Soxy

QUOTE(shagar69 @ Mar 8, 2005 -> 09:44 PM) wow, i posted something while I was drunk. i definitely shouldnt be allowed to do anything now. f*** off dude I think that attitude might also be behind his thinking--or at least it's crossed my mind.

QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ Mar 8, 2005 -> 09:21 PM) Glad to see the boys could compromise :rolly At first that made me mad too--but it was a straight min wage issue that the democrats pushed. But there were other parts to the Republican one--I, for one, do not think that our budget can allow us to give another 4.2 billion dollars in tax cuts to industry... I wish that the Republicans had countered with a pure and only a wage increase. But they all suck.

I didn't realize it was still $5.15... Senate Defeats Minimum Wage Increase By DAVID ESPO, AP Special Correspondent WASHINGTON - The Senate defeated dueling proposals Monday to raise the $5.15-an-hour minimum wage — one backed by organized labor, the other salted with pro-business provisions — in a day of skirmishing that reflected Republican gains in last fall's elections. Both plans fell well short of the 60 votes needed to advance, and signaled that prospects for raising the federal wage floor, unchanged since 1996, are remote during the current two-year Congress. "I believe that anyone who works 40 hours a week, 52 weeks a year should not live in poverty in the richest country in the world," said Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (news, bio, voting record), D-Mass., arguing for the Democratic proposal to increase the minimum wage by $2.10 over the next 26 months. Republicans countered with a smaller increase, $1.10 in two steps over 18 months, they said would help workers without hampering the creation of jobs needed to help those with low skills. "Wages do not cause sales. Sales are needed to provide wages. Wages do not cause revenue. Revenue drives wages," said Sen. Mike Enzi, R-Wyo. The Democratic amendment was defeated, with 46 votes for and 49 against. The GOP alternative fell by a wider margin, 38 for and 61 against. While the outcome was never in doubt, Democrats said in advance they hoped to use the issue to increases chances for passage of state minimum wage initiatives in 2006, as well as to highlight differences with Republicans who will be on the ballot next year. Kennedy accused Republicans of advancing a "deeper poverty agenda" for the poor by including several provisions to cut long-standing wage and overtime protections for millions of Americans. He took particular aim at Sen. Rick Santorum (news, bio, voting record), R-Pa., a conservative who is atop the Democratic target list for 2006 and the lead supporter of the GOP minimum wage alternative. "The senator from Pennsylvania has a record of opposing increases in the minimum wage," Kennedy said. "He has voted against it at least 17 times in the last 10 years." "I have not had any ideological problem with the minimum wage, " Santorum responded, adding he voted for the last increase to clear Congress, in 1996. He said the other elements of the GOP plan were designed to help small businesses and give workers more flexibility in their work schedule, and not, as Kennedy said, weaken their rights. Democrats sought minimum wage increases in three steps of 70 cents each, to $7.25. Republicans countered with raises in two steps of 55 cents apiece, to $6.25, as well as several pro-business provisions. These include an option for employees to work up to 80 hours over two weeks without qualifying for overtime pay; a provision restricting the ability of states to raise the minimum wage for restaurant employees; and waiving wage and overtime rules for workers in some small businesses now covered. The clash unfolded as part of a debate over business-backed legislation to overhaul the nation's bankruptcy laws. The overall measure enjoys bipartisan support, although no vote on passage will occur until the Senate settled the minimum wage dispute and resolved companion controversy over allowing protesters at abortion clinics and other sites to avoid paying court fines by entering bankruptcy. Republican aides, speaking on condition of anonymity, said they had the votes to prevail on that showdown, as well, and send the measure to the House later in the week. "It's an uphill fight but it's not over," said Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., author of the proposal. Democrats conceded in advance they were certain to lose the minimum wage vote, particularly given the Republicans' four-seat gain in last fall's elections. At the same time, they said they hoped to raise the issue to increases chances for passage of state minimum wage initiatives in 2006, as well as to highlight differences with Republicans who will be on the ballot next year. Santorum was chief among them, the third-ranking member of the GOP leadership and an outspoken conservative. Democrats and Republicans alike said his decision to be the public spokesman for the Republican alternative reflected the potential significance of the issue. At the same time, the Republicans' decision to allow a vote reflected their confidence that they could prevail. The GOP majority maneuvered successfully in the past two years to block votes on the issue, when Democrats might have won. "When you raise the minimum wage you are pricing some workers out of the market," said Sen. John Sununu (news, bio, voting record), R-N.H. "It is an economic fact, and the proponents of raising the minimum wage like to dismiss this by saying we have a hard time measuring it and the economy is large." Countered Sen. Tom Harkin (news, bio, voting record), D-Iowa: "This is a values issue. This is at the heart of what kind of country we want." While Democrats sought only an increase in the minimum wage with their proposal, Republicans expanded theirs to include business regulatory relief as well as tax breaks totaling $4.2 billion, most of it directed toward the restaurant industry. Forty-one Democrats, four Republicans and one independent voted for the Democratic proposal. All the votes in opposition were cast by Republicans. All 38 votes in favor of the GOP proposal were cast by Republicans. Opposed were 43 Democrats, one independent and 17 Republicans.

QUOTE(Kogs35 @ Mar 8, 2005 -> 08:28 PM) my freind is in austrelia right now Cool. Is that near Australia?

QUOTE(chisoxfan14 @ Mar 8, 2005 -> 08:43 PM) oh i like his picture!! it's better then some peoples! A lot of them don't even smile! Is he smiling or smirking?

Oh, those crazy Kiwis! Women Bare Breasts in Prince Charles Visit By RAY LILLEY, Associated Press Writers WELLINGTON, New Zealand - Two women who bared their breasts in protest were arrested and dragged away as Britain's Prince Charles arrived for an official function Tuesday in New Zealand's capital. The two women, described by police as taking part in "unrelated" protests, were later charged with disorderly behavior. One woman climbed atop a wall, bared her chest and shouted "shame, shame" as Charles walked toward the City Art Gallery doorway. The woman, exposed from the waist up, was grabbed by two uniformed police officers, arrested and marched from the scene as the prince was led into the building. In an apparent protest against the monarchy, the woman had the message "Get your colonial shame off my breasts" scrawled across her chest and stomach. Reporters said the prince appeared to look in the woman's direction and smile as he entered the gallery. Earlier in another part of the Civic Square, a bare-chested woman carrying a small child was hauled away by plain-clothed police moments before the prince would have been confronted by her as he greeted a line of well-wishers. The woman, also bare from the waist up, was dragged away shouting, "I just want to feed my baby." Charles did not appear to notice the woman, local media said. Both women arrested were later freed on bail, police said. In another apparently linked protest, five anti-monarchists stood atop a wall with banners reading "Death to the monarchy" and "Honor the treaty," a reference to British crown breaches of New Zealand's founding treaty with the indigenous Maori people. A woman with a bullhorn chanted, "Shame on the British monarchy, shame for years of colonialism, shame for years of genocide." The protesters shouted "parasites, parasites" as Charles walked through the city's Civic Square greeting some of the more than 600 people gathered to see him. The protests, the first of his five-day visit to New Zealand, caused no disruption. The prince was on the third day of a five-day royal visit to New Zealand, a former British colony that retains Britain's monarch as head of state. A growing republican movement wants to end the link and replace the monarch with a New Zealander. Some monarchists also oppose Charles becoming the nation's future king.

QUOTE(Be Good @ Mar 8, 2005 -> 07:09 PM) What does this mean, Frank is being tested on March 17? No, he's testifying in front of Congress about steroids.

QUOTE(jackie hayes @ Mar 8, 2005 -> 06:42 PM) There seems to be a need for a male asshole. Okay, I nominate her boyfriend. Now can we drop this silly line of argument? Well, I think that's sort of the point. Everyone rushed to call her a commie b****--but her boyfriend said stuff that was just as offensive and only half the outrage. I don't think that should be the point of this thread--but there's definitely some iniquity going on here. Again, though, god bless the new ignore function.

I just got the most amazing perfume. It's a really nice subtle and kind of entrancing scent. I keep smelling my wrists. It's addicting. Just thought you guys should know how loverly I smell.

QUOTE(Texsox @ Mar 8, 2005 -> 06:11 PM) If I was to study abroad, I'd study ChiSoxy I don't know if you could afford that program.

QUOTE(shagar69 @ Mar 8, 2005 -> 05:34 PM) I was thinking about studying abroad next year during my soph. year. This is simply based on the fact that i just think that it would be interesting. I dont know too much about how the program works or anything like that. Have any of you guys participated in one of these, or know someone who has? if so, where did you go and how did u enjoy it. Do you recommend that it is something a college student should do? thanks Do it! I went to Scotland for a semester and Mexico for one of our one month terms. Those were definitely some of my best college memories. It was definitely a highlight of that experience and my life. I would recommend studying abroad in a heartbeat. How much it costs really depends on the program. If you go through your school it might be cheaper than one of those outside programs. I would talk to your study abroad office about options and pricing. Also, I would recommend talking with your major department about how this will affect your ability to graduate ontime. I went as a Junior so I could have most of my core requirements out of the way--and that worked out nicely. But if you can swing it--do it!

QUOTE(tonyho7476 @ Mar 8, 2005 -> 03:51 PM) I can't say I'm upset at hearing our division rival's top prospect may miss playing time. Not that I would wish injury on anyone. My sentiments exactly. The kid could be a major stud. I'd be a lot sadder if he were a Brewer or something. He also went to Catholic high school with a friend from college--I guess he's a really nice stand up guy. Of course, I'm sure he'd be a lot nicer if he weren't a Twin...

QUOTE(El Piervizdyeguchansodnik @ Mar 8, 2005 -> 03:32 PM) Now try. You're amazing.

Link doesn't work for me....

QUOTE(Queen Prawn @ Mar 8, 2005 -> 12:53 PM) It's a hurricane, not a twister, right? Yeah, I think so. Whatever a "tropical cyclone" maybe. But let's face it, twister is faaaaaaar more fun to say.

QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ Mar 8, 2005 -> 12:43 PM) Actually almost exactly. The average wage increased 2.8% for 2004. Cool, thanks. There's some drama in our union that it's a tiny increase. I guess it just seems like a tiny increase because we make so little to start with.

So, the State of NY has offered TA/GA's a 2.75% raise increase over our pay. That will come out to about $300 a year--is that a typical increase (like the percentage I mean)?

I don't think we're in Queensland any more Toto! Severe cyclone heading towards Australia's northeast coast SYDNEY (AFP) - A severe tropical cyclone packing winds of almost 300 kilometres (186 miles) an hour was gaining intensity as it moved steadily towards the northeastern coast of Australia, meteorologists said. Cyclone Ingrid was upgraded to maximum level of category five and the eye of the storm was about 200 kilometres from the coast at 4:00 pm (0500 GMT), the Bureau of Meteorology said on its website. The cyclone "poses a serious threat to the far north Queensland coast," the bureau said in its warning. "Ingrid has a very destructive core with wind gusts to 290 kilometres per hour," it added. Gales were expected to hit the 400-kilometre stretch between Port Douglas and the Lockhart River to the north from early Wednesday with some areas expected to receive destructive winds. A spokesman for Queensland's tropical cyclone warning centre in Brisbane said that the bureau had issued a warning for residents along the coast to protect their properties, especially boats, before the cyclone hits. "Tropical cyclones, they do produce very heavy rainfall which could lead to local flooding so where the cyclone comes across that will be an issue," Phil Alford said. One government MP has also warned residents in the area against complacency. "This one's close enough to be very, very concerned about and I don't think that we can afford to just sit back and hope that it doesn't hit us," ruling party MP Warren Entsch told reporters in Canberra. If Ingrid maintains intensity it will be the most intensive cyclone to cross the Queensland coast since 1918

QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ Mar 8, 2005 -> 11:14 AM) http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/meast/03/08/...n.ap/index.html Well, I can sleep at night now! That is cool, though, all the advances in technology that allow us to determine that kind of stuff.

QUOTE(Steff @ Mar 8, 2005 -> 12:05 PM) I couldn't say it nicely so I passed... Very saddened and surprised by some of the comments in this thread.. Yes, but I the ignore button for so many reasons that have been displayed in this thread.

QUOTE(Texsox @ Mar 8, 2005 -> 12:08 PM) Sperm is Cheap That would make such a cool adverteasing slogan. I think that should be Playboy's new slogan. Or Britney Spears'.

I think there's a better solution for this... As my mother always told me: I married for love and look where it got me. Marry for money.

One time, I accidently ended up in the middle of a Seinn Fein rally. It was Easter in Dublin and I was just out walking around. Definitely a bit scary--but super cool.

QUOTE(EvilJester99 @ Mar 8, 2005 -> 11:38 AM) I know I know.. I was jesting about that. Sorry, I'm slow today.

QUOTE(EvilJester99 @ Mar 8, 2005 -> 11:33 AM) I will take my one way ticket to hell now but I would call the guy dead. Don't get me wrong here its a complete terrible incident and you can be sure we will probably never find out the complete truth about any of it. I think Queen was more commenting on the difference between how the former hostage was being named and her male counterparts.