Froth Slosh B'Gosh

Local Election Stuff

We had primaries Tuesday, and the big news is that Bill Peduto won the Democratic nomination for mayor.  Given that Democrats have something like a five-to-one registration edge, Peduto, a progressive democrat, will be the next mayor unless something really wacky happens (we're talking dead prostitute or live boy wacky).  His main opponent in the primary, Jack Wagner would have been an upgrade over the embarrassing Little Lukie Ravenstahl, but IMHO, Peduto was the much better candidate, so I'm happy he won.  I don't live within Pittsburgh's city limits, so I couldn't vote in that race, but things tend to revolve around the region's largest city, and I'm hopeful a change in leadership will translate into good things.  And in other news, meet the Republican mayoral candidate!

Another happy note, my wingnut county council person, Matt Drodz, LOST the republican nomination to Tom Baker (not Dr. Who).  Even better, the democrat, Daniel A. McClain received more votes than both republicans combined, so there's a possibility my district will finally be represented by a democrat!  Yay!

NOW Do You Understand???

Dear Representatives Jim Bridenstien (R-OK), Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), and Senators Tom Coburn (R-OK) and James Inhofe (R-OK).

Do you now finally understand the evil, horrible thing you did when you voted against disaster relief for the victims of Hurrican Sandy?

And do you know what the difference is between Democrats and callous, mean spirited, blackhearted bastards like yourselves?  Democrats will not deny the aid the people of your state need.  Remember that the next time you dare to show yourselves in public.

Right Here In The USA

More cultural vandalism.

Destruction of priceless history, just so another Wal-Mart can be built.

 

This Is On Sports Illustrated's Website

Is A Senators Series Win Over The Penguins “In The Stars”?  – A Psychic Take On Sens/Pens.

Prediction: The abundance of Gemini juju on the Senators’ squad is a boon in terms of astrological events. The end of May heralds Jupiter migrating into Gemini, removing its influence from Taurus.  Factor in that the Senators’ captain, Daniel Alfredsson is a Sagittarius (a sign ruled by the planet Jupiter), and this is a pretty dang good omen.

In astrology-speak, Jupiter moving into Gemini signals a streak of good luck and blessings — particularly where it concerns hard work and a diligent effort. Jupiter has a positive impact on any sign that the planet enters. In this instance, this astrological event can swing the odds in the favor of the Senators in their bid for the Stanley Cup, seeing them trump the Penguins and send them packing, Cup-less, all the way back to Pittsburgh.

I have no idea who will win the series, but I do know that the likelihood of this "prediction" coming true is no better than random chance.

Orf course, I have to ask, is SI so bereft of writers that they have to turn to this sort of factless schlock to fill out their webcontent?

 

 

Cultural Vandalism

This is shocking.

A construction company in Belize has been scooping stone out of the major pyramid at the site of Nohmul (meaning Big Mound), one of only 15 ancient Maya sites important enough to be noted on the National Geographic World Atlas....

it appears that nearly the entire main pyramid, once standing over 60 feet tall, has been destroyed by road building crews, said John Morris, associate director of research at Belize's Institute of Archaeology. The institute is a department of the Belize Ministry of Tourism and Culture.

Authorities discovered the destruction late last week.

This is just as bad as the Taliban blowing up the Buddahs of Bamiyan, the only difference being that the Buddahs were destroyed by religious intolerance and the Nohmul Pyramid was destroyed so a contractor could save a few bucks. 

The Rich, They Really ARE Different!

Because they can afford to hire disabled people as a way to cut to the front of long lines at Disney World.

The company — and clients who are willing to pay — allegedly take advantage of a Disney rule that allows guests who need a wheelchair or motorized scooter to bring up to six guests to a “more convenient entrance,” the Post's Tara Palmeri reports.

The company reportedly provides a disabled "escort," who accompanies the family around the park and to the front of the line at busy rides.

Of course, the story orginated in the NY Post, so take with a large shaker of salt.

Tweets of Hate

There's an interesting interactive map that shows where in the nation tweets of a hateful nature (racist/homophopic) orginate.

What struck me was how free from hate tweets Pittsburgh/Allegheny County is.  While I'd like to think its because we're more tolerant here, I fear that may not be the case.  I've seen, read and heard plenty of hateful comments from my fellow 'burghers.  I think the lack of hate tweets just shows that we don't know how to use Twitter. 

Via Crooks & Liars

Jesus Endorsed Candidate Finishes Last

I guess support from supernatural beings doesn't count for much.

Scandal...Fake, and Real

Benghazi?  Fake.  I still don't know what the "big cover-up" is supposed to be.  Talking points?  If trying to spin an event is a scandal, every elected official everywhere would be subjected to never ending investigations.

The IRS investigating the tax exempt status of some, but not all, teabagger groups?  More troubling, and certainly inappropriate, but hardly scandalous.  As long as the civil servents responsible are disciplined, and efforts made to make sure all are treated equally, its a relativly minor issue.

The Justice Department using National Security letters to obtain phone records from the AP in order to try and find out who leaked information about a foiled terror plot to reporters?  Now THAT is a scandal.  It was wrong when the Bush administration did it, and its wrong when the Obama administration does it as well.

MORELS!!!

HOORAY!!! I finally found some morels!  Not only did I find some, I found a whole freakin' smurf village of 'em!  Unfortunately they were a bit old, and I was only able to get six edible specimens.  No matter, I made a note of the location, and no, I'm NOT telling!