Displaying 91 To 120 Of 955 Comments An Easy Guide to Global Warming: The Effects of Global Warming Caru, I sometimes wonder if the extinction of the human race isn’t part of the anti-climate-change agenda. But then I have to remember that for most of them, cause and effect are matters of opinion, debate, and legislation. » Posted By 2ndClassCitizenPundit On March 20, 2011 @ 2:51 pm One of the problems with flooding of islands is many of them are volcanic. When water hits lava, the result is often an explosion of steam and rock. So, an island which may not be completely flooded (because part of it is composed of higher elevations) would still be doomed. » Posted By 2ndClassCitizenPundit On March 20, 2011 @ 1:02 pm wts: I really hate the NIV version of the Bible. Some of that stuff, not even a science fiction writer would dare publish. » Posted By 2ndClassCitizenPundit On March 23, 2011 @ 3:27 pm Adonai: Heretic. next you’ll be telling me that the Pilgrims were regicides, and the native Americans didn’t help them through their first winter because the Holy Ghost infused their spirits. » Posted By 2ndClassCitizenPundit On March 23, 2011 @ 3:06 pm Well, at least you picked the right pictures for it. Would you believe some people insist Jesus was from the Middle East? What self-respecting Caucasian would be born in the Middle East? » Posted By 2ndClassCitizenPundit On March 23, 2011 @ 12:50 am FOR BEGINNERS ONLY — Building Character – Part II Once again, excellent. I do full character profiles as well, and you illustrate the process fairly well. Using a few points from some “cliche” characters make your illustration of the process much better. » Posted By 2ndClassCitizenPundit On March 21, 2011 @ 4:52 pm Friday Music Thread – Comedy Tonight Just tried that myself, but it didn’t work… » Posted By 2ndClassCitizenPundit On March 18, 2011 @ 4:35 pm My own faith-based initiative: https://www.youtube.com/K16fG1sDagU Something for Mr. Boehner https://www.youtube.com/uJrN2OLD9Uo And something for Ms. Lindsay Graham: » Posted By 2ndClassCitizenPundit On March 18, 2011 @ 4:12 pm A la Robin Williams, I advocate giving the pigeons methadone, so they come back. I love Tom. I have a set of his CD’s on my wishlist. » Posted By 2ndClassCitizenPundit On March 18, 2011 @ 3:58 pm Absolutely wonderful sentiment. I would like to think that, in a similar circumstance, you would not be able to make me leave with a team of wild bison. There really is too much one can do if one stays to help. » Posted By 2ndClassCitizenPundit On March 18, 2011 @ 10:19 am That is a beautiful painting, and the somewhat surreal landscape idea if fantastic. » Posted By 2ndClassCitizenPundit On March 18, 2011 @ 10:17 am Ma cherie Cher: I personally wish Sanders’ points on COLA adjustments publicized more, and far wider. While the Consumer Price Index *supposedly* showed no change in cost-of-living, Sanders made the very telling point that prescription medication prices are still shooting up. For people on Social Security, SSI, or Disability, that is a huge chunk of their expenses. Plus, I have seen first-hand that a number of people on Social Security (all three forms) are, for some reason, being put on Medicaid rather than Medicare. Medicaid is far more restrictive on prescriptions they will cover, and good luck finding a doctor that accepts it (my partner, on SSI, spent over 16 days calling a list of doctors to see if they would take him as a new patient). IMO, Simpson (and a few of his cohorts in crime) were appointed for one reason: to make lots of noise so nobody would forget the Commission existed. I did see the Commission’s report, but do not recall any real proposals that would actually do what the Commission was meant to do. Slashing social “safety net” programs will just make the economy worse, which puts us further into debt. There are days when I think, “hell, why doesn’t the government just hire everyone? Everyone would have a job and income, critical areas of need could get covered, and people could still work for a corporation if they really *wanted* to.” But then the villagers arrive with torches and pitchforks. » Posted By 2ndClassCitizenPundit On March 18, 2011 @ 3:54 pm M’Lady Choice: Ask and ye shall receive. 2011 Mar 19 (Sat) Moonrise 19:29, moonset 06:34. 2011 Mar 20 (Sun) Moonrise 20:42 105, Moonset 07:11. Times are Pacific Standard Time, courtesy Griffith Observatory ( http://www.griffithobservatory.org/skyfiles/skymoonrise2011.html ) According to Astrologer Richard Nolle, the supermoon will be on the night of the 19th (saturday) ( http://www.astropro.com/features/tables/cen21ce/suprmoon.html ) Please not that he lists all “supermoons”, not just Full Moons. Personally, I would disagree with you. An “extreme supermoon”, on top of the equinox, could presage some extreme shifts in human behavior. I do not agree with the concept of it altering geology or weather, as equinox does not have any effect on tidal forces. But I have seen too many conjunctions of sun and moon calendars with extremely odd behavior going on to disbelieve in that instead. » Posted By 2ndClassCitizenPundit On March 18, 2011 @ 3:37 pm Alaska. After $arah, cartographers remembered it existed again. » Posted By 2ndClassCitizenPundit On March 18, 2011 @ 10:22 am Considering that Gaddafi seems to have the attention span of a Nickolodeaon commercial, I am not at all convinced that this will do any good. “Ooh, Shiny! Let’s shoot someone to celebrate!” » Posted By 2ndClassCitizenPundit On March 18, 2011 @ 9:59 am TAKE ACTION – How To Help Those In Japan Well, I for one am glad that somebody who cares is seeing to things with those animals. And kudos to her for changing the connotations of the name Katrina. » Posted By 2ndClassCitizenPundit On March 19, 2011 @ 5:42 pm wts: How are you doing? Still packing just in case? How is Rosie? » Posted By 2ndClassCitizenPundit On March 19, 2011 @ 2:05 pm Just found out that Seth Green was asking people to forego the usual St. Paddy’s day binge, and give the money they would have spent on booze to Japan relief efforts instead. Don’t know how I missed that. Can’t find a link, this was reported by web-comic artist “Mookie”. » Posted By 2ndClassCitizenPundit On March 18, 2011 @ 9:26 am A group of comics (no, not comedians) professionals, writers and artists, online and print, have banded together to gather donations for Japan relief. https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1932174840/japan-needs-heroes » Posted By 2ndClassCitizenPundit On March 18, 2011 @ 9:20 am Contact your bank about that, to see if they can transfer to USAID or some other organization, or if they are collecting money in a special account. Many banks will set up special accounts to do this, for specific causes or needs. My ex-employer did so for local residents who had been burned out of their houses, to pay for operations for children with cancer, etc. If your bank has not done this… Suggest they do so. If they say no, go up the chain of command. Most banks have an “Office of the President” (my ex-employer had the “Office of the Vice-President”), ask to be connected to that office. Don’t let them off the phone until it is done. Remember, the squeaky wheel gets the oil. So SQUEAK! » Posted By 2ndClassCitizenPundit On March 17, 2011 @ 3:37 pm Actually, a small fleet of four-wheeled ATVs might work better. USAID is asking folks not to donate items, but money. » Posted By 2ndClassCitizenPundit On March 17, 2011 @ 3:34 pm Call your local branch to see if they are collecting donations, for one. When I worked for the Bank-Which-Must-Not-Be-Named, they did that all the time. As far as for children specifically… I would check with local fraternal orders, like Elks, Moose, Masons, etc., or with churches with a heavy emphasis on children’s charities. Not sure what you might mean as far as “online banking”. If you mean wire-transfer, most charities shy away from the very mention of it, as there is too much fraud being committed that way. » Posted By 2ndClassCitizenPundit On March 17, 2011 @ 2:43 pm One of my favorite sites is gathering donations for Japan relief. If you like comic books or are an RPG gamer, you may recall that they did a donation drive for Haiti, working with Doctors Without Borders, giving away for free hundreds of their products, donated by the publishers, in exchange for a $10 donation. http://rpg.drivethrustuff.com/product_info.php?products_id=89298 I am not sure that there is anything being given away this time, but this is a way to donate. As those in the RPG community can tell you, us RPGers are usually not well-regarded, but this also helps prove that we’re just not dorks in our parents’ basements. My partner just informed me that the online MMORPG, Legends of Dragons, is selling ribbons (for online use only) to support Japan relief efforts for about three dollars. Gaia Online, an online social network and game site, is also taking donations. The online shop has three different items for your character to wear, all proceeds go to Japan relief. (if your kids play on Gaia, this is a way to give them a gift and donate at the same time) » Posted By 2ndClassCitizenPundit On March 17, 2011 @ 2:16 pm (pout) You beat me to it. It’s actually a very good point. By pooling the money given, you can buy more at a bulk price, and this allows input from experts on Japan to buy items that would not be culturally offensive or items that the Japanese could not use or would not use. » Posted By 2ndClassCitizenPundit On March 17, 2011 @ 2:06 pm You can donate old cellphones for charity as well. Unusable cellphones are recycled safely. http://www.recyclewirelessphones.com/ » Posted By 2ndClassCitizenPundit On March 17, 2011 @ 1:26 pm Think about talking to your employer about starting a drive for personal hygiene items, or starting a donation drive to buy bulk items (or both!). If you have connections in your community (or even if you are known as a crank, people might just agree to shut you up), talk to local businesses about starting a drive for donated goods. Even places like Walmart will do such things, and your local Red Cross can usually coordinate getting the items donated to where they need to go. Even my local Dollar Tree is encouraging people to donate food items for the homeless. Consider doing a *real* drive, using a truck to go to neighborhoods to canvass for donations. Some people may not be able to get out much (or may not want to take the time), but may have some items to donate. Do not donate items from your cupboard “that have been sitting there forever”. This is not spring cleaning, and it isn’t a dump run. Basic staples, such as veggies, grains, etc., are very important. Try to keep in mind that this is a different culture. Japanese citizens, especially those in rural areas, may not have any idea what to do with cranberry sauce or canned yams. I am reminded of a woman who tried to donate sushi packaged by a local grocery store, for a Katrina relief drive. We at the office joked about it being “uncooked gumbo”. Many donation drives will emphasize feminine hygiene products, which is all well and good (please make sure they are still in the package). But men are affected to. Consider grabbing a bag of disposable razors and adding it to the pile. Run (don’t walk) to your local dollar store. You can get quite a bit of small, necessary items for low cost. And don’t think just in terms of necessities. Five dollars at the dollar store would buy five small plush animal toys which would brighten the day of five children (more if they share). A small bottle of cologne or a decorative candle could cheer up someone as well. A friend of mine donated a bag of “birthday party favor” tiaras (along with three bags of groceries). Look around your home. Chances are, you have items that you rarely use that would make life better for those in need. Sleeping bags, heavy jackets, sweaters, air mattresses, camp stoves (two small propane tanks are less than $5 at Wal-mart), coloring books, crayons, baskets (great for holding the belongings of a family in a shelter), flip-flops (shower shoes), toothbrushes (how many does your guest bathroom really need?), sheets, blankets, etc. Another good idea is to donate packages of note cards, note paper, small envelopes, pencils, and pens. Many of these people may need to contact relatives to let them know they are okay, or write down directions to relief workers so that family members can be checked on. Trial size hygiene items will go a long way, and chances are you might be able to get a local business to donate a full case (especially if you embarrass them by asking if you can buy it out of pocket). A package of t-shirts or socks doesn’t cost that much and would benefit more than one person; in the US, the thrift store Savers usually has large packs of these for a very low price. Your local pharmacy’s “other” section might have items like travel pillows on sale as well. You might be able to talk the manager to match your purchase for a donation, doubling the benefit. Don’t donate your ratty, discarded clothes. If you won’t wear them, chances are that others won’t be very appreciative either. Instead, contact the Red Cross, Salvation Army, or Goodwill. These charities bale up unusable clothes and other fabric goods to turn into those felt-like “emergency blankets” they hand out during fires or natural disasters (which should come with a label “DO NOT WASH – may disintegrate in the washer”). Not all of us have money or extra to donate. But we do have time. Call your local charities and offer to cover the phones for them, or to help make calls scaring up donations. The biggest items you can donate is your time and your voice. Speak up. Whether in the line at the grocery store or at Bible study, speak up and talk to others about what is needed. Talk to your pastor, your boss, your Congressman, your mayor, etc. Speaking of which, if your town has a “sister city” in Japan, you have great blackmail material there. Use it! Get info in how your sister city is faring, and start calling your local paper and government! » Posted By 2ndClassCitizenPundit On March 17, 2011 @ 1:21 pm THE EAGLE (has trouble) LANDING Sequim, there appear to be a couple unhatched eggs. Mom just stood up, I have to wonder if we are about to see another egg hatch. I see two or three babies so far. » Posted By 2ndClassCitizenPundit On March 19, 2011 @ 1:40 pm Smedley, thank you! I have always had a thing for owls. Not exactly sure why. My other favorite is the plucky survivor, the chickadee. I was very excited a number of years back when there was a push to name the chickadee as the Michigan state bird (because they stay in Michigan year-round, unlike the current state bird, the robin). » Posted By 2ndClassCitizenPundit On March 19, 2011 @ 1:36 pm Wish we had such an impressive family of eagles to watch here in Vancouver Washington. But with a large metro airport just across the river, I am kind of glad (to my knowledge) there are not. » Posted By 2ndClassCitizenPundit On March 18, 2011 @ 8:07 pm @coveark: You are quite welcome, and it is an honor to do so. Please ignore the -1 rating on your comment, as I missed the reply button again. » Posted By 2ndClassCitizenPundit On March 18, 2011 @ 3:08 pmComments Posted By 2ndClassCitizenPundit
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