Drive-Bys

Think you're helping the homeless when you give a panhandler money?

Though their signs say they're homeless, few panhandlers seem to sleep outside. Most make at least enough for a can of beer, a piece of chicken and a cheap motel room. The typical daily take falls between $60 and $100.

Couch and Saldana say they each collect about $80 a day, more than they would make flipping burgers or stocking shelves. They don't have to punch a clock, ask for a lunch break or pay taxes. "A while back, a woman gave us $400," Couch said. "Tell me where you can make that in a day."

The rimshot?

He insists he's not panhandling. "I'm not asking for nothing. I'm just holding a sign."

So what does he call it? He laughs.

"Making money."

Just so you know where your hard-earned cash is going.
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There's a wonderful article on the three urban myths of healthcare reform here. Just go read.
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Created by LPUK

To be a liberal basically means you believe in individual freedom. And that you accept the responsibilities that this entails.

If that's Liberal, I guess I am one, indeed...

(A tip of the cap to Allen.)
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Mitch McConnell on why he'll be voting "NO" on Sotomayor:

This is the real-world effect of the empathy standard. If the judge has it for you, great. But if she has it for the other guy, not so good. That’s why you can call this new standard a lot of things, but you certainly can’t call it justice.

Judge Sotomayor’s record on the Second Circuit is troubling enough. But, as I’ve noted, at least on the Circuit Court, there’s a backstop. Her cases can be reviewed by the Supreme Court. This meant that in the Ricci case, for example, the firefighters whose promotions were unfairly denied could appeal the decision. Fortunately for them, the Supreme Court sided with them over Judge Sotomayor. If, however, Judge Sotomayor were to become a Supreme Court Justice, her rulings would be final. She’d be unencumbered by the obligation of lower court judges to follow precedent. She could act more freely on the kinds of views that animated her troubling and legally incorrect ruling in the Ricci case. That’s not a chance I’m willing to take.

Jog on over to Marathon Pundit and read the whole thing.
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Giggles of the Day:

#1 - A reminder of my first Blownstar Blogmeet down in Austin, TX:


see more Lolcats and funny pictures

#2 - Note to CD:


see more dog and puppy pictures
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Ear Worm of the Day (for my Blownstar Buddies):


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Camp Blownstar 2009 wrap-up coming soon!