RA1

Those Ozzies don't know any better and, once more, they don't care. Best regards, RA1

You mean Texas APPOINTED a president? No wonder we got into such trouble. Next time, let's elect one. Best regards, RA1

Hear. Hear. Not only what Conway wrote but from what I can gather, BO was wrong on his facts. The law that was passed 100 years ago forbade corporations from contributing directly to candidates. The current ruling says corporations can spend unlimited amounts of money on a view point, just like every natural person can, overturning a law about 8 years old. Best regards, RA1

We are in agreement. Thanks for the replies. Best regards, RA1

Not picking on you, but merely suggesting that not much that I know of the UN has done has been successful. They spend a lot of money and they have none of their own. They spend a lot of political largess and have none of their own, according to me. The League of Nations was a complete flop and the UN is also. It would be a good idea to start over, wouldn't it? Every contributing nation could certainly get a lot more bang for their bucks, don't you think? Best regards, RA 1

I am not sure what you mean by those 3 situations. The Korean "police action" is still going on some 50+ years later with no resolution in sight. It isn't helpful when the head of the UN states that weather and bad luck are the cause of wide spread famine, etc. in N. Korea. I seems obvious that the first and second Gulf Wars did not come to complete conclusions, good or bad. I realize that world politics are always going to be in a state of flux but the UN and many of its' members are part of the problem, rather than part of the solution. Best regards, RA1

The US has tried this approach (invading Haiti and "controlling" the government) at least twice in the last several years as well as donated billions of dollars. Every time we leave, and sometimes before we leave, a or the corrupt government takes over the "game" and starts siphoning off the money. Unless we want to be conquerors instead of liberators, like MsGuy, I see little chance of really "helping" Haiti. Please don't suggest the UN. What a joke they are. Best regards, RA1

Rain in SOCAL? Perish the thought, even though this is supposedly the "rainy" season. CA is a desert and it really doesn't ever REALLY rain there, does it? Best regards, RA1

I would be interested in posting more here but even though I look most days it seems that there are few new posts to read and it also seems many times to take days to see a reply. After 3 days and then magically there is a reply or two, I don't lose interest but it does make me feel like why not just check every 3 days. I realize I have basically described a catch 22; to see more posts, write more posts. Another point already made several times is the inclusion or exclusion of "characters". Apparently there are plenty of folks who like to see other posters called names or otherwise generally denigrated. Constructive criticism offered in a positive manner seems the best but what do I know? Best regards, RA1

Any news about what did or did not happen on 12 NOV? It seems that most of the blogs have shut down and I have not heard any news. Anyone? Best regards, RA1

Lookin- I would travel with you anywhere. You have a good attitude and, obviously, the wherewithall to accomplish the necessary "refinements" that make travel so rewarding. Best regards, RA1

AS- Where DO you find these things? Best regards, RA1

I used to think NYers were rude when they ignored you while walking down the street. I soon learned that in a crowded city, this was a self preservation technique where one could sort of be alone amongst many other folks. With the proliferation of cell phones and public conversations, have things gone decidedly the other way? It does seem so, doesn't it? Although not currently legal in the US, there are devices that limit cell phone coverage within a certain distance around them. Theaters and other such public places might be prime candidates for them. I am not so sure about having one on one's person; for one thing, you own cell phone wouldn't ring. Best regards, RA1

I still remember getting on an AA DC-10 completely full with 199 passengers. This was summer time and it was when air-ground phones had just come onto airliners. Everyone brought on enough carry-on baggage to stay for a month and space of any kind was at a premium. This yahoo was running around with the sky phone in his hand with no shirt on, making a complete nusiance of himself. If I had had a tranquilizer dart gun, I would have shot him. The cabin crew did nothing. They were very busy trying to take care of the rest of us and this "person" was constantly moving, making sure to annoy the widest possible number, I suppose. The mention of the escort advertising his wares brought this to mind for some reason. Best regards, RA1

Stu and Lookin- You both gave me a belly laugh this morning. Sorry I have not read this previously. Thanks. AS- It would indeed be most interesting to turn some aspects of space exploration into a commercial competition. Enough of $500 hammers and NIBY thinking. Do you know what the Branson/Rutan Space Ship One used to control the pressurization? They pumped enough air under pressure into the cabin to sustain the pilot and then used a cork inserted into a hole in the wall to keep the pressure under control. Not everything can be "fixed" that simply and I always admire an elegant solution. Best regards, RA1

UA definitely has a dress code for employees or their guests. It is stricter in first than coach. Basically it is coat, tie and decent shoes, no jeans. On long trips like international trips it is pretty easy to tell the paying customers from the employees. They very well may wear very expensive clothes but usually not a coat and tie for a 12 hour trip. My friend, the employee, and I ditched our coats and ties as soon as the door closed. Once, while in NZ, I managed to fall while climbing a mountain and broke a bone in my ankle. Being in a foreign country, I basically tried to shrug it off and hobble around, not knowing I had a broken bone. When it was time to depart, my friend strongly encouraged me to put on some decent shoes just long enough to get on board. I don't now remember what I actually did but when my friend and our host in NZ found out I had a broken bone, they were very embarrassed. At first I thought this was just a supercilious twit mistakenly trying to enforce a dress code on paying customers but I see now he was a contract or part time employee. Still, we could do with less officiousness, don't you think? Best regards, RA1

BBB- Are you available for a consultation? Your post is spot on. JK about the consultation. Best regards, RA1

MsGuy- I am not sure I follow your reasoning. I didn't notice any thing except the poster linked to the blog. The blog either told the truth or it didn't. I think it did. If the poster "obviously" had a grudge against the subject, please enlighten me as to that content. In addition, regardless of one's motives, isn't the truth the truth? Well, who knows what any truth really is but, in this case, aren't the facts the facts? I am not willing to abrogate any idea of innocent until proven guilty. But, if the subject is proven guilty, then what do you suggest? Best regards, RA1

BiBB- I don't disagree. The LP as it now exists is certainly not perfect but what party is? I agree with most of their precepts but not all. Best regards, RA1

That is OK. However, I am hoping this party will get going even better than it has in the past. Bascially the idea I like best about this party is to be left alone as much as possible and to leave others alone as much as possible. That does not mean ignore any that are having difficulty, just that the government internention is not the best way to help. That does not mean I don't believe there shoudl not be a federal or state government, far from it; I just think those entities should be more attentive to the things outlined in the constitution from the beginning. That is not a conclusive statement. Just an opening remark. Best regards, RA1

Well said, Conway. Good luck with trying to get the liberals I know to admit there is anything else. Best regards, RA1

And people wonder why I propose and support sunshine laws, term limits and sun set laws. It amazes me how this can be when one looks at the current state of the "political USA". Best regards, RA1

MsGuy- Where do you get the idea that the land or estate increase in value is untaxed captital gains? Oh, I get it; it is unrealized gains. Well, I hope you get the Dems to agree with you that families should not be taxed for promoting the US dream. It is silly to have to have a "tax shelter" to provide any relief and I hope that is not among the near term goals. When all of our farm land is converted into "living quarters" I hope we all learn how to digest concrete. Best regards, RA1

Conway- As I think you very well know, any time the government is involved, there will be increased costs. That always means more taxes. The government doesn't do any thing to generate revenue or make a profit except levy taxes. MsGuy- Your post just generally describes pols of every description, doesn't it? Best regards, RA1

Where did you get the idea that either party or any proposed "health plan" will not tax you severely? Best regards, RA1