Items by Joe

• Health care reform; polls and such

  —Bessemer Opinions

  Number of comments: 2
  Brief note. AL-05 congressman Parker Griffith announced his intention to switch from the Democrat to the Republican Party.
  
  This switch will have little effect since he votes like a Republican all the time anyway, and the Democrats will still have a substantial majority in the House.
  
  Health [...]
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  Posted: December 22, 2009, 12:58pm EST
  by Joe

• Learn the facts about Health Care Reform: The Manager's Amendment

  —Bessemer Opinions

  Number of comments: 9
  Progress is always incremental, and as progressives, we have to accept that the changes we seek may come in stages.
  
  Such is the case with health care reform.
  
  The Senate is poised to pass the amended bill this week, and then after the holidays a conference committee of [...]
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  Posted: December 21, 2009, 7:49am EST
  by Joe

• Homewood blowing out the candles

  —Bessemer Opinions

  Number of comments: 0
  In nearby Homewood the fire chief said that if you want your church to hold a candlelight service on Christmas Eve you have to get a permit and pay four off duty firefighters $100 each to stand guard.
  
  That's $400 that could be going to help feed the' [...]
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  Posted: December 16, 2009, 7:46am EST
  by Joe

• Security does not come without a cost

  —Bessemer Opinions

  Number of comments: 3
  The following was written by a friend of mine, who gave me permission to reprint it here.
  
  Recently, a few of our leaders have called for "war taxes" to help support our soldiers in the field and their efforts in the two wars in which our nation is involved. [...]
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  Posted: December 15, 2009, 1:28pm EST
  by Joe

• I'm a Saints fan, but...

  —Bessemer Opinions

  Number of comments: 1
  First, I don't bet on football. Not on Auburn, not on Alabama and not on the Saints.
  
  Second, I don't drink to the point that I say stupid things (I may say some stupid things from time to time without drinking, however).
  
  Third, I like our TV.
  
  [...]
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  Posted: December 14, 2009, 9:09am EST
  by Joe

• A cooking lesson

  —Bessemer Opinions

  Number of comments: 2
  I love the smell of cooking Cajun or Creole foods. The seasoning mixture, the onions, peppers and celery cooking in olive oil, a bourbon pecan pie, fresh from the oven (and fresh from John Besh's cookbook, featured in the Birmingham News yesterday).
  
  I use Emeril Lagasse's Creole seasoning recipe. [...]
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  Posted: December 10, 2009, 7:55am EST
  by Joe

• Western Tribune column December 9, 2009, Mayor here and there

  —Bessemer Opinions

  Number of comments: 0
  I wrote this knowing that the paper would come out after the Birmingham mayoral election, so there is a bit of vagueness in the column. But, as expected, Patrick Cooper collected the most votes, it just wasn't enough to avoid a runoff. Let's hope he doesn't go into the runoff [...]
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  Posted: December 09, 2009, 10:59am EST
  by Joe

• Stories from the Bham News

  —Bessemer Opinions

  Number of comments: 2
  If you live in Birmingham, vote now, before the rain gets any worse!!! Patrick Cooper!!!
  
  These snowman salt and pepper shakers have nothing to do with the news, but aren't they cute!
  
  
  
  
  News Flash! I agree with Joe Reed. Speaking of' [...]
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  Posted: December 08, 2009, 6:54am EST
  by Joe

• One eskimO and the Nostalgia Train

  —Bessemer Opinions

  Number of comments: 0
  One eskimO, out of London, with lead singer Kristian Leontiou has a great sound, plus Kristian is pleasing to the eye. Listen, and watch this video.
  
  
  
  And this is kind of neat, especially if you will be in the Big Apple during December. NYC Transit is [...]
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  Posted: December 07, 2009, 12:15pm EST
  by Joe

• Arlington Tennessee - what can i say?

  —Bessemer Opinions

  Number of comments: 5
  Bessemer Conservative should move to Arlington Tennessee. Surely you have heard how Arlington's mayor, Russell Wiseman, fired off at President Obama on Facebook for holding his Afghanistan announcement at the same time as Charlie Brown's Christmas.
  
  Ok, so, this is total crap, we sit the kids down to [...]
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  Posted: December 06, 2009, 1:45pm EST
  by Joe

• This is bewildering

  —Bessemer Opinions

  Number of comments: 0
  Falling is love is a wonderful experience. For some, it leads to long-term relationships or even marriage (for the privileged majority).
  
  

  Rick Warren, the purpose driven pastor, did it differently. He married someone he was not in love with and was not attracted to, asking her to marry him [...]

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  Posted: December 04, 2009, 9:08am EST
  by Joe

• Precious

  —Bessemer Opinions

  Number of comments: 0
  We saw the movie "Precious" this past weekend, and I think everyone should see it. It exposes a reality that too many people face - the horror of physical, emotional and sexual abuse. But it also shows what can happen when someone cares.
  
  
  [...]
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  Posted: December 03, 2009, 7:33am EST
  by Joe

• Supporting the Pres re Afghanistan

  —Bessemer Opinions

  Number of comments: 6
  
  
  Here's proof that I'm not in lock-step with the left wing of the Democrats. Of course, those who claim I blindly follow president Obama will use this as evidence. But that notion has been disproved on numerous occasions, they just aren't paying attention.
  
  [...]
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  Posted: December 02, 2009, 7:33am EST
  by Joe

• Fair and balanced

  —Bessemer Opinions

  Number of comments: 3
  Well, fair, anyway. And balanced most of the time.
  
  In a move that will surprise many, I plan to listen to the president tonight before fully deciding my views on the course our nation should take in Afghanistan. I am leaning toward supporting his decision to send in more [...]
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  Posted: December 01, 2009, 7:30am EST
  by Joe

• Blog Battle

  —Bessemer Opinions

  Number of comments: 2
  Just south of this post is my Western Tribune column from last week. I wrote it after reading the "Voice of the conservatives" in Bessemer's blog.
  
  Now he has responded.
  
  In my column I noted his frequent misspellings, and he now claims he did it on purpose. [...]
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  Posted: November 29, 2009, 6:46pm EST
  by Joe

• Western Tribune column 11-25-09 Conservative blog

  —Bessemer Opinions

  Number of comments: 0
  This column appeared in the Western Tribune on November 25, 2009.
  
  There are no guarantees in politics but by a vote of 60-39 the Senate voted to move the health care bill forward. There are still hurdles to cross, but we are one step closer to controlling skyrocketing insurance [...]
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  Posted: November 29, 2009, 6:43pm EST
  by Joe

• When was 9-11?

  —Bessemer Opinions

  Number of comments: 2
  I don't have time to write much today, but I have to share this video, of right wing Dana Perino stating "we did not have a terrorist attack during president Bush's term."
  
  WTF? Sorry, but seriously, WT?
  
  
  
  And nobody on the Faux network corrects her?
  [...]
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  Posted: November 25, 2009, 1:57pm EST
  by Joe

• Mayoral stuff

  —Bessemer Opinions

  Number of comments: 4
  Well Birmingham has another new mayor. Roderick Royal was elected City Council President so he is automatically the interim mayor until a new mayor is elected on December 8, or if there is a runoff, in January.
  
  Birmingham is fortunate. They get several new mayors within a period of [...]
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  Posted: November 24, 2009, 10:38am EST
  by Joe

• Good Bye Sarah

  —Bessemer Opinions

  Number of comments: 8
  I'm so glad I have better things to do than go to Brookwood Mall today.
  
  Sarah Palin, (remember her?) is there. To honor the occasion, I will print this cartoon by Dan Darrow at the Ester Republic (he gave me permission in the comments of this post' [...]
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  Posted: November 23, 2009, 1:49pm EST
  by Joe

• Newspapers...who needs 'em?

  —Bessemer Opinions

  Number of comments: 7
  Last night I attended the monthly meeting of the Alabama Stonewall Democrats and heard Kyle Whitmire speak. Kyle writes for Birmingham Weekly but is a former reporter for The Western Star, and said his first interview there was with the mayor of Fairfield about a proposed theme park. Larry [...]
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  Posted: November 20, 2009, 8:07am EST
  by Joe

• Western Tribune column 11-18-09 Churches closing

  —Bessemer Opinions

  Number of comments: 0
  This column appeared in the Western Tribune on November 18, 2009.
  
  Churches have themselves to blame
  
  The closing of First United Methodist Church should come as no surprise since we live in a city whose traditional major denomination churches have been abandoning their historical buildings for years.
  
  [...]
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  Posted: November 20, 2009, 7:58am EST
  by Joe

• The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

  —Bessemer Opinions

  Number of comments: 4
  Magazine covers have been in the news, or close to the news, lately. I present three covers, and will let you choose which is the good, which is the bad and which is the ugly.
  
  I was listening to Glenn Beck on the radio the other day and heard [...]
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  Posted: November 18, 2009, 9:15am EST
  by Joe

• Responding to right wing rhetoric is a never ending job

  —Bessemer Opinions

  Number of comments: 6
  They never give up.
  
  But the truth always prevails.
  
  Earlier this morning I got an email that criticized the World War II Memorial in Washington, DC, saying that the words "so help us God" were left out of FDR's quote which is engraved in stone.
  
  "It is" [...]
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  Posted: November 17, 2009, 7:54am EST
  by Joe

• Lemon coconut cakes

  —Bessemer Opinions

  Number of comments: 1
  Every year I make a couple of these for parties and family gatherings between Thanksgiving and Christmas, I also make a few for friends (for a small fee).
  
  If you want one, let me know.
  
  
  They are three-layer cakes, with a lemon-coconut filling [...]
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  Posted: November 13, 2009, 11:55am EST
  by Joe

• Western Tribune column November 11, 2009, Gay kids get a break

  —Bessemer Opinions

  Number of comments: 4
  Western Tribune November 11, 2009
  
  Gay and lesbian teens in our community may finally be getting a break this fall.
  
  Over the past few days several events took place which offer hope to gay youth and their families. Two religion based groups, Focus on the Family and Exodus [...]
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  Posted: November 13, 2009, 11:49am EST
  by Joe

• Western Tribune Column November 4, Langford's conviction

  —Bessemer Opinions

  Number of comments: 0
  Western Tribune November 4, 2009
  
  No one was really surprised at former Birmingham mayor Larry Langford’s conviction last week on 60 counts of bribery, wire fraud, mail fraud, false tax returns and money laundering. Much was said and written about what a sad day it was for Birmingham, as [...]
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  Posted: November 13, 2009, 11:43am EST
  by Joe

• Info meeting today in B'mer and the CMA review

  —Bessemer Opinions

  Number of comments: 0
  In Bessemer today Norfolk Southern makes their case again by teaming up with the Alabama Department of Transportation for a second informational meeting regarding their planned Intermodal Facility in McCalla. The event will be held at the Bessemer Civic Center from 4 - 7 this afternoon.
  
  Nominations for a [...]
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  Posted: November 12, 2009, 7:20am EST
  by Joe

• Shocked...and more shocked

  —Bessemer Opinions

  Number of comments: 7
  This is a sad casualty of the storm yesterday. Ida destroyed my flag.
  
  
  But it is Veteran's Day, so I will leave it up until dark. It looks kind of like a war time flag, huh? Thanks go out to those who have served' [...]
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  Posted: November 11, 2009, 9:36am EST
  by Joe

• Teabaggers invade Kelly Ingram Park

  —Bessemer Opinions

  Number of comments: 12
  The remnants of the Republican Party in Jefferson County gathered yesterday in Kelly Ingram Park to rally around the U. S. of KKK. All that was missing was the white sheets.
  
  
  Most of the teabaggers have a very narrow view of things. This is [...]
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  Posted: November 10, 2009, 7:46am EST
  by Joe

• Vote tomorrow, and fall bloomers

  —Bessemer Opinions

  Number of comments: 0
  The protest against Love Won Out was a huge success. Read here what went on inside, and outside the conference. There is hope for the children who were forced to attend.
  
  Be sure to vote tomorrow, for Claire Mitchell for district 56 representative. She's a champion for education' [...]
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  Posted: November 09, 2009, 12:01pm EST
  by Joe

• Last night's victories

  —Bessemer Opinions

  Number of comments: 2
  One might expect me to be down this morning, with equality voted down in Maine yesterday. But I'm not. One thing you learn when fighting for equality, is to look ahead, not behind.
  
  There were certainly victories yesterday that progressives and democrats and GLBT can celebrate. Chapel Hill, NC' [...]
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  Posted: November 04, 2009, 8:47am EST
  by Joe

• Around town, in DC and Besen at UAB

  —Bessemer Opinions

  Number of comments: 0
  Around Town
  
  For several days I have driven by this trash can in my neighborhood with the words "Help Keep Our City Clean" on the side. The garbage trucks have picked up garbage in this neighborhood at least twice with the corner looking this way. I'm just saying...
  [...]
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  Posted: November 03, 2009, 8:36am EST
  by Joe

• Ridiculous notions of homosexuality

  —Bessemer Opinions

  Number of comments: 0
  This video was made by one of the most confused, in denial, bisexual or gay human beings I have ever seen. via joemygod.
  
  First she has a distorted view of where homosexuality comes from.
  
  "The Lord spoke to me and he said that the enemy has released" [...]
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  Posted: November 02, 2009, 11:53am EST
  by Joe

• Ex-gay pushback

  —Bessemer Opinions

  Number of comments: 0
  This is background for what you will hear next week about so-called "ex-gay" therapies, which have been discredited by every professional organization.
  
  American Psychiatric Association (“the risks…are great” and include “self destructive behavior,” and “reinforces self hatred…already experienced by the patient”) American Psychological Association (“so-called conversion therapy is not [...]
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  Posted: October 31, 2009, 9:10am EDT
  by Joe

• Weekly wrap

  —Bessemer Opinions

  Number of comments: 0
  If you've missed me...I've been at a loss for words since Larry Langford was convicted. It's not the conviction that has me baffled, its what his wife, Melva said:
  
  
  Only in Alabama can a black man not get a fair trial.Then her husband agreed:
  
  
  They struck' [...]
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  Posted: October 30, 2009, 9:23am EDT
  by Joe

• Celebrate!!!!

  —Bessemer Opinions

  Number of comments: 0
  Be sure to read my Western Tribune column that follows.
  
  It's time to celebrate.
  
  In my Western Tribune column on November 19, 2008 , I made the following prediction:
  
  "Barack Obama may not immediately grant all of our wishes, but I would be willing to bet'" [...]
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  Posted: October 28, 2009, 2:01pm EDT
  by Joe

• Western Tribune column October 28, 2009 Party of No

  —Bessemer Opinions

  Number of comments: 0
  Western Tribune column today
  
  The party of "no" will be left behind
  
  I’m beginning to wonder why we trust our health care to insurance companies, and why anyone would trust the Republicans to lead on this issue.
  
  We are in the middle of an H1N1 flu pandemic, [...]
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  Posted: October 28, 2009, 1:56pm EDT
  by Joe

• Craziness

  —Bessemer Opinions

  Number of comments: 0
  There is an effort underway to ban divorce in California, based on the same arguments used to pass Prop 8, which took away the right of couples to marry in that state. Namely, protecting traditional marriage, and protecting the children.
  
  Live blogging from Lala's trial here ,' [...]
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  Posted: October 26, 2009, 9:36am EDT
  by Joe

• Jefferson Jackson Dinner 2009

  —Bessemer Opinions

  Number of comments: 0
  The Jefferson Jackson dinner was held last night, and as usual, elected officials and candidates from Bessemer or who want to represent Bessemer were there. State senator Priscilla Dunn and her husband Grover Dunn, tax collector for the Bessemer Cutoff, were there.
  
  
  

  Claire [...]

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  Posted: October 23, 2009, 2:01pm EDT
  by Joe

• Good things

  —Bessemer Opinions

  Number of comments: 0
  Today I am waiting on a call from the Jefferson County sheriff's department, but that's a good thing.
  
  U. S. HUD announced that they will implement non-discrimination policies so that LGBT individuals and couples are treated fairly in housing and FHA loans, and that is a good thing. [...]
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  Posted: October 22, 2009, 8:10am EDT
  by Joe

• Endorsements

  —Bessemer Opinions

  Number of comments: 0
  My Western Tribune column (same-sex marriage) follows this post.
  
  You can waste your day but have fun keeping up with LaLa's trial, with live continuous updates by Kyle Whitmire (Birmingham Weekly) here.
  
  Terri Sewell, running to replace Artur Davis in AL-07, has recieved the endorsement of the' [...]
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  Posted: October 21, 2009, 10:04am EDT
  by Joe

• Western Tribune column, October 21, 2009, Same-Sex Marriage

  —Bessemer Opinions

  Number of comments: 0
  This Western Tribune column might turn some heads in Bessemer.
  
  *****
  
  I keep having to remind people that we are living in 2009 and every once in a while I remember why. Earlier this month a Louisiana justice of the peace refused to issue a marriage license to [...]
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  Posted: October 21, 2009, 9:59am EDT
  by Joe

• Marching for Equality by Zach Childree

  —Bessemer Opinions

  Number of comments: 0
  My friend Zach Childree marched in Washington for Equality along with 200,000 others, including my partner and me. I have posted five accounts of the event, and may come up with more, on Examiner. (See what Julian Bond said here. See what Dan Choi did and said here. [...]
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  Posted: October 20, 2009, 7:38am EDT
  by Joe

• The National Cathedral, and a thought about Langford

  —Bessemer Opinions

  Number of comments: 2
  Just a thought as LaLa's trial begins in Tuscaloosa. Frank Matthews, a paid employee of the city, and member of Langford's staff, held a prayer vigil for the "anointed" one yesterday.
  
  From Matthew 6:6:
  
  But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to [...]
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  Posted: October 19, 2009, 9:19am EDT
  by Joe

• Random thoughts on a cloudy morning

  —Bessemer Opinions

  Number of comments: 0
  This is really going to be random.
  
  Balloon boy. I'm sure you've heard about the giant Jiffy Pop balloon and the boy spilling the beans last night on the Larry King show, and spilling his breakfast (or something) on cue on two different morning shows this morning. Yesterday afternoon [...]
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  Posted: October 16, 2009, 10:29am EDT
  by Joe

• Back from DC in an activist frame of mind

  —Bessemer Opinions

  Number of comments: 0
  Having just returned from a protest march in which 200,000 gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Americans marched for equal rights, with the profound reminders of similar protests in view everywhere you go in Washington (the Mall, the Wall, the Lincoln Memorial), I'm still in an activist frame of mind.
  [...]
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  Posted: October 15, 2009, 9:57am EDT
  by Joe

• Western Tribune column October 14, 2009, war memorials

  —Bessemer Opinions

  Number of comments: 0
  I am adding some pictures from my recent trip to DC to this column. For pictures from the National Equality March see my (first) article about the event here.
  
  Western Tribune column
  
  While in the nation’s capital I was able to revisit the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall [...]
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  Posted: October 14, 2009, 11:04am EDT
  by Joe

• Seen around Bessemer

  —Bessemer Opinions

  Number of comments: 0
  The modern day McCarthiest is still after me but I don't have time to fool with the fool today. It's a busy day, here are some pictures taken around Bessemer Wednesday, and a fun video.
  
  Lots of these buttons around. With the Birmingham elections over (congratulations Johnathan Austin)this runoff [...]
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  Posted: October 08, 2009, 5:50am EDT
  by Joe

• Western Tribune column October 7, 2009 GLBT Equality

  —Bessemer Opinions

  Number of comments: 2
  Be sure to read my report on NFL players supporting gay equality on Examiner.
  
  This is my column from today's Western Tribune. Is this the most "gay equality promoting" column ever printed in an Alabama newspaper by a regular columnist? Maybe.
  
  ***************************************
  Western Tribune October 7, 2009
  [...]
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  Posted: October 07, 2009, 8:23am EDT
  by Joe

• Olympic Spirit

  —Bessemer Opinions

  Number of comments: 0
  Anyone that follows me knows how much I appreciate the Olympics, and not just for the good looking athletes, although that helps. One would think that everyone would appreciate the Olympic spirit and would root for the United States to bring the games here.
  
  Giddy Rush Limbaugh practically had [...]
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  Posted: October 06, 2009, 8:16am EDT
  by Joe