This is a photo of Snuggs the Cat standing in the street outside my apartment. Every thing's changed here. 16 degrees. NOAA is reporting the Big One for us--we could get 4 inches of snow.
Really, the PNW has no clue. The last time it went to zero degrees here was in 1949--they still talk about it!!
Well, we'll see what happens. I'm bringing extra underwear to work tonight just in case something really happens.
And now the news of the day:
The Beautiful Spanish Dancer was here the other day and pointed out that since the Madoff Incident there are a lot more people in the middle class. We're back to the 3-tiered system, haves, havenots and have-somes. Good news.
She also pointed out that with all these billions of dollars rolling around no one has actually seen any. It's all in cyberspace, unbacked by any precious metals or even green stamps for those of you who remember. And since it's all imaginary anyway why can't we reshuffle it to the schools and the hospitals and the shelters. We knew this already but isn't it crazy that you can buy a chateau in France or starve to death in Rawanda all using imaginary money? What is the Euro based on? Is it actually backed by something? It must be because it's the global standard now isn't it? This is the news and I'm asking you the questions! It's a wacky world.
In other news the NYT has this:
"A hydra-headed system of oversight currently finds the Department of Homeland Security answerable to 16 committees and 40 subcommittees in the House, and 14 committees and 18 subcommittees in the Senate."
Well no wonder we've had no major attacks of terrorism since 9/11. We're terrorizing ourselves financially--Al Queda knows this and as far as the USA goes they just have to sit back and wait.
In science news PE Obama has selected his team of advisers for science and technology: He says:
"Because the truth is that promoting science isn't just about providing resources - its about protecting free and open inquiry. Its about ensuring that facts and evidence are never twisted or obscured by politics or ideology. Its about listening to what our scientists have to say, even when its inconvenient - especially when its inconvenient. Because the highest purpose of science is the search for knowledge, truth and a greater understanding of the world around us. That will be my goal as President of the United States - and I could not have a better team to guide me in this work." He said a lot more than that and it was all very sensible --you can probably see it on You Tube. It will be a great thing if we can learn to use real science not just responsibly--but AT ALL. Right now, as I mentioned in a previous post, we use sci/tech for toys and one upmanship. Like fire and like water, sci/tech can be a really bad thing or a really good thing depending on how we apply it. It will probably stay that way but let's try to lean toward the constructive shall we? This is a tremendous opportunity. And...
It will also be a vast relief to many of us when the USA stops looking backwards. Lately I keep hearing comparisons to 1930, 1968, 1974. STOP THE PRESSES: It's always good to be aware of your history but it is imperative to look hard at the present--it's where we ARE. We're like kids running with scissors or jumping off the garage roof. What you choose not to look at---what you don't understand, will cripple you.
On a lighter note its -3 degrees in North Bend--about 12 miles east of Seattle. The weather people on the radio are going insane. (run,run for your lives!) Bread and beer are selling well (stocks are up).
GWB just said he was going to shield the American people from a terrible economic blow (?)
Well, keep thinking America.
I'm going out for beer.
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