No economic downfall for beer

No matter how bad things get, Americans are still swilling their brew. Experts say half of the booze sold in this country is beer, making it the leader in alcohol sales.

Surveys show that beer sales haven't gone flat in this down economy. "It's really a consumer staple kind of industry," said Dan Ahrens, author of the book "Investing in Vice." He put it on par with toothpaste and soap. "People gotta drink no matter what's going on in the economy," Ahrens said in an interview with the Chicago Tribune today.

Feds violate 10th Amendment

Today in As It Stands - Times-Standard edition- I talk about a landmark ruling against the feds violating California's state rights in their pursuit to undermine The Compassionate Act of 1996 when medical marijuana was okayed.

TODAY'S THREAD:

This ruling took place on August 20th. So where was the mainstream media coverage on it?

Kentucky governor outraged at gas price gouging

Wasn't it just yesterday that President Bush assured us that there would be no price gouging in this country after hurricane Ike?

Reality sets in when Gov. Steve Beshear declared a state of emergency in Kentucky today saying, "I'm outraged at the voracious practice of price gouging!" Apparently the greed-meisters are out in full force, trying to make money off of people's suffering!

This is capitalism at it's worse.

Bush says consumers won't be gouged on gas after Ike

Gee that's a nice thought...too bad it isn't true! Just turn on CNN or other news stations today and check out the prices that are going through the roof! In Texas right now people are paying over $5 a gallon! In some stations across the Gulf Coast gas prices are being raised hourly!

Yet, we see this article in the mainstream media that makes it sound like everything is "Jim Dandy!" Bush is looking out for our welfare the article implies...I wonder if he's watching television today?

TODAY'S THREAD:

If this supposed news article isn't an example of corporate media telling lies, then I don't know what is. What are your feelings about this subject?

Todd Palin is going to have to answer some tough questions

It looks like those crazy Palin's are getting deeper in the do-do, as Alaska state lawmakers voted today to subpoena Gov. Palin's husband Todd, in the abuse of power case filed against her. But wait! It gets better...

The Republicans tried to delay this investigation until after Nov.4th, but GOP State Senator Charlie Higgins sided with the Democrats and moved the date up!

TODAY'S Last THREAD:

Does anyone else share my feeling that this ongoing Palin saga has yet more surprises ahead?

Oil brokers and energy company employees investigation will make a good miniseries

Forget about Peyton Place, Dallas, and those other dated miniseries! We've got a new reality show that promises to be a hit in the coming months. Just in time for the Fall programing.

For a preview

check this out.

Today's 2nd Thread:

How do you think this reality show will do and what happens in the end of the series? 

Palin back pedals on Global Warming position

In her first major interview earlier this week, Sarah Palin told ABC News reporter Charles Gibson that, "I never said there's absolute proof that nothing that man has ever engaged in has had any effect on climate."

Oh really? Here's a couple of remainders for Sarah Barracuda:

1) She told the internet news site "NewsMax" that, "A changing environment will affect Alaska more than any other state because of our location..I'm not one, though, who would attribute it to being man made."

2) Last year in the Fairbank News she said, "I'm not Al Gore, doom-and-gloom environmentalist blaming the changes in our climate on human activity."

I guess she ought to also talk with her running mate John McCain, because he has come out and said that humans have caused Global Warming.

TODAY'S THREAD:

Does Palin even know what truth is?

Lost cat re-united with owners after 9 years!

Dateline London-

Dixie, a ginger-colored cat, disappeared nine years ago and the owners feared she was dead. But surprise!

The cat had a microchip in her and some lady found her and turned her into the human society who called the couple and said,"come get your cat." I suspect that Dixie has used up at least eight of her nine lives in recent years.

Fed watchdog reveals improper relationships among oil brokers, energy company employees

The latest scandal to hit the oil/energy market is full of "substance abuse and promiscuity" as government brokers responsible for collecting billions of dollars in federal royalties had sex with energy company employees, and accepted lavish gifts from them.

As if that wasn't bad enough those brokers and energy buddies rigged contracts to favor firms, according to investigators.

TODAY'S THREAD:

What do you think should be done to these people who are taking advantage of their positions? Lock 'em up and throw away the key? Or just give them a pat on the hand and say, "that's a no-no!"

Three double standards in Palin's bid for power

First, Republican campaign manager, Rick Davis, says that reporters won't be allowed to talk with Palin unless they show respect and deference. Deference? I can't think of anyone in American politics, including the President of the United States, whose political backers demand such an outrageous precondition!

Respect and courtesy, perhaps, but then don't we all want that?

'Shadow government of the West' the Bilderberg Group aka The New World Order

Have you ever heard of the Bilderberg Group?  I wouldn't be surprised if you hadn't. I just ran across them while doing some research and was astounded.

Why? Because this group contains the most powerful people in the Western nations and is so secretive they won't allow any journalists to attending their conventions/meetings. This has been going on since 1954. I think you'll be surprised when you read this column.

TODAY'S THREAD:

Have you ever heard of The Bilderberg Group?

Get your pic with Palin-it's only $50,000!

If you want your photo taken with Republican VP candidate Sarah Palin, just show up at a California billionaire's compound on September 25th, and be prepared to shell out some big bucks for this Republican fundraiser.

Hey, you can even get a John McCain label pin for a mere $2,500! It seems that Palin's convention speech about "taking on the old politics as usual" was dust in the wind. She's quickly fit right in with the way Washington power brokers do things.

                                             TODAY'S THREAD:

Do you think Palin is really going to be an "agent of change" as she claims?

JetBlue auctions 300 flights on eBay starting at 5 cents!

JetBlue has found a novel way to get people interested in their airlines - put bargain basement deals on eBay and see what the people say.

According to Harla Platt at Northeastern University, who follows the airline industry the bold move will bring valuable "word-of-mouth" advertising. Who needs billboards?

TODAY'S THREAD:

What do you think about this idea?

Marijuana Food Contest could end prohibition

There's a nationwide group of marijuana legalization advocates that are having a Genetically Modified Marijuana Food Contest. Their hoping someone in our nation's colleges studying biology will be a candidate and possible creator of genetically modified chow.

Okay, it's strange but who knows? It brings up a couple of interesting points.

A paradoxical past for Palin

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin has a checkered past that is slowly submerging. It's still too early to tell if she's going to be a support for the ticket, or if her past is going to cause troubles for her and the Republican party who so quickly vetted her.

TODAY'S THREAD:

Do you think McCain's hasty pick was because she was a woman, and he felt he needed a woman on the ticket to win?

Iraqi govt reacts to report that US spied on their prime minister

Bob Woodward's new book, "The War Within: A Secret White House History-2006-2008" has really opened a can of worms with the Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and his staff when they found out that the US was spying on them!

It's a bad time right now, as the Iraqi's are constantly saying they want us out of there. Now, more than ever, our government needs to firm up a date for withdrawal and get out of that country.

TODAY'S THREAD:

What do you think is keeping us from announcing an exact withdrawal date?

Suicides in Army expected to surpass record set last year

By the end of August there were 62 confirmed suicides among active duty soldiers. Another 31 cases are still being investigated. It's apparent the strain of years of war are taking their toll on American soldiers who often do two or more combat tours.

TODAY'S THREAD #1

Regardless of who wins the presidency, what do you think the chances of getting out of Iraq in 2009 are?

Fire retardant chemicals found in toddlers' blood

Researchers are saying that young children today have high levels of chemical fire retardants in their blood. The culprit is called PBDEs, and it's used widely in televisions, remote controls, computers, mattresses, and other products.

These PBDEs are thought to be behind possible brain damage and hyperactivity.

TODAY'S THREAD

The problem is, what can be done about it? 

Court says feds violated 10th amendment

In a victory for Californians, a U.S.District Judge ruled that the feds have been bad boys for picking on medical marijuana patients, caregivers, dispensary owners, and local state and county officials.

It's good to see voters get what they asked for, but are the feds going to weasel out of their promise to go along with the new program? Time will tell. For now it's something to savor and a setback to Bush's boys.

Feds report says Gonzales mishandled secrets

Former Atty.Gen Alberto Gonzales resigned last year under fire. Now a fed report says he was improperly-and possibly illegally-storing classified information about two of Bushes administrators. But, the Justice Department refused to prosecute him.

The Democratic chairman of the House Judiciary committee, John Conyers (D-Mich) demanded to know why?

TODAY'S THREAD:
Why do you think Gonzales' case is being dropped?