Weekend Wild Card — 7.4-5.09

36 comments on this post so far. Add yours!

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  Arch_Druid on July 04 at 6:36 a.m.

  Reading G.E. Morton's letter to the editor in the S-R this morning, and I was struck by “I am a rock, I am an island” (sung by Simon and Garfunkle) tone of his letter.

  What the fellow seemed to be particularly irate about was that youngsters were being told about “economic injustice” that he took to the next level as some sort of wealth redistribution by gunpoint. Welllllll, not being an attendee of the camp and not having kids there; I wouldn't know whether that would be true or not. But I would know THIS to be true; Morton is very capable of some hyperbolic and propagandistic statements.

  We may indeed be some many billions of individuals with hopes, ambitions and dreams of our own. However; many of us do not realize those hopes, ambitions, dreams and etc. because of economic injustice. If Morton were suddenly to lose his job because the company he worked for didn't want to have to share its profits with a spendy American workforce and preferred to outsource to foreign labor in order to assure more profits for its short term bottom line; would Morton shrug his shoulders and declare that the company has now provided a foreign workforce with opportunities to achieve their own ambitions, dreams, etc. through a job? Or gnash his teeth because his LOSS of job has denied HIM his ambitions, hopes, etc. It's is very easy to stand to one side and pass a lot of judgment—or throw stones—but quite another matter to be personally affected by today's economic reality.

  I'd have no idea what was actually said to any youngsters during such a camp. But I do know what Morton ascribed to it. And his hatred is very palpable.

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  toadman on July 04 at 7:30 a.m.

  So, provided everyone is healthy tomorrow morning at 5am, we're off for a driving trip to see relatives and friends down in Texas. We'll be gone for about two weeks.

  Now, about 95% of my family down there are card carrying Evangelical/Pentecostal Religious Right people. Anyone have any suggestions as to how to present our left coast liberal hippie selves to them without gettin' shot at or preached at or prayed at?

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  Arch_Druid on July 04 at 7:34 a.m.

  Toadman, if they were a “love your neighbor as yourself” crowd, why should THAT even concern you? If you can HAVE that concern, then I guess they must not be the “bible believers” they claim to be. LOL!

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  toadman on July 04 at 7:35 a.m.

  Arch - “Judgmental” doesn't come close.

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  marmitetoasty on July 04 at 8:06 a.m.

  HAPPY 4th of JULY you doodle Dingleberries….

  Have the most super holiday weekend, and be careful with your fireworks and BBQs….

  Toadie, you and your family drive safely, know you are loved…..

  x

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  danofthecounty on July 04 at 8:18 a.m.

  If you're at the parade today be watching for the Democrats new big balloon.

  I think I may be one of the lucky few who get to handle one of the tether lines. I understand you have to have a very special skill set to qualify for one of these positions— be low, wide, and still have good grip on things.

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  sue on July 04 at 8:25 a.m.

  Toad,
  I have a brother in Spokane who married into that kind of mind-set also, and he seems to think it's funny to get things started every now & then. I love him, but try to steer clear of anything political, mostly for my dear mother's sake. It's funny, though, his eldest granddaughter in high school came up to me recently and said very quietly, I was rooting for Obama to win. I laughed, & hugged her. I just told her to keep an open mind. Anyway, good luck and safe travels to you & your family.

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  toadman on July 04 at 8:48 a.m.

  Thanks marmy….we'll be as careful as we can.

  sue - it's funny how we have to live in hiding among family.

  Also, I forgot to say Happy 4th of July to everyone!

  A friend of mine said something interesting the other day..he said:

  “Had our founding fathers practiced unquestioning patriotism and devotion to country, there would be no Independence Day.” - A. Scott White.

  Interesting, no?

  So….Happy 4th of July everyone! Just remember, it's OK to ask questions.

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  wheels on July 04 at 9:18 a.m.

  Happy safe 4th to all and to all a good day.

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  Don Sausser on July 04 at 9:29 a.m.

  Arch, Happy 4th!

  I often read you criticizing American companies off-shoring their operations thereby losing local employment. But if it were required that companies operations remain only in the United States, with higher costs, how could their sales compete in the marketplace?

  To retain local employment would you prefer?
  1. Laws requiring all American company’s operations remain only in the US?
  2. Remove foreign countries from operations in the US?
  3. A world with all nations businesses restricted to their own soil?
  4. Remove trade agreements and only market American products & services locally?

  Less expensive labor not only benefits stockholders but also consumers with lower costs. And why shouldn’t stockholders benefit after risking their investments? If stock ownership is too low the investments will go elsewhere, thereby slowing a company’s growth and reducing employment. And even off shore operations, if successful, create more local American management and infrastructure jobs.

  There are many, many foreign country’s producing employment in this country, i.e., vehicle manufacturing.

  We will never go back to the old assembly line days of cradle to grave employment with one company and little product competition (my Dad spent 42 yrs with Richfield Corp). Back in 1985 while serving on the NIC Board of Trustees we learned that graduates would change, not just jobs, but occupations seven times during their earning years. I understand that today it is near 30 times. Other than government, today’s service and information industries are the highest growth. Community Colleges like NIC provide excellent retraining opportunities, often with grants or tax incentives, for those who have lost a manufacturing job.

  I hope my longest post ever will brighten your Independence Day!
  

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  Stickman on July 04 at 10:03 a.m.

  Anyone know if there is any sort of flyover today at the parade.

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  OrangeTV on July 04 at 10:31 a.m.

  Honestly, July 4th is not among my favorite holidays.

  My mother programmed me to be scared to death of fireworks when I was a kid and it stuck. The parade has way too many people and it's always the same anyway. At least it was sorta fun when I was a kid and they could still toss out candy to the parade goers, resulting in much kiddie hair-pulling and eyeball-clawing.

  Red, white and blue do not look good with my skin tone and hair color.

  Too many a-holes from places like Pinehurst or Smelterville show up downtown for the big fireworks, they take over my neighborhood and all parking spots and act obnoxious until 3 am. It takes until well into July 5th for both my scared cats to emerge from the backs of closets or under beds after the big boom-boom. Besides, blind patriotism and thoughtless flag waving annoys me.

  The ONLY saving grace is the family BBQ at mom's, this year is ribs and shrimp salad and my tummy is rumbling just thinking about it…Dotc better hurry and get there fast after his balloon duty or it'll all be devoured.

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  Bent on July 04 at 11:06 a.m.

  Wow, it's just the opposite for me OTV. The 4th of July and New Years Eve top the holidays for me. It's probably because those are the optional holidays. There is no pressure. You can opt in or you could opt out and there are no social consequences…

  You can't skip Christmas, or Easter the same way. Skip those holidays and society puts you on the watch list.

  “What! no Christmas tree? Is everthing Ok?…”

  God, I love the fourth… all fun and no pressure…catching the sky on fire is just an added bonus ;-)

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  Bent on July 04 at 11:09 a.m.

  Hey Stickman, I didn't notice today, but a couple of years ago. Fairchild sent a tanker crew flying over my backyard — only about 200 or 300 feet up — as it made its way up the Spokane River valley to flyover the Sherman Avenue parade… It was awesome!

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  Cindy H on July 04 at 11:38 a.m.

  Toad, as annoying as it may be, your relatives probably preach at you out of genuine concern for your eternal soul :-) If you only have to put up with it a couple times a year just let it roll of your back, and enjoy the fact that your boys get to have grandparents, aunts and uncles to dote on them for a bit.
  Many are not so fortunate.
  And think of an “Oprah-like” catchphrase to say if they try to argue beliefs you don't agree with. Something like, “That's interesting. You've given me a lot to think about.” Or, “Wow! i can totally see where you're coming from.” Then sneak off and go to one of those drive-thru beer places, you told us about.
  Heh.

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  Don Sausser on July 04 at 12:30 p.m.

  “Besides, blind patriotism and thoughtless flag waving annoys me.”

  But Orangeman, how can you tell if someone waving a flag is “blind & thoughtless” or just celebrating Independence Day or the many opportunities to improve oneself in our nation?

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  Cis on July 04 at 1:15 p.m.

  Happy 4th…to everyone..
  Toadman, you and your family have a safe trip.
  I was going to tell you to cup your hand over your
  ear and say “I don't hear well anymore”…. after about 3 times
  they might give up…but Cindy's advice is better.

  For those who want a peek at Sandpoint's parade I put a few pictures up….. just click on From Simple Mind on the side links.

  I LOVE 4th of July, it is my totally fav of the year. Parades, great food everywhere… Usually everyone is in a good mood. And even tho I don't do the fireworks in town anymore, I still love seeing them. And the neighborhood will be full of them. Last year they went on for a hour and half.

  So PARTY ON, GANG.. HAPPY 4TH..

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  Truly on July 04 at 1:42 p.m.

  Well, well well - OTV - I must say I am bit surprised. You seem to be such a “man about town” - but it didn't blow my skirt up so to speak. We all have one or two holidays that aren't cool. Sorry you have to put up with so much “stuff”. I don't know where you live in town but you knew this was a comming - so babe - deal with it the best way you can - run for your life to mom's for bbq!

  Toad -gotta love ya man - I am on my way to the parent's in laws house and I have to hear and deal with the same trip that you are about to embark upon - as I think it was Cis said -“just roll”. Smile and nod but don't get up and start clapping for Jesus or whatever it is they “do”.

  You may want to try some tongue babble??? I know as young kids and hippies we have all babbled so just pull one of those out of your hat:)

  Otherwise - hang calm and know this HBO peeps on this Independence Day - no worries about the noise, extra people or Bible thumping biatches:)

  Just BE!

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  Stickman on July 04 at 3:49 p.m.

  Thanks Bent: Over the years there have been many flyovers, as I remember well the one you talk about. I had a great view for that one right along the backside of Tubbs Hill. Over the years I have had many planes fly over my house, from F-18's to the B-17 a few times. I loved them all. Had a couple of Harriers one year as well, what a treat. I am not much for the parade anymore, even though I live so close. I do like any flyover though, as I love planes of all sorts.

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  Nick_Adams on July 04 at 4:40 p.m.

  Happy Independence Day!

  Just getting off a few posts before heading off to a BBQ with friends and then to the park for the fireworks.

  I hope each and everyone of you enjoys a wonderful holiday.

  Happy 233rd birthday, United States of America.

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  spokelooneh on July 04 at 5:06 p.m.

  A couple of F-16's did a flyover about 200 ft. above the deck last time I was at Lake Roosevelt. Probably a couple of 1st Lts. having some fun or maybe a couple of Lt. Colonels getting in their flight time for flight pay.

  Now here's a cool photo of an F-22 going supersonic:

  http://news.yahoo.com/s/livescience/2…

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  spokelooneh on July 04 at 6:10 p.m.

  HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!!!

  “When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.”

  Laws of Nature?
  Nature's God?

  Sounds like a bunch of tree-hugging atheists, or at best, Deists.

  Oh, that's right…
  –––––––––—

  OTOH, there's that concluding paragraph about:

  “And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.”

  Looks like there's something for everybody in that masterful document.

  Celebrate that.
  

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  Phaedrus on July 04 at 6:36 p.m.

  “How sad that Washington and the media will never understand; it’s about country,” Ms. Palin wrote on her Facebook page on Saturday. “And though it’s honorable for countless others to leave their positions for a higher calling and without finishing a term, of course we know by now, for some reason a different standard applies for the decisions I make. But every American understands what it takes to make a decision because it’s right for all, including your family.”

  Once again playing the victim.

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  florined on July 04 at 9:56 p.m.

  What an idyll is Coeur d'Alene this evening. I drove out “the old highway” along the lake, seeing hundreds of vehicles parked along the road, people staged on the banks with picnics or not, families, lovers, even what looked like a mini-reunion. On my way back, the sunset was salmon and boats of all sizes were headed west to join the flotilla to watch the fireworks.

  I had to thread my way back to my house, avoiding the tiny versions as families set off their “safe and sane” fireworks in the middle of residential streets, to the delight of the kids.

  My thanks to all those who keep our land and people safe and able to enjoy these simple but wondrous pleasures.

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• 

  Me on July 04 at 10:21 p.m.

  Florined - you painted a lovely picture!

  http://me-is-it-me.blogspot.com/2009/…

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  Arch_Druid on July 05 at 7:09 a.m.

  Don Sausser, I'll introduce you to Knapp's letter this morning in which he “blames” the increased joblessness and etc. ON the re-emergence of a Dem majority in Congress by 2007.

  I really just loved the years' old tune you sang that business interests that wish to go multinational can't hope to “fairly compete” unless they outsource the better paying jobs (for Americans) to lower paying foreign labor. OR, Sausser, import cheaper labor BECAUSE an American workforce is just too spendy. AND THEREFORE by seeking out ever cheaper labor IT REDUCES the costs to the American consumer.

  Oh, there's a few points you might have missed.

  1. When the product made by “cheaper labor” hits the store shelves its retail value is no different than if it had in fact been made by Americans.
  2. When looking at the price of food (unless you go to the discount grocery stores) the price of food INCREASED after various agribusiness and processing companies began hiring cheap foreign labor.
  3. The horror stories out of CNN include the lack of quality of food, toys, etc. very specifically exported from CHEAP labor out of China.
  4. Call centers used by credit card companies and etc. outsourced to foreign countries have produced their own horror stories.
  5. General customer services that credit card companies and etc. who have outsourced such jobs to foreign labor; have been reduced in quality. I should know, I have been in a long running battle with Capital One among those companies that sent essential customer service jobs to overseas labor. They decided they could screw with the accounts I have with them in order to pay for their hired overseas help I suppose and increase their substantial profit margins for having hired such inexpensive labor, among other shenanigans.

  On the other hand, foreign companies operating on American soil don't typically do unions nor are they necessarily going to hire Americans at a pay rate that would enable that workforce to have the same comfortable employment that leads to: owning their own homes, sending their kids to prestigious universities, etc. that WAS possible when MOST American companies kept the jobs in America and only EXPORTED the product.

  One other thing, Sausser that you seem to have missed out on: When we hand over to China the blueprints to build computers and an opportunity to create our computer software, they are going to engage in piracy as well as industrial espionage AND intelligence espionage as well. The facts of which that has only been in the news.

  Let's put it very bluntly, the people who have run these companies want the profits all right; but they don't actually want to work for them.

  And they will also go bankrupt as GM did because NOT ENOUGH people with cash will be buying their product (they are jobless because of the outsourcing of jobs and the importation of cheap labor) or as did Circuit City, simply go out of business. There is no disconnect between the CONSUMER and the AMERICAN WORKFORCE. They are one and the same.

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  Me on July 05 at 9:57 a.m.

  Arch - small correction. Capital One does their customer service here - actually literally here - my Son has worked for them for a couple of years.
  

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  Truly on July 05 at 10:13 a.m.

  Cramming for a test sucks!!!!!

  And I'm out!

  Peace:)

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  Ron_the_Cop on July 05 at 10:39 a.m.

  Happy 4th of July too - Freedom is not free - here's a reflective essay I wrote five years ago:

  FREEDOM - Thx to The Greatest Generation for Preserving It

  http://friendsofmarkfuhrman.org/blog/…

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  Don Sausser on July 05 at 12:20 p.m.

  Arch, you do quickly get worked up in your lengthy reply comments. No, I didnt miss anything, but a point to point reply is useless with your frame of mind and would take much longer than I am willing to give.

  But I did have a great fourth, hope you did, in spite of your unhappiness with our system of goverment, with its faults, but being the envy of many. “Don't worry, be happy!”

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  Bent on July 05 at 12:25 p.m.

  Hey Me, did you try the Bent Brew yet? I have to do another batch. You and Kerri Thoreson are in posession of the last known bottles of that batch…

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  nslopeofw on July 05 at 4:26 p.m.

  I like the way Don Sausser asks Arch Druid for an opinion, then quasi-slams it. Very nice.

  I liked the fact that AD shows real facts about what China doesn't do in respect to quality control. There have been quite a few scares lately from China in terms of food for both humans and pets due to this lack of QC. Sometimes the bottom line for the stockholders isn't always the best thing.

  Keep in mind, IBM sold its computer building division to Lenovo (a Chinese company), so when purchasing a new computer, go with American such as Dell, Gateway, HP,etc. Most computer parts are made in other countries, but it's the assembly and support that counts. I try and not buy Chinese crap, and also, avoid places like wal-mart.

  American made, American workers. These should be the 1st choice.

  You know, Boeing over Airbus.

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  spokelooneh on July 05 at 6:00 p.m.

  “go with American such as Dell, Gateway, HP,etc. Most computer parts are made in other countries, but it's the assembly and support that counts.”
  -Nslope

  All of Dell's laptops are made overseas. All of its tech support, except Enterprise (big business) is outsourced to India.

  Dell has been assembling desktop computers for the North American market in the US, mostly in Texas and Georgia, however this changing rapidly:
  (Oh, and Dell doesn't export US assembled computers, they have plants in China and Poland.)

  From Business Week:

  ” Foxconn's facility is the first commercial development in San Jeronimo, a swath of desert fanning south into Mexico from New Mexico's Santa Teresa port of entry, and New Mexico officials believe the plant will become the major driver of economic development on both sides of the border.

  The plant, now dedicated entirely to assembling Dell computer products, employs about 2,000 workers. Foxconn expects to employ as many as 10,000 workers by this winter, after a third assembly plant, now under construction, is completed.

  When the facility is fully built out to about three million square feet of industrial space, Foxconn plans to employ 20,000 workers.”

  In case it's not clear, this gigantic plant is in Mexico, right across the border.

  “Border Authority officials and several other guests were shown inside one of two 300,000-square-foot assembly plants on site and later a 150,000-square-foot distribution center. The campus is also home to a 30-suite hotel for visiting executives, a gymnasium, outdoor basketball courts and a large industrial kitchen that provides employees two meals per shift.”

  http://tinyurl.com/qc5y99

  Foxconn is one of the largest companies in the world, employing around a half a million people world-wide.

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  Don Sausser on July 05 at 7:15 p.m.

  nslopeofw: “I like the way Don Sausser asks Arch Druid for an opinion, then quasi-slams it. Very nice.”

  Thank you sir! Just like all subjects, every point could be debated to infinity. Arch had her say, I said mine. It is really what conversation, or blogging is about. I blurk alot because it is interesing to hear different points of view.

  And you too, have a great 4th weekend.

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  Arch_Druid on July 06 at 7:30 a.m.

  I am sure, Me, that Capital One does continue to employ a percentage of Americans. However, SOME of their customer service did get outsourced. Let me clue you in on a few facts: after Capital One decided to screw with my accounts and quite literally did a lot of mishandling of money, committing fraud and trying to get me to “pay up” for all the mishandling that they did of my accounts—I won't.

  We recently got in caller ID over the last few months and started getting calls from Capital One from one office phone to yet another office phone to yet another office phone from various area codes. But the recorded voice was “Linda” who offers “many opportunities” and to “call her back” at the specified number. Try explaining that one.

  How about telling your son that if Capital One doesn't care to get investigated into by a U.S. Attorney that they ought to start getting their book keeping in order such as they were once capable of.

  Ever since that “bankruptcy reform” bill was passed into law that very specifically catered to credit card companies; even Capital One has run amok with bad debt practices. And no; I shouldn't have to pick up the tab for all the bad debt that they racked up. No more than I should have to pick up the tab because the Fed Gvt gave them “stress test” $$$.

  Thank you, nslopeofw for your response.

  And Sausser, obviously facts got you a bit worked up.

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  Me on July 06 at 10:24 a.m.

  Arch - I'll tell my Son - who is ANSWERING THE PHONE, not screwing with your accounts and committing fraud…. to tell his employer off.

  If they committed fraud, I would suggest you file complaints against them. If they did, you WILL win.

  As for where phone calls are coming from, that is easy. Just as I said my Son works for them here in Coeur d' Alene, the phone system and computer system more than likely go to some other central place. An area code has very little meaning these days as to where the person making the call is pysically located.

  Thanks again for 'cluing me in' (didn't really need any cluing in - was just stating some information that I had knowing that they had a call center here).

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