And these people run the world? Conductor, next stop, please!

Mario Draghi of the Eurpoean Central Bank:

“So much progress accompanied by so big sacrifices have already taken place that to revert to a situation that has been found to be untenable would not be right.”

Strategic economic hamlets are popping up everywhere.

To sacrifice is to progress? Where’s my guillotine? NEXT! Please, people, stay in line.

Good morning, pups. This morning we have Cohen, Nocera and Bruni. Bobo is off today, so the world is a little sunnier. Mr. Cohen, in “Hold the Referendum,” says Britain would be mad to leave the European Union, but a vote on membership is needed. Mr. Nocera has a question in “The Foreclosure Fiasco:” How has the government fumbled the Great Foreclosure Crisis? Let’s count the ways. Mr. Bruni casts a jaundiced eye at “Colorado’s Marijuana Muddle” and says the legalization of pot raises many questions, including whether we’re formalizing a tacit permission.

Here they are.

The coffee, tea and hot chocolate are ready, and I’ve got apple walnut muffins that are still warm. Well, I think I’ve gathered all the required reams of paperwork in order to renew my driver’s license, and my Kindle is all charged. Now the only thing to do is get there when the doors open at 7:30. With luck I should be out by lunchtime… Have a great day.

Sounds like the EU needs a new top economic official…

Thanks, attaturk, what, IMF statisticians apologize to the countless millions suffering from this little error that resulted in cutting their planned futures to miserable poverty? awwwww

Thanks, Marion, not really funny that G.B. chose not to join EU, just commit its worse mistakes resulting in suffering by the workers. Hold tight to those papers, you might be stopped for driving while not looking white enough.

The 1% has a good man in Draghi. Even when all the data is in, he’ll still support austerity.

Boxturtle (Wishes more people were paying attention like we are)

I dunno. The way the EU is currently running, Britain would be better off without them. But the EU as a whole would be worse off. And I think a functioning EU would be a good thing for the world.

Boxturtle (but they’ve got the same problem with their 1% that we do with ours)

We are the “people of the abyss”.

“This town needs an enema!”
-The Joker

Hold tight to those papers, you might be stopped for driving while not looking white enough.

Unpossible. I’m so pale just THINKING about the beach gives me a sunburn! Skin the color of skim milk — that sort of watery, bluish tint…

“This town society needs an enema!”

Couldn’t resist. Gotta get to work.

It’s in the blood, little lady. Do you wear enough ruffles?

I’m waiting for “spray white”. Kinda like Mitt’s Spray Orange Tan from that interview, but intended for Hispanics who wish to go to the store without being hassled by law enforcement.

I sometimes wonder if there is a single black in America who hasn’t been pulled over for Driving While Black or doesn’t know personally someone who has. Because all my friends either have been or know someone who has.

Boxturtle (hmm…perhaps I’ve found my niche market!)

Wear Ruffles? I’m not sure how I would wear potato chips… [couldn't resist... I think the last time I wore a ruffle my mother shoved me into a ruffled little thing when I was about 7!]

I understand they settle around the midriff, but BT has the spray on version.

Don’t forget the little white gloves.

Marketing to niches should keep you occupied, but not necessarily by an occupation.

That’s for wiping your nose, right?

I never heard ruffles described that way and never made the connection between the name and the shape, but, yeah, I get it now. Thanks, Marion. Great way to start the day. I can go back to bed, right?

Uh oh, she’s starting early, folks.
Gosh, I just remembered I wore white gloves with my marching band uniform. Trippy blast from the past.

I have good news, Adult Protective Services has stepped in to prevent my elderly mom’s hired service’s continuing poor treatment of her, it is very good.

That’s great news, Ruth. After my dad’s death, we were shown photos of the bed sores he had from the home he was at. We discussed how horrifying they were and thought about launching an investigation. In the end, we were too distraught and devastated by his passing to do that and I felt mildly guilty about non-action. It was hard enough for me to convince my mom that he had wanted to be cremated. Not our finest moments, I’d say. Sorry, I’m waxing on.

When elderly services come in they have the lever that you’re not the one doing the care, so you’re going to feel guilty. Some of them are criminal. That’s what APS is dealing with, and working with families is hard, since they will fight against the care in order to get back at siblings, etc. It’s scenic.

Showing us those photos immediately after his death might not have been such a great idea. It really added to the trauma of that day and the images that were burned into our nightmares.
I had to argue with my mom about the DNR order as well. She looked through the paperwork and yes indeed found his wishes. She even argued against my sister and I singing King of the Road at his memorial. But, we did. And, everyone there sang along.
Oh, death is such a pain.

The choices are dear to them. Fine, when it’s just a whim, but in our case it is about choosing to be badly treated. When elderly make choices sometimes they are not good ones, that’s when family has to decide things and do no harm, themselves.

Death the ultimate austerity .

“I think I’ve gathered all the required reams of paperwork in order to renew my driver’s license”

This is all I have been hearing about, since my Mom’s birthday is this month. What’s this all about? I assume it’s another aspect of voter suppression? Or to fan the flames of anti-governmentism?

Hey, what’s several more million people plunged into poverty between friends?