30 April 2008
News and Comments - 04/30/08
Posted by Joy Bischoff under: What's News .
HOW DO YOU TELL WHEN YOU’RE OUT OF INVISIBLE INK?
43 Comments so far...
Cavetrollhead Says:
30 April 2008 at 2:02 am.
OK, this is off the mission statement, but if you want to see the funniest video in the hhistory of the universe, go here. . .
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8eJ-3kmbrFE
The more you watch it the funnier it gets.
Cameron Says:
30 April 2008 at 6:15 am.
Taliban militants kill themselves in Afghan siege
By Sayed Salahuddin 1 hour, 29 minutes ago
KABUL (Reuters) - Five Taliban militants blew themselves up in a house in the Afghan capital Kabul after 10 hours of clashes with besieging Afghan security forces on Wednesday, an Interior Ministry official told Reuters.
While the Taliban have launched sporadic suicide attacks in Kabul, the militants have not before been detected in any numbers inside the city which they have vowed to target this year in their fight to overthrow the pro-Western Afghan government.
The clash comes just days after Taliban gunmen fired at a state parade sending President Hamid Karzai, his cabinet and the military top brass diving for cover. Three people were killed in Sunday’s attack before troops killed three Taliban attackers.
One of the men who died in Wednesday’s siege had taken part in the parade attack, a Taliban spokesman said. One other militant, a woman and her daughter were also killed in a raid on the house, the Pakistan-based Afghan Islamic Press quoted the spokesman as saying.
Afghan security forces surrounded a house where the suspected militants were holed up during the night and clashes erupted. The crack of small arms fire could be heard through the morning as state security officers led army and police battling the gunmen.
“They were killed when they blew themselves up in the house. There were five of them,” said an Interior Ministry official who declined to be named.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080430/wl_nm/afghan_violence_dc
Matt Says:
30 April 2008 at 9:33 am.
Cave, after reading the depressing blog above, I needed a good laugh. That poor lady was clueless.
Cameron Says:
30 April 2008 at 9:45 am.
This is good news. Hopefully things aren’t quite as bad as we feared.
Economy grows by only 0.6 percent in first quarter
By JEANNINE AVERSA, AP Economics Writer
WASHINGTON - The bruised economy limped through the first quarter, growing at just a 0.6 percent pace as housing and credit problems forced people and businesses alike to hunker down.
The country’s economic growth during January through March was the same as in the final three months of last year, the Commerce Department reported Wednesday. The statistic did not meet what economists consider the definition of a recession, which is a contraction of the economy. This means that although the economy is stuck in a rut, it is still managing to grow, even if slightly.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080430/ap_on_bi_go_ec_fi/economy
Many analysts were predicting that the gross domestic product (GDP) would weaken a bit more — to a pace of just 0.5 percent — in the first quarter. Earlier this year, some thought the economy would actually lurch into reverse during the opening quarter. Now, they say they believe that will likely happen during the current April-to-June period.
“The economy is weak but not collapsing,” said Lynn Reaser, chief economist at Bank of America’s Investment Strategies Group. “A recession can’t be ruled out, although the stars are not lined up at this point to definitively say one way or the other.”
Angela Rogin Says:
30 April 2008 at 9:51 am.
It isn’t that I wish for bad news but I have to say I am very surprised by the report. I felt sure we were in a recession and the majority of economists thought we were. It is hard to believe we are the same as the last quarter of 2007, especially with the Christmas bounce. It wasn’t as good as normal but there still is one.
Matt Says:
30 April 2008 at 10:01 am.
Angela, here is a section of an article on the situation. The criteria for determining recessions has changed through the years so we usually can’t tell we had one until it is over.
Under one rough rule, if the economy contracts for six straight months it is considered to be in a recession. That didn’t happen in the last recession — in 2001– though. A panel of experts at the National Bureau of Economic Research that determines when U.S. recessions begin and end uses a broader definition, taking into account income, employment and other barometers. That finding is usually made well after the fact.
During the first three months of this year, job losses neared the staggering quarter-million mark. The unemployment rate has climbed to 5.1 percent and is expected to move higher in the coming months.
Benjamin Says:
30 April 2008 at 10:26 am.
According to Gerald Celente, a very well respected trends economic forecaster, the feds cook the books. They don’t take into account food or gas, and they can twist the facts in a number of ways to show no recession. He said Monday that this was going to happen in this report because President Bush doesn’t want the recession to happen on his watch and would try to make sure things appeared somewhat stable until he is out of office.
E.E. Says:
30 April 2008 at 11:56 am.
In 1999 oil was 11$ a barrel. The average American spent 3% of their income on fuel. The figures that I’ve heard for what we are now spending are hard for me to believe so I will just say that it is obscene. If gas prices continue to rise something is going to break. The realities of recession or no recession are beside the point because of unprecedented inflation combined with little rise in income.
The Realist Says:
30 April 2008 at 12:07 pm.
Why can’t you guys be happy that the news is good? You have your explanations but I get the feeling you don’t want the news to be good. Explain that to me.
Joy Bischoff Says:
30 April 2008 at 12:12 pm.
That’s so easy to answer that even I could answer it. If people don’t realize how bad things are and how bad they are going to get then they won’t get ready. We have to get ready or we aren’t going to be okay. We have to get out of debt and buy fuel efficient cars and we have to put up some food and water.
Pickles Says:
30 April 2008 at 12:15 pm.
What do you mean even you could answer it? You can answer all kinds of things.
Realist, the people here are trying to save lives and help people have better lives. No brainer.
The Realist Says:
30 April 2008 at 12:18 pm.
Save Lives? People don’t fall through the cracks in the US unless they want to. There is the food stamp program and church food programs so no one needs to go hungry and certainly no one is going to die.
Pickles Says:
30 April 2008 at 12:20 pm.
Oh sorry Realist. I made the mistake of thinking you were a Christian because most people are on this blog. Christians believe in the Bible and there are lots of end time prophecies about famine.
The Realist Says:
30 April 2008 at 12:22 pm.
I am a Christian. It’s the Mormons who think there is going to be famine. That’s why they believe in food storage and all that. No offense, but I don’t believe that.
Pickles Says:
30 April 2008 at 12:23 pm.
Maybe Matthew chapter 24 isn’t in your Bible.
The Realist Says:
30 April 2008 at 12:24 pm.
One little mention.
Pickles Says:
30 April 2008 at 12:26 pm.
Hey what happened? My name was messed up?
Pickles Says:
30 April 2008 at 12:29 pm.
Oh well. Back to arguing. Realist, don’t you believe in the mark of the beast when we won’t be able to guy or sell? I love the book of revelation. It’s scary but exciting to. You don’t have to be a Mormon to believe the stuff in there. I’m no Mormon but that doesn’t mean it isn’t a good idea to put up some food.
Joy Bischoff Says:
30 April 2008 at 12:31 pm.
Pickles, I was following your argument and saw the blip. Terrie says this program on the blog has done weirder things than any other website she has had. We have problems all the time where things quit working and sometimes we get the blog stuck on an account. I fixed it.
The Realist Says:
30 April 2008 at 12:32 pm.
Alot of the Bible is symbolic especially Revelation. Don’t swallow it whole.
Pickles Says:
30 April 2008 at 12:36 pm.
Thanks Joy.
Realist, It really burns me when Christians talk about how sacred the Bible is and how we can’t change it and everything. Then the same people go and say we shouldn’t believe lots of it. You could say anything at all in there is symbolic and just pick and choose what to believe. That is so wrong. To not believe in the prophecies about the mark of the beast means you don’t believe Daniel either. My Dad knows the Bible backwards and forwards and he taught me a lot of what he has learned. This stuff is real. God told us this stuff so those people who would listen could get prepared.
The Realist Says:
30 April 2008 at 12:37 pm.
It’s never a good idea to argue about the Word. Everybody sees it differently. People go over board so easily. We have to be careful.
Pickles Says:
30 April 2008 at 12:40 pm.
You wanted to know why we don’t want to believe everything is just fine and why we are trying to get prepared for things getting worse. Maybe you don’t believe what I do about the Bible but since you know that I do believe that stuff, then it makes sense for me to do what I’m doing. Right?
The Realist Says:
30 April 2008 at 12:41 pm.
Sure, if you believe that then I guess what you are saying makes sense. We’ll have to disagree but that’s what America is all about.
Stumpy Says:
30 April 2008 at 12:44 pm.
Thats my little sweet Pickles. Good girl. The Realist likes to believe only what he can see with his own eyes. Oh wait jist a cotton pickin minute. That aint right. He dont believe the prices at the gas station or store. Ill be darned if I know what he believes. Keep it up sweet girl.
Pickles Says:
30 April 2008 at 12:45 pm.
Realist, you need to think carefully and maybe put a little away. I don’t want you to suffer.
Pickles Says:
30 April 2008 at 12:46 pm.
Hey Stumpy! I’ve missed you. You need to be around here more. Thanks for the compliment. Yea I think poor Realist is scared and I feel bad about that. It isn’t as scary if you do a few things to prepare.
Stumpy Says:
30 April 2008 at 12:48 pm.
Good girl. I need pickles in my pantry.
Pickles Says:
30 April 2008 at 12:56 pm.
Sorry Stumpy. My pizza was burning in the oven. I wasn’t watching the clock because of talking to Realist.
Tell you what, if you put lots of pizza in your freezer then I’ll come live in your pantry. 
Stumpy Says:
30 April 2008 at 12:59 pm.
Y’all gonna have to settle fer my home made pizza. Yer gonna love my home made ass cheese and roasted jackrabbit on my pizza. If yer to squimish to eat rabbit y’all can try my tuna pizza.
Nalvy Says:
30 April 2008 at 1:00 pm.
Pickles I am proud of you for standing up for what you believe… Realist I know you did the same too and I guess I am proud but not as much because I disagree with you LOL
Stumpy I am glad you are back lol sounds like you and Pickles are planning a party HAHAHA
Pickles Says:
30 April 2008 at 1:02 pm.
Thanks Nalvy.
Stumpy I think I’ll be in charge of making the pizza. Even my overdone pizza sounds a zillion times better than tuna pizza.
Stumpy Says:
30 April 2008 at 1:04 pm.
Since Pickles is doin the cookin y’all come on down Nalvy.
Pickles y’all jist went from sweet to perfect. Purty and a cook to. Im in heaven.
Nalvy Says:
30 April 2008 at 1:04 pm.
Realist you should read Isaiah..the WHOLE thing..only 66 chapters and most of them are short.
The prophecies in that book are amazing and mind blowing… and the best part is they are very clear about what is going to happen. I do admit there is symbolism and things like that but it is still very true and really going to happen
Pickles Says:
30 April 2008 at 1:10 pm.
Okay I just shoved burnt pizza down my throat now I’m late for work.
Bye Stumpy. Love you.
Concerned American Says:
30 April 2008 at 1:53 pm.
Presidential Vices
http://buzz.yahoo.com/buzzlog/91386
As McCain and eventually Obama/Clinton ponder their choices, do they also need to consider if public familiarity seeds vice-presidential possibilities? A record of public service doesn’t hurt: Former Hewlett-Packard CEO and chair Carly Fiorina garnered searches after the Wall Street Journal surfaced her name on the McCain “short list,” although her online profile didn’t see an enthusiastic surge. Then again, running for president doesn’t guarantee you a lasting impression either: In a Search review of the vice-presidential candidate pool, former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani doesn’t even make the top 20.
A Huffington Post analysis argued recently that the best “veepstakes” winners trump polls, stay in the background, come from the right state, and prove competence… such as with a solid public record. Let’s look at which names have registered among the public this past month to be the next Dick Cheney (figuratively speaking):
1. April’s Most-Searched Veep Possibilities Barack Obama (D) Illinois senator and presidential candidate
2. Hillary Clinton (D) New York senator and presidential candidate
3. Condoleezza Rice (R) Secretary of State
4. Antonin Scalia (R) Supreme Court Justice
5. Mitt Romney (R) Former Massachusetts governor and recent presidential candidate
6. Mike Huckabee (R) Former Arkansas governor and recent presidential candidate
7. John Edwards (D) Former North Carolina senator and recent presidential candidate
8. Sarah Palin (R) Alaska governor
9. Bill Richardson (D) New Mexico governor
10. Lindsey Graham (R) South Carolina senator
11. Sam Nunn (D) Former Georgia senator
12. Charlie Crist (R) Florida governor
13. Jim Webb (D) Virginia senator
14. Evan Bayh (D) Indiana senator
15. Bobby Jindal (R) Louisiana governor
16. Ted Strickland (D) Ohio governor
17. Tim Kaine (D) Virginia governor
18. Joe Lieberman (D) Connecticut senator and former vice-presidential candidate
19. Tim Pawlenty (R) Minnesota governor
20. Mark Sanford (R) South Carolina governor
Mind you, the Search ranking above is about name recognition. In queries that paired names with the words “vice president,” Romney led the pack, followed by Rice, Richardson, Jindal, and former South Dakota senator Tom Daschle (D). Giuliani made this top 10, barely beating out former president Bill Clinton (D).
Cavetrollhead Says:
30 April 2008 at 5:43 pm.
I don’t think the economy is all that bad and I think in the short term (next 10 years) it will be OK. I am more worried about the long term.
On the point of food storage and so on, it is just wisdom to do it- no matter what your religion. It is just common sense. And it doesn’t just pertain to famine, but to job loss. Sure you don’t have to starve in the US but you can lose your house. It would be nice to be able to put the $500 monthly food expense into a house payment to save your HUGE investment.
So I agree somewhat with you , Realist, but disagree too. What a wonderful feeling it is to know that you are prepared. Money can’t buy that constant cozy and safe feeling.
And remember that inflation can eat up your life savings, but food will always be worth the nutrition it provides. And your house payment doesn’t go up (if you have a fixed rate). For these reasons, inflation or unemployment can’t hurt you as bad financially if you have food and water storage (and generator and fuel reserve, wood burning stove, etc.) Food storage will save houses and retirements this year- if not lives.
Cavetrollhead Says:
30 April 2008 at 5:44 pm.
Thanks Concerned American,- interesting point and info.
SGS Says:
30 April 2008 at 5:54 pm.
Realist, 28 millions of Americans being on food stamp program does not concern you? We are talking about close to 10% of the citizens of the greatest and wealthest country on Earth needs help so they could afford to eat, and that does not concern you? We have the politicians of the like of Obama, Hillary, and Kennedry who believe that the best solutions to this and many more issues are to throw government at them. You also would have to ignore the history of this country — what had made this country great, and why we are finding ourselves with more and more governments to deal with our problems, whereas, before 1930s, there barely was any federal government beyond the security of this country, running at only 2% of GPN!
And, there are many other books in Bible you would have to ignore to say nothing bad will happen. Old Testament’s Daniel and Malachi are a couple of most revealing books which talk about the period immediately before the coming of our Lord. It does not matter how much of Bible you believe, but if you claim to believe in Jesus the Christ, then you also must acknowledge that the Lord is to come. If He is to come, then you also must recognize that certain signs must happen before He comes. Otherwise, you are denying the power of Lord, which is to say, you do not believe in Him. True, we do not all agree on what those signs are, and what the document of our Lord are. But, still, He either comes, or He does not. If He does come, then He comes only to triumpt over the wicked. This is one common belief among ALL Christian sects, ALL Jewish sects and even the Muslims (not Christ, but their Prophet, but still with troublesome period beforehand).
M.G. Says:
30 April 2008 at 7:40 pm.
Cave, you must have more money than I do. The food that costs $100 last year costs $140 now and the gas is worse. I haven’t had a pay raise in two years so this is killing us. I know a lot of people it is hurting. People that have more money probably aren’t feeling it as much but it is very real for the rest of us. OPEC says they are going to raise oil prices a lot and who is going to stop them? The truckers are in a panic because they can’t afford the prices.
I do like what you wrote about not ignoring the Bible. There really is a lot that gives us a pretty good hint about things. You made some great points.
The Realist Says:
30 April 2008 at 8:12 pm.
Okay, I concede there are prophecies in the Bible that will be literal but I’m with Cave. It isn’t going to happen for many years. Things really aren’t as bad as you guys are saying.
Cavetrollhead Says:
30 April 2008 at 9:07 pm.
M.G, I am totally feeling it too. We are a family of 5 and bring in about 50 grand. We are doing fine but I am very frustrated, worried, and angry about gas prices and the slow economy. Something should be done to break up the stranglehold of OPEC and big oil and soon- not to mention federal spending. I am not saying things aren’t somewhat bad, but I don’t think it is critical yet for most people. I think it was worse in 2001-03. Large scale catastrophe is still far off. We still haven’t tapped the strategic oil reserves and we can drill domestically if things get bad enough for congress to defy the environmentalists.
The bottom line is procrastinating food storage and emergency preparedness is not wise because on an individual scale, things can get bad overnight..
Ghost Says:
30 April 2008 at 10:02 pm.
Cave, I wish I could be sure things are further off but either way, what you wrote is important. You have the bottom line right where it should be so whether we think things are going to seriously slide soon or not for a long time, if people follow your advise they will be okay.
The scriptures often make it sound like things are right around the corner and I think the reason the Lord does that is because he doesn’t want us putting off being spiritually and physically prepared for the future. I’m glad there aren’t people here making predictions with specific dates because that really turns me off. I think one of the most important thing we can gain here is that food prices are going to be higher and putting off getting ready will only make it harder to get ready later. Most experts now agree that the day of cheap food is over.
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