Alls Not "Well" With Oil

The U.S. Government, headed by George Bush, who just a couple of months ago said he didn't know that gasoline prices might go to $4.00 a gallon, has finally started to get its head of out the sand and DO something. The cooperation of the British is a good sign.

http://www.reuters.com/article/governmentFilingsNews/idUSSP23289620080530

Link To Economic Info

This is a link to an article with info on consumer spending and the general state of consumers in America:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24877284/

Pro-Working People Organization

Maybe you've already seen something about this, and maybe you've even joined, but anyway, here is a link to a group organized by the AFL-CIO. Now, don't get all jittery, if you have concerns about unions. Unions have helped many people move up in life, even if they didn't belong to a union, as unions set standards for workers. In these times where so many Americans are under "attack" by the wealthy and business interests, we've got to find ways to combat them. If we fail, they're going to destroy us. I would urge you to join, and if possible, to make the $5.00 voluntary contribution. Check out the benefits of joining. Remember, unless you're in the top 15-20% income level, you probably haven't been progressing much, and chances are, you may even be losing ground, as millions of Americans have lost their homes or filed bankruptcy in just the last couple of years, and the predictions are that there will be at least one million foreclosures just THIS year! Don't let the "Interests" divide us! That is their way of keeping money and power.

http://www.workingamerica.org/

Related blogs:

http://pontificating-randy.blogspot.com/2007/06/you-wont-need-time-machine.html

http://pontificating-randy.blogspot.com/2007/10/weve-got-to-stick-together-and-be-tough.html

Food Banks In Trouble

I saw this story and thought it is well worth posting, as it again shows how the country is sliding downward under the relentless assault by the monied interests. Many of the main victims are folks who in the past commonly described themselves as "middle class." From what I understand, a million more Americans are expected to lose their homes to foreclosure this year alone, and that estimate may prove to be too low. Add in the number of folks who have already been added to the foreclosure tally from the last few years, and the total is staggering!!! Here is the link:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24832584/

Memorial Day

I've run this before, but because I think it says everything, I don't need to do another, so I've just copied it to post again.

No matter what you think of the war in Iraq, or the war in Afghanistan, or the Vietnam War, or any other war or conflict that has involved American military personnel, or for that matter, even in peace time, we owe a very deep respect to the men and women in uniform who serve or who have served this country. Thousands have lost their lives, many thousands more were wounded or injured, and none came home unscathed emotionally. The freedoms we enjoy today were bought or protected with the blood and emotional sacrifice of many brave Americans. So, forget momentarily the politics of war and conflict and give a big THANK YOU to the American military personnel, both past and present. Whatever your beliefs, a moment of silence or a prayer certainly would be appropriate.

Can They Pick The Lock?

Lately we've had "The Hillary & Bill Show," which used to be called "The Bill & Hillary Show," trying every creative way to say how they can still be nominated by the Democratic Party for president (notice I said "they" ). Now I believe in the slogan, "Keep hope alive," but this has gotten a bit ridiculous. Sure, anything could happen between now and the nominating convention in August, but Obama has a substantial lead in delegates, and there aren't enough delegates still to be elected to help the Clintons catch Obama, even if they won all of them. Then of course, there are those "super delegates." Now, there are enough of those delegates still undeclared to help the Clintons, if they won like most of the elected delegates and then got like all of the super delegates. I'm not sure, but maybe Democrats then have "super duper delegates," and I don't know how many of those folks are available. Since the delegate count is not very promising for the Clintons, they have decided to roll out a different standard, declaring victory in the "popular vote" total. I saw a clip of Hillary in Florida saying that the "popular vote" was really what counts. And here I thought it was about convention delegates! I'd better take a refresher course in Political Science. Further, the Clintons have declared that the Florida and Michigan primary votes should be counted, even though their own supporters on the Democratic National Committee (and presumably with the nod of the Clintons) voted to "punish" both states for moving their primaries forward. Of course, that was when the Clintons were considered to be "locks" for the nomination. Since that time, the Clintons lost the "key" to the "lock," and they've been searching desperately for some way to pick the lock.

The problem for the Clintons becomes, if they pick the lock, but the lock on that door rightfully belongs to someone else, will they do irreparable harm to themselves and, more especially, to the Democratic Party, at a time when the country needs to boot the Republicans.

The explanations that the Clintons want to stay in the nominating race in case "something" happens, so that they will then be asked to head the Democratic ticket is nonsense! "If" there were to be "something" happen to Obama prior to the convention, or June, or whatever the time period of the moment is, just who would Democrats turn to as a presidential nominee, the Mayor of Cleveland? Let's see... what's his name?

Are We Back To The ' 70s?

Listening to some analysts talk about the economy, there's been discussion about whether we are now back to a late 1970s scenario. After all, we have Jimmy Carter as president... OOPS! As you already know (and probably regret), we have George W. Bush as president, so I must apologize for the comparison to Jimmy Carter, so here I go: "While I didn't care for you as president, I apologize, Jimmy, for comparing you to George W. Bush! That was a cruel and inhuman remark."

Anyway, some analysts have been comparing the tremendous increases in oil/gasoline prices and food prices with the late '70s, and they seem to be wondering if we're in for another bout of what was then dubbed "stagflation." The term referred to stagnant economic growth, but rampant inflation. For what it's worth, I'd say there isn't as big a comparison. Back then, unions were relatively strong (certainly as compared to today) and they were able to get wage increases to keep purchasing power for many folks, as even the non-union people benefited from union negotiating power. That is not true today. The gap between the richest Americans and the rest of the population has widened to levels unseen since the 1920s, when unions were also weak, or non-existent in many sectors of the economy.

In the late 1970s, Paul Volcker, the Carter-appointed head of the Federal Reserve, began to raise interest rates. That policy continued into the early 1980s, with rates reaching around 20%, if my memory serves me right. We had a very sharp and severe recession in the early 1980s, but the country actually rebounded faster than many thought that it would. Again, I come back to wages. In my opinion, with most people's wages not in a free fall back then, and with government cost of living increases for people on Social Security and extended unemployment benefits, these things helped to keep many average people in the ballgame. With purchasing power not as diminished, the economy actually went on a tear eventually. The negative thing, looking back, was that the Reagan tax cuts, while necessary in my opinion, began the march to a widening income gap, as they did tilt toward the wealthy. With Democrats in control of the House of Representatives, many programs for low and middle income people continued, in spite of calls from the "sit on their ass class" to dismantle them.

Today, I just don't think Americans have the purchasing power. Wage and benefit cuts have left many Americans drifting toward Third World status, if you want to call that "status." Home values, if you have managed to stay out of foreclosure, are so diminished, that equity loans are seldom an option for many folks; so that source of cash is gone. Credit cards have been maxed out by many, and that dried up another source of money. Even people with fairly good incomes are now being scrutinized for loans, and even denied, so there just isn't the purchasing power anymore. Then, of course, there's the price of energy and food. By the time many Americans put gas in their tank to get to work and buy food for their families, they are one step away from foreclosure, or eviction, if they are renters. The country sits on the edge of a cliff. Will it tumble over that cliff?

First Impressions Of CNBC Show

For those who watched the CNBC special about oil and gasoline, I've got to say that my first impression was that it was very balanced, maybe even tilted more to the "un-rich" point of view (If I'm right on this, then it tells me that even those with a pro-business bias are now getting terrified about what these bastards are doing to us!). I recorded the show on my DVR, so I'll have to watch it again and refine my thoughts on the show. Of course, Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson gave the Bush Administration's usual pro-business, pro-wealthy, free market point of view. He left out "Hurray for the free markets and the hell with the rest of you!"

You've Spent Your Stimulus Check

I assume that the vast majority of Americans have not yet received their "stimulus" checks from the government. In case you don't know it, you've already spent, or allocated, the money. It wasn't by magic, unless you attribute "magic" to the "sorcerers of greed" within those bastions of Wall Street wherein the "sit on their ass class" work diligently to connive to get every penny they can get from us.

Tonight, Thursday, May 22 at 8 P.M., CNBC is broadcasting a special to tell us just how bad things are with oil and gasoline and how much worse things could get. "Supposedly" they're going to tell us why we are, where we are on oil prices right now. CNBC is a cable business station, and the main viewers are those I've just mentioned in "Paragraph One," above, so I must confess, with the likes of those "humans" (and I use the term very lightly) being their constituents, I don't place must trust in what might be said, but it might well be worth watching.

Got Your Moody Blues Music?

I just happened to be checking through Amazon.com, and I saw that they have a number of Moody Blues' CDs on sale; many for under $8.00. I'm really in no way "pushing" Amazon.com, and maybe some of you know of even better deals elsewhere, but I thought I'd post this for those who are interested in the music of the Moody Blues, my favorite music group.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_m?url=search-alias%3Dpopular&field-keywords=moody+blues&x=6&y=18

The Dems Take Another GOP Seat!

Okay, I won't gloat.... Like hell, I won't!!! YIPPEE!!! Let's just hope that Democrats DO SOMETHING to help the many people in distress in this country, and to rein in the runaway control of the country by big business and the wealthy. We've got to show the bigwigs, "We're not going to take it anymore!!!" I'm not sure that will scare the a-holes, but we've got to start somewhere.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24613179/

Pets & Animals

I saw this page and it had such a wide variety of topics for people with pets or for folks who just like animals that I thought I'd post it here. Check it out.

http://extra.msn.com/animals.aspx?GT1=34122

Will We Be Dominated By The Predators?

I updated this article on July 25, 2014 by adding a "Word History," and an appropriate one at that.

The African buffalo of the African Savannah* is an interesting animal. It averages around 1600 lbs, but some can weigh as much as about 2000 lbs. African buffalo are known for their unpredictable temperament; where one time, an approaching lion or lions may cause a panic, stampeding the herd; yet on another occasion, the herd may stand its ground, or even attack the lions. There are claims that African buffalo kill more humans on the African continent on average than either lions or crocodiles. Whether the claim is true or not, there are plenty of documented cases each year of human deaths caused by buffalo.

A while back, an amazing video appeared showing a confrontation in Africa. You may well have seen this footage, as I believe it was shown on all of the major news outlets, and, if you frequent "YouTube," it was like the #1 video for quite a while, if I remember correctly. What the video shows is a herd of African buffalo strung out and moving along next to a river. A buffalo calf is not far from the forefront. A group of four or five lions is just ahead of the herd. At first, it seems that the lions are disinterested, but then they go into hunting mode. African buffalo do not see well, but they do have a tremendous sense of smell, so I would assume that the lions were downwind of the buffalo, as at first they seem to approach the lions without realizing their presence. Then when the lead buffalo sees the crouching lions, it turns and runs, causing the other buffalo to turn and run, too. A couple of the lions are able to grab hold of the calf at the river's edge, but both the prey and the lions tumble into the river. The other lions then approach to help drag what appears to be their next dinner out of the water. Just then, a crocodile grabs at the calf, which is still very much alive. A veritable tug-of-war takes place, with the lions finally winning and dragging the buffalo calf to the shoreline. If all of this action isn't enough, the buffalo herd, now recovered from any panic and seeing what is going on, begins moving toward the lions. Many animal specialists say there's nothing like one angry African buffalo, and this is a whole herd of them. One of the lions tries to strike at the buffalo in an apparent attempt to frighten the herd. One of the buffalo goes right after the lioness, hurling her well into the air and then chasing her along the river. The buffalo almost surround the lions, and eventually the lions flee for THEIR very lives, and the buffalo calf trots back to the herd, ready to live another day and probably singing, "Hold that lion, hold that lion."

To me, many American business people and wealthy investors are predators. We, the "un rich," outnumber them many times over. As long as we turn tail and run, they just keep pursuing and "feasting" on us. If we allow this to continue, they're going to destroy us. Just like the buffalo in the video, if we cooperate and finally turn on these ruthless, greedy egomaniacs, we CAN turn the tide and restore some balance to our income structure, and the wealthy, I'm sure, will still be "the wealthy." It won't be easy, as they'll do everything in their power to divide us. That is the secret to their success, dividing us. Don't let them get away with it anymore! Put aside petty grievances and focus on the REAL problem, and believe me, income disparity is the REAL problem. Many, but not all, wealthy Americans are against such things as government help on health care or foreclosures, when it is for most Americans, but they seek government bailouts for themselves when they've overreached on bad loans, investments and mortgages.

* There are closely related, but somewhat smaller, in weight, varieties of this buffalo, that generally live in the more forested areas of Africa, and what is believed to be another related variety that can actually be domesticated in Asia (usually called "water buffalo"). What are called "buffalo" in America are actually classified as "bison."

Here is the link to the "YouTube" video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LU8DDYz68kM

WORD HISTORY:
Buffalo-This word "seems" to go back to Indo European "gwous," which seems to have been applied to a variety of animals, more especially to "ox-like" animals. This gave its Greek offspring "bous," and then the derived "boubalos," which meant "large antelope, ox." Latin borrowed the word as "bubalus," which meant "ox," and which later became "bufalus." Portuguese, a Latin-based language, developed its own form of the word as, "bufalo," which they used for the large ox-like animal of Africa.^ English borrowed the word from Portuguese in the mid to late 16th century. The word came to be applied to the North American animal, which generally roamed the plains of the (now) United States and Canada, but technically, science classifies that animal as "bison," a related species. The verb form, meaning, "scare, put on alert, intimidate," was derived from the noun, likely from the idea of how "buffalo" can panic.

^ The Portuguese were very involved in world exploration in the 15th and 16th centuries, which brought them into contact with various cultures and animals far removed from Portugal.

The Free Market Strikes Again!

Since all we seem to hear from the business element is how bad government functions at every level, it is nice to read how well those masters of enterprise work. Yes indeed, they hate government, except of course when it steps in to save their as.... ah butts, like with Bear Stearns. Good article here:

http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2008/05/the_subprime_house_of_cards.html

We're Ungrateful Toward The Oil Speculators?

With the meteoric rise in oil and gasoline, we heard from the "sit on their ass class" that speculation was NOT a big part of the high prices. Now, it seems there might be a change in strategy developing; that is, spin the story that high prices are good for everybody, and take credit for it!!! That's what I heard today on CNBC (cable business channel). One oil analyst almost fell to his knees and thanked God for the speculators who have driven prices almost to the heavens. He said that all of us should be grateful to the speculators and investors for keeping the prices rising, as this will force a change in lifestyles and bring about a faster development of alternative energy sources. So why don't I feel ashamed of myself? I hope the next time this guy goes to the doctor, he says something like, "Doc, my leg hurts." Then the doctor can tell him, "Take this arsenic and I guarantee your pain will stop." This is essentially the same prescription this guy has given to the country for oil and gasoline.

A couple of the other panelists looked dumbfounded when this guy uttered his statement, and a question arose for the first time that I've heard on CNBC: "Will all of these price rises (presumably in oil and food) bring about unrest? (Again, presumably in the United States) You could detect the unease in some, and I sure hope it is justified. I'm still very pessimistic about getting the country back from these SOBs, and I still really believe that eventually we will have to TAKE it back by force. I hope I'm wrong. My scenario will require that the U.S. military and the various law enforcement people will finally see the light and that they will decide to stop defending the system that protects the top 15-20% of income earners, to the detriment of the rest of Americans. Then we'll take back the country, PHYSICALLY! First though, we have an election nearing.

I assume all of you have heard the story of how Nero fiddled while Rome burned. Well, we've had the Republicans fiddle while the wealthy and business interests have totally taken over this country of ours. Now, those up for re-election in November are worried. I've got news, barring a major change in the course of the country in the next few months, there will be far fewer fiddlers in Congress after the next election, and those who survive will be playing a different tune. Then the Democrats better get this country moving toward more balance, or my scenario above will look better and better.

Looks To Me Like The Dems Have A Nominee

I'd say the Democratic race is now over, barring some major revelation about Obama, or something physically happening to him. It has been difficult, because as the other candidates fell to the wayside, it left the first Black presidential candidate with a realistic chance for the nomination vs. the first woman with a realistic chance for the nomination. (Do you remember Margaret Chase Smith, a Republican senator from Maine? I always liked her!!!) It has caused problems for the two campaigns, as they had to feel their respective ways so as not to offend supporters in the other camp. With few major differences on policy between Obama and Clinton, the race became more about their personalities. The pundits kept asking two questions, 1) "What has happened to Hillary, who less than a year ago was the presumptive nominee?" 2) Once Obama took the lead, "Why can't he put her away? He's had several chances, but he can't close the deal."

To me, the answers are generally obvious, but when you're on cable television 24/7, you've got to fill the time with any nonsense... I mean "news" that you can. So, as to #1, the Clintons are not everyone's cup of tea. It is interesting (I'd say "telling") that a good number of former Clinton Administration members, and Democratic Party officials endorsed Obama!!! If you recall, when Bill Richardson endorsed Obama, he bore the brunt of some very nasty remarks from Clinton people. The thing that I've noticed so many folks have said is, that the Clintons are for the Clintons. Now you may disagree, but I think there's a good deal of truth to that. Remember too, Bill Clinton did NOT receive a majority of the vote in either of his presidential wins. Throughout his presidency, public opinion polls consistently showed poor marks for his being "trustworthy." As I recall, even people identifying themselves as Democrats gave him relatively low marks on this issue. A husband and wife I know, both very staunch Democrats, were even outspoken about their uneasiness over Bill Clinton's shading of the truth (others would say his "lying," but I'll leave my comment stand, as you get the drift) and what they both felt were his attempts to manipulate the Press. Now, all presidents and administrations try to manipulate the Press, but maybe Bill and his folks were just a little better at it. I do remember the wife bluntly telling me that she was afraid that Bill would start a war to divert attention from his other problems, and that she just didn't trust him. Her husband didn't say whether he agreed with his wife or not, but the point again is, these were die hard Democrats, not Republicans, or even independents saying these things. Okay, my point here, tortured though it may be, is that Hillary Clinton brought along a lot of baggage when she decided to run for president. You can't be part of the team ("Vote for one and get two") and not carry along the negatives felt toward the Clinton Administration by some over certain issues. During this campaign, in my opinion, Hillary has tried to pick and choose what she says she supported or opposed in her husband's administration. If you want to take credit for the sunshine, you gotta take the blame for the rain. Too much fancy footwork for me.

Along came Obama, who was a gifted public speaker (Hillary has improved immensely!) a fresh face, and a possible alternative to Hillary. Young folks began to flock to his banner, and the next thing you knew, he was winning some primaries and caucuses. The Clinton team seemed taken by surprise, and in my opinion, it hasn't been until the last six weeks or so that they seemed to have regained their footing, but it has been too little, too late.

Now, as to #2, laying aside all that I've mentioned above about #1, Obama has had trouble putting the nail into Hillary's coffin (figuratively speaking, of course) because of the reciprocal of #1. Presidents and First Ladies have core supporters and are well known. In this case at one point, if you recall, Obama asked, and with good reason in my opinion, who he was actually running against, Bill or Hillary. The Clintons have many, many contacts across the country. They were able to raise money and stay in the game just because of who they are (ah, or is that, who she is? I told you it's tough to separate these two!). For those of you old enough to remember, Ted Kennedy found out how difficult it is to defeat an incumbent president in your own party, when he ran against Jimmy Carter in 1980. Now I know you're saying, "But the Clintons aren't incumbents." Technically you're right, but in my opinion, it is like they are indeed running for a third term.

The Dems Win Another One!

Democrats have captured another congressional seat held for more than thirty years by the Republicans. The Republicans can't get enough distance between themselves, Bush, and a country where 80% of poll respondents say the nation is on the wrong course. The eighty percent figure has to include many Republicans! Interestingly, income statistics show that the top 20% on the income scale have benefited the most from G. W. Bush, a man who NOW says he's worried about oil and gasoline prices. Of course, with this guy, it may mean that he's worried that they aren't high enough for his oil business buddies and wealthy investors, the income class he's shown the most worry about in his time in office.

http://www.kansascity.com/news/nation/story/604176.html

Great Animal Mothers!

Thought some might be interested in these pictures and captions about ten great animal moms in a story provided by Animal Planet.

http://encarta.msn.com/encnet/Features/Lists/?article=AnimalMoms

C. Diff Article

Thought many folks would be interested in this article. We have to deal with the harsh realities of life, and such illnesses are a part of reality.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24407803/