Friday Night News and Notes

Awaiting news on the stimulus package. Apparently there's an agreement to get it down to $780-billion but the 60 votes is in question. The GOP needs to be tough and vote no, period.

Here's what's going on around the web:

The best idea I've heard in months; put a pay cap on lawyers.

If Ivy League grads are such geniuses, why is Harvard cutting 25% of staff in the management corporation after losing $8-billion?

54% say media is complicit in spreading the Global Warming Swindle. Al Gore, call your office.

Sarah Palin has liberals flummoxed.

Iraqi metal band settles in America and meets Metallica.

Friday Afternoon News and Notes

Happy Friday.

Here's what's going on in this great big world:

Kathleen Parker almost sounds like a Republican again. I guess that whole infatuation with Obama wore off or something.

The non-stimulus bill just holds all kinds of ugly surprises, doen't it? We may be in for a tough four years but after Obama's gone, I would imagine the Republicans will be welcomed back with open arms.

Another frivolous suit gets thrown out.

Another case of Obama saying "do as I say, not as I do".

I will bet that Governor Palin has the state ready for an imminent volcano eruption. Alaskans seem to take it in stride.

More hope and change--North Korea tosses away non-aggression pact.

Update: Another game of Name That Party!

Greedy US Airways Passsengers Look to Cash In

A few weeks ago, when Capt. Sullenberger heroically guided a stricken airliner into the Hudson River with no deaths, the natural reaction by everyone was to be relieved. For those on the flight, that relief must have been enormous.

Now, removed from the drama a bit, some passengers are looking to cash in:

Many US Airways (LCC) passengers who endured a crash landing in the Hudson River 12 days ago say they appreciate the $5,000 that the airline has offered — but some say it's not enough.

Joe Hart, a salesman from Charlotte who suffered a bloody nose and bruises, says he "would like to be made whole for the incident."

What the hell does that mean, "made whole"? The dude broke his nose and suffered a contusion or two. Your nose healed, the bruises faded so now you are whole, end of story.

"We're grateful everyone survived, and the captain on the plane was so marvelous," says Gail Dunham, the group's executive director. "But passengers lost luggage, briefcases, cellphones, BlackBerrys and business documents, and went through a terrific ordeal."

Sure, they lost a few belongings, but nothing exceeding $5,000 I'd suspect. More importantly, they still have their lives. Just as in a house fire, you may lose pictures and belongings but if you're alive, it a net positive.

Still, two idiot passengers are whining like pussies because they say they had more than $5,000 worth of belongings on the plane--yet admit that US Airways has treated them very well. If you had more than $5,000 worth of equipment while flying, you're an idiot.

This litigious BS is the sole reason we are in trouble with health care costs, consumer goods price increases and it affects every facet of daily life. US Airways properly trained the pilot, offered recompense in excess of that required and ensured that everyone made it to their destination. The accident was caused by a flock of birds that the government will not allow the airlines to properly deal with and was not their fault. In short, US Airways is not to blame and these two morons should be told to go pound sand and given only the required $3,300 instead of the generous $5,000.

Some people have their priorities straight, however:

Amber Wells of Charlotte says she's so thankful to have survived and to be with her 9-month-old daughter, Rayley, that she hasn't had time to think about her belongings.

She says she lost $2,000 of nursing equipment and a laptop computer, as well as a checked bag and a carry-on bag.

"Everything that's gone can be replaced," says Wells, 34, a senior manager for NASCAR. "My life cannot be replaced."

Amen Ms. Well, Amen.