The Message Forum is an ongoing dialogue among classmates. The goal is to encourage friendly interaction, including interaction among classmates who really didn't know each other. Experience on the site has revealed that certain topics tend to cause friction and hard feelings, especially politics and religion. 

Although politics and religion are not completely off-limits, classmates are asked to be positive in their posts and not to be too repetitive or allow a dialog to degenerate into an argument. 

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Steve Keene

David,

The significance in the passage of time hits home when I realize how slowly time will pass for the three years waiting on a competent commander in chief and a qualified Vice President.  When the good times were here when Trump was in charge, time flew with a positive feeling and assured great outcome that made one happy to wake up each day and do one's part.

Jim Bedwell

Ditto!! Happy birthday, Jimmy Baker!!!! I could NEVER hate you since you might actually have ALWAYS been shorter than I..................PLUS you're still breathing and healthy!! GOD IS GOOD!!!

I guess Kamala's idea of a pastime is to "think" (in any uncackling moments) of the passage of time, or at least waste the time of all people listening to her worthless drivel (the only good thing is she keeps it brief, unlike her "boss").

Lowell Tuttle

So, apparently, despite pressure, Koch Industries has decided to keep their Guardian Glass Manufacturing plants open and producing in Russia.   They have a spin, which could or could not be justified, but basically I think they (Mr. Koch) don't like to be pushed around by any kind of American vendetta action purportedly designed to harm Puddin.

It made me think.   Say there's 100-200 oligarchs in Russia (I don't know what designation financially is required to be rated as an oligarch,) and now they are having all their worldly assets either frozen or confiscated by the Nato alliance holding Puddin financially hostage with sanctions.

Don't the oligarchs exist at the discretion of Puddin?   In my mind, they're not Russian patriots, but luckily financial greedy self centered heads of (I guess) vital industries and conglomerates.  By hook or by crook they are Russian financial behemoths.   A bunch of them (as well as Chinese oligarchs) have had the rug pulled out from underneath just for being too greedy or anti dictator.

Am I wrong in thinking the way to bring down Puddin might be to allign with the oligarchs, or at least be intelligence minded and pick and choose which ones might help us rather than Puddin.  

I mean, we ought to topple the man from within, and if they have been pushed back to alliance with Puddin, our strategy against them might be wrong.

Kurt Fischer

Lowell:

Koch Industries has always been noted for its independent thinking.

In this case, they argue that walking away from their glass plant in Russia would only result in turning over the plant to the Russian government, thereby allowing the government to profit from it.  The plant will continue producing, no matter what.  So walking away would not help the Ukraine cause and would help the Russian government.

Again, independent thinking.  

I'd note the greatest impact of sanctions is to curtail Russian exports or limit imports of key goods.  I'm kind of in between regarding whether handing over a glass plant would harm the Russian government.

As a side note, this is a relatively small operation from Koch's viewpoint.  I would guess a glass plant employing 6,000 would be in the $500 million revenue range, which is a relatively small contribution to Koch's overall portfolio.

Lowell Tuttle

Kurt, I read that, and that's why I put in my comment about it being a justified spin.   My thoughts on this post were more about how the Nato alliance is alienating Russia's so called oligarchs.   I am confused a little in how this strategy works to stop Puddin.  I did go to Guardian's website, and they don't look small to me...maybe compared to Koch's overall holdings.   They make the glass for the glass and steel building industry...skyscrapers and all that...Those buildings Russia is blowing up in Ukraine.  If Russia wins, Guardian stands to re fit all those buildings...Also, refitting those 600 employees with Russians, instead of whoever is working there now...(Americans?...probably not) would not be of any benefit to Koch either...

Steve.   There was a small article about the Dallas Fed concluding that ending exports from Russia to all will result in a recession.

So, drillers and producers here need to ramp up.  But apparently they are skittish as well as their bankers.  It's justified amongst the entire industry.

But, it would seem to me they would take more of an insurance like approach.  Lay off the risk somehow with some king of "production-to-market-reinsurance.."

Reinsurance contracts of various lengths, sizes, and costs insure smaller property and casualty carriers againt disaster type losses from storms, and unforseen events.   A nice return is gained (albeit over a long time tested business culture.)

Some of these reinsurance contracts are even arranged between insurer's (their brokers) and pensions or other large capital holdings seeking better returns that other market investments.

Maybe this is already going on at the large producer level (Exxon/Conoco/Shell/BP,.) but I don't know if the smaller to mid size folks are doing it.   At 106 a barrell and a low side of -1 over the past three years, it would seem necessary to get the production out there and re fill stocks.

People forget that just in the Spring of 2020 there were huge tankers parked off both coasts full of petrol and nowhere to put it.   All storage was full.   

For that matter, I am guessing we need more storage capabilities too...but maybe that won't work...I am having to slowly merge my five gallon gas tank containers into my car gas tanks...I only keep one full and I had four full for this winter...precautions I took after last year's freeze...My generator works, but not the huge whole house automatic one with the gas hookup.

In my mind at this moment, it's too much thinkin and no drinkin...

Steve Keene

Lowell,

Most of the oligarchs only stay in business by giving Putin 40% of their company in a trust.  Otherwise he nationalizes it and gives it to someone who will give him what he asks.

Janalu Jeanes (Parchman)

You're correct, Steve.  Those oligarchs are not likely to upset the applecart from which they gain so very much.

And those oligarchs are probably secretly bugged, lest they connive to take Putin down.

When you are a communist dictator who has gotten very wealthy off of your many serfs income taxes, leaving them only a penance for which to survive, you don't have many friends at all, nor people you can trust.  I hear Putin even has food tasters to test his food before he eats the fare.  I wonder if any of his tasters have passed on? 

Janalu Jeanes (Parchman)

A simplistic joke:

Two peanuts walk down the street.

One is a salted.

Steve Keene

Janalu,

What did the freezing peanut say?

Cashew

A child had two bags of peanuts.  He put one bag in a coke.  He put another bag in a hard seltzer.  How did he decide which peanut bag went where? 

The seltzer got the cocktail peanuts.

P.S.:  Don't let Tommy bother you.  Tommy's arguments about Trump are somewhat ostensible but clearly untrue.

;

Steve Keene

Lowell,

Four guys go into a bar and order drinks.! One gets up and goes to the restroom.  The other three are making small talk and one asks, "How is your son doing?"  The other says, "Great, my son is a doctor.  He lives in a condo on Turtle Creek and is making so damn much money that he bought a condo close by for a friend, too. "How about your son?"  The guy says, "He is doing great, too. He is a personal injury attorney and is making so much money that he bought matching Lamborghinis for himself and his friend."  They looked at the third guy.  "Don't you have a son, too?"  "Sure do, and he is knocking em dead out there.  He is mining Bitcoin and making so much money that he bought Cabin Cruisers for himself and one of his friends."

About that time the fourth guy comes back from the bathroom.  "What is your son doing these days?"  "I'm embarrassed to talk about it, but he is a male prostitute living in the Oak Lawn area."   "That's too bad," his friends chime in. "I guess he is just getting by."  "Actually, he's doing pretty well.  One of his clients gave him a condo on Turtle Creek, another gave him a Lamborghini, and a third gave him a really nice houseboat."

Lowell Tuttle

Steve Keene

David,

First off, I am okay. I was a little shaken up this morning when it happened.  I was robbed at the Shell station on Red Bird Lane and highway 67. When my hands quit trembling, I managed to call the police.  They actually responded pretty quickly and were able to calm me down.  My money is gone!  They asked me if I knew who might have robbed me by chance.  I said yes... it was pump #3.

Janalu Jeanes (Parchman)

Have any of you seen this Alex Stein guy, who likes to show up at the Richardson City Council meetings, or the Plano City Council meetings, to address his points of view, or his suggestions toward problems he witnesses in daily life, by using rap lyrics and skits, or reading comedic-type material?  He has legitimate issues of concern to discuss with them, but he says he has given up on doing that in the traditional way, since, he says, they don't really listen to him.  He even managed to get an interview on Tucker Carlson tonight, just minutes ago.  He's quite the clever one, evidently.....

He caught my eye, as he was videoed at one meeting, doing rap singing and dancing around at the podium......

Some of the council members were smiling and giggling, while others looked annoyed.

David Cordell

An oldie --

My wonderful Italian girlfriend and I had been dating for over a year, and so we decided to get married.

There was only one little thing bothering me....It was her beautiful younger sister.

My prospective sister-in-law was twenty-two, wore very tight mini skirts, and generally was bra-less.

She would regularly bend down when she was near me, and I always got more than a nice view.

It had to be deliberate.

Because she never did it when she was near anyone else.

One day her 'little' sister called and asked me to come over to check the wedding invitations.

She was alone when I arrived, and she whispered to me that she had feelings and desires for me that she couldn't overcome.

She told me that she wanted me just once before I got married and committed my life to her sister.

Well, I was in total shock, and couldn't say a word.

She said, 'I'm going upstairs to my bedroom, and if you want one last wild fling, just come up and get me.'

I was stunned and frozen in shock as I watched her go up the stairs.

I stood there for a moment, then turned and made a beeline straight to the front door.

I opened the door, and headed straight towards my car.

Lo... And behold, my entire future family was standing outside, all clapping!

With tears in his eyes, my father-in-law put down his shotgun and hugged me and said, 'We are very happy that you have passed our little test. We couldn't ask for a better man for our daughter. Welcome to the family.'

And the moral of this story is:

Always keep your condoms in your car !

David Cordell

(from a lurker - Catholic humor)

Joey in Confession

"Bless me Father, for I have sinned. I have been with a loose girl."
The priest asks, "Is that you, little Joey Pagano?"
"Yes, Father, it is."
"And who was the girl you were with?"
"I can't tell you, Father. I don't want to ruin her reputation."
"Well, Joey, I'm sure to find out her name sooner or later so you may as well tell me now. Was it Tina Minetti?"
"I cannot say."
"Was it Teresa Mazzarelli?"
"I'll never tell."
"Was it Nina Capelli?"
"I'm sorry, but I cannot name her."
"Was it Cathy Piriano?"
"My lips are sealed."
"Was it Rosa DiAngelo, then?"
"Please, Father! I cannot tell you."
The priest sighs in frustration. "You're very tight lipped, and I admire that. But you've sinned and have to atone. You cannot be an altar boy now for 4 months. Now you go and behave yourself."
Joey walks back to his pew, and his friend Franco slides over and whispers, "What'd you get?"
"Four months vacation and five good leads..."

Janalu Jeanes (Parchman)

The "lurker" can't type a post?

Why are the lurkers so shy?  We're all old timers now, with numbered days left, but still we are too shy to type a little jokesy-poo?

It's a good joke.  No need to hide behind the fence post and ask David to write it for you.  It's a better joke than most, so "Let her rip!"  No need to cower before us nutcases! (if I may be so bold!)

I don't understand shyness after the age of 50.  Speak with boldness.....and be proud of who you are.  None of us is anything much more than ordinary shmoes just moseying down the road, hoping to enjoy what's left for us to see, or hear.

If I can post here, anyone can.  I was shy too, in my younger years, but at some point, I decided I had the right to speak up just like everyone else, and count in the discussions with my 'two cents worth.'  And God, I figured, loved me just as much as anyone else, whether others understood that or not.  I figured I had just as much right to be noticed as the next person, and I felt my voice was just as important.  I get knocked in the teeth occasionally, but I didn't let that stop me.  The First  Amendment gives each of us the right to speak about what we think, so why not use it to say our piece?  Everyone matters in this country.  Let us know what you have to say.  It's important to us.  We like to know where you stand and what you think.

Tell me to be less bossy and less preachy!

Steve Keene

Janalu,

You are right of course.  My philosophy after turning 70 is this:   Live every day as if you believe it will be your last.  One of these days soon, you will be right.

David Cordell

Lighten up! The lurker didn't ask me to post it. He/she just sent it to me, and I simply posted it because it is funny and mentioned that it was sent to me by a lurker. That said, some classmates simply don't want to expose themselves to being hassled, so I am happy to post thngs on behalf of them.

Separately, I was listening to 60s Gold on Sirius-XM yesterday. They played five consecutive songs that Carol Kaye, the famous bass player in the set of studio musicians known as the Wrecking Crew, played on. One of the songs was Sonny and Cher's The Beat Goes On, which was written and produced by Sonny Bono. Bono apparently felt that the song, as they were working on it, was too bland. He asked Carol Kaye to add a bass line, and of course her bass playing makes all the difference.

Jim Bedwell

KAPUTIN:

Steve Keene

Lance,

What a shame there are no Italian restaurants in your neighborhood.  Can't people go home and work out on weights and machines after a long workday without a nosy neighbor flying off the handle.

Steve Keene

Lance,

I reread your post and I realize now that I should have asked in the form of a question.  How much marijuana and booze do you have to consume with the 20-30 year olds to think that Olive Garden is good Italian food?  Or CiCi's for that matter?  

Or perhaps I am just an Italian food snob.

Steve Keene

Chief Jimbob,

I liked your Clutter joke.  Call when you come through the metroplex and we will get together.  Don't forget to call Gardner before you flee the NW.

Sandra Spieker (Ringo)

Steve,

Speaking of Italian food....way back in the early 70's, I dined at a really great place on Greenville Ave, called Pietro's.  They had some pretty great dishes at the time.  Looks like they are still in business too.  Here's a review.  Have you eaten there?  Lately?  Still good?  Or not?

Edited to add:  Just did some additional searching.  Pietro's is closed - permanently.  Closed in 2017 after 50 years.  Must have gotten old and quit the business. 

From the Dallas Observer....

Steve Keene

Sandra,

I loved Pietro's.  I took many first dates there.  You could eat good Italian food on red and white table cloths and sit in dim light using a candle in a wicker wrapped Chianti bottle.  I liked the way the wax from the previous colored candles mirrored a rainbow of colors.  The Chianti there was good and could be gotten by the bottle or wine glass.  I really liked their manicotti with an Italian salad to start and Italian garlic bread to share.  

Lowell Tuttle

My parents took us to Pietro's and I went there many more times later...Always had their lasangna     I lived on Oram, just three blocks from Greenvile from 73 to 75.