What I Learned on the Net Today

Not necessarily in any order of importance or time seen. and no links.
1-huge oil spill in the Nigeria Delta, by Shell. This is the second one this year, last one was in Aug. and THAT was probably going to take decades to get over.(BBC News)

2- china won Afghanistan's ok to look for oil.(I thought that was OUR oil!?), which will also mean the will be getting what was supposed to be Halliburton's contracts to be re-building all the shit we blew up. Dick Cheney got screwed, I guess...not as smart as he thought there, maybe?
(BBC News)

2.5 - also the, I mean OUR government in Afghanistan is negotiating with the Taliban. So there's reason 3 (whoops 4(WMDs)) for our invasion of them("get rid of jihadist/anti-women extremism). So much for our mission in the middle east. Fail, Fail, Fail AND Fail. Thousands dead, countries and lives in ruins(ours and theirs), and Dick Cheney didn't even get his oil or building contracts.

3 - Anonymous (no relation) hacked a security firm (again)and using "found" credit cards, passwords etc. of military and law enforcement people, donated $1000s to charities like the red cross, save the children, etc.for Christmas. It's a huge mess and embarrassment for a "security firm" to be so hacked, and they don't know what to do...unfortunately for them, Anonymous promises to do more, for Christmas.(Guardian UK & Daily Mail-London)

4- Ron Paul didn't used to like gay people. (Everywhere)

5 OWS says thanks(YouTube & FB)

6 Anonymous says 12-21-12 IS the DAY. But not sure for what-maybe massive info dumps from everyone who is now just a worker, but knows
terrible stuff that EVERYONE should know-they advise taking a USB datadrive thing to work for the next year and downloading info. (Youtube)(not the best source...so who knows.)

7- Newt Gigrich thinks his staff's lack of planing in their epic fail to get (he necessary 10,000 signatures turned into Virginia election people on time(because who knew they had a deadline for something like that?!) is because the US gov. Is exactly like the Japanese bombing Pearl Harbor.(Wonkette)(he is a nutjob)But he's not the ONLY one being discriminated against by the liberal government, only Ron Paul and Mittens got their shit turned in on time. (And all those other wingnutaroos think they can run a fucking country!?!) It's like they are running for class pres. In jr. Friggin high. "And I promise to have better lunches and pop machines. So you should vote for me."

8 - the people on wonkette went to war with each other over Ralph Nadar and whether or not the Iraq war was his fault. I've never seen anything like it. Absolutely rabid!)(Wonkette)

That's all I can remember right now.

NADD - whos idea was this anyway?(post in progress-doing research)

http://www.2ndrevolt.com/articles/article_view/Anonymous-attacking-creators-of-indefinite-detention-bill

Bluewater Defense, a longtime DoD-ally that produces, among other garments, fire resistant combat uniforms."

Let the Bully Win? I am NOT ok with that!

I spent about an hour reading on a site that porports to have the solution to dealing with a boss who's a bully. So I read through most of the site, defiantly id-d my boss as a bully, the site was spot on re: that description. BUT they really didn't provide aby good solutions to the problem I face. Nor did any of the several OTHER sites I checked out dated 1995-2011. Their bottom line was-give up and find another job. And tho on some levels-yeah-but one another level- why should we let him win? And in the case of Head Start how can anyone walk away from that much evil directed at small children and low income families-not just the employees-but a much larger group of clients!! It's just NOT right!! So what to do? I think I need to devise a plan. Want to help?

Wealth and Corruption vs. Democracy, or What the 1% vs. the 99% Really Means

What bothers me the most about the 1% is not necessarily rich. That's annoying when I think about the people who orchestrated the "crash of '08", also being the ones who then received bailouts AND huge bonuses(at tax payers expense). THAT is annoying. But what really pisses me off is that THOSE people are the ones who now or still run the government. I don't like that the 1% have a voice in Congress and I don't. I don't like that the 1% can spend as much as they want to make sure the government is run so they continue to profit, at the expense of the OTHER 99@ and particularly the bottom 25%, which includes children and old people. I don't like that a country that bills itself as a democracy in run exactly like France before the revolution. It is not right that a true non-profit group like MTPeoples Action has a limit on how much they can spend on "lobbying" and a FOR profit org. like NorthWest Energy and NO limit. I hate that the Supreme Court is so corrupt, and the Congress is corrupt. THAT's what pisses me off. I like democracy. I don't like oligarchy, or fascism, or whatever it is we have now.

thanks to the troops

I just wrote a spectacular post and then LOST it by some special function of my phone or whatever. SO I'll try to recreate it.
I just got an email from one of Hopey's minions asking me to be thankful for our troops, defending our freedoms around the Empire. And although I appreciate that they are out there in the line of fire, I think they are protecting the freedoms of the 1% much more than they are MINE. You know who is REALLY fighting for ME and MY rights? It's the OWS people. They are getting beat and maimed and pepper sprayed for ME, for MY freedom. I haven't had to step into the fray, because they are, in NYC, Seattle, Portland, Oaklan, @ UC Davis, they are fighting, peacefully, for my rights, for justice, for free speech. So I want to say "thank you" to the OWS 'army' around the country and around the world, for protecting MY freedom. THANKS!

too pissed off for a title

The stupidist thing my crazy brother has ever said?
"Wives like to vacuum."
I can not believe he could be that stupid. But there you have it. Obviously an idiot. Crazy. AND an idiot.
1-how does he think he would know anything about wives, he doesn't HAVE one, and isn't one, and obviously. I am offended at the stupidity.
That is all. Except. FUCK him!

"Protesters are Scary", Say Riot-gear Clad Cops; Must Use Pepper Spray

http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/252661/20111119/lt-john-pike-pepper-sprays-sitting-protesters.htm

The Davis Enterprise reported that the eyes of 11 protesters had to be treated with saline and two had to be hospitalized. UC Davis Assistant Professor Nathan Brown said one student was hit with so much pepper spray that he was still coughing up blood 45 minutes after the incident.

Lt. John Pike did not issue any comments or statements on the issue. After his contact information (i.e., address, phone and e-mail) were located and posted online, his phone was flooded with calls. When IBTimes tried to reach him this morning, he did not pick up his phone, and his voice mailbox was full.  

His boss, UC Davis Police Chief Annette Spicuzza, who observed the events, did speak out.

She said she was “very proud” of the way her officers behaved in general, according to the Davis Enterprise.

“This was a tough scene to walk into. This was 50 people and before you knew it, it probably grew close to 200. When you encircle a group of officers that are just trying to do their jobs, it’s kinda scary,” she said.

Scary Protesters Scare Cops

rtsp://v8.cache6.c.youtube.com/CjYLENy73wIaLQlK7RMR79E5BhMYJCAkFEIJbXYtZ29vZ2xlSARSBXdhdGNoYNbls6iS__DjTgw=/0/0/0/video.3gp

Happy coats

Found 11 coats & 9 snow pants for under $500.could only get a few as my credit card has some limit. Have to get the rest tomorrow. Out of 13 kids, that only leaves 2 to get coats & tomorrow I will have another 15% discount, might be enough for 2 more coats! I hope so.I feel pretty happy.

Things I Don't Understand

There are many things I don't understand...this is in no way a comprehensive list.

Having said that, here goes:


1) Why people who are pro-life are anti-welfare....

2) Why people who live below the poverty line are worried that Obama's going to raise their taxes....

3) Why people who claim to be Christians are so hateful....

4) Why there is such a thing as FROZEN bread pudding for sale at the supermarket - It's really not a difficult thing to make at home.  In fact, it's made of LEFTOVERS.  Why would you pay for that? (On that note, check out the previous post for a bread pudding recipe that you can make IN YOUR OWN HOME!)....

5) Why the same people who don't want to spend any extra money on social programs (like breakfast for school children) are okay with spending BILLIONS of dollars on war in the Middle East....

Bread Pudding

Put 2-3 cups of old bread, torn into 1" (approx.) pieces in a bowl.
Pour in 2-2 1/2 c. Milk, add 2 beaten eggs. MIX.
Add 1/2 brown sugar, 1tsp each cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla.
MIX. Put into greased 2qrt baking dish.
Bake in 350 degree oven, 45 min or till knife comes out clean, or golden brown. Serve with vanilla ice cream, cream or Greek Yogurt.

Good News for the Working Poor!!

Contact Casey Kyler-West, Communications Director
TELEPHONE: (406)444-1520 P.O. BOX 1728
FAX: (406)444-1394 HELENA, MT
E-mail: ckylerwest@mt.gov 59624-1728
Tonya McCormack 444-1376
DATE 10/03/11
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Montana’s Minimum Wage Will Increase $.30 January 1, 2012
(Helena, MT Montana workers earning minimum wage will see an increase from $7.35 per hour to $7.65 per hour on January 1, 2012. “As the cost of living continues to increase, the law passed by Montanans in 2006, helps those making minimum wage keep their head above water,” said Labor Commissioner Keith Kelly.
Initiative 151, enacted by Montana voters in 2006, proposed raising the state’s minimum wage to be the greater of either the current state or federal minimum wage. It also added an annual cost-of-living adjustment to the state minimum wage.
The increase in the minimum wage is based upon any increase in the U.S. City Average Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers for All Items (CPI) from August of the preceding year to August of the year in which the calculation is made. This amount is to be rounded to the nearest five cents.
The current 2011 minimum wage rate is $7.35. Based on an increase in the CPI of 3.8% from August, 2010 to August, 2011, the calculation used for determining the minimum wage rate for 2012 is as follows:
$7.35 X .038% = $.28, rounded to $0.30
Information relating to Montana’s minimum wage may be downloaded from DLI’s website at www.mtwagehourbopa.com
####
 http://dli.mt.gov/media/releases/10032011MinWage.pdf

Judging others

MISSOULA- During a quick-moving vehicular homicide trial, the defendant accused of hitting and killing a Washington tourist on Brooks Street took the stand Thursday afternoon.

Brian Holm sat on the stand and testified about the events before he hit and killed Brian Beaver, 24, of Aberdeen, Washington.

He admitted to drinking before getting behind the wheel, but said he didn't feel he was intoxicated. He also said he didn't fall asleep at the wheel, like prosecutors claim.

"I was faced with an oncoming car," testified Brian Holm.

"About where were you when you were faced with this car?" asked Scott Spencer, Holm's defense attorney.

"Shortly before Brian Beaver," answered Holm.

Holm said he was driving north on Brooks Street when a car came out of a turning lane, so he swerved left to avoid it and ended up in the oncoming lane of traffic.

"At that moment, the cars that I saw coming and there was no way back into my lane," Holm said.

He also testified that when he noticed he was in the oncoming lane, he tried to get off the road and into a parking lot and that's when he hit Beaver.

"Do you remember striking Brian Beaver?" asked Spencer.

"I didn't know what I had struck, I just knew I had struck something," answered Holm.

Holm said after he felt that he hit something his instinct was to swerve to the right and that's when he crashed into a pole.

The Montana State Crime Lab employees testified Holm had depression and sleeping medication in his system. Prosecutors argued those medications are not to be mixed with alcohol and this could have caused Holm to fall asleep at the wheel.

During Holm's testimony, the judge fell asleep on the bench. No one noticed until the prosecutor asked the judge twice to approach the witness, but the judge didn't answer.

Once the jury left the room, the judge acknowledged on the record that he fell asleep. He said here's the defendant testifying about falling asleep at the wheel, and "here I am asleep at the bench."

He then told the prosecutors and the defense to consider if this would impact the case in any way.

The closing statements will begin Friday morning and then it will be up to the jury to decide Holm's fate. (KPAX 8, Missoula, MT)

The Poll

We will be voting on a committee to draft a question for the poll. Please post your nominations.
I have nominated the co-editor and am waiting for a second on that nomination.

OCCUPY!

I was reading the Occupy Wall Street statement and thinking about my reasons to occupy (but where would we hold a protest in little ol' Deer Lodge and would it matter? And how can I be a part of it HERE?) because I agree with much of their philosophy.
So here's what I came up with (this is the 2nd time I'm typing this as I lost it the first by not saving and leaving the blog site by accident)(doing a flippin spell check!)(Y do I care?!)

1-Corporations are NOT people
2-Democratic governments should not be/ARE not determined by who brings in the most money to the party, or which corp. Lobbist contributes most to a campaign. They should represnt *the people*(The OWS covered this more succinctly).
3-in a DEMOCRACY-governing bodies & representatives should be chosen by voting where all votes are counted (and NONE are "found later)".(You know what I'm sayin here.)
4-student's loans deserve to be forgiven more than wall street hedge-fund traders, and bankers who knowingly fucked the WORLD (not just US), and received, or still receive 6-figure bonuses.
5-war should NOT be a growth industry.
6-incarceration should NOT be a growth industry
7-Democracies DO NOT torture. Period. Endofdiscussion.
8-credit reporting corporations are immoral an unethical. They serve the 1% to the detriment of the 99%.
9-free speech STILL includes the right to assemble peaceable "and to petition the government for a redress of their grievances." And if not then:

"When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation."

So I have to end this here and go fight "the man" and "woman" for justice!(Aka my jerb) I may amend this later-it too is a "living document"!

Ummmmm....Yeah, I Got Nothin'

Ok then, I have been somewhat skeptical of some of the youtube offerings,
purportedly from "Anonymous" (not to be confused with our dear co-creator here @ Water/goat). I refer to the hacker(s) who wears a Guy Fawkes mask and posts on youtube, threatening dire consequences to various corporate and pop media entities. Now there may, indeed, BE an REAL and legitimate "Anonymous" hacker, OR many who CAN and perhaps HAS taken out various businesses, etc-I'm pretty sure that it IS possible and there may well be a group working on that kind of stuff. THAT is NOT my issue, here. My issue is that there seems to be someone ELSE who has no skills at hacking, but who is making videos claims to be able to say, for example, shut down facebook and fox news. This was their claim last week. On Sat. 5, Nov. BUT here we are 8, Nov. And FOX and Facebook are still with us. SO my issue is - if you are a hacker wanna-be making idle threats is NOT impressive, its just annoying. And pointless. So I thought to myself WHO would do this? All I can come up with is a)a dumb kid trying to be cool or b)some arm of the government. I can't think of a rational reason they would-other than to discredit or draw out & "trap"the REAL Anonymous. But if that's the case the government Arm with the cyrptogram -like name,must be very worried. And seems to be being out-witted. Well that's part of "OWS", right-the gov. Is NOT working.
Ok-so fake anonymous' are/is stupid. that is all.

I'm IN!!

Well! Finally!!!! After several failed attempts to get on our !fabulous! Blog TA-DA!! SO first order of business- why the hell did it take me so frickin long to get TO the BLOG and then to get SIGNED in-Jesus!! It was ridiculous! Seriously! I mean I deal with computer login-s EVERY flippin day!! 3 or 4 just 1)one to get ON my work computer 2)to the time clock 3)to get to the special data base and EACH one has a different username AND password-and YET(!!) somehow I have been managing to accomplish THAT!! Every day! But THIS-THIS has taken me since when? September whatever(1st? 9?) TWO(2) MONTHS. WTF! But at long last here I am, and at least 2 months of pent up rage, frustration, annoyance, and maybe some happy rainbow unicorns also, I am ready to BLOG BaBy BLOG!! On to the NEXT topic!

By Way of Introduction...

This blog is a receptacle for all of the ranting that we (the authors) do whenever we get together, eat junkfood and stay up waaaaaayyyy too late annoying my "dad".  As such, it probably won't make any sense to anyone but us.

Whatever.  You're still invited to experience the kaleidoscope that is our collective stream of conscience.  Just don't be offended by anything you read here.