Rachel Visits CPAC

Rachel shares video of her visit to CPAC.

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Amazing, LOL!

I cracked up, seeing the doormats featuring Keith Olbermann and Chris Matthews. She says they were all nice to her, except the guy who screamed at her--the anti-gay guy.

Good job covering the freak show, Rachel! :)

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Chris Buttars, Utah State Senator

I have been busy, too busy to write!

However, I did catch this on Rachel Maddow tonight, and was simply amazed!

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Amazed at the stupidity!



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Roses

Happy Valentine's Day everyone ... I hope all of you are surrounded
by those you love.

I got this from a friend in the Chicago area. I had forgotten more of these than I remember, LOL!

Guess I don't get or give roses often enough these days?


The Rose

From time immemorial, beloveds have been compared to roses. If we
juggle the letters of the word ROSE we get EROS, who is the God of Love.
Rose has thus been the traditional choice of lovers around the world. The colour red is associated with strong emotions and below are listed sentiments expressed by different hues of rose :-

Lavender -- Enchantment and Uniqueness
Orange -- Fascination
Pink (Dark) -- Thankfulness, Friendship and Admiration
Red -- Love, Respect and Courage
Peach -- Modesty, Gratitude, Admiration and Sympathy
Pink (Pale) -- Grace, Joy and Happiness
Deep Red -- Beauty and Passion
White -- Innocence, Purity, Secrecy, Silence, Reverence, Humility and
(according to some sources) True Love
Yellow -- Joy, Friendship, Jealousy, Hope and Freedom
Black -- Farewell
Red/White -- Unity or Engagement
Yellow/Orange -- Passionate Thoughts
Peach -- Modesty, Gratitude, Admiration and Sympathy
Pink (Pale) -- Grace, Joy and Happiness
Yellow/Red -- Congratulations
Rosebud -- Beauty, Youth and a Heart Innocent of Love
Red Rosebud -- Purity and Loveliness
White Rosebud -- Girlhood
One Dozen Red Roses -- "I Love You"
Single Red Rose in Full Bloom -- "I Love You"
Tea Roses -- "I'll Remember Always"

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Remembering Ray

Ray and his wife Maryann were a husband/wife team in the Avon world, and quite successful in their business. Working the business together, they achieved the level of Sr Executive Unit Leader, which is the highest level in the Leadership program. It takes a lot of hard work and motivation to get there, and they did it, as a together.

I 'knew' them, from a couple of the Yahoo loops out there, specifically for Avon Reps. That's where some of us go to share and mentor or be mentored. Ray and Maryann were among the best; always willing to give the encouragement needed, and share with others, what they had done and learned, in building their business to the level of success they had achieved.

Just a couple of weeks ago, Ray was diagnosed with leukemia. He was in the hospital, getting chemo, and expected to beat the disease.

I got the news from another Rep this evening, that Ray went into sudden cardiac arrest this morning, and passed on.

Ray will be missed by all who knew him, whether just through online communications, or in person. My heart just breaks for Maryann, and the rest of Ray's family.

My heart goes out to all the Reps out there, who were mentored and touched by Ray, online if not in person.

May he rest in peace.

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Bill Clinton: 2 Stents Placed Today

Former President Bill Clinton experienced chest pain today, and got in to see his cardiologist. Reports are saying he had 2 stents placed in one coronary artery, and is doing well.

Here's a little information about chest pain and stents, from CNN's Health page:

Former U.S. President Clinton underwent a procedure to place two stents in one of his coronary arteries Thursday after experiencing chest "discomfort," his foundation said.

A stent is very effective at reducing chest pain and treating a heart attack, said Dr. Clyde Yancy, president of the American Heart Association.

Putting two stents in one coronary artery suggests that the problem was that one of the bypass grafts completely closed, and doctors had to fix his regular artery in the heart, said Dr. Michael Lee, assistant clinical professor at the University of California, Los Angeles Medical Center. Another possibility is that the bypass graft itself was blocked, but this probably would have required only one stent, he said.

Read the full story here.

I wish him a fast recovery from the procedure, and many more years in this lifetime with his family. May he continue with all his good works for humanity!

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Smoking Pot

The title of this article from The Daily Beast caught my eye, so I just had to check it out!

"How Rich People Smoke Pot"

I have heard of 'vaporizers' of course, but never this one!

As the executive director of NORML, the leading lobbying organization for pot smokers’ rights, Allen St. Pierre gets asked a lot of strange questions. But the one he’s been getting lately is, “What is that metal thing they use on Weeds?”

The answer is the Volcano Vaporizer, a smokeless inhalation device that has recently shown up on both the Showtime series and HBO’s Bored to Death, in which a sexy stoner played by Jenny Slate lures Jason Schwartzman into her bedroom to test one out. (“Just squeeze down on that nipple and suck in the vapors,” she coaches him.) It’s even used at the renowned Chicago restaurant Alinea, albeit unconventionally, to pipe aromas of nutmeg and coffee to diners as they eat dessert.

The Volcano is affectionately known as the “Mercedes Benz” of toking up.

Read full article here

Of course in my world, I don't know any rich people, pot-smoking or otherwise! I also have never watched either of the shows mentioned, either--might have to check them out, just to see it!


I am from the ancient days of bongs and cool roach clip earrings, LOL!



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A Good Belly Laugh!

Earlier today, Robert Gibbs mocked O'Palin and her 'crib notes' during his White House Press Briefing:




Probably a little over the top, and no doubt, Limpballs will rant tomorrow if he didn't do it already today!


I still think it's funny as hell though!




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Microchips?

In the Virginia House, they are voting on a bill to prevent employers and insurance companies from micro-chipping people without their consent? WOW! Where have I been, that I had no idea anyone wanted to do this anyhow!

I know the technology is there, and has been in place for pets for quite a while. Back in the 90s, I even thought about getting my macaws chipped, because there was an awful lot of exotic bird thefts, and a microchip does identify the bird as belonging to a certain owner. I never did do it though--I decided not to, because I am not a breeder, with tons of expensive birds to be stolen. Instead, we added security lights outside the house.

Anyway, as expected, some are taking the idea of human micro-chipping straight to the book of Revelation and all that "mark of the beast" and "end times" stuff.

To read the Washington Post article, click here.

There is a lot of concern for invasion of personal privacy, I get that. But millions already give up little pieces of privacy every single day. Think OnStar tracking in newer cars; and GPS. Think Nielsen, for determining how many watch what television shows.

I don't have On-Star or a GPS in my truck. The truck is 10 years old, and I just never added those kinds of things to it. For directions when I go out to do deliveries, I use Microsoft Streets and Trips to plan my route. (Note to self: need to update that old 2002 version!) Cell phones also can track people. If you're using a credit or debit card, the paper trail "tracks" you (or whoever might have gotten your card!)

I really don't care that I can already be tracked. I lead an ordinary life, and it would no doubt, bore the hell out of anyone watching me, LOL!

Will I get chipped anytime soon? Highly doubtful, as far as I know!

However, the article did mention the chips might be helpful for patients with
Alzheimers. Could it be...that someday my children will get me chipped, so they won't lose track of me?

Good and bad uses--I can see both.
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Meghan McCain vs The Tea Party

I only caught part of this on Hardball this afternoon, before I had to leave for a meeting, so I left myself a note* to grab the video when I got home.

Meghan Mc Cain was guest co-host on ABC's The View Monday. She addressed the racist remarks made at the Tea Baggers Ball, by Tom Tancredo. Here's the segment from Hardball:

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Racism is just plain wrong--and I don't care who it is that's spewing such crap---it's just wrong! Meghan knows this, and was not afraid to say so. I think she did a good job calling it what it is! Thank you, Meghan!

*My note was written on a post-it, and attached inside the garage door; NOT scribbled on my left hand, LOL!*

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Childhood Obesity

First Lady Michelle Obama had a press conference earlier today to unveil her campaign to battle childhood obesity.

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It's an issue that we all need to be concerned with.

The stats are frightening.

According to the CDC:

Childhood obesity has more than tripled in the past 30 years. The prevalence of obesity among children aged 6 to 11 years increased from 6.5% in 1980 to 19.6% in 2008. The prevalence of obesity among adolescents aged 12 to 19 years increased from 5.0% to 18.1%.

Read the full article here.

If your kids are still kids, please, for their sake, keep them eating healthy, and active.

If, like me, your kids are grown, do what you can to encourage them to see to it they are feeding the kids good stuff, less junk, and that the kids are active, rather than just glued to the tube or playing video games all the time.

The kids are our future. Let's all do our part for them!



Ok, end of rant! As the old Nike commercials said, Just DO it!
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A Child as Samba Queen

This story has been all over the news. A 7 year old girl has been chosen to be the drum corps queen for the Viradouro samba group for the Carnival procession in Rio de Janeiro this week.

From what I can tell, the role of queen in this huge event, is not really appropriate for a child. I know without a doubt that as a mother, I would never have allowed my daughter to participate in such a role when she was only 7 years old!

According to the story I just read in The Guardian, the role "is normally reserved for immaculately tanned and half-naked soap opera stars keen to keep their faces – and bottoms – in the Brazilian media."

Read the article here.

I just wish little girls could stay little girls, and enjoy childhood as long as they still are children. It's sad, to see them exploited in areas such as this and the little Miss 'Whatever' beauty contests for little girls.

Good grief! Let them be kids--teen years and then adulthood come soon enough!

President Obama's Planned Summit Meeting on Feb. 25th

I missed this during the pre-game show yesterday, because I was driving over to my oldest son's house to watch the game with him.


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He sure tries working with the party of NO, for all the good it ever does! All they want is for him to fail! I really believe that, I do!

And I hear reports that the Party of NO doesn't want the summit televised? WTF!?!

I swear, the way they act reminds me of a bunch of spoiled brats! They seriously need a trip to the woodshed!

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Question of the day/week/year/century

In what grade did you stop writing crib notes on the palm of your hand?


Huffington Post has a close-up of the notes O'Palin had on her left hand when she did the Q & A last night after her speech at the Tea Baggers' Convention. Questions she (or someone!) screened and pre-approved, and yet she needed crib notes on her hand? Good grief!

You can see the close-up and read the article here.

I'll admit, I sometimes will scribble something on my hand, even now. Usually, it's a number I need to remember, and I simply have no place to write it at the time. I bet I'm not the only one who does that, either. In all my years of watching speeches and interviews, I don't remember ever seeing anyone do that!

Thudworthy!

What I am NOT Doing Tonight!

I have thought about it, and seriously considered turning on the tee vee in the family room to watch O'Palin give her speech tonight at the Tea Baggers' Convention in Nashville, but I just can't do it! NOPE! I simply cannot bring myself to sit through it!

The sound of her screech makes my ears hurt, and I believe it causes the brain to bleed. Bleeding in the brain is not on the list of things I really want to do, so I'll just say "Thanks, but NO thanks"

Do I want to know what kind of sh!t she will spew tonight for the 600 or so teabaggers with more dollars than sense? Yes, of course I do!

I'm sure there will plenty of reports and video clips out there in the blogosphere tonight, as well as some live-tweeting and blogging. Later, I can look for the transcript and attempt to read it.

I really appreciate those who are stronger than I am, for watching/listening to O'Palin so I don't have too!
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A Stroll Down Memory Lane

I was looking around You Tube to see what I could find about a favorite landmark in Southern Illinois, and one thing led to another.

I typed "E St Louis" in the search, and found this beautiful but sad video. The sadness, is seeing some of the not-so-pretty changes, such as the boys' Catholic HS, which is now a Correctional Center.

Still, many of the beautiful old churches and other buildings remain.



The guy who put up the video captured many places familiar to me from my growing up years. He didn't go into my old neighborhood, which was actually a couple blocks outside the city limits, but he was right around the corner from my Grandma's house!

I have many memories of the area, and just about every time I am back in the area, I make a point of driving through E St Louis, re-visiting all the old familiar streets and neighborhoods from those years.

I haven't been back there in almost 5 years, and have no idea if my old house is still there or not.

I'm hoping I can make a road trip rather than flying this summer, for the Family Reunion in St Louis. If so, I'll definitely make a side trip to E St Louis, and maybe get some photos at least.

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Planned Parenthood Ad

Planned Parenthood has an ad in response to the Anti-Choice Tebow ad:




This one will not be seen on Super Bowl Sunday.

According to Planned Parenthood spokesman Sebastian Perez-Ferreiro:

"We feel the money is better spent with our affiliates at their health centers," he said.

Read the USA Today article here.

I happen to agree, the money is better spent at the health centers.

And to be honest, neither ad belongs in the Super Bowl. Super Bowl ads are supposed to be funny and entertaining, not socio-political/religious messages!

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Gay Dating Commercial?

Here's an ad that won't be on Super Bowl Sunday:





Actually, I think the ad is funny as hell! It would fit right in with the usually hysterical Super Bowl ads we are used to. It would fit in MUCH better than that Anti-Choice ad CBS will be running.

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Smart Women

A friend recently shared the following email with me, and I thought it was worth sharing here.

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Recently, in a large city in Australia, a poster featuring a young, thin and tan woman appeared in the window of a gym.

It said, "This summer, do you want to be a mermaid or a whale?"


A middle-aged woman, whose physical characteristics did not match those of the woman on the poster, responded publicly to the question posed by the gym.



To Whom It May Concern,

Whales are always surrounded by friends (dolphins, sea lions, curious humans.)
They have an active sex life, get pregnant and have adorable baby whales.

They have a wonderful time with dolphins stuffing themselves with shrimp.

They play and swim in the seas, seeing wonderful places like Patagonia, the Bering Sea and the coral reefs of Polynesia.

Whales are wonderful singers and have even recorded CDs.

They are incredible creatures and virtually have no predators other than humans.

They are loved, protected and admired by almost everyone in the world.


Mermaids don't exist.

If they did exist, they would be lining up outside the offices of Argentinean psychoanalysts due to identity crisis. Fish or human?

They don't have a sex life because they kill men who get close to them, not to mention how could they have sex?

Just look at them ... where is IT? Therefore, they don't have kids either. Not to mention, who wants to get close to a girl who smells like a fish store?


The choice is perfectly clear to me: I want to be a whale.


P..S. We are in an age when media puts into our heads the idea that only skinny people are beautiful, but I prefer to enjoy an ice cream with my kids, a good dinner with a man who makes me shiver, and a piece of chocolate with my friends.


With time, we gain weight because we accumulate so much information and wisdom in our heads that when there is no more room, it distributes out to the rest of our bodies.

So we aren't heavy, we are enormously cultured, educated and happy.

Beginning today, when I look at my butt in the mirror I will think, "Good grief, look how smart I am!"
**********************

LOL, love it!

I'm not getting older

I'm getting SMARTER!
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Distracted Driving

While driving around today doing a couple errands, I was listening to NPR' Talk of the Nation with Neil Conan. The guest was Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood, discussing what is being done about distracted driving.

There has been a recent ban on texting or talking on cell phones by bus drivers and commercial drivers. Apparently there are 19 states with laws regulating cell phone use while driving, and it seems to be an issue of enforcement. He talked about DC having anti-cell phone laws in place, and yet everywhere, you see people using their phones while driving.

You can read the show transcript and listen to it here.

I am guilty of talking while driving--usually, it's an inbound call I have chosen to answer. Sometimes, I will initiate a call to someone I have I speed dial.

Texting however, is a whole other animal. I couldn't text while driving if my life depended on it, LOL! I am doing good to text from the comfort of my chair, forget it while driving!

I believe eventually cell phone use while driving will be illegal everywhere, and it probably is a good idea, for the safety of all.

Of course, there will be those who holler and scream about government interference, loss of individual freedoms, whatever! But the plain truth is, unfortunately, some people don't have an ounce of sense, and must be told how to avoid endangering others.

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Commercial Break!

"Going Rogue" by Sarah Palin COMMERCIAL
by petercoffin

I can't help it, I have to confess---it made me laugh! I know, bad me...laughing yet again, at the Quitter Queen!
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