Displaying 61 To 90 Of 125 Comments Cher, as always, thanks for my morning cyber-paper. Re: “That explains the disparity in anxiety levels between the United States and the developing world, but why are we more anxious than, say, your average European nation?” A few thoughts. (1) The Republicans are a fear-based party — and they are really, really good at messaging. It’s not as if they come out and say here is where we want to take the country, a new, more positive direction, but rather they promote a defensive, take-back-America message that (at the very least) breeds a climate of fear over the enemy within and without. Government is the enemy… Those ‘others’ are taking over… All is lost, so send money. (2) Wifemate and I lived in Europe for three years and traveled a good deal while were there. The citizens we met were extremely well informed. If I had to charactize the attitude difference between Europeans and Americans, I would say that adversity was expected, but that it was not acceptable to use such adversity as a basis to run rough-shod over your neighbor. (3) TV and media are a definite factor. Americans are fed “fast food” soundbite news reports (often developed by someone with a partisan angle) that don’t really dig beneath the surface to an issue’s complexities. We are constantly being told that this doesn’t work; this is broken; this is a danger. In short, America is divided… and there are those who seek to widen and profit from these divides by promoting the fear, anger and hatred. » Posted By SequimBob2 On March 21, 2011 @ 8:22 am A “Novel” Approach to Politics Kalima: No apologies necessary. My comment wasn’t intended to be a criticism. Admin does a great job (IMHO) and I’m simply grateful to have visiting privileges on the ‘Planet.’ In fact, as our country descends steadily into a lower right-wing orbit, I find myself considering more and more the advantages of permanently immigrating to the Planet. Will you take me without a birth certificate? » Posted By SequimBob2 On March 27, 2011 @ 6:11 pm Kesmarn: I agree with you about the good stuff being posted. Chernynkaya is, I think, doing some particularly good work. This week had several memorable posts from a variety of folks that I enjoyed. I appreciate the kind words. » Posted By SequimBob2 On March 27, 2011 @ 5:47 pm WTS: Thank you! I had checked the politics box, but when my article got posted it was only listed in the Humor and Speakers and Writers sections. When no one commented, I concluded the post ‘was a bust.’ Wifemate keeps telling me my sense of humor needs work. I assumed the reviewer at PlanetPOV agreed with her. 🙂 » Posted By SequimBob2 On March 27, 2011 @ 5:42 pm Spring Training and a Tea Party Sorry for your experience, but grateful you chose to walk away. I had a similar experience (although not as severe as yours) in AZ a few weeks ago. A docent at the Desert Botanical Garden heard my southern accent and wanted to know what I thought about the unprovoked war of northern aggression. He kept following e around asking the same question reapeatedly. I walked faster. Ever heard of people still fighting the civil war? Apparently a lot of them have gathered in AZ. Just curious how many of the folks shouting and nodding ‘socialist traitor’ were collecting Social Security? I enjoy Arizona’s natural beauty, but there are some ugly spots that have nothing to do with the scenic landscapes. This billboard was near my hotel shortly after the Giffords shooting. I would have thought they would have had the decency to take it down, but no such luck. http://bobbyc.smugmug.com/Landscapes/AZ-Photo-Trip/15635329_LV9eg#1171512677_8GCA2%5B/img%5D » Posted By SequimBob2 On March 20, 2011 @ 9:51 am Thanks for trying to fill-in my blank spots. I’m struggling to understand why more folks aren’t upset by what’s going on in Michigan and Wisconsin. ‘We can subcontract out your city if you run into problems.; I mean, wow! Republicans are telegraphing their coming attack on entitlements and their juggernaut just keeps rolling. We stared our third war today, but we’re supposedly broke. I keep waiting for Independents, centrists, moderate Republicans and DEMS to mobilize and… and nothing. It’s such a strange quiet outside of the specific hotspots. Wifemate and I had travel plans when Wisconsin took off. Had we not, I would have driven over. I’m not exactly a street-marcher, but what Walker did was wrong on so many levels. » Posted By SequimBob2 On March 19, 2011 @ 4:13 pm Cher — When you finish with your lazy day, I need a crisis intervention or something. Here’s my problem. We spend 20% on Defense, roughly $665 billion each year. By contrast, Canada spends $21B. (We’ve talked about this.) And I suppose if America wants to allocate $20% of its annual spending (borrowed money, by the way) on Defense, it can do that. Where I’m getting a little fuzzy is on the logic of us being broke and Paul Ryan focusing almost exclusively on Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. Tax cuts and loopholes are allowing tax revenue equivalent to 4% of GDP to slip away. (We’ve talked about this.) We all know where it’s going — the wealthy. And meanwhile the State GOP Gov’s are taking on teachers, unions and (I think) the Constitution with their latest moves. Here are my questions. Does America really want to give tax cuts to the rich so badly that it is willing to reduce entitlement programs? Would we rather spend more on Defense and thus have to cut social programs and services? Is this what America is saying it wants? I understand who the GOP works for and why their purchased reps say and do what they do, but I don’t understand the great middle is remaining so quiet. Can you help me understand? » Posted By SequimBob2 On March 19, 2011 @ 2:55 pm FOR BEGINNERS ONLY — Building Character – Part II 2CCP: Thank you for the kind words on my humble attempts to ‘pay back.’ Any chance you might volunteer to tackle a topic? 😉 » Posted By SequimBob2 On March 21, 2011 @ 5:40 pm Buddy: I’m still wrestling with the concept that your painting is not a photograph. The reflection of the violin is amazing. Wow! I’m blown away. » Posted By SequimBob2 On March 18, 2011 @ 8:40 pm Cher, #27 was a very powerful column. Thank you. Re: “We must pay attention to the growth of hate groups in America” And the largest “hate group” out there at the moment is the Republican Party. Sorry, I can’t say it any other way. They are presiding over the dismantling of the American middle class, the imposition of their social mores on the rest of us, and the largest transfer of wealth in the country’s history. Given their brazen attacks on state Governments in Michigan and Wisconsin, there is no doubt as to their agenda. They have revealed themselves for who and what they are — the party of the rich — and no one but the rich. If Republicans prevail in 2012, we Dems and Independents will have no one but ourselves to blame. This out-of-control coming train wreck will have been visible for months. Thanks for doing what you do. » Posted By SequimBob2 On March 18, 2011 @ 8:52 am THE EAGLE (has trouble) LANDING Truth: You did check out jkkFL’s post above with the YouTube link, right? » Posted By SequimBob2 On March 19, 2011 @ 4:18 pm I wrote AdLib and made the request official. Will let you know Admin’s answer when it arrives. » Posted By SequimBob2 On March 19, 2011 @ 4:16 pm As PW said, the camera is not that hard to handle. I shoot mostly in two modes, aperture priority or Shutter speed priorty — depending upon what I’m doing. I set one and the camera sets the other. The point-and-shoot technology has really improved, so there are options there as well. Good luck. » Posted By SequimBob2 On March 19, 2011 @ 1:27 pm Possibly a Vermillion Flycatcher. Males are red with a dark line crossing the eye. Let me know. » Posted By SequimBob2 On March 19, 2011 @ 1:22 pm SB: Clicked on the link just in time to watch Mom devour a mouse. As she adjusted on the nest, also got to see the little one. What a treat! (Seeing the little one… not the mouse.) Thanks so much for sharing. » Posted By SequimBob2 On March 19, 2011 @ 12:22 pm Cher: Thanks for replying and the kind words. If you have a free moment, please check out the following URL: http://bobbyc.smugmug.com/Animals/Birds/Color-Flight/16242950_cGArz#1220195408_Fi8Sv At the end of the gallery are several (I think) unusual Heron pictures. I’ve gotten them eating fish before, but not this particular meal. Wife-mate and I spent 15+ years in OC and San Diego counties before retiring to Sequim. She actually worked at the old Long Beach Naval Hospital. Thanks for sharing the eagle pic. It’s nice, especially in a built-up area, to still be able to enjoy nature. Glad you’ve got the walk you described. Bob » Posted By SequimBob2 On March 19, 2011 @ 12:16 pm Blov: Thanks for the feedback. Wasn’t sure how the post would be received — sorta like pictures of grandkids. Of course, eagles are the cutest creatures on the planet — at least to me. 🙂 Glad their are others out there who share my affection for the birds. IS certainly improves one’s game. I really like the 300mm lens — for what that’s worth. I posted a URL link to my smugmug site if you want to see the photos in a larger format and judge for yourself. The bird photos were taken with the 300 or an 18-200. » Posted By SequimBob2 On March 19, 2011 @ 11:56 am PW – You struck several chords. In a few weeks when the migratory eagles are passing through, I will be “chumming” with frozen herring. The gulls pick up the herring and the eagles swoop in to take it away from the gulls. A gull will hold onto the fish no more than five seconds after an eagle “locks on” in pursuit. Gulls are, therefore, not too dumb. I was out fishing one day with my father in law using a top bait rebel minnow. An owl swooped down, grabbed it and took off. I had no desire to hook an owl (and certainly not an eagle) and was glad when the lure slipped out from its grasp without harm. I chose the 300 prime over the 100-400. It was $300 cheaper and reportedly provided sharper images. There have been times, however, when the critters get so close as to literally over-fill the frame. That’s rare, however. Thanks for sharing. » Posted By SequimBob2 On March 19, 2011 @ 11:49 am Scotty: Thanks for sharing the Yadkin River Story. Great photos and narration. I enjoyed it. Good luck with your eagle sightings. And you are correct, half the time I hear the eagle before I see it. » Posted By SequimBob2 On March 19, 2011 @ 6:29 am JRT: Thank you. I really appreciate the feedback and kind words. (My wife says not to encourage me, but you can ignore her.) 🙂 As I mentioned in another reply, I wasn’t sure if folks would be interested — or feel as if they were being subjected to a “neighbor’s” vacation slides. (Here we are at slide #473… zzzzzz.) The format is a bit different than the usual POV posting. I try to remind myself that not everyone is as passionate about eagles as I am. » Posted By SequimBob2 On March 19, 2011 @ 5:41 am Truth: RE: “adept”… Thanks, but I just don’t show the flubs. 🙂 As for the camera, I have Canon Rebel T2i. I absolutely love it. Great camera for the money. It runs ~$800 with a 50mm lens. I have an 18-200mm Canon lens which is my everyday lens and a 300mm L-series prime for shooting birds. The 300 provides very, very sharp pictures, but the downside is there is no zoom. It’s a fixed focal length lens which is why the pics are so sharp. Oddly enough, the 300mm also makes for a great macro lense. Didn’t expact that added bonus. Between the long lens and the 18 MegaPixels of the camera, I’m able to either get up close and personal with a shot, or enlarge the shot to up close and personal. The following website might be helpful in shopping for and comparing lenses. http://www.lensplay.com/lenses/lens_query.php » Posted By SequimBob2 On March 19, 2011 @ 5:33 am Truthster: Many, many years ago my wife and I took a cruise to Alaska. As soon as we got off the ‘boat,’ we hailed a taxi and told the driver we wanted to go see eagles. He took us to the town dump. (Do I know how to show a girl a good time or what?) I’ve been hooked ever since. I really, really like your idea of the Nature Section. Psst… AdLib, are you listening in? Hint-hint. We have a second on the motion. Near where I live is the Olympic Game Farm. It’s a home, for among other things, retired actor animals. (Not kidding. The bears will stand up and wave at you as you drive by.) They have lions, tigers and bears (oh, my) and yes, eagles. Whenever one of their sheep or elk dies, they toss the carcass in a large pit behind the farm. The eagles collect in droves — as many as 35 ringing the pit in the Spring during migration season. They take turns swooping down and adding a bit of red meat to their diet. It makes for a great flight demonstration for the not-to-squeamish — and an even better photo-op. » Posted By SequimBob2 On March 19, 2011 @ 5:13 am Woofman: Thanks very much for the links. I’m a little like Sarah Palin in that I can see Vancouver Island from the hill behind my house. (I know, Bad Bob. Bad! Sorry, but it’s true.) Anyway, I’m thrilled to have a window into the nests. That is exciting and I’m sure I will get ‘hooked.’ If you want to take a look at the eagle shots included with the post in a larger format, here is the link: http://bobbyc.smugmug.com/Animals/More-Eagles/12602200_ZQds5#1209476460_7jQSq » Posted By SequimBob2 On March 19, 2011 @ 5:00 am FL — What a great link! Thank you for adding it. And the picture of the one worker with the eagle really shows how large they are. Your post really adds a lot. Thanks for sharing. » Posted By SequimBob2 On March 19, 2011 @ 4:46 am Zenith: Thanks for the kind words. When it comes to cameras and lenses, size does matter. I credit my equipment more than skill — although, I’m still trying to improve. I probably have 2000 eagle photos on my computer. I still get excited. The other day while I was shooting, a guy said loud enough for me to hear, “Seen one eagle; you’ve seen ’em all.” I couldn’t disagree more. I will indeed check out your whale photos. My wife and I are looking forward to visiting SJI this summer. » Posted By SequimBob2 On March 18, 2011 @ 8:24 pm 1st Class (Sorry, you’ve been promoted). You guys in Vancouver have your own special big bird area. I was at Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge just last week. (Should have called, huh?) Got some great shots. Check out those at this link (bottom part of the gallery). I love Ridgefield — one of the best bird spots around. If you haven’t visited, please do. http://bobbyc.smugmug.com/Animals/Birds/Color-Flight/16242950_cGArz#1220195408_Fi8Sv Thanks for replying. Bob » Posted By SequimBob2 On March 18, 2011 @ 8:17 pm Foxisms: Thank you! I debated whether or not to do this post. Wasn’t sure if it would be of interest to folks — or whether POV would even consider it appropriate. I LOVE the Big Birds as you call them, those above — and the one on NPR as well. The eagles are ‘funny’ in that some days they couldn’t care less how close I approach. Other days, they don’t want to be anywhere around me. I suppose I shouldn’t be too surprised. My wife has a similar attitude. Anyway, they are marvelous creatures and I feel blessed to live in an area that has eagles in abundance. As for intimacy, I notice that whenever one of the mated pair bugles, the other always responds. Almost always, one will call to the other before taking flight. I don’t speak eagle, but wish I did. What a pleasure they are to watch. » Posted By SequimBob2 On March 18, 2011 @ 8:07 pm The Battle of Thermopylae: How Democracy Was Saved Adonai – Thanks for the history lesson. I enjoyed it. I was sorry that the story ended. I wanted you to connect the dots from the battle to that “…very, very angry American.” Story’s not done yet… more, please. » Posted By SequimBob2 On March 16, 2011 @ 8:12 pm How do you Build a Million Dollar Mousetrap that Steals Cheese SB: Guy goes into a computer store to buy a computer. He knows the RAM, the processor speed, size of the hard drive, number of USB ports, whether it is a dual core or quad core processor. For this relatively small investment, he will invest hours shopping, analyzing, studying, etc. Same guy hears Sarah Palin spout her nonsense about Death Panels and the guy goes all in. Tell him that Obama is not a US citizen, but rather he’s a Mau Mau from Kenya and the guy says, “Yup!” Tell him that the real problem in this country is (pick one): Unions… teachers… Democrats… spending … lazy people on welfare… or hard working illegals from Mexico, and he buys the whole package. The part of the brain that makes this guy a smart consumer appears to completely disengage when he’s ‘buying’ political arguments. Why is this? » Posted By SequimBob2 On March 19, 2011 @ 6:16 am Politics is a tool of self interest. Notice that we are not involved in stopping the genocide in Darfur. But we are engaging right-off-the-bat in Libya. Why? (Didn’t John Boehner say we were broke?) There are SO many issues that the President has remained silent on, but he chose to really get tough with Libya. Why? Find the self interest angle or follow the money and the answer will probably be revealed. » Posted By SequimBob2 On March 19, 2011 @ 6:04 amComments Posted By SequimBob2
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