TampaYankee

I agree with KYTOP... I remain unconvinced that there is really any news here. People vote their pocket books, even gay people. Man lives by bread alone, when there is no bread. When you have no job other issues become secondary. Also, I suspect more people are willing to admit to their status these days than in the past, even 2006. Attitudes are changing fast and that means in accepting gays in the public place: city all, TV, Congress, relatives, sons, daughters etc. There is a ways to go but more comfort exists for gays and for people around them. Like KYTOP, I used to vote the man, not the party. I respect is view and I once thought it was best government and practice to send the best people, even with differing principles to govern in a rational process of give and take that constitutes compromise. However, after watching the GOP put party above country in the 2008 election with Palin and since then by obstructing at EVERY turn, I have no desire to lend support to their selfish and dangerous approach to governing the country. When the Dems sieze the minority they may choose to do the same. If they do they won't enjoy my support either. I haven't seen them engage as an institution in such wholesale abandonment of sound government practice yet, just the usual fringe crazies on that edge and some threatened obsrtuctionism of SCOTUS comfirmations. There was a time when elections and campaigns ended after the votes were counted and the two parties worked together the best they could within their principles to hammer out compromise in proportion to their voting numbers. That is why we have elections, to fine tune those numbers and change the lead party as the times call for. Not to have one party obstruct the governing process. If both parties do this the country will fail as it would have had TARP not passed with significant bipartisan support. Not much has happened by way of cooperation since then, with the GOP even failing to support their own initiatives if the other side signed on to it. The GOP has lost my vote by their irresponsible party-over-country actions not to mention the deliberate never ending mendacity that sacrifices truth for political gain. Both sides do it but IMO the GOP has been much more egregious liars in the last few years. The GOP may regain my vote in the future if they shed their liars and political opportunism and enthusiastic embrace of the right wing wackos but I don't expect that anytime soon or maybe in my lifetime.

I hope it has weathered time and the elements better than his face.

I treat new car models and new plane models the same way. I wait for a track record to be establish before buying in. I leave it to others to beta test those items. I never have been one that needed to own or try the newest item available.

Not too impressed with that bit of propaganda. Not that I disbelieve that China may not overtake us by then, but the reasons why. Yeah, they own are debt and that was a bad choice, but we also gave them our jobs and our manufacturing base, and finally our high tech advantage. They gave us cheap clothes, lead painted toys and tainted pet food. And on top of that we sold our assets piece by piece. Where else can they put their cheap dollars?

Qantas jumbo makes emergency landing in Singapore By JULIA ZAPPEI SINGAPORE – Qantas grounded its Airbus A380 fleet after one of the superjumbo jets blew out an engine Thursday, shooting flames and raining large metal chunks before making a safe emergency landing in Singapore with 459 people aboard. It was most serious midair incident involving the double-decker A380, the world's largest and latest airliner, since it debuted in October 2007 with Singapore Airlines flying it to Sydney — the same route that Qantas flight QF34 was flying when it was stricken. Qantas said there had been no explosion, but witnesses aboard the plane and on the ground reported blasts. Officials in Indonesia said the engine trouble could not have been related to recent volcanic eruptions of Mount Merapi, some 800 miles (1,300 kilometers) to the east. After the plane touched down in Singapore, the engine closest to the fuselage on the left wing had visible burn marks and was missing a plate section that would have been painted with the red kangaroo logo of the airline. The upper part of the left wing also appeared damaged, indicating that one or more pieces from the engine gouged a hole in the wing. Passenger amateur video from inside the plane showed white vapor coming out of the wing as the A380 landed. One passenger, Rosemary Hegardy, 60, of Sydney, told The Associated Press that she heard two bangs and saw yellow flames from her window shortly after takeoff. "There was flames — yellow flames came out, and debris came off. ... You could see black things shooting through the smoke, like bits of debris," she said. Although it was nearly 90 minutes from the time of the explosion to the plane landing, there was no panic inside the aircraft, she said. The captain addressed the passengers immediately by saying "'I'm sure you realize there's a problem. We have to find out what the problem is,'" she said. Shortly after that, the captain explained that an engine had failed and needed to dump fuel before landing. "The crew were fantastic, really — I am so amazed that everyone stayed calm," she said. "We were all sort of really shaken up, but what could you do?" In another seat, Tyler Wooster watched as part of the skin of the wing peeled off, exposing foam and broken wires. "My whole body just went to jelly and I didn't know what was going to happen as we were going down, if we were going to be OK," Wooster told Australia's Nine Network news. Residents on the western Indonesian island of Batam, near Singapore, helped authorities pick up more than 100 pieces of debris scattered in 15 locations in Batam. The pieces, mostly small, torn metal but some the size of doors, were brought to police headquarters for the investigation. The trouble with one of the plane's four engines happened 15 minutes after takeoff from Singapore at 9:56 a.m. The plane landed after one hour and 50 minutes. "The shutdown of the Qantas engine had no connection with Mount Merapi," said Bambang Ervan, a spokesman for Indonesia's Transportation Ministry. "It was too far from the volcano — the sky over Singapore and Sumatra island is free of dust." The flight is a regular service that flies between Sydney, Singapore and London. Qantas' A380s can carry up to 525 people, but flight QF34 was carrying 433 passengers and 26 crew, all of whom were evacuated by a stepladder in an operation that lasted two hours. Qantas spokeswoman Emma Kearns in Sydney said there were no injuries or an explosion on board. The airline described the problem as an "engine issue" without elaborating. "We will suspend those A380 services until we are completely confident that Qantas safety requirements have been met," Qantas CEO Alan Joyce told a news conference. Joyce appeared to blame the engine, made by Rolls-Royce. "This issue, an engine failure, has been one that we haven't seen before. So we are obviously taking it very seriously, because it is a significant engine failure," he said. Singapore Airlines later said in a statement it would be "delaying all flights operating our A380 aircraft" after Rolls-Royce and Airbus advised it to conduct precautionary technical checks. Germany's Lufthansa, which operates three A380s, said that it would keep its A380 that was scheduled to depart Frankfurt for Johannesburg on Thursday grounded to carry out checks on its motor, as recommended by Rolls-Royce. But spokesman Boris Ogursky said Lufthansa plans to fly as scheduled with its A380 from Frankfurt to Tokyo on Friday. Experts said the problem appeared to be an "uncontained engine failure," which occurs when turbine debris punctures the engine casing and the light cowling that covers the unit. Aviation expert Tom Ballantyne told the AP that Thursday's troubles were "certainly the most serious incident that the A380 has experienced since it entered operations." But "it's not like the aircraft is going to drop out of the sky," Ballantyne, Sydney-based chief correspondent at Orient Aviation Magazine, said by telephone from Brunei. He said the engine shutdown couldn't have caused a crash. The planes are designed to fly on just two engines, and the pilots are trained to handle engine failures, he said. Rolls-Royce said it was aware of the situation, noting that the investigation was still at an early stage. Its shares fell 5 percent on the London Stock Exchange. Airbus said in a statement that it was providing all necessary technical assistance to the investigation and a team of specialists from Airbus was being dispatched to Singapore. Martin Fendt, a spokesman for the consortium, declined to comment on Qantas' grounding of all its A380s, but he said no airworthiness directives have been issued mandating a halt to flights by the superjumbo. Still, the incident is likely to raise safety questions about one of the most modern aircraft, which has suffered a series of minor incidents. In September 2009, a Singapore Airlines A380 was forced to turn around in mid-flight and head back to Paris after an engine malfunction. On March 31, a Qantas A380 with 244 people on board burst two tires on landing in Sydney after a flight from Singapore. Last August, a Lufthansa crew shut down one of the engines as a precaution before landing at Frankfurt on a flight from Japan, after receiving confusing information on a cockpit indicator. The other issues with the A380s have all been relatively minor, such as electrical problems, Ballantyne said. Qantas' safety record is enviable among major airlines, with no fatal crashes since it introduced jet-powered planes in the late 1950s. But there have been a run of scares in recent years across a range of plane types. The most serious — when a faulty oxygen tank caused an explosion that blew a 5-foot hole in the fuselage of a Boeing 747-400 over the Philippines — prompted aviation officials to order Qantas to upgrade maintenance procedures. Airbus has delivered a total of 37 A380s so far. Thirteen are in service with Emirates, 11 with Singapore Airlines, six with Qantas, four with Air France and three with Lufthansa. Emirates airlines, which has 13 A380s in operation, said all of them are flying as scheduled. It noted that its planes are powered by Engine Alliance GP7200 engines. Thursday's incident appeared unrelated to mail bombs sent recently on cargo planes, allegedly from Yemeni militants. ___ Associated Press writers Kristen Gelineau and Rohan D. Sullivan in Sydney, Robin McDowell in Jakarta, Angela Doland in Paris and AP Aviation Writer Slobodan Lekic in Brussels contributed to this report. See original article at:http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/as_singapore_qantas_emergency;_ylt=Ahe5iIX7SEgqvVl0FJKU61Bv24cA;_ylu=X3oDMTM1ZmkzY2FuBGFzc2V0Ay9zL2FwL2FzX3NpbmdhcG9yZV9xYW50YXNfZW1lcmdlbmN5BGNjb2RlA2dtcGUEY3BvcwMzBHBvcwMzBHNlYwN5bl90b3Bfc3RvcmllcwRzbGsDcWFudGFzanVtYm9t

Another example of why judges need to be appointed for life or at least very long nonrepeating terms.

Iowa Judges Sacked Over Gay Marriage Ruling | 11/ 3/10 03:22 AM | AP DES MOINES, Iowa — Iowa voters have voted to remove three state Supreme Court justices, siding with conservatives angered by a ruling that allowed gay marriage. The vote Tuesday was the first time Iowa voters have removed a Supreme Court justice since the current system began in 1962. The three who weren't retained were Chief Justice Marsha Ternus and justices David Baker and Michael Streit. They were the only justices up for retention this year. They were on the court of seven justices who unanimously decided last year that an Iowa law restricting marriage to one man and one woman violated the state's constitution. Gay marriage opponents spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on the campaign. A group of former governors, lawyers and judges said the justices' removal would threaten Iowa's independent judiciary. See original article at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/11/03/iowa-judges-gay-marriage_n_778100.html

I think we must tune in to different Congresses. The House Bill was waiting on the Senate for months. The delay was all Baucus' aided and abetted by Obama. Remember the Gang of Six?, then waiting for Olympia Snowe? The train came off the rails when the Senate bill was allowed to slip past the August recess. Not only were the delays almost never ending. It permitted the process to become corrupted publicly at the town hall meeting and with all of the back room deals and shenanigans with Ben Nelson and Lieberman. This gave the product, the process and thus the Dem Congress a real black eye with the public, and with me too.

What I want to know is: why isn't WF being prosecuted for grand theft-auto?? Oh wait, money talks!! It's called instituional corruption, which permeats the establishment.

????????????? <scratching my head> Love her or hate her... she delivered in spades. Just look at all the House passed legislation the Senate left on the floor including Cap & Trade.

David Cicilline, 4th Openly Gay Member Of Congress, Elected In Rhode Island MICHELLE R. SMITH | 11/ 3/10 03:01 AM | AP PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Rhode Island Democrat David Cicilline (sis-uh-LEE'-nee) has become the fourth openly gay member of Congress, winning the House seat vacated by retiring Rep. Patrick Kennedy. The 49-year-old Providence mayor beat Republican state Rep. John Loughlin (LOF'-lin) on Tuesday in the race for the 1st District seat Kennedy had held for eight terms. Kennedy announced his retirement this year a few months after the death of his father, Massachusetts' U.S. Sen. Edward Kennedy. Cicilline says voters are tired of partisanship and he hopes to "find common ground" with Republicans in Washington. He says it's good for America to have another diverse voice to help break down the walls of discrimination. Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund president Chuck Wolfe says his group is proud of Cicilline and grateful to voters. The Fund is a national organization dedicated to electing more gay officials. See original article at:http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/11/03/david-cicilline-4th-openl_n_778092.html

Coulda been worse. I almost wish the GOP had taken both Houses of Congress. It would be interesting and revealing to the public for them to have the full unfettered reigns in these times. The first issue they have to confront that will disappoint their base will be extension of the Debt Ceiling. Next will be their plan to cut spending in black and and white, not just in platitudes. Of course a government shutdown is a real possibility without Democrat support, maybe even with it. If you think any of this will go down easily with the people I believe you are mistaken. I also suspect that the GOP plan for trickle-down job creation will find a public with a short span for demonstrated inprovement until they turn on the new Congress. These are roller coaster times.

Knowing about the shady overdraft practices and now this, who in their right mind would continue as a customer of Wells Fargo?

Wells Fargo Repossesses A Fully Paid Off Car First Posted: 11- 2-10 08:08 AM | Updated: 11- 2-10 09:05 AM Keeping up with your car payments, it seems, is not always enough to keep away the repo man. As King 5 TV reports, Adlantis Newton, a Tacoma, Washington, resident, says she faithfully paid her car payments of $299 each month and had a title proving that she owned her 1999 Chrysler LHS. Which didn't stop Wells Fargo from seizing the vehicle anyway. (Hat tip to the Big Picture) Only after being called by King 5's Jesse Jones did anything happen. Newton tells King 5 News that the President of Wells Fargo -- presumably they're referring to John Stumpf -- called her personally about the matter. The car was soon delivered back to Newton's door. See the video report at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/11/02/wells-fargo-repossess-a-f_n_777489.html

pauleiro, Great report!! Thanks for sharing your experience with the rest of us. One of the best action-on-scene reports we have had. Any information on hotel expenses? Again, great report.

episevilla, Your English is very good. Thanks for sharing your interesting experiences with us. I agree that Columbia is a great untapped resource. (I suspect Venezuela is too.) I have seen many hot Colombians working on Flirt4Free which have stoked my desires. Unfortunately, Colombia's past made it a difficult and dangerous destination. It's great to know that things have changed so much for the better. I have long desired to visit both Colombia and and Venezuela. I have wondered how one would actually meet guys there as little has ever been posted about it. Fortunately, we do have one member who shared his travels with us in the past. I appreciate your mention of Manhunt as a vehicle to meet guys. Sounds like a great way to start the 'hunt'. Please consider sharing not only experiences about the guys but also your experience with the hotels, restaurants and transportation options in the area. I know many potential travellers will be interested. Also, since you are from Spain, we would be very interested on your take of the Spanish scene for guys and the Spanish saunas if you have anything to share. We have a European Forum for Spain. Welcome and again, thanks for a great post. I look forward to reading more that you have to share now and in the future.

You have seen me rail about institutional corruption before, no doubt. This is just one facet of it. Monied interests know few limits and that is just fine with the establishment.

The desert communities are literally on life-support -- have been from day one. Their life is limited, I suspect, without the advent of massive desalinization plants and water pipelines. Water will be priced like oil more than like water, but maybe not in our lifetime.

A more challenging question would be: Predict the size of the landslide. House gains for GOP? Senate gains for GOP? Others would focus on some individual races: Alaska Senate Reid vs Angle Feingold West VA Washington State Colorado Illinois But maybe that would belong in the Politics Forum.

Where do you guys come up with delusional stuff like this? <---- rhetorical question

A real Don Juan... Conway, this puts you in a whole different light inside my head. I take my hat off to you. You are an inspiration for many... Wish I had seen this post 15 years ago. It would have inspired me too and motivated me to explore much earlier. My choice for Post of the Week... hell of the Month, maybe longer term if I could only remember further back,

Ten Biggest American Cities That Are Running Out Of Water Posted: October 29, 2010 at 3:29 pm 10. Orlando, FL 9. Atlanta, GA 8. Tucson, AZ 7. Las Vegas, NV 6. Fort Worth, TX 5. San Fransisco Bay Area, CA 4. San Antonio, Texas 3. Phoenix, AZ 2. Houston, TX 1. Los Angeles, CA Read the full atory at : The Ten Biggest American Cities That Are Running Out Of Water - 24/7 Wall St. http://247wallst.com/2010/10/29/the-ten-great-american-cities-that-are-dying-of-thirst/2/#ixzz13ySdo6R2

I will alert the programmers to check it out. Please either post the escort you tried to email or PM me. It will help to evaluate the email function. Thanks.

He needs another bank.

You'd make a goood Republican politician or analyst... or is it analist? P.S. No coaching the barbarians inside the gates.