RA1

I wonder how many folks would have become involved with the CCC program if they had had the unemployment benefits and welfare payments we have now? Don't many folks consider FDR and his programs the beginning of the "welfare state"? Didn't Hitler do the same thing when Germany was devastated by severe depression by hiring all those folks to improve the roads, industry,etc. all the while training the same for the military, as you suggest? Don't we have VISTA to do much of what you suggest now? Can workers be supported on $2500 a month while providing all the services you mention? At the very least they would have to be severely regimented, live in barracks, have communal food, etc. The military is unable to do that now, why should any other government agency (oh, Lord, another government agency) be able to do it? I like very much how you are trying to look out for your fellow man but we disagree on who should take the lead in doing that. Perhaps you would agree with me that if business would do a better job, the government wouldn't be tempted to try? As a reporter said this morning, I think there is a better chance I will be the starting guard for the LA Lakers and I am 5'6", 60 years old and not very athletic. Best regards, RA1

Anyone who paid the FET before the FAA was put on "hold" is still entitled to a refund which basically means advance purchase tickets or 1/2 used R-T tickets of certain dates. The airlines owe and may have already paid the FET they collected by now to the US Treasury which only complicates getting a refund. The next interesting point will be to see if the airlines roll back their price increases instituted to exactly match the FET or try to maintain them. I follow what the airlines do generally but do not specifically deal with them very much. That is why I was asking for specific results from those who do ride on them. Best regards, RA1

Lucky- I was hoping the resolution of the Progressive Caucus of the California Democratic Party was something you were proposing we should continue to do. Best regards, RA1

During the "debt crisis" situation the FAA ran out of funding and, in addition to laying off "non-essential" employees, stopped collecting the so called ticket tax aka FET. Guess what? As most of you already know various airlines increased the cost of their tickets to match the previous cost when the FET was still in effect. How nice of them. How greedy of them. So far, DL and US Airways have offered to refund the FET but I have no idea of what hoops one must just through to obtain same. Does anyone here care to comment on what they had to do to receive a refund? Thanks. Best regards, RA1

Just curious but is street crime limited to stealing of cars? If not, what do the "Insurance" crime statistics really mean? Hereabouts, street crime includes drive by shootings, drug deals, various misdemeanors and felonies as well as auto theft. I would be remiss if I failed to mention traffic fatalities and serious injuries when DUI as well as for other reasons being a part of "street crime". Otherwise, it is interesting to note the various cars that are deemed "worthwhile" to steal but, what else is new? Best regards, RA1

The "referred" site says that KMB wants to be "admired" for his taste. OK, does anyone know what he tastes like? Best regards, RA1

How many sites like this are there? (Perhaps I should have spelled that sight. ) I know about the one in AZ with Ted Williams and I am sure there are some in CA but I didn't know there was one in MI. The older I get the less sure I want to be here years from now, even if in perfect health. Some things will surely be different and not necessarily for the better. However, just seeing what is going on would be interesting. If I ever thought I wanted to be immortal in the earthly sense, I would have had children. Which, as almost everyone knows, is also not necessarily a "perfect" solution but at least known to be attainable. Best regards, RA1

All men aren't equal. Some are fat, some are skinny, some are old, some have hair and some don't, etc. I believe the original question was about cultural differences, maybe religious differences and definitely political differences; NOT the relative value of individuals. But that is just my interpretation and I did not pose the question. Perhaps here is another way to ask the question. Do countries have the political right to decide who lives there and who is or becomes a citizen? Best regards, RA1

How well do you speak Spanish? Shouldn't we worry a whole lot more about our own problems before we worry about learning Farsi? Best regards, RA1

Crusades, anyone? Anyone? Best regards, RA1

How can a poor, ordinary citizen know who or what to believe? We have one group of "scientists" saying that both hot and cold weather are the result of global warming who also say it is because of our carbon "footprint". Then we have another group who says it is only a normal cycle and we don't have enough evidence to make a statistically valid statement. Then we have another group who says the sun is entering a "cool" solar cycle and we will have definite cooling in both winter and summer over the next several years, at least. One person I don't believe is Al Gore. He has way too much invested in carbon footprints and global warming to be making anything other than self serving commentary. Without a doubt, reducing the "human" footprint, i.e. reducing the population, could take a lot of strain off Mother Earth. However, I am NOT in favor of war, famine, pestilence or disease as possible means to that end. Birth control or being gay without children or having small families anyone? Best regards, RA1

Sounds like reasonable "therapy" to me. Perhaps you have a second career as a marriage counseler? Best regards, RA1

Wow. 5 weeks in a hospital is a very long time. WB. Best regards, RA1

Anyone- When you state you have eaten X number of these "dishes", do you mean in the country of origin or just eaten them? I can quickly identify about 26 that I mostly ate in the country of origin. Best regards, RA1

It smells worse than it tastes, however, it tastes pretty bad. Best regards, RA1

And, worse. Some of these guys need to go to jail and then see if "things" might change for the better. I am all for it. Best regards, RA1

Charlie- If you have ever "tasted" an Ozzie, you might change your mind. Best regards, RA1

Flyboy. But that is too obvious and what everyone calls me anyway. Best regards, RA1

Genes are critical but how comfortable will one be during the last 10 or even 20 years of life if one disregards all the other factors? That likely is the "real" reason to observe healthy living, isn't it? Best regards, RA1

It depends upon how good looking he was and whatever else he had to say. Otherwise, a "cold" stare and no comment might suffice. I am not sure how to conjure up a cold stare with the current heat wave overtaking much of the country right now, but, you could try. Best regards, RA1

I wish I were a gay penguin. Best regards, RA1

Absolutely my favorite place to go, largely because of friends that I have there. However, it is easy enough to make "more" friends there. As you no doubt know the geography is interesting, the climate island and pleasant and the scenery quite alluring. Getting about in a caravan would make for quite an interesting holiday. Best regards, RA1

Wow, my list is endless. Do I have to count travel time to/from as part of the week? Antarctica. But, not now. It is winter there now. Best regards, RA1

At first glance at the headline I was worried. I thought it said marched "on" not "in". That would have been a revolting development. Best regards, RA1

Should gay men be rejected from giving blood because they are gay? No. However, should anyone be rejected for past "practices"? It depends. A straight friend of mine who served in VN was told to never even think about giving blood. I am willing to suppose that it was because he contracted so many STDs and who knows what else while there, although HIV was not one of them. Obviously this is an issue that is part political and part medical. And, it is difficult to keep things separated, especially when they are "personal". Best regards, RA1