Ta Da! This years Ice Palace ready for the King and Queen. The 'wing' structure at the left side is likely a maze.
The 'Thrones'.
Friday, February 10, 2006
Last Year and This Years Ice Palace
Last years larger Ice Palace but they have built palaces much larger than this one.
Ta Da! This years Ice Palace ready for the King and Queen. The 'wing' structure at the left side is likely a maze.
The 'Thrones'.
Ta Da! This years Ice Palace ready for the King and Queen. The 'wing' structure at the left side is likely a maze.
The 'Thrones'.
Thursday, February 09, 2006
Ice Palace Today
So here is where we stand today with the Ice Palace. I suspect it will be finished late this afternoon or by noon tomorrow at the latest. 'Thrones' for the King and Queen still need to be built in the center of the structure. When I drove by at noon the electricians were at work getting ready to string the lights. It's one of the smallest Ice Palaces ever but that's ok, the tourist will settle for it hopefully.
Wal-Mart in Saranac Lake - Evil Rears Its Ugly Head
So the 'rumors' turned out to be true. Wal-Mart just announced it wants to build a 121,000 square foot supercenter in Saranac Lake, NY. Happy days are here again - NOT. This is a done deal. A majority of Saranac Lake village residents are in favor of a giant Wal-Mart, so it will happen. The village will sell its 10 acre sandpit lot to Wal-Mart. What used to be Stanley Chevrolet will definitely sell; it's an odd coincidence that they gave up their Chevy dealership just a few months ago. Burger King 'closed' for the season in November; any bets that it will re-open as a MacDonald's since MacDonald's will be looking for a new location? Carcuzzi - well what can I say about Carcuzzi. A couple months ago I asked one of the partners if they would sell out to Wal-Mart. To paraphrase - nope, we are a brand new business and they would have to pay way too much to buy us out. Well, I guess the largest retailer in the universe can afford to buy out a little car repair business afterall. What really bothers me are the Village officials. They have claimed for months that they knew nothing about Wal-Mart wanting to purchase the village sandlot. Well, the Carcuzzi owner said he knew last summer that Wal-Mart was interested in buying his property, so I find it hard to believe that the Village officials didn't know. One can understand why a private business might not want to be upfront about their future plans, but there is no excuse for misdirection by public officials.
Wednesday, February 08, 2006
Finally An Ice Palace
After the warmest January in the USA ever, 8.8 degrees above average, work on the Saranac Lake Winter Carnival Ice Palace began yesterday. It will be much smaller than usual, probably only about 600-800 blocks of ice vs the normal 2000 blocks. The ice blocks are only about 10 inches thick which will result in a small castle. Normally the ice blocks would be about 15-18 inches thick.
The blocks of ice are cut from Pontiac Bay on Lake Flower using a special saw that was designed decades ago. The ice blocks are guided to shore and scooped up by a tractor and delivered to the building site. The space where the ice has been cut can be seen in the lower left corner of the photo.
The ice palace as of early this morning, about 7 courses high. This was done in a single day with the help of inmates from Camp Gabriels and some very experienced local 'architects' and 'engineers'.
Once the walls get high, the ice blocks are hoisted into place using a crane. This one belongs to the Paul Smiths College forestry department.
NOTE: They added another half dozen courses of ice blocks today. Of course I'll post a picture of the finished Ice Palace. One taken at night as well.
The blocks of ice are cut from Pontiac Bay on Lake Flower using a special saw that was designed decades ago. The ice blocks are guided to shore and scooped up by a tractor and delivered to the building site. The space where the ice has been cut can be seen in the lower left corner of the photo.
The ice palace as of early this morning, about 7 courses high. This was done in a single day with the help of inmates from Camp Gabriels and some very experienced local 'architects' and 'engineers'.
Once the walls get high, the ice blocks are hoisted into place using a crane. This one belongs to the Paul Smiths College forestry department.
NOTE: They added another half dozen courses of ice blocks today. Of course I'll post a picture of the finished Ice Palace. One taken at night as well.
Tuesday, February 07, 2006
Friday, February 03, 2006
Julia's New Car
Got a great deal on a 2003 Pontiac Vibe AWD 'repo'. I normally wouldn't buy a Pontiac but the Vibe is the same as a Toyota Matrix. Her car is 'Neptune Blue' and looks brand new.
Plattsburgh Vote for Impeachment Fails 3-2
Read all about it here
There was a city council vote on impeaching G.W. Bush last night. I am very proud of the people in Plattsburgh, NY. Plattsburgh is considered a pretty republican area as is most of Northern NY. That being said, Clinton County did favor John Kerry for President. I guess that means that there are Republicans in Clinton County and Plattsburgh that have some sort of sense of right and wrong. Although the motion to impeach G.W. Bush failed 3-2, it was probably more due to the fact that some didn't think it was the proper forum for an impeachment vote. To me it seems like exactly the right forum. Democracy in action at the grassroots level. Of course, there were conservatives present calling people traitors, "Hang the traitors, death to the left," shouted one person as several in the crowd wearing veterans hats cheered. Yep, let's kill Americans that actually want to go after the terrorists responsible for 9/11. Everyone else is a patriot.
There was a city council vote on impeaching G.W. Bush last night. I am very proud of the people in Plattsburgh, NY. Plattsburgh is considered a pretty republican area as is most of Northern NY. That being said, Clinton County did favor John Kerry for President. I guess that means that there are Republicans in Clinton County and Plattsburgh that have some sort of sense of right and wrong. Although the motion to impeach G.W. Bush failed 3-2, it was probably more due to the fact that some didn't think it was the proper forum for an impeachment vote. To me it seems like exactly the right forum. Democracy in action at the grassroots level. Of course, there were conservatives present calling people traitors, "Hang the traitors, death to the left," shouted one person as several in the crowd wearing veterans hats cheered. Yep, let's kill Americans that actually want to go after the terrorists responsible for 9/11. Everyone else is a patriot.
Wednesday, February 01, 2006
To All My Scientist Friends - ATTENTION!!!
By order of President George W. Bush you must immediately cease all research on human animal hybrids!!! Especially any ongoing Pigman research! STOP NOW!!!
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
2005 Bush Timeline
SOTU Address 2005-->SSI privitization-->Fitzgerald Invest-->
Katrina debacle--->Libby,Delay, Cunningham, Abramhoff indictments--->
Illegal wiretaps---> Democratic elections in Iraq and Palestine--->
Iran nucs --->deficits through roof -->weakened army --> more indictments to come
After tonight, two more SOTU addresses to go. Can we survive?
Katrina debacle--->Libby,Delay, Cunningham, Abramhoff indictments--->
Illegal wiretaps---> Democratic elections in Iraq and Palestine--->
Iran nucs --->deficits through roof -->weakened army --> more indictments to come
After tonight, two more SOTU addresses to go. Can we survive?
Heckuva Job Georgie
"The beginnings of reform and democracy in the Palestinian territories are now showing the power of freedom to break old patterns of violence and failure."
-- George W. Bush
State of the Union, 2005
Basically the message will be "I'm right and you are wrong, so trust me".
Also, "if the President does it, it can't be breaking the law"
-- George W. Bush
State of the Union, 2005
Basically the message will be "I'm right and you are wrong, so trust me".
Also, "if the President does it, it can't be breaking the law"
Monday, January 30, 2006
Sunday, January 29, 2006
State of the Union - What Will Bush Say?
1) The economy is doing great or our economy is struggling?
2) We have too much health insurance or many Americans have no health insurance?
3) Will mention Osama bin Laden or will not mention Osama bin Laden?
4) The President is not above the law or the President can ignore any law he wants?
5) Democratic elections in the Middle East are great or damn not who we really wanted elected?
6) I know Jack Abramhoff or I never met the guy?
7) Says "if the President does it, it's not illegal or says "I am not a crook"?
2) We have too much health insurance or many Americans have no health insurance?
3) Will mention Osama bin Laden or will not mention Osama bin Laden?
4) The President is not above the law or the President can ignore any law he wants?
5) Democratic elections in the Middle East are great or damn not who we really wanted elected?
6) I know Jack Abramhoff or I never met the guy?
7) Says "if the President does it, it's not illegal or says "I am not a crook"?
Friday, January 27, 2006
Democratic Elections Don't Always Give You the Government You Want
Looks like G.W. Bush is getting some conservative governments elected.
Canada's government just went conservative. But oops, looks like one of the first things Harper wants are some armed ice breakers to enforce Canada's sovereignty over arctic waters. The USA has challenged Canada's claims to sovereignty over Arctic waterways. Harper has also vowed to clean up Canada's corrupt government. I wonder if that gives Bush pause?
Iraq is forming a conservative government of sorts. At least it's one that believes religion plays a strong role in government. Iran and Palestine couldn't be happier.
Speaking of Palestine.... they just had democratic elections. Seems like the people have spoken. The terrorist group Hamas is now firmly in charge. I heard a Hamas spokesperson on the radio this morning say that Hamas won because of what G.W. Bush is doing in Iraq.
Let's not even talk about Venezuela.
So the USA better learn to work with the foreign governments we have and not the ones we wish we had.
Canada's government just went conservative. But oops, looks like one of the first things Harper wants are some armed ice breakers to enforce Canada's sovereignty over arctic waters. The USA has challenged Canada's claims to sovereignty over Arctic waterways. Harper has also vowed to clean up Canada's corrupt government. I wonder if that gives Bush pause?
Iraq is forming a conservative government of sorts. At least it's one that believes religion plays a strong role in government. Iran and Palestine couldn't be happier.
Speaking of Palestine.... they just had democratic elections. Seems like the people have spoken. The terrorist group Hamas is now firmly in charge. I heard a Hamas spokesperson on the radio this morning say that Hamas won because of what G.W. Bush is doing in Iraq.
Let's not even talk about Venezuela.
So the USA better learn to work with the foreign governments we have and not the ones we wish we had.
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
Let Me Get This Straight Karl
-Bush ignores Clinton's advice about dealing with al Qaeda
-didn't take the "bin Laden determined to strike inside U.S." memo seriously
-invaded Afghanistan but failed to follow through on our commitments
-can't catch bin Laden
-launched a devastating war in Iraq that has increased the terrorist threat
-weakens our army
-watched the nuclear threat posed by North Korea and Iran get considerably worse
-his minions leaked classified information for partisan gain
-appoints unqualified cronies to important gov't positions
-launched an illegal surveillance program that produced a flood of useless tips
Yet Democrats are the ones that are weak on defense?
-didn't take the "bin Laden determined to strike inside U.S." memo seriously
-invaded Afghanistan but failed to follow through on our commitments
-can't catch bin Laden
-launched a devastating war in Iraq that has increased the terrorist threat
-weakens our army
-watched the nuclear threat posed by North Korea and Iran get considerably worse
-his minions leaked classified information for partisan gain
-appoints unqualified cronies to important gov't positions
-launched an illegal surveillance program that produced a flood of useless tips
Yet Democrats are the ones that are weak on defense?
Monday, January 23, 2006
For You Technical Types - How Soon Will Iran Have the Bomb?
The war drums are beating to prepare us for a possible attack on Iran, at least their nuclear (nucular) facilities. From reading the newspapers it sounds like Iran will have nuclear weapons within a few months, a year at the most.
Do you want to educate yourself about what Iran's real capacity is? Go here and enjoy. Be sure and read "part 1" also.
Do you want to educate yourself about what Iran's real capacity is? Go here and enjoy. Be sure and read "part 1" also.
Jack And George - Photos
Scott McClellan said earlier this month, "The president does not know him (Abramoff), nor does the president recall ever meeting him."
Well now the photos are beginning to show up. Now photos of Jack and George may or may not mean anything. But one photo it seems "shows Abramoff and Bush with Raul Garza, chairman of the Kickapoo Indians in Texas, who has been indicted on charges of stealing $300,000 from his tribe."
It's photos like that one that are likely to make one ask questions about the Bush Administration relationship with Jack Abramoff. And, who in their right mind would believe George never met "pioneer" Jack Abramoff. If someone raised $100,000 for your campaign, wouldn't you want to thank them in person?
Well now the photos are beginning to show up. Now photos of Jack and George may or may not mean anything. But one photo it seems "shows Abramoff and Bush with Raul Garza, chairman of the Kickapoo Indians in Texas, who has been indicted on charges of stealing $300,000 from his tribe."
It's photos like that one that are likely to make one ask questions about the Bush Administration relationship with Jack Abramoff. And, who in their right mind would believe George never met "pioneer" Jack Abramoff. If someone raised $100,000 for your campaign, wouldn't you want to thank them in person?
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
What's Worse, Adultry or Warrantless Searches?
Good article by Andrew Bard Schmookler at CommonDreams.org
He asks why was Monica Lewinsky more deserving of attention by the media than possible direct violation of the law by GW Bush? Bush has publically admitted to ordering warrantless searches of Americans. He claims he has the legal right to do so. Many many legal scholars disagree. It appears maybe even John Ashcroft disagreed. And, we won't know if he violated the law because if he tells us about the secret spying program, he would have to kill us.
Bush has claimed that he ordered the warrantless searches to protect Americans. The one example provided by the administration is preventing a guy from toppling the Brooklyn bridge with a blowtorch. And this, “The law enforcement and counterterrorism officials said the program had uncovered no active Qaeda networks inside the United States planning attacks. ‘There were no imminent plots - not inside the United States,’ the former F.B.I. official said.” [New York Times, 1/17/06].
I really like this though "Is the reason for the media’s casualness in treating this administration’s possible running roughshod over the Constitution that the media don’t think this story will grab an audience the way, say, stains on a blue dress did?"
There is a question that needs answering.
He asks why was Monica Lewinsky more deserving of attention by the media than possible direct violation of the law by GW Bush? Bush has publically admitted to ordering warrantless searches of Americans. He claims he has the legal right to do so. Many many legal scholars disagree. It appears maybe even John Ashcroft disagreed. And, we won't know if he violated the law because if he tells us about the secret spying program, he would have to kill us.
Bush has claimed that he ordered the warrantless searches to protect Americans. The one example provided by the administration is preventing a guy from toppling the Brooklyn bridge with a blowtorch. And this, “The law enforcement and counterterrorism officials said the program had uncovered no active Qaeda networks inside the United States planning attacks. ‘There were no imminent plots - not inside the United States,’ the former F.B.I. official said.” [New York Times, 1/17/06].
I really like this though "Is the reason for the media’s casualness in treating this administration’s possible running roughshod over the Constitution that the media don’t think this story will grab an audience the way, say, stains on a blue dress did?"
There is a question that needs answering.
Remember When Serving During War Meant Something?
Remember when the right wing was all about the importance of having served in the military, 'in country' during the Vietnam War? That was when Bill Clinton was running for President. Clinton managed to avoid the draft and the right wing made sure everyone knew about it. He was a draft dodger.
Move forward a decade or so and all of a sudden service in Vietnam doesn't mean too much to the right wing anymore. This is because George W. Bush, Dick Cheney and many of their neocon friends either didn't experience service in Vietnam or didn't serve in the military at all.
Now people like Max Cleland, John Kerry and John Murtha, who actually did see combat in Vietnam, have to put up with absurd attacks on their military service. Even a Republican, John McCain had his Vietnam War record attacked by the right wing.
Please explain to me how the right wing gets away with these attacks on Vietnam War veterans when the leaders of their party either didn't serve at all or got a safe assignment in the Air National Guard.
Is anyone besides me upset about these right wing attacks on veterans? Question President Bush and you are either a traitor, a coward, anti-American or a terrorist lover. When will people wake up?
Move forward a decade or so and all of a sudden service in Vietnam doesn't mean too much to the right wing anymore. This is because George W. Bush, Dick Cheney and many of their neocon friends either didn't experience service in Vietnam or didn't serve in the military at all.
Now people like Max Cleland, John Kerry and John Murtha, who actually did see combat in Vietnam, have to put up with absurd attacks on their military service. Even a Republican, John McCain had his Vietnam War record attacked by the right wing.
Please explain to me how the right wing gets away with these attacks on Vietnam War veterans when the leaders of their party either didn't serve at all or got a safe assignment in the Air National Guard.
Is anyone besides me upset about these right wing attacks on veterans? Question President Bush and you are either a traitor, a coward, anti-American or a terrorist lover. When will people wake up?
Monday, January 16, 2006
What Else Can President Bush Do?
Al Gore gave a speech today and this caught my eye:
Can it be true that any president really has such powers under our Constitution? If the answer is "yes" then under the theory by which these acts are committed, are there any acts that can on their face be prohibited? If the President has the inherent authority to eavesdrop, imprison citizens on his own declaration, kidnap and torture, then what can't he do?
Bush has outright claimed that he can listen in on American citizens without a warrant, he has already imprisoned Americans indefinitely simply on his say so, and we all know about the torturing. Bush claims we don't torture and he supports a new law that states we will not torture, but at the same time he says he doesn't need to follow that law. It really amazes me that people in this country are so afraid of 'terrorists' that they are willing to give the President such power in the name of 'protecting' them.
Bush says Al Qaeda hates our freedom and wants to take our freedom away from us. Then why is Bush taking away our freedoms? Isn't he doing exactly what he claims the terrorists want?
How long does the President claim he has these extraordinary powers? Why as long as the 'War on Terror' lasts. How long will that war last? Bush has stated 'probably for the rest of our lives'. Well what to hell do we need a congress and a judiciary for then? Maybe Bush should just be President for Life.
There really isn't a hell of lot we can do about this either. The Republican controlled congress has given up its role as an independent and co-equal branch of the government. Democrats haven't done a lot to prevent that. Also, if you disagree with the President on the Iraq War you are a traitor. If you disagree on other issues you will be smeared by the far right wing (see John Murtha).
Mr. Gore ends by saying "I mentioned that along with cause for concern, there is reason for hope. As I stand here today, I am filled with optimism that America is on the eve of a golden age in which the vitality of our democracy will be re-established and will flourish more vibrantly than ever".
I wish I could be as optimistic as he seems to be.
Can it be true that any president really has such powers under our Constitution? If the answer is "yes" then under the theory by which these acts are committed, are there any acts that can on their face be prohibited? If the President has the inherent authority to eavesdrop, imprison citizens on his own declaration, kidnap and torture, then what can't he do?
Bush has outright claimed that he can listen in on American citizens without a warrant, he has already imprisoned Americans indefinitely simply on his say so, and we all know about the torturing. Bush claims we don't torture and he supports a new law that states we will not torture, but at the same time he says he doesn't need to follow that law. It really amazes me that people in this country are so afraid of 'terrorists' that they are willing to give the President such power in the name of 'protecting' them.
Bush says Al Qaeda hates our freedom and wants to take our freedom away from us. Then why is Bush taking away our freedoms? Isn't he doing exactly what he claims the terrorists want?
How long does the President claim he has these extraordinary powers? Why as long as the 'War on Terror' lasts. How long will that war last? Bush has stated 'probably for the rest of our lives'. Well what to hell do we need a congress and a judiciary for then? Maybe Bush should just be President for Life.
There really isn't a hell of lot we can do about this either. The Republican controlled congress has given up its role as an independent and co-equal branch of the government. Democrats haven't done a lot to prevent that. Also, if you disagree with the President on the Iraq War you are a traitor. If you disagree on other issues you will be smeared by the far right wing (see John Murtha).
Mr. Gore ends by saying "I mentioned that along with cause for concern, there is reason for hope. As I stand here today, I am filled with optimism that America is on the eve of a golden age in which the vitality of our democracy will be re-established and will flourish more vibrantly than ever".
I wish I could be as optimistic as he seems to be.
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