Do you push yourself, try to discover a little more about what you’re good at? How about other people — do you try harder to find out something new about them, learn what they value, what their challenges are, how you might be a better friend?
How was your weekend? Are you ready to start a new week?
fnord
PrairiePopulistsAndProgressives.net 
Amazing what turning your back on your computer and actively listening to someone does for all concerned…or what the lack of doing that for someone does too them.
Way too much multi tasking and indifference to others nowadays.
Not a bad weekend. Heard from someone I hadn’t been in contact with for awhile, Tiger won his 70th, and, as usual, it was too hot to play golf.
Jammer if you would tee off at O-Dark Thirty it’s not too bad. Then you are done by 9:30, can have a nap and still watch Tiger whoop on everyone.
Nothing will ever take the place of face to face conversation with another human being. We never know how our words will affect someone else.
That is why I try to always speak to people. Sometimes it is just a friendly smile and the majority of people will respond positively. We never know how a small act of kindness will magnify itself and grow into a larger act of kindness down the road.
I think our society could benefit from more kindness but in our current political environment, is that even possible?
I’m thinking of people like okobserver and others like her on the other blog. They seem to be so busy yelling and screaming, they are not listening to the opposite viewpoint. Then, somehow, they bring their God into the screaming and fighting and all Hell breaks loose.
And I draw the line at people supposedly using their freedom of speech to burn an effigy of their congressman to disrupt these town hall meetings. What kind of mind would even think that is okay?
A closed one? Not a concept easy to understand — closing one’s mind to expanded, new, updated info.
Do you ever wonder if they bring God into most discussions so they may then avoid the subject matter and move along to degrading you for being a Christian basher (matters not your belief system — it could be identical to theirs)? As soon as you even mention that God doesn’t belong in the conversation they get to unload about how ungodly you are. I’ve tried hard to ignore the mentions of God, act like they didn’t even bring it into the conversation, but they won’t allow it.
I’ve always been amazed at how this group of Christian Conservative Republicans always like to play the victim card. When I read the Bible, no where does Jesus ever play the victim card. No where in the Bible does it say Jesus screamed and yelled at people – except to run those vendors out of the Temple. No where in the Bible does it say Jesus told his followers to go out and make money and gain power over others.
So, exactly why do these Christian Conservative Republicans feel compelled to display all the actions that are not Christ-like?
But, as you know, I have a particular bias against Fundamental Christians and I know of what I speak of – I was in their midst for awhile and these are some scary people. They will eat their own if they think God told them to do it.
As for the reason these people are against Obama so much, one clue might be in the fact that while I was attending the Baptist college in Chattanooga, TN in the mid 70’s – a majority of the students from the Southern states actually believed the Bible taught that blacks were the beasts in the field.
With a belief system like that, is it any wonder we are seeing such hatred towards Obama as being our president?
then why didn’t you and your fellow Republicans attempt to do it when you had all the power?
That dog don’t hunt, it is simply interjecting partisanship and distracting from the real points. The issue and it’s importance is more important then the partisan finger pointing.
I have modified a old example of mine:
The United States is about to be destroy and to stop it will just take pressing one button.
A liberal and a Conservative are stand in front of the control panel and get in a argument over who’s fault it is that the U.S. is about to be destroyed. All one or the other has to do is push that one button. But the fate of the United States is decided by the partisan arguing!
I totally understand that arguing about who is right and who is wrong won’t bring any positive outcome. No one needs to be wrong!
But health-care reform isn’t a new need. We’ve been going roundandround about this for many years! This is probably our best chance yet to get some reform! And if anyone in the Republican Party thinks they should have a stronger voice in the reform, I say to them — you had your chance and you didn’t do it. Now cooperate or get out of the way. I’m not saying that cooperation and every idea isn’t valuable and needed, but I am saying that simply blocking reform so it won’t happen under a Democratic president is asinine.
Obviously, a large majority of Americans voted for a change from the Republicans way of doing things when they voted for Obama.
But out of respect for not letting that dog to hunt and to not hurt the Republicans’ feelings, the Democrats need to just give up on trying to bring about much needed health care reform?
I agree with fnord that since Republicans did not do their job when they had the power, then they need to step aside and let the Democrats try to do theirs for the change that was mandated by Obama’s election.
Republicans have been asked by Obama on more than one occasion to offer their suggestions. Their only suggestion was to say ‘NO’ to everything. When one is presented with a closed door, one needs to go on to the next door to see what can be done without ever bothering that closed door again.
And it is not just the health care debate the Republicans are saying ‘NO’ on – it is everything Obama is attempting to do.
The Party of NO has now become the Party of Thugs. I wonder what’s next? Someone is going to get killed over this and then the GOP will act like Operation Rescue with Scott Roeder – we didn’t know the person – yeah, right.
The people in Congress who need to be sat in the corner are the blue dog dems. They’re the ones holding this up. We’d have the votes if we had them. Maybe NOW is the time to be partisan.
isn’t valuable and needed
You may not but I am saying it! Believe me most of what I hear as a “republican plan” is so not valuable!
Is it September already? Damn, maybe I need to quit drinking beer.
Thank you, Will! I probably never would have noticed. Off to turn that calendar back… 🙂
Is this a sign we are all having such a good discussion here on our blog that time has a way of getting away from us?
Whatever month/date/year it is, I am glad to have the chance to be a part of this discussion group.
As for that other blog….I do venture there from time to time – just to drop a bomb and see all the roaches scatter to defend their beloved leader, Rush, and his latest foot in the mouth disease running rampant.
I like to get their juices flowing for a good fight and then I leave them alone – with no one to fight. That drives them nuts.
Lilac, are you toto when you do your drive-bys over there?
My #2 daughter called a little over an hour ago to say they’re getting ready to give her an epidural. We’ll have a baby by the end of the day. A month early…
And, and, is the baby ready?
I guess we’ll see. They were discussing doing an amnio, but she went into the ER this morning. I tried to tell her that if you can walk and talk, you’re not in labor. Guess I was wrong.
And here I thought I was going to get a short break with only one to watch when school started. Wrong again. LOL
I’ll keep her in my thoughts today.
Yes, fnord…..you can tell, huh?
I can, yes. I’ve been meaning to ask and always forgot. You’re good, and sensible, and calm, and post with dignity, good manners and an adult attitude.
I have to confess though – sometimes I let it get to me with certain known Republicans (like okobserver) and I am not so nice as I could be.
But, hey, I think ok grannie is one person that even God would end up cussing after a few minutes with her.
I just went in to OL and told Supergirl what a good little lockstepper she is…
Of course, I’m sure that was received well….
When you say OL, where do you mean? I think it is someplace I don’t even know about.
It’s the Opinion Line and the Opinion Line Extra. There are some particular rabid Obama haters on there. They have their own mob of thugs on there and some days it gets really ugly.
I agree, Wicked, there is more juvenile behavior on there but I like to go in to just rile them up.
The best way to shut down a person who always wants to fight is to just don’t fight back. State your opinion and then go on.
They cannot tolerate not being the focus of attention.
They cannot tolerate not being the focus of attention.
Ain’t it the truth…
OL is as bad as WeBlog. The same posters with the same juvnile rhetoric. They don’t like anyone of except themselves.
I stop in at WE every few weeks. It’s a waste of time. I’d rather spend a day at a middle school.
I saw some of your postings over on the other side this weekend. I work both Saturdays and Sundays but I do manage to surf the WE blogs and OL/OLE from time to time. I even manage to submit a few – if I get downright riled up about something.
My supervisor knows I do this and I ‘m the only one in the office, so I don’t feel I am taking anything away from my employer when I’m surfing the blogs at work. Also, I do it on my breaks and lunch time.
Most times, I just sit in amazement at some of the most ridiculous and far-right idiotic comments that come from these people.
Of course, during the week – you can always tell when Rush has just come on – all his right-winged monkeys regurgitate the exact same words – and then they act like they are offended to think I accuse them of being dittoheads.
I like your postings, as well, fnord. I especially like it when you let everyone know how to change their party affiliation to vote against Tiarht. You even provide the link to download the form.
Way to go fellow RINO…..I’m proud of you!
Kansas made it even easier than downloading the form! Now you enter the info online — paperless! This change happened I think just this month. I cut out the article from the newspaper so I could be sure to make it as easy as possible for everyone. 🙂
OMG – do you think Kansas is actually going to join the 21st Century and be user-friendly on the Internet?
Must be one of those ‘commie’ slippery slopes to get all those ACORN people to hijack the election again from the good and pure Republicans.
Evil….I tell you, just evil…….
sarcasm/off
About that joining the 21st century — Brownback as governor… 😦
OL and Extra and WEBlog are down right tame compared to Free Republic – those folks are certifiably nuts. They are STILL arguing that Obama was born in Kenya, yada, yada. They are STILL claiming that ANYONE can get a Certification of Live Birth from the State of Hawaii. They are STILL trying to claim that there is a difference between a COLB and a Birth Certificate.
On and on and on and on and on…………………………….
I want to ask each and every Republican demanding Obama to submit his original birth certificate if they can show their original birth certificate?
If not, then they need to sit down and shut up.
I also wonder if this would even be an issue if John McCain had won the election? After all, wans’t he born in the Panama Canal zone he?
I have my “original.” I have my ammended, too. 🙂 Does that make me born again?
Damn, wicked! I think it makes you organized.
fnord, I was adopted, so the ammended is what is official. The original is the first one, before the adoption that I sent for years ago.
Not organized. Just curious. 😉
Yeah, Biker, the OL/OLE and WE blog are usually just filled with the local yokels that find it funny to make fun of Obama’s name or the fact he is ‘just a community organizer’.
They had no idea that community organizer had the political skill to beat the Republicans at their own game!
Let’s not forget, all these local yokels also think Sarah Palin is qualified to be president.
Enough said??
Baby girl Payton McKenzy (not sure about the spelling, but it’s close) born 4:34 p.m. Currently in NICU with a bit of a breathing problem. What a surprise. Not.
Oh my! I tell you they have wonderful, absolutely the best technology today and babies a month early have immature lungs so that’s one they get the most experience at helping until they’re ready for this ole world.
Gavin was 5 weeks early, so we’ve been through this before.
Ah, now I understand what you were talking about a few days ago when you said she wouldn’t make it to her due date! OK. Are you ok? Can I help? You know I’m good at herding grandkids! My daughter Tonya once had boys who were 3, 2, 1 and zero! Now they are 21, 20, 19 and 18 so they survived!
Congratulations, Grandma (what is the term you are called?)! I think you did great!
I’m Nana. Grandma Lyn is supposed to be coming to pick up the rest of the crew. I need to get my youngest to Walgreens to the clinic and be done to pick up her sister at work at 7. I can’t believe that they now do breathing treatments there. Not so when I needed them.
Scientists Discover Bladder Cancer Stem Cell
“This is first time we’ve found this ‘don’t eat me signal’ in a stem cell of a solid cancer,” said Irving Weissman, MD, the Virginia & D.K. Ludwig Professor for Clinical Investigation in Cancer Research at the medical school. “We’re now moving as fast as we can to look at other tumors to see if this is a universal strategy of all or most cancer stem cells.” If so, the signal may be a valuable therapeutic target for many types of cancers.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090803173241.htm
And my son Chad made the news today. Not exciting like the above, but I have a google alert set up to tell me when he makes the news. I’m his Mom and he never tells me anything!
http://news.prnewswire.com/DisplayReleaseContent.aspx?ACCT=ind_focus.story&STORY=/www/story/08-06-2009/0005073137&EDATE=
I heard something on the radio the other day about a new discovery for spinal injuries. Seems the same blue dye used in blue M&Ms can reverse the damage done. At least in lab rats.
I will have to go find it, but our friend oma did a post on that at his blog! He is so talented!
Here it is. Do you want the news (I have that of course), or the fun? I’m going with the fun. 🙂
http://blurts.wordpress.com/2009/07/28/get-up/
I’m happy you’re not shy about sharing his news! Being a proud parent is a happily never ending job.
He’s a fun boy — for a nerd!
Shoot, he’s a man. Except aren’t most men still boys sometimes? I know for a fact women are still little girls sometimes. I’m going to be sixty two this fall and so I get to be outrageous more than I did when I was younger. Ya know, all that stuff of proving you’re an adult was done long ago. 🙂
Congratulations Wicked….That’s a pretty name. How’s your daughter doing?
BTW – you’re a very organized person and by all accounts – since you have your original birth certificate (and the amended one), YOU are probably the most eligible person to become president if and when Obama has to step down.
Maybe Joe Biden might have trouble producing his original Birth Certificate and we all know the Republicans would impeach Pelosi before she even attempted to get to the White House.
So, as I see it, you’re just as eligible as any Republican for the job.
Look at this way – at least you’ll have great health insurance!!!
Well, it’s the original just like yours is the original. Certified Copy, isn’t that what it says?
I’d go for the health insurance, for sure!
Daughter is fine. She’s the one who called. She said her back hurt. Another not a surprise. 🙂
5 lbs. 10 oz.
18 1/2 inches
Could go home in 2 or 3 days or could be longer. Wait and see.
Congrats Nana!
Thanks, oma. Grand #5 plus 1 step-grand.
Yes Congrads wicked!
But out of respect for not letting that dog to hunt and to not hurt the Republicans’ feelings, the Democrats need to just give up on trying to bring about much needed health care reform?
I think you understood my point but I will spell it out. The Republicans can not argue the facts as they are not on their side. They can not argue the history for it too is against them. I firmly believe they had forgotten how to argue logic and reason since it has been so long since they had.
Their game is the finger pointing its the first page in their play book. They want the other side to play their game as it is the only one they can at least place if not win. The surest way to defeat health care is to turn it into a finger pointing argument. The other down fall in the tit for tat of you had your chance and did nothing. Is they can easily dismiss it as so its you we are talking about not me. I am not in charge now!
LOL you will have to do better then that to hurt their feeling! They want the partisan game and they love it.
Again it is the only game in town they can at least place in. They also know that by getting the tit for tat going it can derail any real attempt by the Democrats to get real change and they know if they can not stop change. That will be the end of their chances for thirty years. And believe me the most of what I have seen of the Conservatives. Thirty years is not long enough!
Here’s a what-if for you – what if the GOP was to cut off the Right-Wingers from their ailing party. Do you think the leaner party would be able to attract other like-minded people now that the crazies are gone?
Or do you think the GOP has sold their soul to these Right Wingers and now are paying the price?
Seems like ever since the Right Wingers took control of the GOP, this sense of a party out of control has been present.
I sincerely believe in the two-party system and without a strong GOP, then are we stuck with the GOP Right-Wingers? If so, then their numbers are dwindling – as we speak.
To answer it is a catch 22, the numbers of the party are divide but the RR and the Cons make a good amount. That is why all these politicians pander to them so much, it kind of what happens with in your own party. Except it is the GOP’s turn to have the wing with the most sway.
I wish they would devalue the right wing, but to be honest I am not sure how many real Republicans are left.
Many like me have the feeling it is time to give up on the party and let it go as the Wigs did.
If they would kick the wing out, there might be a growth as many who now state D were disenchanted R’s.
If the core got back to a more sound minded frame of mind it would attract some back and new ones to the party.
LOL it was one of those moments that only those who have a lot of small children in the family.
Yesterday was a little get-to-gather of my wife’s family at a hotel in the banquet room.
9 children between the age of one and a half to nine years, as children do with the adults busy talking at the tables. The chase began and soon all you saw was a blur surround us.
After a bit all the adults started mentioning a odor and one familiar to those with toddlers and babies.
Soon each of the children under five were being stopped and the back of the pants pulled out to see who it was? Ahh my grandson the guilty! And Oh Boy! It got better, his disposable diaper had fallen off in the chase and so when the movement came there was nothing to stop it from leaving his pants.
Yes, there were visible traces in a circle around the tables, a “race track” if you will!
And of course there was the one and a half who before anyone could catch him and stop him fell face first into one of the piles on the floor. You know it has always been a great time when my wife’s family get to gather.
Memories are made of this? Thanks for sharing, it was soooo funny!
Sounds like something that would happen in my family. Only the adults feel embarrassed. Little ones could care less. We should take a page from their book.
For the geekies, Compare search engines Google and Bing. Search Google & Bing at the same time and compare results on one single page :
http://www.blackdog.ie/google-bing/
Ah, the joys of small children!
Congrats on the new baby, Wicked. Hopefully she gets that breathing problem resolved quickly! She weighed quite a bit for being early!
I’m not going to argue on healthcare reform anymore. Of course, I don’t really have anyone to argue with as I no longer go “over there”. I have enough stress in my life, I don’t need that anymore. LOL – Jimmy Kimmel is currently poking fun at the Republicans over the health care reform…
Update on Payton
It was determined during a routine newborn (NICU?) exam that Payton has a heart defect. The two main arteries of the heart are reversed, meaning blood that circulates through the heart and in and out of the lungs and body is not doing it right. (Technical term is Transposition of the Great Vessel) She also has two holes in her heart (Ventricular Septal Defect VSD), but in this case, that’s good. Those are mixing the blood and keeping her alive. I consider that to be a miracle.
She’ll be flown to Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City in the morning for surgery. Lyndsay and Adam talked to the surgeon who explained that his success rate for this surgery is 97-99%. Being premature and small aren’t a plus, but hopefully won’t be a major factor.
Lyndsay and Adam will drive to KC Tuesday morning, as soon as Lyndsay is released from the hospital. We’re asking for prayers and positive thoughts and energy to help Payton through to a successful surgery and so she can come home soon to meet her sister and two brothers.
The only thing more amazing than NICU staff and surgeons is the strength of their patients. Go Payton!
Maybe she was early and in NICU — so she would have the best of care and they would quickly find out she needed this surgery.
Hugs, Rox!
My thoughts and prayers will be with Payton and your entire family today. I think fnord brings up an interesting point. Perhaps precious Payton came early in order to get this needed surgery?
I believe that God (in whatever form you believe) does help us when we need it. And I believe in the power of love. And I think you know you have a lot of love from the people on this blog.
Take care, hang in there and keep us posted – okay?