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Saying the coming weeks will be “one of the last opportunities” to alter the course of the war, Harry M. Reid (D-Wimp) said he is now willing to compromise with Republicans to find ways to limit troop deployments in Iraq.

Reid acknowledged that his previous firm demand for a spring withdrawal deadline had become an obstacle for a small but growing number of Republicans who have said they want to end the war but have been unwilling to set a timeline.

“I don’t think we have to think that our way is the only way,” Reid said of specific dates during an interview in his office here. “I’m not saying, ‘Republicans, do what we want to do.’ Just give me something that you think you would like to do, that accomplishes some or all of what I want to do.”

Bart says: How did I get in a party that pre-caves?

Former Senator Fred Thompson has finally decided to announce that he will run for president as a Republican in 2008. How nice to let us know that what he was doing over the last few months wasn’t running yet just kind of hanging out and talking about running and skirting election laws.

According to some Thompson people the announcement is set for September 6th. This timing allows Thompson to again skip a debate, in this case the Republican debate scheduled for September 5th in New Hampshire. You would think that Thompson, if he is confident that he is a viable candidate, would want to take part in the New Hampshire debate given its history of anointing presidents.

Many people believe that Thompson is a savior for Republicans who are stuck with Rudi Guiliani, Mitt Romney, Senator John McCain and the rest. Its unclear why Republicans think that Thompson is the one to carry the conservative banner.  After all,  Thompson was a sub par senator that did little in the way of substantial legislation and often complained that he had to “work too hard.” In addition, Thompson is and was a sub par actor that basically plays every character the same way every time. Now he wants to take on the role of president, a role he is definitely not qualified to play. Hey but wait there’s more. Thompson also was a lobbyist on K Street doing work for pro-abortion groups. Not exactly conservative credentials there.

Only time will tell if Thompson is a viable candidate or a media story that unfortunately came true. Whatever the case, there seems to be plenty of baggage in Thompson’s past to make the next few Republican debates kind of interesting. The more damage the Republicans do to each other the more the Democrats can use it against them later. It could be an interesting few months for Republicans.

Be Fair to FairTax — Throw the Red Herrings Back in the Water
August 29, 2007; Page A13 of The Wall Street Journal

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB118835673922011955.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

It is apparently getting so difficult to defend the current income tax system that its guardians must use smear tactics to slow down its best replacement. Bruce Bartlett (“FairTax, Flawed Tax,” editorial page, Aug. 25) is the latest status quo defender to use fiction to slander the FairTax plan.

The FairTax was developed many years ago, totally independently of any other proposal, group or movement. It is a product of more than $20 million of advanced economic research, as well as detailed conversations with citizens as to their preferences defining the best possible national tax system. Many groups and individuals have agitated to replace the deeply flawed income tax system, including, apparently, the Church of Scientology. As a founder of Americans For Fair Taxation, I can state categorically, however, that Scientology played no role in the founding, research or crafting of the legislation giving expression to the FairTax.

Mr. Bartlett is equally wrong about many other aspects of the FairTax. We are disappointed but hardly surprised by such distortions about it coming from the very economist who once opined that the income tax system just needed a little “tweaking.”

Leo Linbeck
Chairman and CEO
Americans for Fair Taxation
Houston

Well folks, it looks like the wild pigs are at it again, defecating all over spinach (this was just on the news). The Dept of Ag. just couldn’t keep the diapers on those pigs! So here’s the answer:
Product Details
The Ramsay Highlander Spinach/Spring Mix Mechanical Harvester represents a revolution in the harvesting of Baby Leaf, Spinach and other small leaf produce. Built completely in stainless steel for food safety and longevity. Reports from the field indicate that Ramsay’s machine has reduced harvesting cost from .28 cents per pound to less than .01 cent per pound. With a capability of cutting over 15,000 Lbs. per hour you can see how these savings can be achieved. With hydrostatic drive and rear wheel steering Ramsay’s machine is reliable and user friendly. With harvesting speeds from 0 mph to over 3 mph you can imagine how well you will gain control of your harvesting cost. You will reduce labor while increasing quality and production output.

Pretty Pictures Here

Biodiesel plant to open in Grays Harbor County

By Rachel La Corte
Associated Press Writer

HOQUIAM, Wash. (AP) — Thousands of gallons of canola-based biodiesel will flow daily from a new plant here, bringing hope for the economic resurgence of a region that has faced tough times after a decline in the timber industry.

The Imperium Renewables plant, which officially opened earlier this month, will produce 100 million gallons a year by the end of this year, using not only canola, but soy and other crops, company officials say.

Sid Watts, general manager of plant operations for the new Imperium biodiesel plant in Hoquiam, Wash., holds a bottle of biodiesel. The plant will produce 100 million gallons of fuel a year, using not only canola, but soy and other crops.

“Obviously we think it’s the wave of the future,” said Martin Tobias, CEO of Seattle-based Imperium Renewables. “We are adding roughly 30 percent to the United States capacity in one fell swoop.”
Last year, national biodiesel production was 250 million gallons, more than triple the production just the year before, according to the Missouri-based National Biodiesel Board. By the end of the year, that number is expected to climb to between 300 million and 350 million gallons.

to continue click here

Spam, Spam, Spam, Spam…
“Featuring only the kinda spam you can enjoy… A LOT.”

Found in Scribe’s E-box…

ONE LAWYER YOU HAVE TO LOVE

As most of you receiving this know, New Orleans residents are challenged often with the task of tracing home titles back potentially hundreds of years. With a community rich with history stretching back over two centuries, houses have been passed along through generations of family, making it quite difficult to establish ownership. Here’s a great letter an attorney wrote to the FHA on behalf of a client that was priceless.

A New Orleans lawyer sought an FHA loan for a client. He was told the loan would be granted, if he could prove satisfactory title to a parcel of property being offered as collateral. The title to the property dated back to 1803, which took the lawyer three months to track down. After sending the information to the FHA, he received the following reply:

(Actual letter): “Upon review of your letter adjoining your client’s… loan application, we note that the request is supported by an abstract of Title. While we compliment the able manner in which you have prepared and presented the application, we must point out that you have only cleared title to the proposed collateral property back to 1803. Before final approval can be accorded, it will be necessary to clear the title back to its origin.”

Annoyed, the lawyer responded as follows…

(actual letter): “Your letter regarding title in Case No. 189156 has been received. I note that you wish to have title extended further than the 194 years covered by the present application. I was unaware that any educated person in this country, particularly those working in the property area, would not know that Louisiana was purchased, by the U.S. , from France in 1803, the year of origin identified in our application. For the edification of uninformed FHA bureaucrats, the title to the land prior to U.S. ownership was obtained from France, which had acquired it by Right of Conquest from Spain. The land came into the possession of Spain by Right of Discovery made in the year 1492 by a sea captain named Christopher Columbus, who had been granted the privilege of seeking a new route to India by the Spanish monarch, Isabella.

The good queen, Isabella, being a pious woman and almost as careful about titles as the FHA, took the precaution of securing the blessing of the Pope before she sold her jewels to finance Columbus ‘ expedition. Now the Pope, as I’m sure you may know, is the emissary of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and God, it is commonly accepted, created this world. Therefore, I believe it is safe to presume that God also made that part of the world called Louisiana. God, therefore, would be the owner of origin and His origins date back, to before the beginning of time, the world as we know it AND the FHA. I hope you find God’s original claim to be satisfactory. Now, may we have our damn loan?”

The loan was approved.

Mean, Yet FUN Practical Jokes

“Like replacing a guide dog with a wild boar, something no one should do, but tickles imagination’s funny bone.”

Ya know those Mommy shopping carts with the truck or car so kiddies can ride while “steering?” Hook up the wheel so it works: OCCASIONALLY. Twill drive Mommy bonkers and probably make her curse, “What the %$#@ is wrong with this thing?” Very educational when it comes to profanity.

Having Fun with Game Boards, Not on the Market… YET

Scribe’s note: These ideas are free to any enterprising young, or “olde” and quite crotchety, Marketeer. (As in the more corporate friendly replacement for The Mouseketeers.) Scribe does try to remain ahead of the curve, but it’s possible he’s a “little behind…” maybe the Chinese already have them in production? (Scribe’s sure Maiden Millie would say “a whole lot of behind.”) Some of these games might help your children become more Junior-like. Some might help them learn to turn the tables on the little murderous, spoiled-brat, dictator wannabe. Scribe does not take responsibility for any problems created by any government or corporation evil, idiotic, or CHINESE enough to actual sell these concepts to the American public, but too much of the public may well be moronic enough to buy…

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Inflation is not prices going up. That’s a result of greater demand or short supply.
Inflation is the dollar becoming worth less, because the government is printing more of them. Obviously, if the dollar is worth less, all prices will rise – but not because of market forces.
FDR took us off the gold standard and began printing fiat money in an attempt to get the country out of the Great Depression. This was supposed to be a temporary answer, not permanent, so don’t blame FDR.
But for whatever reason, we’ve had fiat currency and the resulting inflation ever since. Do I think we need to go back on a gold standard? Not necessarily, but we need a currency that has a net zero inflation because inflation slowly, silently, insidiously, creates more poor people as their buying power melts away. Today’s dollar is worth about four cents.
This is a problem all democrats should be concerned about because it adversely affects the poor and elderly.

I’m exempt, of course. Being an evil republican, I’m supposed to be concerned about the needs of the rich (just a minnit, lemme take a sip of my martini… ahhh!).

The fact is that only the federal government benefits from inflation. Everyone else suffers especially the poor and those on fixed incomes. Inflation creates poor people and the Fed can put a stop to it any time it wants to.
Inflation should not “be under control.” That just means the poor are being screwed more slowly. Inflation should be non-existent.
Please think about this – it should be an issue.
Inflation creates poor people.

Dear Mr. President,

The Contra Costa times reports:

SAN DIEGO — Nearly a year after Congress passed legislation calling for the construction of 700 miles of new fencing along the U.S.-Mexico border, about 15 miles have been built, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-El Cajon, a longtime fence backer, said in a letter to President Bush last week: “This lack of progress is unacceptable, especially when adequate funding is available to earnestly proceed with fence construction.”

Will you quit stalling? Build the damn fence!
Grimgold

Attorney General Alberto Gonzales has finally resigned his position as chief Bush protector. After months and months of criticisms from both Republicans and Democrats regarding his handling of the Department of Justice, including approving torture and questionable actions related to the firing of Federal Prosecutors, Gonzales finally has given in. Nice job Berto! If there is one thing this administration has shown us its that eventually all the useless, lying, unqualified people resign. So what do you suppose George and Dick are waiting for?

Now that Gonzales is gone Bush will need to scramble to find a replacement be for the end of the Congressional recess. Bush needs a complete loyalist that will make sure he is not brought down by his lies and corruption. If Bush appoints someone now, he can slide in anyone without needing Congressional approval. Harriet Meyers where are you when Bushie needs you?

Congress cannot stop a recess appointment so they will have to take different action. If Bush does make a recess appointment then the Judiciary Committee must be up his or her ass from day one. The Gonzales appointment was a disaster from day one and the DOJ needs solid leadership to keep it from completely melting down. Also, there is too much at stake leading in the 2008 election for Bush and this corrupt administration to continue to get away with its governmental madness. Now its time to see if the Democratic leadership really has the stones to take on this administration.

We started watching The Closer this season and we liked it.

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