Got this off another message board I frequent when Im not banned.  I thought it was very entertaining.

How many forum members does it takes to change a light bulb?

1 to change the light bulb and to post that the light bulb has been
changed
14 to share similar experiences of changing light bulbs and how the
light bulb could have been changed differently
7 to caution about the dangers of changing light bulbs
1 to move it to the Lighting section
2 to argue then move it to the Electricals section
7 to point out spelling/grammar errors in posts about changing light bulbs
5 to flame the spell checkers
3 to correct spelling/grammar flames
6 to argue over whether it's "lightbulb" or "light bulb" ... another 6
to condemn those 6 as stupid
2 industry professionals to inform the group that the proper term is
"lamp"
15 know-it-alls who claim they were in the industry, and that "light
bulb" is perfectly correct
19 to post that this forum is not about light bulbs and to please take
this discussion to a lightbulb forum
11 to defend the posting to this forum saying that we all use light
bulbs and therefore the posts are relevant to this forum
36 to debate which method of changing light bulbs is superior, where
to buy the best light bulbs, what brand of light bulbs work best for
this technique and what brands are faulty
7 to post URL's where one can see examples of different light bulbs
4 to post that the URL's were posted incorrectly and then post the
corrected URL's
3 to post about links they found from the URL's that are relevant to
this group which makes light bulbs relevant to this group
13 to link all posts to date, quote them in their entirety including
all headers and signatures, and add "Me too"
5 to post to the group that they will no longer post because they
cannot handle the light bulb controversy
4 to say "didn't we go through this already a short time ago?"
13 to say "do a Google search on light bulbs before posting questions
about light bulbs"
1 forum lurker to respond to the original post 6 months from now and
start it all over again.

Since Pam has decided to spice up the OFF TOPIC section of the site a bit I will add a thread that was very popular in some other sites that I visit often.  It will be called TELL US ABOUT YOUR VILLAGE IDIOT...Please dont list them by name, or even by the town, (one of them might be ME) but describe how they were awarded the title.   Ill go first:

When I was growing up we had a guy that walked around town here with a trash can lid. He pretended to be DRIVING it.  He parked it like a regular car in a regular parking place by putting the trashcan lid in the spot....and WOE BE unto the person that took the place while his trash can lid was occupying it....He even had the support of the local police he was so adamant about protecting his SPACE.  Plus he was crazy, and they didnt want to antagonize him....MANY a legitimate would be parking place thief was ordered to move from his SPACE. LOL!  

A New "GI Bill" for a New Generation of Vets? McCain Says "No!" Mon May 26, 9:45 AM ET
 


The Nation -- On this Memorial Day, there will be plenty of pronouncements from politicians regarding their respect for veterans.


 
 But respect doesn't pay the bills.

When veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan occupations return home from serving in quagmires that were not of their own making, they have a right to expect quality care for their wounds -- both physical and emotional -- and a chance to get the education they'll need to provide for themselves and their families.

Today's veterans aren't asking for handouts. They just want the government to keep its commitment to ensure that they can catch up with members of their generation who did not choose to serve in the military.

That's what World War II vets were promised and what they received -- in the form of the original GI Bill.

As the Memorial Day recess approached, Nebraska Republican Chuck Hagel and Virginia Democrat Jim Webb in the Senate and powerful House Appropriations Committee chair Dave Obey, D-Wisconsin, pushed hard -- and successfully -- in their respective chambers to enact a new GI Bill to provide the latest generation of veterans the same benefits that World War II and Korean War vets enjoyed.

When the House took the issue up, the vote was 256-166. The majority was a bipartisan one, including 224 Democrats (all but seven members of the caucus) and a respectable 32 Republicans.

In the Senate, the vote was 75-22, with all Democrats (except the ailing Ted Kennedy) and most Republicans backing it.

One Republican did not even bother to show up for the vote, Arizona Senator John McCain.

But if he had shown up, McCain, a member of an elite family of military officers, said he would not have voted to provide education benefits for working-class soldiers, sailors and pilots.

The senator and his supporters claim they're for a different proposal to do much the same thing as the new GI Bill; yet, when the Senate considered a plan that drew broad bipartisan support, McCain was outspoken in his opposition.

Indeed, the determination of the GOP's all-but-certain presidential nominee to block this particular bill will make it significantly harder for Democrats and responsible Republicans in the House to muster the votes needed to override a Bush veto. (An override in the Senate, where there is little partisan loyalty toward McCain or his position, is virtually assured.)

A gentle challenge to McCain's stance by the presumptive Democratic nominee, Illinois Senator Barack Obama drew a visceral response from his grumpy Republican colleague.

Obama, who went to the trouble of showing up for the debate(despite the fact that he still faces a semi-serious nomination battle while McCain does not), voted for the new GI Bill.

While expressing deep regard for the Arizona senator's past military service, Obama said on the Senate floor, "I can't believe why (McCain) believes it is too generous to our veterans. There are many issues that lend themselves to partisan posturing, but giving our veterans the chance to go to college should not be one of them."

McCain, for whom the term "honor" appears to have become a slogan rather than a guiding principle, disregarded Obama's respectful words and grumbled, "I will not accept from Senator Obama, who did not feel it was his responsibility to serve our country in uniform, any lectures on my regard for those who did. Perhaps, if Senator Obama would take the time and trouble to understand this issue he would learn to debate an honest disagreement respectfully. But, as he always does, he prefers impugning the motives of his opponent, and exploiting a thoughtful difference of opinion to advance his own ambitions. If that is how he would behave as president, the country would regret his election."

In fact, it is McCain who chose the political route.

Desperate to present himself as a fiscal conservative -- and determined to direct money toward maintaining his favorite occupations of distant lands rather than caring for the troops who risk their lives to perpetuate the senator's failed foreign policies -- McCain chose to compare service records with Obama rather than focus on the issue at hand.

McCain is the one who has failed to "take the time and trouble to understand this issue he would learn to debate an honest disagreement respectfully."

In Washington, there is bipartisan respect -- and support -- for veterans who lack the family ties. academy education and other elite benefits the Arizona senator enjoyed. And then there is John McCain, refusing, remarkably, to support a new GI Bill to educate the great mass of men and women who have sacrificed for this country -- and whose service we honor this day.

Jose and Carlos are panhandlers......
They panhandle on different areas of town.
 
Carlos panhandles just as long as Jose but only collects 2 to 3
dollars every day.
 
Jose brings home a suitcase FULL of $10 bills, drives a Mercedes,
lives in a mortgage free house and has a lot of money to spend.
 
Carlos says to Jose, "I work just as long and hard as you do but how do
you bring home a suitcase full of $10 bills every day?".
 
Jose says, . "Look at your sign, what does it say?"
 
Carlos sign reads, "I have no work, a wife and 6 kids to support."
 
Jose says, " No wonder you only get $2-3 dollars."
 
Carlos says, "So what does your sign say?"
 
Jose shows Carlos his sign......
 
It reads, "I only need another $10.00 to move back to Mexico

This is a post I read and answered in the Prisontalk that I copied and placed for you to read involving Richard Cartwright, and my response. Better look quick because I wont be there long on that site, let me assure you
Originally Posted by tayalex07
I honestly just didn't know where else to put this post so if this isn't the right one, I hope a mod comes and moves it

I'm a mom. I have a 2 1/2 year old daughter. I never had an opinion on the death penalty, it never affected me. I'm 21, but I've never voted yet. I was in the hospital for childbirth last election . However, I came to prisontalk bc a best friend is currently serving time in Cotulla, TX. Out of boredom I went around and snooped through a few other forums and eventually came to this one. I started reading the Uncensored articles, then went to 1prison.com and read all the others. All of Paul Colella's, all of Richard Cartwright's, Clinton Young's, and a few by Robert Pruett and Robert Will.

I've seen quite a few Cartwright supporters on this forum and I hope they read this. I couldn't find the right email for Suzanne or I'd have written her also. Richard Cartwright has changed my entire opinion on DP. I've spent the last few days writing letters to various officials in Texas, and a blog encouraging and informing my friends to do the same. Everything I read on Polunsky made me sick, saddened, and angry. I'm incredibly relieved to see that Paul Colella (whose last name is actually one letter off from mine, lol) was finally taken seriously and listened to. I cannot find the words to express how strongly I feel against the DP now, and I really do owe all of it to Richard Cartwright. I wish I'd found this years sooner and was able to write him myself and tell him that he changed yet another's viewpoint.

I just don't know what else I can do to help. How are others helping fight to abolish the death penalty? Who exactly do we write to and what do we say? I hope someone can let me have this information, I'd like to officially join the fight.

My response:

tayalex07 In order to formulate an informed opinion about the DP you need ALL the facts. Not just those from the point of a DR inmate. Or an anti DP site such as this one. It is ALWAYS skewed to their side of the story, and well, it SHOULD be.
Take Richard Cartwright for example: You DO understand what this convict was guilty of? What crimes he committed? Also the other "writers" on the uncensored site. If not, go to TDCJ page and look for yourself. Those are capital crimes in TX. ALL know the law and its clear. You murder, you pay the price. The penalty for capital murder in Texas is death. I also am familiar with uncensored from Death Row, and have read every single word written by all the inmate/writers, and lest we all forget: there is ONE thing all who write on that site have in common. They are convicted murderers. And have had numerous appeals. reappeals...the gamut of the legal process. They are guilty. They are sentenced to death. And Texas is serious about victims rights.
NOW: Put yourself in the VICTIMS place. (Or their families, as these victims are DEAD...years ago, and DP opponents by and large havent experienced loss first hand, so its only a theory to them. They havent really a clue. I have, and it becomes very real. Suppose it was your daughter that was murdered, God Forbid. (Or as in my case 5 members of my family.) You think your views on the DP MIGHT change? Remember Anti DP ALSO Means Anti final punishment of any kind, and that includes Life Without Parole, regardless of the crime. Now is that REALLY the justice YOU would want for your loved ones loss? I hope that possibility never comes to reality for you. Just AnotherView.
Posted on: August 09, 2007, 08:11:30 PM

---

It didnt take long for the response:

Yup, five members of his/her family were murdered and the only place you hear a word about it is one post (the person's ONLY post) on PTO. Please folks, don't feed this person, and let's hope the moderators will do their jobs appropriately.

Well I can understand an opposing viewpoint shaking you up a bit Dave. Youre not used to seeing any other side than the one you WANT to see. They dont allow that here. You havent given a moment's thought to the REASON for Death Row, and why its there, have you? Nor have you thought a breath about the crimes that PUT those convicts on DR either, have you? Of course you havent, or you wouldnt be here. Now then, how many posts does it take to speak truth? one should do it, shouldnt it? As for the moderators, I dont know what Ive said other than truth that is offensive. But I cant speak for them.

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=99648198

Check out the CALL THE CAPTAIN song. I think youll like it. These guys are gonna be famous!

Get a load of this:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=470906&in_page_id=1770

Get a load of this rediculous situation In NC.

Charlotte man converts car to veggie oil, gets fined by state
by The Associated Press
published June 11, 2007 5:43 am
Read all 22 comments »  e-mail this Print this

Charlotte – Thumbing your noise at oil sheiks can cost you in North Carolina.

Bob Teixeira, a Charlotte guitar teacher, took a stand against U.S. dependence on foreign oil last fall and spent $1,200 to convert his 1981 diesel Mercedes to run on vegetable oil. He buys soybean oil in 5-gallon jugs at Costco, which costs him about a third more than diesel.


 Despite his good intentions, the state fined Teixeira $1,000 for not paying motor fuel taxes. North Carolina officials also told him that to legally use veggie oil here he'd have to first post a $2,500 bond.

Such penalties have also been levied against other North Carolina drivers whose vehicles were powered by alternative fuels.

"If somebody was going to go to this much trouble to drive around in a car that uses soybean oil, they ought to be exempt" from state taxes, said state Sen. Stan Bingham, R-Davidson, who drives a diesel Volkswagen fueled by used soybean oil that sports a sign reading "Goodbye, OPEC."

Teixeira and other independent-minded drivers may get a break from the state. The N.C. Department of Revenue, which fined Teixeira, has asked lawmakers to waive the $2,500 bond for small fuel users. Also, Revenue officials told Teixeira the department will compromise on his fine.

But the state's not about to drop its taxes on all fuels used in highway vehicles. North Carolina's 29.9-cent tax on a gallon of gas generates $1.2 billion each year to pay for road construction.

"With the high cost of fuel right now, the department does recognize that a lot of people are looking for relief," said Reggie Little, assistant director of the motor fuel taxes division. "We're not here to hurt the small guy, we're just trying to make sure that the playing field is level."

Few states are prepared to regulate new fuels, according to the National VegOil Board, which promotes vegetable oil fuel.

"State offices do not have the forms to appropriately and fairly deal with VegOil, nor the staff to enforce the non-existent forms," said director Cynthia Shelton. "So either they tell people inquiring about compliance to get lost, or they make them jump through a bunch of arbitrary hoops."

North Carolina has taken steps toward alternative fuels in official vehicles, with lawmakers in 2005 ordering state agencies to replace 20 percent of their annual petroleum use with alternatives by 2010. Ethanol can be used now in about 6,000 of the state's 8,500 vehicles and the state fleet also includes about 135 gas-electric hybrids.

N.C. Department of Revenue officials noticed Teixeira last month near Lowe's Motor Speedway while they were checking fuel tanks of diesel RVs for illegal fuel. The bumper sticker on his car that reads "Powered by 100% vegetable oil" grabbed their attention.

"It was like some twist of fate that put me there," he said. "It was like I was asking for them to stop me."

While he believes Revenue officials are simply doing their jobs, Teixeira doesn't think it's fair to lump him in with those who purposely try to avoid fuel taxes.

"Individuals who are trying to do the right thing environmentally cannot and should not continue to take this kind of financial hit," he wrote Gov. Mike Easley.

Teixeira says he'll pay the fine and apply for a state fuel license.

"I'm ready to get myself legal," he said, "and start using vegetable oil again."

UNBELIEVABLE.

 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

09/20/2007 Offender Information Kimmel Clifford 999347 07/18/1975 White 03/09/2000 Bexar
10/03/2007 Offender Information Chi Heliberto 999437 12/28/1978 Hispanic 11/21/2002 Tarrant


DOnt remember if I saw Kenneth Foster on the Scheduled executions list previously but hes also on deck for August 30.  August is one hot month in Texas! 

MORE JUDGES: North Carolina's legal morass over the death penalty entered another courtroom Monday, when Administrative Law Judge Fred Morrison agreed to consider a petition from defense attorneys for five death row inmates.

THE ARGUMENT: The attorneys want to argue their case against lethal injection before the Council of State, a panel of the state's top leaders. The lawyers said they should have been allowed to speak at a February meeting where the council approved a new method for carrying out a death sentence.

THE DECISION: Morrison ruled the inmates are "aggrieved parties" under state rules and denied a motion from the state Attorney General's Office, which wanted the judge to dismiss a petition filed by the inmates' lawyers. The judge said he will hold a hearing, then consider whether to affirm or reverse the council's decision. His decision will go back to the council.


Posted on: May 01, 2007, 02:18:14 PM

---

Id like to comment on this but Ill be damned if I understand it....except to say that apparently means no death penalty in NC for who knows how long, while  ANOTHER long winded court battle winds its way through.

HUNTSVILLE, Texas: A gang member convicted of fatally shooting an Amarillo couple during a botched beer theft at their grocery store was executed.

Ryan Dickson, 30, spoke rapidly when asked if he had anything to say, expressing love to his family and apologizing to the relatives of his victims. No witnesses from his family or the victims' family attended the execution.

"I am sorry for what I did, and I take responsibility for what I did," said Dickson, the 13th prisoner to be executed this year in the nation's busiest capital punishment state.

Dickson was pronounced dead at 6:17 p.m. on Thursday, eight minutes after he was injected with lethal drugs.

Dickson, who had frequent run-ins with the law dating to age 9, was just two weeks past his 18th birthday when he killed Carmelo Surace, 61, and his wife, Marie, 60, in 1994.

Prosecutors said Ryan Dickson told authorities he hoped the killing would earn him a teardrop tattoo to impress his colleagues in a gang known as the Varrio 16 Locos.

In a recent interview from death row, Dickson blamed Carmelo Surace for confronting him, saying the store owner must have spotted the weapon hidden in his jacket, tried to wrest it away from him and was shot in the tussle.

"I didn't go in there and pull a gun and start shooting people," Dickson said. He insisted Marie Surace was shot by accident as she reached under a counter for a gun.

Dickson, who fled the store empty-handed, received death sentences for each slaying. Thursday's punishment was for Carmelo Surace's murder. His brother testified against him and is serving a 15-year prison term.

Former Potter County District Attorney Rebecca King, who prosecuted the two capital murder cases against Dickson, disputed his story of the shootings, especially Marie Surace's death. The woman was trying to make a phone call, she said.

"She was on her knees. He shot her. Totally cold," King said.

At least nine other Texas inmates have execution dates in the coming months.

Scheduled next is Jose Moreno, 40, set to die May 10 for the abduction and fatal shooting of a San Antonio man 21 years ago

This rare photo was captured this weekend at a local flea market I was working. Every once in a while some really good musicians come through and I will sit in with them. These folks (the one playing the banjo and the guitars were exceptional in the old time style. I am wearing the red hat.  Ugly as a sheep turd in a pan of sweet milk...which is why I rarely have my photo taken!

How would you like to go through life with a handicap like this!?!