mjhinton posted a photo:
"Authorities with the National Weather Service said a high-altitude research balloon was launched from the Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility in Fort Sumner." — KOAT
47 days until the election
11/6/12
Haywire (2 stars)
Don’t see this movie. That said, there are some noteworthy aspects to Haywire. First, the director was Steven Soderbergh, much to my surprise. Second, Michael Douglas and Antonio Banderas have key roles albeit with limited screen time. Third, Gina Carano is tough-as-nails in a role Angelina Jolie might play as a Bourne-like unstoppable super-agent. This movie sets up a series based around Agent Mallory, former Marine.
Unfortunately, four or five scenes involve two people beating the shit out of each other, smashing opponents into sharp edges, wrenching limbs out of sockets. These fights would be hard to watch under any circumstances. However, I can hardly bear to see a man beat a woman, even one who more than outmatches him in the end. This isn’t the choreography of kung fu — these people look like they’re trying to kill each other with sheer brutality.
Moreover, long stretches between fights are slow no matter how they advance the story. The editing is fractured, as we see many flashbacks to explain the situation, which still seems oddly contrived in the end. The music is awful at times. Overall, it seems like a junior-year film school project.
Fourth poll this week gives Elizabeth Warren lead — good news!
We need Warren in the Senate, not just because she’s a Dem but as a real progressive and a woman. But, take nothing for granted: VOTE and get everyone else to vote.
Fourth poll this week gives Elizabeth Warren lead
Yet another poll confirms: Massachusetts senate candidate Elizabeth Warren (D) has bounced back.
WBUR in Boston finds Warren ahead of Republican incumbent Scott Brown 45 percent to 40 percent, just outside the margin of error. Three polls released earlier this week — from Suffolk University, Western New England University, and Public Policy Polling — gave her the edge.
According to WBUR, voters increasingly believe that Warren “will stand up for regular people when in the Senate” and “understands the needs of middle-class families.” While Brown wins independents by 14 points and 15 percent of Democrats are willing to vote for him, that isn’t enough to erase Warren’s advantage in the overwhelmingly Democratic state. His support among President Obama voters is weakening as they coalesce behind Warren.
Many of us assumed 40 years ago that marijuana would be legal and taxed by now
Legalization is on the ballot in Colorado, Oregon, and Washington state.
Pot Could Be Tax Windfall, but Skeptics Abound – ABC News
"Marijuana can be regulated, can be taxed, can be sold. We’re doing it now, just currently to sick people," said Vicente, the lawyer working on the Colorado legalization campaign.
We are the 99%, not just 47%
I have no idea why NM is a red state in this chart. As for all those who don’t pay Federal Income tax (not at all the same as “non-taxpaying”): Perhaps this is the South’s revenge on the Union.
Fact-Checked: Romney’s ’47%’ Of Non-Taxpaying Americans From Red States | Addicting Info
Fact-Checked: Romney’s ’47%’ Of Non-Taxpaying Americans From Red States | Addicting Info
Romney’s 47% Paying No Taxes Combines Elderly With Poor Workers – The Washington Post
By Richard Rubin, Updated: Tuesday, September 18, 6:00 PM Bloomberg
Sept. 18 (Bloomberg) — Elderly Americans and low-wage workers make up the bulk of those who don’t pay income taxes, a group that Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney said are “dependent on government” and see themselves as “victims.”
For 2011, 46 percent of households didn’t pay federal income taxes. About half of those didn’t pay because of standard deductions and personal exemptions designed to exclude subsistence levels of income from taxation
Romney’s 47% Paying No Taxes Combines Elderly With Poor Workers – The Washington Post
You are where you eat (locavore)
There’s still time to go to one or more of the many growers’ markets around Albuquerque (and elsewhere). This morning, we went to the one in the 1200 block of Central, across from Presbyterian (which sponsors this one) and just east of I-25. There were about a dozen vendors. We bought two pounds of roasted green chiles grown in Lemitar (tasty though not as hot as advertised). We also heard the braeburn apples will be in next week.
This particular market will be there each Tuesday, 7am to noon, until the last Tuesday in October (10/30).
See http://farmersmarketsnm.org/ for locations and times.