I made an error. I thought you, of all people, would know what the jobs bill was. This was the bill several years ago that would have put thousands of people to work, repairing bridges, roads, etc. I am sure that with your sharp memory you remember that.. Now, the standard Republican excuse for its not being passed is usually something like, "Oh, it was filled with pork and that's why it wasn't passed." It probably did have pork projects in it (what bill doesn't), but it would have put thousands of Americans back to work, generating tax revenue, and helping the economy. Now, the real reason it was not passed -- and you can deny this forever, but I will not believe the denials -- is that Republicans had the stated goal of making Obama fail. In refusing to allow this bill to pass, the Republicans were only thinking about their political future, and not about the welfare of the nation. That, to me, comes very close to treason.

[If you need source citation for the statement that Republicans are on the record as having the chief goal that of making Obama fail, let me know, because I can give it. But to you I don't think this is necessary because you are well-read, intelligent and aware.]

No, I did not say what you assert. I was referring to the ANNUAL deficit. Read the article. And as I am sure all you Republicans who damn Obama if he acts and damn him in the same situation if he didn't, there is nothing that he could do or not do, regardless of any circumstances, that you would not find as an excuse to pile blame on him.

[Just for the record, I am critical of a number of things he is done or not done, but I would like to keep this thread on topic.]

We could start with the jobs bill, which would have generated a great deal of employment and tax revenue, to start. You kow very well that this Congress has been historic in its lack of passing bills.

And the deficit would have been considerably smaller if Republicans hadn't blocked the passage of legislation and allowed Congress to accomplish a lot more during the past year.

It seems that whiule the Republican-led House has been preventing bills from being passed, Obama has nevertheless managed to cut the amount of the deficit in half.

Go here for details: http://www.occupydemocrats.com/president-obama-is-fixing-deficit-april-was-biggest-federal-monthly-surplus-in-over-5-years/

I find demonstrable truth in what Truman says. Most people overlook a lot of things Reagan did -- such as raising taxes a number of times. He was, after all, an actor. He played his part to the hilt.

The fact that it has been the hottest July (winter) there since records have been kept should suggest (but I grant doesn't prove) that global warming is happening. It does, however, prove that climate change, which is a change in temperature tied to a particular location, is happening.

For those who deny that climate change and global warming are happening, the following will be of interest. Thousands of scientists disagree with you.

http://www.npr.org/2013/08/06/209462713/earth-scientists-pin-climate-change-squarely-on-humanity

I came across this quote from Harry Truman and since there is a great deal of truth in it I thought it would be worth posting:

. “Republicans approve of the American farmer, but they are willing to help him go broke. They stand four-square for the American home–but not for housing. They are strong for labor–but they are stronger for restricting labor’s rights. They favor minimum wage–the smaller the minimum wage the better. They endorse educational opportunity for all–but they won’t spend money for teachers or for schools. They think modern medical care and hospitals are fine–for people who can afford them. They consider electrical power a great blessing–but only when the private power companies get their rake-off. They think American standard of living is a fine thing–so long as it doesn’t spread to all the people. And they admire of Government of the United States so much that they would like to buy it.”
~Harry S. Truman

Read more: http://www.addictinginfo.org/2013/08/03/45-quotes-to-use-when-describing-conservatives-and-republicans-to-your-friends/#ixzz2bFO1wrCN

Bruce, I think you are missing some logical connections here.

1) It is absolutely true that "climate change is natural." So what ? If it happens, it still happens. 2) It may be true that the climate has never, never, never, (more never) been static. But that does not change the fact that global warming is happening.

Do not confuse "climate change" with "global warming." They are not the same thing. "Climate change has to do with a specific geographic location." "Global warming" has to do with the average temperature of the entire globe.

I am sure there is a lot more to the strength of a house than how thick the timber is. But surely making the dimensions of the timber used weakens it.

Shutter Bugger, just a comment on your speculation that houses are built stronger now since the 50's. I am really not so sure of that. Older houses 70 years old, etc -- in my area are a lot stronger than new construction. Part of it has to do with the redefinition of what a "two x four" is. It used to be that a "two x four" in fact had those dimensions. I heard some time ago that for a decade or two, "two by fours" are in fact a little thinner than they used to be. They changed the dimension without changing the name.

I have no source for this. It is just something I heard quite a while ago. Does anyone in this forum know anything for sure about this ?

This thread has been one of the longest and most active that I have seen. It isn't dead yet, especially with the new pronouncement of scientists about their greater agreement concerning climate change. (Heard about it on NPR, but will get reference and post later today.)

Shutter Bugger, my mistake. I meant to say a lot of my happiness would be gone if I did not have my reading. Thanks for your oversight and correction.

What is your source for that information ? Please allow us to verify what you are claiming, because I think other sources will contradict that one.