MaryAnn, Kev. Thank you for asking.

I am asking for your prayers for my older sister today. She was taken to the hospital last night. We are not sure whether she's had a slight stroke. This morning she seemed to be a bit better, but we will have to wait and see. We're all so worried.

So far, so good. There have been a lot of reports of one or two big loud jolts. Everyone is fine as far as weve been able to .tell.

Earthquake here in So. Cal. about 10 minutes ago. Just one big, loud jolt. The quake measured about 3.6 and about 4 miles deep. It seems to have been felt throughout the southland from the Valley over to the West Side. Ridgecrest has been experiencing a number of similar quakes this past week. My older sister in Santa Monica experienced a very bad quake there many years ago, so I'm waiting to hear from her.

Lyle, Your anecdote makes me believe/hope that there may big blocks of disagreement within the liberal ranks.

The media has been portraying him as some sort of ignorant, insensitive boor, and that is not who he is at all. (I knew it, but many Americans listen to Hollywood and the media.) A pox on all of them!!! Posted by: MissMarple2 | January 21, 2020 at 09:36 PM I completely agree, MM.

Man stabs-kills-pro-trump-boss-drapes-american-flag-over-him-deputies-say Posted by: Jim,SunnyvaleCA,USA | January 21, 2020 at 05:37 PM "This is all going to get out of control and we'll be lucky to live through it." The difficulty in trying to have any type of meaningful conversation with those on the left has been described perfectly here today in posts by JM Hanes, Robin and others. Those on the left do not just have a different point of view or agree to disagree, they violently refuse to allow you to hold your opinion. There is no dialogue, no opening for a possible agreement on any aspect of public policy today even with those who should know better. I blame the media for this visceral divide. It has infected families, friendships and now the workplace. I cannot help but think that this is deliberate. The President has gone out of his way to reach out to those who have a different view from his. His policies and programs have brought about significant improvements on the international and national scene and enriched them far beyond what would have been possible in an alternate administration. And yet they still loathe him and by extension all of us for supporting him. This cannot end well.

Meghan is going to geld that baby if she's not careful.

As an Army vet it would be very painful for me if it turned out senior Pentagon generals/admirals conspired with the CIA/Brennan to start a war on false pretenses that they knew were false from the very start. I choose to think the CIA lied to the Pentagon as well. Posted by: Tom R | January 21, 2020 at 11:09 AM Yeah. Looks that way from here, too.

s/b ...works out for the best..

rse, Good morning! Thanks for responding to my late night comments. I've read all the articles that you've posted on narcissism, and appreciate the information. I did see some photos of Meghan out walking with the baby on a nearby trail (followed by security guards), and she did look much better. Those 6 weeks during their Christmas break (or what the Brits like to call "The Festive Season") seem to have helped, and exercise out doors is a healthy way to get back in shape for many reasons. She still zeros in on that camera whenever one is in the vicinity. Narcissism is what it is. Harry looked very happy to be home. I hope this works out for best for everyone.

s/b "...a gun 'held' to my head..."

you MUST pick one of Biden, Sanders, Warren or Buttigieg Theo, If a gun is held to my head and I'm backed against a wall with no option of escape, I'd have to choose {YIKES} Warren. 1) Biden is far too old, decrepit, disgusting, and steeped in criminal activities. 2) Sanders is far too old and a committed Marxist/Socialist. 3) Buttigieg is too inexperienced. He doesn't have a record that tells us much except that he's a progressive democrat, virtually unqualified for the job, can't be trusted and has a weird name. That leaves the delightful dimwit Warren. Like I said, ONLY if I had a gun to my head!

Totally off topic, but in fairness I'd like to say something in favor of the Markle-Sussexes. While I agree with all the negative responses they received of late and have made a few of my own as well, I saw a recent photo of the couple that made me think there may be another side to the question. In that recent photo, Meghan was wearing a somewhat shapeless skirt and top, and holding a coat over her right arm placed in front of her. It struck me what she may have been trying to do. She was using a universal technique to hide the fact that she hadn't lost the 'baby weight'. I believe that Royal ladies are supposed to resume "their duties" six months after delivery. She's not ready to do that. I've tried to put myself in the place of this relatively newly married couple with a new baby. It's not easy under the best of circumstances as every woman knows. In the case of this couple, it's most likely very difficult. Like most women, Meghan would want to look her very best before assuming all the very public appearances that go with her job. My guess, and it's only a guess, is that she said, "Screw this," or something to that effect. "I'm not a machine. I don't like how I look or feel. I'm a brand new mother at 38 years of age. This is extremely difficult for me and my husband and for our baby as well. I wasn't born to this business. I need a break!" Now, there are counter arguments to all of that such as 1) she and her husband didn't have to set up shop to monetize their position in his family and 2) her husband didn't have to "pitch" her to Disney executive Igner in the tawdry way that he did. However, she was an actress and although the comparison is not equal, even Princess Grace wanted to return to acting early on in her marriage. That's all. I still favor the Queen and applaud her strength in resolving the conflict. Nonetheless, perhaps the tacky Sussexes had a reason for their exit beyond what is apparent at this time. It may turn out to be a win/win for all.

Well said, Captain. I believe that I defended you the other day. At least, that was what I was trying to do. Just like a pitcher, each of us - including me - have to pick our spots.

--To show you how prissy conservative sites are-- I see we're having another 'prissing' match. Didn't we discuss this just a few days ago wrt some comments made here? I don't mean to cause a verbal food fight, just to offer another point of view. Communication is meant to get across an idea or concept, to convey a message sometimes with wit or humor; sometimes with irreverence. Words that set people's hair on fire serve a useful function if they have a purpose or convey a meaning related to the topic being discussed. Some might be understood in this venue, but not in another for good reason. Readers here pretty much 'know' each other. Outside this sandbox, not so much. That's not a bad thing. It's illustrative of the Age of Information and Communication in which we live. Cutting someone a little slack works both ways. Otherwise, we've turned into CNN's Fredo or perhaps in this case, Schroedo.

And do NOT install low flow toilets!!!

Congratulations to your son for making Sergeant, Rocco!

It's the solids that are the problem. They get macerated, but they are still solids going in to a system designed for water. Surfactants help with grease build up, sure, but this plumber's contention was solids do not belong there, period. Posted by: anonamom | January 19, 2020 at 11:22 AM That is SO true. Over the years, I decided to stop using the garbage disposal. It was always causing problems. I once asked the plumber just what can go in the garbage disposal, and he said, "We don't use it." For years, I've followed a practice my parents used. Food garbage (peelings, coffee grounds, left overs, whatever) go in half gallon milk cartons (since we don't compost) and into the fridge until trash day. No more problems with the disposal.

I think immigration, like capitalism itself, should be regulated in the national interest, not shaped to serve the free-market libertarianism of the right or the post-national humanitarianism of the left. That’s why I call myself a liberal restrictionist Mr. Kramer is on his way, but he's still clinging to the self-righteous baby blanky of liberalism. He knows that an unrestricted, unregulated flow of cheap, illegal labor is economically, politically and socially destructive, yet he cannot bring himself to break with the old rhetoric. Oh well, it's a first step.

Excellent article, rse. After Harry's meeting with the Queen, I started writing down my thoughts on what had just happened and where I thought it was all going. The long and the short of it, Harry and his wife are way out of their league. The Queen has been through these things all of her life, both as an observer (King Edward VIII) and as the Monarch. She has dealt with far more difficult situations and far more clever and important people. No matter how fond she may be of Harry, the Queen's primary commitment is to the monarchy, the Royal family and the British Commonwealth. She will out fox and outplay them. I'll bet she already has her advisors working on the terms of a separation, divorce and custody issues.

Good for you, OL.

The discussion about certain types of what I would call problem people has been very interesting. Some are manipulative, some are liars, some are users in the sense that they constantly take - it's like a fix for them, some are perpetually needy and/or dependant, some are grifters, some are a combination of all of the above – all should be avoided at all costs. I've seen more damage done by these types of people. They break up families, ruin relationships, cause heartache and illness and never see themselves for what they are. They live on the edge and may even give the impression of being upstanding, good persons. They are not and they will never change. The only sure way of dealing with persons like this is to cut them completely out of your life. No half measures will do.

AB, my blushing bride will be 70 when we marry. Aw, DrJ! You're a darling! Best wishes for every happiness!❤

I'm positive they were doing it last year I think so, too, Captain. Now, I'm not naive enough to believe that the stealing of signals has never happened in the past or that the bullpen of a team that has been burning up the league all season can't suddenly go sideways. It can happen. However, given what we now know, I want those play-offs back.