Recent Comments

1. about 14 hours ago on Non Sequitur

   Actually, the power-hungry seek power, usually in the form of a dictatorship - where the dictator has total control of everything. The man who would be king’ if kings were still in vogue. Communism, as explained above, was about spreading the wealth- a central body would decide how that was to be done, do it, and then everything would chug along merrily. Which is why there are no true communist countries — very hard to get those in power to do the sharing evenly and then let things ride. And there are always reasons for them to stick around — wars, natural disasters, rivals, etc.

2. about 14 hours ago on Non Sequitur

   I have noticed some — I have them on my NWTB [not worth the bother] list so generally just scroll past. Sad. I wonder if some people decide not to become premium members because they notice that membership. And it seems that some of those trolls feel they can say the stupidest things without bothering to give any explanation — I would say without bothering to explain their reasoning, but that’s not possible.

3. about 14 hours ago on Non Sequitur

   A few on trial right now are hoping the use the same excuse.

4. about 14 hours ago on Non Sequitur

   He knew how to sell — cars and his public image.

5. about 14 hours ago on Non Sequitur

   But anymore you have to really check out what books you read — so many pretend to be factual but are careful to include only the facts they like and the facts that justify their actions. Not that that hasn’t always been an issue [my high school American history book didn’t mention slavery in the section on the Civil War, even in ‘events leading up to the Civil War’] and I grew up in the Midwest. But nowadays we do have more resources available to do our own checking [not just “google” — libraries can get you access to just about any book in print].

6. about 15 hours ago on Pluggers

   Unfortunately, some of us plugger-spouses are still on-call 24/7. During the ‘working years’, we got up first to feed the animals, get the breakfasts, get kids ready for school, and remind everyone what was happening that day. Then, we either went to work ourselves or stayed home, tending to the house and garden. Then we drove kids to after-school activities, ran the errands, came home, made supper, checked the homework, got kids ready for bed, and cleaned the kitchen and probably did a load of laundry. After everyone else was in bed, we got things ready for the next day and took some personal time [for school, hobbies, relaxing], before tending the animals and touring the house, checking lights, doors, and windows.

   Now, in retirement, the schedule is pretty much the same — first up to fix the breakfast and feed the animals; no kids to get ready, but sometimes there’s a grand kid or two that need minding while parents are at work or when they are sick or have a day off from school. And we seem to be the keeper of the calendar — fewer kid activities but a lot more doctor appointments. We may even still go to work or to a class [lots of classes for retirees in my area] and we still straighten the house, tend the garden, fix the meals, run the errands, take grandkids to after-school activities, fix dinner. After dinner, we put the food away [hard to cook for just 2], straighten the kitchen and throw in a load of laundry. Occasionally, we get phone calls [or text messages] from the kids — sometimes asking a favor [can you take Jo to the dentist tomorrow?], sometimes exciting news, sometimes panicky parents, but always good to receive. Then, after the spouse has gone to bed [which is an hour to more earlier than it used to be], it’s time to relax, work on a hobby, read a book — personal time. Then, before bed, it’s time to tend the animals, and tour the house, turning off lights and checking doors and windows.

7. about 16 hours ago on Matt Davies

   I remember reading, many years ago when I was getting my first insurance policy, that in some countries, the insurance rate starts out as a flat rate until the insurance company has to pay for something. Then the rate is increased until the company recoups its loss and then the rate is goes back down somewhat — but maybe that was just a dream.

8. about 16 hours ago on Matt Davies

   Are insurance companies still operating in Florida?

9. about 16 hours ago on Matt Davies

   Unfortunately, unless one is flush with cash [or can trick people into thinking one is], one can’t buy a house without borrowing money and banks and mortgage companies require homeowner insurance.

   It affects current home owners as well. An awful lot of people, who either own their home or are still paying down the mortgage, bought them before the property was considered so environmentally at risk: When the house was built, the 100- or 500-year floodplain it is on might not have even been mentioned or even existed; when the house was built, it was several blocks from the beach; when the house was built, it met all the state and local building codes and was built in the middle of a town a dozen miles from any forest, lake or stream — and neither the town nor the environment has moved.

   Current homeowners also have trouble selling, because buyers need insurance to get a mortgage and most homeowners don’t have enough money to buy another home until they sell the current one.

10. about 17 hours ago on Matt Davies

    Maybe Puerto Rico can finally become a state when FL washes away — we wouldn’t have to change the stars.