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Monday, September 19, 2011

Funny Jon Stewart Lampoons Obama Solyndra Technology Scandal



From Denny: Stewart pokes some fun at both Obama and his critics for "It's not easy being green."

Jon whines: "Does one failed green technology company discredit the idea of a green energy economy?"

"Of course not, but.... say, if in 1936 you spoke about the growing importance of air travel in front of the Hindenburg. Well, you'd be right about the future of air travel but you'd still be on f*cking fire! Oh, the stupidity."


Friday, September 16, 2011

When Unsexy Becomes The New Sexy: Americas Infrastructure

the great Seto bridgeImage by hwat via Flickr

From Denny:  There is a new book out to inform us just how dangerous our bridges are across America"Too Big To Fall" (America's Failing Infrastructure and The Way Forward) is from New York real estate lawyer, Barry Lepatner, also the author of "Broken Buildings, Busted Budgets."





Just a year ago most people turned the channel when the snooze story came on about the crumbling American infrastructure.  Not so since President Obama made it the centerpiece of his new jobs bill that has the GOP and Democrats lining up and pushing back to kill it just for the sheer size of it.

Here are a few statistics to get your blood boiling or get your Halloween scare on:



* $2.2 trillion is needed for nationwide repairs (source: American Society of Civil Engineers study)

* 150,000 bridges are at risk out of 600,000 - those at risk are because they are functionally obsolete or structurally deficient (source: FHA)

* 80,000 bridges are rated as poor 

* 26 percent of our 600,000 bridges are structurally deficient or functionally obsolete

* 8,000 bridges of those rated poor are "fracture critical" which means if one piece breaks then the whole bridge will quickly collapse because they have had no attention for many years, even decades.

* New York City is the only place in the nation that has the safest bridges because $5 billion was poured into repairs by both the Bush and Obama administrations.




Lepatner proposes a few solutions to solve the issues of infrastructure needs:

* Keep the gas tax but get serious about using the revenues wisely

* End waste and abuse in the construction industry

Did you know that our gas tax that we complain about is actually 10 times less than what our Europeans cousins across The Pond have to pay?  In fact, our gas tax collects as much as $3 billion a month, placing it into the highway trust fund.  The problem is that our gas tax only collects up to 90 percent of what is needed for repairs.

And how does the construction industry figure into this infrastructure mess?  Turns out the construction industry is the most inefficient industry in America.  Why?  At least 49 percent of labor costs for construction projects do not go into the projects because of late deliveries and workers not showing up on time or at all: low worker productivity.

Lepatner proposes the construction industry is in need of dire reform.  What it also desperately needs is to update its technology.  The construction industry happens to be the lowest user of technology of all American industries.  It could go a long way to saving costs, safety and improving deliveries if they updated to newer and more technology.

Make your voice heard to your local political leaders and the national ones as well.  In this age of GOP cutbacks - and 30 years of them refusing to invest in national infrastructure - none of us know which bridge we may be travelling over is truly safe.  Definitely pause to wonder just how long this can continue.

Dylan Ratigan Show on MSNBC - He also writes for Huffington Post:  "Disgusted and disturbed by the rampant evidence of fraud, the theft and cover-up in American government, mega banks and mega-corporations, he is on a mission to create fairness for all Americans."

HBO Movie review based on this book: Economic Crisis Unfurls in Hushed Suspense




Thursday, September 15, 2011

Funny Jon Stewart Mocks What It Took to Humanize Dick Cheney



From Denny:  Jon Stewart loves to talk about the Darth Vadar metaphor in regards to former Vice President Dick Cheney.  Cheney has a new book out, called "In My Time," and is busy hawking it on every talk show that will take him.

Stewart gives us many clips of Cheney hard at work selling his piece of fiction he claims is nonfiction.  What's amusing is how "The View" talk show just had to say, "Mr. Vice President, let's talk about this little bulge here."  She patted his chest.  Jon thought that funny as he wondered out loud "how that (statement) played to the radio broadcast audience."

As Cheney launches into his "old man talks about his health issues" talk on "The View," Stewart is speechless, unable to mock.  Can it be there is finally something Jon cannot mock successfully?  Find out why in this funny clip:


On Topic - Childhood - Star Wars

Jedi becomes a recognized religion, Jon brags about his life-size Boba Fett costume, and Darth Vader has to hand it to Dick Cheney.







* * *  Please support Warriors Pearl Foundation - helping homeless female military veterans come home.  Visit Denny Lyon Gifts  @ CafePress.com  -  see what's new!  And a special thanks to those of you supporting this effort!  You rock!



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* Check out Dennys News Politics Comedy Science Arts & Food - a place where all my other 20 blogs link so you can choose from among the latest posts all in one place. A free to read online newspaper from independent journalist blogger Denny Lyon. * 

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Monday, September 12, 2011

Funny Jon Stewart, Colbert React to Republican Debates


From Denny: Only Jon Stewart could dissect this crazy GOP line-up, revealing true agendas. When he goes after Michele Bachmann for her idea of mothering it sure is a left field what she says.

You expect her to comment on how raising five biological children and 23 foster children she would opine upon parenting skills in the area of how they needed lots of love and daily structure. Nope. What she says is "children need jobs." No kidding.

What I found most disheartening about her quote about children of poverty - from a over a year ago - is when she commented about how the poor should raise themselves up on their own, without government help - ever.

"Hunger is a great motivator." From that day forward I always wondered if she had starved any of those foster children to force them to do what she demanded.

Stewart goes on to show how John Huntsman is the only GOP candidate with a brain for calling the obvious, "For the Republican Party to remain viable we can't run from science (when 98 out of 100 believe evolution happened as theorized)." And so, Stewart brings on the obvious funny graphics, proving Huntsman as the GOP "Homo Unelectable" in the long line of homo sapiens and ancestors.

Ron Paul is the comic relief of the GOP field. He thinks the Mexican fence is not for keeping out those Mexicans. It's for keeping in the Americans. Ron Paul has more fun ideas for his presidency: Listen on! :)

Stewart has fun ribbing the commentators as if they were saying, "Gov. Perry, your state is full of steers and queers. Feel free to answer your questions with lots of punching."

In the second clip the media goes on to award Mitt Romney the win for the perceived two-man debate. Yes, there were eight people on stage but the other six were considered politically expendable.

I guess those are all the possible Vice President and administration choices for later is their Big Hope. Today, Gov. Bobby Jindal endorsed Gov. Rick Perry and Gov. Tim Pawlenty endorsed Mitt Romney. There sure are a whole lot of governors going on and not much governing.






Rick Perry called Social Security a Ponzi scheme. Everyone thinks that outrageous statement sure killed his chances of getting elected since most voters that actually take the trouble to vote are retirement age. Yet, GOP voters continually vote against themselves and support this crazy statement.

What was darker was when the audience cheered when Brian Williams asked about Texas has put to death 234 people. The audience went wild with support and cheers like it was a blood sport. Gov. Perry says he never lost sleep over killing them either - even if any were innocent. Talk about a chilling reaction to a chilling statement.

What was funny is how Romney tried to speak reasonably about a plan to get the economy going and then Perry comes along with the simple declarative statement, "I hate cancer!"

Jon Stewart made a declarative statement of his own, "Romney, you just got Rickrolled!" So, the brother media is wrong. According to Stewart, Rick Perry is the next president. He likens Perry to Tiger semen he is so strong and virile.

And then there's Colbert's comments about Labor Day, "It's when we put away our white pants and pull out our white candidates.... And all the media coverage until now has been bullsh*t."

The MSNBC debate was held at the Reagan Library, where, according to Colbert, "The candidates stood under Ronald Reagan's Air Force One plane that he used to personally pilot, steering with his balls."

What is truly strange is how when the candidates like Ron Paul were asked about eliminating the minimum wage, Paul replied, "Yes, eliminate it. It would help the poor."

And it's no wonder the media does not cover Paul's candidacy because of the dementia statements like this one. So, they cover Rick Perry who can say the same - but is more convincing?

*** 4 video clips to keep you laughing through the work week:

Thursday September 8, 2011
Indecision 2012 - The Great Right Hope
The GOP candidates fulfill the fifth pillar of Republicanism: the Hajj to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library.



Thursday September 8, 2011
Oh My God, Rick Perry Is Going to Be Our Next President - Second Installment 
Republicans have a choice between a guy with a multipoint fact-based plan that he thinks will get the economy going and a guy who will punch cancer in the face.



Thursday September 8, 2011
Republican Presidential Debate Media Coverage
All the 2012 election media coverage until now has been bulls**t, but everything from here out is crucial, life-or-death stuff.



Thursday September 8, 2011
Rick Perry Presents
Rick Perry takes on the 800-pound gorilla in the room, being stomped on by the elephant in the room, being ridden by the emperor who has no clothes: Social Security.





* * *  Please support Warriors Pearl Foundation - helping homeless female military veterans come home.  Visit Denny Lyon Gifts  @ CafePress.com  -  see what's new!  And a special thanks to those of you supporting this effort!  You rock!



 Subscribe in a reader to A Truth Journal

* Check out Dennys News Politics Comedy Science Arts & Food - a place where all my other 20 blogs link so you can choose from among the latest posts all in one place. A free to read online newspaper from independent journalist blogger Denny Lyon. * 

*** THANKS for visiting, feel welcome to drop a comment or opinion, enjoy bookmarking this post on your favorite social site, a big shout out to awesome current subscribers – and if you are new to this blog, please subscribe in a reader or by email updates!

Sunday, September 11, 2011

9-11 Stories Roundup: How Is America 10 Years Later?

Reuters photo/John Kehe illustration

From Denny:  Every year when this date comes we all pause and remember those whose lives were taken quickly and horribly.  We mourn for those left behind and pray for them to find their way in life.

For the youngest generation this event is a moment seared upon their memory, remembering where they were when America was struck by terrorism and the Twin Towers fell.  Included here is an article of how to talk to children about the attack.

Not all associated with this terrible event is sadness, despair and sorrow.  Whether survivors, or families and friends of the fallen, many have discovered the well of strength within themselves.  Others have started charities and foundations to honor not the dead but the lives of the victims, promoting their life philosophies and initiatives.  Stories of wonderful inspiring people have been shared in the news and memorials for the world to remember.

One doctor responded to the horror by developing a new and simple device to help people get out of burning buildings that are up to 1,000 feet.  Read his story of how he came to develop the Rescue Reel.  Rappelling down the outside of a skyscraper may not be the desired mode of exit but it sure beats the alternative.

Included here are the various news sites that tend to leave up their stories to be accessed years later.  Which means the obvious news site, the New York Times, did not make the cut.  This year they went to charging people to read the news online and archive quickly so I figured the links would no longer be available within a few weeks.

Can you believe it there are conspiracy folks who think 9/11 didn't happen the way it did?  Yes, they are out there promoting an alternative story and there is an article about it.  That's the first I've heard of it.

There is an interview with the landscape architect who created the 9/11 monument and his thoughts on the process, keeping in mind the wishes of 300 million people in the nation, and interacting with the families.

Included is a music video of the song played at the first 9/11 memorial that the families enjoyed.  There are new books out about the 9/11 story in the UK too.

The world paused today to remember.  There are some interesting stories from the UK, especially how views toward or against religion in general has changed dramatically since that day.

Take a look around at this collection.  If you run across other articles or blog posts you think of merit to add, please leave it in the comment box below and I will add it to the list.  This list is meant to be an anniversary marker.  Hopefully, years from now, most of these links will still be up on the sites and accessible for historians and students of American history.

While I feel the sadness of my nation on this day, I also look forward.  We can honor those who left too soon by living our lives with zest and joy and appreciation of each moment - like they never left our side.


How 9/11 has shaped a generation of Americans

The terrorist attacks have become this generation's Pearl Harbor – an epic event that has changed young peoples' view of the world and America's place in it.

9/11 Memorial: At site of terror, a site of grace (video)

The dedication of the 9/11 Memorial Sunday will evoke many emotions. Instrumental in bringing about the memorial are three Americans who were strangers on 9/11 but ultimately became linked by the terrible events of the day.

One man's 9/11 idea to rescue people from high-rise buildings

Many of those who died on 9/11 jumped from the upper floors of the World Trade Center in New York. San Francisco doctor Kevin Stone has invented the "Rescue Reel" personal escape device that might have save lives that day.

How 9/11 looked from the air-traffic control center that saw it coming

The air-traffic controllers in 'Boston Center' – the facility that oversaw Flight 11 – speak of what happened on 9/11, from the confusion of the first moments to the frustration that military jets could not get to New York City faster.

New York's other 9/11 memorial offers a glimpse through survivors' eyes
The Tribute WTC Visitors Center tells the story of 9/11 through tour guides that are all survivors. It offers a unique look at the World Trade Center for visitors and a sense of solace to 9/11 survivors.

Remembering the audacity of the twin towers
The soaring twin towers of the World Trade Center became an affirmation of the American value of dreaming big. To the engineer who designed them, their loss on 9/11 remains heartbreaking, but he's found the resilience to keep dreaming.

On eve of 9/11, what story is the media telling?
Media imagery can play a profound role in shaping the cultural memory of an event like 9/11, and some media experts worry that coverage could veer too far toward mythmaking.

Hillary Clinton: more 'smart power' needed in terrorism fight
Hillary Clinton announced Friday the creation of a new Global Counterterrorism Forum, which will use 'smart power' such as diplomacy and democracy to fight terrorism.

9/11 hijacking victim's family expanded, even without him

Lives Changed: A decade-long series of profiles of those most directly affected by the 9/11 attacks. The Mladenik family has adopted two children since 9/11. Even they miss their dad, who died in the hijacking of American Airlines flight 11 before they arrived.

9/11 racial profiling: Where civil rights met national security

Cameran Sadeq lost the life he'd built in America when racial profiling landed him in months of detention. His civil rights were sacrificed for perceived national security.

Five ways 9/11 has transformed the US military

The attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, fundamentally transformed the way the United States military wages war.

An update on a post-9/11 forecast

Before 9/11: The tale of an Afghan 'lion'
Journalist Ed Giradet met the remarkable Ahmed Shah Massoud during the Afghan insurgency against the Red Army. Twenty years later, on the eve of 9/11, he tried to see him one last time.

Response to 'credible threat' shows how much has changed since 9/11
Al Qaeda may have been degraded since 2001. But the threat since 9/11 has become more complicated, decentralized and elusive with franchises, affiliates, and homegrown terrorists.




Photo by CBS/AP

How to talk to your kids about 9/11

The 9/11 aftermath in photos.

Photographer Joel Meyerowitz was given unrestricted access to ground zero to document the aftermath of 9/11.




Five for Fighting sings 9/11 anthem "Superman"
Story and video.




The view from 1 WTC. 9/11: Ten Years Later

"Mixed bag" for U.S. Muslims since 9/11

Obama calls for unity on 9/11 anniversary

Memorial to Flight 93 victims dedicated

9/11 survivors: Where are they now?

9/11 look back: NYC, the Pentagon & Shanksville

"On September 11, 2001, America experienced its greatest loss of life from a foreign attack on home soil and was forever changed. Chris Wragge, David Martin and Chip Reid take a look back at the events in New York City, Washington, DC and Shanksville, Pa."

Tony Blair: Post 9/11 battle is not over

George W. Bush Visits Ground Zero With Obama on 10th Anniversary

While America Slept: The True Story of 9/11

Photographers revisit 9/11; 'It was that horrific'




The Politics of September 11th: From Agreement to Discord

Obama Heralds ‘Resilient Nation’ on Sept. 11 Anniversary Eve

911 Conspiracy: 'Truthers' Continue to Offer Alternate Claims About Sept. 11 Terror Attacks

Sept. 11 marked with new memorials to the dead

What Took So Long? Why the World Trade Center Still Isn't Finished

Reverberations of 9/11 felt all the way up in space





9/11 anniversary: How the loss was felt worldwide

9/11 anniversary messages to heaven: We miss your meatloaf

Essays revisited: Reflecting on 9/11

Patt Morrison Asks: Memorial man Peter Walker

"The Berkeley landscape architect on creating a monument for ground zero that honors the American people."


Obamahug

President Obama and First Lady Michelle comfort relatives of Sept. 11 victims.


World pauses to remember 9/11

9/11: the tragedy that engulfed our fathers

Why 9/11 was good for religion

Tony Blair discusses how the UK nearly shot down a passenger jet after 9/11

Twin Towers and terrorism: the impact 10 years on

9/11 books round-up – review



* * *  Please support Warriors Pearl Foundation - helping homeless female military veterans come home.  Visit Denny Lyon Gifts  @ CafePress.com  -  see what's new!  And a special thanks to those of you supporting this effort!  You rock!



 Subscribe in a reader to A Truth Journal

* Check out Dennys News Politics Comedy Science Arts & Food - a place where all my other 20 blogs link so you can choose from among the latest posts all in one place. A free to read online newspaper from independent journalist blogger Denny Lyon. * 

*** THANKS for visiting, feel welcome to drop a comment or opinion, enjoy bookmarking this post on your favorite social site, a big shout out to awesome current subscribers – and if you are new to this blog, please subscribe in a reader or by email updates!