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09/18/19 10:59 AM #6141    

 

Michael McLeod

(Waves) Mark! Mark! I'm over here, staging a silent "free Dave M." sit-in. Just didn't have enough money to buy stuff to make a sign.

But thanks for posting that clip.

I had a dream last night that Warren Zevon came back to life, no worse for wear, and turned up as a student in the writing class I'm teaching. 

 


09/19/19 11:56 AM #6142    

 

Joseph D. McCarthy

I vote Charlie Brown.

On another note, If you have never seen a "Zipper Truck" like the one used to change open lanes on a bridge the following weblink will give a short video of one in action.  This one is actually used on the Golden Gate Bridge.   Sorry, but I haven't passed "J. Blank 204" which would allow me to print it so that you don't have to type the info yourself.

   https://youtu.be/hMkLcAstxgA

Joe


09/19/19 01:10 PM #6143    

 

Michael McLeod

I'd love Lucy.  


09/19/19 01:33 PM #6144    

 

Kathleen Wintering (Nagy)

9-19-19 !!  HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Mary Margaret. Have a great day! Kathy W.


09/19/19 02:22 PM #6145    

 

David Mitchell

Yes, Happt birthday Mary Margaret!

(darn you Kathy - you beat me to it.)

 


09/19/19 02:44 PM #6146    

 

Michael McLeod

Happy birthday mm


09/19/19 03:38 PM #6147    

 

Michael McLeod

This is just heartbreaking.

 

"The skies are emptying out.

The number of birds in the United States and Canada has fallen by 29 percent since 1970, scientists reported on Thursday. There are 2.9 billion fewer birds taking wing now than there were 50 years ago.

The analysis, published in the journal Science, is the most exhaustive and ambitious attempt yet to learn what is happening to avian populations. The results have shocked researchers and conservation organizations.

In a statement on Thursday, David Yarnold, president and chief executive of the National Audubon Society, called the findings “a full-blown crisis.”

Experts have long known that some bird species have become vulnerable to extinction. But the new study, based on a broad survey of more than 500 species, reveals steep losses even among such traditionally abundant birds as robins and sparrows."


09/19/19 05:26 PM #6148    

 

Mary Margaret Clark (Schultheis)

Kathy, Dave, Mike.....thank you for the b'day wishes!!


09/20/19 10:57 AM #6149    

 

Frank Ganley

Happy Birthday Mary Margaret. First of to Mark, the question was posed by the the eminent Dr Hamilton as to whom I thought the next president will be . I answered with as brief as I could make it, President Trump ! No politicing, only the name President Trump! But as usual it was met with a liberal retort. I saw no other answers except Dave with his usual attemp at comedy ! Once again a semi- serious question not addressed or answered by those who support the ridiculous idea of climate change, open borders , let them all come in, free health care for all with illegals pushed up to the head of the line, free college, a guarateed monthly income, abolishment of the electoral college and the complete abandonment of the Bill of Right along with destruction of the Constitution and the rule of law. It appears to me that if my thoughts don’t agree with this liberal thinking my and others who support a more conservative outlook. It does seem to me that the purpose of a forum is to discuss or report happenings. Once again though my thoughts, answers, or musings are always met with sarcasm and ridicule! Is it me ? Is it because as a freshman I was in hm116 and therefor have no stead among the rest of the class. I’m amazed at the absolute hatred of anything or anyone who support President Trump! If i am wrong in my assessment please correct me! I await the answers to my burning questions. 

 


09/20/19 11:50 AM #6150    

 

Joseph D. McCarthy

Let me also add my HAPPY BIRTHDAY to MM.

Now to the less serious item.  Mike PLEASE tell me if there is a TOTAL drop in bird population, why have I been seeing a 2,000 % increase in the number of Canada Geese?  Are they secretly replacing other birds?

Joe


09/20/19 12:43 PM #6151    

 

David Mitchell

 

You may recall from a post I left last year, that my first game, sitting with my dad in the "shoe" was a game with "Hoppalong". (1955 or 56, I believe?) I was too young to understand the game and was frustrated that I could not see a white horse down on the field, nor anybody with a dark outfit, and large white "ten gallon" cowboy hat. 

Some of his grandkids went to Watterson - about the time my kids were there. 

 




09/20/19 01:13 PM #6152    

 

Mark Schweickart

Frank -- my comment about your post was aimed at the fact that a day had gone by without anyone adding a post, so I jokingly said you had broken the Forum with your two word post. To be fair to you, I had completely forgotten that Jim had earlier asked the question about who would win the election, and therefore must plead old-man senility for not understanding why you had simply written "Donald Trump." Sorry about that. As for the specifics of your more recent post, I think we should just agree to disagree. Neither of us is going to change the other's mind, so I see little value in engaging in these topics.


09/20/19 01:16 PM #6153    

 

Michael McLeod

Joe:

Because unlike most Canadians, they are mean.

Ok that may be part of it - they are quite aggressive birds.

The more accurate answer is that unlike most bird species, they have been able to adapt to urban habitats and human occupation. They are like squirrels with wings.

I think they were once a protected species but they are no longer.

"Total" means the overall number of all bird species has declined. Doesn't mean every single species is tanking.

Unfortunately it's the songbirds and other delicate and quite beautiful species that have taken the brunt of insecticide usage, habitat loss, and global warming.

 

  


09/20/19 02:19 PM #6154    

 

Frank Ganley

Mark, i totally understand the fact of senior moments! I know that the majority of our faithful readers and contributers stand with the left. Why? Other than your misplaced hate of our President. Those of us on the correct side of the aisle did not agree with obama for the most part but at no time did any of us calling for his assasination or confronting those of the his administration.  I would really like to know why you are on the side of the party who wants america to change to socialism. No attacks on Trump just simply why any of the many dem candidates get you vote. Simple, no debate as whether you are right or wrong , its your thoughts just why do you support the dems


09/20/19 03:26 PM #6155    

Bill McCray

 

 

Frank , I also being a member of freshmen HR 116 I have to tell you that you and Gus have always been my Favorite two Republicans !

 

 


09/21/19 01:56 AM #6156    

 

David Mitchell

To quote Sister Norbertine;

"AS  I LIVE AND BREATH!"

 

Bill McCray ??????

 

I must be seeing things! 


THE "FORUM" LIVES!

09/21/19 11:34 AM #6157    

 

Mary Ann Nolan (Thomas)

Mayor Pete and/or Elizabeth Warren.

Frank, do you remember calling Michelle Obama a monkey? 

i kept that post that you put on Facebook.


09/21/19 12:39 PM #6158    

 

Kathleen Wintering (Nagy)

Mike: about the bird population decline... I have been noticing the decline for some time.  We have about an acre and  back right  up to the Illinois Prairie Path and the forest preserve. The path is for walkers and bikers. We have lived here for almost 20 years but have been walking on the path with neighbors  since 1973  or so. We had incredible birds then and we don`t now. I think the decline has  something to do with all the mosquito spraying that people are having done on their property. The township sprays our neighborhood and some of the neighbors also have their property sprayed. I used to have to put on antimosquito spray to walk on the path with my dogs.I haven`t needed anti-mosquito "anything" for a few years now. Kathy W.


09/21/19 12:49 PM #6159    

 

Michael McLeod

Thank you for posting that, Mary Ann. Not much else needs to be said.

 

 

 


09/21/19 02:00 PM #6160    

 

Frank Ganley

Mary Ann i do remember and my opinion of her has not changed. So far no takers on the democratic side of the class why they would vote democratic


09/21/19 02:30 PM #6161    

 

James Hamilton, M. D.

Mike, Kathy and other bird afficianados,

In yesterday's Gazette (Colorado Spring's newspaper) there was an article on the bird decline. From what they and you, Mike, have said this is definitely a multifactorial problem. According to the article some of the factors are quite interesting. A whopping 2.5 billion birds per year in Canada and the US are killed by cats (2015 survey but not otherwise identified) and another 840 million by collisions with cars and windows. (I once demolished a quail on my way to New Mexico several years ago; damaged my license plate considerably.)

About 300,000 (mainly large - eagles, hawks) birds are victims of wind turbines yearly and I suspect those deaths will continue to increase. Approximately 6.8 million a year die from collisions with cell and radio towers.

I suspect that climate change (from whatever anyone believes to be the cause) plays a role.

Insecticides - maybe. We have our many pine trees and bushes professionally sprayed several times yearly to protect against the Mountain Pine Beetle and other insects and have done this for the last 41 years. If anything, our yard has become more popular with birds. Each morning our trees are full of small (about 3" long) songbirds flitting around our Ponderosa Pines. I wish I knew what they were but I am no expert. Our yard is overpopulated with swarms of Magpies and occasional flocks of Ravens. We did notice a decrease in Robins this year but not an absence. Rare owls and hawks are are sometimes seen. This year we have had an exponential increase in butterflies.

Kathy, since birds are host vectors to mosquitios that carry West Nile Encephalitis and Eastern Equine Encephalitis viruses it is probably a good thing that the area near your home is sprayed. As more mosquito borne diseases migrate up and across America (Dengue, Zika, Chikungunya) spraying is going to become more necessary as a preventive measure.

So, birds are victims of many things, including modern life. What can we do? GET RID OF CATS or at least keep them inside! (I am not a cat person!)

Jim


09/21/19 05:12 PM #6162    

 

Jodelle Sims

Frank, you calling Michelle Obama an ape is not suprising because you are a racist POS just liked your beloved president.  I don't understand how you are permitted on this forum.  If you are what people on this forum want to hear,  I'm leaving.

 

 


09/21/19 10:26 PM #6163    

 

James Hamilton, M. D.

Whoa folks!

My question on Post #6148 asked a simple question to be answered without comments; that got out of hand. That was never my intent.

First of all, any statements made on facebook should be addressed on facebook. Politically highly sensitive discussions on our website are perhaps best debated on the User Forums.

Over the next 14 months political issues are going to get very heated in this country, perhaps the most heated in our lifetime. We have talked in the past whether or not politics should be a topic or not on the Message Forum. Although there were pros and cons I believe that the trend was it could be but in a civil manner. In my opinion policies are always a permissable point of discussion but arguments should not be degraded and weakened by name calling and personality attacks.

I want to see more, not less, participation on our Forum dealing with all kinds of topics and issues. And all viewpoints should be welcomed and encouraged. We should certainly be able to agree to disagree.

Can we at least agree on this, or am I too naive?

Your comments on this post are also welcome.

 

Jim

 

 


09/22/19 08:53 AM #6164    

 

Mary Margaret Clark (Schultheis)

To Jim’s comment,  "policies are always a permissable point of discussion but arguments should not be degraded and weakened by name calling and personality attacks.”

I say, AMEN!


09/22/19 09:37 AM #6165    

 

Michael McLeod

I'm with Jim. 


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