I’m writing for tomorrow and feeling a bit better, but I’m still very tired. It’s 18° outside (mid-morning), and I’m glad to be where I am. I talked to a friend at the old building, and I understand the heat has failed there yet again. We are under a high wind watch and a winter storm warning, so as you can see below, I have big plans for today!!
Jig Zone Puzzle:
Today’s took me 4:13 (average 5:10). To do it click here. How did you do?
From The New Yorker: Bill Gates’s [sic] first day at work in the newly created role of technology adviser got off to a rocky start yesterday as the Microsoft founder struggled for hours to install the Windows 8.1 upgrade.
The installation hit a snag early on, sources said, when Mr. Gates repeatedly received an error message informing him that his PC ran into a problem that it could not handle and needed to restart.
After failing to install the upgrade by lunchtime, Mr. Gates summoned the new Microsoft C.E.O. Satya Nadella, who attempted to help him with the installation, but with no success.
That sounds like a routine Microslime installation to me!!
From Daily Kos: A beautiful, classy, succinct and totally brutal takedown.
Republicans think that Coke should reflect the views of Koch!
From Upworthy: I am guilty of seeing a label with a cute little barn, green packaging, maybe a few farm animals, and the word "natural" on it and thinking, "Yeah, this seems like the healthy option!" — all while blissfully ignoring the list of ingredients and reality. This dude breaks down why that needs to stop.
So that's where Republicans learned how to advertise candidates!! I have a question for the food mavens among you. Are there also scams involving "organic"?
Cartoon:
H/T Carrie at Care2
15 Responses to “Open Thread–2/7/2014”
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Tom, I'd like your opinion on something. Last night on MSNBC, they were talking about how Hillary is not keeping up in the polls with the likes of Rand Paul (ugh) and other assorted right wing extremist, cretinous, gelatinous masses re: the presidency in 2016. Do you think it is possible for a right wing candidate to actually win the presidency in 2016? Up until now, I had assumed that it is not. But the Koch brothers have fiunneled millions into Super PACS already and their donations are way ahead of ours. This didn't make a difference in the last election. Will it make a difference in this one?
3:21 Is someone going to push me off the fence?
3:08 Yes, I am! I am king of the fence…for now!
4:01 I went squirrely with this one. I did a lot better the last time we had this little guy in my sights.
Glad you're feeling a little better. We are all tthe way up to 9F here at 9:30 AM. At least it didn't fall below zero last night.
New Yorker ~ I'm having no problems with 8.1. It's a lot better than 8 was.
Daily Kos ~ It is my belief that RepubliCons think all large corporations should reflect their own bigoted beliefs. I'm surprised they haven't tried to ban "America The Beautiful" from being sung because it was written by a gay woman.
Upworthy ~ Yes there are scams involving the label "organic" too. They are not as blatant though. The USDA has regulations regarding labeling. If you produce and sell less than $5,000 a year in organic foods, you are exempt from the regs.
Then there are other regs regarding the percentage of organic ingredients in processed foods such as cereals. Depending on how much non-organic ingredients are used. It's fairly complicated but you can learn to read the labels. The Mayo clinic has a very good article but I am unable to give you the link here for unknown strange reason.
Cartoon ~ That looks like my little Silly.
Love your plans for the day, Tom – I think I'll copy them.
The microsoft piece was funny – I often wondered how they dared pick on the ACA site when just about everybody born has had problems with windows and microsoft programs.
Lots of companies now declaring themselves GMO-free. More than one way to skin a cat (ahem, so to speak). If we buy organic AND GMO-free, we have a chance of getting some real food…
A day without a nap is like a cupcake without the frosting.
I hear you guys got ~ 3" of snow. (You need to work harder to match our 10+")
5:12 I don't have ADD, I just –
Andy – With all its faults, I like Microsoft, so I will stay out of this one (except to say it is funny and well done). (Do you know the one about the three negineers and the stalled car?)
Kos – But – but – "America the Beautiful" can't have been written by a gay woman – just like there are no gays in Sochi. (note the sarcasm font)
Upworthy – You see, the theory is that everything that exists, exists within this reality we call "Nature." Therefore it is natural. Everything is natural. Yeah, right. One shortcut you can us is if it says "no fat," "low fat," "no sugar," "low sugar," or "low calorie," just think "chemical s**t storm."
Cartoon – Those are good plans.
PS – Seen Clay Aiken's announcement for Congress? (http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/02/05/1275295/-Wow-Clay-Aiken-Who-knew?detail=email) I think he'd be good for McCrorystan myself.
Glad to hear you're a bit better – keep on that path!
When it comes to "America the Beautiful" I give Coke credit for taking a long shot – since there are so many of us who are boycotting them as well as all sponsors of the Olympics, I certainly doubt Coca-Cola had an inkling of the fact the lady who penned this remarkable song was a lesbian living in a "Boston" relationship!
Coke has yet to renounce the Russian laws castigating the homosexual community, therefore one can only conclude that it is condoning Russian law and ought to be chastised and boycotted!
Maybe Gates is beginning to show his age :). although I tend to think that Arielle has it more correct – no new software, program, (or whatever they call it) has an easy debut – got to give it a while to iron out the kinks!
As for "organic", there is hardly any "organic" corn left on the market, I don't eat any, or any of its bi-products, any more than I eat "farmed" salmon, or fish from the gulf! It's just that polluted and cross-pollenized products aren't apealling to me any longer!
I wish I had the physique of little cats – I spend hours trying to get comfortable and keeping my little one awake, while she gets herself all contorted and sleeps on a dime! She only comes into the bedroom after the "snoring" stops for "plop and cuddle" time!
Great plan, TC, and one I intend to emulate, albeit in a less precarious location.
Your plans sounded good to me. Stay inside and stay warm.
Brenda's commentary is excellent!
Right now, in USA, there are over 100 different languages being spoken as
you read this.
Thanks everyone.
Yes it's possible, Angelica, and unless we do with feet and voicce what Republicans are doing with money, it will happen.
Nameless, 10" is not unusual for your area. Any snow that sticks is unusual here.
Lee, Coke just played the same ad during the Opening Ceremonies. I think that rubbing GOP Pootie's nose in it, televised to millions, is a stronger statement of disapproval than boycotting would have bgeen.
I am truly stunned. After what the GOP has done to the economy, and after they have openly stated their agenda time and time again, I am mystified as to how anyone could possibly vote for them at all. But I respect your opinion and I know you are probably right, Tom. Frightening.
Coke is too expensive so I buy cheaper now…. 💡
Microsoft story is priceless… 😥
Natural –
6:45 –