just gotta rant-

[HorsehairBraider]

I heard the queen *loved* the gift - because it was something useful, and not yet another useless trophy or ugly piece of jewelry that she has to store somewhere.

She'd probably also love a piece of functional leather work by a high quality craftsman, such as those you suggest.

I had noticed the economy tanking several years ago. It is not recent by any means. But I do understand that people really like having someone to blame - it makes them feel better, I guess.

Personally I'm giving the guy a chance... I think it was brave to run at this time, when the country is in such a mess, knowing full well lots of people would point fingers at him and blame *him*, as though *he* had been in office for the past 8 years. And I think it's a good idea to do things differently - what was going on sure was not working, so best thing to do is try something different.

[HarryB]

Won't be long before we'll be saying "I'll trade you a handmade leather belt for two rolls of toilet paper and a pound of coffee"! Its been said before: I'll keep my folding money and they can keep their 'change"! We're still the greatest nation on earth but for how long? :soapbox:

[Jordan]

Times are tough, have been before, will be again. They are after all, politicians and/or talking heads. A person can do only what they can to protect themselves and their families during times such as these. As far as the rant....Good for You! the more people that get P.O'd the better the chance of change. And contrary to what they tell you, One person can make a difference no matter how small it might be. This country is so hellbent on immediate gratification it is destined to repeat the errors of the past. The riche got theirs, you think gates really cares that he lost some pocket change! his accountants will make that up and more from the loopholes put there by ...guess who!, and now everyone else is left holding the bag and scrambling to make ends meet until better times arrive. As far as the Queen, I believe she is a very nice lady and probably a pretty good monarch compared to most others. Don't know why she would need an Ipod or whatever. She loves those dogs, so shes ok in my book. Maybe one of the collar makers around here could whip up a few and send them off.

[Washroad]

The company I work for is small and family owned. We saw the economy going several years ago and started taking steps then to protect and position ourselves. I haven't had a raise in 4 years but because of that I haven't had a cut in pay either and my check still comes every week and doesn't bounce. Not a single penny has been added to my profit-sharing account in 3 years and that is part of my retirement (I'll never get to retire, I'm going to drop dead in the office someday). My dental benefits end at the end of this month.

I think McCain would've sucked as president; maybe not quite as much as Obama, but he would've still sucked. I didn't vote for either of them.

McCain was all in favor of the bailout also. That would've been no different if he'd won. So, we'd still be in the same place.

Obama is more socialist than McCain, that's pretty much a given. He thinks govmint can solve our problems while I KNOW govmint is the problem.

I dislike Obama because of his appointments/nominations for one thing; tax evaders kept getting nominated when they should've been in jail like any of the rest of us "little" people.

He's also gone green. He drove a Chrysler 300 with a 5.7 litre V8 until he started his campaign, then he went and got a hybrid, stated having Al Gore over for lunch, appointed Cho to the Department of the Interior. All of that makes me boil!! McCain wouldn't have been much better.

They all suck.

Know how to tell a politician is lying?

Their lips are moving.

Gotta go.

[pete]

Times are tough, have been before, will be again. They are after all, politicians and/or talking heads. A person can do only what they can to protect themselves and their families during times such as these. As far as the rant....Good for You! the more people that get P.O'd the better the chance of change. And contrary to what they tell you, One person can make a difference no matter how small it might be. This country is so hellbent on immediate gratification it is destined to repeat the errors of the past. The riche got theirs, you think gates really cares that he lost some pocket change! his accountants will make that up and more from the loopholes put there by ...guess who!, and now everyone else is left holding the bag and scrambling to make ends meet until better times arrive. As far as the Queen, I believe she is a very nice lady and probably a pretty good monarch compared to most others. Don't know why she would need an Ipod or whatever. She loves those dogs, so shes ok in my book. Maybe one of the collar makers around here could whip up a few and send them off.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Finally some common sense put forth in a MATURE manner.

(I stole your quote, Whinewine, for one of my people. )

Thanks Jordan

pete

[Kevinjohnson]

term limits, term limits, term limits, term limits, term limits, term limits, term limits, term limits, term limits, term limits, term limits, term limits..................

Do I need to repeat this? Let's get the politicians hands out of the lobyist's cookie jar. Hey Pete, your from Arkansas. Did you by chance happen to donate any of your beautiful bulbs to the Bill Clinton Presidential Message Parlor/Library?

[greg gomersall]

Did you by chance happen to donate any of your beautiful bulbs to the Bill Clinton Presidential Message Parlor/Library?

Kevin I hear the tour guide is Harmonica Lewinsky. Greg

[Kevinjohnson]

Hey Greg, I here that there's a neat gift shop at the library. You can purchase ball caps, reprints of speaches, photos, stained dresses and my favorite, flavored cigars!

[TwinOaks]

Kevin, as hard as you're trying to be funny...it isn't working.

[Rayban]

Hey Pete...show us a picture of what you send the Queen....