Maggie's Farm

We are a commune of inquiring, skeptical, politically centrist, capitalist, anglophile, traditionalist New England Yankee humans, humanoids, and animals with many interests beyond and above politics. Each of us has had a high-school education (or GED), but all had ADD so didn't pay attention very well, especially the dogs. Each one of us does "try my best to be just like I am," and none of us enjoys working for others, including for Maggie, from whom we receive neither a nickel nor a dime. Freedom from nags, cranks, government, do-gooders, control-freaks and idiots is all that we ask for.

Our Recent Essays Behind the Front Page

Much Sorry with Delays
Birth, Death and All That Stuff in Between
How to Honor Labor Day, Every Day
My Yom Kippur Miracle (Repost from 2010)
Good intro to fly casting
Peach update, with pie
NYC update
Easy for you to say: To the elites on mass immigration
For NYC on 9/11, Sailors' Snug Harbor
Pickled Peaches
Water Shoes
Labor Costs in U.S.
Your "identity"
Good news about The Great Courses
Uses of Hot Pepper Jelly/Sauce, Chutneys, and Jams
A Saturday Drive to Litchfield County, CT
How to Pick a Kayak
Civilized: Fruit forks and knives
Loads of kayaking on Cape Cod
Psychology Experiments' Questionable Results

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Thursday, May 22. 2008

Thursday afternoon links

Ford's most advanced assembly plant. It's in Brazil.

Endangered sharks. Unsustainable exploitation of sea creatures is one of the tragedies of our age.

Finally, a French appeals court proclaims the truth about al-Dura.

Quickest draw in the world. Video

Learn Chinese on a video game

Canada has become a haven for terrorists

In Verona, mosque replaced by Oriana Fallaci Square

Obama leads McCain in national poll. Yikes.

Popular wisdom about the role of SCOTUS

The cost of food. Worldwide figures

"Negotiation is not a policy. It is a technique." Bolton's latest, via No Pasaran

David Warren takes a risk: Deliberately issuing a slur against aliens in Canada. How soon before the hate Nazis are on his case?

Adding to our News blogroll: Afrol News, a nifty summary of the news from Africa.

Photo: Your editor took this snap of his Rhodies this afternoon. Too bad I am a lousy photographer, because mine are glorious this year. Hybrid Rhodies can thrive up here in Yankeeland if they are sheltered, fertilized, acidified, and grown in rich peaty soil where they get plenty of sun - but not peak mid-day summer sun. Otherwise, they die a very slow death. Rhodies, like Mountain Laurel and Blueberries, only grow where they feel like growing. You can't tell them what to do.

Posted by The News Junkie in Gardens, Plants, etc., Hot News & Misc. Short Subjects at 14:21 | Comments (46) | Trackbacks (0)

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The poll was conducted by Zogby. Since they have shown themselves to be biased toward the Democrat and against the Republican on a consistent basis, this is not a reason for Yikes! I'm still afraid, very afraid of what seems to be an intelligence meltdown of U.S. voters, but this doesn't make it any worse.
#1 boqueronman on 2008-05-22 14:43 (Reply)
I know, but still...it shouldn't even be close.
#1.1 The NJ on 2008-05-22 14:51 (Reply)
Huh? Where'd Bird Dog's QQQ post go? Inquiring, skeptical, politically centrist, capitalist, anglophile, traditionalist minds wanna know!
#1.2 Mister Snitch (Link) on 2008-05-22 20:01 (Reply)
I'm with you Mr. Snitch... where did it go. There was some good stuff there. Nothing offensive that I saw, at least as of an hour ago.
#1.2.1 Luther McLeod (Link) on 2008-05-22 20:12 (Reply)
Plus... if there WAS something offensive added... now I REALLY wanna see it!

oh how craven and predictable am i! but Still.
#1.2.1.1 Mister Snitch (Link) on 2008-05-22 20:50 (Reply)
Exactly. :)

Come on BD. Where is it? Leering minds want to know.
#1.2.1.1.1 Luther McLeod (Link) on 2008-05-22 21:02 (Reply)
"leering minds"? I'm far more curious that an entire post was deleted instead of one or two offending (?) comments.

Very strange behavior of late. Walls of commentary deleted by Dr. Mercury and now this.
#1.2.1.1.1.1 Meta on 2008-05-22 21:35 (Reply)
Not to worry. Excuse our insanity and inanity.
#1.2.1.1.1.1.1 BD on 2008-05-22 22:17 (Reply)
Thanks BD... much appreciated. Though now you have taken away a great deal of our fun... :)
#1.2.1.1.1.1.1.1 Luther McLeod (Link) on 2008-05-22 22:27 (Reply)
http://home.comcast.net/~jephnol/images/maggies_comment.gif
#1.2.1.2 Jephnol (Link) on 2008-05-22 21:11 (Reply)
Dang it, Howard Johnson's right!
#1.2.1.2.1 Mister Snitch (Link) on 2008-05-22 21:36 (Reply)
Uh-oh, Bart. I think Mongo here's taken a liking to you.
#1.2.1.2.1.1 Jephnol (Link) on 2008-05-22 21:47 (Reply)
nawwww... Mongo straight!
#1.2.1.2.1.1.1 Mister Snitch (Link) on 2008-05-22 22:01 (Reply)
Mongo like her.
#1.2.1.2.1.1.1.1 Jephnol (Link) on 2008-05-22 22:56 (Reply)
Now you and Jephnol have flummoxed me... what is a reader/writer editable .gif file... and what does Howard Johnson's motel rooms have to do with it?
#1.2.1.2.1.2 Luther McLeod (Link) on 2008-05-22 21:48 (Reply)
Just a leap of dada logic is all, and Jephnol caught it. Sometimes you have to go a little too far to see if you're going far enough.

Which brings us back to that missing QQQ post. AS I KNEW IT WOULD ALL ALONG!
#1.2.1.2.1.2.1 Mister Snitch (Link) on 2008-05-22 22:03 (Reply)
Damn Jephnol... I am absolutely and throughly impressed. How many times have I wished for such power as you have. The fonts, layout, and editing ability. That's why you haven't been around much... you were down in your basement concocting how to take over the world. Jeeze.

And you're going to keep it a secret aren't you?

Ah... now we're at the edge of the precipice... it's DADA logic. I'm going to take a few steps back if you don't mind... that's a wild wild world out there.

And somewhere in it is that missing QQQ post.
#1.2.1.2.1.2.1.1 Luther McLeod (Link) on 2008-05-22 22:13 (Reply)
[see how a dadaist comment is the ONLY fitting reply to an editable comment that keeps changing? aha just as I planned it aha!]
#1.2.1.2.1.3 Mister Snitch (Link) on 2008-05-23 21:59 (Reply)
'editable'. 'editable'. hmm.

'ed it a ble'.


Jephie,

That means it's okay to eat it, right?
#1.2.1.2.2 Meta on 2008-05-22 21:49 (Reply)
Meat,

Why yes it is editable. And it's oh so, delicioso!

Re: vanishing posts. It is a might bit suspicious, but with editable post you lose none of your commentifying. Très cool, oui?
#1.2.1.2.2.1 Jephnol (Link) on 2008-05-22 22:05 (Reply)
Thrice cool is right. I just tried to rewrite it for ya in Photoshop and thar warnt a thaing cud tech it. It's writ in stone and caint be D E L E T E D.

Darn. I tried everything but it's impenetrable. Way cool.
#1.2.1.2.2.1.1 Meta on 2008-05-22 22:26 (Reply)
All fun aside... that is s**thot Jephnol. Though it disallows you from the non-smart end of the pool you know... no pretenders there.
#1.2.1.2.3 Luther McLeod (Link) on 2008-05-22 22:33 (Reply)
Damn...
#1.2.1.2.3.1 Jephnol (Link) on 2008-05-22 22:39 (Reply)
Sorry bub... you had your choices.. you chose the deep end. Though as ruler of the world... it may have been a wise choice.
#1.2.1.2.3.1.1 Luther McLeod (Link) on 2008-05-22 23:18 (Reply)
Popular wisdom about the role of SCOTUS

Popular wisdom?
This is becoming the lefts position on SCOTUS. I've both heard and seen it described as such so they are now in lockstep.

I have written before on my theory on what they will immediately do..enlarge and pack the court. ..then reinterpret the Bill of Rights and the entire Corpus Juris Secundum.
Corpus

With Obama leading McCain, a dumbed down electorate many generations into the socialist state mentality I see little hope and great despair for this country as it was meant to be.
#2 Habu on 2008-05-22 15:16 (Reply)
More bogus number with big implications.


U.S. inflation understated, Pimco's Gross says

MarketWatch
May 22, 2008

WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) -- The U.S. government has been understating inflation, which has led investors to misprice stocks, bonds and real estate, noted bond-fund manager Bill Gross said Thursday. The rest under Bogus.

Bogus

Ugh
#3 Habu on 2008-05-22 15:27 (Reply)
Habu- Posner's description of the 'popular view' is correct. A dumbed down populace and an historically ignorant press/popular media are the culprits. Happily, the current court generally understands it's role while the internet/information revolution is slowly changing the entire paradigm and may actually de-rail the train the country has been riding the last 70 years or so. Personally, I find it hard to imagine the country standing for a wacky left court in the future. Higher taxes and more regulation will be a losing proposition in the years ahead as the populace becomes more histrorically aware. Things don't change on a dime but optimism is justified.

Concerning the bogus stats coming outy of the BLS, one shouldn't be surprised. Entitlement cost of living adjustments would be almost impossible to fund. As more and more folks are beginning to realize, the government is not your friend but begins to act in it's own interests as it's power grows. Believe it or not, more folks are beginning to realize this simple fact than I would ever have thought possible 40 years ago. The left is becoming an absurdity and the coming campaign, with BHB heading the leftist ticket, will prove the point.
#3.1 Anonymous on 2008-05-22 16:10 (Reply)
Gross is just trying to sell more bonds. The CPI is correct.

The U.S. unions have fought tooth and nail to avoid having a plant like the one in Brazil built here.

As for Obama, and McCain, they Both suck; but, I'd rather be governed by a Smart Socialist than a Dumb Conservative. I'll probably vote for a Dem for President for the First time in my life.
#4 rufus on 2008-05-22 16:20 (Reply)
Rufus,
In the second paragraph of the article Gross says bonds would be adjusted down..so explain to me your statement that he's just trying to sell more bonds?
#4.1 Habu on 2008-05-22 23:17 (Reply)
Habu, bonds would become cheaper to buy; thus, they would pay a higher "effective" interest rate.

A salesman whose product becomes less expensive, and more valuable.

How do I know Bill Gross is trying to sell bonds? His lips are moving. Don't mean it in a Bad way; I would have loved having him sell for me.
#4.1.1 rufus on 2008-05-23 00:57 (Reply)
rufus, old chap ... you consider a man who knows so little about America that he thinks we have fifty-seven states a smart Socialist?

What would a Dumb Socialist be?

Marianne
#5 Marianne Matthews on 2008-05-22 16:26 (Reply)
For me, election is all about SCOTUS.
#5.1 BD on 2008-05-22 16:31 (Reply)
That is my opinion also. The effects could be decades of catastrophe for what we are as a nation with no way to stop a degradation in rights except by force of arms ..the Jeffersonian solution.
#5.1.1 Habu on 2008-05-22 23:12 (Reply)
Yikes, I think ya got me on that one, Marianne.

Okay, I just despise McAmnescrazy. There; I said it.
#6 rufus on 2008-05-22 16:45 (Reply)
Rufus. Me, too. And that's just one near the top of a very long list. But start practicing now... it isn't all that difficult to learn how to hold your nose. I've lots of experience if you need some assistance.
#6.1 Luther McLeod (Link) on 2008-05-22 16:53 (Reply)
I pray Hillary goes to the convention and fights tooth and nail for Florida and Michigan. I want the Democrats to fight like crazy and then I want them to be so pissed at each other that they vote for McCain out of spite. A vote is a vote and I don't care if the average American IQ has dropped so low that they would consider electing a guy simply because he can speak well and looks good on camera. It is pathetic.
#7 opie on 2008-05-22 19:16 (Reply)
Right on Opie. I said it before and I'll say it again, I hope they carve each other up, and then cut their eyes out.
#7.1 jappy on 2008-05-22 19:30 (Reply)
Some dems in Florida filed a lawsuit today to force the counting of the delegates there, under the old Civil Rights Voting Act. Everything ends up in court. In Florida anyway.

Work on Rufus. I heard him once say, he might just sit the Presidential part of the election out. Try to nudge him gently in that direction.
#8 bob on 2008-05-22 20:04 (Reply)
That would take some DC-10 strength "nudging" I'm afraid, Bob.

Damn, I dread Nov. 2.
#9 rufus on 2008-05-22 21:07 (Reply)
Rufus,

Me thinks you may dread the following four years with greater fear and trepidation.

“When sorrows come, they come not single spies, but battalions...”
– Hamlet
#10 Habu on 2008-05-22 23:06 (Reply)
About polling. I'd always heard that the populace doesn't pay that much attention to the election until after Labor Day and by the way what did poll numbers show 6 months ago? I'm glad to hear stuff about Republicans having a hard time, might be getting their wake-up call.
#11 grant1863 on 2008-05-23 00:57 (Reply)
It ain't gonna be no picnic, Habu. I may drop out and go out into the desert for awhile.
#12 rufus on 2008-05-23 01:02 (Reply)
hey, you can wander 40 years and come back as Mises leading us to the promised land!
#12.1 buddy larsen on 2008-05-23 08:43 (Reply)
Mises? :)

Prolly more like W.C. Fields - leading us to the Bar.

The E.B.?
#12.1.1 rufus on 2008-05-23 17:41 (Reply)
Get ready for an Obama -Clinton ticket and 4 years of media love. The MSM are going to make this guy into a martyr as some nut case is going to have a psychotic break and try to assassinate the poor fellow and then we are truly going to have a RACIST situation on our hands. I bet those cave dwelling nutsos are loving this!! WIll someone please take Chris Matthews and drop him off in Caracas or Havana?
#13 opie on 2008-05-23 07:53 (Reply)
chris matthews and that obermann whazzis name, too -- wretched excess as a journo style -- ugh -- rancid.
#13.1 buddy larsen on 2008-05-23 08:40 (Reply)

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