To get you “started” on tonight’s journey …
I guess it’s no surprise that someone with a deep affection for the relatively obscure movie “That Thing You Do,” not to mention a nom de blogue of “stands for decibels,” would have a deep appreciation for music, particularly music of a particular era. From what little we know of him from his postings, he is also a fan of Rachel Maddow and Eric Blair, and one of the calmer voices on an often cacophonous blog.
He is also tonight’s guest host. Ladies and gentlemen, sfd:
“I’d been thinking about some pretext to recommend a tune by a band whose song “Start!” is one that’s somewhat familiar to American ears, and while it may not be my absolute favorite ever-ever by the Jam, I gave it another listen last night and heard some elements I hadn’t previously considered.
For starters, it’s not necessarily specific to the “start” of any particular kind of relationship–it might be about connecting with a potential lover, or a friend, of maybe just a fan. (Given that I was as big a fan as one could be when they recorded it, I wanted to believe that last one.) Musically, when you consider bandleader Paul Weller’s unabashed love for mid-60s rock, it’s kind of a one-song homage to all three composers of the Revolver lp–the opening riff is lifted from George’s “Taxman,” the solo could’ve been part of John’s “Tomorrow Never Knows,” and the bit of horns is a nod to Paul’s “Got to Get You into My Life.”
I could regale you with personal connections to this band, but suffice to say this tune appeared on an album that was released whilst I was sharing a house with a bandmate, wherein we rehearsed in the basement, and we covered more of the Jam’s tunes than we should. I loved their sound, dug the look, and I envied the massive following they had in Britain while being dumbfounded as to why they couldn’t get more of an audience here in the states. (as to that last bit: now it’s obvious. 1) they were just too English for most Americans to digest, and 2) the Jam likely didn’t give enough of a crap to adjust their sound, and tone down their accents, to make themselves more marketable here.)
If you’re not familiar with their catalog, they did six albums–all have some classic nuggets within, but you can’t go wrong with the 3rd, 4th, or the 5th album (Sound Affects), from which “Start” is a part.
And back, for just a bit, to the sentiments expressed? I think it’s true of what we try to do at your blog, with one another. We don’t always really understand each other, we get p–ed off and fight over the silliest of reasons, but it’s different sides, talking to each other, sort of. And at least it’s a start.”
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1,112 comments Add your comment
getalife
July 8th, 2012
8:15 pm
del,
Going back to lose more than 9 million jobs is totally unacceptable.
barking frog
July 8th, 2012
8:15 pm
Keep up
little lawyer boy..
Remember Nothing is Free?
wonder what happened to
him?
getalife
July 8th, 2012
8:17 pm
jm,
Yes, I misspelled.
So?
getalife
July 8th, 2012
8:18 pm
del,
Lets compare this administration to the last gop administration.
Are you man enough?
TaxPayer
July 8th, 2012
8:21 pm
July 6, 2012 (GURNEE, Ill.) (WLS) — Repairs are needed Friday night where triple-digit heat buckled another Chicago-area roadway.
The buckled stretch of pavement is along Grand Avenue in far north suburban Gurnee. Police closed the left lane.
The Illinois Department of Transportation says there were several other roadways around the state with similar problems Friday.
IDOT says there have been about 30 incidents of pavement failing due to heat in the past two weeks.
“It’s summer!” – George Will
Jm
July 8th, 2012
8:22 pm
Getalife
Not a spelling mistake
Shows lack of understanding of the policy / issue
That’s all
Gotta go
TaxPayer
July 8th, 2012
8:23 pm
“Dear George Will, we are in the midst of global cooling. Please try to keep the story straight. Thanks.” – James Inhofe.
Keep Up the Good Fight!
July 8th, 2012
8:24 pm
NIF has returned so many times under different noms….GLL, etc. Jay kicked him out again a few days back if you really want to see some entertainment….. and apparently what was caught by the autosnoot was hilarious.
But then I am sure you can always go visit Kyle’s land of misfits….. oh wait. 
getalife
July 8th, 2012
8:24 pm
jm,
Drive by lie.
You better run.
Recon 0311 2533
July 8th, 2012
8:25 pm
getalife@8:12, DUH…the gop lied like they always do and no American should believe a word they say.
Looks like someone is addicted to the DNC propaganda.
G Mare
July 8th, 2012
8:27 pm
Getalife, thanks. But, but, but, I was under the impression that most of the oil going thru the pipeline would be sold on the world market, so would not benefit us here. Not the case? Again, not being snarky. I sincerely want to understand. And I’ve been around long enough to know that there are often more than two sides to most arguments. If you don’t want to discuss it here, please direct me to some websites. Again, I thank you.
TaxPayer
July 8th, 2012
8:29 pm
What is a “gotta”?
Oscar
July 8th, 2012
8:30 pm
G Mare
July 8th, 2012
8:27 pm
_
Just got back from dinner.
You are right. The pipeline will not affect or reduce the price of oil to us. The price is set by world markets. Much of the oil will be exported. There is just no way to isolate the oil and keep the price at a below market level.
Doggone/GA
July 8th, 2012
8:33 pm
“We are drilling more than ever and even exporting oil and natural gas”
Not oil. Gasoline. We’re still a net importer of oil
Oscar
July 8th, 2012
8:33 pm
It’s summer!” – George Will
_______
I saw that too. Totally out of left field. And he played first base in college.
Recon 0311 2533
July 8th, 2012
8:34 pm
getalife, certainly…under the previous administration gasoline prices averaged well under $3.00 dollars per gallon and unemployment was around 5%. Additionally, we had a robust military that was feared by our enemies and our potential enemies. None of that is true today.
barking frog
July 8th, 2012
8:34 pm
Keep
I remember Jay’s ban but
I wasn’t aware it was NIF.
He always called you little
lawyer boy. I sometimes
check Kyle’s blog but not
very often and not very
long.
getalife
July 8th, 2012
8:40 pm
G Mare,
Yes, the oil hits the world market and will create jobs.
del,
w lost 9 million jobs and two occupations to explode our deficit and country. He can’t even show his face in public like cheney.
You lose.
getalife
July 8th, 2012
8:45 pm
“It’s producing more crude oil and, for the first time in decades, has become a net exporter of petroleum products such as jet fuel, heating oil and gasoline.” USA Today.
Recon 0311 2533
July 8th, 2012
8:45 pm
“You lose.”
Getalife, only in your dreams but you can have the last word. I’m out
Soothsayer
July 8th, 2012
8:45 pm
Well, since around 1980 or so, we have given corporations and capital a “free rein” in this country. The correct term is economic “liberalism.” Not to be confused with political liberalism.
Economic liberalism is more correctly defined by the term “laissez-faire” economics. What this basically means if that corporations and capital are free to do whatever they please and the results be damned.
Since economic liberalism is nothing new, this latest reincarnation of economic liberalism is referred to as “neo-liberalism” or “new” liberalism.
Under neoliberalism capital is free to pursue opportunity anywhere in the World where it can seek the highest returns on investment, i.e., factories in China.
There is nothing illegal or even immoral in this pursuit. However, the real question is, is this the best course of action for the health of the U.S. economy?
Unfortunately, this question is relegated to the background. Since our government is controlled by and, for all intents and purposes, owned outright by corporations and capital, this question is a moot point.
Corporations can make more money utilizing labor at $200 a month than labor at $3,000 a month.
Unfortunately, and according to the law of unintended consequences, this strategy has resulted in Worldwide destruction of aggregate demand.
Even though corporations and capital can produce at lower costs using cheap, off-shore labor, the result is a zero-sum game of too many goods chasing too few buyers, i.e., lack of demand.
So, what we have is a garden where the gardener trusts that the weeds will not choke out the “good crop.” And, thus, does not bother to weed.
In effect, we are “stuck” in a situation where corporations and capital, through shortsightedness, acting unfettered in its own best interest, is, in fact, its own worst enemy.
I fear that only a total collapse in, yes, the World economy, will bring about any change in the current model.
Keep Up the Good Fight!
July 8th, 2012
8:45 pm
frog, he’s called me a lot of things and demanded I meet him in a parking lot, too….. The internet testosterone is “strong” in that chest thumper.
I am sure he’ll be back again with a new nom…….
JamVet
July 8th, 2012
8:45 pm
The Bushies damn near destroyed this country. Epic failures, across the board.
Now the fake conservatives get no more chances.
Own it, conned…
getalife
July 8th, 2012
8:46 pm
del,
I just post the truth.
Try it del.
TaxPayer
July 8th, 2012
8:53 pm
I wonder what the average is because that would tell me so much.
barking frog
July 8th, 2012
8:57 pm
Taxpayer
i read somewhere the historical moving
average is 2.50 per gallon.
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
July 8th, 2012
8:58 pm
Swampy Nowhere man.
Too funny.
Used to, he could go weeks or even months before melting down.
Now he melts down on the first post.
Goes back to what I said earlier, since 2009 rw rhetoric has become more and more desperate. By the time of the election?
I can only imagine….
Oscar
July 8th, 2012
9:00 pm
TaxPayer
If you look at the chart, the overall average whould be under $3.00. But if you look at it until 2000 and then since 2000. You get two very different averages. And a upward price trend since 2000 with one break in the trean.
G Mare
July 8th, 2012
9:03 pm
Thanks to Oscar & Getalife. I AM kinda old, but I do try to keep up.
Have my absentee ballot, so will vote NO on tsplost. Sorry, Jm. It seems you have more trust in the politicians running our state than I.
Must also say: I so appreciate responses to my posts & questions. Due to health & dead car, I don’t get out as much as I would like.
Oscar
July 8th, 2012
9:05 pm
G Mare
___
My car is in great shape, but most of my get up and gone has got up and gone. I don’t get out as much, but don’t seem to mind.
barking frog
July 8th, 2012
9:07 pm
Taxpayer
http://www.inflationdata.com/inflation/inflation_rate/Gasoline_Inflation.asp
2.49 adjusted for inflation.
Jm-pass TSPLOST silly people
July 8th, 2012
9:10 pm
Kofi Annan calls America a sponsor of terrorism
Ok
TaxPayer
July 8th, 2012
9:11 pm
Oscar,
I wonder if the later upward price trends correspond with Wall Street’s foray into the commodity storage business. They really went wild with their efforts to store large quantities of oil and aluminum, for example.
getalife
July 8th, 2012
9:11 pm
G Mare,
What is wrong with your car? Can it be repaired?
TaxPayer
July 8th, 2012
9:17 pm
If only the Reagan administration had replaced the silver certificate with a crude certificate.
getalife
July 8th, 2012
9:21 pm
The price of gas is determined by the state of the economy.
The game is rigged.
My doctors told me I would not make it back in 2004.
What do they know?
G Mare
July 8th, 2012
9:21 pm
So who is NIF?
Wow, Sooth, your 8:45 surprised me. Will now take you off my ignore list.
Just kidding; I have always at least skimmed your posts. So now will read them more carefully. I am trying to be more openminded to views obviously different from my own. Perhaps that is one of the benefits of growing older.
Redneck Convert (R--and proud of it)
July 8th, 2012
9:23 pm
Have my absentee ballot, so will vote NO on tsplost. Sorry, Jm. It seems you have more trust in the politicians running our state than I.
Well, I’m voting No because we don’t need Tsplost. Just look around you. When people ain’t driving to and from work the traffic moves fine. So it seems to me we need to make more people work from home to get rid of the work traffic. Besides, you ain’t too good to drive to Simpsons Trailer Park to pick up your beer if I’m willing to haul it there from the warehouse.
And besides that, I’m cheap. I don’t want to pay a extra penny tax for anything. They already got me with the tax on Skoal and Red Man. You can hang me if I give them more tax money.
See you tomorrow everybody.
Soothsayer
July 8th, 2012
9:27 pm
G Mare: I think this says it better than I ever could. Warning, you may find this offensive.
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
July 8th, 2012
9:28 pm
So who is NIF?
Someone who Jay has banned multiple times.
Once, he even accused Jay of being able to see what we type before we post it.
G Mare
July 8th, 2012
9:34 pm
I don’t know what is wrong with my ‘93 town car, other than old age. It has just over 50,000 miles on it & I paid for a new battery a few months ago. I am scared that it needs a new starter or alternator, both pricey I understand. Did I mention that old age, whether in cars or people, can SUCK?
,
curious
July 8th, 2012
9:41 pm
I like Roy Orbison.
Bottom line is: Republicans are praying for any bad economic news. They’re willing to sacrifice whoever loses their job or home in order to win.
just what is their plan, anyway?
Soothsayer
July 8th, 2012
9:42 pm
G Mare: I would take it to a car wash and steam clean the entire engine compartment. Works wonders.
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
July 8th, 2012
9:43 pm
ust what is their plan, anyway?
Do anything and everything to make sure Obama is a one term president.
Even if they have to trash this country to do it.
getalife
July 8th, 2012
9:44 pm
G Mare,
You have low miles on your car. It could be corrosion on your battery cables or something a decent mechanic can fix easily.
JamVet
July 8th, 2012
9:47 pm
They’re willing to sacrifice whoever loses their job or home in order to win.
Even other Republicans. (But shhhhh! Don’t tell them that. They “think” it is only lazy uppity blacks and various libs who have gotten crushed in the new American plutocracy.)
Kam, hysterical, huh?
Loved jewcowboy’s subsequent question to Jay, “What color tie am I wearing?”
Lord knows we have had more than our fair share of demented cons on this blog.
getalife, is right. We need a better quality of con here!
getalife
July 8th, 2012
9:48 pm
Sooth,
Bad idea with a hot engine. It could crack your block of the engine.
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
July 8th, 2012
9:51 pm
Brother AmVet
It cracks me up every time I revisit that day.
bman.
July 8th, 2012
9:53 pm
“Bottom line is: Republicans are praying for any bad economic news”
All of the prayers in the world won’t help/hurt the economy.
“They’re willing to sacrifice whoever loses their job or home in order to win”
I’m not sure what this means. You’re not sure either, are you?
bman.
July 8th, 2012
9:55 pm
GMare .. .. 50k miles on a 1993 model? wow!
getalife
July 8th, 2012
9:57 pm
Jam,
They have been radicalized so they are all the same.
Now we have seen how easy it was for hitler to take over Germany.
Soothsayer
July 8th, 2012
10:03 pm
get: agreed. Keep it running.
Doggone/GA
July 8th, 2012
10:09 pm
RIP Ernest Borgnine
0311/8541/5811/1811/1801
July 8th, 2012
10:12 pm
Hey libs.
Are you willing to give up a piece of our Constitution to the U.N. ? 2nd Amendment now but something you’re very unhappy with later ?
This is just the kind of thing that could one day bring it all to a head:
http://www.forbes.com/sites/larrybell/2011/06/07/u-n-agreement-should-have-all-gun-owners-up-in-arms/
Soothsayer
July 8th, 2012
10:12 pm
Well, I will leave you will this one on this beautiful Sunday evening. This a pathetique humble song written by Bill Monroe. That’s him on the left. Lester Flatt is in the middle and Earl Scruggs is on the right. Lester Flatt sings the melody with Bill Monroe singing the high harmony.
Oscar
July 8th, 2012
10:18 pm
G Mare,
_______
Could be rust from lack of use. Hear that can cause malfunctions.
I would first get someone to get a steel brush and brush the battery cables and connections well. They can carrode and cause problems. But this should have been done when your new battery was installed.
Its easy to chech the alternater output with a voltage meter. Not sure how to check the starter. A mechanic at a service station could check it out for you.
Good luck.
G Mare
July 8th, 2012
10:30 pm
Well, I would take it to a car wash if I could get it started. Re the low mileage, guy I bought it from had several vehicles, and I mostly drove it to & from work, just over 3 miles each way. Will keep y’all posted.
G Mare
July 8th, 2012
10:32 pm
And I truly appreciate the tips & advice.
Jm
July 8th, 2012
10:34 pm
“Bad idea with a hot engine. It could crack your block of the engine.”
Getalife, even if you wouldn’t make a great economist, you’d make a half decent shade tree mechanic
Jm
July 8th, 2012
10:35 pm
Scout – UN wants to have anew worldwide tax to fund its operations
Insane idea, won’t happen
But it shows how insane and out of touch the UN is
Jm
July 8th, 2012
10:36 pm
G mare I hope you can get your car fixed, keep us updated
getalife
July 8th, 2012
10:43 pm
jm,
I have been around.
Tundra Dude
July 8th, 2012
10:55 pm
G Mare:
On a car that old, your battery connecting terminals may be on Top. If so, just pour coke over them, let sit a few minutes. Also check for tightness of connections.
ps: Some, but not all, Autozone stores will check battery & alt for free, if you get it running.
TGT
July 8th, 2012
11:01 pm
As if we needed science to tell us this, but nevertheless, it looks like it has:
It looks like that, along with being more generous than liberals, conservatives are happier than liberals, with those right wing extremists the happiest of all!!!
From Arthur C. Brooks in the New York Times, “Scholars on both the left and right have studied this question extensively, and have reached a consensus that it is conservatives who possess the happiness edge. Many data sets show this. For example, the Pew Research Center in 2006 reported that conservative Republicans were 68 percent more likely than liberal Democrats to say they were “very happy” about their lives. This pattern has persisted for decades. The question isn’t whether this is true, but why.
“Many conservatives favor an explanation focusing on lifestyle differences, such as marriage and faith. They note that most conservatives are married; most liberals are not. (The percentages are 53 percent to 33 percent, according to my calculations using data from the 2004 General Social Survey, and almost none of the gap is due to the fact that liberals tend to be younger than conservatives.) Marriage and happiness go together. If two people are demographically the same but one is married and the other is not, the married person will be 18 percentage points more likely to say he or she is very happy than the unmarried person.
“The story on religion is much the same. According to the Social Capital Community Benchmark Survey, conservatives who practice a faith outnumber religious liberals in America nearly four to one. And the link to happiness? You guessed it. Religious participants are nearly twice as likely to say they are very happy about their lives as are secularists (43 percent to 23 percent). The differences don’t depend on education, race, sex or age; the happiness difference exists even when you account for income.
“Whether religion and marriage should make people happy is a question you have to answer for yourself. But consider this: Fifty-two percent of married, religious, politically conservative people (with kids) are very happy — versus only 14 percent of single, secular, liberal people without kids.
getalife
July 8th, 2012
11:07 pm
Perhaps a gentleman on this blog that lives close to G Mare could take a look at her car.
Jm
July 8th, 2012
11:07 pm
Tgt
Liberals want the state to make them happy
It is impossible
0311/8541/5811/1811/1801
July 8th, 2012
11:07 pm
Jm:
The U.N. should have been moved to Moscow or a third world country years ago. That would let the “ambassadors” really see what their policies do.
0311/8541/5811/1811/1801
July 8th, 2012
11:08 pm
TGT:
Thank you !
Jm
July 8th, 2012
11:11 pm
Getalife
Good idea, though I bet she has some friends who can look at it
If not, i doubt gmare lives in south FL, but if so, I’d happily help
I will be in Atlanta next weekend though
Jm
July 8th, 2012
11:13 pm
Scout
Yes, the UN is loco……
Ted turner is awesome, but why he gave a bill to the UN is beyond me
So much waste and stupidity there
soof swayer
July 8th, 2012
11:38 pm
Hey, i know that dude…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XIww9Mqlig
getalife
July 9th, 2012
12:12 am
On second thought, that is a bad idea.
Never mind.
G Mare
July 9th, 2012
12:54 am
Thanks, y’all. I really appreciate the tips & offers of help. I live in Smyrna, GA., & have son & son-in-law as well as AARP motoring plan. Been too hot to call anyone!
A few years ago, when oldest grand got his license, I offered the use of my car. He said, “Gramma, your car is almost as old as I am.” Oh, snap!
Okay, this ole grandma is headed for the bed, “to sleep, perchance to dream,” or perhaps to dream of sleep.
Oscar
July 9th, 2012
2:03 am
Jm
____________
Jm – Stop by the Hickory House by Northlake for breakfast. Maybe you will see me or Fred. I’m the tall old man with not much hair in a long sleeved shirt.. Don’t know what Fred looks like.
Oscar
July 9th, 2012
2:06 am
G Mare
I have clothes and shoes older than my children, and do have a car that I still drive that is much older than my grandchildren.
stands for decibels
July 9th, 2012
6:08 am
mornin’.
G mare, if it does need a new alternator or starter, those should be relatively simple and not terribly expensive. I mean, it’s a rear-drive v8. Most mechanics could do the job in 15 minutes on the street while drunk.
Normal Free...Pro Human Rights Thug...And liking it!
July 9th, 2012
6:19 am
Good Monday morning all y’all…hope you had a great week end…I did!
And now…back to the game…
http://news.icanhascheezburger.com/2012/07/06/political-pictures-so-totally-relatable/
TaxPayer
July 9th, 2012
6:33 am
G mare, if it does need a new alternator or starter, those should be relatively simple and not terribly expensive. I mean, it’s a rear-drive v8. Most mechanics could do the job in 15 minutes on the street while drunk.
with one hand tied behind their back, blindfolded and hopping on one leg while chasing the car in reverse on I-285 at 8 AM on any Monday. Hey! May as well make it a little challenging.
bluecoat
July 9th, 2012
7:25 am
GM You would think the son/son in law would help.
bluecoat
July 9th, 2012
7:32 am
Darn,can’t get on line this am.
stands for decibels
July 9th, 2012
7:46 am
Are you willing to give up a piece of our Constitution to the U.N. ?
Jeez, another guy willing to believe any garbage he’s fed. Sad, innit?
Normal Free...Pro Human Rights Thug...And liking it!
July 9th, 2012
7:48 am
Who says Rachel doesn’t correct herself?
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26315908/ns/msnbc_tv-rachel_maddow_show/#48106643
stands for decibels
July 9th, 2012
7:49 am
TP, while I’ve never replaced a starter, I have actually replaced an alternator on a rear-driver.
While it was illegally parked — stranded, really — on a busy street. (With a friend helping me, but still.)
I *was* sober, however.
stands for decibels
July 9th, 2012
7:54 am
Why Scout is misinformed, pt. 6,467:
http://thehill.com/blogs/global-affairs/un-treaties/236501-obama-administration-spells-out-red-lines-for-un-arms-trade-treaty
But hey–Scout has “130 lawmakers” who apparently worry otherwise.
And we all know that Congrefs is chock full of really smart people who would never, ever lie to their constituents about 2nd Amendment-related policy. Right?
stands for decibels
July 9th, 2012
7:55 am
’tis a shame USinUK hasn’t been around to contribute to this thread. I’d be somewhat shocked if her Mr. didn’t have a Jam-related tale to tell, from his yoof (unless he’s significantly younger than I imagine).
Stevie Ray..Clowns to the left and Jokers to the right..here I am...
July 9th, 2012
7:55 am
Can anyone define (a) “middle class” and (b) “fair share” to me…seems the first is a moving target and the second is actually defined as MORE….if President Trillions survives re-election, let’s give him what he wants and see if he can move the deficit bar in a favorable direction…my money says not a chance….better tighten up the tax code so some of us don’t defer or shelter our income over 250k legally per tax code.
curious
July 9th, 2012
7:55 am
bman.
July 8th, 2012
9:53 pm
“They’re willing to sacrifice whoever loses their job or home in order to win”
I’m not sure what this means. You’re not sure either, are you?
Actually, I do know what that means.
Brosephus™
July 9th, 2012
8:01 am
Alternator is easy to replace. Most cases, it’s two bolts and a single connector. You get into a bit more work when dealing with cars that have separate generators and such. Starters sometimes require a bit more work, but can be just as easy to replace.
stands for decibels
July 9th, 2012
8:03 am
SR, in case you weren’t familiar with the term:
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=concern+troll
Normal Free...Pro Human Rights Thug...And liking it!
July 9th, 2012
8:05 am
Since Jay ain’t around yet, here’s some stuff to talk about, courtesy of Newsmax…
Insider Report from Newsmax.com
Headlines (Scroll down for complete stories):
1. Report: ‘Britain’s Atlantis’ Found Under North Sea
2. Taxpayers Still Support Tobacco Growers
3. Iran Blames Germany, France for Nuclear Scientist Killings
——————————————————————————–
1. Report: ‘Britain’s Atlantis’ Found Under North Sea
A vast, once-inhabited area that was submerged by the North Sea thousands of years ago has been discovered by divers working with oil companies and science teams from several British universities.
The underwater world, being called Doggerland and Britain’s Atlantis, stretched from Scotland to Denmark when Britain was not an island but connected to the European continent. It was gradually submerged by water between 18,000 B.C. and 5,500 B.C., according to researchers.
“Divers from oil companies have found remains of a ‘drowned world’ with a population of tens of thousands, which might have once been the ‘real heartland’ of Europe,” Britain’s Daily Mail reported.
“A team of climatologists, archaeologists, and geophysicists has now mapped the area using new data from oil companies — and revealed the full extent of a ‘lost land’ once roamed by mammoths.”
The melting of ice caps during a warm period raised sea levels and submerged the area, which was also hit by a “devastating tsunami,” the researchers claim.
“People seem to think rising sea levels are a new thing, but it’s a cycle of earth history that has happened many, many times,” said Richard Bates of the University of St. Andrews.
“We have speculated for years on the lost land’s existence from bones dredged by fishermen all over the North Sea, but it’s only since working with oil companies in the last few years that we have been able to re-create what this lost land looked like.”
The findings suggest a land with hills and valleys, large swamps and lakes, and major rivers, according to the Mail. As the sea rose the hills would have become islands.
Researchers are currently probing evidence of human habitation, including possible burial sites, although there is little such evidence remaining because much of it has eroded underwater.
An exhibit called Drowned Landscapes is now on display at The Royal Society in London.
The oldest surviving description of the “lost continent” of Atlantis was written by Plato around 360 B.C., and asserts that Atlantis sank into the ocean around 9,600 B.C.
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2. Taxpayers Still Support Tobacco Growers
The federal government recently announced a new $54 million, 12-week campaign using TV spots to encourage smokers to give up the habit, and state and federal spending on anti-smoking efforts have topped $800 million in some years.
Taxpayers may wonder, then, why the latest farm bill approved by the Senate contains support for the industry responsible for the product targeted by those anti-smoking ads — tobacco farming.
From 1995 through 2011, the federal government paid out $1.329 billion in subsidies for the tobacco industry.
Farm subsidies include commodity payments, crop insurance, marketing support, and agricultural research, and total agricultural subsidies have topped $20 billion in most recent years.
In 2011 alone, taxpayers shelled out $191,218,926 in tobacco subsidies to 58,350 recipients, according to figures provided by the Mercatus Center at George Mason University.
North Carolina receives the largest share of the subsidies — 39.7 percent of the total or $528 million from 1995 through 2011 — followed by Kentucky at 28.7 percent.
Tobacco subsidies are, however, dwarfed by outlays for other agricultural products. Corn subsidies amounted to more than $81 billion from 1995 through 2011 — including $4.6 billion last year — while taxpayers picked up the tab for $34.3 billion in wheat subsidies, $32 billion in cotton subsidies, $26 billion in soybean subsidies, and billions more for other crops.
Two other facts cited by the Mercatus Center: 62 percent of farms in the United States did not collect subsidy payments from 1995 through 2011, and 10 percent of farms collected 75 percent of all subsidies.
Subsidies during that period ranged from $25.8 billion in Texas to, curiously, $231,479 in the District of Columbia.
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3. Iran Blames Germany, France for Nuclear Scientist Killings
Iran has now spread the blame for assassinations of its nuclear scientists, asserting that German and French intelligence agencies were also involved in the killings.
The Islamic Republic previously accused Israel, the United States, and Britain of plotting the assassinations to set back its uranium enrichment program, which Western powers suspect is designed to develop nuclear weapons.
At least four scientists associated with Iran’s nuclear program have been assassinated since 2010. Most recently, chemistry engineer Mostafa Ahmadi Roshan was killed on Jan. 11 with a bomb fixed to his car by a motorcyclist in Tehran.
The United States has denied a role in the killings, while Israel has declined to comment.
Iran’s Intelligence Minister Heydar Moslehi, referring to the killings, said on Friday: “We saw connections with the information services in Germany, France, Britain, Israel, the United States and regional intelligence agencies.”
His statement came days after the European Union imposed a new ban on the import, purchase, and shipping of Iranian oil. Tougher U.S. sanctions went into effect on June 28.
Oliver Thraenert, head of the Zurich-based Center for Security Studies, said that “by accusing Western states of involvement in the assassinations, Moslehi could be signaling his opposition to any deal with them on the nuclear issue,” the Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported.
Thraenert said: “It might be the case that behind these allegations is an internal fight about whether Iran should seek a compromise with the Western countries. If you accuse a nation like Germany or France of being behind these assassinations of Iranian nuclear scientists, of course it is obvious that you cannot strike a deal with those countries.”
In a survey conducted in Iran by the Islamic Republic of Iran News Network this week, more than two-thirds of respondents opted for “the suspension of uranium enrichment in exchange for the gradual lifting of sanctions,” in answer to the question: “Which way do you prefer to confront the unilateral sanctions of the West against Iran?”
Nearly 20 percent favored closing the Strait of Hormuz in retaliation for the sanctions.
Brosephus™
July 9th, 2012
8:07 am
(a) “middle class”
1) The fastest disappearing segment of our society.
2) Generally made up of those who’s income ranges from $60,000 to $200,000
3) No true definition as many different people have different opinions on what puts a person/family in the middle class
(b) “fair share”
1) No true definition as that term really is nothing more than an ideal who’s value is dependent upon the person/group expressing it.
Normal Free...Pro Human Rights Thug...And liking it!
July 9th, 2012
8:09 am
From my last…
1. Report: ‘Britain’s Atlantis’ Found Under North Sea- Could be Florida in a few years
2. Taxpayers Still Support Tobacco Growers- Even more signs of stupidity in Congress, bought and paid for stupidity, of course.
3. Iran Blames Germany, France for Nuclear Scientist Killings- I guess that if you point the finger at everybody, you’re bound to be right…
Brosephus™
July 9th, 2012
8:12 am
Normal
How about this one…
http://news.yahoo.com/3-gored-pamplonas-3rd-running-bulls-083334988.html
PAMPLONA, Spain (AP) — A bull gored two Britons and an American in the running of the bulls through the streets of the northern Spanish city of Pamplona on Monday, the regional government said.
Thousands of daredevil runners charged for the third day ahead of six fighting bulls of the annual San Fermin festival on Monday, when the three were gored by the animal that broke free from the pack just before entering the city’s bullring, a Navarra government statement said.
If you check the pictures accompanying the story, there’s a guy wearing white speedos with a red bullseye painted over his groin. Wearing something like that, you’re just asking to be gored. If I were ever there, I’d probably sit on the side and cheer for the bulls.
TaxPayer
July 9th, 2012
8:15 am
“middle class” – the class in between the upper and lower class
“fair share” – an unquantifiable entity unsuitable for use as a metric
Normal Free...Pro Human Rights Thug...And liking it!
July 9th, 2012
8:23 am
Bro’
Oh. My. God.
JamVet
July 9th, 2012
8:23 am
The middle class?
That is pretty easy.
Along with the lower economic strata, the forty year losers in America’s class warfare.
Fair share?
What tens of thousands of millionaires and mega-corporations don’t want to know about…
curious
July 9th, 2012
8:29 am
Normal Free…Pro Human Rights Thug…And liking it!
July 9th, 2012
8:05 am
Tobacco subsidies are, however, dwarfed by outlays for other agricultural products. Corn subsidies amounted to more than $81 billion from 1995 through 2011 — including $4.6 billion last year — while taxpayers picked up the tab for $34.3 billion in wheat subsidies, $32 billion in cotton subsidies, $26 billion in soybean subsidies, and billions more for other crops
Probably 90%+ of those receiving the subsidies despise the Government and complain of “handouts”.
Brosephus™
July 9th, 2012
8:33 am
Hey, whenever kayaker shows up, remind me to ask him about this photo….
http://bostinno.com/2012/07/08/unbelievable-photo-of-a-great-white-shark-following-a-kayaker-on-cape-cod-photo/
JamVet
July 9th, 2012
8:33 am
Probably 90%+ of those receiving the subsidies despise the Government and complain of “handouts”.
Michelle Bachmann, anyone?
stands for decibels
July 9th, 2012
8:40 am
anyway, since we’re acknowledging the concern:
middle class = fair share = whatever people who vote in a representative democracy like ours want to imagine it means
too effin’ bad = what it means if you wind up having to pay a bit more as a result of sensible legislation designed to right the fiscal ship.
That second bit applies to those of us likely to be fcrewn by some dumbass “grand bargain” the supine Dems are likely to agree to on entitlements. Let’s all sing the “Meow Mix” jingle to celebrate, shall we?