tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-274345742011-11-27T19:04:59.152-06:00Independent, common sense, non-partisan, political viewpoint focusing on individual responsibility, tinged with sarcasm, decidedly Liberalrollerbuzzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935603734077666440noreply@blogger.comBlogger701100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27434574.post-7552325844134349582009-06-05T12:24:00.003-05:002009-06-05T12:44:58.933-05:00

I'm sure some people think I'm exaggerating when I say the people I work for are just not good people. They are stupid, selfish, greedy, petty, and just plain mean. This is what happened on Wednesday:These was a bag of peaches sitting on the counter and one of the delivery drivers asked the wife if he could buy a peach to eat for breakfast. She looked at him and, very derisively said, "Don, he

rollerbuzzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935603734077666440noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27434574.post-8686932934294379382009-04-30T15:26:00.007-05:002009-04-30T22:57:09.843-05:00

Today is my day off and, unlike last week when I actually got something done (built a curing cabinet for my candles), I spent the morning getting all worked up about several issues that really just make me sick to think about.The first involves a case the Supreme Court decided to hear involving a "documentary filmmaker" named Robert Stevens who believes his films about and depicting dog fighting

rollerbuzzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935603734077666440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27434574.post-77449015587573269002009-04-16T15:14:00.009-05:002009-04-16T16:01:26.564-05:00

These are my 2 regular feral kitties that come by to eat almost every day. The flame point was already spayed when I trapped her and took her for surgery so they just gave her a Rabies vaccination and tipped her ear. The little black tuxedo was just over a year old when I took her, and she was already pregnant. I call the flame point Blusher and my neighbor named the tuxedo Shadow Cat because

rollerbuzzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935603734077666440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27434574.post-11459998773106098122009-04-10T19:10:00.005-05:002009-04-10T19:46:18.940-05:00

I love this soy wax. This is the first time I've made candles with it, actually the first time I've ever seen it, and it's awesome. I decided to use EcoSoya Advanced, which is a little more expensive, but it's made from American grown organic soybeans that have not been genetically modified (non-GMO). I'm pretty sure most people don't seek out an organic non-GMO wax, but that's the only kind I

rollerbuzzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935603734077666440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27434574.post-91763677554050148832009-04-10T18:42:00.008-05:002009-04-10T18:51:58.950-05:00

This was also from Tuesday, for a woman starting a new job. Her mother ordered a basket arrangement, so I decided to use a flat one without handles that she could use for something else when the flowers are gone.I used Sunflowers (obviously!), purple Stock, peach Spray Roses, orange Asiatic Lilies, and Boronia with a little Leather Leaf fern and seeded Eucalyptus.

rollerbuzzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935603734077666440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27434574.post-27165082056227322282009-04-10T18:02:00.005-05:002009-04-10T18:29:37.837-05:00

She caught me taking the pictures, too. I blatantly lied and said I love Daffodils and wanted to put it on my facebook page. I do like Daffodils a little, but I don't really like the color yellow. There is another variety that is a pale yellow, almost ivory, with an orange-ish center that I like better than the plain yellow.The photo on the left is the front, the other is the back. The sad thing

rollerbuzzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935603734077666440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27434574.post-6708307046899353172009-04-10T17:26:00.004-05:002009-04-10T17:49:51.992-05:00

I made two arrangements this week that I liked. Both were for funerals, although the style and color scheme would be appropriate for a wedding as well.The one on the left was made on Tuesday. I used 2 large white Hydrangea, 4 small green Hydrangea, white Stock, Bells of Ireland, Curly Willow, and Springerii. This one is totally representative of my personal design style. I like well balanced,

rollerbuzzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935603734077666440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27434574.post-26489414745712780162009-03-27T13:46:00.006-05:002009-04-04T19:47:36.761-05:00

Last week I decided to plant some seeds in regular soil. I was pleasantly surprised to find sprouts in the basil pot already. I noticed them on Monday, but they seemed a little too small to show up in a photo. Yesterday they had really taken off and I snapped this picture today. So far, I can't see anything happening in the other pots, but I'm hopeful.I also changed the hydroponic set up. The

rollerbuzzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935603734077666440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27434574.post-43427764947219199452009-03-27T13:13:00.004-05:002009-03-27T13:43:26.189-05:00

As much as I complain about this shop, it does have one redeeming quality. Tucker is a Ragdoll, given to the owners as a gift. He had a seizure, so the breeder decided not to sell him. He is about a year and a half old now and was finally neutered last week. Hopefully he will stop spraying all over the store now.I know a lot about cats, but not much about Ragdolls. I have to say, this is the

rollerbuzzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935603734077666440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27434574.post-85599338172091253032009-03-27T12:34:00.008-05:002009-04-30T23:14:54.795-05:00

Take a look at this. I don't know how well you can see it, but those are rotten grapes. For the past couple of weeks one of the coolers at work has been smelling like rotten fruit. On Wednesday, the owner of the shop pulled these grapes off the bunch and sent the rest to a customer in a fruit basket.To make matters even worse, he made it Tuesday night and heat sealed it, locking the ethylene gas

rollerbuzzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935603734077666440noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27434574.post-5997713220768303842009-03-22T22:05:00.003-05:002009-03-22T22:21:21.037-05:00

I was reminded today just how ditsy I am sometimes. I went to the grocery store this afternoon. I usually try to go pretty early thinking it will be less crowded, but I got side-tracked doing something else. I *think* I got everything I went there for; I should probably start making a list due to the advanced age and all. I was pleasantly surprised at the short lines and was even thinking on the

rollerbuzzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935603734077666440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27434574.post-5180230722058996212009-03-22T20:08:00.004-05:002009-03-22T20:43:10.010-05:00

I'm getting a little impatient with the progress of the hydroponic seedlings. Today I decided to plant some spinach, arugula, basil, and lavender in soil in regular terra cotta pots. Since the fish have bumped the plastic tray so many times, now I have not only mixed rows, I'm not sure if some of the rooters even have seeds in them anymore. I'm afraid the instability and floating sideways is

rollerbuzzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935603734077666440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27434574.post-64354274971846794192009-03-19T16:22:00.000-05:002009-03-19T16:22:43.262-05:00

THE LITTLE DOG REPORT: A True Fight for the Little Dogs! Rep. Senfronia Thompson (Houston TX-D) has introduced HB 3180, also known as the "Puppy mill Bill". It will require commercial dog (and cat) breeding facilities to meet minimum standards of care and housing of their animals.

rollerbuzzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935603734077666440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27434574.post-25518416850862547222009-03-17T20:38:00.008-05:002009-03-17T21:12:05.140-05:00

It should come as no surprise that the shop where I work ordered some green dyed Carnations for St. Patrick's Day. That's some of them on the right. These were dyed by putting green dye into a bucket, cutting the bottom of white Carnation stems and placing them into the dye. It is absorbed up through the stem where it leaves pigment deposits. You can't really see it, but these almost looked like

rollerbuzzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935603734077666440noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27434574.post-87373972082951822012009-03-09T21:42:00.003-05:002009-03-09T21:53:21.258-05:00

When I went on my seed buying spree a couple of weeks ago for the hydroponic garden I also planted some in dirt. One says "Cat Grass (Oats)" on the package, so I guess that's what it is. It also says it should take 3-8 days to emerge, but I just planted this 5 days ago.I've planted it before and it grows, the cats nibble and destroy it, then it dies off. I only planted about 1/3 of the package

rollerbuzzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935603734077666440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27434574.post-7081384815053203872009-03-06T15:58:00.003-06:002009-03-06T16:22:52.504-06:00

Well, I finally got a chance to sit down a watch the speech from last week on CSPAN. It's pretty long and I'm actually listening while writing this. My initial reaction: propaganda, pure and simple. These are the ones who purport to believe in what's good for the country?This is the same guy who said he wants Obama to fail in the second to the last sentence on his transcript from January 16. It

rollerbuzzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935603734077666440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27434574.post-48961904969239096572009-03-05T12:21:00.005-06:002009-03-05T12:39:24.097-06:00

The sprouts from last week are a little bigger, but I'm not seeing much anywhere besides the mixed Japanese greens.The fish managed to tip the tray and some of the Rapid Rooters fell out. They ate them. That's my guess anyway because there are 8 missing. Since they float and they're not on the top, that's the only thing I can think of. There were 14 empty spots that were filled with a Rooter the

rollerbuzzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935603734077666440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27434574.post-38143306139809718892009-03-05T02:23:00.006-06:002009-03-05T02:32:55.035-06:00

Tulips, Gerbera Daisies, Irises, and a Lily in a tempered and glazed terra cotta cube. There's also white Stock on the back that's easier to see in the view from the top. There are 2 stems of Springerii to soften the focus. The framework is a quarter stem of Curly Willow bent into a knot, echoed above the water line by a single branch tied into a small knot. Another example of a design my bosses

rollerbuzzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935603734077666440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27434574.post-7650981831628876882009-03-04T22:25:00.009-06:002009-03-04T23:53:47.953-06:00

I like the picture quality of the camera on my Blackberry. This is a very nice photo of 20 Dendrobian Orchids, Curly Willow, and 3 Gardenias in a tall hand blown glass rectangle vase. The customer (in New York) requested a photo of their order. I originally stood one of the black foam mats that we stand on against the counter as a backdrop. It fell over and landed on the arrangement, knocking

rollerbuzzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935603734077666440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27434574.post-36053032528101598302009-03-02T22:15:00.012-06:002009-03-17T21:22:20.794-05:00

I work for 2 of the stupidest people I've met in my entire life. Considering how many people that actually is, that's saying a lot. Every day I'm amazed by yet another completely baffling experience at this place.Today, flowers were delivered in the morning. There were about 10 boxes. I had finished all the orders and went over and started processing the new flowers. Processing basically consists

rollerbuzzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935603734077666440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27434574.post-27442909165317125682009-02-28T23:34:00.006-06:002009-03-01T08:16:49.936-06:00

I've been having a big problem with excessive algae in my fish pond for the last few years (global warming?). I've read numerous article, talked to people at garden shops, added plants (most died, the fish ate the others, 3 remain), added algae eaters (they froze and didn't eat enough of it), added salt, changed the water every 3 days for a month, and probably some other things I can't think of

rollerbuzzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935603734077666440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27434574.post-180639368744980932009-02-28T23:16:00.006-06:002009-03-01T00:34:54.554-06:00

Lots of new people showed up at the protest today. We had 10-12 students from the UT SETA chapter. Also, four representatives from the PETA2 campus tour were in town, heard about our protest and came out on their day off! They'll be in Ft Worth next week, so if you're doing a protest, let them know on peta2.com. Maybe they'll join you, too. Go Veg!There was a little excitement when 3 of the

rollerbuzzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935603734077666440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27434574.post-81984231614112606702009-02-25T20:04:00.008-06:002009-03-05T02:40:11.549-06:00

I work at a very old-fashioned flower shop. They have computers, but only use them with the proprietary FTD and Teleflora software. No internet. This is a big problem because a lot of orders come from their website.Here's how it works: A customer goes to the website and looks through the photos of arrangements provided to every FTD or Teleflora member shop and orders an arrangement. The order

rollerbuzzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935603734077666440noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27434574.post-14842788842514523892009-02-22T17:58:00.008-06:002009-03-05T02:40:53.360-06:00

Some people may believe that people who don't eat meat or animal products are more interested in a healthy meal than something that tastes good. Let me dispel that notion right now. If you've grabbed a vegetarian meal from the frozen food aisle in your local grocery store, you may have gotten that idea. I'm thinking of one brand in particular. I won't name them, because some people may actually

rollerbuzzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935603734077666440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27434574.post-2588628328311274102009-02-22T11:43:00.007-06:002009-02-22T17:54:16.870-06:00

I was told the picture of my cat food is gross, so I took a picture of my dinner last night. It was so good I'm thinking of having it again today.1 cup garden farfalle or your favorite pasta1/2 cup sun dried tomatoes1 clove garlic1 tbs olive oil1 tbs balsamic vinegarBasil (as much as you like - I like a lot)ground peppercorn (again as much as you like)ground chili pepper (as much as you like)Cook

rollerbuzzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935603734077666440noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27434574.post-14857586538300973962009-02-22T11:11:00.015-06:002009-02-22T20:03:00.926-06:00

We had a good turn out at the Petland protest yesterday. The regulars (me, Jeanne, Pat, and Jennifer) were joined by 3 of the UT SETA members, and Julia and Natalia showed up at the end. Very good, considering Jennifer was a little late (she got side-tracked by a pet supply sale) and Jeanne, Pat and I thought it would just be the three of us.

rollerbuzzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935603734077666440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27434574.post-58424915854593511292009-02-20T19:35:00.005-06:002009-02-22T17:57:11.386-06:00

It always sneaks up on me and I hate to do it, but I set up the grinder and made some food for the cats tonight. It's really gross and every time I do it I wonder how anyone could possibly think this is something they should eat.My cat food recipe:8 lbs chicken thighs2 lbs chicken hearts2 lbs chicken liversPut it all through a grinder, separate into 3 containers, and put them into the freezer.

rollerbuzzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935603734077666440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27434574.post-13886357009235194612009-02-18T18:23:00.005-06:002009-02-18T19:01:56.710-06:00

I came home from work early today, stopped at the grocery store, and arrived to find my next door neighbor's door wide open with a van loading her belongings. She committed suicide Sunday night. She was one of only two neighbors with whom I talked with any regularity beyond the perfunctory greeting. She was in her eighties, though I don't remember her exact age.I was shocked, although when I left

rollerbuzzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935603734077666440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27434574.post-43464946360863344422009-02-15T18:41:00.003-06:002009-02-15T19:17:36.703-06:00

I haven't blogged in a very long time, 2006 actually. I'm ready to start again, this time, however, it won't be primarily about politics. I am still a political junkie, but other aspects of my life are far more interesting (hopefully) than my political observations. So, the focus of this blog has changed, effective today, to commentary on my everyday life.I'll start by re-introducing myself as an

rollerbuzzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935603734077666440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27434574.post-65908406464686373732006-08-29T19:53:00.000-05:002006-08-29T21:15:41.730-05:00

Today is exactly one year after Hurricane Katrina made landfall. Last year, a couple of days before this, we had weird wind blowing through Austin in circular gusts. People downtown were even more boistrous than usual, screaming and jumping up and down. A tourist asked me if it was always like that. I told her it wasn't, everyone was just excited about the hurricane because they could feel it

rollerbuzzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935603734077666440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27434574.post-10235816197517765272006-08-21T21:32:00.000-05:002006-08-21T21:56:53.013-05:00

fascism: fas·cism fa-"shi-z&m noun a political philosophy, movement, or regime (as that of the Fascisti) that exalts nation and often race above the individual and that stands for a centralized autocratic government headed by a dictatorial leader, severe economic and social regimentation, and forcible suppression of opposition2: a tendency toward or actual exercise of strong autocratic or

rollerbuzzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935603734077666440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27434574.post-1155768827895437582006-08-16T17:25:00.000-05:002006-08-17T02:03:42.373-05:00

Anchor baby: an·chor ba·by 'a[ng]-k&r 'bA-bE noun Also known as a jackpot baby: a child born in the US to illegal aliens. Refers to the child's role in facilitating "chain migration" under the provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Services Act of 1965. The baby becomes the "anchor" of the chain by which its family may receive benefits from social programs, and may themselves become

rollerbuzzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935603734077666440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27434574.post-1155760901375744072006-08-16T12:05:00.000-05:002006-08-17T02:17:42.226-05:00

In an ironic turn of events, several members of the Arellano Felix Organization, aka AFO and the Tijuana Cartel, were arrested yesterday.I found this article from February 21, 2005 which shows a relationship between Los Zetas and the AFO. Los Zetas were hired as enforcers for the rival Gulf Cartel leader Osiel Cardenas Guillen to gain control of the terroritory and distribution channels of the

rollerbuzzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935603734077666440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27434574.post-1155674294706600542006-08-15T15:38:00.000-05:002006-08-15T15:38:14.770-05:00

With two wars raging in the Middle East and the status of a third conflict - the on again, off again fight between Israel and Hezbollah forces in Lebanon so unstable as to defy a predictable course, and with other global hotspots from North Korea to Venezuela stealing headlines, Americans are pessimistic about how their leaders are conducting read more | digg story

rollerbuzzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935603734077666440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27434574.post-1155670239436912102006-08-15T13:04:00.000-05:002006-08-15T17:21:09.576-05:00

Some who read my previous posting A history lesson for anyone who believes Isreal was right to attack Lebanon may get the erroneous idea that I am anti-Israel. Not at all, however I'm not pro-Israel either. I actually think the month long conflict between Israel and Hizbollah in Lebanon highlighted a very important social phenomenon that could only have existed with Israel as a participant.No

rollerbuzzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935603734077666440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27434574.post-1155619822205998482006-08-14T23:30:00.000-05:002006-08-17T13:03:52.136-05:00

You can also read and comment on this article at OpEdNews The Palestine problem became an international issue towards the end of the First World War with the disintegration of the Turkish Ottoman Empire. Palestine was among the several former Ottoman Arab territories which were placed under the administration of Great Britain under the Mandates System adopted by the League of Nations pursuant to

rollerbuzzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935603734077666440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27434574.post-1155616252501024322006-08-14T22:54:00.000-05:002006-08-15T01:48:59.796-05:00

I was blog surfing today and I kept landing on conservative sites. I don't know if I've gotten completely cynical, but I really don't understand how people still believe anything this administration says or does. Bush has been stuck on the "hate us for our freedom" schtick for so long I doubt he beleves it anymore. In fact, I know he doesn't because he said so during his speech today. He really

rollerbuzzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935603734077666440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27434574.post-1155342897399490472006-08-11T19:34:00.000-05:002006-08-11T19:38:34.546-05:00

Helen Thomas commentary on Condi's handling of her diplomatic duties. First she was snubbed by Lebanese PM Siniora, appeared shaken and stressed out after learning of the Qana massacre from a staffer during meeting with Isreali PM Olmert, and lectures leaders of sovereign countries in the Middle East as though they were school boys.read more | digg storyTechnorati Tags: politics Condoleezza Rice

rollerbuzzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935603734077666440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27434574.post-1155304797145520972006-08-11T08:59:00.000-05:002006-08-12T19:13:09.223-05:00

An Army interrogator with the 82nd Airborne Division deployed to Baghdad in December 2004 and was in Mosul when he said he witnessed the killing of a young Iraqi man. Shortly after returning from Iraq last year, he packed his bags and sneaked out of Fort Bragg, leaving only a note quoting Martin Luther King.read more | digg storyfrom todays Houston ChronicleTechnorati Tags: politics Iraq war

rollerbuzzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935603734077666440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27434574.post-1155301580980133962006-08-11T08:06:00.000-05:002006-08-12T19:13:41.246-05:00

Friedman's campaign asked Travis Co. D.A. Ronnie Earle to determine whether Strayhorn violated state law that bars misuse of government personnel and resources. Strayhorn aides have said it was appropriate to have staffers help her prepare for speeches by frequently compiling briefing materials because she is on duty as comptroller full time.read more | digg storyFrom todays Austin American

rollerbuzzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935603734077666440noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27434574.post-1155128686719929802006-08-09T07:28:00.000-05:002006-08-11T08:21:58.973-05:00

I've been watching the Leiberman-Lamont primary race in Connecticut which culminated last night in a victory for Lamont. Until now I was a casual observer simply interested in a race between a long time incumbent and a first time politician. However, since everyone's been asking both candidates what they think the outcome may foretell about the November mid-terms, I heard Leiberman say something

rollerbuzzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935603734077666440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27434574.post-1154995961197759722006-08-07T19:07:00.000-05:002006-08-07T19:12:41.206-05:00

rollerbuzzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935603734077666440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27434574.post-1154957415242751852006-08-07T07:11:00.000-05:002006-08-11T08:22:29.433-05:00

There's no business in the world that could possible function with the level of ineptitude present not only in the White House, but in both branches of Congress. The Bush administration has been allowed to make one mistake after another, many of which were in violation of the Constitution, none of which have been prosecuted, investigated, or censured. History will not be kind to this

rollerbuzzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935603734077666440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27434574.post-1153884297224440412006-07-25T22:24:00.000-05:002006-08-11T08:23:45.256-05:00

Districts in New York, California, Texas, Florida, Pennsylvania, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Arkansas, Iowa and Washington will be the first states in the nation to receive hybrid school buses as part of the Plug-In Hybrid ElectricSchool Bus Project.AISD (Austin Independent School District) and Killeen Independent School District will each receive 1 bus as part of an on-going

rollerbuzzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935603734077666440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27434574.post-1153256693555937132006-07-18T16:04:00.000-05:002006-08-11T08:25:38.370-05:00

A decade since welfare reform, the worst fears of those who opposed it haven't materialized. Thousands of poor children did not wind up "sleeping on grates," as senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan predicted. Nearly 70% of all single women are working and incomes have risen. Child poverty rates have dropped and teen pregnancies are down.read more | digg storyTechnorati Tags: Politics USAToday welfare

rollerbuzzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935603734077666440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27434574.post-1153098936632359412006-07-16T20:15:00.000-05:002006-08-11T08:26:25.076-05:00

Understanding the new and lethal logic of violence in the Middle East--and what the world can do to find peaceBy Lisa Meyer for TIME Magazine - Jerusalemread more | digg storyTechnorati Tags: Politics TIME Magazine Middle East

rollerbuzzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935603734077666440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27434574.post-1153094808418052452006-07-16T18:09:00.000-05:002006-08-11T08:28:01.300-05:00

I'm really upset by the violence in the world today. It is bad enough to be constantly bombarded by stories of American soldiers dying in Iraq every day in an unjustified and poorly planned invasion. The current conflict in Lebanon and Israel is pushing me over the edge. What I will never be able to understand is how anyone thinks violence is the solution to any problem, including the three

rollerbuzzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935603734077666440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27434574.post-1153086563328955042006-07-16T16:49:00.000-05:002006-08-11T08:28:47.560-05:00

PlayPump is a children's merry-go-round/roundabout attached to a water pump and water storage tank, that provides clean drinking water to children and families in rural Africa.read more | digg storyTechnorati Tags: Africa PlayPump nonprofit springwise

rollerbuzzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935603734077666440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27434574.post-1153044159351298192006-07-16T05:02:00.000-05:002006-08-11T08:29:52.593-05:00

U.S. based Farm Industry News comparison of the benefits of buying a new flex-fuel vehicle or converting your existing one.read more | digg storyTechnorati Tags: flex-fuel e85 ethanol Farm Industry News alternative energy

rollerbuzzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935603734077666440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27434574.post-1152952208241008712006-07-15T03:30:00.000-05:002006-07-15T03:30:08.300-05:00

The City Council of Hazelton approved a law Thursday night designed to make this small city in northeastern Pennsylvania among the most hostile places in the U.S. for illegal immigrants to live or work. read more | digg story

rollerbuzzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935603734077666440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27434574.post-1152780038749627022006-07-13T01:45:00.000-05:002006-08-11T08:31:15.200-05:00

The war. 9-11. The only things they have in common are the incompetent responses by Bush and his neo-con advisors. Condoleezza Rice said no one could have anticipated planes flying into buildings and Donald Rumsfeld said no one could have anticipated the insurgency in Iraq. Really? Maybe Condi didn't read the Presidential Daily Briefing she gave on August 6, 2001 ...1998 saying that Bin Laden

rollerbuzzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935603734077666440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27434574.post-1152744204470438102006-07-12T17:43:00.000-05:002006-08-11T08:32:06.086-05:00

Karl Rove drew scattered boos when he highlighted Bush ’s recent approval of $1.9 billion in funding for more border security, including deployment of National Guard troops, and was disrupted twice by hecklers who unfurled antiwar and anti-Bush banners.Karl may be starting to realize that some Americans are getting wise to his tricks. Energizing the base ain't as easy as it used to be. He can't

rollerbuzzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935603734077666440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27434574.post-1152677344443131672006-07-11T20:56:00.000-05:002006-08-11T08:32:53.980-05:00

I've been working on a website and it made me start thinking about internet "buzzwords". Everyone in the design and coding community is talking about "web 2.0", but the end users of websites don't know what that means and probably don't care. I subscribe to several design related newsletters, each one with slightly different interpretations of what works in terms of design, marketing, page rank

rollerbuzzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935603734077666440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27434574.post-1152602890143977222006-07-11T00:28:00.000-05:002006-08-11T08:33:59.596-05:00

I'm still on my quest to find something Bush accomplished while he was Texas Governor, and I came across another gem written in 1999 by Louis Dubose from the Texas Observer for the Austin Chronicle called "Where Was George?". Apparantly, unbeknownst to those of you who don't live in Texas and don't remember how little we heard or saw of him until he decided to run for president, his lack of

rollerbuzzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935603734077666440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27434574.post-1152577454191901422006-07-10T19:00:00.000-05:002006-08-11T08:34:48.176-05:00

Living in Texas and paying a little more attention than the average American to politics, I've been trying to remember anything (just one thing even!) that George Bush accompliched while he was Governor. I found this, published in 1999, from the Unit for the Study of Personality in Politics at Saint John's University and the College of Saint Benedict in Collegeville and St. Joseph, Minnesota

rollerbuzzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935603734077666440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27434574.post-1151799939200176362006-07-01T16:46:00.000-05:002006-08-11T08:35:29.360-05:00

I'm still relatively new to blogging and after going back and reading some of my initial posts I realized I sound really mad in most of them. I didn't realize it at the time, but I was really mad when I wrote them. I'm usually pretty laid back, but I have a tendency to analyze (translation: over-analyze) everything, so of course I started trying to figure out why I get so mad at politicians and

rollerbuzzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935603734077666440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27434574.post-1151524228698828312006-06-28T14:33:00.000-05:002006-07-12T04:12:14.433-05:00

Meet Your Match is an innovative new method for matching puppies and adult dogs with potential adopters. It matches the expectations of a new pet owner with the behavior and personality of the dog. Meet Your Match has been proven to increase the likelihood of a human/canine bond, which in turn, reduces returns to the shelter.The Meet Your MatchTM Canine-ality Adoption Program was created by

rollerbuzzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935603734077666440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27434574.post-1151022103361921432006-06-22T19:16:00.000-05:002006-07-12T04:13:30.093-05:00

Posted by Kinky Web on June 22, 2006 04:07 PM:It's Official! AUSTIN, Texas -- June 21, 2006 -- Texas Secretary of State Roger Williams today informed independent candidate Kinky Friedman that his name will appear on the statewide general election ballot for governor this November. "According to the verification, your petition has a sufficient number of signatures to

rollerbuzzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935603734077666440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27434574.post-1150916221301734532006-06-21T13:11:00.000-05:002006-07-12T04:13:52.526-05:00

I read an article in the Austin American Statesman today about the parent of a 14 year old girl suing myspace.com because the girl met a 19 year old guy through the site, arranged a meeting with him, and was sexually molested. How many more stories are needed to make parents understand that myspace.com is a FREE site, anyone can set up a profile, contact just about anyone else through their

rollerbuzzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935603734077666440noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27434574.post-1150587504784906382006-06-17T17:53:00.000-05:002006-07-12T04:14:14.623-05:00

If you look only at the White House spin, you could say the President had a pretty good week:Karl Rove didn't get indicted (Scooter Libby still probably will, but not for a while); al Zarqawi got bombed and the FBI was on the case, confirming the identity so there could be no speculation, returning a positive DNA match in less than 72 hours; the Senate got preliminary passage of a non-binding

rollerbuzzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935603734077666440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27434574.post-1150244447532716272006-06-13T19:19:00.000-05:002006-06-14T02:02:11.610-05:00

Pablo Martinez Monsivais / APFrom msnbc.com:White House Press Secretary Tony Snow, left, and White House Counselor Dan Barlett, ride in a military helicopter wearing helmets and flak jackets for a trip from Baghdad International Airport to U.S. Embassy in the Greenzone Tuesday, June 13, 2006 in Baghdad, Iraq. Snow and Bartlett traveled with President Bush who made a surprise visit to Baghdad.10:

rollerbuzzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935603734077666440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27434574.post-1150141306155769132006-06-12T14:09:00.000-05:002006-07-12T04:14:54.980-05:00

With all the talk last week about the gay marriage amendment being a wedge issue designed to get the right wing nutcases all excited, it struck me that it's only important to them. It's so far off the radar when compared to gas prices, outsourcing to cheap foriegn labor markets, the war in Iraq, the average 1 cent increase in middle class wages, etc. The real wedge issue in November is illegal

rollerbuzzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935603734077666440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27434574.post-1150099267295102422006-06-12T00:28:00.000-05:002006-07-12T04:15:17.046-05:00

According to House Budget Committee cost analysis dated Sept. 23, 2003 (.pdf link | html link), the estimated upside cost of the war in Iraq might reach $418 billion by 2010. In contrast, the projected budget for Hurricane Katrina relief is $1.1 billion by 2009.Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz on March 27, 2003 said, "There’s a lot of money to pay for this that doesn’t have to be U.S.

rollerbuzzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935603734077666440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27434574.post-1149551662765876712006-06-05T18:54:00.000-05:002006-06-21T18:09:15.966-05:00

This is from my blog on myspaceAfter I posted the last blog I kept thinking about the gay and lesbian community I know and why I probably feel as strongly as I do about equal rights without prejudice against sexual preference. I do know a large number of gay, lesbian, and bi-sexual people and I consider them friends. Some of my straight friends think it's weird, but they didn't choose their

rollerbuzzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935603734077666440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27434574.post-1149543155892074702006-06-05T16:14:00.000-05:002006-06-14T02:05:30.176-05:00

I was originally planning on a title of How Stupid is the Right Wing? After seeing the main topic on every cable news network today, I had to change it to include everyone. The proposed "defense of marriage" amendment to the Constitution (you know, the gay marriage one, Karl Rove's favorite way to energize the base - by the way after they waste this week without an amendment they're moving to

rollerbuzzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935603734077666440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27434574.post-1147482881654868362006-05-12T19:01:00.000-05:002006-06-14T02:06:02.310-05:00

I consider myself to have a liberal viewpoint. I've noticed, however, especially since Bush took office, a lot of my ideas are much more conservative than his and other so-called conservatives. For example:I believe in conserving natural resources, all of them, including fossil fuels and the environment. That should make me conservative, but the conservative position is not to conserve, but

rollerbuzzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935603734077666440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27434574.post-1147395729490203642006-05-11T19:06:00.000-05:002006-06-14T02:07:02.063-05:00

Kinky Friedman arrived in Austin today with more than enough signatures to add his name to the gubernatorial ballot as an Independent. For everyone who laughed at the idea of his candidacy this must be quite a surprise. For those of us, however, who are frustrated and disgusted at partisan bickering and the inabliity to accomplish even the most banal task, here's a fresh perspective at last!While

rollerbuzzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935603734077666440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27434574.post-1147290712158981772006-05-10T14:24:00.000-05:002006-06-14T02:10:12.013-05:00

I've gotten into the habit of flipping over to CSPAN every time Bush holds a press conference. Today while the mainstream media was covering his briefing, I watched the House Committee on Energy & Commerce session on Gasoline Prices, Supply, and Specifications. Amazingly, committee chair Rep. Joe Barton (R) Texas responded to comments by Mark Cooper (Director, Consumer Federation of America,

rollerbuzzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935603734077666440noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27434574.post-1146630797563939232006-05-02T22:22:00.000-05:002006-06-14T02:11:00.046-05:00

Back in the early 90's I was a supporter of NAFTA. This was, of course, before I had the opportunity to read the full text. At the time I believed the way to promote a better way of life for the citizens of Mexico was to enable a free trade environment, reducing taffifs and trade barriers. What I didn't know was that greedy U.S. multi-national corporations were salivating over the opportunity to

rollerbuzzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935603734077666440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27434574.post-1146599938664435662006-05-02T14:11:00.000-05:002006-06-14T02:11:37.216-05:00

Everyday there is a new political bandwagon to jump on, and today it is once again the price of gas. Instead of analyzing the problems which created the energy shortage in the 1970's and finding a comprehensive solution, American car makers built bigger vehicles and we bought them. Now that we are once again facing an energy shortage with the increased demand of Chinese and Indian drivers, we are

rollerbuzzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935603734077666440noreply@blogger.com0