RA1

Cross winds are always a challenge. Sometimes more so. Best regards, RA1

Even after consulting "experts" the newsies don't get it right. The pressure vessel is the outer skin, then there is a layer of insulation (at -40, the pax would get plenty cold without it), then the cosmetic inner wall which keeps you from looking at ugly insulation and also keeps kids from picking pieces of it from the wall and eating it. Yes, seeing and hearing this is distressing. However, I am likely to be more distressed when the captain of a jumbo makes a hard landing and the overhead bins come open and dump 5 million pounds of carry on luggage on us. Best regards. RA1

You are only too kind. Best regards, RA1

Sorry to offend. Personally I am looking forward to the after life but NOT very soon. \ Best regards, RA1

Amore? At least it rhymes with adore. Sort of. Best regards, RA1

I just spent the summer trying to rid myself of stuff in order to downsize. 26 years of accumulated stuff by one of the world's biggest pack rats and no easy way to deal with it. I sold about $6,000 worth of furniture for $100, just to make sure they really wanted it. I gave away stuff. I threw away stuff. I agree it is liberating but I also think it is a process. First you downsize, getting rid of lots of stuff. Then you move into a retirement community and downsize some more. Finally, you move into a room and it really doesn't matter any longer. You have completed the process and the next step is the after life. In the meantime who is NCAA football's #1? Two SEC teams are in contention, Ole Miss and Mississippi State with Florida State also in contention. Fun. Best regards. RA1

Of course it would be irritating if hungry, but fun after a couple of drinks. Fun and food are two of the three "F" words worth pursuing. Best regards, RA1

Cool. Thanks for these. Best regards, RA1

AS- The numbers in that graphic are sadly out of date. BO (and the do nothing Congress, praise be) has added at least 30% to those numbers. Please remember, I am not defending Republicans. All Congress critters share in the blame as well as the recent administrations. They ALL suck. And, we are the suckees. Best regards, RA1

"Capitalism works best". I certainly get it but none of those issues did not have the heavy hand of federal government involved both to create them and perpetuate them. Unknown whether government will help resolve them or not. Best regards, RA1

A billion here, a billion there and pretty soon it is serious money. Often attributed to Senator Dirksen but not confirmed. What I did find interesting was the debt ceiling was 328 billion in 1965. Even though that was 49 years ago, I do not believe "inflation" should have ballooned this to 18 trillion. But, here we are, fat, dumb and broke; we just don't seem to know it yet. Best regards, RA1

Or, at least something entirely different. Best regards, RA1

It has been predicted for many, many years that FF miles would come back to haunt the airlines. They are contingent liabilities and not good for the bottom line. Kind of like eating too many French fries and rich desserts. First they tried to have "partners' use them up on such as hotel rooms that would have gone empty anyway. No harm, no foul. Then they added many more "partners". Finally they are at the wall and will continue to reduce the awards from now on I flew millions of miles on the airlines before there was such as thing as FF miles and got nothing other than good service and friendly faces and mostly empty airplanes. All good. Now, you will have to beat me to ride on the airlines. Best regards, RA1

AS- I think it likely you are correct but you are commenting on a political decision rather than a business/corporate one. Who knows how either one will eventually pan out? It will be years and, yes, in the meantime, there are jobs saved, but at what cost? Best regards, RA1

I think you are accusing me of being a Republican or at least a supporter of same. Far from it. However. Bush II may eventually be perceived as being better at some things than now perceived and likely so will BO but years into the future. The trillion dollars allocated by Congress and still somewhat unspent by BO did very little to "jump start" the economy. Independent businesses (as independent as they are) spurred most of the recovery. However, all too many of the "new" jobs are burger flipping or lower wage service jobs. Nothing wrong with honest toil but those are supposed to be "starter" jobs, not jobs where the workers think they have to strike to pass laws for higher minimum wages. The out of work numbers are regarded by some as 50-100% higher in actuality because some have stopped looking for work and some have taken jobs below their skill and experience level. From looking at Romney's history he may or may not have passed health care initiatives but what he would have done was be an executive. Good or bad that would have been far different from what we have now. Best regards, RA1

Regretfully, I think most of the things you mention (some of which didn't happen exactly the way you suggest) happened in spite of BO and the Congress critters. I realize we have somewhat divergent political view points on some things and that the same situation can always be observed to be at least two different things. However, I do not understand why up to 40% of the population still believe in change and hope from BO nor why up to 2% still believe in the Congress. It does appear that BO is working more on his "legacy" than the many problems still confronting the country. Best regards, RA1

My remark was a popular saying when I was growing up. Otherwise, I neither affirm nor deny knowing Harry. Best regards, RA1

Never mind the accent, just bring me some oysters and gumbo and keep the beer coming. Best regards, RA1

I like Ike. Hell, I even liked Harry. Best regards, RA1

The Bad Taste Ball offended my............................................taste buds. Best regards, RA1

Anything you see in the sky over Norway is likely to be breathtaking. The vistas in the far north almost make up for the cold. Best regards, RA1

What is a life? Just pleasing others or just pleasing you? Best regards, RA1

AS- One thing I find interesting about this and many, many more posts is "what is your opinion"? It does not matter to me generally what your opinion might be but you often send links such as this without any "editorial" comment. I am at least as interested in your opinion as I am in Carter's, maybe more so. By some, Carter is generally regarded as the worst President in the last 35 years, at least until BO came along. I realize that is my conservative side speaking but many on both sides agree. There is no doubt that Carter has done some good things but how many have them been post Presidency? Most? Best regards, RA1

Thanks for the kind words, MsGuy. The whole long episode was indeed silly, but apparently feelings continue to run high on both or all sides. Everyone is whoever they are and posts will not change a thing. Best regards, RA1

Yes, I have watched this amazing total grow and grow for some time. More than once I wondered how this was accomplished. Then, I realized it was simply 4 posts a day for 8 years, rain or shine. Congrats. Best regards, RA1