Friday, September 16, 2005

Wednesday, September 14, 2005

If the Shoe Fits....

Comment from foreign government (and a strong ally at that):

Katrina revealed a hollowed superpower . . . a country that is not a country at all, but atomised, segmented individuals living parallel lives as far apart as possible

George Bush the uniter

Tuesday, September 13, 2005

Have We Finally Figured It Out?

More people than not, hopefully, now realize that G. W. Bush is incompetent. Bush's idea of government simply does not work. He is a self-indulgent, detached person who is reported to yell at his minions if they bring him bad news. It is becoming obvious that this administration lied when it said that it could protect us better than a Democratic administration. The man is simply not in touch with average Americans. Proposing to privatize social security has proven that. He believes we have a wonderful economy. Prove that to an everday working stiff. Four million people have slipped into poverty on his watch. He has given 2.2 trillion dollars in tax cuts and is asking for more cuts. The Federal budget is a mess! 200 billion dollars thus far on Iraq (at least), 530 billion dollar medicare drug bill that specifically does not allow price negotiation with drug companies, a 286 billion dollar, pork filled, transportation bill, 14.5 billion energy bill that he proudly admits will do nothing to reduce our dependency on foreign oil. What will the next 3 years bring? Will moderate Republicans finally have the guts to stand up to this man who I sincerely believe is destroying the USA? Are you finally waking up? If we are still fooled by this man, I guess we deserve it.

Bush-guitar

Funny photoshopped picture of 'W', but it really says it all.

Friday, September 09, 2005

Tanzania

Julia leaves for two weeks in Tanzania tomorrow. They will 'hang' out in Arusha for 3 days before heading out on safari for 10 days. Arusha is a town in the northeastern Tanzania (commonly known as the little Geneva of Tanzania) is nestled in the shadow of Mount Meru with commanding views of the roof of Africa, the mighty Kilimanjaro mountain. Arusha is visited by thousands of tourists every year as it happens to be the gateway to the famous northern safari circuit proud of its unique world-renowned national parks. One third of Tanzania is a National Park including the great Serengeti plain and Mt. Kilimanjaro.

H-Arusha

tanzania_arusha_street3_

Can't wait to see the pictures Julia takes because she is an awesome photographer.

Saturday, September 03, 2005

Just received an email from my daughter Julia. She is spending the semester in Kenya. They just got back to Karen after climbing Mt. Longonot. It's an extinct volcano that is part of the Rift Valley. Julia walked all around the crater. On the walk back down the Mt. their driver Njuo had to guide the students past a troop of baboons. A couple picts of the Mt. I found on the internet.

Longonot crater

closeup of crater

Julia is having a great time in spite of having to spend last Sat. night in the Nairob i hospital. The results of her rural homestay. She loved the experience of the rural homestay however.

Wednesday, August 24, 2005

Chapel Island and Autumn Leaves

leaves 001
Went to visit some visiting cousins last Sunday. They were vacationing on Upper Saranac Lake in one of the buildings of the old Sekon Lodge that was sold off several decades ago. Pictured is Chapel Island and if you look very carefully you will see a group of people standing around a cross outside the church. It's non-denominational and you show up on shore at a certain time to catch the boat out to the island for the service.

leaves 002
Yes the leaves are beginning to change. Not surprising given the shorter days. However, this tree in my yard always is a week or two ahead of all the others. Nevertheless, in about 4 weeks we will be at the height of 'leaf peeping' season.

Friday, August 19, 2005

Illegal Burning

This is for my friend Brandon so he will have the goods on me just like I have on him. Notice I also believe in using chemicals on my lawn!

fire 003

fire 001

This hastily constructed firepit is left over from my daughters 21st B'day/Going away to Africa party with about 20 of her college friends. I'm now putting it to better use.

Wednesday, August 17, 2005

How Things Change

Remember when President Bill Clinton sent troops to Bosnia? Here are a few quotes from Republicans back then:

"Victory means exit strategy, and it's important for the President to explain to us what the exit strategy is." --Governor George W. Bush (R-TX)

"Well, I just think it's a bad idea. What's going to happen is they're going to be over there for 10, 15, maybe 20 years." --Joe Scarborough (R-FL)

"You can support the troops but not the president." --Rep Tom Delay (R-TX)

"Explain to the mothers and fathers of American servicemen that may come home in body bags why their son or daughter have to give up their life?" --Sean Hannity, Fox News, 4/6/99

"If we are going to commit American troops, we must be certain they have a clear mission, an achievable goal and an exit strategy." --Karen Hughes, speaking on behalf of George W Bush

Now remind me how many troops were killed in that action?

Thursday, August 04, 2005

Middle Class Squeeze

All thanks to our Congress and G.W. Bush policies

Real hourly wages adjusted for inflation fell 0.8 percent•
The cost of medical care rose 4.2 percent•
College tuition and fees rose 8.6 percent on average•
1.3 million jobless Americans used up their unemployment benefits without finding work•
One in six middle-class households lacked health insurance•
An estimated 6 million Americans lost their legal right to overtime pay

But hey....

We are spreading Democracy around the world (except for the USA)
We are on the way to proving the earth is only 6000 years old
We no longer have a 'war on terrorism' instead we have a 'gsave'
Hopefully, next year we will declare 'victory' in Iraq and bring our soldiers home

Life is good in Bush World

Wednesday, August 03, 2005

G.W. Bush's Reality

Baseball player Rafael Palmeriro gets caught using steroids. Denies using steroids during congressional hearings. G.W. says "I believe him....still do". That is W's main problem.....he takes everying on faith...on what he believes...no matter what the facts say.

Wednesday, July 20, 2005

You've Gotta Care

You can't not care about the war in Iraq. I thought the war with Iraq was a terrible idea, but I have to admit that Colin Powell's presentation to the UN half convinced me that maybe I was wrong. Now for at least the past 2 years we know the Bush Administration started the war based on lies. Now for my Republican friends I have to ask....who do you care more about...your President, your Party or our country. I'm sick to death of what this White House did in outing an undercover CIA agent just to get back at her husband. And, ignoring the lessons of the last administration they lied about what they did. Is treason now just part of hardball politics? Does anything go now? Can any Republican or Conservative argue that if this had happened during a Democratic Admin. that they would not be hollering for someone's head to be placed on the fence outside the White House. Personally, I don't need a law to be broken to tell me that outing a covert CIA agent during wartime (so called) is just plain wrong. But then again, I'm just one of many America-hating liberals.

Tuesday, July 12, 2005

Wildlife this Morning

bear 001
Does a bear shit in the woods? Yes, or a clearing.

bear 002
Let's get to hell out of here!

Wednesday, June 01, 2005

You know you are a Republican when:

...Saddam was a good guy when Reagan armed him, a bad guy when Bush's daddy made war on him, a good guy when Cheney did business with him and a bad guy when Bush needed a "we can't find Bin Laden" diversion.

...trade with Cuba is wrong because the country is Communist, but trade with China and Vietnam is vital to a spirit of international harmony.

...A president lying about an extramarital affair is an impeachable offense. A president lying to enlist support for a war in which thousands die is solid defense policy.

...Jesus loves you, and shares your hatred of homosexuals and Hillary Clinton.

...the best way to improve military morale is to praise the troops in speeches while slashing veterans' benefits and combat pay.

...providing health care to all Iraqis is sound policy. Providing health care to all Americans is socialism.

...global warming is junk science, but creationism should be taught in schools.

...being a drug addict is a moral failing and a crime, unless you're a conservative radio host. Then it's an illness and you need our prayers for your recovery.

by 'Bill in Portland' www.dailykos.com

Monday, May 30, 2005

Saucy Posse Returns

Went to Burlington Vt yesterday, on the Port Kent Ferry, to watch my daughter and her roommates race in the Vt City Marathon (Relay portion). Last year in the Open Womens Division they placed 8 out of 91 relay teams with a total guntime time of 3:32:11 (7:45 pace). This year they placed 5/94 with a guntime time of 3:17:37 (7:33 pace). They have to knock off another 10 min to get into the top 3. Maybe next year. I'll have some pictures of the ferry crossing in a day or so.

Monday, May 16, 2005

What is your world view - this is mine

You scored as Materialist. Materialism stresses the essence of fundamental particles. Everything that exists is purely physical matter and there is no special force that holds life together. You believe that anything can be explained by breaking it up into its pieces. i.e. the big picture can be understood by its smaller elements.

Existentialist

63%

Materialist

63%

Cultural Creative

56%

Idealist

56%

Romanticist

50%

Postmodernist

50%

Modernist

44%

Fundamentalist

38%

What is Your World View? (corrected...hopefully)
created with QuizFarm.com

Wednesday, May 11, 2005

Grasse River waterfall

Russell waterfall
A view out the front window of the camp Julia and her roommates are staying in for a few days before coming home from college.

Tuesday, May 03, 2005

Why Do They Ignore the Mineral Lick?

home 040
It's illegal to feed deer in the Adirondacks (probably the rest of the state too) because we don't want to transmit CWD. But no one said anything about mineral blocks, so I put one out. It's been there all winter without a single lick (to my knowledge).

Wednesday, April 27, 2005

Me, today

home 044
I'm not dressed like this to protect me, it's to protect the mice (seriously).

Friday, April 22, 2005

Canadian Parliament - Ottawa, Ontario

home 036
Ottawa is a wonderful, beautiful, safe, small city. Only 130 miles from Saranac Lake. Like going to Albany. Drive to Malone, through the Akwesasne reservation (get cheap gas) and cross at the bridge next to the GM engine block plant. Make sure and take a tour through the Parliament building.

Some Worms are Larger

worms
This is a nice batch of roundworms isolated from some persons intestinal tract.