« May 2006 | Main | July 2006 »
June 30, 2006
Back in Black Baby!
As always Lewis Black lays it out like it is! He's awesome! Check him out on last night's Daily Show! Just go watch!
Posted by Dianne at 8:43 PM | Comments (1)
It's Going To Be A Long Weekend!
Fireworks! I'm over the fireworks!! Are we not over this yet? I mean really! STOP EFFING SHOOTING OFF FIREWORKS!! GROW UP ALREADY!!
Posted by Dianne at 7:53 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
An Administartion Full of Bad Ideas, But What Else is New?
House lifts offshore drilling banWASHINGTON - Congress has taken a major step toward allowing oil and gas drilling in coastal waters that have been off limits for a quarter-century.
Still, a battle looms in the Senate over the issue. And the Bush administration's support for the legislation, which was approved Thursday by a 232-187 vote in the House, is lukewarm.
The House bill would end an Outer Continental Shelf drilling moratorium that Congress has renewed every year since 1981. It covers 85 percent of the country's coastal waters — everywhere except the central and western Gulf of Mexico and some areas off Alaska.
Rep. Richard Pombo (news, bio, voting record), R-Calif., a leading proponent for lifting the ban, said he believes a majority of the Senate wants to open the protected waters to energy companies.
Asked about White House opposition to some parts of the bill, especially a provision that would give tens of billions of dollars to states that have drilling rigs off their coasts, Pombo said, "I dare them to veto this bill."
"They don't like us giving money back to the states. I think it's right," Pombo told reporters after the vote. Forty Democrats joined most Republicans in favor of ending the drilling moratorium.
In the Senate, the measure is likely to face a filibuster from Florida senators and possibly others from coastal states that fear offshore energy development could threaten multibillion-dollar tourist and recreation businesses if there were a spill.
This is a complete recipe for disaster! These people do half assed jobs on their good days, I don't even want to think about everything that can and will go wrong with this. They really will not be satisfied until they destroy the entire planet! And they don't seem to get that there will be no economic anything without an environment to back it up!
Found via Yahoo! News.
Posted by Dianne at 7:40 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Safeway.com Delivery No More!
Well it's official...We will no longer be using Safeway.com for grocery delivery and quite frankly that makes me a combination of sad and angry. I'm sad that things didn't work out with them, given it was so convenient, but at the same time I'm angry that they did not take my concerns seriously and in fact flat out ignored the concerns I brought to their attention!! But let's start at the beginning shall we?
When we first moved over here I was very sad that Peapod.com did not deliver to our new neighborhood. Over the past few years, every few months or so I would go to their website and check to see if they had moved on over to our neck of the woods to no avail. And then last year I saw an ad for Safeway.com delivery and I was very excited! I logged on to find out that they too had not ventured into our neighborhood either, though they would just a few short weeks after that and I was thrilled and immediately scheduled a grocery delivery!
At first we were very pleased with their service, they were always prompt, they always got our order right and their produce and other fresh products were excellent, but then a few months ago things started going downhill and I kept hoping it would be better, but it hasn't...In fact it has only gotten worse!
Their first misstep with me was when my delivery time came and went and they still had not delivered my groceries. I gave them 40 minutes and then I called their "customer service" line. The lady on the phone was not in the least helpful, was condescending and finally determined that the driver was running way behind for some reason or another. Now that in and of itself didn't bother me. In fact if they had just called me and said "Ms. (Insert Last Name Here) we're running a little behind" I wouldn't have minded at all. The thing that irked me was that they did NOT call and then the "customer service" woman, on top of being rude, didn't offer to refund my delivery fee. That coupled with the fact that they didn't respect my time irked me to no end! That was strike one.
Strike two came when they started delivering produce that should have long since been composted, instead of actual fresh fruits and veggies. I mean seriously...If a pear is so mushy that you touch it and it's skin falls off in a mushy clump then it should have long since been disposed of! And if garlic smells and is mushy, it's rotten! That is not what I ordered! I ordered fresh produce, not compost material! And at first their produce was superb, it's just been in the last few months that this has become an issue.
Strike three came this week. Last Friday I had groceries delivered and the afore mentioned strike two rotten veggies (not that this was the first time it had happened, but this is the worst it had ever been!) occurred so I sent an email to their "customer service" department and voiced my complaint about their lack of quality in produce as of late and how if they didn't do something to rectify the situation then I would have to discontinue the use of their service. Fifteen minutes later I got the obligatory automated response telling me their service days and hours and that someone would be in contact with me to address my concerns as soon as possible. Given that I sent the email late Friday afternoon I didn't expect a response until early this week. Well the week has come and gone, and it's been 7 days since I emailed them my concerns and nothing....Zip...Nada! So that's strike three.
Even though this makes my life a bit more complicated it is how it has to be. I'm a reasonable person, but there is only so much a reasonable person can take. So I will no longer utilize Safeway.com for groceries and I wouldn't recommend them to anyone else either. It's a sad fact, but customer service is completely dead and the very sad fact of the matter is you just lost a very loyal customer, who could have easily been retained had you addressed myvery valid issues about lack of quality in my produce.
Posted by Dianne at 6:35 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
It's Official: The Candidate!
It's official...Jamison is a candidate for The Democratic Central Committee in District 31 of Anne Arundel County! He filed the paperwork this morning! So I guess this makes me a political wife hunh? ;o)
On the way to file for candidacy
At the Board of Elections
I'm hoping to get his official website up and running this weekend. I'm his official Treasurer/Campaign Manager. Isn't that a hoot? Stay tuned for a lot of exciting stuff including the website, his slogan and your opportunity to buy official "Jamison" gear! It's about to get very exciting! Check back soon for updates!
Posted by Dianne at 12:00 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
Big Fish!
Posted by Dianne at 12:00 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
Peas!
Posted by Dianne at 12:00 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
We Had Another Drive By Moron Last Night
We had another drive by moron last night, who has been banned and their inappropriate comment has been deleted, but it never ceases to amaze me how these people spout such ignorance, childishness and hate, all while pretending to be high minded! I'm not the one who is going to someone else's site spouting these hateful tones, so what does that say about you? Never mind...You don't get it and you never will!
Oh and Alexis is usually a girl's name, not a boy's name, though I have seen a few male Alexis' in my day, but if the child is wearing pink pants and a jacket with flowers on it, then you can rest assured she is a GIRL!!! And why drag a child into your venom filled diatribe!?!??!? Be an adult and leave my daughter alone!! Alexis is not being "raised a Democrat". Alexis will make up her mind what she wants to be when she's old enough to do so on her own! She has a mind of her own, which I will encourage her to use to make her own decisions! Right now she's three! That's it three...Not Democrat...Not Republican...She's a child!! Get a grip!! The kind of person who would make fun of a child because her hair didn't grow fast enough for you speaks volumes to what kind of person you really are!!
I reiterate the Rules people, I shouldn't have to keep pointing this out!!
Next!
Posted by Dianne at 11:46 AM | Comments (4) | TrackBack
June 29, 2006
Keep It Up!
Olbermann slaps O'Reilly down and does it with flare! It still floors me that people actually believe anything that comes out of O'Reilly's mouth! But then again I have a brain, so I guess that speaks volumes at to what the issue really is! ;o)
Click on the picture above to go watch Olbermann lay O'Reilly out!!
Posted by Dianne at 10:38 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Al Gore 3.0
The man who won the presidency in 2000 is looser and more outspoken than ever. Is his global-warming movie a warm-up for a third run at the White House? (From the July 13-27, 2006 issue of ROLLING STONE) BY WILL DANAIt is probably not fair to say that global warming excites Al Gore, but get him going on the subject and he becomes possessed by the spirit of a Holy Rolling preacher, swelling and quaking in his chair, hitting high notes, speaking in tongues. We are meeting in a cramped waiting room outside two TV studios in midtown Manhattan. Gore is spending the afternoon here, knocking off a dozen or so interviews with broadcast outlets across the country, one after the other, intimations of the apocalypse sandwiched between the local-anchor happy talk and car-dealership ads in markets like Houston and Kansas City.
Gore is in the middle of an exhaustive campaign to promote An Inconvenient Truth, a surprise hit that transposes to film a lecture about global warming that he has given more than a thousand times in the past six years. (An accompanying book of the same title is climbing the best-seller lists.) But while Gore's message may be grim -- in a nutshell, a warming climate threatens civilization, and if the human race wants to survive, we've got about ten years to start turning things around -- Gore himself seems funnier, warmer and more relaxed than he ever did during his political years. You used to think: I wouldn't mind taking a class from this guy. Nowadays, you wouldn't mind having a beer with him. His recent appearance on Saturday Night Live, when he addressed the nation as president and boasted that gas prices were so low that the government had to bail out the big oil companies, was the single funniest moment on the show all season.
Gore's renewed visibility has only fueled speculation that this is all part of a carefully orchestrated plan to launch his third bid for the presidency. Although Gore refuses to rule it out, he suggests that he's having too much fun, and is too engaged in his various business interests, to subject himself to the endless slog of political life.
It's not unreasonable to hope that Gore runs, but the dream of a Gore candidacy also underscores the pathetic core of today's Democratic Party: It has become so unusual to hear a mainstream Democratic politician speak from a sense of conviction that when one does, people practically start begging him to run.
But Gore really does seem to have put politics behind him. Whereas his one-time partner Bill Clinton clearly loves the game, Gore speaks of the political process as "toxic" and frames his arguments in purely moral terms. And one wonders: If he does decide to run again, will the New Gore go back to listening to his political advisers, or will he continue to follow his heart?
A very interesting interview with Al Gore in the upcoming Rolling Stone magazine, where he continue to tell the truth about Global Warming. His passion for this subject is so amazing! Check it out!
Posted by Dianne at 8:45 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Al Gore on the Daily Show
Al Gore...John Stewart...What's not to like??!!?! Go watch it now! :o)
Posted by Dianne at 8:25 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
My Mom's Leg
My Mom hurt her leg yesterday is a bizarre accident that involved a vacuum cleaner, a bathroom counter and an unintended gymnastics routine! Don't ask! From what I gather from talking to her and my Dad this morning it sounds like she has some ligament damage. They X-Rayed it, but nothing was broken. She is in a leg brace to stablize her leg and thus her movement is limited.
My dad is still recovering from his surgery so a friend of theirs took them to the emergency room yesterday, so she could get it checked out. Say a prayer or send some good thoughts her way! She could use them right about now! :o)
Posted by Dianne at 7:39 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
"I Made Dinner!"
It's Playdough "sketti" all around! She set a place for Bunge, Pop, Moo, Daddy, Mommy and Wexis, complete with plate, "sketti", napkin and spoon! :o)
Posted by Dianne at 6:34 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
Look Mom No Hands!
Look who figured out how to walk up the stairs to the deck with no hands on the rail for support! Yikes! ;o)
Posted by Dianne at 5:03 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
Are You Following Me?
Posted by Dianne at 5:00 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
The Beat of My Own Drum
Posted by Dianne at 4:58 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Through the Slats
Posted by Dianne at 4:56 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Frappuccino® Juice Blends
When Alexis and I ran into Target this morning to get some detergent and get her a treat for being a good girl at the doctor's office, of course we stopped at Starbucks! Alexis got her normal tall Strawberries and Cream Frappuccino with no whipped cream and I decided to try one of their new Frappuccino® Juice Blends that are green tea based. I got the one made with Pomegranate juice and it was fantastic! They also have a Tangerine version and a Tangerine Lime. I'm going to try one of them next time! And I love that they don't have whipped cream to start with so you don't have to ask them to leave it off! Check them out if you get a chance!
Posted by Dianne at 2:02 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
More Play Dough Fun!
Making Playdough "sketti"
Click on the extended entry below to see more Playdough fun!
Playdough is just fun! :o)
Posted by Dianne at 1:54 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Three Year Checkup
Alexis had her three year check up this morning and everything went swimmingly! The doctor said that Alexis was well ahead of the curve, which I'm sure they say to all parents, but it made me happy none the less! She did seem to be very impressed with Alexis' letter, number and color skills. She also was impressed with her drawing of faces and the fact that she's potty trained. She's in the 90th percentile for height at 29 39.5 inches and in the 70th percentile for weight. And the great part about this visit was there were no shots! Yeah for no shots! I can't handle them, so Jamison has to come along and do that part of the visit when they do occur. I can't stand seeing a needle go into anyone, let alone my darling little girl! Alexis did a very good job so she was rewarded with a new bear, a new Veggie Tales DVD and lunch with Jamison. Other than the fact she didn't take a nap, it's been a very good day! :o)
Update: That was a typo on Alexis' height. It should be 39.5 inches tall instead of 29. Thanks to Jamison for catching my mistake! :O)
Posted by Dianne at 1:36 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
I've decided that I'm going to go ahead and run.
After much soul searching , I've decided that I'm going to go ahead and run for office. I haven't decided how it will effect my blogging yet, I know I never have much time for it right now, so I'm sure that will only get worse the busier I get. It's looking like so far that I will be running unopposed, which will make me very happy. But there are still quite a few days left before the registration closes so I might have to run a real campaign, it all depends.
Posted by Jamison at 8:01 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
Judge clears way for firing of PSC members
I'm really so glad to see this!! The notion that those industry cronies that Ehrlich appointed were going to be allowed to keep their jobs after trying to rob the people of Maryland was making me sick! What makes me even madder is that Ehrlich is using taxpayer money to mount these legal challenges against the people of Maryland. This is situation normal for a Republican, but it makes me so mad! Hopefully the legislature will appoint some people with the interests of the people of Maryland to these positions instead of the corrupt interests of the corporate entities in Maryland. I still haven't managed to get over Ehrlich's claim that he was a neutral entity in the negotiations. You are suppose to representing the people of Maryland you moron!! There is no neutral standing for a governor, the people are supposed to come first and not the interests of a handful of greedy corporate tycoons trying to steal Maryland's future.
Read more over at The Baltimore Sun.
Posted by Jamison at 7:35 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Webb Campaign Blasts Allen Campaign for “Weak-Kneed Attacks” Against Men and Women in Uniform
Arlington—The campaign of U.S. Senate candidate Jim Webb today called the attacks on Webb’s patriotism by Allen’s campaign, “weak-kneed attacks by cowards” and demanded that Allen and his campaign apologize.“George Felix Allen Jr. and his bush-league lapdog, Dick Wadhams, have not earned the right to challenge Jim Webb’s position on free speech and flag burning. Jim Webb served and fought for our flag and what it stands for, while George Felix Allen Jr. chose to cut and run. When he and his disrespectful campaign puppets attack Jim Webb they are attacking every man and woman who served. Their comments are nothing more than weak-kneed attacks by cowards. George Felix Allen Jr. needs to apologize to Jim Webb and to all men and women who have served our nation,” Webb spokesman Steve Jarding said.
On Tuesday, George Felix Allen Jr. and his campaign issued a press release in which the Allen campaign, through Wadhams, implied that Webb’s position in support of the Free Speech Amendment to the U.S. Constitution amounted to a political act and not a defense of our Constitution, which Webb fought for and for which he was highly decorated. George Felix Allen Jr. did not serve.
“I believe it is precisely because of bush-league attacks like this that John Zogby, a highly respected, independent polling expert just this week said that Dick Wadhams is not fit to serve as a campaign manager and that George Allen should find a new manager,” Jarding said.
“While Jim Webb and others of George Felix Allen Jr.’s generation were fighting for our freedoms and for our symbols of freedom in Vietnam, George Felix Allen Jr. was playing cowboy at a dude ranch in Nevada. People who live in glass dude ranches should not question the patriotism of real soldiers who fought and bled for this country on a real battlefield,” Jarding said.“Is Dick Wadhams willing to publicly say that Colin Powell, John Glenn and Bob Kerrey are unpatriotic for having the same position on the flag burning amendment that Jim Webb has? Ask him,” Jarding said.
Jarding continued, “The following is why George Felix Allen Jr. has not earned the right to challenge Jim Webb in his support of our Constitution and its free speech provisions:
* Jim Webb was first in this class of 243 at the Marine Corps Officer’s Basic School in Quantico, Virginia.
* Jim Webb served with the Fifth Marine Regiment in Vietnam, where as a rifle platoon and company commander in the infamous An Hoa Basin west of Danang.
* Jim Webb was awarded the Navy Cross, the Silver Star Medal, two Bronze Star Medals and two Purple Hearts while fighting in Vietnam.
* Jim Webb served as a platoon commander and as an instructor in tactics and weapons at Marine Corps Officer Candidates School.
* Jim Webb served in the US Congress as counsel to the House Committee on Veterans Affairs from 1977 to 1981, becoming the first Vietnam veteran to serve as a full committee counsel in the Congress.
* In 1982, Jim Webb first proposed, then led the fight for including an African American soldier in the memorial statue that now graces the Vietnam Veterans memorial on the National Mall.
* In 1984, Jim Webb was appointed the inaugural Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs, where he traveled extensively in, and worked closely with, our NATO allies. As Assistant Secretary, Webb directed considerable research and analysis of the U.S. military’s mobilization capabilities.
* In 1987, Jim Webb was appointed Secretary of the Navy becoming the first Naval Academy graduate in history to serve in the military and be appointed Secretary of the Navy.
* In addition to his wartime medals, Jim Webb has been awarded the following medals and citations:
o The Department of Defense distinguished Public Service Medal
o The Medal of Honor Society’s Patriot Award
o The American Legion National Commander’s Public Service Award
o The VFW’s Media Service Award
o The Marine Corps League’s Military Order of the Iron Mike Award
o The John Russell Leadership Award
o The Robert L. Denig Distinguished Service Award.
Ouch!!! Now that's how all Democrats should be talking to these godless Republican animals. It's well documented that the vast majority of Republicans in Congress are gutless cowards, a good portion of them are also vile amoral monsters to boot. But that's what it means to be a Republican these days. Webb brings back to the Democratic party the spirit and vitality that has sadly been lacking for a quite a while. The standard Republican Swiftboating of Veterans isn't going to work anymore. Men and women that stood up to defend their country will no longer be ground under the boot heel of the Republican hate machine. Webb is a fighter, the Republicans have seen nothing like him in a few decades. And they won't likely see Democrats that don't act like him in the coming decades. They've finally managed to do so much damage to the United States, that they've awakened the spirits of true Americans. Americans didn't start this war with the GOP, but we will finish it. I think it's time for all you godless animals to be put officially on notice. Your reign of terror on the good people of the United States is coming to an end.
Read more over at Daily Kos. If you want to see more Democrats like Jim you need to help him with a Contribution.
Posted by Jamison at 7:21 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
June 28, 2006
How's this for a word?
Venal
Hint: Most of Congress.
Click on the extended entry below to see what it means.
Capable of being bought; also, corruptible.
Yeah that pretty much sums them up!
Posted by Dianne at 8:43 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Shuttle launch countdown begins!
At 2200 BST (1700 EDT) on Wednesday, launch team members at Kennedy Space Center in Florida set the clock running ahead of Saturday's planned lift-off.The shuttle Discovery is set to visit the International Space Station on a 12-day mission to deliver supplies and equipment and test safety improvements.
But Nasa says there is a strong chance of weather delaying the launch.
Thunderstorms and anvil clouds bring the threat of lightning strikes, the agency said, estimating the chance of postponement at about 60%.
I don't think she's going to go on Saturday given the weather, but the countdown has started none the less! Let's hope this mission goes well. I've been reading here and there that if something goes wrong this trip, they are immediately retiring the space shuttle program, effectively grounding our space program until the next phase starts up around 2015. It would be very weird to be a non space faring country again! Let's hope everything goes smoothly!
Found via the BBC News.
Posted by Dianne at 8:32 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Mexican Lasagna
I can count on one hand the number of casseroles I actually like and make...This one, lasagna and a chicken casserole that I couldn't eat anymore even if I wanted to. My next recipe renovation is to take that chicken recipe and tweak it with mushrooms, but that's a rant for another time. Anyway, this is yet another recipe from the old recipe files that I've converted to meatless with the onset of the meat making me sick issues. You'll never miss the meat!
Mexican Lasagna
1/2 of a red onion, chopped
8 large mushrooms, sliced
1 tablespoon of olive oil
1 can 98% fat free cream of mushroom soup
1 can 98% fat free cream of celery soup
1 cup of salsa
1 4 ounce can of chopped green Chile peppers
1 3.8 ounce can of sliced black olives
Shredded Colby cheese (Cheddar and/or Monterrey Jack cheese works fine as well)
Corn tortillas
In a large skillet over medium heat cook onions and mushrooms in olive oil under tender. Remove from heat and add the soups through the black olives and stir until incorporated.
Preheat oven to 400F.
Spray an 8 X 8 baking dish with non-stick spray and place a layer of 4 corn tortillas on the bottom of the dish to cover. Spread part of the mixture on top of the tortillas and then top with shredded cheese. Repeat until you reach the top of your dish.
Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake for another 10 minutes. Take the dish out of the oven and let sit for 5 minutes before serving.
Makes approximately 6 servings.
Note: You can top with sour cream, tomatoes and chopped green onion if you like.
Posted by Dianne at 8:08 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
The Voodoo of Peer Review
One thing I've always failed to understand about Republicans, and actually most non-academics for that matter, is the lack of understanding of the Peer Review process in Scientific Journals. To hear your average Republican talk about the matter their crackpot theories are just as credible as anyone else's. And that's not exactly what one would refer to as either true or sane, but I digress. I'm going to go on the assumption that people just don't know how it works and that's the problem.
Let's say I was going to write a work for peer review. The process is pretty straight forward. I write up my theory, provide the supporting evidence, and I submit it to a distinguished Journal. Now a Scientific Journal isn't like a crappy traditional media outlet, they have something called "standards". Now I know this will come as shocking to you Republicans out there, so try to suspend disbelief and come along with me. Beyond just using proper grammar and spelling, which the you can't guarantee from your average traditional media outlet at all, they require that the statements made be confirmed by other experts in the field. Now what it takes to be an expert is related to how much peer reviewed materials you have published and the acknowledgement of your peers as being on the leading edge of the theories in your field. So believing you're right very strongly, that doesn't make you an expert, that just makes you a normal person.
Anyway, some number of these experts are consulted to review my document. The number is variable depending on the field and the workloads of the experts. So what happens is these experts without knowing me or any of the other experts looking at the theory, review it critically looking for holes in what I've suggested. This can take months and maybe even years, the more complex the theory and methods used, the more time it takes. Some experts may even try to reproduce the experiments involved to confirm the results, it all depends on their determination of the validity of the subject matter. After some period of time, the experts send back a ruling on the results. The editor of the Journal then reviews the independent work on the theory and sees if there is some consensus among these independent reviews of the process. Suggestions of improvements are passed along to the submitter of the article for review and the reviewers have options from approval after the suggested improvements are made, or total rejection, or total acceptance, and many shades of gray in-between depending on the Journal. Since this all done anonymously, there is little reason for these people to lie about the problems with a theory. Since these are the experts in their fields they can provide supporting evidence why the results suggested don't provide the suggested theory. Those the make it through peer review are printed and we have the body of rigorously reviewed science that provides the foundation for generations of scientific advancement for years to come.
That brings us back to why the Republicans have attacked this process. In their minds anything that doesn't support what they believe is inherently wrong. No amount of evidence is ever going to be enough to change their minds, because it's what they believe. And folks, that's just not Science. That's just not how it works, that's called faith. Science is built on reproducible results. If you can make something happen over and over again, then what you have is a scientific fact.
Now I can already hear you inbred America haters screaming at the top of you lungs that sometimes Science is talking about things that haven't happened yet. Using the Global Warming "debate" as an example. The idiot Republicans in Congress threw out a hate filled diatribe about not approving of the AP new release on the wide support of the Global Warming numbers among scientists. Science facts show trend lines, based off of many thousands of years worth of data. Science says trend lines are good science, good science says that when things vary from the norm massively something is going on. And if you have two variables following the same trend lines that are connected to one another, history tells us that you can't go wrong predicting that they are related to one another. And just because a bunch of oil company cronies come in and say they want to believe something different and a bunch of gullible fools decide to believe that as well, but it doesn't change the facts that science sees...It just doesn't happen.
Bascially I think it's just a reflection of the lack of intelligence your average Republican has. On the one hand there are those in their number that profit from the lies, so they are happy to lead the gullible along until they skip town when things turn out just like science said. Hate, fear and greed are all what motivate them and they will not let anything get in the way of that agenda. It's just as simple as that. And having corruption Republicans in Washington, DC spouting oil company propaganda speaks volumes to the real agenda of the Republican party. Who ever pays them the most, will determine their talking points. Scientists on the other hand are held to a much higher stand of behavior. They have to back up what they say with evidence and their peers won't allow them to have leaps of faith. There is no magic in the Scientific theories that the average Republican can't grasp. It just takes an open mind and the ability to think for yourself, but I don't see it happening anytime soon.
Read more about Peer Review over at Wikipedia and more about the Republican efforts to attack science over at Think Progress.
Posted by Jamison at 5:19 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Now How Did She Do That?
Alexis was upstairs driving me nuts clinging to me, so I told her to go play in the basement and surprisingly she went with no fuss. I could hear her happily playing and singing before she ventured back upstairs about 40 minutes later. There was no silence, no crying, which usually indicate she's up to something, just happy playing noises, but when she got back upstairs she now has two little nasty scratches on her right cheek. I asked her what happened and she looked at me like I was nuts and said "I don't know what you're saying Mommy!" Which usually in Alexis speak means she's up to something and she wants you to think she doesn't understand what you're asking her, because she thinks that way she won't get in trouble. So I checked downstairs and nothing is out of place and nothing idicates she did anything that was face scratch worthy, so how in the world did she scratch her face and not know it happened?!!?!? Or if she knew how it happened what the heck was she doing that she doesn't want me to know about? Whatever it was it must not have hurt that much or I would have heard about it!
Posted by Dianne at 3:51 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
Justices Back Most G.O.P. Changes to Texas Districts
WASHINGTON, June 28 — The Supreme Court today upheld the basic outlines of a Republican Congressional redistricting plan in Texas, refusing to toss out a sharply contested political map engineered by the former House majority leader, Tom DeLay.The court handed a smaller victory to the Democratic plaintiffs in the case, ruling that one Congressional district in southwestern Texas had been drawn in a way that violated the rights of Hispanic voters there.
But the court rejected the larger premise — that Texas Republicans had unconstitutionally reorganized the political map to solidify their majority in Congress. The decision means that Texas will be required to adjust some boundaries.
The court upheld the state's ability to break with the tradition of redrawing Congressional districts only right after the official federal census every 10 years, potentially opening the door for legislatures in other states to rewrite their own Congressional maps at will throughout the decade, or when a new party takes over a state capital.
The outcome was something of a vindication for Mr. DeLay, who had been attacked by Democrats for organizing what they called an illegal power grab in his home state at the height of his service as majority leader. Republicans won five new Congressional seats in Texas in 2004 after the lines were redrawn, helping them retain control of the House.
Not surprising, but still saddening. I had hoped they would rise above politics, but when you've stacked the bench with a bunch of your henchmen it doesn't bode well for impartiality. This also doesn't bode well for the CO2 case that is pending, not that I expected that to be any different either.
Found via The New York Times.
Posted by Dianne at 2:51 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Now This is Some Tofu I Think I Might Like!
I'm going to give this recipe a whirl! I've been on the lookout for tofu recipes as of late and this one looks fabulous!
Found via the Fatfree Vegan Kitchen.
Posted by Dianne at 1:46 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
I Love Helen Thomas! And John Stewart Too!
Just go watch! :o)
Posted by Dianne at 1:27 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Portable DVD Player
Over the weekend I purchased a portable DVD player from EBay when we still thought we were going to Tennessee in a couple of weeks. Jamison found out he has to go to Dallas instead, and given that even Southwest Air would charge Alexis and I around $1000 to fly with him, it just isn't happening! But all is not in vain, Jamison can take it with him when he goes to Texas and of course it will come in handy when we go to the Outer Banks in September. We're going to try and schedule a trip to Tennessee at the first of August, so maybe we'll get to use it then as well. We'll see how that goes.
Anyway, I am very impressed with this little guy! I popped in The Day After Tomorrow to give it a test run and the visuals are amazing on such a small screen! I'm very happy with the player and it will come in handy when we travel with Alexis given she's not a traveler at all! Perhaps now we can distract her a bit! ;o)
Posted by Dianne at 12:42 PM | Comments (4) | TrackBack
Shadow
Posted by Dianne at 12:35 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Sunshine
Posted by Dianne at 12:33 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
The Beginnings of a Fairy Ring
With the rain came the mushrooms as well, and I can handle the mushrooms! In fact we've got the beginnings of a Fairy Ring! It's starting to arc and everything!
Never heard of a Fairy Ring? Check it out here. They play heavily into Celtic mythology and into Fairy culture.
Posted by Dianne at 12:14 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Honey Bee
Posted by Dianne at 12:11 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
And Then Came the Mosquitoes!
The rain has stopped and the sun is shining here and there. Overall it's a nice day and I use the term "nice" loosely, meaning it would be nice if you like hot humid air that is so thick you can walk through it! It's downright swampy out there!
Anyway, Alexis and I ventured out to the garden to do some much needed plant maintenance that went undone during the deluge only to find that not only is it hot, humid and miserable, but the mosquitoes have thoroughly used the rain to their benefit and are out enmasse!! I just keep thinking had this been winter we would have had 10+ feet of snow, which doesn't bother me in the least and mosquitoes don't do cold!!!
P.S. We still aren't flooded.
Posted by Dianne at 11:10 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Terry Holley website is up!
This post is mostly for my parents who live in Georgia. The Democratic candidate in the GA-10 is Terry Holley and I've been waiting for his website to come up and they managed to sneak it by me last week, but the good folks at the North Georgia Democrats put it in their newsletter so I finally got a hold of it! The GA-10 is one of those districts that desperately needs some real representation in Washington instead of a Rubber Stamp Republican like Norwood. Norwood has an 85% Bush support record and 97% GOP party line vote record. The guy is a disgrace when you look at the damage the Republican party has done to Georgia. It's just disgraceful that Republicans can't bring themselves to represent the people of their districts instead of the corrupt business interests that control the Republican party. Right now Norwood is letting Social Security go unfixed and letting our gas prices soar, because the GOP's most pressing concerns are flag burning and gay marriage. Can you see the complete disconnect from reality?? If you live in the GA-10, you need to get on Terry's mailing list and you need to help him get you some real representation in Washington.
Read more over at DCCC and Terry Holley for Congress.
Posted by Jamison at 10:46 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Simms joining another battle
We have a new Attorney General Candidate running for office here in Maryland. I've met Gansler and Perez, so now I've got to make some time to meet Simms. I've heard quite a few great things about Simms and I think this will definitely shake the race for AG up a bit. My current stance on the race before Simms' entry was sort of leaning Perez just based on my gut impressions of them when I met them. This sort of pushes me back into the neutral category. When I find the Simms website, I'll give it a once over and give more information on my impressions. Once I get to meet Simms and hear him speak, I'll put up something about that.
Read more over at The Baltimore Sun.
Posted by Jamison at 10:42 AM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
June 27, 2006
Take part in the largest climate change experiment ever
We need the computer power you're not using. An experiment developed for the BBC by climate scientists, led by Oxford University, using the Met Office climate model.
They are working on making a climate change model and they need your help! I've mentioned this before, but it never hurts to reiterate something that is working for change! Check out some of the articles on the page while you're there. There is a lot of good information!
Found via BBC News.
Posted by Dianne at 8:46 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Last chance for China's dolphin
Zoologists have developed a plan to save the Yangtze River dolphin, probably the world's most endangered mammal, from extinction.They hope to take some dolphins from the Yangtze and rear them in a nearby lake, protected from fishermen.
The species is threatened by overfishing which removes its food, industrialisation, boat collisions, and through being caught in fishing nets.
The most recent surveys found only 17 living individuals.
Also known as the baiji and Chinese lake dolphin, Lipotes vexillifer is listed as Critically Endangered on the internationally recognised Red List of Threatened Species, which describes it as "probably the most endangered cetacean in the world".
I've always been fascinated with dolphins of every shape and form. The river dolphins like this one and the one that lives in the Amazon River I've always found particularly fascinating given that they live in somewhat fresh water. I hope they find a way to save this species. It would be heartbreaking to have them go extinct!
Found via the BBC News.
Posted by Dianne at 8:36 PM | Comments (2)
Democrats vow to block pay raises until minimum wage increased
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A week after the GOP-led Senate rejected an increase to the minimum wage, Senate Democrats on Tuesday vowed to block pay raises for members of Congress until the minimum wage is increased."We're going to do anything it takes to stop the congressional pay raise this year, and we're not going to settle for this year alone," Democratic Leader Harry Reid of Nevada said at a Capitol news conference.
"They can play all the games the want," Reid said derisively of the Republicans who control the chamber. "They can deal with gay marriage, estate tax, flag burning, all these issues and avoid issues like the prices of gasoline, sending your kid to college. But we're going to do everything to stop the congressional pay raise."
The minimum wage is $5.15 an hour. Democrats want to raise it to $7.25. During the past nine years, as Democrats have tried unsuccessfully to increase the minimum wage, members of Congress have voted to give themselves pay raises -- technically "cost of living increases" -- totaling $31,600, or more than $15 an hour for a 40-hour week, 52 weeks a year, according to the Congressional Research Service.
Something they should have been doing long before now in my opinion. We'll see where this goes, but kudos for growing a spine!
Found via CNN News.
Posted by Dianne at 8:32 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
Scientists OK Gore's movie for accuracy
WASHINGTON - The nation's top climate scientists are giving "An Inconvenient Truth," Al Gore's documentary on global warming, five stars for accuracy.The former vice president's movie — replete with the prospect of a flooded New York City, an inundated Florida, more and nastier hurricanes, worsening droughts, retreating glaciers and disappearing ice sheets — mostly got the science right, said all 19 climate scientists who had seen the movie or read the book and answered questions from The Associated Press.
The AP contacted more than 100 top climate researchers by e-mail and phone for their opinion. Among those contacted were vocal skeptics of climate change theory. Most scientists had not seen the movie, which is in limited release, or read the book.
But those who have seen it had the same general impression: Gore conveyed the science correctly; the world is getting hotter and it is a manmade catastrophe-in-the-making caused by the burning of fossil fuels.
"Excellent," said William Schlesinger, dean of the Nicholas School of Environment and Earth Sciences at Duke University. "He got all the important material and got it right."
Robert Corell, chairman of the worldwide Arctic Climate Impact Assessment group of scientists, read the book and saw Gore give the slideshow presentation that is woven throughout the documentary.
"I sat there and I'm amazed at how thorough and accurate," Corell said. "After the presentation I said, `Al, I'm absolutely blown away. There's a lot of details you could get wrong.' ... I could find no error."
Gore, in an interview with the AP, said he wasn't surprised "because I took a lot of care to try to make sure the science was right."
I've said it before and I'll say it again...Real science doesn't lie. And all of the head in the sand stuff in terms of what is going on here doesn't change the fact that global warming is here and it's real. What we do to fix the problem will either be a gift to future generations or our lack of action will be viewed as a complete betrayal of our planet, as well as a complete and utter lack of understanding and fortitude for what should have been done.
If you haven't seen the movie yet, do...It's excellent!
Found via Yahoo! News.
Posted by Dianne at 4:36 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
My First Play Dough
Today I let Alexis play with play dough for the first time and as you can see she tackled it with as much intensity as she does everything else!
I let her pick which color she wanted to open and she chose orange. She loves squishing it and taking it in and out of the container! I think I've found a new way to keep her occupied for a little bit! ;o)
Posted by Dianne at 3:40 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
You've Got Mail!
Alexis received a birthday package from her Aunt Dar today!
Click on the extended entry below to see what she got! She's absolutely thrilled! :o)
A Ballerina Bunny
And an insulated lunch tote! Alexis calls it her "purse"!
"Where are you going?"
"I'm going to see Darwene! I wike Darwene...She's sweet!"
She is currently carrying them both around with her everywhere she goes! Thanks Aunt Dar! It's a big hit! :o)
Posted by Dianne at 2:41 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Dianne's Tropical Chocolate Chip Cookies
This recipe has very little flour in it (that you add anyway) and no eggs. I found a recipe that was similar a long time ago and adapted it, as I'm prone to doing. Everyone I've ever made them for has loved them! I think you will too! :o)
Dianne's Tropical Chocolate Chip Cookies
1 can of fat-free sweetened condensed milk
1/2 cup trans-fat free vegetable shortening
1 sleeve of graham crackers, crushed fine
1/2 cup self rising flour
1 1/2 cups of coconut
1 cup of chocolate chips
1 cup of white chocolate chips
1 cup of chopped Macadamia nuts
Preheat oven to 350 F. Cream sweetened condensed milk and shortening. Mix in crushed graham crackers until thoroughly mixed. Mix flour until incorporated. Mix in coconut and then chips and nuts making sure they are well mixed. Bake for 8 minutes or until golden browned. Dough can be chilled in the fridge for up to a week.
Note: I've used butter in this recipe before and if you choose to do that the cookie will be thin and crisp instead of chewy. They do not look like normal chocolate chip cookies with butter, but more like crackers with stuff in them. They are still edible, but I've found that these cookies work much better with the trans-fat free vegetable shortening. Butter is still my preferred ingredient for most other cookies I bake though, but with this recipe I recommend sticking to the shortening.
Posted by Dianne at 2:00 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Project to reverse orchid decline in Scotland
A national search has begun for a wild orchid that was once widespread in Scotland to prevent its extinction.The lesser butterfly orchid, which has several creamy-white and green flowers on each stem, has declined by more than 30% throughout Britain since the 1960s.
Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) is urging the public to take part in the survey, to help build a picture of where the delicate orchid still exists.
Ploughing, draining fields and chemical use may have caused its decline.
The plant is among 23 species highlighted by SNH as a priority for conservation action in the public consultation Scotland's Species: A framework for Action, which ends on 30 June.
SNH botanist Lynne Farrell said the result of the orchid survey would help target conservation work.
"The lesser butterfly orchid used to be a fairly common sight in fields and on woodland edges," she said.
"I remember seeing it in heathery patches and on roadside verges in Argyll just a few years ago but now it seems to have vanished from many areas."
I'm a big fan of orchids, just buying a few myself in the past couple of years. This is an interesting project. It's sad that human use of chemicals has done this time and time and again, yet we still use them...Or at least some people still do. This project however is a bold move, and I'm very interested to see what comes about from their effort.
Found via BBC News.
Posted by Dianne at 1:47 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Smoking Sections Not Safe Enough, Report Says
WASHINGTON -- Separate smoking sections don't cut it: Only smoke-free buildings and public places truly protect nonsmokers from the hazards of breathing in other people's tobacco smoke, says a long-awaited surgeon general's report.Some 126 million nonsmokers are exposed to secondhand smoke, what U.S. Surgeon General Richard Carmona repeatedly calls "involuntary smoking" that puts people at increased risk of death from lung cancer, heart disease and other illnesses.
Moreover, there is no risk-free level of exposure to someone else's drifting smoke, declares the report issued Tuesday -- a conclusion sure to fuel already growing efforts at public smoking bans nationwide. Fourteen states have passed what are considered comprehensive smoke-free workplace laws, those that include restaurants and bars.
But the surgeon general is especially concerned about young children who can't escape their parents' addiction in search of cleaner air: Just over one in five children is exposed to secondhand smoke at home, where workplace bans don't reach. Those children are at increased risk of SIDS, sudden infant death syndrome; lung infections such as pneumonia; ear infections; and more severe asthma.
"Exposure to secondhand smoke remains an alarming public health hazard," Carmona said. "Nonsmokers need protection through the restriction of smoking in public places and workplaces" -- and by smokers voluntarily not puffing around children.
If ever there were a well duh headline it would have to be this one! I mean come on, are people that stupid? Smoking is bad...And second hand smoke is worse! If you want to smoke in the privacy of your own home, more power to you, go right ahead! I on the other hand do not want to be exposed to your cloud of toxic death in public!! And as far as I'm concerned if you smoke around your kids then you are just a special kind of stupid!
Next!
Found via NBC4.com.
Posted by Dianne at 1:40 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
Spinach Strawberry Salad
My sister gave me a version of this recipe when I was pregnant with Alexis and I ate a lot of it! The original recipe was immediately tweaked because it called for white wine vinegar and I don't do wine anything! So I substituted apple cider vinegar instead, which I love, and have tweaked the ingredients here and there each time I make it! It's a salad you can play with and it's always delicious!
Spinach Strawberry Salad
The ingredients listed below are the amounts you will need for each person being served.
Dressing:
1 tablespoon of olive oil
1 tablespoon of cider apple vinegar
2 tablespoons of honey or 1 tablespoon of sugar
Whisk together ingredients and chill. Prepare salad dressing at least an hour ahead of time to chill, but no more than four hours ahead of time.
Salad:
1 1/2 cups of fresh spinach
1 cup of sliced strawberries
1/3 cup of the nut of your choice (I usually use almonds, but used walnuts today since I was out of almonds. I've also used cahsews, pecans and pinenuts and they all are great!)
Optional Extras:
Blue Cheese
or
Feta
or
Goat Cheese
and/or
Blueberries
and/or
Mandarin Oranges
Toss all ingredients and cover with chilled dressing. This salad does not store well given that the dressing covers the entire salad and is vinegar based, it merely wilts when left to sit, so don't plan for left overs. Serve immediately.
Enjoy!
Posted by Dianne at 11:29 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Garden Update: We Have Veggies!
With all this rain the garden has been growing like gangbusters! The cucumber vines have sprouted a foot since the rain started! The tomato plants have done the same! And we've gotten our first ripe tomato and zucchini! In fact Alexis insisted on eating the tomato for breakfast!
Click on the extended entry below to see some zucchini and tomato pictures. I'll post a most in depth garden update later in the week! :o)
The lemon is just there for perspective...I didn't actually grow the lemon! :o)
And here's the tomato:
And another shot of Alexis enjoying her tomato!
I love it when it's time to harvest your own veggies! :O)
Posted by Dianne at 9:17 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
June 26, 2006
Check out Wikispecies!
Wikispecies is tagged as a "directory of life"...What a great idea! I could get lost in this page very easily! It calls out to the biologist in me! :o)
Check out Wikispecies!
Posted by Dianne at 9:17 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Limbaugh Detained At Airport
Sources have confirmed to CBS4 News that conservative talk show host Rush Limbaugh has been detained at Palm Beach International Airport for the possible possession of illegal prescription drugs Monday evening.Limbaugh was returning on a flight from the Dominican Republic when officials found the drugs, among them Viagra.
Did you catch that? Let's look at that again just to be sure you caught that..."drugs, among them Viagra". That's DRUGS plural! He'll worm his way out of this and I'll bet a "prescription" will miraculously appear, or in this case "prescriptions" as the case may be, but it just goes to show that one of the biggest hypocrites on the planet has not changed his stripes, all while screaming that the rest of us should bend to his will.
Found via CBS4.com.
Posted by Dianne at 8:56 PM | Comments (6)
Rowling says 2 characters die in final Potter book
LONDON (Reuters) - Children's author J.K. Rowling has revealed that at least tw