Prop 8
Stay tuned folks.....More to come!
Walmart Limiting Rice Sales!
NEW YORK, April 23 (Reuters) - Wal-Mart Stores Inc's (WMT.N: Quote, Profile, Research) Sam's Club warehouse division said on Wednesday that it is limiting sales of Jasmine, Basmati and long grain white rices "due to recent supply and demand trends."
The news comes a day after Costco Wholesale Corp (COST.O: Quote, Profile, Research), the largest U.S. warehouse club operator, said it had seen increased demand for items like rice and flour as customers, worried about global food shortages, stock up.
Sam's Club said it is limiting sales of the rices to four bags per customer per visit, and it is working with its suppliers to ensure the products remain in stock.
Sam's Club, the No. 2 U.S. warehouse club operator, said it is not limiting sales of flour or cooking oil at this time.
Costco said some of its stores had put limits on sales of items such as rice and flour, but it was trying to modify those restrictions to meet customer demand.
Food costs have soared worldwide, spurred by increased demand in emerging markets like China and India, competition with biofuels, high oil prices and market speculation.
Rice prices in the United States and around the world have more than doubled in the last year, and U.S. rice futures rose to a fresh all-time high Wednesday on worries about supply shortages.
Trade bans have been put in place by India, the world's second largest rice exporter in 2007, and Vietnam, the third biggest, in the hopes of cooling domestic prices of the staple. Thailand is the largest rice exporter. (Reporting by Nicole Maestri, editing by Gerald E. McCormick and John Wallace)
© Thomson Reuters 2008 All rights reserved
The Food Crisis
The Food Crisis
The following links are stories from the media regarding what is going on with the world food supply. Between high fuel costs, widespread drought, and the bees dying off....We are in trouble! Here are some links to current stories regarding the crisis and rapidly rising grain prices:
Rice rationing on the west coast!
Asia Rice Shortage
Austrailian drought = no grains for us!
Food Crisis Grips the Globe!
Plant yer gardens folks!
As soon as the current grain silos empty, we are in BIG trouble!
Current price of ONE lemon in Batavia NY: .99
After reading all of this, one has to wonder WHY our gov't has been busting the farm workers. Are they trying to STARVE us?? Do they WANT us to have to import ALL of our food?? What happens then? With oil marching (rather quickly) to at least $120 a barrel, it is going to cost a FORTUNE to import our food from other countries!
Anyone else becoming as alarmed as me???
Darth Sideus
Just wondering..
Creepy isn't it????
The Taxman
This is the day to pull out your "Revolver" CD and blast "Taxman" out the windows and see if everyone else looks as miserable as you do!!
Taxman
(George Harrison)
[1,2,3,4
Hrmm!
1,2...
1,2,3,4.]
Let me tell you how it will be
There's one for you, nineteen for me
Cos I'm the taxman, yeah, I'm the taxman
Should five per cent appear too small
Be thankful I don't take it all
Cos I'm the taxman, yeah I'm the taxman
If you drive a car, I'll tax the street
If you try to sit, I'll tax your seat
If you get too cold I'll tax the heat
If you take a walk, I'll tax your feet
Taxman!
Cos I'm the taxman, yeah I'm the taxman
Don't ask me what I want it for (Aahh Mr. Wilson)
If you don't want to pay some more (Aahh Mr. Heath)
Cos I'm the taxman, yeah, I'm the taxman
Now my advice for those who die
Declare the pennies on your eyes
Cos I'm the taxman, yeah, I'm the taxman
And you're working for no one but me
Taxman!
"Who Are The Beatles?"
I have now officially heard everything!! I am just flabbergasted...........
I originally sent this out via email. Here are some choice comments that I recieved back from readers:
<<< Jules...you better check around the bar for an empty pod>>
<<<I can't believe someone did NOT know who the Beatles are.......... I remember jamming out to the 45 of Hard Days Night when I was a kid. Maybe she grew up in a bubble, ha! Poor thing really is deprived.>>>
<<< I really don't know who to blame..her?or the mother?or the masses that are sinking in plain silliness and insanity? people with no souls in a blank world>>>
<<<
I am as shocked as Julie. It should be a requirement taught in music class!!!!! jk (in my mind it should be) Even after all this time (45 years-SCARY!) the Beatles still rule!!!! Yeah Baby!!!!!!!>>>
Absolut Outrage!!
ABSOLUT OUTRAGE!!
Absolut Vodka has apparently decided that it is OK to redraw the map of the USA in order to sell more vodka to Mexicans (who drink tequila anyway!)
This is Roadtripguy's response:
BOYCOTT ABSOLUT!!!
The subject of my fury:
http://michellemalkin.com/2008/04/02/absolut-reconquista/And my response:
04/03/08
Jeffrey Moran
Director of Public Relations and Events
The Absolut Spirits Company, Inc.
1370 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10019
USA
Dear Mr. Moran:
I have been a loyal Absolut drinker since I graduated college, and began a career on Wall Street in 1984. Don’t even get me started on the THOUSANDS of dollars in sales your company has made off of me over the years.
Today it has come to my attention that Absolut Vodka currently has a highly offensive advertising campaign utilizes a pre 1846 map of North America showing the southern portion of the United States of America as being part of Mexico. I’ve seen a copy of this ad on the internet, and understand that it is both in print and on billboards. As I’m sure your telephones and Email are swamped as a result of this outrage, I have chosen to write an old fashioned snail mail letter.
I am horrifically offended by this advertisement, but seeing as I live in Connecticut (which is not in the part of my country that Absolut decided to give to Mexico), I would bet I’m not nearly as offended as my fellow countrymen who live in the southwestern USA. How unconscionably insulting to them.
I don’t know who the genius is who made the decision to run this ad, but it will cost Absolut dearly. The internet is lit up like a pinball machine over this, so I know I’m not alone in saying that I will NEVER drink your vodka again. EVER.
WHO DO YOU PEOPLE THINK YOU ARE??? ARE YOU ALL SMOKING CRACK???
You want the Mexicans as customers so badly that you would alienate your biggest market? YOU CAN HAVE THEM! They don’t drink vodka anyway, so the joke’s on you!
Why don’t you run another "In An Absolut World" ad for the Middle East, but this time have a map of PALESTINE replacing ISRAEL. I’m sure it would be as big of a hit over there as your Mexico insult is over here. Just imagine all the celebratory gunfire in the streets! I’ve included one for you to give to your advertising people. You have my permission to use my idea. All I ask in return is a case of Stolichnaya!
Regards,
Roadtripguy FORMER Absolut drinker
If you would like to write a nasty letter to Absolut (or call and scream obscenities at them follow this Absolut contact info.......
Go to your local bar...go to your local liquor store!!! Write letters to the paper!!!! Drink STOLI!! Or better yet, drink Schmirnoff it's made in the USA!
More fun at SUBWAY
So...
I go to Subway the other day to grab a tuna wrap. I don't usually go there, as I'm not too crazy about their food, but they were on my way home.
Once I enter, I realize the place is deserted, except for a lone employee who was on the telephone in the back jabbering away in some foreign language I couldn't understand. No problem, I thought. It'll give me a minute to scope out the light-up picture menu overhead, and perhaps decide on something other than a tuna wrap.
I decided on the "steak and cheese sandwich with Dijon horseradish sauce" since the picture looked rather appetizing. Now if only "Mr. Foreigner" would get off the telephone...
A full TEN MINUTES after I entered this deserted Subway, Mr. Foreigner finally decided to finish his very LOUD argument and hang up the telephone.
He very SLOWLY approaches the counter (keep in mind that I am the ONLY customer in this stupid place).
MR. FOREIGNER: Can I help you?
ME: Yes (pointing to the overhead picture menu), I'd like a footlong steak and cheese sandwich with Dijon horseradish sauce, on white, to go, please.
MR. FOREIGNER: What kind of roll?
Me: uh, on white. That's a footlong steak and cheese sandwich with Dijon horseradish sauce, on white, to go, please.
MR. FOREIGNER: Six inch or footlong?
ME: Um, footlong. That's a footlong steak and cheese sandwich with Dijon horseradish sauce, on white, to go, please. Just like the picture (pointing).
MR. FOREIGNER: (after SLOWLY getting a white roll, and putting some steak on it) Cheese?
ME: Um, yeah (getting disgusted now, and tired of explaining). Just like the picture (I point to the picture again).
MR. FOREIGNER: (he ponders the menu for a while, looking back and forth between the sandwich and the menu. He pauses a little longer, and adds cheese to the sandwich. Then he stares for a LONG time at the WRONG picture on the menu)
ME: No, no, no... NOT that sandwich...THIS one (pointing to the picture). You can make it just like the picture, and I'd like it to go.
MR. FOREIGNER: (after studying the picture some more) Veggies?
ME (impatiently at this point): Yes, JUST LIKE THE PICTURE.
MR. FOREIGNER: (after studying the picture some more) Lettuce?
ME: YES, LETTUCE... and tomato and onion. JUST LIKE THE PICTURE And don't forget the Dijon horseradish sauce.
MR. FOREIGNER: (after me having to tell him EACH vegetable as they were applied, and while studying the picture some more) Mayo?
ME (fuming): NO MAYO. DIJON HORSERADISH SAUCE.
MR. FOREIGNER: (studying the picture some more, and rummaging through all the different "sauce" bottles...none of which are labeled)
ME (a very large vein is now bulging and throbbing on my forehead): That's DIJON HORSERADISH SAUCE, and this is TO GO.
MR. FOREIGNER: (after studying the picture some more, takes a random unlabeled "sauce" bottle, and puts the sauce on my sandwich. I have NO idea which sauce he used. Neither does he.)
He wraps the sandwich.
MR. FOREIGNER: For here or to go?
ME (ready to slit my wrists with a rusty razor blade at this point): TO GO.
I FINALLY got my sandwich. Mr. Foreigner undercharged me by around three bucks. Normally, I would have come clean about that, but considering my ordeal, I decided to Just pay him what he rang up, and GO.
He was back arguing LOUDLY on the telephone again before I even made it to the front door.
As an added bonus, the sandwich sucked.
Roadtripguy
Home Depot EXPO
Ever been to one of those special Home Depot "EXPO" centers? They have lots of bathroom and kitchen cabinet type stuff. I went to one tonight to "shop" the bathroom vanity stuff I need (I already have two alternate suppliers, but figured Home Depot EXPO was worth a shot).
RED FLAG #1.: The directions given to me by the BORG telephone recording were completely and totally WRONG. I drove around in circles in New Rochelle, NY for about half an hour...
Now, naturally, you would THINK that someone like ME would have everything all figured out, complete with getting together all the part numbers of EXACTLY what I want right off the internet, right? So I SHOULD be able to just execute a priority interrupt, and breeze through this whole ordeal with minimal anxiety, right?
I go into this HUGE store. There are maybe FOUR humans working there. I hunt around for the stuff I need (I know they are a distributor because naturally I called the factory and checked today). I find a few pieces that are CLOSE, but not exact to what I need.
I execute a priority interrupt, and manage to flag down a human.
HUMAN #1: Strasser? We carry that? They make cabinets? I've never heard of that company before, but I work in "kitchens."
ME: Well, I found an area in this HUGE store that has their units, but not exactly the ones I'm looking for. Can we call it up on the computer? Is there a BOOK around with the prices? I have the PART NUMBERS of EXACTLY what I need, so it'll be easy.
HUMAN #1: Um... Well, you know, I've never heard of that company before. I work in "kitchens." Why don't YOU look around for the book, and I'll see if I can find HUMAN #2..
So I hunt around for the friggin' book in THEIR store for what seems like an eternity until HUMAN #2 shows up. HUMAN #2 is female, tall, thin as a rail, dressed all in black with a gold name tag. She has this "Don't even THINK about trying to get into my vagina" aura about her. I figure she's around her early 50's or so, and most likely divorced, to be working in this stupid store.
I execute another priority interrupt.
ME: Hi !
Maybe YOU can help me. I've already done all the research on the internet, and know EXACTLY what I need. I'd like some prices on these part numbers....HUMAN #2: How big is the vanity?
ME: Well, I'd like it in Strasser's "Ultraline White." I need vanity #7036W with the sink on the LEFT hand side, drawer bank #7018W, and linen upper #7100W. White porcelain knobs will be fine, as I'll probably change them anyway. So if we could...
HUMAN #2: How big is the vanity?
ME: What? Um... (flustered, looking at my paper) 36".
HUMAN #2: We have those in stock. Come with me.
ME: Um, and you see I need these other...
HUMAN #2 walks away while I'm talking.
I catch up with HUMAN #2 (HUMAN #1 has been tagging along the whole time, and has been curiously silent. He works in "kitchens."). She takes me to the SAME part of the store I was at when I first came in. It has SIMILAR cabinets, but not exactly what I'm looking for. That's why we need the BOOK, I keep on trying to tell these people.
HUMAN #2 looks inside the INCORRECT cabinet and very curtly in her "Don't even THINK about trying to get into my vagina" voice, gives me a price on the WRONG unit. Again she says dryly (like her vagina, no doubt..), "We have these in stock."
I yelled "STOP!!" , and me and my part numbers turned around and left the store, NEVER to return again. EVER.
As much as I tried to drop these people down to the "$" prompt, they were all stuck in some really really buggy subroutine.
I tend to have a pretty cool head these days, but enough was enough.
"Well he keeps fainting...and he's dizzy all the time..."
Roadtripguy (who is rolling quarters and mixing up poison applesauce now...)