I won’t lie to you. Yesterday was hard. Really hard. In no way, shape, or form did I want to leave the house, let alone go to work yesterday. And it was a day filled with frustration and chair time, though I finally managed to fix something that really shouldn’t have been broken, but was anyway (I also managed to not buy anything, which is good). Damn you, ColdFusion 9! It was also sunny and warm yesterday – and I missed all of it (except for the drive in, which at least I can appreciate, now that it’s a half-hour trip). I can’t wait until there’s daylight after work again (in about six months). There’s a ridge due west of my house that bay windows in the living room and dining room look over, and sunsets are gorgeous (when I’m there, and when there’s sun – two hard-to-satisfy conditions this time of year). Today is supposed to be warm as well, though not sunny (a little rainy, in fact). That wouldn’t bother me at all if I was off today. I have a bunch of things I’d like to get done outside, and a little rain wouldn’t bother me a bit.
While I wasn’t paying attention to the local news this morning, they made the astonishing announcement that the Wall St., automakers, etc. bailout that had people all up-in-teabags this past election is almost entirely paid back (with still more to come, quite possibly). Astonishing, because it isn’t frickin’ news – and was in fact well-know (and dutifully ignored by media and teabaggers alike) before the election. So congratulations for keeping all that under wraps. No doubt John Boehner will be taking credit for getting all that money back for the taxpayers (before returning it once again in the form of tax cuts for mega corporations and rich people).
Speaking of the Boehner, it appears that the White House sees him as a “possible partner” to work with. This sort of thing – if nothing else – should cause you to be greatly disappointed in Obama. His insistence on being naive or stupid (or whatever it is he is) enough to think that any of these people will do more than stick a knife in his back while looking him in the eye (which of course involves a reach around) is perhaps the most disappointing thing about his administration. And the reason the Democrats took such a shellacking in the past election.
Fortunately, I’m not paying attention.
No fracking. For now. If Blinky signs.
OK, you can all go back to sleep now.
Speaking of the Boehner, it appears that the White House sees him as a “possible partner†to work with. This sort of thing – if nothing else – should cause you to be greatly disappointed in Obama.
I don’t get it. (Admittedly there’s lots I don’t get.) What is he thinking? Haven’t the Republicans adequately demonstrated their intentions? It would be reassuring if he could at least identify his friends and his enemies.
PJ, is there are map of the areas in which fracking is possible?
Here’s a map of where the Marcellus Shale is:
http://www.catskillmountainkeeper.org/node/290.
Much of it is where the watershed for NYC is (which is why politicians from downstate suddenly seem to care about what happens up here in the boonies).
Swell! West Virginia in the cross hairs once again.
If the wealthy areas of NYC are not affected the NYC pols don’t care. Rudy Giuliani wanted to put garbage transfer stations in all the poor/minority neighborhoods and Dinkins, yes Dinkins, thought they’d be ideal places for sludge (sewage) processing plants. Bloomberg has not been as bad, but he had screwing up the school system to keep him busy.
Thanks for the map.
Barack Obama buys a lawnmower:
Barack Obama is walking down the street when he looks in a neighbors garage and sees an old rusty push mower. Knocking on the door, he is surprised to see that it’s John Boehner’s house.
“Hey John. I couldn’t help but notice that fine lawnmower in your garage. How much do you want for it?â€
“Well I wasn’t planning on selling it, but I guess I’d let it go for $20.â€
Obama thinks about it for a moment. “Okay I’ll give you $25.â€
“But I said I’d sell it to you for $20.â€
Obama looks away, calculating in his head. “Okay. You got me. $30.â€
“But….but…â€
Obama smiles. “You drive a hard bargain, John. But $35 is as high as I’m going to go.â€
Boehner, now even more confused, “Seriously. I wasn’t gong to sell it, but $20 is more than fair for it. It’s rusty and the blades need sharpening and one of the wheels is wobbly and falls off every once in awhile.â€
Seeing an opening, Obama replies. “Fine. Let’s compromise. $38.â€
Shrugging his shoulders, Boehner says “Okay. Fine. Whatever. $38. Take her away†and Obama hands Boehner two crisp twenty dollar bills and starts pushing the creaking mower down the street.
Looking up from the two twenties in his hand, Boehner calls out, “Wait. I owe you two dollars.â€
A smiling Obama looks over his shoulder and waves. “That’s alright. You can keep the change.â€
thanks to FireDogLake