The Virtual Coffee Shop, Diner And Corner Pub

[elyot1]

I'm surprised that Susan Collins is actually in a good or decent position to win her election from the little bit that I'm hearing. She must have a very weak Democratic challenger up there. To me she is a "moderate Republican" only in her own mind. On paper she is a reliable hard-core Republican. She goes on and on about how "concerned" she is about Trump's many failings of leadership. But then when push comes to shove in the age of Trump, from what I can tell she always comes through with that reliable Republican vote. Who cares if she's all woolly sheepish about issues in press conferences, or is an unapologetic hyper-partisan bulldog like a Ted Cruz? If the end result is the same?

If I were a moderate Democrat or moderate Republican constituent of hers in a progressive state like Maine I wouldn't give a flip about how worried, "concerned" or conflicted she was internally about Trump's escalating authoritarianism and the corrupt Republican acquiescence to same on the national level. I'd be voting for or against her based on what she was doing with all of that supposed "concern" and which way she was actually voting in the Senate.

Are there any Mainers in here or those close enough to the neighborhood to explain some of the local dynamics of the Senate race up there?

Amen!

 

[kgmets]

I'm surprised that Susan Collins is actually in a good or decent position to win her election from the little bit that I'm hearing. She must have a very weak Democratic challenger up there. To me she is a "moderate Republican" only in her own mind. On paper she is a reliable hard-core Republican. She goes on and on about how "concerned" she is about Trump's many failings of leadership. But then when push comes to shove in the age of Trump, from what I can tell she always comes through with that reliable Republican vote. Who cares if she's all woolly sheepish about issues in press conferences, or is an unapologetic hyper-partisan bulldog like a Ted Cruz? If the end result is the same?

If I were a moderate Democrat or moderate Republican constituent of hers in a progressive state like Maine I wouldn't give a flip about how worried, "concerned" or conflicted she was internally about Trump's escalating authoritarianism and the corrupt Republican acquiescence to same on the national level. I'd be voting for or against her based on what she was doing with all of that supposed "concern" and which way she was actually voting in the Senate.

Are there any Mainers in here or those close enough to the neighborhood to explain some of the local dynamics of the Senate race up there?

Actually the opponent of Susan Collins, Speaker of the Maine House of Representatives Sara Gideon, is not only leading in the latest polls but also out fund raising Collins, whose votes to confirm Kavanaugh and acquit Trump were and continue to be very unpopular in Maine. I predict that you will be pleasantly surprised how strong and victorious a candidate Sara Gideon will be.

 

[kgmets]

Actually the opponent of Susan Collins, Speaker of the Maine House of Representatives Sara Gideon, is not only leading in the latest polls but also out fund raising Collins, whose votes to confirm Kavanaugh and acquit Trump were and continue to be very unpopular in Maine. I predict that you will be pleasantly surprised how strong and victorious a candidate Sara Gideon will be.

Coincidentally, I just made our my contribution check to the Gideon campaign earlier today. I consider it money very well spent.

 

[juanjo]

Actually the opponent of Susan Collins, Speaker of the Maine House of Representatives Sara Gideon, is not only leading in the latest polls but also out fund raising Collins, whose votes to confirm Kavanaugh and acquit Trump were and continue to be very unpopular in Maine. I predict that you will be pleasantly surprised how strong and victorious a candidate Sara Gideon will be.

Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, a Republican facing a tough re-election race, has run numerous ads over the last three months featuring testimonials from more than 20 people who were presented as ordinary Mainers — but in fact, had close ties to the state's Republican Party or to Collins herself. Reported by Salon today.

 

[tampa24]

Actually the opponent of Susan Collins, Speaker of the Maine House of Representatives Sara Gideon, is not only leading in the latest polls but also out fund raising Collins, whose votes to confirm Kavanaugh and acquit Trump were and continue to be very unpopular in Maine. I predict that you will be pleasantly surprised how strong and victorious a candidate Sara Gideon will be.

Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, a Republican facing a tough re-election race, has run numerous ads over the last three months featuring testimonials from more than 20 people who were presented as ordinary Mainers — but in fact, had close ties to the state's Republican Party or to Collins herself. Reported by Salon today.

I'm so happy to hear that she faces a tough challenge in her re-election campaign. I was just reading an article earlier today where they said Mitch McConnell was less worried about her seat than he had been a few weeks ago. Shoddy reporting maybe? haha

Thanks for the info gentlemen.

 

[tampa24]

Coincidentally, I just made our my contribution check to the Gideon campaign earlier today. I consider it money very well spent.

Thanks KG! I really want to see her gone.

It just irks me that she pulls the wool over people's eyes with all her posturing as a self-described moderate. In fact and deed, she's not. She's been a solid Republican vote at the most pivotal moments of the last 3+ years and has given Trump a pass on every outrageous thing he's done where the Senate could have reeled him in. When the history books are written and her voting record is scored, she will be in no different class of Trumpian Republicans than the most rabid conservatives and dictator coddlers of her time.

 

[kgmets]

Thanks KG! I really want to see her gone.

It just irks me that she pulls the wool over people's eyes with all her posturing as a self-described moderate. In fact and deed, she's not. She's been a solid Republican vote at the most pivotal moments of the last 3+ years and has given Trump a pass on every outrageous thing he's done where the Senate could have reeled him in. When the history books are written and her voting record is scored, she will be in no different class of Trumpian Republicans than the most rabid conservatives and dictator coddlers of her time.

You are so correct. I recall her Senate speech announcing her vote to confirm Kavanaugh with McConnell sitting next to her smiling. And then of course her vote to acquit guilty as sin Trump from removal from office. Both of those votes outraged Mainers. Just think, had the Republican senators with the exception of Romney voted their consciences instead of playing politics, how less devastated our country would be from caronavirus. We are only 4% of the world's population, but we have over 25% of the world's infections and deaths. That says it all about the Republican senators' failure to do their job and remove Trump form office. Updated polls today have Collins falling further behind.

 

[Repareur]

You are so correct. I recall her Senate speech announcing her vote to confirm Kavanaugh with McConnell sitting next to her smiling. And then of course her vote to acquit guilty as sin Trump from removal from office. Both of those votes outraged Mainers. Just think, had the Republican senators with the exception of Romney voted their consciences instead of playing politics, how less devastated our country would be from caronavirus. We are only 4% of the world's population, but we have over 25% of the world's infections and deaths. That says it all about the Republican senators' failure to do their job and remove Trump form office. Updated polls today have Collins falling further behind.

Amen !

 

[tampa24]

Hey Everyone,

I happen to be a huge Star Trek fan. So when I heard that a new tv show was coming out a few years ago I was thrilled. I was less than thrilled to find out that CBS decided to offer the show only on its pay site streaming service. Without a smart tv I assumed that would also mean that I'd have to watch it on my computer screen. I didn't sign up for the subscription service. I was really broke at the time and couldn't justify spending extra money in order to watch one tv show. I felt it very greedy on the part of the network to play the release of Star Trek in that way.

Well lo and behold, for whatever reason with the pandemic or something...CBS has decided to offer Star Trek: Discovery on its local CBS network affiliates starting at 10 pm EDT tonight. And it apparently is starting at the very beginning of the series.

So just FYI for other Trekkers out there in the Broke Straight Boys universe.

 

[mikeyank]

Hey Everyone,

I happen to be a huge Star Trek fan. So when I heard that a new tv show was coming out a few years ago I was thrilled. I was less than thrilled to find out that CBS decided to offer the show only on its pay site streaming service. Without a smart tv I assumed that would also mean that I'd have to watch it on my computer screen. I didn't sign up for the subscription service. I was really broke at the time and couldn't justify spending extra money in order to watch one tv show. I felt it very greedy on the part of the network to play the release of Star Trek in that way.

Well lo and behold, for whatever reason with the pandemic or something...CBS has decided to offer Star Trek: Discovery on its local CBS network affiliates starting at 10 pm EDT tonight. And it apparently is starting at the very beginning of the series.

So just FYI for other Trekkers out there in the Broke Straight Boys universe.

I wonder if former forumite Vicekid is watching?

Live Long and Prosper,

Vicekid

 

[tampa24]

Yes. One wonders. haha Vicekid is a huge Trekker.

I also recall that Stowe is a Star Trek fan also. So hopefully this turn of events might be of interest to him also.

I'm guessing with the pandemic and the filming of fresh new content for the usual fall lineup in a state of either disarray or great delay...that previously filmed content that can be released to a brand new or wider audience would hold some appeal as an easy, cheap and appealing option. I can imagine that the boardrooms of the major tv networks have been trying to think outside the box all summer as to how to pull new shows out of thin air in order to maintain viewers and not lose market share to other competitors.

 

[tampa24]

Sorry I couldn't get the pic any larger. For those whose vision would strain trying to read the caption... It says:

"It's moments like these that make fan girls scream, JUST FUCK EACH OTHER ALREADY!!!"

 

[Repareur]

View attachment 23786

Sorry I couldn't get the pic any larger. For those whose vision would strain trying to read the caption... It says:

"It's moments like these that make fan girls scream, JUST FUCK EACH OTHER ALREADY!!!"

That’s a good one and I concur on that opinion.

 

[tampa24]

Well we were told earlier in the week in the Tampa Bay area that this storm would pass by us out at sea and head north to the Big Bend area or the panhandle. But now we have a hurricane that will likely be a very near miss. Fortunately right as it peaked as a Cat 1 hurricane this morning it seems on radar at least to be quickly weakening back to a tropical storm. It's quite blustery and rainy. But it doesn't look destructive. Or at least not yet. We'll see. It's a a great excuse to stay inside and just watch the rain.

 

[Jaybifla]

I LOVE The Catherine Tate Show. Her Derek character is always a laugh, and always accused of being gay.

 

[Repareur]

That is funny. I’ve never seen it.

 

[tampa24]

That is cute. Thanks Jay.

 

[tampa24]

I have recently moved from Michigan to Florida and it has been a taxing experience.

Hi Frontier,

Please allow to share a few tips for a move from the Midwest to Florida. I did exactly the same thing many years ago. First off though I hope that you find the adjustment to be very rewarding and worth it in the long run as I have. Leaving northern Ohio on the Michigan border and moving to Florida was one of the best decisions I've ever made. Other than missing my extended family and leaving behind friends and classmates from elementary and high school... I have zero regrets. Zero. I am SO much happier in Florida than I would have been up north. It's also very easy to get spoiled by the mild winters.

On a more humorous note, here a a few suggestions. In Florida all carbonated beverages like Coke or Pepsi products are called "soda". If you continue to call it "pop" around strangers, people will stare at you and be confused. (Unless they are from up north themselves. lol) Although it seems like everyone is a northern transplant at times, you are in the South now. Sometimes depending on where you land, (the more inland parts in particular) you are in the Confederate South. Midwesterners typically migrate towards the Gulf side western coast of Florida while New Englanders typically migrate to Florida's eastern Atlantic coast.

It is okay and even encouraged to pick up some southern slang terms like "y'all" instead of just "you guys". haha

Much has been made about Florida's claim that the cost of living is cheaper here than up north. That can be true on some things. But definitely not everything. It depends on your age and lifestyle. Rents can be cheaper. Housing costs for single family homes are a mixed bag compared to up north. Sometimes cheaper, other times not at all. It is true that your taxes will usually be less because of not having a state income tax. The downside to this is that wages are lower than up north. My relatives who visit and vacation here are always complaining to me about the cost of groceries in Florida. haha Certain groceries are often actually more expensive than in other northern states.

If you are retiring with a pension and/or social security that you earned and accumulated with a high paying job up north and you move here, you can do very well on that income in Florida. Your money will typically go farther. If you are a younger or middle aged person and still need to work for a living, raise a family, etc., it will be a challenge to find work here that pays the same or more than what is available up north. There are very few unions here. But for everyone on a case by case basis you have to do a cost/benefit analysis of the advantages of living in a more tropical home like Florida vs. staying, returning, or living up north. Many do end up deciding that living here is worth it for all of the intangible benefits.

 

[tampa24]

 

[tampa24]