Last February, we reported on the very real possibility that John Boehner had cut a deal with Eric Holder to provide for a mutually satisfactory outcome to the Fast and Furious scandal.  Boehner, never known for being a tower of political courage, appeared to be opting for political expediency and a quick end to what could prove to be a racially charged investigation.  Now, it appears Boehner has given his long-awaited approval for next week’s contempt of Congress vote against Attorney General Eric Holder.  Why the sudden change of heart from this tower of timidity?  Why the sudden disregard for risking his political advantage….or  worse,  angering the lame stream media?    (more…)

Seems like a whole lot of people are beginning to notice an uptick in the hot air coming out of this White House.   Blowhard:  A self-important egomaniac who likes to toot his own horn.  A windbag.  

It took Herb Younger’s two sons five years to find his beloved 1965 Chevy Impala SS, after Herb was forced to sell the car to pay for his sons’ education.  Twenty years later,  Herb thought the film crew was there to film three generations of his family, but the boys had found a special way to repay their Dad’s generosity.   It may be a commercial, but it’s a great one.  Are there any of you will similar memories of that long-lost car?
The YouTube ID of bz-nO6WvOYw#! is invalid.

Well, it looks like this was another one of those just too good to be true stories.  According to Snopes, this article was “incorrectly attributed” to Cosby, and Cosby’s own site features a denial of it.  It was written by Robt. A Hall, former Massachusetts state senator.  Well heck, it’s still a good rant so I’m leaving it up.

“I’m 83, and I’m Tired”…

*H/T to Bijou….
I’m 83. Except for brief period in the 50’s when I was doing my National Service, I’ve worked hard since I was 17. Except for some serious health challenges, I put in 50-hour weeks, and didn’t call in sick in nearly 40 years. I made a reasonable salary, but I didn’t inherit my job or my income, and I worked to get where I am. Given the economy, it looks as though retirement was a bad idea, and I’m tired. Very tired.

*Thank you to our Menagerie for her assistance in writing much of the following.
Today we celebrate the birthday of one of our founding Treepers, Stellap.  Were it not for her steadfast and resourceful efforts to rally and unite our initial group, we would very likely not be the site you see today.  Since that time, her contributions have been truly invaluable…not the least of which is her ability to dissect and dismember the occasional visitor seeking only to press their agenda.
Stellap is also a wonderful example and ambassador for her home state of Michigan, helping us understand some of the behind-the-scenes issues regarding the auto industry.  She knows her cars…especially GM cars.
When she’s not sitting behind a keyboard, you’ll most likely find her tending a garden full of flowers. Her writings and pictures have helped us make it through some of the worst of the cold weather and leap into spring with joy. A day in the yard working with her flowers pays big dividends for us as she paints a wonderful picture with her love for the beauty of the outdoors.
Just out of nowhere, you already have doors but they just don’t work right? Doors that don’t close or latch properly or that fit an opening poorly can be frustrating. Over the past ten years, the bifold doors have become very popular door options. The traditional conservatory door or patio door has always served as the alternative for French door – single door system. I mean, there are countless advantages of bifold doors.
But a day overseeing the shenanigans going on in the Tree, enjoying the beauty of her native Michigan, or working with her flowers is not complete until it’s topped off with a good book and a glass of wine.  Today we raise a toast to Stellap…a fine friend and a founding Treeper.

May you live all the days of your life.

~Jonathan Swift

Yesterday, special prosecutor Angela Corey released all the discovery evidence relating to George Zimmerman, including details of Zimmerman’s encounter with Trayvon Martin on Feb. 26th in Sanford, Florida. The chilling evidence in the Trayvon Martin case shows pictures of a bloody George Zimmerman, items each man had in his possession, and the gun he used to shoot Martin. All 46 photos are presented in a slide-show format with each having a 5 sec. delay.

This morning, Megyn Kelly conducted an excellent interview with both Alan Dershowitz and Bernie Goldberg regarding George Zimmerman and the issues that will define a successful claim of self-defense.  Kelly did a marvelous job of handling the give and take between her guests,  leading to specifics like a “perfect” and “imperfect” self-defense being explained by Dershowitz…who then went on to claim that it doesn’t make any difference WHO started the initial encounter.
In Florida, the defendant is accorded “perfect” self-defense even if he started the confrontation.  Many states have “imperfect” self-defense that would consider the fact that your actions may have led up to the confrontation, and thus you would not be safe from criminal prosecution. Kelly said she believes the prosecution’s case will in all probability  come down to the written testimony of the police officer who wrote that the incident could have been avoided had Zimmerman not confronted Martin.  Dershowitz’s response?  “There is no such thing as a “But-If” clause.  Really, an excellent interview.

Treeper Jello333 provides this to the tip line: It looks like Crump and the media are about to start a new tactic: “If only Zimmerman hadn’t left his vehicle none of this would have happened. So it’s all ultimately his fault no matter what happened later.” So here’s my answer to that: (more…)

Tonight Piers Morgan interviewed both Benjamin Crump and Mark O’Mara for their very different perspectives on the latest release of evidence.

Ad Rem Puddy highlights a Tip from the Tip Line
Treeper Jello provides this lengthy consideration for your review:
I think I’m finally pretty up-to-date with the posts on this site, and I haven’t seen anything related to what I’m about to say. But if it’s already been discussed, and I’ve just missed it, sorry. I guess I’ll just have to be embarrassed that I went to all this trouble for nothing. 😉  Oh, and another thing, I partly agree with this recent comment by Sundance:

“… we know that the details surrounding the shooting of Trayvon Martin are no longer the matter at hand in determining the outcome for George Zimmerman.   Indeed, if those details or facts ever truly were what mattered, they are not now.  That train has long since passed the station of justice.”

As for public opinion, at least for the majority of people in this country, I think that’s right. But I still think a whole lot of people can be convinced they’re wrong (as evidenced by how many have seen the light over just the past couple weeks). And when/if this case ever goes to trial, these kind of details are gonna be VERY important, at least if we get a fair jury empaneled. So I hope you’ll bear with me with what I’m about to say, since it very much DOES involve “details and facts” of the case. (more…)

Ohayo Minna!  Today the Treehouse celebrates the birthday of another admin…“zmalfoy”, or Zophiel as she is known to her friends amongst the branches.  Her gravatar lists an impressive array of talents:  vocal performance, bellydance, alchemy, theology, and survival skills.  If she had more room, she could have also included interests in geology, physics, the skills of a Starbuck’s Barista par excellence, and the uncanny ability to always get an “A”.  Yep, she’s even smarter than Sarah Palin’s favorite red shoes!

One of the most interesting aspects of Zophie is her knowledge of all things relating to Japanese Anime (the abbreviated pronunciation of animation).  It’s a style of animation originating in Japan, characterized by colorful graphics and often featuring themes intended for an adult audience.   Zophie’s gravatar is the young “meister” or craftsman named Maka Albarn, who’s one of the lead characters in the Japanese manga (cartoon) called “Soul Eater”.  The story revolves around three teams consisting of a weapon meister and (at least one) human weapon. Trying to make the latter a “death scythe” and thus fit for use by the academy’s headmaster Shinigami, the personification of death, they must collect the souls of 99 evil humans and one witch, in that order; otherwise, they will have to start all over again. (more…)