Thursday Morning Smile-Maker (70)

moving pictures

Grand Rapids Nov. 8, 2008

Mug Shot

Dalcapone Alpaccino Morris 

Indicted in Ohio for possession of crack cocaine. 

Sometimes the universe is just too symmetrical. 

CLICK

Advice column

Dear Ann:
We saw an extremely rare, white deer in the woods behind our house. We've never known anyone who has seen such a thing before. It was like a magical occurrence, as if a supernatural force had sent it to us as an omen of something wonderful to come. All my family gathered on the back deck to watch it move so slowly and majestically through the trees in the woodlot.

"It's like a religious experience," my wife said, as she quivered in excitement. "As if God is saying things will be all right, after all."

So, Ann I wonder what is your best advice on how to keep this transcendental creature near to us, to inspire us?

Mike and Joe
====

Dear Fellas:
Shoot the sucker!
Ann

from the Loyal Opposition (#3)

A continuing presentation of the graphic thoughts of the Obama opposition.
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Monday Friends Report, November 17, 2008

Today, for the first time in ten days, sunshine has broken through to mid Michigan. The last sun we had seen was on Friday, Nov. 7. This is one of the great drawbacks of winter in this area. North and South of this middle swath, the sun shines more often, even on the town of Hell. PAT W and I went out for a walk yesterday and by about two blocks, we had become plastered with the heavy snow which was so wet it stuck to our coats and made a frozen mat. She said, "Isn't it beautiful?" and I reluctantly agreed, although none of this will look so beautiful in about 6 weeks or so. There never was a winter in this county that didn't rapidly wear out its welcome.


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What some friends are up to

DASHMANN and SKUZZA - went with BUD and PAT - to see a play, To Kill a Mockingbird . Some liked it better than others, but everyone agreed it was well worth the going.

SPARTY - Did God's work by escorting/chaperoning a whole lot of eighth graders on a class trip to Washington D.C. He has returned alive and unharmed.

The GENDERS - her mother has died. The condolences of all of us under BIrches, is extended.

PAM - had a recent birthday. It was kept secret from us. But we take belated joy for her.

GIGI - reports that Ramseys -- whom many of you know -- have sold their home, finally, and can now move westward.

MARI - collected together her birthday money and went off to the casino with her best friend to see if she can multiply it. No word, yet.

FELIX -

I was listening to the only thing 'NPR'-like I could pick up on my iRiver while mowing. It was
something I believe is called either Democracy Now or Democracy Radio. The woman told a story of voting in '06. She says 'as I'm rushing into the office after voting I meet some man, I'll call him Mike, leaving the building. I say "Did you vote, yet?" Mike says that he can't vote because he has a record. I said that I thought he could vote even if he had a record. So, in order to find out, I wrote a column about the voting rights of convicted felons. Come to find out, Mike could, in fact vote." ... So, the woman introduces us to an exuberant Mike who had just voted.

They talked about how he'd always been told by family and friends that he couldn't vote because of his record. He said that he knew lots of others in his situation who also believed they couldn't vote. (Mike was an African-American man who sounded like a very nice guy. Not overly-smart. But, a guy you are pulling for. ) So, the woman was feeling all proud of herself. "Look at this great thing I've helped to do" sort of pride busting through the airwaves. So, she wanted to milk this
feel-good-story-of-the-year just a little more. "How did you feel after you voted?" she asked. Mike says "I just think that anyone who votes for John McCain is mentally retarded."

DEB VAN - will be off to the National Athletic Director's Conference in sunny San Diego. "Not a bad place for a December conference," she says. Happy traveling.

STEVE - has gone on an elk hunting expedition to Montana with good friends. It is hosted by one of his friends who is a hunting guide there.

SPARTY - forwards an article that suggests that the Regan Democrats who have handed the White House to several Republican presidents, are now a thing of the past. CLICK

He also recommends an article by Nobel Prize winning econommist Paul Krugman that Barack Obama may prove to be another Franklin Delano Roosevelt (Franklin Delano Obama?) if he is bold enough in pushing short range plans for reforming the economy. CLICK
======

What some friends are smiling at:

A retirees Report, according to JERRY:

My wife said, "Whatcha doin today?"
I said, "Nothing."
She said, "You did that yesterday."
I said, "I wasn't finished."

From GIGI:

from the Loyal Opposition (#2)

As I learn of particularly graphic examples of anti-Obama or anti-Democrat or "far-out there" displays, I will bring them to you. You can judge their credibility. Feel free to send in comments.
====

a further comment on recycling ....

Concerning Margaret's contribution about recycling and whose responsibility it ought to be: (printed below for last Friday)

A couple of people have written comments, which I appreciate. I don't mind constructive anonymous comments. They're more than welcome. But when you have something to contribute and I know you, it's always nice if you're not anonymous.

As I see it, there is need to expand the recycling effort by our communities even though I sympathize with what Margaret is getting at. Even in Michigan, where we have a good bottle/can recycling program (not great, though) and the beverage companies are required to take back their containers, the burden for recycling belongs to the consumer, as well as some of the cost. And, there is still lots of stuff consumers use which can't realistically be recovered by the manufacturer unless the consumer delivers it back to them in some way.

And there's the question of who should pay. Who should bear the cost of recycling? If it were the manufacturers paying the costs, presumably, they would find ways to reduce the amount and type of junk they're heaving (especially through packaging) into the chain of commerce.

Further comments welcome.

Sunday silly Sites

Seven foods that can make you high. CLICK

U.S. Gift Shop items. Really funky! CLICK

Watch a robot play a flute. (You don't have anything better to do, do you?) YouTube CLICK

Wacko-of-the-Week, November 15, 2008

America's Heavily Armed Subculture

In the past week, a lot has been made in the press, especially on FOX, that gun sales have suddenly climbed since Obama was elected. We are urged to assume that the man's election has stimulated a fear that: (a) He will become a dictator, (b) or he will somehow end gun sales, (c) or he is so scary folks need more security.
=====

But, note this:

"This year's uptick in buyers must reflect some new gun owners, but if past surveys are a good guide, surely most of these buyers are repeat buyers. This means that the well-armed are probably getting better-armed—a point none of the recent news stories makes."

CLICK

Yes, "my friends" (as McCain was fond of saying to his gun-inspired priapists, those many wacky bulletheads who feel ever more comfortable the more they surround themselves with killing devices) you may be fewer, but you are certainly better armed; God bless you all.

This is not for all of us firearm owners, of course, but for those who ran out and spent the kids' college funds for more "protection": hearty Congratulations on this high award!

Environment - Recycling. Margaret recommends

"In honor of 'America Recycles Day'-- [November 15]-- this article talks about the origins of the recycling movement and it's accompanying propaganda, as well as the limits of recycling as a waste disposal solution. Lots of cool graphs and charts. For example, did you know that just across the lake in Ontario, 88% of beer is sold in refillable bottles? Compared to 3% here in the States. Shocked and amazed? Me too. The author suggests replacing reduce, reuse, recycle with reduce, reuse, repair. Although once you've crushed that beer can against your forehead, it's not good for much."- Margaret

WHOLE ARTICLE IS HERE: CLICK
Excerpt:

Lets call recycling what it is- a fraud, a sham, a scam perpetrated by big business on the citizens and municipalities of America. Look who sponsors the National Recycling Coalition: behind America Recycles Day: Coca-Cola, Pepsico, Anheuser-Busch, Coors, Owens-Illinois, International Bottled Water Association, the same people who brought you that other fraud, Keep America Beautiful.

Recycling is simply the transfer of producer responsibility for what they produce to the taxpayer who has to pick it up and take it away.

YOUR REACTIONS are welcome.

"hang him by the ..."

I saw this story on "Alternate Brain" and decided to follow it to see how lergitimate it is. Well, it is from a very reputable source: TimesOnline[London].

Take delight, children, it's wonderful:
======

Nicolas Sarkozy saved the President of Georgia from being hanged “by the balls” — a threat made last summer by Vladimir Putin, according to an account that emerged yesterday from the Élysée Palace.

The Russian Prime Minister had revealed his plans for disposing of Mr Saakashvili when Mr Sarkozy was in Moscow in August to broker a ceasefire in Georgia.

Jean-David Levitte, Mr Sarkozy’s chief diplomatic adviser, reported the exchange in a news magazine before an EU-Russia summit today. The meeting will be chaired by the French leader and President Medvedev.

With Russian tanks only 30 miles from Tbilisi on August 12, Mr Sarkozy told Mr Putin that the world would not accept the overthrow of Georgia’s Government. According to Mr Levitte, the Russian seemed unconcerned by international reaction. “I am going to hang Saakashvili by the balls,” Mr Putin declared.

Mr Sarkozy, using the familiar tu,{French for "you"} tried to reason with him: “Yes but do you want to end up like [President] Bush?” Mr Putin was briefly lost for words, then said: “Ah — you have scored a point there.”

CLICK

P.S.- Saakashvili, president of Georgia, is still alive.

"Center-Right" -- the new lipstick.

Center-right is the new lipstick on the same pig. What we need is to put it on something new.
Essay by Bud
========




For years, we've heard the term "compassionate conservative" to describe what the Republican Party wanted to pretend it was doing.  

If the Party were really compassionate and conservative, it would not have run up the debt it has. It would not have favored those who are already favored.  It would not have followed policies which would crash the economy. 

Now, the Party which claimed to be "compassionate conservative" is saying it is "center-right." The term is on every Republican lip now, right next to the lipstick.  This is an attempt to associate all the miserable results it presided over as being the fault of someone else -- George Bush -- you know, someone who strayed, someone who goofed, someone who is not really a Republican after all. 

So, they are going to stop using the pitch of "conservative," and try "center right."

I could preach for hours about the terms "left," "right,"  and "center." I have put many students to sleep doing it. So I'll just assume the typical reader understands what the terms are supposed to mean. 

"Center-right" is the lipstick on the pig. It is a cosmetic term that will mean nothing unless the Republicans become more patriotic instead war-mongering, unless they include more people instead of trying to change everybody to suit themselves, unless they promote more sensible domestic ideas than Guns, (some-kind-a) God, and greed.

You can change the language all you like, but when you stand for what the Republicans have been standing for, and when you put forth candidates such as the Republican Party has been putting forth, and when you produce results as disastrous as the Republican Party has been producing lately, then you are not "center-right."  

Early Voters line up at polls in Rabbit Hash, Kentucky

Here's a picture I borrow from the Associated Press.  It just seemed to me destined to become a classic. 

Thursday Morning Smile-Maker (69)

"... with a ticket to my destination ... "

Recommended: Armistice picture gallery

ARMISTICE DAY was what they called
November 11
after the end of World War I. Now, in America, it's called Veteran's Day.

For a brief and fascinating experience, a slideshow, go here to see what brought this holiday into being in Britain. CLICK

HEROES: Sam Juniper and Mark Underwood

After 5 years, W.Va. man wins court fight with health insurer over $40 medical bill
By Associated Press
November 12, 2008

POINT PLEASANT, W.Va. (AP) _ A $40 medical bill might seem small but a West Virginia man says his five-year battle over paying it was a matter of principle.

Sam Juniper says his health benefits weren't supposed to change after he retired in 2000 from M&G Polymers. But he received a $40 bill in 2002 after the company's new provider, Aetna Insurance, refused to cover the cost of some blood work.

He challenged that in Mason County court in 2003 and won every decision all the way to the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, Va. The appeals court ruled in his favor on Oct. 10.

Lawyer Mark Underwood handled Juniper's case for free and says small bills like this add up over time. Juniper says he is still waiting for his $40 refund check, which he plans to frame and hang on his wall.

CLICK

Monday Friends Report, November 10, 2008

To say that most readers of BIRCHES were happy about Obama's election, is probably a gross understatement. For one thing, most of us live in Michigan where the Palin-McCain campaign chose to not come. And, we're in the worst economic crisis of any state in the country.

The COFFEE CLUB met at Red Eye in an emergency meeting to gloat about the election results and discuss it in the ground.

Winter has arrived here in mid-Michigan.
=======


BRENDA and STEVE - have moved into their house in the woods. Waking up to hear the birds and the breeze instead of the sounds of the city -traffic and commotion - is a welcome change, we've been told. They got lots of help in their move from family and from SUE, who came and worked hard all day.

Some moving pictures will be posted here on BIRCHES, soon.

FELIX - sent mail discussing vandalism in a local cemetery:

There's a little graveyard less than a mile from here. There are about a hundred bodies buried there. Some were buried in the early 1800's. Some, three, were close relatives of mine. I'll be buried with them some day. You can imagine the sadness, disappointment, anger...you can pick the emotion...I experienced the other day when my uncle and I discovered that somebody found it would be fun to knock over about 50 of the tombstones, including that of my grandfather. The salt in the wound was applied when I went back a few days later only to find another 10 or 12 knocked down. The one that really hurt me, deep inside, though, was the beautiful, little, marble marker, about 18" tall, that was pulled from the ground and smashed over another stone. The name can't be made out. But, the year of death was 1829. And, nearly 200 years later, somebody felt the need to spend one second and smash it all away.

PAM - hostessed an election watching party at her house last Tuesday, and it was an enormous success. After the results were known, guests formed a circle and prayed for Obama. She notes that the celebration in Kenya of this election result is like that held in Ireland when Kennedy was elected.

MARI - from RED EYE, one of the wonderful smiley people of the world, is turning 22 on Wednesday.

IRISH MIKE and SPARTY - and others- this is for you!


BILL from WNNCO - says he giving up watching MSNBC - too radical - and maybe less of Fox News as well. He wants less "out there" talk and more news you can use,as on CNBC.

DASHMANN - forwarded a note he got from a friend who was in Florida at election time. This is pretty shocking in theis day and age, but here is the excerpt:

We are in Cocoa Beach this week staying at one of the timeshares that we were unable to rent. One of the things that Margaret and I like to do is walk through neighborhoods where are close to.

We were walking through a middle class neighborhood when we heard a woman yelling at her 30 year old white son/husband about something while he was in the driveway. As we walked by him he looked at us and did not say anything. We were about two houses past him when he yelled, "A nigger for president?" We kept walking as we were not sure he was talking to us, then he went inside and the woman came out and yelled, "no nigger for president". Being a 58 and 56 year old white man and woman, we were confused. But then Margaret figured it out. The dimwit thought my Cleveland Indian hat was an Obama hat. I guess the red and blue hat with a circular Indian image must have confused him. Yikes!

Please pray that no matter what happens tomorrow, we can get over the type of racial hatred that we experienced today and that obviously still exists in our country.

SKUZZA and DASHMANN - are home from a trip to Indiana.

GIGI - sends a warning about the UPS delivery virus (also, sometimes FedEx) that tries to get you to respond to an e-mail claiming they were unable to deliver to your house. These companies do not send emails like this! You should never respond, and if you have any questions about any delivery, call the company!

MARSHA - is reveling in the success of South Carolina's football team which is definitely headed for a bowl this year. She also brags about celebrities who have shown up at the stadium -- like Michael Phelps, who is, ahem, more noted for his affiliation with Michigan. :) Marsha says she found the Obama speech on election night very moving, and that she had tears.

SCOT and TRASE - and others - this is for you!


PAT W - is working on a tile project for the new kitchen. Got watery-eyed about the Obama win. She never thought an election would mean this much to her.


STEVE - the great hunter has bow-and-arrowed a deer again this year. Why, the head is still lying in the back yard looking really spooky.


===
Other things:

FELIX CRITTERS:

"Sarah Palin's oratory has gifted the English language with a new
word: Palindrone. It is a noun defined as a seemingly interminable,
practically insufferable, desultory,ideological philippic laboriously
memorized and regurgitated with revolting perkiness that haphazardly
strings together a mixed-up, grammatically confusing jumble of words,
near-words, thoughts, near-thoughts, and incomplete thoughts that when
recited backward vainly spouts the same tried and tired platitudes as
when read forward: nothing."

BILL from WNNCO - sent this parody of the Wizard of Id:


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JERRY = if you grew up in the 50's or 60's or even later, you should go look at this. Really, it's wonderful:
CLICK

The Loyal Opposition (#1)

In the future, as I run across particularly graphic examples of anti-Obama or anti-Democrat displays, I will bring them to you. You can judge their credibility. Feel free to send in comments. 

Clicking on pictures usually enlarges them.



NOTE: The term "Moonbat" is a common term being used by conservatives against liberals, and since the election, especially, Obama.  

Special remembrance from ALICE

Goodbye to "Mama Africa," Miriam Makeba..

.. a great singing artist who was one of the first to bring African music to the rest of the world. She was very special activist against apartheid and other injustices in South Africa. For many years she was not allowed in her country. She was an under-publicized and under -appreciated person. I played her music in my classes each year and parents would be surprised that I knew of her.

She was cheated and robbed but shared what she had.

She died onstage in Italy, November 9.

Barney Fife Award #10, The Boulder Colorado Police Dept.

Boulder cops take naked people in hand.
After ten years, they've seen enough.

Associated Press
November 2, 2008

BOULDER, Colo. (AP) _ Boulder police have ticketed about a dozen people running naked on the street while sporting freshly gutted pumpkins on their heads as part of an annual Halloween event.

The citations for indecent exposure Friday night came as dozens of other costumed revelers, including a man with a red cape and a sword, chanted to police officers to let go of the streakers and "find real criminals."

The event known in Boulder as the Naked Pumpkin Run has been held for 10 years. This year it drew a huge crowd, prompting concern from police.

Boulder police Chief Mark Beckner says officers "wanted to do something before (the event) got out of hand."

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COMMENT: Looks like a mere slap on the, ahem, wrist??

Sanctimonious Thuggery, Redux

I love to see these stories, and always like to print them. They happen surprisingly often.

====

Police called to Christian holy site as monks brawl in ancient Jerusalem church
By MATTI FRIEDMAN | Associated Press Writer
November 9, 2008

JERUSALEM (AP) _ Israeli police rushed into one of Christianity's holiest churches Sunday and arrested two clergyman after an argument between monks erupted into a brawl next to the site of Jesus' tomb.

The clash between Armenian and Greek Orthodox monks broke out in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, revered as the site of Jesus' crucifixion, burial and resurrection.CLICK

Wacko-of-the-Week, November 8, 2008

SHAWN BRYAN -

At a rally for the opponent of Congressman John Murtha of Pennsylvania, Mr. Bryan evidently forgot himself, or perhaps he let it slip from his mind what country he has been defending, and this happened:

During the rally, Shawn Bryan, a former sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps., said Murtha visited his unit in Iraq in 2005. At the time, Murtha told the troops "what a great job we did," Bryan said, only to see him tell his district back home he no longer supported the effort.

Bryan said he didn't put his life on the line for his country "just so some fat little bastard can come back and run his mouth." CLICK

Here are the footprints in the snow from this right-wing stomp job.

1. The man Bryan was speaking on behalf of has disavowed the words.
2. The man Bryan was speaking on behalf of lost the election.
3. If Sgt. Bryan was NOT defending a country where fat bastards can run their mouths off, then he was defending the wrong country.
4. Actually, John Murtha, fat or not, a bastard or not, has this on his resume:

"...he volunteered for service in the Vietnam War, serving from 1966 to 1967, serving as a battalion staff officer (S-2 Intelligence Section), receiving the Bronze Star with Valor device, two Purple Hearts and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry. He retired from the Reserves as a colonel in 1990, receiving the Navy Distinguished Service Medal."

CLICK
====

So, it turns out --- and Bryan knew this --- Murtha was in fact putting HIS life on the life in Vietnam while Bryan was still a kid, practicing running his mouth. This is evidently a talent which has served the Sgt. well.

Sunday silly Sites

One good reason for school dress codes [YouTube] click

Loops of Zen - a cute little game. This will keep your mind off your troubles. click

Go hear a highland ditty on the small-pipes. You wouldn't want a whole 2-hour concert of this but it's impressive. click

no doubt

Seen In South Carolina ----

Here is a guy who has no problem taking a stand.
Alice, take note!

New Stock Market Terms

[Submitted by several readers]

CEO --Chief Embezzlement Officer.

CFO-- Corporate Fraud Officer.

BULL MARKET -- A random market movement causing an investor
to mistake himself for a financial genius.

BEAR MARKET -- A 6 to 18 month period when the kids get no
allowance, the wife gets no jewelry, and the husband gets no sex.

BROKER -- What my broker has made me.

STANDARD and POOR -- Your life in a nutshell.

The Environment: Weakening the Standards

The Sierra Club has made a list of 300+ "Bush Crimes Against Nature."

Go here to see the list: CLICK

You don't have to read the whole list to get the point. No group will be happier to see this government leave office than the tree-huggers, the hikers and campers, the birders, the scientists, and the conservation workers who have been ranting against the Bushies since they seized office.

Democrats Amazed at Their Success

[Thanks to PAM]

Failure to Blow Election Stuns Democrats
Party Faithful Mourn End to Losing Tradition
humor from -- Andy Borowitz
CLICK FOR MORE

Just minutes after their party's longstanding losing tradition lay in tatters on the ground, millions of shell-shocked Democrats stared at their television screens in disbelief, asking themselves what went right.

For Democrats, who have become accustomed to their party blowing an election even when it seemed like a sure thing, Tuesday night's results were a bitter pill to swallow.

Click on the catrtoon to enlarge it

See more of Pat Bagley's work: CLICK

Thursday Morning Smile-Maker (68)

College students take to streets for Obama win

Some of the college towns we have heard of where students flooded into the streets forming cheering crowds and parades after the Obama win. Know of any others? Send them along.

Ann Arbor Michigan
Burlington Vermont
Columbus Ohio
State College Pennsylvania
Greensborough North Carolina
Boston Massachusetts
College Park Maryland
Madison Wisconsin

some foreign headlines

Le Monde (France)
Obama sera-t-il à la hauteur des espoirs qu'il a suscités ?
("Can Obama live up to the hopes he inspired?")

Figaro (France)
Le monde attend d'Obama un nouveau départ
("The World Awaits Obama's new course")

Figaro (France)
L'Europe veut oublier les années Bush
("Europe Wants to Forget the Bush Years")

Der Spiegel (Germany)
Obama erweckt das neue Amerika
("Obama Awakens a New America")

Suddeutsche Zeitung (Germany)
Amerika hat sich neu erfunden
("America has discovered itself again")

La Repubblica (Italy)
OBAMA PRESIDENTE, L'AMERICA CAMBIA PELLE
"Nulla in questo Paese è impossibile"
(President Obama: America Changes its Skin
"In this country, nothing is impossible")

BBC (England)
World Leaders Hail Obama Victory

Madrid Press (Spain)
Obama hace historia al ganar las elecciones de EEUU
("Obama Makes History by Winning U.S. elections")

quoted without further comment

What if the future had spoken to you in 2001?

"I forget who originally wrote something like this (ripping off from unknown source), but it always stuck with me. Imagine it's 2001. George Bush has just been selected by the Supreme Court. You really don't like George Bush. Then some guy claiming to be from the future shows up and tells you that George Bush is going to fuck things up so badly that the next president is going to be a black Democrat named Barack Hussein Obama. You probably don't believe him."

CLICK For Eschaton

It was a long night, a stressful night, a historic night.
I think my generation is much more amazed than the younger one. The younger one had already seen the future.

Democratic weather and other thoughts

1. Here's a bit of trivia. 

Most of the country today is having what used to be known as "Democratic weather."  With good, warm weather, it's  expected that more Democrats will vote.  I guess they're easily discouraged otherwise.  

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2. Will the Republican Party (as distinguished from McCain) have any responsibility to repair the damage it is deliberately doing to race relations in  this country --- all in the interest of winning?  Or, will it be up to other forces to pick up the pieces while they go on their merry way? I have been seeing this hate ad about Obama's minister. CLICK
 Very disturbing. 

And, look at this vicious example:



3. Midmorning voting around central Michigan has ben going pretty quickly. We've heard of 10 minutes wait time, now that the morning rush is over, and it took us 21 minutes. Big cities may be another matter, however. We know the crunch will come later.

Why I Vote

Why I
Vote
A short essay
from the blogger:

I do NOT think when I go vote, that my ballot will ever decide an election. That's not why I do it, not even for township supervisor or dog catcher. I've never lived in a precinct where one vote decided any election. I've heard of such things, but I've never been there to see it. I have no pretense that my vote will every decide anything, by itself. The odds of this are way less than, say, playing the lottery or being hit by a falling piano.

I do NOT vote just so I have a right to complain. I will bitch whether I make it to the polls or not, and I'll feel I have every right to. I would not have given up my bitching rights if I were to miss election day. That would violate what we call FREEDOM OF SPEECH!!!!

I do NOT think that I should vote because otherwise democracy will disappear. Democracy has been disappearing for quite some time, especially since the last presidential election when a record number of people voted. However, I DO vote because I still live in a democracy and this is an essential ritual of democracy. It depends on people voting in order to keep the wheels turning. Not every society votes for this reason. Some vote because they want it to look like they're democratic. So, voting is not the only affirmation for a free society, but it's an essential one.

Every human enterprise has its rituals. It is the practice of such collective rites which help hold the group together and further the group's aims. Muslims bow to Mecca, Catholics eat the body of Christ, capitalists do lunch and complain about the workers, car racers rev their engines, athletes pull at their jock straps. And so, democrats go vote. In this way we feel a part of the community that binds us, not apart from it.

I also DO vote because I want to state an opinion. I want the bastards of the universe to know this is what I think, even if they don't really care. It is one of those efforts I make like singing the national anthem. At a baseball game, everyone stands, but not many sing. I do! It wouldn't make any difference if I didn't, except that I would know it and feel badly.

So, when I walk away from the polling place, I feel great! I feel like I have just sung the national anthem again.  

That's another reason I DO vote!

Bud

Note from SPARTY to all his friends ---

Vote Early and Vote Often!

Monday Friends Report (Part 2)

The weather last week was marred by sleet, but last night we had thunderstorms here in mid Michigan. Today a revival of summer, what folks often call "INDIAN SUMMER", took place, with people out working in their yards in shorts and T-shirts.

Under the BIRCHES, Halloween went off smoothly. Here we had 160 treat takers in an hour and a quarter. We're sorry if some kids came later and found us closed, but we were cleaned out of candy, with a lot of the stuff going to parents who came along with their kids, holding bags (double-dipping, I call it) or pushing little babies in strollers who could not possible eat that candy. And there were plenty of college-aged or high school kids dressed up as nothing, but with a little lipstick on their foreheads or something, trying to look bloody. We are not so concerned that lots of these were dropped off on our street by the van full, because kids are kids no matter where they come from. But this "holiday" is not the children's delight it once was, and we see a lot of parents who ought to be home handing out treats to their neighbors. Maybe we will end our participation also.

====

Here are some mile posts:

BRENDA and STEVE - the recently wed couple today signed the dotted lines for a house. In these hard times, this is an act of faith, but we wish them a ton of good luck and happiness in their own place.

SCOT and TRASE - Their dog Riley continues to repair after serious operations. He's still the lovable guy he used to be, but he has been slowed down a lot.

SKUZZA - is getting a new bathroom. It's doubtful she'll let the old man use it. He is a little messy!

ALICE - her cat ran away. She has two of them, and this was the one that really liked her --- or maybe, not so much.

IRISH MIKE - Is calling for a special coffee klatch meeting on Wednesday morning to discuss the election results and swap stories of victories and losses.

BILL from WNNCO - claims that Barack Obama will be buying breakfast for everyone from now on. The blessings of the welfare state come to the BIRCHES.
====
Some fun stuff:

From BILL:




From Jerry

Monday Friends Report (Part 1), Nov. 3, 2008

Clicking on pictures will enlarge them
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Red Jacket Ladies, Murrel's Inlet S.C.



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Deck chairs, pier and ocean at Pawley's Island


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Friends pigging down on seafood, Pawley's Island S.C.


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Newly baled cotton in the field.


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2nd Amendment "two-fer"

Gun owner defends home against trick-and-treating family on Halloween.
One kid dead, another lies bleeding on the porch.
CLICK



Police in South Carolina say a 12-year-old trick-or-treater was killed Friday when a convicted felon fearing a robbery fired nearly 30 rounds with an assault rifle from inside a house.

Sumter police Chief Patty Patterson says T.J. Darrisaw died after being shot several times. His father and nine-year-old brother were also shot, but were treated in hospital and released.

Republican Humor (64)

Thanks to JERRY for this addition to the Republican chuckle-a-thon. To understand this joke, you must remember that the typical Republican thinks only conservatives actually work for a living, and they support everyone else. That's true, isn't it?
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"On television, a Democratic operative pointed out that when Obama
holds a rally 25-30,000 people show up, whereas when McCain holds one he only draws 10-15,000. The Republican spokesman replied, 'That's because McCain's supporters are at work.' "

hey Michigan fans -- au contraire

Michigan State football fans have the bragging rights around our state lately because of their victory over Michigan.

For those of us who are Michigan fans, it is a very hard year and we're disappointed. This week's loss to Purdue was just another blow to our 'arrogant ass' image that we have cherished for so long. Despite these losses, we're not really too upset now. Here is an excellent depiction of what we're feeling these days.

Click on the cartoon to enlarge it.

ARLO AND JANIS by Jimmy Johnson, CLICK FOR MORE

budgeting for the Depression

SARAH and JOE - appear together, each in their finest new togs, bought off the rack at Penney's. Yeah, you betcha.

Sunday silly Sites

Here is a map of the US showing which newspapers have endorsed whom. It's not known if any newspaper endorsement has ever done any good, but they like to tell you anyhow. :) CLICK

BarackPumpkins. CLICK

.. looking for a scandalous label ...

There are an estimated 20 million people living illegally in the United States. Many of them simply sneaked into the country and stayed. The woman shown above, allegedly, is here past her visa. Why does she get so much attention? She entered the country legally, applied for permanent residence, was denied, but stayed anyway. CLICK FOR STORY

Well, she's Obama's aunt.

Spread the story! Horror of horror. This is another indication of .... umm, let's see? Socialism? Terrorism? Radical Islamism? Well, somehow, it must be some reflection on Obama. Can someone explain how?

Wacko-of-the-Week, November 1, 2008

JOAN BROE,
Principal,
West Brook Middle School
Paramus, NJ -
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The school can boast of high scores in every category of testing in the New Jersey System. CLICK FOR RESULTS And principals can rightfully take some credit for the good performance of the kids, although the role of good teachers and parents is even more important!

But, as with many principals, this one can't make the subtle distinctions about religion in schools. We all know that the support of religion by the public schools is unlawful. But when a kid shows up on Halloween dressed as Jesus, when other kids are also in costumes, you don't send him home for being disruptive. Let's assume that the school day was already disrupted by the costumes everyone was wearing. Broe did find it disruptive, however, and she maintains she made no mistake.

Kim Wolinski, the "messiah's" mother, disagrees. "I think the whole freedom of speech and expression has definitely had a damper put on it ,,,"

Shame on you, principal: you let Halloween drive you wacky. But at the same time, congratulations on winning this prestigious award.
CLICK FOR STORY