Dan Gould

Since the Hummer is getting some well-deserved flak in the gas prices thread, I thought I'd share my idea for getting them off the road, or at least minimizing the number of Hummers there are. I believe the Hummer is much more than a status symbol. It became popular in the wake of the (far more popular) Gulf War I. And why was that? Because certain clowns felt oh-so-special if they could pretend they were driving the same vehicle as the men in the army did liberating Kuwait. On top of that, the Hummer is huge and a threat to every other vehicle and driver on the road. So, here's my proposal: You want to pretend you're an army man by driving a hummer down the oh-so dangerous I-95 or US-1? Then you have to prove that you are worthy of being an honorary member of the military. Its simple really: For every 200 people to put their money down for a Hummer, two teams are created. The "game"? War Games. Only with live ammunition. If you survive and are on the winning side, then you are allowed to complete the purchase of your Hummer, because now you are not just pretending to be Mr. Army Man, you've actually walked the walk. Think of it: Not only will this system minimize the number of Hummers on the road, it will also do a good job of reducing the members of the gene pool who actually think that a Hummer is the vehicle to buy. Its a win-win for everyone.

Well, I finally foundd this at the last Borders I went to, and I have to second Dave's recommendation. This is an excellent, hard-swingin', hard boppin' concert. My only caveat is the African rhythm instruments on the title track-for me, a little of that goes a long way. But otherwise,

Now is the time where it should be noted, for those who do not already know it, that the low price "independent" gas stations that have the cheapest gas prices ought not to be avoided due to a perceived lack of "quality". The fact is, "Joe's Gas" comes from the same refineries as Chevron or Texaco. The only difference is that when they fill up the tanks marked "Chevron", that flow gets a carefully calibrated spritz of Chevron's secret-formula additives, and Joe's Gas just gets the regular stuff. So the basic quality of the gas is the same, it depends on how much you value those company-secret additives that form the basis of millions and millions of dollars worth of advertising every year. ************************* Rooster, what do you think, that the US subsidizes gas prices and therefore our prices are "artificially low"? US gas prices follow the free market for gas (well, as free as it is with an oil cartel in control, but still). European prices follow the free market for gas, massively inflated by taxes. Current gas prices are bad enough, do you actually prefer that prices rise to the level of Europe with massive taxation? BTW, that taxation is quite regressive, since it is the lower-middle and middle classes that will find it hard to afford to gas their cars, whether they drive behemoths or Hondas. The rich and the merely affluent won't notice or care and keep right on driving and buying those SUVs that you and I hate so much. The better way might be a reversal of the tax write-off for behemoths, replaced with a gas-guzzler surcharge. That, I would support 100%. Sorry that politics crept into my post, but I couldn't resist.

$2.00-$2.15 for regular in Palm Beach County.

So close, yet so far ...

ah..... stereotypes. How about "some women don't understand ...." or how about... what part about your wife not liking jazz did you not know before the nuptials? Thank you Maren. In my experience, it's me who is the addict. Also, whether it's the man or the woman who is the jazz addict, he/she should have known that while in the courting ritual stage. Much as questions about religion, money, sex, children, location of abode and careers should be aired, so should musical preferences. We always think that someone we love should learn to love the music we love, but a country music, hard rock or classical music aficinado won't necessarily love jazz..........................ever. We weigh those things and decide whether we want them around enough to overlook this glaring flaw. And on the opposite side of that coin, Patricia, is my wife, who, prior to meeting me, had a job as sound engineer in a cabaret, thus developing a fondness for a lot of the Great American Songbook and jazz vocals, a big change from her younger rock 'n' roll days and making her even more appealing to me. And on top of that, being a music lover, she completely understands the desire or even addiction for new music and would never deny me my musical pleasures or even my more expensive desires like that rare LP on ebay ... No wonder I lover her.

And the links that takes you to!!! Like did you know that Kennedy was killed to cover up UFOs??? http://www.conspiracyplanet.com/channel.cf...&contentid=1033 And don't tell Johnny or Caroline, but Did EMP Device Crash Wellstone and JFK Jr Planes?

thanks for the link, AB, but where the heck did you find that site? Take a look at the other links he has - the Nick Berg video is a fake; it was a "Mossad" operation or a Bush Cheney "psy-ops" ...

Guess I stand corrected! Sorry!!

Something to consider if you choose to approach the DVD player as also taking over CD audio responsibilities: We received a home theater system for Christmas, and so my trusty CD changer first went into the closet and then, after we bought our townhome, into the music room. However, I am less than thrilled with the audio playback capability of the DVD player. For one, there's no programming ability, so if I want to hear a few songs while I do the dishes, I'm SOL. Also, the time display is worthless-it either toggles time elapsed on the disc or time remaining on the disc, there is no track time capability. Of course, I am generalizing from the home theater we got, whose brand escapes me at the moment, but I do suspect that since their purpose is home theater DVD, music capability is the last thing that gets consideration. Basically, I do far more listening in the music room than the living room now-though I guess that's the point of havng the listening room ...

I couldn't guess, but I can tell you that I switched back to the bouncing boobies this morning without a problem.

Well since the test is an All-American thing I think spitting and grabbing your crotch tipped the hat to Manny... I guess we're luck Roseanne wasn't taking the test-she'd have skunked all of 'em on that measure! 7/4 is of course correct. I always thought it was ironic that immigrants have to pass a test that I'd bet most Americans would flunk.

Its basic knowledge of the governmental system-how many branches of government, things like that. Basic civics. If you've seen the film Moscow on the Hudson, Maria Conchito Alonzo's character shares a bath with Robin Williams while he helps her study for it.

Both became new citizens this week-who do you think scored higher on the citizenship test? BTW, I challenge anyone to come up with a less important poll subject than this. (Uh oh, I think I just opened the gate ...)

So did I! I was going to post a picture from the Globe of Manny running out to left field with a small US flag, but apparently the Globe doesn't leave pics in the archives. Manny also got serenaded with "Proud to be an American" when he stepped up to the plate his first time back. What surprised me was that after moving here when he was a teen, he hadn't gotten this done sooner. Hey, who do you think got the higher score on the citizenship test? I smell a poll ....

I'd be interested to see any suggestions here, too, because I offered our old DVD player (gotten free with a DSL signup a year or two ago) to my brother but he said he was thinking about a DVD/VHS combo unit, but I don't think he ever made a decision. Edited for clarity (D'oh!)

I'm pretty sure they are, Bertrand, but I would have to check at home.

Haven't you noticed, Ray? That girl cries at the drop of a hat, she didn't need Simon's accurate assessment to open up the ducts! She's cute and all, but I pity any future boyfriend/husband, dealing with that ...

I don't think that's the purpose of voting, Lon. If someone has one bad performance-does that mean they aren't deserving anymore? Maybe Helen is part of the cadre that kept Howdy Doody in as long as he was-didn't he have a good night here or there? If people vote on that basis, I can see how the less talented might hang around much longer than they ought to. I think the idea is to vote for the best Idol, not the best weekly performance. But don't quote me, its not like I actually voted. I swear! Now, as to this week's results, I am completely stupefied and speachless. LaToya showed herself an exceptionally talented singer with great stage presence. To get booted, while the girls stick around? Give me a f-ing break. As Sinatra said to the hooker, I say to American Idol: "I'm through with you"

I saw the article, too. Amazing that the word "baseball" made it into a public document in 1791. I can just imagine the excitement the researchers felt when they saw that page ...

Thanks Brad. I traded for the Japanese issues of these, back in the day. Good stuff.

Does anyone know the titles of the two Mance trio LPs coming out on his two-fer? It only says they were his first and LPs on Jazzland.

Misc. Non-Political-20%.

You underestimate the anal-retentiveness of some of your fellow board members, my friend Undoubtedly.

That would take a great deal of discographical knowledge, doncha think?