When Irish Eyes Are Intoxicatedly Smiling

Charlie and Annie’s Daily Poll: Have the old negative stereotypes about people of Irish descent disappeared or do you think they are still with us?

(Please share your opinion by clicking the "comments" link near the bottom of this post!)

Today is the day that everybody’s Irish, or so the old saying goes. That’s not a stretch for many Americans as a large percentage of the population has at least some Irish ancestry.

Legend says that St. Patrick rid Ireland of snakes. The truth about him may be even more interesting than the legends as he lived at a time when the world was far less civilized than it is now! But, there are still a few barbarians around trying to make life miserable for the rest of us!

While in Ireland St. Patrick’s Day is more of a solemn occasion and holy day of obligation, in America it is mostly a big drunken party. It tends to be an “amateur day” on a par with New Year’s Eve! Some people drink way too much and the celebrations can get out of hand. For instance, in Chicago the long-held “South Side Irish” parade was cancelled this year due to drunken craziness which occurred in the past several editions of the celebration.

Annie: It’s too bad that longstanding traditions have to be cancelled because of the actions of a few “bad apples”!

Charlie: Unfortunately, that’s the way it always happens. 99.9% of the people are just out having a good time and a handful of idiots ruin it for everybody.

Annie: It’s too bad, but the authorities have to do something before somebody gets seriously hurt…or worse!

Charlie: Too bad we don’t have a patron saint like St. Patrick nowadays who can rid our country of nimrods!

Annie: That would be very bad for you if one did appear; you would have to leave with all the other jokers!

Charlie: Very funny.
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Further Reading: St. Patrick

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Uptight Flight

Charlie and Annie's Daily Poll: Are some delays to be expected with a system as huge and complicated as the air traffic control system or are the delays completely unacceptable considering how much the system costs taxpayers?

(Please share your opinion by clicking the "comments" link near the bottom of this post!)

Recent computer glitches at the FAA have caused massive flight delays across the nation. Several times in the past year, travelers have been inconvenienced by this type of problem. Some of the incidents persisted for hours had thousands of flyers angry and frustrated.

If the air traffic control system is not upgraded, travelers can expect longer and more frequent delays. Air travel can be a hassle under the best of circumstances. Fighting traffic to get to the airport, long security lines and lost luggage are bad enough, but when the computer system that controls air traffic flounders the system grinds to a complete halt.

Charlie: Why do people put themselves through this?

Annie: People like to take vacations, visit family in other parts of the country and others travel for work.

Charlie: Work? What’s that? It sounds like a four letter word to me!

Annie: Work is how people get money.

Charlie: Money?

Annie: It’s what Mama and Papa use to buy us food, toys, beds, etc.

Charlie: Maybe work isn’t so bad after all, as long as somebody else is doing it!

Annie: I hear you, brother!

Charlie: But still, this air travel thing sounds like a real nightmare!

Annie: I really don’t understand how humans can stand to pack up and leave us kitties behind, even for a day or two.

Charlie: You know when they are suffering through those long delays at the airport they are wishing they were back home snuggled up with us!
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Further Reading: FAA Computer Problems
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Higher And Higher

Charlie and Annie’s Daily Poll: Is it appropriate for state and local governments to be putting more of a squeeze on citizens in order to balance their budgets or should they be doing more to make budget cuts?

(Please share your opinion by clicking on the "comments" link at the bottom of this post!)

As if everyone’s budgets haven’t taken enough of a hit in these tough economic times, now sales taxes are creeping up across the country. Apparently, states and local governments feel it’s appropriate to prop up their budgets by depleting ours!

The average sales tax rate in the U.S. had risen to 8.629% by the end of 2009. The highest rate in the nation is in Arab, Alabama at 12%. The highest big-city rate is Chicago’s, which has climbed to a staggering 10.25%.

The increased sales tax rates certainly can’t be helping to revive an already shaky economy. In many areas, the taxes are multi-layered with the state, counties and local municipalities all taking a big bite!

Annie: This is ridiculous! As if the bad economy wasn’t enough, now all these government entities are making it even worse on us!

Charlie: The government’s always going to get “theirs”, even if it is really yours!

Annie: They’re almost as bad as the credit card companies! How are we girls supposed to build our spring wardrobes if we can’t afford the sales tax?

Charlie: These government chumps don’t seem to realize that they get diminishing returns by raising taxes because they erode everybody’s buying power so there are fewer sales to collect taxes on!

Annie: I think they think nobody notices sales taxes and they’ll buy whatever they’re going to buy anyway.

Charlie: Oh, people are going to notice when the taxes get into double-digit percentages!

Annie: I guess we’re going to just have to cut back even more than we already were.

Charlie: Funny, you never hear politicians talking about making serious cuts to THEIR budgets; they only ever seem to want to raise OUR taxes and hammer OUR budgets!

Annie: Maybe we need to make sure they feel the budget bite by making all the incumbents unemployed when the next election comes around!

Charlie: I hear you, sister.
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Related Reading: Increasing Sales Taxes
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A Really Big Crime?

Charlie and Annie’s Daily Poll: Do you think the 9/11 terror suspects should be tried in civilian courts or by military tribunals?

It appears that the United Nations has no respect for U.S. sovereignty or the views of the American people.

U.N. human rights envoys are speaking out saying that the 9/11 suspects should be tried in civilian courts, despite the fact that polls show most Americans favor military tribunals and most legal experts agree that U.S. law allows for them.

The Obama administration initially agreed with the U.N., but is now waffling in the face of stiff congressional and public opinion. The Bush administration opted for the military tribunals. Most Americans seem to agree with the Bush viewpoint that the 9/11 attacks were an act of war, not a civil crime, and that the suspects should therefore face military justice.

Annie: I guess this whole thing boils down to whether you see the attacks on 9/11 as a crime or an act of war.

Charlie: When you’re talking about a group of foreigners planning an attack on foreign soil that involves sneaking yet other foreigners into the U.S., having them hijack airliners and then flying them into buildings with the intent of killing thousands of U.S. citizens, I think it’s pretty clear that we are talking about an act of war!

Annie: Not just a REALLY BIG crime?

Charlie: 3,000 people dead!

Annie: I see your point.

Charlie: Don’t these U.N. guys have more important things to concentrate on, like dictators all over the world murdering tens of thousands of people?!?!

Annie: I guess it draws more attention when you rail against the “evils” of the lone superpower!

Charlie: I don’t see any Americans among the envoys calling for civilian trials. It would be interesting to know if their views might change if THEIR home countries were the ones attacked!

Annie: Most of these U.N. people are the pointy-headed intellectual types, so probably not.

Charlie: Another good point, madam!
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Related Reading: U.N. Wants Civilian Trials
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Super-Simple Cat Projects: The Deluxe Cat Perch/Hideaway

Click the link below to open instructions which you can download and/or print to build this simple, inexpensive project for your cats.

Sell Your Soul To The Tax Man

Charlie and Annie’s Daily Poll: Do you think it is acceptable for the government to be turning citizens against each other for money?

Well, it’s finally come to this; the government is encouraging Americans to rat each other out!

Due to tough economic conditions, the IRS thinks more people will be tempted to cheat so they are offering cash “rewards” to those who snitch on friends, family or co-workers. They will give snitches up to 15% of the amount that has been underpaid.

Charlie: Geez, this is a little much, isn’t it? I know people shouldn’t cheat on their taxes, but I don’t think the government should be paying people to turn each other in!

Annie: If you’re not cheating, you don’t have anything to worry about!

Charlie: That’s not necessarily true, Miss Smarty Pants! Somebody who has a score to settle might get the bright idea to turn somebody in just to get the IRS on their case, whether the claim is legitimate or not!

Annie: Who would stoop that low?

Charlie: I know you weren’t born yesterday…

Annie: Are you making a crack about my age?

Charlie: No way! I know better than that! My point is that there are PLENTY of lowlifes out there who would do something like that and make the snitch program really dangerous, even for completely innocent folk!

Annie: I suppose you’re right, but I don’t know anyone like that! By the way, what is YOUR social security number again?

Charlie: Very funny! You know I don’t get paid, at least not in money, for my job!

Annie: Job? What job?

Charlie: You know, I hang out in strategic locations where I can be seen and “wow” people with my good looks!

Annie: Now I’ve heard everything! That’s a “job”?

Charlie: You think it’s EASY to look this good? My grooming regiment is a lot of work!

Annie: Mama does most of the work when she combs you out every day!

Charlie: It’s VERY STRESSFUL for me!

Annie: You are high maintenance, that’s for sure. You cry like a little kitten! Too bad Mama and Papa can’t claim you as a dependent!
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Related Reading: IRS Reward Program
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A Leisurely Cruise

Charlie and Annie’s Daily Poll: Would/Do you enjoy cruise vacations or do you feel that they couldn’t pay you enough to get on a ship?

Cruise ship vacations are supposed to be leisurely and relaxing, but sometimes the ocean reminds us just how small we are.

While sailing near the French port of Marseilles in the Mediterranean on Wednesday, the Louis Majesty was struck by three (3) 26-foot waves. The giant waves smashed glass windshields and caused other damage. Two passengers were killed and six others injured in the resulting mayhem.

The ship is Cypriot-owned and carries nearly 1,400 passengers. It was sailing from Barcelona to Genoa in Italy.

Following the incident, the ship is returning to Barcelona.

Charlie: That’s a BIG ocean out there and it can make even a huge ship seem tiny!

Annie: Apparently, people just can’t get enough of cruising! I wish Mama and Papa didn’t like it so much.

Charlie: Because of the danger? It’s really a very safe vacation alternative.

Annie: Well, they also leave us for a week or so when they go.

Charlie: We get to visit with Aunt Teri when they’re on vacation!

Annie: That’s fun, but I miss Mama and Papa!

Charlie: That does kinda stink. Maybe somebody will start a cruise line that allows kitties onboard?!?!

Annie: Oh no! I get seasick!

Charlie: How do you know? You’ve never been on a boat!

Annie: Do YOU like water?

Charlie: I see your point. I’ll just stay right here on dry land and wish Mama and Papa “Bon Voyage!” when they go!
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Related Reading: Cruise Ship Accident
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