shadesofgrey

Reply to Bridge Collapse is Example of Crumbling Infastructure! in Politics JoeUser Forums

Just to be clear -- I'm not advocating that our infrastructure problems are a result of the war -- they've, for the most part, been around a lot longer and are years, if not decades, in the making. However, the fact that funds used to improve our transportation infrastructure get diverted for things like Iraq, Katrina and most any other "emergency" or "supplemental" appropriations makes it very hard for states to adequately address these problems. This, of course, to the best of my knowledge,

Reply to Bridge Collapse is Example of Crumbling Infastructure! in Politics JoeUser Forums

his is a far cry from 4 billion. Danielost -- that's one of two notices (and I mentioned above that there were two notices, and gave the dates they were issued and the dollar amounts -- maybe you are reading too fast to catch the details, but they are there). I'm not doing all your research for you. The second notice was issued on March 20th. It was for $3.471 billion dollars. When you add that to the more than $800 m you get more than $4 b. <br/

Reply to Bridge Collapse is Example of Crumbling Infastructure! in Politics JoeUser Forums

Yeah rescission of 2007 funds which hadn't yet been committed to a repair project on this specific bridge is what caused this failure. Uh huh. You'll note that I did say that it wouldn't have mattered in this case (comment 27), but that the argument that money isn't being diverted from infrastructure is false. And yes, you're right, too many negatives in that sentence. Oops!

Reply to Bridge Collapse is Example of Crumbling Infastructure! in Politics JoeUser Forums

It's F H W A not FWHA and the website does exist -- and a simple search for the Federal Highway Administration would have come up with it. Here's the link to the most recent rescission ($871 m) which was a result of the Iraq and Katrina spending bills http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/legsregs/directives/notices/n4510647.htm Your inability to conduct basic research doesn't not help you make your point.

Reply to The Sun Always Shines on TV in Blogging JoeUser Forums

for some reason I haven't been able to comment on this -- do you have me blacklisted so, the perk of unemployment is that you have time to road trip to see me, right? You and Kole are welcome anytime (well, except the last two weeks of August cause I won't be here).

Reply to Bridge Collapse is Example of Crumbling Infastructure! in Politics JoeUser Forums

ok then how much of the money left in the highway funds went to replace bridges that needed to be replaced. and how much of it just went into someones pocket. What? Are you arguing that the FHWA is corrupt? How does that counter the fact that you are wrong when you say that no money directed to Iraq is being taken away from infrastructure. Besides, I'm sure you could find out how much money is in the bridge fund annually at the FHWA website (dot.fhwa.

Reply to Bridge Collapse is Example of Crumbling Infastructure! in Politics JoeUser Forums

and again non of the money spent in Iraq would have been used for anything in the us for infrastructure That's not correct. More than $4 billion this year alone has come out of Federal Highway funds (bridges, roads) to pay for Iraq and Hurricane Katrina. I'm not saying it would have made a difference in this case, but let's not ignore facts either.

Reply to Product review: Almay Pure Blends Mineral Makeup in Misc JoeUser Forums

I detest humidity. With a passion. I hear ya! Summer is an entire season where I feel in desperate need of a shower, even if I have just gotten out of one!

Reply to Product review: Almay Pure Blends Mineral Makeup in Misc JoeUser Forums

Thanks for the review. I'll have to check it out. Humidity around here means I don't even look at makeup in the summer!

Reply to Bridge Collapse is Example of Crumbling Infastructure! in Politics JoeUser Forums

Money does trickle down, but it's not now nor has it ever been the lion's share of the funding for repair and replacement projects. Actually, I think for bridges that it is. I could be wrong, but I thought that the The Federal Bridge Program funding (under FHWA) covered 80% of the cost of bridge upgrades, repairs and replacements. The program, along with other Federal Highway Programs, has seen significant cuts to offset spending for Iraq and Katrina

Reply to Racism at the BET Block Party in Current Events JoeUser Forums

Very interesting conversation. On a nit-picky side note (because I have nothing useful to add to the larger conversation)... When we have a 'Irish-American' caucus in congress We sort of do -- the "Congressional Friends of Ireland" (started by Kennedy and currently headed by Congressman Neal).

Reply to Are Successful Adults Socially Obligated to Have Children? in Parenting JoeUser Forums

Tex--what I wouldn't give for a week of jeans and t-shirts. I would not be sad if I never had to wear another suit again... Grass is greener and all that, eh? PS. Not to hijack, but did Adrian ever get the girl scout cookies?

Reply to Shoulder Surgery UPDATE AUGUST 2ND in Surgery JoeUser Forums

Phone? try it sometimes. I'm terrible about calling people -- all people. I talked to my best friend this weekend for the first time in months (she lives in the UK). I think I overdid phone usage as a teen and now avoid it like the plague. Though, I'm sure for you I'd make an exception.

Reply to Are Successful Adults Socially Obligated to Have Children? in Parenting JoeUser Forums

I don't think that it ever crossed my mind that people would judge me for being childless -- I mean, how is it anyone's business but my own? I kindly remind them my children will be funding their retirements because they didn't care to build for the future. I'd happily keep all of my SS money and investment it myself so your children don't need to be "burdened" by me. I sure as heck pay a lot more into it then I will ever get out of it. (And

Reply to Shoulder Surgery UPDATE AUGUST 2ND in Surgery JoeUser Forums

Keep us posted, MM. And, I highly recommend checking out LW's link -- I mean, what would we do without you for a couple of months -- that would be crazy and unbearable!

Reply to One Simple QUESTION for all the DEMOCRATS in Democrat JoeUser Forums

I would care for you if you were a martian and I just might be one

Reply to One Simple QUESTION for all the DEMOCRATS in Democrat JoeUser Forums

special elections are held whenever. Which 11 Senators are up for election in November then? The 15th of September (the date that Larry used above) is 7 plus weeks from the first Tuesday in November (this year, that's Nov. 6th). That's a heck of a lot closer to two months than one. shades and several other dems shades isn't a dem...I might be a liberal, but I do not subscribe to party politics.<br

Reply to One Simple QUESTION for all the DEMOCRATS in Democrat JoeUser Forums

it is also approximately 1 month before an election this year with 11 senate seats up for grabs according to others on this blog. Who has been telling you this, and why did you believe them? For starters, elections are typically held in November -- which is two months from September. Also, Senators are elected to six year terms --and 1/3 are up for re-election every two years. Since elections were held in 2006, the next Senate election is 2008. So, no

Reply to The Truth about the Middle East in War on Terror JoeUser Forums

Many Apologies Shades. Thanks AD-- I appreciate it.

Reply to What the... in Blogging JoeUser Forums

are you able to read and reply to the linked article? is anyone else able t do so? No, it says: Sorry. The article requested does not exist.

Reply to The Return of Prayer in Schools in Current Events JoeUser Forums

Great article, Kupe-- and interesting debate!

Reply to What the... in Blogging JoeUser Forums

I think you are right, and I seem to recall being able to do it before, but when I click the link it says the article created doesn't exist... Maybe JU just hates me...(is about as reasonable as any other theory I've got!)

Reply to The Truth about the Middle East in War on Terror JoeUser Forums

hon like I said this is one subject we will have to leave alone. I. me. elie, am very very unreasonable about this one subject, allow me that please.. I think a few thousands of years of persecution allows me some sensitivity about this. I will respect your wishes and not discuss Israel and Palestine with you -- but I can't let this go: I second that MM. AD--I'm not really sure why you felt the need to

What the... in Blogging JoeUser Forums

Is there really no way to post something just to your own blog these days??? This is marked for my blog only, but I am sure it will end up in the forums.

For my blog -- if this shows up in the forums it's a mistake in Politics JoeUser Forums

My thoughts on the following the presentation at: http://www.terrorismawareness.org/what-really-happened/ 1. The presentation is extremely one-sided. Both sides are guilty in this conflict and have blood on their hands -- no side is completely innocent and free from reproach. No solution can ever be achieved without acknowledging this. 2. De-l