Campanastan

Google Autocomplete Answers the Question: 'Why Is [State] So....?'

So this is what Google autocomplete thinks of the 50 states?

Good to know.

"The time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time.” - Bertrand Russell (thanks to Faruck Morcos)

Why Some People Think Banks Suck: Bank of America Bozos

A good friend of mine makes monthly donations to the ACJ Foundation. The transfer is made automatically from his checking account to the ACJF's checking account. No problem, right?

Well, the other day he decided to change the amount of the monthly donation. Below is his description of what transpired. 

I was at the bank today attempting to change my monthly donation amount to ACJF and was told I needed to provide them with the account number. I reminded them that they HAVE the number and use it every month so....Hearing this, they told me that I needed to provide them with the account number. I think Bank of America is new to banking because they could not come up with a work-around other than I needed to provide them with the account number. I decided to provide them with the account number. Any chance I could get that from y'all?

I told him I would need some kind of proof from him 
before I would give him my account number.
 
I'm sure BofA thinks it has a good reason for 
what they did. Beats me!

"If you trust banks with your money, why can't they trust you with their pens? Is it really necessary to chain them down?" - Unknown 

R.I.P. Pete Seeger. We're Still Waist Deep in the Big Muddy

God bless Pete Seeger, who died today at age 94.

This song, Waist Deep in the Big Muddy, from the Vietnam War era, still rings true today. Seeger wrote it in 1967 and it caused a fuss because it really wasn't about some military exercise in Louisiana that went awry.

I suspect the song will have a long period of relevance; there will always be big fools around.

 

And here is the Kingston Trio's beautiful version of Where Have All the Flowers Gone? It was written by Seeger and Joe Hickerson.

 

"We learn nothing from history except that we learn nothing from history." - Cicero

Justin Bieber: Rare Canadian with the 'Jerk' Gene? Or Just Envious of Miley Cyrus?

Or just a mixed-up young man trying to make a splash?

In any case, his 'missteps' make the editorial cartoons. From NPR. 

 

“I want my world to be fun. No parents, no rules, no nothing. Like, no one can stop me. No one can stop me.” - Justin Bieber

Global Warming & Cold Weather - What's Up With That? View This Cartoon & Video

Having a problem resolving global warming with the bitterly cold weather we've recently been having in much of the US? Check out this cartoon from XKCD (thanks to Mark Boslough):

And if the cartoon doesn't help, view this brief video from Norway:

  

It's all about the difference between climate and weather.

"Climate is what you expect, weather is what you get.” – Robert A. Heinlein

The New Yorker: Don't Play in Traffic, Chris!

Barry Blitt takes Governor Chris Christie (R-NJ) to takes for holding up traffic.

Here is a link to The New Yorker's coverage of 'Bridgegate'.

And check out this wonderful video by Bruce Springsteen and Jimmy Fallon.

 

"Governor, let me in, I want to be your friend. There’ll be no partisan division.
Let me wrap your legs around your mighty rims, and relieve your stressful condition.
You got Wall Street masters stuck cheek to cheek with blue-collar truckers.
And, man, I really gotta take a leak; but I can’t.
I’m stuck in Governor Christie’s Fort Lee, New Jersey, traffic jam." - Jimmy Fallon and Bruce Springsteen (to the tune of Born to Run)

'Look What I Netted!'

From Jack Ohman at the Sacramento Bee.

Net neutrality? See this article.

“He who seeks vengeance must dig two graves: one for his enemy and one for himself.” – Chinese proverb

Jimmy Fallon & The Boss: 'Gov Chris Christie’s Fort Lee, New Jersey, Traffic Jam’

Jimmy Fallon and 'The Boss' - hilarious! Thanks to friend Michael Dale.

Originally from Brad Warthen.

 

“Chris Christie is dealing with a scandal after it was revealed that a top aide shut down access to the George Washington Bridge to get back at a Democratic mayor for not endorsing him. Christie was furious when they blocked the bridge because he thought they said they were blocking the fridge.” – Jimmy Fallon

Infographic: Successful v. Unsuccessful People

Interesting infographic. For one thing, the successful image is that of woman, the unsuccessful image is that of a man. Not so long ago, both would likenesses have been those of men.

Here is the site - Matthew Woodward's blog.

 “If at first you don't succeed, try, try again. Then quit. No use being a damn fool about it.” - W.C. Fields

BBC Infographic: Far Future Timeline - Don't Sweat the Small Stuff!

Worried about the next 20 years? 50? 500? C'mon - think big! What about the next 1,000,000 years?

Here is BBC's far future timeline.

Click here for a bigger graphic.

Thanks to Jennifer Veilleux, who doesn't sweat the small stuff.

"Don't sweat the small stuff." - American saying

The Bully Pulpit: Ignorance Is Chris

Love the front cover of today's New York Post.

But read the story from the New York Times.

 "You know, something may be going down tonight, but it ain't going to be jobs, sweetheart." - Gov. Chris Christie (R-NJ), to a female heckler

Oversized Loads: South Africa's Unknown Legacy

I've seen vehicles and drivers perform some amazing feats in developing regions - Middle East, Central America, etc. - but nothing like this. From Anthony Turton's FB page. 

This South African vehicle and driver take the cake (which is probably buried somewhere in that pile). And it's not even a full-sized truck! Imagine what the driver could have done with a Ford F-250!

My friends in developing areas are usually puzzled when I insist upon riding in the back of the pickup, assuming I can stand and look out over the cab. I have to explain that I cannot do it in the USA where it is illegal in most states. Then they understand all too well.

'Oversized Load' does not do this justice!

"Q: How many people can you fit in the bed of a Honduran pickup truck? A: One more." - Honduran joke

Life Support: The Week 31 December 2013

Love this cover from the 31 December 2013 issue.

By the way - did you know the deficit is falling? Read about it here.

"According to a new report, more than 700 fake Obamacare websites have been created. Security experts say it's simple to identify the phony sites because they are easy to log on to." – Jay Leno

Has Your Cat Been Recharged? The Eyes Have It!

Nothing worse than a partially-charged cat. How can you tell? It's in the eyes!

Thanks to Laura Crossey.

 “Never try to outstubborn a cat.” - Robert A. Heinlein