Celebrate Migratory Birds!

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Friday May 15, 2009 · 3:22 PM PDT

2009/05/15 · 15:22

I love to travel but it is a hassle. Making reservations, packing, finding people to take care of our two dogs, airlines, gas prices.......

However, compared to what migratory birds go through, human travel is easy. True, birds don't need passports or visas. There are no walls, airline screenings or guards for birds. The cliche, "they are as free as bird" is apt here.
IMBD poster for 2009

vassmer

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Thursday May 14, 2009 · 9:06 AM PDT

2009/05/14 · 09:06

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) released a frightening report called, the Red List. However, the study had some good news for the future of some bird species threatened with extinction, reporting habitat conservation measures do and can work. BirdLife International conducted the research. The group discovered 1,227 species or 12% of birds might be wiped off the face of our blue planet.

vassmer

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Monday November 03, 2008 · 7:07 PM PST

2008/11/03 · 19:07

In 2003, Sen John McCain was on a book tour selling, "Worth The Fighting For: A Memoir." He was to appear at a wonderful independent bookstore called, "Barbara's Bookstore" in Chicago. I wanted my 5 year old niece who lived with us to be able to meet someone who ran for President. I thought it would be a great living civic lesson. My wife, my niece and I drove 40 miles into Chicago to meet Sen. McCain.

vassmer

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Sunday July 15, 2007 · 1:09 PM PDT

2007/07/15 · 13:09

What do we do when Lake Michigan, the largest fresh water lake in the US (5th largest in the world) is too polluted to drink, too dangerous to swim in its waters and too toxic for any fish to survive in?

Already a UN report said:

More than half of humanity will be living with water shortages, depleted fisheries and polluted coastlines within 50 years because of a worldwide water crisis.......

Yet, British Petroleum or BP, considered one of the worst polluters in the world, got a thumb's up to dump and pollute with the EPA's blessing! And it is all legal!

Poll

96 votes Show Results

Where do you stand?

96 votes Vote Now!

Where do you stand?

Jobs are more important here. It isn't that bad.

0 votes

WTF? Again, the EPA has sold us out.

29 votes

BP paid someone off to be able to do this.

12 votes

I don't care. I don't live near Lake Michigan.

1 vote

Someday, I will wake up and will have to pay 50 dollars just for a jug of water.

5 votes

Are we really that desperate in the US for 80 jobs? We are in huge trouble.

17 votes

I am writing my reps! This is an outrage!

8 votes

WOW! John Edwards has a good solution--green jobs!

24 votes

"Twinkie" Huckabee's New Health Plan: LOSE WEIGHT!

vassmer

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Friday July 13, 2007 · 11:42 AM PDT

2007/07/13 · 11:42

All of us know the value of trying to eat right and exercise.

Yet, about 119 million Americans, or nearly 65%, of adult Americans are either overweight or obese. Some of it is self-imposed and not the result of injury, illness or genetics. The lure of fast/processed foods are tempting with our busy lifestyles. And let's face it, it is cheap especially with families who are cash strapped. We watch TV instead of walking around the block. We eat don't eat enough vegetables and fruit. We all know this. No one wants to be lectured or shamed into changing our ways.

However, Mike Huckabee, the former Twinkie addict/preacher, had some fiery words for Michael Moore and those who struggle with their weight.

Are overweight people to blame for rising health care costs? Should we blame them for high premiums and insurance company windfalls?

vassmer

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Wednesday March 28, 2007 · 12:56 PM PDT

2007/03/28 · 12:56

Circuit City is an electronic superstore based out of Richmond, VA.

Today the retailer announced it will lay-off about 3,400 employees or 8.5 percent of its workforce. The company called the firings a "separation" and the process a, "wage management initutive." Someone was quite creative (and sinsister) to think up those creative euphemisms!

The company has completed a wage management initiative that will result in the separation of approximately 3,400 store Associates. The separations, which are occurring today, focused on Associates who were paid well above the market-based salary range for their role. New Associates will be hired for these positions and compensated at the current market range for the job.

Poll

1822 votes Show Results

What Circuit City is doing is:

1822 votes Vote Now!

What Circuit City is doing is:

The American Way! One must stay competitive to stay alive.

113 votes

The result of corporate greed and soon other companies will follow, sadly.

871 votes

Trying to help shareholders, many who are average Americans.

27 votes

A travesty. It sucks and there isn't anything we can do about it until the elections.

62 votes

Unfair but life is unfair. I make 2 bucks an hour and I don't complain.

42 votes

Typical of companies that line the GOP's pockets with cash. Can't wait until 2008!

707 votes

Use Vegetable Oil for Your Car? PAY UP OR ELSE! (with poll)

vassmer

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Saturday March 03, 2007 · 2:10 PM PST

2007/03/03 · 14:10

Think you can use vegetable oil for your car and not pay a dime? It many be more expensive than you think when cash strapped states start going after those who use alternative fuels!

Poll

638 votes Show Results

David Wetzel is an example of

638 votes Vote Now!

David Wetzel is an example of

a good example how 1 person can make a difference.

223 votes

a crazy old man. Just pay the money and use gas like everyone else.

11 votes

a man who is just an "easy" target for tax agents looking for a raise or a run for office

59 votes

a man who is being attacked because he threatens the system!

345 votes

HILLARY, YOU GET AN F! Website Cowardice! (& poll)

vassmer

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Thursday March 01, 2007 · 2:01 PM PST

2007/03/01 · 14:01

An elderly relative and unable to use the internet asked me what is Sen. Hillary Clinton's position on various topics like healthcare, Africa and so on. All issues you don't hear too much about on network cable news. I told him I would look it up on her campaign website. Should be relatively easy to find or so I thought.

Step 1. Go to HillaryClinton.com
Step 2. Look under the "Issues" or "Positions" category and......HA!

<center>There is none! No issues? Where in the heck is it? Why hide it? </center>

Poll

127 votes Show Results

Candidates' Websites are:

127 votes Vote Now!

Candidates' Websites are:

Important. I use them as a reference. Tells a lot about the candidate.

57 votes

Midly important. Good for some things. I don't base my vote on them.

48 votes

Not important at all. Just clever Madison Ave gimmicks.

7 votes

Crap. They never tell me what I want to know. And they lie too!

12 votes

What is a website?

3 votes

Bush Tells Governors, " I don't care!" Kids Suffer....

vassmer

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Monday February 26, 2007 · 11:32 AM PST

2007/02/26 · 11:32

Did those governors expect anything else? Bush just finished speaking with a roomful of anxious governors at the National Governors Association Meeting. Governors have been pleading with the federal government for more dollars for the State Children's Health Insurance Program. The uninsured are draining state coffers and scramble desperately for services. And in many places, essential services are being cut.

vassmer

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Saturday February 24, 2007 · 1:58 PM PST

2007/02/24 · 13:58

Beautiful afternoon. Sun is shining. Great day to take the kids to the park. Or take the tykes to a cockfight!

Cockfighting, a bloodsport, is still legal in New Mexico and Louisiana. It is an ancient "sport" going back thousands of years. It is wildly popular not only in Mexico and parts of South America but Europe. And in many countries like the Philippines, "sabong" as it is called, is close to being their national sport.

Gov. Bill Richardson, has finally decided to take a stand against cockfighting in his state of New Mexico.

Poll

69 votes Show Results

Do you feel cockfighting should be illegal in all 50 states?

69 votes Vote Now!

Do you feel cockfighting should be illegal in all 50 states?

Yes! Period. It is a barbaric practice like dog fighting.

34 votes

Yes! Sooner the better. What took Richardson so damned long to take a stand?

10 votes

No. Not until they outlaw abortion across the land!

3 votes

No. Cockfighting is an important part of some people's culture.

10 votes

No I like cockfighting. What is your freaking problem? ]

12 votes

US Torture Made Padilla Unable To Stand Trial

vassmer

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Thursday February 22, 2007 · 2:24 PM PST

2007/02/22 · 14:24

Jose Padilla, the accused al-Qaida terror suspect who is a US citizen, is unable to stand trial according to Dr. Angela Hegarty, who is a forensic neuropsychiatrist.

vassmer

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Wednesday February 07, 2007 · 2:17 PM PST

2007/02/07 · 14:17

Bread. Warm. Like a pillow but you can eat it. It nourishes the body and soul for millions on this screwed up planet.

Like many, I am tired of winter. Tired of fighting the snow and cold. I read stories of Global Warming on DKos and then I shovel more snow. The irony of it all.

My mind wanders and I think of the song Bread and Roses. My grandfather was a proud WOBBLY.

Yes, I was a Red-Diaper Baby (until I joined the Young Republicans in college, but that is another diary.)

Poll

86 votes Show Results

Bread and Roses. The union movement is

86 votes Vote Now!

Bread and Roses. The union movement is

nearly dead in the country. Numbers will continue to go down.

4 votes

in trouble as long as jobs leave the country.

8 votes

in trouble because they are not organizing new immigrants and younger people.

15 votes

alive and will see better days after 2008! Pass the bread.

18 votes

outdated. No need for unions because our system of capitalism is fine.

1 vote

in chains because of the US government and laws restricting their actions.

23 votes

doing ok. Seeing some progress in some areas. Needs help from Congress.

4 votes

behind the times. Needs more women and minorities to lead to be relevant.

11 votes

Other

2 votes

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Celebrate Migratory Birds!

Birds On The Brink Of Extinction

What McCain Personally Told Us About North Korea

"Screw Lake MI!" says BP Or Does John Edwards Have A Solution? /with poll

"Twinkie" Huckabee's New Health Plan: LOSE WEIGHT!

Circuit City to FIRE 3,400 & Then Hire CHEAPER Employees! (poll)

Use Vegetable Oil for Your Car? PAY UP OR ELSE! (with poll)

HILLARY, YOU GET AN F! Website Cowardice! (& poll)

Bush Tells Governors, " I don't care!" Kids Suffer....

Bill Richardson - No More Cockfights! (with poll)

US Torture Made Padilla Unable To Stand Trial

Peace Bread for a COLD Day with bonus recipe and poll