Things I am Tired Of - Obama Won't Nominate Progressives

With the apparent death of any hope for Elizabeth Warren being nominated to run the CFRB I am again hearing how Obama is a terrible president and is selling out the left and so forth.

What I am not hearing is how there is any practical way to get Elizabeth Warren (or any serious Progressive) actually confirmed in this political climate. When you need 60 votes in the Senate to get confirmed and less than 60 solid Dem votes it seems to me that this just becomes a fools errand.

Getting Elizabeth Warren elected to the Senate to replace Scott Brown would be a good start but threatening to stay home and not vote next fall is not exactly a useful strategy in that direction.

Why Modern Theology Is Incomprehensible To Sane People

Where Can I Find the Really Good Theology? Part Two : EvolutionBlog:

"It will help to know that within process theology events (or occasions) are considered the fundamental units of reality (as opposed to physical objects), and they are said to have free will no less than human things."

Things I am Tired of - Just Be Positive

People that are constantly "looking on the bright side" are not, in my experience, rational people. That isn't to say that there isn't a kernel of something good in their approach but if you spend all of your time looking for the silver lining in clouds you are going to get hit by lightning and that really is not fun.

I don't think that folks have to all be cynical crankpots (although it works for me most days) but a bit of skepticism is healthy and being eternally sunny and optimistic shows that you are just not in touch with reality.

IMHO, YMMV

On Eating At Chain Restaurants

Recently had the occasion to take a road trip to Nashville, TN to fight about have a meeting discussing infrastructure support plans. On the way back my compatriots and I grew a bit peckish and ended up at Ruby Tuesday's in Elizabethtown, KY.

I was amazed to find Spaghetti Squash Marinara as a food choice and was even more amazed to find it quite tasty.  Nice job.

Verizon asks for givebacks

We Party Patriots » Blog Archive » IBEW, CWA Protest As Verizon Demands Concessions From 45,000 Workers:

"As T-Mobile workers push to form a union and await the fate of the proposed AT&T/T-Mobile merger, their peers at rival Verizon face the prospect of making huge concessions to keep their jobs. 45,000 workers are being asked to tie pay to performance and to require union employees to pay a portion of their health plan premiums."

It should be noted that Verizon had net income of $3.3 Billion in the first quarter of 2011(pdf). That would be an INCREASE of 40% over the same period last year. I guess this is what Share The Pain means.

From my Friend Bevboy - A Challenge

Bevboy's Blog: Post 1687 - A Challenge From Mel Sampson Herself!:

"I like a challenge. I offered an entry, which Mel liked enough to classify as the epitome of manly romantic on a budget.

It got me to thinking. Why not do a blog post about manly romantic things I have done, or wish I had done, on a budget?

So... here goes!"

I am a terribly unromantic soul. I never have just the right thing to say or just the right thing to do. Go read Bev's stuff.

Should Bashar al-Assad Be Watching For Drones?

Hillary Clinton: Bashar al-Assad has 'lost legitimacy' - Reid J. Epstein - POLITICO.com:

"Secretary of State Hillary Clinton blasted Syria’s government in the strongest language to date, saying President Bashar al-Assad has “lost legitimacy” and is “not indispensible” in the wake of attacks on the U.S. and French embassies in Damascus."