Vox Populi – 7-5-2013

choicelady : Thank you always for the Music, and a wonderful weekend to you, too! Good night!

KillgoreTrout : Thanks CL. I always enjoy our conversations. It’s rare to know someone who “gets it.” I gotta start the music thread, so peace be with you and have a great weekend.

choicelady : Amen!

KillgoreTrout : I truly believe that sheer greed is a real mental illness, and that is one of our biggest problems in America.

choicelady : And with that – it’s past 10 here, past 1 there. Are you ready to call it a night? I’ve totally enjoyed talking with you! We don’t usually get this much time. VERY nice.

choicelady : Thank you, KT – that means a lot! I do think gratitude is an important part of loving your life! Enough is, well, enough!

KillgoreTrout : CL you are a wise person. So many just don’t see it, or can’t or won’t. That’s why I have such love for the Tao. “The sage stays behind and thus advances.” “Knowing when you have enough, you will always have enough.”

choicelady : KT – I think the gutting of the VA is the sorriest story of America, and I’m awfully glad you got help. I know that secular and faith people here want the city to make housing people a priority, but noooo – have to have an arena! It’s a disgrace. We do have a good circle of people that do open churches and other facilities taking up to 400 people per night, but there are 1200 homeless. So we individually do what we can. No excuse for it, frankly. But it’s NOT anyone’s top priority. And then Nevada started dumping its mentally ill here and throughout the country. Despicable. It never ends – those with the most serious needs get the least help. It’s no longer the America we were promised, is it>

KillgoreTrout : CL, the homeless face the same desperation that people with mental illness face, and are often one and the same. There is no money to be made by taking proper “Christian,” care of these people. I was fortunate, because I had the VA to turn to, and they helped me immensely. I would be dead now, if it weren’t for the VA. I have to say though, I am one of the lucky ones. At that time, the VA was really helping people. Now, they face immense odds.

choicelady : KT – right now at work I’m under the gun and running in place. But I know that in another couple of months it will be better, and I will be damned if I’m going to let the world run ME. I never wanted a job where you had to beat yourself to death for money. And looking back, I do not regret anything I have done because it was led my a zest for living and learning even when it did not pay squat. I’m not rich but am comfortable and I treasure that – it helps as you get older – but I’d not put chasing dollars ahead of any of the really cool things I’ve done. It’s a good life. I’m glad I’m living it!

KillgoreTrout : There used to be a great train station in Columbus, but they shut down in 1990 I believe it was. Union Station. right off High Street. in the Short North.

KillgoreTrout : CL, I agree. It truly is. people are now are just too much in a big hurry. and it goes beyond just travel. People are becoming almost schizoid in their race against time.

choicelady : KT – my folks were married 62 years when my Mom died. She was a terrible person in many ways, but my father loved her. I also hope they found each other. It helped him in the year he lived past her thinking he was going to. I don’t care if it’s true or not – what gets you through the dark night of the soul.

KillgoreTrout : CL, my mother, who is 83, wants nothing more than to be with my father who passed in 04. She’s pissed at god. Ihope she gets her wish. They were together for 58 years. I can’t even imagine such a loss.

choicelady : KT – I am SO sorry you had to go through that. I’m glad you came through it.

choicelady : Oh KT – what a dreadful experience! Sacramento is doing the very best it can for homeless people – it’s such a waste of humanity and because SO many are vets, it’s despicable. There is NO excuse for our abandonment of those who are just down on their luck. Lots of folks hang in the park a block from here, and most are just unemployed, period. Horrid that they can’t be treated decently and housed well. We’re seriously working on changing that.

KillgoreTrout : Ohhh!, flip em like burgers. Now that is hot. You are a kind person CL. I wish there were more like you. I’ve been homeless in sweltering heat before, when I first came to Ohio, from Boston. High 90s and very high humidity. Brutal. I surely would never want to go through that again.

choicelady : Fairly recently wasn’t there a line that went through Youngstown, Akron, Columbus to Toledo where you could catch the Lakeshore Limited? Something like that. All those towns – no train. Awful.

choicelady : KT – the decimation of our rail system is a national scandal.

KillgoreTrout : CL, Cleveland is one of the few places in Ohio where Amtrack still goes. I had to take a bus from Cleveland to get to Columbus, because Amtrak no longer stops in Columbus. That’s too bad, because Columbus is literally in the center of the state.

choicelady : KT – just catching up here. I agree about the process of dying. It had better NOT be awful or I will send a letter of protest! But I’m not afraid of ‘after’ since I seriously doubt there is any. I think the desire for there to be something is powerful. My atheist father wanted to find my mother – and he’d steadfastly NOT believed in anything. It wasn’t heaven he wanted – it was her. The night he died, I was on the porch grieving, and I thought I heard her speak his name, and felt him grinning in joy. I cannot explain it, and I don’t have to. It’s whatever it was.

choicelady : funk – good night! Sweet dreams and good rest.

choicelady : KT – we saw other people around here had done the same. We just could NOT leave the homeless folks with nothing. Scary hot because it was humid. In 2001 I was part of the clinic defense in Wichita against Operation Rescue – it was 10 days over 100 with typical humidity. AWFUL. Last day they thought folks were going down to block the street which had softened tar from the heat. One of our folks said, “If they go down, we’re gonna have to go out there and flip ’em like burgers!” They did not do it, thank goodness – that COULD have been fatal!

KillgoreTrout : Take care funk. Pleasant dreams.

KillgoreTrout : funk are you saying good night?

KillgoreTrout : CL and funk, the only fear of dying I have is there might be great physical pain involved. I don’t worry about an afterlife. I certainly don’t believe in heaven or hell. The Tao says simply, that when we die, we return to the source. I’m cool with that. I had no consciousness before i was born, so if there is none after i die, I’ll not even be aware of it.

choicelady : We spend as much time as we can off the interstates. My ex and I used to do the same. Fascinating what you see, what towns you find. And KT I used to travel everywhere by train and loved it. Once got routed off the Amtrak east of Toledo headed for Buffalo due to a derailment – we were God knows where and wound up in Cleveland on the ELEVATED line. First we came up the river, past the steel mills – amazing. But being on the elevated tracks at dawn? All the regular riders were on their feet gawking! It was pretty funny! Great trip even if we were hours late.

KillgoreTrout : It’s been unusually comfortable her in central Ohio. We have been enjoying temps in the low 80s and high 70s. Very rare for this part of the country.

funksands : Have a lovely evening and talk at you soon!

funksands : Well lovely people I am a pumpkin. Lot of travel over the last few weeks, but am home for the next couple months. Really looking forward to settling in for a while.

KillgoreTrout : I hear CL. That’s so nice you put out the water station.

funksands : CL, well said.

choicelady : funk – I’m not afraid of dying EXCEPT your reason: what’s around the next corner? What might I miss? I’m not interested in daredevil stuff or even having to see all the world, but just seeing enough that gives new perspective. I cannot understand travel that does not fulfill that. OK – maybe a Carnival NON cruise – but short of that, it’s amazing and wonderful to do. Even going to a state I’ve never seen or city I’ve never been to right here. Lots to be said for Omaha. Really!

funksands : CL, there moving verrrrry slowly. Even so, its a lot for the wildlife to handle. Plus there’s not a whole lot of example for them to follow over the last 100 years. We build em, we don’t take em down.

choicelady : KT – that’s the pleasure of the trip thru the Rockies – absolutely amazing. I agree!

choicelady : KT – it was unusually humid here yesterday, so it was dangerous. All seven days of above 100 were. We put out a water station for homeless folks who used it. It’s MUCH better now and will be the rest of the week. Brutal!

KillgoreTrout : CL, that’s what’s so great about train travel. It very often goes through miles and miles of places where there are no public roads.

funksands : One of the great regrets and despairs of my life is knowing that I’ll never see all the places I want to see, learn the things I want to learn, taste the things I want to taste. That despair is all the more sweet because of where it derives from. I just assume everyone is like that, even though I know better.

choicelady : funk – the incurious are my relatives.

choicelady : funk – I’d worried about that. It just seems so abrupt. The folks calling for Hetch Hetchy to be torn down are not discussing that. Adaptation works, and even ‘returning to the original’ does huge damage to what has adapted. It will be instructive to learn from your experience IF we determine we should do Hetch Hetchy reclamation. Of course Gov Moonbeam now wants to utterly destroy the Delta with huge pipes ramming thru farms and the fragile ecosystem to take our water down to LA. Ugh.

KillgoreTrout : 110 is brutal, unless there is very low humidity. If your sweat evaporates quickly, it actually acts like a coolant. When i was in the military, I was stationed in Death Valley, where the temps would easily reach 115 to 130 in the daytime. But sweat would evaporate so quickly it served as a cooling process. That is basically the central theory behing air conditioners and freezers. Anything above 50% humidity, forget it. You’re going to swelter.

funksands : The incurious are a mystery to me.

funksands : CL, it’s beating the hell out of the native fish in the river. Tearing them up pretty fierce as a hundred years of silt comes pouring out of the valley. Scientists are watching them very closely to see exactly how much stress they can handle. It’s incredibly destructive to the immediate ecosystem even as it amazing for the long-term health of the watershed.

choicelady : funk and KT – if there IS a topic, feel free!

choicelady : funk – we never did hop on a topic tonight!

choicelady : funk – that IS the question! My SIL is not brave enough to ask “why” questions. What is, is, and it’s all perfect, and shut up.

funksands : Nothing like a tri-subject conversation revolving around light therapy, the Columbia River and religion.

KillgoreTrout : funk, I believe in light therapy. It just makes sense to me. We humans need sunlight, or a reasonable facimili.

choicelady : KT – I think the eastward view is the better, but both directions driving have been spectacular.

funksands : For me it always boils down to “Why is there Something instead of Nothing?” People that don’t care or aren’t curious about that question are missing a chromosome or something.

choicelady : funk – what’s happening as the dam comes down?

KillgoreTrout : CL, it’s a trip I will never forget, especially considering the circumstances that underlined it. I really want to do it again, in reverse.

choicelady : KT – I am with you on that! The mystery and the quest for understanding beat dead certainty all hollow. My sister in law again – she KNOWS all, is convinced there is an ‘absolute truth’ (she is totally secular in this) and that anyone who thinks there are unknowns is deluded or an idiot. I’m her sister in law idiot.

funksands : I’ve been eagerly watching the Elwha dam removal up here. Fascinating scientific, ecological and physical experiment.

KillgoreTrout : funk, so true, so true. Such shining waters there would be.

choicelady : funk – light therapy has worked VERY well for my husband. Thirty minutes. My Dad had the same problem, and it worked for him as well.

choicelady : funk – you’re too kind calling them gnostics. Know it all seems a more apt term!

KillgoreTrout : I love the Tao Te Ching BECAUSE it is mysterious. I don’t want all the answers, even if that were possible.

choicelady : KT – my husband has a full spectrum light precisely for gloomy days. He has the same problems with depression, and he reacts SO badly to meds, this was what worked. I know our plans once for retiring to Portland or Seattle (or environs) just won’t work. I also can’t come home to the Midwest or East – he’s never known snow! So – at 110 and baking – here I stay. I can cope better than he.

funksands : KT, my wife really struggles up here around February. Can’t take the gloom. Light therapy this year for sure.

choicelady : KT – wow – that must have been an amazing trip!

KillgoreTrout : CL, I have had to deal with clinical depression for most of my adult life, but when I lived in Southern Cal, I very rarelt felt depressed. Different strokes, I guess.

funksands : It’s always the gnostics that ruin everything for everyone.

funksands : KT, couldn’t agree more. Just imagine how fabulous it would be with a few dams removed!

choicelady : funk – thank you! I think no one can say what’s “out there” and with quantum mechanics and ‘spooky action at a distance’ I think we will find mind and consciousness links that explain a whole lot of what equals ‘spiritual’. Most Protestants would not be devastated by discovering that – and all the Dominionists would be. Not that they actually believe much of anything, but they’re counting on their perfection to get them a fave seat by God’s Right Hand. I’m glad I don’t believe that stuff.

KillgoreTrout : CL, I was lucky enough to take an Amtrack train from Portland to Ohio. The first several hours was going through the Columbia River gorge. Astonishing. Sometimes the tracks were just feet away from the very edge of high ridges. Breath taking.

funksands : I really enjoyed watching you interact in the comments section of your article. This is one of my favorite gems: “We’re not really interested in the state of people’s souls ethereally so much as their decency here on earth.” I like that. – Signed non-threatened atheist

choicelady : KT – I agree. I don’t have weather problems but my husband does. I have ‘reverse seasonal affective disorder’ and get really edgy when there is endless heat and sun. I long for rain!

KillgoreTrout : CL, I bet it does too. Oregon/Washingto n is such a pretty place. I have trouble with all the rain and clouds though. I need sunshine at least a few times a week. I have to say though, in the mid summer to the end of September, Eastern Oregon and southern Washington is very, very beautiful. I just love gazing at Mt. Hood.

choicelady : Thank you, funk! Means a lot! I enjoyed doing it. Hope to do more.

choicelady : KT – I could NOT believe the beauty. Bet it rivals the Danube Bend.

funksands : I really enjoyed what you wrote. Just wanted you to know.

choicelady : funk – yup. That was me.

KillgoreTrout : CL the CRG is absolutely beautiful. One of America’s real natural wonders.

choicelady : glenn – good night! Lovely to have you here, and best wishes finishing putting everything away and getting it all just right. Glorious mess to live through, but glorious delight when you’re done. Congratulations!

funksands : CL, that was you on the People’s View wasn’t it?

glenn : I’ll read what the first most beautiful place is in the morning. I always read the rest of VOX on Saturday morning. Just nosy, I guess.

choicelady : funk – that is what I hear. But I think the Columbia River Gorge from east of Portland to Hood River is right up there.

glenn : CL–I am. Good night.

choicelady : KT and glenn – who’s leaving?

funksands : Glacier Park area.

funksands : All right, two votes for MMT is enough for me. I’ll get cracking on it.

choicelady : funk – the first most beautiful…?

KillgoreTrout : glenn, it’s been a pleasure. Sleep tight and have a great weekend.

funksands : CL, oh definitely. Second-most beautiful spot in the country IMO

glenn : Funk–I was going to ask that, but I didn’t want to offend you.

choicelady : funk – I’m sure, somewhere, there are parts of Utah that are very nice. Zion and Bryce canyons. Or something.

funksands : Glenn, she’s been known to be a bit salty occasionally….

glenn : Funk–does she like salt?

choicelady : KT – only someone very limited would ever be bored in Europe.

glenn : Funk–second CL’s choice.

funksands : My mom’s idea of a perfect trip is going to Utah. That should tell you something.

choicelady : funk – Oh! Monetary Theory!!!

KillgoreTrout : Man, the Sistine Chapel, the Parthanon, the collisium, Notre Dame, the Louvre, Tate museum, The Van Gogh museum, Dresden….etc. How could anybody be bored with those places?

funksands : Quick Poll: I’m going to get another post up soon. Please vote: A post about Iceland or an Intro to Modern Monetary Theory?

glenn : All right, folks. Gotta go to bed so I can get the rest of my house put together tomorrow. See you all over the weekend! I hope everyone has a great weekend!

choicelady : funk – no one spoke English? Well most of the folks in Spain, and I was in Arrasate which is not even on most maps, put up with my Spanglish and just laughed at my efforts. It was a hoot! They were very nice about it. And the food there sucked, it is true, but I loved every minute of it.

funksands : 75 and sunny. Perfect

funksands : Choice, your sister sounds like my mom. Went on a two-week trip to Italy with her sister and had a terrible time. ‘No one spoke English’, ‘food is weird’, ‘traffic is terrible’ etc etc etc

choicelady : KT – I’d agree. She and I don’t talk much. Like for 10 years.

choicelady : funk – did you have a good 4th? I hope everyone did! It was 110 here yesterday, so our enjoyment was entirely inside, reading, hanging, finally cooking out but in very short spurts. Still – fun.

glenn : CL–Why doesn’t she spend her money to travel in the US? I will never understand people who travel only to complain that it’s not the same as “home”. What’s the point of traveling if it’s the same as “home”?

KillgoreTrout : CL, what a Philistine!

choicelady : glenn – that’s precisely my idea about travel. I think learning new stuff and adapting to different ways is fascinating.

funksands : Ees wery beautiful tonight. Happy post-4th everybody

KillgoreTrout : Funk is in da house! What’s up funk?

choicelady : FUNK!!! Glad you’re here. How are how and how are things in the great northwest?

funksands : Hi Glenn!

KillgoreTrout : glenn, I do play on occasion. Exactly CL. Some people just don’t realize how much a few hundred million actually is. That’s Romney money!

choicelady : KT – she lived in Rome when she was a kid, and she still gripes about it. Her trip to Milan – all she said in postcards is what was WRONG – bells ringing every hour, narrow streets, food different. Ridiculous. She personifies the saying “travel narrows”. She thinks she hung the moon.

glenn : Hey Funk!

glenn : CL–Your sister-in-law gets a sense of superiority out of it, I guess. I love learning new ways of doing things. I think we do some things better in America, and I think other countries do some things better. It’s not who is “best”, but learning something different.

funksands : Good late evening everyone!

KillgoreTrout : CL, that’s a shame. The rest of the world is so much older than America. Just the architecture alone would be worth seeing.

choicelady : KT – when you win, have no fear. We are here to help. After all, what are friends for?

choicelady : glenn – still and all – ITALY!!!

glenn : KT–All right, then. Start playing that powerball!

choicelady : KT – one thing I know from my limited travel is that almost anywhere is worth going simply because it’s all new. My sister in law is the antithesis – she judges everything by what’s NOT American. I don’t know why she spends the money – she gets nothing out of it.

KillgoreTrout : CL, HAHAHA! That would be a ball.

glenn : CL–Really didn’t get to see much of Turin while I was there. Was only there for a week and my friend and her friend wanted to go to Florence, so we spent most of our time in Florence. My friend doesn’t actually live in Turin, she lives in a little suburb outside of it. The suburb is closer to the school in which she teaches.

KillgoreTrout : I would love to visit Florence, just to see the marvelous glass artists there. True masters of their craft.

choicelady : KT – oh, we’d help you spend it. Not to worry!

KillgoreTrout : Even the least jackpot in Powerball is far more than an old guy like myself could ever spend. Woo Hoo!

glenn : KT–Indeed she is.

choicelady : glenn – I hear Turin is wonderful. Want to see Florence and Milan, too. Well anywhere is great. I loved Spain last year – never wanted to go, absolutely loved every moment.

KillgoreTrout : glenn she must be a brave soul!

choicelady : KT – well sure – couldn’t go without Kalima! If you hit Powerball, we’re ON.

glenn : KT–It really would be an adventure! You could rent a scooter and try to dodge the traffic! I’ll take a taxi and meet you at the Coliseum (sp.?) My friend has a scooter that she uses in her little suburb outside of Turin.

KillgoreTrout : Well, if I should ever become suddenly wealthy, I’d pay for such an event. It would truly be wonderful. I’d even get Kalima out of Japan for the weekend.

choicelady : glenn – could it BE more fun? We can crash the Vatican, too!

glenn : CL–great idea! Convention in Rome! Talk about party time!

KillgoreTrout : Have a great weekend Sue.

glenn : Sue–let’s go!

KillgoreTrout : glenn I’d love to. What an adventure that would be.

choicelady : glenn – take all of us. There’s room in your suitcase, yes? Then we can have the PPOV WORLD conference in Rome!

glenn : Hey Sue–I lived in Iran for two years, too. Good night, sleep well.

SueInCa : Thanks CL and Glenn? I will go with you

choicelady : Good night, Sue – lovely to see you. I will mail the book off I hope – HOPE – tomorrow. I have your address.

glenn : KT–Have visited other cities in Italy. Haven’t made it to Rome yet. I’m planning to go there next year when I go to visit my friend in Italy again. Want to come along?

SueInCa : Well I must go for the night. Good talking to everyone. Yes, Glenn she even looks greek lol. Some have asked her if she is Persian too

choicelady : KT – Pilgrims were not Puritans. Salem – eh. Not a good story indeed. That was a reaction to the re-colonization. The sudden presence of English sailors and authorities totally ripped the society apart and introduced “sinning” – they had whores and gambling and all manner of things they’d really NOT had before. They had to find an explanation – couldn’t blame the KING (they were loyal) so…witches, right? Same thing happened in Europe during periods of major social upheaval. BTW – half the people hung for witchcraft were MEN, so the feminist explanation does not hold up here.

KillgoreTrout : I’m envious glenn. I would also love to visit Rome. My brother lived there for 5 years and told me we could have a blast there.

glenn : Sue–I can understand why she loved it.

SueInCa : glenn. my daughter went to Athens then they traveled 3 or 4 of the islands. she loves Greece, greek food, greek people she loves it all

glenn : CL–Getting to travel anywhere we wanted every six months was one of the perks of working in Saudi.

choicelady : glenn – that’s wonderful! I’d love to go to Greece!

glenn : CL–I agree–I was just pointing out that their philosophy was the same regarding God’s and man’s law.

KillgoreTrout : CL, I can’t argue with that, because you are right. I was thinking more about the state of Massachusetts. It’s really an odd thing there. They are very liberal regarding political issues, but as far as daily life goes, there is still a slight strain of Puritanism. I mean the type that existed in Plymouth Plantation and Salem….etc. Of course they don’t burn witches these days.

choicelady : Sue – every summer JWs have their national convention here, and it’s my understanding that within their faith, they are absolutely equitable. They really are nice. I worked with a JW woman and loved her. I don’t like the religion, but I do like the people – though not on my doorstep.

glenn : KT–It was absolutely amazing, awe-inspring, goose-bump-givin g. To think that I was walking in the same “building” where Aristotle, Plato, and others walked thousands of years ago, just blew my mind. I can’t explain it–but I will never forget it. Just a bit of trivia, too. That’s when I found out why a marathon run is called a marathon run. And, my husband and I drove from Athens to Marathon, which was also very cool!

SueInCa : They are the nicest people around here. They want to talk to you but if you say no, they smile and go on their way. I don;t know much about their religion but I can see them saying they follow god;s law.

choicelady : glenn – JWs are not a big problem because they aren’t the least political. They’re just annoying.

KillgoreTrout : Ah glenn, now you are talking about the real real deal. I would love to visit the “cradle of western civilization.”

choicelady : KT – it’s NOT the Puritan lineage that’s the problem at all. They morphed into the most liberal, progressive faiths. It’s the Baptists and other evangelicals that then spun off Pentecostalism in 1901 – and they are the rock ribbed fundamentalist power hungry Dominionists. Even Evangelicals don’t meet their test these days. Puritans had their problems, but they were deeply devoted to secular society as a key part of their ways of life, and over the centuries they really took their commitments to having a ‘moral economy’ to heart. Their biggest failing was religious intolerance in the colonial days, but they got over it. They were also sexually very liberal – we know them incorrectly via the Victorian interpretations which are totally wrong. NO ‘scarlet letter’ was put on women. EVER.

glenn : CL–When I lived in VA, there used to be Jehovah’s Witnesses who came around. I let them in because I wanted to hear what they had to say. They also said the same thing, that we had to obey God’s law before we obeyed man’s law. When they came around the next time, I did NOT let them in.

glenn : KT–I love Greek food! Always went to the Greek festivals near our home in FL. And, I really got to cross off one off my bucket list when I got to go to Athens, the Acropolis, and explore outside the city.

choicelady : glenn – the RWNJ dominionists have convinced themselves they and they alone have THE WORD, and therefore they are The Elect. Yesterday morning there were TWO Dominionist full page ads in the paper stating that God and the Bible trumped the Constitution. Ironically, one of them is an association of cannibis purveyors. So we have born again dope peddlers. Wow. Boggles the mind.

SueInCa : Some actually laugh when they talk about sitting upstairs with GOD and watching the rest of us get tortured by plagues. I cannot wait to see them not even recognize Jesus or God when they come.

KillgoreTrout : Yeah CL, they were never cursed with the strain of Puritanism, which still exists in America. It’s not overt, but it’s here all the same.

choicelady : Good night AdLib – SO good you were here!

choicelady : Sue – this sudden “love” for Jews is so freaking hypocritical of the Dominionists who ONLY want Israel for Christians (their kind) to fulfill what they see as Biblical prophecy. They actually HATE them and know they’re all going to hell. But hey – they have the land, right? Gotta suck up.

KillgoreTrout : CL, they are the real deal, for sure. In my hometown, there was a Greek Festival evey summer, and wow, they really knew how to throw a celebration. Whole lambs, roasting on a spit, great music and dancing and plenty of ouzo. Great times. Substitute tequila for ouzo and you have basically the same celebration.

glenn : CL–What is wrong with these RWNJ’s? Why can’t they live and let live?

AdLib : Cheers, my friends! Thanks so much!

SueInCa : cl they all do when they are over there. they disrespect both Palestinians and Jewish people.

choicelady : Sue – the man who stalked me after my MRFF incident lived in Israel for 20 years. He got thrown out ONLY for proselytizing. No persecution – just bad manners and practices on his part.

choicelady : glenn – the RWNJs are indeed trying to stop Sharia. It could outlaw halal food stores, women wearing hijabs, the religious practices, even maybe Ramadan. There are several Muslim banks and lending institutions that do not charge interest – riba – and they would be unable to practice in the states banning Sharia. I send people TO those places for home loans etc. because they are so moral and upright in their business practices! We Christians are forbidden to charge interest, but hey – that was then. This is now. So the Muslims make us look bad.

glenn : KT–It’s a very beautiful, colonial city. There are beaches about 30-40 miles away. When I was there last, they were just completing a beautiful four-lane highway that takes you straight to the beaches.

SueInCa : I was gonna ditto, but I third Adlib

SueInCa : Glenn, I want to ask one of them why it is ok for Bibi to persecute the Christians in Palestine

glenn : Ad–I second KT’s thoughts about appreciating you.

KillgoreTrout : glenn, never been to Merida. I bet it’s awesome though.

KillgoreTrout : Take care of yourself Ad. You are much appreciated here, by everyone, I’m sure of that.

SueInCa : They are KT. My in law side is Mexican and Spanish and they all love to dance and party

glenn : CL–So, now the rightwingnutjobs are trying to tell other religions how to conduct their religions? And those “poor, poor Christians” who are so persecuted! Geez, don’t these people ever take a thought to its logical end?

choicelady : KT – you’re giving rise to the anglo stereotypes about ‘hot blooded people’ all of whom were simply able to have more fun than us uptight types.

SueInCa : No glenn. The people doing the beheadings come from mostly states in central Mexico. They do not generally hang out in the coastal areas.

KillgoreTrout : Sue, the Mexican people remind me of Greek people. They love music and dance and good food and getting drunk. Large life livers.

glenn : Sue–Are they the ones doing the beheadings? I’m not trying to be snarky, I’m just curious.

SueInCa : I was in Asheville for a convention and it is gorgeous. It kind of reminded me of Dirty Dancing

KillgoreTrout : CL, it would be less painful I suppose!

choicelady : glenn – we don’t! It’s strictly religious for observant Muslims. It impacts no one as Rabbinical Law impacts no one other than those who choose to participate in the religion. The RW is SO paranoid!

KillgoreTrout : Nice Sue. Wilmington is a nice area. The best is in Ashville. A true artist’s community.

glenn : AdLib–feel better soon! Good night.

choicelady : glenn and Sue – I have a very dear friend who’s Mayan. She is so wonderful. Now is working in the Dept. of Labor. I just love her! She worked for John Burton for several years, and she got a chance to do great things – and did them.

glenn : CL–Thanks for the clarification. I have been so puzzled as to why all these legislatures are banning Sharia law, when I didn’t know we even had it in the first place.

SueInCa : They are a bit “meaner” on the west coast glenn

KillgoreTrout : Ad, a rare place indeed, among all the flotsam and jetsome that surrounds us.

glenn : Sue–Agree about the Mayan people. They are wonderful.

choicelady : AdLib – good night and heal quickly! We’re so glad you stopped by! Get well and get rest!

choicelady : ADLib -we’d vote him the hell off the island! Which of course we tried to do twice before he HAD to leave.

KillgoreTrout : Ha, smuggled is a great word to describe it. These big discussion sites don’t like competition, especially one where there are no trolls.

SueInCa : glenn the Mayan people are very gentle people. At least that is what I found out visiting that side of Mexico

SueInCa : Adlib I am not sure the American people would do much. They might have to leave FB for a few hours

glenn : KT–I love the Yucatan peninsula area, also. Very beautiful, and pretty unspoiled. Love Merida!

choicelady : glenn – sorry, I meant IN the U.S. Of course it’s the norm and standard in other nations. But here the wackadoodles passing laws banning Sharia can’t wrap their minds around the fact that it has no bearing on their lives. They DO want us all to be “CHRISSSSS-TIAN NNN” from their POV.

AdLib : Feeling a bit exhausted, couldn’t resist joining you all here tonight though! Have a great evening, will see you later this weekend!

SueInCa : I love Mexico KT. Cabo, Puerto Vallerta, Cancun I love them all

AdLib : CL – Yes, it is a dangerous time in Egypt but this was their first democratic election and it was corrupted so this unique action in a fledgling democracy is not so surprising. In an established democracy like ours, it would be outrageous. Morsi betrayed their brand new democracy by acting just like a dictator, he was a traitor to the nation once he stripped democratic representation of the people on the Constitution, in his government and in trying to strip the courts of power. What would we do if a President did that in the US?

choicelady : ADLib – can you say why Khirad is not with us now? He provided so much insight!

SueInCa : KInd of ashamed of it right now but my folks are pretty progressive now that the old gen has died off. My dad left his roots and southern ways far behind when he moved to CA

KillgoreTrout : Sue, I’ve been as far south as Ensinadas. The mexican people are great, once you get away from TJ. They have such a large sense of life.

glenn : CL–Sharia law may be only for the believers in some countries, but in Saudi Arabi, I’m pretty sure it is the law of the land. Hence the muttawahs (religious police), women not able to drive, not being able to leave the country without their husband’s permission, etc.

choicelady : Sue! I did not know you had NC roots!

choicelady : KT – wouldn’t surfing in water have been easier?

SueInCa : KT my family is from Wilmington

KillgoreTrout : Sue, when i was in the Marines, I spent a lot of time at Camp le June NC. You are right. the costal area ther is beautiful. I used to do a lot of body surfing there.

choicelady : Sue – at another site (can’t remember which) I noted that like Rabbinical law, Sharia is for ONLY the believers. Here Dominionism is meant to be forced onto us all.

SueInCa : CL I think they are looking for something, anything but no leader has emerged from the protests.

glenn : Sue–I know, it’s amazing. I guess you have to see conspiracies behind everything to see the difference.

choicelady : AdLib – exactly my thoughts. I also can’t see why anyone wants the military. They treated women protesters in the Egyptian spring absolutely despicably, forcing them to take ‘virginity tests’ which is horrifying to me. I don’t understand the preference for the military over the Brotherhood – sounds like a non starter either way.

SueInCa : No Adlib they do not get that irony. See, their religion and their obsession of a theocratic government is different, see?

AdLib : Thanks KT! Really apprecuate all your kind thoughts about the Planet. Of course, I agree with you. such a remarkable and inspiring community here.

KillgoreTrout : I think Egypt has a long way to go, before their troubles are sorted out. Sad to say.

choicelady : KT – I met e’cat here. Met most of you here. Only KQuark was known to me over at the Dark Side, and it was a post about PPOV he smuggled in that brought me here in 2009.

glenn : Ad–do you think any of the r/tp’s get the irony of the Egyptian people overturning a leader who wants to cram religion down the people’s throats, while at the same the r/tp’s are trying to cram their religion down our throats?

AdLib : CL – It is scary and I am ipset that the military has killed MB protestors, even though they may have been on the attck. Non-lethal would have been better, if the MB believe that they are being targeted for killing, what’s to stop them from targeting those who they see as their enemies? Namely, the replacement government and the majority of Egyptians who support it.

KillgoreTrout : I first met e’cat on HuffPo, geez, three years ago? My how time flies.

choicelady : AdLib – I agree, but overthrowing and elected official is a very big risk. VERY big. And it puts us in a weird position since we cannot fund coups. So that’s why Obama is urging fast elections. VERY unstable moment in history.

KillgoreTrout : Sweet dreams AB.

choicelady : Sue – I’ll look into seeing it. And yes, Morsi has a lot of graft and corruption on his record.

SueInCa : No I did not see that CL

KillgoreTrout : That’s funny AB.

AdLib : glenn – Appreciate the concern and I have seen some baggers trying to make a comparison, to condemn Egypt actually but it is apples and oranges IMO. A theocratic leader who abused his position as elected leader to force his religious beliefs on the majority and shut them out of the democratic process, write his own Muslim Brotherhood constitution, etc. Morsi betrayed the democracy it’s not the other way around.

choicelady : glenn – yeah, I didn’t get the memo on choosing where my tax money went either.

KillgoreTrout : Well Ad, I hope it’s just a passing discomfort. The Planet is a great source of positive energy. We’re surrounded by so much negative energy. The Planet is a true oasis.

choicelady : glenn and Sue – did you see that David Lane, one of the really powerful extremist Dominionists is calling for armed revolution now that DOMA went down? ARMED revolt against the government and all of us who are tainted with these sinful ideas of equality.

glenn : CL–Well you know how those tp’s are. Apparently, before President Obama took office, they got to choose where their tax dollars went, and they’re just pissed off they can’t choose any more. Or…something like that. Sure wish I knew before President Obama took office that I could’ve chosen where my tax dollars went. I would’ve told gwb to give mine to poor people instead of to wars.

SueInCa : Isn;t Morsi being accused of stealing millions? It is about the leaders in South America and it is truth no fiction

choicelady : Sue – no. I don’t know it. What’s it about – fiction or documentary?

choicelady : AdLib – several of our local folks who have dual citizenship and voted for the Muslim Brotherhood called last week for Morsi to go. I’ve not talked to any of them yet, but this is seriously scary.

glenn : ADLib–my biggest concern about Egypt right now is that will give rightwingnuts ideas.

SueInCa : Has anyone seen South of the Border?

AdLib : I agree that the biggest story right now is Egypt. I wonder if it’s better not to add fuel to the bogus fire of complaints about Obama going on vacation. Hey, if Obama invented cold fusion and free energy for all, he would be a socialist enemy of capitalism. Everything he does is twisted into something terrible so my thought is, why debate something that is below debate?

KillgoreTrout : AB, I’m not quite sure now. I need more info. I was thinking Boulder.

choicelady : glenn – that’s the stupidest thing EVER. Bitching about a private party as if it impacted him. Was he a Congress person? He outta know better!

SueInCa : I loved the beaches in that movie and in North Carolina too

KillgoreTrout : AB, love Foghorn.

glenn : Oops–sure messed up that last one. I was deleting and messed it up. The idiot was complaining about his tax dollars being spent to put on a party for the troops. I really think he was complaining because President Obama was there, and just had to come up with a negative comment, even though the article said that the USO sponsored the party. They just can’t keep their hate straight!

KillgoreTrout : Sue, it does actually. I think Summer of 42 was filmed in the Hamptons, just outside NYC.

choicelady : KT – sounds perfect. Not much is bad on Cape Cod! Good she has good neighbors, too.

KillgoreTrout : Yes CL. She lives in a really nice wooded area, off the beaten path. She has the best neighbors I’ve ever known. They really look out for her.

choicelady : glenn – complaining about the party? I heard they were bitching about the lack of fireworks. They really DO want to blame Obama for EVERYTHING – damned if he does or doesn’t!

AdLib : Night AB, I will be following shortly. Been a long couple of days being under the weather.

glenn : G’night AB. Sleep well.

choicelady : AB – Grace is scary but gorgeous. I’m way too short to have those aspirations.

AlphaBitch : I will CL. Via email or Time Out. I’m just too busy for words, with what is happening here right now. But I lubs you all.

glenn : CL–How about Egypt? Or how about stupid republican/tp comments? Heard one today that one of the r/tp’s didn’t want “his” tax dollars complaining about our servicemen and women being given a 4th of July party at the White House.

choicelady : AB – good night. Good walking tomorrow, and all the bacon you can enjoy. Good luck with getting your kids all home! Keep us posted.

AlphaBitch : KT: Grace Jones could scare the shit out of most men, which is why I wanted to look like her.

AdLib : How about what’s happening in Egypt? Could a military coup really lead to democracy there that represents all the people?

KillgoreTrout : You wanted to be an Amazon? Grace Jones was beautiful, but reminded me of what an Amazon woman would be like. Statuesque and warrior like.

AlphaBitch : LIfe. Discuss. I’m off to bed. Up at 6AM to walk before the sun gets too damn hot. Love to all. Ad, get better. Need some Mommy love? or bacon?? Just let us know. NIght night.

choicelady : AdLib – must have missed her! Sorry about that. Glad she’s around though.

AdLib : Escribacat visits from time to time, not as regularly. Always pleased to see her when she’s here.

choicelady : Anyone want to pick up a topic other than conventions and fried chicken? I’m open.

AlphaBitch : glenn = yes, why no chicken at the PPOV convention? BTW, can we wear idiotpatriot gear like the Repubs?

KillgoreTrout : Nothing wrong with that glenn.

choicelady : AB – oh, well. Always hard to lose folks you’ve enjoyed.

glenn : –thought process

AlphaBitch : No se, CL.

glenn : AB–Lost track–why what? That you wouldn’t want fried chicken? My tought process was when you said you loved chickens and named a particular kind, that you liked live chickens! I think that’s what I was thinking, anyway.

KillgoreTrout : AB, I love that. A great T-Shirt idea.

choicelady : AB – where is escribacat anyway?

AdLib : Hey KT! Haven’t been feeling the best but getting the best medicine here at Vox.

AlphaBitch : Escribacat was from CO.

AlphaBitch : Don’t lay an egg!

AlphaBitch : KT – where in CO?? Going to Pagosa (again!) in 3 weeks.

choicelady : AdLib – now I KNOW you’re feeling better. Lousy puns just rose to the surface, and I bet you’re crowing!

AlphaBitch : Oh Ad, you feelin’ bettah.

KillgoreTrout : What’s up Ad?

AlphaBitch : glenn? WHY?????

AdLib : CL – I hope not! If I was overthrown by chickens, you know I’d cry fowl.

KillgoreTrout : glenn, I’m sort of stuck in central Ohio for the time being, but I sure don’t plan to stay here much longer. I’m thinking about Colorado. I would move to Portland Oregon where my daughter lives, but it’s just too rainy for me. I like to see the sun a couple of times a week.

choicelady : glenn – bring it on! Fried chicken I mean. REAL chicken. Sounds great.

AlphaBitch : Ha! The Colonel – now that’s my kind of military leader! And Foghorn Leghorn “I say I say” is my kind of …..rooster….

glenn : AB–So, I guess my famous (at least among my family and friends) fried chicken is off the menu for the PPOV convention?

choicelady : AdLib – but NOT against YOU.

SueInCa : KT did you see Summer of 42? That is what I imagine the cape looks like

AdLib : AB – Maybe the military overthrow will be led by Colonel Sanders then?

choicelady : Sue – you HAVE her class and dignity!

AlphaBitch : Love me some chickens, Ad. Especially black and silver Wyandottes.

choicelady : KT – do I remember correctly your mother is there?

SueInCa : I just want her class and dignity CL

AdLib : AB – Heh, chicken coups!

choicelady : Sue – we shorter women have unrealistic wants. You can do a LOT about your looks, but growing tall is pretty much out of the question. She was about 5′ 6″ I think.

KillgoreTrout : CL, I used to love exploring the dunes there. It was like being in another world. Beautiful and the sea air, wow.

SueInCa : If it were not so damn hot down there AB, I would

AdLib : AB – Yep, especially hilarious for them!

AlphaBitch : CL & Ad: Only chicken coups.

AlphaBitch : Ad – so appropriate for my pork loving Muslims!

choicelady : ADLib – Nope. No palace coups at PPOV.

AdLib : AB – Love the “bacon” t-shirt!

AlphaBitch : MoreLib? Like that guy in Egypt?

SueInCa : Not likely Adlib

choicelady : Sue – I’d rather just have a convention and leave the protesting to someone else? Maybe we could hire someone to do it while we sip margaritas and cheer them on?

AlphaBitch : C’mon down to TX Sue. Lots happening. Heard several BGTX folks went out yesterday and registered hundreds of voters. whoo hoo

SueInCa : I always wanted to be Katherine Hepburn

AdLib : Sue – Just hope the Planet military doesn’t overthrow me at the convention!

glenn : AdLib–Yup, we’re having cocoa, s’mores, and Bailey’s so far. Maybe AB can make some chicken noodle maragaritas (even though to me, that sounds totally gross). Oh, and bacon, too!

KillgoreTrout : Natalie sure was a beautiful woman. No doubt at all about that.

choicelady : AB – I always wanted to sing like Barbra but look like Audrey Hepburn. Problem is I can’t sing very well, and I’m only 5 feet tall. Oh well.

SueInCa : If we are having a convention, we might as well plan a protest around it. Thank you KT

KillgoreTrout : Doing well here Sue. Glad to see you could join us tonight.

AlphaBitch : KT – my “one wish” in life was to have one day where I looked exactly like Grace JOnes and sang exactly like Barbra Streisand (or Aretha Franklin, depending on the day)

AdLib : glenn – Love the idea of a Planet Convention1

choicelady : AdLib – I think you should do whatever makes you better. It’s just lovely to see you. Hope you’re on the mend?

glenn : KT–No, they’re mostly hazel now, but they still change color depending on what I’m wearing. I think it was mostly the “busty” thing and the long, dark hair.

AdLib : Hey CL. feeling a little better that I was earlier but not great so I won’t be long here on Vox.

choicelady : Oh crap, Sue – Monday we start our trainings and travel for the health care grant. I am going to MAIL you the book then come down to GET it. My life is ridiculous!

KillgoreTrout : AB, I always thought Streisand was hot. Not to mention one of the best singers the world ever knew.

SueInCa : I surely will Adlib. Taking grandson beach hopping lol

AlphaBitch : Can your tummy take bacon? Just bought the cutest shirt – says “Come on over to the dark side…..we have bacon” for one of my chirren.

AdLib : Sue – Will do, enjoy your vacation!

choicelady : Jewish-Mexican penicillin. I think I misspelled that.

AlphaBitch : oh and Ad: glenn is hosting the “annual” PPOV convention. YOU know (wink, wink)

AdLib : AB – Mmm…chicken soup margarita! And it’s good for you!

KillgoreTrout : glenn, violet eyes and all?

choicelady : Hi AdLib – hope you’re feeling a bit better? I’d take up the chicken noodle maragarita offer if I were you.

glenn : Hey AdLib–We’re discussing the idea of a PPOV convention!

SueInCa : Adlib get better and send me a bill I am on vacation as of Monday

glenn : KT–If I ever get the chance to go, I’m going to ask you for advice as to what places to see. BTW, where do you live now?

AlphaBitch : Ad – Can I make you some chicken noodle margarita?

choicelady : KT – the Provincetown area is fantastic. I like it all.

KillgoreTrout : The lower Cape is also beautiful along the sea shore.

choicelady : SUe!!! Great to see you here!

AdLib : Hey all, just wanted to pop in and say hi! Feeling a bit under the weather, hope everyone else is doing well!

KillgoreTrout : The upper part of the Cape is beautiful. The National Sea Shore is there, plus Province Town. Great sand dunes surrounding Province Town.

choicelady : KT – sigh. Poor Natalie. Maybe had she lived, we’d still look like each other, though for her that was an unknown. We never met.

choicelady : glenn – wow. That’s cool! John Warner that was, and she looked smashing then, too.

SueInCa : Hi glenn

choicelady : Friend of my brother moved to Bahstahn and went shopping but took no notice of the name of the supermarket, Star Market. Asked if he could make out a check, the clerk said, Shuah – just make it out to Stah Makhut. Took ages for him to understand…

SueInCa : How is everyone tonight? AB!!!!!!!!!!!!!

glenn : Evening, Sue.

AlphaBitch : SUE!!!!

AlphaBitch : I love to make stickers. and tee shirts. Doing some for Battleground TX (BGTX) in Spanish for me and my homies.

SueInCa : Good evening all

KillgoreTrout : CL, Unfortunately, Natalie never got the chance to get older.

AlphaBitch : From VA

choicelady : AB – that’s funny! The sticker, not getting run off the road!

AlphaBitch : Sen. Warner

glenn : Hey CL–When I was in high school, I had a guy tell me I looked like Elizabeth Taylor. But he was just trying to get into my pants, so I mostly discounted it. Now, I do resemble her in her days when she was married to the Senator. Can’t think of his name right now.

AlphaBitch : CL: I looked like Barbra Streisand.

KillgoreTrout : CL, Fonda and i were on the edge people, so we probably have the same bags under our eyes!

choicelady : glenn – no halo either, sorry!

choicelady : AB – I write to her, but I don’t know why she’s not here. She’s on twitter tho I can’t remember her twitter name right off my head.

AlphaBitch : Let’s go CL! Bah Hahbah.

choicelady : glenn – Cape Cod is worth the trip. It’s simply wonderful. There are touristy places of course, but it’s gorgeous.

AlphaBitch : I put them on. I have an older car and it’s my “in your face” attitude. I don’t give a damn. I did get run off the road in East TX once when alone with a “It’s a shame when our bombs are smarter than our President” sticker. I’m like Natalie – mouthy and not easy to back down. It’s why I work well with Afghans.

choicelady : AB – I love Maine, too!

choicelady : KT – well that’s pretty cool. When I was young I used to be told I looked like Natalie Wood. Not so much anymore.

glenn : CL–Yeah, but you have a halo, right? That’s how I envision you, anyway.

KillgoreTrout : AB, Maine is also wonderful in it’s natural beauty. Lots of evergreens and Pines, and rolling hills.

choicelady : AB – I’m wingless, sorry!

choicelady : AB – that was seriously a good thing to do. During the ’72 campaign I worked staff for McGovern, and my car got vandalized regularly IN MY PARKING SPACE. So I’ve never put a sticker on since. EVER.

glenn : CL–Unless your chess pawns are old and overweight, then, no, I don’t look like a chess pawn.

AlphaBitch : What’s up with Cher? I miss her!

glenn : KT–It’s on my bucket list to go to Cape Cod sometime. I just need to acquire a traveling companion.

AlphaBitch : KT – Haven’t been there, but will do it. LOVED Maine. Absolutely loved it.

choicelady : EVeryone – I’m up for a convention for sure! I’ve met AdLib, jenuwin (who doesn’t post much anymore), Cher, and SueinCA. Every one has been as wonderful in person as online. AdLib and Cher looked as I’d expected. I just want to go on record that I – and I’m quite sure glenn – do NOT look like chess pawns!

KillgoreTrout : CL, actually I’m closer to a shorter version of Peter Fonda.

AlphaBitch : CL: Please be sure and wear your wings so I can recognize you.

AlphaBitch : Planet Point of Contention???

KillgoreTrout : I think one of the most beautiful places on the planet, are the back roads on Cape Cod. Just amazingly pretty.

AlphaBitch : CL: I actually took OFF my Hussein sticker when in Junction, TX. We stopped for the night en route to Santa Fe, at a Bates Motel (only far dirtier). One parking “lot” on the third floor level (we were on the second floor), and all with oil field trucks and anti-O everything. I did not want my car broken into and smashed up, so I took off the sticker in the parking lot. It made me cry. So now I need a new one.

glenn : KT–That would be fun to have a convention.

choicelady : KT – I’m gonna be bloody disappointed if you don’t look like Vonnegut.

choicelady : glenn – I know the area some. Lovely. It’s the trees and green that make me love that area. It’s just so lush! Glad you’re there even IF it’s a big change!

KillgoreTrout : That should be PPOV.

choicelady : AB – LOVE the bumper sticker, but do NOT drive down dark country roads at night. Especially not alone.

KillgoreTrout : A PPOC convention would really be quite a wonderful event. Can you image seeing what we really look like? I think our looks would pretty much match our political and cultural views.

glenn : CL–Northwest of Atlanta, near Marietta and Alpharetta, if you’ve ever heard of them. It is beautiful–and also very hilly, which has taken some getting used after living in the flatlands of Florida and the deserts of Saudi Arabia most of my life. Guatemala was very mountainous, too. I actually live right next to Sweat Mountain–it’s just a little one, but I can see it from my porch.

AlphaBitch : I want to make my new bumper sticker: Outline of TX, with the words “Baggerstan. Home of the Talibangelicals ” Should piss off some – which is what I try to do.

choicelady : AB – there is a bacon fettish going on at Denny’s restaurants up to and including bacon sundaes. Over the top, IMHO. Love bacon, but…

choicelady : KT – especially since there is no hell. It’s the one we make or have made for us here on earth. From some deadbrained guy deciding we have no rights or reason. THAT is HELL.

AlphaBitch : Can we also have bacon?? I had my friend in Santa Fe, and we decided to have bacon for dinner (with a side of bacon), and then some bacon for dessert. We did have an order of bacon, and it was yummy. but just a little goes a long ways now for me.

choicelady : glenn – we ALL have to trim down for the hot chocolate at the convention. And the Bailey’s!

KillgoreTrout : Right on CL.

choicelady : glenn – which direction outside Atlanta? I love that whole area but don’t know it well.

glenn : AB–Guess I’ll have to get out there and walk. After all, I want to be in shape for the PPOV convention in November.

AlphaBitch : My husband’s boss lives in Cummings GA. Near Atlanta, I think. She’s a hoot. I like her a lot – even though we just chat on the phone.

choicelady : KT – it’s all about choices. Only the woman inside her life can tell her what is right for her. And it’s not universal – might be wrong one year, right the next. But she has to have the right to make the decision without some politico or preacher telling her she’s going to hell.

AlphaBitch : glenn: Look at them, and think of me. Then lace them up for yourself. Endorphins are wonderful!

AlphaBitch : I now live where there is a nature path. It’s a great way to meet the neighbors and their dogs! There are several I’ve fallen for (dogs, not neighbors, although they are nice too)

KillgoreTrout : CL, I wouldn’t want to deny any woman her right to bear a child, but if women choose not to, I applaud that. The world is over populated as it is.

glenn : AB–I live in Woodstock GA, about 40 minutes outside of Atlanta.

choicelady : glenn – there you go. Sneakers right to hand. Or feet.

glenn : AB–I like that statement about the person sitting on the couch. And, I did just put my sneakers neatly back in my closet today.

choicelady : AB – muscle is good. I am very fit but DO need to keep up the exercise. I agree with glenn – too damned easy to find a way NOT to do it!

AlphaBitch : No, glenn. Miss Lucy was a 60 or 70 year old worn out whore. Very sad sight. Depressed me for years.

glenn : AB–Okay, just needed clarification. Was “the beautiful Miss Lucy” like all the “girls” in the Thai shows? Went to some of those when we were in Thailand, and it was hilarious to watch some of them try to walk in high heels.

AlphaBitch : Where do you live glenn?

choicelady : glenn – I’d also say that if it helps to do it in 10 minute intervals, if you can do it three times a day, all to the good. Even walking in place – there are tapes for that, too – it helps.

KillgoreTrout : Ah glenn, there is an art to walking long walks. It’s also great for ya.

AlphaBitch : I lifted weights back in the 80s. Bicep curls w/ 30 lbs. I had a 10 1/2 inch bicep and could flatten folks. I still have tons of muscle, so I may not need to lose as much as I think. we’ll see.

choicelady : AB – marvelous saying!

KillgoreTrout : Wasted away again in Margaritaville?

choicelady : AB – never been to a whorehouse. Been to the Pink Pussycat in LA in the 60s. Also not fun. Sad eyed, cold women. Wow.

AlphaBitch : Just put on the sneakers, glenn and get out there. I heard a great saying that kept playing in my mind when I started – no matter how slow you go, you are going at least twice as fast as the person sitting on the couch.

choicelady : AB – speaking of Texas, Wendy sure stirred the pot! I think the Old White Guys (and KT you are NOT among them) are running seriously scared.

KillgoreTrout : Congratulations AB. Losing weight is never easy, and the way you’re doing it is also great for the muscles.

glenn : AB–good on ya for losing weight! Gotta keep in fighting shape if you live in TX. I keep saying I’m going to start walking, but I keep coming up with excuses not to.

AlphaBitch : Glenn – it was my only KNOWN time at a whorehouse (at least in the states. I did watch “the beautiful Miss Lucy” do her dance o’magic at a ‘show’ in Mexico once. Icky and NOT fun.

choicelady : AB – aaahhhh. THAT must be the explanation for no memory…

choicelady : AB! That positively ROCKS! Good for you! I know those 30-lb kitty litter jugs…

AlphaBitch : KT and CL: No, you were BOTH here. Remember? We drank margaritas till dawn. Oh wait – maybe that’s why you don’t remember….

glenn : AB–Can you explain: “most fun EVER for me at a whorehouse?” Or would you rather not? Wink, wink!

AlphaBitch : Gals (and KT) – I started working at losing weight. I had a bad back injury years ago and packed on weight – 10 lbs a year for a decade. You do the math. Well, I never wanted to lose it until this year. Since April, I’m down about 40lbs. Walk an hour a day. Then go lift 30 lbs of cat litter to remind myself why… Plus if the shit goes down in TX, I need to be fighting weight again.

KillgoreTrout : Damn AB, I missed that one.

KillgoreTrout : That’s what the Irish mean when they say Top of the Morning to ya.

choicelady : AB – DAMN I missed the PPOV World Convention at your place!

choicelady : KT -we were talking wall paint, but AB had once done a room in hot chocolate, and we segued to the food and fall, and…

glenn : KT–Love the Bailey’s idea! Cocoa, s’mores, and Bailey’s. We’ll all be sweet drunks!

choicelady : glenn – that’s a great sentiment. I sit cross legged in a big chair to read, and at my (mumble) years old, that’s huge. By this age both my mother and her sister were damned near crippled all from inactivity. NOT going that route!

AlphaBitch : KT; Our ANNUAL (wink wink) Planet convention. You know, the one I hosted last year at Seaworld here in San ANtonio.

KillgoreTrout : I like it glenn.

KillgoreTrout : AB, I’m a bit behind the conversation here. What is in November?

AlphaBitch : I was there in the 90s! What was he doing there? I made a cab driver take me to the famous whore house, Mona’s. As we idled outside, I remarked how depressing it was, with all the windows boarded up and stuff, never realizing that was kinda by design. He burst out laughing. Most fun ever for me at a whorehouse.

choicelady : KT – Bailey’s? NOW you’re talkin’!

glenn : KT–As my uncle used to say, “I’m in pretty good shape for the shape I’m in.”

choicelady : AB – since it’s in the 70s right now and yesterday was 110, it feels like hot chocolate weather to me!

KillgoreTrout : Hot chocolate with a bit of Bailys?

AlphaBitch : We’ll bring the cocoa and s’mores. I think it’s in November, right KT and CL? and isn’t it glenn’s turn?

choicelady : AB – holy smokes! My hubby was there in the 90s. But he never reported kissing anyone, so I think we can rule him out.

choicelady : AB – now hot chocolate does sound very wonderful!

glenn : AB–I like cocoa, too. A lot better than I like turkeyturdtan. Yes, I’d be proud to host the Planet convention. Give me a week or so more to get everything put back together.

AlphaBitch : I took my illegitimate mom to the Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko NV once in the 90s. Some drunk (but terribly cute) cowboy kissed her on the mouth. she signed his hat as “Dottie West”. the next day, even though she was in her 60s, she got a period! What a hoot that was for us all…….

KillgoreTrout : Pretty good glenn, and you?

KillgoreTrout : AB, A Touch of Grey is a great song by the Grateful Dead.

choicelady : KT – not meant to exclude you, but AB and glenn there is a photo of a gorgeous 90 year old woman who still does running broad jumping. She is amazing to see and looks fabulous. Move it or lose it – I can still get up from the floor, no hands, and quickly. I intend to be spry til I die!

glenn : Hey KT–how goes it?

KillgoreTrout : Thank you CL, the same for you.

AlphaBitch : Hey now! I have both – grays downstairs (Touch of Gray, Universal Gray and Veil Gray) and browns upstairs. I once had a bedroom painted what I called “hot chocolate”. Like sleeping in cocoa…

glenn : AB–what a wonderful women your “illegitimate mother” sounds like. I had a friend like that when we lived in Guatemala. She was 70 years old then (10+ years ago). We went to a finca and she was swinging off a rope swing into the icy pond water. She was and still is a hoot!

choicelady : AB – Yertle’d be scared of ANYONE running against him.

choicelady : glenn – that sounds perfect! I’m totally into gray tones. Never a fan of tan, especially the ones you note… It’s so restful and blends with anything, and your choices sound delicious!

AlphaBitch : Oh, glenn! Surely it is ready for the Planet convention. You ARE hosting this year, right?

KillgoreTrout : That’s pretty funny AB.

AlphaBitch : So old Mitch Turtle Face McDonnell is scairt of this little lady who is running against him?? Ha ha ha…

choicelady : Go with H. You will never go wrong.

glenn : AB–Laminate hardwood in the all rooms except the bathrooms–porce lain tile in those. I used a wide plank light grey and white laminate and a beautiful striated darker gray tile in the bathrooms. The laminate replaces this ugly, brown, suck-the-life-an d-light-out-of-t he-rooms carpet. The paint replaced the turkeyturdtan that sucked even more light out. My house is now bright, modern, and, as you said AB–clean! I love it.

AlphaBitch : Will do, CL. As H as my witness.

choicelady : KT! Wonderful to have you here!

choicelady : AB – yup. My kinda woman save for the voting. You carry out that threat, girl.

KillgoreTrout : Hi Planeteers….An d So It Goes.

AlphaBitch : KT – I see you!

AlphaBitch : CL – my “illegitimate mother” (mother of my best friend) is who I want to be when I grow up, except for her Republicanism/Ru sh Limpballs loving ears. She’s well into her 80s, got a boyfriend at 80, climbed up on the roof of her BARN (yes, she’s a country gal) to paint it, and can still make me laugh harder than anyone. I can’t keep up with her, and I’m 20+ years younger. As to voting, I threaten to outlive her and make my vote count.

AlphaBitch : What type floor, glenn??

choicelady : AB – in all my life, all my days, my fave women have all been hard as nails, crack up funny, wonderful TX women!

AlphaBitch : Yea glenn! I love clean and organized. We’ve lived here for a year now, and I think the baseboards need painting/replaci ng. Cleaning doesn’t cut it for that “new house smell”.

choicelady : AB – sounds mavelous, and I WILL check it out!

choicelady : glenn – OMG – last we discussed, I knew it was painting time, but not all THAT. How incredible – dismaying, frazzling, and all but a golden opportunity! I think all I can do is turn a firehose on this place…

AlphaBitch : Let’s Pretend is a humorous look at the life of Jenn Lawson, a tough as nails TX lady, who has a bad arse sense of humor. Check out thebloggess.com for a taste.

glenn : Still here CL

choicelady : Had to dash out for a second – we all still here?

glenn : CL–My week has been hectic. Painting is now completed; then I had every floor in my house replaced. So, I had to remove all furniture, clothes, accessories, knick-knacks, etc. IOW–everything from my house. I am now in the process of putting it all back together. It’s like moving all over again. Except this time, I’m being very careful how and what I put back in. So hopefully, by Sunday, my house will be the cleanest and most organized it’s ever been in the two years I’ve lived in it. Of course, I’ve also been taking computer breaks to keep up with the world. GO TX women!

choicelady : AB – I thought the gun nuts turned around and went home? Last I hear it was a no show that the leader declared a “success” – if nothing happens, does that qualify?

AlphaBitch : glenn – thanks. You are such a love!

choicelady : glenn – how has your week been?

AlphaBitch : Oh come on CL – why so worried? Just cuz the gun nuts showed up at the capitol today? Saw a great poster – the thousands turned out for the abortion bill – a sea of orange with the caption “Just wait until they vote.”

glenn : AB–Love the book blurb. So glad to hear your son will be home from AFG soon.

choicelady : AB – I will send prayers, energies, incantations – whatever works. I’m so glad you’ve had help. SO glad!

choicelady : AB – THAT is a GREAT book blurb! How wonderful!

AlphaBitch : HOpeful, yes. Some BIG hitters helping me on this one – God works in mysterious ways, CL. for real.

choicelady : glenn – lovely to see you! How are you? AB was just laying out her weekend. I’d join her, but, well, it’s Texas…

choicelady : Oh AB – I HOPE you get him over. Glad you have the 20th to look forward to. Love to the Blov. All sounds hopeful if not yet entirely pinned down?

AlphaBitch : The below book had some blurb (which forgive me if I am wrong) which stated. “Jesus is my hairdresser. Jesus is the savior of the world. The only difference between the two is how you say their name>

glenn : Good evening, Choice Lady and Alpha Bitch. AB–sounds like a good book. CL–how are you?

choicelady : AB – what’s the memoir about? I just finished “The Glass Castle” which is wonderful, horrible, funny, sad – very amazing story of a life lived with demented parents.

AlphaBitch : It was. A visit (the first of the year) to our pool. Hanging out with the Blov. Texting and emailing the chirren. One boy due back from AFG on the 20th, then headed here for some “Mommy love” for a few days before school starts. Working on my last one – hope to have something settled this fall and him back in December. Say your prayers!

choicelady : Hey there, AB – lovely to see you, no matter how short the stay. YOUR Friday sounds wonderful!

AlphaBitch : Hi dear friend! I am here for a short while only, as there is a bath and good book waiting (Let’s Pretend This Never Happened – a Mostly True Memoir by Jenn Lawson). Only read this if you want to laugh your arse off.

choicelady : As AdLib takes a much needed rest, when you come on board be sure to say “Hi” or whatever moves you. See you at VOX!

AdLib : Vox Populi, our live chat about the week’s events begins tonight at 7 pm PST. I’m a little under the weather so the lovely Choicelady will be hosting tonight. Have a great Vox!