November 7, 2014

Anyone else using Windows 10 Technical Preview ?

I am.

Download link: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/preview-iso

Official support forums: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_tp?tab=Threads

also: https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/home?category=usingforums%2CWinPreview2014&filter=alltypes&sort=lastpostdesc

So far no total deal-killers. Basically Windows 8.1 with Modern hidden into Start Menu, some new features. Only major problem for me has been the Hybrid Shutdown feature, which I disabled, per http://www.askvg.com/fix-windows-8-restart-and-shutdown-problems-by-disabling-hybrid-shutdown-feature/

November 7, 2014

so, fellow loners, how are you coping with the election ?

I'm doing my best to be upbeat. I think we'll win back the Senate in 2016 as well as POTUS. House, meh, will take a while to take back it seems.

November 7, 2014

Chicken and egg, what comes first ?

We can all debate and disagree on what comes first, but being inspired to vote (chicken) and actually voting (egg) are BOTH important and to a large degree independent of each other.

Was I completely thrilled about the Democrats in 1980 when I was 21 years old ? No. They all seemed "old" to me and out of touch with my generation. Nevertheless, I voted.

I'm NOT trying to cast aspersions or guilt upon anyone. Just, please, vote.

eta: The ONLY time I've been really inspired, was in 2008 and 2012 with President Barack Obama. Otherwise, it's been a duty and a chore to vote. I missed 1996 because of work interfering, but thank god Clinton still won.

November 7, 2014

2018 governor's race: any ideas ?

Yes I know it's way too early

Any "up-and-comers" who will inspire the base to vote ?

November 7, 2014

-1 °F (1991) , all time low for this date for Minneapolis, MN

http://www.wunderground.com/history/airport/KMIC/2014/11/7/DailyHistory.html?req_city=Minneapolis&req_state=MN&req_statename=Minnesota

November 7, 2014

Winter weather warnings for MT

November 7, 2014

The ultimate post-mortem: 16 reasons why Charlie Crist fell short

http://www.saintpetersblog.com/archives/165877

When a candidate loses an election, there’s a tendency to ask what could have been done differently. Coulda, woulda, shoulda is a natural part of the post-election period.

But when a candidate loses by a margin as tight as Charlie Crist fell short against Rick Scott — 48.2 to 47.1 percent — there’s an obligation to go beyond Monday morning quarterbacking.

Certainly, Crist’s loss can be boiled down to a flawed candidate, with much less money than his opponent, who failed to motivate enough of his base to turn out. But that overgeneralization does not tell the entire story of what went wrong for Crist.

Gov. Rick Scott was a flawed opponent, too. Crist raised a boatload of money for a Democrat and was actually out-raising Scott toward the end of the campaign. And in certain counties, Democratic voter turnout surpassed expectations.

November 7, 2014

The ultimate post-mortem: 16 reasons why Charlie Crist fell short

http://www.saintpetersblog.com/archives/165877

When a candidate loses an election, there’s a tendency to ask what could have been done differently. Coulda, woulda, shoulda is a natural part of the post-election period.

But when a candidate loses by a margin as tight as Charlie Crist fell short against Rick Scott — 48.2 to 47.1 percent — there’s an obligation to go beyond Monday morning quarterbacking.

Certainly, Crist’s loss can be boiled down to a flawed candidate, with much less money than his opponent, who failed to motivate enough of his base to turn out. But that overgeneralization does not tell the entire story of what went wrong for Crist.

Gov. Rick Scott was a flawed opponent, too. Crist raised a boatload of money for a Democrat and was actually out-raising Scott toward the end of the campaign. And in certain counties, Democratic voter turnout surpassed expectations.


will xpost this to Florida group.

November 6, 2014

You nailed it, MM

Step 1: Democrats push the party to move left, demand better candidates and better messaging and policies.

Step 2: Democratic Party moves left, offers up better candidates and better messaging and policies.

Step 3: Democratic voters VOTE in high percentages, every single freaking election.

Step 4: Democratic Party wins elections.

Step 5: The country moves to the left.

This country has problems, but it's still a democracy. It takes one million or more ordinary people to equal a Koch. It CAN be done.

YMMV, I'm sure.

November 6, 2014

Florida marijuana backers plot strategy after loss

http://tbo.com/news/election/morgan-plans-to-take-medical-marijuana-to-legislature-20141105/

WEST PALM BEACH – Supporters of medical marijuana may have lost their fight at the ballot box, but they’re promising to take it back to the statehouse.

A day after Amendment 2 narrowly failed in Florida, the chairman and chief financier of the initiative said today that if lawmakers didn’t successfully pursue the issue, it would be back before voters in 2016.

“This is just the first battle and I plan to win the war,” said Orlando trial attorney John Morgan, who led the charge to pass the initiative, in part because of the suffering of his quadriplegic brother.

Morgan pledged to begin the process of putting medical marijuana back on the ballot in 2016. He thinks the fear of its possible impact on the country’s biggest swing state during a presidential election may sway lawmakers to revisit the issue in Tallahassee and pass a medical marijuana law next session. He signaled openness to changing the wording of any future initiative and a willingness to spend more of his fortune on the effort.