The Conservative Cave
Current Events => The DUmpster => Topic started by: Ballygrl on July 19, 2011, 10:59:09 AM
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No way this will be posted at DU so I thought I'd post it here for the lurkers:
http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/272081/modern-poverty-includes-ac-and-xbox-ken-mcintyre
A more detailed analysis:
http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2011/07/what-is-poverty
Modern Poverty Includes A.C. and an Xbox
July 18, 2011 10:39 A.M.
By Ken McIntyre
When Americans think of poverty, we tend to picture people who can’t adequately shelter, clothe, and feed themselves or their families.
When the Census Bureau defines “poverty,†though, it winds up painting more than 40 million Americans — one in seven — as “poor.â€
Census officials continue to grossly exaggerate the numbers of the poor, creating a false picture in the public mind of widespread material deprivation, writes Heritage Foundation senior research fellow Robert Rector in a new paper.
“Most news stories on poverty feature homeless families, people living in crumbling shacks, or lines of the downtrodden eating in soup kitchens,†Rector says. “The actual living conditions of America’s poor are far different from these images.â€
Congress is tying itself in knots figuring out how to cut spending and bring down a $14 trillion national debt. Lawmakers might well take a much closer look at the nearly a trillion dollars spent each year on welfare even though many recipients aren’t what the typical American would recognize as poor and in need of government assistance.
What is poverty? Americans might well be surprised to learn from other government data that the overwhelming majority of those defined as “poor†by the Census Bureau were well-housed and adequately fed even in the recession year 2009. About 4 percent of them did temporarily become homeless.
Data from the Department of Energy and other agencies show that the average poor family, as defined by Census officials:
â— Lives in a home that is in good repair, not crowded, and equipped with air conditioning, clothes washer and dryer, and cable or satellite TV service.
â— Prepares meals in a kitchen with a refrigerator, coffee maker and microwave as well as oven and stove.
◠Enjoys two color TVs, a DVD player, VCR and — if children are there — an Xbox, PlayStation, or other video game system.
â— Had enough money in the past year to meet essential needs, including adequate food and medical care.
(http://global.nationalreview.com/dest/2011/07/18/special_amenities_and_poor_list.jpg)
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I know I've said this here before but I'll say it again. When I was in my 20's and early 30's I traveled around building water towers/tanks and was paid well for my work. I lived in a travel trailer duing that time. When the census rolled around I was shocked to learn that I was a statistic. I was 'homeless'.
Since that time I've been very skeptical of government studies.
KC
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Hell, I don't have half that crap on the list.
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If it was at the DUmp, it's a clarion call for the '86 Buick to come roaring up and skid to a stop . . .
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I don't have a third on that list!!!
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Remember that the DUches are all about euro socialism. The average poor person under the evil capitalist system of the USA lives in a larger domicile than the average euro.
Capitalism, the worst economic system ever....except for all the others.
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We have everything but 2 things on that list, but a lot of things on that list we have was bought years ago or they were given to us by relatives because the relatives were upgrading.
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I have 16 out of 30. Quite an eye-opening list.
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There are 13 on the list we don't have, maybe 14 depending on what qualifies as a big screen TV. Our two TVs are only 32".
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I was wandering through Wally World the other week and noticed they were still selling new VCRs. Doesn't make much sense when you can't buy new movies for them.
I have a 15-year old CRT television and a VCR. The TV is almost due to be replaced, but I can't bring myself to spend the money. It's just not that important.
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Twenty-nine.
Gotta get a Jacuzzi, so I can report a clean sweep to the DUmp.
The last time I had a bathroom redone, I wanted to add a Jacuzzi, but it got voted down, 1-1.
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Twenty-nine.
Gotta get a Jacuzzi, so I can report a clean sweep to the DUmp.
The last time I had a bathroom redone, I wanted to add a Jacuzzi, but it got voted down, 1-1.
Guess we know who wears the pants in that house. :-)
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Guess we know who wears the pants in that house.
It's my experience that a wise man chooses his battles carefully.
I've been keeping my powder dry for many years now.
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Sounds like a good portion of the poor are living "better" than I am, have 9 items on that list. I'm not complaining though, I like my life. :-)
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Twenty-nine.
Gotta get a Jacuzzi, so I can report a clean sweep to the DUmp.
The last time I had a bathroom redone, I wanted to add a Jacuzzi, but it got voted down, 1-1.
Same here, 28 of 30. We don't have or need a 2nd fridge, and the jacuzzi is a dream for down the road a bit.
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Same here, 28 of 30. We don't have or need a 2nd fridge, and the jacuzzi is a dream for down the road a bit.
The second refrigerator is really an old one in the garage that we replaced before it failed. Years later, it still runs perfectly.
I only use it if we have an unusual amount of beer or soft drinks, and sometimes the remainder of a watermelon or
Thanksgiving turkey. It's an unnecessary appliance, but comes in handy from time to time.
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:mad: :mad: :mad:There are only four things on that list I would consider a necessity and a fifth which is not mentioned. Refrigerator, oven/stove, Ac(actually a fan works fine, unless you live in a hot state) and a heating element(For those who live in cold states) and a phone either cell or landline for 911 calls. Everything else is a luxury!!!! If one can afford an xbox or a WII, There is something wrong with their priorities!!
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Only 48.6% have a coffeemaker?
WHAT THE HELL!
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Only 48.6% have a coffeemaker?
WHAT THE HELL!
The rest go to $tarbuck$ .
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Or Dunkin Donuts
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Only 48.6% have a coffeemaker?
WHAT THE HELL!
Why would they need a coffee maker, DD? When you sleep till noon, finally get up to move to the couch to watch the daytime shows and start hitting the bong, you really don't need that jolt of caffeine. Besides... I imagine it interferes with the afternoon buzz.
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Guess we know who wears the pants in that house. :-)
Well, with the jacuzzi, there woulden't be any...................... :naughty:
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The second refrigerator is really an old one in the garage that we replaced before it failed. Years later, it still runs perfectly.
I only use it if we have an unusual amount of beer or soft drinks, and sometimes the remainder of a watermelon or
Thanksgiving turkey. It's an unnecessary appliance, but comes in handy from time to time.
When my Mom moved in with us she brought her Refrigerator/Freezer, we never had a 2nd 1 but I have to say it comes in handy, we store mostly beer, water and soda in it, and my mom uses the freezer for the frozen food or meat she buys at the store. I really need an extra Freezer to stock up on meat and frozen food when there's a good sale.
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We have 20 out of 30 on that list.
The stove, refrigerator, dishwasher, washer/dryer, and microwave came with the place.
No need for a second fridge, but I would like a separate freezer. Ours is too small.
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We have 20 out of 30 on that list.
The stove, refrigerator, dishwasher, washer/dryer, and microwave came with the place.
No need for a second fridge, but I would like a separate freezer. Ours is too small.
I have a separate full size freezer and that thing is handy!!! It saves me boat loads of money cause I can buy meat and frozen stuff in bulk. I bet it has already paid for itself. Once it's packed up, it doesn't really cost that much to run. Only thing that I hate is I bought one that doesn't self defrost, they were a lot cheaper, so I have to defrost it once a year. That is a messy job.
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Our dishwasher quit working very well, and we do our dishes by hand. Had to wash half the stuff by hand before, anyway, because I refuse to entrust fine crystal, china or pots and pans to a machine. Got rid of our landline phone and answering machine. No jacuzzi, alas. Other than that, we've got it all. No one gave us a single thing either, except the refrigerator, stove/oven, and microwave that came with the home purchase. It took years of hard work to get to where we are, financially, and now we're in danger of losing even more of the yearly income to idiotic Dimmie tax raises soon. America isn't a place that rewards hard work, innovation, or playing by the rules of common decency any longer. Rather, we've got a permanent "underprivileged" class, disproportionately the minority ethnic groups the Dims keep under their thumb by paying off with OUR tax money.
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I have a separate full size freezer and that thing is handy!!! It saves me boat loads of money cause I can buy meat and frozen stuff in bulk. I bet it has already paid for itself. Once it's packed up, it doesn't really cost that much to run. Only thing that I hate is I bought one that doesn't self defrost, they were a lot cheaper, so I have to defrost it once a year. That is a messy job.
That's one of the main reasons I'd like a separate freezer. Ours is pathetic and has no room for long time storing.
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8 out of 30 here, and I'm doing quite nicely, thank you.
Government studies... good grief.
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That's one of the main reasons I'd like a separate freezer. Ours is pathetic and has no room for long time storing.
Well if you do get one make sure it's self defrosting!!!! Well worth the money and they are pretty handy.
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Well if you do get one make sure it's self defrosting!!!! Well worth the money and they are pretty handy.
Freezers are great things. Fill up on meats and frozen veggies. When Butcher shops have sales, that will make your dollar go farther. You could divide it put small portions in a bag with italian dressing or any other marinade.
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Freezers are great things. Fill up on meats and frozen veggies. When Butcher shops have sales, that will make your dollar go farther. You could divide it put small portions in a bag with italian dressing or any other marinade.
Oh, you can actually put the dressing or marinade in the bag with say chicken and freeze it like that?
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Oh, you can actually put the dressing or marinade in the bag with say chicken and freeze it like that?
I do and have in the past. thaw then throw those little leggins right on the barbie!!!
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Oh, you can actually put the dressing or marinade in the bag with say chicken and freeze it like that?
I wouldn't do it with say Thousand Island or Ranch dressing. I've never done it myself. Don't see any reason why not though.
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Thanks! for some reason I never thought to do that.
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A separate freezer is one of the best appliances you can have. I use mine mainly for venison, but you can also get those huge packages of chicken or ribs at really cheap bulk prices, then divide it into freezer bags. We also keep a spare loaf of bread, hamburger and hot dog buns, extra butter, extra ice cream, lots of stuff that wouldn't fit into the freezer part of our refrigerator.
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I wouldn't do it with say Thousand Island or Ranch dressing. I've never done it myself. Don't see any reason why not though.
Yeah I wouldn't do it with ranch or 1000isle either
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I really need to figure out a way to get my husband to agree to an upright freezer.
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I really need to figure out a way to get my husband to agree to an upright freezer.
My friend had a chest freezer which was great.....I guess it depends on what kind of room you have.
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We don't have cable, home phone (cordless or answering machine), stereo, dishwasher, big screen TV, second fridge or jacuzzi. We do have a video game system, my 14 year old saved for 4 months to buy a PS 2 after her second PS1 quit. We actually have 3 TV's, but 2 of them are nearly 20 years old...I gave my husband a 32" flat screen for our anniversary, his birthday and Father's Day so we could stream Netflix from his laptop. It's nice to have a TV with more than just a coax connection finally. :lmao:
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My friend had a chest freezer which was great.....I guess it depends on what kind of room you have.
I don't want to defrost though, don't you have to do that with chest freezers?
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The DUmp has it. http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x1525672
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The DUmp has it. http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x1525672
Lots of poo pooing of the stats!
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Remember that the DUches are all about euro socialism. The average poor person under the evil capitalist system of the USA lives in a larger domicile than the average euro.
Bingo! You hit the nail right on the head here with the American and euro comparison.
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Did Dude give us a shoutout?
Stinky The Clown (1000+ posts) Tue Jul-19-11 09:08 PM
Response to Original message
17. I bet I know who your friend is.
Back by 5 Mile?
K&R
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Nice to see a rational response:
TheMadMonk (1000+ posts) Tue Jul-19-11 09:04 PM
Response to Original message
16. He does have part of a point at least.
It's not that 99% have a refrigerator, or 9X% having a washing machine and/or stove.
It IS the very significant proportion who have AC, and other power guzzling convenience/comfort appliances. Who have wallet draining subscriptions to cable and gaming services. (I will even allow an internet connection as a near necessity in this day and age, but a "pipe" capable of delivering video in real time and lag free gaming? Really?)
I used to do garrage/yard sales on a regular basis, and just as regularly I saw "poor" families disposing of perfectly good but outdated gaming consoles, televisions, VCRs, DVD players, Bread makers, Pizza ovens, etc. And as likely as not, if you asked why, the answer was an unembarrassed, "We've got something better/bigger now."
Meat and three veg for 1/2 the price of a fast food meal is very easy. Pasta meals are cheaper still.
A whole cryovac rump is not that expensive, cut it into steaks, a couple of roasts and put the trimmings through a food processor to make mince.
A good part of the problem today is that many do not know how to cook a meal, make minor repairs. And a good many who flat out will not settle for anything less than the latest and greatest.
And yes I am fully aware that another big part of the problem is that the world around these people and the people themselves have been deliberately re-engineered to make them skill poor, dependant on external services and demanding of worthless luxury. However, beyond a certain point these people have to actively cooperate in their own plight, nether the clown nor the colonel are holding a gun to their heads.
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Did Dude give us a shoutout?
Probably, when one reads the whole campfire.
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I don't want to defrost though, don't you have to do that with chest freezers?
I have to defrost mine, but it's a snap. I have a big cooler I got from WalMart, and each year, just before deer season, I fill it with everything left in the freezer. Then I unplug the freezer for a day or so with the door open, and then empty the melt water. I use a turkey baster to get the water out of some inaccessible spots. The stuff in the cooler is still hard as a rock when I put it back in.
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I have to defrost mine, but it's a snap. I have a big cooler I got from WalMart, and each year, just before deer season, I fill it with everything left in the freezer. Then I unplug the freezer for a day or so with the door open, and then empty the melt water. I use a turkey baster to get the water out of some inaccessible spots. The stuff in the cooler is still hard as a rock when I put it back in.
I just picture the food all frozen over and you can't get to it if it isn't frost free.
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I just picture the food all frozen over and you can't get to it if it isn't frost free.
Nope, zero ice on the packages of food. It collects mainly around the tubing that carries the refrigerant.
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And a good many who flat out will not settle for anything less than the latest and greatest.
Like the infamous Bobo. She's homeless, yet owns an iPhone.
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Stuart G (1000+ posts) Tue Jul-19-11 08:21 PM
Response to Original message
3. It is bullshit, made up lies. Makes me sick..nt
Oh, but it's a government study, Stuart! They can do no wrong.
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I don't want to defrost though, don't you have to do that with chest freezers?
I think I saw frost free chest freezers at Sears a while back.
Only bad thing about chest freezers is if something is in the very bottom you have to move everything out to get to it. My Grandmother had one years ago.
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I think I saw frost free chest freezers at Sears a while back.
Only bad thing about chest freezers is if something is in the very bottom you have to move everything out to get to it. My Grandmother had one years ago.
It's a lot easier to arrange and retrieve things from an upright.
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Stuart G (1000+ posts) Tue Jul-19-11 08:52 PM
Response to Reply #9
12. How does this add up..one in six Americans are hungry each day.
Is hungry..."adequate food"?..it is bull shit, lies and distortion of facts.
Because "hunger" is another bullshit term in this country that goes hand-in-hand with "poor."
"Hunger" is being defined as a lack of RDA nutrients, so any kid that gets stuffed with Happy Meals or Hot Pockets on a regular basis instead of a balanced diet will end up being classified as suffering from "hunger" even though they are anything but.
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Because "hunger" is another bullshit term in this country that goes hand-in-hand with "poor."
"Hunger" is being defined as a lack of RDA nutrients, so any kid that gets stuffed with Happy Meals or Hot Pockets on a regular basis instead of a balanced diet will end up being classified as suffering from "hunger" even though they are anything but.
Hunger is real. Right now, I'm starving for one of those Pizza Hut pasta pans, a can of Pringles, and a Rolling Rock.
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Hunger is real. Right now, I'm starving for one of those Pizza Hut pasta pans, a can of Pringles, and a Rolling Rock.
I know. I have a serious craving for some fried chicken and potato salad right now.
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I am craving crab ragoon and egg foo young!! dang!!
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I have 16 of the things listed but the Gubbamint didn't give me any of them. I acquired my household goods the old fashioned way, I worked for them and purchased them cash on the barrel head after budgeting appropriately.
I am a little confused, does that make me kapitalist swine or am I destitute?
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I've stopped by McDonalds after work every day so far this week for a Pineapple Mango Smoothie. And as long the daytime high temp stays over 90, I think I'll keep on doing it.
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I have 16 of the things listed but the Gubbamint didn't give me any of them. I acquired my household goods the old fashioned way, I worked for them and purchased them cash on the barrel head after budgeting appropriately.
I am a little confused, does that make me kapitalist swine or am I destitute?
No that maks you a smart, honest, tax paying American!!!
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Hunger is real. Right now, I'm starving for one of those Pizza Hut pasta pans, a can of Pringles, and a Rolling Rock.
:cheersmate: I love the old Rolling Rock, grew up on the stuff. Gawd I hope the rumors are true that it might go back to being brewed in Latrobe, Pa. because AB hasn't done so well with it. That Jersey swamp swill water isn't fooling anybody!
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I have a separate full size freezer and that thing is handy!!! It saves me boat loads of money cause I can buy meat and frozen stuff in bulk. I bet it has already paid for itself. Once it's packed up, it doesn't really cost that much to run. Only thing that I hate is I bought one that doesn't self defrost, they were a lot cheaper, so I have to defrost it once a year. That is a messy job.
Same here! Why the heck didn't I get one that doesn't need defrosting :banghead:
That is a chore that needs doing very soon, and I'm going to ask my weekend visitor to "help me, Rhonda - help, help me Rhonda" :yahoo:
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What stood out to me was that the Heritage study was from 2005, and 76% of the poor had cellphones, before the government started giving them out for free. (in fairness, it started under GWB and the Pelosi reign, damn you all to hell, but you did give rise to the Tea Party).
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I love the old Rolling Rock, grew up on the stuff. Gawd I hope the rumors are true that it might go back to being brewed in Latrobe, Pa. because AB hasn't done so well with it.
Well, I thought it might change when AB bought the brand, but I honestly can't detect a difference between Latrobe and St. Louis.
Of course, all the taste experts say anything brewed in America is swill, so what do I know?
Hell, along with about 90% of America, I even think Budweiser is good.
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Well, I thought it might change when AB bought the brand, but I honestly can't detect a difference between Latrobe and St. Louis.
Of course, all the taste experts say anything brewed in America is swill, so what do I know?
Hell, along with about 90% of America, I even think Budweiser is good.
Ex=formerly, used to be. spert=drip under pressure.
Most of the "experts" haven't a friggin clue of which they speak. They try comparing Euro micros to US majors and say it's crap, or pilsners to stouts, IPAs to lambics, etc.
Yes, I've had some good beer overseas. I've also had a lot of shitty beer overseas. Most of those "critics" would do well to not speak too poorly of US beer, lest they be stuck with some overseas brews such as San Miguel, Fosters, Boddingtons, Red Stripe, Carta Blanca, Old Speckled Hen, etc.