| Author | Message | ||
     Airbozo |
It's that intense "California Wine". Kicks my arse too... | ||
| Patches |
sheeple https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtmeHfwVsdg | ||
| Badgerbueller1125 |
Drew Carey for sure 10/10 guarantee | ||
| Patches |
Republican Lies. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BfCteBwOZ_c | ||
| Ferris_von_bueller |
Off The Wall - Mike Rowe Kyle Smith writes... Howard Dean recently criticized Gov Scott Walker for never finishing college, stating that he was "unknowledgeable." What would your response be on college as a requirement for elected office? Hi Kyle Back in 1990, The QVC Cable Shopping Channel was conducting a national talent search. I had no qualifications to speak of, but I needed a job, and thought TV might be a fun way to pay the bills. So I showed up at The Marriott in downtown Baltimore with a few hundred other hopefuls, and waited for a chance to audition. When it was my turn, the elevator took me to the top floor, where a man no expression led me into a suite and asked me to take a seat behind a large desk. Across from the desk, there was a camera on a tripod. On the desk was a digital timer with an LED display. I took a seat as the man clipped a microphone on my shirt and explained the situation. “The purpose of this audition is to see if you can talk for eight minutes without stuttering, blathering, passing out, or throwing up. Any questions?” “What would you like me to talk about,” I asked. The man pulled a pencil from behind his ear and rolled it across the desk. “Talk to me about that pencil. Sell it. Make me want it. But be yourself. If you can do that for eight minutes, the job is yours. Ok?” I looked at the pencil. It was yellow. It had a point on one end, and an eraser on the other. On the side were the words, Dixon Ticonderoga Number 2 SOFT. “Ok,” I said. The man set the timer to 8:00, and walked behind the tripod. He pressed a button and a red light appeared on the camera. He pressed another button and the timer began to count backwards. “Action,” he said. I picked up the pencil and started talking. “Hi there. My name’s Mike Rowe, and I only have eight minutes to tell you why this is finest pencil on Planet Earth. So let’s get right to it.” I opened the desk drawer and found a piece of hotel stationary, right where I hoped it would be. I picked up the pencil and wrote the word, QUALITY in capital letters. I held the paper toward the camera. “As you can plainly see, The #2 Dixon Ticonderoga leaves a bold, unmistakable line, far superior to the thin and wispy wake left by the #3, or the fat, sloppy skid mark of the unwieldy #1. Best of all, the Ticonderoga is not filled with actual lead, but “madagascar graphite,” a far safer alternative for anyone who likes to chew on their writing implements.” To underscore the claim, I licked the point. I then discussed the many advantages of the Ticonderoga’s color. “A vibrant yellow, perfectly suited for an object that needs to stand out from the clutter of a desk drawer.” I commented on the comfort of it’s design. “Unlike those completely round pencils that press hard into the web of your hand, the Ticonderoga’s circumference is comprised of eight, gently plained surfaces, which dramatically reduce fatigue, and make writing for extended periods an absolute delight.” I pointed out the “enhanced eraser,” which was “guaranteed to still be there - even when the pencil was sharpened down to an unusable nub.” I opined about handmade craftsmanship and American made quality. I talked about the feel of real wood. “In a world overrun with plastic and high tech gadgets, isn’t it comforting to know that some things haven’t evolved into something shiny and gleaming and completely unrecognizable?’” After all that, there was still five minutes on the timer. So I shifted gears and considered the pencil’s impact on Western Civilization. I spoke of Picasso and Van Gogh, and their hundreds of priceless drawings - all done in pencil. I talked about Einstein and Hawking, and their many complicated theories and theorems - all done in pencil. “Pen and ink are fine for memorializing contracts,” I said, “but real progress relies on the ability to erase and start anew. Archimedes said he could move the world with a lever long enough, but when it came to proving it, he needed a pencil to make the point.” With three minutes remaining, I moved on to some personal recollections about the role of pencils in my own life. My first legible signature, my first book report, my first crossword puzzle, and of course, my first love letter. I may have even worked up a tear as I recalled the innocence of my youth, scribbled out on a piece of looseleaf with all the hope and passion a desperate 6th grader could muster...courtesy of a #2 pencil. With :30 seconds left on the timer, I looked fondly at the Dixon Ticonderoga, and sat silently for five seconds. Then I wrapped it up. “We call it a pencil, because all things need a name. But today, let’s call it what it really is. A time machine. A match maker. A magic wand. And let’s say it can all be yours...for just .99 cents.” The timer read 0:00. The man walked back to the desk. He took the pencil and wrote “YOU’RE HIRED” on the stationary, and few days later, I moved to West Chester, PA. And a few days after that, I was on live television, face to face with the never-ending parade of trinkets and chotchkies that comprise QVC’s overnight inventory. I spent three months on the graveyard shift, five nights a week. Technically, this was my training period, which was curious, given the conspicuous absence of supervision, or anything that could be confused with actual instruction. Every few minutes a stagehand would bring me another mysterious “must have item,” which I’d blather about nonsensically until it was whisked away and replaced with something no less baffling. In this way, I slowly uncovered the mysteries of my job, and forged a tenuous relationship with an audience of chronic insomniacs and narcoleptic lonely-hearts. It was a crucible of confusion and ambiguity, and in hindsight, the best training I ever had. Which brings me to the point of your question, Kyle. I don’t agree with Howard Dean - not at all. Here’s what I didn’t understand 25 years ago. QVC had a serious recruiting problem. Qualified candidates were applying in droves, but failing miserably on the air. Polished salespeople with proven track records were awkward on TV. Professional actors with extensive credits couldn’t be themselves on camera. And seasoned hosts who understood live television had no experience hawking products. So eventually, QVC hit the reset button. They stopped looking for “qualified” people, and started looking for anyone who could talk about a pencil for eight minutes. QVC had confused qualifications with competency. Perhaps America has done something similar? Look at how we hire help - it’s no so different than how we elect leaders. We search for work ethic on resumes. We look for intelligence in test scores. We search for character in references. And of course, we look at a four-year diploma as though it might actually tell us something about common-sense and leadership. Obviously, we need a bit more from our elected officials than the instincts of a home shopping host, but the business of determining what those “qualifications” are is completely up to us. We get to decide what matters most. We get to decide if a college degree or military service is somehow determinative. We get to decide if Howard Dean is correct. Anyone familiar with my foundation knows my position. I think a trillion dollars of student loans and a massive skills gap are precisely what happens to a society that actively promotes one form of education as the best course for the most people. I think the stigmas and stereotypes that keep so many people from pursuing a truly useful skill, begin with the mistaken belief that a four-year degree is somehow superior to all other forms of learning. And I think that making elected office contingent on a college degree is maybe the worst idea I’ve ever heard. But of course, Howard Dean is not the real problem. He’s just one guy. And he’s absolutely right when he says that many others will judge Scott Walker for not finishing college. That's the real problem. However - when Howard Dean called the Governor “unknowledgeable,” he rolled out more than a stereotype. He rolled a pencil across the desk, and gave Scot Walker eight minutes to knock it out of the park. It’ll be fun to see if he does. Mike | ||
| Daddio |
Considering all that Scott Walker has accomplished as a college dropout, maybe he is the smartest guy in the room? | ||
| Airbozo |
"Republican Lies. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BfCteBwOZ_c" I have a lot of respect for Robert Reich. I actually met him when I was working at McDonnell Douglas in Long Beach. He was a guest speaker and had some advisory role in the turn around of HD (from what I remember of his visit). | ||
| Aesquire |
That's funny, I have less than no respect for him, and that series of half truth lies didn't change that. There are multiple ways to lie. There's probably a wiki page on each, but in the above case it's... cite a fact, then use it to prove a lie. Yes, the rich paid much higher income taxes back in the days when the Beatles were on tour. But they actually paid less taxes, per dollar earned, than us poor folk. ( just like today ) by using the many loopholes that rich people bribed the politicians to give them. The numbers have shifted, the tax rate has gone down, some loopholes were closed to justify it, and, just like then, they still use the loopholes they bribed the politicians, and YOU don't get to. As a simple answer to that one half lie, notice France, California, New York, and other high tax regions being abandoned by tax payers and ••••••• to by dole takers. I'm not against "taxing the rich" but I''m aware it's mostly a class envy, use hate to gain power, ploy by evil men. I note that the math works out that cutting taxes for people IN MY BRACKET would be a much bigger reduction in the too much taken from us, and be a bigger boon for me, and a harder hit for Congress, than diddling rich guy's taxes. I also noticed the video is sponsored by the leftists.. Proud to lie to you to gain power, who's ONLY purpose in life is to be the aristocracy that will rule you. Read the manual. It's in there. Hillary wrote her thesis on it, read that. The blacked out word above is f l o c k e d. You know, like starlings? | ||
| Airbozo |
How many times does it have to be proven that trickle down economics don't work? Didn't work under Reagan, didn't work under Bush(s). Where is the lie in that? I am all for flat taxes. The form would be simple: How much did you make last year? Send us 15%. Think how much that alone would save in the cost of producing forms. Enough to balance the budget I bet. Politicians are all the same. They tell you what you want to hear so they get elected, then they reward the folks that gave them money to win with contracts or lucrative positions and then do just what they damn well please. here's a hint: If their lips are moving, they are lying. | ||
| Aesquire |
It's not trickle down. Look at the Clinton soak the rich taxes......yachts for example. Tax luxury goods and rich people just buy them elsewhere. Killed the New England yacht makers and sent the money to Spain & Italy. You & I can't do that, we can't call on the international connections and brokers, but rich guys can..... former Presidential candidate Kerry parked HIS yacht in another state to avoid taxes. Not practical for you or I. Our airplane has to be parked where we can use it. Rich guys make a call and it comes to them. You & I can't afford to bribe politicians to give us tax breaks. Rich guys can and do. Don't be fooled by those who want to push envy on you because it's your money they are really after. | ||
| Aesquire |
Oh... yeah....don't be mad at the rich guys for bribing the politicians. The politicians insist on it and demand the bribes. Barry got the bribe before he gave his wife's college buddy Your billion dollars to do the Obamacare website. It's pay for play with these criminals. | ||
| Court |
Actually . . . it started much earlier (and, for the record, I don't think Barry is either the first or only one) than that. Go back and look at his wife's earnings at that hospital . . .pretty cushy deal, eh? When was the last time you got a $200,000+ raise?
SOURCE: Democratic FactCheck.org | ||
| Aesquire |
I agree, Barry is in a long line of corrupt public officials going back at least to Babylon. Bill Clinton had Eric Holder negotiate the pardon of tax evader Frank Rich, after a sizable "donation" from his wife, It's possible that Bush the Younger did such things too, but I haven't read them. Since the vast majority of reporters in the U.S. would LOVE to break the next Watergate and gain eternal Glory, either George was much better at his corruption than Bill or Barry, or he was oddly honest. Certainly you can point to any administration since Woodrow Wilson and find some minion who was corrupt, but Bill & Barry are really bad examples for any civic minded person. Compare them to Spiro who lost his job for, what was it $25k? in a bribe taken long before he was V.P. No class at all. Millions from Oil Sheiks, now that's corruption on a Grand scale. All of which is off topic. Is there anyone who seems likely to run for Barry's job who won't make me vomit? Of either Party? I'd vote in a heartbeat for Condi Rice, or Allen West, but Jeb is pro Commie Core and cheap labor for his rich donors on immigration. His attitude seems to be, screw you Americans, Foreigners are harder working and have more babies. | ||
| Airbozo |
"All of which is off topic. Is there anyone who seems likely to run for Barry's job who won't make me vomit? Of either Party? " Agreed. This debate gets heated at my house. Even though I do vote, I routinely espouse the uselessness of it and the SO (being a political science major) gets a little ticked off by it. Local elections are the only reason I still participate and it still makes me want a shower afterwards. Allen West??? Don't know enough about him. Condi? Vomit material because she was tied to the Bush administration (and btw it was his administration that was the major problem for me, not him.) The series, The Dark Side on Frontline does a pretty good job of telling part of the story. (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/darkside/) Jeb? He was slated to run before Shrub and I am still not sure why he didn't, but yes, common core is his fault and he probably will not be able to shake it. It seems both _major_ parties have become too far of center to really appeal to the common man, but the sheep keep voting for their party so the other one does not win. If people actually voted on real issues I don't think we would be in this left vs right mentality. At least not as polarized. There is a long way to go, so hopefully someone on the right who is not too far right will step up and get the nomination. Whoever gets elected I can only hope they attempt to do the common peoples business instead of the rich peoples business. Yeah right. | ||
| Aesquire |
100% with you on the cynicism.  | ||
| Ferris_von_bueller |
There will be no 2016 election | ||
| Slaughter |
 | ||
| Aesquire |
Ferris gets the cynicism award. Some thought Bill would hang on past his sell by date.... others worried about George. Barry, he shows no sign of caring about the rest of the constitution, or any law he doesn't like, so it is a concern. I'm not worried about it......unless there is a major push on gun confiscation. ........ | ||
| Thumper74 |
I would be entirely okay with a flat tax. The more I make, the higher the percentage seems to be. Right now with my insurance company job, I'm getting hosed. I take 60.06% of my pay. The more overtime I work, the worse it gets. Why would I want to do better for myself if I get screwed in the process? I'm in talks to start a transmission shop soon and I'm terrified to see the tax implications. | ||
| Patches |
"There will be no 2016 election"  http://www.bibliotecapleyades.net/bloodlines/index .htm | ||
| Patches |
Slaves http://www.rense.com/general63/newam.htm | ||
| Aesquire |
Hard to take an anonymous rehash of crud well over a century old very seriously..... but if you were foolish enough to go into debt to get quick gratification buying cars & houses. .....like me..... you pay the price. | ||
| Patches |
In an absolute monarchy, the monarch rules as an autocrat, with absolute power over the state and governments. http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2015/02/24/mitch-mcc onnell-backs-rand-pauls-bid-to-run-for-both-senate -white-house/ | ||
| Patches |
Republicans Rule!  | ||
| Pwnzor |
In an absolute monarchy, the monarch rules as an autocrat, with absolute power over the state and governments. ...like Hussein Obama...? There are none so blind as those who will not see... | ||
| Reindog |
Patches, Ummm....what is your point about your Rand Paul posting? Do I hear black helicopters in the distance? "Mainstream" Republicans and virtually all Democrats desire to increase centralization of Federal power. Only Conservatives truly respect The Constitution of the United States of America and will fight to restore it to our country before it is too late. If we don't restore the United States of America, a conflagration will soon consume the entire world. Pwnzor is correct in that Hussein Obama is a despot. If you don't believe that, then listen to his own words. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
We are already operating in a post-Constitutional America. We've been left with the mirage of the Republic, but make no mistake, the Republic is dead. Sadly, 50% are not only glad it's dead, they actively advocated for its murder. We no longer have checks and balances, co-equal branches of government, or even a limited government. There is nothing the government can't do to you at this point. Fighting over who the nominee is for 2016 is wholly irrelevant. Rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic. | ||
| Reindog |
FB: I share your anxieties but don't give up yet. The Supreme Court hasn't weighed in over the transgressions of the Executive Branch even though they bullocks'ed up Obamacare two years ago. There is a chance that they will reign in the unConstitutional actions of the Executive where the Legislative Branch is trembling like a nervous poodle. Remember, all seemed lost on Christmas Eve 1941 when the Wehrmacht stood only twenty five miles from the Kremlin while Europe and Asia were already overrun. Great men like Scott Walker have taken on the Oppressors in the great state of Buell-consin. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
You have far more faith in the Judicial Branch than I have. We have already seen the willingness of this imperial administration to completely ignore the courts and to flout due process. Additionally, I don't expect the Supreme Court to rule decisively against Obamacare. If anything, they will carefully craft a ruling that allows this illegal legislation to remain in effect as they did with the initial ruling. State nullification cannot be allowed by a centralized government. None of this crew will be held accountable for any of their actions. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
We are quickly approaching the point whereby the only way one can convince those with mutually exclusive viewpoints that they are wrong is with a bullet. 1.6B+ rounds tell me I'm right. |
