tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post6768762217017206670..comments2024-03-28T14:52:13.218-05:00Comments on Stonekettle Station: Outrageous NonsenseJim Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11259550121437562338noreply@blogger.comBlogger43125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-50583869184778425162009-08-13T20:16:07.380-05:002009-08-13T20:16:07.380-05:00@Eric and Nathan: Thanks for the interest in the ...@Eric and Nathan: Thanks for the interest in the "bassjo" project.<br /><br />It's still a collection of parts at the moment, as I'm trying to figure out a way to build a neck block to bolt the neck onto that allow the neck angle to be adjusted but still is rigid enough to transfer vibration and tone through a rigid shaft to the tailpiece.<br /><br />I'm using an electric bass neck, a thin piccolo snare, a tailpiece from an old Hohner (Beatle style) bass, and the largest banjo bridge I've found. I'm using a shaft of maple dowel to connect the neck block to the tailpiece block to carry the string stress away from the drum as I don't want anything deforming the snare body.<br /><br />From what I understand of other bass banjos, they tend to sound in the neighborhood of upright basses, but vastly more portable.<br /><br />I've got a piezo spot pickup to start off with, but might get a piezo bridge to sit underneath the entire bridge at a later date.<br /><br />I've a friend with a good woodshop and we're trying to get our schedules together.mensleynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-77105012620049205682009-08-13T09:56:02.783-05:002009-08-13T09:56:02.783-05:00Ditto what Eric said about the bassanjo. I've...Ditto what Eric said about the bassanjo. I've got a friend who plays banjo and I bet he'd be seriously Jonesed about it.Nathanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00648438549121320566noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-274166320240447412009-08-13T09:53:00.347-05:002009-08-13T09:53:00.347-05:00Mensley, I want to see pictures of that bassanjo. ...Mensley, I want to see pictures of that bassanjo. That sounds like a serious sweet instrument. I also would love to know how it sounds when you're done.Erichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18275812152895151542noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-89835018805447265692009-08-12T19:25:11.386-05:002009-08-12T19:25:11.386-05:00John the Scientist: What is the difference betwee...John the Scientist: What is the difference between an entrenched government bureaucrat and any number of entrenched insurance company managers, especially if a pre-existing condition has been used to deny coverage to a customer?<br /><br />If it's a question of influence, how can one influence management at several large insurance companies that have sided against you?<br /> <br />My question looks rhetorical, but it's a very real problem.Dicing with Dragonshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03132972790091524968noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-58970969300648389172009-08-12T18:51:54.402-05:002009-08-12T18:51:54.402-05:00Awesome-- sign me up to play electric bass banjo i...Awesome-- sign me up to play electric bass banjo in the Death Panel Overlords!<br /><br />[I'm actually in the middle of building such a beast, really. Using the neck from a metal-style electric bass.]<br /><br />Any system that forces people to either take or stay with jobs they hate just for the insurance is just another form of wage-slavery. Anyway, people doing jobs they actually like are happier, and happier people are healthier, and less of a burden on health care.<br /><br />I wonder what the odds are of companies giving people rasies equal to the employer contribution to health insurance? And if they'll pass the benefit of a reduced HR department on to folks?mensleynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-67261177482298479882009-08-12T17:00:28.398-05:002009-08-12T17:00:28.398-05:00I'm off to my Government Run Healthcare appoin...I'm off to my Government Run Healthcare appointment, i.e. I'm going to my appointment at the VA clinic. Oh God, the horror of socialist medicine. The horror. <br /><br />Wish me luck, Comrades. <br /><br />Oh, wait, never mind. I don't need luck, because the VA is freakin' awesome and I never have to wait and the care is excellent. Well, I guess it sucks to be you then, frankly I'll take my socialized medicine any day.Jim Wrighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11259550121437562338noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-60502588327647952542009-08-12T13:04:58.130-05:002009-08-12T13:04:58.130-05:00Oh, and "Bush Administration's failure&qu...Oh, and "Bush Administration's failure" is pretty much redundant, no?Erichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18275812152895151542noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-4251065401407020472009-08-12T13:02:27.508-05:002009-08-12T13:02:27.508-05:00Tom, you rock!Tom, you rock!Erichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18275812152895151542noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-47370026408435632322009-08-12T12:33:07.550-05:002009-08-12T12:33:07.550-05:00Eric,
Per your requestEric,<br /><br /><a href="http://snave.org/evalut/index.php/2009/08/12/health_care_debate" rel="nofollow">Per your request</a>Tomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00273212686600552771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-9282419771670808232009-08-12T12:06:39.303-05:002009-08-12T12:06:39.303-05:00Eric, I think the Bush Administration's failur...Eric, I think the Bush Administration's failure to win over and change the State Department is the biggest example I can think of to show your argument is problematic. In this case, that was probably a good thing, but elected officials come and go.<br /><br />We will have to agree to disagree.John the Scientisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03467337009577733553noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-38678438665619267302009-08-12T11:31:47.670-05:002009-08-12T11:31:47.670-05:00This just in, via Twitter of course:
Stephen Hawki...This just in, via Twitter of course:<br />Stephen Hawking <a href="http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com/talk/blogs/erica/2009/08/stephen-hawking-likes-his-deat.php?ref=recdc" rel="nofollow">quite happy</a> with his socialized medicine. <br /><br />And for the Twitterites, there's a #welovethenhs tag going around right now.Phialahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05604909119508288912noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-83916017733922120132009-08-12T08:52:42.471-05:002009-08-12T08:52:42.471-05:00I totally want to see Ebola Sunrise open for Death...I totally want to see Ebola Sunrise open for Death Panel Overlords. Strike that--I want to be <i>in</i> Death Panel Overlords.Erichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18275812152895151542noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-64139854386339330492009-08-12T08:49:48.816-05:002009-08-12T08:49:48.816-05:00No, John, the fallacy is that bureaucrats are unto...No, John, the fallacy is that bureaucrats are untouchable, and I think I alluded to that in my choice of phrase: <i>even the most <b>entrenched</b> bureaucrat</i>. Bureaucrats aren't elected, but their bosses are, or their bosses' bosses are; as are the people who fund the pools of money their salaries come out of.<br /><br />But the real issue there is a profound disagreement over the competency of government in general. While I think scepticism and supervision of government are necessary--and indeed are among the chief reasons representative democracy was invented, since it's a form of government designed to delegate power to a few without the People abdicating their responsibility for that power--I also think that government can be depended upon to handle certain responsibilities; furthermore, my mistrust of the private sector and its primary motive (greed) is at least as large as my mistrust of government and its tendency to amass power for itself. I think, John, that you probably trust the government too little and business too much.<br /><br />Government healthcare programs here and abroad have problems and make mistakes, and I have no doubt that expanded government healthcare (or even a single-payer system with a private option, which is my own preference) will produce occasional tangles and perhaps recurring nightmares. But I also know that the current system is inequitable and isn't working, and entrusts much of the payment and provision of healthcare to businesses--the insurance companies--who have a conflict-of-interest in supplying it (it is self-evident that a customer who purchases insurance and never uses it is profitable while a customer whose costs are greater than the premiums he's paid is a loss, and no for-profit business is interested in taking losses). Even if I accept the claims that <i>socialized</i> medicine* would cause all sorts of nightmares (claims I believe are cherry-picked and exaggerated, frankly), I am satisfied that the present alternative is no better and is probably worse.<br /><br />We may have to agree to disagree. I will admit I'm predisposed to see government as a (mostly) useful beast; if I didn't, I wouldn't be bitching about it, I'd be manning the barricades.<br /><br />_____<br />*The Obama healthcare proposal is <b>not</b> a socialized healthcare system; I refer to socialized medicine because <i>I</i> would go farther than the President and Congress ever would.Erichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18275812152895151542noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-45024314031011053722009-08-12T05:47:51.424-05:002009-08-12T05:47:51.424-05:00Eric, the fallacy there is that the bureaucrats ar...Eric, the fallacy there is that the bureaucrats are not elected, and the only time I can ever remember where bureaucracy was rolled back was un Reagan, and even there his record was spotty.<br /><br />"I don't know that the current system in the US could be considered rationing per se. There's plenty to go around, it's access that's an issue."<br /><br />Jim, the rationers in other countries call their rationing "access". I disagree there's plenty to go around, if there were, it would cost less, and access would not be an issue.<br /><br />Unfortunately, I can't argue this issue out in the open.John the Scientisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03467337009577733553noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-75640296405544950772009-08-12T00:20:04.229-05:002009-08-12T00:20:04.229-05:00Damn! I want that shirt!Damn! I want that shirt!Pam Adamssnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-68974975206708410282009-08-12T00:10:20.731-05:002009-08-12T00:10:20.731-05:00May the gods forgive me if I come across as sancti...May the gods forgive me if I come across as sanctimonious but as one who was born in Scotland and now lives in Canada I really don't envy you this mess. The National Health mught have been inefficient and the Medical Services Plan may be slow but I'll take them over the alternatives any damned day.MikeBhttp://zedefrag.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-80654748823762630202009-08-12T00:06:00.334-05:002009-08-12T00:06:00.334-05:00Ebola Sunrise is the opening act for Death Panel O...Ebola Sunrise is the opening act for Death Panel Overlords...<br /><br />Well this can't ALL be doom and gloom postings.<br /><br />Dr. PhilDr. Phil (Physics)https://www.blogger.com/profile/11943336276878704753noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-20476153314017372572009-08-11T23:38:49.336-05:002009-08-11T23:38:49.336-05:00Timb11:
She says "And who will suffer the m...Timb11: <br /><br /><i>She says "And who will suffer the most when they ration care?" Other than the national medicare program, isn't health care currently rationed to those that can afford the high premiums?</i><br /><br />As her good and close friend Michelle Bachmann already pointed out, that's the way they like it -- they don't want no poor people stinking up their nice clean clinics and possibly getting in the way of proper rich folks getting care.<br /><br />Seriously. Look up Bachmann's speech about having to wait in line and tell me that that's anything other than a blatant, naked "Screw you all, I got mine, let them eat cake" sentiment.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-48830874400082436572009-08-11T23:07:30.320-05:002009-08-11T23:07:30.320-05:00Popcorn, get you're popcorn here. Hell if you&...Popcorn, get you're popcorn here. Hell if you're going that route, Nathan, I'm at least going to make a profit on the entertainment value. Popcorn! Nice fresh hot popcorn. :)Steve Buchheithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12999709767641212586noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-9180365876766512862009-08-11T22:46:28.600-05:002009-08-11T22:46:28.600-05:00I ain't askeered o' no skwids!I ain't askeered o' no skwids!Nathanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00648438549121320566noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-84934424083412709172009-08-11T21:54:01.344-05:002009-08-11T21:54:01.344-05:00Back out slowly, don't break eye contact, Nath...Back out slowly, don't break eye contact, Nathan. They can smell fear. No, really, they can.Steve Buchheithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12999709767641212586noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-57196637439832154372009-08-11T21:20:02.718-05:002009-08-11T21:20:02.718-05:00Come into my parlor! No, really, it'll be fun...Come into my parlor! No, really, it'll be <em>fun!</em>Janiecehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14190655869710465713noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-36544786000052047202009-08-11T20:25:11.662-05:002009-08-11T20:25:11.662-05:00One other thing:
If you do go read Palin's F...One other thing: <br /><br />If you do go read Palin's Facebook page, and you manage to make it to the bottom without suffering the dry heaves, look at the comments.<br /><br /><i>These</i> dolts are the people who follow Sarah Palin. <br /><br />Average means half the human race is above the mark, and half below - try to guess which side of the mean these people are on.Jim Wrighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11259550121437562338noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-79810292371478646752009-08-11T20:18:50.773-05:002009-08-11T20:18:50.773-05:00Tim,
Thanks, I thought I'd included the link...Tim, <br /><br />Thanks, I thought I'd included the link, apparently the mad cow is eating my brain again. I'll add it to the post.<br /><br />I don't know that the current system in the US could be considered rationing per se. There's plenty to go around, it's access that's an issue. Healthcare in the US is more like a gated community run by the insurance companies. What's funny is that I know people who don't have healthcare, and need it badly - but are opposed to any change in the current so called system because of hyperbole like that described in the post - and yet they are the ones mostly likely to benefit.<br /><br />These are the people who have to treat their kid's strep throat by using an Emergency Room on the taxpayer dime. <br /><br />But they are being made afraid by people like Palin.Jim Wrighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11259550121437562338noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-69391926586136075952009-08-11T19:56:35.955-05:002009-08-11T19:56:35.955-05:00In case anyone else would like to see the Palin co...In case anyone else would like to see the Palin comments that Jim refers tom they are here: <br />"Statement on the Current Health Care Debate" http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=113851103434<br /><br />She says "And who will suffer the most when they ration care?" Other than the national medicare program, isn't health care currently rationed to those that can afford the high premiums?TimBohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16128235274340905534noreply@blogger.com