Anderson/Hatgidakis/Nelson/Metcalf: Newsletter

Old news: July 2007

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The Hatgidakis Family
7/31/07

Happy Anniversary Brent & Karen!!!!!


Donna
7/31/07
Wow, we can listen to the songs on Who Am I. That's cool. Some of the answers were cracking me up, but I can't comment on any of them yet. After the game is over, some people have some 'splaining to do. ;-)
Lindsey
7/31/07
Just did the Who Am I and I think I did pretty well. Some people were really similar and I think almost everyone wants a swimming pool! Surprisingly sandwiches did help because I know what some people like and don't like and I did like that we were able to hear the songs, that helped! I'm excited to see how I did!

You are the first one in, Lindsey! I'll leave the Who Am I profiles up through the coming weekend, so you will all have plenty of time to look at it (and listen to all the songs!). And remember, if you change your mind after sending in your answers, just re-do it -- I will only count your most recent answers. Have fun! --Gary


Emily
7/30/07
I don't think The Simpson Movie will turn out to be quite as big as Harry Potter..... But, it does sound pretty funny. I will proably go see it sometime while its in the theaters.
I am excited to see the Who Am I answers tomorrow! This one was a fun one, it will be interesting to see what everybody said.
I have been busy finishing up my summer classes. Thursday is my last day for both of them & I am very glad. I don't recommend taking summer classes to anyone. But, the extra credits should be nice eventually.
I have been finalizing up my college stuff too. I was officially accepted into the "Bridge Program" for BC. So, I get to move in a week early, on the 19th and start the program on the 20th. Then actual classes start on the 27th.
So, I will have about 2 weeks of actual summer vacation between school stuff. I am looking forward to it!
I have my last Teen Court session tomorrow... I am hoping we get some interesting cases.
Cute dance pics of T & t. We got the DVD of our recital but are still waiting on the pictures.......
Gary
7/30/07
And another review of The Simpsons Movie. This thing could turn out to be bigger than Harry Potter! ...anyone...? :-) Thanks, Lindsey!
Dad & Lori
7/30/07

Happy Birthday Sean!
Lindsey
7/30/07

Happy Birthday Sean!!!
Gary
7/30/07
Okay, last chance for Lori, Paul, Ryan, Sean, and Zachary: The Who Am I boat pulls out tonight, so if you're not on it, you missed it! The game will be fun -- lots of interesting answers. I'm really impressed with the great song choices; I think after the game we should collect them all and put them on one CD!
Donna
7/30/07
Hey Gary, have you looked at the LJS site lately? Someone bashed your facts about the majority of Americans being opposed to the war and then someone else backed you up -- with a Gallup poll no less. Too bad they changed your title. You took a few hits for the "We need more Hagels" title. Anyway, it's fun to read...

No, I hadn't seen it til you wrote this. Interesting! (Go back to this page, then scroll down for the responses.) I loved this one [with my comments in brackets]: "Bush has done an exemplary job during a very difficult time [which he created]. Our economic growth is good [for the richest one percent], jobs are being created [in Mexico and China], a dictator has been deposed [and a new one installed in the U.S.], no attacks on US soil since 9/11 [except by our own government]. What more do you want from this guy? [A suicide pact with Cheney] It sounds to me like NO ONE can live up to the wacko left's standards. [All we want is someone who respects the Constitution and uses complete English sentences.] And by the way, GO FOLEY!! YOU RULE!! [Are you referring to the Nebraska state Auditor, or the Republican pedophile Congressman?]" Ah, the Republican Party -- proudly serving America's Fascists since 1980. :-) --Gary


Ryan, Amanda, Tristen & Teghan
7/30/07

Happy Birthday Sean!
Nelsons
7/30/07

Happy Birthday Sean
Gary
7/29/07
Big weekend for the Simpsons Movie. And we have another review. Thanks, Sam!
Gary
7/29/07
Hey, the Who Am I entries continue to come in. Teghan has joined in, so we're only waiting now for Lori, Paul, Ryan, Sean, and Zachary. Today and tomorrow, you five, then you're out in the cold!

We also received one this afternoon from someone I am going to have to disqualify because of his involvement in several ongoing investigations; but I will post his profile here so you can see what the game will look like on Tuesday.

PROFILE 1:
My dream job is clearin' brush. For Show and Tell I will bring a Mission Accomplished Banner. First thing in the morning I am a lamb. For my house I would add a Shooting Range. My sandwich has chicken. I think thunderstorms are scary. I like this movie line: "You can't handle the truth!" I wish someone would invent a Time Machine to go back to 1947 & throw out the 22nd Amendment. The best song ever written is Texas State of Mind.
And for dinner and a movie, I choose:
T.G.I. Fridays and Hairspray

Thanks to whoever sent this in! :-)


Amanda
7/29/07
In the spirit of the Simpsons movie, check out this site.

Great site! Also, check out Livy's review, which just arrived. Thanks, Livy! --Gary


Gary
7/28/07
Woo-hoo! Just got back from a fun afternoon at the cinema: Amanda, Ryan, Tristen, Teghan, Paul, Livy, Grandma, and myself went to a matinee of the "The Simpsons Movie."

Best. Simpsons movie. Ever.

Except for under-using two of my favorite characters -- Montgomery Burns and Principal Skinner -- it was a great picture. Springfield looked pretty good on the big screen. I got to sit by Teghan, who seemed to enjoy the movie too -- except for one part. Homer was riding a dogsled and being pretty free with the whip, so when he stopped for the night and unharnessed the dogs, they all growled and pounced on him. We're all laughing, except for Teghan: She looked me in the eyes and said, "That's not really funny."

Thank you to Tristen and Marsha who sent in their Who Am I answers. That leaves only Lori, Paul, Ryan, Sean, Teghan, and Zachary who have til Monday night to join the fun!


Donna
7/27/07

Happy Birthday Sean!
Grandma
7/27/07

Happy Birthday, Sean!!
Karen
7/27/07
Good letter Gary, I've been watching the online paper, but did miss it yesterday. Glad you mentioned it. We have all finished Harry Potter and getting back into routine. Good book -- certainly one you will want to read if you've kept up with the series. No school or work for Emily so she is enjoying today. Erika has a slumber party tonight and looking forward to that. Amanda good pictures of the zoo -- I especially enjoyed the web cam of the penquins. I'll have to keep checking that one out.
Gary
7/27/07
Hey, my letter-to-the-editor appeared yesterday in the Journal-Star. (Or at least it was online, I didn't see the actual paper.) They changed my headline from The Republican War to We Need More Hagels. :-) See it here!
Gary
7/27/07
New review just in. Thanks, Livy!
Livy
7/27/07

Happy Birthday Sean!!!
The Hatgidakis Family
7/27/07

Happy Birthday Sean!!!!!
Gary
7/27/07
Three new reviews from linzrae89. Thanks, Lindsey -- I'm adding all three to my list!

Speaking of my list (or as they call it, "queue"), Netflix has once again lowered its prices. My $19.95-a-month plan just went down to $16.95. Netflix is in a major battle with Blockbuster (who completely stole Netflix's online/mail idea), so Netflix is trying hard to keep old customers and lure new ones.


Gary
7/27/07
Ooops, sorry, Livy! I didn't read your note closely before posting it -- I guess I was in a hurry.

Emily, John, and Amanda can now be counted among the Who Am I players. Meaning we look forward to contributions from Lori, Marsha, Paul, Ryan, Sean, Teghan, Tristen, and Zachary. Only four days left!

#12 is shaping up as a good game. "What is the best song ever written?" is, of course, an impossible question -- but y'all are giving some excellent choices! For the past three days I've been going around with these great songs, one after the other, going through my head. And come next Tuesday, it will happen to you....


Livy
7/26/07
Nice that you all checked out ok at the dentist Amanda! I went like 3 or 4 days ago (i would have gone like 3 weeks ago, but that was when I had that pnemonia (is that spelled right Gary, you don't have to put this thing on), so we rescheduled it like 3 times! But when I went I was fine too! Except I think I have to go to another orthadontist, because they pulled a tooth last time I went, and that tooth never grew in, so I think i have to get some kind of brace thing just for that tooth (not braces around my whole mouth)! But otherwise, I was ok! So where do you guys go to get your teeth cleaned? Like what's the name of your dentist for all of you guys?
Amanda
7/26/07

Lemme just interrupt Gary's 7 note streak. We just got back from the dentist. All 4 of us checked out 100% good to go. That's an accomplishment for us, really mostly Ryan, he has bad dental checkups (cavities, root canals, etc) and he missed his last 6 month mark because of job changes. Also, last time I had two or three cavities, but I hated the fillings so much I finally buckled down & listened to what dentists have been saying for years, "you gotta floss" and I have done it every day since & I'm clean! Tristen has had some cavities & tooth pullings in the last few check ups & she's good! Teghan has always been fine & was again today. So a good trip for us! (I know, boring news, but somebody's gotta stop Gary! :))

Dang, there goes my record! --Gary


Gary
7/26/07
Okay, I am sorry about making you do all this reading, but I do have one more bit of news that goes along with the earlier stuff about Fox (and also today's front page): The FCC's "Fairness Doctrine," which required a balanced coverage of issues on public airwaves, was eliminated in 1987 under Ronald Reagan. Since then, we've seen the increase of right-wing ownership of many media outlets, not to mention Fox. When the recent immigration reform bill was voted down in the Senate, many believed that the aggressive attacks on the bill from right-wing talk-radio stations played a major role in the bill's defeat. So, some Democrats in the House asked the FCC to reconsider the Fairness Doctrine. But just today, the FCC Chairman stated he has no intention of reinstating the Fairness Doctrine. "Indeed," he said, "the need for the Fairness Doctrine has lessened even further since 1987." And now, Republicans in the House and Senate are working on legislation that would prevent the FCC from reinstating the Fairness Doctrine, even if the FCC wanted to. So there's your "fair and balanced"....
Gary
7/26/07
And one more note, just to point out that I have made six consecutive notes on this page today, which may be a record! :-)
Gary
7/26/07
Rove is ordered to appear next Wednesday, August 2. Wow, things got interesting fast! :-) Everybody knows he won't show; but a Congressional subpoena is still a Very Big Thing, even in Bush's America, and you just can't go ignoring them forever. Eventually, you either obey the Congress, or you declare yourself dictator. Now we wait and see which one Bush chooses....

Oh, and if anyone has a die-hard Republican friend (see Donna's note below) who starts in with the talking point that the Democratic Congress is "out of control" and on a "fishing expedition" and such, just inform them that this is only the third subpoena to be issued by Congress to the Bush Administration. (Can't be sure of the exact number just now, but it's very near that.) Number of subpoenas issued by the Republicans to the Clinton Administration? Over 1600. So let us catch up, and then we'll talk. :-)


Gary
7/26/07
New pix!
Gary
7/26/07
Things are getting warm in Washington! And I don't mean the thermometer (like here in Lincoln where today is a hot one...until the cool front works its way through tonight). But back on topic: John Conyers, who sometimes seems to move so frustratingly slowly, issued a big document last night listing 52 potential areas of investigation (i.e., where laws might have been broken) on the Attorney firings. Coming at the end of the day, it was treated with a "so-what" by almost everybody; even Keith Olbermann, who did mention it last night but didn't make much of it. But today legal-types are going over the document and are discovering Conyers' game-plan: While the White House wants to make this an issue of "Executive Privilege" and gum it up in the courts (and which, years from now, the Bush Supreme Court would throw out anyway), Conyers avoids all that and cuts straight to the chase by saying they are investigating a criminal matter. The Supreme Court has already ruled in the past that "Executive Privilege" cannot be used to obstruct the investigation of a criminal matter; and if Bush attempts to, then that in itself is obstructing justice -- which is impeachable. Conyers may be moving slowly, but he is moving very very well.

P.S. Just this minute heard that Senator Leahy has issued a subpoena for Karl Rove! Rove will ignore it, like the rest of those weasels in the White House, but still...!


Gary
7/26/07
Back on the Fox thing: I read this morning that Fox has a complete transcript of the Senate hearings on their website, and even in the transcript they identify Arlen Specter as a Democrat! Of course, I'm sure that's just a mistake, too... And here's a quote from last night's "news"cast on Fox, from the painfully pinched face of Brit Hume: "Attorney General Gonzales tells his side of that late night hospital meeting. And ends up being called untrustworthy and a liar by Senate Democrats."

Fox is a propaganda channel, bought and paid for by the Republicans, and is no more "fair and balanced" than Axis Sally or Tokyo Rose were during World War II.


Gary
7/26/07
Who joined the Who Am I party yesterday? Anna, Brent, and Erika!

That leaves only Amanda, Emily, John, Lori, Marsha, Paul, Ryan, Sean, Teghan, Tristen, and Zachary yet to be heard from. If anyone reading this happens to encounter any of these individuals, please urge them to spend a few minutes this weekend to send in their answers. Deadline is Monday -- only five days left!


Donna
7/26/07
There's a die hard Republican at work that I see a few times a year. I ran into him yesterday and asked him if he was still a Republican. He said he was, but he said he's now 'a disenchanted Republican.' Things are starting to change. (Regarding today's front page) it's unbelievable to me that a real television newscast can lie about facts. Surely the FCC or something watches for stuff like this and makes them accountable.

Nope. If you say a "bad word," the FCC will slap your network with a hefty fine; but you can lie all you want! :-) --Gary


Amanda
7/26/07
Well, I finished it... Can't wait til others do so we can talk about it! Our book is now passed to Ryan.
Yesterday we went to the zoo in Omaha. I took off work 3 hours early & we went up there for Member Appreciation day. Nothing major, just stayed open later, had discounted prices on food, drinks, and the IMAX theater. So we saw Deep Sea 3D, it was really cool, but Teghan watched it mostly without the glasses as it scared her a little bit.
Lincolnites, any plans for Simpsons movie??

I haven't heard of any movie plans, but I'm interested! (Unless it falls on Saturday night, the 4th: I have an office party to go to....) --Gary


Gary
7/25/07
Speaking of Farmers Market, this Saturday should be a nice one. The high-heat/high-humidity we've had here in Lincoln for the past several days is supposed to break sometime in the next day or two -- and the weekend (and a good part of next week) is going to see temps in the 80s and low humidity.

Lindsey has joined the Who Am I crowd, so we're still waiting for Amanda, Anna, Brent, Emily, Erika, John, Lori, Marsha, Paul, Ryan, Sean, Teghan, Tristen, and Zachary to join in.


Amanda
7/25/07
Thanks Gary, for the cool site. I see you found the email! Donna, events tells when she will be back to the farmers market. Im hoping to catch her in September or October because the next one in August we'll be in Kansas City, & it'll be hot! Anyway, still love mine!
Gary
7/24/07
Hey, the Who Am I is a big success so far: Less than 18 hours old, and already six players (thanks to Donna, Karen, and Grandma who sent their answers in this morning)! That leaves Amanda, Anna, Brent, Emily, Erika, John, Lindsey, Lori, Marsha, Paul, Ryan, Sean, Teghan, Tristen, and Zachary. C'mon in, y'all -- the water's fine!
Livy
7/24/07
Well I did my Who Am I last night at about 11:15 ish! There were some really good questions!!! It was fun! Except one question which stumped me Gary, the best song ever written! Now that really made me think some! But I think I got a pretty good one! So Gary, have you decided when we get to see who everybody is yet!? Like when is the last day to make your Who Am I? We get to vote who we think is who right?! Isn't that how we do it?! Just wondering!

The last day, Livy, is whenever everybody has had a chance at it. It usually seems to take about two weeks for the slow-pokes to finish! :-) But maybe we can speed it up: Let's say we have one week to get everybody's answers in. That way, we can get to the fun part a week from today, on July 31st. Spread the word! We already have two players -- Olivia and Samantha -- so all we need is...everyone else. --Gary


Gary
7/23/07
Thanks to Erika for providing the first Harry Potter book review. Go ahead and read it, everyone -- Erika very carefully does not give any secrets away! :-)
Livy
7/23/07
Gary, those are really good questions! They really make you think! Kinda! Ya I only went to the doctor once, but I really don't want to go again, so I think I'm getting better!!! Great story about the dog, that sure was a brave dog there!!! Well that's all I had to say!
Karen
7/23/07
Brent is doing better. Had to check into the hospital on Saturday. He was getting dehydrated and needed to get two liters of fluid. I think we were there about 5 hours. He took it pretty easy for the rest of the week-end. So hopefully that will help him for a few weeks.
Grandma
7/23/07
Another Hot and Humid day! Cut a few trees out of the fence and was dripping sweat in about 15 minues, so that was it for me, I need an inside project! I have finished reading "Lucifer's Hammer" tho, and now it is on to Harry Potter's book -- the one before the last one -- so I can keep busy. Highly recommend "Lucifer's Hammer" if you want to know how it will be if an asteroid hits the earth head on.

I had a great time in Minneapolis -- it really flew by. Zach cooked for us one night, he grilled chicken and it was falling off the bones good! Unlike the blackened stuff I served on Tues. Sorry, everyone!
We went out to eat at a fish place in Minnehaha park beside the Falls and it was so good we went back again! We walked down to a band shell where a Bluegrass band was playing and that was fun. Marsha and I went to Bachman's and bought plants, most of which are now planted. On Saturday we went to see the Pompeii Exhibit from Rome and that was excellent. John was feeling well enough to go with us and that was nice. He should be down to 8 more treatments by now, will be happy to have them over. We went grocery shopping and got DRENCHED putting them in the car. I wish it would rain like that today. On Sunday Marsha and I ate breakfast in Clear Lake right on the lake and it was very pretty, every lamppost had blooming huge hanging baskets. It was really busy at 9 a.m., everybody was carrying lawn chairs and heading for the lake. Met Paul and Sam and Linz at Hickory Farms for lunch -- another busy place -- and then home. Sorry to write so long, but you asked, Karen! Am glad Gary and Livy are finally feeling better.

So how are you doing, Paul? And is Brent feeling better and how long did he have to stay at the hosp.? I also loved the pictures of T. and t. o.k. enuf!!


Gary
7/23/07
Livy, I am feeling a lot better. Kind of like you, I still cough a bit, but I know it's going away. And yes, I did see the doctor -- twice!

Our "Who Am I" games always have ten questions. Here's a preview of two of the questions:

First thing in the morning, I am...

and

If money was no object, what one thing would you add to (or do to) your house?

And hey, did you see the article I mentioned below? (Click on "Attention, Olivia!")


Livy
7/23/07
Donna, yes I am feeling better! A lot better! But to tell you, I really can't tell if I am getting better or not! I mean I'm not coughing as much or as bad (that's for sure), but I still will cough every once in a while which doesn't take my interest! But I will cough every once and a while... Occasionaly my ears will pop, which is kind of weird, but I think I can say that I am getting at least a little better!

Gary, are you getting any better? Have you been to the doctor yet?! So how many questions will there be for the Who Am I?

Amanda, I love the pictures that you put on here! I also think the ones with the girls are so cute (the ones with the other girls with them too)!


Gary
7/23/07
Attention, Olivia! :-)
Donna
7/23/07
Wow, I haven't been on the website since Wednesday and have a lot of catching up to do.
As for my car troubles, I drove to work Thursday AM and halfway there, I heard on the radio that the interstate was closed due to an accident. By the time I got there, they were still redirecting traffic. (It didn't open up until around 11:00.) I had to take 680 and since I had no idea how to get to work from there, I took an exit and headed back home. When I got home (three hours later), I took the key out of the ignition but the beeper sounded as if the key was still in the ignition. It stopped when I shut the door so I just thought (hoped) it was a weird glitch but no big deal. When I got in my car later that day, it was dead. I had it towed to Melichar's where thankfully they said it was only needing a new battery. Strange day but at least I wasn't in Omaha with a dead battery.

Gary, can you send (or print it here) the entire public opinion letter? I just tried to find it on LJS but couldn't see a link to previous days.
Very cute pictures of T&t.
Olivia, are you feeling better? I would love to have a Simpson's phone.
Erika, details about Napoleon. How long was he gone?

My letter hasn't appeared yet, I don't think. But what I printed below is the whole thing -- four dynamite sentences! :-) --Gary


Livy
7/23/07
Hey everybody! I guess for the Simpsons movie, they are now coming out with phones for it! It's from Samsung, and they have two different styles of it! There's like a fat one, or like a skinny one like the razor. It's yellow and it is a camera phone, and I heard that they are starting to become popular to the Simpsons fans! It's like a banana color, and I think it's for Verizon, Cingular, and Sprint, but I don't think it's for any more, I don't know! Right below the screen on the outside of the phone it has the label of the Simpsons movie! (With Limited Edition right below that too!) Like the one with the donut in it! You can also get a little keychain to go on the top, and it's a donut with a bite taken out of it! I just thought that was really cool! Otherwise I guess that's all I had to say, didn't know if anybody else knew anything about it! Well talk to you all later!!!
Karen
7/23/07
We were quiet this week-end because of Harry Potter. Have two copies in the house - Erika is just about done, Emily is well into it and I just got started last night. Emily and Erika went to Barnes and Noble on Friday to get a copy at midnight. They had fun, but did say lots of strange "people" were there.
Gary -- I'm excited for the new Who Am I -- it has been a long time since we had one.
Donna -- still waiting to hear about your car troubles -- anything major?
Amanda -- the dance pictures are great -- we still haven't gotten Emily and Erikas!
Marsha -- did you get your painting finished?
Mom -- any details from your Minnesota trip?
Gary
7/23/07
Quiet weekend here on the old newsletter page... I assume that's because everyone was busy reading Harry Potter...? :-) Looking forward to the reviews.

The new Who Am I? starts tomorrow!


Gary
7/20/07
Thanks for the new review, Sam!
Amanda
7/20/07
As is custom when Senator Hagel is mentioned anywhere in the paper, Gary's item will be cut out of the paper now & faxed to all Senator Hagel's offices & read by all employees on the day it prints.

Woo-hoo! How ironic if they make me Republican-of-the-Month or something.... :-) --Gary


Gary
7/20/07

Livy says it's time for another "Who Am I" -- and she's right, we haven't done one in over a year. So get ready: Who Am I #12 starts sometime next week! (I.e., as soon as I get it done, probably Tuesday!)
Gary
7/20/07
I was talking with Donna just now (she had quite a day yesterday because of car trouble, which I will let her tell you about if she wants), and she mentioned that she didn't see Keith Olbermann last night. He gave one of his strongest "special comments" ever, and here's the video below. In fact, he led off the hour with it! The subject: The White House attempt to blame the failure of the war in Iraq on -- wait for it -- Hillary Clinton, and the Democrats! He hits Bush between the eyes: "Though the world be covered knee-deep in your lies, the truth shall prevail: This, Sir, is your war!"


Karen
7/20/07
Way to go Gary, we get the Journal on line, so we will be sure to check it out on Wednesday.

I see my sentence below wasn't clear. Wednesday was the day I sent the letter to the paper, not the day they will be printing it--which could be any time now. --Gary


Gary
7/20/07
Hey, heads up to all the Lincoln Journal-Star subscribers: I just got a call from the LJS op-ed editor informing me they will be printing a letter I sent in on Wednesday. Titled The Republican War, it goes like this: "For the seventh time this year, Republicans in the Senate have blocked an attempt to change U.S. policy in Iraq. Even though an overwhelming majority of Americans oppose the war, forty-five of the forty-nine Republican Senators voted against the bill that would have begun bringing our troops home. Only four Republicans backed the bill, and our Senator Hagel was among those four. It is shameful that there aren't more like him."

Just doing my part to correct the news media, as they have been more sloppy with the facts than usual on this. Many papers headlined the story Senate Defeats Bill to End Iraq War when in fact more than 51% of the Senators supported it -- problem was, the Republican minority demanded that this bill receive 60% to pass. So while that headline is true, it is misleading. Worse, though, is how the filibuster was characterized. For example, former Nixon speechwriter Diane Sawyer on ABC two mornings ago said that the Democrats were filibustering because the Republicans wouldn't support their end-the-war bill. In fact, it was a Republican filibuster, in an unsuccessful attempt to prevent a vote on the bill. Sawyer was called on this, and I understand she did retract her comments, on air. Sheesh.


Gary
7/20/07
New photos today!
Karen
7/19/07
I noticed the crawl -- I like it. We haven't always been able to get it for some reason, so I vote a "YES" for this one. Also enjoyed the funny videos. Cooler weather for us -- had a big storm last night and over 2 inches rain. Lots of thunder and lightning.

And congratulations on the return of Napoleon! (For those that haven't heard, I understand that Napoleon the cat has returned after a long vacation.) Erika, we need details! :-) --Gary


Gary
7/19/07
And, because my previous note was such a total bummer, here are some funnies.

The first is some outtakes and great moments from Scrubs; and the second, if you're not a Scrubs fan, is a collection of funny videos. Enjoy!


Gary
7/19/07
Attention cellphone users: You Have Been Bugged.

Stuff like this shouldn't be surprising any more, here in the Land of the "Free," but the Government now has the ability to remotely activate your cellphone microphone and listen to whatever conversation is happening nearby -- even when your phone is turned off. [article here]

So be careful what you say! Especially because of a new "Executive Order" which Bush enacted on Tuesday. Like the one we were talking about a few weeks ago, which gave Bush all authority over all branches of Government whenever he declares an "emergency," this one says he can seize your property if you say anything about Iraq that he doesn't like. [Read it here on the White House site]

And if that's not depressing enough, read this short article -- by a Conservative (he was Assistant Treasury Secretary under Reagan) -- which says that unless Bush and Cheney are impeached immediately, the U.S. could be a dictatorial police state at war with Iran by this time next year. He predicts that Bush will stage false "terrorist attacks" (which the author calls "false flag operations") in order to seize those emergency powers Bush granted to himself. (Some would say Bush has already done that, on 9/11....)

So while I applaud the Democrats in Congress for forcing the filibuster the other night, and applaud the Congressional committees investigating Gonzales and the Justice Department, we need more/better/faster. Our guys are trying to bring Democracy back in baby steps, while the other guys are making giant leaps toward Fascism. I do have faith in the process, and believe that Bush and his fellow-criminals will be brought to justice; but I have moments....

P.S. Did you all notice the new crawl this morning? It's now on the page itself, directly below the picture. (Some of you may have to scroll down to see it.) Let me know what you think!


Karen
7/17/07
I am afraid that Harry will die, it just seems to make sense to me. Be the end of the series that way and no way to continue. Who the other will be -- who cares if Harry is gone. I almost hate to get into the book if that is to be the ending. By the way, I believe that Dumbledore has already been killed off.

Oh, I thought it was just the movie Dumbledore who died (in real life -- Richard Harris). I read a poll somewhere that said nearly 40% of the people who are buying the book on the first day said they will read the last chapter first! :-) --Gary


Gary
7/17/07
So, Harry Potter fans: Who do you think are the two characters who don't make it to the end?

I don't know the books very well, but MSNBC ran a list of possible victims that may guide your thinking. Only four days and you will know!

  • Harry Potter
  • Snape
  • Ginny Weasley
  • Hagrid
  • Neville
  • Dumbledore
  • Voldemort
  • Hermione and Ron
  • Various other Weasleys
  • Draco
  • Wormtail
  • Someone not listed (though Rowling did say they would be "major characters")
  • No one -- Rowling lied, and they will all live for a sequel!

    My guess, for what it's worth: Harry Potter won't be one of the ones to die; and I'm thinking Hagrid will be bumped off. No idea who the other one may be....


    Donna
    7/17/07
    That was laugh out loud funny! I especially liked the part about the Nigerian gov't. crashing and people passing out emergency hard copies of diet tips and celebrity gossip.

    Some of the crawls were pretty funny too. I don't know who did this, but it's very well done! --Gary


    Gary
    7/17/07
    Here's a Monday morning funny for you. (I know it's Tuesday, but I didn't go to work yesterday, so it feels like Monday to me.)


    Gary
    7/16/07
    Thanks to Lindsey for two new reviews!
    Amanda
    7/16/07
    The front page picture reminds me of a news story I read last week. A wrecking ball fell off its chain & "bounced" down a busy street. It was 3 feet wide & I don't remeber the weight (so massive that I couldn't wrap my mind around it, therefore forgot it), and it eventually "landed" in a trunk!

    Here's the article with some pictures and video clips.


    Lindsey
    7/13/07
    No, don't think I'll be going at midnight. I've kind of gotten out of the books just because it's taken her so long to write them. Also, me, Amanda, and Anna went one year at midnight and there were some W-E-I-R-D-O-S!!! But it was an experiance! Have fun!
    Amanda
    7/12/07
    Grandma & Marsha left at the wrong time though, because it's been nice here this week. A much needed break from the heat. At first I wished it had been this cool for our 4th of July party, but then I realized it wouldn't have felt like the 4th! Nothing new here, just the same old grind....
    Emily
    7/12/07
    Well, it sounds like everybody is having a fun week! We didn't know Grandma was going to Minneapolis, or that Sam is still in Lincoln!
    I haven't been doing anything too exciting. I am just working and I am still in my Ethics & Spanish classes until the beginning of August. Then I will have a week or two before school starts. I am going to be moving in a week early to do a summer leadership type program... hopefully it is fun. We have been busy dorm shopping. Still not sure what all to get, since all of the housing info hasn't been sent out & I haven't gotten in touch with my roommate yet...
    I hope I like my classes. I didn't really get to take any that I wanted for first term because first term freshmen all have to take required gen ed classes, but I was exempt from all of them through my other credits... So I just had to kind of take some random classes that didn't cross over into my other areas... But, for second and third term I should get into some better ones. I got my AP scores back today and I scored high enough on all of them to be able to be exempt from freshmen level classes! I was pretty excited...
    And, as for HP... The movie was really good, I would recommend everybody go see it! I even skipped class to go see it, it was that good. I can't wait for the book! Is anybody else going out at midnight to get it... because I know I sure am!
    Grandma
    7/12/07
    Hi Everybody, I am enjoying COOL Minneapolis! Need a blanket at night and a sweater if you go outside. Been doing lots of stuff. And eating very well, Zach cooked for us last night and promises tonite as well. He got a good promotion at his work, he is now a sous chef. We went to great little fish place -- Sea Salt -- Had really outstanding fish sandwiches then went to Blue Grass concert in the park and saw the Falls, it was very nice. Livy, I am so sorry you aren't feeling well yet, I hope your medicine works fast. May do a Bachman's run when Marsha gets home. Emily, I am excited for you, your classes sound so grown-up. Anna has had classes assigned too, and is going to be ordering books. She has another trip coming up soon. See you all soon!
    Donna
    7/12/07
    Oh, I hope Meiers will have to testify--that will be as entertaining as watching Moore blast CNN.

    It would be great TV! Will Congress follow through on the subpoena? (Looks like they will.) Will Meiers find the threat of jailtime scary enough to make her testify? (Probably she's counting on the Bush lawyers to clog up the courts with defining "executive privilege" and, after that, give her a pardon if by chance she gets convicted.) To me, it's not really about Harriet Meiers now -- it's about Bush telling her not to obey the summons to testify. Arguably, that is obstruction of justice -- which is an impeachable offense. --Gary


    Livy
    7/12/07
    Hey everybody! Well when I went to the Children's Museum on Tuesday, I got this little sheet of paper saying that they think I have been working really hard these past weeks I have been there and they are allowing me to either take an extra shift every week or do special events! I don't have to, but I think I will take the extra shifts. They are really fun! Then yesturday I had piano, then later that afternoon I went to the doctor to see what my cough was. Turns out i had walking pnemoneia! So we stopped by Walgreens and filled the prescription, then we went to our hair appointment. I got more layers, highlights, and cut my bangs shorter. Then we went home and ate dinner! Then we went to bed I guess! Thats about as exciting as it gets! I don't know what I am going to do today though, Lindsey and Sam are still asleep, so I don't know. Just wait and see what comes up I guess! Well I guess I will talk to you all later!!!
    Gary
    7/12/07
    Be sure to watch Keith Olbermann tonight, y'all. The House Subcommittee hearings on the attorney firings had lots of fireworks today, which I watched via the C-SPAN website. None of the mainstream media covered it, as Bush had scheduled a press conference at exactly that time (hmmmm, odd coincidence) to bring us the important announcement that Al-Qaeda is Scary. Which all the reporter-monkeys lapped up with wide eyes and reported as Breaking News. But Bush's real purpose, of course, was to distract us from the fact that he had ordered Harriet Meiers not to testify before the Committee -- which in itself may be another criminal act Bush has committed.

    In the Committee hearing room, they had Meiers' table set up with her name-card on it, which the cameras would cut to occasionally to show her empty chair. Congressman Watt (North Carolina) made some very strong (and very true) remarks about Bush that the ranking Republican member of the Committee (Cannon of Utah) interrupted and insisted be stricken from the record. The Chairwoman overruled him, and let Watt continue. Cannon interrupted again with his objection and insisted it be put to a vote. And he lost the vote, so the remarks stay in the record. Then they discussed issuing a subpoena for Meirs. Things started to move very fast then and I couldn't follow all the parliamentary stuff -- so I don't know if they did issue the subpoena, or tabled the discussion for later. Either way, a big thing, and I imagine Harriet has a few butterflies in her stomach at the moment. So check K.O. for the full story tonight.

    UPDATE: The Committee voted to enforce a subpoena, which I understand means Meiers (or, actually, the White House) has five days to respond and convince the Committee a subpoena shouldn't be issued. Then the Committee either will, or won't, give Meirs a citation for contempt of Congress and subpoena her to appear in court. As John Conyers said to his fellow Committee members, "If we don't enforce this, then no one will ever have to appear before a Congressional committee ever again."


    Gary
    7/11/07
    "Harry Potter" opens today, and we already have two reviews of it. :-) Thanks, Emily!
    Gary
    7/11/07
    If you missed it, here is last night's Keith Olbermann segment on the Moore/CNN clash, featuring the excellent Rachel Maddow from Air America:


    Gary
    7/11/07
    Good article from the Huffington Post on the Michael Moore/CNN thing. "...Moore was right! CNN, like the rest of our craven, dishonored media, was comfortably embedded in the worst administration in history, CNN did trash Fahrenheit 9/11, CNN did help lead us into this nightmare, CNN did fail us, and CNN does owe Michael Moore -- and all of us -- a profound apology. All Main Stream Media are guilty of this abominable dereliction of duty."

    (By the way, the "empty-headed newsreader on CNN" mentioned in the first sentence is Suzanne Malveaux.)


    Gary
    7/11/07
    Thanks for the new countdown item, Teghan. I'll bet you're excited!
    Amanda
    7/10/07
    So, Vermont wins the Springfield contest. If the LJS would have told us about it sooner, maybe more than the residents of the town of Springfield, NE would have voted. What a poor turnout...
    Gary
    7/10/07
    Follow-up: Michael Moore has posted a point-by-point rebuttal of CNN's report of last night in which they accused him of "fudging" the facts. Check it out here. Moore is urging his readers to write CNN and demand a retraction.

    The right wing is joining the fight in their usual style. This morning, Joe ("Dead Intern") Scarborough chose not to talk about the facts but to attack Michael Moore: "Don't you think he ought to lose about two hundred pounds if he's going to attack our health care system?" That's class, Scarborough....


    Gary
    7/9/07
    Thanks to a heads-up call from Donna, I got to see Michael Moore mop up the floor with Wolf Blitzer on Blitzer's "Situation Room" on CNN tonight. If you missed it, like I almost did, watch the clip below.

    Moore's appearance was preceded by a report by CNN's Sanjay Gupta which concluded that while Moore's film "Sicko" made some good points, some of his facts were "fudged," and that overall 79% of Americans are "satisfied" with the state of American health care.


    Gary
    7/9/07
    Hey, Amanda notifies us this morning that "The Simpsons Movie" (only 18 days away!) is looking for a town named Springfield to host the movie's premiere. And Springfield, NE, is one of the 14 Springfields in the U.S. competing for the honor.

    Each Springfield has prepared a little movie promoting their city. You can go here to the USA Today site to view the movies, then vote on which Springfield you think should have the premiere. And read this article from the Journal-Star on Springfield, NE.


    Gary
    7/9/07
    Okay, the Melissa Etheridge appearance at Live Earth is now on YouTube, and I present it here below. It's long -- two 10-minute chunks -- but worth it! I missed the first few minutes when I tuned in live, and I see her first song is about Cindy Sheehan. Wow!

    Part One:

    Part Two::


    Gary
    7/9/07
    Check this site for a big bunch of pictures of the flooding in Wichita Falls, TX. Thanks, Amanda!

    P.S. And more here, this time from the air. Thanks again, Amanda.


    Emily
    7/8/07
    Nice pictures from the 4th. It was nice getting to see everybody! I had fun that night too. Lots and lots of big fireworks.
    I had orientation for Briar Cliff on Friday. Except for being realllly long it went pretty well, and I got registered for classes for first term. Thanks to all of my AP and college credit classes I tested out of or was exempt from pretty much all required classes. So, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday I have Global Environmental Issues, Logical Thinking, and Mass Communications. I don't have anything on Tuesday and just an Algebra class on Thursday. So, hopefully all of those go well.
    Anna, didn't you have orientation a few weeks ago too? How was it?
    Gary
    7/8/07
    Anybody catch any of Live Earth over the weekend? I didn't see a lot of it, but I did happen to tune in for one of the coolest moments: Melissa Etheridge did like a 20-minute version of her song "I Need to Wake Up," with a couple of very powerful spoken monologues in the middle. One of her long spoken segments began with (I paraphrase), "I remember a time when we had a criminal for a President, and the people then stood up and said, 'No, this is a nation of laws!'" All of which led up to her introduction of Al Gore, who got wild cheers and applause.

    And you may have heard that Cindy Sheehan recently "retired" as the public face of the anti-war anti-Bush movement; and then came back after the wimpy Democrats in Washington voted for the war appropriation. Well, a week or so ago she announced she is going to march on Washington: starting off from "Camp Casey" in Crawford, TX, just across the road from the Bush brush ranch, and walking all the way to the White House. Nothing like it has been done since Martin Luther King. And then today, Sheehan made an amazing announcement: She plans to run against Nancy Pelosi in 2008, unless Pelosi begins impeachment proceedings against Bush by July 23 (the day her march arrives in Washington). [article here] God bless her! Apparently the only way to get the attention of politicians (even the good ones like Pelosi) is to threaten to vote them out. I like Pelosi, but she had no right to say "impeachment is off the table." It's her duty to put it on the table. The Washington politicians -- again, even the good ones -- have not caught up with the people on this. But with Cindy Sheehan prodding them, maybe they will...


    Amanda
    7/8/07
    And speaking of Hy-Vee, Valentino's sauce is now there too! Yumm! Also, today we bought some Legacy Milk in cotton candy flavor! It's a little more expensive than other milks, but the packaging is great (glass bottles remind me of a time I am too young to remember) & as soon as I read that they are based out of a dairy farm in Hallam, NE & they are just starting out, we had to purchase it! The flavor is great, not too sweet at all. We will definitely be trying others. Be sure to read the "About us" section. Here's an article on it also.
    Karen
    7/8/07
    I've made that ice cream before. Way back when Emily and Erika were in Girl Scouts. I think we put the bag in a coffee can filled with ice and rock salt, then just rolled it back and forth. I always thought it worked pretty well.

    Ah, that's an improvement on the system! Still, though, Hy-Vee freezer section is easier. :-) --Gary


    Amanda
    7/8/07
    All right, we did the cool site ice cream in Girl Scouts. Of course, it's not nearly as easy as it seems. And man, do your hands get cold. You don't just "shake" it, you have to knead it... A nice idea in theory, but you gotta be really craving ice cream!

    Yeah, it seemed like a neat idea when I first read it, but I did wonder if it really worked like that. Can't be any easier than finding the freezer section at HyVee! --Gary


    Gary
    7/7/07
    Happy 7/7/07, everybody! (I was going to post this at 7:07 this morning, but didn't.)

    Grandma is on her way north, with Marsha. They plan to stop over in Ames tonight and continue on to Minnesota tomorrow. Farmers Market was great this morning -- not too hot, not too many people, and good food. I finally had one of Erik's Enchilladas that I've been hearing so much about.

    Thanks for driving down, Marsha. It was a fun week!


    Gary
    7/6/07
    4th of July photos? We got 'em! (Thanks, Lindsey!)
    Amanda
    7/5/07
    We were talking about the Valentino's spagetti sauce sold at Russ's tonight at Grandmas, so I thought I should comment on it. It was good! We had spagetti tonight with it, its our new favorite!
    Gary
    7/4/07
    Just before midnight at the end of a great 4th. Thanks to Brent and Karen and Emily and Erika for driving down for the afternoon. Good to see you all! And thanks to Ryan and Amanda and Tristen and Teghan for an excellent 4th of July party at their house. Fun day! :-)
    Livy
    7/4/07
    Hey everybody! Last night Sam, Linz, and I all went to a fireworks stand and bought some fireworks (like some small ones like parachutes or something) and lit some off last night. It's like a war zone over at my house, I just couldn't get to sleep, with all those fireworks going off! But they finally stopped at like 3 in the morning! This morning after I ate some breakfast, dad and I set off just a few fireworks! Just a couple of those little small ones that light up and spin around! We tried tieing 3 of them together by wrapping duck tape around them and then just light off all of the stem things at once! Then me and dad went over to Grandma's and I have been looking up some more chinese symbols to draw! I think they are really cool! Well I guess that's about it, so I will talk to you all later!
    Karen
    7/4/07
    We are planning to get to Lincoln around noon and then head back to SC by 5. Brent has to go to the office tomorrow and we thought it would get too late if we'd stayed.
    Amanda
    7/3/07
    Yup, our house, 7 PM. Or sooner if others want to mill about while we get ready... I just figured it would be cooler by then. Course, you guys are probably looking for daytime plans. Will you be home by nighttime, or stay for fireworks?
    Karen
    7/3/07
    We are thinking about coming to Lincoln tomorrow. Are there any plans?

    Great! I believe we're gathering over at Ryan and Amanda's in the evening for hot dogs and fireworks. See you there! :-) --Gary


    Amanda
    7/2/07
    The Saltdogs game was great! We were about 8 rows up right behind the catcher, only towards 1st base just enough to have a GREAT view. No sun, weather was perfect, crowd was good, place was nice, new & clean & food was Nebraska (Fairbury brand hot gods, Smart Chicken meats, Emporium beer) & baseball classics. The people in front of us caught an ice cream sandwich when they were throwing them out & gave it to Tristen & Teghan, then later in the game when the people in front of us got popcorn in a cardboard Saltdogs megaphone she gave them the megaphone! Teghan got to meet & hug Homer, the mascot, who she has a bobblehead of. Saltdogs won, beating (nice timing) the Saint Paul Saints. Then, to cap it all off a GREAT 20 minutes worth of awesome fireworks. I like fireworks at home, but NOTHING beats a professional show. I think it's a must do each year...
    Gary
    7/2/07
    And me again. If you have an extra three-and-a-half minutes, why not spend them watching this film by Greenpeace UK? It's funny!


    Gary
    7/2/07
    Here I am throwing some more reading at you, but here is a very interesting article about the effect Michael Moore's "Sicko" is having on people. Amazing!
    Gary
    7/2/07
    Welcome to Lincoln, Marsha and Sam! The Minnesotans arrived yesterday about 3, and Lindsey brought Livy, Tristen, and Teghan over later in the afternoon. No major events -- just hanging around the house, eating and talking. (Though in the early evening Ryan, Amanda, Tristen, and Teghan went to the Salt Dogs game, which I haven't heard a report on yet. Were there fireworks?)

    Hey, here's a cool article from the BBC site. It's a couple of years old, though I just found it. Enjoy!