August 28, 2014

Wolf's Lead is Widening (from a RW paper yet!)

Poll Shows Wolf's Lead over Corbett Widening

By Melissa Daniels
Thursday, Aug. 28, 2014

A summer of campaigning and advertising did little to revive Republican Gov. Tom Corbett's moribund popularity among Pennsylvania voters, the latest figures show.

The results of a poll on Thursday from the Center for Opinion Research at Franklin and Marshall College say Democrat Tom Wolf leads Corbett 49 percent to 24 percent — compared with 47 percent to 25 percent in June.

Analysts say they've seen few incumbents trail by that much.

“He has the most daunting task of any governor seeking re-election I know of,” said G. Terry Madonna, director of the poll and the college's Center for Politics and Public Affairs. “For the better part of his term, he had the lowest job performance for any incumbent governor seeking re-election in modern history.

Read more: http://triblive.com/state/pennsylvania/6675729-74/corbett-voters-election#ixzz3BhOz7DEF

August 28, 2014

I'm also in PA and a non-drinker.

I do not support privatizing the liquor stores. I lived in other states and remember the sleazy-looking liquor stores on the corners. You have never heard of a PA state store being robbed! Plus, I think the clerks are unionized, aren't they?

I also think the wider availability would lead to more DUIs.... as if we didn't have enough already.

If I were a drinker, I would probably feel differently, but we have never had problems getting beer or wine when we needed it for occasions. Like you say, it just takes a little planning.

August 26, 2014

What are you doing with your tomato harvest?

For those with too many tomatoes, what do you do with them all?

I over-planted and now have "hundreds" of tomatoes! I have made sauce, stewed, and soup so far. I have given away dozens of the best looking ones. I don't can, just freeze them.

My Brandywines are gigantic this year! What is the best use for those? I have been putting them in soup but they have so many seeds.

Read an article yesterday that said the seeds contain the flavor, don't discard them.

August 24, 2014

You and Marta are in my thoughts and prayers, Steve.

Thank you for your many educational and enlightening post over the years. You are a DU treasure and your words here will be eternal.

Much love to you both and thank you for sharing your story with us.

In solidarity forever.

August 23, 2014

Here's what Justice Stevens has to say about amending the wording:

This is a really good read:

The five extra words that can fix the Second Amendment

>snip<

As a result of the rulings in Heller and McDonald, the Second Amendment, which was adopted to protect the states from federal interference with their power to ensure that their militias were “well regulated,” has given federal judges the ultimate power to determine the validity of state regulations of both civilian and militia-related uses of arms. That anomalous result can be avoided by adding five words to the text of the Second Amendment to make it unambiguously conform to the original intent of its draftsmen. As so amended, it would read:

“A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms when serving in the Militia shall not be infringed.”

Link: http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/the-five-extra-words-that-can-fix-the-second-amendment/2014/04/11/f8a19578-b8fa-11e3-96ae-f2c36d2b1245_story.html

August 21, 2014

Where can I sell used books?

I have lots of "teacher" books and have had no luck on eBay. These are books on classroom management, lesson plans, etc.

Most are like brand new or very gently used. They were expensive when new!

Any suggestions? I looked at Amazon, but it seems they would take a large percentage for listing there.

Thanks for any advice.

August 19, 2014

Teachers unions are attributed to have far more power than they actually have.

The union also has nothing to do with dismissal of ineffective teachers although the union will ensure that any member/teacher has due process.

I cannot speak to police unions, but often wished that teachers would band together like the police do when there is an "attack" upon them. We do not actually know that the police "mollycoddl(e) the bad apples". They do seem to be more unified than teachers, though.

I was on our local strike committee and there were a number of "turncoats" and weak-kneed members who were only too happy to take the negotiated benefits while refusing to participate in our protests. I doubt if a police union member would do that.

August 18, 2014

CNN crew being pushed back by police in Ferguson. 6:18 pm, ET.

Don Lemon is reporting. Police saying it is for safety reasons. They want everyone to rally in one parking lot.

Don Lemon actually said they were "strong-armed" by the police. :

August 16, 2014

I quickly and quietly exit such tirades.

I don't have the stomach for it. I'm not a forceful debater and get all upset which doesn't help my "side". I see a lot of such talk in rural PA, too. I chalk it up to "low-information" and Faux viewing. Or sometimes, just plain willful ignorance.

Sorry you had such a disturbing experience with "friends"--- guess you won't be spending time with those people anymore.

August 16, 2014

I agree.

I remember reading his autobiography during the 2008 campaign. It seemed like he always tried to consider all sides of an issue and find a compromise that would benefit everyone. I know that is what some dislike about him, but he is a pragmatist. I thought it came from his balancing his mixed heritage and his experiences of living in a different culture.

I don't always agree with him either, but I feel secure with him in the WH, knowing that he is a deep thinker and not a hot head.