Welcome to the Scratch House
Saturday, July 23rd, 2005Welcome to Scratch House News, a weblog exhibiting the artwork of Joseph E Kelley.
Archive for July, 2005
Welcome to Scratch House News, a weblog exhibiting the artwork of Joseph E Kelley.
Small business org backs Jerry Kilgore
Saturday, July 23rd, 2005From the RTD
- Democratic gubernatorial candidate Timothy M. Kaine touted his pro-business credentials yesterday while Republican Jerry W. Kilgore picked up the support of a major small-business organization.
Kaine's talk fell on deaf ears because of this wonderful news!
- Meanwhile the Virginia director of the National Federation of Independent Business, the state's largest small-business advocacy group, said it thinks so much of Kilgore that it is endorsing a Virginia candidate for governor for the first time.
"His leading opponent causes much doubt and concern among our membership," the director, Gordon Dixon, said. He announced the group's support for Kilgore at EMC Co., a Richmond sheet-metal fabrication and pipe-fitting business.
Dixon said a poll of the organization's 9,000 members in Virginia showed that 90 percent support Kilgore.
Remember the hoopla the Democrats raised when the UMWA backed Kaine? LOL
I work with union and non union people every day. They know Kaine is good for the union....but not the worker. Kaine can have the unions support, but Kilgore will get the workers support. Indeed.
I spent most of the day at the Clinch River Power …
Saturday, July 23rd, 2005
I spent most of the day at the Clinch River Power Plant sampling coal. This plant was built in 1958. Notice nothing is coming from the stacks!
Threaten women’s rights
Friday, July 22nd, 2005Roanoke Times, 7/21/05, Pg A9: Iraq constitutional proposals threaten women's rights.
-
What rights did they have under Sadam to threaten? This article with a big graphic of a group of hysterical Iraqui women is such a farce.
-
The new constitution will certainly give women significant improvement in their rights relative to their history. There is a cultural and religious debate relative to the extent of women's rights in the initial document and why is that a surprise?
-
Apparently we (the US) had early debates about women's rights also. It seems women could not vote in this country until 1920 and then only after a long and bitter conflict that lasted from 1776 until 1920 (see reference below).
-
Wouldn't it be nice if just once in a while The Editor and his associates could focus on the positive developments in Iraq instead of hawking this type of tripe.
-
They're going to have more rights than they ever have had!
They have more rights than they ever have had (NOW)!
They're going to school (NOW)!
There are women in the government (NOW)!
Women can wear modern clothing (NOW)!
-
Work on this list --- you're The Editor! Ask Ms. Z to help you!
-
-
http://www.classbrain.com/artteenst/publish/article_66.shtml
-
The amendment was first introduced in Congress in 1878 to give women the vote. When New York adopted woman suffrage in 1917 and when President Woodrow Wilson changed his position to support an amendment in 1918, the political balance began to shift in favor of the vote for women. On May 21, 1919, the House of Representatives passed the amendment, and 2 weeks later, the Senate followed. When Tennessee became the 36th state to ratify the amendment on August 18, 1920, the amendment passed its final hurdle of obtaining the agreement of three-fourths of the states. Secretary of State Bainbridge Colby certified the ratification on August 26, 1920, and the face of the American electorate changed forever.
-
-
What rights did they have under Sadam to threaten? This article with a big graphic of a group of hysterical Iraqui women is such a farce.
-
The new constitution will certainly give women significant improvement in their rights relative to their history. There is a cultural and religious debate relative to the extent of women's rights in the initial document and why is that a surprise?
-
Apparently we (the US) had early debates about women's rights also. It seems women could not vote in this country until 1920 and then only after a long and bitter conflict that lasted from 1776 until 1920 (see reference below).
-
Wouldn't it be nice if just once in a while The Editor and his associates could focus on the positive developments in Iraq instead of hawking this type of tripe.
-
They're going to have more rights than they ever have had!
They have more rights than they ever have had (NOW)!
They're going to school (NOW)!
There are women in the government (NOW)!
Women can wear modern clothing (NOW)!
-
Work on this list --- you're The Editor! Ask Ms. Z to help you!
-
-
http://www.classbrain.com/artteenst/publish/article_66.shtml
-
The amendment was first introduced in Congress in 1878 to give women the vote. When New York adopted woman suffrage in 1917 and when President Woodrow Wilson changed his position to support an amendment in 1918, the political balance began to shift in favor of the vote for women. On May 21, 1919, the House of Representatives passed the amendment, and 2 weeks later, the Senate followed. When Tennessee became the 36th state to ratify the amendment on August 18, 1920, the amendment passed its final hurdle of obtaining the agreement of three-fourths of the states. Secretary of State Bainbridge Colby certified the ratification on August 26, 1920, and the face of the American electorate changed forever.
-
Outing 19 Real CIA Agents
Friday, July 22nd, 2005Roanoke Times, 7/21/05, Pg A7: Italy seeks warrants for 19 covert CIA anti-terrorism agents for participating in the "kidnapping" of radical Islamic cleric Abu Omar in Italy and shipping him back to Egypt.
-
Where are the yells and outrage from The Editor and all the Plame-Wilson supporters who are so worried about "outing" a pseudo-CIA operative. These 19 agents are for real. They're not high society swingers and CIA-bureaucrats doing the nightclub scene with high profile Ambassadors in DC.
-
Prior Item:
http://roanokeslant.blogspot.com/2005/07/rove-and-reporters.html
-
-
Where are the yells and outrage from The Editor and all the Plame-Wilson supporters who are so worried about "outing" a pseudo-CIA operative. These 19 agents are for real. They're not high society swingers and CIA-bureaucrats doing the nightclub scene with high profile Ambassadors in DC.
-
Prior Item:
http://roanokeslant.blogspot.com/2005/07/rove-and-reporters.html
-
Jonathan Chait, Moron At Large
Friday, July 22nd, 2005Can you believe this guy? Here he is, complaining about President Bush’s committment to fitness: “Bush has an obsession with exercise that borders on the creepy.” How full of s*** can you be and still get newspapers to print your stupid ideas? On second thought, forget that I asked that question. If you read the entire piece, you’ll find that the self-described “writer” manages to work in a reference to Bush’s drinking, as well as an oblique comparison with Chairman Mao. M. Chait concludes by observing that “most of us have more demanding jobs than [Bush] does.” Someone really should just spank this guy.
Loading a train…..One million dollars in three a…
Thursday, July 21st, 2005
Loading a train.....One million dollars in three and a half hours. The loadout picture is of the Enterprise Coal Co. in KY.
State plans to help cigarette maker
Thursday, July 21st, 2005Class Etiquette
Thursday, July 21st, 2005Class Etiquette
Thursday, July 21st, 2005
I decided to let Craig have a break from writing, and besides, I wanted to expess my thoughts - and get yours - on some of my pet peeves in class.
The first one happens while Craig or I are teaching the track - trying to cue and give info on proper technique. What bugs me is when during this time, people are talking, loudly, and not paying any attention to what we are saying. It is not only disruptive to us - but to the entire class as well. I know we, and I speak for all instructors, work very hard at trying to deliver a safe, quality class and it's rude when people feel the need to engage in a conversation instead of paying attention to their form.
Another area is in between tracks. Two things come into play here. One, is the talking and not paying attention to our verbal instructions. I realize most have heard it over and over again, but they need to be respectful of others who are here for the first time and want to get the most out of their first experience. Second is right after the track when we stretch. Most don't stretch - they are too busy changing weights.
Next, is when we finish with triceps - most will start putting away their benches. Then they start with putting up some weights. I understand that some have to get back to work, but what usually ends up happening is they miss important instruction cues, and sometimes the first few seconds of the song.
The next is this - when we do instruct proper technique, and sometimes this has been done on an individual basis after class, some will still do it wrong. For example, we can say till we're blue in the face, when doing clean and presses, NO reverse curls, bring the bar straight up your body. And if your have to jerk the weight to get it up, then you need to come down on your weight. We still have participants who will jerk it up in a reverse curl! Not only does this look sloppy, but it is unsafe. (I'll have Craig do a post on proper form for Back & Hamstrings)
Last, is when people leave after abs and don't stay for the cooldown. This is just as important as the rest of the routine or else they wouldn't have it in there. Your muscles need to stretch after working out so there will be less soreness.
If you are a class participant reading this blog, and you do some of the above, we ask that you respect your intructors and your fellow classmates. Your insructors work hard for you training and learning how to execute safe, proper moves. Have fun in class! But get all you can out of it!
Instuctors, is there something that bugs you? Share it!
Tami
Melting polar ice
Thursday, July 21st, 2005Roanoke Times, 7/20/05, Pg A5: Pres. Clinton in Africa lamenting the melting of polar ice and it's impacts on sea levels.
-
As the article described Clinton's comments on thawing ice, for a minute there, I thought he was talking about Hillary's reaction to Monica.
-
The author (editor) includes a nice jab about Bush and global warming.
-
Refresh my memory, what did Clinton do during his eight years in office to stop the polar ice from melting? Oh yes, he brought back the Kyoto treaty, which was rejected by the Senate, 99 to 0.
What a major accomplishment that was!
-
If only Clinton had done the right things we all could just keep doing that and everything would be grand. Talk is so cheap and Bill can really talk.
-
Prior item:
http://roanokeslant.blogspot.com/2005/07/unrequited-loyalty.html
-
-
As the article described Clinton's comments on thawing ice, for a minute there, I thought he was talking about Hillary's reaction to Monica.
-
The author (editor) includes a nice jab about Bush and global warming.
-
Refresh my memory, what did Clinton do during his eight years in office to stop the polar ice from melting? Oh yes, he brought back the Kyoto treaty, which was rejected by the Senate, 99 to 0.
What a major accomplishment that was!
-
If only Clinton had done the right things we all could just keep doing that and everything would be grand. Talk is so cheap and Bill can really talk.
-
Prior item:
http://roanokeslant.blogspot.com/2005/07/unrequited-loyalty.html
-
Dangers of our roads
Thursday, July 21st, 2005Roanoke Times, 7/19/05, Pg 1 and Va 1: Road may have led to crash. Residents reflect on dangers of road. Four teenagers killed on Diamond Hill Road near SML. Residents question speed limit and curves.
-
The Roanoke Times spent over a year lamenting that I-81 was the most dangerous road in Virginia, and perhaps in the US. Then VDOT data showed that Virginia roads, not the interstates, were a far greater problem and risk.
-
My observations and data from local papers indicate that cars drifting off the pavement and onto the "shoulders" is a major issue in local driving.
It appears that, once off the pavement, the clay-based soils cause the drivers to over-steer and loose control.
-
Because of significant side-hill erosion, most local rural roads wind along the tops of ridges. In the valleys they tend to wind along streams and they also have limited line of sight due to many small hills and valleys.
-
Perhaps we all need to reflect on the fact that speed limits are just that. They are "limits" and each of us needs to do our part to keep driving safe.
-
-
The Roanoke Times spent over a year lamenting that I-81 was the most dangerous road in Virginia, and perhaps in the US. Then VDOT data showed that Virginia roads, not the interstates, were a far greater problem and risk.
-
My observations and data from local papers indicate that cars drifting off the pavement and onto the "shoulders" is a major issue in local driving.
It appears that, once off the pavement, the clay-based soils cause the drivers to over-steer and loose control.
-
Because of significant side-hill erosion, most local rural roads wind along the tops of ridges. In the valleys they tend to wind along streams and they also have limited line of sight due to many small hills and valleys.
-
Perhaps we all need to reflect on the fact that speed limits are just that. They are "limits" and each of us needs to do our part to keep driving safe.
-
A Damn Good Man
Thursday, July 21st, 2005I would think most of you have never heard of Bob Murray. He is a giant in the coal industry. Please take five minutes and read his story....Then wish you worked for someone like him. What guides him? This little principle we should all use.
- "In my life's work experience I have developed what I call a Decision Tree. When I have a difficult decision, I go down that Decision Tree in a strict order of priority and ask the questions: First, is it right by God; Then, is it right by my family; Third, is it right by my lenders; Fourth, is it right by our customers; Then, is it right by my landlords, and the regulatory authorities; and, Last, the public in general." "Every decision I make is in that order of priority," he concluded.
National ID cards
Wednesday, July 20th, 2005Roanoke Times, 7/19/05, Pg 1: Governor's grim on national ID cards.
-
Almost all the comments in the article focus on the complexity, the cost and the bureaucracy of implementing this program. They're all missing the real negative point. National ID cards are the biggest risk to personal privacy since we started to use social security numbers for identification.
-
My first social security card, which I still have, has clearly printed on it: "not to be used for identification". When I asked about that I was told that the restriction was federal law and was based on the abuses by Hitler's S/S in Germany.
-
Of course Hitler is long gone so we clearly don't have to worry about some bad folks using a national ID card system to track down each and every one of their adversaries.
-
At any rate, stuff like that couldn't happen here! Of course within his first month in office, Clinton had illegally obtained over 100 FBI files on his adversaries in Washington. But that was just a misunderstanding. He asked for them because he was going to offer some of them jobs!
-
-
Almost all the comments in the article focus on the complexity, the cost and the bureaucracy of implementing this program. They're all missing the real negative point. National ID cards are the biggest risk to personal privacy since we started to use social security numbers for identification.
-
My first social security card, which I still have, has clearly printed on it: "not to be used for identification". When I asked about that I was told that the restriction was federal law and was based on the abuses by Hitler's S/S in Germany.
-
Of course Hitler is long gone so we clearly don't have to worry about some bad folks using a national ID card system to track down each and every one of their adversaries.
-
At any rate, stuff like that couldn't happen here! Of course within his first month in office, Clinton had illegally obtained over 100 FBI files on his adversaries in Washington. But that was just a misunderstanding. He asked for them because he was going to offer some of them jobs!
-
Unwinnable war on terror
Wednesday, July 20th, 2005Roanoke Times, 7/18/05, Pg Va 6: The unwinnable calculus of war on terror. Insisting on a military solution to terrorism is a fundamental flaw in Bush's approach.
-
The Editor once again feels compelled to tell us all the errors Bush has and is making in the war on terror. After all, how could one do anything right when fighting something that is "unwinnable
-
The Editor says he knows the way to do this and has found a kindred spirit in one Robert Worley who recommends four objectives:
Reduce the probability of attacks
Reduce the potential severity of attacks
Prevent the conflict from spilling over into a wider war with Islam
Minimize and negative impact of the first two objectives on the third
-
The radical terrorist Muslims have done the following to us over the last 25 years (dating back to Jimmy Malaise Carter):
o Iran Embassy Hostages, 1979;
o Beirut, Lebanon Embassy 1983;
o Beirut, Lebanon Marine Barracks 1983;
o Lockerbie, Scotland Pan-Am flight to New York 1988;
o First New York World Trade Center attack 1993;
o Dhahran, Saudi Arabia Khobar Towers Military complex 1996;
o Nairobi, Kenya US Embassy 1998;
o Dares Salaam, Tanzania US Embassy 1998;
o Aden, Yemen USS Cole 2000;
o New York World Trade Center 2001;
o Pentagon 2001.
-
Note there are reports that during the period from 1981 to 2001 there were 7,581 terrorist attacks worldwide.
-
Perhaps The Editor is onto something we should do -- Like:
-
To reduce the probability of attack:
Establish a Dept of homeland security, pass something like a Patriot Act, coordinate and work with our allies and shut off sources of funds for the terrorists and kill as many of them as we can find before they kill us.
-
To reduce the severity of attacks:
Track down weapons, especially WMD's, and those who traffic in them.
-
To prevent the conflict from spilling over into a wider war with Islam:
Minimize to the extent possible the governments (like the Taliban and Sadam) that support the training and arming of radical terrorist Muslims and do business with them. (During Clinton's watch tens of thousands of terrorists were trained by the Taliban - in hindshight this was not a good thing).
-
The Editor and his friends are so helpful and wise beyond their years.
-
Prior item:
http://roanokeslant.blogspot.com/2005/07/we-shall-prevail.html
-
-
The Editor once again feels compelled to tell us all the errors Bush has and is making in the war on terror. After all, how could one do anything right when fighting something that is "unwinnable
-
The Editor says he knows the way to do this and has found a kindred spirit in one Robert Worley who recommends four objectives:
Reduce the probability of attacks
Reduce the potential severity of attacks
Prevent the conflict from spilling over into a wider war with Islam
Minimize and negative impact of the first two objectives on the third
-
The radical terrorist Muslims have done the following to us over the last 25 years (dating back to Jimmy Malaise Carter):
o Iran Embassy Hostages, 1979;
o Beirut, Lebanon Embassy 1983;
o Beirut, Lebanon Marine Barracks 1983;
o Lockerbie, Scotland Pan-Am flight to New York 1988;
o First New York World Trade Center attack 1993;
o Dhahran, Saudi Arabia Khobar Towers Military complex 1996;
o Nairobi, Kenya US Embassy 1998;
o Dares Salaam, Tanzania US Embassy 1998;
o Aden, Yemen USS Cole 2000;
o New York World Trade Center 2001;
o Pentagon 2001.
-
Note there are reports that during the period from 1981 to 2001 there were 7,581 terrorist attacks worldwide.
-
Perhaps The Editor is onto something we should do -- Like:
-
To reduce the probability of attack:
Establish a Dept of homeland security, pass something like a Patriot Act, coordinate and work with our allies and shut off sources of funds for the terrorists and kill as many of them as we can find before they kill us.
-
To reduce the severity of attacks:
Track down weapons, especially WMD's, and those who traffic in them.
-
To prevent the conflict from spilling over into a wider war with Islam:
Minimize to the extent possible the governments (like the Taliban and Sadam) that support the training and arming of radical terrorist Muslims and do business with them. (During Clinton's watch tens of thousands of terrorists were trained by the Taliban - in hindshight this was not a good thing).
-
The Editor and his friends are so helpful and wise beyond their years.
-
Prior item:
http://roanokeslant.blogspot.com/2005/07/we-shall-prevail.html
-
This land is your land?
Wednesday, July 20th, 2005This land is your land?
Roanoke Times, 7/18/05, Pg 1: Eminent Domain expanded by Supreme Court to include government seizure of private land for nonessential development purposes.
-
Woody Guthrie, the 1930's left-wing singer songwriter has achieved the objectives of his song "this land is your land, this land is my land"! Karl Marx couldn't have said it better. And once again the Supreme Court has decided to legislate sweeping changes to our system. Why have the legislatures legislate? That's so slow and cumbersome and it might not be adopted. Let's just pack the Supreme Court with like-minded left-wing fellow-travelers and we can achieve our goals in no time.
-
Pete Seeger, Greenpeace, the Sierra Club and other like minded folks are elated because through government agencies they can now achieve private property confiscation to achieve their goals.
-
The Supreme Court has now declared that there is no such thing as "private property".
You only own it pending the government not wanting it - yet.
-
Roanoke Times, 7/18/05, Pg 1: Eminent Domain expanded by Supreme Court to include government seizure of private land for nonessential development purposes.
-
Woody Guthrie, the 1930's left-wing singer songwriter has achieved the objectives of his song "this land is your land, this land is my land"! Karl Marx couldn't have said it better. And once again the Supreme Court has decided to legislate sweeping changes to our system. Why have the legislatures legislate? That's so slow and cumbersome and it might not be adopted. Let's just pack the Supreme Court with like-minded left-wing fellow-travelers and we can achieve our goals in no time.
-
Pete Seeger, Greenpeace, the Sierra Club and other like minded folks are elated because through government agencies they can now achieve private property confiscation to achieve their goals.
-
The Supreme Court has now declared that there is no such thing as "private property".
You only own it pending the government not wanting it - yet.
-
Strip Job…..No sample taken,,,high wall was unsa…
Wednesday, July 20th, 2005
Strip Job.....No sample taken,,,high wall was unsafe...so said Kilo! Loading a train today,,will post some pics later.
Podcasts Are Done!
Wednesday, July 20th, 2005
We finally got the first batch of five podcasts published:
- Exercise on Vacation??
- How We Learn New Releases
- BodyPump 54 Review
- Is BodyPump for Men?
- About Tami and Craig
Podcasts Are Done!
Wednesday, July 20th, 2005We finally got the first batch of five podcasts published:
- Exercise on Vacation??
- How We Learn New Releases
- BodyPump 54 Review
- Is BodyPump for Men?
- About Tami and Craig