On Politics
For those you think the Tea Party is dead because of its unsuccessful showing in Tuesday’s primary, think again because if nothing else, it has shifted the party to the right.
As Washington examines issues at the Veterans Administration (VA), comments by members of Congress demonstrate to me that they are more interested in political gain than solving the problem.
Speaker Boehner’s (R-OH) new conference came on the radio as I was listening today, and I changed the channel. Later, I returned to find Minority Leader Pelosi’s (D-CA) new conference, so I changed the channel again.
On This Week’s Headlines from The Onion
- Congress reluctant to cut funding for tank that just spins around and self destructs
- Revealing spring attire reminds man he’s nothing more than weak, hormonal ogre
- High school student, teacher applying for same summer waitressing job
- Paleontologists unearth earliest known dinosaur stickers
- Experts recommend breaking down crushing defeats into smaller, more manageable failures
- Ohio replaces lethal injection with human new head-ripping-off machine
Interesting Reads
Leadership lessons from Dancing with the Stars
Columnist Ruth Marcus on politics and money
Interesting interactive sorting state (US) data
Learn to love your doppelgänger
The real Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
Interesting infographic on man-made structures
Nutella in America
On Potpourri
Meryl and Maks were very deserving champions of Dancing with the Stars. Although some complained about co-host Erin Andrews in her debut season, but I say bring her back.
Taken April 22, 2014
I took this picture about a month ago after getting some gas.
Thanks for the wonderful music in Act 4 of Life: The Musical. I love getting different genres of music!
With Monday being a national holiday (Memorial Day) in the USA, I will not have a Saturday Morning Cartoon Classic post this weekend. I know … this pattern is too frequent, but I’m still digging out of my hole from the move.
Your weekend celebrations
- (Weekend) Mudbug Madness, Polka Weekend, Old-Time Player Piano Weekend
- (Fri) Taffy Day, Wig Out Day, Turtle Day, Don’t Fry Day, Crohn’s Disease and Colitis Day, Heat Awareness Day, Polka Day, Lucky Penny Day
- (Sat) Military Appreciation Day, Brother’s Day, Jazz Day, Morse Code Day, Escargot Day, Scavenger Hunt Day, Mary had a Little Lamb Day
- (Sun) Cookie Monster’s Birthday, Something Day, Wine Day, Tap Dance Day, Towel Day, Nerd Pride-Geek Pride Day
With Saturday being Lucky Penny Day, here’s a question to answer. If you see a penny on the ground with the tails side up, do you pick it up?
To send you into the weekend, let’s celebrate Morse Code Day (Saturday) with this hit from 1967 … Western Union by the Five Americans. (The song starts 1 minute in.) Have a safe weekend and in the words of Garrison Keillor, Be well, do good work, and keep in touch.
A Frank Angle 
Frank, it’s been decades since I’ve pumped gas in a car, but am I reading those figures correctly, you paid $2.18 for 20 gallons? That seems impossible. What’s going on there? Was there some gimmick going on at that filling station?
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Lame,
The obvious explanation is that it was Be Kind to Frank Day … but the real scoop is that we have a gas credit card, thus we “cashing in” our rewards … and we received the minimum charge.
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I suspect a committee of earnest people in Ohio’s prison service have given this method some consideration.
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GFB,
Absolutely as my state take pride in being a national leader in humane justice.
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“Mary had a Little Lamb Day”….. really?
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Bulldog,
I wonder if the lamb industry is behind that one.
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I would tap dance if I knew how. 😀 Love the Five Americans song. They have such a good sound. Why can’t today’s groups sound so sweet? Have a great long weekend.
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Sylvia,
No doubt that the music sound of those days was much softer than today. Meanwhile, it looks like it could be a full weekend.
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Keeps you out of mischief. 😀
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😀
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2.18 a gallon? Really?
Have a grand weekend, Frank
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Audra,
OH NO … not 2.18 per gallon …. $2.18 for 20 gallons! … thus 0.109 per gallon.
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Grocery store points?
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Nope …. credit card rewards. … .and it was a double day, meaning we only used have the rewards.
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I will be celebrating Crohn’s Disease and Colitis Day in the bathroom where I belong Frank!
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Elyse,
You know I was thinking about you on this …. even buried it wondering if you would see it.
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Actually, I might have missed it; work has been insane. But just this week the FDA approved a new treatment. And while I am doing well (knock on wood), it’s nice that there are more options.
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Good to more options … especially if successful!
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Politics:
1. Sad but true.
2. Interested in your take on the Obama Administration’s upcoming report on the VA.
3. Which Pol came up on your 3rd try?
Onion:
1. “Paleontologists unearth earliest known dinosaur stickers” – was probably found at the same site in Colorado where the Creation Museum claims their newest dinosaur exhibit (named Ebenezer) died 4,300 years ago in Noah’s flood.
Reads:
1. Need to know your take on Ruth Marcus’ “follow the money” article.
Potpourri:
1. $2.18 for 20 gallons of gas is what the Tea Party thinks gas should cost in the U.S.
Celebrations:
1. Jazz Day on Saturday.
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Tim,
There was no third try … but I can guarantee that if McConnel, Reid, or Carney being on would have initiated a quick channel change.
In terms of the VA, gov’t reforming gov’t doesn’t carry good odds.
In terms of the money, you know my take … let anyone donate what they want as long as it is disclosed …. and all the 501(C) political groups disguised as “for the general welfare” tax-exempt groups should not be tax exempt.
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“comments by members of Congress demonstrate to me that they are more interested in political gain than solving the problem.” — Are you sure that wasn’t meant to be an Onion article title?
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Twixt,
The best satire headlines are the ones that seem the most real. 🙂
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I paid $126.9 per litre for gas yesterday and ended up putting $81.00 in the van. Math not being my strong point, I’m not sure how to convert it to compare to what you are paying. Either way, with two of my three kids home, a tank full of gas no longer lasts a month, maybe two weeks if we are lucky.
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Catherine,
Assuming our exchange rate is even, on that image I paid about 2.5 cents per liter. Meanwhile, with the kids home, the gas guzzling begins.
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Oh yes, “the gas guzzling has begun”.
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Good luck!!!!
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Meryl and Maks were indeed deserving. They were wonderful together. But I think some of his gushing over her embarrassed her. Wonder if they’ll be an item now, or if he’s scared her away forever.
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Of course we only saw selected snips of their interaction, it seems she was also good for him, thus she’s probably more mature than the average person of her age.
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Have a beautiful Memorial weekend, my dear Frank! 🙂
off to find ‘maryhadalittlelamb’ lyrics!!! 😉
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Marina,
Thank you … weather is good, so we hope to enjoy ourselves.
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This VA thing is very disheartening.
So many only concerned about their own agenda – ignoring the fact that these men and women have sacrificed to allow the opportunity for those who did not serve to bluster and speak without meaning a word.
Saturday here is dedication for a new memorial to MLK (With parade, family fun and a hip hop and jazz festival in the park. On Memorial Day weekend. Couldn’t wait for Juneteenth (a big holiday here – the 19th is the day word came that word arrived in Galveston that Lincoln had freed the slaves). Seems disrespectful for both MLK and Memorial Day
Less TV, more outdoor time and bubbling fountains – at least until rested.
But who couldn’t love a lamb day! Have a great weekend!
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Mouse,
I’m with you as the VA news is disheartening, but he behaviors that follow are more about self-serving than solutions.
Seems odd that this weekend would involve a dedication of a new MLK memorial …. last weekend or next … but not this. Oh well … enjoy!
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I liked Erin Andrews quite a bit, Frank. I didn’t know there were those who really didn’t care for her. I hope they aren’t a voting block! I am interested in the article on the Leadership Lessons from DWTS. That should be interesting. 🙂 Thank you for explaining why the gasoline was priced so low. Since we are paying more than $4.00 a gallon I was a little worked up when I saw that. 🙂 Enjoy your weekend! I’m sure you will.
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Debra,
I didn’t realize that there is a segment against Erin until i stumbled across several online articles. To me, she was fun and refreshing, thus fit the show’s personality. Enjoy your weekend!
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The song is a hoot! Never heard it before.
Have a great Memorial Day Weekend! 🙂
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Resa,
Western Union was from way back in the day, so glad it brought you a smile.
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I enjoy your weekly updates Frank, even if most of it goes past my head. Still chuckling over the lethal injection to human new head-ripping-off machine swap! Really? 🙂 HAve a great weekend.
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Madhu,
Given a global audience, I’m sure local and nationalized tidbits are quite dull for many. Then again, as you well know, it’s also part of learning.
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This was far from dull!
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Well thank you!
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AFrank:
Here are my weekend thoughts.
1. I wish I could break down my crushing defeats into smaller, more manageable failures.
2. I once refused to move my car for several months because gasoline was so outrageously high at 38 cents a gallon (long before credit rewards).
3. Ohio should replace lethal injection with a head that just spins around and self destructs.
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Mudge,
At 38 cents a gallon, now that was some time ago!
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I remember Exxon when it was Esso.
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Me too!!!
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at least the 5 Americans are still in fashion with their skinny pants on. ha-ha!! penny on the ground is penny on the ground . . . what difference does it make if it’s head or tail up? 🙂
i’m a likin’ Sunday . . . hmm, i wonder why???? cheers, Frank!!!! 😛
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Sun.
I think you were eyeing Wine Day for Sunday. Did you celebrate?
On the penny, to some, the penny on the ground thing is a superstition … thus it stays on the ground if tails.
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i thought it was wine day celebration every day . . . 😛 ha-aha!!
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Sun,
Absolutely correct!
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Woe is me – I missed polka weekend 😦
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RoSy,
Because you missed it, here’s on for you … and don’t stop watching too soon. http://youtu.be/qzL4t7E-ZNw
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Oh my gosh!
Love it! And – the couple dancing is way too cute. I enjoyed watching them dance. And – when the Mrs. was dancing with Lawrence Welk & put her hand on her hip – I though that was another cute moment.
I just added this song to my polka music queue.
Thanks!
{Hugs}
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It definitely brings a smile as well as a trip back in time.
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