Deck Guy

I just wipe it off with a dry paper towel after I finish. It doesn't seem to dry on non-porous surfaces. I just did a deck that had louvered lights along the steps that had a hammered grey finish. I just wiped them down after I finished the steps.

Let me guess...something like THIS!!! Wait...I've got it...your Rap name is now...Furious J!

I've got two more to stain, then I'm done for the year. I don't know if I'm happy or sad.

That explains the slightly stronger mixes!

They've made quite a turnaround. As a Card's fan I'm a little spoiled. I really was hoping that the Cards would just lose the division, rather than dissapoint me in the playoffs again. I figured that if you can't win the World Series, why bother?? I'm surprised they pulled it out against San Diego, now it looks like they actually have a chance against the Mutts. Maybe we'll see Detroit and St. Louis in the Series!

Yep! ProCharger Supercharger. Running 9 lbs. of boost improves HP about 65% and torque about 55% over factory specs. I run about 435 HP now I believe! It really runs AND tows! Who needs a SuperDuty anything??:lgsideway

That's a nice truck, but I wonder how heavy the 5th wheel trailer is that he was hauling all those miles. Wayne, Fords really are great trucks, especially after you put one of these under the hood!

I'm assuming everyone is using an x-jet to apply these mixes?

Very Smart! Don, Yo shouldn't have to use a ladder on the deck. Just be sure that the HO is home. Do the outside of the deck, toss the gun up over or through the railing, run through the house, hit the inside of the rails and floor, and out the door!

I can't take credit for this, but I also can't remember where I saw it, but... an expert is someone who knows enough about what's going on to be really scared.

It's surprising how a little down time can make us feel. I'm looking forward to a day in the woods tomorow. We plan on scouting for deer signs on the ground we hunt during deer season, followed by several adult beverages. Just being out there lifts me up. And Neil, I second taking the dog along. Mines a great listener.

Amen Brother!

Do they have a conceal and carry permit in Atlanta? It is legal here to conceal a firearm in a vehicle evem without one, if you're over 23. I own several firearms. I like the 9mm best. As far as getting stopped with it, I figure I'll just tell the cop that I have a loaded so-and-so, and where it is. He's got mothing to fear from me.

I understand your point Kevin, but were not talking about them asking opinions on something, thereby being able to skew the question in a certain way. We discussed that in another thread, and I concede that in certain instances, the questions can be misleading (or leading). But in this case, we are talking about a persons age. That would be a difficult one to confuse people on. Race is a another tough one to skew by opinion. Further, how would adjusting these figures suit their cause? I would think that they would have a stronger case for legal abortion if in fact, your assumptions were correct. Middle class and upper-middle class people vote and have money to lobby! Lastly, I believe this information is not by way of a poll of those having abortions. I understand that this info is supplied by the clinincs based on their medical records in accordance with federal reporting guidelines, not the people themselves. Concerned Women for America also indirectly mis-quoted this particular study on their web page, and this is perhaps where you got your mis-information. It's interesting that given their mission statement, they would be willing to use this study as a source. Of course, thay are not very good at math, and if they figure out that they misunderstood the results, they will surely cast stones at this organmization as well. Their mission statement is: "We are the nation's largest public policy women's organization with a rich 27-year history of helping our members across the country bring Biblical principles into all levels of public policy. " Their headline states that the majority of women having abortions are over 25, but they then quote the Beverly LaHaye Institute, which then quotes this study, which then says that 48% (not the majority) of women having abortions were over 25. I've posted a copy of their newsletter, and in no way are they supporters of abortion. How about posting where you got your info? Maybe it is from a more credible and unbiased source, and we can get the correct data from you. The problem here is that either of us are unlikely to find anyone willing to spend the time to compile data on this who does not represent a certain point of view. Would you be willing to accept data from the US government on this if I can dig it up? Abortion Rates.pdf

Kevin, You also said: Again, if that were true, how horrible it would be. Unfortunately though, you are way off base. In fact, acording to the Alan Guttmacher Institute, one of the leading sources for information relating to abortion demographics, 52% of abortions are for women under 25, and 19% are for teenagers. Kinda blows your middle and upper-middles class between 24 and 40 stuff out of the water. There is also some great contradictory (to you) information regarding incomes and such, but I didn't feel like drawing you a picture which you're certain to disregard anyway since it doesn't fit your views of this terrible awful world we live in created by democrats. Here's a link to a 50+ page Powerpoint outlining their findings. http://www.guttmacher.org/presentations/abort_slides.pdf Again, it's not about me wanting to believe or not believe something you've posted. Two plus two equals four, period. I don't agree or disagree with facts, they're just facts. I understand why you feel the way you do about things, since you have been greatly misinformed by someone. I'm just trying to help you utilize the critical thought procees to understand that possibly you have been mislead.

Kevin, You're right, I sound like a class A jerk. I was/am just incredulous that even after you find articles which apperar to disprove you, and providing links so I can see them as well, you stand by your position. It's not about differing opinions though. You made a statement, and the facts simply don't support it. I'm just calling you on it. Is it really possible that Texas had more illegal immigrant births than the whole rest of the country combined? You tried to make a point, and the numbers don't support it even though I gave you statistics from the articles you quoted. If I believed you were right, and that these were facts, I would be on your side of this debate. I think your fears aren't grounded in facts, which explains why you feel the way you do. Can't we assume that certain communities have larger migrant populations than others (it's true)? Can't we also assume that if I were writing an article about births to illegal immigrants, I would choose hospitals in those same communities to make my point? Of course I would. Is the illegal immigrant population in Amarillo (Texas panhandle) the same as Laredo (border town)? Those aren't the "average" numbers, they represent the glaring examples of what the author is trying to point out. So here's the "meat," as you say... You may need a calculator for this, but according to numbers in the articles you cited, along with birth rates reported by the Texas Bureau of Vital Statistics, Texas would have to have doubled it's overall birth rate (384,000 in 2004) from 2004 to 2005, and every one of the additional births would have to be to illegal immigrants. (since there were only 360,000 illegal immigrant births nationwide last year). Not only that, but every single illegal immigrant birth nationwide (as reported in your articles) would have to have occurred in Texas. Is that what you are saying has occurred? All I'm asking for is little critical thinking. I'm just trying to understand your math. Larry

People make the same lame arguments against minimum wage increases each time they are considered, but why don't we just look at facts surrounding minimum wage increases in the past? Because the facts don't support these arguments. Here's a quote from the Economic Policy Institute: Recently, the Fiscal Policy Institute (FPI) released a study of the impact of higher minimum wages on small businesses4. Their analysis focuses on various outcomes for businesses with less than 50 employees, comparing these outcomes between states with minimum wages above the Federal level and those at the Federal level. If the theory that higher minimum wages hurt small businesses is correct, then we would expect there to be less growth in such enterprises in states with higher minimum wages. In fact, as shown in Figure 5, the opposite is the case. • Between 1998 and 2001, the number of small business establishments grew twice as quickly in states with higher minimum wages (3.1% vs. 1.6%). • Employment grew 1.5% more quickly in high minimum wage states. • Annual and average payroll growth was also faster in higher minimum wage states. There are upsides and downsides to everything, but at least consider both. And sorry guys, many economists view the labor market for minimum wage workers to be largely inelastic. It's doubtful the any Burger King will be laying anyone off anytime soon, even if the minimun wage were to increase. At least around here, they're struggling to fill the positions they have. I see some posting here from people who also have posted on other forums about how thankful they are to have what they've got. But is it possible to be truly thankful and yet be so smug when you speak of those who have less? Ask that when you pray next time. Any one of us could lose everything we treasure in an instant. I'm not arguing religion here, because it's not the root of this one belief I have which affects this discussion. I believe that I am my brothers keeper, period. I worked farm jobs as a kid with migrant workers in hot fields. Whole families would come to work (sometimes three generations). We would weed shallots on our knees, crawling down 1/2 mile long rows while a worker called an "overseer" would walk around with a hoe. Seventy-five cents an hour in 1975, when I was 12. It was really like something out of "Cool Hand Luke." I was needing gas for my minibike, they were working to feed themselves. Kinda puts things in perspective for you. I'm tired of the whole "I got mine, you get yours," mentality. Doesnt anyone even have a heart anymore?

Kevin, Not one of those articles says anything about the majority of births in Texas being to illegal immigrants, which is what you said! They speak of a 40% increase over a certain period of time, and one states that there were approximately 360,000 births to illegal immigrants nationwide last year. But I found that there were 384,000 total births in Texas alone in 2004, so even comparing the Texas birth rate to the nationwide illegal immigrant birth rate, your numbers don't add up! Just cite the one source you were quoting from when you said that. My general problem is simply this...don't quote numbers if you have nothing to back it up. I wouldn't have had a problem if you say, "There are more and more births to illegal immigrants each year," because I believe that too. But making up numbers makes you look like your pushing your point through BS, which I can smell from here, and is an insult to the intelligence with a computer and access to Google. If you can show me where you got your info, I'll admit that I'm very suprised, and that you were right all along. Post the link backing your numbers. I'll even make it easy for you. I'll assume that, as a given, there were approximately the same number of total births in Texas in 2006 as in 2004. Now you just have to show me that there were 195,000 births to illegal immigrants in Texas last year. Larry

Is it just me who gets chills when they hear the word, "homeland." Reminds me of something from 1930's Germany. Hitler often spoke of the Motherland. Deutcheland uber alles!

You said: It sounded like something Jan Brady would say just before...oh well. I'm with you on the fair tax and inheritance taxes as well, although most people misunderstand how that tax is applied and would never be affected by it. The problem with a fair tax is that alot of lawyers and accountants make their livings from our complicated system, so they are sure to fight it.

What about ME??? It's always MARSHA, MARSHA, MARSHA!!!! Sorry, I couldn't resist, and most of you won't get it anyway, but... Ummm...many people have retirement plans that are not derived from investment income. Ever heard of the US military? Auto Workers and other unions? Federal, State and Municipal Workers? Most major corporations?? It's definitely shifting away from that in the privarte sector now, but many current retirees get benefits through traditional retirement plans. Many of these people earn $30,000 plus from traditional plans, and pay thousands a year more in taxes than you or I would on that same amount of income, since they have fewer deductions (no kids, no mortgage). They constructively end up in a higher tax bracket because of this. You must not know any retirees! I don't live in your state, but in some states that I am aware of, the point of similar changes was that certain government retirees weren't taxed on their retirement, but all others were. The changes made were in the interst of fairness more than anything. My father (who has two retirement incomes besides investments and FICA) got thousands back after retireees there sued the state and won because his state exempted retired state workers and no-one else. You might check to see if that's the case there. In any event, I have no problem with my mom and dad getting a break on their taxes. At least someone I know is benefitting, and I will someday.

It's hard to describe, but if you completely disect the swing, there was one thing I found to help the little guys. I'll try anyway...Starting from the proper stance, the swing can't really begin untill you "load up" just a little. In other words, the first move the batter makes as part of his swing is actually a slight turn AWAY from the pitcher. A lot of the younger players want to start their swing from the proper batting position they've been taught, but at the moment they begin their swing, they actually need to move their hands back and rotate slightly away from the pitcher. This move accomodates a slight weight-shift to the back foot as well, setting the batter up for a full swing and follow-through. After loading up like this, just pulling the handle of the bat (like pulling a rope) downward quickly sets the rest of the swing in motion (the barrel will follow quickly). Simulate your own swing, and you'll see that you do it without thinking about it. Young kids just haven't been taught to make this move, and come upon it on their own eventually. Of course, there is also driving through the ball, which is a feeling that's hard to describe to a kid until he does it for the first time. Can you tell that I loved coaching??? I had some good books on drills and coaching. I'll try to dig them out.

Somehow I'm guessing that isn't exactly how their party platform reads! Here's a simple question. I have voted for candidates on both sides of the abortion issue. After all, there are other things such as national defense, economic policy, and foreign affairs, all of which affect the direction of our country. Have you ever voted for a candidate who supported a womans right to chose, based on his overall platform? I look at any candidate as whole, do you? On the subject of an educated electorate...we went through that during the civil rights movement, and the Supreme Court found that it was attempt to deny the rights of American citizens (wave flag here). A more common philosophy is that the uninformed voters will cancel each other out. For every uneducated welfare recipient in Chicago, there is an uneducated gun-toting xenophobe in Alabama. Truly though, when I see that someone posts on this board (and believes) that there are more illegal immigrant births than to citizens in Texas, I wonder if there shouldn't be some sort of test as well.

A 30 inch bat seems a bit long for an 8 year-old. Weight is most important though, and the aluminum makes it possible for him to get around. Have him stand at the plate in a good stance and take a few swings. I would guess that a 28 inch bat will put the sweet spot over the plate when he swings, and that's what you want as far as length goes. If that works, you can even go a bit lighter but with a 28" bat, he'll get around quicker. I had a heck of a time teaching kids that age to hit through the ball when they swung the bat. They would hit the ball and the bat would stop dead almost, making weak contact.

I don't believe in hindering business in any way, but I do believe that workers deserve protection from unfair business practices on the part of employers. So yes, before we have to argue about it, I support a fair minimum wage. It would be helpful to know more. What exactly is "economic freedom"? I've never heard the term before. And who is "The Pacific Research Institute?" Here's a quote from thier web-page. "The mission of the Pacific Research Institute (PRI) is to champion freedom, opportunity, and personal responsibility for all individuals by advancing free-market policy solutions." They don't even claim to be unbiased. Also, it would be important to establish a connection between voting patterns and "economic freedom." Is there a cause/effect relationship between the two? I would guess that the blue states average more shoreline than the red states too. Is it that guys who like to fish vote differently? Maybe more sailboat enthusiasts? We could also find that one group of states averages more rainfall, days of fog, minority business owners, acres of parks, etc...But is there a cause/effect relationship between these statistics and voting preferences? For example, I'm usually sleepy by the time Letterman is over, so could we assume that Letterman causes me to be sleepy? Or, we could of course consider that I've usually been up for 18 hours at that time...but which is it??