THUNDERBIRDS ARE GO...

Calling all THUNDERBIRDS fans - leap straight over to http://fabgearusa.com/  for info on how to order the superb 9 vehicle F-TOYS THUNDERBIRDS MECHANIC COLLECTION pictured above. A must-have for every serious collector of  GERRY ANDERSON'S FAB series.

Old PTU kit now free!!

Hi!!

Just poppin' in to share another old fall themed PTU kit (just in time...) called "Autumn Splendor".

It's only tagger size as usual.

If you like it, you can download it from here:

http://www.4shared.com/file/48QHzoGG/CS_autumnsplendor.html

Preview:

See you soon!!

Hugz :)

Discussion » Beauty... what's beautiful or who's beautiful to you? why?

Discussion » Beauty... what's beautiful or who's beautiful to you? why?

Discussion » Doris3m EFL Center. Introduce yourself!

Let's introduce ourselves... get a mic and record your intro...!!!

Discussion » Doris3m EFL Center. Introduce yourself!

Listen to more students from the world introducing themselves

Keep on shining Love and peace!
Doris3m

Roanoke Times Editorial Political Pabulum and Bias

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Roanoke Times, 9-28-10, Pg 5: U.S. seeks to monitor social media
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What a gross editorial minimizing of the significance of Obama demanding internet media programs must provide a gateway for government access and monitoring.
What happened to the editorial diatribes about first amendment rights and the thrashing of the constitution when Bush utilized the Patriot Act for telephone surveillance of foreign terrorists calling into the US?
http://roanokeslant.blogspot.com/2010/06/yet-more-gross-roanoke-times-aclu.html
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http://roanokeslant.blogspot.com/2007/08/democrats-spying-on-you.html
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Roanoke Times, 9-27-10, Pg 1 & 14: Road money, VDOT’s audit turned up a pot, but not enough to carry Virginia into the future. Found money is the most fun to spend.
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What a sugar-coated view of this situation that was meant to cover-up the malfeasance of two Democrat administrations and the hundreds of square feet of Roanoke Times print lamenting and bashing the Republicans for not wanting to raise additional taxes for VDOT projects.
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The Roanoke Times Editors didn’t even have the intellectual honestly to print the amount (almost $1 billion) that was found by audits initiated by Republican Gov. McDonnell; instead they labeled it a “potful”.
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VirginiaBsiness.com: VDOT audit finds almost $1 billion in unspent funds
http://www.virginiabusiness.com/index.php/news/article/vdot-audit-finds-almost-1-billion-in-unspent-funds/
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These are yet more examples of the published intellectual bias and slant of the Roanoke Times Editors that disqualifies them as a valid newspaper organization and relegates them to yet another of the Democrat party’s media outlets.
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Some prior blog items:
http://roanokeslant.blogspot.com/2010/01/roanoke-times-convulses-at-power.html
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http://roanokeslant.blogspot.com/2009/09/get-roanoke-times-for-latest-political.html
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Matthew 6:13, Pelosi & The Pseudo-BlueDogs

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Roanoke Times, 9-27-10, Pg 3: Taxes: Democrats confident of tax vote after elections.
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Lead us not into temptation, we can find it all by our selves!
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Pelosi, the wicked witch of the West (San Francisco) led the naïve newly elected pseudo-bluedogs into the swamps of massive deficits, debt and taxes with her “siren song” of socialistic populism.
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With dark clouds now gathering over the reelections of her Congressional Minions, the witch is now faced with a rebellion against her plan for a vote on massive tax increases during this prolonged jobless recession.
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Many of these Democrats are now hiding from their voting record of Cap&Tax, ObamaCare, Bailouts, TakeOvers and the Nonjob-generating trillion dollar stimulus of money we don’t have and can’t pay back.
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The Democrat election strategy has now been reduced to its lowest common denominator “class warfare”.
Let’s Tax and denigrate those nasty rich people! Down with those who have rightfully achieved financial success within the American free enterprise system. After all, the top 5% are only paying 60% of the taxes. Let’s stoke the fires of class warfare with the 50% of the people who pay no net income taxes at all. This is not a new approach, the text book on this strategy was “Das Kapital” written by Karl Mark in 1906.
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The bad news for America is that these people have massive amounts of campaign money and spin-doctors to saturate their friendly media in order to white-wash their voting records.
Hopefully the voters will see through the facade and vote them out on Nov 2nd.
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http://roanokeslant.blogspot.com/2010/09/obamas-economic-mission-accomplished.html
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http://roanokeslant.blogspot.com/2010/09/obama-hawking-class-and-race-warfare.html
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A rainy day and a Monday=extra sleep time

A tad under the weather this week, plus it's raining, so it's a good day to sleep in.

Licked something I shouldn't have that fell off a garbage truck, keeping me up at all hours of the night. And I mean all. Fortunately, the skies were clear, so Mom appreciated being able to chart the changing constellations—I mean, who sees Orion in September, unless it's 4 a.m.? She literally counted those lucky stars.

Then, just when I had recovered, a bee stung my right paw. Thank goodness, I'm a leftie when it comes to high-fives and shake, so I haven't missed out on any treats. Somehow, my injury didn't keep me from pretending I hadn't eaten already, so I gobbled down double feedings—one from Mom, one from Dad. It is getting to be trick-or-treat time, so why not? There were a few days when I had practically no calories at all, and I really needed to catch up.

Should be up and about carousing soon. Unless it's raining, of course. Anyone know a good bedtime story?

HOW TO DO THINGS THE STAN LEE WAY! INTRODUCING - THE STAN LEE UNIVERSE...

Stan (The Man) Lee

For all STAN LEE fans out there, here's news of an upcoming book from TWOMORROWS PUBLISHING, which will be available from the end of November. Here's the spiel from the Twomorrows site.

192 page hardcover - by ROY THOMAS and DANNY FINGEROTH.

Face front, true believers! THE STAN LEE UNIVERSE is the ultimate repository of interviews with and mementos about Marvel Comics' fearless leader! From his Soapbox to the box office, the Smilin' One literally changed the face of comic books and pop culture, and this tome presents numerous rare and unpublished interviews with Stan, plus interviews with top luminaries of the comics industry, including JOHN ROMITA SR. & JR., TODD McFARLANE, ROY THOMAS, DENNIS O'NEIL, GENE COLAN, AL JAFFEE, LARRY LIEBER, JERRY ROBINSON, and MICHAEL USLAN discussing his vital importance to the field he helped shape.

And as a bonus, direct from Stan's personal archives, you'll see rare photos, sample scripts and plots, and many other unseen items, such as: PERSONAL CORRESPONDENCE between Stan and such prominent figures as: JAMES CAMERON, OLIVER STONE, RAY BRADBURY, DENIS KITCHEN, ALAIN RESNAIS and (Sinatra lyricist and pal) SAMMY CAHN! Transcripts of 1960s RADIO INTERVIEWS with Stan during the early Marvel era (one co-featuring JACK KIRBY, and one with Stan debating Dr. Fredric Wertham’s partner in psychological innovation and hating comics)!

Rarely seen art by legends including KIRBY, JOHN ROMITA SR. and JOE MANEELY! Plot, script, and balloon placements from the 1978 SILVER SURFER GRAPHIC NOVEL, including comprehensive notes from Lee and Kirby about the story. Notes by RICHARD CORBEN and WILL EISNER for Marvel projects that never came to be! Pages from a SILVER SURFER screenplay done by Stan for ROGER CORMAN! Notes and thumbnail sketches by JOHN BUSCEMA from HOW TO DRAW COMICS THE MARVEL WAY, and more! So get a jump-start on the celebration of Marvel's 50th anniversary, and let this incredible book take you on a guided tour of the STAN LEE UNIVERSE. Excelsior! (Co-edited by ROY THOMAS and DANNY FINGEROTH.)

Includes a deluxe dust jacket, plus 16 EXTRA FULL-COLOR PAGES of rare Archive Material, not found in the Softcover Edition.

ISBN-13: 978-1-60549-030-4

ISBN-10: 1-60549-030-X

CAN COMICS HAVE A HARMFUL INFLUENCE?



Harmless fun - or harmful influence?

Notice I ask "can" - not "do". There's an obvious reason for this subtle but important distinction, so I needn't elaborate. However, perhaps it's the wrong question - it's a bit like the old saying, "Guns don't kill people - people do", in that it's not so much the medium which can be potentially harmful, but the content.

Whether it be movies, books, magazines, records, television, comics - or even newspapers, if inappropriate content is made available to minors, or anyone for which it isn't suitable, then it's likely to have some kind of negative effect on those who are exposed to it. Will it make someone pick up a gun or a knife and go on a killing spree? Will it turn someone into a sex pervert or even a rapist? Well, that's not quite what I'm suggesting, so let's not get carried away with ourselves.

Of course, there are those who dogmatically claim both those extremes. Some say definitely yes, others give a resounding no. For myself, I prefer to allow for the possibility that certain comics - in the same way that certain movies, video games, records, etc. - could be PART of the problem we face in the ever-increasing hedonistic, materialistic, sexualized and violent society we live in today. Notice that I said "part" - I'm not one of the so-called "anti-comic brigade" castigated by those who feel that comics are exclusively and uniquely beyond the possibility of having any kind of negative effect on their readers. 

Consider the influence that society and the culture we live in can have on us. Muslim cultures tend to produce Muslims; Catholic cultures tend to produce Catholics. Once upon a time, cannibalistic cultures produced cannibals. And you can multiply the examples many times over. It's a simple case of cause and effect. (And I should here add that I'm not equating either Muslims or Catholics with cannibals.) If we live in a culture which embraces a steady diet of murder, sadism, rape, violence, promiscuity, criminal activity, coarse language, blasphemy, etc., through all forms of entertainment (and that includes comics), is it any wonder that - as a society - we become inured to it all, to varying degrees?

Sure, most kids know the difference between fantasy and reality, and I'm not claiming that someone watching a violent video game (or reading a violent comic) is going to turn out a maniacal murderer because of it. (Although I'm also not saying that it COULDN'T happen - in extreme circumstances and in conjunction with other factors.) However, doesn't the fact that millions of kids regularly view ultra-violent video games without flinching at explicit scenes of mutilation, mayhem and murder for the purpose of ENTERTAINMENT - and see nothing wrong with it (and some might argue that this fact in itself is evidence of harm) - not perturb you in the slightest? Wouldn't you concede that this is perhaps an example of the harmful and negative effects that certain aspects of popular culture can have?

When it comes down to it, inappropriate content is inappropriate content, regardless of whatever format it's presented in. If it's material which could have a harmful or negative effect on its audience, then it doesn't much matter whether it comes in the form of a book, a movie - or a comic. The danger is in the content - not the carton. That's why, to me, those that assert that comics couldn't ever have - and haven't ever had - any kind of negative influence on any reader, are not on as secure ground as they might think. The simple truth is - nothing's ever that simple.   

One thing I DO know - while the question is at least being asked, discussed and debated, the chances of things getting out of control are kept in check to some degree. It's when we forget to be vigilant about the possibilities of declining standards in what is being disseminated amongst our young that we are most at risk from the ills which may infect our culture.

Feel free to give me your views on the matter.

(FOOTNOTE: The above BUSTER COMIC LIBRARY issue was pulled from distribution at the last moment because of fears that some children may get the idea (even subconsciously) that it was okay to hold lighted fireworks. It would be naive to dismiss the notion that there weren't also concerns about IPC being sued if some kid got hurt following Buster's example, but the primary motivation was out of genuine consideration for children's physical safety. Shouldn't we also be as concerned about the possible psychological effect some comics may have? Incidentally, I Googled "violent comic images" to reference illustrations for possible inclusion - most were of a sexual nature and far too inappropriate to use.)

Obama The Summary Executioner

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Roanoke Times, 9-26-10, Pg 9: White House says case involves state secrets.
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Obama has declared to the courts and the world that he has the sole and independent and unchallengeable right to target and kill American citizens throughout the world; and the Democrats, Liberals, Progressives, ACLU and their media minions stand totally mute!
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The Roanoke Times demonstrates through their editorial silence the stark hypocrisy between the liberal-progressive media coverage of Bush vs. Obama. Where is the indignant and sanctimonious outrage? Where are the threats of impeachment? Where are the lists of violations of the Constitution and due process and habeas corpus being committed by Obama?
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The Roanoke Times this week filled their paper with heartfelt sympathy and regret and apologies for the State execution of a woman convicted of the murder of her husband and stepson for money, yet these summary executions by Obama, without trial or due process, results in “the sound of silence.” What a pathetic example of politically motivated standards of justice and morality.
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Sept 24, 2010 White House Seeks to Dismiss Suit Filed for Radical Cleric
“The lawsuit filed on the cleric's behalf seeks to have a court declare that the Constitution and international law bar the government from carrying out targeted killings; seeks to block the targeted killing of al-Awlaki; and seeks to force the U.S. government to disclose the standards for determining whether U.S. citizens can be targeted for death.”
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“The Obama administration on Saturday invoked the state secrets privilege which would kill a lawsuit on behalf of U.S.-born cleric Anwar al-Awlaki, an alleged terrorist said to be targeted for death or capture under a U.S. government program.”
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“In its court papers, the Justice Department said that the issues in the case are for the executive branch of government to decide rather than the courts.”
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http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/09/25/white-house-seeks-dismiss-suit-filed-radical-cleric/
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Prior Item – same hypocrisy
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Dec 24, 2009 The Obama Doctrine: Summary Execution Better Than Water-Boarding
The liberals and left-wingers who have been so upset with our treatment of terrorists and Obama who just can’t close GITMO fast enough are now perfectly happy summarily killing targeted people in yet another country, Yemen! Apparently the liberals are OK with killing people without arrest, charges or legal process!
They have embraced the new Obama Doctrine: Summary Execution Better Than Water-Boarding. It’s also cheaper, simpler and lots faster.
Talk about your liberal bipolar-conflicted political, mental and ethical processes and the height of gross hypocrisy.
http://roanokeslant.blogspot.com/2009/12/obama-doctrine-summary-execution-better.html
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THANKS FOR THE MEMORY...

 

"Gee, the waiters in this place are really old!"

Remember what I was saying a few posts back about when you're really famous, someone always wants to have their photo taken with you? Well, here I am on a night out some years back - apparently the older fellow was an unknown, but promising, up-and-coming American comedian by the name of BOB HOPE. I understand he was quite good, although, sadly, he's no longer with us.

"Just sign here, Kid - I'll fill in the amount later." 

He wanted an autograph of course, so here he is (with his wife Dolores) indicating where he wanted me to sign and even providing a
pen for my convenience. He probably had it on ebay five minutes later and made a fortune from it.

What can you do? Ah, the price of fame!

(I certainly hope everyone can recognize irony when they see it - otherwise I'm in trouble.)

Incidentally, due to the angle the photograph was taken from, I've been "stretched" a bit - I wasn't really that wide. (He said, vainly.) In fact, the top pic in the right-hand side column was taken five or six years AFTER these ones.

Cookin' with Coolio

Cookin' with Coolio: Five Stars Meals at a 1 Star Price
Atria, 224 pages, 2009

My score of the day at the Baltimore Book Festival was this cookbook ($5 at the Daedalus Books booth!) by rapper-turned-"ghetto gourmet" Coolio. And yes, I was sold by the cover, where Coolio's manning his combo stovetop burner/turntable (where can I get one? Home Depot? Soundscape?). How can you resist a book that starts off, "I can take a cow out of Compton and make it taste better than Kobe beef at your favorite steakhouse...I'm the ghetto Martha Stewart, the black Rachel Ray. I am the kitchen pimp who won't hesitate to fillet Bobby Flay or send my posse after Emeril Lagasse."

Coolio continues: "Let me be clear, I have seen the burning bush and I have spent forty days and nights preparing to guide you on your journey of pimpification from here to the Promised Land...Learn it, love it, live it bitches! Shaka-Zulu!"

Coolio Cuisine stresses that presentation is everything, and the way he uses his verbal skills to present his recipes is a thing of beauty. Like the term "Shaka-Zula," which Coolio explains is his waying of describing something that "tastes better than your momma's nipples."

Feast on a sampling of his descriptions of some favorite meals:

Backyard Grass Salad:
"I call this the grass salad because it's fresher than a girl in booty shorts on the first day of summer and cleaner than your momma's forehead."

Oil My Mussels:
"Damn, baby, you lookin' so good. I know you're lookin' at me too. That's right, it's your man, Coolio. I know you're hungry, and I know it's not just for food. Get your ass over here and oil my mussels. We'll be enjoyin' a meal together in no time."

Karate Meat:
"This dish ain't just called Karate Meat because it's got an Asian kick to it. It's called Karate Meat because it will beat you up like a pigeon in prison. This is straight up Blasian cuisine - all the delicacy of Asian cooking with all the attitude and flavor of Coolio's very own kitchen. Perfect this dish and you'll see yourself turning from Ralph Macchio into Mr. Miyagi."

Tricked-Out Westside Tilapia:
"Your lady loves Moby Dick but you've never caught a fish on a rod and reel? Take a chance, make her some Tricked-Out Westside Tilapia and you'll be watching them panties come right off. Zoom! Knocking over lampshades and shit. Shaka!"

Now that's what I called (Gettin' On) Down-home cookin!

Ahmadinejad (ImAnutJob) And Obama Agree on Capitalism

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Iran's Ahmadinejad (ImAnutJob) began his speech at the UN this week with a full-throated assault against capitalism.
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/09/23/ahmadinejad-demise-capitalism-arrived/
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Apparently ImAnutJob and Obama agree that capitalism and America’s free enterprise system are bad. Unfortunately for us Obama has been working diligently to diminish and marginalize the systems that have made this a great country. Obama is clearly an academic-socialist without any shame or remorse or apology for his policies of further degrading the American free enterprise system at the expense of real-jobs, real-growth and business development.
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He has squandered over a trillion dollars of future tax dollars propping up his political constituents without regard for what makes our businesses and enterprises work. How could he know? He’s never had any involvement in business or industry and neither have most of his bureaucratic team members. Who among them have been a captain of industry and creator of good private industry jobs?
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All Obama’s major initiatives are job killers including: card-check, higher taxes on successful and entrepreneurial people, Cap&Tax, extension of EPA job-killing initiatives, ObamaCare and curtailing sources of domestic energy.
In addition, he has filled the government regulatory agencies and judiciary with people who are blatantly hostile to industry and our free enterprise system.
-
The sooner the Obama, Pelosi, Reid programs of the Obamanation of American is ended the sooner we can get back on the path to economic success.
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http://roanokeslant.blogspot.com/2010/09/obamas-economic-mission-accomplished.html
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FREE FACSIMILE OF BEANO #1 AT SAINSBURY'S...

It pays to shop around. This year's DANDY and BEANO ANNUALS (for 2011) are priced at £7.99 each, but already various sellers are offering their own deals on the books. SAINSBURY'S are charging £5 each, but buy both annuals together and you get them for £8 for the pair (essentially a two-for-one offer).

However, whether you buy it on its own or with its sister publication, THE BEANO ANNUAL comes with a high quality facsimile of the comic's first issue from 1938. True, some liberties have been taken with the cover by omitting the white margin, and the contents are abridged from the original 28 pages to 24, but it's still a nice little collectors' piece.

Run out and but them both NOW!

And for those who want to know what the cover of the first issue SHOULD look like - from my own personal collection - feast your eyes on the illustration below...

New owners for Wellesley Booksmith: paws up!

Wow! I'm thrilled that my favorite Wellesley Square destination, the Wellesley Booksmith, has new owners (see today's Globe news story). Hooray to Gillian and Bill Kohli! I'm reassured that Gillian says she intends to keep everything going as usual: for moi, of course, that means great fresh water, treats and constant inquiries about my health and well-being.

For example, last week Margaret was quite concerned that I might waste away unless I was handed a treat immediately. And then Rebecca made sure that I was properly fed before going out into that cold, vastness of the Square. (Actually, it's just a few steps down to Pinnacle's real estate office, where I am regularly refreshed. But I won't tell her that.)

So welcome, Gillian and Bill, and congratulations! I can't wait to be properly introduced. Paw?

KID AS A KID...

"Ready or not, here I come!"

This clearly happy chappie is no doubt exulting in the fact that, with a mighty Dalek in his hand, nobody is going to risk incurring his righteous wrath by trying to take away his Breakaway. (Actually, I don't think that particular biscuit was around in 1965, but never mind.) Look how fearless he is - he laughs - with eyes recklessly closed - even in the face of deadly danger. (Okay, it's only Dad with a Box Brownie.) This toy Dalek was manufactured by HERTS PLASTIC MOULDERS and was sold only in WOOLWORTHS stores back in the Sixties. Wish I still had mine.

"You lookin' at me? EXTERMINATE!"

Obama’s Economic “Mission Accomplished”: Recession Ended June 2009

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Obama’s Economic Mission Accomplished occurred before the Trillion Dollar NonJob-Stimulus was enacted (exactly how dull was that move?).
http://blogs.wsj.com/source/2010/09/21/recession-ended-june-2009-equities-rally/
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The Obama Economic Recovery Outcomes
No Jobs
No economic recovery
Real estate train wreck
Record deficits
Record debt
No hope of paying off the debt in our lifetime
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Now, after doing immense financial damage, Obama’s economic team (high on schooling, low on doing) are leaving like rats off a sinking old freighter.
-
Former OMB Director Peter Orszag
Orszag, just left his job as President Barack Obama’s budget chief
http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2010/09/12/orszag-takes-another-swipe-at-obama/
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Larry Summers – Chief Economic Advisor now on his way back to school
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/09/21/obama-adviser-summers-depart-white-house-years-end/
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Christina Romer, Chair of Obama's Council of Economic Advisers, to resign
http://www.thedailybeast.com/big-fat-story/2010-08-06/christina-romer-and-the-trouble-on-the-us-economic-team/
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Bob Rubin – Obama Financial Wizzard, Clinton Treasury Secretary, recent Guru at Collapsed-CitiGroup – apparently he has disappeared
http://roanokeslant.blogspot.com/2008/08/clintons-treasury-secretary.html
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The blog item on Obama’s State of the Union speech is more valid now than when it was written:
“Twelve months in office with very limited positive accomplishments certainly didn’t stop our Aloft Arrogant Professor Obama from getting up in front of his lowly ignorant students and giving yet another lecture about the joys of socialism, big government, big taxes and big debt.
If you listened carefully you could hear the old civil war song playing in the background:
Neck Deep in the Big Muddy and the Big Fool Says Push-ON.
-
One might think that at some point in the speech Obama would turn to his wife and say:
Gee Michelle, I’ve a feeling we’re not at Yale anymore!”
-
http://roanokeslant.blogspot.com/2010/01/professor-obama-gives-yet-another.html
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-
Some Prior Items Along The Road to Our Economic Train Wreck:
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Obama Uses Tax Laws to Stroke Class Warfare
http://roanokeslant.blogspot.com/2010/09/obama-hawking-class-and-race-warfare.html
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Obama Doubles-Down With Your Money Again
http://roanokeslant.blogspot.com/2010/09/obama-doubles-down-with-your-money.html
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Yet Another Obama Lecture
http://roanokeslant.blogspot.com/2010/01/professor-obama-gives-yet-another.html
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Obama Insulting Our Economic Intelligence Again
http://roanokeslant.blogspot.com/2010/09/obama-insulting-our-intelligence-again.html
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Obama Economics
http://roanokeslant.blogspot.com/2009/02/obama-economics.html
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Picking Quality Economic Advisors
http://roanokeslant.blogspot.com/2008/11/picking-quality-economic-advisors.html
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JOHNNY FUTURE - MAN OF YESTERDAY...

Yesterday's Man of Tomorrow

One of my favourite comic strips back when I was a lad was JOHNNY FUTURE, published in FANTASTIC by ODHAMS PRESS. Originally, the strip had been called THE MISSING LINK, but the character was deemed to be too similar to THE HULK - then appearing in sister publication SMASH! - and a change in direction was instituted. Whether MARVEL objected to a Hulk "knock-off" appearing alongside other Marvel characters, or whether ALF WALLACE, the strip's writer, arrived at this decision on his own is lost in the mists of time, but it was undoubtedly a wise move. With fantastic (no pun intended) artwork by Spanish artist LUIS BERMEJO, the strip ran until Fantastic absorbed TERRIFIC, and JOHN FOSTER (Johnny Future's alter ego) disappeared into comics limbo. Well, almost - he had one more outing in the 1969 Annual, but - after that - it was curtains for ol' JF.

There was occasionally some clumsy tampering with Luis Bermejo's artwork (the addition of an inconsistent futuristic emblem on his costume being but one example), but overall, the strip is fondly remembered as a benchmark of comic strip art from the '60s. Interestingly, Bermejo always misspelled the title as "Jhonny Future" in his pencilled indication of where the logo should be placed - English not being his strong point, I guess. STEVE HOLLAND of BEAR ALLEY BOOKS was going to reprint the complete run in book form, but - due to events beyond his control - it hasn't yet come to pass.

Incidentally, the back-page pin-ups are usually credited to BARRY WINDSOR SMITH, who, if he was responsible for the one at the top of this page, seems to have copied or merely traced it from an original panel by Bermejo himself. (See right.) Any clarification by anyone who knows what they're talking about would be most welcome.

I have a fascinating origin worked out for the Link and Johnny Future - maybe one day...

THIRTEEN - UNLUCKY FOR SOME...

SUPER DC was a British monthly comic published by Top Sellers back in 1969/70, featuring - as it said above the title - "The Best of DC Comics". Such a claim was arguable, but I certainly thought it was a worthwhile effort and it was definitely good value for one old Shilling. (5 new pence.)

Apparently only fourteen issues were ever produced - and I have the first thirteen of them. If anyone out there has the last issue and is prepared to sell, then get in touch - I'll give you a fair price for it.

More Arctic Ice Data Bias and Slant

-
Roanoke Times, 9-20-10, Pg 15: Opinion: A melting Arctic hits home
-
A summary of the varied wildlife that lives in the Arctic region and the author’s assessment of the impact a reduction in Artic ice cover may have on their survival.
Includes a large graphic showing yet another forlorn polar bear and a dire warning to Americans to change their ways.
-
Our 250 years of natural global warming has indeed had impacts on the environment as have the many thermal cycles the earth has experienced over the millennium.
During a major past cooling period, the brown bears that moved north found marine mammals to be a good source of food. Over time the lighter haired bears survived best resulting in the polar bears we have today.
What a change, and without any input from mankind!
http://roanokeslant.blogspot.com/2009/04/brown-polar-bears-at-risk.html
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Sixteen thousand years ago the Atlantic Ocean was 400 feet lower than it is today. The North Carolina Outer Banks were 50 miles east out at the continental shelf. Talk about your melting ice raising the sea level! And all without any input from mankind!
-
From 1750 to 1950 the Mendenhall Glacier retreated (melted) from close to downtown Juneau Alaska up the valley two and a half miles (2-1/2 mi) with no significant change in CO2 or any input from mankind!
-
CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE:

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The Artic has been relatively free of summer ice in the past and it appears that will happen again. Just 3,000 years ago Greenland was 3 degrees C warmer than it is now. Clearly the satellite images from that period would have show the Northwest Passage far different than it is today!
http://mclean.ch/climate/Ice_cores.htm
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http://roanokeslant.blogspot.com/2007/09/northwest-passage-opening-again-soon.html
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Isn’t it way past due to stop the Gore-Hysteria and fear mongering and report the climate history in its historical perspective?
The climate is changing! The climate has always been changing, and without any input from mankind!
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Last week Russian fighter planes “buzzed” an American military ship in the Northwest Passage. Russia, Norway, America and Canada are claiming the Artic region as part of their territory. The real interesting Artic story is the coming war for oil and gas that lies below the diminishing Artic ice.
http://roanokeslant.blogspot.com/2009/07/preparing-for-oil-war-in-artic.html
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Some news from the Non Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change:
http://joannenova.com.au/2010/09/news-from-the-non-intergovernmental-panel-on-climate-change/
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The Glaciers of Greenland were smaller 5000 years ago;
African savanna trees thrive with increases in CO2;
It was hotter in China a thousand years ago, and by a whole degree;
Marine-life-with-shells can’t agree on their favourite CO2 level and
Temperatures make no difference to the 5000 year record of hurricanes.
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Some prior items:
http://roanokeslant.blogspot.com/2010/05/hypocrisy-of-uva-faculty.html
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http://roanokeslant.blogspot.com/2010/02/roanoke-times-global-warming-double.html
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http://roanokeslant.blogspot.com/2010/07/hype-hot-hide-cold.html
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http://roanokeslant.blogspot.com/2010/07/science-and-ideology.html
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http://www.roanokeslant.org/GlobalWarmingThoughts/
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YOU MUST READ THIS! SEZ WHO? SEZ DEZ! (AND ME!)

What are you waiting for? Get right over to http://dezskinn.com/ and read about the many and varied accomplishments and career highlights of the man referred to as "the British Stan Lee". Dez has been at the forefront of the British comics industry for more years than he'd probably like to remember, so you can bet that when he's got something to say it's worth paying heed to.

Well? Why are you still here? Go and pay heed. 

YOU COULDN'T MEET A NICER MAN THAN ARCHIE GOODWIN...

The late Archie Goodwin was one of nature's finest gentlemen. He's probably as much a legend for being nice as he is for being one of the greatest writers and editors that ever graced the comics medium. I was fortunate enough to once spend a pleasant evening in the company of Archie and his just-as-nice wife - along with famous Scottish man-about-town, JOHN McSHANE - a few years before Archie passed away, enjoying a pleasant meal and some entertaining conversation into the bargain.

Archie was modest and unassuming, and a joy to be with. He looked much younger than his years, despite having suffered from the illness which eventually claimed his life much too soon. It's been said that if you look up the word "nice" in the dictionary, you'll find a picture of Archie smiling back at you.

Here's to you, Archie - wherever you may be.

HANG LOOSE, FACE FRONT, 'NUFF SAID, EXCELSIOR!

"Wait'll I tell Kirby that I met Kid Robson."

When you're a living legend and creative megasatar in the world of comics, one of the things you have to put up with is ordinary folk wanting their photo taken with you so that they can tell their buddies you're their best friend. Such a thing happened to me one day when, out of the blue, this wrinkly old pensioner (oo-er - sorry, Stan) insisted I pose for a snap with him - anybody know who he is?

Oh well - just another day in the life of a leg-end - er, I mean legend.

"AS HISTORY BOOKS HAVE SHOWED..."

Illustrated by E. H. Shepard

THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS by KENNETH GRAHAME entranced me from an early age, and even if you're now an old, crusty adult, you really should give it a read if you haven't already. It's another of those deeds that should be on a "things to do before you die" list. Forget the possible stigma of reading a so-called "childrens' book" - the standard of English employed in the book elevates it above and beyond that much-maligned and inaccurate category.

As the author himself said, "It is a book of youth, and so perhaps chiefly for youth, and those who still keep the spirit of youth alive in them; of life, sunshine, running water, woodlands, dusty roads, winter firesides." Definitely the finest book of its kind, so what's not to like? And do your very best to get an edition illustrated by ERNEST H. SHEPARD.

Preparing for battle

At the very least, even if you don't feel like reading it yourself, buy a copy for your kids or/and a young niece or nephew (above the age of 12 or 13, I'd suggest) and present it to them for Christmas.

GERRY ANDERSON'S BATMAN..?



"Where's my swimming trunks?"

You're looking at a MARX TOYS' TWISTABLE BATMAN, which was readily available back in the mid-'60s in all good toy shops. (I had several, all purchased from a great little shop called NURSERYLAND. "Everything for Baby" it boasted, but it also sported quite a wide range of toys for children of all ages.)

He was produced without trunks, but that apart, was a fantastic fun figure - looking for all the world like a GERRY ANDERSON puppet. Is that STEVE ZODIAC under the cape and cowl? Sure looks like it to me.

Apparently, pristine examples of this toy can fetch up to £700 (according to a dealer who's well-known for charging about three times that of everyone else), but I managed to pick up mine for a mere £30. It still had the original cape, although it was torn and tatty, but was missing the belt, bat emblem and batarang. I made a new cape using the original as a template, and recreated the other missing items, which - although not original - suffice for the purpose of display.

All in all, not a bad little acquisition. Anyone got a spare Batarang and Batbelt they can sell me? If so, get in touch.

BOB - BETTER BRING BILL - BATMAN'S BACK!

Remember the BATMAN craze of the '60s? TOPPS released a set of cards to cash-in on the interest that the TV programme had incited, and to anyone who had them back in 1966, the above and below images will surely bring back many happy memories of their childhood. A further two sets were released after the first, and - fortunately, for people like myself who never kept the originals - Topps rereleased them back in 1989 when the first TIM BURTON/MICHAEL KEATON/JACK NICHOLSON big-budget BATMAN movie hit the screens.

Ah, happy days. More '60s Batman merchandise soon, perhaps.

"WHERE TREASON DWELLS - DWELL I..!" (EH?)

Pencils by Dom Regan. Inks and letters by Kid Robson

Many of you will have seen THE FREEDOM COLLECTIVE one-shot from ROUGH CUT COMICS a few years ago. There were quite a few people involved with it, but I believe the basic premise sprang from the fertile mind of IAIN HENDERSON (which makes up for his infertility in other parts of his anatomy - allegedly). It's all right - I have a permit to take the mickey out of him.

I'm unsure whether it was prepared as a possible project or merely for the artist's own amusement, but DOMINIC REGAN (computer-colourist on various mags) produced a pencil rough of the above image - traced (I believe) from a copy of the cover of STRANGE TALES #135 - which I inked, embellished and lettered, and which came out not too badly at all, in my humble estimation.

"KRUST" was later changed to "K.R.U.S.H.", but the above illustration is how it left my drawing board.

LET'S NOT "WELCH" ON OUR DEBT TO RAQUEL...

"Kid - I love you!"

To compensate for the upsetting nature of the photo in the previous post (now deleted, but even the subject complained), here's one that won't have you reaching for the "barf bag" - enjoy. (If this is a woman, my last girlfriend was a welder. Sob!)

"National O' Day" courses

Orienteer Kansas hosted a "National Orienteering Day" event today. We tried a new (for us) format. We had 4 courses and orienteers could run as many (or few) of them as they wanted. Most people ran a course, then rested a few minutes, then ran another course (or 2 or 3). It is basically the format from an "Urb-O' Cup" in Norway. Courses ranged from about 1.1 km to 1.6 km. If you ran all four

Orlando Ortega's Blog

Hello, there! I am really proud to show Orlando's homework. He's a student in our university and he's taking classes in our level 3. In this slide presentation..Orlando Ortega introduces his new friends!!!

New friends, new faces.

View more presentations from Orlando Ortega.

Visit Orlando's blog and follow him. he's determined to be a brilliant student.. you can also ask him to be your friend and please..leave a comment on his posts.

Keep on shining Love and Peace!
Doris3m

Obama Hawking Class and Race Warfare

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Obama sees and hears and feels the American people’s reaction to his wrong-headed social, political and economic policies and he is frightened at the prospects of the November elections; and frightened people resort to primal instincts.
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Tax those nasty rich people! Down with those who have rightfully achieved financial success within the American free enterprise system. After all, the top 5% are only paying 60% of the taxes. Let’s stoke the fires of class warfare with the 50% of the people who pay no net income taxes at all.
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Obama-Pelosi-Reid are spending trillions of dollars we don’t have and can’t pay back with no significant positive results. To feed this monster Obama wants to diminish through taxes and regulation those people who have the assets and capability to generate new businesses and new private industry jobs.
And whose money is it anyway?
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After months of this Class warfare Obama has now launched, before the Congressional Black Caucus, the political Race war opening the wounds of racism and division that MLK worked tirelessly to resolve.
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/09/18/obama-black-lawmakers-rally-voters-home/?test=latestnews
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These are not the actions of any American President in our history.
Apparently Obama is not capable of leaving behind the actions and behaviors he practiced on the streets of Chicago. He does not comprehend that the office and position of President of The United States demands much more than that.
What a sad and pathetic chapter in American history!
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http://roanokeslant.blogspot.com/2010/09/obama-doubles-down-with-your-money.html
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Digital Literacy: How to choose a safe password?

Hello, there! Well, this week we have a really nice short video that will help you to learn how to choose a safe password and practice your English at the same time. Enjoy it!!! This video was shared by Diego Velasquez, a  computer engineering student at URBE.


How to choose a safe password - Animated Explanations

Wow, that was interesting... now.. is your password a safe password?

Keep on shining Love and Peace!

RESTORING THE KING...

"Where's Cagney? I'll moider da bum!"

Being incredibly talented - as well as witty, charming and handsome (not to mention modest and with a self-deprecating sense of humour) - it should come as no surprise to anyone to learn that I once inked (or re-inked, to be precise) the artwork of JACK "KING" KIRBY - while he was still alive yet, making it even more of a thrill for me. To see my name listed alomgside (well, not quite alongside - more like underneath) some of the greats of the comicbook biz like STAN LEE, JACK KIRBY, VINCE COLLETTA, etc., was a big deal for me, and one that I'm immensely proud of. How did this monumental accomplishment occur, you are perhaps asking - so here's the scoop.

MARVEL were still producing their first run of MASTERWORKS volumes, when the then-editor, TOM BREVOORT, asked me if I could supply some of the pages missing from their files. As it happened, I was in a position to be able to help, utilising some of my comic collection featuring MARVEL reprints in British publications from the '60s. However, things were a lot more complex than simply photocopying pages from old comicbooks and sending them over to the States - and here's why:

Back in the '60s, ODHAMS PRESS - who were publishing comics such as WHAM!, SMASH!, POW!, FANTASTIC, and TERRIFIC (as well as EAGLE and others) - made all sorts of alterations to the MARVEL strips they reprinted. Credit boxes were deleted, American references were changed, colloquial speech was altered, characters names were revised, and pages were - in the case of WHAM!, SMASH!, and POW! - resized to fit the standard British comic dimensions. However, rather than whitter on about it let me show you. Below is a THOR page as it appeared in FANTASTIC.

And here's how the page looked once I had restored it to its original appearance.



Next up is a poorly printed ad featuring the cover art from FANTASTIC FOUR ANNUAL #3 - as you can see, most of the linework has dropped out and a couple of characters have been deleted.

Here's the cover once I had re-inked it. Nothing too elaborate - merely the application of a MARSMATIC drawing pen to a photocopy of the above image, and a combination of recreated and photocopied lettering from the original comic.

Here are a few more "before" and "after" illustrations for your perusal. As you can see below, the figure of the THING lost most of his body when the image was resized to fit the larger page. With the aid of reference as to how the page should have looked, I soon restored the missing details and returned the page to its former state.

BEFORE:

AFTER:

BEFORE:

AFTER:

And finally, a THOR pic, before and after restoration.

Remember - the images can be enlarged by clicking on them - and then clicking again on the enlarged pic to make it larger yet. (These two are a little blurred - although the preceeding pictures can be seen to their best advantage by this process.)

And that's how one restores royalty. Simple, really - but immensely satisfying.