Beautiful!

Time for me to say "good night".
Regards to all.
Hasta Manana!

For you cosmology enthusiasts:
At a Mine’s Bottom, Hints of Dark Matter

re: #2 Floral Giraffe

Ditto.

Who doesn't love animé babes with high-caliber weaponry?

re: #5 laZardo

Teenage boys and Japanese citizens.
/

Reposted from downstairs: A Science News article looking at interpreting - and misinterpreting - brain activity using functional MRI, what it can do, and the difficulties involved with picking a weak signal out of a noisy environment.

Auschwitz 'Arbeit Macht Frei' sign stolen

Polish police say the infamous iron sign over the gate to the Auschwitz memorial site with the cynical phrase "Arbeit Macht Frei" — German for "Work Sets You Free" — has been stolen.

Police spokeswoman Katarzyna Padlo said police believe it was stolen between 3:30 a.m. and 5 a.m. Friday, when museum guards noticed that it was missing and alerted police.

Padlo says the iron sign, which spanned a gate at the main entrance to the former Nazi death camp in southern Poland, was removed by being unscrewed on one side and pulled off on the other.

Bastards.

re: #5 laZardo

curse you for taking away those fifteen minutes of my life.

/would've wasted 'em anyway...

re: #8 Sharmuta

Coming soon to a tea party rally near you...

re: #8 Sharmuta

Likely to go to the highest bidder in an underground auction for folks who collect such things. Bastards indeed.

re: #11 Slumbering Behemoth

Not quite the same subject, but it reminds me; after my great aunt died, my dad and his sister were going through her stuff, and found a giant 'hang at a rally' size Nazi flag.

We're all saying her husband got it as a collectable at some point, but I'll never think of her quite the same way again >>

re: #12 windsagio

Some service men brought things home as trophies from their victories. As a young teen, I had a friend who had a nazi dress dagger that one of his relatives brought back from the war. Neither of us had anything nice to say about nazis.

Then there are some assholes like those referenced in Sharmuta's post. People who collect nazi memorabilia out of reverence and respect for the third reich. Those people suck.

Ron Paul!

re: #10 ignoranceisfatal

Coming soon to a tea party rally near you...

Or, turning up at a neo-Nazi clubhouse somewhere.

Not that the two results differ that much.

On a happier, somewhat related note: After WWII, Groucho Marx, who was Jewish, visited Germany. He toured the ruins of Hitler's bunker, and, after climbing atop the rubble where the Fuhrer had died, proceeded to two a two-minute rendition of the charleston.

Gotta love it.

Well, they are back at it in Copenhagen... now is an "informal" session with the PM of Denmark, which was essentially created to ameliorate the complaints of the smaller countries that the Danish PM was cutting a deal in secret:

[Link: www5.cop15.meta-fusion.com...]

Lots of heads of states, some of which will be speaking on behalf of their "groups".

A judge may rule today on Oklahoma's law requiring doctors to provide extensive personal information on every patient receiving an abortion that will be posted on a state-run website, a clear effort to intimidate those seeking abortions with the implied threat that their identity will be released to the public in a setting reminiscent of child abusers, pedophiles and other criminals whose backgrounds are published on the Web.

Here's hoping for a rational judge who sees through this transparent fear tactic.

re: #14 idioma

Ron Paul!

Speaking of which....

The campaign spokesman for Kentucky Senate candidate Rand Paul reportedly resigned Thursday evening amid a controversy over a social networking Web page that he maintained.

Liberal blogs first posted allegations that Christopher Hightower had racist remarks and pictures on his MySpace.com Web page. After Hightower originally disavowed any connection to the Web page Paul's campaing manager annouced hours later that Hightower had stepped down from Paul's campaign.

The liberal blog that found the info has the screenshots: comments like "Happy N*** Day" on Martin Luther King day with a picture of a lynching victim.
There's also youtube video of him denouncing Southern Baptists and endorsing polygamy. I bet that's a winner in Kentucky.

I'm not linking the lib blog because the comments are a cesspit overrun with Paulbots and teabaggers, but here's a different one about it.

Oh, did I mention he's also in a metal band and writes lyrics about his love for Satan?

re: #17 SixDegrees

Here's hoping for a rational judge who sees through this transparent fear tactic.

It is not proposed that directly identifying info be asked, however I must concur with this comment...

"Nosy neighbors with some effort could identify or, even worse, misidentify these women who answer these questions," says former state Rep. Wanda Jo Stapleton, one of two Oklahoma residents on whose behalf the Center for Reproductive Rights brought the lawsuit against the measure.

And then there is this...

According to state estimates, the Oklahoma State Department of Health will spend roughly $250,000 a year to carry out the law.

It seems that some "conservatives" in OK are not at all opposed to wasteful gov't spending.

Perhaps I am being a bit hyperbolic in saying this, but in light of the recent murder of Dr. Tiller I'd say such a proposition goes far beyond simple fear tactics and directly into the realm of a "Wanted: Dead" listing.

Back in Copenhagen.... the pod of leaders are waiting in the main room, now for an hour, as the subset of leaders who are to speak at the "informal" gathering are still in the back, discussing who knows what... I suspect it is about minutiae regarding what will be signed at tonight's dinner with the Queen of Denmark.

re: #19 Slumbering Behemoth

It seems that some "conservatives" in OK are not at all opposed to wasteful gov't spending.

Perhaps I am being a bit hyperbolic in saying this, but in light of the recent murder of Dr. Tiller I'd say such a proposition goes far beyond simple fear tactics and directly into the realm of a "Wanted: Dead" listing.

It's not hyperbolic at all to think that freaks from operation rescue and the army of god would waste no time posting that info on a website if they could get their hands on it. Names, addresses, and photos too if they could. They've done it to doctors who perform abortions and to clinic workers, sometimes with fatal consequences. One of their new high priestesses, lila rose, calls for abortions to be performed 'in the public square'. All of this has one purpose: intimidation. (And slut shaming, but that's a bonus for them.)

Moreover, the information the OK law would seek is intrusive and absolutely a violation of privacy. You can see a full pdf of the law here. Among the questions asked are 'reason for abortion'-- which is absolutely no-one's business but the woman's and her doctor's, should she even choose to confide.
There are other questions too, like 'is this abortion the result of rape?" "If so, date of police report filed" "Is this abortion the result of incest?" Plus a number about the woman's relationship with the man who impregnated her.

BTW, the woman is also referred to as 'the mother' throughout. Nice touch, isn't it?

re: #21 iceweasel

If the judge reviewing it now is an asshat, this will have just keep being appealed. Abortion is a legal medical procedure and HIPAA in still on the lawbooks. It should be academic.

Looks like the alpha males are starting to filter into the pod... so this informal meeting will be getting underway soon. Hopefully someone will say something interesting.

In the meantime, here is some Christmas music:

re: #21 iceweasel

Thanks for the link to the pdf. That is a gawt-awful butt-load of info being asked for in that potentially mandatory questionnaire. With all the sub-questions included, it goes well beyond thirty simple questions. And the authors of this bill want have all this info posted on a publicly accessible web site for all to see? Insanity.

re: #22 ArchangelMichael

If the judge reviewing it now is an asshat, this will have just keep being appealed. Abortion is a legal medical procedure and HIPAA in still on the lawbooks. It should be academic.

The law, like several before it in other states, also serves another purpose-- that of intimidating doctors. Like virtually every proposed law to 'restrict' abortion, it's actually an attempt to make an endrun around Roe vWade-- if you can't criminalise abortion, just keep levying restrictions on it to make it difficult to obtain, and make doctors reluctant to perform them.
For example, you'll see that the questionaire also includes all kinds of information about what the doctor informed her of when, was she getting an abortion for purposes of sex selection, did she have an ultrasound.

This is to set up potential legal basis for lawsuits against abortion practitioners-- just as was done to Tiller. Lawmakers passed legislation requiring women to be examined by two independent doctors, then anti-choice activists kept bringing frivolous lawsuits against Tiller accusing him of violating those provisions. Similarly here-- the questionaires would be used to target doctors who perform abortions, and the hunt would be on by antichoice activists to collect info that could be used to bring further suits.

It's no coincidence that Roeder attended Tiller's trials, all of which exonerated Tiller. That's when and why Roeder decided to kill him.

In his car, as you remember, they found the phone number of Operation Rescue's spokesperson. She'd been very helpful about keeping Roeder updated on all Tiller's court appearances, so he could attend.

re: #24 Slumbering Behemoth

Furthermore, after reading the proposed questions put forth in this bill, I must concur even more heartily with this comment:

"Nosy neighbors with some effort could identify or, even worse, misidentify these women who answer these questions," says former state Rep. Wanda Jo Stapleton, one of two Oklahoma residents on whose behalf the Center for Reproductive Rights brought the lawsuit against the measure.

In the meantime, the HotAir crowd is ranting that since it is snowing in Denmark on the week before Christmas somehow AGW is disproven.

Copenhagen summit talks 'made no progress overnight'

Andreas Carlgren, the Swedish Environment Minister, said that only the world’s two biggest greenhouse gas emitters, China and the US, could unlock a deal. President Obama will meet Premier Wen Jiabao this morning.

“Through the whole process the real problem has been, on the one hand, the United States, who are not able to deliver sufficiently [and], on the other hand, China, and they delivered less — they have been really blocking again and again in this process — followed by a group of oil states. That’s the real difference, the real confrontation behind this,” Mr Carlgren said.

I think we can guess who they are.

re: #24 Slumbering Behemoth

Thanks for the link to the pdf. That is a gawt-awful butt-load of info being asked for in that potentially mandatory questionnaire. With all the sub-questions included, it goes well beyond thirty simple questions. And the authors of this bill want have all this info posted on a publicly accessible web site for all to see? Insanity.

Some of the info I think would be posted in aggregate format so it wouldn't be easily tied to a single individual. But it would be possible to identify women from some of that info, especially in smaller communities. (just age, marital status, race, date of abortion, level of education, etc.)

You can see the clear political intent behind the questionaire when you look at all the questions-- such as number of previous abortions and method of payment for those abortions. And questions like 'how was the fetal tissue disposed of' and 'was the fetus born alive' (or however they phrased that bit).
All that information would be a goldmine for the antichoice nuts. Every single one in the country would be crawling over it like flies on shit, dragging out spurious 'statistics' and splashing it on websites.

Well, the campfire is about to start:

[Link: www5.cop15.meta-fusion.com...]

re: #27 freetoken

In the meantime, the HotAir crowd is ranting that since it is snowing in Denmark on the week before Christmas somehow AGW is disproven.

It's like pointing to your well stocked cupboards and healthy bank accounts as a way of denying that there are starving, poor people in the world. It's a child's argument, one once often made here by a ex-lizard.

/mea culpa... I may have made such statements in the past out of my own ignorance

Ban Ki Moon is the guy falling on his sword... the excuse for starting late.

re: #31 Slumbering Behemoth

It's like pointing to your well stocked cupboards and healthy bank accounts as a way of denying that there are starving, poor people in the world. It's a child's argument, one once often made here by a ex-lizard.

I wonder if I know that ex-lizard; I recall having a discussion with someone who denied that there were any poor people or homeless people in the US because she didn't see any in her neighborhood. (!!)

This is like watching paint dry...

Fortunately I have my music to keep me company:

re: #33 iceweasel

Heh. I just made the comparison off the top of my head. Was there really someone here claiming that?

Climate change summit postponed

COPENHAGEN, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- A UN climate change summit attended by around 120 world leaders was put off on Friday, prompting Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez to walk out of the conference room in protest.

The summit was scheduled to start on 10 a.m. local time (GMT 0900), but it remained on hold now and was already more than one and a half hours late.

Chavez walked out of the conference room, protesting late arrival of U.S. President Barack Obama.

Not sure if it was that cut and dried.

China premier up...

re: #36 freetoken

Ha ha ha! That might take a while for the HotAirians to tweek into a meme.

"Obamasiah Offends Best Friend; Too Much Of A Socialist Elitist For Chavez"

Excerpts of draft Copenhagen U.N. climate text

Mr. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad presser live:

[Link: www4.cop15.meta-fusion.com...]

'Nite Lizards. It's been fun and educational, as always.

Happy Holidays!

Help, I can't listen to both at the same time!

Iran: communism failed, capitalist system almost at its end...

re: #35 Slumbering Behemoth

Heh. I just made the comparison off the top of my head. Was there really someone here claiming that?

Yes, although I don't know if this was an argument she made regularly. We got into it over poverty and homelessness and hunger in the US. She claimed there couldn't be any of that in the US, because (and this is a direct quote, as best i can recall) "Where are all these hungry and homeless people? If there are so many they should be everywhere in the streets, and I never see any."

heh.

In main room: Brazil....

"frustrated... long time working on climate change..."

Lulu is complaining about the process... being in the meeting at 2am...

Lulu: this is not just about money... money is important... but... we're not begging for it... the money is the payment of the effects of two centuries of industrialization [applause]

Ahmadinejad: talking about Iraq and countries with thousands of nuclear weapons imposing thier will on others...

Lulu: supports transparency and accountability for funds....

re: #26 Slumbering Behemoth

Furthermore, after reading the proposed questions put forth in this bill, I must concur even more heartily with this comment:

Even if no identifying information is asked, or is ever mistakenly leaked, the publication of all this information is clearly an attempt to intimidate.

Should the law be upheld, I'd point out that although the doctor is required to submit the form for each abortion performed, there is no requirement that the questionaire be filled out truthfully, and there wouldn't be any reasonable way to ensure it was even if there were such a requirement. So I would encourage patients to lie through their teeth on each and every question and make the information collected completely meaningless.

Hell, I'd go so far as to print up pre-completed forms and distribute them far and wide, encouraging people to turn them in so the duplication of information was blindingly obvious, along with the unwillingness to participate in what's so obviously a witch hunt.

Lulu is going to town... believes in God so he believes in miracles... [nice touch] ... willing to go with a political statement today as long as Kyoto, Convention, Long Term, Sovereignty, Money are not abandoned.

Obama up...

Tepid response, sadly.

Politics, science, Chavez and Ahmadenijad.

re: #49 SixDegrees

Even if no identifying information is asked, or is ever mistakenly leaked, the publication of all this information is clearly an attempt to intimidate.

Should the law be upheld, I'd point out that although the doctor is required to submit the form for each abortion performed, there is no requirement that the questionaire be filled out truthfully, and there wouldn't be any reasonable way to ensure it was even if there were such a requirement. So I would encourage patients to lie through their teeth on each and every question and make the information collected completely meaningless.

Hell, I'd go so far as to print up pre-completed forms and distribute them far and wide, encouraging people to turn them in so the duplication of information was blindingly obvious, along with the unwillingness to participate in what's so obviously a witch hunt.

Unfortunately, the problem with the law goes beyond the release of the woman's personal info. The law establishes various penalties for abortion providers and outlines conditions under which they can be prosecuted or are subject to civil liability. If you read the PDF, it's very clear that those guidelines aren't an attempt to provide protections for the woman-- they're about setting up traps under which providers can be harassed. Just like what was done to Tiller.

So the law wouldn't merely have a chilling effect on those seeking abortions, but on those who can provide abortions-- that's not getting attention, but that's part of the law's purpose.

re: #49 SixDegrees

Hell, I'd go so far as to print up pre-completed forms and distribute them far and wide, encouraging people to turn them in so the duplication of information was blindingly obvious, along with the unwillingness to participate in what's so obviously a witch hunt.

And I commend you for that, but the antichoice version of Andrew Breitbart would be sending undercover teams to your office, to catch you on tape doing it.

As I said, the witchhunt isn't only targeting the women, but the providers.

re: #53 iceweasel

Those restrictions, and other legal problems with the bill, are the basis of the CRR's complaint. The invasion of privacy is simply icing on the cake; although more than enough to convince anyone that the law is bad, flogging this particular aspect of it may be meant as a distraction, as there are other portions of the bill that seem to be clearly in conflict with state law.

Pigs really can fly: Hard lefty Alexander Cockburn now denies AGW.

Those CRU emails expose Copenhagen as a farce

Don't think Obama said what some wanted... he was pretty straightforward and called out China by name a couple of times.

He didn't budge, probably because he has no domestic room to do so.

re: #54 iceweasel

And I commend you for that, but the antichoice version of Andrew Breitbart would be sending undercover teams to your office, to catch you on tape doing it.

As I said, the witchhunt isn't only targeting the women, but the providers.

So what? In this case, there's nothing at all illegal about such activities as far as I can see. And realistically, any demand that the information be verified is a massive violation of patient/client privilege and other laws, and exposes the law for what it is.

re: #56 researchok

If AGW mitigation and adaptation becomes institutionalized in our society, there will be plenty of radicals who will find it in their benefit to fight the institutions regardless of the science.

Ahmadinejad is droning on about nuclear energy...

re: #57 freetoken

Don't think Obama said what some wanted... he was pretty straightforward and called out China by name a couple of times.

He didn't budge, probably because he has no domestic room to do so.

Obama's problems aren't just domestic. No matter how well intentioned, he has just faced reflexive anti Americanism that was applauded.

re: #60 freetoken

Ahmadinejad is droning on about nuclear energy...

Just what the world needs to see- Mahmould Ahmadenijad presented as a moral voice.

re: #61 researchok

Don't know to what you are referring...

Right now Lesotho is speaking on behalf of the least developed countries... and he just praised the Obama and the US.

BTW, in case there is any lingering doubt about what the legislature in OK is trying to do and what their intentions actually are, last year they tried to implement a law mandating that all women seeking abortions have an ultrasound:

But what if a woman doesn't want an ultrasound, and there's no pressing clinical reason for her to have it? Four states—Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Oklahoma—have taken the galling step of requiring her to have one regardless of need. They recently passed laws that go beyond offering ultrasounds to mandating them. Oklahoma's new statute dictates that either the doctor performing the abortion or a "certified technician working in conjunction" with that doctor do the ultrasound, "provide a simultaneous explanation of what the ultrasound is depicting," and also "display the ultrasound images so that the pregnant woman may view them." The law goes so far as to specify the doctor's script: The physician must describe the heartbeat and the presence of internal organs, fingers, and toes. The patient then has to certify in writing that the doctor or technician duly did all of this before the abortion. She can avert her eyes from the screen, the statute allows. Maybe the legislators should have also thought to mention putting her hands over her ears.

Fascinating that Ahmadinejad's press conference is still going on... he is trying to portray himself as the alternative to what is going on in the main room with all the other leaders.

re: #59 freetoken

If AGW mitigation and adaptation becomes institutionalized in our society, there will be plenty of radicals who will find it in their benefit to fight the institutions regardless of the science.

Unfortunately, science has become a political football.

re: #66 researchok

I believe it always has been... e.g., Scopes, Galileo, etc.

re: #63 freetoken

Don't know to what you are referring...

Right now Lesotho is speaking on behalf of the least developed countries... and he just praised the Obama and the US.

I was referring to the anti American/western tirades over the last couple of days in Copenhagen.

re: #68 researchok

All of which were done by the usual subjects, who would have done the same if there was a UN conference on kittens.

re: #67 freetoken

I believe it always has been... e.g., Scopes, Galileo, etc.

True- but science had long since positioned itself as neutral and credible.

The AGW people needed to be above reproach.

re: #69 freetoken

All of which were done by the usual subjects, who would have done the same if there was a UN conference on kittens.

Agreed. I just can't believe that something as important as AGW was allowed to become a platform for these idiots.

re: #70 researchok

The AGW people needed to be above reproach.

No more so than other scientists.

Medicine is fraught with these issues.

re: #72 freetoken

No more so than other scientists.

Medicine is fraught with these issues.

Sure- remember the great physics hoax and cloning fraud?

That's why these guys needed to be beyond reproach. AGW isn't theoretical or a one of deal.

re: #71 researchok

But it goes on every week in the UN, or anywhere else there is a similar meeting. Major leaders when they meet attract all the press, and those with an axe to grind will make hay. I don't see a way to get around it. Most people just let it go by. Sort of like Ahmadinejad's presser, where he is trying to compete with the rest of the world for attention - I bet 99% of the viewers are watching the real leaders. He will always do that, it is part of his nature. Same with Chavez walking out - it is his way of getting attention.

hello kiddies.

re: #58 SixDegrees

So what? In this case, there's nothing at all illegal about such activities as far as I can see. And realistically, any demand that the information be verified is a massive violation of patient/client privilege and other laws, and exposes the law for what it is.

The law would make you guilty of a misdemeanor if you failed to submit the info, submitted it late, or submitted false info from your patients. (Section 8, paragraph C). Plus you could lose your medical license.

I expect it to be overturned in any case on the grounds mentioned earlier, but make no mistake that this is an assault on the providers as well.

re: #74 freetoken

But it goes on every week in the UN, or anywhere else there is a similar meeting. Major leaders when they meet attract all the press, and those with an axe to grind will make hay. I don't see a way to get around it. Most people just let it go by. Sort of like Ahmadinejad's presser, where he is trying to compete with the rest of the world for attention - I bet 99% of the viewers are watching the real leaders. He will always do that, it is part of his nature. Same with Chavez walking out - it is his way of getting attention.

Ain't that the truth.

The problem is, there really is a reflexive anti Americanism. I know that in the UK and on the continent, that is how a politician 'makes his bones'. As a result, these pipsqueaks are givena wider leeway.

re: #75 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

hello kiddies.

Hey cutie. S'up?

re: #78 iceweasel

*rubs eyes sleepily*

Nuthin.

Medvedev is speaking... sounded like he threw a bone to the denier crowd... trumpets his green creds by stating that they've reduced emissions from 1990 by 37% [ignoring that was at the end of the USSR and the collapse of Russia's economy is why emissions went down, and that they now export quite a bit of carbon]...

re: #80 freetoken

Medvedev is speaking... sounded like he threw a bone to the denier crowd... trumpets his green creds by stating that they've reduced emissions from 1990 by 37% [ignoring that was at the end of the USSR and the collapse of Russia's economy is why emissions went down, and that they now export quite a bit of carbon]...

Right- like he's another credible voice.

I was in Poland after the wall came down. The pollution was so bad that asthmatic and other ill children were forced to spend the entire summer in the salt mines. The air and water were cleaner. Seriously.

re: #18 iceweasel

Fly by post:
I just posted in spinoff links to the local news on this:

[Link: news.cincinnati.com...]

re: #82 Jeff In Ohio

Fly by post:
I just posted in spinoff links to the local news on this:

[Link: news.cincinnati.com...]

Just updinged it--I didn't realise he was some kind of troofer as well. Whoa. Thanks.

The Sarah tries to have it both ways again:

My Letter to the Washington Post

And one of her fan's comment:

Sharon Curran

Hi Sarah we love you, and I voted for you! I want to give you a little fuel for your fire regarding Global warming, I wrote a book that I can't get anyone to publish. The first chapter is about Global warming. I'm a scientist and a Christian, is that an oxymoron?, A scientist in 1824 discovered the green house effect, he found it to be a good thing! Without it the earth would be inhabitable, we would freeze to death! God created the green house effect so we can be comfortable on the earth, and it has been here from the beginning. God knows what he is doing and thank God he is in control. I have read many scientists research on Global warming before writing my book, and all agree that climate is hard to track and predict. When they first sarted to measure the earth's temp. they find it going down and they were worried about that, it actually went down a little this year. The ocean needs CO2 and at this point is still handling the amount it obsorbs now. The ocean, in warm weather evaporates CO2 and it is necessary to create ozone, that protects us. God is awesome! Lets not lower our footprint to the point that we screw up ozone production. I go into detail on the history of how this got so out of hand and how awesome God's interactive Earth really is as it relates to the green house effect and ozone production. Keep fighting the good fight, because we can't allow anymore Government regulation! It alway creates higher taxes and destroys the economy. If you could put a good word in for me with your publisher I'd love to send you and them my manuscript. It is called "It's OK, it's God's Plan"
4 hours ago

The Sarah, if She be lifted up, will draw all kooks unto Herself...

New email from the DCCC-- I find this creepy

Dear iceweasel,

As we celebrate the holiday season, I wanted to say thank you for making 2009 a year for the history books when it comes to America's progress.

This holiday season, let's show President Obama that we support him just as strongly as we did on Inauguration Day.

Please sign our Holiday Card to President Obama and the First Family and forward it to five of your friends. You can also include a personal message and upload a photograph of your own family.

Send a card to the President!

Our extraordinary progress this year would not be possible without dedicated grassroots Democrats like you. You worked every day to put Main Street first, to create millions of clean energy jobs, and to make health care affordable for the middle class.

Unfortunately, your efforts have incited the anger of our Republican opponents who prefer to return to the failed policies of the last eight years. This year, we have seen one vicious and false attack after another, calling our agenda everything from "government rationing of health care" to even hanging effigies of our Democratic Members of Congress.

Yet each day you prove that no attack by Republicans and their special interest allies can stop the change we are delivering for America's middle class families and the hope we are bringing for brighter future for our country.

Please sign our Holiday Card to President Obama and the First Family and forward it to five of your friends. You can also include a personal message and upload a photograph of your own family.

Have a happy and healthy holiday season with your families and thank you again for making 2009 a year of historic progress for our nation and the world.

Best regards,
Nancy
Nancy Pelosi
Speaker of the House

P.S. Please sign our Holiday Card to President Obama and forward it to five of your friends. You can also upload a photograph for the President to see.

Hey DCCC, what was that link again? /

I'm used to getting pleas for $ every other day from them, but what the hell is this about? I guess this is supposed to make us feel warm and fuzzy or something.

re: #85 iceweasel

Well... did you?

re: #81 researchok

I was in Poland after the wall came down. The pollution was so bad that asthmatic and other ill children were forced to spend the entire summer in the salt mines. The air and water were cleaner. Seriously.

DOUBLE BENEFIT! CHILDREN CAN BREATHE AND WORK!

re: #85 iceweasel

"Star fucking is as American as apple pie!"
-Mr. Wuhl goes to College

re: #86 freetoken

Well... did you?

Heh. They needed to include that hypnotic Obama video, I guess.

re: #85 iceweasel

New email from the DCCC-- I find this creepy

Hey DCCC, what was that link again? /

I'm used to getting pleas for $ every other day from them, but what the hell is this about? I guess this is supposed to make us feel warm and fuzzy or something.

Perhaps it's a way to collect e-mail addys to send out future pleas for $.

re: #89 iceweasel

Heh. They needed to include that hypnotic Obama video, I guess.

Send him this...

Just shoot me. I'm sick as a dog with a nasty cold. I have what promised to be some kick-ass cough syrup but I still got about two hours sleep last night. I've turned The Kid over to my parents 'cause I can't do anything. I might even resort to asking my dad to go get me some Afrin which is amazing because the last time I used that stuff, I got hooked on it and getting off it was a living hell for 72 or so hours and cost me hundreds in medical bills to an otolaryngologist (?). I'm out of chicken soup but I have some juice.

But, this takes my mind off my car wreck the other day. I was at an intersection at the top of a hill when a very young woman in an SUV cut short her turn and took off my car's front left and really screwed up the front quarter-panel. Her father owns the agency that insures my car and he's already called and promised everything imaginable 'cause he's very embarassed. Yeah, yeah. We'll see.

Just shoot me.

re: #92 MandyManners

Just shoot me. I'm sick as a dog with a nasty cold. I have what promised to be some kick-ass cough syrup but I still got about two hours sleep last night. I've turned The Kid over to my parents 'cause I can't do anything. I might even resort to asking my dad to go get me some Afrin which is amazing because the last time I used that stuff, I got hooked on it and getting off it was a living hell for 72 or so hours and cost me hundreds in medical bills to an otolaryngologist (?). I'm out of chicken soup but I have some juice.

But, this takes my mind off my car wreck the other day. I was at an intersection at the top of a hill when a very young woman in an SUV cut short her turn and took off my car's front left and really screwed up the front quarter-panel. Her father owns the agency that insures my car and he's already called and promised everything imaginable 'cause he's very embarassed. Yeah, yeah. We'll see.

Just shoot me.

Sorry about your car ... and the cold.

Just say NO to Afrin!

Go to your pharmacy and ask the pharmacist for a NetiPot.

Use it twice a day. I don't recommend using their saline solution; use a small bit of salt in warm water instead.

re: #92 MandyManners

heard a joke yesterday...

Guy shows up late for work. Boss fires him. On his way home, he's in a wreck. Cops get there and realize that he has a bunch of outstanding parking tickets, tow his car. Has to walk home. On his way home it begins to rain. Gets home, hears noises from the bedroom. Walks in the house to find his wife in bed with his best friend. Tells his wife to get dressed and leave and never ever come back again. Looks at his best friend and says...

"BAD, BAD DOG!"

re: #92 MandyManners

My wife is totally hooked on nose spray. Not the afrin type either... just regular nose spray... uses it 10 times a day.

Not only do I think it is not healthy... but ... GROSS!

re: #92 MandyManners

Sorry to hear about your accident...

re: #92 MandyManners

Sympathy ding.

re: #91 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

Send him this...

Love it! Raymond Shaw Hypnotoad Barack Obama is the kindest, bravest, warmest, most wonderful human being I've ever known in my life.

re: #90 reine.de.tout

Perhaps it's a way to collect e-mail addys to send out future pleas for $.

Must be. Look for the next outrageous outrage of the day from the crankosphere to be about all those relatives getting unsolicited emails from the WH.
PS-- I second your advice on the Neti Pot!

Oohh... Morales has asked for the floor..

Sorry to hear you are banged up, bruised, and sick, Miss Mandy. I hope you're feeling better soon!

I got an email overnight purportedly from Senator Jim DeMint saying that if I wanted to force Democrats to read the healthcare bill I needed to sigh the enclosed petition!

I thought any Senator could force any bill/amendment be read by the clerk just by asking for a reading. Sounds more like an email harvester.

re: #92 MandyManners

Sorry to heart about that. My sympathies to you.

I had a bad day yesterday...I had to put down my dog. She was 15 and it was the hardest thing I ever did. I held her when the vet gave her the fatal shot.

re: #102 NJDhockeyfan

Sorry to heart about that. My sympathies to you.

I had a bad day yesterday...I had to put down my dog. She was 15 and it was the hardest thing I ever did. I held her when the vet gave her the fatal shot.

Dawg, my four legged friend, sends her sympathy. And so do I.

re: #102 NJDhockeyfan

Sorry to heart about that. My sympathies to you.

I had a bad day yesterday...I had to put down my dog. She was 15 and it was the hardest thing I ever did. I held her when the vet gave her the fatal shot.

At least she passed away in her loving owner's arms, not abandoned in a pound. Sympathies to you; I've lost pets before & took it hard.

re: #102 NJDhockeyfan

Sorry to heart about that. My sympathies to you.

I had a bad day yesterday...I had to put down my dog. She was 15 and it was the hardest thing I ever did. I held her when the vet gave her the fatal shot.

My heartfelt condolences. I've been there with several of my dogs. It is the toughest thing.

MandyManners, sorry about your accident and I hope you feel better soon!

re: #93 reine.de.tout

Sorry about your car ... and the cold.

Just say NO to Afrin!

Go to your pharmacy and ask the pharmacist for a NetiPot.

Use it twice a day. I don't recommend using their saline solution; use a small bit of salt in warm water instead.

I found a recipe for my grandmother's saline wash but, I cannot use either it or a Neti Pot 'cause I have this horrendous fear of drowning.

After I did that I had to put on a happy face and go to work. Not an easy day.

Surviving Mumbai terrorist recants confession.

Thanks for the well wishes and good thoughts. I'm gonna' take some morphine-laced cough syrup to see if I can get some sleep. I earlier took just one teaspoong but, the prescription says I can take two. Have a good day.

re: #107 NJDhockeyfan

(((NJD)))

re: #107 NJDhockeyfan

After I did that I had to put on a happy face and go to work. Not an easy day.

Oh that's horrible. Last time I went through that my work at the time gave me two days off. The owner was a pet owner and understood that it's grief like any other.

re: #92 MandyManners

Illegitimi non carborundum

re: #110 MandyManners

(((NJD)))

(((Mandy)))

Morning people.

NJD,

Sorry about your loss. Always hard to lose a pet.

Mandy,

Hope you feel well. I've got a viral throat thing going myself, but not as bad as yours.

Good morning Lizards.

re: #92 MandyManners

Get well soon 2M and I hope nobody was hurt in your wreck.

The cool kids don't celebrate Kwanzaa anymore

"It felt like a school project that lasted seven nights," said Broughton, 27, of Marietta, Ga. "I didn't feel like I had that connection. I tried to share my experiences with others but no one else was celebrating it."

For NJDhockeyfan:

That was a tough dog. When she was 6 months old I ran her over with my Jeep. They took x-rays and there was no damage. One day a German Shepard broke someone's leash and ran into my yard and attacked her. That took a few stitches but she recovered. She was hit by a car last year and broke her hip. She tended to go down hill after that. The vet had to give her two shots yesterday to stop her heart. Tough right to the end.

Interesting story:

Octopus and the coconut

This might be how the coconut halves got to King Arthur.

re: #117 SteveC

The cool kids don't celebrate Kwanzaa anymore

Maybe cause it was invented by a convicted felon and FBI stooge.

re: #119 NJDhockeyfan

I am so sorry to hear this, I just don't know what to say....

re: #121 rwdflynavy

Maybe cause it was invented by a convicted felon and FBI stooge.

forgot linky

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

re: #106 MandyManners

I found a recipe for my grandmother's saline wash but, I cannot use either it or a Neti Pot 'cause I have this horrendous fear of drowning.

You will not drown.
I promise.

re: #122 Taqyia2Me

I am so sorry to hear this, I just don't know what to say...

It's OK. She lived a full life and I'm not going to fall to pieces over it. The vet asked me if I wanted the ashes. I told her no. I want to keep my memories of her, not the ashes.

re: #121 rwdflynavy

Maybe cause it was invented by a convicted felon and FBI stooge.

I would have thought that would make them order the Kwanzaa action figures!

re: #126 SteveC

I would have thought that would make them order the Kwanzaa action figures!

With the kung fu grip!

Razor Mind Sling!

That's an anagram of morning lizards!

re: #127 NJDhockeyfan

With the kung fu grip!

Everybody was Kwanzaa fighting....HUH!

re: #102 NJDhockeyfan

Sorry to hear about that. Mine is 12 and starting to slow down. I had to take her to the vet last week because she was limping really badly. The vet examined her and prescribed an anti-inflamatory. That helped, but she told me if it gets worse she wants to order an x-ray and can't rule out a tumor.

Since I finally got my fixer upper house to a semi-presentable state I had a few people over last night for dinner. It was the first time since I moved in that I've done that. It was really enjoyable. I pulled out my good dishes from their box and the good cutlery. I realized that they've only been used two times in almost three years. I love them, they beautiful and I realized how ridiculous it was to just keep them for company so this morning I took all the old mismatched dishes out of the cupboard and stuck them in the 'good' dishes box. I think I might do it for the cutlery too. Why not enjoy the good things everyday.

I'm really enjoying my cereal right now in it's 'good' bowl and with it's nice antique silver spoon. :)

Queen catches the train

A first class open return bought on the day costs £86, but the guard joked: ‘It was probably a super saver advance – and she does get a discount as an OAP, remember.’

Mandy, find a Jewish mother and have her make you some chicken soup. Or go to a Vietnamese restaurant and eat a bowl of pho.

Good morning, Lizards. I figure I should let all y'all know ahead of time, I'm probably not going to be around much for the next week, as I'm flying home to fish country with the Mrs. Fish tomorrow and I won't have a wireless-capable machine with me. So enjoy the holiday season, a Merry Christmas to all, and safe travels for those of you on the road or in the air.

re: #134 thedopefishlives

Right back at you! Have a great trip.

I'm sure this has been posted before, but I've never seen it till just now. Warms and old cynics heart.

Off to Wintergarden at my kids Waldorf School. Another happy tear jerker.

re: #134 thedopefishlives

Have a great trip! Fish country sounds like a fin place to vist.

Dr. Scrooge spotted in Australia...

Health Expert: Santa Needs a Carrot, Not a Cookie

THIS WEEK’s Magpie Bah Humbug Why Don’t You Just Sod Off and Get Yourself a Life Award (recently created, it must be acknowledged) goes to Dr Nathan Grills of Monash University in Victoria, Australia, where we hope he stays and has a very hot, sticky and altogether uncomfortable Christmas.

Why so? Because Dr Grills has just declared that Santa is a bad role model who encourages obesity, drink-driving and risk-taking.

God save us but it’s been a bad enough year! Do we have to end on this note? ’Fraid so!

“To create a supportive environment for Santa’s dieting we should cease the tradition of leaving him cookies, mince pies, and milk, brandy, or sherry,” according to the Doc. “This is bad not only for Santa’s waistline but for parental obesity. Santa might also be encouraged to adopt a more active method to deliver toys – swapping his reindeer for a bike, or walking or jogging.”

According to Dr Grills, who comes to our attention via the Christmas edition of the British Medical Journal, Santa is overweight because of the quantities of pies and alcohol left for him by families worldwide.

Consequently, Father Christmas must be over the limit while driving his sleigh, after all those beers, brandies and sherries – and he doesn’t even wear a seatbelt!

Australia’s regulation of Santa impersonators was also criticised by Dr Grills, who said health checks should be imposed on participants before they are kissed and hugged by a succession of “snotty-nosed kids”.

“The potential for Santa in his asymptomatic phase to propagate an infectious disease is clear,” he said.

re: #131 Jadespring

Since I finally got my fixer upper house to a semi-presentable state I had a few people over last night for dinner. It was the first time since I moved in that I've done that. It was really enjoyable. I pulled out my good dishes from their box and the good cutlery. I realized that they've only been used two times in almost three years. I love them, they beautiful and I realized how ridiculous it was to just keep them for company so this morning I took all the old mismatched dishes out of the cupboard and stuck them in the 'good' dishes box. I think I might do it for the cutlery too. Why not enjoy the good things everyday.

I'm really enjoying my cereal right now in it's 'good' bowl and with it's nice antique silver spoon. :)

A friend who is a potter would completely agree with your decision. His position is that those pieces were made with the intention that they be used, and aren't really fulfilling their purpose if they sit in storage all the time.

Good plan on your part.

re: #138 NJDhockeyfan

How long before Santa becomes anorexic and starts stuffing syrup of ipecac into people's stockings?

re: #102 NJDhockeyfan

That's rough. Condolences.

re: #138 NJDhockeyfan

Oops...wrong link.

Magpie: Have yourselves a merry legal Christmas

re: #140 SixDegrees

How long before Santa becomes anorexic and starts stuffing syrup of ipecac into people's stockings?

Maybe he'll end up looking like this.

re: #142 NJDhockeyfan

BTW, just noticed your avatar pic. Best sports movie of all time and one of my top 5 comedies ever too.

What a quiet morning here! I'm beginning to think that most of my fellow lizards are actually elves and they're working triple shifts today.

whoops!...

Union pulls back on supporting bill
By Jeffrey Young - 12/16/09 12:37 PM ET

The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) backed out of an event with other organizations promoting the Senate healthcare reform bill Wednesday over concerns about changes made to the legislation to accommodate centrist Democrats.

[Link: thehill.com...]

lots of multiple murders these days....everyday it seems there is another grisly story

[Link: xkcd.com...]

That is all.

re: #131 Jadespring

A nice way to brighten up your home, by using the "good" tableware.

re: #144 RogueOne

BTW, just noticed your avatar pic. Best sports movie of all time and one of my top 5 comedies ever too.

"They brought their fucking toys!"

Seems like bad stories about Philly cops, and really Pennsylvania in general, is a daily occurrence.

[Link: www.nbcphiladelphia.com...]

Off-Duty Cop Accused in Wawa Worker Beating
Officer allegedly wailed on Wawa employee after she carded him for chewing tobacco

[Link: www.philly.com...]

What Westberry didn't know at that early-morning hour of Palm Sunday, April 5, was that Cujdik's father, Louis, is a retired police veteran and that his two brothers, Jeffrey and Richard, are narcotics officers.

Before Westberry could finish dialing 9-1-1 on his cell phone, Cujdik stepped through the doorway and punched him in the throat, Westberry said.

That's when Westberry pulled out his gun and Cujdik fled, Westberry told the Daily News.

Westberry never fired the gun. In fact, Westberry suffered the only injury when Cujdik staggered him with a punch. But rather than arrest Cujdik, a convicted drug dealer, authorities slapped Westberry with a slew of criminal charges, including felony aggravated assault, possession of an instrument of crime, terroristic threats, simple assault and recklessly endangering another person.

This second story is part of a larger Philly controversy:

[Link: reason.com...]

re: #151 RogueOne

This story from DC is like a plot from The Shield:

[Link: www.washingtonexaminer.com...]

re: #150 NJDhockeyfan

"They brought their fucking toys!"

My young sis-n-law moved in with us recently and her father was very lacking in his duty to watch the classics with her. I've been catching her up on all the good movies that came out before her time, I'm going to make sure we watch Slapshot this weekend. The poor girl had never even seen Young Frankenstein, Ghostbusters, or Blazing Saddles.

Inbreeding has unintended problems for the Palis...

Rare gender identity defect hits Gaza families

re: #152 Mad Al-Jaffee

This story from DC is like a plot from The Shield:

[Link: www.washingtonexaminer.com...]

At least that one was fired and arrested, that's a step in the right direction.

re: #74 Charles

I just caught your request for HA comments of the day.

I'll start with the posters Bishop and lukespapa, who continue to casually toss around the Ogabe slur to no objections (from the last 24 hrs):

[Link: hotair.com...]

Ogabe is giving my finances an enema this year, and I didn’t get him a thing. What a jerk I am

[Link: hotair.com...]

Bleeds still makes an effort, though as usual it falls flat. If you had seen him trying to defend Ogabe for being against gay marriage…well you might have felt a twinge of pity for the boy. It was pretty sad.

[Link: hotair.com...]

Weekly jobless claims just came out: 480,000.
“You’re welcome.”
-Ogabe

[Link: hotair.com...]

This is your game now, Ogabe, go for it Mr. President.

[Link: hotair.com...]

Ogabe HAS to go; the wife has some returns to make after her last shopping trip in Copenhagen. The tablecloth didn’t fit right.

[Link: hotair.com...]

Bleeds is still trying to un-pretzel himself from trying to convince everyone that Ogabe isn’t a bigot even though he is against gay marriage.

[Link: hotair.com...]

Now ogabe can take this poll to hopenhagen as proof of how much he is loved, and the enire world must bow down to him. I wonder if he will get a more rousing reception than chavez did?

[Link: hotair.com...]

I do believe we better get ready to slam a few back after ogabe gives away what’s left of us in hopenhagen tomorrow. The hillary pledge was just a down payment:(

re: #152 Mad Al-Jaffee

This story from DC is like a plot from The Shield:

[Link: www.washingtonexaminer.com...]

Life imitates art.

re: #120 rwdflynavy

If they work out how to build in seawater storage for breathing you might get land-going octopi sooner than anyone thought...

re: #74 Charles

More excerpts of Hot Air idiocy:

[Link: hotair.com...]

This is the first time in my life that the leaders of this Country are the ENEMY within. This is EVIL pure and simple.This bill will truly destroy whats left of the economy.

[Link: hotair.com...]

Surely Christmas Eve is not the right time to pass this thing. The only appropriate day for King Herod to decide to slaughter the little ones is on the Commemoration of the Holy Innocents.

If they force this evil crap on us against our will Congress will be both King Herod AND King George.

[Link: hotair.com...]

‘Bam hates the British.
They fought the Mau Mau butchers,
Which ‘Bam can’t forgive.

[Link: hotair.com...]

I have an idea. Lets all list what gift we would like to give BO and his wife this christmas. Anyone?

Books on ‘fisting’ and ‘dental dams’ (as recommended by Safe School Czar, Kevin Jennings), so the Obama’s can read aloud to their daughters.

[Link: hotair.com...]

I enjoyed the HGTV White House Christmas Tour specials that were shown while Bush was Pres.
She always was so gracious and enjoyed sharing their personal traditions as well as sharing historical WH traditions.
I saw an add for this years WH Christmas special and the only thing I could think was ‘Oh Lord, no’.
It most certainly will not be the same.

I agree. I’ve been around since Eisenhower was President and there was so much I always enjoyed about the presidency – WH tours, State of the Union speeches, Oval Office addresses, etc., and these two Marxists have taken it all away. I can’t stand to watch and won’t anymore.

Also from that same thread, variations on "the affirmative action president", "go back to africa" and let's call the President a "boy":

[Link: hotair.com...]

The American People should be sooooo proud of this (s)election.
It also shows how effective “Affirmative Action” is.

[Link: hotair.com...]

I have an idea. Lets all list what gift we would like to give BO and his wife this christmas. Anyone?

One way tickets to Kenya.

[Link: hotair.com...]

I say we re-wrap this gift and give it to a more deserving country; Like Kenya.

[Link: hotair.com...]

You can take the boy out of Walmart but …….

And finally, one Hot Air poster's decides to share his homoerotic fantasy:

[Link: hotair.com...]

What would I give BO for Christmas? Well, since he claims to be sooo good at giving, how is he at receiving.
I’ll chip in for BO to have a weekend get-away with Barney Frank and Kevin (fisting) Jennings.

re: #131 Jadespring

Since I finally got my fixer upper house to a semi-presentable state I had a few people over last night for dinner. It was the first time since I moved in that I've done that. It was really enjoyable. I pulled out my good dishes from their box and the good cutlery. I realized that they've only been used two times in almost three years. I love them, they beautiful and I realized how ridiculous it was to just keep them for company so this morning I took all the old mismatched dishes out of the cupboard and stuck them in the 'good' dishes box. I think I might do it for the cutlery too. Why not enjoy the good things everyday.

I'm really enjoying my cereal right now in it's 'good' bowl and with it's nice antique silver spoon. :)

Good morning, Lizards!

Jadespring, I really relate to your post as I constantly use everything I have and save nothing for 'good'. Nothing is exclusively for company. Also, I routinely sit in and enjoy every chair I have. I'm a reader and every chair was purchased with comfort and lumbar support in mind - for me. Evening drop-in friends sometimes ask if I'm expecting company as the garden landscape lights are on. No, they're purposely on because I enjoy them. Is that pampering myself? I don't know, maybe.

Keep the good dishes out and when you tire of them, put them in the box and get a still better set. Good on you.

Rand Paul's spokesperson is a Satanic Metal God in KKK gear

re: #92 MandyManners

My condolences as well. Losing a long-time pet is hard.

And I concur on not keeping ashes. Once they're gone, they're gone, and the memories are what their legacy is (barring offspring).

re: #74 Charles

Again from that same thread, I give you the Hot Air amateur psychiatry brigade:

[Link: hotair.com...]

More evidence that he’s totally lacking in any kind of self-awareness, and thus probably has sociopathic tendencies.

Some common behavioral features (from [Link: www.mcafee.cc...]
...
It’s possible to find public examples of each of these behaviors in OB+ama.

[Link: hotair.com...]

He takes up basketball to please his POS dad who gave him a ball.
He assumes the Marxist economic theories of his POS dad who did nothing for him.
He writes a book about the dreams he got from his POS dad who gave him little else.

The One needs therapy.

What else will he do in his quest to gain the love of a dead man?

[Link: hotair.com...]

It’s statements like these that give credence to his poor upbring. Not a disadvantaged childhood, just one where humility and love for his fellow man apparently were deleted from his life lessons. We are witnessing what you get when a person is convinced that the Sun rises and sets on him.

[Link: hotair.com...]

Obama has clinical narcissism.

[Link: hotair.com...]

All humans are narcisistic to some degree. What the filthy lying coward in the White House has is Narcisistic Personality Disorder.

[Link: hotair.com...]

His entire Presidency thus far is him playing out his daddy issues on all of us. Probably his mommy issues as well, since she was no great shakes, either.

[Link: hotair.com...]

I’m guessing that all of his life, Obama’s been told by his parents, grandparents, friends, relatives, everyone…that he’s just the greatest thing to ever be born of this earth, and he bought every damn word of that, that was said.

The man could pick his toe nails with his teeth, spit them across the room, and he alone with others, would go on, and on, about how great an accomplishment that was.

That's it for me.

re: #162 oaktree

My condolences as well. Losing a long-time pet is hard.

And I concur on not keeping ashes. Once they're gone, they're gone, and the memories are what their legacy is (barring offspring).

I was at my vet's lobby this summer with the crazy mutt and a women was there to pick up her dog's ashes. That was one of the saddest things I've ever seen.

I think when mine has to go I'll just keep her collar and tags as a rememberance.

re: #159 simoom

If I had my way, I'd arrest anyone who made a mistake giving a gift!
/

re: #162 oaktree

My condolences as well. Losing a long-time pet is hard.

And I concur on not keeping ashes. Once they're gone, they're gone, and the memories are what their legacy is (barring offspring).

I buried the ashes and then planted a bush.

re: #161 NJDhockeyfan

ohhh boy. I am amazed Myspace has not canceled that page. I'm going to report that just to see what happens.

That looks like the view from Mt. Tamalpais.

re: #92 MandyManners

Best wishes for your recovery. Damn a bad cold and sore from a crash. Hang in there Mandy, you will be feeling much better by Christmas.

re: #164 Mad Al-Jaffee

....
I think when mine has to go I'll just keep her collar and tags as a rememberance.

I did the same. I'm not the sentimental type, don't really like people for that matter and have never shed a tear when someones died, but when I had to put my girl down I cried like a 3 yr old girl.

re: #161 NJDhockeyfan

Rand Paul's spokesperson is a Satanic Metal God in KKK gear

Holy scary link batman

Cato the Elder update... Cato the Elder update...

For those interested. Cato rode in last night to the Secret Mountain Lair about 9:30 while I was still at work. He did about 750 miles yesterday. We are sitting here, drinking coffee and talking about Sarah.

He says hi to all.

re: #172 Walter L. Newton

Cato the Elder update... Cato the Elder update...

For those interested. Cato rode in last night to the Secret Mountain Lair about 9:30 while I was still at work. He did about 750 miles yesterday. We are sitting here, drinking coffee and talking about Sarah.

He says hi to all.

If he's never been in your neighborhood you might have a hard time getting him to leave.

re: #173 RogueOne

As a matter-of-fact, I'm thinking maybe you could put me up in your guest room for a couple years?

re: #173 RogueOne

If he's never been in your neighborhood you might have a hard time getting him to leave.

No, he's due in Santa Fe by Sat. evening.

re: #172 Walter L. Newton

Cato the Elder update... Cato the Elder update...

For those interested. Cato rode in last night to the Secret Mountain Lair about 9:30 while I was still at work. He did about 750 miles yesterday. We are sitting here, drinking coffee and talking about Sarah.

He says hi to all.

give him a little kiss from me...and tell him I appreciate him not being here...
(jus kidding)

re: #176 albusteve

give him a little kiss from me...and tell him I appreciate him not being here...
(jus kidding)

I don't think I will no neither.

re: #175 Walter L. Newton

No, he's due in Santa Fe by Sat. evening.

hey!...I'd love to drive up and slash his tires for him...what color is his car?
(jus kidding)

re: #172 Walter L. Newton

Cato the Elder update... Cato the Elder update...

For those interested. Cato rode in last night to the Secret Mountain Lair about 9:30 while I was still at work. He did about 750 miles yesterday. We are sitting here, drinking coffee and talking about Sarah.

He says hi to all.

Did Commissioner Gordon have to flash the Newton Signal before you let Cato into the secret mountain lair?

re: #175 Walter L. Newton

No, he's due in Santa Fe by Sat. evening.

While I was in Denver I had to drive from Aurora to Westminster every morning. Just watching the mountains get closer and closer as I drove made it awfully tempting to just keep going and spend the day in the mountains rather than the jobsite.

re: #102 NJDhockeyfan

Been there with a couple cats over the years. We did get a cremation of one, his ashes were scattered where he used to play in the plants and hunt. My solace has been that they live a full life, and make way for the next generation.

re: #180 RogueOne

While I was in Denver I had to drive from Aurora to Westminster every morning. Just watching the mountains get closer and closer as I drove made it awfully tempting to just keep going and spend the day in the mountains rather than the jobsite.

We will be doing a little 3 hour mountain tour this morning before I have to get back to work at the theatre. Cato is going to come down to the theatre tonight and watch our Xmas show.

actually I'm rather fond of Cato...he calls the best mean names evah!

re: #139 SixDegrees

Funny you mention pottery. I love handmade pottery and have a few really nice pieces, especially bowls and really nice mugs and until today they mostly have been sitting on display. I'm moving them to usable status too for that very reason. Actually I moving a few other 'display' things usable status, like the funky antique salt and pepper shakers and an old sugar bowl I got an auction.

My husband is going to wonder what the heck happened when he gets home. :)

re: #182 Walter L. Newton

We will be doing a little 3 hour mountain tour this morning before I have to get back to work at the theatre. Cato is going to come down to the theatre tonight and watch our Xmas show.

I don't know how the locals could ever get used to it. Incredibly beautiful area. The guys that were there with me still joke about closing up shop here and opening up a new shop there.

re: #183 albusteve

actually I'm rather fond of Cato...he calls the best mean names evah!

Like "Tu..." oh forget it.

re: #180 RogueOne

While I was in Denver I had to drive from Aurora to Westminster every morning. Just watching the mountains get closer and closer as I drove made it awfully tempting to just keep going and spend the day in the mountains rather than the jobsite.

Any time you are here, you have a place to stay. (er, for a few days!)

re: #170 RogueOne

I have pictures and such from the cat I had put down last year (17 years old). His brother is still going fairly strong after getting past a hyperthyroid condition and some other ills. And I've since added Cat II (a 9-year-old calico) in order to have another cat around to keep him on his better behavior.

It hits hard having to put them down, but I also did plan on outliving them.

re: #167 Rightwingconspirator

ohhh boy. I am amazed Myspace has not canceled that page. I'm going to report that just to see what happens.

He deleted his MySpace page. I found the cache though.
This is Stormfront territory shit.

re: #187 Walter L. Newton

Any time you are here, you have a place to stay. (er, for a few days!)

I appreciate that. I could live in your closet for years!//

re: #180 RogueOne

While I was in Denver I had to drive from Aurora to Westminster every morning. Just watching the mountains get closer and closer as I drove made it awfully tempting to just keep going and spend the day in the mountains rather than the jobsite.

I used to build houses in Aurora in the 70s...from a second floor you could look out and see the entire Front Range, from Rocky Mountain all the way to Pikes Peak easily...very dramatic wall if mountains, but not as cool as New Mexico tho

re: #163 simoom

I feel so.....slimed.....

[shudder]

re: #186 Mad Al-Jaffee

Like "Tu..." oh forget it.

Catos a good guy, he doesn't bother me and we have fun

re: #191 albusteve

I used to build houses in Aurora in the 70s...from a second floor you could look out and see the entire Front Range, from Rocky Mountain all the way to Pikes Peak easily...very dramatic wall if mountains, but not as cool as New Mexico tho

It really was awe inspiring. I went to school in Knoxville and lived in S. arizona for awhile and just fell in love with mountains. The denver job was the most fun I've had working ever. We hit all the state parks just about every weekend. I can easily see how people go for a visit or to work and end up staying. I have a buddy in Arvada who went out to help install some software 15 years ago for a hospital and never came back.

re: #191 albusteve

At least you got to go back to New Mexico, I had to come back to Indiana. Instead of seeing the mountains in the distance I get corn fields as far as the eye can see.

re: #172 Walter L. Newton

Tell him hi, Walter!

re: #195 RogueOne

At least you got to go back to New Mexico, I had to come back to Indiana. Instead of seeing the mountains in the distance I get corn fields as far as the eye can see.

Farther.

re: #154 NJDhockeyfan

Inbreeding has unintended problems for the Palis...

Rare gender identity defect hits Gaza families

Genetic disorders prey on a lot of in-bred populations. Tay-Sachs Disease hit Eastern European Jews especially hard, and the Amish in America suffer from a lot of disorders too, most being descended from the same 200 Swiss Anabaptists.

re: #194 RogueOne

It really was awe inspiring. I went to school in Knoxville and lived in S. arizona for awhile and just fell in love with mountains. The denver job was the most fun I've had working ever. We hit all the state parks just about every weekend. I can easily see how people go for a visit or to work and end up staying. I have a buddy in Arvada who went out to help install some software 15 years ago for a hospital and never came back.

I lived there seven years and just loved Denver, but alas the population has grown so much there is very little that is remote anymore...a huge factor why I enjoy NM so much...it gets very desolate in a hurry once out of Albuquerque...some people are creeped out by it, but I love that part...

re: #195 RogueOne

At least you got to go back to New Mexico, I had to come back to Indiana. Instead of seeing the mountains in the distance I get corn fields as far as the eye can see.

the mountains out here are scattered about with no rhyme or reason, except the tail end of the Sangra de Cristos...they pop up here and there in every shape and form imaginable, the result of every type of geologic process known....very unusual

I've enjoyed the heck out of every visit I've made to Colorado. My brother-in-law has a small ranch in Craig (a bit west of Steamboat Springs). Trips to the Denver area generally got extended 3-4 days in order to drive out and stay there for a few days.

Even spent a Christmas out there with some nice snow for skiing and clear (and cold) weather.

Iran troops 'seize Iraq oil well'

Iranian troops briefly entered southern Iraqi territory and took control of an oil well, it has been reported.

An Iraqi official played down the incident, saying the area was abandoned and right on a disputed border section.

An unknown number of troops crossed the border and raised an Iranian flag over the Fakkah oil field, a US military spokesman told the AFP news agency.

They are understood to have stayed for several hours and then withdrawn back across the border.

"This news is not true," Deputy Interior Minister Ahmed Ali al-Khafaji told the Reuters news agency.

"This field is disputed and now it is neglected by both sides. There was no storming of the field. It's empty, it's abandoned. It is exactly on the border of Iraq and Iran."

hilarious Mark Steyn roast of the Copenhagen nonsense
http://www2.macleans.ca/2009/12/17/the-emperor%e2%80%99s-new-carbon-credits/

The famous hockey stick graph created by Dr. Michael Mann played a critical role in persuading millions of people we’re all gonna fry. In the National Post of April 2, 2001, after the UN had adopted this graph as the official proof of global warming, I pointed out that the first nine centuries of the millennium were measured by using tree-ring cycles, and the modern era was represented by temperatures. Now I’m not a climatologist. I’m not even a railroad engineer. But, if you show me a graph that looks like a long bungalow with the Empire State Building tacked on the end, I’ll go, “Whoa! That looks pretty serious. We better head for the hills.” If it then emerges in the fine print that the bungalow was created with one unit of measurement and the skyscraper another, I’ll postpone my departure and go, “Er, hang on, what’s the deal with that? If we’ve got tree rings for the first nine centuries, why can’t we stick with the tree rings through the 20th?”

but all you "AGW is BS" Deniers won't like it, I dare say

re: #203 friarstale

if mann's study was the only thing we had to go on, i'd laugh too. and i did laugh in 1999. i still think mann is a prick. the problem for me recently has been the avalanche of supporting data from other sources...that's the trouble with data...it stares at you like chuck norris stares at books...glaring...angry...

someone said recently that the HCR legislation is up on a website, anybody can read it and therefore be informed of it's content...I disagreed (content? like we can understand that stuff?)....more than likely this is how it will get passed...very interesting stuff here

[Link: frontpagemag.com...]

re: #199 albusteve

I lived there seven years and just loved Denver, but alas the population has grown so much there is very little that is remote anymore...a huge factor why I enjoy NM so much...it gets very desolate in a hurry once out of Albuquerque...some people are creeped out by it, but I love that part...

I've only been to Albuquerque a couple of times, great setting for a city. The first time I went through I had a day to kill so I stayed and enjoyed myself for a couple of nights. I lived in Sierra Vista AZ for a couple of years and that's where I plan on moving back when I'm ready to retire. Beautiful part of the country.

re: #204 Aceofwhat?

so what's your solution?

re: #203 friarstale

hilarious Mark Steyn roast of the Copenhagen nonsense
http://www2.macleans.ca/2009/12/17/the-emperor%e2% 80%99s-new-carbon-credits/

but all you "AGW is BS" Deniers won't like it, I dare say

Acceptance of carbon trading schemes is not corollary to acceptance of AGW.

The fist remains clinched.

Iran making new model centrifuges for nuke program

TEHRAN, Iran -- Iran's nuclear chief said Friday the country has started making more efficient centrifuge models that it plans to put in use by early 2011 - a statement that underscores Tehran's defiance and adds to international concerns over its nuclear ambitions.

The official, Vice President Ali Akbar Salehi, said Iranian scientists are still testing the more advanced models before they will become operational at the country's enrichment facilities.

Tehran has been saying since April that it is building more advanced centrifuges capable of enriching uranium with higher efficiency and precision, but Salehi's remarks were the first indication of a timeline when the new models could become operational.

The new centrifuge models will be able to enrich uranium much faster than the old ones - which would add to growing concerns in the West because they would allow Tehran to accelerate the pace of its program. That would mean Iran could amass more material in a shorter space of time that could be turned into the fissile core of missiles, should Tehran choose to do so.

re: #207 friarstale

more nuke plants, for starters. call me crazy.

re: #209 NJDhockeyfan

The fist remains clinched.

Iran making new model centrifuges for nuke program

Shocker huh?//

re: #210 Aceofwhat?

more nuke plants, for starters. call me crazy.

Crazy!

glad to help//

re: #209 NJDhockeyfan

The Iranians have been using P1 and P2 centrifuges - they call 'em IR1 and IR2, but they're based on the AQ Khan designs. I suspect that this is either a new design IR3, or merely reflects that they're tweaking the P2/IR2 designs.

Because Iran isn't saying what they're up to, everyone is left with conjecture.

And Iran continues calling on Israel's destruction and keeps testing missiles with range to hit Israel, so the intent to build nukes is there.

re: #203 friarstale

hilarious Mark Steyn roast of the Copenhagen nonsense
http://www2.macleans.ca/2009/12/17/the-emperor%e2% 80%99s-new-carbon-credits/

but all you "AGW is BS" Deniers won't like it, I dare say

Steyn's a laff riot, as usual. But here's an answer to the question. The power of aggregate knowledge is tough to laugh off--the Copenhagen Follies aside.

re: #208 Gus 802

Acceptance of carbon trading schemes is not corollary to acceptance of AGW.

well said. and turning a blind eye to the hypocrisy of jet-setting in the name of AGW reduction isn't corollary either. there is plenty of bathwater to mock...no need to throw the baby out too.

re: #205 albusteve

someone said recently that the HCR legislation is up on a website, anybody can read it and therefore be informed of it's content...I disagreed (content? like we can understand that stuff?)...more than likely this is how it will get passed...very interesting stuff here

[Link: frontpagemag.com...]

The hypocrisy is galling

re: #213 lawhawk

Thanks for posting the Iron Man trailer link. Looks amazing. The special effects people are so good on this one, they actually made Gwennth Paltrow look hot!

Good morning, folks. Hope all of you East Coasters (like myself) are getting ready for the big storm of '09!

(I'll believe it when I see it.)

Iran continues to act like mustachioed villain who everyone hates.

Oh, and they seized an oil well in Iraq.

Christmas display controversy:

Is it appropriate to have Jesus blasting Santa with a shotgun?

[Link: www.kcoy.com...]

Personally, I think it's hilarious but he could have put more time into it and made it look nicer.

re: #218 MrSilverDragon

Good morning, folks. Hope all of you East Coasters (like myself) are getting ready for the big storm of '09!

(I'll believe it when I see it.)

I'll be stampeding through Target after work, stocking up on milk and toilet paper!

re: #215 Aceofwhat?

well said. and turning a blind eye to the hypocrisy of jet-setting in the name of AGW reduction isn't corollary either. there is plenty of bathwater to mock...no need to throw the baby out too.

Yes. I believe that COP15 has been a colossal waste of time and money if not for perhaps adding to some awareness. Bloomberg is reporting that China's Premier, Wen Jiabao, has snubbed the president in a meeting. I'm starting to think that the best route is to act unilaterally if mitigation is desired. Maybe Lindsey Graham's ideas are something to consider?

re: #220 RogueOne

Then there's Bloom County's take on Christmas:

re: #220 RogueOne

Here's the link to the text news story:

[Link: www.kcoy.com...]

The controversial display went up on Monday.

After multiple complaints to law enforcement and conversations with artist, they're banding together to try and get it removed.

"I know itsfreedom of speech, but it's pretty disturbing and there are lots of children, that's our main concern," says Susana Cruz who lives down the street from the display.

This is a perfect example of why there are so many laws on the books and why local authorities believe they have the right to control EVERYTHING, it's because people want them to. Frightening.

re: #222 Gus 802

No, wait. Graham is supporting cap and trade.

Maybe I should make some more coffee.

re: #222 Gus 802

Apropos of Hu and Obama, if you haven't seen this SNL sketch, it's milk-out-of-nose funny.

[Link: www.hulu.com...]

Some nice music deals at amazon.com top holiday deals link today:

Steve Martin
Tom Waits
Beatles
Ramblin' Jack Eliot

Tim Jones, a spokesman for the World Development Movement, said: "The president said he came to act, but showed little evidence of doing so. He showed no awareness of the inequality and injustice of climate change. If America has really made its choice, it is a choice that condemns hundreds of millions of people to climate change disaster."

[Link: www.guardian.co.uk...]

once again it's all our fault...this time? we are not coughing up enough money and demanding too much from everybody else...COP15 is a joke and BO, thus America, is getting hammered unfairly...

re: #223 Obdicut

Then there's Bloom County's take on Christmas:

[Video]

I can't believe I had forgotten about that christmas special. I'm going to have to go find that somewhere.

Good Morning LGF.
Quick, anyone got a spare carbon cap?
It's really cold outside and mine seems to have suddenly vanished.

re: #230 Spare O'Lake

Good Morning LGF.
Quick, anyone got a spare carbon cap?
It's really cold outside and mine seems to have suddenly vanished.

Thats due to the weather, not the climate!
They have nothing to do with each other
/

re: #222 Gus 802

Yes. I believe that COP15 has been a colossal waste of time and money if not for perhaps adding to some awareness. Bloomberg is reporting that China's Premier, Wen Jiabao, has snubbed the president in a meeting. I'm starting to think that the best route is to act unilaterally if mitigation is desired. Maybe Lindsey Graham's ideas are something to consider?

the second article does not draw out the mechanism of reducing emissions, more rhetoric..."put a price on heat trapping emissions", yawn

re: #232 albusteve

the second article does not draw out the mechanism of reducing emissions, more rhetoric..."put a price on heat trapping emissions", yawn

Hence my #225.

After I read that I decided to look at some pics at Airliners dot net.

re: #233 Gus 802

Hence my #225.

After I read that I decided to look at some pics at Airliners dot net.

I see that now

re: #220 RogueOne

Christmas display controversy:

Is it appropriate to have Jesus blasting Santa with a shotgun?

[Link: www.kcoy.com...]

Personally, I think it's hilarious but he could have put more time into it and made it look nicer.

It's stupid. Everyone knows that Jesus would zap Santa with a bolt of lightning, or turn him into a pillar of salt

Shotguns are for us mere mortals!

re: #228 albusteve

Tim Jones, a spokesman for the World Development Movement, said: "The president said he came to act, but showed little evidence of doing so. He showed no awareness of the inequality and injustice of climate change. If America has really made its choice, it is a choice that condemns hundreds of millions of people to climate change disaster."

[Link: www.guardian.co.uk...]

once again it's all our fault...this time? we are not coughing up enough money and demanding too much from everybody else...COP15 is a joke and BO, thus America, is getting hammered unfairly...

I'm not above giving BO props when he earns them. In this case, he'll earn them by telling the rest of the world to STOP BURNING SH!T and that their soot is every bit as responsible for where we are as our CO2. Helloooo dirty brown clouds.

re: #232 albusteve

the second article does not draw out the mechanism of reducing emissions, more rhetoric..."put a price on heat trapping emissions", yawn

I have an idea for how to reduce emissions - make other people come up with ideas for how to reduce emissions!

Cato and I are going to do a little 3 hour tour of the mountains here. See you all later.

re: #234 albusteve

I see that now

It's almost a hopeless case. So many people think the means to the end is only done through taxation or trading schemes. The best means to the end is through production. That is, we change over "what we build" accomplishes a mitigational end. When we transitioned from horses to automobiles it wasn't accomplished by taxing horse ownership, it was done by building cars.

Well, Copenhagen is a mess and wont actually deal with the issue of climate change if this report from the Times of India is trustworthy. It claims that the rich nations are cheating on their obligations. In fact, it also points out an inescapable fact - that even if everyone takes these emissions cuts seriously, the concentration of CO2 will continue rising, and the temperatures will continue rising according to the IPCC.

It notes that while the protocols would have called for a 25-40% cut in emissions compared to 1990, these same nations would expect a nominal cut of 15-30%.

That's nowhere near enough to make a dent in emissions, and even then the curbs would stifle the economies globally. No nation will want to unilaterally curb their emissions when others would continue spewing all manner of filth into the air.

re: #239 Gus 802

When did people start believing that you can legislate ingenuity?

Nowhere is there a better example of the collective effort than in California. Politics don’t matter here; both Republicans and Democrats embrace statism, high taxes, and growing entitlements.

So — we have the highest gasoline taxes, highest income taxes, highest sales taxes and collect enormous amounts of revenue to pay the highest-compensated and most numerous state employees in the nation to allot these revenues for others. We have the largest number of illegal aliens, and offer the most generous state subsidies for health, welfare, and education and legal aid. We pay more per prison convict than anywhere else, and have more of them per capita as well.

sample of VDHs latest essay...always worth reading, and no, I do not hate CA

re: #241 cliffster

When did people start believing that you can legislate ingenuity?

1976 /

re: #238 Walter L. Newton

Cato and I are going to do a little 3 hour tour of the mountains here. See you all later.

"A 3 hour tour, a 3 hour tour" Hope the weather doesn't start getting rough:

re: #228 albusteve

You know how O likes to sneak out of the White House at night, jet down to Brazil, and set fire to the rain forests.

/

re: #222 Gus 802

Yes. I believe that COP15 has been a colossal waste of time and money if not for perhaps adding to some awareness. Bloomberg is reporting that China's Premier, Wen Jiabao, has snubbed the president in a meeting. I'm starting to think that the best route is to act unilaterally if mitigation is desired. Maybe Lindsey Graham's ideas are something to consider?

Possible response to China's intransigence: tell them we'll do it for them. We'll ramp up our own manufacturing sector, with it's smokestack scrubbers and other environmental emission regulations, and pay a little more for products made in America with fewer emissions. And we'll save the emissions generated by shipping those products halfway 'round the planet.

And the emissions created by shipping all those American dollars to China, too.

Oh, and by the way - even though this will increase our emissions, we'll be taking credit for the China's reduction caused by this shift.

re: #239 Gus 802

It's almost a hopeless case. So many people think the means to the end is only done through taxation or trading schemes. The best means to the end is through production. That is, we change over "what we build" accomplishes a mitigational end. When we transitioned from horses to automobiles it wasn't accomplished by taxing horse ownership, it was done by building cars.

meanwhile the pie we use to accomplish this is shrinking, not growing...read the new VDH...it's all connected, as you well know

re: #239 Gus 802

And the sanitation issues that came along with horses disappeared as well.

You want to transition to a lower/zero emission society? You need to create the energy sources that can make that happen. We have the technologies, but not the willpower nationally to make that happen. Nuclear power could provide the low/zero emissions, sufficient to power a national rail grid, electric cars, etc., but NIMBY and the no-nukes groups continue to thwart efforts to site, let alone build, new nuclear power plants in the country.

That doesn't even touch on the nuclear waste issues, which can and do rest at the feet of Harry Reid who continues blocking the national nuclear repository from opening at Yucca Mt despite federal law providing for same.

re: #248 lawhawk

And the sanitation issues that came along with horses disappeared as well.

You want to transition to a lower/zero emission society? You need to create the energy sources that can make that happen. We have the technologies, but not the willpower nationally to make that happen. Nuclear power could provide the low/zero emissions, sufficient to power a national rail grid, electric cars, etc., but NIMBY and the no-nukes groups continue to thwart efforts to site, let alone build, new nuclear power plants in the country.

That doesn't even touch on the nuclear waste issues, which can and do rest at the feet of Harry Reid who continues blocking the national nuclear repository from opening at Yucca Mt despite federal law providing for same.

it's just a handful of people holding the entire nation hostage...I'm rather bitter about the whole process of representative govt...it doesn't...and it's just one issue after another

Surprise!

Good Morning Lizards!
Colts won again last night! Our Colts party rocked..Great food, Cold beer and much noise and cheering..Going to bed at 1am on a work night..Not so good.

re: #248 lawhawk

And the sanitation issues that came along with horses disappeared as well.

You want to transition to a lower/zero emission society? You need to create the energy sources that can make that happen. We have the technologies, but not the willpower nationally to make that happen. Nuclear power could provide the low/zero emissions, sufficient to power a national rail grid, electric cars, etc., but NIMBY and the no-nukes groups continue to thwart efforts to site, let alone build, new nuclear power plants in the country.

That doesn't even touch on the nuclear waste issues, which can and do rest at the feet of Harry Reid who continues blocking the national nuclear repository from opening at Yucca Mt despite federal law providing for same.

Ironically there is a resistance to using the alternatives and nuclear power is one of them. It is "off the shelf" technology. To a certain extent so is solar and wind. In the mean time nothing is accomplished. Their resistance to nuclear power only increases the use of coal, oil, and gas generation which is counter to AGW mitigation.

re: #228 albusteve

Of course our political enemies will make AGW into a bat to beat us with. The article about sorting noise from real signal applies with AGW politics at least as much as to IMRI. We have endless spurious signals from most of the interests involved. We have a small bit of real signal in those backrooms Freetoken refers to. Of course we have more scrubbers and anti pollution technology in the west than anywhere. And near zero recognition for it from lesser industrial nations.