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May the odds be ever in your favor!
Author: Scoopster
Date: 01/27/2014 14:02:33
There’s been a lot of talk about income inequality in recent months and years, and its impact on the economic health of the world. And for good reason – the revelations from Oxfam’s report are staggering.
How do just 85 people manage to consolidate wealth between them equal to the net worth of 3.5 billion people worldwide? If you let those 85 people tell you the tale, they will say their fortunes are a result of hard work throughout their lives. The reality is they (and their accountants and laywers) worked hard to inherit, tax shelter, tax dodge and change national and international laws to multiply their net worths.
They’ll also tell you that those 3.5 billion poor souls who have to survive with 2.4 billionths of their net worths are simply not working hard enough. That they can achieve the same level of material omnipotence if they simply applied themselves. Let that number sink in - 2.4 billionths. For every dollar that these 85 people have, take a penny and cut it into 24 million pieces and give 3.5 billion people a piece each to survive on. Oh wait, that math doesn't work – you’d still have 3.476 billion people who won’t get a piece. Let’s cut those pieces up even more!
Sorry, I got off on a tangent there... As I was saying, these folks, as well as many thousands of others who aren't quite as wealthy as them have the consistent attitude that their wealth is all a result of their hard work, and the lack of wealth that billions suffer is all their own fault because they’re too lazy. In fact, this attitude was reflected in the results of a recent poll conducted by Pew Research.
The reality is, as usual, far more complex. Yes, there are poor people who are perfectly content with being poor, and there are people who are lazy. However there are MANY, MANY MORE people who work hard to make their lives just a little better. People who work two or three minimum-wage jobs just so they can afford to pay their rent and maybe keep the heat on so their kids won’t freeze, never mind how they’ll afford to feed them.. People who have committed minor crimes, served their time, and have been released yet because they are ex-convicts no one will hire them. People who have disabilities, including the thousands of veterans who have come back from Iraq & Afghanistan, or who take medications that prevent them from doing certain types of labor. People who can’t afford a car, or who drive their car to a job that pays just enough to cover the cost of driving there.
And turning to government to solve these problems is a road with little solace. The laws of the world’s many national governments work for the rich, and always have. And when they don’t, the rich give a small fraction of their wealth to those in government with their hands on the levers of power to change the laws in their favor or force a stall, increasing their wealth even more and decreasing the share of wealth among the rest of the people in the world. This has gotten noticeably worse in recent years with the increased influence of ALEC on state legislatures.
This is the way it’s always worked – we know this from history. And we also know that when it the inequality gets too great, there is bloodshed – poor people fighting over those fractions of a penny, great leaders and representatives of poor people being killed when they dare to stand up and fight back with calls to action and change (we celebrated the life of one such leader last week), and eventually poor people finally being pushed over the edge who lash out at the rich who have made their lives so miserable.
You see, the battle against income inequality isn’t just about providing everyone with a reasonable quality of life - it’s also about keeping the peace. Would you prefer the Hunger Games? Or perhaps a repeat of The French Revolution! Yeah, neither did I.
Oxfam is concerned that, left unchecked, the effects are potentially immutable, and will lead to ‘opportunity capture’ – in which the lowest tax rates, the best education, and the best healthcare are claimed by the children of the rich. This creates dynamic and mutually reinforcing cycles of advantage that are transmitted across generations.
Given the scale of rising wealth concentrations, opportunity capture and unequal political representation are a serious and worrying trend. For instance:
• Almost half of the world’s wealth is now owned by just one percent of the population.
• The wealth of the one percent richest people in the world amounts to $110 trillion. That’s 65 times the total wealth of the bottom half of the world’s population.
• The bottom half of the world’s population owns the same as the richest 85 people in the world.
• Seven out of ten people live in countries where economic inequality has increased in the last 30 years.
• The richest one percent increased their share of income in 24 out of 26 countries for which we have data between 1980 and 2012.
• In the US, the wealthiest one percent captured 95 percent of post-financial crisis growth since 2009, while the bottom 90 percent became poorer.
How do just 85 people manage to consolidate wealth between them equal to the net worth of 3.5 billion people worldwide? If you let those 85 people tell you the tale, they will say their fortunes are a result of hard work throughout their lives. The reality is they (and their accountants and laywers) worked hard to inherit, tax shelter, tax dodge and change national and international laws to multiply their net worths.
They’ll also tell you that those 3.5 billion poor souls who have to survive with 2.4 billionths of their net worths are simply not working hard enough. That they can achieve the same level of material omnipotence if they simply applied themselves. Let that number sink in - 2.4 billionths. For every dollar that these 85 people have, take a penny and cut it into 24 million pieces and give 3.5 billion people a piece each to survive on. Oh wait, that math doesn't work – you’d still have 3.476 billion people who won’t get a piece. Let’s cut those pieces up even more!
Sorry, I got off on a tangent there... As I was saying, these folks, as well as many thousands of others who aren't quite as wealthy as them have the consistent attitude that their wealth is all a result of their hard work, and the lack of wealth that billions suffer is all their own fault because they’re too lazy. In fact, this attitude was reflected in the results of a recent poll conducted by Pew Research.
The reality is, as usual, far more complex. Yes, there are poor people who are perfectly content with being poor, and there are people who are lazy. However there are MANY, MANY MORE people who work hard to make their lives just a little better. People who work two or three minimum-wage jobs just so they can afford to pay their rent and maybe keep the heat on so their kids won’t freeze, never mind how they’ll afford to feed them.. People who have committed minor crimes, served their time, and have been released yet because they are ex-convicts no one will hire them. People who have disabilities, including the thousands of veterans who have come back from Iraq & Afghanistan, or who take medications that prevent them from doing certain types of labor. People who can’t afford a car, or who drive their car to a job that pays just enough to cover the cost of driving there.
And turning to government to solve these problems is a road with little solace. The laws of the world’s many national governments work for the rich, and always have. And when they don’t, the rich give a small fraction of their wealth to those in government with their hands on the levers of power to change the laws in their favor or force a stall, increasing their wealth even more and decreasing the share of wealth among the rest of the people in the world. This has gotten noticeably worse in recent years with the increased influence of ALEC on state legislatures.
This is the way it’s always worked – we know this from history. And we also know that when it the inequality gets too great, there is bloodshed – poor people fighting over those fractions of a penny, great leaders and representatives of poor people being killed when they dare to stand up and fight back with calls to action and change (we celebrated the life of one such leader last week), and eventually poor people finally being pushed over the edge who lash out at the rich who have made their lives so miserable.
You see, the battle against income inequality isn’t just about providing everyone with a reasonable quality of life - it’s also about keeping the peace. Would you prefer the Hunger Games? Or perhaps a repeat of The French Revolution! Yeah, neither did I.
Comments:
Order comments Newest to Oldest Refresh Comments
Comment by 
Raine on 01/27/2014 14:11:58
Good morning!
Raine on 01/27/2014 14:11:58
Good morning!
Comment by Raine on 01/27/2014 14:13:54
Raine on 01/27/2014 14:13:54
Scoop. Great post today! Thanks for writing it! 
Comment by 
Scoopster on 01/27/2014 14:17:33
Scoopster on 01/27/2014 14:17:33
Mornin' all.. 
Forgot to buy a new can of coffee yesterday, so I'm barely functioning today. I'm amazed I remember to post it!
Forgot to buy a new can of coffee yesterday, so I'm barely functioning today. I'm amazed I remember to post it!
Comment by Scoopster on 01/27/2014 14:20:54
Thanks
I wish I could get in my writing groove more often..
Scoopster on 01/27/2014 14:20:54
Quote by Raine:
Scoop. Great post today! Thanks for writing it!
Thanks
I wish I could get in my writing groove more often..
Comment by 
Mondobubba on 01/27/2014 14:21:59
Mondobubba on 01/27/2014 14:21:59
Great blog, Scooperino! :highfive:
Comment by 
wickedpam on 01/27/2014 14:24:11
wickedpam on 01/27/2014 14:24:11
MOrning
Nice Hunger Games pull
Nice Hunger Games pull
Comment by wickedpam on 01/27/2014 14:24:56
wickedpam on 01/27/2014 14:24:56
Guess you joined the fancy new phone club!
Comment by Raine on 01/27/2014 14:36:56
you got a new phone?
Raine on 01/27/2014 14:36:56
Quote by wickedpam:
Guess you joined the fancy new phone club!
Comment by Will in Chicago on 01/27/2014 14:39:58
Will in Chicago on 01/27/2014 14:39:58
Scoopster, thanks for a great blog. It is well written and very insightful and addresses many of my concerns about the growing GLOBAL wealth inequality problem. (However, you might want to go back and edit your links as they are not working.)
We recently had a venture capitalist Thomas Perkins compare the push by progressives to tax the rich more to the persecutions of Jews in Germany during Kristallnacht, which foreshadowed the Holocaust. Here is a link to Perkins' letter in the Rupert Murdoch-owned Wall Street Journal. It is a fascinating look at the arrogance of the one percent.
As a Jew, I am deeply offended and angered by Mister Perkins' remarks. As someone who knows a woman who survived the death camps to begin a new life in America and as someoneWe
Progressives are not calling for violence or persecution, merely that the rich pay a more fair share of taxes. In the U.S., I believe that we should repeal the Reagan tax cuts, as Reaganomics has proven to only enrich a few at the expense of society. However, I think that Paul Krugman is right in that many in the ultra-rich suffer from the Paranoia of the Plutocrats.
There is now great evidence that we need to change our economic policies, nationally and globally, to create a more sustainable, equitable world. I hope that the thinking of Mr. Perkins and his ilk will be consigned to the same ash heap of history as this fellow.
We recently had a venture capitalist Thomas Perkins compare the push by progressives to tax the rich more to the persecutions of Jews in Germany during Kristallnacht, which foreshadowed the Holocaust. Here is a link to Perkins' letter in the Rupert Murdoch-owned Wall Street Journal. It is a fascinating look at the arrogance of the one percent.
As a Jew, I am deeply offended and angered by Mister Perkins' remarks. As someone who knows a woman who survived the death camps to begin a new life in America and as someoneWe
Progressives are not calling for violence or persecution, merely that the rich pay a more fair share of taxes. In the U.S., I believe that we should repeal the Reagan tax cuts, as Reaganomics has proven to only enrich a few at the expense of society. However, I think that Paul Krugman is right in that many in the ultra-rich suffer from the Paranoia of the Plutocrats.
There is now great evidence that we need to change our economic policies, nationally and globally, to create a more sustainable, equitable world. I hope that the thinking of Mr. Perkins and his ilk will be consigned to the same ash heap of history as this fellow.
Comment by wickedpam on 01/27/2014 14:42:33
I got a Samsung Galaxy S4 - Got it from Best buy for a $1- granted I had to signed a 2YR contract but I would have had to do that anyway.
wickedpam on 01/27/2014 14:42:33
Quote by Raine:you got a new phone?Quote by wickedpam:
Guess you joined the fancy new phone club!
I got a Samsung Galaxy S4 - Got it from Best buy for a $1- granted I had to signed a 2YR contract but I would have had to do that anyway.
Comment by Raine on 01/27/2014 14:49:55
Raine on 01/27/2014 14:49:55
Scoop. I'll try to fix the links.
Comment by Raine on 01/27/2014 14:50:44
That;'s awesome!
I'm loving my S3 -- can't wait to see yours!
Raine on 01/27/2014 14:50:44
Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Raine:you got a new phone?Quote by wickedpam:
Guess you joined the fancy new phone club!
I got a Samsung Galaxy S4 - Got it from Best buy for a $1- granted I had to signed a 2YR contract but I would have had to do that anyway.
I'm loving my S3 -- can't wait to see yours!
Comment by Scoopster on 01/27/2014 14:51:13
Scoopster on 01/27/2014 14:51:13
And the funny part about that Will...
Perkins doesn't know his history either, because the corporations and rich asshats like him were on Hitler's side!
And if I remember correctly, that also includes a certain old American political patriarch by the name of Prescott Bush.
Perkins doesn't know his history either, because the corporations and rich asshats like him were on Hitler's side!
And if I remember correctly, that also includes a certain old American political patriarch by the name of Prescott Bush.
Comment by Mondobubba on 01/27/2014 15:01:06
As a humanist I find that offensive as well, Will.
Mondobubba on 01/27/2014 15:01:06
Quote by Will in Chicago:
Scoopster, thanks for a great blog. It is well written and very insightful and addresses many of my concerns about the growing GLOBAL wealth inequality problem. (However, you might want to go back and edit your links as they are not working.)
We recently had a venture capitalist Thomas Perkins compare the push by progressives to tax the rich more to the persecutions of Jews in Germany during Kristallnacht, which foreshadowed the Holocaust. Here is a link to Perkins' letter in the Rupert Murdoch-owned Wall Street Journal. It is a fascinating look at the arrogance of the one percent.
As a Jew, I am deeply offended and angered by Mister Perkins' remarks. As someone who knows a woman who survived the death camps to begin a new life in America and as someoneWe
Progressives are not calling for violence or persecution, merely that the rich pay a more fair share of taxes. In the U.S., I believe that we should repeal the Reagan tax cuts, as Reaganomics has proven to only enrich a few at the expense of society. However, I think that Paul Krugman is right in that many in the ultra-rich suffer from the Paranoia of the Plutocrats.
There is now great evidence that we need to change our economic policies, nationally and globally, to create a more sustainable, equitable world. I hope that the thinking of Mr. Perkins and his ilk will be consigned to the same ash heap of history as this fellow.
As a humanist I find that offensive as well, Will.
Comment by wickedpam on 01/27/2014 15:01:16
Its a huge step up from my last phone with was 4 years old - held out as long as I could but the thing was so slow and the screen was so small that night I left it in the car gave me the perfect excuse to finally get a new one.
It was you and Mondo that convinced me I should go the Samsung route
Now I have to figure it out. Only thing that sucks is I had to give up my unlimited data to go to 2G shared. Thank God mom never uses her phone.
wickedpam on 01/27/2014 15:01:16
Quote by Raine:That;'s awesome!Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Raine:you got a new phone?Quote by wickedpam:
Guess you joined the fancy new phone club!
I got a Samsung Galaxy S4 - Got it from Best buy for a $1- granted I had to signed a 2YR contract but I would have had to do that anyway.
I'm loving my S3 -- can't wait to see yours!
Its a huge step up from my last phone with was 4 years old - held out as long as I could but the thing was so slow and the screen was so small that night I left it in the car gave me the perfect excuse to finally get a new one.
It was you and Mondo that convinced me I should go the Samsung route
Now I have to figure it out. Only thing that sucks is I had to give up my unlimited data to go to 2G shared. Thank God mom never uses her phone.
Comment by Will in Chicago on 01/27/2014 15:01:31
Will in Chicago on 01/27/2014 15:01:31
Mala, you asked how bad it is here a few days ago. We are seeing temperatures plummet and may reach -18 to -21 with wind chills as low as -45 by next morning. As for snow, I do have some figures. Note that the official Chicago measuring site for snow is O'Hare International Airport. Certain areas, like Northwest Indiana will likely have more snow than the official Chicago total. (Griffith, IN got 20 inches of snow from the last storm. From the WGN Weather blog:
Tim’s Weather World: Polar vortex visits again
This winter has been especially brutal with both bitter cold and frequent snowfall. We have seen at least one tenth of an inch of snow or more 27 of the past 50 days! That means that nearly every other day we have seen measurable snow since early December. Over four feet of snow has fallen this winter (48.2″). 33.1″ of that fell in January alone. We have nearly seen an average snowfall for an entire winter (36.7″) in the month of January.
When it isn’t snowing it is bitterly cold. This winter (as of yesterday) is the 13th coldest on record. By Wednesday we will have seen subzero temperatures occur on 16 days so far this winter. That nearly doubles the average number of days in Chicago at or below zero. On average we record temperatures that cold 7 days each winter.
Comment by wickedpam on 01/27/2014 15:04:00
Oy! I'm shivering just reading that! Stay warm up there!
wickedpam on 01/27/2014 15:04:00
Quote by Will in Chicago:
Mala, you asked how bad it is here a few days ago. We are seeing temperatures plummet and may reach -18 to -21 with wind chills as low as -45 by next morning. As for snow, I do have some figures. Note that the official Chicago measuring site for snow is O'Hare International Airport. Certain areas, like Northwest Indiana will likely have more snow than the official Chicago total. (Griffith, IN got 20 inches of snow from the last storm. From the WGN Weather blog:Tim’s Weather World: Polar vortex visits again
This winter has been especially brutal with both bitter cold and frequent snowfall. We have seen at least one tenth of an inch of snow or more 27 of the past 50 days! That means that nearly every other day we have seen measurable snow since early December. Over four feet of snow has fallen this winter (48.2″). 33.1″ of that fell in January alone. We have nearly seen an average snowfall for an entire winter (36.7″) in the month of January.
When it isn’t snowing it is bitterly cold. This winter (as of yesterday) is the 13th coldest on record. By Wednesday we will have seen subzero temperatures occur on 16 days so far this winter. That nearly doubles the average number of days in Chicago at or below zero. On average we record temperatures that cold 7 days each winter.
Oy! I'm shivering just reading that! Stay warm up there!
Comment by Raine on 01/27/2014 15:07:18
If you have wifi at home, make sure you set it up to auto connect to that. it will save on data.
Raine on 01/27/2014 15:07:18
Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Raine:That;'s awesome!Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Raine:you got a new phone?Quote by wickedpam:
Guess you joined the fancy new phone club!
I got a Samsung Galaxy S4 - Got it from Best buy for a $1- granted I had to signed a 2YR contract but I would have had to do that anyway.
I'm loving my S3 -- can't wait to see yours!
Its a huge step up from my last phone with was 4 years old - held out as long as I could but the thing was so slow and the screen was so small that night I left it in the car gave me the perfect excuse to finally get a new one.
It was you and Mondo that convinced me I should go the Samsung route
Now I have to figure it out. Only thing that sucks is I had to give up my unlimited data to go to 2G shared. Thank God mom never uses her phone.
Comment by Will in Chicago on 01/27/2014 15:07:44
I knew that you would. Humanists and anyone else who cares about human beings and human suffering should take offense at a greedy, arrogant schmuck trivializing the murders of millions with his own worry that he might have to pay more in taxes. Mind you, I will not hold my breath to wait for an apology for Mr. Perkins, other than the "I am sorry if I have offended anyone" that seems too popular these days.
Will in Chicago on 01/27/2014 15:07:44
Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by Will in Chicago:
Scoopster, thanks for a great blog. It is well written and very insightful and addresses many of my concerns about the growing GLOBAL wealth inequality problem. (However, you might want to go back and edit your links as they are not working.)
We recently had a venture capitalist Thomas Perkins compare the push by progressives to tax the rich more to the persecutions of Jews in Germany during Kristallnacht, which foreshadowed the Holocaust. Here is a link to Perkins' letter in the Rupert Murdoch-owned Wall Street Journal. It is a fascinating look at the arrogance of the one percent.
As a Jew, I am deeply offended and angered by Mister Perkins' remarks. As someone who knows a woman who survived the death camps to begin a new life in America and as someoneWe
Progressives are not calling for violence or persecution, merely that the rich pay a more fair share of taxes. In the U.S., I believe that we should repeal the Reagan tax cuts, as Reaganomics has proven to only enrich a few at the expense of society. However, I think that Paul Krugman is right in that many in the ultra-rich suffer from the Paranoia of the Plutocrats.
There is now great evidence that we need to change our economic policies, nationally and globally, to create a more sustainable, equitable world. I hope that the thinking of Mr. Perkins and his ilk will be consigned to the same ash heap of history as this fellow.
As a humanist I find that offensive as well, Will.
I knew that you would. Humanists and anyone else who cares about human beings and human suffering should take offense at a greedy, arrogant schmuck trivializing the murders of millions with his own worry that he might have to pay more in taxes. Mind you, I will not hold my breath to wait for an apology for Mr. Perkins, other than the "I am sorry if I have offended anyone" that seems too popular these days.
Comment by Raine on 01/27/2014 15:08:08
Raine on 01/27/2014 15:08:08
oh, and get a protective case.
Comment by Mondobubba on 01/27/2014 15:10:33
Mos def. Let your nerd flag fly with the case!
Mondobubba on 01/27/2014 15:10:33
Quote by Raine:
oh, and get a protective case.
Mos def. Let your nerd flag fly with the case!
Comment by wickedpam on 01/27/2014 15:13:05
Awesome on the wifi - I'll have to set that up.
Yep - protective case gotten (a plain clear one till I find a prettier one) and even got the smudge-proof scratch-proof fancy smacy screen protector.
I'm trying to figure out how to make the "WEATHER" part of the home screen smaller.
wickedpam on 01/27/2014 15:13:05
Quote by Raine:
oh, and get a protective case.
Awesome on the wifi - I'll have to set that up.
Yep - protective case gotten (a plain clear one till I find a prettier one) and even got the smudge-proof scratch-proof fancy smacy screen protector.
I'm trying to figure out how to make the "WEATHER" part of the home screen smaller.
Comment by Raine on 01/27/2014 15:16:18
Raine on 01/27/2014 15:16:18
Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by Raine:
oh, and get a protective case.
Mos def. Let your nerd flag fly with the case!
Comment by wickedpam on 01/27/2014 15:28:37
I was thinking something a bit more pretty or geeky
wickedpam on 01/27/2014 15:28:37
Quote by Raine:Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by Raine:
oh, and get a protective case.
Mos def. Let your nerd flag fly with the case!
I was thinking something a bit more pretty or geeky
Comment by Mondobubba on 01/27/2014 15:29:47
Way to be literal, Raine.
Mondobubba on 01/27/2014 15:29:47
Quote by Raine:Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by Raine:
oh, and get a protective case.
Mos def. Let your nerd flag fly with the case!
Way to be literal, Raine.
Comment by Raine on 01/27/2014 15:30:00
hey it was Mondo who suggested Mos Def!
Choices choices...
Raine on 01/27/2014 15:30:00
Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Raine:Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by Raine:
oh, and get a protective case.
Mos def. Let your nerd flag fly with the case!
I was thinking something a bit more pretty or geeky
hey it was Mondo who suggested Mos Def! Choices choices...
Comment by Mondobubba on 01/27/2014 15:34:57
I said "Mos def," not "Mos Def." The latter refers to Mr. Def, the former is a slang term for "most definitely."
Mondobubba on 01/27/2014 15:34:57
Quote by Raine:Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Raine:Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by Raine:
oh, and get a protective case.
Mos def. Let your nerd flag fly with the case!
I was thinking something a bit more pretty or geeky
Choices choices...
I said "Mos def," not "Mos Def." The latter refers to Mr. Def, the former is a slang term for "most definitely."
Comment by Raine on 01/27/2014 15:37:19
Humor, it's clearly what is NOT for breakfast. 
Raine on 01/27/2014 15:37:19
Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by Raine:Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Raine:Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by Raine:
oh, and get a protective case.
Mos def. Let your nerd flag fly with the case!
I was thinking something a bit more pretty or geeky
Choices choices...
I said "Mos def," not "Mos Def." The latter refers to Mr. Def, the former is a slang term for "most definitely."
Comment by Mondobubba on 01/27/2014 15:39:56
My dry wit fails again!
Mondobubba on 01/27/2014 15:39:56
Quote by Raine:Humor, it's clearly what is NOT for breakfast.Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by Raine:Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Raine:Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by Raine:
oh, and get a protective case.
Mos def. Let your nerd flag fly with the case!
I was thinking something a bit more pretty or geeky
Choices choices...
I said "Mos def," not "Mos Def." The latter refers to Mr. Def, the former is a slang term for "most definitely."
My dry wit fails again!
Comment by Mondobubba on 01/27/2014 15:40:49
Mondobubba on 01/27/2014 15:40:49
Comment by wickedpam on 01/27/2014 15:44:40
oohh, those like fun and definitely shiny!
wickedpam on 01/27/2014 15:44:40
Quote by Mondobubba:
Anywho, Mala. I was thinking something like this. Shiny!
oohh, those like fun and definitely shiny!
Comment by Raine on 01/27/2014 15:55:25
Raine on 01/27/2014 15:55:25
Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Mondobubba:
Anywho, Mala. I was thinking something like this. Shiny!
oohh, those like fun and definitely shiny!
Comment by Scoopster on 01/27/2014 15:57:58
You know I just have to ask.. how does a Captain Spaulding case get into that mix?!
Scoopster on 01/27/2014 15:57:58
Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Mondobubba:
Anywho, Mala. I was thinking something like this. Shiny!
oohh, those like fun and definitely shiny!
You know I just have to ask.. how does a Captain Spaulding case get into that mix?!
Comment by Mondobubba on 01/27/2014 16:07:20
Scoop, I was wondering that myself.
Mondobubba on 01/27/2014 16:07:20
Quote by Scoopster:Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Mondobubba:
Anywho, Mala. I was thinking something like this. Shiny!
oohh, those like fun and definitely shiny!
You know I just have to ask.. how does a Captain Spaulding case get into that mix?!
Scoop, I was wondering that myself.
Comment by wickedpam on 01/27/2014 16:11:25
That ones cute but that little fox with Jane's hat was adorable too.
wickedpam on 01/27/2014 16:11:25
Quote by Raine:Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Mondobubba:
Anywho, Mala. I was thinking something like this. Shiny!
oohh, those like fun and definitely shiny!
That ones cute but that little fox with Jane's hat was adorable too.
Comment by 
TriSec on 01/27/2014 16:15:38
TriSec on 01/27/2014 16:15:38
My neighbor had a Galaxy 3 - she had it for all of 4 days when she dropped it down the concrete steps out back.
So when I got my new toy, I made sure I gingerly inserted it into a rubberized, armoured case. (But then I'm in the outdoors a lot, so I almost expect something unsavory to happen to it.)
But the case is of course a garish purple with white accents.
So when I got my new toy, I made sure I gingerly inserted it into a rubberized, armoured case. (But then I'm in the outdoors a lot, so I almost expect something unsavory to happen to it.)
But the case is of course a garish purple with white accents.
Comment by Mondobubba on 01/27/2014 16:31:12
Mondobubba on 01/27/2014 16:31:12
Comment by 
livingonli on 01/27/2014 16:45:45
livingonli on 01/27/2014 16:45:45
Good morning, folks. We're actually supposed to get rain today on the only day this week where the temps are above freezing since it will be freezing in the teens again tomorrow.
Comment by wickedpam on 01/27/2014 16:59:31
wickedpam on 01/27/2014 16:59:31
The MD shooter was supposedly a good kid, had no problems in school, didn't do drugs, wasn't mentally unstable (outside of seemingly being depressed) had a good home life.
Bet Fox blames it on video games.
Bet Fox blames it on video games.
Comment by wickedpam on 01/27/2014 17:00:35
don't think we're supposed to get rain but another arctic front is supposed to move in later this afternoon. I an so sick of being this freaking cold.
wickedpam on 01/27/2014 17:00:35
Quote by livingonli:
Good morning, folks. We're actually supposed to get rain today on the only day this week where the temps are above freezing since it will be freezing in the teens again tomorrow.
don't think we're supposed to get rain but another arctic front is supposed to move in later this afternoon. I an so sick of being this freaking cold.
Comment by TriSec on 01/27/2014 17:06:25
TriSec on 01/27/2014 17:06:25
January Cold
This happens in the Winter.
In spite of Fox News.
Polar Vortex Swirls
While we huddle 'round the fire
March is far away.
There are the brave few
Who wait all year for winter
August is my foe.
See? ANYTHING!!
This happens in the Winter.
In spite of Fox News.
Polar Vortex Swirls
While we huddle 'round the fire
March is far away.
There are the brave few
Who wait all year for winter
August is my foe.
See? ANYTHING!!
Comment by Raine on 01/27/2014 17:36:00
Raine on 01/27/2014 17:36:00
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Former Republican Sen. John W. Warner on Monday endorsed his Democratic successor over a past national GOP chairman in the race for the U.S. Senate seat he held for 30 years.
Warner told The Associated Press in a telephone interview that he is supporting Sen. Mark Warner, who is being challenged by Ed Gillespie in November’s election. The Warners are not related.
John Warner, a moderate, earned a reputation as a party maverick by bucking the conservatives who gradually won control of the GOP during his decades in office. He refused to endorse GOP home-schooling advocate Mike Farris for lieutenant governor and backed an independent candidate over Iran-Contra figure Oliver North in the 1994 race against Democratic Sen. Chuck Robb. But this is the first time he has endorsed a Democrat outright.
Comment by Scoopster on 01/27/2014 17:40:08
I wonder if Gillespie rubbed him the wrong way when he was running the GOP..
Scoopster on 01/27/2014 17:40:08
Quote by Raine:
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Former Republican Sen. John W. Warner on Monday endorsed his Democratic successor over a past national GOP chairman in the race for the U.S. Senate seat he held for 30 years.
Warner told The Associated Press in a telephone interview that he is supporting Sen. Mark Warner, who is being challenged by Ed Gillespie in November’s election. The Warners are not related.
John Warner, a moderate, earned a reputation as a party maverick by bucking the conservatives who gradually won control of the GOP during his decades in office. He refused to endorse GOP home-schooling advocate Mike Farris for lieutenant governor and backed an independent candidate over Iran-Contra figure Oliver North in the 1994 race against Democratic Sen. Chuck Robb. But this is the first time he has endorsed a Democrat outright.
I wonder if Gillespie rubbed him the wrong way when he was running the GOP..
Comment by Raine on 01/27/2014 17:53:04
It's not like Gillespie os a bagger, right? This is kinda big news, IMO.
Raine on 01/27/2014 17:53:04
Quote by Scoopster:
I wonder if Gillespie rubbed him the wrong way when he was running the GOP..
Comment by Raine on 01/27/2014 17:57:41
Raine on 01/27/2014 17:57:41
Hey Mala:
Marital Rape guy dropped out of the race.
This part is interesting, and I suspect the Dems over there can use this info:
Marital Rape guy dropped out of the race.
This part is interesting, and I suspect the Dems over there can use this info:
Black would have stood a good chance of capturing the GOP nomination if Republican officials had chosen to select a candidate by convention rather than by primary. Conservatives have dominated Virginia's conventions in recent years, and Black commands substantial support among the conservative grassroots. But many moderate GOP officials worried that Black, like other Republican nominees selected by convention, would prove too unpalatable to win a general election. The open seat Black was vying for had belonged for more than two decades to Rep. Frank Wolf, a moderate Republican.
Each election cycle, local Virginia Republican officials can decide anew whether to nominate candidates in their districts through a primary or through a convention. GOP officials in the 10th district will decide between those two options today. But without Black in the race, the odds favor state Rep. Barbara Comstock, who is well-connected to the Republican establishment. Comstock is best known for operating a secret defense fund for Scooter Libby, Dick Cheney's former chief-of-staff who was convicted in 2007 of leaking information that compromised CIA operative Valeria Plame, and for her feverish stint as an opposition researcher against Hillary Clinton in the 1990s.
Comment by Mondobubba on 01/27/2014 18:00:58
Yes, people who are seriously into Bitcoin are massive douche bags.
Mondobubba on 01/27/2014 18:00:58
Quote by Raine:
Bitcoin CEO arrested at JFK
Yes, people who are seriously into Bitcoin are massive douche bags.
Comment by wickedpam on 01/27/2014 18:07:07
Yeah, the conventions would have totally gone for Black, its my understanding they don't want to do to convention and let the crazies try to do what they did in the Lt. Gov race.
Comstocks' name looks familiar, she seems like a lovely little troll
wickedpam on 01/27/2014 18:07:07
Quote by Raine:
Hey Mala:
Marital Rape guy dropped out of the race.
This part is interesting, and I suspect the Dems over there can use this info:Black would have stood a good chance of capturing the GOP nomination if Republican officials had chosen to select a candidate by convention rather than by primary. Conservatives have dominated Virginia's conventions in recent years, and Black commands substantial support among the conservative grassroots. But many moderate GOP officials worried that Black, like other Republican nominees selected by convention, would prove too unpalatable to win a general election. The open seat Black was vying for had belonged for more than two decades to Rep. Frank Wolf, a moderate Republican.
Each election cycle, local Virginia Republican officials can decide anew whether to nominate candidates in their districts through a primary or through a convention. GOP officials in the 10th district will decide between those two options today. But without Black in the race, the odds favor state Rep. Barbara Comstock, who is well-connected to the Republican establishment. Comstock is best known for operating a secret defense fund for Scooter Libby, Dick Cheney's former chief-of-staff who was convicted in 2007 of leaking information that compromised CIA operative Valeria Plame, and for her feverish stint as an opposition researcher against Hillary Clinton in the 1990s.
Yeah, the conventions would have totally gone for Black, its my understanding they don't want to do to convention and let the crazies try to do what they did in the Lt. Gov race.
Comstocks' name looks familiar, she seems like a lovely little troll
Comment by Scoopster on 01/27/2014 18:17:52
Yeah he's an insider and a policy wonk, iirc.
Scoopster on 01/27/2014 18:17:52
Quote by Raine:It's not like Gillespie is a bagger, right? This is kinda big news, IMO.Quote by Scoopster:
I wonder if Gillespie rubbed him the wrong way when he was running the GOP..
Yeah he's an insider and a policy wonk, iirc.
Comment by Scoopster on 01/27/2014 18:41:30
Scoopster on 01/27/2014 18:41:30
Comment by livingonli on 01/27/2014 18:43:53
Anyone working that deep in Cheney's bum isn't that much of an improvement.
livingonli on 01/27/2014 18:43:53
Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Raine:
Hey Mala:
Marital Rape guy dropped out of the race.
This part is interesting, and I suspect the Dems over there can use this info:Black would have stood a good chance of capturing the GOP nomination if Republican officials had chosen to select a candidate by convention rather than by primary. Conservatives have dominated Virginia's conventions in recent years, and Black commands substantial support among the conservative grassroots. But many moderate GOP officials worried that Black, like other Republican nominees selected by convention, would prove too unpalatable to win a general election. The open seat Black was vying for had belonged for more than two decades to Rep. Frank Wolf, a moderate Republican.
Each election cycle, local Virginia Republican officials can decide anew whether to nominate candidates in their districts through a primary or through a convention. GOP officials in the 10th district will decide between those two options today. But without Black in the race, the odds favor state Rep. Barbara Comstock, who is well-connected to the Republican establishment. Comstock is best known for operating a secret defense fund for Scooter Libby, Dick Cheney's former chief-of-staff who was convicted in 2007 of leaking information that compromised CIA operative Valeria Plame, and for her feverish stint as an opposition researcher against Hillary Clinton in the 1990s.
Yeah, the conventions would have totally gone for Black, its my understanding they don't want to do to convention and let the crazies try to do what they did in the Lt. Gov race.
Comstocks' name looks familiar, she seems like a lovely little troll
Anyone working that deep in Cheney's bum isn't that much of an improvement.
Comment by 
BobR on 01/27/2014 18:58:04
BobR on 01/27/2014 18:58:04
Comment by Mondobubba on 01/27/2014 19:12:14
Which one of those tools is going to win?
Mondobubba on 01/27/2014 19:12:14
Which one of those tools is going to win?
Comment by Scoopster on 01/27/2014 19:16:02
Doesn't matter. The people lose no matter who wins.
Scoopster on 01/27/2014 19:16:02
Quote by Mondobubba:
Which one of those tools is going to win?
Doesn't matter. The people lose no matter who wins.
Comment by Mondobubba on 01/27/2014 19:26:35
Duh and or hello. Of the lot of them, Kingston is least odious. I have friend who lives in his district and even she, after voting for him like, 10 times has taken to calling him a schmuck.
Mondobubba on 01/27/2014 19:26:35
Quote by Scoopster:Quote by Mondobubba:
Which one of those tools is going to win?
Doesn't matter. The people lose no matter who wins.
Duh and or hello.
Of the lot of them, Kingston is least odious. I have friend who lives in his district and even she, after voting for him like, 10 times has taken to calling him a schmuck.
Comment by wickedpam on 01/27/2014 19:31:46
wickedpam on 01/27/2014 19:31:46
Hey Mondo - what's a good app killer for the S4? or at least how do I turn off data using apps from doing automatic things?
Comment by Raine on 01/27/2014 19:37:48
I would not count out Nunn taking that seat.
Raine on 01/27/2014 19:37:48
Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by Scoopster:Quote by Mondobubba:
Which one of those tools is going to win?
Doesn't matter. The people lose no matter who wins.
Duh and or hello.
Comment by BobR on 01/27/2014 19:40:22
BobR on 01/27/2014 19:40:22
Comment by Raine on 01/27/2014 19:48:37
AS far as Unemployments benefits, POTUS (along with Valerie Jarret) are asking corporations to take special care to try to hire the long term unemployed.
Raine on 01/27/2014 19:48:37
Quote by BobR:
I am curious what sort of unilateral actions he is thinking of taking.
Comment by Raine on 01/27/2014 19:50:05
More details here.
I am really hoping this initiative hells Will and Clint!
Raine on 01/27/2014 19:50:05
Quote by Raine:AS far as Unemployments benefits, POTUS (along with Valerie Jarret) are asking corporations to take special care to try to hire the long term unemployed.Quote by BobR:
I am curious what sort of unilateral actions he is thinking of taking.
More details here.
I am really hoping this initiative hells Will and Clint!
Comment by Raine on 01/27/2014 20:00:31
Oh, if he's in a James Brown Biopic, then it's gonna be good.
Sheriff Dan!
(Did they finally get around to burying James Brown?
*)
*I hope so, otherwise it would be a very strange ending....
Raine on 01/27/2014 20:00:31
Quote by BobR:
Most random thing on the internet today
Sheriff Dan!
(Did they finally get around to burying James Brown?
*) *I hope so, otherwise it would be a very strange ending....
Comment by Mondobubba on 01/27/2014 20:26:30
Mondobubba on 01/27/2014 20:26:30
Not only is it a Christian wackadoodle, it is Christian wackadoodle who is South Asian with a strong accent. 
Comment by Raine on 01/27/2014 20:27:22
What the ever lovin' pho is this?
Raine on 01/27/2014 20:27:22
Quote by TriSec:
One per day is the new normal, apparently.
Fox 5 reported, citing Lawrenceville PD, that one person is dead, and two others injured.
Students were called back to the school and the campus put on a soft lock down as police investigate.
Comment by Raine on 01/27/2014 20:27:51
Client?
Raine on 01/27/2014 20:27:51
Quote by Mondobubba:
Not only is it a Christian wackadoodle, it is Christian wackadoodle who is South Asian with a strong accent.
Comment by wickedpam on 01/27/2014 20:29:58
There has always been a shooting a day for however long - we just didn't start hearing about them till now.
wickedpam on 01/27/2014 20:29:58
Quote by TriSec:
One per day is the new normal, apparently.
There has always been a shooting a day for however long - we just didn't start hearing about them till now.
Comment by Mondobubba on 01/27/2014 20:32:20
Yes. THE WHOLE SITE IS IS CAPS! WITH ALL THIS AWFUL GRAMMAR AND SPPELING!
Mondobubba on 01/27/2014 20:32:20
Quote by Raine:Client?Quote by Mondobubba:
Not only is it a Christian wackadoodle, it is Christian wackadoodle who is South Asian with a strong accent.
Yes. THE WHOLE SITE IS IS CAPS! WITH ALL THIS AWFUL GRAMMAR AND SPPELING!
Comment by Raine on 01/27/2014 20:33:44
Has it been at schools?
I don't think this piece of *smh* has been posted here yet, but today in Colorado, a kid set himself on fire at a school.
This stuff breaks my heart.
Raine on 01/27/2014 20:33:44
Quote by wickedpam:Quote by TriSec:
One per day is the new normal, apparently.
There has always been a shooting a day for however long - we just didn't start hearing about them till now.
Has it been at schools?
I don't think this piece of *smh* has been posted here yet, but today in Colorado, a kid set himself on fire at a school.
This stuff breaks my heart.
Comment by wickedpam on 01/27/2014 20:47:35
I heard that story about him - we are failing people left and right but the Repubs failing to see it.
I mostly mean in general about shootings. All this is going on and we still won't admit there is a gun and gun ownership issue because a pro-gun manufacturing lobby group screams and threats everyone.
wickedpam on 01/27/2014 20:47:35
Quote by Raine:Quote by wickedpam:Quote by TriSec:
One per day is the new normal, apparently.
There has always been a shooting a day for however long - we just didn't start hearing about them till now.
Has it been at schools?
I don't think this piece of *smh* has been posted here yet, but today in Colorado, a kid set himself on fire at a school.
This stuff breaks my heart.
I heard that story about him - we are failing people left and right but the Repubs failing to see it.
I mostly mean in general about shootings. All this is going on and we still won't admit there is a gun and gun ownership issue because a pro-gun manufacturing lobby group screams and threats everyone.
Comment by Mondobubba on 01/27/2014 20:48:28
Mondobubba on 01/27/2014 20:48:28
How did I miss Rand Paul being stupid "Meet the Press" yesterday. I'm just finding out about his stupid.
One of the workplace laws and rules that I think are good is that bosses shouldn’t prey on young interns in their office. And I think really the media seems to be — have given President Clinton a pass on this. He took advantage of a girl that was 20 years old and an intern in his office. There is no excuse for that. And that is predatory behavior, and it should — it should be something — we shouldn’t want to associate with people who would take advantage of a young girl in his office… I mean, really — and then they have the gall to stand up and say Republicans are having a war on women? So yes, I think it’s a factor.
Comment by Raine on 01/27/2014 20:56:09
I read this take earlier.
I despise Russia right now. I don;t know if I can watch the Olympics in good conscience at all.
And this bothers me. One of my teachers from High school has a nephew that is on the Olympic team. I gladly donated money to help him get there.
So if anyone watches, please support Peter Frenette!!!
Raine on 01/27/2014 20:56:09
Quote by TriSec:
Because they've all been deported to the camps?
I despise Russia right now. I don;t know if I can watch the Olympics in good conscience at all.
And this bothers me. One of my teachers from High school has a nephew that is on the Olympic team. I gladly donated money to help him get there.
So if anyone watches, please support Peter Frenette!!!
Comment by Will in Chicago on 01/27/2014 21:32:25
I hope so. I am checking everywhere on work. Now for some good news. My sister Jessica sent me a picture of her step son Jerome's new baby boy Emmett who was just born this morning.
Will in Chicago on 01/27/2014 21:32:25
Quote by Raine:Quote by Raine:AS far as Unemployments benefits, POTUS (along with Valerie Jarret) are asking corporations to take special care to try to hire the long term unemployed.Quote by BobR:
I am curious what sort of unilateral actions he is thinking of taking.
More details here.
I am really hoping this initiative hells Will and Clint!
I hope so. I am checking everywhere on work. Now for some good news. My sister Jessica sent me a picture of her step son Jerome's new baby boy Emmett who was just born this morning.
Comment by Mondobubba on 01/27/2014 22:07:41
Mondobubba on 01/27/2014 22:07:41
Perkins gets called out for Nazi comment, doubles down. When did being rich as Croesus become synonymous with being a tone-deaf asshole?
Comment by BobR on 01/27/2014 22:25:21
BobR on 01/27/2014 22:25:21
Comment by Mondobubba on 01/27/2014 22:41:38
Ha! Suck it, VA Republicans.
Mondobubba on 01/27/2014 22:41:38
Quote by BobR:
W00t! - Vote count is complete - VA State Senate is now controlled by the Dems!!
Ha! Suck it, VA Republicans.
Comment by Scoopster on 01/27/2014 23:35:53
Scoopster on 01/27/2014 23:35:53
What in the hell?!
Comment by Will in Chicago on 01/27/2014 23:46:35
I might tune in to support Peter Frenette and a few other good athlets. However, I despise Putin's regime -- but not the Russian people. Putin and his ilk are playing to the worst prejudices of Russian society. Sadly, there are politicians in all countries who do so.
Will in Chicago on 01/27/2014 23:46:35
Quote by Raine:I read this take earlier.Quote by TriSec:
Because they've all been deported to the camps?
I despise Russia right now. I don;t know if I can watch the Olympics in good conscience at all.
And this bothers me. One of my teachers from High school has a nephew that is on the Olympic team. I gladly donated money to help him get there.
So if anyone watches, please support Peter Frenette!!!
I might tune in to support Peter Frenette and a few other good athlets. However, I despise Putin's regime -- but not the Russian people. Putin and his ilk are playing to the worst prejudices of Russian society. Sadly, there are politicians in all countries who do so.
Comment by Will in Chicago on 01/27/2014 23:51:49
Will in Chicago on 01/27/2014 23:51:49
Related to today's blog, Robert Reich has a great article from Saturday, Why There Is No Outcry:
"First, the working class is paralyzed with fear it will lose the jobs and wages it already has.
"Second, students don’t dare rock the boat.
"Third and finally, the American public has become so cynical about government that many no longer think reform is possible."
Comment by Will in Chicago on 01/28/2014 00:19:47
Scoopster, I think that Thomas Perkins and the people behind this message are proving that Euripides was correct:
Will in Chicago on 01/28/2014 00:19:47
Quote by Scoopster:
What in the hell?!
Scoopster, I think that Thomas Perkins and the people behind this message are proving that Euripides was correct:
Whom the gods would destroy, they first drive mad.