A Time Capsule

Well, you know how I love history, and how I am a woodworker when I have the chance.

Check out this article that captures both interests. Absolutely fascinating.

Imagine this shed has been more or less caught in a time capsule for almost 150 years.

It is a great thing it is being preserved.

Round 2

The other day I did this post about Hobby Lobby being turned down for an Obamacare exemption by the Federal Court in Oklahoma.

Today a Federal Appeals Court gave a private business owned by a Roman Catholic an injunction, keeping them from being forced to pay for birth control and abortion pills.

This does two things; it gives Hobby Lobby a basis for an appeal and it sets up an almost automatic Supreme Court Challenge, since we have two lower courts with two polar opposite opinions.

It also gives us hope that we may yet get relief from onerous Obamacare legislation.

Lets give Roberts another chance to get it right.

Hungry?

Absolutely everything is on the Internets; including a recipe for a 4-way.

Amazing. Right down to the spices to make the chili out of.

And no wonder it's so popular; how can you beat a combination of Meat and Chocolate?

I was actually looking for news about the rye bread shortage in Cincinnati. Apparently Hostess/Butternut baked ALL of the rye bread for this market.

Especially the dark German rye. My son, who works in food retailing, told me tonight they have had to deal with a a lot of ticked off Germans, unable to get their rye bread.

I'm one of them.

But at any rate this website had a combination of posts; one about the proper rye bread to use on a pastrami Reuben and another close by talking about Cincinnati Chili.

And the power of Bing saw 'Rye Bread' and 'Cincinnati' and thought that was what I was looking for.

Well; it wasn't then, but it is now.

Amazing what you can stumble into when you go out roaming around on the Internets.

Dreams

There is a line in the John Wayne classic, Big Jake that is appropriate today.

Wayne's character is about to pay a one million dollar ransom- in 1909 dollars- and as he tosses the key to the strong box to the lead bandit Big Jake says "That's the stuff that dreams are made of."

There is a lot of dreaming going on today. How long would it take you to decide how to spend $550,000,000? What would you spend it on? How long would you keep your job after you won?

Five Hundred And Fifty Million Dollars; Half a Billion Dollars. No matter how you say it, it sounds like an unfathomable amount of money.

How would it make feel to know that that amount of money would not even put you in the top 400 richest people in the United States? You would have to double your jackpot, and then some, to even get a sniff at number 400. You would have to multiply it by 132 times to become second on the list to Bill Gates.

Adding up the fortunes of the ten richest folks in the country brings in about $346 billion; a staggering sum of money; 750 times the Powerball jackpot.

Then take that $346 billion and multiply it another 48 times; that's our national debt.

Kinda puts it into perspective; doesn't it?

BIG NEWS: Fast Food Doesn't Pay Much

I was emailed a link to an interesting article on companies that don't pay very well. The article has an blue chip pedigree- Wall Street Journal and Fox News- but seems to come off as the youngest half-wit brother.

I can't tell what the authors are trying to do. They lists twelve companies, and compare their profits, CEO compensation, gross receipts and average employee pay.

Guess what? Fast food and retail don't pay very well. There were a few surprises; Starbucks is on the list. Starbucks; the darling on the left; the epitome of responsible corporations; the purveyor of employees as partners. Yep. Starbucks is really an evil corporate fatcat. After verbally excoriating Sears because their website proclaims "Our associates are the heart of our company", and then asking them to work Black Friday, Starbucks appears on the Corporate Blackhearts list without a word of comment, except to note that Starbucks does have union employees.

Name a retailer: Target; Sears; K-mart; Wal-Mart. Yep; they're on the list. Name a fast food joint: McDonalds; Wendys; Taco Bell; KFC. Yep; Yep and Yep; all on the list, as well as parent company of Red Lobster and Longhorn.

They also don't break down the salaries into entry-level and career jobs. Face it; most of the jobs on this list are entry level. The 'I-worked-there- will-going-to-school' jobs. Yes they do have career positions in any of these companies, but for the most part their positions are in-work a few years- out to the real job.

And I say that with respect. Our country needs jobs like this; jobs that have a certain amount of responsibility and the ability to train workers on the basics of what work is. Showing up on time; giving a good measure while your there and getting along with others whose company you may or may not enjoy.

Who wants to pay $20 an hour so they can train you to earn a living?

The second point the authors are trying to make is that the CEO's are grossly overpaid. Take Wendy's for example; The CEO made $16,537,725 last year. Sounds like a chunk of change, don't it? But that amount is less that the average beginning Powerball jackpot.

Wendy's also has 168,672 employees. Our overpaid CEO makes less than $100 per employee; $98.05, after rounding. Cut out his salary completely and you can give each employee less than 2 bucks a week. I'm sure they would jump for joy.

And then blow it all on a small tea and a 5 piece nugget. I know that's how I'd spend it.

Read more: The 12 Companies Paying Americans the Least - 24/7 Wall St. http://247wallst.com/2012/11/21/the-12-companies-paying-americans-the-least/#ixzz2DTHLehFu

“Our associates are at the heart of our company and we value teamwork, integrity, and positive energy,”

Read more: The 12 Companies Paying Americans the Least - 24/7 Wall St. http://247wallst.com/2012/11/21/the-12-companies-paying-americans-the-least/#ixzz2DTHLehFu

“Our associates are at the heart of our company and we value teamwork, integrity, and positive energy,”

Read more: The 12 Companies Paying Americans the Least - 24/7 Wall St. http://247wallst.com/2012/11/21/the-12-companies-paying-americans-the-least/#ixzz2DTHLehFu

“Our associates are at the heart of our company and we value teamwork, integrity, and positive energy,”

Read more: The 12 Companies Paying Americans the Least - 24/7 Wall St. http://247wallst.com/2012/11/21/the-12-companies-paying-americans-the-least/#ixzz2DTHLehFu

Moral Choices Have Been Made; and Stolen

Here is a sad story; both the article and the comments. The story is sad because the Federal Court has refused to even hear arguments that individuals who own companies have a right to not pay for items that violate their religious convictions.

The comments are sad because the idiots on the left are convinced that their right to something trumps your moral right to believe that that something is wrong. They also are either so dense, or are playing at being so dense, that they believe Hobby Lobby's right not to PAY for contraception equals Hobby Lobby trying to ban all contraception.

Realistically, when it comes to religious based morality I don't believe the government has the power to legislate. They can no more require me to do something I consider immoral than they do to force you not to do something you consider moral.

Like birth control. As the article make clear, Hobby Lobby has drawn the line at the 'morning after pill'. Birth control pills for a daily regimen they consider fine, as they are a prevention technique (although some religions will not even accept that level of birth control), but consider anything taken after the act as abortion, and something they cannot support.

If I refuse to pay for a specific contraceptive, that does not disallow you from using that same contraceptive. I am not refusing you the use, on your moral grounds of the product, why are you refusing me the right, on my moral grounds, not to pay for it?

Again we are talking about actions that are strictly moral or immoral according to an individual's point of view. Some things can be considered immoral, but not illegal, just as other things can be considered illegal, but not immoral.

Other parts of reproduction, or the interruption of reproduction, are not just immoral, but should be illegal. Its a fine line, and is an individual choice. I know there are some who who have all contraception banned. I think that's wrong.

Contraception can take may forms; from the very basic- abstinence- on the far right to the morning after pill on the far left. Every one of us has drawn the line graph represented by those choices and drawn a line that determines our choice between moral and immoral. Contraception is just that; a bar to conception taking place. If you conscience believes a contraceptive act or failure to act is moral, then its none of my business. There are disagreements between the major religions on the various forms and steps that are allowable, and the law should stay out of the way; forcing a morality on no one.

A distinction Obamacare fails to make.

Friday Night at the Movies XII

Did you ever watch something and when you were done kinda thought....

What the Hell was that?

I was looking for something to watch last night and was doing an extensive scan of Netflix. I was down to perusing the Independent stuff. There I found a show called Confederate States of America. The basic premise is alternative history; what if the South had won the Civil War?

Then what you have is a BBC produced 'documentary' on the current- circa 2004- CSA, which now encompasses all 50 states, and the history of the world to this point. Interspersed in the show are the commercials broadcast on the CSA network.

Some parts are real history, some parts are almost history (like the 1960 Presidential race between Democrat Richard Nixon and Republican John F. Kennedy which includes original debate footage redubbed) and some parts are pure fiction. But without knowing the real events it would be easy to become confused on what is real and what is not.

Presented as satire, the commercials are..... indescribable. There is one for the Home Shopping Channel- for slaves. Another advertises a sort of invisible fence for your servants. Yet another advertises get insurance for your property- All of your property.

Interestingly enough some of the ads are for products that really existed and were commercially sold in the world in the past. The racism in the ads is apparent and, hopefully, transparent.

The show itself is at times funny. The phrase "Sexual Relations with that woman" comes up, and the situation causes a few quick laughs. If you know the history as it happened, then there are also some 'events' that will cause a more than a few quick grins.

Just shy of an hour and a half long, some parts show the film was done independently, but for the most part it is a very watchable 90 minutes. You can't let go of the premise, and I really think that is the purpose of the commercials. Without them, because of the PBS style and quality of the mockumentary you could very easily believe this is a factual presentation.

One inspired and presented by the KKK most likely.

The historic timelines are credible and the use of redubbed historic footage lends a certain authenticity. The Canadian exiled Abraham Lincoln even makes and appearance in some "recently discovered" old film footage.

But the commercials bring home that what you are watching is a fiction; and the film is meant to ridicule a possible Southern Christian based society, not admire it. In later years the country bans all non- Christian religions and homo-sexuality, again driving home the general intolerance of folks who would tolerate slavery.

Bottom line; I'm not sure what to think. Interesting concept, and presented well. Some fiction; some reality, blended together rather nicely.

Grab a few beers, and watch a few minutes.

If nothing else there will be food for thought.

A Little Bit of Random

I guess I am still suffering from the after effects of too much Tryptophan; my thoughts have been completely uncoordinated for the last few days.

Like the other day when Hostess and the Baker's union failed to come to an agreement in a bankruptcy ordered mediation. Who is in charge of that union?!?!? The company says 8% pay cut or we close the doors; the company closes the doors and puts you out of a job. Then the court orders the two parties back to the table, as a last ditch effort to save the company, and.... YOU STILL DON"T ACCEPT THE DEAL!?!?!?!?

I'm lost. Did the union not believe the company the first time, and STILL think they are bluffing about closing down? Or do they not want jobs in the first place? I might be interested once the book comes out. And this will be a classic case study in the ignorance of unions.

Speaking of unions, right after one votes themselves and 18,000 of their co-workers out of jobs is not the best time to try and organize a new place, like, say, Wal-mart? According to the news story I read this morning, apparently a whole 50 employees boycotted work at Wal-mart on Black Friday in support of the union. Yeah; that worked out well for them, didn't it?

And speaking of Wal-mart, the wife was there three times during Black Friday; once at 8:00 on Thanksgiving night; again about noon on Black Friday and again about 8:00 on Friday night. The early Black Friday shopping was busy, but the other two trips were normal weekend sized crowds. I guess everybody was already shopped out?

Personally, I have to be desperate for something to actually step into a store between Thanksgiving and Christmas. I hate crowds and I hate shopping. So I stock up on things I'll need early in November and stay away until January. Oh; I build my Christmas presents.

Which will start later today. I have a train or two to build, and a toy box. and a device to be named later. I'll probably spend at least a part of every day for the next month covered in sawdust.

Yes; that's a good thing!

Eat, Drink and Be Merry!

The greatest 6.5 minutes of Thanksgiving television ever filmed.

Courtesy of Instapundit.

Happy Thanksgiving!

The minute I read this cartoon this morning I knew I had to post about it. In some respects Thanksgiving is the perfect government holiday.

In the United States, today has been set aside officially since  the 1860's as a day of celebrating and giving Thanks. I won't bore you with all of the history, but a day of giving thanks has been a part of history for more than a thousand years. Today its is considered a secular holiday, but it has deep religious roots.

Like our comic strip says, a semi-faith based holiday. Each individual is allowed to determine the framework of the day, and to give thanks in the manner they see fit. Most will spend some time in church this morning, but some won't. Most will gather with family and friends this afternoon to feast, but some won't. Most will have turkey, but some won't.

It depends on your family traditions. Some families take today and do some public service; helping out at a homeless shelter or a soup kitchen. Others use today as a way to reunite family, to see folks you haven't seen in a while, to spend time just visiting.

And that is the best part; there really are no rules. Almost like the old Zen Hippy saying; If it feels good; do it.

It's all in how you wish to give thanks, and to whomever you wish to give thanks to. Today isn't set aside to worship a specific deity; you are welcome to thank anyone you wish. All the government has provided is a holiday to do it on.

So whatever your choice today, ENJOY!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Gaza

I am not a big fan of the way Israel was created in 1946. It has lead to additional violence in an unsettled part of the world that nobody needs.

That being said; it was almost 70 years ago; at some point you need get on with your life. But not, I guess in a part of the world known for long memories.

Does Israel have a right to exist? As much as any other country. They also have a right to defend themselves and to support from their allies.

Which, more or less, brings us to recent events.

I'll not claim any special insight into the region or its actors; I only know what the media and history tell me. So, given those caveats...

The one good thing Jimmy Carter did was the Camp David accords, which ushered in 30 years of peace between Egypt and Israel; a period of peace broken by Obama allowing Egypt to become an ally of Al-Qaeda. And then the dominoes began to fall; Syria; Libya; Mali. For all of the Obama Administration's admonitions that Al-Qaeda was dead, I see an awful lot of life in that corpse.

The leadership of Iran has publicly declared that Israel does not have a right to exist and their intentions to wipe them off of the map. With Iran approaching the ability to become a nuclear power, Israel is in a bad position. Trying to maintain the security of its borders and people, and facing the possibility that Iran would one day be able to drop a nuke on the Dome of Rock.

So, while Israel is trying to figure out how to strike at Iran's nuke program, the Palestinians in Gaza decide it's time to start lobbing rockets into Israel. Where did they get the rockets? Looks like it was Iran.

The attacks are the result of Israel assassinating a Hamas leader, Ahmed al-Jabari. But the tension has been building for months; most likely as a result of the Arab Spring.

Militant Moslems are a minority we are told, but apparently a powerful one. They seem to be able to have themselves voted into power on a regular basis. Without Egypt as a stabilizing force for peace, who knows where the violence will end.

I'm on Israel's side. They, as a country and a people have a right to exist- a right their neighbors seem unwilling to accede.

They also have a well trained, well armed and competent military force that has several times in the past successfully defended their borders. It's hard to fight a tank with a rock or a suicide bomber.

But in the past they have had the United States squarely in their corner, something that may or may not now be the case. Elections have consequences.

Israel and Gaza are about to start a land war. Will Egypt join in? Who else will join them to help wipe the hated Jew off of the map? Who will join on Israel's side? No country will send troops, and I doubt any would be accepted, but they will need arms and ammunition; who will resupply them?

How will it affect world oil supplies? How will it affect our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan? Our relations with Saudi Arabia and Turkey?

These are the questions I don't have answers to. But I'm not expected to; I'm some Kentucky Redneck.

But Obama and his team are expected to have these answers.

I just don't have any faith that they do.

Who Will Survive?

My friend and resident liberal commentator sent me a link to this article, which makes a lot in interesting points.

First how the AFL-CIO is ready willing and quick to blame Bain Capital for Hostess' demise. Although Bain had nothing to do with Hostess in any way shape or form. Is blaming Bain a knee jerk reaction or a left talking point? Hard to tell.

But we do find out that a venture capital outfit DID have a hand in Hostess. A company called Ripplewood, which was founded by Timothy C. Collins, a major Democratic donor, purchased Hostess out of its earlier bankruptcy; intending to turn it into a showcase of how to rebuild a union company.

Yeah; that worked out well; didn't it?

Who is the first person to get involved? Richard Gephardt, former Democratic House leader.

So while the AFL-CIO is spouting "Bain', like a raven perched on a bust of Pallas, it was actually the left side of the aisle that was raping and pillaging the Twinkies. No wonder we haven't seen any long screeds in the press or on CNN about the EVIL capitalists ruining the country, one poor little union company at a time.

Another interesting point is the increases in executive compensation:

Perhaps the most egregious sin of Ripplewood’s oversight of Hostess was the increase in management’s compensation at the same time it was seeking to cut employee compensation. The Confectionery, Tobacco Workers & Grain Millers International Union pointed out that the company’s new chief executive was paid $2,550,000, up from $750,000. Another “executive received a pay increase from $500,000 to $900,000 and another received one taking his salary from $375,000 to $656,256,” the union said. Mr. Collins declined to comment.

Let me say this about that; First; the company is privately held, so salaries and compensation are not of public record anywhere, so it had to be some sort of espionage, if the numbers are correct. Which they may not be.

Second; assume they are correct. That is a total increase in compensation of $2,481,256; or $134 per employee. $2.58 a week- 6 cents an hour.

Amazing how math works, ain't it?

I'm not saying Management is 100% right and the union is 100% wrong. I won't even admit to a 75/25 split.

All I know is if 10% of the country is out of work, and I still have a job, 8% is a hell of a lot less than 100% when it comes to a pay cut.

On a personal note, I worked in a union show a few years back that was going through the same thing Hostess was. My union brothers were of the opinion that if it weren't for them our industry would cease to exist. Push came to shove, and they went out on strike. We were back within a week, but the damage was done. less than 6 months later the place was gone.

Guess what? the industry still exists.

And NONE of us are working in it.