In a few short weeks congress will have to vote to raise the debt ceiling...again.
Its a vote nobody likes to make, but the sensible know they must pass it.
To allow the USA to default on its loans would have catastrophic results around the world.

Not to mention several million folks not getting their social security, or military pay checks.


will these newly elected members go along, like they should, or not?

It will be a huge test of their(the right-wing nut jobs) sincerity about fiscal concerns.

Its nice to have a president who thinks for a change

I saw some clips from the women's conference yesterday and I just want to say She impresses me every time I hear her speak.
She exudes pragmatic competence more than any one(besides the president)I can name.

part of me wishes she was more partisan, and part of me likes her detached demeanor.

I wish there were a hundred more like her.

I am always respectful and curteous to waiters and clerks and cashiers.
but if the order gets screwed up or the food sucks or the service is slow,
It IS going to be reflected in the tip, Thats just the way it is.


Some portion of the public are complete pricks, and always will be.

If you want to know why I tipped 3%, ask me, I will tell you.
There is always a reason.
but if you get pissed I just may end up telling you;
YOU TOOK THE JOB, YOU KNEW THE PAY, SO LIVE WITH IT!


The other night some friends and I went out to a spot on main street
ordered, was served and enjoyed our meal.
I asked for the tab, she said okay...
AND DISAPPEARED FOR 30 MINUTES
I was so pissed I almost walked out without paying at all, It would have been soooo easy.
I couldn't believe they got the hard part right and COMPLETELY SCREWED UP THE EASIEST PART!
at this point NO TIP is inevitable.
Leaving me sitting there with no food or drinks left for 30 minutes is beyond the pale and there must be retribution.

When Dems see an issue our reaction is to roll up our sleeves and get to work on it.
This is a very American outlook.It is most certainly not even a distant cousin to socialism.

NOTHING is more American than a can-do attitude.

We, as a party, should emphasize this more than we currently do.

picture the scene; Six PM a beautiful September evening, the green soccer field looks wonderful as I drop off my 11 year old at soccer practice.Out of the corner of my eye I spot a toddler there with her dad and their golden retriever, watching the play, and obviously waiting for somebody's practice to end.

Fast forward to an hour later; practice is over, moms and dads picking up kids and heading home for supper.Like always my daughter is the last kid to walk off the field, so I'm waiting and I see the golden retriever from earlier,still leashed and playful and getting lots of attention from the kids.
Nobody left on the field now, just a few parents chatting or carefully pulling out of the parking lot. The Dad lets the dog off the leash and the dog runs full speed out to the middle of the soccer field and takes a crap in the center of the field. I'm not sure how many were still paying attention, how many actually saw, but I instantly felt so bad for the poor guy who ,with the best intentions, brought his dog to soccer practice. He was mortified.I'm pretty sure he did the right thing and scooped, I didn't wait around.

I have declined to bring the dog to stuff like this for years.I always said it was because the dog demands attention I'd rather put on the soccer.
Now I know there is another reason.I will not soon forget the look on the guy's face.

In the early 80's I was on vacation skiing in Austria.
One day we skied down into Italy, Vittepino
And standing on this little street in my ski boots,
at a little booth of a place,
I had the most wonderful meatball sandwich.
The very best one I have ever had in my life.
It has lived in my memory since.

A few days ago I noticed some fresh dirt had been dug out from under the slab of my side porch.
There as a hole. Something had dug out a three inch hole going under the porch
I filled it in, and put a cinder block on it.
A few days later I notice some dirt pushed out BETWEEN the siding and the block!
I pick up the block and stomped in a few rocks bigger than the hole.
The hole was little smaller this time,only one and a half inches.

What the hell is it?
How can I get rid of it?
Any wisdom on the subject would be most welcome.

my own father is gone 20 years, but i think about him all the time.

he told me;
having kids is how you live forever
you imprint yourself on your kids much much more than anyone else in your life
far more than your brother, sister or wife
your kids will touch the future in a way you never can.
and they remember you long after everybody else no longer does.
so be careful what you say to your kids
even small interactions live in their memories forever.

I'm sure my three daughters have some father's day surprises for me.
but I wanted to share this little bit of wisdom from my dad.

happy fathers day everyone.

A few months ago I wanted him to run for senate.
but now I am so glad he is where he is.
He is the hero of the hearings.
He makes me proud to be from MA.

If you see this Ed ... Thanks a whole lot.

I thought it was the coolest thing ever
I have seen it in pictures.
Every time I wore that suit,
I should have worn something else.

has changed the game.
there has never been anything like it before.
live feed of a disaster that just keeps running.

I think its impact cannot be overstated.

He was 86.
It was a wonderful service.
Loads of family and friends eulogized the guy.
He was very active in his church and community.
He knew everybody, and everybody knew him.
They told funny stories about a long and full life.
We all prayed for his family.

I didn't know him too well.
I guess it makes it easier to say.
I enjoyed the service.
I felt close to God for an few minutes there.

It was a nice speech.
Calling for blue ribbon commissions and long term study is fine... I guess.
But the live video feed of the leak has changed me.
Set against the horrible constantly running live video feed of the leaking oil,
Whatever gets said looks less important.


The Only Thing We Want To Hear Is The Hole Is Plugged.
Everything else is secondary.