Mike Mills of REM comes out....as straight!

[WyldRanger]

http://nymag.com/daily/entertainment/2008/06/rems_mike_mills_on_accelerate.html


I just thought this was hilarious so I just had to share it :)

[Trieste]

But ... but Xenu hates the straight people. I don't want R.E.M. to burn on Pluto. :(

[WyldRanger]

Ahhh...not to worry tho' Micheal Stipe is certainly not straight  ;)

[WyldRanger]

[Mathim]

That cat is kinda funny but sometimes he's a little too over the top. I stopped reading the comics pages about two years ago, though, but it looks like he hasn't changed a bit.

[WyldRanger]

I'm just letting this one speak for itself.


http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081009/ap_on_re_us/odd_national_debt_clock

NEW YORK - In a sign of the times, the National Debt Clock in New York City has run out of digits to record the growing figure.
ADVERTISEMENT

As a short-term fix, the digital dollar sign on the billboard-style clock near Times Square has been switched to a figure — the "1" in $10 trillion. It's marking the federal government's current debt at about $10.2 trillion.

The Durst Organization says it plans to update the sign next year by adding two digits. That will make it capable of tracking debt up to a quadrillion dollars.

The late Manhattan real estate developer Seymour Durst put the sign up in 1989 to call attention to what was then a $2.7 trillion debt.

[RubySlippers]

I don't know what you folks expect except for the minor parties such as the Libertarians no one i seriously talking about this and what must be done. Cut Federal spending sharply and deeply, raise taxes and restructure entitlement programs. We have to simply balance the budget THEN apply a quarter of the money we bring in each year to pay the interest and pay down the national debt for many decades. Its going to hurt and states will have to pick up much of the slack when we see Federal programs seriously reduced. Such as hand all educational planning and costs to the States which they are not likely to enjoy.

[WyldRanger]

Well all I have to say in response to that is that the Clinton administration (which had plenty of faults in it's own right) at least did balance the budget the last couple of years of his administration as well as was starting to, albeit barely scratching the surface, of paying the debt back...

[RubySlippers]

Face it both major parties failed and now you expect these idiots to put their interests aside and stop sugar-coating the painful choices that must be made. Worst unlike the Great Depression we have no financial wiggle room due to our massive National Debt we might have had otherwise to access for major programs now.

Another thing the Congress must dictate to businesses at all levels standard practices for everything and crack down hard on anything outside that box from acceptable accounting methods to acceptable investment options, banning with felony level charges anything outside those. Like the "swaps" that leverage all this you have to ban those and make examples out the issuers after a short period of time. Its going to hurt but we have to properly stop fraud the one major role giovernment has in business.

[Mathim]

Do you guys seriously think they didn't do this on purpose? They wanted this to happen, for what reason, I have no idea, but they have no intention of fixing it.

[RubySlippers]

Whats sad is China is coming through this almost unscathed they openly avoided any risky or "trendy" investments and stuck to standards that kept them fairly secure. They are going to come out of this well.

I can think of one reason to form a world central banking mechanism to bring all the economies under a central management system, a move I'm afraid will be brought up pissing on US soveriengty.

[Mathim]

Whats sad is China is coming through this almost unscathed they openly avoided any risky or "trendy" investments and stuck to standards that kept them fairly secure. They are going to come out of this well.

Aren't they mostly the country we're in debt too, as well?

[WyldRanger]

Aren't they mostly the country we're in debt too, as well?

Yes, yes they are...

[RubySlippers]

One of them about $1.5 trillion I think and likely more now.

The great founding father and Secretary of the Treasury ,Hamilton, stated when he decided to pay off all the debts of the new nation the Federal and States that it will prevent us from being the slaves to those we are indebted to and give us pride at showing the world the nation is prudent in its dealings. I think he would be rolling around in his grave right now with all those patriots that led our nation to independence.

And you can thank both major parties for this mess China has the right idea you TELL the businesses and banks how to operate and restrict them to sensible practices and they can still make ample money doing so.

[Mathim]

Just out of curiosity, did we ever ask Europe to pay us back for the Marshall Plan?

[RubySlippers]

Pasted from Wikiopedia:

The Organization for European Economic Cooperation took the leading role in allocating funds, and the ECA arranged for the transfer of the goods. The American supplier was paid in dollars, which were credited against the appropriate European Recovery Program funds. The European recipient, however, was not given the goods as a gift, but had to pay for them (though not necessarily at once, on credit etc.) in local currency, which was then deposited by the government in a counterpart fund. This money, in turn, could be used by the ERP countries for further investment projects.

Most of the participating ERP governments were aware from the beginning that they would never have to return the counterpart fund money to the U.S.; it was eventually absorbed into their national budgets and "disappeared." Originally the total American aid to Germany (in contrast to grants given to other countries in Europe) had to be repaid. But under the London debts agreement of 1953, the repayable amount was reduced to about $1 billion. Aid granted after July 1, 1951 amounted to around $270 million, of which Germany had to repay $16.9 million to the Washington Export-Import Bank. In reality, Germany did not know until 1953 exactly how much money it would have to pay back to the U.S., and insisted that money was given out only in the form of interest-bearing loans — a revolving system ensuring the funds would grow rather than shrink. A lending bank was charged with overseeing the program. European Recovery Program loans were mostly used to support small- and medium-sized businesses. Germany paid the U.S. back in installments (the last check was handed over in June 1971). However, the money was not paid from the ERP fund, but from the central government budget.

In the main no they never paid us back although I think a few nations did like the Netherlands but I'm not sure. So I think we should ask them for the money back with the interested calculated in for say fifty years.

[Mathim]

Maybe they're banking on that bailing us out. I mean, we paid the British back for all the tea we fucked up at the Boston Tea Party, MINUS the interest...LOL.

[WyldRanger]

Well, now that the season has begun what are everyone's thoughts?

Being a life long resident of Michigan and a die-hard Red Wings fan, I have to say that they are looking even better than last year. I don't know how they do it, but management keeps finding these amazingly talented players from across the pond. :)

[Apple of Eris]

I hate detroit! Go Flyers!

(sorry Xana, you swept us in the finals a few years back, your team has my earned my eternal enmity!)

[WyldRanger]

Meh, I understand. Outside of the region, the Red Wings are pretty much hated equally by all. Kinda like the Yankees in a way  :)

[Methos]

I hate all the American teams even if they are mostly made up of Canadian players. ;) Go Oilers!

[Revolverman]

100 years of montreal!!

[Rhapsody]

I'm Canadian and I disdain hockey. 

They keep threatening to take away my union cards because of it, but I've held out so far. *fingers crossed*

[Dawg]

100 years of montreal!!

[youtube=455,325]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TncdhLGjFTE&feature=related[/youtube]

[Dawg]

.

[Kalen]

I'm Canadian and I disdain hockey. 

They keep threatening to take away my union cards because of it, but I've held out so far. *fingers crossed*

I'm Canadian and I hate hockey too.  I think (excepting the playoffs, where the play gets tolerable) that hockey... well.  Let's use my dad as an example, shall we?

RABID hockey fan.  RABID.  Watches every game he can.  And, even with only 1 or even no beer?  He's always lulled to sleep by the 'action' by the second period. 

Of course, maybe listening to Don Cherry during the first intermission has something to do with that... *shudder*

[WyldRanger]

Well, it's time again for the fall classic. Any guesses as to who's going to walk away the winner here?

For my thoughts, I like both the Phils and the Rays. How can I not? One team has the record for most losses by ANY professional sports team and the other never finished out of last place in it's previous 10 years of existence!

Thus why I like them both!  ;D

However, I going to go with the idea that since TB hasn't had the layoff that the Phils have, that they will win. Plus they just look like the best team going right now. Plus I know what a disadvantage it's been recently for the teams with long layoffs (cries about the '06 Tigers).

[RubySlippers]

I live IN Saint Petersbrg Florida the HOME of the Rays and as a proud local that supported the Rays when everyone hated them and I say we are going to kick Philly's ass. GO RAYS!!!!!

;D

[Greenthorn]

I'm originally from Philly..so gotta support them! 

[Spookie Monster]

Though I don't have any predictions, I would like to wish good luck to both teams and to all of their fans.  I'm not specifically rooting for the Phillies or for the Rays -- I'm a Red Sox fan -- but I do hope that this Series ends up being one for the ages.  And I know how much both teams would love to win it!  Despite having teams for all four "major" sports -- the Phillies, the Eagles, the Flyers, and the 76ers -- Philadelphia hasn't won a championship in any of those four sports since 1983; the Phillies won their only World Series in 1980.  Similarly, Tampa Bay has earned some championships recently -- the Buccaneers won Super Bowl XXXVII and the Lightning hoisted the Stanley Cup about five years ago -- but has never won the World Series.  Millions of people are going to be stoked; millions of people are going to be heartbroken!

Best of luck to both teams and their fans!

Spel

[RubySlippers]

I'm not worried they just lost a bit to have a more dramatic victory - we will still beat the Phillies three games in a row.

[NorCalDVS]

The Phillies just made it tough for the Rays to come back with last nights big win. 
The Rays are a team that can make it interesting though.  Hope it goes to seven with the Rays pulling off the upset.
(I'm originally from New York and it is just anathema for a New Yorker to root for team from Philly)
(Also Jonny Gomes is from my area and he's a Ray and that guy is quite a team player.  Even though he's not on the postseason roster he's there rooting his team on and being a positive force)

[Inkidu]

I'd root for the Cubs if only it would mean they break that curse :D

[WyldRanger]

Let me be the first to congratulate the Philadelphia Phillies in finally winning the world series!

[Inkidu]

Awesome, now the Cubs. Gooo! Cubs! Damn have to wait a year.

[PhantomPistoleer]

As a St. Pete native, it's tough watching the Rays lose like this.

Good game, though.

[RubySlippers]

Not really most Northern Teams cheat we in Saint Petersburg have a nice Domed Stadium with perfect protection from bad weather short of a hurricane and lets players compete fairly without cold rain, ice cold air or weather extremes create an unfair advantage to one team. The Philly's have an open air stadium in cold and inclimate weather thereby hurting any team that is not from the North and therefore cheat. How can you expect a team from anywhere in the warm South compete in that and call it fair.

CHEATS! CHEATS! THE PHILLIES ARE CHEATERS!!!!!! CHEATS! CHEATS!

They need to ban any open air stadium anywhere or move these games to a proper location where the weather cannot biase the integrity of the sport.

[WyldRanger]

Sorry about this Ruby, but I have to vehemently disagree with you on multiple levels. First of all it was the Phillies who were the ones that a) played the best baseball throughout the entire series, and b) didn't need the DH to do it!

Yes I am a traditionalist when it comes to baseball which is why, though I don't hate it, I prefer the National League style of baseball without the DH, because it's the way baseball was "meant" to be played.

A dome creates just as much of an "unfair advantage" for the home team as the weather does for a team that plays their games outside. Case in point: The '87 & '91 Minnesota Twins who while not necessarily the best teams still managed to win it all due in large part to the "dome field advantage"

With all that said, the Tampa Bay Rays have absolutely NOTHING to be sad about, the weren't even supposed to be there! So I will not only congratulate the Phillies for winning the series, but I will also congratulate the Rays for letting me watch a Fall Classic without either the Red Sox or Yankees involved in it!

*apologies for the mini rant!*  ;)

[SakiaWarner]

OOOO HOCKEY FANS *dances around*


Buffalo Sabres fan here.. Die Hard... bumperstickers on the car, used to do locker room interviews.. the whole 9 yards.

The season is in swing.. let's talk hockey!!

[Seara]

LOVE the wings here. I watch most but not all of the games just because sometimes they are on too late hehe.

About them looking better I personally don't think they have hit their stride. You see a lot of missed passes so you know they aren't quiet in tune with eachother yet. The wings are known for their supurb passing and that has not happend yet. Their defense is looking rather shaky and they will need to tighten that up if they plan on doing a repeat of last years cup win. Their scoring is suprurb this year. They need to watch the high stick penalities they are picking them up too high too often. But I think by mid-season we will see them starting to come together better as the team is more acquanted with eachother. Lots of new faces this year.

Thats just my take hehe :)

[WyldRanger]

I take a little bit back, while the Wings do look good, I'll admit that they don't look as crisp as they did most of last season. Tho' Hossa is fitting in rather nicely ;)

And that game last night against the Devils was by far the most entertaining of the year thus far! :) I mean, c'mon. McCarty has a fight in the first couple of minutes, they win handily and Osgood was magnificent in goal. So after a shaky start due to injuries and timing, I think things are starting to settle in quite nicely for them now. :)

[WyldRanger]

So, I'm seriously considering finally delving into the digital age by purchasing a digital camera once I get my tax refund. My question is a very basic one. For the casual person that just wants to take basic pictures and share them, is there any particular brand I should steer towards, or even better, any brands I should stay as far away from as possible?

[Oniya]

Are you looking for casual use or professional-grade?  I've been very happy with the Casio Exilim that I bought on EBay.  (Although I've found that using a graphics program to resize the images to half-size is needed to give them best quality, that's not a terrible hardship.)

[Ket]

Well it sounds like you don't really need, nor probably want, a dSLR.  As far as brand, most people are highly loyal in the photography world.  A Canon lover is going to tell you to buy a Canon, and Nikon enthusiast is going to tell you to buy Nikon. 

I can tell you this, Canon has better glass.  Period.  From their L series lenses all the way down to simple point and shoots.

Nikon is better with noise in lower light. 

PM me, we'll talk. 

[WyldRanger]

Are you looking for casual use or professional-grade?  I've been very happy with the Casio Exilim that I bought on EBay.  (Although I've found that using a graphics program to resize the images to half-size is needed to give them best quality, that's not a terrible hardship.)

What I'm really looking for is one for casual use to get me inspired to get out and about a bit more often ;)

To that end, I'm certainly not looking for the cheapest nor the most expensive. I mostly just want one that I can count on to return the favor as long as I treat it right.

I'm curious as to what people think of the ones they have and what they'd recommend.

Well it sounds like you don't really need, nor probably want, a dSLR.  As far as brand, most people are highly loyal in the photography world.  A Canon lover is going to tell you to buy a Canon, and Nikon enthusiast is going to tell you to buy Nikon. 

I can tell you this, Canon has better glass.  Period.  From their L series lenses all the way down to simple point and shoots.

Nikon is better with noise in lower light. 

PM me, we'll talk. 

PM will be sent shortly!  :)

[WyldRanger]

[WyldRanger]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5y0wtUkf5T4&feature=PlayList&p=A964DF3709ECCD75&index=9&playnext=10&playnext_from=PL

:P

[magnamos]

Singing Klingons! :D

[The Overlord]

Any way you slice them, Klingons are the sh1t.  8)

[WyldRanger]

*ick* The Wings better shape up soon (especially Osgood) or we're going to be in trouble come playoff time...