This is a true story, proving how fascinating the mind of a six year old is. They think so logically.
A teacher was reading the story of the Three Little Pigs to her class. She came to the part of the story where first pig was trying to gather the building materials for his home.
She read 'and so the pig went up to the man with the wheelbarrow full of straw and said: 'Pardon me sir, but may I have some of that straw to build my house?'
The teacher paused then asked the class: 'And what do you think the man said?'
One little boy raised his hand and said very matter-of-factly, 'I think the man would have said, - 'Well, I'll be damned!! A talking pig!'
From Dougie Boy.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
From The State:
South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford declared his Argentine mistress his soul mate Tuesday but said he is committed to reconciling with his wife in hopes of saving his family and what is left of his political career.
Sanford, who also admitted meeting his lover more times than he had previously claimed, told The Associated Press in emotional interviews that he "crossed lines" with a handful of other women during 20 years of marriage.
But he said he never went as far as he did with Maria Belen Chapur, the woman at the center of the scandal that has derailed his once-promising political future.
Even with the latest revelations, Sanford maintains he is fit to govern and has no plans to resign. And he insisted his relationship with Chapur, whom he met at an open air dance spot in Uruguay eight years ago, was more than just sex.
"This was a whole lot more than a simple affair, this was a love story," Sanford said. "A forbidden one, a tragic one, but a love story at the end of the day."
During more than three hours of interviews over two days at his Statehouse office, Sanford said he is trying to fall back in love with his wife even as he grapples with his deep feelings for Chapur.
I determined that I would not write more about Sanford, but he won't stop talking.
He acknowledged that he had casual encounters with other women while he was married but before he met Chapur, on trips outside the country to "blow off steam" with male friends.
"What I would say is that I've never had sex with another woman. Have I done stupid? I have. You know you meet someone. You dance with them. You go to a place where you probably shouldn't have gone," Sanford said, declining to discuss details. But he said those encounters were nothing like his relationship with Chapur.
Sanford needs a therapist, not a press conference, and he needs to STFU for the sake of his wife and family.
South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford declared his Argentine mistress his soul mate Tuesday but said he is committed to reconciling with his wife in hopes of saving his family and what is left of his political career.
Sanford, who also admitted meeting his lover more times than he had previously claimed, told The Associated Press in emotional interviews that he "crossed lines" with a handful of other women during 20 years of marriage.
But he said he never went as far as he did with Maria Belen Chapur, the woman at the center of the scandal that has derailed his once-promising political future.
Even with the latest revelations, Sanford maintains he is fit to govern and has no plans to resign. And he insisted his relationship with Chapur, whom he met at an open air dance spot in Uruguay eight years ago, was more than just sex.
"This was a whole lot more than a simple affair, this was a love story," Sanford said. "A forbidden one, a tragic one, but a love story at the end of the day."
During more than three hours of interviews over two days at his Statehouse office, Sanford said he is trying to fall back in love with his wife even as he grapples with his deep feelings for Chapur.
I determined that I would not write more about Sanford, but he won't stop talking.
He acknowledged that he had casual encounters with other women while he was married but before he met Chapur, on trips outside the country to "blow off steam" with male friends.
"What I would say is that I've never had sex with another woman. Have I done stupid? I have. You know you meet someone. You dance with them. You go to a place where you probably shouldn't have gone," Sanford said, declining to discuss details. But he said those encounters were nothing like his relationship with Chapur.
Sanford needs a therapist, not a press conference, and he needs to STFU for the sake of his wife and family.
From Doxy - Prayers For Jim And His Family
Dear Friend’s brother-in-law, Jim (the one with the brain tumor), has been admitted to the hospital with a blood clot in his left leg. Jim was paralyzed on his left side by the intracranial bleeding he suffered a few weeks ago. They are now admitting him to the hospital for a few days and plan to treat him so that the clot does not travel to his lungs. There is a possibility there is already a small clot in his lungs because he does not seem to be oxygenated enough. We will know more tomorrow.
We were able to visit with Jim and his family this past weekend. They are holding up well under a tremendous amount of stress—but they could use some help. I would appreciate the OCICBW community’s prayers for Jim, Ruthie, and their two young sons.
Pax,
Doxy
We were able to visit with Jim and his family this past weekend. They are holding up well under a tremendous amount of stress—but they could use some help. I would appreciate the OCICBW community’s prayers for Jim, Ruthie, and their two young sons.
Pax,
Doxy
Facebook Can Be Fun!
Now that I've made a little headway toward understanding how it works, I find that Facebook can be fun. Many of my smart, witty friends are there exchanging brilliant, pithy repartee. It only takes a minute or two to dazzle a whole host of people, if you're brilliant and full of pith.
Somehow, when I say something like, "I am going to bed", or "I'm going to take a shower and wash my hair," my friends on Facebook transform the simple statements about the minutiae of my life into dazzling conversation-starters. I am not kidding. This is not snark. It's not me. It's my smart friends.
I tried Twitter, but I was in and out in a matter of a couple of hours. It's not for me now, but I never say never, because you never know, right?
Al Franken Won! (It's About Time!)
From the Huffington Post:
ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Minnesota Supreme Court on Tuesday ordered that Democrat Al Franken be certified as the winner of the state's long-running Senate race.
The high court rejected a legal challenge from Republican Norm Coleman, whose options for regaining the Senate seat are dwindling.
Justices said Franken is entitled to the election certificate he needs to assume office. With Franken and the usual backing of two independents, Democrats will have a big enough majority to overcome Republican filibusters.
Coleman hasn't ruled out seeking federal court intervention.
All Right! Democrats, in the Senate, and I'm looking at you, Blue Dogs, we won. Now begin to act like it. Be strong. Be brave. Do the right thing.
Note to Coleman: Give it up, Norm. You lost.
Words To Keep In Mind...
as we watch to see if deeds follow the words.
Obama at the White House Reception to Recognize LGBT Pride and Stonewall 40th:
And I know that many in this room don't believe that progress has come fast enough, and I understand that. It's not for me to tell you to be patient, any more than it was for others to counsel patience to African Americans who were petitioning for equal rights a half century ago.
But I say this: We have made progress and we will make more. And I want you to know that I expect and hope to be judged not by words, not by promises I've made, but by the promises that my administration keeps. And by the time you receive -- (applause.) We've been in office six months now. I suspect that by the time this administration is over, I think you guys will have pretty good feelings about the Obama administration. (Applause.)
....
And finally, I want to say a word about "don't ask, don't tell." As I said before -- I'll say it again -- I believe "don't ask, don't tell" doesn't contribute to our national security. (Applause.) In fact, I believe preventing patriotic Americans from serving their country weakens our national security. (Applause.)
Now, my administration is already working with the Pentagon and members of the House and the Senate on how we'll go about ending this policy, which will require an act of Congress.
Why an act of Congress? Harry Truman ended segregation in the military by executive order with a stroke of his pen. There's back and forth about whether Obama can end DADT by executive order, but according to Rep. Rush Holt, at TPM:
In the meantime, the President could issue an executive order announcing a study of the current policy. During that time, there could be a moratorium on any investigations or prosecutions of LGBT soldiers.
Yes, indeed! Just do it, Mr President!
I wonder if Obama simply does not want to take full responsibility for the action. He may have a point in wanting the Congress to stand with him, but what if they won't?
Thanks to David@Montreal for sending me the text of Obama's speech.
I'll probably have more to say about other promises that the president made in the speech that we must keep in mind.
Obama at the White House Reception to Recognize LGBT Pride and Stonewall 40th:
And I know that many in this room don't believe that progress has come fast enough, and I understand that. It's not for me to tell you to be patient, any more than it was for others to counsel patience to African Americans who were petitioning for equal rights a half century ago.
But I say this: We have made progress and we will make more. And I want you to know that I expect and hope to be judged not by words, not by promises I've made, but by the promises that my administration keeps. And by the time you receive -- (applause.) We've been in office six months now. I suspect that by the time this administration is over, I think you guys will have pretty good feelings about the Obama administration. (Applause.)
....
And finally, I want to say a word about "don't ask, don't tell." As I said before -- I'll say it again -- I believe "don't ask, don't tell" doesn't contribute to our national security. (Applause.) In fact, I believe preventing patriotic Americans from serving their country weakens our national security. (Applause.)
Now, my administration is already working with the Pentagon and members of the House and the Senate on how we'll go about ending this policy, which will require an act of Congress.
Why an act of Congress? Harry Truman ended segregation in the military by executive order with a stroke of his pen. There's back and forth about whether Obama can end DADT by executive order, but according to Rep. Rush Holt, at TPM:
In the meantime, the President could issue an executive order announcing a study of the current policy. During that time, there could be a moratorium on any investigations or prosecutions of LGBT soldiers.
Yes, indeed! Just do it, Mr President!
I wonder if Obama simply does not want to take full responsibility for the action. He may have a point in wanting the Congress to stand with him, but what if they won't?
Thanks to David@Montreal for sending me the text of Obama's speech.
I'll probably have more to say about other promises that the president made in the speech that we must keep in mind.
No Surprise Here
This won't come as the slightest surprise to those versed in health care policy issues. But I fear it's only barely permeated the health care reform debate in the country, certainly in Washington. And that's this: the opposition to a so-called 'public option' comes almost entirely from insurance companies who have developed monopolies or near monopolies in particular geographic areas. And they don't want competition.
Note, I'm not saying more competition. I'm saying any competition at all. As Zack Roth explains in this new piece 94% of the health care insurance market is now under monopoly or near-monopoly conditions -- the official term of art is 'highly concentrated'. In other words, there's no mystery why insurance costs keep going up even as the suck quotient rises precipitously. Because in most areas there's little or no actual competition.
Read the rest by Josh Marshall at TPM.
The shenanigans of operators at the health insurance companies are enough to make you sick.
State employees in Louisiana have a public option for health insurance. Our secondary insurer, after Medicare, is the state, thus Grandpère and I are covered entirely by public options, and we are pleased with our coverage.
Note, I'm not saying more competition. I'm saying any competition at all. As Zack Roth explains in this new piece 94% of the health care insurance market is now under monopoly or near-monopoly conditions -- the official term of art is 'highly concentrated'. In other words, there's no mystery why insurance costs keep going up even as the suck quotient rises precipitously. Because in most areas there's little or no actual competition.
Read the rest by Josh Marshall at TPM.
The shenanigans of operators at the health insurance companies are enough to make you sick.
State employees in Louisiana have a public option for health insurance. Our secondary insurer, after Medicare, is the state, thus Grandpère and I are covered entirely by public options, and we are pleased with our coverage.
Saintly Ramblings - 25 Years A Priest
SR with his mother and father on the big day.
Some clergy celebrate their 25th anniversary with a special service or a parish party. That's not for me. Today is a marker on the journey, and gives a certain sense of satisfaction that I've made it this far, but I don't intend to wave flags or inflate balloons.
25 years ago today I first put on a clerical collar. These days I hardly ever wear it. "O tempora o mores!"
And he can't remember where he washed his clothes when he was in seminary.
Wish him another 25 years at his blog.
I've seen him, you know, and he hasn't changed a bit, but for his mane, which is a tad less luxuriant these days.
From Roseann
When In Doubt, Sing: Prayer in Daily Life by Jane Redmont. This book is so spirit renewing!
I'm riding the health roller coaster again. Had some tests done and should get the results today. Hopefully I won't have to go back to the hospital. I'm having a hard time keeping my chin up right now. Gary has gone back to work which is great. I miss him so much though. Poor baby me, can't stand to be away from him for 8 hours. LOL It is probably really good for him though to be away from me and around healthy people.
Leave a word at Give Peace a Chance, Please.
Update on Roseann:
From Sue:
Mimi,
Roseann is being admitted to the hospital this afternoon. I'll keep you posted. She must have her laptop with her, because she told me she'd send me a room number when she could.
Sue
I'm riding the health roller coaster again. Had some tests done and should get the results today. Hopefully I won't have to go back to the hospital. I'm having a hard time keeping my chin up right now. Gary has gone back to work which is great. I miss him so much though. Poor baby me, can't stand to be away from him for 8 hours. LOL It is probably really good for him though to be away from me and around healthy people.
Leave a word at Give Peace a Chance, Please.
Update on Roseann:
From Sue:
Mimi,
Roseann is being admitted to the hospital this afternoon. I'll keep you posted. She must have her laptop with her, because she told me she'd send me a room number when she could.
Sue
Monday, June 29, 2009
Lest We Forget Too Soon
From the Guardian:
faces of the dead and detained
We want to put a face to each of those hundreds - possibly thousands - killed or arrested since the Iranian election.
Have a look at their website.
Remember and pray for the safety and release of the detained and for the families of the dead.
faces of the dead and detained
We want to put a face to each of those hundreds - possibly thousands - killed or arrested since the Iranian election.
Have a look at their website.
Remember and pray for the safety and release of the detained and for the families of the dead.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)