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Category: war

02/28/08 09:47 - 9ºF - ID#43492

$3,000,000,000,000

In the long term, this war we are in will cost over 3 trillion dollars.

This is assuming two things:

a. We won't go bankrupt trying to pay this enormous debt.

and

b. We will care for our veterans.

So the estimate MIGHT not be accurate, but it seems to be a moral imperitive to care for veterans, so we should plan on trying.

I trillion is a lot of money. It's a thousand billion. And a billion is a thousand million, and a million is still a lot of money.

I'm not sure that helps you comprehend the money we are spending. Look at this page for a more visual discription:



Here is the last picture from the page (although it's better if you check out the whole series)


image

"This pile [of stacked dollar bills] is 125 feet wide, 200 feet deep, and 450 feet tall.

450 feet is the height of a 38-story building. It's the hieght of the Millenium Wheel in London. It is also the height of the Luxor Hotel in Las Vegas and the Louisiana State Capitol Building. "

The little dots in the corner are a man and a car, to provide a little bit of scale.

Of course, that is only the cost in 2006. The projected, long term cost is 3 trillion--ten times that. (and that is a best case scenario)

I hope you like paying taxes. Because we've spent a lot of money that we don't have.

Me? I think I am going to invest in a time machine.


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Words: 257
Location: Buffalo, NY


02/27/08 03:26 - 13ºF - ID#43484

Myron Cope has died

Probably doesn't mean much to you, but Cope meant a lot to Pittsburghers like me.


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Permalink: Myron_Cope_has_died.html
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Location: Buffalo, NY


02/26/08 09:30 - 30ºF - ID#43466

Just to make Jim jealous


My brother sent this photo from Ohio, where he goes to University of Dayton.

image

He had to wait over 5 hours to be in the front row.


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Location: Buffalo, NY


02/23/08 05:17 - 27ºF - ID#43439

Invite: Monday Birthday in the Burbs


Why Williamsville? Because that is where there is an 3D digital theater.

Why a 3D digital theater? Because that is where u2 is in 3D.

The schedule: Beer at the Brewpub at Main and Transit @8:15

u23d at the Regal Imax @9:40.

Anybody who wishes to celebrate my birthday and/or watch u2 and/or drink beer is welcome to join. If you want to co-ordinate rides, use the comment box.





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Permalink: Invite_Monday_Birthday_in_the_Burbs.html
Words: 70
Location: Buffalo, NY


02/22/08 10:26 - 22ºF - ID#43425

I said I would post yesterday

but I didn't.

Had my visit at P.S. 6, regarding T.

This kid is a good kid one-on-one with adults, but unless a grown up gives him one-on-one attention, he tends to let his life be dominated by his peers. It's a lot of bullying and stuff like that, he gets it and he gives it. And he's just been suspended for swearing at a teacher.

The teacher and principal were thrilled that I called them. It's so sad--nobody came at all for parent/teacher conferences. I know that Buffalo public schools don't have the best reputation, but this teacher and this principal knew what was up, and T's class only had 18 students. The problem is that his Dad is in Iraq (I don't think people think of what it does to families when a war happens) and Mom is, er, disengaged. So T, in 6th grade, spends a lot of time caring for his sister.

We should not act surprised when kids join gangs.

Still, there is some cause for optimism. The teachers and I are on the same team, and there is a good social worker that can help a ton, if we get Mom's signature. I'm going to lean on this kid hard to behave in school and work with him on his school stuff.

One of the things that I realized a while ago was that the number one thing that makes a difference in a kids life is if there is an adult that cares what happens to them. If you aren't working with some kid (and it really isn't "work" hanging out with a kid), I reccomend doing so. I can help make it happen, too.
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Permalink: I_said_I_would_post_yesterday.html
Words: 282
Location: Buffalo, NY


02/20/08 03:12 - 19ºF - ID#43404

I bought it.

I am such a consumer. A bunch of my recent posts have been about products. Products don't make you happy. Not even laptops. Especially not laptops, since they belong to the computer family and computers generally make me frustrated.


Anyway, I won't be buying too much more stuff. Unless a ton of Birthday money comes in.

I will post again tomorrow. It will be about:

turning 30

or

visiting a kid's school (he is failing because he keeps getting in trouble)

or

My sermon, which I will hopefully finish (It's about water, fighting, and how Jesus worked for reconciliation as he made an outcast a leader)

or

leadership in general (I've been trying to figure out how to do that well)

or

hanging out with young, upscale, and gay (mostly) episcopalians for soup and discussion of C.S. Lewis (I didn't think they would like him . . .)


You can vote on which one I will post about, but I may just choose the one that strikes me at the time.

Peace.
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Location: Buffalo, NY


02/15/08 11:08 - 24ºF - ID#43342

laptop survey

I have a computer at home and a computer at work. I don't travel too much, and while I would love to work at Cafe Aroma, I don't do it all that much. It would also be nice to have a laptop for presentations, which I do now and then.

Should I purchase an inexpensive laptop?

I know many of you have them and love 'em. Does anybody regret the purchase? Does anybody not have one and definitely not want one (anyone that isn't married to me, that is)
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Permalink: laptop_survey.html
Words: 89
Location: Buffalo, NY


Category: tv

02/13/08 10:44 - 19ºF - ID#43320

She's going to be on!

Tina Fey hosts a new Saturday Night Live this Saturday night.

I love it.
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Permalink: She_s_going_to_be_on_.html
Words: 14
Location: Buffalo, NY


02/13/08 04:20 - 24ºF - ID#43314

The neighborhood just changed a little

The gates tower project is happening.

(Please forgive my Buffalo Rising habit--(e:strip) I swear you are my first love!)


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Location: Buffalo, NY


02/10/08 08:09 - 4ºF - ID#43269

Feels like the first time.

Well, it was the first time. Every one said, "if you move to the city, you will be a victim of crime."

I knew it could happen, but it never did.

Until last night. Somebody took our car's CD player.

Apparently, they needed it more than we did.

Looking back, we think they broke into the car multiple times to get it done. Acura makes it REALLY hard to install/remove CD players.

I couldn't get the old tape deck out when I was trying. The dealership charged big bucks if they were going to do it (long story there), but I didn't pay them.

Anyway, the car will be a little more quiet now.

We're tempted to just sell the thing--it's the type of car that attracts criminal activity, but what can I get for a dented, high-mileage, no stereo car?


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Permalink: Feels_like_the_first_time_.html
Words: 142
Location: Buffalo, NY


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