Scarlet Pimpernel

Just now, nw baltimore wx said:

It’s about time!! That was the point!!!

Ha, but of course!! 

3 hours ago, nw baltimore wx said:

There are less geniuses in here than there used to be.  And even far less stable ones.

...or FEWER, for that matter!!! 

5 minutes ago, wxtrix said:

co-signed 

I'm glad what I said was tangentially relevant! 

(Ducks for cover after a bad math pun...!)

25 minutes ago, wxtrix said:

this simply isn't true.

and *fewer

Ha!  For some reason, the incorrect use of "fewer" vs. "more" has always somewhat bothered me, and I'm guilty of it myself at times.  Even in supermarket checkout lines, "12 items or less", should really be "fewer"...though I get they're probably just trying to be short about it.  I've always heard you should use "fewer" for a discrete, integer number ("there are fewer people..."), and "less" for a non-integer or non-discrete value, or an abstract idea ("I payed less money for gas this past week", or "There is less confusion..."). 

Sorry to be off-topic and a bit pedantic here!

1 hour ago, Mrs.J said:

No healthy here today. Happy National Pretzel day! 

Oh hell yeah! Now that looks tasty and sufficiently unhealthy! I myself am making a split pea soup today using leftover ham bone from Easter for the broth. (There's the old joke about what's the definition of eternity? Two people and a ham!) 

22 minutes ago, mappy said:

Friendly reminder, don’t feed the trolls. They stink, leave shit behind and don’t bother cleaning up after themselves. 
 

-management 

Suddenly, a variant of that Mary Poppins song went through my head...

Feed the trolls, tuppence a bag!

Tuppence, tuppence, tuppence a bag! 

But why even waste that little on trolls!

Just now, mappy said:

Never change 

I'll take that as a compliment! 

1 minute ago, mappy said:

@snowfan is really going to hate the banter thread today and all the wordy posts lol

I'm not wordy!  I say exactly what I mean in exactly the number of words I intend to use! 

Maybe a few more than necessary.

But hey, when the pen flows (or keyboard), what are you going to do?

Shall I continue...?

Nahhh!

19 minutes ago, C.A.P.E. said:

Taking a break from the beer today..

 

 

 

Having some wine instead.

I just finished my first glass of the evening, myself!  Time for a refill...ring, ring!!

1 hour ago, RDM said:

Just finished reading the banter generated since yesterday.  Wow...  This is not directed towards anyone, nor any group on "either side of the aisle" - just an observation from a long time lurker, occasional contributor and voracious reader going back to the days of Eastern...   

 The intolerance generated on both sides of the liberal/conservative debate is saddening.  I wish there was some way for us to assume a little more noble intent and extend more tolerance to each other regardless of which side of the aisle we're entrenched. (a LOT more noble intent would go a very long way).  In the days of Eastern and early days here it wasn't nearly so edgy, ever.  

On matters of opinion, everyone has the inherent option to share one's views - at least we do here in the USA.  Doing so should be presented with respect and consideration that others may not share in the same view; and that it's ok to disagree.  Again; it is ok to disagree, at least it should be, provided it is exercised respectfully on both sides.  Any conversation without mutual respect is hardly a conversation worth having.  

We must be able to disagree if we ever have the chance to learn from one another.  If everyone else were to think the same way any of think as individuals, what a sad state we'd be in.  As I used to tell my subordinates, none of us ever learn anything when we're talking.  Likewise, a key characteristic of a great leader is those who can actively seek out and respect opinions from others who think differently in order to obtain the best vantage point from which to make an informed decision.

We live in the greatest country this world has every known.  Most of us don't fully appreciate the freedoms living in the USA provides us; and take the same for granted.  Unless you've lived in another country for extended periods of time where the same freedoms are only dreams; it's just not possible to comprehend how great we have it here.  I've had the honor of serving our country in multiple other  countries for extended periods throughout in my 35+ year career.  This included traveling to countless different countries and remote  destinations where many facets of our freedoms are not only a pipe dream, but exercising anything remotely resembling our level of freedom will get you incarcerated or worse.   

One of the things my wife and I were recently discussing is the heightened level of intolerance in the USA that's grown in recent years.  We are and will remain hopeful the potential existed for the current situation with COVID to serve as unifying force for our country.  COVID represents one of the greatest challenges in modern history for the USA and for the world.  We must find the courage to put differences aside and muster the best possible response and it starts with respectful dialogue and debate.  Without the underlying premise of respect; it's difficult to build anything constructive.  

The eternal optimist in me has not dulled the hope the potential is still there to rise above whatever may divide us to bring ourselves more together; not apart.  Somehow, I hope we're able to exercise the same unifying potential here in this forum to look ahead, be a little more tolerant of one another and extend the noble intent everyone deserves.

Sincerely to all. 

@RDM...thanks for this, overall I agree with your sentiment, though not all that you say.  That's fine, as you say here one is free to disagree but at least politely.  And I must respect you as a fellow native Ohioan!!  I do find the divisiveness in general in this country to be harmful and depressing, and I'm sure most anyone would feel the same.  As I've said in other comments in the past, my views definitely lean solidly left, and always have.  Without getting too much into the weeds here, I'll say that I never cared for "both-siderism", thus letting one group off the hook by saying another one "does the same thing".  With that in mind, I'll state it is my belief that the divisiveness is heavily weighted on one side these days.  The current administration is a perfect example of this, and it is not only divisive, but actively promotes and incites such.  I know that wades into being very political, but it's also simple fact.  There was a very good Washington Post article some years back by Thomas Mann and Norman Ornstein (not exactly flaming liberals) that went into this problem in some detail.

Though my views are more liberal, I have always felt that, give me a conservative party (call it Republican, call it Whig, or whatever) that remains grounded in fact, does not deny science, does not constantly fight the culture wars, and does not view their political opponents as illegitimate.  I may still disagree with most of their policy, but at least it would be possible to have a discussion and even come to some kind of middle ground and mutual respect.  When it's simply impossible to hold a logical, intelligent discussion because they cannot even respect you, that's a real problem for me.  I feel, unfortunately, that that's where the current "conservative" party is today.  Heck, my older brother is more conservative than I am.  We talk a lot, and we argue at times, sure...but he's also reasonable and not an ideologue.  We agree on a fair number of things, though to varying degrees.  And what we don't agree on, we still respect that.  Likewise, there are some liberal friends where I just cannot go with some of what they think, or they may be too "purist" in their views, refusing to see that compromise is part of how stuff gets done...and that there are reasonable conservatives out there.

Part of the problem may be that in this country, we have two parties and that's it (yes, there are 3rd party candidates, but other than on a local or state level at most, they don't go anywhere).  We don't have anything like a parliamentary system as they have in Great Britain or elsewhere.  So when you are presented with candidates, they are realistically one party or the other...that's your only choice if you want a chance to get one or the other into office.  There's no "coalition" type of government in the legislature, really.  I'm not by any means saying that going to such a system is a panacea or will cure all our political ills, but just an observation.

21 minutes ago, yoda said:

Woah woah there... where else would you get your warnings from the second they are issued from LWX without me?  I c&p them in here within the minute they are issued so you don't have to go looking yourself.  Plus my model discussion and play by play... definitely would be missed.  I'm not accepting any trade from you the GM unless it's for a better severe weather round pick, and even then I might decline to take your call.

Hmmm, I see some tough free agency negotiations coming up!!

Just now, Mrs.J said:

Bitchin'! 

Can I still call shot gun. 

Don't forget to bring that margarita recipe to the club...the one you showed a picture of some time ago.

10 minutes ago, WxWatcher007 said:

I’m ready for the draft.

Working on my Big Board now.

 

@yoda is an asset I’d rather not trade but given the limited value I get with the others I needed to put someone valuable on the me trading block. 

For a moment, I though these were your draft picks for next winter's reaper list.  The Reaper going after Don S.???

6 minutes ago, supernovasky said:

If I remember my Latin, you usually change -us to -i. So Prii.

Made me think of that line from "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade", where Indy's father (Sean Connery) said "...but in the Latin alphabet, Jehova starts with an I"!!

3 minutes ago, H2O said:

i think the one thing that might unite this forum and all of the country is the hate for Priuses.  Is that the correct spelling of the plural for Prius?  Is it Priusi?  

 

Goddammit.  Even more reason to hate them.

At least the plural isn't "priapism"!

Just now, mappy said:

LOL all jokes aside, am I the only one who hates being behind people who drive a Prius? the worst, right? 

LOL!!  Well, I've never been behind one as far as I know.  I've got a Honda Civic, myself.  One thing about Priuses (is that the correct plural?) that always seems a bit spooky to me is that you cannot hear them approaching, they just suddenly "appear".  Seriously.  I guess it's when the engine is using just the electrical energy and not gas, or something like that!

Actually, on a somewhat related note to driving behind someone.  I find it annoying when in the left turn lane, the person in front of you (and 1st in line to turn) refuses to get out there into the lane so that they can at least turn right as the light changes.  Then you have to sit and wait for the next light cycle, and they still refuse to put their nose out there...unless by chance there's enough space that they finally turn while the light is green!  Likewise, when people behind you honk incessantly when you don't turn right on red despite a big sign that clearly says "NO TURN ON RED"!!

3 minutes ago, mappy said:

I mean, I guess I'll allow it. 

Ha!  But Vovlos are the quintessential "liberal" mode of transportation, aren't they?  Maybe a Prius would be better...

Just now, mappy said:

there needs to be some ground rules for the liberal country club. if you're nice ill let you in regardless of party affiliation

No way. RR > Ralph 

Why thank you!  I'll gladly drive my Volvo to this country club!  (Actually, I don't have a Volvo, but anyhow...)

Just now, H2O said:

i'd gladly trade RR to the Philly forum for Ralph Wiggum

...and a player to be named later, too?

7 minutes ago, mappy said:

needs to be a 10:1 ratio liberals to conservatives for me to feel safe  

Gah...what a SNOWFLAKE!! 

7 minutes ago, mappy said:

^ thats a joke before people overreact 

My comment just above was meant as a joke, too, obviously!! 

10 minutes ago, DCTeacherman said:

He doesn’t.  There’s been a few people in here pushing the flu = covid fantasy for a while now.  Not sure what they’re trying to accomplish. 

Or for that matter, arguing that car accident deaths = covid, or shark attacks, or whatever. Which of course totally misses the point. 

1 hour ago, nw baltimore wx said:

Nice garage floor!! Diy?

You know, that was my first thought too when I saw that image! But I didn't want to be the first to admit it! 

57 minutes ago, showmethesnow said:

BAH!!!! That's nothing. I blew up a whole chicken in the microwave at college. Chicken was everywhere in the microwave. Even had a wing hanging down from the top of the microwave.

But it being college and lack of funds I still ate it. Was still pretty good. 

Ha! OK now that one wins for college cooking disasters! And being a student you ate it all the same, of course! Whether it was still good, I'll trust your judgment... But apparently you survived! Now I will say, you should have poked it a few times with a fork before putting it in the microwave to avoid unnecessary explosions and pieces parts all over the place! 

I guess this would literally be "winner, winner, chicken dinner!" 

59 minutes ago, WxWatcher007 said:

 

I felt a little bad when he said in the full video that he grew up on this, but then I was like dude, you’ve had enough time and made enough money to correct this mess.

Sometimes I feel like my gf sends me these things to serve as a warning about the consequences of sliding back to my days as a college kid.  
 

I was never THAT bad though. 

OK, true story from grad school.  I actually witness someone mess up boiling water...twice!  Had a roommate who was going to prepare pasta or something, put the pot with water on the burner, and went back to his room.  Something like 20 minutes later he runs out, the pot is dry as a bone with no water left, and hot as hell.  So he curses, puts more water in and...you guessed it, went back to his room again and the same thing happened!  Now...in his defense (somewhat), he had some exams coming up and was highly distracted and busy.  But it was still damned funny, he never really lived it down (and it was *my* damn pot he nearly ruined, too!).

20 minutes ago, mappy said:

can i come and be under stay-at-home orders with you?

Or if that doesn't work...does @Mrs.J have curb-side pickup???