oil” is false and evasive. We consume 20% of the world’s oil production, not 20% of the world’s oil reserves as the President’s comparison suggests. The President is just cherry-picking numbers. The 2 and the 20 are not meaningfully related so the comparison makes no sense—it certainly doesn’t prove we’re consuming too much or that there is too little to go around.

OBAMA is NON-Re-electable because:

OBAMA SEZ

“WE’RE DRILLING ALL OVER”

HE SAID - 

“Do not tell me that we’re not drilling.  We’re drilling all over this country.  I guess there are a few spots where we’re not drilling.  We’re not drilling in the National Mall.  We’re not drilling at your house.  I guess we could try to have, like, 200 oil rigs in the middle of the Chesapeake Bay.” (March 15, 2012, Prince George’s Community College.)

THAT IS FALSE HERE IS THE TRUE:

President Obama has blocked drilling in offshore areas totaling more than 10 times the size of Texas. He has stalled progress on an estimated one trillion barrels of oil in the American West, where the federal government owns the majority of the world’s oil shale. These off-limits supplies alone give the United States some of the largest oil reserves in the world. And no one proposes drilling in the Chesapeake Bay.

Is there a question of TRUST here?

Aah, ooh, ee, awww -- Tennis and the Delivery Room

Watching Sharapova play Azarenka play tennis, on mute now. Had the sound on earlier, and the screams always remind me of my Dad, the Baby Doctor.

On a few occasions while working at the hospital, and some others,  I came in close proximity to the Delivery Room, and heard the noises coming out of there.

During a snow storm in 1950, I was stuck at the hospital for a few days, and heard it all, close up.

Women's tennis reminds me of those occasions.

I don't think I could watch tennis if it were not for the MUTE button on the controller, both the men's and women's matches. Who started the screaming?

Awkward, to say the least

Did anyone happen to watch the arriving guests at the White House dinner last night, it was amusing,, to say the least. The part we saw was people entering an area, on the way to the tent, but the area they had to cross was filled with the pres and photographers. The names would be announced, the people would enter, and cross in front of the cameras.

But, apparently, they were not told what to do. They were supposed to head straight for the door, not stop and talk or be photographed. One Army guard retrieved them if they stopped, and even then, a few of them kept on talking or posing, not going to pass up an opportunity like that. Most were in evening attire, one guy had just a regular shirt and black tie. At least, they all wore ties, no open necks that I saw.

Some came in arm in arm, some were Mister and Misses, one couple, men, came in hand and hand. The Attorney General appeared from no where and had to turn around and retrace his steps.

I had to wonder if George Washington was looking down on the scene, and observing what was going on. The mixed race couple would have caught his attention, as well as the two men holding hands, mixed couples, gay couples, many from foreign lands and different nationalities, all eating dinner in the same tent. But then, old George had never seen a tent like that.

Internal White House emails reveal deep concern, embarrassment over Solyndra

Less than one year after President Barack Obama touted his administration’s $535 million loan guarantee for green energy company Solyndra during his State of the Union address, embarrassed White House officials wanted nothing to do with the company, newly released internal emails reveal.

The emails, which are part of the administration’s seventh document dump in response to congressional subpoenas, show just how little faith the White House had in the former green tech darling — weeks before the Department of Energy restructured the failing company’s loan to ensure it tens of millions of dollars in additional financing.

In May 2010, the president said that “companies like Solyndra” are the “true engine of economic growth.” In his State of the Union address earlier that year, the president referred to the company as a veritable stimulus darling, a “California business that will put a thousand people to work making solar panels.”

But White House communications officials didn’t even want the president seen near Solyndra executives during the 2011 State of the Union address.

“Can’t do Solyndra … they’ve run into some issues recently. ,”  Daniella Gibbs Léger, director of White House message events, wrote in a Jan. 5, 2011 email, according to Politico.

And an administration official told Politico on Friday that the idea of seating Solyndra executives near the president “didn’t even make it to any sort of serious consideration.”

Artistic Creativity at Loves Flowers

 

Created by

Lisa Bozydaj-Garofolo

Loves Flowers

in

Marlboro, New York

It AIN'T NO JOKE ......

Obama Jokes About High Gas Prices

So sad.

President Obama plays comedian and cracks jokes about gas prices. He told an audience today that there’s “a few places” we’re not drilling… the National Mall… at your house.”

Of course, like most everything Obama says, a quick Google search paints a totally different picture of the truth.

Obama has chosen almost always to limit production. He canceled leases on federal lands in Utah, suspended them in Montana, delayed them in Colorado and Utah, and canceled lease sales off the Virginia coast.

His administration also has been slow-walking permits in the Gulf of Mexico, approving far fewer while stretching out review times, according to the Greater New Orleans Gulf Permit Index. The Energy Dept. says Gulf oil output will be down 17% by the end of 2013, compared with the start of 2011. Swift Energy President Bruce Vincent is right to say Obama has “done nothing but restrict access and delay permitting.”

“The U.S. consumes more than a fifth of the world’s oil. But we only have 2% of the world’s oil reserves.”

A FRIEND SENT THIS TO ME: 

My dog sleeps about 20 hours a day.  He has his food prepared for him. His meals are provided at no cost to him. He visits the Dr. once a year for his checkup, and again during the year, if any medical needs arise.. For this he pays nothing, and nothing is required of him. He lives in a nice neighborhood in a house that is much larger than he needs, but he is not required to do any upkeep. If he makes a mess, someone else cleans it up. He has his choice of luxurious places to sleep. He receives these accommodations absolutely free. He is living like a king, and has absolutely no expenses whatsoever. All of his costs are picked up by others who earn a living. 
 I was just thinking about all this, and suddenly it hit me like a brick in the head 
 My Dog is a Democrat!

The Tide is Going Out ..............

Tide laundry detergent is meant to be used for household cleaning purposes, but thieves are turning it into something dirty.

Authorities are reporting a spike in thefts of Tide, and in some cities they are setting up task forces where the detergent is sold to track the number of bottles in stores.

Police believe thieves are using the soap on the black market, which retails for $10-$20, to buy drugs. On the black market, Tide is often referred to as "liquid gold" and can go for $5-$10 per bottle.

Last year, in St. Paul, Minnesota, a man is alleged to have stolen $25,000 worth of Tide over 15 months before authorities captured him. Stores such as CVS have amped up security measures to prevent theft; at some locations the detergent is kept in a locked container and an employee must retrieve it for customers.

So why is Tide the only detergent being targeted? Authorities list several reasons: Tide is instantly recognizable because of its Day-Glo orange bottle; it is one of the most expensive brands of laundry detergent; and it does not have serial numbers, so it cannot be tracked.

On social media, people are calling the theft trend "bizarre" and many are blaming it on the tough economy and rising gas prices. One person tweeted that the thefts are "a result of inflation."

A spokesperson for Procter & Gamble, the manufacturer of Tide, called the thefts "unfortunate."

Gone Bananas

Never, put your banana in the refrigerator!!! 
This is interesting. After reading this, you'll never look at a banana in the same way again.

Bananas contain three natural sugars -- sucrose, fructose and glucose combined with fiber. A banana gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy. (Watch what the tennis players eat when they are on a break)

Research has proven that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout. No wonder the banana is the number one fruit with the world's leading athletes. 

But energy isn't the only way a banana can help us keep fit. It can also help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and conditions, making it a must to add to our daily diet.

Depression: According to a recent survey undertaken by MIND amongst people suffering from depression, many felt much better after eating a banana. This is because bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel happier.
PMS: Forget the pills - eat a banana. The vitamin B6 it contains regulates blood glucose levels, which can affect your mood.
Anemia: High in iron, bananas can stimulate the production of hemoglobin in the blood and so helps in cases of anemia.
Blood Pressure: This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium yet low in salt, making it perfect to beat blood pressure. So much so, the US Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the banana industry to make official claims for the fruit's ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke.
Brain Power: 200 students at a Twickenham (Middlesex) school ( England ) were helped through their exams this year by eating bananas at breakfast, break, and lunch in a bid to boost their brain power. Research has shown that the potassium-packed fruit can assist learning by making pupils more alert.
Constipation: High in fiber, including bananas in the diet can help restore normal bowel action, helping to overcome the problem without resorting to laxatives..
Hangovers: One of the quickest ways of curing a hangover is to make a banana milkshake, sweetened with honey... The banana calms the stomach and, with the help of the honey, builds up depleted blood sugar levels, while the milk soothes and re-hydrates your system.
Heartburn: Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer from heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief.
 Morning sickness: Snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness.
Mosquito bites: Before reaching for the insect bite cream, try rubbing the affected area with the inside of a banana skin. Many people find it amazingly successful at reducing swelling and irritation.
Nerves: Bananas are high in B vitamins that help calm the nervous system.
Brain Power: 200 students at a Twickenham (Middlesex) school ( England ) were helped through their exams this year by eating bananas at breakfast, break, and lunch in a bid to boost their brain power. Research has shown that the potassium-packed fruit can assist learning by making pupils more alert.
    Overweight and at work? Studies at the Institute of Psychology in Austria found pressure at work leads to gorging on comfort food like chocolate and chips.. Looking at 5,000 hospital patients, researchers found the most obese were more likely to be in high-pressure jobs. The report concluded that, to avoid panic-induced food cravings, we need to control our blood sugar levels by snacking on high carbohydrate foods every two hours to keep levels steady.
Ulcers: The banana is used as the dietary food against intestinal disorders because of its soft texture and smoothness. It is the only raw fruit that can be eaten without distress in over-chronicler cases. It also neutralizes over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach.
Temperature control: Many other cultures see bananas as a 'cooling' fruit that can lower both the physical and emotional temperature of expectant mothers. In Thailand , for example, pregnant women eat bananas to ensure their baby is born with a cool temperature.
 Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): Bananas can help SAD sufferers because they contain the natural mood Enhancer tryptophan.
Smoking and tobacco use: Bananas can also help people trying to give up smoking. The B6, B12 they contain, as well as the potassium and magnesium found in them, help the body recover from the effects of nicotine withdrawal.
Stress: Potassium is a vital mineral, which helps normalize the heartbeat, sends oxygen to the brain and regulates your body's water balance. When we are stressed, our metabolic rate rises, thereby reducing our potassium levels. These can be re-balanced with the help of a high-potassium banana snack.
Strokes: According to research in The New England Journal of Medicine, eating bananas as part of a regular diet can cut the risk of death by strokes by as much as 40%!
Warts: Those keen on natural alternatives swear that if you want to kill off a wart, take a piece of banana skin and place it on the wart, with the yellow side out. Carefully hold the skin in place with a plaster or surgical tape!

So, a banana really is a natural remedy for many ills. When you compare it to an apple, it has four times the protein, twice the carbohydrate, three times the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A and iron, and twice the other vitamins and minerals. It is also rich in potassium and is one of the best value foods around. So maybe it's time to change that well-known phrase so that we say, 'A banana a day keeps the doctor away!'

PS: Bananas must be the reason monkeys are so happy all the time! Here's one more: Want a quick shine on your shoes? Take the INSIDE of the banana skin and rub directly on the shoe. Polish with a dry cloth. Amazing fruit!!!

Daddy, do we have any money to eat tonight?

A rare Chinese imperial ceramic bowl that was made around 900 years ago and could fetch $10 million when it goes under the hammer next month has triggered huge excitement among Asian art collectors.

The interest generated by this small, modest-looking flower-shaped bowl -- and its potentially sky-high sales price -- are a testament to the vitality of Asia's art market, which has witnessed explosive growth over the past decade.

The antique was due to go on public display in Beijing over the weekend on a pre-sale roadshow. But organisers, fearing a stampede after it drew big crowds in Shanghai, decided at the last minute to show it to potential buyers only.

"An object has rarely generated so much excitement and for security reasons, we thought it would be preferable for our clients to view it within the confines of a private room," said Nicolas Chow, deputy head of Sotheby's Asia division.

The flower-shaped "Ru" bowl from the Northern Song dynasty (960-1127) sports a pale blue-green translucent matte glaze that imitates the colour of jade, and is believed to be the only one of its type in the world.

Beyond Rush: Hannity, Beck, Levin Hit with Advertiser Bans

I have ALWAYS questioned the rationality of having an "entertainer" or a "disc jockey" as spokespersons for a political party. And, that is all they are. Some started as DJ's, some as janitors, until they got a break, an audience slowly grew and they became authorities on politics. Remember, they are just ENTERTAINERS, nothing more, extremely RICH entertainers. In Rush's case, he became one of the most powerful voices in the Republican Party. What are HIS credentials, or any of them. I think Beck, at one time, admitted that he was nothing more than an entertainer, a multi-millionaire entertainer. Oh,, he also sells cups and t-shirts. They all get "drunk with power," and feel they can do no wrong. They are the "evangelists" of the political world, cut from the same tree.

Efforts to silence Rush Limbaugh are apparently having a significant impact on the talk radio business as a whole, including syndicated radio shows hosted by Sean Hannity, Mark Levin and Glenn Beck.

After provocative comments made about a female Georgetown law school student, Limbaugh's show has been targeted by liberal groups that have pressured more than two dozen advertisers to drop his program from their ad buys.

Now, Rush's syndicator, Premiere Networks, is losing advertisers for other conservative programs it airs.

According to an internal Premiere memorandum obtained by Radio-Info.com, the company says 98 advertisers no longer wanted to air ad spots on any "offensive or controversial" talk programs.

Radio-Info says the list of advertisers include "carmakers (Ford, GM, Toyota), insurance companies (Allstate, Geico, Prudential, State Farm) and restaurants (McDonald’s, Subway)."

Walmart ...Wonders never cease .............

I just got a call from our local Walmart, in response to an email I had sent to their corporate office. I had a complaint and voiced it to Walmart. Our local store is full of shopping carts loaded with "discount or marked down" merchandise. You can hardly get in the store for all the carts, even in the front entrance way, the last time we were there we could hardly get in the door. I suggested that they call it "The Walmart Discount Barn" instead of just Walmart.

I never expected to hear from them, how many Emails do they get a day?

Ed, one of the assistant managers, called in regards to my complaint. He said the program was working, they were getting rid of a lot of unsold merchandise. I asked him if he shopped at the local Walmart. He admitted that he did not, but did shop at a Walmart nearer his home. I asked if they had carts all over the store with reduced merchandise. He said "No."

Anyway, I got a direct response to my complaint. I was impressed with that. As of now, we will continue to shop at Meijers. We may go back to Walmart, when we can get in the door without fighting through the crowd of people and carts, filled with junk.

I am impressed that I got a response. Now, if they would just put in "Self serve" checkout aisles, we may go back. I really enjoy doing that at Meijers, and it removes any possibility of a cashier taking money out of our debit card and passing it on to a friend, yes, that does happen.

I'm sure the carts will remain cluttering up the nice clean wide aisles, and store management will do what they want, but it is nice to know that one voice was heard. I guess they did get to be NUMBER ONE by listening.

The Little Free Library - How GREAT this is

Our Mission 

To promote literacy and the love of reading by building free book exchanges worldwide.

To build a sense of community as we share skills, creativity and wisdom across generations.  

To build more than 2,510 libraries around the world--more than Andrew Carnegie! 

This is a great story and worth looking in to. Amazing what one little idea can do, even to  the world. Take time to investigate this program. YOU can start one where you are. A simple idea which is spreading around the world. How great is that?

Did Professor Derrick Bell Visit the White House?

By Jake Tapper

The conservative Heritage Foundation shows some pluck by searching for the late law school professor Derrick A. Bell in the White House visitor's logs, and finds that "Visitor logs show that Derrick A. Bell visited the White House twice since President Obama took office.

The logs show two visits by an individual of that name on January 29 and 31, 2010.

Why would this matter?

Bell has recently splashed into the conservative media world after Breitbart.com and Fox News showed some video of then-Harvard Law School student Barack Obama speaking at a rally on campus in 1990 in support of Bell's efforts to improve the diversity of the school's faculty.

The video had been previously shown on Frontline in 2008, except for a scene of Obama hugging the professor.

Bell without question held some controversial views and some conservatives seek to portray this as yet another close Obama associate with radical views - with a lapdog media covering it up.

The Magic Green Hat

The other day I needed to go to the emergency room. Not wanting to sit there for 4 hours, I put on my MAGIC GREEN HAT. When I went into the E.R., I noticed that 3/4 of the people got up and left.
I guess they decided that they weren't that sick after all. Cut at least 3 hours off my waiting time.

It also works at DMV. It saved me 5 hours.

At the Laundromat, three minutes after entering, I had my choice of any machine, most still running.

If you live in Texas , it might cut your wait time at the grocery store.

But...don't try it at McDonald's. The whole crew took off, left out the back door and l never got my order!

Great Commerecial ....

Remember the old Mean Joe Greene commercial where he takes a Coke from a kid, and then throws him his jersey?

Just saw one, not sure of the product but my guess it was about Downy, a product a dryer additive to make clothes smell fresher ....

Lady finally makes a much older Joe Greene take her product. He inhales the aroma and likes it, as she turns and walks away, Mean Joe says, "Hey kid," and throws her his jersey.

She takes a whiff of it, and throws it back, outstanding.

I guess it aired during the Super Bowl, I missed it, below is the commercial.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=dAFvrAbogSc

ECHOS from the past

NCAA 'very concerned' about AU point shaving probe

AUBURN, Ala. (AP) — NCAA officials say they are "very concerned" by point-shaving allegations involving Auburn's basketball program and also say they have been in contact with the school and federal investigators since the issue arose last month.

In a statement released on Thursday, the NCAA also says it will defer action on the matter until after the FBI has concluded its handling of the probe because point-shaving is a federal crime.

The NCAA's statement comes after Yahoo Sports reported earlier Thursday that the FBI is investigating suspended Auburn point guard Varez Ward for allegedly point shaving in at least two games this season.

The report cited anonymous sources and said the FBI began an investigation in late February centering on losses to Alabama on Feb. 7 and Arkansas on Jan. 25.

In my opinion this problem permeates many levels of collegiate and professional sports. Millions are wagered on each game, just seems natural that someone wants someone to shave points. Money can motivate and buy results.

Keystone oil pipeline bill fails in Senate - WHY?

By Roberta Rampton and Jeff Mason

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Senate Democrats on Thursday defeated a Republican proposal to give a permit to the Keystone XL crude oil pipeline in a vote that will give Republicans more ammunition to criticize President Barack Obama's energy policies on the campaign trail.

Republicans argue the pipeline, which would ship oil from Canada and northern states to Texas, would create jobs and improve energy security at a time of surging gasoline prices.

Obama put TransCanada's $7 billion project on hold earlier this year pending further environmental review. He took the unusual step of calling some senators personally ahead of the vote, asking them to reject the proposal.


"He understood that a majority of the American public, a majority at least in the Senate, are strongly in favor of this project," said Senator Richard Lugar, the top Republican on the Senate Foreign Relations committee, who sponsored the bill to take control of the pipeline decision away from Obama.

I wonder why, I think that this is playing politics at its worst. Almost like taking food away from a starving people. I'm sure he has a reason, just can't imagine what it is.

Which one is right?

Wal-Mart to use more self-checkout lanes
(Reuters) - Wal-Mart Stores Inc will add more self-checkout lanes at Walmart and Sam's Clubs stores as it continues to look for ways to lower costs and prices, Chief Financial Officer Charles Holley said on Wednesday. Holley said he was "very pleased" with the traffic and sales at Walmart's U.S. stores this quarter, which started in February. Pushing shoppers to scan their own items and make ...

Notice that in the same article they use Wal-Mart and Walmart. If this was a "release" from the store, then they are not sure which one is right. It says something about the store, just not sure what. I was under the impression it was now Walmart. Maybe Reuters didn't get the word. In Ohio, many don't know it is The Ohio State University, to them it is still Ohio State University.

You just gotta feel sorry for her .....

Even with an extra million or two, it seems that some lottery winners are still trying to finding ways to save money -- on the government's dime.

Amanda Clayton of Lincoln Park, Michigan won a lottery jackpot worth $1 million, but a local TV news station recently discovered that despite her winnings, she's still using a state-sponsored welfare card to buy $200 of food every month, The Daily Mail reports. As a local reporter points out, those tax dollars could go a long way for residents in a state particularly hard-hit by the recession, but Clayton doesn't seem to see it that way, even though she recently purchased both a new house and a new car with her prize money.

"I mean, I have no income and I have bills to pay," she told local news WDIV. "I have two houses. I'm still struggling."

HEY, it's my kids!!!!!!!

Fred Kormann, Lisa Bozydaj, Debra Dooley and Claire Winslow 

Highland Local Notables: Clair Winslow and Debra Dooley, The Would
by Peter Aaron, February 28, 2012

It would come as no surprise if The Would restaurant in Highland was the visual inspiration for the 1996 film Big Night. It certainly looks the part. Housed in the lower level of a charming, three-story, ivy-covered brick building, the cozy establishment opened in 1926 as the Hotel di Prima, which fed and accommodated weekending Italian-American families from New York.

Its present heyday began in 1994, when the property was purchased by Claire Winslow and Debra Dooley, who rechristened the hotel portion The Inn at Applewood and renamed the restaurant The Would. Winslow, a Culinary Institute of America-trained chef, has a uniquely flavorful style that combines New American cuisine with French flair.

Known for palate-dazzling dishes prepared with local, organic produce, poultry, and other ingredients, and warm, welcoming service, The Would has truly become one of the Hudson Valley’s most beloved eateries. The restaurant has won gold and silver medals from the American Culinary Federation and rave reviews from Zagat and the New York Times.

And it’s not only the sumptuous signature entrees—pan-seared organic chicken filled with collard greens and tomato confit with a braised garlic sauce, just one mouth-watering example—that keep delighted diners coming back. A repeat winner of Wine Spectator magazine’s Award of Excellence, The Would maintains a seasonal cellar populated with approximately 300 bottles of local and international vintages. The on-premises bakery draws raves for its fresh-baked breads, pies, and cakes, and divinely decadent desserts.

“In the high-stress world of work, work, work, it is more important now than ever for our guests to truly enjoy an evening out,” explains Dooley. “I want them to leave satisfied.”

And, judging by the glowing praise from thousands of contented patrons over its nearly 20 years, they always do. Only to return again. Thewould.com