Country Joe and the Fish

Remember Country Joe McDonald? I was never much of a fan except for his memorable performance at Woodstock. I just stumbled acrossed his website where alot of his songs can be heard. He has a new one called "Support the Troops".



I forgot that Country Joe had to testify in the Chicago Seven trial. The transcript of his testimony is here.

Country Joe is responsible for this website.

Supporting the Troops

There has been a lot of talk about how or how one does not "support the troops" recently. Voting against Pres. Bush's "surge" means you do not "support the troops" according to a few misguided individuals.

But can we all agree that plastering a "Support the Troops" magnetic sticker on your car isn't really doing all that much other than making the car's owner feel good?

There is a good guest Editorial in todays NYT by Kristin Henderson. Ms. Henderson hits the nail on the head.

Though some claim that all Americans are making sacrifices for the war on terrorism, it’s just not true. The few who are sent to fight and those left behind who are an intimate part of their daily lives are the ones whose mental health, finances and relationships are taking the hit.

We are paying for the war in Iraq and Afghanistan using borrowed money. No one is sacrificing financially - we're leaving that to our children.

Ms. Henderson suggests a war tax. That's the way previous wars have been funded. This year we are getting a tax rebate for money that was collected via a phone tax. That tax was to raise money to support the Spanish-American War. Maybe that tax should not be repealed and the money used to pay current war expenses. Better yet, a tax that hits everyone personally in their pocketbook might be better. Let's see how anxious we are to start a "preventative war" when the money comes out of our paychecks every week.

If a phone tax were reinstated, or a tax on oil or clothing — something we use in proportion to our income — then all Americans would wind up shouldering at least a small portion of the burden of our nation’s wars. Military families would be exempt.

But we can't have a war tax because that would mean some political party or politician wouldn't get elected. Why do we continue to elect such cowards?

While I'm at it, let me reiterate that I think it would be best if all wars were fought only by individuals over the age of 55.

Shoveling

Before



After

I had to do this yesterday and today. About an hour of work each time. Of course I used by favorite piece of equipment - The Wovel.

The Wovel is on sale right now - a web special. No I don't get paid for praising the wovel. I just think it's a really great piece of equipment. If you shove a driveway, do yourself a favor. Buy a wovel at 30% off today.

Jonah Goldberg's Iraq War Bet

Two years ago today Jonah Goldberg, right wing pundit, made a bet to Professor Juan Cole of the University of Michigan.

Let's make a bet. I predict that Iraq won't have a civil war, that it will have a viable constitution, and that a majority of Iraqis and Americans will, in two years time, agree that the war was worth it. I'll bet $1,000 (which I can hardly spare right now).

Read about it here.

Rich Blonde Woman Dies

Anna Nicole Smith has been found dead. I'm a person of habit. I like to watch "Tweety" bloviate on "HardBall" on MSNBC at 5 PM right after I get off my treadmill workout.So what happens? MSNBC is now well into their 2nd hour of talking about Smiths death. What the hell? The death of an ex-playmate bimbo that married an ancient billionaire is worth two hours of news time.
There is a disaster in Iraq, rumblings of a war with Iran, missing billions of dollars, etc and we are spending two hours (or more) talking about Anna Nicole Smith?

It says alot about this country, doesn't it?

Wonkette suggests a National Day of Mourning for America's First Princess.

Wildlife

What the hell are YOU looking at?



A morning snack.

In All Its Glory

The 2007 Saranac Lake Winter Carnival Ice Palace

Lighted night pictures to come.

Airport Security

One can argue that since the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center, airline and airport security have been improved significantly. It is also clear that "Homeland" security funds are not being spent in the most logical way.

For example, the Ticonderoga, NY airport is getting fenced in to the tune of $800,000 funded by homeland security funds. One reason for the fencing is to keep local drag racers off the runway. But maybe they are worried that terrorists might take over the old fort in Ticonderoga and wage war on the local populace.

Really, it's no joke. When will the government address the security of chemical factories, nuclear power plants and shipping ports? How about spending the money where security is really needed?

People in the North Country constantly whine about high taxes. Where do they think the $800,000 is coming from. But tax money is good if it's being spent in your area. Otherwise, it's just pork.

Republican Ostriches

A few days ago a scientific panel composed of a leading international network of climate scientists concluded that global warming is happening and humans and their activites are the main driver. The report can be found online here.

A "Congressional Insiders" poll, which surveyed a sample of Democratic and Republican Senators and Representatives has been released. The question of interest was: Do you think it’s been proven beyond a reasonable doubt that the Earth is warming because of man-made problems?

84% of Republicans said NO.

95% of Democrats said YES.

What will it take to convince Republicans that human activities are responsible for global warming?

Ice Palace - IX

It's a bitterly cold day to be working on the Ice Palace. Below zero temps and wind chill factor of -25. But work goes on. An ice block maze is being added on to the rear of the Ice Palace. The numbers 2007 have been carved and are waiting to be placed. Electical work still needs to be done.

You know the Bible 79%!

Wow! You are truly a student of the Bible! Some of the questions were difficult, but they didn't slow you down! You know the books, the characters, the events . . . Very impressive!

Ultimate Bible Quiz
Create MySpace Quizzes

Ice Palace - VIII

Still not completely finished, but almost. The rear towers are not yet complete and there is ice carving and lighting to be added. Fifteen hundred 500 lb ice blocks have been cut.



An arched doorway and windows have been cut and crenelations added. If you look carefully through the door you will see a throne. Lighting has been scheduled for Monday night. It's completely amazing that this Ice Palace was built in less than a week.