Displaying 841 To 870 Of 955 Comments I was just notified that February 23, 2011 is 100 years after the death of Quanah Parker. Courtesy Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quanah_Parker It’s worth a read. » Posted By 2ndClassCitizenPundit On February 23, 2011 @ 3:57 am Part of the problem I see is too many people are ashamed to admit how much they are hurting. So they don’t know that others around them are in the same boat. My partner got a ride to a food pantry from a friend today, while I was chasing down and filling out forms. I got home in time to help carry the boxes in (two! because Washington treats my relationship as valid). The friend left, and I was surprised that he had not gotten any food himself at the food pantry. I got a very sheepish call about twenty minutes later. He had run out of gas halfway between here and his home (about 30 miles), and nobody else would help. I still had 4 gallons in my spare gas can, and gave him all of it. I gave him a sharp talking-ton about not getting food for himself. He’s retired, so he has no income until the second week of March. I’m taking him over to the food pantry next Tuesday to get food for himself. I also gave him some information about volunteering to transport others, in exchange for reimbursement for mileage – one of the few little programs that still seems to be in existence. It will actually give him a little better than reimbursement, and keep him a little busy to stave off depression. » Posted By 2ndClassCitizenPundit On February 22, 2011 @ 10:18 pm Abby, a study done back in 2004 (I believe, I no longer have the link) matched housing prices with wages. Basically, they surveyed housing costs county-by-county in the US, and put out how much a person would need to earn, per hour, in order to afford housing. Note, this was after HUD changed the “affordable” definition of housing from 25% of income to 33% of income. They found that there was nowhere in the US where a single wage earner could afford housing. The lowest wage necessary, for some of the “most affordable” counties, was over $12 an hour. The authors of the study announced quite plainly that the study proved that there was no chance of a single-earner family being able to afford housing. This was also before New Orleans decided to demolish most of their public housing complexes, mind you. Public housing complexes that have yet to be replaced with affordable public housing (NOLA claims they want to move to a more mixed-income model, where poor people live among lower-to-upper middle class, and so far they have not built enough units for even 25% of the displaced population). Then you can factor in increased costs for transportation. Many municipalities are raising the price of public transportation *and* reducing route coverage and times, or they are shutting down public transportation altogether. Food costs are going up, especially when you factor in that many people right now have inadequate cooking facilities. You really can’t save much money when your facilities are a mini-fridge and a microwave (most such landlords forbid the use of hot plates). Now, *some* people would say we have no right to even discuss this, as we are not the poor. Guess again. My living situation right now is renting an attic “apartment”. There is no heat; heat is provided by a small ceramic electric heater. My cooking facilities are a mini-fridge and a microwave. (The landlord does not know about the crockpot and the rice cooker.) For those who have never seen one, a mini-fridge is about 10% the size of a full refrigerator and the freezer compartment, which will not actually keep anything frozen for long, is less than 2 cubic feet – most frozen packages don’t actually fit into it, and neither does an ice cube tray. Buying food several times a week is a huge drain on finances. Need milk? Can’t buy more than a quart at a time, which costs almost the same as a half-gallon, which is often priced higher than a gallon. Literally, we have to run to the store for perishables, which means we buy our vegetables in cans, the least nutritious alternative to fresh veggies. Meat must be bought the same day. Butter spoils too fast, we have to get oleo margarine. Everything is bought in smaller quantities, further increasing food costs. I am lucky I know where to get dry goods (rice, pasta, oatmeal, barley, dry milk, etc.) in bulk for decent prices. I also have a number of plastic storage cannisters to keep them sealed and “good” (not fresh) for some time. Tomorrow we are having beans (from the can) and rice again. Lots of starch and protein, not much on flavor. » Posted By 2ndClassCitizenPundit On February 22, 2011 @ 9:55 pm Wow, that’s a high-class cafeteria! My choices were shredded cardboard, remasticated pizza, week-old biscuits *or* plastic-bag gravy. » Posted By 2ndClassCitizenPundit On February 22, 2011 @ 9:33 pm I added a Featured Image on the “Writing Responsibly” article, and it didn’t happen (at least I don’t think it did…) I know I never saw it. » Posted By 2ndClassCitizenPundit On February 22, 2011 @ 9:31 pm While I cringe a bit about it, I can not argue against it. I won’t discuss how some people out there view their employer as stealing from them, just because they don’t get a paycheck for showing up and do not get a raise every payday, etc.. But yes, a lot of corporations do steal. From their employees and from their customers. And they are proud of it. My last “real” job was with Wells Fargo. It would have been impossible to “steal back” what they took from me without being caught and prosecuted, most likely for federal crimes. I have to content myself with telling acquaintances to dump their Wells Fargo accounts and stock, and giving them the facts about what Wells Fargo does to steal from customers and employees. Trust me, if you have accounts with them, you want to go over your statements with a fine tooth comb, as soon as they are received or made available. The amount of fraud and deliberate errors is obscene. » Posted By 2ndClassCitizenPundit On February 22, 2011 @ 4:40 pm This might sound like a trite idea to some, but how does everyone feel about a series about living on a (severely-reduced) budget in these times? Sort of a “BudgetPOV”? » Posted By 2ndClassCitizenPundit On February 22, 2011 @ 4:34 pm He was publisher and co-founder of Random House. I preferred reading his books. The density of snark and ludicrosity was much higher, which suited me. » Posted By 2ndClassCitizenPundit On February 22, 2011 @ 4:06 pm Today, I had to take my partner to the Social Security office to change his address on their records, and afterwards we stopped at the grocery store on our way home. It occurs to me that sociologists should frequent these places. Just observing behaviors and conversations could provide them, any political science pollsters, psychologists, human resource experts, customer service consultants, etc., with enough material to fill professional journals for eons. It is amazing what passes for acceptable behavior these days. And the opinions being expressed back and forth by people applying for Disability (or already getting it)! These people believe that SSA is still giving Disability for drug addiction, when that was removed in 1996 ( http://www.socialsecurity.gov/policy/docs/ssb/v63n1/ ). One woman stated in no uncertain terms that if a family immigrates illegally (not the way she worded it), they would be “given” a house, a car, health coverage, “tons” of food stamps, and “free money” from the federal government. Bill-O and O-Beck must be thrilled that their propaganda is so wide-spread. And then the grocery store. Going through the cashier line is a treat for anyone with a rational mind. There are so many tabloids now (including formerly “mainstream” magazines) that the misinformation warning sign above the cashier line should have radiation and biohazard symbols on it. I’m really tired of hearing about the Kardashians (I wonder if Bruce remembers what his last name is), Tom Cruise and his wife and his kids and the FBI probe, et al., Kate Middleton and her relations with various adjuncts to the Royal Family (Camilla is being referred to as her “future mother-in-law” which should make sociologists cringe), actresses and their make-up (or without, which seems titillating?) and their dresses (and also without, of course)… Meanwhile, I just stared at the recipe magazines (and only the ones without interviews or celebrity pictures on the front) to salve my outraged mind. I’m trying to figure out if there is any public or commercial location where intellect is still safe from hemorrhage in this society anymore. Besides hockey games. » Posted By 2ndClassCitizenPundit On February 22, 2011 @ 4:03 pm Apparently, this is important because she is the last member of the family to go see-through? I suppose they are trying to stimulate the see-through textiles commodities market? » Posted By 2ndClassCitizenPundit On February 22, 2011 @ 3:43 pm Whoops. I meant Woollcott. For some reason, I always call Woollcott “Wolsey”. » Posted By 2ndClassCitizenPundit On February 22, 2011 @ 3:36 pm Actually, devoured my books, much to the despair of my mother, who has an overwhelming phobia to other people giggling. His description of an argument between Gertrude Stein and Wolsey was hysterical, including poor Alice’s reaction. Did you know that Wolsey was the inspiration for “The Man Who Came To Dinner”? The man was “an ass” to quote Gertrude, and I am still amazed that his own family did not end his life precipitously. » Posted By 2ndClassCitizenPundit On February 22, 2011 @ 3:34 pm Well, you must obey your owner, so see you later. » Posted By 2ndClassCitizenPundit On February 22, 2011 @ 3:31 pm Searched, but couldn’t find a quote on the internet. I believe it was Cerf quoting someone else, but I am going to take a stab at it: In an English novel, boy wants girl, after a suitable amount of time and effort boy gets girl. In a French novel, boy wants girl, boy gets girl in the first chapter, and the rest of the novel is about the boy trying to get rid of the girl. In a Russian novel, boy and girl do not want each other nor do they get each other, and about this a melancholy 700 pages are written. I know I have screwed that one up, but that’s the gist. » Posted By 2ndClassCitizenPundit On February 22, 2011 @ 3:27 pm Kind of reminds me of Bennet Cerf’s anecdote about the difference between British, French, and Russian literature. I’ll try to find it. I wouldn’t want to get it wrong. » Posted By 2ndClassCitizenPundit On February 22, 2011 @ 3:16 pm Yeah, years ago, John Engler made the campaign promise to sell the Governor’s helicopter, thereby saving the state a lot of money. Engler was running for Governor of Michigan at the time, by the way. What Engler failed to understand (perhaps) and what Jim Blanchard failed to articulate, was that the helicopter in question was not the Governor’s. It was Jim Blanchard’s helicopter, purchased before Blanchard took office and paid from Blanchard’s own pocket so that he could get to certain areas of the state quicker. This campaign promise was never followed through on (because Engler never had the right to *seize* the helicopter in question), but the fact that Engler promised to sell it made an impression on Michigan residents such that it continued to be repeated through Engler’s next two terms. By the way, the reason Engler was elected in that first race? He ran such a negative campaign that voters in areas like Detroit, Lansing, Grand Rapids, etc., the more liberal metro areas, refused to go to the polls. And Michigan got the worst economic period in their history, and the Capitol building got a shanty town for the homeless that was ordered to remain by a state judge. Dubyah later considered Engler for the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare, because of the great job Engler did “cleaning up” entitlement programs in Michigan. » Posted By 2ndClassCitizenPundit On February 22, 2011 @ 3:13 pm “America’s Got Talent” – at least the first season had Brandi as the female between Hoff and Piers. It was priceless the look on Brandi’s face when the burlesque dancer dressed (briefly) as Snow White came out. The two guys physically restrained Brandi from hitting the button. A friend of mine just auditioned for next season. Hawaiian ukulele and fire dancing. » Posted By 2ndClassCitizenPundit On February 22, 2011 @ 2:05 am Actually, it wasn’t. There are no two points on earth where 6:20 pm PST equals 5:00 pm. However, as the time here illustrates, it was definitely *after* 5:00 pm somewhere. » Posted By 2ndClassCitizenPundit On February 22, 2011 @ 2:02 am This is the *real* reason the GOP hates abortion: Sexism. Boys can’t get them. » Posted By 2ndClassCitizenPundit On February 22, 2011 @ 1:59 am … and Ambien (R) » Posted By 2ndClassCitizenPundit On February 22, 2011 @ 1:57 am This word from our sponsor brought to you by ClearChannel(C) » Posted By 2ndClassCitizenPundit On February 22, 2011 @ 1:57 am Peabody, let me know when you have decided that I am “progressive enough” to post here. I am sure that AdLib, bito, or Kalima know how to send me a message. Until then… Logging out. Bye. » Posted By 2ndClassCitizenPundit On February 20, 2011 @ 9:31 pm I don’t understand. How am I apologizing for HP, by saying that I suspect the slowdowns and all were deliberate? If I am not progressive enough because I try to see all sides of the issues, because I admit to flaws within an institution or program while saying the flaws are not reason enough to abolish the entire institution or program, please, feel free to let me know. I can use a good laugh right now. » Posted By 2ndClassCitizenPundit On February 20, 2011 @ 8:15 pm Okay, what is with the geezer comments lately? » Posted By 2ndClassCitizenPundit On February 20, 2011 @ 1:26 pm Very interesting article. I was confused by the accusations of “slave labor”, I will admit. Most bloggers are paid nothing. As a matter of fact, I am highly suspicious of any blogger that claims to be making money. Jason Linkins posted an article on How Huffington Post Works, which appeared to be truthful and realistic. It was pretty normal for a new organization. The volunteer bloggers are not what draws in traffic. The reporters are. It’s very difficult to get traffic into a blog, especially traffic that is going to generate revenue. I’m not counting blogs that employ a number of tactics, such as SEO and aggregation, to pull in traffic. I have seen no aggregator sites that were worth the time to click on their link. Admittedly, HP may be suckering bloggers with deceptive marketing. Every page hit counts when you have a lot of advertising, but a very small fraction of those page hits are ad clicks. But referring to them as slave labor strikes me as over-the-top. » Posted By 2ndClassCitizenPundit On February 20, 2011 @ 1:24 pm Apologies. I meant that I was seeing articles where there were a large number of pending posts (one article that night had over 300 pending). I wasn’t blaming the lack of moderation on the number of pendings. » Posted By 2ndClassCitizenPundit On February 20, 2011 @ 12:43 am Easy, BlueEyed. Take a deep breath. I am suspecting the slowness of response has been engineered. I’m talking about the huge backlog of pending posts, the lag for removing *actual* offensive posts, etc. Either AOL is tightening up on anything that might slow down traffic (such as deleting offensive posts, which cuts down on the amount of vitriol)… or they want to clean up the site, which is doubtful, because we are talking about AOL. » Posted By 2ndClassCitizenPundit On February 20, 2011 @ 12:38 am Wisconsin Teachers Breitbarted: http://crooksandliars.com/karoli/wisconsin-protesters-breitbarted-over-bogus » Posted By 2ndClassCitizenPundit On February 20, 2011 @ 12:14 am I think HH has been hitting the pocky again. » Posted By 2ndClassCitizenPundit On February 19, 2011 @ 9:38 pm I keep my back in a safe place, so that I don’t throw it out accidentally. And yes, I agree. You are sorry. 😛 » Posted By 2ndClassCitizenPundit On February 19, 2011 @ 9:37 pmComments Posted By 2ndClassCitizenPundit
Quanah Parker (ca. 1845–February 23, 1911) was an important Comanche chief, a leader in the Native American Church, and the last leader of the powerful Quahadi band before they surrendered their battle of the Great Plains and went to a reservation in Indian Territory. He was the son of Comanche chief Peta Nocona and Cynthia Ann Parker, a European American, who had been captured at the age of nine and adopted into the tribe. Quanah Parker also led his people on the reservation, where he became a wealthy rancher and influential in Comanche and European American society.
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