Open Thread

With a Little Help From a Friend Open Thread

Published Friday, January 11, 2013 A.D. | By Donald R. McClarey

The usual open thread rules apply: be concise, be charitable and, above all, be amusing!

Cows and Governments Open Thread

Published Saturday, November 17, 2012 A.D. | By Donald R. McClarey

Well cows and politicians do have a lot a lot in common in that they are fond of bull, produce some noxious by products and tend to complain a lot when their sacred calves are taken away. The usual open thread rules apply: be concise, be charitable and, above all, be amusing.

Squirrel on a Rampage Open Thread

Published Tuesday, September 25, 2012 A.D. | By Donald R. McClarey

We haven’t had an open thread in a while. The usual rules apply: be concise, be charitable and, above all, be entertaining!

ABBA Open Thread

Published Wednesday, June 6, 2012 A.D. | By Donald R. McClarey

Well, Governor Walker won last night in Wisconsin, we have had more than two million visits to our website, and I am on vacation next week, so I am in a good mood! Time for my ABBA guilty pleasure, and, besides, we haven’t had an open thread in a while. The usual open thread rules apply: be concise, be charitable, and, above all, be entertaining!

10,000 Japanese Singing Ode to Joy Open Thread

Published Wednesday, May 16, 2012 A.D. | By Donald R. McClarey

We haven’t had an open thread in a while and I needed an excuse to post the above video. As always be charitable, be concise and be amusing.

Starry, Starry Night Open Thread

Published Monday, February 27, 2012 A.D. | By Donald R. McClarey

We haven’t had an open thread in a while, so here one is. Be charitable, be interesting and have fun! Continue reading →

Try, Try and Try Again Open Thread

Published Sunday, November 13, 2011 A.D. | By Donald R. McClarey

We haven’t had an open thread in a while so here one is. Keep the comments charitable please, and, in the words of a judge at a hearing I attended recently, “Everyone is going to be nice!”.

Dog Days of Summer Open Thread

Published Wednesday, July 20, 2011 A.D. | By Donald R. McClarey

We haven’t had an open thread in a while, so here we go. The heat across most of the nation is unbearable, so blogging in air conditioned splendor is fairly attractive right now. The temperature reached 100 degrees today at around 2:30 PM in Pontiac, Illinois as the family and I were driving back from Springfield, Illinois. Thursday we will have more of the same. Friday the temperature is expected to plummet all the way down to 90! Time to dust off the winter coat!

Cat Maternal Love Open Thread

Published Friday, May 27, 2011 A.D. | By Donald R. McClarey

We haven’t had an open thread in some time, and I wanted an excuse to post the cat video.

J’accuse!

Published Friday, March 25, 2011 A.D. | By Donald R. McClarey

We haven’t had an open thread in a while, so have at it. Be charitable, and at least as amusing as the Guilty Dog, if not quite as guilty!

Penguins, Butterfly and Open Thread

Published Saturday, August 28, 2010 A.D. | By Donald R. McClarey

We haven’t had an open thread in a while, so go at it. Be charitable and at least as amusing as the penguins chasing the butterfly.

Service Economy

Published Tuesday, March 30, 2010 A.D. | By DarwinCatholic

One often hears polemics against the fact that our country is now dominated by the “service economy”. It is one of those phrases that gives a strong impression, yet is oddly difficult to pin down.

If I may be indulged in an open-ended post:

1) How would you define the “service economy”? (with examples)

2) Is the service economy new, or merely expanded/changed, versus what you would consider a more traditional time? (Whether that is 100 years ago or 500 years ago.)

3) Is it a problem that the service economy is so large, and if so why?