Oh thank the lord, an overnight open thread!

How beautiful a sentiment.

Just goes to show you. Nothing in life that's worth having comes simply.

re: #1 Fenway_Nation

Oh thank the lord, an overnight open thread!

Overnight? It is darned near morning here!

US warning to Russia over Georgia

Speaking in Beijing, Mr Bush told NBC TV that he had spoken frankly to Vladimir Putin when the pair met at the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games late last week.

"I said this violence is unacceptable," Mr Bush said, adding: "I was very firm with Vladimir Putin. Hopefully this will get resolved peacefully."

However, in a telephone call to Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili, the US Vice-President, Dick Cheney, said Russian aggression "must not go unanswered".

God- I love Dick Cheney!

re: #4 galloping granny

Overnight? It is darned near morning here!

Know what you mean. Sunrise is in two hours and 7 minutes here.

On second thought Charles, you might want to reconsider that Al Jazeera interview so they don't call you a "bastard" in absentia.

Easiest way out is to say, "Sure, I'd love to do an interview. You choose the time, I'll choose the place. Heads it's Mecca, tails it's Medina." Nothing fairer than that.

Just finished watching the *entire* opening ceremony ( Hong Kong version - no edits ) and have to say I love the team march becasue:

1) There are so many different sorts of beautiful people on this planet.

2) Anyone watching can see where most of them are. (The differences between the huge groups from sane countries - even the smaller ones - and the tiny blips from the crazy ones speaks for itself.)

3) So many wonderful ethnic costumes are on display.

and

4) Number three applies even to the Islamic countries. In the sane ones - the ones with women - NOONE is wearing anything that would resemble a hefty bag.

re: #3 BlueCanuck

Just goes to show you. Nothing in life that's worth having comes simply.

"Nothing in life is really free,
Grab your weapon, follow me!"

/Harmony Church hymn %-)

re: #5 Sharmuta

Sounds like they are dotting their i's and crossing their t's for this one. We might see a response in a couple of days. On the plus note I am thinking of 2000 troops with recent experience on the front lines being dropped in to deal with the Soviet Russian aggression.

re: #9 redc1c4

"Nothing in life is really free,
Grab your weapon, follow me!"

/Harmony Church hymn %-)

Even freedom itself has it's costs.

this looks interesting: Foxbats over Dimona

anyone ever read any of their stuff?

Him - this might just backfire on the One:

New Obama book coming this fall

Title - "Change We Can Believe In: Barack Obama's Plan to Renew America's Promise”

Includes his key speeches & a photo album from the road. . . . .

re: #7 Behead Me Bob

On second thought Charles, you might want to reconsider that Al Jazeera interview so they don't call you a "bastard" in absentia.

Easiest way out is to say, "Sure, I'd love to do an interview. You choose the time, I'll choose the place. Heads it's Mecca, tails it's Medina." Nothing fairer than that.

i was thinking of sending the bimbo an e-mail, offering to be interviewed....

/which Hawaiian shirt to wear?

re: #10 BlueCanuck

Yeah- Cheney is one guy I personally wouldn't want to piss off.

re: #15 Sharmuta

Yeah- Cheney is one guy I personally wouldn't want to piss off.

"Come on Rover, let's go hunting"
/Line from a looney tunes Elmer Fudd cartoon.

//heh heh heh heh

re: #15 Sharmuta

Yeah- Cheney is one guy I personally wouldn't want to piss off.

or go hunting with..... %-)

re: #10 BlueCanuck

Sounds like they are dotting their i's and crossing their t's for this one. We might see a response in a couple of days. On the plus note I am thinking of 2000 troops with recent experience on the front lines being dropped in to deal with the Soviet Russian aggression.

I think there is also a big difference between what Bush can say publicly in a foreign country and what Dick Cheney, who is still safely here on US shores, can say.

Open threads and the Venture Brothers are always a nice diversion from vapid (yet popular) presidential candidates or the Russian bear blatantly sucker-punching one of our allies in the reigon.

Britain deplores Russian strikes on Georgia

British Foreign Secretary David Miliband condemned Russian military strikes against Georgia on Monday, saying recent bombings had taken fighting well beyond South Ossetia.

Miliband said he had spoken with "international colleagues" early on Monday and there was "widespread concern about the escalating violence in Georgia".

"British representatives on the ground and the media have reported that Russia has extended the fighting today well beyond South Ossetia, attacking the Georgian port of Poti, and the town of Gori, while Abkhaz forces have been shelling Georgian positions in the Upper Kodori valley. I deplore this," Miliband said in a statement.

He urged Russiato accept the offer of a ceasefire by the Georgian government, which he described as "very welcome"

re: #16 BlueCanuck

re: #17 redc1c4

You know- I almost made a hunting crack....

re: #14 redc1c4

i was thinking of sending the bimbo an e-mail, offering to be interviewed....

/which Hawaiian shirt to wear?

I'll offer to be interviewed by al-Jazeera if I get to choose what shirts they have to wear.

Hint: red.

As for Obama's pick for VP...

I will venture out here into the shark-infested waters of race, gender and the perception of social hierarchies. Keep in mind that these are hypothetical analyses -- not my personal philosophy.

First of all, I think it's essential to any Presidential candidate to choose a VP that has lower perceived political stature than the candidate himself. Because nothing is more ruinous to a presidential nominee's chance than to be "shown up" and outclassed by his own VP. It only would make the top half of the ticket look that much less presidential by comparison. That's why nominees often pick VPs with some weird flaw: bumblingness (Dan Quayle), lack of charisma (Al Gore, Dick Cheney), etc.

Now, this presents a big problem for Obama, for two reasons: Firstly, he already is about the least experienced senator, so it's hard to find someone of that stature less qualifed than Obama himself. So he's going to have to reach down to a lower level of the political spectrum. Secondly -- and here's where things get touchy and controversial -- black men are generally perceived by the American public -- rightly or wrongly, accurately or inaccurately, that's not the point -- to have lower social status than white men. Yes, this is undoubtedly the legacy of a racist/slave-economy past, but it's still there, this perception. Any two-person political team with a white man in a subservient position to a black man will seem "off" to a substantial portion of the American voting public. Even if that perception is entirely unconscious.

But Obama still has a trump card: He is after all a man. And -- time for controversy again -- men still have higher stature in society (or societal perceptions) than women. So if Obama were to choose a female running mate -- even a white one -- it would still maintain the necessary stature-hierarchy of the ticket. But if he were to choose an ethnic woman of some kind, his strategists would (correctly) assess that the ticket was simply too ethnic overall, so I think they'd nix the idea.

Hence, my prediction is:

Obama will choose a white female VP who is at maximum a state governor, or lower.

As to which white female governor/congresswoman/whatever -- that I couldn't tell you.

RIP Chef.

A shame he had to turn to Scientology though...

re: #23 zombie

My reply from the previous thread -

re: #425 zombie

As for Obama's pick for VP...

Hence, my prediction is:

Obama will choose a white female VP who is at maximum a state governor, or lower.

As to which white female governor/congresswoman/whatever -- that I couldn't tell you.

You might very well be right Zombie (what are you doing up at this hour?) but I still maintain that this is going to feel even more like a huge slap in the face to the millions of women who are already pissed at Hillary's disenfranchisement.

And if you want to contend that a white man in a subservient position to a black man is bad news, a white women in a position of subservient position to a black man is even less acceptable to the same group that would object to the first scenario.

Russia bombs radar station in Tbilisi airport

Russian fighting jets attacked the radar station in Tbilisi's international airport, and targets in the town of Gori on Sunday night, the Georgian Interior Ministry reported Monday morning.

According to the report, several facilities were slightly damaged.

re: #20 Sharmuta

I still think the only leverage against Russia will be 6-8 of the prior satellite-nations speaking with one voice, within the next 48 hours, saying

"BACK OFF Georgia, or we'll make life as difficult for you as we can!"

Either they all hang together or they'll hang separately, absorbed back into a resurgent thugocracy called Russian Federation of Socialist Slums

re: #23 zombie

First of all, I think it's essential to any Presidential candidate to choose a VP that has lower perceived political stature than the candidate himself. ... Now, this presents a big problem for Obama, for two reasons: Firstly, he already is about the least experienced senator, so it's hard to find someone of that stature less qualifed than Obama himself.

Yes, but that's not how Obama sees it. Obama, who's the one making the choice (theoretically), thinks that he has more stature than God Himself.

re: #20 Sharmuta

Britain deplores Russian strikes on Georgia

it would be better if he announced that the Red Devils, a RMC, some SBS and an SAS squadron were deploying to the region....... with some units on the ground.

it'd be even nicer if a few russian ammo/fuel dumps magically blew up late at night.

re: #25 galloping granny

And if you want to contend that a white man in a subservient position to a black man is bad news, a white women in a position of subservient position to a black man is even less acceptable to the same group that would object to the first scenario.

Phallic symbols everywhere! AAAIIEEEEE!
-NYT

I'm hoping that Georgia will at least kick Russia's ass should they go head-to-head in any Olympic event. Like the Hungarians did in '56...

re: #25 galloping granny

My reply from the previous thread -

You might very well be right Zombie (what are you doing up at this hour?) but I still maintain that this is going to feel even more like a huge slap in the face to the millions of women who are already pissed at Hillary's disenfranchisement.

And if you want to contend that a white man in a subservient position to a black man is bad news, a white women in a position of subservient position to a black man is even less acceptable to the same group that would object to the first scenario.

You may be right, while is why I think Obama is facing a BIG problem.

But I still think that a black man outranks a white woman in social perceptions, so that ticket would seem less "unnatural" than black man/white man to the average voter with unconscious social rankings.

re: #24 laZardo

RIP Chef.

A shame he had to turn to Scientology though...

Don't be mad at Isaac. Be mad at that group of crazy bastards who warped his mind. Try to remember the good times.

re: #24 laZardo

[Link: img185.imageshack.us...]

/sorry

Good morning - afternoon -evening -night, dear Lizards!

Just a quick drive-by, gotta read up on what went on while I was asleep (and then did some necessary stuff around the house ...)

Back soon!

re: #24 laZardo

RIP Chef.

A shame he had to turn to Scientology though...

Scientology is a great scam: it makes the Amway folks look like a bunch of kids selling lemonade & cookies in front of their parent's house.

we don't get much mail here anymore though......

re: #32 zombie

You may be right, while is why I think Obama is facing a BIG problem.

But I still think that a black man outranks a white woman in social perceptions, so that ticket would seem less "unnatural" than black man/white man to the average voter with unconscious social rankings.

A black man might outrank a white woman in social perceptions in some places (definitely not everywhere) but when you add in that subservience factor, a white woman subservient to a black man is NOT going to fly in a great big chunk of the country.

I'm almost thinking he is going to choose Bill Richardson, since Richardson is about the only one around with any foreign policy chops. And he is a minority, so the whole "white" thing is avoided. Of course he might in fact not be one whit more eligible to be POTUS than Barrack, but the Dems seem to like to ignore that.

it's late, i'm tired, and i improved the fruitcup (despite Blue's best efforts), so i'm for bed......

white smoke & weet dreams to one & all.

L8r!

re: #37 galloping granny

A black man might outrank a white woman in social perceptions in some places (definitely not everywhere) but when you add in that subservience factor, a white woman subservient to a black man is NOT going to fly in a great big chunk of the country.

I'm almost thinking he is going to choose Bill Richardson, since Richardson is about the only one around with any foreign policy chops. And he is a minority, so the whole "white" thing is avoided. Of course he might in fact not be one whit more eligible to be POTUS than Barrack, but the Dems seem to like to ignore that.

with a name like Bill Richardson, he's going to be perceived as "white" even if he isn't....... at least at the subconscious level.

(now i'm gone. %-)

re: #34 JamesTKirk

Actually, they did kill off Chef in one of the more recent episodes, mainly because he left because he was pissed at how Trey and Matt treated Scientology.

/curse you, Co$!

re: #38 redc1c4

You're leaving? Have a good night!

/Blue- toss the decoy fruitcup and help me with the real fruit! :P

re: #41 Sharmuta

You're leaving? Have a good night!

/Blue- toss the decoy fruitcup and help me with the real fruit! :P

already working on it. *pulls out chef knife* Pass me the apples and strawberries.

/prep chef in a former job.

re: #39 redc1c4

with a name like Bill Richardson, he's going to be perceived as "white" even if he isn't....... at least at the subconscious level.

(now i'm gone. %-)

He is growing the strangest, raggediest beard. I cannot begin to imagine why.

re: #41 Sharmuta

You're leaving? Have a good night!

/Blue- toss the decoy fruitcup and help me with the real fruit! :P

I canned some last fall and there are still a few jars left. Let me take the top off.

re: #40 laZardo

Actually, they did kill off Chef in one of the more recent episodes, mainly because he left because he was pissed at how Trey and Matt treated Scientology.

/curse you, Co$!

Yes, I know. South Park is one of the few TV shows I still watch.

re: #42 BlueCanuck

littleoldlady was most wise in selecting you for my understudy. Mwah!

re: #46 Sharmuta

littleoldlady was most wise in selecting you for my understudy. Mwah!

Right back atcha. :)

/Lots of practice. When red's around all prepared fixins are suspect.

re: #47 BlueCanuck

Right back atcha. :)

/Lots of practice. When red's around all prepared fixins are suspect.

LOL! I thought one morning I'd be nice and try his fruitcup. I won't do that again!

re: #48 Sharmuta

Me too, but I had buffered already with alcohol so I didn't notice too much.

/well except for all the pretty colours

re: #48 Sharmuta

What? Too much d-lysergic acid di-ethyl-amide in the mix-x-x-x-x?

re: #48 Sharmuta

I'm still hung over from the last time I tried one of red's fruitcups...

Finally found it - I've been looking for this for a while now.

re: #47 BlueCanuck

Right back atcha. :)

/Lots of practice. When red's around all prepared fixins are suspect.

you might want to check those you're w*rking on right now too.....

(even the irrigation water should be suspect. %-)

/evil laugh from the darkness

re: #50 Karridine

Karridine, haven't seen you in a while. How're things in your neck of the woods these days? Kids still OK?

re: #51 Fenway_Nation

I'm still hung over from the last time I tried one of red's fruitcups...

Yeah- I still have weird, random flashbacks.

re: #53 redc1c4

Have I mentioned that you are an evil man?

/using fruit from Ontario. :)

Good morning one and all.
USA swimmers looked good last night!

re: #57 Jed 1899

Good morning one and all.
USA swimmers looked good last night!

Not watching the Olympics in this house. Protest.

re: #58 galloping granny

Not watching the Olympics in this house. Don't care.

re: #58 galloping granny

Not watching the Olympics in this house. Protest.

Not watching Olympics in this house. Lazy and easily distracted.

This might be of interest ...

Just as some Lizards predicted ...

re: #58 galloping granny

re: #59 JamesTKirk

The Olympics are on?

/haven't turned on t.v. in months

re: #56 BlueCanuck

Have I mentioned that you are an evil man?

/using fruit from Ontario. :)

like that's going to do any good......

but maybe you'll like the propane aftertaste.

(btw: you say the nicest things: i got a tingle down my leg reading the first line. %-)

re: #58 galloping granny

Not watching the Olympics in this house. Not paying an arm and a leg to watch the national team get shamed.

re: #61 yma o hyd

This might be of interest ...

Just as some Lizards predicted ...

Guess I'll go out in a few a fill up the car.

re: #61 yma o hyd

My ears are burning....

/altho since the markets were closed over the weekend, I had more time than usual to figure it out.

Happy Monday, Everyone!

Fruitcup is on the buffet ----------->

Please help yourselves. :)

Your regularly scheduled littleoldlady brand fruitcup will return tomorrow.

re: #67 Sharmuta

No Fruitcupitron 3000?

re: #67 Sharmuta

Well done Sharmuta, littleoldlady will be proud.

/I am always late when I do it.

re: #68 Fenway_Nation

Are you working on it?

re: #68 Fenway_Nation

Oh, hell no! Blue and I worked hard on this fruitcup, damnit.

Thank you, Sharmuta/BlueCanuck!

Not bad...Not bad at all.

I'll put in a good word with littleold lady for you.

Oh, boy - Fox actually updated a story at five in the morning. This is not good -

TBILISI, Georgia — Georgia says it has received a Russian ultimatum that it must disarm troops near the breakaway province of Abkhazia or face Russian forces moving into Georgian-controlled territory.

Georgian Security Council chief Alexander Lomaia said Gen. Sergei Chaban in charge of Russian peacekeepers in Abkhazia conveyed the demand Monday through U.N. military observers in the area.

[Link: www.foxnews.com...]

re: #70 BlueCanuck

Oh hell no! Lost interest halfway through and abandoned it.....

re: #73 galloping granny

That doesn't sound good. It looks like Russia is planning on moving in to stay. This is bad, real bad.

And it doesn't look as if Russia is going to stop any time soon,
they are still at it ...

re: #75 BlueCanuck

That doesn't sound good. It looks like Russia is planning on moving in to stay. This is bad, real bad.

Yup - about as bad as it can get. Very strongly reminiscent of Poland. Gonna be touch and go to avoid WWIII I think.

re: #75 BlueCanuck

That doesn't sound good. It looks like Russia is planning on moving in to stay. This is bad, real bad.

You can say that again!

Russian pushes rocket launchers, tanks to Georgia

Russia on Monday was pushing thousands of soldiers with dozens of tanks and multiple rocket launchers towards Georgia's rebel region of South Ossetia, a Reuters reporter at the scene said.

Russia's military is giving priority to Uragan (Hurricane) multiple rocket launchers on the serpentine mountain roads near Buron, just north of the Russian border with South Ossetia, the Reuters reporter said.

Dozens of mostly T-72 battle tanks are sliding towards the border with some older T-62 tanks, the reporter said. Thousands of Russian soldiers are streaming along the roads, which are peppered with tunnels through the mountains.

re: #73 galloping granny

Oh, boy - Fox actually updated a story at five in the morning. This is not good -

[Link: www.foxnews.com...]

So the UN has observers there ... who observe, but don't prevent.
Why does that sound familiar ...

re: #54 galloping granny

Granny, they're GREAT! Thanks for asking.

Its a semi-official day off here, as tomorrow is the Queen's birthday, hence "Mother's Day" for the Thai nation... and we WILL all be off tomorrow...

They're busy raising Dozens of hamsters, and just today enjoyed for the very first time, a movie called "Bugsy Malone", featuring 15-year-old Jodie Foster and young Scott Baio... Wow! What a FUN story, and such CLASS!

Studies are good, hiccups minimum and Bangkok overcast, Galloping!

/How's by you?

re: #80 Karridine

That's a great movie. Saw it several times. Love the whip cream pies and guns.

re: #81 BlueCanuck

I love the music! Paul Williams, a treat to hear! And to watch the black girl, dancing...

I'd heard of it from my friends, 30 years ago (it came out in 1976) but never saw it until today, when I bought a DVD for $2.50 (80 Baht)

That chorus line is tingly, everyone is prepubescent, the guys have mustaches, and the drive 'cars'... :D

re: #80 Karridine

Granny, they're GREAT! Thanks for asking.

Its a semi-official day off here, as tomorrow is the Queen's birthday, hence "Mother's Day" for the Thai nation... and we WILL all be off tomorrow...

They're busy raising Dozens of hamsters, and just today enjoyed for the very first time, a movie called "Bugsy Malone", featuring 15-year-old Jodie Foster and young Scott Baio... Wow! What a FUN story, and such CLASS!

Studies are good, hiccups minimum and Bangkok overcast, Galloping!

/How's by you?

Chilly here. Summer seems to have disappeared before it ever really started. Had a couple days in the hundreds in May that bolted most of the early garden, but now the tomatoes are loaded but just sitting around on the vines green.

Been busy as a cat rounding up books and stuff for the coming school year and canning like a mad woman.

I am very, very worried. Home heating oil is nearly $5 a gallon here - and that is if you sign a season contract. More if you don't unless the price falls. I am very worried about how the heck we are going to stay warm this year. Last year oil was ~$4 a gallon. I weatherized the dickens out of the place, but we still went through about $700 every 4 weeks or so.

And the high price of fuel is sending the price of groceries up - see the canning like a mad woman reference above. Ordering plastic buckets so I can lay in a store of grain items and keep it bug free.

re: #83 galloping granny

Be on the lookout for second-hand snowmobile suits for you and yr man... Ya GOTTA stay warm, even if you turn the heat WAAAAAY down!

Thanks for sharing, Granny!

re: #82 Karridine

I love the music! Paul Williams, a treat to hear!

re: #85 JamesTKirk

Thanks, James T ! :D

re: #84 Karridine

Be on the lookout for second-hand snowmobile suits for you and yr man... Ya GOTTA stay warm, even if you turn the heat WAAAAAY down!

Thanks for sharing, Granny!

No men in this house Karridine.

Speaking of cold, I think I'll go crawl back in the bed for a bit. Later folks.

re: #87 galloping granny

Then you can have FUN wearing long-johns and snowmobile suits, GG!

re: #88 galloping granny

night gg, have a nice nap.

[Link: www.paltalk.com...]

re: #78 Sharmuta

Hopefull some of our uav's flying at 70k are providing useful information? Quite a few Russian planes down!

re: #83 galloping granny

I'm awfully sorry to hear all that about the coming winter. It is a great worry - more so for you, perhaps.
We're worried as well, with prices for natural gas on the up. At least any household with someone over 60 years of age gets a winter heating payment of £200 from the government - drop of water, but still welcome.

Most older Brits have been brought up when heating a house was very restricted, so thre are all those tricks about how to keep warm.
One of the best and least costly invetions has to be the hot-water bottle. I'm sorting mine at the moment - sticking one under the jumper is actually hugely effective if one's sedentary.
Having a couple in the bed also helps ...

I never thought that we'd have to go back to these old habits, but looks as if its going to be a case of 'needs -must' ...

re: #93 yma o hyd

"Cold is just God's way of telling us to burn more Catholics!" -Lady Whiteadder, from BlackAdder II

re: #94 JamesTKirk

"Cold is just God's way of telling us to burn more Catholics!" -Lady Whiteadder, from BlackAdder II

Wouldn't be allowed nowadays - the smoke is far too polluting, huge risk to the health, teeheehee!

It's dead Jim

Really dead. Where did every one go?

If Bill Richardson is the VP nominee the Republicans should be able to hammer him like a gong. He was responsible for the shoddy security enviornment at Energy that left our secrets wide open for the Chinese. That ties in to other Clinton era scandals the MSM brushed under the carpet. National Security, fundraising, all fun.

Good morning everyone, here's my latest Pigman piece.

re: #29 redc1c4

it would be better if he announced that the Red Devils, a RMC, some SBS and an SAS squadron were deploying to the region....... with some units on the ground.

it'd be even nicer if a few russian ammo/fuel dumps magically blew up late at night.

I'd like to see the looks on those Russian soldiers' faces when they hear that back in Britain, they've been deplored! Boy, won't that rattle their nerves!

re: #97 BlueCanuck

Really dead. Where did every one go?

I went to reprise "We Could'a Been Anything That We Wanted to Be!" and Google Florey Dugger, because Jodie Foster went places, but Florey (Female Lead in "Bugsy Malone") never did...

re: #32 zombie

He could choose a white man who's not very good lookin' and has a stutter . . .

re: #43 galloping granny

He is growing the strangest, raggediest beard. I cannot begin to imagine why.

Converting to Islam?

Unreal! Florey Dugger seems to have fallen off the planet after she filmed "Bugsy"...

re: #102 American Jewess In Jerusalem

Or some cool guy with wheels, huge IQ and charm, Jewess!

Found her.

Florrie did "Malone", then enlisted in the USAF, had a meaningful career, and now lectures...

She has a son.

/end

re: #106 Karridine

Nice to hear that. Shame what happens to some of the child actors.

A real quiet morning *sigh*

/time to check the spy to see who's dinging away.

re: #108 BlueCanuck

Hi Blue. Save me any fruitcup?

The great thing about living is Israel is...

...watching the Olympics LIVE. whooo doggie!

re: #110 Ms. Missive

/at lease there are some positives!

re: #111 little blessing

Live Olympics and the best hummus in the world... kinda makes the whole Palestine/Iranian/Lebanon/"All Arab Countries in General" tiff seem minimal in comparison.

:)

re: #105 Karridine

Or some cool guy with wheels, huge IQ and charm, Jewess!

What, like you, Karridine? :-)

re: #109 little blessing

Morning little blessing sure did, just let me get some from the fridge.

/*hands out fruit cup* :D

Have the Russians invaded Georgia through Abkhazia yet?

re: #114 BlueCanuck

Thanks.

/nothing like counting on friends! : )

How is Toronto today?

re: #115 MandyManners

If you consider South Ossetia part of Georgia, then yes.

Otherwise, Russia is insisting on creating a buffer zone between Georgia and South Ossentia... that should be happening any day now.

CNN is reporting that Russian jets were buzzing Saakashvili's palace.

re: #116 little blessing

No problem little blessing. Toronto today is partly cloudy and coolish. Feels like autumn is in the air.

re: #117 Ms. Missive

If you consider South Ossetia part of Georgia, then yes.

Otherwise, Russia is insisting on creating a buffer zone between Georgia and South Ossentia... that should be happening any day now.

I know about that. I'm wondering about the troops rumored to have been building up in Abkkazia.

re: #115 MandyManners

Not yet, but they have told the Georgian army to get out of their area, OR ELSE!

/Soviets Russians are at it again.

German minister says Georgia 'breaking international law'

Yea-boy...that oughta scare the poop outta the bastards. Our extremely fair-weather friends and sometime allies(EU members/Nato) response to Russia's incursion of Georgia has been pretty damned telling, huh?

THANK YOU SHARMUTA & BLUECANUCK! :-)

So, I open this email from the McCain camp...

1) JohnMcCain.com is pleased to unveil McCainNation! This interactive web-based feature allows you to find office locations, phone bank activities, volunteer opportunities and information on upcoming House Parties for McCain in your area. I encourage you to check out the site, join McCainNation, and maybe make a quick contribution to John McCain!

...and I'm thinking, "That's an unfortunate name. We already have Obamanation."

So then I go to johnmccain.com to look for this proported "McCain Nation". No visible link. I try McCainNation.com and end up at a private blog "THIS WEBSITE IS NOT AFFILIATED WITH, SPONSORED, OR APPROVED BY THE JOHN MCCAIN FOR PRESIDENT CAMPAIGN."

SOMEBODY needs to tell the McCain campaign that they are losing the war for the internet.

:-(

re: #121 BlueCanuck

Not yet, but they have told the Georgian army to get out of their area, OR ELSE!

/Soviets Russians are at it again.

Will Georgia just have to suck it up?

re: #123 littleoldlady

Good morning littleoldlady. Did you enjoy sleeping in today?

re: #122 aboo-Hoo-Hoo

German minister says Georgia 'breaking international law'

Yea-boy...that oughta scare the poop outta the bastards. Our extremely fair-weather friends and sometime allies(EU members/Nato) response to Russia's incursion of Georgia has been pretty damned telling, huh?

Scratch a German and find a Commie...er Fascists...er bastard.

re: #124 MandyManners

God I hope not. That would mean the western world has failed again, and tyranny would start to rise.

/to old to enlist now, hope I don't have to fight.

re: #126 MandyManners

Scratch a German politician and find a Commie...er Fascists...er bastard.

Needed that, but yes, yes, and definitely yes.

"The Americans? We’re going to smash them. That’s what we came here for.”

Alain Bernard, French 400m relay team, two days ago.

Rank Country Athlete Time Team Time
1 United States 3:08.24
Michael Phelps (AM) 47.51
Garrett Weber-Gale 47.02
Cullen Jones 47.65
Jason Lezak 46.06
2 France 3:08.32
Amaury Leveaux 47.91
Fabien Gilot 47.05
Frederick Bousquet 46.63
Alain Bernard 46.73

Oh, that must have hurt. Yo Lezak, where did THAT come from! Kudos.

Hullo.

re: #129 Right Brain

Right Brain! :-)

Yo Lezak, where did THAT come from!

He said he "got tired of losing!" ;-)

He's 32 years old, after all...

re: #129 Right Brain

It was AMAZING to watch this morning (Tel Aviv time). I was screaming and jumping when I watched. Absolutely amazing win by the U.S. team.

One of the things that I do love about USA Olympic teams is reading the names of the athletes. Kind of reminds us of the whole "out of many, one" thing.

re: #127 BlueCanuck

God I hope not. That would mean the western world has failed again, and tyranny would start to rise.

/to old to enlist now, hope I don't have to fight.

What are the alternatives?

re: #128 BlueCanuck

Needed that, but yes, yes, and definitely yes.

I love reading old Le Carre.

bbiab

Let me preface by saying I don't normally search for information like this, but coincidently my local Jewish rag had a front page article last week called, Jews in the Pool. So my daughter and I were watching this event (she'll watch Michael Phelps blow his nose; doesn't matter WHAT he's doing ;-) and I said, Hey. These guys are familiar...

It sounds as though Ben Wildman-Tobriner was supposed to swim that event originally. Cullen Jones did great, though, and I think his gold medal is only the second for a black swimmer.

Good Morning Lizards. Anyone else reading "The Obama Nation"? Was happy to see "Little Green Footballs" get a mention in the book! The author was writing about an associate of Obama's - Graham-Felsen and that "Little Green Footballs has called Graham-Felsen 'a hard-core Marxist'.
(pg 151)
Interesting book...Barack has certainly had some interesting 'associates', no wonder he thinks like he does!

re: #126 MandyManners

Ain't that the truth. Ever since the SoB's pulled their Iraq stunt with Chirac I've wanted our forces out of Eurabia(especially Germany) ASAP. Over the past couple months Germany's increased their exports to Iran(regardless of sanctions and Iran's nuclear goals), won't lift a finger to help Georgia - which will make them even more dependent upon Putin for fuel - and we're supposed to maintain and still provide for their security? Bullshit.

We're well overdue to do a litter redefining of relationships, start with Germany.

re: #124 MandyManners

Will Georgia just have to suck it up?

The Russians are disarming the Georgian Army. There isn't much of Georgia left.

re: #126 MandyManners

Scratch a German and find a Commie...er Fascists...er bastard.

raising right hand Nazi salute towards the Russian father land.

[Link: property.timesonline.co.uk...]

We will buy take over the world.

re: #138 aboo-Hoo-Hoo

Ain't that the truth. Ever since the SoB's pulled their Iraq stunt with Chirac I've wanted our forces out of Eurabia(especially Germany) ASAP. Over the past couple months Germany's increased their exports to Iran(regardless of sanctions and Iran's nuclear goals), won't lift a finger to help Georgia - which will make them even more dependent upon Putin for fuel - and we're supposed to maintain and still provide for their security? Bullshit.

We're well overdue to do a litter redefining of relationships, start with Germany.

Well, with Merkel in Germany and Sarkozy in France, maybe things will start to turn. Nevertheless, pulling our forces from Europe could result in extremely untenable circumstances.

“I attended a Russian party where the guests had fun throwing burning €500 notes into the air while everyone split their sides laughing. The domestic staff were later told to collect the ashes. It was sickening.”

re: #139 galloping granny

The Russians are disarming the Georgian Army. There isn't much of Georgia left.

They are actually collecting arms, tanks, planes, et cet.?

re: #141 MandyManners

Mandy, I'm counting on you to talk me through this stuff. Why should I study it if you will.

Agreed on Merkel and Sarkozy (the maybe part).

re: #143 MandyManners

They are actually collecting arms, tanks, planes, et cet.?

That is the way I read it - and rounding them up.

re: #140 ibmkeyboard

raising right hand Nazi salute towards the Russian father land.

[Link: property.timesonline.co.uk...]

We will buy take over the world.

I don't think I have a problem with that.

BTW, I had to laugh when I read that the Lebanese banker's widow uses former Israeli SFer's for security.

re: #143 MandyManners

They are actually collecting arms, tanks, planes, et cet.?

Jpost has been keeping pretty much on top of the situation - more than a few Jewish residents of Georgia.

Well time for me to go folks, work is done and I am going to have a busy afternoon. See you all on the next late night dead thread. Stay scaly.

re: #144 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

Mandy, I'm counting on you to talk me through this stuff. Why should I study it if you will.

Agreed on Merkel and Sarkozy (the maybe part).

Beats me.

re: #24 laZardo

RIP Chef.

A shame he had to turn to Scientology though...

It could have been worse. He could have turned to Obamatology.

Bye, BlueCanuck! :-)

re: #145 galloping granny

That is the way I read it - and rounding them up.

Isn't that what the victors do?

re: #147 galloping granny

Jpost has been keeping pretty much on top of the situation - more than a few Jewish residents of Georgia.

Is it true Israel has stopped selling arms to Georgia?

I can't shake the feeling of guilt over us not doing anything to help Georgia. :-(

/heartbreaking

Bye, Blue!

Take care of yourself.

re: #132 Ms. Missive

Have you seen the tape anywhere? Haven't seen it yet.

32 yo! I swam in my teens and the belief then was 22 or so was retirement age. Boy is this going to change things.

Obama will name himself as VP.

Hey, if God can be Father, Son and Holy Spirit, why the hell can't Obama be President and Vice President. While he's at it, he should probably name himself Secretary of State, too.

Putin’s next target will be Ukraine - Richard Holbrooke

Former Assistant Secretary of State Richard Holbrooke said Russia acted feeling hatred for Mikhail Saakashvili and wanted to overthrow the government, APA reports. Richard Holbrooke said in his interview to CNN that Russia trying to separate Abkhazia and South Ossetia from Georgia incited Georgia to the military conflict.

“No one needs cold war with Russia. But this country has intruded into the territory of a sovereign state. I was surprised at Bush’s embracing Putin in the opening of the Olympic Games. After that Putin was sitting while Bush and first lady were applauding the American team,” he said.

Richard Holbrooke called Mikhail Saakashvili the most democratic and pro-western leader in the region.

Asked whether the war could impact on the whole region, former diplomat said he did not believe it and that Ukraine would join the conflict.

“Putin’s next target will be Ukraine. But he can not do it there. Georgia has 5 million population and Ukraine 50 million. There are other factors, too,” he said.

Richard Holbrooke is expected to be Secretary of State in case Barack Obama is elected president.

re: #153 MandyManners

Is it true Israel has stopped selling arms to Georgia?

Not entirely. They slowed down to just defensive stuff about 3 months ago. Apparently they may also have advisers in Georgia.

re: #156 Right Brain

Here's the last leg of that AMAZING 400m Mens' Relay Race:

re: #154 littleoldlady

I can't shake the feeling of guilt over us not doing anything to help Georgia. :-(

/heartbreaking

I agree, though in all honestly I cannot think of what we could have done differently without starting WWIII.

re: #122 aboo-Hoo-Hoo

German minister says Georgia 'breaking international law'

Yea-boy...that oughta scare the poop outta the bastards. Our extremely fair-weather friends and sometime allies(EU members/Nato) response to Russia's incursion of Georgia has been pretty damned telling, huh?

Some German minister needs to be sacked.

re: #126 MandyManners

Scratch a German and find a Commie...er Fascists...er bastard.

Or they're in the "at your feet" mode.

re: #113 American Jewess In Jerusalem

Nah, not me. I'm white, bald in front, intelligent and charming but MUCH TOO SQUARE for the ever-more-nuanced Obama, and I still have feet to walk around on, Ma'am... I wouldn't get the sympathy vote OR the WASP vote...

Good Morning Lizards!
How is everyone this fine day?

re: #165 HoosierHoops

/give thumbs up sign

re: #165 HoosierHoops

Asleep, apparently ...

I'm up, I'm up!.......really!

re: #159 galloping granny

Not entirely. They slowed down to just defensive stuff about 3 months ago. Apparently they may also have advisers in Georgia.

I read here this weekend that they've stopped completely the other day.

re: #161 galloping granny

I agree, though in all honestly I cannot think of what we could have done differently without starting WWIII.

That's my belief, too.

Looks like Russia gets to determine Georgia's borders, now.

re: #166 Ms. Missive

re: #168 stashiu

Good Morning!

re: #172 Temujin

Howdy!

re: #170 MandyManners

That's my belief, too.

Yeah, this looks like a real sucker punch sort of come-on from Russia that is really aimed at us. And sandwiched between Russia's good friends Iran and Syria, I'm not sure anything substantial can be done without ending up almost immediately with a three front war.

re: #171 stashiu

And has control over the main oil pipeline to Israel....

re: #174 galloping granny

Yeah, this looks like a real sucker punch sort of come-on from Russia that is really aimed at us. And sandwiched between Russia's good friends Iran and Syria, I'm not sure anything substantial can be done without ending up almost immediately with a three front war.

Yup. Now that Russia is using Gazprom as its weapon, EU will be more appeasing than usual.

I screwed up by not buying the proper size binder for The Kid's class--he needs the 1.5 inch kind. And, I got packs of college-ruled paper--I know it was in the same stack as the wider-ruled stuff. I've had this stuff for three weeks! Gah!

He cracked me up last night. When I tucked him in, he was already dressed for today. He said it would save time this morning and was not pleased when I made him put on his jammies. But, he just got up and was dressed before he left his room.

bbl

re: #175 Ms. Missive

And has control over the main oil pipeline to Israel....

Russian Bear on one side,
Iranian bear shit on the other.

re: #174 galloping granny

Yeah, this looks like a real sucker punch sort of come-on from Russia that is really aimed at us. And sandwiched between Russia's good friends Iran and Syria, I'm not sure anything substantial can be done without ending up almost immediately with a three front war.

Then wouldn't it surprise Russia and Iran to see us WAGE and WIN said 3-Front War?

We could do it, Granny!

re: #177 MandyManners

School starts today?

re: #178 ibmkeyboard

Russian Bear on one side,
Iranian bear shit on the other.

....and both armed with AK-47's.

re: #181 Ms. Missive

....and both armed with AK-47's.

I've got one too. Will that help even the odds out?

re: #179 Karridine

Then wouldn't it surprise Russia and Iran to see us WAGE and WIN said 3-Front War?

We could do it, Granny!

I'm not so sure about that. For one thing, all of the muslim nations of the mideast would take that as a green light to obliterate Israel.

re: #180 stashiu

School starts today?

We have decided that school starts here on September 2 (I homeschool the grandchild.) Been hunting books for days.

re: #182 stashiu

I've got one too. Will that help even the odds out?

Only if you have a raging case of antisemitism too. That'll make it even then.

re: #183 galloping granny

Well, this is an interesting discussion, but the Iraqi refugees in our little suburban 'village' here invited us to share some homemade food at their home tonite, 7:30PM coming up real soon now...

/bbiaw, Granny! :D

Morning Lizards!

Welcome to the new hatchlings as well.

re: #185 Ms. Missive

Only if you have a raging case of antisemitism too. That'll make it even then.

Dang! Well, I can defend my little street.

re: #184 galloping granny

We have decided that school starts here on September 2 (I homeschool the grandchild.) Been hunting books for days.

Husband and I homeschooled our son for ten years. Always appreciated the freedom to set the school schedule!

re: #188 stashiu

Dang! Well, I can defend my little street.

It's a start then! ;)

re: #187 rightside

Is that a Navy E-5 insignia?

Good morning Lizards... Morning rightside...

re: #187 rightside

Morning Lizards!

Welcome to the new hatchlings as well.

Morning rightside..how goes it?

re: #192 doriangrey

Good morning Lizards... Morning rightside...

Here's your coffee dorian..how are you?
Did you see the swimming 4x100 race last night?

re: #193 HoosierHoops

Morning rightside..how goes it?

Ummm, could you spare a fellow American down on his luck a cup of coffee... Oh and yes, got it fixed yesterday... ;)

re: #194 HoosierHoops

Here's your coffee dorian..how are you?
Did you see the swimming 4x100 race last night?

Just in case it gets buried in the comments above, here's the last leg of the 4x100 race from last night:

re: #194 HoosierHoops

Here's your coffee dorian..how are you?
Did you see the swimming 4x100 race last night?

Nope, dont watch the Olympics...

re: #191 stashiu

close, E-6.

re: #191 stashiu

Is that a Navy E-5 insignia?

God Bless yahoo!.......that's a Navy E-6.............

Morning dorian, HH

doing well here, reading the news, drinking coffee!

re: #199 stashiu

You are correct sir!

re: #198 rightside

close, E-6.

I only made it to E-5 in the Army. However, I was 19 at the time. What I wanted most back then was to be a civilian.

re: #197 doriangrey

Nope, dont watch the Olympics...

please tell me you worked on the vette this weekend...

re: #203 HoosierHoops

please tell me you worked on the vette this weekend...

Yup, driving it to work today....

re: #201 rightside

You are correct sir!

Welcome home and thank you for your service.

re: #202 stashiu

Regardless of what rank you make it to, its still an honorable thing to do. Thank you for your service to our country, from a retired sailor.

re: #204 doriangrey

Yup, driving it to work today....

Excellent!
How long has it been now? about 3-4 weeks at least?

re: #206 rightside

Regardless of what rank you make it to, its still an honorable thing to do. Thank you for your service to our country, from a retired sailor.

I will echo that sentiment, except for the former military personal part. This life long civilian says thank you as well.

Apparently the creator of this motivational poster thinks that the Georgians could use a few good player characters.

re: #207 HoosierHoops

Excellent!
How long has it been now? about 3-4 weeks at least?

Feels like years, but yea that sounds about right...

re: #208 doriangrey

And we appreciate that so much, my friend.

What's the name of the country "Borat" is from?

re: #212 Ms. Missive

Boratvia?

Well, thanks folks. I am 100% service connected disabled with the VA now. PTSD, the gift that keeps on giving. It is good seeing young Vets getting into treatment that early. They have a shot at avoiding the 'chronic' part of the disorder.

I've been mainly hanging out in the Lizard Lounge for the past year or so. Time to join the grownups.....hah!

re: #212 Ms. Missive

What's the name of the country "Borat" is from?

Kazakhstan.

&#9834 &#9836 Good morning {lizards!} &#9836 &#9834

Cloudy and grey in the Ottawa valley today and there's no hope of sinshine for much of the week. This has been a very coolish summer and I fear that we'll have an early winter - maples on my street are already turning scarlet! Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

And my hands are cold ... :(

re: #212 Ms. Missive

UK. He's Jewish.

re: #214 stashiu

Come to think of it, I have seen you in there when I visited before...

re: #215 The Other Les

Kazakhstan.

Yes! Did I just hear that Kazakhstan is represented in the Olympics this year?

re: #215 The Other Les

Fictional.

re: #217 Cap'n DOC

UK. He's Jewish.

I know the actors from the UK. I'm talking about the character, Borat.

re: #214 stashiu

I've been mainly hanging out in the Lizard Lounge for the past year or so. Time to join the grownups.....hah!

ROTFLMAO, Well you certainly picked the wrong place to do that..... lol...lol...707...

re: #214 stashiu

PTSD - The gift that keeps on giving.

re: #214 stashiu

And, Thanks for your service.

re: #220 Cap'n DOC

Fictional.

Actually... I'm shocked that there really is a country called Kazakhstan. (Thank you Google)

And they ARE in the Olympics!

[Link: en.wikipedia.org...]

re: #216 Miss Trixie

♪ ♬ Good morning {lizards!} ♬ ♪

Cloudy and grey in the Ottawa valley today and there's no hope of sinshine for much of the week. This has been a very coolish summer and I fear that we'll have an early winter - maples on my street are already turning scarlet! Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

And my hands are cold ... :(

Cough, your hands are always cold Miss Trixie....cough... er what I meant to say is cold hands are a sign of a warm heart... er yea that the ticket.... /ducks

re: #221 Ms. Missive
I read a story last year or so that he and Hugh Laurie were walking about NYC after hours one night. "Borat" tries his shtick on some un-suspecting New Yorker..........the New Yorker punched him out. He was not amused at the joke.

re: #216 Miss Trixie

{Miss Trixie}

re: #216 Miss Trixie

♪ ♬ Good morning {lizards!} ♬ ♪

Cloudy and grey in the Ottawa valley today and there's no hope of sinshine for much of the week. This has been a very coolish summer and I fear that we'll have an early winter - maples on my street are already turning scarlet! Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

And my hands are cold ... :(

good morning miss trixie..

re: #16 BlueCanuck

"Come on Rover Wovew, let's go hunting"
/Line from a looney tunes Elmer Fudd cartoon.

//heh heh heh heh

There, fixed that for ya! And Good Morning Lizards!

re: #227 stashiu

I read a story last year or so that he and Hugh Laurie were walking about NYC after hours one night. "Borat" tries his shtick on some un-suspecting New Yorker..........the New Yorker punched him out. He was not amused at the joke.

bwahahhaha! He's a fool to mess with a New Yorker. We gotta learn our lessons somehow, eh?

re: #227 stashiu

the New Yorker punched him out. He was not amused at the joke.

Ummm, dont you know? Thats the New Yorker equivalent of a hug.... ;)

re: #221 Ms. Missive

re: #225 Ms. Missive

I recorded some of the Opening Ceremony for my son who's out on a wildfire, and since we don't watch TV, I had a hard time setting the thing up to record. I did however, see the building described as a bird's nest, which to me looks like a bedpan. Anybody else?

re: #212 Ms. Missive

The character Borat claims that he was born on 17 February 1972 in the fictional village of Kuzcek, Kazakhstan.

re: #231 Ms. Missive

bwahahhaha! He's a fool to mess with a New Yorker. We gotta learn our lessons somehow, eh?

Yeah, I think it was the line about wanting to have sex with his clothes that yielded the left hook.

re: #13 galloping granny

Him - this might just backfire on the One:

New Obama book coming this fall

Title - "Change We Can Believe In: Barack Obama's Plan to Renew America's Promise”

Includes his key speeches & a photo album from the road. . . . .

I'll look for it at my local book store, in ther humor section...

Speaking of the VA, its time to head to the VA Clinic and help break-in a new Ph.D. I'll be gentle.

{dorian}
{rightside}
{HoosierHoops}

Morning, gents. :D

Now.

Who would like to warm up my hands? :P

I never actual saw Borat. I did see this:

[Link: www.angryalien.com...]

re: #236 Dustyvet

I'll look for it at my local book store, in ther humor section...

And not in the Religion section?

re: #233 Cap'n DOC

re: #225 Ms. Missive

I recorded some of the Opening Ceremony for my son who's out on a wildfire, and since we don't watch TV, I had a hard time setting the thing up to record. I did however, see the building described as a bird's nest, which to me looks like a bedpan. Anybody else?

Funny you mention that because when they showed the stadium from the air, I thought it looked suspiciously like a toilet seat also.

re: #240 Macker

And not in the Religion section?

Under Obamatology.

re: #238 Miss Trixie

*hands you a pair of fur-lined gloves*

re: #240 Macker

And not in the Religion section?

That was my second choice...:)

re: #241 Ms. Missive

Funny you mention that because when they showed the stadium from the air, I thought it looked suspiciously like a toilet seat also.

Ah, yes........for George Soros and Michael Moore.

re: #189 scottishbuzzsaw

Husband and I homeschooled our son for ten years. Always appreciated the freedom to set the school schedule!

I love being able to declare a holiday on the spur of the moment or decide to do something like drive down to the city to a museum with no planning at all.

re: #243 rightside

*hands you a pair of fur-lined gloves*

ROTFLMAO.... I dont think that is quite what Miss Trixie had in mind.... ;O

re: #247 doriangrey

I know that, but I am not going to go there dorian!

re: #246 galloping granny

I love being able to declare a holiday on the spur of the moment or decide to do something like drive down to the city to a museum with no planning at all.

Oh absolutely! Science/nature museums were the favorites. Or 'holidays' spent just reading together.

re: #243 rightside

*hands you a pair of fur-lined gloves*

Thankey!

*purrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr* :D

re: #248 rightside

I know that, but I am not going to go there dorian!

Heh heh heh discretion being the better part of valor eh...

Well I gotta run, the vette is whining that its time to go for a ride and I need to put gas in her...

re: #251 doriangrey

That, and I'm married LOL!

re: #247 doriangrey

ROTFLMAO.... I dont think that is quite what Miss Trixie had in mind.... ;O

And *what* exactly, did you THINK that I had in mind? Hmmmmmm?

*arches eyebrow*
*taps rolling pin in the palm of her newly gloved hand*

re: #250 Miss Trixie

*welcome*

re: #194 HoosierHoops

That was an amazing race swum by the US, and Lezak put in one of the most incredible races of all time. He started his leg in second place and was still in 2d place with 2/3 of a lap to go against the world record holder. And he was accelerating away from him at the end.

re: #254 Miss Trixie

And *what* exactly, did you THINK that I had in mind? Hmmmmmm?

*arches eyebrow*
*taps rolling pin in the palm of her newly gloved hand*

Cough cough sputter... Umm got to run off to work, see ya later...... /ducks out very quickly....

re: #254 Miss Trixie

And *what* exactly, did you THINK that I had in mind? Hmmmmmm?

*arches eyebrow*
*taps rolling pin in the palm of her newly gloved hand*

/how about a tanning bed? Would that be something you would be interested in?

There may be some bounce back in oil prices with the fighting in the Georgia. But those holding oil futures that were bought last June and July for $150/barrel have a big problem. Falling demand in NAmerica, Europe, and Japan and a rising dollar have taken the air of the commodities bubble that has been rising for 18 months. What happened in real estate and Dot Com stocks happened with commodities -namely with oil futures. The price went to a point that had no basis in reality. The dollar would not fall forever, and demand actually has been weakening for a year. Hedge fund managers and others jumping on oil as a hedge against inflation created much of the problem (as did the Fed). Now these speculators own billions in oil future contracts. Good luck trying to find a buyer at $150/barrel. Of course, there is still hope for them. Obama could still win in November. If he does, look for an immediate spike in oil.

The US has a golden opportunity to at least partially move the center of gravity in energy away from the Middle East and Russia. Both the US and Canada have nearly a trillion potential barrels of oil combined locked tar sands and shale. If any future President wants to defeat international terror without firing a shot, this is the chance. As usual, liberal orthodoxy (The self loathing Climate Change Crowd, and the "we can't drill our way out of this" Neo-Marxist Crowd) are the biggest stumbling block. The Democratic Party today reminds me of the rabid Polish Nationalists of the 1930s. They would rather see a foreign nation occupy their lands then to concede any success to their political opponents. In September 1939, the Poles got their wish; Treblinka and Katyn Forest are monuments to such treasonous ideology.