Coca-Cola Corp provides beverages to Polar Bears stuk on ise

Giving by U.S. companies endured the worst recession in decades with mixed results as some pared back philanthropy in the face of tough times, others increased budgets and most predicted a steady 2010.

The economic downturn sparked some changes in giving priorities as well, with several companies placing more importance on basic needs such as fighting hunger and homelessness and others focusing more in their local communities.

“This is not just giving money anymore. It’s solving problems. These are social issues that we’re addressing,” said Charles Moore, executive director of the nonprofit Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy.

“Companies continue to examine their priorities. Very few are taking on new kinds of causes, and they are tending to reallocate the funds they do have,” he said. “There’s great expectation on the part of communities and (employees) on companies—they expect more.”

Reuters spoke to 10 companies whose philanthropic arms are ranked by the Foundation Center among the top U.S. foundations. Four said the dollar value of their giving increased in 2009, two said it remained steady, and four said it dropped.

Coca-Cola Co (KO.N), Wal-Mart Stores Inc (WMT.N), MetLife Inc (MET.N) and ExxonMobil (XOM.N) all said their giving rose at least a few percent—from between $1 million and $10 million—in 2009 from 2008, when the collapse of investment bank Lehman Brothers triggered the global economic crisis.

“While we haven’t dramatically changed the areas of giving, we have within those areas concentrated on basic human needs,” said Margaret McKenna, president of the Walmart Foundation. “So we have done a great deal more with hunger relief and work force and basic access to education."…

A pro-privacy group in the United Kingdom is warning citizens that the government has placed microchips in trash receptacles to monitor how much trash people throw away, claiming it’s an attempt to fine those who toss too much.
According to the advocacy group Big Brother Watch, as many as 2.6 million chips have been outfitted onto household trash bins by many local government councils. The group discovered the program through a series of Freedom of Information requests, although it appeared the devices were not yet activated.
Supporters say the microchips are being used to push for better recycling measures from its citizens, but opponents are none too happy.
“They should mind their own business,” said Terry Williams, an unemployed Londoner who thinks the government is meddling. “I believe they have gone too far. It’s not like we are throwing away anything that is illegal.”

The microchips are now part of the British information grid........

cuz it’s smooooooooth

for two martinis:

4 parts CranRaspberryberry Juice
2 parts Raspberry Vodka [Smirnoff’s]
1 part Cointreau
1 part Chambord

...over ice in a cocktail shaker.  Shake until frosty cold.  Pour into two martini glasses.

Add a fresh raspberry or two.  ...or three.

Pour a leedle cream over the back of a spoon so it floats on the surface—about a 1/4 inch deep.

MMmmmm......

---

Next to try—throw the whole thing into a blender.

OR:  throw everything but the cream into a blender.  Whip the cream. Swirl into blended drink.

ABC News’ Z. Byron Wolf reports: The announcement Friday by Rep. William Delahunt, the long-serving Massachusetts Congressman, was just the latest departure of Democrats from the House of Representatives.

But when Delahunt leaves it will be the first departure in some time of a Democrat from “Animal House,” the surprisingly modest, extremely messy, lawmaker group house …

I actually had an expression on my face as I was reading this.

The CEO of Tennessee’s hospitality association is apologizing for sending an e-mail to a group of public figures that compares first lady Michelle Obama to a chimpanzee.

The Tennessean of Nashville reports that Tennessee Hospitality Association CEO Walt Baker’s e-mail compares the first lady to Tarzan sidekick Cheeta. At the bottom of the e-mail is a photo of Obama, caught in an awkward moment with her lips pursed, and one of a chimpanzee wearing a similar expression…

For those balancing offers of employment from the public and private sector, first, our congratulations. Beyond that, make the decision a little easier by reading the analysis of compensation for jobs that exists in both realms, reported by USA Today. Not only are salaries now over 10% higher in the federal government, but the benefits package averages more than four times the benefits offered in the competitive sector…

Here are the top 10 big winners on salary by dollar difference:

Federal clergy? Oh right, chaplains.
Sure throws a monkey wrench into the phantom “separation of church and state” “argument”.........
I hadn’t thought of that.

Poizner, picking up the endorsements of endorsements today from the one man who might have kept us from driving into our economic ditch in the first place.

Rep. Tom McClintock, the conservative standard-bearer in California and champion of Republican principles, today endorsed Steve Poizner for Governor. In making his endorsement, Rep. McClintock called Steve Poizner the “only conservative candidate” in the race and the only real reformer running for governor.

“I trust Steve to restore Republican principles to California government,” said Rep. McClintock. “Steve Poizner is the only conservative candidate in this race and is serious about implementing real reform in Sacramento. I am convinced that Meg Whitman has nothing to offer other than Arnold Schwarzenegger’s third term. That is something California cannot afford.”

“Tom McClintock is one of the most influential and respected leaders in California politics. I am honored to accept his endorsement and proud to have him on my team as we work to stop the tax-and-spend mentality that has overtaken our state,” said Poizner. “Our party does not need to rebrand itself. We need to return to our basic Republican beliefs. There is no greater example of a tried and true Republican who is unwavering in his beliefs than Tom, and I look forward to his counsel throughout this campaign.”

The vast majority of conservative leaders in California have rallied behind Steve Poizner, including former Governor George Deukmejian.

Reason No. 23 why I won’t be voting for Meg “Schwarzenegger in Pumps” Whitman.

Mar 6 2010 - 12:00pm
We are gathering to show our support for Planned Parenthood and all of the services it provides for our community. We’ll be getting down there around noon and leaving sometime in the afternoon. You can bring your own signs, or you can borrow one of ours. Also,there will be homemade cookies. Hope to see you there. Info about of Wednesday March 10th protest coming along shortly. ---Sorry about the extremely last-minute nature of this event announcement---

Cookies!

because being economically tied to the ChiComs and the WU has worked out so well...

(Reuters) - - The White House on Friday announced a “summit on entrepreneurship” to build economic ties with the Islamic world, part of President Barack Obama’s outreach to Muslims.

The White House said it has invited participants from more than 40 countries over five continents for the April 26-27 conference in Washington.

a step mile too far

John Patrick Bedell was a troubled man with a mental illness.  It was tragic that he did not get help—or restraint—before he endangered others and got himself killed.

But this endless questing for his motives —as though he were rational—is moronic.  Even more sickening is the rush to smear entire segments of the population with his acts, simply because of some of his statements, is becoming ludicrous.

The man was mentally ill.  Period.  That’s all we need to know about his “motivations.” That’s all we can know about his motivations.  Because that’s what ‘mentally ill’ means:  others cannot understand the internal logic of his thoughts, world view, or reasoning.

I heard a quote from Bedell over and over on the news, today.  Remember - they’re quoting “the internet rant” of a man who just tried to shoot up the Pentagon in the least well-thought-out, least effective “attack” in, well, ever.  The quote they chose was not some 911-Trooother rant, nothing about da gubbmint spying on his brain, but a quiet, reasonable discussion of how private property rights are the basis of freedom in this country.  What a nut bucket, eh?

Why choose that “fringe” quote?  Yeah.  You know as well as I do.

......a roman catholic elementary school test. kids were asked questions about the old and new testaments. the following statements about the bible were written by children. they have not been retouched or corrected. incorrect spelling has been left in…

PANNA COTTA

6 tablespoons cold milk
1.5 packets powdered unflavored gelatin [can use 2 full packets if you like it firm]

5 cups heavy cream
1/2 cup sugar
pinch salt
2 teaspoons of vanilla extract

Optional:  1/4 C +/- 2T ScharffenBerger cocoa
and/or: any kind of berries or fruit

-

1. Sprinkle the gelatin over the cold milk in a bowl and let stand 5 to 10 minutes.

2. Heat the heavy cream, sugar and salt in a saucepan. Do NOT allow to boil.  Once the sugar is dissolved, remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.  [now is the time to add the cocoa, if desired.  and whayinhell not?!?  put cocoa in cup/small bowl and add about 1/8C of warm cream mixture.  stir like mad with fork to make mixture smooooth, then add to rest of cream mixture.]

3. Pour the very warm Panna Cotta mixture over the gelatin and stir until the gelatin is completely dissolved.

Let stand until barely warm.  [now is the time to add any fruit you want mixed in.  I like it best reserved for serving over top.  This is a texture treat as well as a taste treat.]

5. Divide the Panna Cotta mixture into martini glasses/wine glasses/demitasse cups/dang near anything pretty [demitasse spoons go with perfectly], then chill them until firm, which will take at least two to four hours.

Can be made the day before.