In today's Picture of the Day, the so-called 'Trees of Love' with padlocks placed by newlyweds to seal their love, are seen across Luzhkov bridge in downtown Moscow, Wednesday. A recent Russian tradition involves newlyweds placing a padlock at one of the iron trees on…
A boy can learn a lot from a dog: obedience, loyalty, and the importance of turning around three times before lying down. Robert Benchley (1889 - 1945)
Good morning, Netizens...It was a bit cold this morning as I wandered into the Virtual Garden from the street, with the Nehi Cola Thermometer proudly hanging from over the doorway to the Virtual Ballroom sitting at just 52 degrees. I chuckled to myself at seeing…
Good morning, Netizens...Originally I wasn't going to touch this scenario because we have discussed the electromagnetic pulse war scenario somewhat before, but now it seems there might be that plans in Iran might be destined that way. Let's set the stage briefly with the name…
Good evening, Netizens...A brief review of Sunday's incident where Jim D. Adkisson killed 2 people with a shotgun before being wrestled to the floor:KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – A gunman opened fire at a church youth performance Sunday and killed two people, including a man who witnesses…
Good morning, Netizens...I was resigned to the fact living in a long-haul truck on the road would be my life until I graduated from college, or I died, whichever came first, for I was always as in love with the life on the road as…
I just read in the Seattle Times that they are voting on a proposed plastic-bag fee and foam ban. The Seattle City Council is expected to vote at a 2 p.m. meeting today whether to charge shoppers 20 cents for each disposable grocery bag they…
Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach a man to fish and he will eat for a lifetime. Teach a man to create an artificial shortage of fish and he will eat steak. Jay Leno (1950 - )
Good morning, Netizens...Particularly those new to Community Comment and/or The Virtual Ballroom.Unfortunately last week after learning of a number of forgeries designed to trick their way past the Spokesman-Review's security, I began verifying each new name and e-mail address as they came in. If you…
Good morning, Netizens...Doubtlessly mortified over the images that made their way around the world of the angry depositors demanding their money from a failed California bank, it would seem that perhaps the FDIC learned from their errors as they seized control of two more banks…
Education... has produced a vast population able to read but unable to distinguish what is worth reading. G. M. Trevelyan (1876 - 1962), English Social History (1942)
Good morning, David...You wrote:Frank, I will encourage you to keep up the good fight. You are about to begin facing this one your own. I won't be surprised that Green Libertarian will do the prudent thing and save himself for future battles and discussions. He…
Good evening, Netizens...This picture shows the wildfire, as it appeared just above the Tassajara Zen Center, moving down the canyon, cutting off the access road and from there into the heart of the Zen Center near Big Sur, California. Despite being told to leave the…
I am half a block away from the downtown Spokane fire in the Joel Building. Pretty smokey. Tell me your thoughts for today and help me get this smoke out of my eyes.
Good morning, Netizens...A seagull sits above sunbathers on Brighton beach in southern England on Wednesday. (Carl de Souza/AFP/Getty Images) (July 23, 2008)Many of the sage minds in the Virtual Ballroom might ask, why have you posted a picture of a seagull when we have all…
I would like to open up a topic regarding Motorcycles. I have learned that there is absolutely no insurance required to own/operate a motorcycle in the state of Washington. That the Drivers guide for vehicles has but 2 or 3 lines regarding watching out for…
Today's scientists have substituted mathematics for experiments, and they wander off through equation after equation, and eventually build a structure which has no relation to reality. Nikola Tesla (1857 - 1943), Modern Mechanics and Inventions, July, 1934
From Yahoo news:AP IMPACT: Traffic deaths fall as gas prices climb.COLUMBUS, Ohio - Rising prices at the gas pump appear to be having at least one positive effect: Traffic deaths around the country are plummeting, just as they did during the Arab oil embargo three…
Good morning, everyone...This is an open letter to Mayor Mary Verner sent this morning via e-mail: Today at 10:30 AM Mayor Mary Verner is hosting a community round table on emergency preparedness. The prepared text, taken from the City's Web Site states: “Building on a…
Good evening, Netizens...An Oregon U.S. Mailman wants the U.S. Postal Service to give workers the option to wear kilts, or what he calls Male Unbifurcated Garments or MUGS. Quoting the U.S.A. Today story, the man states, "MUGs are worn all over the world, and have…
Good morning, Netizens...Oh, Lordie! This morning's Picture of the Day is one that may either amuse or simply revulse everyone who has raised children who seem to acquire the gift of guinea pigs. In this morning's picture, we have two Guinea pigs wearing Peruvian local…
"So difficult it is to show the various meanings and imperfections of words when we have nothing else but words to do it with," wrote philosopher John Locke (1632-1704).While there's truth in Locke's assertion, it's possible to overcome the difficulty to some extent. We construct…
Good morning, Netizens...On a normal day, if SR columnist Rebecca Nappi writes an article, I will read it immediately, not necessarily because I always agree with her point of view, but because she writes with clarity and more often than not, captures my interest with…