tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13208607.post115761269235854951..comments2023-10-06T01:45:50.515-07:00Comments on Above The Borderline: Still "Smokin' - Five Years LaterUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger46125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13208607.post-1158290918830546192006-09-14T20:28:00.000-07:002006-09-14T20:28:00.000-07:00CATO said:"There is no constitutional authority fo...CATO said:<BR/><BR/>"There is no constitutional authority for the spending. Granted I acknowledge that about 1% of the population cares."<BR/>I think you're exaggerating I know of 2 rugged individuals in your camp, you and Dr. Bill of OTBL fame. I'm sure your minions number in the hundreds. WOW! One percent is a big stretch!<BR/><BR/>"The use of multiple layers of subcontractors really isn't that bad. Considering that the government felt that a job could be completed with 10 dollars and the contractor then could break it down into a two parts both of which could be completed by smaller contractors for 4 dollars, and they then broke it up into two jobs that could be completed for 1.50 the government doesn't "loose" any money, just other people make money (as in if the contractor would have done the work itself you wouldn't whine about it because it was worth 10 dollars and that's what was paid to the contractor."<BR/><BR/>You make this sound all so innocent.<BR/>Then why is it being investigated, why is it part of the report on Katrina corruption. <BR/>I'll modify my stance slightly in that there may have been some oversight and management required to do the required work. But I content that it's much more likely that contractor after contractor took there cut, and pawned off the work to some else etc. etc. etc. Until you have qualified union construction workers passed over for illegal immigrant that agree to work for a fraction of the union wage and in the end never get paid anything at all.<BR/>This creates the oddball scenario of lawyers filing suit against unscrupulous contractors on behalf of illegal immigrant workers who have no legal right to be working here in the first place. <BR/>As usual, the lawyers and nobody else will win on this one.Andy Randhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05322038978217816765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13208607.post-1158241739782051052006-09-14T06:48:00.000-07:002006-09-14T06:48:00.000-07:00CurtAtleast youre able to comment openly on this B...Curt<BR/>Atleast youre able to comment openly on this BLOG, I cant say the same for OTBL.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13208607.post-1158111605427903752006-09-12T18:40:00.000-07:002006-09-12T18:40:00.000-07:00Well CATO:I've given you the info. you requested. ...Well CATO:<BR/><BR/>I've given you the info. you requested. Now you're AWOL.<BR/>Whazz UP?<BR/>I just discovered some info that ties<BR/>sub contracting and no bid minority contracts into one pretty little Bush Administration Bow. More later.Andy Randhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05322038978217816765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13208607.post-1158084022065021592006-09-12T11:00:00.000-07:002006-09-12T11:00:00.000-07:00Where did George bush come from???OIL!!!Where did George bush come from???<BR/>OIL!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13208607.post-1158041474898601842006-09-11T23:11:00.000-07:002006-09-11T23:11:00.000-07:00Anon:I've savored every morsel of your baloney and...Anon:<BR/><BR/>I've savored every morsel of your baloney and it didn't cost me a penny.<BR/>Who says there's no free lunch.Andy Randhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05322038978217816765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13208607.post-1158032468223898742006-09-11T20:41:00.000-07:002006-09-11T20:41:00.000-07:00Pity as in...commiseration: a feeling of sympathy ...Pity as in...<BR/><BR/>commiseration: a feeling of sympathy and sorrow for the misfortunes of others; "the blind are too often objects of pity" <BR/>an unfortunate development; "it's a pity he couldn't do it" <BR/>compassion: the humane quality of understanding the suffering of others and wanting to do something about it <BR/>feel for: share the suffering of <BR/>wordnet.princeton.edu/perl/webwn<BR/><BR/>Pity is an emotion, usually resulting from an encounter with an unfortunate, injured, or pathetic person or creature. A person experiencing pity will often take mercy on the person/creature, giving them aid or money. Many people pity the homeless, orphans, the terminally ill, and victims of rape and torture. <BR/>en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pity<BR/><BR/>Blake is ambivalent about the emotion Pity. In The Book of Urizen Pity begins when Los looks on the body of Urizen bound in chains (Urizen 13.50-51). However, Pity furthers the fall, "For pity divides the soul" (13.53), dividing Los and Enitharmon, who is named Pity at her birth. Pity defuses the power of righteous indignation and proper prophetic wrath that lead to action. Stevenson asserts: "Pity is a distraction; the soul is divided between it and the action a 'pitiable' state demands. ...<BR/>facstaff.uww.edu/hoganj/gloss.htm<BR/>---<BR/>Maybe these unemployed and underemployed human resources need less pity and more kicks in the ass. I certainly don't need any of your pity. I've been down in my life and I worked my way out. I didn't sit around doing the "woe is me" blues. <BR/><BR/>If there are not jobs on your side of town, pack a lunch, put some clothes in your nap sack and start walking. there's bound to be something down the road. Pity doesn't buy a baloney sandwich. Hard work does.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13208607.post-1158010631030277332006-09-11T14:37:00.000-07:002006-09-11T14:37:00.000-07:00Anon:I can't help but comment on this."You strip a...Anon:<BR/><BR/>I can't help but comment on this.<BR/><BR/>"You strip away you morality and emotion on the issues involved here and surely you can see the facts."<BR/><BR/><BR/>This is why I respond so passionately against the ideas you propose. If you've stipped away your morality and your emotion, you've stipped away a part of your humanity. I realize the need for businesses to make a profit, but not at the expense of becoming cold hearted bean counters who can't see value in anything past the next quarter's bottome line.<BR/>"Bleeding Heart" fine I'm guilty.<BR/>At least I haven't sold a part of my humanity to the devil for a few pieces of silver.<BR/>Frankly, you confuse me. On the one hand you seem to have concern for your employees and on the other you decribe them as "human raw material of the production system." If that's the way you see other human beings I can only have pity for you.Andy Randhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05322038978217816765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13208607.post-1158007431421267282006-09-11T13:43:00.000-07:002006-09-11T13:43:00.000-07:00Anon,BTW,It's chronic not cronical.I think cronica...Anon,<BR/><BR/>BTW,<BR/><BR/>It's chronic not cronical.<BR/>I think cronical is some sort of mispelled journal.Andy Randhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05322038978217816765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13208607.post-1158006112301611332006-09-11T13:21:00.000-07:002006-09-11T13:21:00.000-07:00Anon:You said:"A little help is understandable, bu...Anon:<BR/><BR/>You said:<BR/>"A little help is understandable, but this cronical ass wiping is wrong."<BR/><BR/>This may surprise you but I agree.<BR/>However, People who are parylyzed from the neck down need someone to wipe their ass. People who sit on street corners with gameboys and signs saying <BR/>"will work for food" and have no intention of working don't.<BR/><BR/>The business situation you describe is understandable. But how many CEOs are earning Ten's of billions to run companies into the ground. Take K-mart as an example. That's who I have the beef with. <BR/>In the bigger picture, while you as a small business may find it necesary to let workers go the net result of all companies "outsourcing" and laying of to help the bottom line is they are laying off potential customers. You won't have a business without customers and people without jobs are non-customers.Andy Randhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05322038978217816765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13208607.post-1158004608510091132006-09-11T12:56:00.000-07:002006-09-11T12:56:00.000-07:00Andy:You are much to emotional to take part in the...Andy:<BR/><BR/>You are much to emotional to take part in these discussions. Realistically, there is a whole segment of our society that are basically good as cogs for the industrial machinery. You strip away you morality and emotion on the issues involved here and surely you can see the facts.<BR/><BR/>How many people DO YOU ACTUALLY know in the clg class? What are they doing to improve their situation? So what if they gave some company 20 years of their life and get the heave-ho because of outscourcing. You are one of those "People Before Profits" bleeding hearts that don't understand that a business needs to make a profit to stay in business. <BR/><BR/>For example, if someone worked for my business for 20 years they get a regular paycheck, benefits, a pension plan, etc. They even had the opportunity to further their education at my company's expense -- most don't. Then the time comes and a business decision has to be made to keep the company profitable and these people happened to be on the side of the business that gets cut. They get a severance package, a transferable benefits plan and we feel bad losing a group of dedicated employees. Maybe a corporation has no heart, by those of use making these decisions are making very emotion-filled decisions that truly hurt families and friends we've know for a long time. <BR/><BR/>What's a company to do? Keep them on and lose money? Do you pay the kid who mows your lawn throughout winter for not mowing? Doubtful.<BR/><BR/>You actually are not arguing for helping hardworking Americans that have fallen on hard times. Those people will have prepared for the unforeseen and will pick up themselves and move on down the road. You are arguing for the "why me crowd" who want the government to wipe their asses and have the nerve to complain about the toilet paper being too rough. A little help is understandable, but this cronical ass wiping is wrong.<BR/><BR/>I've worked all my life and paid my way. I've kept my eye on the potential problems that could hit me in the future. I would expect some brief handholding and a couple of hardship tissues if hit with job loss, but I expect it to be my responsiblity to get a job and move on with my life. <BR/><BR/>You however live in that world philosophical handholders who don't have the stomach to face the facts and know when to tell people to wipe their own asses.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13208607.post-1158002554519251142006-09-11T12:22:00.000-07:002006-09-11T12:22:00.000-07:00CATO: On Shell minority businesses:From the Dept.o...CATO: On Shell minority businesses:<BR/><BR/>From the Dept.of Justice.<BR/><BR/>http://tinyurl.com/hmujf<BR/><BR/><BR/>“Sham joint ventures deprive legitimate minority businesses of a level playing field in seeking contracts,” Mr. Fitzgerald said. “When individuals or companies compete for public contracts they must be honest about describing whether the minority participation is real, and not enter into secret side agreements. If instead they commit fraud, they will face criminal prosecution.Andy Randhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05322038978217816765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13208607.post-1158001793154153072006-09-11T12:09:00.000-07:002006-09-11T12:09:00.000-07:00Anonmous # whatever:You said:"Workers in America n...Anonmous # whatever:<BR/><BR/>You said:<BR/><BR/>"Workers in America need to start understanding what they are. They are the limited-skilled, human raw material of the production system. They have cheaper components that do the same thing for less all around the world"<BR/><BR/>Spoken like somebody who treats humans as cogs in the machine and probably never did an honest day of manual labor in his life.<BR/>I hope everything in your portfolio goes belly up!Andy Randhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05322038978217816765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13208607.post-1158000821371288782006-09-11T11:53:00.000-07:002006-09-11T11:53:00.000-07:00Alright CATO:Here's the report on sub, sub, sub co...Alright CATO:<BR/><BR/>Here's the report on sub, sub, sub contracting info. From:<BR/>U.S. House representative Henry Waxman.<BR/><BR/>http://tinyurl.com/mqye8<BR/>and <BR/>http://tinyurl.com/nzzvd<BR/><BR/>http://www.democrats.reform.house.gov/story.asp?ID=1097<BR/><BR/><BR/>http://www.democrats.reform.house.gov/Documents/20060824110705-30132.pdf<BR/><BR/><BR/>"C. Excessive Reliance on Subcontractors<BR/>The response to Hurricane Katrina relied heavily on contracts under which private contractors<BR/>purchased goods and services from other private contractors. In these contracts, the prime<BR/>contractor became, in essence, a middleman, adding a layer of fees to the contract that was often<BR/>unnecessary. In some instances, contracts were set up with multiple layers of contractors<BR/>between the government and the subcontractor that actually performed the work, vastly<BR/>multiplying expenses and complicating oversight."<BR/><BR/>I don't just pull this stuff out of my ass!Andy Randhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05322038978217816765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13208607.post-1157999226052141712006-09-11T11:27:00.000-07:002006-09-11T11:27:00.000-07:00CATO:You said this: "I think the US could nuke ...CATO:<BR/>You said this:<BR/><BR/><BR/> "I think the US could nuke aggressors since we have enough to do so. We do not need to get involved in wars half a world away. This government should care about Americans first and only."<BR/><BR/>I copied and pasted it from your post.<BR/>You also said:<BR/>"Anyway, you have two things to show me. Sub-sub-sub-contracting and any evidence to support your claim of shell minority buisnesses."<BR/><BR/>There was s 60mins report on shell minority buisnesses and I believe it was done by Ed Bradley. It was a number of years ago and I don't know if I can find in their archieves. If you don't believe me, you go search the archieves. I saw the report, they talked to the "token" minorities who were used to get contracts. It happened. <BR/>So don't accuse me of believing....<BR/>" that most blacks really can't make it on their own and therefore any black at a high position of power must have been placed there by some malicious-intented white person? It seems to me that is the only reason anyone could hold this view of yours. Perhaps there is some other reason. <BR/><BR/>The reason is that it happened and was reported by 60 mins with interviews including those involved.Andy Randhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05322038978217816765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13208607.post-1157985528501640722006-09-11T07:38:00.000-07:002006-09-11T07:38:00.000-07:00Workers in America need to start understanding wha...Workers in America need to start understanding what they are. They are the limited-skilled, human raw material of the production system. They have cheaper components that do the same thing for less all around the world. These workers need to understand that they need to pack up their belongings when the jobs go away in Michigan and move to Georgia or whereever the jobs are. They need to understand that the world stretches beyond North Minneapolis and they should move to were the paychecks are. They need to quit dragging their long list of woes around and get their excuse-filled sorry asses up and moving and go find a job.<BR/><BR/>It's feel-gooders like AndyRand who talk about the big-hearted, moralistic baloney supposedly impacting the Blacks in our country, when he doesn't actually know anybody who falls into those demographics. The Mexicans (whether legal or illegal) don't seem to have a problem figuring out that they need to get off their ass move about the country to earn a paycheck. Get real and get a job!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13208607.post-1157856693897595562006-09-09T19:51:00.000-07:002006-09-09T19:51:00.000-07:00Anon,I just realized you're accusing me of saying ...Anon,<BR/><BR/>I just realized you're accusing me of saying something I never intended.<BR/>you said:<BR/>"Sorry, you want to be "entitled to your opinion" but not without taking one last cheap shot against Mrs. Clinton - stating that she has "sold out her democratic principles" based on nothing more than you have gleaned from Rush."<BR/><BR/>I said:<BR/><BR/>"I'd like to see Edwards nominated. I think he can reach out to the other side without selling out his Democratic principles."<BR/><BR/>I didn't even mention Hillary try to imply anything negative about her by saying that. <BR/><BR/>However:<BR/><BR/>Maybe you are not aware that there is a brewing division between the DLC Democratic Leadership Council, who Hillary is aligned with and the DNC Democratic National Committee lead by Howard Dean who is seeking grass roots democratic support while the DLC is sucking up to big corportate contributors just like the Republicans. Thus Hillary's meeting with Rupport Murdock that has many upset.Andy Randhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05322038978217816765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13208607.post-1157855966965784222006-09-09T19:39:00.000-07:002006-09-09T19:39:00.000-07:00CATO: said "I'd like to see a list of who was sub-...CATO: said<BR/> "I'd like to see a list of who was sub-sub-sub-contracted by whom. "<BR/><BR/>I have to admit the sub- sub - sub<BR/>contracting is heresay. I don't doubt it happened though and if I took the time to dig could probably find some examples.<BR/><BR/>you said:<BR/><BR/>"The Federal government is required by law to contract with buisneses thatsubcontract with "minority buisnesses". I beleive it is 10% of money must goto minority-run subcontractors, regardless of whether or not that is a wasteof our money and someone else could do it cheaper."<BR/><BR/>I'll agree the "minority contracting" is a well intentioned policy gone astray, not so much because it wastes money but because unscrupulous people create fake "minority businesses" by putting token minorities into executive posistions simply to get these contracts. That a fraud and a sham, the companies are actually owned by white businessmen.<BR/>I think in this instance you're right that govenment shouldn't be doling out contracts on the basis of race.<BR/><BR/>You said:<BR/><BR/>"I think the US could nuke aggressors since we have enough to do so. We do not need to get involved in wars half a world away. This government should care about Americans first and only."<BR/><BR/>This is ridiculous. It's about as simply minded as Bush thinking he'd overthrow Saddam and Iraqi's would be greeting us with flowers. You think Nuking blocks of nations just because we can will be the end of it? These countries aren't going to evaporate, they'll still be there, and we will have unforseen consequences to deal with if this ever happen. For one, if we Nuked China, we don't even have manufacturing capabilities to create the goods we currently buy from them. That's only one small potential fallout from such an action.<BR/>As I said, Nuking everyone is ridicoulous.Andy Randhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05322038978217816765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13208607.post-1157854717043442882006-09-09T19:18:00.000-07:002006-09-09T19:18:00.000-07:00Geeze Anon,For the most part, I'm probably on your...Geeze Anon,<BR/><BR/>For the most part, I'm probably on your side. Now I'm getting it from both sides.<BR/>I haven't listened to Rush himself for probably 8-10 years. I guess we agree on one thing. If Democrats don't find a solid candidate we'll be looking at president McCain. <BR/>I didn't know my one vote was powerful enough to tilt the election though.<BR/><BR/>You know there is this process called primarie that we go through in presidential elections. <BR/>Much closer to the 04 elections Howard Dean was the shoe in candidate. A lot can happen in 2 years. You seem to have everything decided. Here's something you might contemplate. Hillary hasn't even announced that she's running for president.Andy Randhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05322038978217816765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13208607.post-1157846490512912362006-09-09T17:01:00.000-07:002006-09-09T17:01:00.000-07:00Andy:Sorry, you want to be "entitled to your opini...Andy:<BR/><BR/>Sorry, you want to be "entitled to your opinion" but not without taking one last cheap shot against Mrs. Clinton - stating that she has "sold out her democratic principles" based on nothing more than you have gleaned from Rush.<BR/><BR/>Still, very sad.<BR/><BR/>I have not fallen into Rush's trap. You have. You let the right-wingers decide who you think is electable.<BR/><BR/>I, on the other hand, determine this for myself.<BR/><BR/>Well, get ready to salute your new commander in chief - President McCain - because that is what you are going to get.<BR/><BR/>Senator McCain is nothing more than a neocon in sheep's clothing, and that is who you will get because you don't know how to stand up for real progressives.<BR/><BR/>Let me know what Rush says tomorrow on talk radio.<BR/><BR/>Thanks.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13208607.post-1157845030868892072006-09-09T16:37:00.000-07:002006-09-09T16:37:00.000-07:00anon,Given what Off the Wire just reported about R...anon,<BR/><BR/>Given what Off the Wire just reported about Rupert Murdoch, I feel all the more justified in not supporting Hillary.<BR/>As far as letting Rush determine who the Democrats nominate. I guess I could say that you are just falling into his trap. It's not only Rush that wants Hillary. It's my opinion that the Republicans would just love to have her as their opponent so they can tear her apart. <BR/>I think she'd do more good continuing to be a Senator. I'd like to see Edwards nominated. I think he can reach out to the other side without selling out his Democratic principles.<BR/>Please let me be entitled to my opinion on this, as I am fine with you having yours.Andy Randhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05322038978217816765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13208607.post-1157839039643796762006-09-09T14:57:00.000-07:002006-09-09T14:57:00.000-07:00Andy:You said:"I think Rush wants Hillary. That's ...Andy:<BR/><BR/>You said:<BR/><BR/>"I think Rush wants Hillary. That's why I don't."<BR/><BR/>Well, that pretty much sums it up doesn't it? You made your decision based on what Rush wants. That's sad. Very sad.<BR/><BR/>Apparently, you can't think for yourself and just pick the best candidate for the job. You have to wait around to see who Rush is going to slime and then you run away (run away!) from him/her.<BR/><BR/>Poor progressives. We are doomed to everlasting pergatory as long as we are afraid to embrace our true standard bearers - simply because of what the right-wing slime machine says.<BR/><BR/>Andy, I'm waiting for a response that shows me you have some backbone against the slime machine. So, let's see it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13208607.post-1157828286764196112006-09-09T11:58:00.000-07:002006-09-09T11:58:00.000-07:00Concerning Rupert Murdoch, David Brock in his book...Concerning Rupert Murdoch, David Brock in his book The Republican Noice Maching has extentisve background info on Murdoch's political financing. Read on:<BR/><BR/>"Murdoch, who has poured millions into the coffers of the Republican Party, had an odd business model-he operated the Post at a heavy loss as a way of buying influence in American political, financial, and media circles to further extend the reach of his commercial holdings. Twenty-five years after Murdoch took control, the New York Post is still a money-loser, unable to support itself through circulation or advertising. It doesn't quite have the respect of the journalism world; but by virtue of being published in the media capital of the world, it can't help but affect the media ether. (He applies the same model in Washington, where The Weekly Standard, which pays editors Kristol and Fred Barnes well into six figures, costs him more than $1 million per year to underwrite.)<BR/>The Post is a force in New York politics, running hit pieces on Democrats, cheerleading for Republicans, and publishing a motley crew of uniformly conservative columnists-who frequently and without irony bash competing publications for bias-including Steve Dunleavy, John Podhoretz (son of Norman), disgraced former Clinton adviser and FOX News "analyst" Dick Morris, and Deborah Orin, who doubles as the Post's Washington bureau chief. (At normal newspapers, reporters and editors may move on to roles as columnists but don't typically play both parts simultaneously."<BR/><BR/>Read more at this link:<BR/><BR/>http://www.thirdworldtraveler.com/Propaganda/Republican_Noise_Machine.htmlAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13208607.post-1157816112793730592006-09-09T08:35:00.000-07:002006-09-09T08:35:00.000-07:00Edit: for construction at least.Edit: for construction at least.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13208607.post-1157816066597377752006-09-09T08:34:00.000-07:002006-09-09T08:34:00.000-07:00BTW andy,The Federal government is required by law...BTW andy,<BR/><BR/>The Federal government is required by law to contract with buisneses thatsubcontract with "minority buisnesses". I beleive it is 10% of money must goto minority-run subcontractors, regardless of whether or not that is a wasteof our money and someone else could do it cheaper.<BR/><BR/>I'd like to see a list of who was sub-sub-sub-contracted by whom. Thanks.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13208607.post-1157815154888026432006-09-09T08:19:00.001-07:002006-09-09T08:19:00.001-07:00Anon:"Did she "create" the animosity against her o...Anon:<BR/><BR/>"Did she "create" the animosity against her or did Rush Limbaugh and the right-wing slime machine take care of that?"<BR/> You're right here. I agree.<BR/><BR/>"So you are saying that we can only back a middle-of-the-road "electable" candidate for President. Maybe someone like Kerry. He was electable until he lost the election. Poor choice on our part."<BR/><BR/>I thought Kerry was a good candidate. Rove duped the Religious right to think Bush would sponsor their agenda. That's how he won.<BR/><BR/>I think Rush wants Hillary. That's why I don't.Andy Randhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05322038978217816765noreply@blogger.com