Well, spring is finally here.

It's a lovely sunny day here. Going up to 5C. The snow and ice 
is melting. The sun has some real warmth to it.

Another winter defeated.

Johnny-sunshine

Johnny@ominous.portent wrote:

> Well, spring is finally here.
> 
> It's a lovely sunny day here. Going up to 5C. The snow and ice 
> is melting. The sun has some real warmth to it.
> 
> Another winter defeated.
> 
> Johnny-sunshine


We're at 5C already, with a light spring shower this morning but we have 
a 50% chance of light snow later today, so no spring chickens are being 
counted yet in these parts, although it is clearly national rabbit month 
by the number of 6ft inflatable bunnies in the front gardens.

Jp-drip-little-showers

> We're at 5C already, with a light spring shower this
> morning but we have a 50% chance of light snow later today,
> so no spring chickens are being counted yet in these parts,
> although it is clearly national rabbit month by the number
> of 6ft inflatable bunnies in the front gardens. 
> 
> Jp-drip-little-showers


Not only is it the first day of spring, but it is...

World Poetry Day and...

International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination 
and is called such here in Canada but it is known as Harmony Day 
in Australia. It started in South Africa where it is known as 
South African Human Rights Day. On March 21, 1960, police opened 
fire and killed 69 people at a peaceful demonstration in 
Sharpeville, South Africa, against the apartheid "pass laws". 
Proclaiming the Day in 1966, the General Assembly called on the 
international community to redouble its efforts to eliminate all 
forms of racial discrimination.

I hope everyone had a great Earth Day yesterday.

Johnny-have-a-nice-day

JpinNY  wrote in message
news:3a81a6F67r38vU1@individual.net...

> Johnny@ominous.portent wrote:
> > Well, spring is finally here.
> >
> > It's a lovely sunny day here. Going up to 5C. The snow and ice
> > is melting. The sun has some real warmth to it.
> >
> > Another winter defeated.
> >
> > Johnny-sunshine
>
> We're at 5C already, with a light spring shower this morning but we have
> a 50% chance of light snow later today, so no spring chickens are being
> counted yet in these parts, although it is clearly national rabbit month
> by the number of 6ft inflatable bunnies in the front gardens.
>

My first reaction to this was, "huh?" but then I realised this is probably
the reaction of the modern American to the approach of Easter. <sigh.> Oh
well, at least you know it's Easter over there. In some parts of England
they've even moved the school Easter holidays to a standard time,
notwithstanding the actual date of Easter itself.  Then they allow a day off
for the Easter Monday bank holiday. Nobody really cares any more. At my
(Catholic) primary school we were told it was important to have Holy Week
off as you were expected to attend Mass and various other services several
times that week, and school lessons would get in the way. It wasn't
compulsory though. We used to spend the holidays in a cottage in the
country.

ally

> My first reaction to this was, "huh?" but then I realised
> this is probably the reaction of the modern American to the
> approach of Easter. <sigh.> Oh well, at least you know it's
> Easter over there. In some parts of England they've even
> moved the school Easter holidays to a standard time, 
> notwithstanding the actual date of Easter itself.  Then
> they allow a day off for the Easter Monday bank holiday.
> Nobody really cares any more. At my (Catholic) primary
> school we were told it was important to have Holy Week off
> as you were expected to attend Mass and various other
> services several times that week, and school lessons would
> get in the way. It wasn't compulsory though. We used to
> spend the holidays in a cottage in the country.
> 
> ally


There has not been any  time off for Easter week since I was 
born in Cananda. Just Good Friday and Easter Monday are 
holidays. And it's the same here, few people realise it's a 
religious event and not just a long weekend where the kids 
receive chocolate bunnies and eggs and new bicycles. Families 
gather for a feast or fist-fights.

Johnny-no-fist-fights-in-my-family

a l l y wrote:


>>
>>We're at 5C already, with a light spring shower this morning but we have
>>a 50% chance of light snow later today, so no spring chickens are being
>>counted yet in these parts, although it is clearly national rabbit month
>>by the number of 6ft inflatable bunnies in the front gardens.
>>
> 
> My first reaction to this was, "huh?" but then I realised this is probably
> the reaction of the modern American to the approach of Easter. <sigh.> 


You got it!

Oh

> well, at least you know it's Easter over there. In some parts of England
> they've even moved the school Easter holidays to a standard time,
> notwithstanding the actual date of Easter itself.  Then they allow a day off
> for the Easter Monday bank holiday. Nobody really cares any more. At my
> (Catholic) primary school we were told it was important to have Holy Week
> off as you were expected to attend Mass and various other services several
> times that week, and school lessons would get in the way. It wasn't
> compulsory though. We used to spend the holidays in a cottage in the
> country.


I think it makes sense. By the way, in Aberdeen, the Non-catholic 
schools often worked on Good Friday.

This week my son will have Thursday and Friday off (the School Calendar 
says "Holy Thursday - R (for Religious) and Good Friday - R"  which is 
also given off for Annunciation Day (possibly the Orthodox calendar) and 
Purim (Jewish.)Monday is a school hol in lieu of Sunday, but it's a 
normal working day for most folks. Shops shut early on Easter Sunday and 
my gym is closed. At the end of April he'll get a long weekend for Passover.

I miss the English Easter Egg! Y'know, the choccy shell filled with your 
favourite sweeties. It's jelly beans here, with a small number of 
smaller chocolate eggs and many chocolate bunnies.

It would make sense to standardise the holiday here, but there's enough 
religiosity here to cause ruffles due to attendance at religious 
services. A vote a few years ago confirmed that this is what folks want.

Jp

> Well, spring is finally here.
>
> It's a lovely sunny day here. Going up to 5C. The snow and ice
> is melting. The sun has some real warmth to it.
>
> Another winter defeated.
>
> Johnny-sunshine


It's only 9C here with a light fog/mist.  That's a bit cooler than it has
been over the last week.  We are expecting severe thunderstorms tonight with
an elevated risk for tornados.  The nasty weather will probably reach all
the way down to Al's area.  Spring has indeed arrived.

Tania-wondering-where-I-put-the-spare-batteries-for-the-flashlights

> > My first reaction to this was, "huh?" but then I realised this is
probably
> > the reaction of the modern American to the approach of Easter. <sigh.>
>
> You got it!
>
> Oh
> > well, at least you know it's Easter over there. In some parts of England
> > they've even moved the school Easter holidays to a standard time,
> > notwithstanding the actual date of Easter itself.  Then they allow a day
off
> > for the Easter Monday bank holiday. Nobody really cares any more. At my
> > (Catholic) primary school we were told it was important to have Holy
Week
> > off as you were expected to attend Mass and various other services
several
> > times that week, and school lessons would get in the way. It wasn't
> > compulsory though. We used to spend the holidays in a cottage in the
> > country.
>
> I think it makes sense. By the way, in Aberdeen, the Non-catholic
> schools often worked on Good Friday.
>
> This week my son will have Thursday and Friday off (the School Calendar
> says "Holy Thursday - R (for Religious) and Good Friday - R"  which is
> also given off for Annunciation Day (possibly the Orthodox calendar) and
> Purim (Jewish.)Monday is a school hol in lieu of Sunday, but it's a
> normal working day for most folks. Shops shut early on Easter Sunday and
> my gym is closed. At the end of April he'll get a long weekend for
Passover.
>
> I miss the English Easter Egg! Y'know, the choccy shell filled with your
> favourite sweeties. It's jelly beans here, with a small number of
> smaller chocolate eggs and many chocolate bunnies.
>
> It would make sense to standardise the holiday here, but there's enough
> religiosity here to cause ruffles due to attendance at religious
> services. A vote a few years ago confirmed that this is what folks want.
>
> Jp


Our kids are out this week for Spring Break. Most years it falls the week
before Easter.  They do not, however, get the Monday after Easter off.

Is the English Easter egg kind of like Cadburys but bigger?  I'm amazed and
relived to know that you have those 6 ft inflatable bunnies on the east
coast too.  I was a bit worried that it was just a local thing.  I passed a
yard the other day that had three of them!!  The thought did enter my mind
"you might be a redneck if......"  Not that there is anything wrong with 6
ft inflatable bunnies.

Tania

Tania  wrote in message
news:69adnYN4oYBmhKLfRVn-rA@valuelinx.net...

>
> Is the English Easter egg kind of like Cadburys but bigger?


The British Easter Egg (and also in other parts of Europe - you should see
the Italian ones!) is a large hollow chocolate egg anything from 5" to 12"
high depending on how much you want to spend. It's wrapped in silver paper
and either filled with sweets or comes with packets of sweets in the
cleverly designed cardboard container. All the sweet manufacturers have
their own version - there'll be a Mars Bar egg and a Twix egg and a Milky
Bar egg and so on, each made from the same sort of choc as the original bar
and filled with those type of sweets. Somewhere I have moulds to make your
own. I tried this a couple of times when my son was little - it's not too
hard to do. I don't know if I can find them, but if I can, would you like
them, Jane? You could make some British Easter eggs for next year!

I'm amazed and

> relived to know that you have those 6 ft inflatable bunnies on the east
> coast too.  I was a bit worried that it was just a local thing.  I passed
a
> yard the other day that had three of them!!  The thought did enter my mind
> "you might be a redneck if......"  Not that there is anything wrong with 6
> ft inflatable bunnies.
>

It all depends what you do with them, I suppose. My mind is quietly boggling
at the thought here.....

ally

Tania wrote:

>> Well, spring is finally here.
>>
>> It's a lovely sunny day here. Going up to 5C. The snow and ice
>> is melting. The sun has some real warmth to it.
>>
>> Another winter defeated.
>>
>> Johnny-sunshine
>
> It's only 9C here with a light fog/mist.  That's a bit cooler than it
> has been over the last week.  We are expecting severe thunderstorms
> tonight with an elevated risk for tornados.  The nasty weather will
> probably reach all the way down to Al's area.  Spring has indeed
> arrived.
>
> Tania-wondering-where-I-put-the-spare-batteries-for-the-flashlights


WE spent the weekend in Fort Worth and missed the nasty weather on Saturday
but one look at the sky on the way home told me I may be missing sleep
tonight.  We haven't had a tornado in the neighbourhood for a long time.

Al




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Tania wrote:

> Our kids are out this week for Spring Break. Most years it falls the week
> before Easter.  They do not, however, get the Monday after Easter off.
> 
> Is the English Easter egg kind of like Cadburys but bigger?  I'm amazed and
> relived to know that you have those 6 ft inflatable bunnies on the east
> coast too.  I was a bit worried that it was just a local thing.  I passed a
> yard the other day that had three of them!!  The thought did enter my mind
> "you might be a redneck if......"  Not that there is anything wrong with 6
> ft inflatable bunnies.
> 
> Tania
> 
> 

Ally's described them beautifully.

I suppose I should go around the houses and snap a few of these Easter 
Bunnies, to share.  We're not officially supposed to have Rednecks this 
close to the City That Never Sleeps. I've seen that book ("You Might Be 
  a Redneck If...") in the bookstore in our big, fancy Yankee mall, too!

Jp

"Alfred Packer" <> wrote in message > Tania wrote:

>>> Well, spring is finally here.
>>>
>>> It's a lovely sunny day here. Going up to 5C. The snow and ice
>>> is melting. The sun has some real warmth to it.
>>>
>>> Another winter defeated.
>>>


I thought we had spring here in Rutland until I opened the curtains this 
morning. Its dank, cold , wet & miserable, again!
March many-weathers they call it - and they sure are right. Roll on summer.

Rex    -  Indoors, gallons of coffee at hand, writing hard to keep out 
thoughts of the weather. I'd much rather be lazing in the garden.

> I suppose I should go around the houses and snap a few of
> these Easter Bunnies, to share.  We're not officially
> supposed to have Rednecks this close to the City That Never
> Sleeps. I've seen that book ("You Might Be 
>   a Redneck If...") in the bookstore in our big, fancy
>   Yankee mall, too! 
> 
> Jp


That redneck stuff was made popular by an excellent comedian 
named Jeff Foxworthy. I'm sure there are other titles out there.

I saw a Halifax Comedy Festival repeat show on TV on the 
weekend. A fellow claiming to be "Billy Bob Joe Taylor from 
Missouri" was quite funny. He said he asked his mother why she 
named him Billy Bob Joe and she replied 'I'm pretty sure it was 
one of those three who was your daddy'. When the laughter died 
down he said 'It's a good thing she only had three brothers'. 
When the laughter died down again he said 'I found out later mom 
had a horse named Taylor'.

Johnny-yuk-yuk

> WE spent the weekend in Fort Worth and missed the nasty
> weather on Saturday but one look at the sky on the way home
> told me I may be missing sleep tonight.  We haven't had a
> tornado in the neighbourhood for a long time. 
> 
> Al


You and Tania will have to check in here regularly so we know a 
twister didn't git ya.

Did you see Boston Legal last week? They really took it to the 
Texas judicial system over the death penalty. Usually I find 
these types of shows present both sides of an issue then adopt a 
little slant but they just went after Texas without mercy.

Jon Stewart pointed out on the Daily Show last evening that in 
contrast to GWB signing the bill that sided with the parents to 
place that poor woman in Florida back on nutrition he did the 
exact opposite as Govenor of Texas. He signed a similar Bill 
which went against the parents wishes for a boy aged 6 which 
resulted in his feeding tube being removed. Jon impled it was 
because boy had no insurance and the state wasn't willing to 
support the child forever.

Mad rulers: 
England - George III
USA - George II

Johnny-and-that's-the-way-it-is

Johnny@ominous.portent wrote:

>>WE spent the weekend in Fort Worth and missed the nasty
>>weather on Saturday but one look at the sky on the way home
>>told me I may be missing sleep tonight.  We haven't had a
>>tornado in the neighbourhood for a long time. 
>>
>>Al
> 
> 
> You and Tania will have to check in here regularly so we know a 
> twister didn't git ya.
> 
> Did you see Boston Legal last week? They really took it to the 
> Texas judicial system over the death penalty. Usually I find 
> these types of shows present both sides of an issue then adopt a 
> little slant but they just went after Texas without mercy.
> 
> Jon Stewart pointed out on the Daily Show last evening that in 
> contrast to GWB signing the bill that sided with the parents to 
> place that poor woman in Florida back on nutrition he did the 
> exact opposite as Govenor of Texas. He signed a similar Bill 
> which went against the parents wishes for a boy aged 6 which 
> resulted in his feeding tube being removed. Jon impled it was 
> because boy had no insurance and the state wasn't willing to 
> support the child forever.
> 
> Mad rulers: 
> England - George III
> USA - George II
> 
> Johnny-and-that's-the-way-it-is


This is the hands-off "small" government that despises the "Nanny State" 
ethic. I heard someone saying that it was not for man to decide when 
life ends. This is from a supporter of a party that believes in private 
ownership of assault weapons and the death penalty.



Jp

> Ally's described them beautifully.


Sounds yummy.

>
> I suppose I should go around the houses and snap a few of these Easter
> Bunnies, to share.  We're not officially supposed to have Rednecks this
> close to the City That Never Sleeps. I've seen that book ("You Might Be
>   a Redneck If...") in the bookstore in our big, fancy Yankee mall, too!
>
> Jp


Pictures would be good.  I've noticed redneck is a state of mind that can be
found anywhere just seems to be more prevalent down here.  Jeff Foxworthy is
a funny guy.  Have you seen his special on Comedy Central?

Tania

> That redneck stuff was made popular by an excellent comedian
> named Jeff Foxworthy. I'm sure there are other titles out there.
>

Several.  A couple of good ones are Have Your Loved Ones Spayed or Neutered
and Double Wide Single Minded.
Bill Engvall is pretty funny too with "Here's Your Sign".


> I saw a Halifax Comedy Festival repeat show on TV on the
> weekend. A fellow claiming to be "Billy Bob Joe Taylor from
> Missouri" was quite funny. He said he asked his mother why she
> named him Billy Bob Joe and she replied 'I'm pretty sure it was
> one of those three who was your daddy'. When the laughter died
> down he said 'It's a good thing she only had three brothers'.
> When the laughter died down again he said 'I found out later mom
> had a horse named Taylor'.
>
> Johnny-yuk-yuk


eewww (but funny)..  Missouri, that explains it.

>

Tania

> eewww (but funny)..  Missouri, that explains it.
>>
> Tania


And you are, what? 50 miles from Missouri?

Johnny-mapquest

> This is the hands-off "small" government that despises the
> "Nanny State" ethic. I heard someone saying that it was not
> for man to decide when life ends. This is from a supporter
> of a party that believes in private ownership of assault
> weapons and the death penalty. 
> 
> Jp


I see a judge denied the feeding tube today. That takes guts 
after the president cut short his vacation to make sure she got 
it. Perhaps there is hope.

Is it me or is the high school shooting spree in Red Lake 
Minnesota getting a lot less attention than the Columbine 
shootings? Is it the fact it was on an Indian reservation 
instead of a white middle class neighbourhood? Or the fact that 
only nine people were killed so it's not up to Columbine's 12 
fatality standard?

BTW here's the legit news story (not the Daily Show) of the 
apparent conflict in GWB's bill signing on feeding tubes.

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=603549

Johnny-cub-reporter

Tania wrote:


> Pictures would be good.  I've noticed redneck is a state of mind that can be
> found anywhere just seems to be more prevalent down here.  Jeff Foxworthy is
> a funny guy.  Have you seen his special on Comedy Central?
> 
> Tania
> 
> 

No, I haven't.

I was going to snap the one at the end of the road this afternoon, but 
it seems to have fallen over. The light's pretty poor now, but just in 
case there's an illuminated bunny and egg, I will take the trusty camera 
along.

Jp

Jp

> > eewww (but funny)..  Missouri, that explains it.
> >>
> > Tania
>
> And you are, what? 50 miles from Missouri?
>
> Johnny-mapquest


Uh, it's more like 100 miles.  Thankyouverymuch.

Tania

Johnny@ominous.portent wrote:

>>This is the hands-off "small" government that despises the
>>"Nanny State" ethic. I heard someone saying that it was not
>>for man to decide when life ends. This is from a supporter
>>of a party that believes in private ownership of assault
>>weapons and the death penalty. 
>>
>>Jp
> 
> 
> I see a judge denied the feeding tube today. That takes guts 
> after the president cut short his vacation to make sure she got 
> it. Perhaps there is hope.
> 
> Is it me or is the high school shooting spree in Red Lake 
> Minnesota getting a lot less attention than the Columbine 
> shootings? Is it the fact it was on an Indian reservation 
> instead of a white middle class neighbourhood? Or the fact that 
> only nine people were killed so it's not up to Columbine's 12 
> fatality standard?
> 
> BTW here's the legit news story (not the Daily Show) of the 
> apparent conflict in GWB's bill signing on feeding tubes.
> 
> http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=603549
> 
> Johnny-cub-reporter


I've been out today, away from the news.

I think you're absolutely right. There just isn't enough scare factor 
there, if it's "only" on a reservation.

Jp

JpinNY  wrote in message
news:3abl8nF68nk2gU1@individual.net...

>
> I was going to snap the one at the end of the road this afternoon, but
> it seems to have fallen over. The light's pretty poor now, but just in
> case there's an illuminated bunny and egg, I will take the trusty camera
> along.
>

I now have a mental picture of an inflatable bunny laying a chocolate egg.
Oh dear. Reminds me of that song about the rooster....

ally

<Johnny@ominous.portent> wrote in message
news:mYGdnevZhP1eAd3fRVn-jA@igs.net...

>
> Is it me or is the high school shooting spree in Red Lake
> Minnesota getting a lot less attention than the Columbine
> shootings? Is it the fact it was on an Indian reservation
> instead of a white middle class neighbourhood? Or the fact that
> only nine people were killed so it's not up to Columbine's 12
> fatality standard?
>

It's had quite a lot of news coverage here, considering it's on the other
side of the pond. That, and the story about the guy who was driving down the
wrong side of a motorway in a transit van brandishing some sort of weapon -
a sword or machete or something - and the police ended up shooting him dead.
Hardly noteworthy in America, I guess, but here it's a bit of a sensation.

Too much shooting for one day.

ally

Johnny@ominous.portent wrote:

>> WE spent the weekend in Fort Worth and missed the nasty
>> weather on Saturday but one look at the sky on the way home
>> told me I may be missing sleep tonight.  We haven't had a
>> tornado in the neighbourhood for a long time.
>>
>> Al
>
> You and Tania will have to check in here regularly so we know a
> twister didn't git ya.
>
> Did you see Boston Legal last week? They really took it to the
> Texas judicial system over the death penalty. Usually I find
> these types of shows present both sides of an issue then adopt a
> little slant but they just went after Texas without mercy.
>
> Jon Stewart pointed out on the Daily Show last evening that in
> contrast to GWB signing the bill that sided with the parents to
> place that poor woman in Florida back on nutrition he did the
> exact opposite as Govenor of Texas. He signed a similar Bill
> which went against the parents wishes for a boy aged 6 which
> resulted in his feeding tube being removed. Jon impled it was
> because boy had no insurance and the state wasn't willing to
> support the child forever.
>
> Mad rulers:
> England - George III
> USA - George II
>
> Johnny-and-that's-the-way-it-is


yup I always watch Boston Legal.

Well being in the ultra red state you can imagine that I'm the only one I
know who agrees with pulling the plug (or tube).  My parting shot of the
day, an hour ago was to remind them that the lawmakers in Washinton burning
the midnight oil over the weekend to save this woman were the very same ones
who enthusiastically voted to cut medicare spending by a third earlier in
the week.  Presumably should the right to lifers prevail Ms Shaivo's food in
take will be cut by a third to match the budget cuts.

Al



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Tania wrote:

>> Ally's described them beautifully.
>
> Sounds yummy.
>>
>> I suppose I should go around the houses and snap a few of these
>> Easter Bunnies, to share.  We're not officially supposed to have
>> Rednecks this close to the City That Never Sleeps. I've seen that
>>   book ("You Might Be a Redneck If...") in the bookstore in our big,
>> fancy Yankee mall, too!
>>
>> Jp
>
> Pictures would be good.  I've noticed redneck is a state of mind that
> can be found anywhere just seems to be more prevalent down here.
> Jeff Foxworthy is a funny guy.  Have you seen his special on Comedy
> Central?
>
> Tania


it should be pointed out for the benefit of those on the right side of the
pond that the original redneck stock used to populate the south was mostly
poor English, Scots & Irish.

Al deep in the heart of red neck land



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Johnny@ominous.portent wrote:

>> WE spent the weekend in Fort Worth and missed the nasty
>> weather on Saturday but one look at the sky on the way home
>> told me I may be missing sleep tonight.  We haven't had a
>> tornado in the neighbourhood for a long time.
>>
>> Al
>
> You and Tania will have to check in here regularly so we know a
> twister didn't git ya.


I was discussing that aspect of life in Satsuma today with an outcast from
Gloucester who lives a couple of miles away.  We had one drop a huge oak on
the house two doors down in 1978 and one took out a few buildings near here
and a few small planes at the airport about fifteen years ago other than
that we've been lucky.  We don't get the 1/2 mile wide monsters they do up
north in tornado alley.  In the 27 years I've lived here (anniversary is
next week) we've only had one hurricane.

Al in tornado free Satsuma




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Alfred Packer wrote:

> Johnny@ominous.portent wrote:
> 
>>>WE spent the weekend in Fort Worth and missed the nasty
>>>weather on Saturday but one look at the sky on the way home
>>>told me I may be missing sleep tonight.  We haven't had a
>>>tornado in the neighbourhood for a long time.
>>>
>>>Al
>>
>>You and Tania will have to check in here regularly so we know a
>>twister didn't git ya.
>>
>>Did you see Boston Legal last week? They really took it to the
>>Texas judicial system over the death penalty. Usually I find
>>these types of shows present both sides of an issue then adopt a
>>little slant but they just went after Texas without mercy.
>>
>>Jon Stewart pointed out on the Daily Show last evening that in
>>contrast to GWB signing the bill that sided with the parents to
>>place that poor woman in Florida back on nutrition he did the
>>exact opposite as Govenor of Texas. He signed a similar Bill
>>which went against the parents wishes for a boy aged 6 which
>>resulted in his feeding tube being removed. Jon impled it was
>>because boy had no insurance and the state wasn't willing to
>>support the child forever.
>>
>>Mad rulers:
>>England - George III
>>USA - George II
>>
>>Johnny-and-that's-the-way-it-is
> 
> 
> yup I always watch Boston Legal.
> 
> Well being in the ultra red state you can imagine that I'm the only one I
> know who agrees with pulling the plug (or tube).  My parting shot of the
> day, an hour ago was to remind them that the lawmakers in Washinton burning
> the midnight oil over the weekend to save this woman were the very same ones
> who enthusiastically voted to cut medicare spending by a third earlier in
> the week.  Presumably should the right to lifers prevail Ms Shaivo's food in
> take will be cut by a third to match the budget cuts.
> 
> Al


Thank gawd for a few Cumbrians on this side of the Pond.

Jp

Alfred Packer wrote:

>
> it should be pointed out for the benefit of those on the right side of the
> pond that the original redneck stock used to populate the south was mostly
> poor English, Scots & Irish.
> 
> Al deep in the heart of red neck land
> 
> 

  'E's right, y'know, but they'd claim to be Scots Irish, without mench 
of the English bit.

Jp

> Uh, it's more like 100 miles.  Thankyouverymuch.
> 
> Tania


No way. Ft Smith is 50 miles or less to the Missouri border and 
you are very close to Ft Smith.

Johnny-can-read-a-map

> yup I always watch Boston Legal.
> 
> Well being in the ultra red state you can imagine that I'm
> the only one I know who agrees with pulling the plug (or
> tube).  My parting shot of the day, an hour ago was to
> remind them that the lawmakers in Washinton burning the
> midnight oil over the weekend to save this woman were the
> very same ones who enthusiastically voted to cut medicare
> spending by a third earlier in the week.  Presumably should
> the right to lifers prevail Ms Shaivo's food in take will
> be cut by a third to match the budget cuts. 
> 
> Al


Your taunting may be ineffective. You're hitting them with the 
facts. They don't seem to care about the facts. Facts seem to 
have become the new American taboo.

Shaivo's case is being argued by some factions as simply a 
situation where she must be kept alive because she is alive. 
They claim respect for life over-rules suffering, the stated 
will to die and the interests of all concerned. JP has it right. 
These are same idiots who believe in the death penalty while 
saying it is unconscionable for anyone for any reason to take a 
life in the Shaivo case.

Johnny-two-cents

> I was discussing that aspect of life in Satsuma today with
> an outcast from Gloucester who lives a couple of miles
> away.  We had one drop a huge oak on the house two doors
> down in 1978 and one took out a few buildings near here and
> a few small planes at the airport about fifteen years ago
> other than that we've been lucky.  We don't get the 1/2
> mile wide monsters they do up north in tornado alley.  In
> the 27 years I've lived here (anniversary is next week)
> we've only had one hurricane. 
> 
> Al in tornado free Satsuma


You've jinxed yourself now.

Johnny-doesn't-actually-believe-in-jinxes

On Tue, 22 Mar 2005 19:09:59 -0600, "Alfred Packer"
 wrote:


>Johnny@ominous.portent wrote:
>>> WE spent the weekend in Fort Worth and missed the nasty
>>> weather on Saturday but one look at the sky on the way home
>>> told me I may be missing sleep tonight.  We haven't had a
>>> tornado in the neighbourhood for a long time.
>>>
>>> Al
>>
>> You and Tania will have to check in here regularly so we know a
>> twister didn't git ya.
>>
>> Did you see Boston Legal last week? They really took it to the
>> Texas judicial system over the death penalty. Usually I find
>> these types of shows present both sides of an issue then adopt a
>> little slant but they just went after Texas without mercy.
>>
>> Jon Stewart pointed out on the Daily Show last evening that in
>> contrast to GWB signing the bill that sided with the parents to
>> place that poor woman in Florida back on nutrition he did the
>> exact opposite as Govenor of Texas. He signed a similar Bill
>> which went against the parents wishes for a boy aged 6 which
>> resulted in his feeding tube being removed. Jon impled it was
>> because boy had no insurance and the state wasn't willing to
>> support the child forever.
>>
>> Mad rulers:
>> England - George III
>> USA - George II
>>
>> Johnny-and-that's-the-way-it-is
>
>yup I always watch Boston Legal.
>
>Well being in the ultra red state you can imagine that I'm the only one I
>know who agrees with pulling the plug (or tube).  My parting shot of the
>day, an hour ago was to remind them that the lawmakers in Washinton burning
>the midnight oil over the weekend to save this woman were the very same ones
>who enthusiastically voted to cut medicare spending by a third earlier in
>the week.  


And killed how many thousand Iraqies with "collateral damage"?

But they don't count, I guess.

J.

> No way. Ft Smith is 50 miles or less to the Missouri border and
> you are very close to Ft Smith.
>
> Johnny-can-read-a-map


I'm not doubting your ability to read a map.  Maybe as the crow flies you
are correct but when you stay on the road, over and around the Ozarks, it's
about 78 miles to the Missouri border from Fort Smith.  I live in suburbia a
few miles outside of Fort Smith.  Besides, there is nothing wrong with
Missouri, I was only teasing.  It's a beautiful state with rolling hills and
pretty lakes.  The Branson area is the show capital of the south.

Tania-can-read-one-too

> I'm not doubting your ability to read a map.  Maybe as the
> crow flies you are correct but when you stay on the road,
> over and around the Ozarks, it's about 78 miles to the
> Missouri border from Fort Smith.  I live in suburbia a few
> miles outside of Fort Smith.  Besides, there is nothing
> wrong with Missouri, I was only teasing.  It's a beautiful
> state with rolling hills and pretty lakes.  The Branson
> area is the show capital of the south. 
> 
> Tania-can-read-one-too


You could have looked at a map of my area and pointed out that 
I'm only a handful of kilometers away from Quebec. Now there's 
an example of short distance but huge change in culture.

Johnny-culturally-diverse

JpinNY  wrote in message
news:3ac610F68m0j8U3@individual.net...

> Alfred Packer wrote:
> >
> > it should be pointed out for the benefit of those on the right side of
the
> > pond that the original redneck stock used to populate the south was
mostly
> > poor English, Scots & Irish.
> >
> > Al deep in the heart of red neck land
> >
> >
>   'E's right, y'know, but they'd claim to be Scots Irish, without mench
> of the English bit.
>

Er.... right...

ally-scots/irish-and-quickly-checking-neck-colour-in-mirror

Johnny@ominous.portent wrote:

>> I was discussing that aspect of life in Satsuma today with
>> an outcast from Gloucester who lives a couple of miles
>> away.  We had one drop a huge oak on the house two doors
>> down in 1978 and one took out a few buildings near here and
>> a few small planes at the airport about fifteen years ago
>> other than that we've been lucky.  We don't get the 1/2
>> mile wide monsters they do up north in tornado alley.  In
>> the 27 years I've lived here (anniversary is next week)
>> we've only had one hurricane.
>>
>> Al in tornado free Satsuma
>
> You've jinxed yourself now.
>
> Johnny-doesn't-actually-believe-in-jinxes




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Johnny@ominous.portent wrote:

>> I was discussing that aspect of life in Satsuma today with
>> an outcast from Gloucester who lives a couple of miles
>> away.  We had one drop a huge oak on the house two doors
>> down in 1978 and one took out a few buildings near here and
>> a few small planes at the airport about fifteen years ago
>> other than that we've been lucky.  We don't get the 1/2
>> mile wide monsters they do up north in tornado alley.  In
>> the 27 years I've lived here (anniversary is next week)
>> we've only had one hurricane.
>>
>> Al in tornado free Satsuma
>
> You've jinxed yourself now.
>
> Johnny-doesn't-actually-believe-in-jinxes


I had a very sobering moment today.  I turned down a job last year because
it was further than I would care to drive.  Around 1:30 pm today the
refinery blew up demolishing the company trailer and sending 75 workers to
area hospitals.  We have four employees missing.  It could have been me.  At
this time I don't know the fate of the guy who took the job.

Al



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> I had a very sobering moment today.  I turned down a job last year because
> it was further than I would care to drive.  Around 1:30 pm today the
> refinery blew up demolishing the company trailer and sending 75 workers to
> area hospitals.  We have four employees missing.  It could have been me.
At
> this time I don't know the fate of the guy who took the job.
>
> Al
>

Heard about that.  Not long after it happened it was reported on our local
radio station.  Odd but I thought of you.  I'm very sorry to hear about the
missing employees and injured.

Tania

> No, I haven't.


It's actually pretty funny.

>
> I was going to snap the one at the end of the road this afternoon, but
> it seems to have fallen over. The light's pretty poor now, but just in
> case there's an illuminated bunny and egg, I will take the trusty camera
> along.
>
> Jp
>

Looks like you may be getting some snow.  The bunnies should show up really
well with snow for a background.

Tania

> You could have looked at a map of my area and pointed out that
> I'm only a handful of kilometers away from Quebec. Now there's
> an example of short distance but huge change in culture.
>
> Johnny-culturally-diverse


Having an off day.  Your aren't THAT far from Newfieland either.

Tania-geographical-like

> > Alfred Packer wrote:
> > >
> > > it should be pointed out for the benefit of those on the right side of
> the
> > > pond that the original redneck stock used to populate the south was
> mostly
> > > poor English, Scots & Irish.
> > >
> > > Al deep in the heart of red neck land
> > >
> > >
> >   'E's right, y'know, but they'd claim to be Scots Irish, without mench
> > of the English bit.
> >
> Er.... right...
>
> ally-scots/irish-and-quickly-checking-neck-colour-in-mirror
>
>


Now see what y'all did, you scared her.  Ally, you are not a redneck.

Tania-English-family-name-Scots-Irish-stock-but-no-redneck

Tania wrote:

>> You could have looked at a map of my area and pointed out that
>> I'm only a handful of kilometers away from Quebec. Now there's
>> an example of short distance but huge change in culture.
>>
>> Johnny-culturally-diverse
>
> Having an off day.  Your aren't THAT far from Newfieland either.
>
> Tania-geographical-like


Ooohhh that was a good one.

Al



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Alfred Packer wrote:

> Tania wrote:
> 
>>>You could have looked at a map of my area and pointed out that
>>>I'm only a handful of kilometers away from Quebec. Now there's
>>>an example of short distance but huge change in culture.
>>>
>>>Johnny-culturally-diverse
>>
>>Having an off day.  Your aren't THAT far from Newfieland either.
>>
>>Tania-geographical-like
> 
> 
> Ooohhh that was a good one.
> 
> Al
> 


Ooh, it was, wasn't it!

Jp

>Er.... right...
>>
>>ally-scots/irish-and-quickly-checking-neck-colour-in-mirror
>>
>> Now see what y'all did, you scared her.  Ally, you are not a redneck.
> 
> Tania-English-family-name-Scots-Irish-stock-but-no-redneck


I'm in the same ethnic thingy. I have a freckly pink bit at the front, 
like a baby's bib. It's the first bit that burns like hell and that's 
what the SPF 40 is for.

Jp

Alfred Packer wrote:

> Johnny@ominous.portent wrote:
> 
>>>I was discussing that aspect of life in Satsuma today with
>>>an outcast from Gloucester who lives a couple of miles
>>>away.  We had one drop a huge oak on the house two doors
>>>down in 1978 and one took out a few buildings near here and
>>>a few small planes at the airport about fifteen years ago
>>>other than that we've been lucky.  We don't get the 1/2
>>>mile wide monsters they do up north in tornado alley.  In
>>>the 27 years I've lived here (anniversary is next week)
>>>we've only had one hurricane.
>>>
>>>Al in tornado free Satsuma
>>
>>You've jinxed yourself now.
>>
>>Johnny-doesn't-actually-believe-in-jinxes
> 
> 
> I had a very sobering moment today.  I turned down a job last year because
> it was further than I would care to drive.  Around 1:30 pm today the
> refinery blew up demolishing the company trailer and sending 75 workers to
> area hospitals.  We have four employees missing.  It could have been me.  At
> this time I don't know the fate of the guy who took the job.
> 
> Al
> 



Hi Al,

Yes, heard about that this evening. It's so great that more folks 
weren't killed.  I used to live right next to Europoort, so know about 
the risks.

Jp

> Having an off day.  Your aren't THAT far from Newfieland
> either. 
> 
> Tania-geographical-like


Distance between St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada and Ottawa, 
Ontario, Canada, as the crow flies:

1102 miles (1774 km) (958 nautical miles) 

Initial heading from Ottawa to St. John's:
east-northeast (75.8 degrees)

Distance between Ottawa, Ontario, Canada and Little Rock, 
Arkansas, United States, as the crow flies:

1148 miles (1847 km) (997 nautical miles) 

Initial heading from Ottawa to Little Rock:
southwest (235.8 degrees)

I think that's far enough.

Johnny-distance-googler

> Ooohhh that was a good one.
> 
> Al


No it wasn't.

Johnny-defiant

> Ooh, it was, wasn't it!
> 
> Jp


NO!

Johnny-outraged

> I had a very sobering moment today.  I turned down a job
> last year because it was further than I would care to
> drive.  Around 1:30 pm today the refinery blew up
> demolishing the company trailer and sending 75 workers to 
> area hospitals.  We have four employees missing.  It could
> have been me.  At this time I don't know the fate of the
> guy who took the job. 
> 
> Al


That would shake you up, I dare say.

There but for the lack of drive...

Johnny-retire-before-they-ask-you-again

<Johnny@ominous.portent> wrote in message
news:S5GdnVDs_OZkj97fRVn-1w@igs.net...

> > I had a very sobering moment today.  I turned down a job
> > last year because it was further than I would care to
> > drive.  Around 1:30 pm today the refinery blew up
> > demolishing the company trailer and sending 75 workers to
> > area hospitals.  We have four employees missing.  It could
> > have been me.  At this time I don't know the fate of the
> > guy who took the job.
> >
> > Al
>
> That would shake you up, I dare say.
>
> There but for the lack of drive...
>
> Johnny-retire-before-they-ask-you-again


learned today that Willie is safe, he was blown out of his seat and shook
up.  He was in another trailer away from the one that took the direct hit
from the blast.  The last word I heard is we have either 11 or 14 dead
employees.

Al



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> learned today that Willie is safe, he was blown out of his
> seat and shook up.  He was in another trailer away from the
> one that took the direct hit from the blast.  The last word
> I heard is we have either 11 or 14 dead employees.
> 
> Al


It made the news up here. I noticed my wife reading the article 
but I didn't. You'll be busy with wakes and funerals for a while 
I suspect. I suppose you'd get in trouble if you told us what 
really went wrong?

Johnny-curious

"Alfred Packer"  wrote in message
news:42437002$1_2@127.0.0.1...

>
> <Johnny@ominous.portent> wrote in message
> news:S5GdnVDs_OZkj97fRVn-1w@igs.net...
> > > I had a very sobering moment today.  I turned down a job
> > > last year because it was further than I would care to
> > > drive.  Around 1:30 pm today the refinery blew up
> > > demolishing the company trailer and sending 75 workers to
> > > area hospitals.  We have four employees missing.  It could
> > > have been me.  At this time I don't know the fate of the
> > > guy who took the job.
> > >
> > > Al
> >
> > That would shake you up, I dare say.
> >
> > There but for the lack of drive...
> >
> > Johnny-retire-before-they-ask-you-again
>
> learned today that Willie is safe, he was blown out of his seat and shook
> up.  He was in another trailer away from the one that took the direct hit
> from the blast.  The last word I heard is we have either 11 or 14 dead
> employees.
>
> Al
>

Gees, that's eerie Al. Thank goodness you are safe. We need you. Bet swmbo
was glad you didn't take the job.

Edith.