chuck kottke

Yea, I second that motion!! Maya, you've got talent, just need some time, and a boost or something!:) Give that Chis fellow a call, and maybe they can give it a listen..

Hello Julie from Denmark!:) :jester: It's bananas, but you might find it amusing here! Just remember, that where-ever you go, there you are!:laugh3::hat:

Worrying about madmen pulling on Obama's ear:anxious::uhoh2: I know - don't panic! Yea, look what happens when we don't!!

Well, I have my concerns. We all think we can resist the Dark Side, but even I had succumbed once to their pull - they're masters at sounding like experts, pulling people in.. despite their major screw-ups. A broader election strategy - well, let's hope it's not a permanent pattern! Personally, I think most Americans outside the beltway are wanting a more careful foreign policy approach, and moving toward the right might backfire, even if it's mostly for show. Still, what I have read suggests that his actual policy may be more to the right, whereas what he puts out in debates and at meetings is tailored to look less aggressive. Yes, McCain is even further into the military interventionist approach without a doubt! ..If it takes 10,000 years in Iraq, here we go!!:laugh3: Certainly not my choice, but I wouldn't want to see another Vietnam-type of attitude, where every successive President promised us they would get us out of there, and then they never would once in office, so as to save face on their watch. I am not a proponent of appeasement, but caution and diplomacy usually make sense. Scarlet Johanson:gorgeous:?? who is that you say, eh?? Hmm..! Well, I suppose another route might be to go through some world-famous, top-of-the-charts, platinum-record-winning group of some sort to get the message across?? Whaddayathink?:laugh3: Hey, Chris Martin, please ring Obama on the telle for the sake of world peace, and ask him to change course on foreign policy!! Please, before it's too late!!:)

OOoh, that's not good! That's not like him, usually.:confused: How could he have done that!:( He was one of the few who fought like the devil to prevent a lot of the snooping and illegal taps from going on in the first place! Hmm.. I had better contact his office, and give him an earful! Yes, so like MacBeth, they all eventually succumb to the group-think; worse than the invasion of the bodysnatchers..:confused: I'm still baffled that he would have fallen prey to the snare of the beltline.. too many martinis maybe? Hmph! Now there is no doubt a grassroots reform movement is needed to turn things around!

Oh Hi Carolyn!:) I've met him a few times, and did chat with him on matters of campaign finance reform (naturally). He did read a letter of mine once on the floor of the Senate, and it showed up on the nightly news (yikes!):stunned::). And I've helped out his campaign by walking precincts, so I know some of his staff well enough. Maybe a long shot, but they do read letters on occasion, especially if they're hand-written (sounds backwards, doesn't it!:laugh3:). I guess they figure if you actually take the time to write, it's real then, and is somehow weighted more. A lot of the letters do get the form responses, but sometimes I get through. Anyhow, your suggestions?:)

:laugh3:Well, we're afraid to say what we're thinking because we're sensitive! (and that just wouldn't look Manly..) Plus, there's a fear of being hurt when you let your guard down.. We're not all the same, but most guys are afraid to show their feeling because of that. We are what we are - our job is to hunt, make shelters, wrestle wild boars, and build things..(a generality of course, but it's our specialty). - we've got more muscle, less endurance, and our brains are hard-wired differently from women. It's just natural - that's all! But yea, women are confusing!;) They're all into this socializing stuff, and relationships and everything like that.:P (which I finally understand, actually.) Plus, gals are busy making the nest comfortable, and we're working on the outside of the nest, so it's just the way things are.. Most guys don't play house when they're kids; they're busy building with blocks, or flying airplanes, or making things, etc. Gals have the social scene all figured out, and we're on another wavelength.. so, we're a bit clumsy at socializing in general.. Since humans are so successful that predators are no longer a problem, we're into Plumage :cool: . Men try to look strong, virile, and athletic; smart in constructive ways, and socialize in the contact-sport way. Women try to look umm.. curvy:wink3:, strong, fun, happy, and socialize in more intelligent ways. But these are generalities at best, and perhaps strongly influenced by patterning at an early age. All I can say is, "it varies"! Probably the truth is that we're really all a lot closer to love birds, than to wild jungle fowl. It's just the wavelengths of thought we're on are sometimes a ways apart, so you need to understand to use a gentle brush when trying to get our attention..

Ahem.. I've been reading lately that Barack Obama is leaning towards a more interventionist US foreign policy, in part due to influences by hawkish types, including Madeline Albright, William Perry, and Sam Nunn. My personal bend is to be extremely cautious about the use of force, and allow the citizens of each nation to work out their own problems without such severe intrusions, as they almost always backfire (unless it is to prevent a genocide, and there is an international consensus with clear objectives and a sound plan of action), and it goes against the concept of Self-Determination of Nations. So, I will attempt reaching him with a well-written letter, which has a slim, but possible chance of reaching him (& I'll try sending it through Feingold, if that gives it any more weight). What I am asking for is your suggestions; especially if you live outside the US - because the ultimate effect of our foreign policy might cause more problems in your corner of the globe than mine!:stunned:;)

^^ Hey you there! Rick! Wake up!!:rolleyes::laugh3: Alright, seeing as the US is quite powerful militarily, and that entails some unfortunate tendencies at times, I am writing a letter to Barack Obama on foreign policy rel. to military intervention..

Hey, thanks! Gosh, I'm falling asleep here :sleeping2: Catchyalater!;)

the bean trade Are those Fair-trade jelly beans??:P

Time to retreat to the cellar/cavern?;)

What Green means Hmm.. From what I understand, most scientists working on climate science consider it highly likely that mankind has affected global temperatures; and not just recently (like in the past 100 years), but for thousands of years, due to burning lands for grazing and clearing forests for planting crops. I do agree on the dangers we face from pollutants in the environment, and yes, those are major concerns of mine as well! Which is why I am proposing a Green Economy! Towards a Green, Healthy Economy: Common elements & efficiency are key. ... Which doesn't mean to eliminate the use of certain plastics, metals, etc., but does mean minimizing their use if they embody serious risks. Replacement materials should have safe decomposition properties, and vastly greater safety in their manufacture and use. Some specifics: >replacing polystyrene foam products with, for example, foamed polymerized lignin for use in insulation board, cups, etc. > using aluminum wire to replace copper in most applications, with the best connectors science has to offer >minimizing the uses of gold, relying more on heavy plating and coating for jewelery than solid gold, thereby reducing the impact of gold mining to a manageable level. Safest practices only. >Improving human health by preventive measures as a first order of business, including more organic foods (because they reduce pesticide risks, and have better active vitamin contents, etc.), access to trails and sidewalks where ever possible, and more positive outlets for activities to strengthen people's lives; plus reduced stress on the working classes to reduce stress-induced illnesses.

And so what does Martin say 24 seconds into the song?:)

:laugh3:Love your location!:cool: Piano players rule!:bandana: When they transition to that tango, it reminded me a bit of Wings & McCartney - Band on the Run?

:idea2::elf: Yea, it's mother nature's payback for January here, when it's -40! ^^ Just peek out over the hedges!:sunny::curtain:

GoldRedBlueRed:confused:? Same as my piano repair felts..! How??:thinking: Well, anyhow, they really know how to tap into how we're all feeling, and form a common bond.

That's the best forecast Rachel!:rolleyes: Here it's pleasant @68F, no wind, sunset looking beautiful in the west, birds singing softly, and some beautiful backlit clouds off to the southwest..

*8:11* And going upstairs to fry some potatoes and egg.

Well, yes, it's a sad day for our Constitution, and our cherished rights as citizens. Money talks, and the Dem's take their share of it from the telecom industries, as well as caving to re-election pressures, when in reality, taking a stand for the rights of man would boost their ability to get votes in the long run. Russ Feingold wouldn't stand for it, so they're not all washed up just yet.

Well enjoy! Picturesque mountains, from what I've seen on TV..:sunny:

I hear John Lennon's piano riff's in 42.. from Imagine. I'll be the ghost in time, for the web catches all drifting bits in it's sticky lines

42 is the location of Stavromula Beta.:)

Packing? In a moving mode?

Aha, I thought I saw the German word for potatoes stuffed in there somewhere! Hmm.. that's an interesting way to serve it - scrambled with potatoes is very good too.. I'll have to try making it that way! DSL - yes, for those of us in the rural regions, DSL is a godsend! (I was using dial-up, and while I'm patient, most of my friends just couldn't get over how s-s-l-o-w it was.. back in the old day, though, dial-up at 1300 baud was considered lightning fast! How times have changed.. Remember those days? You could actually listen to the input, and hear the individual bits coming in:laugh3:..) Keep enjoying life in Germany, and nice to chat with you mc^2.;)