Labor Day a Holiday Created by Unions for the protection of All Workers!

How do unions protect all workers?

Before there were unions, there were little to no safety regulations. Mining disasters, the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire -- these types of tragedies occurred with regularity. When people organized, they demanded that corporations provide safe working environments. These organized people then were smart enough to vote for people who vowed to hold companies to these standards through government regulations.

Union workers were among the first to fight against child labor. Until child labor laws went into effect, it was not uncommon to have kids as young as four working for wages.

Unions fight hard, through the legislative process, for things like family and medical leave, overtime provisions, and stronger wage and hour laws for all workers.

Rambly,

Who do you think fought and lobbied to have the NLRA, FLSA, ERISA, FMLA, and OSHA passed? Union struggles have resulted in arguably some of the most important legislation ever passed, resulting in the lifestyle you live today.

I don't disagree about what they did in the past.

However, can you still say that today's local union still operates and seeks the best interest of all workers - including non union workers?

Why dwell on past achievements? I want to know what unions are doing today to get free Mountain Dew in all workplaces?

Absolutely.

Studies have shown that in places where there are unionized and nonunionized companies, the nonunionized companies pay higher wages than average and provide better benefits. In this case, the rising tide does lift all boats.

People love to get down on the unions, but when you consider the cases of corporate malfeasance, unions pale in comparison. In addition, corporations have armies of lobbyists who work to erode all the advances unions have made.

Every person who works for wages owes a debt of gratitude to the people who have gone hungry while on strike, and who have even laid down their lives, so that all workers might be treated fairly.

If you think it doesn't happen today, check these out:

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iP_GRIwvM-xapn45w91K28GTJDVA?docId=CNG.1607ba9689599c20628597069b35fca1.731

http://www.wavenewspapers.com/news/local/west-edition/Black-grocery-workers--brace-for-possible-strike-128850968.html

I want to know what unions are doing today to get free Mountain Dew in all workplaces?

I, for one, would be a happier, more productive employee with a free supply of (diet) Dew.

Labor unions are necessary to combat the unbridled greed (Wal-Mart is a good example) that still exists without them. Corporate America should never be allowed to operate without a system of checks and balances to rein in its power and control at the expense of the American worker. CEOs shouldn't be allowed to sit on their rich fat asses, with more money than they can spend in a lifetime, if their employees can't adequately feed, clothe, and provide decent housing for their families.

Jr asks the question,"Why dwell on past achievements? I want to know what unions are doing today to get free Mountain Dew in all workplaces?"
Great question Jr! Here's a movie based on what life was like before unions. Its called Matewan.

sorry wolfman but movies about such topics don't cut it when it comes to providing real information. So many are biased in their viewpoint (i.e., Michael Moore) and can't be relied on to give a balanced view.

That being said, unions were an integral part in making life better for the working man. Hate to think what working conditions would be like these days without those early pioneers in the labor movement.

And THAT being said, it is a shame that the noble idea of making abominable work conditions better has been belittled by the present state of union leadership in the SEIU, etc.

I know a number of local union leaders and they are honest, hard working and look out for their membership, but the leaders on the national stage disgust me.

And THAT being said, it is a shame that the noble idea of making abominable work conditions better has been belittled by the present state of union leadership in the SEIU, etc.

What, specifically, are you talking about?

I find it equally frustrating and humorous that many union sycophants, while espousing the evils of corporations, fail to realize that today's unions are essentially the same thing. They were once focused on worker safety, but it is now all about three things; more customers (members), more money and more influence/power. All accompanied by a cadre of lobbyists and political war chests.

Sounds a lot like a corporation to me.

The one question I always come back to though is that if unions are still about the worker, why not eliminate forced membership and dues as a condition of employment? Let the worker (customer/free market) decide.

Astroturf from the think tanks of WSPD! In the real world force of equal proportion is needed to fend off the attacks of fascism. As the U.S. Chamber of Commerce wallows in the bounty of 2 trillion in Wall Street excess cash so goes the needs of main street Americans without jobs and a living wage. Calling for right to work schemes will generate Matewan living conditions for all Americans.

The king of cut and paste calling someone else astroturf...I'll have to give you credit Paul, at least you're consistent in your hypocrisy.

Now stop deflecting with your derelict dreams of fascism and class warfare and answer the question. If unions still stand for the worker, why not give said workers the freedom to choose whether or not they want to join and not have it be a condition of employment. Come to think of it, restricting that choice seems kind of...what's the word I'm looking for...oh yeah, fascist.

Mr. R Bancroft stop with the silly talk and think for yourself. Has not our economy been navigated for the last three decades by supply sided BS that began with the free spending Reagan years? Has not the creep of unseen largess of corporate cash manipulated our "for sale" government giving everything the capitalist system has dreamed up? The world system teeters on collapse as the have nots cannot be squeezed further without revolt. This is the system of unfettered unregulated greed. All of us peons (small time Republicans and once Middle-class Democrats) will feel the pain of our collective neglect at allow the politics of this government to become controlled by money.

Wow wolfman did the DNC send you those talking points? I stopped listening to WSPD while back, listen to a Detroit station now.

Good for you! I also listen to Paul W Smith and then Frank Beckman both excellent morning talk show hosts on 760 WJR. Then at noon I switch over to my left side of the brain and listen to Thom Hartmann on 1310 WTDW AM Detroit from noon to 3 then Ed Shultz from 3 to 6. Makes for a balanced view of the days political world.

How do unions contribute to kill the goose that lays the golden eggs? Let's examine the inflexibility, inefficiency, legal, financial, and management morass that is the United States Post Office.

Better yet, let's let a left wing bastion, the New York Times, do it for me. This article is from this weekend:

New York Times (Sept. 4): Postal Service Struggles to Stay Solvent, and Relevant

“Our situation is extremely serious,” the postmaster general, Patrick R. Donahoe, said in an interview. “If Congress doesn’t act, we will default.”

In recent weeks, Mr. Donahoe has been pushing a series of painful cost-cutting measures to erase the agency’s deficit, which will reach $9.2 billion this fiscal year. They include eliminating Saturday mail delivery, closing up to 3,700 postal locations and laying off 120,000 workers — nearly one-fifth of the agency’s work force — despite a no-layoffs clause in the unions’ contracts.

At the same time, decades of contractual promises made to unionized workers, including no-layoff clauses, are increasing the post office’s costs. Labor represents 80 percent of the agency’s expenses , compared with 53 percent at United Parcel Service and 32 percent at FedEx, its two biggest private competitors. Postal workers also receive more generous health benefits than most other federal employees.

The agency’s labor contracts have long guaranteed no layoffs to the vast majority of its workers, and management agreed to a new no layoff-clause in a major union contract last May.

The post office’s powerful unions are angry and alarmed about the planned layoffs. “We’re going to fight this and we’re going to fight it hard,” said Cliff Guffey, president of the American Postal Workers Union, which represents 207,000 mail sorters and post office clerks. “It’s illegal for them to abrogate our contract.”

--------

The service is going broke in a major way. 80% of costs are labor overhead. If you're going to erase the deficit, labor has to be affected. But no...unions are angry and alarmed and will fight the layoffs and "fight it hard"....because they have a contract that says no layoffs. Never mind the reality of the situation...the billions of dollars of loss (remember, 80% of costs are for labor)...they have a contract. A contract that is literally killing their budget.

Who did the PO workers "negotiate" with in their new contract? Who gives a completely laughable "no layoffs" clause in May, 2011...when I believe the agency was still losing about 10 gazillion dollars a quarter? Fuckety fuck fuck fuck...

If you want to know what a contract is worth nowadays, why don't you ask the former bondholders of General Motors who were wiped out in the big bailout a couple years ago. People wouldn't buy bonds unless they were legally, contractually bound to be repaid. But in auto bailout, bondholders were wiped away. Nothing. After years of investment. So you union guys keep holding on to that "contract" argument--it's a sure winner (ha!).

But the bigger issue is...even staring right in the face of massive debt, the union is still going to fight any change, rather than work to save the business from which their income derives. 80% of costs go to labor, and it's still (a) not enough and (b) the workers aren't even thankful of that reality--they just want to "fight" any changes due to conditions of the market. Pathetic.

And before you say "Congress should just give them more money", ask yourself why that would be a solution. Isn't the P.O. supposed to be self-sufficient? Wasn't that the point of spinning it off from direct control? 80% of costs are labor, meaning it isn't the buildings, machinery, trucks, jets, etc. that is breaking the P.O.

Still waiting on an answer wolfie. Labor Day will be upon us shortly and what better way to exemplify worker's rights than to allow all workers the right to choose whether or not they want to join a union (and not have it be a condition of employment)? Union hacks like yourself love to proselytize that the "have nots cannot be squeezed further without revolt", yet what's the first thing a union does when you join and every month after that...they take your money.

You know why labor is 32% at FedEx? Accounting tricks. Drivers are "independent contractors" and FedEx is facing a nationwide class action over that and their working conditions and pay.

So I say fuck the scumbag unions where I KNOW the union officials are on the Good Old Boy system and only protect their buddies, and fuck the scumbag corporations where the upper management is addicted to greed and fucks everyone over except maybe select ass-kissing, narcing underlings.

"Accounting tricks" or not, FedEx is solvent and USPS is not.

That class action suit you were talking about is not going well for the drivers. It's also irrelevant until a determination is made in those cases. Just because someone alleges something against FedEx doesn't make it fact until the case is determined.

I'm still laughing about that "no layoffs" clause. What ignorant businessman or legal eagle approved that in a negotiation with a money-losing business?

What ignorant businessman or legal eagle approved that in a negotiation with a money-losing business?

That would be management.

Teamsters President Jimmy Hoffa had some profane, combative words for Republicans while warming up the crowd for President Obama in Detroit, Michigan on Monday.

Hoffa: 'President Obama, this is your army. We are ready to march. Let's take these son of bitches out '...

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2011/09/05/jimmy_hoffa_at_obama_event_on_gop_lets_take_these_son_of_bitches_out.html

Joe Biden At AFL-CIO Rally: "You Are The Only Folks Keeping The Barbarians From the Gates"

http://www.hapblog.com/2011/09/biden-at-afl-cio-rally-you-are-only.html

toledoramblingman - I thought both Hoffa and Biden were talking about the Tea Party?

TRM - This may be one of the most dishonest things I've seen in a while. Did Fox News edit this clip or your right wing web site? It was a total hack job that was spliced together. It's disappointing that so many wing nuts have been taken in as usual. Look at the clip. People appear and disappear in it because it was spliced to make Hoffa say your above quote. I call complete bull shit.

This is what he said -
Hoffa: Everybody here's got to vote. If we go back and keep the eye on the prize, let's take these son of a bitches out and give America back to America where we belong! Thank you very much!

I’m sure you’ll be back on to rationalize the clip, when in reality you should be apologizing…

Mr. G - So if a Tea Party leaders got up and said the following about "undeserved Americans"... "We need to fix the welfare system so let's take these son of a bitches out and give America back to America where we belong!" It would be "ok" because it was in context? I didn't grow up in White America and there is meaning when you tell someone that you want to "take these son of a bitches out" So if a "Jared Loughner" type figure "takes out" a Republican we would we be living in Obama's "civil America" that he called for after the shooting of Ms. Gifford?

Ohh btw Ford and UAW are creating 5k JOBS!!!! In India. This is why I belly laugh when I see "Outta a job yet keep buying foreign" bumper sticker. The Democratic Party will keep making sure the crony capitalism machine keeps rolling while we lose another 5k "good paying union jobs". The current labor movement lead by the Democratic party is a joke.

At least Obama and the UAW can create jobs somewhere.

There is no point in arguing with brainwashed idiots like SensorG and wolfman...

But, ponder this:

Whether the Hoffa clip was spliced, edited, whatever... bottom line, he still said "take the son of a bitches out." I don't think he meant "take them out to dinner."

So let me get this straight. Sarah Palin gets demonized for remarks like "don't retreat, re-load," and a map on her website with crosshairs on it. Not to mention she pretty much got blamed for the Jared Loughner incident.

But a man OPENING FOR THE PRESIDENT says we need to "take these son of a bitches out," it's ok?

Please explain this to me.

Hoffa was referring to voting people out...

"Everybody here's got to vote. If we go back and keep the eye on the prize, let's take these son of a bitches out and give America back to America where we belong! "

dbw - I'm not arguing the for the content of the speech. I'm referring to the complete dishonesty of the edited clip, string together sentences out of context and then quoting Hoffa as if he said something he didn't say. Complete dishonesty.

Diva - Brainwashed? How so? It's really a simple matter of honesty. Did Hoffa say this unedited phrase -

'President Obama, this is your army. We are ready to march. Let's take these son of bitches out '...

Yes or no?

Wow, you're really reinforcing my point...

No, did not say "President Obama, this is your army. We are ready to march. Let's take these son of bitches out". But what don't you understand about the fact that he still said

"Let's take these sons of bitches out."

Did Hoffa say that? Yes or no?

And why is it okay for him to say that, but not okay for Palin to say "don't retreat, reload"??

I answered your question, now you answer mine.

Prove to me that you're not brainwashed.

Again, I'm not arguing the content of the speech; I'm arguing the honesty of the quote and poster. How is being offended at a HIGHLY edited clip make me brainwashed? I would think that you'd be embarrassed that your side would have to pull such a dishonest manipulation.

You admit the video and quote a dishonest fabrication. Now you have to ask yourself. Why? What was the purpose? Perhaps because of the “brainwashed” right wing masses believe what they are told?

That said, Hoffa is clearly referring to "let's take these son of a bitches out" at the ballot box and is not advocating violence.

That said, Hoffa is clearly referring to "let's take these son of a bitches out" at the ballot box and is not advocating violence.

As Palin was clearly referring to the ballot box and not advocating violence, but your side used it for a political opportunity to decry "political rhetoric" after the Gabrielle Giffords tragedy, up to and including a speech by Obama himself calling for more civility.

You are focusing on small potatoes and ignoring the larger issue: why is it when Dems--in just the last two months--have thrown around the words terrorist, jihadist, hostage takers, barbarians, and now "let's take these son's of bitches out", that is just "rough and tumble politics" and all perfectly ok.

Yet, less than one year ago, the party which you support was accusing those rabid, racist, hate-mongering, bible-thumping, gun-clinging, blah blah blah "Tea Partiers" of exactly the same thing and getting plenty of coverage about the "tone" of political discourse...we had to put aside all this "rhetoric" for the good of the country. Now.....crickets chirping....even though what the Dems are saying is just as virulent, uncivil, unhelpful, and hateful as anything GOP/Tea Partiers were only accused of doing.

Your side is not the exclusive side of the angels. If the clip is edited, show the unedited clip--I'll support you there 100%. As you said, you're not arguing the content--Hoffa did say it and in this age of crazy people milling about, it is completely un-called for.

But hell, we're not talking about some kooks saying these things about the opposition--just the labels I describe above were spoken by the President himself, the Vice President, the head of the DNC and now an opening speaker for the President. Given that, I have to assume this is the Democratic Party mainstream...and they have lost all credibility on this "civil tone" argument.

Again, why did they edit the video? What was their goal?

As for calling Republicans hostage takers...ask Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.)

“I think some of our members may have thought the default issue was a hostage you might take a chance at shooting,” he said. “Most of us didn’t think that. What we did learn is this — it’s a hostage that’s worth ransoming. And it focuses the Congress on something that must be done.”

If you don't want to be referred to as a terrorist, don't brag about taking hostages.

So instead of cooling the rhetoric, you're in favor of inflaming it? That's helpful? In the wake of a Congressperson's shooting at the hands of a nut? This is behavior you support at the highest level of your party, from President "Civil Tone" on down?

Explains a lot.

If the right is comfortable with Rick Perry’s comments about Ben Bernanke, and Sarah Palin’s “reload” cliche, and Mitt Romney talking about “hanging” Obama and Sharron Angle second amendment remedies, I think conservatives can probably stop clutching the pearls over Hoffa’s line about voting.

You're proving my point:

Conservatives say something inflammatory, it's big news.

Liberals say something inflammatory, ........................nothing.

Your comment is just dismissive as all hell--"he said it, but hell, their just making a mountain out of a molehill and 'clutching their pearls."

Let a Rick Perry say it or Sarah Palin or Michelle Bachman or Rush Limbaugh, and you'll be "clutching your pearls" talking about the uncivil tone again....

I don't think it was inflammatory...he was clearly talking about voting. "Second amendment remedies" clearly implies violence. As for Palin. You have failed VP candidate and half term governor taking saying “don't retreat, reload” and then putting a crosshairs over a politician who then gets shot in the head at a public event. People are going to connect the two, right or wrong…

But let's get back to how unions are just absolutely killing their host organism. Case #1--USPS (see above). Case #2--the state of Illinois. Please keep in mind this is a state that is run entirely by the Democrat Party--friends of the union:

Quinn to Lay off Thousands

A decision made by Gov. Pat Quinn may leave thousands of state workers without a job by the end of the week.

The cuts are coming in the face of a budget deficit that doesn't leave enough money to pay the workers, the governor says. Quinn also plans to close a prison, juvenile detention center and homes for the mentally ill.

If no cuts are made, several agencies will run out of money by spring, Quinn says.

"We can't spend money we don't have," Quinn said Tuesday.

The state's largest government employee union, AFSCME, promises to sue if the layoffs are made, much like they did over blocked pay raises.

The governor says "we got no more fucking money". The union responds with "gimme gimme gimme...we'll sue you." They're already suing for pay raises -- you know, because the state (and nation) is doing so damn well thanks to their "labor". And some judge will give it to 'em, force the state to raise taxes, borrow more, keep the money flowing and debt growing (Illinois is in the worst financial shape this side of California). Suck up them union dues, launder that money, give it to the Democrat party, vote for the guys who then stick the rest of the taxpayers with your bills. Winning! Go go go!

OHT - give up, you cant win an argument with a liberal, they are like the black knight in Monty Python's Holy Grail, cut off both arms and legs and they still think they are winning.

The bullseyes on the maps the Liberals went nuts over were about voting too.

SensorG, don't be dense. Both sides (hell, all sides) make use of innuendo every chance they get and when someone inevitably points out their inflammatory, violent speech they defend themselves with that mocking innocence that is the trade mark of the true politico.

Neither side would shed any genuine tears at all if the other side got shot, poisoned or came down with cancer of the lower intestinal tract.

As for some of the people involved, words almost fail me. You have the unmitigated gall to actually write about Jimmy Hoffa, whose name and family are synonymous with violence and criminal activity, and claim that Hoffa was talking about voting when he railed from atop his union soapbox? This is a bit much even for you.

And you can't win an argument with a Republican or Teabagger, because the ignorant don't know when they've lost, the foolish don't know when they've been fooled, and the mentally challenged don't know what logic is.

Tears, no. However if an actual liberal killed off some conservative asshole, I'd be pretty pissed off at the liberal dumbfuck that did it and feel bad for the surviving family. I certainly don't want shootings, poisonings, assassinations, bombings, etc. On the other hand, while I don't have much of a belief in any particular "God" being, I hope there is such a thing as karma, and if certain conservative douchebags, particularly the ones who make a living lying and spreading BS to the American people or passing laws that screw over lots of Americans or make their rich buddies richer happen to get cancer or drop dead of a heart attack, well, I accept that as karma coming due.

AC so would you ask Hoffa Jr if he was happy with the hand "karma" dealt his daddy.

Fine, AC, call a Republican or Teabagger "ignorant" or "foolish." But you are a fucking prick for using the term "mentally challenged."

Sticks and stones.......

BTW Video Game Allows Players to Slaughter "Tea Party Zombies" Like Sarah Palin and Bill O'Reilly

Real civil, lets just keep telling people to "bring a gun to a knife fight" and "take them out" and see how well that works for us. R & D both share the equal shame but the Left wallows in the filth and then pretends they are not covered in shit while screaming "WELL LOOK AT THE OTHER GUY THEIR RICH!".

I blame a lot of this local hate on WSPD. Everyday they whip up the low information listeners who only get their news from propaganda outlets spreading their particular poison. The majority of media outlets are owned by just a handful of corporations who dominate the airwaves with their monomessage of intolerance.

Man...it must stick in your ass like a red hot poker that you were forced by court order to apologize to WSPD and Brian Wilson.

Notification on Toledo Talk

Advice is same as always--find financial backers, start your own radio station. Good luck.

Sticks and stones.......
LOL! Good one!

I blame a lot of this local hate on WSPD.

Yeah? I blame it on the water additives. WSPD preaches to the choir, and whatever the message is it isn't going to change the choir one whit.

Here's something I don't understand. From the link in the post by OldHomeTown (thanks for the post) I read that:

Wolfman was instructed by my attorney today that he was to post, verbatim, an apology...

As created by Fred. Now unless Fred's attorney is a judge who is acting in his official capacity, Fred's attorney can write all the certified letters he wants demanding one thing or another and the recipient of those certified letters doesn't have to do a thing. Unless Wolfman is a lot dumber than I give him credit for, he'd know this. So - what gives?

Also...

From OldHomeTown: ...find financial backers, start your own radio station.

Back in the bad old days the D.J. used to pick out the music to play. Do you think that model is still viable?

BTW look like someone took Jimmy Jr's call to arms seriously
***
Hundreds of Longshoremen stormed the Port of Longview early Thursday, overpowered and held security guards, damaged railroad cars, and dumped grain that is the center of a labor dispute, said Longview Police Chief Jim Duscha.

Six guards were held hostage for a couple of hours after 500 or more Longshoremen broke down gates about 4:30 a.m. and smashed windows in the guard shack, he said.
***

Hopefully the guards will be better armed next time. March, strike, protest use your protected rights to make your point heard. But if you want to "storm" anything and hold people hostage (I bet the guards where Middle Class), you deserve the business end of a firearm.

Madjack:

1.) After the link I referred to was posted, Wolfman (Paul Wohlfarth) was ordered, either by a voluntary settlement or judge, to post an apology to WSPD and Brian Wilson on this message board and I believe Swampbubbles.

The link I posted was the first in the series of events that led to the posted apology and the easiest to find on TT in a short amount of time. Unlike someone else, I don't have all day to troll the internet looking for things to cut 'n' paste on various message boards.

2.) Completely off topic, but here's the answer:

The "D.J pick 'em" model was never as free as most listeners imagine it was. On top 40 radio, even though a DJ might say "this is my pick of the week!", believe me--even in the 60's--the song was vetted by the program director and allowed to be spun. A rule in radio: don't play "stiffs" (records that suck). True, the DJ could pick from records and create a playlist, but the pool of records to pick from was limited in number. So, even though the "list" may have been created by the DJ (unlikely, but lets go with it), the pool of material to choose from was not wide open...understand? When "album rock" started in the mid-to-late 60's, there was some free-form, play-whatever-the-hell-we-want stuff going on FM. But once the money people came in, that shit was stopped in a heartbeat and you got the same sort of "hit song" pool of music that was on top 40--except these were the hit "album cuts".

Now, hits are programmed by computer, nationally tested for positives, negatives, and burnout. Most music is nationally programmed--meaning a local band hasn't got a prayer of being heard on a local station much anymore. I think that is wrong-headed and radio is missing out by shunning local bands with talent...while claiming whatever drek from Rhianna is a "hit".

Way of the radio world, 2011. I'd like to think a more locally/DJ programmed station would work, but with the research money the nationals pour in, it would be an uphill climb.

If I recall correctly, Longshoremen and Teamsters have a mutual hatred of each other.

Try again, Mr. Troll.

How ever you want to justify violence, destruction of property, and mob mentality feel free. Hopefully when a mob of angry men with baseball bats breaks into your home, destroys your belongings, and holds you hostage you will have the same level of though for them, cause you know vandals vs home owners "have a mutual hatred of each other."

And you wonder why public opinion is flocking from unions.

I didn't justify jack shit, Troll. You did by pointing the finger at the Fox News-distorted speech and saying "IT'S JIMMY JR'S FAULT! HE STARTED IT!" over the Longshoremen. Yeah, because when Jimmy Jr speaks, he speaks for EVERY UNION UNDER THE SUN AND EACH INDIVIDUAL MEMBER, AMIRITE, TROLL?

A.C. if I market an Anonymous Coward Cursing Bobble head will you come after me legally for royalties? I'm envisioning an integrated speaker system - whenever it's head bobbles it spews curses. Maybe said Bobble is even wearing a Mud Hens replica jersey with the initials AC stitched on the back. Show me the $$$!!!

I won't, but several million posters at Slashdot might take issue with it. Release it under the GPL or another open source license.

I’ve grown tired of responding to people who have an unjustified superiority complex yet know that some people are dumb enough to believe and repeat their lies.

Good luck!

Cut 'n' paste cut 'n' paste cut 'n' paste. Must be easier than actually thinking...

Must be easier than actually thinking...

Good one!

Thanks for the explanation earlier.

So you've stopped talking to yourself and running around repeating whatever you've heard from Fox News, Rush Limbaugh, et. al.? EXCELLENT!