Today in history, greetings, and social banter here. (More)
The Fourth Lateran Council defined the doctrine of transubstantiation today (1215). Also, the Mayflower Compact was signed (1620), Gottfried Leibniz demonstrated integral calculus for the first time (1675), the Flat Hat Club was formed (1750), the Virginia Military Institute was founded (1839), the Victorian Aboriginal Protection Act was signed, leading to Australia’s Stolen Generations (1869), construction began on the Manchester Ship Canal (1887), Washington became our 42nd state (1889), cities across the Midwest broke record highs and lows on the same day as The Great Blue Norther swept through (1911), Poland gained independence as the armistice ending World War I took effect at 11:11am (1918), President Warren Harding dedicated the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington Cemetery (1921), Melbourne’s Shrine of Remembrance was opened (1934), Kuwait’s National Assembly ratified her constitution (1962), the Maldives declared their second republic (1968), Angola gained independence (1975), the General Synod of the Church of England voted to admit women as priests (1992), the Vietnam Women’s Memorial sculpture was dedicated at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial (1993), New Zealand’s Tomb of the Unknown Warrior was dedicated in Wellington (2004), and Queen Elizabeth II dedicated the New Zealand War Memorial in London (2006). And after 806 transatlantic crossings totaling almost six million miles, the liner Queen Elizabeth II left Southampton on her final voyage to become a floating hotel in Dubai (2008).
Happy Veterans Day! ::hugggggs::
November 11, 2012 at 6:02 am
Yesterday on Campus
Morning Feature – “Throw ‘Em an Anvil?” (Non-Cynical Saturday)
Campus Question – Who will be Fox News’ next American Idles?
Today on Campus
Morning Feature – Want Stuff? (Ask Ms. Crissie)
Furthermore! – Winning Progressive with Weekend Reading
Noontime News at noon
Campus Question at 6pm ET
Evening Focus at 7pm ET – Silly Sunday: Dis Array, Dat Array
Our Earth at 8pm ET – Eco News Roundup
November 11, 2012 at 6:33 am
Happy Veterans Day to all who have served and their families as well. For many, the sacrifices have never ended.
I had a tradition, years back, of sending my father a red-white-and-blue bouquet on Veterans Day. Perhaps I need to resume that for younger vets in my family.
Hugggs and good morning!
November 11, 2012 at 7:49 am
Would be good of you to do!
November 11, 2012 at 7:56 am
Thank you for the Veterans Day wishes, winterbanyan. I did so in the Campus Chatter sigline, but in case anyone missed it …
… Happy Veterans Day to all who served, and to their families.
Good morning! ::hugggggs::
November 11, 2012 at 8:02 am
Back atcha Marine!
November 11, 2012 at 8:09 am
Ooh-rah! (Marine-speak for “Thank you!” … and for pretty much anything else.
)
Good morning! ::hugggggs::
November 11, 2012 at 8:32 am
Repeat after me: I will not remember the filthy lyrics to all the marching songs. I will not remember the … too late.
November 11, 2012 at 8:57 am
I don’t know but I been told……
Eskimo (blank) is mighty cold!
November 11, 2012 at 9:22 am
At the door, her daddy kept a shotgun
He kept in the springtime, in the month of May
And if you asked him why in the hell he kept it
He kept for that soldier who was far, far away
November 11, 2012 at 8:24 am
Back atcha, Sailor.
November 11, 2012 at 6:38 am
In other news, the Republicans seem to be in disarray both on the national and on my state level. The meaning of this election is still sinking in. Those among them who are honest must begin to accept that redistricting had a lot to do with their wins, and less to do with the popular vote which was squarely against them.
So some are talking a more moderate line, but not all. And here in FL Rick Scott is doubling down on his opposition to health care. More than a million Floridians will soon be denied Medicaid if he succeeds. Even the local news is pointing out that this will strip Floridians of jobs, never mind the health care disaster.
More moderate Republicans, facing the reality of the vote, are selling a softer line. We shall see, I guess.
November 11, 2012 at 7:40 am
Scott is probably going to be a one-term governor. This election was pretty convincing evidence that Republicans – and in particular the Teapublicans – are damn incompetent at doing even the basic functions of government. When you can’t run voting right 12 years after the embarrassments of 2000, etc., the voters should be getting the message.
November 11, 2012 at 7:53 am
Very good piece over @ teh GOS yesterday evening. A spirited and insightful discussion in the comments too. I read just about all the comments and came away withy a sig line I’ll share: “Romney went to France instead of serving in our military, got rich chop-shopping US businesses and eliminating US jobs, off-shored his money to the Cayman Islands, and now tell us to, ‘Believe In America.’”
November 11, 2012 at 8:03 am
Gov. Scott seems determined to audition for a Fox News Contributor post next year. Not that I’ll be sad to see him go, but it will take time to repair the damage he’s done.
Good morning! ::huggggggs::
November 11, 2012 at 6:40 am
Oh, one last political note. OFA has e-mailed volunteers telling them there’s still work to be done, and to “stay tuned.” Good. All that organization, all that dedication, should not be rolled up now. We’re going to need phone bankers, letter writers and others to enact the legislation we want to see.
November 11, 2012 at 7:00 am
There was an article bemoaning the decline of the Netroots at the Daily Beast. They interviewed the usual suspects
and what struck me was they (and the author) really don’t get it. The reason for the Netroots “decline” is that they were never the real force they thought they were, and people realize that. In fact, they’re not the “netroots.” OFA is the netroots. 
November 11, 2012 at 7:05 am
I quite agree, Norbrook. While it’s possible to feel you’re accomplishing something by tweeting, the real accomplishment comes from those who volunteer to do the actual hard work. Clearly, they have not declined.
November 11, 2012 at 6:55 am
Good morning! It’s currently 40 degrees and cloudy here. It’s expected to be a rainy 60 degrees later on on the day, and stay warm until at least Wednesday. Yesterday was moderately productive. I did get my clothes stored, sorted, or discarded as appropriate. Next up is going through the cabinets and fridge to get those organized again.
November 11, 2012 at 7:12 am
Congrats on getting the first stage of reorganization completed.
The little bits I’ve managed so far are almost invisible.
I hope it goes well for you today and that you get everything out of your hair so you can relax a bit.
As for weather here, we’re warmer than you, but the continued chilly nights leave me wondering about the winter ahead. I gave up on replanting things that used to make it through the winter but that suffer so much when we get a long cold snap. I think we’re going to be seeing many more of those.
November 11, 2012 at 7:34 am
Most of this is an early winter routine for me. In the spring, I’m unpacking all my field clothing and supplies, to move them out. Then I spend almost no time here in the apartment for 3 to 4 months, and then I have to move everything back. When all you’re doing “at home” is running around getting laundry done, groceries, and grabbing as much sleep as you can before running out the door again, things tend to … slide.
This year was worse than usual, because (yeah, excuses, excuses! 
) my “workplace” was twice as far away as before, I spent even less time here than previously, and what would normally be “decompression time” turned into “everyone go back out to this other place and fix it.” 
So I’m just a bit behind with a lot more to do on that front.
November 11, 2012 at 7:40 am
I’ve got plenty of excuses. If you need to borrow some additional ones, just ask.
November 11, 2012 at 8:17 am
My assistant (the newest one) is having second thoughts about seeking promotion.
She told me her revelation was that “you’re never really “off,” are you?” 
November 11, 2012 at 8:05 am
Oh dear … cleaning the fridge?!?
Did you call the National Academy of Science for a consultation? 
Good morning! ::hugggggs::
November 11, 2012 at 8:19 am
Nah… I’m pretty sure my time spent in “diseases we can’t cure” labs will stand me in good stead.
November 11, 2012 at 8:00 am
Good morning!
We have a south wind again, mostly cloudy, and 61 degrees. Woo-hoo! Although if the WX gang is correct, it won’t last. Rain in the forecast.
Auction went well yesterday. Sat by Susan and Rich.
Susan has this exceedingly dry sense of humor……. Anyway, although the lantern I wanted sold about 12 items from the end and I had to invest the greater part of a beautiful day indoors, it sold for a very reasonable $40 and I brought it home! Will repaint it, I think, and present as a solstice gift………
Church this morning, then meeting Gas Girl & S-I-L @ the Mexican restaurant. Mmmmm…………. Birthday party this afternoon @ 2 for one of Kenny-Wenny’s grandsons. Busy, busy……
Have a decent day!
Best, G
November 11, 2012 at 8:08 am
Congratulations on the auction, Gardener. The lantern will be a lovely solstice gift.
The BPI Staff Chorus have graciously offered you a solo opportunity at the birthday party for Kenny-Wenny’s grandson….
Good morning! ::hugggggs::
November 11, 2012 at 8:59 am
If I start singing, I’ll need a designated driver…..
November 11, 2012 at 8:14 am
Sounds like you have a great day ahead, Gardener. And congrats on getting the lantern.
That is so cool.
Enjoy your day!
November 11, 2012 at 9:03 am
Thanks, will do! Been reading about lanterns on the intertoobs. One guy says it’s OK to re-paint and re-finish. Sounds good to me!
The thing is stamped “Laclede Gas Light Company.” The LGLC is apparently the older “Laclede Gas,” or mebbe nowadays, “Laclede Group,” idk……
November 11, 2012 at 8:19 am
Good morning. 34 currently, with an expected high of 66. We’re heading to the Antietam Civil War battlefield for a hike today.
Started building the doghouse yesterday. Got the base, front, and back framed and covered in plywood, and one side framed when my circular saw quit working. I think it’s the switch, and it’s no longer made (the saw is 20 years old). So, looks like I’ll be buying a new circular saw this week. My old one was almost $200 when I bought it 20 years ago, and I can get an updated version of the same Makita saw for $109 on Amazon. It’s not sold locally for under $160.
November 11, 2012 at 8:30 am
I would say “Enjoy the hike,” but the Antietam battlefield is not a place to “enjoy.” I visited there once, and it felt like the most haunted place I’ve ever been. I found it very moving, and I hope you do as well. It’s a good location for a Veterans Day hike.
Good morning! ::hugggggs::
November 11, 2012 at 8:51 am
Sorry about your saw, trs. Glad to know you can get one more cheaply than the original thought.
Enjoy your hike. I personally will never go back to Antietam. I have never forgotten how the place gave me chills, as if the earth was still crying out.
I hope your experience is more pleasant.
November 11, 2012 at 9:05 am
Wow……
November 11, 2012 at 8:35 am
Just for a laugh – from Pundit Kitchen: Coincidence?
November 11, 2012 at 9:35 am
That was funny, Norbrook!
November 11, 2012 at 10:19 am
Late to the party. Chicago has a National Veteran’s Art Museum.
Happy Veteran’s Day!
It was 57 and thunderstorms last night. This morning is cold and windy. What an abrupt change. This afternoon is a meet up for OFA/DFL volunteers. I couldn’t summon the interest or energy for the election night parties but I am up for this one.