Happy Wright Brothers Day

Who knew? Link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wright_Brothers_Day

Happy holidays

''Legend has it that every time you say, 'Happy Holidays,' an angel gets AIDS.'' —Jon Stewart on the War on Christmas

Christopher Hitchens quotable

“To terrify children with the image of hell, to consider women an inferior creation—is that good for the world?” - Christopher Hitchens, writer, author

Missouri on the list of "10 Senate seats most likely to change parties in 2012"

The Washington Post's "The Fixx" blog has come out with it's list of, as you see above, the "10 Senate seats most likely to change parties" this year and Senator McCaskill's seat is one of them, unfortunately and, honestly, no surprise. What they have to say: "4. Missouri (D): Republicans continue to insist that Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) is in deep trouble while Democrats insist that she is inoculating herself from President Obama and her party — look at her recent call for a permanent earmark ban — and that a lackluster field of GOP candidates could save her. Of the GOP field, National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman John Cornyn (Texas) recently told the Wall Street Journal: “We have a three-way primary, and it really depends on who’s nominated, whether they are able to withstand what they know is coming at them in a general election.” (Previous ranking: 3) If there's anything remotely positive about this is that we used to be ranked 3rd most likely to have it happen. It's backed off a little bit, anyway. Here's hoping they're wrong. Link to original article: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/post/could-2012-be-the-most-competitive-senate-election-in-years/2011/12/16/gIQAXEtlyO_blog.html

The Iraq War

Yet more from the consistent, abusive Catholic Church

This out today on the AP wire: Report slams Dutch Catholic church over sex abuse THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — "Thousands of children suffered sexual abuse in Dutch Catholic institutions over the past 65 years, and church officials knew about the abuse but failed to stop it or help victims because they feared sparking scandals, according to a long-awaited report released Friday. The report also estimated that one in 10 Dutch children suffered some form of sexual abuse more broadly in society." Here's hoping that if we shine enough light in these dark corners, it will eventually, one day soon, stop. Link to original post: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5ivqYsOO4KtmmFr_RSMAR6Gdo_h3g?docId=57ad53e693704ac0b3f056615c416552

On the Congress that doesn't work

The Pew Research Center found the following in a recent poll: "A record-high 50% say that the current Congress has accomplished less than other recent Congresses, and by nearly two-to-one (40% to 23%) more blame Republican leaders than Democratic leaders for this. By wide margins, the GOP is seen as the party that is more extreme in its positions, less willing to work with the other side to get things done, and less honest and ethical in the way it governs." Just saying.

"Dan Harman Day" tomorrow

It seems there is no better way to remember Mr. Harman than with a donation, too, if you can. His family has set up a fund in lieu of flowers. If you’d like to donate: The Don Harman Memorial Fund Benefiting local Kansas City Charities, c/o Tightwad Bank, 1160 SE Highway 7, Tightwad, Missouri 64735. Link: http://www.nbcactionnews.com/dpp/news/local_news/mayor-james-plans-day-of-honor-for-popular-tv-meteorologist-who-died-last-week

Quote of the day

"Unthinking respect for authority is the greatest enemy of truth." --Albert Einstein

Happy birthday, Ludwig

(and brother Thad).

Can't have it all

A new song by a young and upcoming artist.

Rest in peace Joe Simon, creator of "Captain America"

Rest in peace Christopher Hitchens

Now I just hope not one person or source says or writes anything nasty about him or his passing. Particularly any "Christian."

What the Iraq War was

In a soldier's own words:

I'm so old

 

One more thing you can't steal

Much as so many people love these things, these Apple iPhones, it's clear now, it's one more of two thing you can't steal. From local news today: Police Use iPhone To Track Robbery Suspects It seems a young man got his iPhone stolen this morning on the way to work. He later thought about the tracking device already on it so he phoned police and got with them. They tracked the phone from the Missouri side of town to KCK and voila'--one iphone returned and two men in custody. It reminded me of the story a couple years ago of the men who stole a new Cadillac, as I recall. The problem, for them, was that it had OnStar on it. The victim, again, got with the police and they tracked the car--within 10 minutes I believe they said--and found the car and the men who stole it, inside their house, eating dinner. Isn't technology wonderful? Link: http://www.kmbc.com/news/30003402/detail.html

KC on Budget Travel Magazine's "Top Budget Travel Destinations for 2012"

Yes, we are. It seems the zeitgeist right now, mostly due to our new Kauffman Center for the Arts, is all about getting to Kansas City. What the magazine has to say: "Thanks to arts-centric developments both large-scale and grassroots, this Midwestern city is fast becoming a hotbed of high culture. In September, the $326 million Moshe Safdie–designed Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts opened to host the Kansas City Ballet, the Lyric Opera, and the Kansas City Symphony, along with one-off performances of all stripes. The center's arrival has only helped to bolster the already-vibrant Crossroads Arts District—a funky enclave of 70-plus galleries in renovated warehouses, interspersed with boutiques and restaurants—that surrounds it. Thankfully, Kansas City's prices haven't caught up to its highbrow reputation. Both hotels and rental cars are cheaper than they were in 2010, with rooms going for about $137 per night (a 3 percent drop) and cars averaging $55 per day." We couldn't agree more. (Except actually, didn't the Kauffman Center cost $413m?) Link: http://www.budgettravel.com/feature/top-budget-travel-destinations-for-2012,8005/?page=4

2011 in mysterious animal kills: It makes you wonder

A year in review. I'm no conspiracy theorist and don't believe in "end times" but I am firmly convinced that the way we humans live right now is not sustainable, at the very least.

The official end of the Iraq War

On this, the official end of the Iraq War, it's so vitally important to remember a few things, at least: 1.5 million American soldiers served, 4,487 American Soldiers lost their lives, 32.226 American Soldiers were wounded, $806 billion were spent on it, it was a longer war than WWII or Vietnam, no weapones of mass destruction were ever found--just as the United Nations inspectors were verifying--and it was all based on lies. (Tragically, this doesn't even take into consideration the destruction of the Iraqi country and so many Iraqi lives). Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/16/world/middleeast/panetta-in-baghdad-for-iraq-military-handover-ceremony.html?_r=1&pagewanted=all

Quote of the day

"Man robbing bank with gun gets life. Man robbing world with bank gets bonus" --Anonymous guy on the internet

On this day in history: The First Amendment. Remember that?

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." First Amendment in the Bill of Rights created September 25, 1789 and ratified December 15, 1791.

The four types of people in the world

Click on picture for larger viewing and easier reading.

You know who you are.

Robert Reich, speaking truth to wealth and power

Mr. Reich came up with this brief video after President Obama's speech last week here in Oswawatamie:

Congratulations to Bishop Finn and the Kansas City-St. Joseph Diocese

Yes, many congratulations! Bishop Finn's getting charged with crimes for not obeying Missouri law is the number 3 big religion news story of 2011, according to leading religion journalists. The Religion Newswriters Association (RNA) poll their members each year and this is what they came up with: "3. Catholic Bishop Robert Finn of Kansas City, Mo., is charged with failure to report the suspected abuse of a child, becoming the first active bishop in the country to face criminal prosecution in such a case." I'd like to take a moment here to congratulate Bishop Finn, the local Diocese and the entire Catholic Church for this award. Without your repeatedly allowing children to be exploited, whether with pictures or sexually, you wouldn't have gotten this notoreity. Now, for 2012, here's hoping Bishop Finn's being found guilty and sent to jail (prison) will be the number one story of the upcoming year. That way, maybe, just maybe, one day this abuse will one day soon cease. Here's hoping. Links: http://www.rna.org/news/79176/2011-Top-10-Religion-Stories-of-the-Year.htm;http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/on-faith/bin-ladens-death-rated-top-religion-news-story/2011/12/14/gIQA4C6OuO_story.html

And now, the iBle

With tongue planted firmly in cheek.

President Obama welcomes troops back from Iraq

He looks pretty "presidential" up there, doesn't he? Link: http://news.yahoo.com/obama-marking-end-iraq-war-171437082.html

Witches and sorcery: first Saudi Arabia and now Romania

Wouldn't you think the world would be beyond killing women as "sorcerers" and arresting "witches"? I thought so. I thought we were progressing far beyond that, as a planet. Unfortunately, it's just not so. First there was this, a couple days ago: Woman convicted of 'sorcery' is beheaded in Saudi Arabia Now, today, there's this: In High Profile Case, Two Romanian 'Witches' Arrested (Both links below). It just makes me shake my head in disbelief. Now that it's settled we're not "better than this", I hope we get there soon. I now don't have high hopes what with the worldwide budget cuts, at minimum. Links: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2073181/Saudi-Arabia-authorities-behead-woman-sorcery.html; http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2011/12/14/143724347/in-high-profile-case-two-romanian-witches-arrested?ft=1&f=1001

Here's more of that low-regulation Libertarianism for you

A great example of "self-regulation": former Senator Jon Corzine's MF Global, which collapsed. Now? 1.2 billion dollars are missing and unaccounted for. Understandably, people are upset to the point of angry. (see link below). After the BP oil spill and the 2008 financial collapse that still reverberates today, it's difficult to believe people still want "small government" so companies can regulate themselves. No thank you. We've had far too many examples and reminders of how and why that just doesn't work. Links: http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/12/14/us-mfglobal-regulation-idUSTRE7BD1WE20111214; http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/12/13/us-mfglobal-execs-idUSTRE7BB1XV20111213

Dang, it wasn't mine

News out today, on Reuters, from right here in KCMO: Missouri woman gets $6.1 million from unclaimed property I'm trying to see if I can run into a really giddy woman who seems inordinately happy. Then I find out if she's still single. Link: http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/12/14/us-missouri-property-windfall-idUSTRE7BD1QP20111214

It's come to this: "Star Trek" vs. "Star Wars"

Enjoy.