If I follow you and you follow me, will we go in a circle?

Thanks for posting on my page! Since there is an edit delay, I could see that my message showed up on your page!

Yeah, I'm somewhat whiskery. Gotta love that face, though!

To create an avatar: Find an image you like-I suggest Google images, as they are small and public. Copy one and save it on your hard drive. Go to you profile and choose edit. Under create avatar, click Choose image-your directory should come up. Click and open your saved image, then save your changes using the save button on the bottom. (be sure to put your email address-mine didn't work until I did). Let's see if that works.

Thanks for the nice words! I always wanted to fly in the mountains but never had the chance. Heard it's an unforgettable experience.

You're one of the people I look for when skimming over the posts. I'm sure you know what I mean.

Thank you for your kind words that you left on my page. You're a breath of fresh air to this site. Hang around for awhile...please.

You figured out how to add an avatar! It's a very nice (and appropriate) one. Congratulations!

Babbage was years ahead of his time. I have always admired people who are not constrained by the conventional wisdom of the day. I think it was Kennedy who said "some men see things as they are and ask why? I dream of things as they could be and ask why not?". It is the people who can see beyond today who are building the future.

Thanks for your kind words. I think that these forums can make a difference. If nothing else, we know that we are not alone.

Canary don't you love this new layout. They did a top of the line job on it and the staff of the Chattanooga Free Press a mighty thank you and my hat tips to you all.

Denver CO is a fun city to vist and even live. I might go back and get my old job back working at the college near downtown Lodi.

Thanks. It's a scan of a birthday card that I received a couple of years ago. If someone thought that card was appropriate for me...well, I guess that about says it all, doesn't it. ;)))

I really cannot tell you how relieving it is to be in a society were religion does not play any role. Those who are religious keep it to themselves and it does not really play into politics, at least not at in that dimension it plays in in the US. The problem in the US is not only it plays in, but it plays in with totally irrational arguments, like Jesus would be pro gun and against health care...

One funny thing: A few days after coming back my wife and I watched a german movie about an inspector in Venice. His daughter suddenly showed interest in the religion class in school and wanted to go to church. The inspector totally astonished looked to his wife and asked "what did we wrong in our education?"

I was thinking, a scene like that would be totally impossible in an american movie. Here you are suspicious if you are very religious in the US the other way round.

A few days before leaving Alabama I was listening to CHristian Radio in Alabama. THis was unbelieveable.

It was the time before the primaries. A guy running for lieutenent governor was saying: "I am Hale Irvin, I am fighting democrats, and I take the Bible literally.."

Dont forget that the new governor of Alabama, opened his period with a speech explaining that people who are not accepting Jesus as their savior are not his brothers.

You are totally right that the US is in a steady decline, intellectually. For me theprimary reason for that is FOX NEWS. They control the opinions. They are the force behind the tea-party. Their power to influence is overwhelming and really really dangerous. Their program is severely brain-damaging.

Then of course the conservative irrational arguments can only be sold with invoking Jesus and twisting the Bible.

In my last colloquium I gave last May I told my colleagues what I learned in 5 years Alabama: "Stupidity is infinite, there are no limits". This was not clear to me before...

Since I am back, I am still sticking to old habits, watching Jon Stewart, listening to "real time" of Bill Maher, and to parts of the NPR-program for real information. I like Dawkins, the problem is that he got terribly demonized by FOX just like michael moore..

So, the message he gives just gets us and nobody of the other side..

My hope is the young generation. But when I saw the poor little kids in my neighborhood of the age of my kids. They were severly brainwashed early on..

Honestly, I have lost all hope for the future of the US....

Its really interesting that we made similar experiences. Only the "Heil Hitler" were spared from my kids, although they are actually german and american (and austrian). But the reason for that is probably that nowadays the muslims are the bad guys taking over from the germans...

The regular question "which church are you gong to" was really annoying. My wife usually gave the diplomatic "we did not yet find one" answer. I usually was less diplomatic, and in particular at the end, when it was clear that we move, did not care about offending.

Actually, the main reason for leaving was finally that we did not want our kids to grow up in such a religious and racist society.

"mixed couple" in the south?? Almost unthinkable. I never saw a mixed couple on the Campus.

I remember being on a birthday-party at a neighbors house when I complained about the crime-rate in Birmingham. He answered, don't worry, it is all black-on-black crime. They just kill each other, so no problem.

You are right, that the people are very friendly, and the neighborhood was very pleasant to live in, but at the end I could not stand this dishonest friendliness, because I knew to their mind I was the crazy liberal atheist european with this terrible Obama-bumper-sticker. Fortunately I was driving a 93 Toyota Paseo, the by far worst car in the whole neighborhood. That gave them a feeling of superiority, since for nobody appearance is more important than for the people in the south.

During the election one guy from the neighborhood came to me and said he would love to have the same sticker but if he does he will for sure NOT be promoted in the company. THis also holds for the church, going there is impanort in the private sector in Alabama...

Interestingly in 2008 33 percent in my neighborhood voted for Obama. A huge number having in mind the conservative area and the low rate of 5 percent blacks. I was always wondering who are those "secret" Obama-voters. Except my neighbor from Denver and the couple from NY, and the guy talking about the sticker, nobody except some foreigners (Iran, Canada, Rumainia) who could not vote, outed themselves as Obama-voters That showed me that they tried to hide their vote from the fellow church-goers...

By the way no need to tell you that we had a lesbian couple who were absolute "persona non grata" in the neighborhood. THe were so bad that nobody even spoke about them. How could the kids be raised when knowing they lived together...

Honestly, what I miss a bit, is the quiet sunday morning, no people on the pool, empty stores, great..

Of course, wherever you go, car-dealer, golf-course etc they show FOX NEWS. And the old guys on the driving range, handing out the balls, who are on medicare, are lstening to Rush Limbeaugh and Glenn Beck. I despised these people so much..

But, I definitely agree that we might have staid if I would have gotten a position in a civilized area of the US. I had an interview in Davis, California, but that did not work out... very sad...

I am actually shocked that this happened to the pastor in your area, I thought that would only be possible in the south. This is sad.. having in mind that the GOP's policies are so "f..ck-the-poor"-like, which according to my understanding is not very christian..

but after living in the the US I am not surprised at all.. a pastor supporting a non-american muslim anti-christ... that's of course unbearable...

Canarysong,

Thanks for your kind words - you’re a thoughtful person. . . I always enjoy reading your posts and getting your perspective on things. . . Indeed, this part of the Southeast is beautiful country, but as you say so is Colorado. . . I treked up to your part of the universe a few years ago, and was completely in awe of the Rocky Mountains. . . One fine day I spent hours and hours doing nothing, but gazing at those incredible mountains – with all that beautiful scenery how do you manage to get any work done up there?

Hi canarysong.

Thanks for your post on my profile page. Sadly, you're right when it comes to the Democrats, but it has been as far back as I can remember. I don't expect everyone in the party to be as far to the left as myself, but I am disheartened by those who seem to seldom live up to Democratic ideals.

I have to always remind myself that two steps forward and one step back still equals one step forward.

Thanks for your nice comments about my posts on Clay's cartoons. I don't post as much as I used to, or battle it out with the yahoos as much as I should, but I like to show that not everyone in Chattanooga has a two-digit I.Q.

Well that, and I really want to support Clay. I've been a fan of his cartoons since long before he moved to Chattanooga. I was so thrilled when I first read that he was coming to work for the Times Free Press. I couldn't believe our luck at landing him.

I see you live in the Rockies. I live on a mountain too, just northwest of downtown Chattanooga. I suppose it qualifies (technically) as a mountain, but at a measly 2000 foot elevation, it wouldn't even get me a quarter the way up to your heights.

Anyway, thanks again for writing, and I'll see you online.

Ollie

Denver is the bomb man you should check it out some time. All they need now at TFP is a blogging board and have it where you can erase the messages as well.

Hey Canary,

Thanks for posting a link to Michael Moore's "America's Not Broke," speech in Madison! I've been a fan since "Roger and Me." (Trivia alert: shortly after the movie's release the local TV anchor in Flint, Sue Zelenko wound up here in the Tampa Bay area at the CBS affiliate.)

I read "ANB" earlier at some website and was blown away. He's such a great writer.

And then I heard the speech and realized, he didn't write an essay, he wrote a SPEECH. That's why it was effective. That's why it worked so well. I love the way he combines clarity and passion.

I am beginning to think that the middle class has finally had enough. If Scott Walker and the rest of the Republican governors were not blatant enough, Jim DeMint (R-SC) a guy who makes my skin literally crawl, wants to throw out Taft-Hartley and abolish all national public employee unions. Working people are tired of making less and less while the rich make more and more. I know I'm preaching to the choir here, but the Republicans have made a terrible miscalculation. I'm sure somebody at the RNC thought, 'Go after unions. Reagan democrats will fight the teachers for us.' Doh! Thanks again for the link! I lived in Lincoln back in the early 70s and often drove up to Rocky Mountain National Park. Between Memorial Day and Labor Day anyhow. Funny, Coors tasted better at elevation. Anyway, I remember vividly hiking up pass the timber line and sipping ice cold water from a mountain lake. Back in those days I would ask friends, 'When you climb a mountain, what do yo do when you reach the top?' Nobody ever knew of course, and when I answered, 'Keep climbing' they just figured I was nuts. That's still true today. So, Canary, keep climbing!

I could definitely understand your german, however the grammar was a bit off, just like a very good friend of mine in birmingham, who spoke actually 8 languages. German grammar is in fact not so easy. This has some advantage. Namely, in order to become a politician in Austria or germany, at least, you have to peak proper german, which is in fact not easy and would sure disqualify somebody like Bush, but also Schwarzenegger whose german is a desaster. However, as governor he was sure more reasonable than most republicans. Although one neighbor told me that he is not a real republican... he is not against gays, abortion and fights for environmental issues... he cannot deny his heritage..

I really like your comments, very to the point. I like it that you do not surrender and just let it go, but try to convince with arguments in a reasonable way. I guess I offended already all non liberals ..

I really hope that now with Wisconsin the democratic base wakes up and fights back against the ruling of the corporations in the US... otherwise it too late.

Congratulations on making 'trburrows' hit list. You & I were singled out not long ago on the 'Newt' cartoon posts.

I have tried to refrain from responding to her. She doesn't sound political or religious.

She sounds certifiably nuts.

I'm just sending this to you as a 'heads up.' Sorry I didn't get back to you about the books you're reading. Dealing with my elderly mother-in-law who has been falling a lot lately and spending time in hospitals. She has her own apartment in an assisted living facility about a mile from our home. I barely have time to read cartoons, but thanks for the info. I will keep my eyes open.

A more fitting man of history wearing the garmet of the lodge to boot.

Thanks for your kind words; I have pretty thick skin, and I am careful (mostly-I do screw up) to not say anything that could bite me later. I was not willing to stay up late in the night to continue the interchange with What, who appeared angry and irrational without really being clear what was making him/her angry. Since he/she was attacking me and yet was not being specific as to why, I had no interest in losing sleep over it.

Hahaha! BBQ! I prefer Cajun. Seriously, I cannot understand how people can equate "atheist" with "evil". I think anyone of any race, religion, sexual orientation and lifestyle has a better chance to get elected before a non-believer in this country. I don't even break the speed limit, for pity's sake. I don't have horns or a tail, I love people and animals, I have never missed an opportunity to vote, and I learn as much as I can about everything. What's evil there? Oh, and I pay my taxes. On time. Without complaining.

Canary have you ever visit the (www.change.org) web site?

I think you would like it alot and you can create a petition to make a change and a difference in the world around you.

You being a environmental activist that site might be up your alley.

Census estimates show more US blacks moving South By Hope Yen (February 16th, 2011)

(AP) WASHINGTON — The nation’s blacks are leaving big cities in the Northeast and Midwest at the highest levels in decades, returning to fast-growing states in the once-segregated South in search of better job opportunities and quality of life.

1. Chattanooga, Tennessee: The Sustainable Blue-collar Town By Cathy Madison, Utne Reader (May/June 1997)

http://www.utne.com/1997-05-01/10ChattanoogaTennessee.aspx

EUROPEANS SAY THEY ARE TOLERANT, BUT OPPOSE IMMIGRATION

http://www.icare.to/news.php?en#EUROPEANS%20SAY%20THEY%20ARE%20TOLERANT,%20BUT%20OPPOSE%20IMMIGRATION

Guardian five-country survey reveals 62% see themselves as liberal but many opposed to migration from outside the EU

13/3/2011- People in the EU's leading member states remain loyal to the organisation's founding values of openness and liberalism, the Guardian's five-country poll shows. Despite the economic crisis and the rise of extreme political parties, an overwhelming majority of Europeans describe themselves as liberal – even on issues such as gay rights. More also continue to support the right of people to migrate within the EU in search of work than oppose it. While the results reveal high levels of opposition to EU migration, – notably in Britain – a small overall majority of those polled in France, Germany, Spain, Poland and Britain approve. But attitudes in all countries questioned are less tolerant when it comes to migration from outside the EU. A quarter of Europeans list non-EU migration as the leading or second threat to Europe's future. The poll calls into question Britain's long-standing claim to openness and tolerance: opponents of EU migration in Britain outnumber supporters by two percentage points. In Germany, by contrast,the support for migration outscores opposition by 30 points, with 49% of Germans in favour of the right to move states. In France the net lead is 41 points, with 55% in favour and in Spain the lead is 57 points, with 67% in favour.

However, a narrow plurality are against migration from outside the EU. Across the countries polled opposition stands at 37% against support at 32%. Again, Britain is notably hostile to non-EU migration: 47% say they are against it, while only 20% are in favour – with 23% of Britons saying they are "strongly hostile". By contrast 46% of Poles are in favour against 25% who are against. Poland is the only state among those surveyed where approval leads opposition. In Germany, 30% approve while 37% do not. In France, the figures are 30% to 39% and in Spain 33% to 39%. Overall, 62% of the more than 5,000 people polled across Britain, Germany, Poland, Spain and France say they see themselves as "liberal" rather than "traditional" on social issues. While 24% of Europeans claim to be "very liberal", only 4% think they are "very traditional", in answer to a question specifically asking their approach to issues such as marriage, women's rights and gay rights.

EUROPEAN ANTI-SEMITISM AND XENOPHOBIA ARE LINKED, REPORT FINDS

http://www.icare.to/news.php?en#EUROPEAN%20ANTI-SEMITISM%20AND%20XENOPHOBIA%20ARE%20LINKED,%20REPORT%20FINDS

13/3/2011- Anti-Semitism and other forms of xenophobia are closely linked among Europeans, and Hungarians and Poles are the most likely to hold extreme anti-Semitic views, according to a new report. The report, "The State of Intolerance, Prejudices and Discrimination in Europe," was released March 11 in the framework of a conference by the Friedrich Ebert Foundation, a think tank associated with the Social Democratic Party in Germany. The foundation commissioned the new evaluation of a 2008 survey by researchers at the University of Bielefeld of about 1,000 people in eight European countries: Germany, Poland, Holland, Great Britain, Italy, Hungary and Portugal. Asked whether they agree with the statement that "Jews have too much influence in my country," 69.2 percent of Hungarians and 49.9 percent of Poles agreed. The lowest levels were in Holland, with 4.6 percent agreeing. Germany, with 19.6 percent, was in the middle, sociologist Beate Kuepper told JTA in a telephone interview. Kuepper, Andreas Zick and Andreas Hoevermann evaluated the data for the foundation. Scientists found that those with anti-Semitic tendencies also were likely to be xenophobic against other minority groups, including Muslims, as well as resentful of homosexuals and women, Kuepper said. Kuepper said she was most surprised by the fact that Germany's level of anti-Semitism was about average, given the strong public message against anti-Semitism, including the emphasis on Holocaust education. She also said that the results for Poland bore out those of previous studies, which show that religious-based anti-Semitism is extremely high there, at 70 percent. Researchers find, she said, that "lots of Poles will agree" with the statement that Jews today can be blamed for the death of Jesus, "whereas in the Netherlands people would jump out of the phone if you ask them something like that."

Just wanted to say thanks for the kind words. I didn't realize we even had this feature until I got a notice in my e-mail about canarysong leaving a comment on my wall (didn't know I had a wall). I also didn't know it was this public, but that is probably a good thing. Again, thanks for the kind words and right back at ya! It is obvious that you have a kind and beautiful soul. Stay special.

Hello cute yellow birdie, It's a good thing they didn't publish the latest Bennett cartoon. Or if they did I can't see it. It's so good it would bring out the absolute wackiest of the wacky. Happy Trails, Limric

You can view it here if you wish. http://editorialcartoonists.com/cartoon/display.cfm/96959

Yes it is Canary Bro Truman in his Masonic 33rd degreeee moment.

Canarysong,

Thank you for your kind words. I will investigate 'The Lives of Others'. It has a distinctly familiar ring but the dust of past helpless and irresponsible ether binges leaves me without the wherewithal to access this specific memory. It is much like seeing the faint vestiges of a lighthouse far out at sea through a pea soup fog. You know it’s there...but just how far?

Remember that those first to suggest ‘shared sacrifice’ are the first to avoid and or pass laws excepting themselves from just that.

The revolution will be televised

Hows my song bird doing today ?

A few years ago - that should probably read 'many' - I did a little freelance work writing ad copy for a graphic artist. She had two clients.

The first was a retirement home near Clearwater Beach (the lush floral accents and tropical splendor add warmth and hospitality to blah blah blah). The second was the Hillel Elementary School. I remember visiting the school and speaking with faculty but little else. Until your post today I had no idea what a great man inspired such a great school.

I just wanted to say thank you, and that I will try and read more about him.

I will try to post more frequently, but with my mother-in-law doing better 'we' have decided to start remodeling the master bedroom, the last room in the house to get a 'make over.'

I'm getting too old for this!

Canarysong, thanks for the warm welcome! I'm so glad your here too. I love reading your posts and I aspire to have a life such as yours, I've never been skiing and would love to become more active regarding the enviroment. I would love to see some of your art, do you have a site? I would love to be a fashion designer but I'm definitely more into styling, accessories being my favorite. I hope to move to CA or overseas soon once I land a styling job.

I stayed in Germany with my parents till I was 5 so I guess I couldnt really call it my home town but I have very vivid memories of the people, the culture, and the military base so I feel like that's more my roots because I was most happiest there. I would love to retire there one day.

Can't wait to see your work, have a good day!

Re; your posting on my profile March 31, 2011 at 4:13 p.m.

Yes, I thought you set your bait well enough. Could it be that you weren’t overtly ideologic enough? Maybe some of them are tired of counting all the bumps on their noggins, or watching sparks emanate from the top of their heads like a Van DeGraaf generator. Who knows. Maybe they’re on their way to your house in their militia garb a gunnin fer ye.

Limric...."It may not be a bad thing to have Canarysong allege her incompetence ON you" You lost me on this one; please explain Didn’t you just feel that puff of wind passing over your head? Whoosh – right over it. It was unadulterated innuendo. And if you finally get it, it’ll hit you like the hot kiss at the end of a wet fist. What ever that means. :-)

Now that you mention it, I could use starched shorts. It’d save me money purchasing new hats for my job a White Castle.

You’re such a beast…………….

P.S. Clay’s new cartoon is up but not on the TFP site yet. I’ve written an essay illuminating the class war we are fighting today – and the hidden subject of his cartoon. Stay tuned.

I was on vacation for two weeks. Culture trip through Egypt, which reminded me again about the fact how adversarial book religions, Christianity and Islam, were towards education, having in mind that the egyptians where 3500 years ago were way more innovative than in the middle ages...

I just looked at all the cartoons and the comments of the last two weeks. They patly again remind me of one of Einstein's comments "Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity. About the universe I am not sure.."

It is really incredible how Obama gets hit after experiencing Bush for eight years...

Interesting that some comments get censured. These are the same people who point to the constitution when others burn the coran or try to slow down the hate speeches of Glenn Beck...

Damn,your April 7, 2011 at 5:22 a.m. post was funny as hell. Do that again. I'll be your best friend and share my bottle of Jim Beam with you. Tally Ho...

All financial elements of a US budget have been resolved between Democrats and Republicans, with the entire spending plan hinging Friday on an "ideological battle" over abortion.

“In an effort to foster bi-partisanship, the Democrats & Republicans agreed work together on a compromise on these important issues. “The Republicans agreed to Democratic financial elements of the budget and the we agreed to a nine month waiting period for those seeking abortions.” Reid said this afternoon.

BET ON IT !!

Let my Canary go tweet...tweet...tweet.

I definitely admire your patience to try to argue with these morons. It is sure better than my sheer attacks... I gave up on reasoning...

Canary,

I am very honored that you defend me, and your endless tries to engage in reasonable conversation is really great. I do it the George Carlin-way, no diplomacy.

So, it is almost natural to get attack, but the fact that Hitler comes into the game all the time, is kind of terrible, since this generation is almost gone. But, I am not surprised. I never got actual reasoning out of conservatives mouth.

I was on a kind of BBQ with other parents from my kids kindergarten before. Two of them lived in Chicago for some years. When I mentioned Alabama, they were rolling their eyes, and I had to defend the southern lifestyle. So much to the opinions towards southeners...

CIA's Facebook Program Dramatically Cuts Agency's Costs http://www.theonion.com/video/cias-facebook-program-dramatically-cut-agencys-cos,19753/

Yes Canary the good olde Facebook was not only produced by the CIA but also the DOD.........now should we be all surprised about that with the way things are now a days in this country and the in most parts of the world.

You Tube has the video's about who made most of the social dating network sites. Also Canary why they are doing this for in the first place.

Canary it is to weed out bad elements that are on the internet and to gather better intelligence to protect society in a more effective way.

Oh the price some times we have to pay for freedom as the world keeps turning my dear.

Good Day

canarysong, you are a Teacher. I am computer illiterate and a little intimidated by the whole thing. I know i have made some major errors in typing, spelling, and being a bit vulgar and mean at times, also a tad sensitive about certian things. I hope i have not offended you, if so, i am sorry.

You said you are not feeling well..Feel better soon my Favorite special "Clay" poster friend. Did that last sentence make sense...i hope so.

I think you'll like this. I was going to put the link in the open post arena but then I realized there would come a flood of Nuremberg Rally type responses.

Enjoy

I’m going to take a little R & R time, but when I return I would love to discuss this spiritual/religious issue with you a bit more. You’ve made some good points in your posts and in some ways I share your perspective. If you ever have any extra time (grin), I just finished reading a book that you might find interesting – “The Good Heart.” It’s a dialogue between the Dalai Lama and a group of chrisitan theologians. In the meantime, take care, Canarysong . . . MountainLaurel.

You could use a silly dose of reality. It's DOGBOY & MR. DAN Two of my favorites.

http://www.markfiore.com/political-cartoons/watch-dogboy-mr-dan-debt-ceiling-debate-animated-video-mark-fiore-animation