'Spanish American War' Tax Ends
but only for long distance - not local - service

As predicted, after losing a number of court battles, the IRS has decided to give up and stop charging long-distance customers a tax that stems back to the Spanish American war. Some in congress had considered at one point expanding the tax to cover broadband connections. Note that the repeal is only for long-distance service, this now named "excise tax" still exists for local phone service.

According to this release by the IRS, taxpayers can file for refunds for any tax paid after Feb. 28, 2003 on their 2006 returns. "So taxpayers won’t have to spend time digging through old telephone bills, we’re designing a straightforward process that taxpayers may use when they file their tax returns next year," said IRS Commissioner Mark W. Everson. "Claiming a refund will be simple and fair." (I wonder how much of a refund this will turn out to be. Enough to buy a couple or three books?)

*Thanks to the folks at dslreports.com for this article*

In Memory of...

"To forget one's ancestors is to be a brook without a source,
a tree without a root." Chinese proverb

The Check's in the Mail - 5/29/06 Newsweek article

I don't normally read Newsweek but picked up this issue to read their take on Mary Magdalene (go, Mary, go!) It was an ok article with lots of good pictures but the article that really hit home was how the insurance companies are screwing homeowners in La. and Miss. and not paying claims (or paying very little). Perhaps we need socialized property insurance as well as health insurance. I mean, when it gets to the point that everybody knows how corrupt and dishonest insurance companies can be why can't some alternative be found? (anybody watched or read The Rainmaker lately?) I'm not sure I've met anyone who isn't at least a wee bit pessimistic about their insurance company (if they can afford insurance). It's almost a given that you will pay for insurance and the insurance company will deny or reduce your claim payment as much as possible. So, insurance companies don't cover flood damage. And now (so I've heard) they won't be covering hurricane damage. Is there a tornado exclusion? Earthquakes must not be covered, right? What IS covered? I've heard the old "acts of God" aren't covered. What else are there, may I ask?

In digging around on the net to find a link to the article I ran across what looks to be an interesting site with links to many magazine articles, Slate. Par for the couse that I find sites and links to sites I've never encountered when researching. This might be an endangered pastime if network neutrality isn't protected.

Godsey saved my blog!

I know joyce is a modest soul but I have to report that even with all she has going on in her life right now (mothers, brothers and bird-killing cats) she took the time to repair and improve my blog format. A little knowledge in my hands (especially when it pertains to computers) often creates havoc (luckily I've never physically harmed or killed anyone with my stupidity). I thought I could spiff up my blog and when I was finished, it was too. Joyce saved the day and I am very grateful. I'm sending her some virtual plum wine. Hope you like this flavor, joyce. Cheers!

Moorish Girl Blog

Many of you bibliophiles have, more than likely, visited the Moorishgirl blog edited by Laila Lalami. It is well worth checking out. She is articulate and her insights are thought provoking.

To all Mom's - We wouldn't be here without you!

Thank you, Mom, for every pea-pickin' thing. You were someone to emulate and I know you did your absolute best through all those trying times that, yours truly, put you through. You'd be pleased to know that now I know what a joy parenting can be as well as how frustrating. How loving and how painful. I always thought of myself as a patient person. Ha! No more. Sometimes as a parent I find out just how short my fuse is. I now understand those times you barricaded yourself in the bathroom, crying in what must have been frustration. And I thought you were just afraid to show your emotions. You probably wanted to kill me or were wishing I'd run away! How and why do we push our parent's buttons so well and so frequently? Sorry about that, Mom! You were the best!

Telephone Records are just the Tip of NSA's Iceberg

Oh joy...it seems that the reasons for paranoia I felt during the 70s are resurfacing under Dubya's reign. I never liked having George Sr. as president. It seemed that an ex-CIA person just didn't belong in a position involving the protection of our personal liberties and freedoms. Nor was I convinced he was truly "EX"-CIA. And when his son forced his way into the Presidency, needless to say, it didn't make my day. And now, Dubya is doing what I thought was his father's agenda and making me wonder how many years it will take to rid ourselves of their tentacles. Color me blue.

GRAMMAR GODDESS :-)

GRAMMAR GODDESS :-)
How handy. Someone to pose those niggling grammar questions to (darn dangling participles). I stumbled upon her blog and bet, now that I think of it, that there are other similar sites. I work at a small liberal arts college in the English Dept. and often get calls about how to say or do this or that with the English language (and other languages as well). Unless there happens to be professor available I dare not pretend to be an authority. Maybe I'll steer them in the Grammar Goddess's direction if they are computer savvy.
5/12/06 - I just noticed that the Goddess isn't in much so this might not be the best spot for one's grammar conundrums. Poked around a bit more on the web but haven't found the perfect spot yet. Will post a link if I do.

Anybody like contra dancing? (or what to do with yourself when not reading, buying or selling books)

Ok, joyce, you're right. Nothing like a guilt trip to make one post to one's own blog!

I should be outside instead of hunkered down over a keyboard. It's glorious today here in north Louisiana. There is scant humidity, the sky is New Mexico or Montana blue and it's warm and breezy. I really hate that not too far away from here some folks in Texas and Oklahoma really got hammered with tornados but every time a storm passes this way I get down on my knees and pray to God/dess that the bad weather goes around Louisiana, specifically around my little neck of the woods. There's just been too darn much excitement around here in that department.

Back on track...one thing I wish there was more of (any for that matter) in this area is contra dancing. I got introduced to it in Juneau, AK and once I realized they weren't having Contra fundraisers (what an idiot) I found an incredibly wonderful pastime. Great exercise, fun and love that live music! If you get the chance to try it you just might find you agree with me!

Another good read - The Reindeer People

I've found another good book to read, The Reindeer People by Piers Vitebsky. He's an anthropologist who studied and lived among some of the reindeer herding people in northern Russia. I enjoy his writing style and what's he's got to say about the people, the reindeer and their relationships. In looking for links to give you more info about this book I discovered that NPR did a story about Vitesbsky and his life among the reindeer people. Maybe that's why I picked this book to read. Thinking back I couldn't remember what piqued my interest but whatever it was I'm glad to have followed my nose. One wonders how global warming is affecting the reindeer/caribou and the people whose lives are tied to them.