Open Thread ... Tuesday

Welcome back to the Open Thread, our blog's space for off-topic comments and discussion. This is also a good place to share links, if you've seen an interesting story somewhere else.

Please sign your comments, and please avoid profanity, as well as racially and sexually abusive language. And when you sign your comments, please use only one nickname. I read the OT, but if you need to contact me directly, my email is jhart@kcstar.com. Thanks, and have a great day!

Comments

[Simone]

Good morning!

Well, my morning started with the breaking news in Germany...

Catholic priest charged with 101 counts of felony including fraud, battery, defalcation etc. At least he´s not a child molester!

[Keith G. in P.V.]

Good morning, Mr. Abbott and fellow Costellos. I offer you this distraction from your 401K:

From across the Atlantic: Boss catches thieving employee. Boss marches thief to police station. Boss arrested for false imprisonment. You just have to love those Brits.

The trial of 'Chuckie' Taylor (son of the former Liberian dictator) for torture began yesterday in Miami. The Herald's lede:

The son of former Liberian President Charles Taylor ran a security force in his father's government with a brutal agenda marked by the beating, burning and beheading of people opposed to his rule, a federal prosecutor said Monday during a landmark torture trial in Miami.

I leave it to you to find the irony in this story.

[JUNGLE JIM]

Good morning all. Happy CSKC meet up day.

Baby you can drive my car...
UPDATE: Victim Tells New Details Of Affair With Teacher. The former junior high teacher who ran to Mexico with a former student was sentenced to six years in prison Monday.

KETV has learned new details on how the relationship between Kelsey Peterson, 26, and the 12-year-old victim started.

In the letter, he stated that Peterson told him “that there was something special” about him. He said that she would "give me love notes after class and sometimes would give me beer and let me drive her car."

[Keith G. in P.V.]

Good morning, Simone. Thanks (I think) for that gratifying news from Germany! ;-)

[Simone]

Hey Keith G.,

you´re welcome. See, even we have some weirdos over here. ;-)

[JUNGLE JIM]

UPDATE: Girls taken from Alamo compound remain in DHS custody. Plans are in the works to bring religious leader Tony Alamo back to Arkansas from Arizona. Alamo faces charges of transporting minors across state lines for sexual purposes. In a hearing Friday, a judge ruled that two girls taken from his compound in Fouke will stay in state custody. A hearing for the other four girls involved in this case was called off. Now they too will remain in state custody.

After an eight hour hearing Friday, a judge decided taking two girls from the Tony Alamo Christian Compound in Fouke was the right thing to do.

Former Alamo Church Member Speak Out. For 11 years Pugh was a member of Tony Alamo's Christian Ministries.
She joined when she was only 20, and in a short time Tony Alamo told her she would be marrying Donald Davis, a man 17 years older than she was.

Anna Pugh now lives in rural Oklahoma in fear of Tony Alamo.
She says she left the church after her husband was given a wooden board and ordered to beat her with it because she questioned Alamo's ways.

[Keith G. in P.V.]

Good morning, Jungle Jim! Thanks to you and Simone for reminding me how crazy people can be.

[JUNGLE JIM]

People are crazy. And everywhere.

Mutilated bodies found in Tijuana. The bodies of 11 men and one woman, some with their tongues cut out, were found dumped in an empty lot next to a Tijuana elementary school Monday morning, an hour before children were scheduled to arrive.
City officials suspended classes after finding the victims, most of whom had been bound and tortured.Some were only partially clothed, said Prisna Perez, state police spokeswoman in Tijuana.

Baja California state attorney General Romel Moreno said that seven of the victims had their tongues cut out. He said a plastic bag containing five human tongues was also found near the bodies. "We're in a war," Moreno told a news conference late Monday. "We're in a constant battle."

[JUNGLE JIM]

State Supremes have such a heavy duty...
SD Supreme Court: Is Profanity Protected? A Brookings man says he should have never been arrested for disorderly conduct after yelling profanities at the police because he's protected by the First Amendment. Now, the South Dakota Supreme Court is considering the argument.

Marcus Suhn was standing on the sidewalk after the bars had closed in downtown Brooking when he began yelling profanities at police cars. He was arrested for disorderly conduct but has appealed to the South Dakota Supreme Court because he said he is protected by the First Amendment.

Suhn yelled the profanities from the sidewalk on Main Street as the patrol cars were passing by, and an attorney for the State of South Dakota argues that the profanities disturbed the peace and were "fighting words," which are not protected by the First Amendment.

UPDATE: Review of nude dancing ruling is sought. The Iowa attorney general's office said Monday that it had asked the Iowa Supreme Court to review a lower court's decision on when nude dancing is an art in Iowa.

In August, a Fremont County judge ruled in favor of an all-nude dancing club owner charged with violating the state's public indecent exposure law after a teenage girl got up on stage and stripped.

[Keith G. in P.V.]

Jungle Jim, there's a quote in the South Dakota article that absolutely makes no sense to me. It sounds like the lawyer is arguing against his client. Am I missing something? Did KELO blow the quote?

[Simone]

Well, this one is not remotely crime related but kinda interesting (from across the Atlantic again):

MI6 Agent lost camera with pics of terrorists and detailed informations about an MI6 computer system . Camera was sold on eBay (of course with the informations).

http://uk.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUKTRE48T1NI20080930

[The_Golfer]

Good morning Simone, Keith, Jungle.

Going to be a long day, it has already started. Last night's schedules (2 of them anyway), are around 4 to 5 hours behind. Another one is dead in the water until the data base folks fix a problem on their end.

And quarter end does not run until tonight. Need to fire up the coffee tonight!!

[Simone]

Hey Golfer,

sorry to hear you´re going to have a long day today.

Well, I gotta admit that I´m leaving now for my well-earned quitting time. ;-) No complaints - I´m 7 hrs ahead! ;-)

Alright folks, have a very nice day!!!

[Keith G. in P.V.]

Good morning, Golfer. I recommend scotch (or the drink of your choice) over coffee. It doesn't help your attentiveness, but it does ease the pain of the situation!

[Searching]

Better start now Golfer....

[Searching]

Just thought I would pass this on:

Dear Congressman Dennis Moore:

I'm against the $85,000,000,000.00 bailout of AIG.

Instead, I'm in favor of giving $85,000,000,000 to America in a We Deserve It As A Dividend.

To make the math simple, let’s assume there are 200,000,000 bonafide U.S. Citizens 18+.

Our population is about 301,000,000 +/- counting every man, woman and child.

So 200,000,000 might be a fair stab at adults 18 and up.

So divide 200 million adults 18+ into $85 billion that equals $425,000.00.

My plan is to give $425,000 to every person 18+ as a We Deserve It Dividend.

Of course, it would NOT be tax free. So let’s assume a tax rate of 30%.

Every individual 18+ has to pay $127,500.00 in taxes.

That sends $25,500,000,000 right back to Uncle Sam.

But it means that every adult 18+ has $297,500.00 in their pocket.

A husband and wife has $595,000.00.

What would you do with $297,500.00 to $595,000.
00 in your family?
Pay off your mortgage – housing crisis solved.

Repay college loans – what a great boost to new grads
Put away money for college – it’ll be there
Save in a bank – create money to loan to entrepreneurs.

Buy a new car – create jobs
Invest in the market – capital drives growth
Pay for your parents medical insurance – health care improves
Enable Deadbeat Dads to come clean – or else

Remember this is for every adult U. S.
Citizen 18+ including the folks
who lost their jobs at Lehman Brothers and every other company
that is cutting back. And of course, for those serving in our Armed Forces.

If we’re going to redistribute wealth let’s really do it...instead of trickling out
a puny $1000.00 (“vote buy” ) economic incentive that is being proposed by one of our candidates for President.

If we’re going to do an $85 billion bailout, let’s bail out every adult U S Citizen 18+!

As for AIG – liquidate it.

Sell off its parts.

Let American General go back to being American General.

Sell off the real estate.

Let the private sector bargain hunters cut it up and clean it up.

Here’s my rationale. We deserve it and AIG doesn’t.

Sure it’s a crazy idea that can “never work.
”
But can you imagine the Coast-To-Coast Block Party!
How do you spell Economic Boom?
I trust my fellow adult Americans to know how to use the $85 Billion
We Deserve It Dividend more than I do the geniuses at AIG or in Washington DC .

And remember, This plan only really costs $59.5 Billion because $25.
5 Billion is returned
instantly in taxes to Uncle Sam.

Maybe this is to simple for our congress to comprehend.....but if they received thousands of e-mails like the above, wonder what would happen?

Unforunately Representatives and Senators are voting on "something" this week and I doubt that it will be as good as the above "off the wall" idea (that was passed along to me).

Dave White

[JUNGLE JIM]

L.A. County deputy arrested in Irvine stabbing. A Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputy was arrested Monday on suspicion of attempted murder after he allegedly beat, stabbed and may have tried to castrate a young man whom he suspected of having an affair with his wife, according to a law enforcement source and a relative of the victim.

[Keith G. in P.V.]

Hi, Searching!

I'm looking for how to volunteer to help Iowa investigate nude dancing - without taking my own clothes off.

[Searching]

go to www.iwantboobies.com

[Searching]

I have no idea what will happen if you go there... i just made it up..

[JoeJoe]

Good morning all!
Searching- I have read that and the math is amazing. Remember when you read it that it is referring to the $85 billion dollar buyout of AIG and NOT the $700 billion dollar number that is floating around. Add another zero to the above numbers to get an idea as to how much money EVERY American could get if $700,000,000,000 were divided up among the 200,000,000 tax paying Americans! STAGGERING!!!!

[Keith G. in P.V.]

Um...Searching? Have you checked Dave White's math? Either my calculator is broken or his is.

[JUNGLE JIM]

Guilty plea from New Zealander who packed girlfriend in dry ice. A New Zealander who stoked sensational headlines when police investigating cocaine sales found that he had stored his girlfriend's corpse on dry ice for one year at a Newport Beach hotel pleaded guilty to felony drug charges today.

School trustee cited in ketchup theft. Orange Unified School District Trustee Steve Rocco was detained and cited for allegedly stealing a bottle of Heinz ketchup from Chapman University's cafeteria.

[James Hart]

Good morning, everybody! Thanks for the links!

[JoeJoe]

Keith- Yes, I finally did the math and he is off by three zeros...Dave White must be an economist for the government! "Well, so what. I was only off by three zeros. Same difference."

[JoeJoe]

When dave said you could pay off your mortgage on your house, he meant your doll house.

[Searching]

I wasnt concerned about the math.. I was intrigued with the idea...

[James Hart]

I don't even need $750K. I'm pretty sure I could improve my lot in my life with as little as $10K. Come on, America -- invest in James Hart!

[The_Golfer]

JoeJoe - It would not only pay off my mortgage, but my Home Equity too. Also get house painted inside and up, update flooring, appliances, new car and still have about 20% left for my daughter's college fund.

Morning Search, James.

How is your day going?

[Searching]

But your right.. so, lets refine.. instead of everyone over 18. lets just go with homeowners and instead of 85 bil.. Lets go with 170 bil... Were still saving 530bil over the current bailout package.. LOL

[Keith G. in P.V.]

Good morning, JoeJoe and Mr. Hart! Banging on refresh button looking for opening market moves. European markets look steady at the moment, and the Dow bumped up 50 points.

[Searching]

Sorry, james.. I know your a renter... but I tell you what if you help me get this package through congress.. I'll give you the 10,000.00

[Keith G. in P.V.]

Do you play 3 Card Monte, Searching? ;-)

[JUNGLE JIM]

The OC Register is full of interesting pics today...
Police: 15-month-old baby ingested methamphetamine. Police say a 27-year-old woman endangered her 15-month-old child – the girl tested positive for methamphetamine when taken to the hospital after vomiting.

Tammy Lynn Curtiss pleaded not guilty today to one felony charge of child endangerment.

The Santa Cruz Sentinel is keeping up...
Police: Sex offender at WAMMFest didn't commit a crime. Authorities confirmed Monday that a convicted sex offender was in charge of the children's play area at the annual WAMMFest in San Lorenzo Park during the weekend, but said the woman did not commit a criminal act at the event and no reports of inappropriate behavior have been filed.

"It's just an unfortunate lapse in judgment," Santa Cruz police Capt. Steve Clark said. "It's something we should all be concerned with."

The fact Patricia Babiana Mince, 48, is a registered sex offender surfaced after WAMMFest, an event designed to advocate medical marijuana. The festival drew about 2,500 people Saturday and is organized by the Wo/Men's Alliance for Medical Marijuana.

[Searching]

Our markets cant be too steady.. I lost 700.00 since I left at 5:00 last night.

[You're a Mean Drunk R2D2™]

Morning all!

Suspect beat by cops, while his lady was licked on the neck

[The_Golfer]

Maybe the women sex offender had a buzz working and was too stoned to try anything.

[You're a Mean Drunk R2D2™]

There are still shootouts at the OK Corral... 4 dead.

[JoeJoe]

So to clarify what Keith was first to catch, you would not get $425,000, you would get $425. Again, the difference is ONLY three zeros! Dave White was using a government issued calculator. If you divided $700 Billion by 200 Million taxpayers, each tax payer would get $3,500. But also keep in mind that this money to fund such a plan is paid for by tax payers.

The Economist has spoken.

[James Hart]

Morning, Golfer. I'm doing OK. I've learned how to make really good burritos at home, so I'm cutting Chipotle out of my life.

[JUNGLE JIM]

Is there no honor amongst thieves?
US official: 3 pirates may be dead in shootout. Disagreements between Somali pirates holding a ship laden with tanks and heavy weapons escalated into a shootout and three pirates are believed dead, a U.S. defense official said Tuesday. The pirates denied the report.

Possibly made-up snip from the article: "Aaaaarrrr!"

[*sexy*]

Good morning all! sitter is set and i will be there tonight. I do have training in olathe till 5 though so i will be a lil late.

[JUNGLE JIM]

Anybody ever wonder why it takes so dang long to convict and sentence a murderer?
N.Y. Judge Says Ladies' Night Isn't Biased. It's closing time for a lawsuit alleging ladies' nights at nightclubs discriminate against men.

Judge Miriam Goldman Cedarbaum tossed the lawsuit out of federal court in Manhattan on Monday. She said city nightclubs can price their products as they wish because they're not acting as representatives of the state.

The lawsuit was brought by Roy Den Hollander, an attorney who has crusaded against feminism and recently sued a university over its women's studies program.

N.Y. Judge: Broken-Tooth Popcorn Suit's a Dud. Movie munchers beware! A New York judge says popcorn purchasers worried about breaking a tooth on unpopped kernels should nibble carefully -- or eat something else.

Oh, yeah. Nevermind.

[JoeJoe]

It would be nice to go to the meet-up, but I didn't budget a $400 plane ticket this month! Have a great time tonight. Post one group picture without names and then the rest of us can try to figure out who is who for the next 10 years!

[Keith G. in P.V.]

The Non-Bailout Bailout Plan:

If you had purchased $1000.00 of Nortel stock one year ago, it would now be worth $49.00.
With Enron, you would have $16.50 left of the original $1000.
With WorldCom, you would have less than $5.00 left.
If you had purchased $1000.00 of Delta Air Lines stock you would have $49.00 left.
If you had purchased United Airlines, you would have nothing left.
But, if you had purchased $1000.00 worth of beer one year ago, drank all the beer, then turned in the cans for recycling, you would have $214.00.

Based on the above, the best current investment advice is to drink heavily and recycle. This is called the 401-Keg Plan.

[*sexy*]

haha JoeJoe!

[aqua]

good morning :)

searching, I got that same email. I thought it was a great idea too, then my calculator had to go and spoil everything... :(

[JoeJoe]

*sexy*- I would be most curious to see if the 'stage name' is false advertising or not! LOL

[aqua]

hiya sexy! ;-)

(((sexy)))

[Searching]

That is more than I am making on my 401K plan....

[Searching]

I have been trying to do the calculations on just homeowners.. but the numbers seem to be more elusive... one sight says there are 73.4 mil homeowners.. but is that 73.4 bil as in some homes have 2 owners (husband and wife.. or life partners)? or is that 73.4 bil homes that have owners.. some are rentals... what ever.. I am working on it.

[Searching]

Sorry 73.4 mil it the correct number I was trying to relate.. fingers keep slipping to that bil amount.. LOL

[Searching]

I should run for president....since I cant get my head out of the billions...
But I guess to be president.. I need to think Trillions.

[aqua]

That's it searching!

We only need an $85 Trillion bailout!

[Keith G. in P.V.]

Searching, as a candidate, would you Palin comparison?

[aqua]

bud duh duh *rimshot*

[Searching]

LOL Aqua.
What ever happened to the 300billion dollar housing bailout from july?

[*sexy*]

JoeJoe....i didnt give myself that name if it helps. It was a pet name and it sort of stuck. And there are some here who have met me already. I do have myspace and facebook with pictures.

[The_Golfer]

James - ever thought of making up 10 to 15 burritos in advance and then freeze the ones for eating in the future. Then all you do is heat it up.

Do that for my daughter and I. Burritos, spaghetti, tacos, etc. With spaghetti and tacos, only do up the meat part. Split it in to single serving snap bags, put in a freezer bag, put in the freezer.

Daughter can take out what she wants and heat it up. No muss, no fuss.

[Keith G. in P.V.]

My ex-wife used to do that freezer bag thing for me, Golfer. She'd fry me, cut me up into serving size portions and throw me into the freezer! (Just kidding...she's a good person)

Hi there, R2D2, James, *sexy* and aqua!

[The_Golfer]

Keith - works for us because just to 2 of us at this time.

I can spend about 5 to 6 hours in the kitchen doing it all up and getting it ready. Then we have enough ready to eat home made food for a few weeks. Works out just wonderful.

Although I love to cook.

[James Hart]

Golfer: With the burritos, would you freeze the tortilla, too?

[JoeJoe]

James-
Soft flour shells, yes, and they reheat quite nicely. Crispy shells don't work because they get soggy in the microwave.

[Patty PV]

Every try making egg rolls? Man, if those wrappers get soggy, you have a mess on your hands.

[*sexy*]

WHen you guys see someone come in looking lost tonight you'll know its me since i will have no clue as to what you all look like! LOL

[JUNGLE JIM]

Wisconsin has cautionary tales...
Man attempting to avoid arrest accused of using false ID. Authorities say a Waterford man stopped for speeding last week attempted to avoid arrest on outstanding warrants by using the identity of his partner's ex-husband - who happened to be on probation.

Police: Young Teens Steal Car In Sheboygan After Smoking Pot. Two boys, ages 13 and 14, are accused of stealing a car in Sheboygan after smoking marijuana.

[Keith G. in P.V.]

I'm the cue ball with the salt and pepper beard.

[You're a Mean Drunk R2D2™]

I have to wait till payday, which is tomorrow so I can't make it tonight. :(

[*sexy*]

BUT R2 I know what you look like!

[You're a Mean Drunk R2D2™]

I know what you look like too!

[*sexy*]

HEHEHEH

[JUNGLE JIM]

UPDATE: Convicted Corpse Abuser To Spend 3 Years In Jail. A Westwood man convicted of sexually abusing the corpse of a 1982 murder victim will spend the next three years behind bars.

A Hamilton County judge sentenced 55-year-old Kenneth Douglas to 18 months in jail for the abuse, which is the maximum time allowed with his conviction. In addition, Douglas will serve another 18 months for a parole violation.

Police Say Teens Caught In Act, Sex Arrest Made. Police say two teenagers, one of them a minor, picked a very obvious place for a sex act--in front of numerous children watching from a nearby school.

Cops: 12-year-old heads robbery ring. Cincinnati police said a 12-year-old boy is the ringleader of a group that robbed and attacked a man on the street.

Tony Edwards, 18, of Colerain Township, and four juveniles - ages 12, 13, 14 and 15 - were charged with aggravated robbery after a 23-year-old Northern Kentucky man was robbed and pistol-whipped about 11:15 p.m. in Corryville, said Sgt. Calvin Johnson.

A second adult is being held for questioning in the offense, he said. A fifth juvenile remains at large.

[JUNGLE JIM]

The mugshot we've all been waiting for. A 32-year-old woman was sentenced to a month in the Middletown Jail Monday after she was arrested and charged with chasing children, blocking traffic and yelling at police - all while wearing a cow costume.

[Keith G. in P.V.]

That mug shot and story is udderly fantastic, Jungle Jim

[Searching]

Obviously a case of mad cow disease...put her to sleep...

[Keith G. in P.V.]

Nothing sheepish about the woman, that's for sure.

[FanDanGo]

Moooving story.

[JoeJoe]

If I could have my choice of jobs, I would have to include "Mugshot Photographer" on the short list. Whoever took that photo had to be LOL at the time.

[FanDanGo]

Think we've milked it for all it's worth.

[*sexy*]

Still at the "dog" yes? Im asking cause i will be leaving in a few for my training.

[JoeJoe]

You know that the lower portion of that costume has an udder in it. Which reminds me of a great story from one of my friends who is a dentist...
Halloween, he encouraged all of his employees to dress up. He chose an anatomically correct female cow. First patient comes in, lays down on the table. Doc reclines the table and sets in the chair to have a look in the patient's mouth. Spins the chair around and whacks the pateint's head with his teats! He said it happened all day and that was the last Halloween he ever encouraged any adult to dress up!

[Keith G. in P.V.]

From contented cows...not in THIS case.

Remember, if cows could, they'd give Milnot.

[FanDanGo]

'Nother example of the calves vs. the calves-nots!

Looks like the jail's gonna have to beef up security.

[FanDanGo]

Maybe this will help steer her in the right direction.

Sorry. I'm done. To pun is human, to forgive, bovine. . .

[FanDanGo]

I know, I know, I'm cow-ardly. I'm trying to do butter, but I'm not what one would call the cream of the crop. But this truly is the law cow pun you've herd from me . . .

[Keith G. in P.V.]

Nothing like being on the horns of a dilemma...to praise Fan or knot?

I choose praise. To do otherwise would be COWardly

[Keith G. in P.V.]

To do otherudderwise would be COWardly

[Searching]

If you slow down.. you'll get em all....

[Searching]

Hmmm.. am I the only one that remembers that joke?

[Keith G. in P.V.]

;-) Is it pre-Milnot, Searching? You lost me on that one.

[*sexy*]

off to my training see some of you tonight!

[Searching]

I was talking about getting all the possible puns if you slow down.. but it refers back to this old joke:

A old bull and a young bull are standing on a hill staring down at a herd of cows. The young bull says.. Let's run down there and "do" one of those cows... and the old bull says.. Let's walk and do em all....

[Searching]

Its just not as fun if you have to explain it...

[Keith G. in P.V.]

NOW I remember! Thanks, Searching

[Searching]

Kilt it with cow love....

[The_Golfer]

You can James, just be careful when warming back up to not over cook it.

Sorry, been really busy.

[James Hart]

Thanks, Golfer! I hadn't even realized that was possible!

[The_Golfer]

You can do it the microwave or if you have a convection oven, can do it there and takes only a couple minutes longer than the microwave and is more evenly cooked.

[You're a Mean Drunk R2D2™]

I think that I need a Bar2D2.

[Patty PV]

R2, at least stop by! I'll buy you a drink.

(You spent all your $$ on the new house, didn't you?)

[John Boy]

Looking forward to seeing everyone tonight. Will only be second meetup I have been to. Last time, I met Care Bear, oldman, debby, tr, and a couple others I cant remember. That was a Sat meetup in Lees Summit some time ago. Looking forward to tonight.

[John Boy]

Oh yea, And I met Patty PV when she brought those plants up on State Line. Cant forget Patty. And daughter met her also, whilst I was in horse-pital.

[You're a Mean Drunk R2D2™]

Patty, the house is requiring most of my money, since there is always some work to do. My last thing I did was overseeded my front lawn and then patched in a few dead spots after killing many of the weeds that had taken over after a lazy owner let them go wild for a few years prior to me purchasing the house. Now I'm proud to say that I actually have a front lawn now that is primarily grass. :)

[aqua]

R2, your yard sounds like a great place to park a camaro on blocks...

[You're a Mean Drunk R2D2™]

It is!

And I yell at the kids in the neighborhood to stay off my lawn too!

(I actually had to do it when they started walking on my freshly planted and just growing grass with roller blades.)

[JoeJoe]

R2- A little bit of water every day for 10 days and you will have a beautiful yard after reseeding or overseeding!
Keith- That is my agronomist hat (and it is one that actually gets worn a lot!)

[The_Golfer]

Anyone think the boys from the Grass Pad are smoking something? Grass, but not the kind you grow in your yard, probably.

hehehe

[aqua]

R2, you need to post your sign:

Beware of the cantankerous droid!

[Keith G. in P.V.]

JoeJoe, I hereby annoint you the official CSKC-OT Haberdasher

[The_Golfer]

Time for me to go home and get ready to work more from the house.

Yippee!! (sarcasm ends here)

[John Boy]

Okay - back from the meetup at the Bulldog. That is a really cool place. Nice atmosphere. Finally got to meet our fearless moderator and disciplinarian...James....Nice youngster..Looks like about 2 years out of high school !! (That was a compliment, James)..Patty PV and Keith PV (no relation) were there, AH and her hubby, And Jungle Jim, and of course, the wife and I...really had a great time. Like the office manager said at the going away party for a laid off employee - - "We gotta do this more often"....

[John Boy]

OOPS - Sorry - sexy was there too - - didnt mean to leave you out sexy...

[Keith G. in P.V.]

John Boy, it was good to meet you and Mrs. Boy, AH and Mr. AH, Patty and *sexy* and JJ. I'm sorry I didn't get to talk more with JJ at the other end of the table.

And yes, James does look barely out of high school to me, too. But I think it's because you and I are O L D E R. Well at least I am.

[Biggin]

Senate to vote on rescue plan Wednesday
The Senate plans to vote on the $700 billion financial rescue plan Wednesday evening -- two days after the House failed to pass it. The bill adds provisions including raising the FDIC insurance cap to $250,000, and it will be packaged with other economic measures. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell announced the plan.

[Keith G. in P.V.]

Ron Lauder (Estee's heir) twice financed NY City ballot initiative to establish 2-term limits. Now he supports Mike Bloomberg running for a 3rd term if there's a way around term limits. But the way around should only be for the benefit of Bloomberg.

Gotta love it when money and integrity meet.

[AH]

Nice meeting everyone.I have had a great final day of work/first day of retirement. Thanks for the bonus Keith G. The wine made me sleeply and I think I will turn in early. I wanted to say I enjoyed finally meeting all of you.