Beautiful.

Nice shot. Just the right amount of haze in the distance, and the sparkling waves make the image even better.

The island of romance, romance, romance...

Coarse is the surface tossed by the wind
'til the horizon,
Island outlines the sky
fighting the smog.

Only 4 more days until the new year:

LOL!
It's posted backwards, unless Charles was out to sea?
Did you know that Zane Grey was based out of Catalina?

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

The man LIVED to fish!

A girl who lived next door to the house I grew up in was named Catalina. She was a little older and with that name came instant sophistication. Why couldn't I have been a Catalina? I used to wonder that as I pondered the unfairness of the world. The weighty matters of childhood.

And then, it was owned by the Wrigley Family as a vacation island.
You know, the juicy fruit gum folks...
AND, BONUS factoid...
It protects a significant portion of Southern California from Tsunami waves. Yep, they'll hit the island & loose power!
Don't miss the wild bison!

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

re: #6 Silvergirl

A girl who lived next door to the house I grew up in was named Catalina. She was a little older and with that name came instant sophistication. Why couldn't I have been a Catalina? I used to wonder that as I pondered the unfairness of the world. The weighty matters of childhood.

Count your blessings: they could have named you Edsel.

('Catalina' was also the name of a Pontiac model, back in the days when they still made Pontiacs).

/none of this makes any sense.

Well, its's time for me to get to bed. Goodnight all.

re: #9 Dark_Falcon

Sweet dreams, DF!

What, no oil tankers?
Hope y'all had a great Christmas. G'night.

A little "Christmas Cheer" on the Senate floor. Baucus gets raucous.To the Max.

re: #7 Floral Giraffe

And then, it was owned by the Wrigley Family as a vacation island.
You know, the juicy fruit gum folks...

I dated a Wrigly in the early 90's. And, yes, a decendent of those Wrigleys

re: #13 Cannadian Club Akbar

first Wrigley spelled wrong. PIMF.

Holy Shit!! A BAC of .404!!
[Link: www.970wfla.com...]

re: #15 Cannadian Club Akbar

Holy Shit!! A BAC of .404!!
[Link: www.970wfla.com...]

It's a wonder she's still alive.

re: #15 Cannadian Club Akbar

Holy Shit!! A BAC of .404!!
[Link: www.970wfla.com...]

How much would a person have to drink to have that kind of BAC? I realise it depends on your weight and all, but roughly? Anyone know?

re: #17 iceweasel

Also depends on proof of the liquor and amount of consumption vs. time, any proteins in the stomach, etc. But my professional answer is "alot.":)

BAC.
[Link: www.brad21.org...]

Dunno if this has been posted yet-- MI5 playing catchup, hunting for possible accomplices:

Detroit terror attack: MI5 hunt for bomber's accomplices

MI5 is hunting for possible accomplices of the Detroit airline bomber amid fears that he may have been planning to launch the attack from Britain.

There's also this from last week:
Police expect Mumbai-style terror attack on City of London

Scotland Yard has warned businesses in London to expect a Mumbai-style attack on the capital.

In a briefing in the City of London 12 days ago, a senior detective from SO15, the Metropolitan police counter-terrorism command, said: “Mumbai is coming to London.”

The detective said companies should anticipate a shooting and hostage-taking raid “involving a small number of gunmen with handguns and improvised explosive devices”.

The warning — the bluntest issued by police — has underlined an assessment that a terrorist cell may be preparing an attack on London early next year.

Not to be alarmist, but if anyone was planning a trip to London soon, I might reschedule if possible. Or at least avoid the City.

re: #19 Cannadian Club Akbar

Which reminds me. I work New Years Eve until 10 PM. Then take the backroads home and stay away from the stupid people.

re: #21 Cannadian Club Akbar

Which reminds me. I work New Years Eve until 10 PM. Then take the backroads home and stay away from the stupid people.

Good plan. Like St. Patrick's Day, it's amateur night out there.

re: #19 Cannadian Club Akbar

BAC.
[Link: www.brad21.org...]

oy--

Subtract .01% for each 40 minutes of drinking.
One drink is 1.25 oz. of 80 proof liquor, 12 oz. of beer, or 5 oz. of table wine.

re: #22 SixDegrees

Good plan. Like St. Patrick's Day, it's amateur night out there.

The Florida Highway Patrol takes all staff and put them on the road. Not a single worker in the offices. They don't fuck around down here.

re: #23 iceweasel

Works for me because I drink 1 beer an hour. And if I want mixed drinks, I just sit at home. Usually once a month for that.

Back in 1963 someone at San Fransisco city hall must have been drunk as well to grant an demolition order of the SF Fox Theater. Be aware, this might depress you. How was it possible that the grand theater could meet it's demise? Nowadays a city would be proud to have something like this within the city limits...

Fist there's a discription of the house organ. This is the only object saved from the wreckingball. The second part is the demolition itself. Watch and weep, San Fransiscans...

Some pictures.
[Link: www.historigraphics.com...]

There are theaters to be saved. Most notable the Detroit United Artists. Google it and you know what I'm saying.

re: #26 William of Orange

Someone down here restored the Tampa Theater. Now they show old movies during matinees. Good plan.

re: #26 William of Orange

Back in 1963 someone at San Fransisco city hall must have been drunk as well to grant an demolition order of the SF Fox Theater. Be aware, this might depress you. How was it possible that the grand theater could meet it's demise? Nowadays a city would be proud to have something like this within the city limits...

Fist there's a discription of the house organ. This is the only object saved from the wreckingball. The second part is the demolition itself. Watch and weep, San Fransiscans...

[Video]Some pictures.
[Link: www.historigraphics.com...]

There are theaters to be saved. Most notable the Detroit United Artists. Google it and you know what I'm saying.

Check out Detroit's Fox Theatre - meticulously restored by private investors. A tiny bright spot in a sea of architectural despair.

re: #25 Cannadian Club Akbar

Works for me because I drink 1 beer an hour. And if I want mixed drinks, I just sit at home. Usually once a month for that.

Cheaper too, as well as safer!

re: #29 iceweasel

Cheaper too, as well as safer!

Cheaper right up until I order pizza. Wait, gimme some wings too. And cheesy bread. Yea, cheesy bread.
/

Good Morning Lizards!

re: #28 SixDegrees

Just a note on the Fox: no pictures really give a sense of how huge this place is. It has over 5000 seats. Built as a movie house, it used to be packed solid on a regular basis. Now, it hosts live stage performances.

re: #30 Cannadian Club Akbar

Cheaper right up until I order pizza. Wait, gimme some wings too. And cheesy bread. Yea, cheesy bread.
/

Heh. There's a hotdog place in nyc that delivers, and features the following 'snack sacks' on its menu:

Crif Pak 1 enough for on dude with a monster case of the munchies 10.00
Crif Pak 2 enough for two dudes with the munchies or one desperately hungry dude in need of sustenance 20.00
Crif Pak 3 enough food to fill three, even four of the most desperately hungry dudes & fiends alike 30.00
Crif Pak 4 a biblical combo of indulgence, if you may. one of the 7 deadly sins. long live gluttony

I like how they basically admit their customer base is drunk and high people. Which explains some of the menu items too:

Spicy Redneck a house dog, bacon wrapped, with chili, cole slaw, and jalapenos

re: #33 iceweasel

Being in the restaurant industry for many years, I used to go to food shows. The one in Tampa was nice, but the international show in Orlando was always best. If you ever get a chance to go to one, do it. Just don't eat for a day or 2 before hand.

re: #33 iceweasel

Morning all.

"Spicy Redneck a house dog, bacon wrapped, with chili, cole slaw, and jalapenos"

and how do you spell relief?

re: #35 Bubblehead II

Oh yeah? At a ball park outside of St Louis...

It's sweet like a doughnut, and then you've got the hamburger. You’ve read that right. It's a burger with cheese and bacon, sandwiched between a Krispy Kreme doughnut — a heart attack waiting to happen. A burger so perfect, they say, tampering is discouraged.

re: #35 Bubblehead II

Morning all.

"Spicy Redneck a house dog, bacon wrapped, with chili, cole slaw, and jalapenos"

and how do you spell relief?
[Video]

Srsly. Just reading the description makes me ill. Here's some more:

Jon-Jon Deragon the crif dog with a schmear of cream cheese, scallions & everything bagel seeds 3.75

Tsunami a house dog, bacon wrapped , with teriyaki, pineapple and green onions 4.50
Good Morning a bacon wrapped dog smothered with melted cheese and a fried egg 5.00
Morning Jersey taylor ham wrapped house dog with melted cheese and a fried egg

bleargh.
re: #34 Cannadian Club Akbar
I should try that sometime. I have a distant relative in the food industry who used to go to some big convention in NYC every July-- she said it was amazing. Javits Center? Sadly, any food conventions in Scotland seem likely to feature deepfried mars bars and haggis. :(

re: #37 iceweasel

bleargh.
re: #34 Cannadian Club Akbar
I should try that sometime. I have a distant relative in the food industry who used to go to some big convention in NYC every July-- she said it was amazing. Javits Center? Sadly, any food conventions in Scotland seem likely to feature deepfried mars bars and haggis. :(

There, there poor girl.

Have a Walker's Shortbread cookie and a nice cup of tea.

And a bottle of Lagavulin.

You'll soon be feeling better.

Haggis...

re: #36 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

re: #37 iceweasel

eeewww...

re: #39 Cannadian Club Akbar

Haggis...

from your link:

In the absence of hard facts as to haggis' origins, popular folklore has provided more fanciful theories. (snip)

A frequent tale is that a "Haggis" is a small Scottish animal with one set of legs longer than the other so that it can stand on the steep Scottish Highlands without falling over. According to one poll, 33% of American visitors to Scotland believe haggis to be an animal.

hee. I like that.

re: #39 Cannadian Club Akbar

Haggis...

Harriet Michaels: Do you actually like haggis?
Charlie Mackenzie: No, I think it's repellent in every way. In fact, I think most Scottish cuisine is based on a dare.

From SIMAAM. So I Married an Axe Murderer

Damn. Is this package ever going to move?

HODGKINS, IL, US 12/23/2009 10:23 P.M. ARRIVAL SCAN

The wife's Christmas present. Been sitting there now going on 5 days.

/yeah, let's see what brown can do for you...

re: #43 Bubblehead II

Damn. Is this package ever going to move?

HODGKINS, IL, US 12/23/2009 10:23 P.M. ARRIVAL SCAN

The wife's Christmas present. Been sitting there now going on 5 days.

/yeah, let's see what brown can do for you...

The only delivery company worse than UPS is DHL. Oh wait, UPS just bought them!

re: #43 Bubblehead II

Damn. Is this package ever going to move?

HODGKINS, IL, US 12/23/2009 10:23 P.M. ARRIVAL SCAN

The wife's Christmas present. Been sitting there now going on 5 days.

/yeah, let's see what brown can do for you...

Gah. What did you get her, may I ask?

bbl

re: #44 rwdflynavy

The only delivery company worse than UPS is DHL. Oh wait, UPS just bought them!

I ordered a book once and the USPS decided to put it next to the side door without telling me. Then it rained.

re: #45 iceweasel

These.

[Link: www.footziesonline.com...]

[Link: www.footziesonline.com...]

[Link: www.footziesonline.com...]

re: #48 Bubblehead II

These.

[Link: www.footziesonline.com...]

[Link: www.footziesonline.com...]

[Link: www.footziesonline.com...]

How cute! Nice gift! (i love pj's)

Hijacked Chinese bulk carrier rescued

BEIJING, Dec. 28 (Xinhua) -- A hijacked Chinese bulk carrier and 25 Chinese crew members aboard were successfully rescued at 3 a.m. on Dec. 28, according to Chinese Marine Search and Rescue Center.

re: #50 bagua

I know this is skirting on the edge, but a high altitude fly over of B-52s dropping some eggs is long over due.

Amazon e-book sales beat print sales in U.S. for first time on Christmas Day

re: #47 Cannadian Club Akbar

I ordered a book once and the USPS decided to put it next to the side door without telling me. Then it rained.

The USPS still delivers stuff?!!?
//

re: #52 Bagua

This probably isn't making them to happy.

Hackers break Amazon's Kindle DRM

re: #54 Bubblehead II

Some pirates are winning while others are losing it appears.

I seem to remember Sargent Carter wanting to go to Catalina on "Gome Pyle, USMC".

My boss just called because my check was messed up. She also gave me Sunday off. I think she likes me. Or is trying to keep me away from the place. Either way, works for me.

re: #30 Cannadian Club Akbar

Cheaper right up until I order pizza. Wait, gimme some wings too. And cheesy bread. Yea, cheesy bread.
/

You shoulda been here Christmas Eve. We do our family gathering on Christmas eve, and my aunt (The Vietnam Combat Nurse) brought her cheesy bread/pizza. She brought the ingredients and made it here, the house smelled wonderful, and I was a pig.

Why yes, I am watching my weight and my sodium! Are you planning to eat that piece?

re: #56 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

I seem to remember Sargent Carter wanting to go to Catalina on "Gome Pyle, USMC".

Surprise, surprise, surprise!

re: #58 SteveC

A local bakery started selling pizza dough, which I can make but it is easier to buy for the price.

re: #60 Cannadian Club Akbar

A local bakery started selling pizza dough, which I can make but it is easier to buy for the price.

Just stop it, 'cause now you are rubbing it in!

re: #61 SteveC

Just stop it, 'cause now you are rubbing it in!

Gives ya a reason to see your aunt more, huh?

re: #62 Cannadian Club Akbar

Gives ya a reason to see your aunt more, huh?

You ain't kidding!

There are just no good Muslim women out there

This is exacerbated by the context from which I come. As someone who converted to Islam, the difference in male-female dynamics can be astounding. More than the physical barriers that I learned to adopt, it is the emotional ones that have proven the most difficult.

You sound like me, friend... shy.

re: #43 Bubblehead II

Damn. Is this package ever going to move?

HODGKINS, IL, US 12/23/2009 10:23 P.M. ARRIVAL SCAN

The wife's Christmas present. Been sitting there now going on 5 days.

/yeah, let's see what brown can do for you...

I am convinced that the deep fried Mars bar came about on a bet when a fish and chip-chip shop owner bragged that he could deep fry anything and a customer repled "I'll bet ye cannae deep-fry a Mars bar!"

Haggis, as I understand is simply poor folks' fare: made up out of the bits of sheep left over after the landlord took his share.

re: #65 ralphieboy

You can fry all kinds of stuff.

[Link: www.foodnetwork.com...]

They deep-fry eggs: the Scotch egg is a hard-boiled egg wrapped in ground meat and brteadcrumbs and deep fried.

Ánd they even deep-fry pizza...no foolin'

re: #67 ralphieboy

They deep-fry eggs: the Scotch egg is a hard-boiled egg wrapped in ground meat and brteadcrumbs and deep fried.

Ánd they even deep-fry pizza...no foolin'

I've made fried ice cream. It can be done.

re: #65 ralphieboy

I am convinced that the deep fried Mars bar came about on a bet when a fish and chip-chip shop owner bragged that he could deep fry anything and a customer repled "I'll bet ye cannae deep-fry a Mars bar!"

Haggis, as I understand is simply poor folks' fare: made up out of the bits of sheep left over after the landlord took his share.

Well, it's sheep offal, but if you look at CCA's wiki link it seems likely that haggis is from prehistory-- right after killing an animal it was an economical way to immediately cook and eat the bits that spoil most quickly. Like soup pr stew, later on it was 'food for poor people' because it used up every bit of the animal.

As for the deepfried Mars bar, I have to go with the person who quoted "So I Married an Axe Murderer" and say that scottish cuisine is based on a dare. Large parts of it, anyway.

Press Digest - Iran

Central Bank of Iran announced that all banknotes with scribbling on them will be invalid from next Iranian week (starting on Saturday).

Hmm... arm a few protesters with magic markers...!

re: #68 Cannadian Club Akbar

Well since you beat me to the Ice Cream, how about a pickle?

Reading the TSA thread, so I am jumping back and forth.

re: #71 Bubblehead II

They have deep fried pickles at Hooters. Not just for the fair anymore.

re: #67 ralphieboy

They deep-fry eggs: the Scotch egg is a hard-boiled egg wrapped in ground meat and brteadcrumbs and deep fried.

Ánd they even deep-fry pizza...no foolin'

Sausage meat, usually, and you can get it in England, not only Scotland. Believe it or not, they're pretty tasty.

Then again, I don't yet understand Scotland or Scottish cuisine. It isn't like England at all.
Scotland also was ranked least healthy country in the EU a while back.

The Scottish diet is one of the least healthy in the Western world and Scotland is firmly at the bottom of the health league tables.

I can believe it. You wouldn't believe the supermarkets. The fruit and veg selection even in a top end market is shockingly bad, compared to what you'll find even in a bad supermarket in the US or England (in my experience).

Goood morning, Lizards. Merry Christmas from the wild north country, after flying through not one, but TWO snowstorms. Uphill both ways, yada yada yada. Did I miss anything fun?

re: #74 thedopefishlives

Several meltdowns in the H.A. bomb making video thread. Other than that it has been relatively quite.

BTW, it's 14.9 degrees here in Twin Falls, Id

I backed up and read the TSA article - I take diuretics to fight Congestive Heart Failure. (Water pills, pee producers, mother nature callers, whatever you want to call them) So if they kick in during that hour, I'll either be a pants wetter or a turrurist?

re: #76 Bubblehead II

BTW, it's 14.9 degrees here in Twin Falls, Id

And it's 22 degrees here in the Twin Cities area. Actually pretty mild for this time of year, though it's supposed to get close to 0 around New Year's Day.

re: #77 SteveC

Just wear Depends. You'll never have to get up. This is why no one invites me over for Super Bowl.
/

re: #79 Cannadian Club Akbar

Have you applied for Astronaut training by any chance?

re: #65 ralphieboy

I am convinced that the deep fried Mars bar came about on a bet when a fish and chip-chip shop owner bragged that he could deep fry anything and a customer repled "I'll bet ye cannae deep-fry a Mars bar!"

Haggis, as I understand is simply poor folks' fare: made up out of the bits of sheep left over after the landlord took his share.

Before WWII, most people in America ate heart, liver, kidneys, tongue, brains and all the other parts of animals we now shudder at. Little went to waste. After the war, rising prosperity shoved all that stuff to the far end of the butcher counter, and from there into the back room, and thanks to today's highly automated, commercialized meat processing infrastructure you pretty much have to special order anything like that if you want it.

There's a resurgence of interest in these ingredients among chefs, aided by the Slow Fooders and others, but it's unlikely we'll see them become as mainstream as they were just a couple of generations ago.

re: #79 Cannadian Club Akbar

Just wear Depends. You'll never have to get up. This is why no one invites me over for Super Bowl.
/

Like hell. The act of flying does not make me a suspect.

re: #68 Cannadian Club Akbar

I've made fried ice cream. It can be done.

Had some tempura cheesecake a couple weeks ago. I want more.

re: #82 SteveC

Like hell. The act of flying does not make me a suspect.

Well, that depends on who you ask. After all, most terrorists fly on planes, so doesn't it stand to reason that most people flying on planes are terrorists?

/That terrible logic made my brain hurt, sorry

re: #81 SixDegrees

I have a little general store that still sells brains. You can also get horse feed.

re: #83 SixDegrees

Had some tempura cheesecake a couple weeks ago. I want more.

Get out from that kitchen
and rattle those pots and pans,
Get out from that kitchen
and rattle those pots and pans.
Well, roll my breakfast,
'cause I'm a hungry man.

re: #84 thedopefishlives

Well, that depends on who you ask. After all, most terrorists fly on planes, so doesn't it stand to reason that most people flying on planes are terrorists?

/That terrible logic made my brain hurt, sorry

I'm glad it did, after a comment like that... :)

re: #82 SteveC

Like hell. The act of flying does not make me a suspect.

Of course not, but unfortunately our systems seem to be reactive rather than proactive-- we're always plugging security holes after an attack or an attempt. Because of this recent attempt, now we won't be able to leave our seats for the hour before landing-- meanwhile, you can bet that AQ has moved on in terms of strategy anyway. And it's not like anything is stopping them from visiting the loo ten minutes before the final hour anyway.

re: #87 SteveC

I'm glad it did, after a comment like that... :)

Even I'm not that stupid, hence the sarc tag. But I know a lot of people who do think like that, sadly.

re: #88 iceweasel

Of course not, but unfortunately our systems seem to be reactive rather than proactive-- we're always plugging security holes after an attack or an attempt. Because of this recent attempt, now we won't be able to leave our seats for the hour before landing-- meanwhile, you can bet that AQ has moved on in terms of strategy anyway. And it's not like anything is stopping them from visiting the loo ten minutes before the final hour anyway.

Train, train... take me on out of this town...

A talking heading head on Fox this morning suggested a "Muslim check in line" at the airport. Just trying to wrap my head around about how you could ID passengers by faith, perhaps something sewn onto their clothing ?/s
In the case of the Nigerian, he might be able to fake being a black Christian and avoid the Fox suggested Muslim screening. I get the real concern about terrorists, but WTF is that guy thinking ?

re: #77 SteveC

I backed up and read the TSA article - I take diuretics to fight Congestive Heart Failure. (Water pills, pee producers, mother nature callers, whatever you want to call them) So if they kick in during that hour, I'll either be a pants wetter or a turrurist?

There are lots of medical conditions that are going to make this senseless requirement either a joke or a nightmare.

I have similar problems when my blood sugar gets too high. If, after explaining to the stewardess what the problem was, producing doctor's letters confirming the problem (which I always carry when I travel) I was still refused access to the john, I would simply pee in the barf bag - and dump it on my seat before deplaning.

More likely, though, people with such problems will simply clog the aisles prior to lockdown and hope that'll do until landing.

bbl peeps.

re: #91 avanti

A talking heading head on Fox this morning suggested a "Muslim check in line" at the airport. Just trying to wrap my head around about how you could ID passengers by faith, perhaps something sewn onto their clothing ?/s
In the case of the Nigerian, he might be able to fake being a black Christian and avoid the Fox suggested Muslim screening. I get the real concern about terrorists, but WTF is that guy thinking smoking?

That's probably a little more correct.

re: #73 iceweasel

I make Scotch Eggs, but use a recipe that bakes them rather than deep-frying them. Wonderful on-the-go breakfast food since they're good hot or cold and travel fairly well.

As for the rest of Scottish cuisine I can't say. I've had one meal in Edinburgh, and that was in a Thai restaurant.

re: #91 avanti

In one of the old 60's secret agent movies (the James Coburn "Flynn" series IIRC) the bad guys had a bald eagle that was trained to attack Americans.

re: #95 oaktree

I make Scotch Eggs, but use a recipe that bakes them rather than deep-frying them. Wonderful on-the-go breakfast food since they're good hot or cold and travel fairly well.

Whoa, that sounds nice. I may ask you for it in the future if that's cool.

re: #85 Cannadian Club Akbar

I have a little general store that still sells brains. You can also get horse feed.

Check out the %DV of cholesterol a serving of brains delivers.

I remember when there were actual free-standing butcher shops, and that had all the stuff I mentioned above, and then some, in the display cases. I bought cow eyes at one place as a kid, for dissection purposes. Never ate one of those, but I've sample lots of other offal at various times. Like many foods, preparation and presentation are key.

Frankly, though, it's not the sort of thing I go out of my way for often.

Just saw this, BBL.
[Link: abcnews.go.com...]

re: #92 SixDegrees

There are lots of medical conditions that are going to make this senseless requirement either a joke or a nightmare.

I have similar problems when my blood sugar gets too high. If, after explaining to the stewardess what the problem was, producing doctor's letters confirming the problem (which I always carry when I travel) I was still refused access to the john, I would simply pee in the barf bag - and dump it on my seat before deplaning.

More likely, though, people with such problems will simply clog the aisles prior to lockdown and hope that'll do until landing.

And look at this other Nigerian guy who locked himself in the loo-- apparently he was merely airsick.
Second Nigerian national not suspect; he was ill in toilet
Apparently he kept going into the toilet and the flight crew got so freaked out they broke down the door, at which point he became 'verbally abusive' and was taken into custody. I'd be verbally abusive too if I were sick and they broke the door down.

re: #100 iceweasel

And look at this other Nigerian guy who locked himself in the loo-- apparently he was merely airsick.
Second Nigerian national not suspect; he was ill in toilet
Apparently he kept going into the toilet and the flight crew got so freaked out they broke down the door, at which point he became 'verbally abusive' and was taken into custody. I'd be verbally abusive too if I were sick and they broke the door down.

So would I, but given the previous history, I can also understand the crews' nervousness. I have to wonder what the exact interaction was; if they ever asked him what he was doing in there, or if they just busted down the door without warning.

Hmmm - no one's talking much about a substantial downside to the mortgage bailout program - like the fact it will trash your credit rating.

Which sort of makes sense. But I bet there are millions of borderline cases who would make a different decision if they were aware of this unpublicized "feature."

re: #100 iceweasel

And look at this other Nigerian guy who locked himself in the loo-- apparently he was merely airsick.
Second Nigerian national not suspect; he was ill in toilet
Apparently he kept going into the toilet and the flight crew got so freaked out they broke down the door, at which point he became 'verbally abusive' and was taken into custody. I'd be verbally abusive too if I were sick and they broke the door down.

I said it yesterday - hell of a time and place to be constipated!

re: #102 SixDegrees

Which sort of makes sense. But I bet there are millions of borderline cases who would make a different decision if they were aware of this unpublicized "feature."

That's not a bug, it's a feature!

re: #101 thedopefishlives

So would I, but given the previous history, I can also understand the crews' nervousness. I have to wonder what the exact interaction was; if they ever asked him what he was doing in there, or if they just busted down the door without warning.

I'm not sure- I think it was a little of both, from what I read. My understanding was that they did speak to him and he answered. They didn't just break the door down. But when you're violently ill you're only going to give abrupt responses out of necessity. I think there may have been some language barriers as well.
I can't blame the crew for being freaked out given the timing, but the fact is we can imagine it happening to any of us, if we were sick or had a medical condition that means we need the loo in that last hour.

FRESH Conspiracy Theory!

An Indian man in a nicely dressed suit around age 50 approached the check in counter with the terrorist and said "This man needs to get on this flight and he has no passport." The two of them were an odd pair as the terrorist is a short, black man that looked like he was very poor and looks around age 17(Although I think he is 23 he doesn't look it). It did not cross my mind that they were terrorists, only that the two looked weird together.

Not your old stale conspiracy theory, this one is FRESH!

re: #99 Cannadian Club Akbar

Just saw this, BBL.
[Link: abcnews.go.com...]

My first reaction to this is to wonder how the hell this guy is able to be quoted in the media. Shouldn't he be completely isolated from the press, and the investigators in charge warned not to release statements? Maybe it's just me, but this seems like common sense.

Next, however, I can't say I'm sorry to hear this. Because when these guys don't have anything, they tend to start blustering about their tremendous capabilities, and it's a pretty good sign they've got nuthin'.

re: #99 Cannadian Club Akbar

Just saw this, BBL.
[Link: abcnews.go.com...]

Explained Clarke, "The kind of person, who's being radicalized increasingly in the U.S. and in Europe, are people who are sons of the middle class, the upper middle class, sons of well educated families, people who have radicalized at long distance over the Internet."

Abdulmutallab. Hassan. Awlaki. Those doctors in Scotland who tried to blow up the airport. How many of the 9-11 terrorists were educated in the West?

re: #107 SixDegrees

On Sunday, in its first communication since the failed Northwest Airline bombing, Al Qaeda in Yemen released a written statement about the December 17 air strike in Yemen.

This bit makes me think that AQ fancies itself as some sort of Rotary Club with its press releases. Does AQ have a PR department?

re: #109 MandyManners

On Sunday, in its first communication since the failed Northwest Airline bombing, Al Qaeda in Yemen released a written statement about the December 17 air strike in Yemen.

This bit makes me think that AQ fancies itself as some sort of Rotary Club with its press releases. Does AQ have a PR department?

Yes, they do, actually. Adam "I'm a fatass traitor" Gadahn is, or used to be, in charge of their media wing.

re: #107 SixDegrees

My first reaction to this is to wonder how the hell this guy is able to be quoted in the media. Shouldn't he be completely isolated from the press, and the investigators in charge warned not to release statements? Maybe it's just me, but this seems like common sense.

Next, however, I can't say I'm sorry to hear this. Because when these guys don't have anything, they tend to start blustering about their tremendous capabilities, and it's a pretty good sign they've got nuthin'.

We are lucky the bad guys do not yet have the high tech capabilities that the west has. If the Israelis can put a bomb in a cell phone, a Kindle or a laptop would be a piece of cake. Sadly, no amount of screening will stop every attempt. Even crude devices stored inside the body or a body cavity would do the trick and we are aware of that.

re: #110 thedopefishlives

Yes, they do, actually. Adam "I'm a fatass traitor" Gadahn is, or used to be, in charge of their media wing.

*That* is the name of the home-grown Jihad Johnnie I was trying to remember.

Wasn't there another one from America that we captured in Afghanistan?

Socialite Ivana Trump had to be escorted off a plane after launching a foul-mouthed tirade at noisy children.

The former wife of billionaire property mogul Donald Trump started screaming the F-word as several excited youngsters ran up and down the first-class aisle.

The grandmother of one became even angrier as flight attendants tried to calm her down, allegedly rushing towards the cockpit.

When the pilot asked her to leave the New York-bound flight before take-off, the hysterical Miss Trump refused to budge.

The former Olympic skier and model, 60 - who split from her much younger fourth husband this month - was eventually 'physically escorted' back to the terminal by security guards, officials said.

'From the initial contact until Miss Trump left the property, she was saying "f*** you" to all the deputies and called the children "little f***",' said a police spokesman.

'She was so belligerent towards other passengers and crew that the plane returned to the terminal.'

She had apparently started complaining as soon as she boarded the aircraft, demanding to be moved to another seat in first class.

SNIP

I'm not defending her but, why weren't the parents of these little hooligans forced to get them to shut up and sit down?

British security services are now hunting for possible accomplices of Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab as they probe his links in the UK. It emerged today that Al Qaeda had warned of a terror attack four days before the failed suicide attack on a U.S. bound flight on Christmas Day. A video was posted online from Yemen saying: 'We are carrying a bomb to hit the enemies of God.'

SNIP

re: #113 MandyManners

Socialite Ivana Trump had to be escorted off a plane after launching a foul-mouthed tirade at noisy children.

SNIP

I'm not defending her but, why weren't the parents of these little hooligans forced to get them to shut up and sit down?

That's a good question, especially since all the flights I took this weekend emphasized the whole "You must be seated and buckled in before we can leave the gate" mantra. I guess if it was a mostly empty wide-body, they figure the kids can have a little leeway until boarding is finished? *shrugs*

re: #106 SteveC

FRESH Conspiracy Theory!

Not your old stale conspiracy theory, this one is FRESH!

I saw that, and at this point, I call shenanigans on that account.

I flew through Amsterdam 4 times in the last 3 months-- all on delta/NWA. There IS no 'delta or NWA counter' to check in at when you're changing flights (which is what I was doing, what the jihadi did, and what this guy supposedly was doing).

You fly in and are disgorged directly into Schiphol. To get your connecting flight you schlep to the gate, where you go through yet another security screening (xraying your carryons again, making you walk through a scanner again, and a person quizzing you again about your baggage-- "has it been with you since you packed? etc" ). You'll get patted down again and they'll search your bags. It's way tougher security than standard US domestic security and even US security boarding an international flight.

After all that, you do pass a kind of checkin counter again (they look again at your boarding pass and your passport) but it's right there. After all THAT, you arrive at the little waiting area for your plane to board, which is like the only place one could sit down at and 'play cards' like this guy claims he was doing.

I don't know if you can board without a passport in Amsterdam, but I assure you that if you try they'll be at least as harsh on you as the US would be, and in my experience, much more so. I don't buy this guy's story until we have more info. Remember also that there was another fake "i was boarding a plane and" account that the rightwing crankosphere was promoting last month, which turned out to be a lie.

re: #116 iceweasel

Hi Ice--
Did the wedding happen yet? Sorry if I missed the latest update.

Israel said Monday that it plans to build nearly 700 new apartments in east Jerusalem, drawing tough criticism from both the Palestinians and the United States, which denounced it as an obstacle to peacemaking.

SNIP

Israel does not consider its east Jerusalem neighborhoods to be settlements. It captured the city's eastern sector in the 1967 Mideast war and immediately annexed the area. The international community does not recognize the annexation.

SNIP

re: #115 thedopefishlives

That's a good question, especially since all the flights I took this weekend emphasized the whole "You must be seated and buckled in before we can leave the gate" mantra. I guess if it was a mostly empty wide-body, they figure the kids can have a little leeway until boarding is finished? *shrugs*

Kids running around and hollering in a small space is not acceptable at any time.

re: #117 blueherron

She's an old married lady now!

re: #119 MandyManners

Kids running around and hollering in a small space is not acceptable at any time.

I would agree, but so many parents are worried about quashing their kids' creativity or whatever the hell they're using to excuse their lack of proper discipline these days.

An aid convoy trying to reach the blockaded Gaza Strip through Egypt was still stranded in Jordan on Sunday amid Cairo's refusal to let it cross through its territory.

Members of the convoy, which is led by British MP George Galloway, were however hoping for a solution thanks to mediation by Turkey to enter Gaza through the Red Sea port of Nuweiba, the most direct route.

SNIP

In March, Galloway handed over thousands of dollars and dozens of vehicles to the Hamas-run government in Gaza after arriving in an aid convoy.

Israel and Egypt have severely restricted travel to and from the Gaza Strip since the Islamist Hamas movement seized power there in June 2007.

Egypt's Rafah crossing with Gaza is the only access point into the Palestinian territory that bypasses Israel.

Meanwhile some 100 members of Jordan's powerful trade union federation and the Muslim Brotherhood staged a protest Sunday in Amman against Egypt's decision.

SNIP

re: #121 thedopefishlives

I would agree, but so many parents are worried about quashing their kids' creativity or whatever the hell they're using to excuse their lack of proper discipline these days.

Have they never heard of crayons and paper?!

re: #117 blueherron

Hi Ice--
Did the wedding happen yet? Sorry if I missed the latest update.

Hey bh! How ARE you? How's the work situation and how are you feeling?

Yes-- jimmah and I just got married.

We even have a video.

Here's a happy Xmas song, one of my faves and appropriate:

best wishes to you and here's hoping the new year brings you all your heart's desires too. :)

They range from wealthy businessmen to boisterous students and poor single mothers, jammed together 10,000 strong in a stadium, chanting "change is possible!" and shoving forward to greet the man who is challenging President Hugo Chavez's grip on power.

There's a problem, however: Leopoldo Lopez can't run for office.

Like many of Chavez's opponents, some of whom are in jail or have fled the country, Lopez is barred as a candidate because of a government corruption probe against him.

It's a tactic critics say Chavez uses to put his opponents' political ambitions on indefinite hold as he heads into next year's congressional elections and his own re-election campaign in 2012.

SNIP

re: #123 MandyManners

Have they never heard of crayons and paper?!

GASP! You barbarian! /

re: #126 thedopefishlives

GASP! You barbarian! /

Just call me Ms. Grinch.

re: #123 MandyManners

Have they never heard of crayons and paper?!

I think that TV's with players in cars for kids was the worst idea ever!

re: #117 blueherron

Hi Ice--
Did the wedding happen yet? Sorry if I missed the latest update.

re: #120 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

She's an old married lady now!

re: #124 iceweasel

Yes-- jimmah and I just got married.

Well, Congratulations! (He says as he scratches Iceweasel off the "potential date" list.)

re: #128 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

I think that TV's with players in cars for kids was the worst idea ever!

I don't. Crayons and paper can hold attention only so long. I welcome just about anything that puts a stop to arewethereyetarewethereyetarewethereyetarewethereyetarewethereyet.

re: #124 iceweasel

Still unemployed, but I'm enjoying it more. Doing a bunch of little writing and garden-designing jobs. I make enough to feel comfortable donating to LGF. It's been fun watching the whole tenor of LGF change over the past year, due in no small part to you and Jimmah.
Fairytale of New York is my favorite Christmas song. Hard to do carolling though.
Thanks for bringing me up to date. The video was touching and something you'll want to share with your children's children. Have a wonderful new year and a wonderful new life!

re: #130 MandyManners

I don't. Crayons and paper can hold attention only so long. I welcome just about anything that puts a stop to arewethereyetarewethereyetarewethereyetarewetherey etarewethereyet.

I agree. I do, however, also think that movies, TV, and computers are being overused by a lot of parents to get their kids to shut up, when more creative outlets should be explored first.

Atlanta has a fabulous Fox Theatre that was saved. It is a great treasure for the city.

Authorities are hunting an apparent serial arsonist suspected of setting about a dozen fires within a half-mile radius near downtown Northampton yesterday morning, killing a father and son trapped inside their Fair Street home.

Investigators say someone torched at least two homes, a shed and garage, as well as numerous cars early yesterday - and although it was difficult to pinpoint when the fires were set, almost all 911 calls came between 2 and 3:15 a.m.

A father and son living at 17 Fair St. were killed after being trapped in their fully engulfed home, where two women were able to escape. Relatives and neighbors identified the victims as Paul Yeskie and Paul Yeskie Jr.

SNIP

When the kidlets were smaller we used to load up a cooler with snacks, pack blankets and stuffed animals and as many books as the kids could carry for long trips. We also played silly car games and made stops every few hours to get a treat.

Even today I hate the highway and would rather take back roads. Now that they are older they are great travelers who enjoy the scenic route.

re: #131 blueherron

It's been fun watching the whole tenor of LGF change over the past year, due in no small part to you and Jimmah.

Suck Up!!

/

re: #132 thedopefishlives

I agree. I do, however, also think that movies, TV, and computers are being overused by a lot of parents to get their kids to shut up, when more creative outlets should be explored first.

In an airplane, I think that anything within reason should be used to occupy a child's mind and time. Flying is stressful enough without having little terrors screaming down the aisles.

re: #129 SteveC

Well, Congratulations! (He says as he scratches Iceweasel off the "potential date" list.)

Aw heck. :( I'm a lib, let's face it I was never on your date list. :-(

On the other hand, I do have a sister who is single, younger than me, very pretty, smart as a whip AND...she's conservative. Just sayin'!

re: #124 iceweasel

Hey bh! How ARE you? How's the work situation and how are you feeling?

Yes-- jimmah and I just got married.

We even have a video.

Here's a happy Xmas song, one of my faves and appropriate:

[Video]

best wishes to you and here's hoping the new year brings you all your heart's desires too. :)

Congratulations to a couple of cool cats :)

I don't get the whole "my kid is being creative" or "he's got ADHD" so he can't sit still thing.

Yes some kids are easier to maintain than others but kids were made to sit still and pay attention for 100s of years before we discovered that 51% of them had behavioral disorders.

I have sympathy for parents who have difficult children but ultimately it is a condition that needs to be managed not an excuse for abdicating parental responsibility.

re: #133 DaddyG

Atlanta has a fabulous Fox Theatre that was saved. It is a great treasure for the city.

Detroit did them same for their Fox theater some years ago...probably the jewel of the city for them...quite the show palace

re: #137 MandyManners

In an airplane, I think that anything within reason should be used to occupy a child's mind and time. Flying is stressful enough without having little terrors screaming down the aisles.

including massive doses of sedatives (in adult and child strength)

re: #141 albusteve

Detroit did them same for their Fox theater some years ago...probably the jewel of the city for them...quite the show palace

There's a link to pictures of it, above.

At least eight anti-government protesters, including a nephew of Mir Hossein Mousavi, Iran’s opposition leader, were shot dead yesterday as the smouldering confrontation between the regime and the so-called Green Movement finally erupted.

Early reports put the number of dead at five, but as clashes continued late into the night, Iranian state television reported that the number of dead had risen. A report on the website of state television put the number of dead as high as 15 and quoted the Ministry of Intelligence that more than 10 were members of "anti-revolutionary terrorist" groups.

The other five who reportedly died during the bitter clashes in the Iranian capital were killed by "terrorist groups," Iranian TV claimed.

SNIP

re: #136 Ericus58

Suck Up!!

/

Hey...
I need the dings. (For a while I was in SpaceJesus-karma-territory because I voted for Obama and admitted it.)

re: #142 SteveC

including massive doses of sedatives (in adult and child strength)

We were not above using benadril for cranky teething babies when we travelled. It backfired with one of my children. He reacted to the stuff by getting wired and talking incessantly. He and I were the only one's awake for about a 6 hour drive one time. When my wife woke up I was nearly insane from his non-stop chattering.

re: #140 DaddyG

I don't get the whole "my kid is being creative" or "he's got ADHD" so he can't sit still thing.

"I had ADHD growing up. That's what they call it now. My mom always called it BRAT.

And I was something else, drove my parents crazy. Every night, my dad would come into my room and sit on my bed, and he would say `Mark, one day you are going to do wonderful things for the Lord. But until then, take this pill!'" - Mark Lowry

re: #137 MandyManners

In an airplane, I think that anything within reason should be used to occupy a child's mind and time. Flying is stressful enough without having little terrors screaming down the aisles.

Yes, yes indeed. Sometimes I dread flying home for the holidays, wondering how many screaming children I'm going to have to endure. (This year was not so bad, as compared to previous years. Chalk it up to the nonstop.)

re: #140 DaddyG

I don't get the whole "my kid is being creative" or "he's got ADHD" so he can't sit still thing.

Yes some kids are easier to maintain than others but kids were made to sit still and pay attention for 100s of years before we discovered that 51% of them had behavioral disorders.

I have sympathy for parents who have difficult children but ultimately it is a condition that needs to be managed not an excuse for abdicating parental responsibility.

As the mother of a child with off-the-chart ADHD, I have devoted my life to helping him get control over his disorder. It takes hard work and a lot of money to manage this condition. It's not a matter of disciplining him to calm him down any more than it's a matter of disciplinng a child with diabetes. It's a real medical problem.

During the first presidential debate on Sept. 26, 2008, Barack Obama made a brilliant political move when he co-opted John McCain's Earmark Issue. He said he stopped requesting earmarks as a senator and that he shared McCain's desire for earmark reform and the elimination of wasteful projects.
Obama replied, "John, nobody is denying that $18 billion is important. And, absolutely, we need earmark reform . And when I'm president, I will go line by line to make sure that we are not spending money unwisely."

you just can't trust anybody anymore...another empty promise from another empty suit

[Link: yidwithlid.blogspot.com...]

re: #145 blueherron

Happy New Year, a ding for you.

I won't hold your vote against ya, He charmed many ;)

re: #142 SteveC

including massive doses of sedatives (in adult and child strength)

Perhaps.

re: #130 MandyManners

Oh, you big baby!

re: #147 SteveC
Heh. From the families I know who's kids have behavioral problems the new drugs are miraculous. In our family we have a propensity to develop depression during adolescence so our doctor is ready to prescribe some low level anti-depressents that make all the difference between struggling to get through the day and thriving.

I also think we coop kids us inside too much these days and don't let them get the physical outlets we used to. Something stinks when an Eagle Scout gets arrested for having woods tools in his trunk but we allow virtual shut-ins to create virtual lives more real than the world outside their door- then we wonder why they plot to blow up their school.

re: #148 thedopefishlives

Yes, yes indeed. Sometimes I dread flying home for the holidays, wondering how many screaming children I'm going to have to endure. (This year was not so bad, as compared to previous years. Chalk it up to the nonstop.)

I partly blame the airlines. How hard would it be to offer a list of things parents can do to help their kids endure the painful changes in altitude or the monotomy of a long flight? Sometimes even the best parents need a little help.

re: #153 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

Oh, you big baby!

The first time The Kid did that to me, he did it on purpose. I cranked up the radio and ignored him.

re: #143 SixDegrees

There's a link to pictures of it, above.

I've been there, thanks...mighty fine preservation job...my home town, Kalamazoo, has their own, much smaller State Theater which is also renowned...and Albuquerque has the famed Kimo Theater, all of which are spectaular examples of their design...I love that stuff...keeping old buildings around and using them...Denver has preserved tons of their old buildings, but old theaters are special for their gawdy glitter

re: #151 Ericus58

Happy New Year, a ding for you.

I won't hold your vote against ya, He charmed many ;)

I'd ding you right back. But my dinging rights have been revoked.

re: #149 MandyManners

I don't doubt that there are kids with a real medical issue that need help getting control of their focus. I do think that ADD, ADHD, et al., are way over-diagnosed as a way to give parents an easy out to controlling their kids by prescribing a pill. The trouble is, how EXACTLY does one define the difference between a normal kid and a kid who has a legitimate disorder?

re: #149 MandyManners

As the mother of a child with off-the-chart ADHD, I have devoted my life to helping him get control over his disorder. It takes hard work and a lot of money to manage this condition. It's not a matter of disciplining him to calm him down any more than it's a matter of disciplinng a child with diabetes. It's a real medical problem.

Please don't get me wrong. The whole point is you are managing his condition and working with him. It is evident from your discussions that you are an engaged and active parent.

What I have a problem with is the "there is nothing we can do" response from parents who don't even spend time with the little ones. The mother of one of my Scouts refused to administer medication of any type to her kids and then refused to discipline them (even within what they could tolerate) because she wante them to be "creative adults". That is the kind of situation I have trouble with.

I should have been more clear about that.

re: #155 MandyManners

I partly blame the airlines. How hard would it be to offer a list of things parents can do to help their kids endure the painful changes in altitude or the monotomy of a long flight? Sometimes even the best parents need a little help.

Chewing gum as the plane ascends/descends always keeps me from getting an altitude headache. An airline that gave out small pieces of gum free to children would make a lot of friends!

re: #158 blueherron

I feel ya, One ding at a time ;)

re: #155 MandyManners

I partly blame the airlines. How hard would it be to offer a list of things parents can do to help their kids endure the painful changes in altitude or the monotomy of a long flight? Sometimes even the best parents need a little help.

Flying with kids is the suckiest of a sucky experience. This is why Zedushka and I will fly everywhere to see our grandkids, so that their parents don't have to endure the flight to come and see us.

About a year and a half ago we were on a Lufthansa flight from Detroit to Frankfurt (first leg of a trip to Israel) which had on board a large extended Yemenite family that was booked through to Sanaa. The plane was a bit late getting out of the gate because this family kept passing kids from row to row.

I don't think they were terrorists, but I did suspect that they had more kids than they purchased tickets for.

re: #158 blueherron

I'd ding you right back. But my dinging rights have been revoked.

You're only ten away. :) We can fix that this morning, if you wanted!

re: #155 MandyManners

I partly blame the airlines. How hard would it be to offer a list of things parents can do to help their kids endure the painful changes in altitude or the monotomy of a long flight? Sometimes even the best parents need a little help.

From your keyboard to airline executives eyes! A family friendly position could make a good niche for a Florida or California bound air carrier.

Greets and saluts from the NYC metro area. The days of discontent in Iran are increasingly marked with violence, even as it occurs during Ashura. The regime is again cracking down against the protesters and murdering the nephew of Mousavi (and then preventing the family from burying the body) is likely to provoke still more demonstrations against the regime.

This evil regime must fall, and their thuggish tactics during Ashura is leading many who weren't originally receptive to the opposition to reconsider their position.

Meanwhile, DHS Janet Napolitano admits that they screwed up; it was a quick thinking passenger who staved off disaster on Christmas when Mutallab tried to blow up the airplane with explosives sown into his underwear. He wasn't put on a list for closer scrutiny even when his own father alerted authorities that he was up to no good.

Security is only as good as the least vigilant among us; thankfully a passenger decided to act where the government didn't.

Efforts to improve screening at airport to include full body scanners of a type that could detect those explosives used by Mutallab have been opposed by civil libertarians and privacy groups, claiming that they somehow would deprive someone of their privacy. Mind you that these scanners are less invasive than a hand-pat down and more thorough at the same time; it's not quite the Total Recall scanning, but it comes close.

re: #159 thedopefishlives

I don't doubt that there are kids with a real medical issue that need help getting control of their focus. I do think that ADD, ADHD, et al., are way over-diagnosed as a way to give parents an easy out to controlling their kids by prescribing a pill. The trouble is, how EXACTLY does one define the difference between a normal kid and a kid who has a legitimate disorder?

Our process involved an interview/questionnaire with his teacher and a lengthy interview/questionnaire with me and The Kid. Well, it was more involved than it sounds--I didn't rush off to get him diagnosed and drugged.

Is this the photo that could have changed history? 'JFK' pictured surrounded by naked woman on boating trip

Read more: [Link: www.dailymail.co.uk...]

re: #165 DaddyG

From your keyboard to airline executives eyes! A family friendly position could make a good niche for a Florida or California bound air carrier.

An idea? Drag a school bus behind the plane with the kids inside.

Good Morning LGF.
What's shakin'?

re: #161 SteveC

Chewing gum as the plane ascends/descends always keeps me from getting an altitude headache. An airline that gave out small pieces of gum free to children would make a lot of friends!

Babies don't chew gum. Do airlines tell parents to give the baby a bottle/breastfeed during those times?

re: #159 thedopefishlives

I don't doubt that there are kids with a real medical issue that need help getting control of their focus. I do think that ADD, ADHD, et al., are way over-diagnosed as a way to give parents an easy out to controlling their kids by prescribing a pill. The trouble is, how EXACTLY does one define the difference between a normal kid and a kid who has a legitimate disorder?

Tough call. Despite my frustration with some parents I still believe that the parents are the ones to make the call on how much behavioral vs. medical help is needed. The new medicines are wonderful but not a panacea.

re: #167 MandyManners

Our process involved an interview/questionnaire with his teacher and a lengthy interview/questionnaire with me and The Kid. Well, it was more involved than it sounds--I didn't rush off to get him diagnosed and drugged.

That's good. It shows that you put time and thought into working with The Kid. As DaddyG said upthread, it's the parents who adopt the whole "We don't want to stifle our kid by controlling them" line that bug me. That, or the ones that DO rush off to get a quick diagnosis and pills rather than taking the time to get to know their child and understand whether they need the medicine or not.

re: #163 Alouette

Flying with kids is the suckiest of a sucky experience. This is why Zedushka and I will fly everywhere to see our grandkids, so that their parents don't have to endure the flight to come and see us.

About a year and a half ago we were on a Lufthansa flight from Detroit to Frankfurt (first leg of a trip to Israel) which had on board a large extended Yemenite family that was booked through to Sanaa. The plane was a bit late getting out of the gate because this family kept passing kids from row to row.

I don't think they were terrorists, but I did suspect that they had more kids than they purchased tickets for.

How did they get the extras on board?

re: #168 albusteve

Is this the photo that could have changed history? 'JFK' pictured surrounded by naked woman on boating trip

Read more: [Link: www.dailymail.co.uk...]

Sorry...The page you have requested does not exist or is no longer available

re: #165 DaddyG

From your keyboard to airline executives eyes! A family friendly position could make a good niche for a Florida or California bound air carrier.

It would be great if Disney had a link to something about it.

re: #164 iceweasel

You're only ten away. :) We can fix that this morning, if you wanted!

OK. I'm ready to get at least half way there, with five. I've got a friend coming over to walk the cobblestone streets of fells point (where I live) this morning and I've been spiking my coffee with Bushmills...so, god knows, I'm talkative.

re: #164 iceweasel

You're only ten away. :) We can fix that this morning, if you wanted!

Oh boohoo, Matrix is about and downdinging innocuous comments by people he doesn't like, as usual.

lol.
What's up, Matrix? Why the downdinging for people who are encouraging new people to post?

terrorism myth buster...
[Link: jewishworldreview.com...]

re: #155 MandyManners

I partly blame the airlines. How hard would it be to offer a list of things parents can do to help their kids endure the painful changes in altitude or the monotomy of a long flight? Sometimes even the best parents need a little help.

A long time ago, airlines used to keep crayons and paper handy for children; some had pre-printed placemats with pictures to color and/or games to play.

I suppose some kid, somewhere, tried to eat a crayon once, gagged a little, and the airlines removed them for fear of lawsuits or something.

On a recent flight, I spent five solid hours with the little bastard seated behind me constantly kicking the back of my seat, even after I asked him (and his mom) to stop. It was like Chinese water torture, and by the end of the flight I probably would have amputated his foot if they still allowed knives on board. Mom fell asleep after our brief interchange, aided by an ample dose of booze, and was dead to the world for the entire flight.

I considered dumping a drink on him, or maybe duct-taping his little legs to his seat frame, but decided to just sit there and take it, confining my revenge to punitive glaring during deplaning.

When my kids were small, I always sat 'em down before flights (or car trips) and had a little chat about the proper way to behave under such circumstances. We always brought story books, coloring supplies and simple games in case things started getting out of hand, but never really had a problem. Funny how, if you treat kids like they're mature enough to follow instructions and lay things out for them, they'll often live up to your expectations.

re: #166 lawhawk

Efforts to improve screening at airport to include full body scanners of a type that could detect those explosives used by Mutallab have been opposed by civil libertarians and privacy groups, claiming that they somehow would deprive someone of their privacy. Mind you that these scanners are less invasive than a hand-pat down and more thorough at the same time; it's not quite the Total Recall scanning, but it comes close.

Has anyone ever figured out if those Full body scanners create magnetic waves? That would make things a lot faster, and I'd be willing to use one, but pacemakers and magnets do not get along.

re: #179 albusteve

(pssst. Cowboys!)

re: #173 thedopefishlives

That's good. It shows that you put time and thought into working with The Kid. As DaddyG said upthread, it's the parents who adopt the whole "We don't want to stifle our kid by controlling them" line that bug me. That, or the ones that DO rush off to get a quick diagnosis and pills rather than taking the time to get to know their child and understand whether they need the medicine or not.

I don't medicate The Kid during holidays or on weekends but, there are times I'm tempted.

re: #171 MandyManners

Babies don't chew gum. Do airlines tell parents to give the baby a bottle/breastfeed during those times?

Works for me...

re: #177 blueherron

OK. I'm ready to get at least half way there, with five. I've got a friend coming over to walk the cobblestone streets of fells point (where I live) this morning and I've been spiking my coffee with Bushmills...so, god knows, I'm talkative.

Whoa, really? I LOVE bushmills! Where are you going today?

re: #175 sattv4u2

"There are numerous articles and books on President John F. Kennedy which mention a 2-week, Mediterranean boating trip that JFK -- then a Senator -- took in August, 1956, with his brother Ted Kennedy and Senator George Smathers. The trio reportedly entertained a number of women on the yacht. Jackie Kennedy was pregnant at the time and was rushed to the hospital while JFK was on the boat. Doctors performed an emergency C-section, but the infant was stillborn."

re: #183 MandyManners

I don't medicate The Kid during holidays or on weekends but, there are times I'm tempted.

Aren't we all sometimes. I imagine I'll be saying the same thing in a few years when the Mrs. Fish and I start having hatchlings of our own.

re: #180 SixDegrees

A long time ago, airlines used to keep crayons and paper handy for children; some had pre-printed placemats with pictures to color and/or games to play.

I suppose some kid, somewhere, tried to eat a crayon once, gagged a little, and the airlines removed them for fear of lawsuits or something.

On a recent flight, I spent five solid hours with the little bastard seated behind me constantly kicking the back of my seat, even after I asked him (and his mom) to stop. It was like Chinese water torture, and by the end of the flight I probably would have amputated his foot if they still allowed knives on board. Mom fell asleep after our brief interchange, aided by an ample dose of booze, and was dead to the world for the entire flight.

I considered dumping a drink on him, or maybe duct-taping his little legs to his seat frame, but decided to just sit there and take it, confining my revenge to punitive glaring during deplaning.

When my kids were small, I always sat 'em down before flights (or car trips) and had a little chat about the proper way to behave under such circumstances. We always brought story books, coloring supplies and simple games in case things started getting out of hand, but never really had a problem. Funny how, if you treat kids like they're mature enough to follow instructions and lay things out for them, they'll often live up to your expectations.

Why didn't you get a flight attendant involved?!

re: #171 MandyManners

Babies don't chew gum. Do airlines tell parents to give the baby a bottle/breastfeed during those times?

I've had an earache during a plane descent before. Not even a breast could have comforted me at that time. Sometimes babies are gonna cry and the adults need to suck it up.

re: #178 iceweasel

That guy used to downding anything and everything before he got his privileges taken away.

re: #184 Spare O'Lake

Works for me...

*snicker*

re: #174 MandyManners

How did they get the extras on board?

Every female had a child in arms (including children who were well able to walk by themselves). Then once on board the plane they kept passing the kids back and forth over the rows of seats so the flight attendants could not get an accurate count.

It was obviously some kind of scam but finally everyone was seated and the plane took off.

re: #178 iceweasel

Oh boohoo, Matrix is about and downdinging innocuous comments by people he doesn't like, as usual.

lol.
What's up, Matrix? Why the downdinging for people who are encouraging new people to post?

Gee I didn't realize we had the Emily Post of downdinging here today.

re: #159 thedopefishlives

I don't doubt that there are kids with a real medical issue that need help getting control of their focus. I do think that ADD, ADHD, et al., are way over-diagnosed as a way to give parents an easy out to controlling their kids by prescribing a pill. The trouble is, how EXACTLY does one define the difference between a normal kid and a kid who has a legitimate disorder?

I think the problem is more that there are parents who, when confronted with their children's unruly behavior, simply reach for the "Oh, he has ADD" excuse; some probably do it often enough that they start to believe it themselves, without ever consulting with a doctor. It's easier than accepting responsibility for your children's behavior.

That said, I do realize that there are plenty of legitimate cases of these disorders. But they've also become a handy excuse.

re: #186 Ericus58

Thanks, but to albusteves point, it wouldn;'t have mattered, imho

Nixon knew of many of JFK's indescretions yet never once played on them nor allowed his staff too

re: #187 thedopefishlives

Aren't we all sometimes. I imagine I'll be saying the same thing in a few years when the Mrs. Fish and I start having hatchlings of our own.

No. ADHD is beyond normal rowdiness.

re: #183 MandyManners

I don't medicate The Kid during holidays or on weekends but, there are times I'm tempted.

"Are there no prisons? Are there no work houses?"

re: #189 DaddyG

I've had an earache during a plane descent before. Not even a breast could have comforted me at that time. Sometimes babies are gonna cry and the adults need to suck it up.

I'm just gonna' refrain.

re: #175 sattv4u2

Sorry...The page you have requested does not exist or is no longer available

yep...gone in a flash..I pulled it from Lucianne...showed JFK lounging on the bow of a yacht with naked girls, coming and going, even airborn toward the water while he watched smiled...the gist was that had the pic been revealed he may not have won the presidency...more Kennedy dirt

re: #176 MandyManners

It would be great if Disney had a link to something about it.

Disney retained the right to build their own airport in the Reedy Creek disctrict next to their Florida properties. They have kicked around the idea of a dedicated airport linked to their resorts by monorail to keep their guests "captive" and spending on Disney properties.

re: #192 Alouette

Every female had a child in arms (including children who were well able to walk by themselves). Then once on board the plane they kept passing the kids back and forth over the rows of seats so the flight attendants could not get an accurate count.

It was obviously some kind of scam but finally everyone was seated and the plane took off.

I have this vision of the game of hot potato running through my mind.

re: #199 albusteve

see 195

re: #197 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

"Are there no prisons? Are there no work houses?"

"Is there no lion-tamer?"

Brietbart has Janet Napolitano's latest comments up from this morning's interview. (Napolitano Interview on Today However, man are the comments sexists and abusive.

re: #188 MandyManners

Why didn't you get a flight attendant involved?!

I asked for a seat change, but none were available. I did this discretely, up in the galley, and explained why I wanted it. No luck. As far as I know, no one ever talked to mom, either.

I'm tempted to push for train travel, but Amtrak basically sucks. In the old days, faced with such a situation, you could at least wander down to the dining car and drink.

Of course, in that era such a problem wouldn't have arisen in the first place.

re: #178 iceweasel

Oh boohoo, Matrix is about and downdinging innocuous comments by people he doesn't like, as usual.

lol.
What's up, Matrix? Why the downdinging for people who are encouraging new people to post?

So now you are the ding nanny?

FYI, blueherron had the ding privileges revoked for abuse.

re: #183 MandyManners

I don't medicate The Kid during holidays or on weekends but, there are times I'm tempted.

Told ya Mandy

Send him to Uncle Sattv's Boot Camp for awhile!

:)

re: #200 DaddyG

Disney retained the right to build their own airport in the Reedy Creek disctrict next to their Florida properties. They have kicked around the idea of a dedicated airport linked to their resorts by monorail to keep their guests "captive" and spending on Disney properties.

Sounds kinda' cultish to me.

re: #195 sattv4u2

Ah, yes it was different times...

Clinton ran 32 years too late ;)

re: #185 iceweasel

Whoa, really? I LOVE bushmills! Where are you going today?

Fells Point is the old section of Baltimore. Very Picturesque without being touristy. Lots of local shops and bars--but no Gap or Banana Republic. We're also going to nearby Harbor East--formerly filled with crab-picking factories, now very ritzy (in that it has a ritz carlton and all).
Yikes, Matrix hates me and has threatened to beat me up!!! With the Bushmills in me, I say, "Bring it, you Albanian, California-hating, gun-toting, goofball."

re: #206 Alouette

So now you are the ding nanny?

FYI, blueherron had the ding privileges revoked for abuse.

"ding nanny" ,, LOL

If a ding nanny makes a noise, is it a ding dong !?!?!?!

re: #205 SixDegrees

I asked for a seat change, but none were available. I did this discretely, up in the galley, and explained why I wanted it. No luck. As far as I know, no one ever talked to mom, either.

I'm tempted to push for train travel, but Amtrak basically sucks. In the old days, faced with such a situation, you could at least wander down to the dining car and drink.

Of course, in that era such a problem wouldn't have arisen in the first place.

I would've called the FA to my seat and stood up, raising my voice ever-so-slightly as I explained the problem.

re: #182 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

(pssst. Cowboys!)

their offense sucked...but a shutout on the road was groovy eh?...next up, the hated Eagles...I hate the Eagles, if hate where a country, I'd be China

re: #200 DaddyG

Disney retained the right to build their own airport in the Reedy Creek disctrict next to their Florida properties. They have kicked around the idea of a dedicated airport linked to their resorts by monorail to keep their guests "captive" and spending on Disney properties.

Disney is a people trap run by a mouse!

re: #171 MandyManners

Babies don't chew gum. Do airlines tell parents to give the baby a bottle/breastfeed during those times?

Crying babies don't really bother me. It's children who are old enough to follow instructions - but who aren't given any - that grind my ass.

Ultimately, I blame the parents in the latter case. Three and below, generally, they get a pass.

re: #207 sattv4u2

Told ya Mandy

Send him to Uncle Sattv's Boot Camp for awhile!

:)

Do you have a will prepared? A shrink on speed-dial?

My "kid" flying story.

Was a super nice guy once and offered the open seat beside me to a family that had five crammed into three seats beside me. Kid moved beside me and started to talk. I told the kid (very politely, mind you) that I am hard of hearing and won't be able to hear him if he speaks to me (70% truth).

Kid pulled out his gameboy, with the sound turned up... played it all the way through the four hour flight. Drove me fuckin' nuts... but now? I had played my card.

re: #210 blueherron

Albanian?

re: #206 Alouette

So now you are the ding nanny?

FYI, blueherron had the ding privileges revoked for abuse.

Here's to a new year in which change is possible.

re: #215 SixDegrees

Crying babies don't really bother me. It's children who are old enough to follow instructions - but who aren't given any - that grind my ass.

Ultimately, I blame the parents in the latter case. Three and below, generally, they get a pass.

Ah, Special Snowflakes and their Spawn.

re: #216 MandyManners

Do you have a will prepared? A shrink on speed-dial?

Nope, but I do have a 15 year old male that's a graduate!

Gotta run. It's starting to feel like I may have another root canal in my future, and I've got an emergency appointment with the dentist for verification.

BBL

re: #220 MandyManners

Ah, Special Snowflakes and their Spawn.

Indeed. The Entitlement Generation, all grown up and reproducing.

re: #221 sattv4u2

Nope, but I do have a 15 year old male that's a graduate!

I've briefly entertained the idea of adopting a teen.

re: #222 SixDegrees

Gotta run. It's starting to feel like I may have another root canal in my future, and I've got an emergency appointment with the dentist for verification.

BBL

Ouch. Good luck!

re: #223 thedopefishlives

Indeed. The Entitlement Generation, all grown up and reproducing.

Boomers/Yuppies and their children who are now having children.

re: #210 blueherron

Yikes, Matrix hates me and has threatened to beat me up!!! With the Bushmills in me, I say, "Bring it, you Albanian, California-hating, gun-toting, goofball."

After that, I may threaten too also!!

//

re: #211 sattv4u2

"ding nanny" ,, LOL

If a ding nanny makes a noise, is it a ding dong !?!?!?!

some people are just infatuated with their popularity...how vain can you get on a frikken news blog

re: #194 SixDegrees

I think the problem is more that there are parents who, when confronted with their children's unruly behavior, simply reach for the "Oh, he has ADD" excuse; some probably do it often enough that they start to believe it themselves, without ever consulting with a doctor. It's easier than accepting responsibility for your children's behavior.

That said, I do realize that there are plenty of legitimate cases of these disorders. But they've also become a handy excuse.

Yup. Its a babysitter in pill form. When I was student teaching in the early 90s I was shocked to see all of the kids lined up at the nurses office to receive their lunchtime dose of ritalin.

Overdiagnising behavioral disorders because teachers don't know how to keep kids engaged or because there are just too many kids per classroom is a problem. It also doesn't help those kids who really need help balancing their brain chemistry or special support in the classroom.

re: #218 TheMatrix31

Albanian?

You from St. Albans?

re: #205 SixDegrees

I asked for a seat change, but none were available. I did this discretely, up in the galley, and explained why I wanted it. No luck. As far as I know, no one ever talked to mom, either.

I'm tempted to push for train travel, but Amtrak basically sucks. In the old days, faced with such a situation, you could at least wander down to the dining car and drink.

Of course, in that era such a problem wouldn't have arisen in the first place.

Since I am tall and barely fit into coach class seats, I have a little trick if I have a child sitting either in front of me or behind me. I pay them. If the child is in front they tend to send the seat back and forth innumerable times and if behind they tend to kick. So before the plane taxis and with the parents permission, I offer the child 5 bucks to not do either. Works every time.

re: #224 MandyManners

I've briefly entertained the idea of adopting a teen.

Seriously, have you ever looked into a Big Brother program? Someone (older) who can take the kid for a day here and there and just run him ragged!?

re: #210 blueherron

Fells Point is the old section of Baltimore. Very Picturesque without being touristy. Lots of local shops and bars--but no Gap or Banana Republic. We're also going to nearby Harbor East--formerly filled with crab-picking factories, now very ritzy (in that it has a ritz carlton and all).
Yikes, Matrix hates me and has threatened to beat me up!!! With the Bushmills in me, I say, "Bring it, you Albanian, California-hating, gun-toting, goofball."

Nice! I'm missing it! Would like to take Jimmah to some decent crab places here before we leave.

Don't worry about Matrix. He's a pathetic bitter shit who recently has lurked about not commenting and downdinging everything he can, even comments as innocuous as "hi everyone!".
loving your bushmill's incited verbosity, hee. More, more!

Busmills and coffee and sugar. Ahhh...

re: #231 Big Steve

A well spent five bucks if I do say so myself.

re: #222 SixDegrees

Gotta run. It's starting to feel like I may have another root canal in my future, and I've got an emergency appointment with the dentist for verification.

BBL

Ahhh! Root Canal! *Shudder*

Obligatory:

CJ: We neep sum un to do da beefin. Denfist gabe me a woot canal.

Josh: Say What?

CJ: A woot canal.

Josh: I don't understand...?

CJ: A WOOT CANAL!

Josh: Oh, I heard you the first time. I just think people sound so funny when they come back from the dentis.

re: #230 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

Apparently I'm Albanian now. That's going to piss my parents off.

re: #206 Alouette

No I didn't. Charles just made a new rule where you had to have 50 comments to post. In fact, he wanted me to post more frequently.

re: #208 MandyManners

Sounds kinda' cultish to me.

Wear the ears. Love the ears.

re: #233 iceweasel

A little less on the Bushmills... I'm just sayin' ;)

re: #206 Alouette

So now you are the ding nanny?

FYI, blueherron had the ding privileges revoked for abuse.

Oh yeah?

Please link to the post by Charles saying "blueherron lost his dinging privileges for abuse". Thank you so much.

Terror suspect's family sought, got no help

Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab's father talked to Nigerian security agencies two months ago and a month later to foreign security agencies about his concerns that his son had disappeared and ceased contact with the family, the family said in a statement. U.S. authorities said that in November, Abdulmutallab's father visited the U.S. embassy in Abuja, Nigeria, to discuss his concerns about his son's religious beliefs.

Abdulmutallab told U.S. officials who arrested him on the Detroit-bound airliner that he had sought extremist training at an Islamist hotbed in Yemen.

The family said the father had gone to authorities to ask them to bring his 23-year-old son home. "We provided them with all the information required of us to enable them do this," the family statement said, without elaborating.

re: #236 TheMatrix31

Apparently I'm Albanian now. That's going to piss my parents off.

Actually, only one will be pissed off...!

re: #221 sattv4u2

Nope, but I do have a 15 year old male that's a graduate!

Did you say you have a 15 year old?
Well all I can say is "Please fasten your seatbelt, you are about to experience a prolonged period of turbulence".
Enjoy!

re: #236 TheMatrix31

Apparently I'm Albanian now. That's going to piss my parents off.

Early 80's there was an AIDS joke (not as funny now because of the elapsed time) I heard it from a gay friend of mine who had AIDS.

"Now I have to convince my parents that I am Haitian."

re: #233 iceweasel

loving your bushmill's incited verbosity,

It's been my experience lo these many decades of drinking that liquor induced inciteful verbosity never ends well for the imbiber!

just sayin!

re: #224 MandyManners

I've briefly entertained the idea of adopting a teen.

That is a whole nother set of challenges. Worthwhile to endure, but you will probably prefer experiencing it with your own.

One reason I love Scouts is that when done right you can't tell the ADHD kids from the others during outdoor activities. You just have to keep them busy. Some rope, a few logs and a creek can keep active boys very busy for a long time.

re: #237 blueherron

No I didn't. Charles just made a new rule where you had to have 50 comments to post. In fact, he wanted me to post more frequently.

Exactly. Some assholes are now lying and claiming you 'lost your dinging privlege' due to abuse.

Newsflash, haters: blueherron updinged and downdinged equally. Wingnuts wept over it. GET A CLUE: the rule was instituted to stop sockpuppets of wingnuts who downdinged libs and Charles and any one they didn't like-- and to encourage people like bh to participate more.

You know, smart lib new commenters that wingnuts piled on and tried to intimidate into not commenting at all, ever? yeah, that.

Russia has warned the European Union of oil supply cuts because of a fresh row between Moscow and Kiev, the Slovak government said on Monday, hours after Russia played down worries about a new gas row with Ukraine.

The Slovak Economy Ministry said Russia has warned the European Union that Slovakia, Hungary and the Czech Republic could experience oil supply cuts. A European Union source said oil stocks in those countries were adequate to withstand cuts.

Europe, which receives the lion's share of its oil and gas needs from Russia, closely tracks Russian disputes with its neighbors after EU gas supplies were cut in the dead of winter in 2006 and 2009 due to disputes between Moscow and Kiev.

Another key transit state, Belarus, cut Russian oil flows to Europe via the Druzhba pipeline in January 2007, also due to a pricing row, which further undermined the image of Russia, the world's top oil and gas producer, as a reliable energy supplier.

The earlier cuts occurred amid strained political relations between Moscow and its neighbors. Ukraine will hold a presidential election in January and analysts have said that if a relatively pro-Russian leader is elected, Moscow is likely to take a more accommodating stance in future energy negotiations.

SNIP

re: #232 sattv4u2

Seriously, have you ever looked into a Big Brother program? Someone (older) who can take the kid for a day here and there and just run him ragged!?

We don't have such things here. Any way, that's my job.

re: #247 Sharmuta

What a great song. Upding!