JustanObserver 1 year, 5 months ago

OFF TOPIC

Agreed - The WW forums were moderated much better several months ago before the moderators decided to delete anything not directly connected to the article in question. I have never witnessed this sort of moderation before and, in my opinion, it is a poor way to conduct an internet forum. As long as there is a logical train of thought from the topic to the meandering, I don't see the harm in allowing such posts.

John_Barta 1 year, 5 months ago

OFF TOPIC

Perhaps TWW needs some trusted volunteer moderators. It's obivous the staff is stretched way too thin as it is without taking on more. Successfully moderating all the blogs would be a full time job if handled by one person.

Genie 1 year, 1 month ago

OFF TOPIC

John,

Is this a role that you would be interested in playing?

Norm 1 year, 5 months ago

OFF TOPIC

I could be mistaken, but it seems to me like they don't enforce the "off topic" rule as strictly in people's personal blog threads as they do in the threads that begin with newspaper articles. Anyway, this is not an attack on WW's moderators - they have a difficult, probably annoying job that opens them up to abuse for doing their job.

This is just an attempt to make everyone happy, not any sort of direct or indirect criticism of WW or its moderators.

Wondering 1 year, 5 months ago

OFF TOPIC

Nice idea. Thanks.

I am still wondering if anyone heard anything more regarding Bob Bowser, which I believe someone originally posted off topic under another story. I may have missed a follow up, so I thought I would ask here.

Larry71 1 year, 5 months ago

OFF TOPIC

Was that his real name?

1 year, 5 months ago

OFF TOPIC

Thanks for the additional info. Could you tell us if you know if something happened to him physically, or possibly did his profile just get deleted by WW and maybe that is why we won't be hearing from him?

1 year, 5 months ago

OFF TOPIC

Bond, Did he join Mary or did he join that other place?

JimboBear 1 year, 5 months ago

OFF TOPIC

Bond, Does that mean I was incorrect in my concerns as noted in my e-mails to you?

1 year, 5 months ago

OFF TOPIC

Great idea, Norm. Now, with reference to the "Does God Exist" blog, what happens if you're driving to God's house at the speed of light and you turn on your headlights?

1 year, 5 months ago

OFF TOPIC

Your teeth fall out.

1 year, 5 months ago

OFF TOPIC

Nope, your wings fall off.

1 year, 5 months ago

OFF TOPIC

Ahhh, but you are all wrong...clearly your glasses will crack while your teeth and wings fall off.

1 year, 5 months ago

OFF TOPIC

From the Wenatchee Daily World News of Record/Chelan County: "200 block Ferry Street: Rat trap taken from vehicle, reported Dec. 20." I don't know, but it seems to be a sorry state of affairs when a thief needs a rat trap worse than the owner.

1 year, 5 months ago

OFF TOPIC

Perhaps it wasn't voluntary...

1 year, 5 months ago

OFF TOPIC

"I don't know, but it seems to be a sorry state of affairs when a thief needs a rat trap worse than the owner".

Well, the early bird might get the worm, but it's always the second rat that enjoys the bait.

joanne 1 year, 5 months ago

OFF TOPIC

Ok, guys. That's enough. If I laugh harder I'll..........well, you know the rest. Stever, where have you been? Have I just missed you? Great question about light.

I try to read every comment but can't possibly do that.all the time. It's good to go to bed in a happy frame of mind. Thanks to all of you, I should sleep well tonight! Can't wait to check this out tomorrow.

lonedog3 1 year, 5 months ago

OFF TOPIC

If one isnt happy when they go to bed then one hasn't drank enough wine.

JimboBear 1 year, 5 months ago

OFF TOPIC

Wouldn't that depend on how tense you are? Or should that be what tense you meant?

joanne 1 year, 5 months ago

OFF TOPIC

Sometimes one has to find other ways of being happy, when one's meds say "only one small glass." : (

alex39 1 year, 5 months ago

OFF TOPIC

Ah, so now the topic has found its way to my favorite: enough wine.

Is there such an amount? Enough Wine... I think not Joe.

One may indeed have had too much at one time (celebrations for 2000's arrival come to mind quickly as one of those times) but one can never have enough.

Larry71 1 year, 5 months ago

OFF TOPIC

I hope Everybody has a good xmas.

JimboBear 1 year, 5 months ago

OFF TOPIC

Thank you Larry. That's my wish to all as well. Peace.

joanne 1 year, 5 months ago

OFF TOPIC

My thanks also, Larry This is turning out to be the greatest blog. I look for new posts first thing every day and before I go to bed. Good night, all, and MERRY CHRISTMAS. I have no intention of trying to be Politically Correct.

Larry71 1 year, 5 months ago

OFF TOPIC

Wenatchee High School beats Davis in Wrestling Tuesday night in Wenatchee. Wenatchee's Drue Hunt beats Davis's Jose Sanchez at 125 pounds. Score 3-0 Wenatchee. by 12/14/2010 World photo/Don Seabrook

That a boy.

timrice 1 year, 5 months ago

OFF TOPIC

Thanks for the pic Larry! I enjoy reading about the boys during wrestling.Merry Christmas!

1 year, 5 months ago

OFF TOPIC

Ok, I just need to test some things here.

Hmm... Italicizing is easy enough. So are headlines. I wonder how you bold?

1 year, 5 months ago

OFF TOPIC

this is h1

this is h2

this is h3

this is h4

this is h5

this is h6

This is another sentence....

Ah, I see. Okey Dokey. Thank you, off topic forum!!!

1 year, 5 months ago

OFF TOPIC

yada

dwilliams 1 year, 5 months ago

OFF TOPIC

A brilliant idea for a blog, Norm!

Norm 1 year, 5 months ago

OFF TOPIC

You're right, as usual, Dave.

lonedog3 1 year, 5 months ago

OFF TOPIC

I wonder how long we will have to wait for the defense in the Cowell case to lay out all of the comment sections from the WW in front of a judge demanding a change of venue? Reading those comment sections there is no way the defense can ever hope for a fair unbiased trial in this valley.

Peggy 1 year, 4 months ago

OFF TOPIC

I'm thinking that not as many people as we think actually pay attention to the commenting feature available here. Of course I base this on the fact that I actually had an article, with photos, in here two weeks ago. I figured that it would draw some of the usual suspects because it was on a fairly controversial topic. To my surprise not a soul ever commented. So I am guessing there's actually a fairly small number of readers who actually participate in the comments. Anyway, I like the idea of a free floating conversation; just like at a friendly get together after work....

JimboBear 1 year, 4 months ago

OFF TOPIC

This is about as far off topic as we can get, but for lack of a better place to post it:

I wish you all a happy and prosperous new year. May you be surrounded with love and may many if not all of your hopes and dreams be realized. Enjoy 2011!

lonedog3 1 year, 4 months ago

OFF TOPIC

maybe what you think is a "fairly controversial topic"(with photos no less) is something that nobody else cares about.

Peggy 1 year, 4 months ago

OFF TOPIC

That's true, Joe. After all the Middle East doesn't affect us here in the US does it?

oldtimer 1 year, 4 months ago

OFF TOPIC

Since this is off topic; how is that global warming doing for you? The wife said it was getting to cold , so I said that I would start a fire , she handed me a book to burn ,I asked if she was sure ,she said yes. It was a book about "global warming by al gore , I lit it and got a puff of hot air and that was it. Have a wonderful New Year and fix the air conditioner, cause it is suppose to get up to 20 degrees pretty soon. Take care.

SteveML 1 year, 4 months ago

OFF TOPIC

Old timer- if you put this on the science blog someone will figure out the answer. good joke though

infuzion 1 year, 4 months ago

OFF TOPIC

what was Pam doing with a book by Al Gore? and you're not actually (albeit jokingly) trying to still debate global warming, are you?

infuzion 1 year, 4 months ago

OFF TOPIC

for the record:

Al Gore never once claimed to have invented the internet. ever. it was a sound bite invented by Bush that the media picked up and ran with.

AND

Al Gore WAS directly involved with the creation of the network that allows us all to make fun of him online, more than any other elected figure.

SteveML 1 year, 4 months ago

OFF TOPIC

What ever happened to the follow up story on the big rig trailer that ended up in the Columbia River?

oldtimer 1 year, 4 months ago

OFF TOPIC

That is right James; I think he got the Nobel Peace Award , for it. Don't figure though, book on global warming;nobel peace award, guess i walk in the wrong circles eh?

1 year, 4 months ago

OFF TOPIC

the nobel peace award means so very little anymore as they seem to award it to those that have done nothing to earn it.

1 year, 4 months ago

OFF TOPIC

Sour grapes; I earned mine! :)

1 year, 4 months ago

OFF TOPIC

I like that answer Me

carol 1 year, 4 months ago

OFF TOPIC

Does anyone know any details on bridgework to be done on the George Sellar this weekend??

pruitt 1 year, 4 months ago

OFF TOPIC

Hey Carol ~

Here's our Street Alert for Sellar bridge for the weekend: http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/20...

oldtimer 1 year, 4 months ago

OFF TOPIC

How about our Govenor? She claims we have a shortfall of money to run the state; she wants to cut back on spending, yet she wants to start another cabinet to oversee our Educational Department? I was wondering where she found the extra money to start another cabinet? Maybe the old western movies were correct where the "Indians said, our goverment spoke with forked tounge," Just my opinion.

Dragon 1 year, 4 months ago

OFF TOPIC

Wenatchee needs an IHOP more than they need a Red Lobster and the ideal place for it is in the old Royal Fork. Since breakfast is the most important meal of the day it would be great to have more than a couple places where you can get breakfast all day long.

Larry71 1 year, 4 months ago

OFF TOPIC

Seahawks. Amazing win

oldtimer 1 year, 4 months ago

OFF TOPIC

Wenatchee did have an IHOP at one time it was where Smitty's is now. The owners of Smitty's bought IHOP and changed the name. I don not know all the legal stuff, but apparently they had to use a different name. And yes the Seahawks did a great job.

leftfootedbeagle 1 year, 4 months ago

OFF TOPIC

well hello Wenatchee! leftfootedbeagle here. wishing that I was out there on the river fishing. Its hard to go fishing here in the Land of Enchantment where I live. Have to drive over a hundred miles to get to anywhere. and when You do get there. You still have to drive to the place where You want to go fishing. What a bummer! But hey we do have Road Runners out here. and they are pretty tasty.. Yea! thats right real Tasty. Why they even tast like Owl..... Have a Great day. all the way from New Mexico. P.S. Came out of a bar down in Rosswell the other day. And I saw an aliean. looked a secound time. And it was just another illeagle aliean. So Yea! We have them too..

Norm 1 year, 4 months ago

OFF TOPIC

Suggestions to WW for improving the formatting of the forums.

When an article generates a lot of interest, it often generates a lot of responses. The more responses generated, the harder it is to follow, as the newest posts are often buried in a submenu of a submenu of a submenu of a submenu. When somebody wants to reply to a new post, it is often extremely difficult to find that post in the article's thread. (I'm assuming that most people, like me, first check the page where all new posts are listed, then go to the thread they want to reply to). Another consequence of the present formatting is that after each reply, the box becomes narrower and narrower, to the point where its only a few characters wide.

Possible solutions:

have all posts be shown in chronological order. Instead of creating a mess of nested sub-menus, accomplish the goal of connecting responses to the posts they are responding to with a "reply with quote" button that makes it easy to quote the post you are responding to, and leave all posts in chronological order. See the forums at Rotten Tomotoes for the type of format I am referring to (warning: these are not for the easily offended).
Have a button to "expand all sub-menus" at once. That way, all one has to do is go to the thread one wants to reply in, click "expand all sub-menus", then do a control-f search for a word or phrase in the post they want to reply to. Otherwise, searching doesn't work until one goes through the long and tedious task of finding and expanding each sub-sub-sub-sub-sub menu manually. This solution is less good than the RT format, but its Way better than the present format.

(also, please disable the auto-numbering feature. It causes more harm than good.)

Norm 1 year, 4 months ago

OFF TOPIC

For example, Ferd recently posted in one of the gun control articles. I would like to respond. I go to the thread of the article, search for "retro" (an uncommon part of a word Ferd used that should make his latest post easy to find) and find nothing. So, I can either go through all of the hundreds of comments already there and expand each rat's nest of submenus in an effort to find the one post I'm looking for, or I can can give up the search as too much effort for too little result and come here and complain about the formatting instead.

1 year, 4 months ago

OFF TOPIC

Yes, Norm, it is somewhat like searching for the proverbial needle in a haystack at times, isn't it? The key is in looking for the blue "replies" hot link and hoping for the best. Using google chrome as a browser is also helpful. Explorer cannot even open some of the much longer and bulky threads. Many thanks to one helpful poster who suggested I make that change a few weeks back.

1 year, 4 months ago

OFF TOPIC

You're welcome.

artmann 1 year, 4 months ago

OFF TOPIC

Finally, the most mean spirited, hater, and inducer of violence is gone!!!! Olberman has been fired by MSNBC. This time we can only hope it is for good!!! Does that mean they are going to do something besides just do HATE segments on Fox News??? I wonder.......

Larry71 1 year, 4 months ago

OFF TOPIC

Dont know how many have seen this but its great sportsmanship.

The Ike Special - Directors Cut by GameTImeVP

Larry71 1 year, 3 months ago

OFF TOPIC

why doesnt our media cover this?

According to Seyaj, local media reports and the Egyptian government, at least 10 Yemeni children were trafficked to Egypt for organ harvesting in 2009. The children were repatriated to Yemen after Egyptian authorities discovered the trafficking ring.

http://wikileaks.ch/cable/2010/02/10SANAA295.html

Norm 1 year, 3 months ago

OFF TOPIC

Free Speech goes global:

"The Egyptian government's efforts to limit communications within the country has triggered a wave of activism from an international group of free speech activists on the Internet called Telecomix.

Organizing using chat rooms, wikis, and collaborative writing tools, this largely anonymous group has worked to inform Egyptians about their communications options while receiving incoming messages from them. Telecomix has previously worked on free speech efforts in Tunisia, Iran, China and other countries who have tried to censor or block parts of the Internet."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/29/anonymous-internet-egypt_n_815889.html

1 year, 3 months ago

OFF TOPIC

An Egyptian in London sends his thanks to the heroes in the streets of his homeland:

Waseem Wagdi, Egyptian protester. Egyptian Embassy, London. 29.1.11 by sternchenproductions

1 year, 3 months ago

OFF TOPIC

Very heartfelt and poignant words indeed! However, he is speaking with the sincerity and freedom of expression afforded by another nation. Will the new Egypt offer the same? Somehow I doubt that it will. Regime change comes with many uncertainties and many are bound to be disappointed.

1 year, 3 months ago

OFF TOPIC

Should Washington Legalize Marijuana? HB 1550 Is Latest Proposal

http://www.kirotv.com/news/26796905/detail.html

Norm 1 year, 3 months ago

OFF TOPIC

.

notadrunk 1 year, 3 months ago

OFF TOPIC

why would we want to legalize another drug when we have alcohol destroying our morals? look at the violence in the local bars anymore. fights in the clubs everyweekend. now for granted overzealous security causes some of the fights as well as race issues from authoritys and management but- the base cause is alcohol consumption is the prime reason.

Norm 1 year, 3 months ago

OFF TOPIC

"why would we want to legalize another drug when we have alcohol destroying our morals? "

Primarily to take that revenue stream away from organized crime.

The argument that mj should be legalized is not an argument that more people should use it - its an argument about how we should treat people who do. As long as they don't bother anybody else - fight, steal, operate vehicles while impaired, etc. - then there is no reason to treat people who use it like criminals.

MichaelD 1 year, 3 months ago

OFF TOPIC

legalizing mj would be benificial on many levels; We could stop wasting money fighting a losing battle, free up jail space for people that need to be in jail, decrease the environmental damage being done by illegal grow operations on public land not to mention the safety factor of innocent hikers stumbling across an illegal grow, and Countries that have taken this route have found a decrease in harder drug use because people don't have to be exposed to other drugs when they can purchase mj at a controled facility. And stoners don't tend to cause nearly as many problems as drunks. Plus it would be a absolute boon to the fast food and munchie industries.

1 year, 3 months ago

OFF TOPIC

Washington state should lead on marijuana legalization

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2014247491_guest17holmes.html

"Ending marijuana prohibition and focusing on rational regulation and taxation is a pro-public safety, pro-public health, pro-limited government policy." Pete Holmes, Seattle city attorney

Larry71 1 year, 3 months ago

OFF TOPIC

Pulling for the people of Libya.

1 year, 3 months ago

OFF TOPIC

This is only a test.

1 year, 3 months ago

OFF TOPIC

test

1 year, 2 months ago

OFF TOPIC

Me thinks Charlie Sheen will soon die of a drug overdose strong enough to kill 2 1/2 men.

Larry71 1 year, 2 months ago

OFF TOPIC

Well the UN says off to libya we go.

1 year, 2 months ago

OFF TOPIC

This comment was removed by the site staff for violation of the usage agreement.

Larry71 1 year, 2 months ago

OFF TOPIC

I just watched a movie called Across The Universe. I don't know how long it has been out but if you like the Beatles you will like this.

JimboBear 1 year, 2 months ago

OFF TOPIC

Actually, this is a question for the WW staff more than a blog entry, but I have seen something about a self delete for posts in this forum. Is that a possible action? Probably most of us have posted something at one time or another and then thought better of it. Could you explain the steps if it is possible to delete a post? Thanks!

1 year, 2 months ago

OFF TOPIC

If you catch it within 15-20 minutes, click the edit button, delete the text, and write "self-deleted" or something.

This comment was made possible because of the ability to post anonymously.

I encourage every anonymous poster to append this to each and every post they post from this day forward. I know I will be.

1 year, 2 months ago

OFF TOPIC

Yes, I think I pretty much had that figured. The edit feature is a great one in my mind, but I'm not sure why it needs to be timed. Can you answer that one as well WW? The curious among us just want to know.

Thanks for the response though Iam

Genie 1 year, 1 month ago

OFF TOPIC

Will look into it. Right now you can edit or modify/delete within 15 minutes of posting. I got caught out a couple of weeks ago myself and ended up removing a post much to the amusement of everyone. I will see what we can do.

Norm 1 year, 2 months ago

OFF TOPIC

Best article I've read in a long time. Read the whole thing here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-l-borosage/who-gets-hit-with-the-tab_b_837568.html

Excerpts: 1. ...But that's where we are -- focused on who pays for the mess. Wall Street excess and conservative deregulation (by law and lassitude) blew up the economy, causing the Great Recession. The bankers were bailed out. Working families took the hit from the downturn -- in lost jobs, lost savings, weakened pensions, declining home values, pay and benefit cuts.

The recession blew a large hole in public finances at every level. Tax revenues plummeted. Expenses -- from unemployment insurance to food stamps to public health -- rose. Public pension funds suffered investment losses. States and localities face severe deficits with a mandate to balance their budgets. At the federal level, the recession doubled the national debt, and drove deficits up to 10% of GDP (much of this the result of plummeting tax receipts).

Now the question is who pays for the damage?

The Republican position is clear and consistent at every level of government. They want to send the bill to teachers, cops, seniors, kids, the poor and the vulnerable. From Governor Walker in Wisconsin to Governor Kasich in Ohio and across the country, Republican Governors and conservative legislators are pushing for deep cuts in education, jobs programs, and public health programs (particularly Medicaid). They are slashing spending while seeking in many cases to cut taxes for corporations and the affluent.

That's true at the federal level as well. Republicans went to the mat to extend tax breaks for millionaires in December, and now are threatening to close down government to slash spending on education, jobs programs, energy and the environment, and public health for the remaining months of the FY 2011 budget. And for next year's budget, they are girding themselves to take on the core insurance programs -- Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid -- that provide the most vulnerable Americans -- seniors, the widowed, the disabled -- with some modicum of security. ...

Norm 1 year, 2 months ago

OFF TOPIC

.2. "These questions are posed each day in Congress. Cut funding for schools or cut subsidies to big oil? Cut health care for seniors and the disabled or cut subsidies to the drug and insurance companies that drive up health care costs. Invest in rebuilding America, or continue to squander resources policing the world? Cut Social Security benefits that workers have paid for or require the wealthiest Americans to pay a higher tax rate than their secretaries?

Here again, unions are central to the story. After World War II, unions represented about 35% of the private workforce. As productivity and profits rose and the country got richer, unions helped insure that workers -- union and non-union -- got a fair share of the benefits. We all grew together and created the great triumph of America -- an American Dream that was within reach of a broad middle class.

But after 1980, with globalization, the corporate offensive on unions, the conservative era in our politics, unions declined dramatically to less than 7% of the private workforce. Productivity and profits continued to rise. Contrary to conservatives, America isn't broke. It generates more income now than it did a decade ago, and will generate more income in the next decades than it does now. America isn't broke but its working families are struggling. That's because they no longer share in the increased profits and productivity they help to create. The richest 1% captures fully 23% of the income in the society, and has more wealth than 90% of Americans, while most households lost ground when the economy was growing in the last decade. If the right succeeds in destroying unions, it will surely accelerate the destruction of the middle class and our descent into ever greater inequality."

artmann 1 year, 2 months ago

OFF TOPIC

That is one of the the stupidist pieces of Liberal BS I have ever read. The highest 1% of earners are NOT stealing income and wealth from the rest of us. It is exactly the opposite. As they increase their earnings due to their ability to make money off of the Globalization of emerging and growing markets it will keep the USA from slumping even further due to way too much Govt, regulation, taxes and inefficient programs redistributing money. Each sentence of that piece is just bogus when it comes to actual facts. Just take this one for example "America isn't broke. It generates more income now than it did a decade ago, and will generate more income in the next decades than it does now" Yes, the US is "broke", from the standpoint of current expenditures are higher than current revenues and the deficit and debt are increasing. Increasing revenues are a moot point in the equation because unfortunately the pace at which the Govt is spending money is increasing MORE. And this bold face embelishment "That's because they no longer share in the increased profits and productivity they help to create" The last tax return I prepared belonged to a couple making a very nice living from their employer and the employer contributing to a 401K which enabled them to share in the profits of all those "nasty mean" corporations.

Norm 1 year, 1 month ago

OFF TOPIC

This one's for Mav. This is just the recent of many examples of why Jon Stewart is the most trusted media figure in America:

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart

Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c

Exclusive - Mike Huckabee Extended Interview Pt. 3

www.thedailyshow.com

Daily Show Full Episodes

Political Humor & Satire Blog

The Daily Show on Facebook

JustanObserver 1 year, 1 month ago

OFF TOPIC

Thanks for sharing, Norm. I really enjoyed it!

dwilliams 1 year, 1 month ago

OFF TOPIC

Impressive dialogue!

Larry71 1 year, 1 month ago

OFF TOPIC

Enjoyed that Norm thanks.

Larry71 1 year, 1 month ago

OFF TOPIC

I don't know if anyone caught tonight's episode. I throw caution to Glen Beck fans. http://www.thedailyshow.com/full-episodes/thu-april-7-2011-jamie-oliver

1 year, 1 month ago

OFF TOPIC

Thanks, Norm, I enjoyed the interview. However, your subjective assertion that Mr. Stewart is "the most trusted media figure in America" is open to debate. That said, I hope you and anyone else interested in carrying on the local, national, and international discussion will join us over at the AJW on FB. I suspect our time as a group here on the WW is running out and I hope we can all stay in touch in another venue until such time that we are either invited back here or we find a more suitable landing somewhere else in cyberspace.

In any event, it has been my pleasure interacting with all of you. I also hope the WW is successful in their endeavor going forward. After all, they have put up with me for the past few years and for that they deserve my best wishes--just not my hard earned ten bucks a month for the privilege of visiting a comment section resembling a cyber ghost town.

If any of you care to stay in touch, give us a look-see at the following link:

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_196621303710853&ap=1

Otherwise, good morning, good afternoon, and good night.

All the best,

Mav

P.S. If the above hot link does not work, try copying and pasting the link from the "Recent Comments" section. It appears on my end that the WW software has used a disabling character in the above hot link. However, a C&P into the address bar from the "Recent Comments" section does work.

1 year, 1 month ago

OFF TOPIC

"However, your subjective assertion that Mr. Stewart is "the most trusted media figure in America" is open to debate."

Sure, its open to debate, but its not an entirely subjective assertion; from Psychology Today:

"Why Jon Stewart is the Most Trusted Man in AmericaJon Stewart the new Cronkite? Answer: the psychology of trust.

Published on July 24, 2009

A recent TIME magazine on-line poll asked Americans who the most trusted newsman in America following the passing of Walter Cronkite. The shocking winner was Comedy Central "fake news" anchor, Jon Stewart, beating out real news anchors Charlie Gibson, Brian Williams, and Katie Couric."

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/cutting-edge-leadership/200907/why-jon-stewart-is-the-most-trusted-man-in-america

I'll probably sign up on your FB page in a month or so, after I finish up school. Right now its crunch time and I'm already spending more time online than I can afford to, so I'm not going to jump into anything new right now.

artmann 1 year, 1 month ago

OFF TOPIC

Tells you how bright the people are that read Time magazine.........I'm sure they pretty much have the same IQ as the demographic that watches Jon Stewart or whatever his show is called...

Norm 1 year, 1 month ago

OFF TOPIC

"...On top of that, "Daily Show" viewers know more about election issues than people who regularly read newspapers or watch television news, according to the National Annenberg Election Survey. (Pop quiz)...

...While viewers of NBC's "The Tonight Show" and CBS's "The Late Show" scored better than the general public, Stewart's fans came out on top.

Leno and Letterman viewers scored 49 percent on the quiz. But "Daily Show" viewers scored 60 percent on average.

Scores were even lower for those who read a newspaper or watch network news four days a week. ... It also trotted out stats from Nielsen Media Research to show that Stewart's viewers are not only smart, but more educated than O'Reilly's.

"Daily Show" viewers are 78 percent more likely than the average adult to have four or more years of college education, while O'Reilly's audience is only 24 percent more likely to have that much schooling.

Plus, the network noted, "Daily Show" viewers are 26 percent more likely to have a household income more than $100,000, while O'Reilly's audience is only 11 percent more likely to make that much money.

So the guy watching Stewart may not only be smart, but may also be rich."

http://www.cnn.com/2004/SHOWBIZ/TV/09/28/comedy.politics/

JustanObserver 1 year, 1 month ago

OFF TOPIC

Here's a good link that's perfect for this thread. Obama may speak at Bridgeport High School.

http://blog.seattlepi.com/thebigblog/2011/04/08/bridgeport-high-the-little-school-that-can-may-get-obama-speech/

In the article it states that 100% of the students qualify for free or reduced lunches. It then states that 80% of the seniors will be going to college. Good for them - many congrats and well wishes on their studies. However, it likely follows that these students are getting free tuition and room/board as a result of their family's income level. The wealthy can also send their kids to college, and these student never feel the financial burdens of college, nor does it necessitate that they make the choice between taking out loans and working while in college, or foregoing it as a result of the financial pressures. The poor and lower middle class also need not worry about such issues as noted above. You see, there is a giant donut hole in our country's policy towards higher education. The middle class often times cannot afford to finance their kid's education like that of the wealthy, and the tuition rates are sky high, due at least in small part because so many attend for free. The middle class is screwed. I am still paying exhorbitant loans while I attended college (even as I worked as a TA and other various jobs outside the school), and all that even considering that I graduated in the top of my class at every level of the way. There was little reward for that. I know others who did not attend college as a result of the loan implications, and this despite excelling in school.

Okay, I realize that wasn't the point of the article, but it's the off-topic thread, right? :)

dwilliams 1 year, 1 month ago

OFF TOPIC

Same boat as you, Jay... We are middle class with three kids to put through college. It's gonna be rough.

JustanObserver 1 year, 1 month ago

OFF TOPIC

It's a tough situation. After re-reading what I wrote, I don't want to sound like I'm trying to take something away from those that are attending college for free as a result of their family's income level. Good for them. However, at some point the policy's of the nation encourage college based on some income levels, and deter college at other income levels. I guess I'm disillusioned. I took every AP/Honor course while at Eastmont, I participated in sports in two of the three seasons each year, and worked 5.5 hours on many of the school days following sports (and all weekends in which I didn't have competition). Despite this, I still graduated at the top of my class. I almost curtailed many of my college aspirations as a result of finances. I know others solidly in the middle class who did. I think that's a travesty that is simply being ignored. A family of 4 earning 65,000/year is no more able to send two kids to college than a family earning 50,000/year. UW has a program whereby families of 4 earning 51,000 or less can attend for free. I just don't see how we rationalize this...

Norm 1 year, 1 month ago

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Yeah, but you're living high on the hog with your 7 figure teacher's salary, Dave.

As for me, I've got a mountain of debt from law school - and I'm not looking for the kind of lawyering job where you make bank - large firm, or personal injury, stuff like that. I'm looking at public interest/ non-profit kinds of jobs that start at about $40K. And if some kid from a poor family can get grants to go to school, I say more power to him. I don't begrudge him that benefit even though it wasn't available to me - I've had plenty of benefits of my own that I didn't earn that came to me as a result of being born into a middle class American family. I was born on second base, and I'm very aware that that doesn't mean I hit a double. If some kid who was born on home plate needs a little help getting to second base where I started out, I don't begrudge him that - especially when he's already beaten the odds against him to get to first base, by graduating with high enough grades and test scores to get in to college.

Even from a purely fiscal cost-benefit analysis, leaving empathy and compassion entirely out of the picture, it makes sense to invest in helping people climb out of the poverty they were born into. If that poor kid can make more money as a result of having a degree, he'll be paying higher taxes later on - when he can afford to - plus, he's less likely to get involved in criminal activity associated with low socio-economic status and become a burden on society, both through the crimes themselves and through the cost of catching, prosecuting, and incarcerating him.

JustanObserver 1 year, 1 month ago

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...but we can't have the middle class subsidizing this, as they are currently when schools must raise fees to make things balance.

The fact is, I doubt anyone worked harder than me in HS. Seriously. I woke up at 4:30 or 5 every morning to do HW for accelerated classes, did sports, worked 5.5 hours on most days after sports and got home around 11...just enough time to get an hour of hw in (or on some occasions, enjoy an hour of reading) before bed.

I think many of those in the middle class (if not most) face many of the same struggles as those in the lower income brackets. If we provide free college to anyone under a threhold of 50,000 for a household of 4, then by golly, those earning a bit above that should only a pay a nominal rate. Likewise, those a bit above that should only pay a bit more than nominal. It should be tiered all the way up. The fact is, in many families it punishes the kids, not the parents. I, and many of those in a similar position to myself back in high school, were ultimately responsible for funding our own way through college. The system should not decide who succeeds and who fails, and I think it does that to a degree today. Like I said, I almost curtailed my college aspirations - actually, I did to some degree, as I could have attended any college in the States and chose a local one due to finances...but that aside, I considered going to CC, and possibly not attending at all.

It was an issue for me. It's an isue for others. It's VERY disillusioning to the higher achievers who see those who didn't try hard in their studies have benefits that you can't possibly hope for. The system is broken.

dwilliams 1 year, 1 month ago

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Yeah, I agree with you. All I know is, I grew up on the poverty line and I never was offered free tuition. I took out loans and ended up paying back every bit myself. And I know that you are being sarcastic when you say that I earn a "7 figure teachers' salary."

Norm 1 year, 1 month ago

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Thanks Jay, Dave, Larry, and Mav - and for anyone else who liked that segment with Gov. Huckabee, there are 2 more portions of that interview available here:

Huckabee part 1: http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/wed-april-6-2011/exclusive---mike-huckabee-extended-interview-pt--1

Huckabee part 2: http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/wed-april-6-2011/exclusive---mike-huckabee-extended-interview-pt--2

And while I'm at it, here's the famous "Roll 212" segment with Jim Cramer:

The Daily Show - Exclusive - Jim Cramer Extended Interview Pt. 2
Tags: Daily Show Full Episodes,Political Humor & Satire Blog,The Daily Show on Facebook

and Part 3 of the Cramer interview is here: http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/thu-march-12-2009/jim-cramer-extended-interview-pt--3

JustanObserver 1 year, 1 month ago

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I watched all three segments last night after you had posted the one. Very entertaining, and Jon Stewart is very good at what he does. Huckabee is quick on his feet, but I don't think his idealogy is consistent with the majority of voters. It will be interesting to see if he gets the Republican primary. I appreciate that he doesn't rely on a teleprompter

Norm 1 year, 1 month ago

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How to cut nearly $300 Billion from the deficit without raising taxes or cutting spending:

"Every dollar the Internal Revenue Service spends for audits, liens and seizing property from tax cheats brings in more than $10, a rate of return so good the Obama administration wants to boost the agency's budget.

House Republicans, seeing the heavy hand of a too-big government, beg to differ. They've already voted to cut the IRS budget by $600 million this year and want bigger cuts in 2012." http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700114690/Republicans-look-to-cut-IRS-budget.html

"as of the end of fiscal year 2010, the balance of reported unpaid federal taxes was about $330 billion. " http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-272
Spend $33B to collect $330B = net deficit reduction of $297B

Monday: A regionwide meeting billed as an evening of healing will begin at 6:30 p.m. at Cashmere High School, 329 Tigner Road.

Just the vocals: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqymcJ...
With some backing tracks: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWPdRB...

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Blog: Norm Messer's blog

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