Population Growth Sets Pace in Mountain Time Zone States

The US Census Bureau released its most recent state population estimates statistics and they show noteworthy growth in the West. Nevada, Arizona, Utah, and Idaho are 1-2-3-4, and Colorado and Wyoming are 8 and 9 for rate of change. In terms of raw numbers, Texas, California, Florida, Georgia, Arizona, and North Carolina have all added greater than a million people each so far in this decade. The states losing population are Louisiana and North Dakota.

http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_7827187

http://www.denverpost.com/nationworld/ci_7816378

http://www.cqpolitics.com/cq-assets/cqmultimedia/pdfs/2007_12_27popestimates.pdf

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/census/2007-12-27-state-populations_N.htm

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2007-12-28-agingwest_N.htm

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/census/2007-08-09-hispanic-growth_N.htm

http://www.bizjournals.com/dallas/othercities/losangeles/stories/2007/12/24/daily11.html

http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?parm1=5&docID=news-000002649795

http://clerk.house.gov/art_history/house_history/congApp.html

http://www.census.gov/popest/states/tables/NST-EST2007-03.csv

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2007/dec/27/100000-new-to-colo-in-07/

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2007/dec/27/louisianas-population-rebounds-western-states/

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NFL Picks for Week Seventeen, 29-30 December

Here are the picks for the games being played in the final and Seventeenth week of the National Football League regular season on Saturday 29 December and Sunday 30 December.

Saturday 29 December

NENG (15-0) @ NYG (10-5): Patriots (-13) 31, Giants 20
+ +

Sunday 30 December

BUF (7-8) @ PHIL (7-8): Eagles (-8 1/2) 24, Bills 17
+ +
CAR (6-9) @ TB (9-6): Buccaneers (+3) 16, Panthers 13 UPSET
X X
CINC (6-9) @ MIA (1-14): Bengals (-2 1/2) 30, Dolphins 20
+ +
DET (7-8) @ GB (12-3): Packers (-4 1/2) 23, Lions 16
+ +
JAX (11-4) @ HTN (7-8): Texans (-6) 24, Jaguars 17
+ +
NORL (7-8) @ CHI (6-9): Bears (+2) 30, Saints 26 UPSET
+ +
SEA (10-5) @ ATL (3-12): Seahawks (+1 1/2) 25, Falcons 20 UPSET
X X
SF (5-10) @ CLE (9-6): Browns (-12) 34, FortyNiners 21
+ +
DAL (13-2) @ WASH (8-7): Redskins (-9) 33, Cocaineboys 19
+ +
MINN (8-7) @ DEN (6-9): Vikings (-3) 37, Broncos 28
X X
SD (10-5)) @ OAK (4-11): Chargers (-10) 30, Raiders 16
+ +
PGH (10-5) @ BALT (4-11): Ravens (+3) 16, Steelers 14 UPSET
+ +
STL (3-12) @ ARIZ (7-8): Cardinals (-6) 29, Rams 20
+ +
KC (4-11) @ NYJ (3-12): Jets (-6) 20, Chiefs 17
+ +
TENN (9-6) @ IND (13-2): Colts (+5) 23, Titans 20 UPSET

12-3/12-3/2-2
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Graph of Historical Housing Values

This graph is based on an index created by Robert Shiller, a Yale University economist. It shows the radical dramatic increase seen in home values this decade after 110 years of having a range of between 68 % and 122 % relative to 1890. It is very easy to envision a strong downturn back to the historical range that existed before 2000. That would mean for most homeowners a decline in the value of their homes by between 40 and 50 %. The economic catastrophic implications of such a decline are almost impossible to consider and ponder. The huge number of foreclosures that would occur would devastate many individuals, families, neighborhoods, communities, and society. And you can look for a significant number of bank collapses and failures which would create additional ripple effects on the economy as a whole in a number of largely unforeseeable and unimaginable ways.

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A Belated Happy Birthday to Niece Chelsea

Belatedly, best wishes to my second oldest niece on her all important 18th birthday. You made it to adulthood ! You have a bright and wonderful future ahead for you and your Dad and Mom have a lot to be proud of you in so many ways. I apologize for being a poor uncle and being not part of your life. Maybe at some point we can get to have some conversations and discussions about a wide variety of topics and subjects if you should so decide. Enjoy your final semester as a high school student !

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Central Appalachians to be Decimated by Coal Corporations

This news of the legitimizing of destruction of much of West Virginia, eastern Kentucky, southeastern Pennsylvania, southern Ohio and southwestern Virginia for coal mining is very disappointing and an environmental holocaust in the making.

http://www.jimhightower.com/node/6297

http://www.appalachian-center.org/

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Kucinich Endorsment

Its great to see a widely read and well respected journalistic periodical like The Nation give their endorsement for president to Dennis Kucinich. Unfortunately, he will not win, but this helps place him in a greater position for putting together the party platform and creating vital much needed changes in public policy.

http://www.thenation.com/doc/20080107/editors

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The Destruction of American Liberties

Reading this makes me shake me head in complete anger and disgust. Actions like this are making America an unjust tyranny.

http://www.antiwar.com/roberts/?articleid=12113

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The Biggest, Filthiest, Greediest Corporate Pigs

These evil disgusting putrid corporate executives and their ilk are criminal and immoral disgraces and need to be removed from American life and exiled to Afghanistan or sub-Saharan Africa. And the corporations that allowed this kind of activity need to be destroyed and obliterated.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2007/12/27/165410/40/495/426663

http://www.footnoted.org/

http://marketplace.publicradio.org/display/web/2007/12/26/big_stinker_q/

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Say Yes to Single Payer Universal Health Care

This is the best and only acceptable health care program proposal. Enactment of HR 676 is the answer and way to do just that.

http://www.democratictalkradio.com/wordpress/?p=632

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John Edwards Nails It Head On

These are excellent accurate reasons on why a vote for John Edwards is the correct one instead of for Obama or Clinton.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2007/12/28/edwards-radicalizes-anti_n_78600.html

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A Great Plan for Future American Presidential Elections

Sirota presents a great vision for changing the current inept biased system of electing a president from both parties. The nominating process needs to be strongly changed as well. I favor a national lottery authorized by Congress to have eight regional primaries to be held from 15 April to 25 June each election year with states to participate in their assigned geographical region if they choose to. Two states would be selected to hold a primary or caucus one week earlier than the start of the regional primaries. The two states would also be chosen by lottery and this lottery could be weighted in favor of certain states each new election year. This would ensure a different state could help set the pace for the process rather than the same old two we are stuck with now, Iowa and New Hampshire. Should not another state, be it a Mississippi or an Oregon or a North Dakota or a New York or a Kentucky or a Utah or any other state have its citizens take a leading role in starting this process ? I strongly believe so. The system we currently have is broken, stuck in a rut, and occurring at a time of year when weather and climate often deters participation.

http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/20071228_the_path_to_a_national_popular_vote/

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Explanation of Why Trade with China is So Bad for Most Americans

This is a good explanation of why the quality of life and standard of living has declined for most middle class and poor Americans so noticeably over the last 15-20 years. Poorly envisioned and written trade agreements are economically strangling most American citizens.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/28/opinion/28krugman.html?_r=2&ref=opinion&oref=slogin&oref=slogin

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A Perfect Description of Yours Truly

The writer of this essay had captured my feelings and sentiments about much quite well. I am highly irate about how my and your nation has been ruined, pillaged, and largely destroyed by the corporations, the wealthy, and their government muscle and slackjaw hacks.

http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/12/28/6030/

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Interesting Topic from History

I have been reading about this and trying to find out more information about this rather obscure 19th century organization, the Knights of the Golden Circle.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knights_of_the_Golden_Circle

http://knightsofthegoldencircle.net/

http://www.sonofthesouth.net/mexican-war/knights-golden-circle.htm

http://www.1911encyclopedia.org/Knights_Of_The_Golden_Circle

http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/KK/vbk1.html

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My "Bucket" List

With the new movie "The Bucket List" coming out, here are some things and places I would include on a list of my own of things I would like to do before my time on this planet is up.

1) Travel extensively. I would like to see all the US national parks and historical sights; go to Europe, Australia, Europe, Canada, the Caribbean, South America, and Hawaii. I would like to watch a game in every major league baseball ballpark, and in many football and hockey venues, both professional and college. There are a number of historical and cultural museums globally that I would like to visit including the Baseball, Pro Football, College Football, and Hockey Halls of Fame. I would like to attend the Kentucky Derby; the Indianapolis 500; a recording of Jay Leno, David Letterman, and The Price is Right; and see the sunrise from the Atlantic Ocean to the sunset in the Pacific Ocean. I want to go fishing on a remote lake or river in Northern Saskatchewan and Manitoba. I want to see Alaska. I want to go the Rose Bowl game and others. I want to go to every World Series and Stanley Cup game some year. I want to spend Christmas Week in Manhattan. I want to spend New Years Eve in Las Vegas. I want to drive for two weeks through rural New England to see the autumn colors. I want to go scuba diving off a tropical reef to see the spectacular sea life in that ecosystem. I want to be somewhere tropical when its winter and somewhere cold when its summer. I want to see everyplace that I lived in and at again. I would like to go to Africa to see the snowcapped Mount Kilamanjaro and see the wildlife in their native habitat before it disappears. Spend a week or so in the Northern Rockies in Montana, Alberta, and British Columbia hiking, camping, horseback riding, and viewing wildlife and the wild beautiful country. See the Great Lakes and boat on some of them. Go to Lookout Mountain in Georgia and Mount Washington in New Hampshire. Attend Mardi Gras in New Orleans and Carnival in Rio de Janiero. Go back to the Grand Canyon and the Shenandoahs. Eat fresh fish off the wharf in Seattle and other seaports. Play a round of golf at Pebble Beach. Attend the Iowa State Fair. Enjoy Branson, Missouri. Visit Disneyland and DisneyWorld. Hear the roar of the surf at Big Sur. Spend an evening and a night at the Playboy Mansion in Los Angeles. Spend all of a March attending Spring Training games in Arizona and then again in Florida.

2) Own and Run my entrepreneurial business. It could be a sportsbar, a bookstore, a nightclub, an internet cafe, or perhaps something I have yet to envision. It would be neat to be a fishing guide for a boat in the Caribbean or a lake somewhere. Have a building with my name on it. Become a carpenter, electrician, or consultant/analyst. Own a store that sells boats or RVs. Included in this would also be fulfilling a lifelong dream of becoming a homeowner with a nice warm home that I would own and have for my own. There was a time when I thought being a driver that traveled to many places would be nice, but not any more since I have reached nearly age 50.

3) Repair & Upgrade my aging body. I would get Lasix to restore my vision. It sure would be something to be able see near perfectly without any assistance at all times. I would want to do something about my hair loss as well. I would get my teeth fixed and straightened. I would get the my herniated abdominal muscle taken care of. And I would like to find a remedy for the constant pain I feel in my extremities and joints from increasing arthritis.

4) Be able to spend money to seriously help a charity. My choices would be to help children, battered women, abandoned animals, and seniors. These are the kinds of groups that I would feel most gratified in helping.

5) Pay off all liabilities and debts. All those held by all my siblings and their offspring have as well those of my three to five best friends. And then purchase each of them a dream motor vehicle.

6) Spend some wonderful quality time. With family, their offspring, and friends more than I have been able to in the last few decades. A week on Lake Powell on a houseboat; on a ten day cruise to Alaska or in the Caribbean; on that fishing trip in Northern Canada; on a tour of Europe or Washington DC; or just hanging out and having some good conversations, discussions, and reminescing.

7) Attend some concerts and performances. These would be by rock musicians still active from my youth and younger adulthood and some contemporary country performers as well as some opera; jazz; and purely entertaining acts like what is available in Las Vegas.

8) See the Aurora Borealis. I saw them once many years ago on my way back to Wyoming from Colorado around 3 am on a clear starlit early summer night. It would be spectacular to witness them closer to the North Pole somewhere in Alaska.

9) Find and talk to some people from my past lost over time and space. This would be a very rewarding and fun activity to participate in. The internet has resources to help locate these individuals if one can recall certain names and faces from long ago.

10) Meet my soulmate and perfect partner. Embark on a journey with just that mission. Enjoy the company of a number of women in the quest to find that one that is just right for me and one I would want to share in for all the items listed above.

I will add more to this list as I think of them or are offered suggestions by others.

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