Is this bold? Is this italic

Are there paragraph breaks?

Am I annoying anyone yet? Sorry. :-)

I've searched for this past post off and on to no avail, it finally turned up. The 1st OlyBlog meetup at the BroHo with actual photos of caiman symbol fighting and more.

You say that race doesn't matter.  You say that qualifications are all that counts in employment and education.  You say that money is all that matters in lending and other market exchanges.  You say that you're color-blind, and that it's time to overturn affirmative action programs.  In fact, you say that affirmative action is reverse-racism.

You adamantly insist that you are not a racist, either overtly or unconsciously.

Now's your chance to prove it.  Either you have no racist tendencies or preferences... or this is your "Come to Jesus" moment.

Take the test.

Post your results.  (Be brave!) 

Go here to take the test, then click on "Race IAT". 

California Sues Government for Rejecting Bid to Curb Emissions
By Margot Roosevelt
The Los Angeles Times

Wednesday 02 January 2008

The state joins 15 others in a challenge to the EPA's position that a new federal energy bill trumps other action.

California and 15 other states filed suit against the federal government today for denying them the right to restrict carbon dioxide emissions from cars and trucks, a major cause of global warming.

The lawsuit, filed in the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, challenges the Environmental Protection Agency's Dec. 19 decision to deny California a waiver to pass its own tailpipe rules, which is permitted under the 1970 Clean Air Act. When it comes to air pollution, the act allows states to follow California rules or federal rules, so long as the federal government grants California a waiver.

In 2003 it was $25.

Yesterday the price of a barrel of oil reached $100 before settling at $99.67 at the end of the day. The price of oil has risen 60% in the last year alone.

Why has the price of oil risen so much so quickly?

I believe the answer is simple(well not really simple at all, but easy to sum up in two words): collusive monopoly.

Whenever I read about the price of oil rising, it's tied to an event somewhere. Usually prices of oil will rise after experts speculate what effects an event will have on the market. For instance, the assassination of Benazir Bhutto and the unrest that it will create in Turkey, not unrest that has already happened, mind you, or that we're seeing now, but speculative future unrest, was given as a prime reason for the price of oil reaching the $100 milestone.

It doesn't look so bad adjusted for inflation. In 1973 the Arab oil embargo began which effectively doubled oil prices at the refinery level and caused massive shortages in the US, and had a huge effect on prices right into the 80's. In '81 the downturn began due to price controls by the United States. They stayed down until the buildup for war began and in '91, the year the Gulf War began, prices peaked at about $20 per barrel. The prosperity of the 90's, as well as OPEC quota increases, kept gas prices fairly static and also increased our want of oil. We started buying lots of things that run on oil including bigger houses, cars, bikes, watercraft, etc.

Remember to view the original tale :

The brand of salsa I usually choose is a 24 oz tub of Chachie's Key Lime and Garlic, but only when it's on sale at 2 for $4.00. Which is about every other week.

pictured, the 16 oz version

I only buy 1 for $2.00, though. The stores try to get you to buy in larger multiples, but I know short division.

The stuff ships from California and it's not organic.

However, it is Kosher.

FM does not stock every variety they produce. I'd like to try the spicier Habenero-Lime Salsa.

The stuff is pretty mainstream. It's in 30% of U.S. grocery stores, so it's no great secret discovery. However, for my relatives in TN, OK, AR, TX, VA and MS, it could be a novelty.

I've been meaning to host a Potluck Nacho Party sometime and see how many different types of chips, cheeses, toppings and salsas we could come up with. Maybe next time there's a sale.