And we thought Democrats could spend
Last night the Republican controlled Congress approved passage of the debt ceiling increase. The government's borrowing limit has climbed by $2.23 trillion since President Bush took office with Republicans in control of Congress: by $450 billion in 2002, by a record $984 billion in 2003 and by $800 billion this year. The increase in the debt ceiling alone over the past three years is nearly 2 1/2 times the entire federal debt accumulated between 1776 and 1980.
A recession, a sluggish economy and five tax cuts in four years -- coupled with spending on wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and rising domestic spending -- have turned record surpluses that Bush inherited into a record deficit of $413 billion in the past fiscal year.
#238 (04-87)
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Tuesday, November 16
Hazardous to your health
Deep frying a Thanksgiving turkey can be hazardous; last year 15 people burned their houses down and hundreds wound up in hospital emergency rooms. Time to buy that canned ham.
#237 (04-86)
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Deep frying a Thanksgiving turkey can be hazardous; last year 15 people burned their houses down and hundreds wound up in hospital emergency rooms. Time to buy that canned ham.
#237 (04-86)
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Bond. James Bond
Super-spy James Bond is born today in 1924. After a rebellious school career, the half-Swiss/half Scots Bond attends Cambridge University before joining the Royal Navy and latterly, the British Secret Service. Although now aged 80, the unstoppable Bond shows no sign of slowing down due to his ability to magically transfer himself into the bodies of various younger men such as Sean Connery, Roger Moore or Pierce Brosnan.
#236 (04-85)
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Super-spy James Bond is born today in 1924. After a rebellious school career, the half-Swiss/half Scots Bond attends Cambridge University before joining the Royal Navy and latterly, the British Secret Service. Although now aged 80, the unstoppable Bond shows no sign of slowing down due to his ability to magically transfer himself into the bodies of various younger men such as Sean Connery, Roger Moore or Pierce Brosnan.
#236 (04-85)
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Tuesday, November 9
Shooting in the night
The shooting on Election Eve into a front room window in my house was - I believe - a politically motivated hate crime. For details click on COLUMNS in the header.
#235 (04-84)
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The shooting on Election Eve into a front room window in my house was - I believe - a politically motivated hate crime. For details click on COLUMNS in the header.
#235 (04-84)
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Friday, November 5
Comment on Ordained Ministers
From a lady in Goose Creek, SC: "I firmly agree. Also, do not think churches should have political meetings. The church is there for teachings of Christ - and nothing else. If they so choose, then they should be taxed as any other operating business with a political agenda”.
From an Ordained Minister in England: “From a British perspective ....... we would always say that no minister who took seriously the claims of the Kingdom of God would ever entertain being involved in party politics ...... ‘Social action against injustice’, Yes, but party politics...never. There is no such animal as an altruistic politician. Every Blessing”
From a man in Arlington, VA: “Well said. One of my neighbors worked on his staff at the Senate. He thinks Danforth is great. But what does he know. He voted ‘against’ Bush. I tend to agree with you.”
From an Ordained Minister in SC who added: “Me either” to this unsourced quote - “…the thought does not endear me to the idea of an ordained minister serving in high office in the National government.”
From a lady in Hanahan, SC: “I agree,” (with your thoughts).
#234 (04-83)
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From a lady in Goose Creek, SC: "I firmly agree. Also, do not think churches should have political meetings. The church is there for teachings of Christ - and nothing else. If they so choose, then they should be taxed as any other operating business with a political agenda”.
From an Ordained Minister in England: “From a British perspective ....... we would always say that no minister who took seriously the claims of the Kingdom of God would ever entertain being involved in party politics ...... ‘Social action against injustice’, Yes, but party politics...never. There is no such animal as an altruistic politician. Every Blessing”
From a man in Arlington, VA: “Well said. One of my neighbors worked on his staff at the Senate. He thinks Danforth is great. But what does he know. He voted ‘against’ Bush. I tend to agree with you.”
From an Ordained Minister in SC who added: “Me either” to this unsourced quote - “…the thought does not endear me to the idea of an ordained minister serving in high office in the National government.”
From a lady in Hanahan, SC: “I agree,” (with your thoughts).
#234 (04-83)
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Ordained Ministers
There may be some others, but when I think of "ordained ministers in government, " Cardinal Richelieu (who raised taxes on those who could least afford it and antagonized just about everyone in France is his day)
http://www.nationmaster.com/encyclopedia/Cardinal-Richelieu comes to mind and the thought does not endear me to the idea of an ordained minister serving in high office in the National government. All of this is fueled by speculation in the news today in Washington that John Danforth, a former Senator, currently US Ambassador to the United Nations and an ordained minister may be in line to succeed Colin Powell as Secretary of State. Mr. Danforth may be a nice gentleman but President Bush ought to respect the historic line between National government and religion.
#233 (04-82)
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There may be some others, but when I think of "ordained ministers in government, " Cardinal Richelieu (who raised taxes on those who could least afford it and antagonized just about everyone in France is his day)
http://www.nationmaster.com/encyclopedia/Cardinal-Richelieu comes to mind and the thought does not endear me to the idea of an ordained minister serving in high office in the National government. All of this is fueled by speculation in the news today in Washington that John Danforth, a former Senator, currently US Ambassador to the United Nations and an ordained minister may be in line to succeed Colin Powell as Secretary of State. Mr. Danforth may be a nice gentleman but President Bush ought to respect the historic line between National government and religion.
#233 (04-82)
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Wednesday, October 27
Red Sox Win...Red Sox Win
The Boston Red Sox are again World Champions, the win coming in St. Louis against the Cardinals, a great baseball team, 3-0, and comes after only 31,458 days since the last time.
#232 (04-81)
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The Boston Red Sox are again World Champions, the win coming in St. Louis against the Cardinals, a great baseball team, 3-0, and comes after only 31,458 days since the last time.
#232 (04-81)
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Tuesday, October 26
Red Sox Win Game Three
Backed with some good fielding and hitting, Pedro Martinez shut down the Cardinals and pitched the Sox into a 3-0 lead in the World Series. This is the beginning of the end of "The curse of the Bambino."
#231 (04-80)
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Backed with some good fielding and hitting, Pedro Martinez shut down the Cardinals and pitched the Sox into a 3-0 lead in the World Series. This is the beginning of the end of "The curse of the Bambino."
#231 (04-80)
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Sunday, October 24
Red Sox Win Game Two
Despite another night with four miserable defensive errors, the Red Sox won game two and now lead the World Series two games to none. They are going to end "The curse of the Bambino."
#230 (04-79)
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Despite another night with four miserable defensive errors, the Red Sox won game two and now lead the World Series two games to none. They are going to end "The curse of the Bambino."
#230 (04-79)
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Red Sox Win Game One
Despite some pitiful defense, the Red Sox offense has them up in the first game of the series that will end forever "The curse of the Bambino." Remember you read it here.
#229 (04-78)
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Despite some pitiful defense, the Red Sox offense has them up in the first game of the series that will end forever "The curse of the Bambino." Remember you read it here.
#229 (04-78)
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Thursday, October 21
Red Sox Win 7th Game and ALCS
"Other sports dream of a great rivalry like this. Now there is a new twist to the old story. The Red Sox have staged the greatest comeback in the history of postseason baseball.
"For the tormented region called Red Sox Nation, what makes this feat roughly 10 times sweeter is that they did it to the Yankees. They did it to their rivals."
(George Vecsey, The New York Times, 10/21/2004)
#228 (04-77)
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"Other sports dream of a great rivalry like this. Now there is a new twist to the old story. The Red Sox have staged the greatest comeback in the history of postseason baseball.
"For the tormented region called Red Sox Nation, what makes this feat roughly 10 times sweeter is that they did it to the Yankees. They did it to their rivals."
(George Vecsey, The New York Times, 10/21/2004)
#228 (04-77)
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Wednesday, October 20
"A dead chicken"
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(Letter to the editor, The Chicago Tribune, by Stuart Shea, published October 20, 2004)
"Why even bother trying to explain your endorsement of President Bush? The Tribune would endorse a dead chicken for president if it were running Republican."
#227 (04-76)
"Why even bother trying to explain your endorsement of President Bush? The Tribune would endorse a dead chicken for president if it were running Republican."
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Red Sox victory must be noted
The Red Sox victory over the Yankees last night in game six of the ALCS is a baseball milestone. No team in history ever come back from three games down in a seven game series to force the seventh game. It is a remarkable baseball event and must be noted here. A win tonight will be - for me - almost as good as winning the Powerball lottery.
#226 (04-75)
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The Red Sox victory over the Yankees last night in game six of the ALCS is a baseball milestone. No team in history ever come back from three games down in a seven game series to force the seventh game. It is a remarkable baseball event and must be noted here. A win tonight will be - for me - almost as good as winning the Powerball lottery.
#226 (04-75)
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Tuesday, October 19
Endorsement
The New York Times (Kerry) and The Chicago Tribune (Bush) have each endorsed a candidate for president, so it is time for me to chime in. For me it is an easy choice. I believe as Senator John Kerry does that: America is strongest when we seek out and work with allies around the world; the country was rushed to war in Iraq and had no plan (and has none) to secure the peace; parts of the Patriot Act diminsh our personal freedom and rights; Social Security ought not to be privatized and trimming the deficit is an absolute must. Also, Senator Kerry went back for and saved Jim Rassman's life in Vietnam, honoring the principle set by General Sherman who once wrote to General Grant that if he were in trouble on the battlefield he was confident Grant would come for him. This kind of courage goes a long way with me. I urge a vote for Senator Kerry on November 2.
#225 (04-74)
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The New York Times (Kerry) and The Chicago Tribune (Bush) have each endorsed a candidate for president, so it is time for me to chime in. For me it is an easy choice. I believe as Senator John Kerry does that: America is strongest when we seek out and work with allies around the world; the country was rushed to war in Iraq and had no plan (and has none) to secure the peace; parts of the Patriot Act diminsh our personal freedom and rights; Social Security ought not to be privatized and trimming the deficit is an absolute must. Also, Senator Kerry went back for and saved Jim Rassman's life in Vietnam, honoring the principle set by General Sherman who once wrote to General Grant that if he were in trouble on the battlefield he was confident Grant would come for him. This kind of courage goes a long way with me. I urge a vote for Senator Kerry on November 2.
#225 (04-74)
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Monday, October 18
Watch Charleston's Newest Bridge Grow
Curtesy of C. Frank Starmer at Medical University in Charleston, you can click on this link: http://monitor.admin.musc.edu/~cfs/bridge/ and watch the growth of Charleston's latest bridge spanning the Cooper River. A truly magnificent series of pictures which hopefully will continue until the bridge is built.
#224 (04-73)
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Curtesy of C. Frank Starmer at Medical University in Charleston, you can click on this link: http://monitor.admin.musc.edu/~cfs/bridge/ and watch the growth of Charleston's latest bridge spanning the Cooper River. A truly magnificent series of pictures which hopefully will continue until the bridge is built.
#224 (04-73)
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Friday, October 15
Google Scores Again
Today Google released its Desktop Search Engine. I have downloaded, installed and used it already. It is a remarkable (and free) product that will index the e-mail and files on your personal computer and permits you to search for anything you need. I found it to be a carbon copy of the wider known Google search program that does for your personal data what Google does for the rest of the cyberspace universe. You can get the program at www.desktop.google.com . Compared to another program I have been using, Google is light years ahead. PCWorld magazine came today and has an article on desktop search engines but does not mention this Google product. Try this before spending money.
#223 (04-72)
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Today Google released its Desktop Search Engine. I have downloaded, installed and used it already. It is a remarkable (and free) product that will index the e-mail and files on your personal computer and permits you to search for anything you need. I found it to be a carbon copy of the wider known Google search program that does for your personal data what Google does for the rest of the cyberspace universe. You can get the program at www.desktop.google.com . Compared to another program I have been using, Google is light years ahead. PCWorld magazine came today and has an article on desktop search engines but does not mention this Google product. Try this before spending money.
#223 (04-72)
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Thursday, October 7
Comments on the last two comments...
You are absolutely right on both. (A lady in S.C.)
Thank you for the note...you'll forgive me my impertinence by respectfully disagreeing, however. After all, but for "foreign born" still being Constitutionally barred from running for president...just think, the genius of the administration of that greatest of presidents, Richard M. Nixon (my hero)...the legendary Dr. Henry Alfred Kissinger, could one day finally get his due and finally be addressed as, "Mr. President", instead of "Your Exalted Excellency"!!! (A man in Maryland/Virginia area.)
Well, I disagree on this one -- our parents weren't born here. And I remember thinking Henry Kissinger would have made a good president, if only he could have run. But I do agree about the shopping carts! (A lady in S.C.)
#222 (04-71)
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You are absolutely right on both. (A lady in S.C.)
Thank you for the note...you'll forgive me my impertinence by respectfully disagreeing, however. After all, but for "foreign born" still being Constitutionally barred from running for president...just think, the genius of the administration of that greatest of presidents, Richard M. Nixon (my hero)...the legendary Dr. Henry Alfred Kissinger, could one day finally get his due and finally be addressed as, "Mr. President", instead of "Your Exalted Excellency"!!! (A man in Maryland/Virginia area.)
Well, I disagree on this one -- our parents weren't born here. And I remember thinking Henry Kissinger would have made a good president, if only he could have run. But I do agree about the shopping carts! (A lady in S.C.)
#222 (04-71)
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Wednesday, October 6
Be born here...
If you want to be President you ought to have been born here. The current hearings in the U.S. Senate on legislation to amend the Constitution to make foreign born citizens eligible for the highest office in the land ought to go for naught. Save something for the native born.
#221 (04-70)
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If you want to be President you ought to have been born here. The current hearings in the U.S. Senate on legislation to amend the Constitution to make foreign born citizens eligible for the highest office in the land ought to go for naught. Save something for the native born.
#221 (04-70)
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Monday, October 4
Want to be....
A good Christian, Muslim or Jew? Put the damn shopping carts back in the corral in the parking lot instead of leaving them sitting around blocking parking spaces and or potentially damaging arriving autos.
#220 (04-69)
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A good Christian, Muslim or Jew? Put the damn shopping carts back in the corral in the parking lot instead of leaving them sitting around blocking parking spaces and or potentially damaging arriving autos.
#220 (04-69)
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Saturday, October 2
Archibald, Gandhi and Graham Greene
We share the same birthday, October 2. I am pleased as punch to be here and hope to stay for a long time.
#219 (04-68)
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We share the same birthday, October 2. I am pleased as punch to be here and hope to stay for a long time.
#219 (04-68)
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