No one knew why the ocean decided to come no closer than the fence,
But the sidewalk was happy.

Speaking of happy, two more days until a happy new year!

Another lovely vista. Hello lizards. :)

Waves lap.
Ever evanescent expressions
lap, lap, lap
against my soul.

Ripples speak
against interceding pressures
called by nature
intersecting with
pulsations given
by god.

Poetic expressions
expressed
say more
than anything contemplated
not so completely.

(I'm a poetic type)
G'nite all.

Hey I'm home on vacation-I can stay up late for FENCE. Nice shot, love the forced perspective.

The decade according to 9-year-olds

Hack of a waste of good timber if you ask me, which nobody has...

A critical mass of stupidity. I'm amazed CNN didn't implode. Must be because they weren't all in the same room.

Watch from 5:00 on.

Paul: They're terrorist because we're occupiers.

Ben Stein: That's the same anti-Semitic argument we've heard over and over.

Sheila Jackson Lee: It's sort of Bush's fault.

May it stretch from sea to shining sea...

/

re: #7 HelloDare

A critical mass of stupidity. I'm amazed CNN didn't implode. Must be because they weren't all in the same room.

Watch from 5:00 on.

[Video]Paul: They're terrorist because we're occupiers.

Ben Stein: That's the same anti-Semitic argument we've heard over and over.

Sheila Jackson Lee: It's sort of Bush's fault.

The Wingularity and the Moonbat Black Hole collided and formed a void from which no sanity could escape.

re: #8 ralphieboy

May it stretch from sea to shining sea...

/

Along the US-Mexico border, I presume?

I recently re-watched it and was absolutely appalled. To start with, the whole thing is based on Greek mythology, with Ariel's father King Triton based on Triton, a Greek god. Why should any Christian child watch a movie with a 'good' character who is based on a demonic being?

(On "The Little Mermaid")

Then, there's the insane take on "Lilo and Stitch":

First of all from the movie previews I thought this would be a movie about a loveable little alien. I was immediately caught off guard by the way the movie started a mad scientist playing God creates a diabolical Misfit, experiment 626 or 6(66) deliberately pronounced six two six. From a christian perspective this immediately put me on High alert. Six two six, soul purpose is to destroy. Sounds like the AntiChrist to me. I am extremely offended by anyone altering or the cloning of cells and the reference to 6(66) appalls me. The movie is almost appears to me a forefront to the actual appearance of the antichrist and through its deceptive analogy. Leads us the viewers that something created to be devious can turn out to be good and That modify the gene pool is okay. I believe that these people who write and produce these movies are in league with the devil and are subtly trying to change the way we are influenced and think.

Some serious thoughts:

"If we all came from a "common ancestor", why would you choose to evolve into a monkey instead of going for the top of the food chain?"

They got movie issues:

I do not personally recommend “The Princess and the Frog.” Practicing any sort of occultic magic is directly against God and is labeled as an abomination throughout Scripture. This movie displays that voodoo magicians hold all the power of both good and evil. A PG rating would have been more appropriate; I strongly advise that younger, undiscerning children not be allowed to see it. For older children, however, “The Princess and the Frog” might serve as an platform for parents to discuss with their children the real existence of occult practices and how to identify them.

re: #14 SanFranciscoZionist

They got movie issues:

And musical instruments:

With all the many references to musical instruments, there is one instrument that is NEVER mentioned! The DRUM! Why is that? The drum was a very common instrument in Egypt and the lands around Israel. And yet the DRUM is NEVER mentioned in a King James Bible.

Did the Lord just forget to include the DRUM or is there another reason?

Is it because — drums are associated with voodoo, shamanism, paganism and magic rituals?

…

When the first blacks from Africa were converted to Christianity they knew the power and evil influence of DRUMS. And the converted blacks strictly forbid the use of drums! They referred to the drums as "the Devil's drum".

…

One simple guideline for Christian music is NO DRUMS!

The comments are funny as well, in a different way.

626, 666, whatever it takes.

re: #16 Girth

626, 666, whatever it takes.

Sounds like the model numbers for Mazda.

Drums...rhythm...we all know where that leads...

re: #18 Girth

Drums...rhythm...we all know where that leads...

Well, you know, the Mennonites discourage their young people from having sex, because all that rhythm might lead to dancing.

/

re: #18 Girth

Masturbating with stolen cheese? What, just me?

"Hitler practiced the theory of evolution; any evolutionist who does not support Hitler may be morally admirable but lacks the courage of their convictions."

I'm sure this makes sense, somehow.

Another appeal to the virtue of ignorance:

I have posted about this before. We have to start standing up and making sure NO tax dollars are used to fund science designed to refute the beliefs of the Christian majority. It is a waste of time and money.

There is really ONLY one logical explanation for the origin of complex, functionally specified, digitized genetic information. GOD CREATED IT — in SIX DAYS when He created the universe. Any other explanation can be torn apart.

It really irks me to know that a lot of tax dollars are wasted in places like government universities on efforts to explain “the origins of life” and the nature of the universe. It’s all there in Genesis — NO CHARGE! Just read what God has to say. God does not lie. So, why waste resources to “prove” that God’s Holy Word is false? It’s offensive that anyone would even try — let alone do that with MY money.

It is not just evolution we need to take out of schools. We need to address the whole scientific culture that says that we must “seek answers” to questions that we already KNOW the answer to. The only possible motive for that is the promotion of a deeply atheistic agenda.

The comments are actually early and often:

#1077777
ladybugny

Psalm 149:

" Praise ye the LORD.
Sing unto the LORD a new song,
and his praise in the congregation of saints.
2 Let Israel rejoice in him that made him:
let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.
3 Let them praise his name in the dance:
let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp."

The dictionary defines "timbrel" as a "small drum or tamborine".

Up yours, Terry.

12/23/2009 8:24:59 AM
#1077783
Mister Spak

The bible doesn't mention the synthesizer either. Or the piano. Or the wurlitzer. Or the internet, so get off it.

12/23/2009 8:35:10 AM

OK, we have a winner:

"I wish God would send me back in time so that I could drown Buddha in the Genghis River. It'd be worth it, because it would prevent him from misleading so many people into atheism."

re: #23 Girth

The comments are actually early and often:

#1077777
ladybugny

Psalm 149:

" Praise ye the LORD.
Sing unto the LORD a new song,
and his praise in the congregation of saints.
2 Let Israel rejoice in him that made him:
let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.
3 Let them praise his name in the dance:
let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp."

The dictionary defines "timbrel" as a "small drum or tamborine".

Up yours, Terry.

12/23/2009 8:24:59 AM
#1077783
Mister Spak

The bible doesn't mention the synthesizer either. Or the piano. Or the wurlitzer. Or the internet, so get off it.

12/23/2009 8:35:10 AM

Does the Bible make any mention of a tenor sax?

re: #21 SanFranciscoZionist

"Hitler practiced the theory of evolution; any evolutionist who does not support Hitler may be morally admirable but lacks the courage of their convictions."

I'm sure this makes sense, somehow.

We need to teach Venn diagrams in school. Make it happen.

Well I'm glad to see people liked the site. :)

BTW the pages will go blank tomorrow night when it rolls over to a new months archive. Weird site software set-up, at the start of each month you have blank pages until quotes get added. All the quotes on there now go into the archives...just so you know.

re: #22 Slumbering Behemoth

Another appeal to the virtue of ignorance:

It burns us...

re: #23 Girth

I'm just wondering aloud here....

I am no theologian, not by any means, but I don't recall The Bible ever being mentioned anywhere in The Bible. Holy Logical Conundrum, Batman!

re: #29 Slumbering Behemoth

I'm just wondering aloud here...

I am no theologian, not by any means, but I don't recall The Bible ever being mentioned anywhere in The Bible. Holy Logical Conundrum, Batman!

OH NO YOU DIDN'T...

re: #24 SanFranciscoZionist

OK, we have a winner:

"I wish God would send me back in time so that I could drown Buddha in the Genghis River. It'd be worth it, because it would prevent him from misleading so many people into atheism."

What a fine Chrisrian attitude, murder is ok, as long as it is in a good cause...NOT. Sigh...when the churches got into politics and stopped really teaching religion this is what we ended up with. :(

re: #27 ausador

Thanks for the link, BTW. I am sure it will provide smart-asses like myself with plenty of laughs.

re: #24 SanFranciscoZionist

OK, we have a winner:

"I wish God would send me back in time so that I could drown Buddha in the Genghis River. It'd be worth it, because it would prevent him from misleading so many people into atheism."

I wonder if this person knows the saying about killing the Buddha if you meet him on the road...

re: #29 Slumbering Behemoth

I'm just wondering aloud here...

I am no theologian, not by any means, but I don't recall The Bible ever being mentioned anywhere in The Bible. Holy Logical Conundrum, Batman!

A great number of things are not mentioned in the Bible. Tube socks, for example. Or kiwi fruit. Mysteriously, only some of these omissions are seen as deeply significant by modern interpreters.

re: #34 SanFranciscoZionist

A great number of things are not mentioned in the Bible. Tube socks, for example. Or kiwi fruit. Mysteriously, only some of these omissions are seen as deeply significant by modern interpreters.

Although I did once see an Ethiopian Jewish comedian get a great laugh when he mentioned to an audience that Ethiopia is mentioned fifty-six times or something in the Bible. Poland? Not mentioned.

re: #31 ausador

What a fine Chrisrian attitude, murder is ok, as long as it is in a good cause...NOT. Sigh...when the churches got into politics and stopped really teaching religion this is what we ended up with. :(

I only wish I could be a fly on the pearly gates when they get turned away from heaven.

re: #36 Girth

I only wish I could be a fly on the pearly gates when they get turned away from heaven.

There will be some impugning of St. Peter's Christianity, I'm pretty sure.

re: #34 SanFranciscoZionist

A great number of things are not mentioned in the Bible. Tube socks, for example. Or kiwi fruit. Mysteriously, only some of these omissions are seen as deeply significant by modern interpreters.

America, not mentioned, heck none of north america is mentioned, my mom is convinced that this is because America will fall into savagery before the Rapture...or something. Every time she has tried to explain it I cut her off and change the subject.

re: #34 SanFranciscoZionist

A great number of things are not mentioned in the Bible. Tube socks, for example. Or kiwi fruit. Mysteriously, only some of these omissions are seen as deeply significant by modern interpreters.

Dude! I just realized something, I'm not mentioned in the Bible! What if I don't actually exist? Arrgh!

re: #37 SanFranciscoZionist

There will be some impugning of St. Peter's Christianity, I'm pretty sure.

Charges of treason ensue.

Fence Breakin' Blues

re: #38 ausador

America, not mentioned, heck none of north america is mentioned, my mom is convinced that this is because America will fall into savagery before the Rapture...or something. Every time she has tried to explain it I cut her off and change the subject.

It's ok, Glenn Beck is a Mormon, I'm pretty sure we're covered.

re: #42 Girth

It's ok, Glenn Beck is a Mormon, I'm pretty sure we're covered.

Glenn Beck is a Morman, for real?

re: #38 ausador

I feel your pain bro (sis?). I get to hear a lot of irrational stretches of logic, from a certain relative, used to explain one bizarre biblical interpretation after another.

I've learned to just tune those out for the most part.

re: #43 Bagua

Glenn Beck is a Morman, for real?

*SPOILER ALERT*
.
.
.
.
He's also a self-professed Libertarian. Bet you didn't see that coming.
/

All this driveling on about what is in the Bible and what is not should serve to remind us that although Holy Scriptures may be taken as the basis for our ethical and moral code, they cannot be used as the basis for legislation or government as some Dominionists would have it.

re: #43 Bagua

Glenn Beck is a Morman, for real?

Yes, very much so, he found religion when he got sober, from a Mormon co-worker of his.

re: #47 ausador

Yes, very much so, he found religion when he got sober, from a Mormon co-worker of his.

Oh, I didn't know that. Not that being a Morman is at all controversial to me. I know nothing about them really, just that Mitt Romney was famously one.

re: #38 ausador

America, not mentioned, heck none of north america is mentioned, my mom is convinced that this is because America will fall into savagery before the Rapture...or something. Every time she has tried to explain it I cut her off and change the subject.

Oh dear.

re: #45 Slumbering Behemoth

*SPOILER ALERT*
.
.
.
.
He's also a self-professed Libertarian. Bet you didn't see that coming.
/

And like most self-professed libertarians, including many in the LP, doesn't actually know what that word means anymore.

re: #47 ausador

Yes, very much so, he found religion when he got sober, from a Mormon co-worker of his.

I'm reminded of Burn After Reading:

"You have a drinking problem."

"You think I have a drinking problem? You're a fucking Mormon, next to you we ALL have a fucking drinking problem."

re: #43 Bagua

Glenn Beck is a Morman, for real?

Glenn Beck is a Mormon.

Just to balance things out, so is Harry Reid.

It bothers me when people try to be plastic and fake in an attempt to be cordial and friendly with people who have proven to be assholes and jerks time and time and time again. After a while, any human respect for such people withers away.

Maybe its just me.

Speaking of fencing

re: #52 SanFranciscoZionist

Glenn Beck is a Mormon.

Just to balance things out, so is Harry Reid.

Mormons across the U.S. would appreciate it if you stop now.

re: #50 ArchangelMichael

And like most self-professed libertarians, including many in the LP, doesn't actually know what that word means anymore.

I'd always been fond of the beliefs of libertarians, though I've never studied the idea in any depth. I do favour personal freedom almost to the point of anarchy.

Then came Ron Paul, and Glenn Beck. It's no longer cool to be a libertarian without disclamers.

re: #44 Slumbering Behemoth

I feel your pain bro (sis?). I get to hear a lot of irrational stretches of logic, from a certain relative, used to explain one bizarre biblical interpretation after another.

I've learned to just tune those out for the most part.

The last conversation was something like...

Her: "America must be going to fall"
Me: "Why?"
Her: "Because when Gog and Magog attack Israel America isn't even mentioned and we have always been their best allie"
Me: "Well doesn't God destroy all three countries attacking armies in like 10 seconds and not even a single Israel is injured?"
Her: "Yes, the bible says...(5 minute speech)
Me: "Well if God is going to wipe them out then why would we be mentioned? It isn't like he needs our help."
Her: *blink*

I was a libertarian before it was cool. Then I jumped ship when all the poseurs started showing up at the concerts.
/kinda

re: #55 Girth

Mormons across the U.S. would appreciate it if you stop now.

Uh...yes, I probably should, shouldn't I?

re: #53 TheMatrix31

It bothers me when people try to be plastic and fake in an attempt to be cordial and friendly with people who have proven to be assholes and jerks time and time and time again. After a while, any human respect for such people withers away.

Maybe its just me.

Do you have a point, or are you just having a bad day?

re: #60 Slumbering Behemoth

If you think hard enough-- it'll come to ya.

But it applies in general, too.

Ray Comfort, Lord love the man:

Sorry, here's Ray:

In reply to if evolution isn't true, how do you explain things like the blind spot in the human eye?

I don’t have a blind spot in my eye. Both of them see very well and I am thankful for the 137million light sensitive cells that make sight possible. Do you have a blind spot in your eye? If you do, I suggest that you see an optician and see if he can either fix it, or get you another eye.

re: #56 Bagua

I'd always been fond of the beliefs of libertarians, though I've never studied the idea in any depth. I do favour personal freedom almost to the point of anarchy.

Then came Ron Paul, and Glenn Beck. It's no longer cool to be a libertarian without disclamers.

Originally the LP was created by conservatives dissatisfied with a number of policies of the Nixon Administration they viewed as 'big intrusive government'. They chose the name libertarian because they felt they were Classical Liberals, but the word "liberal" had been co-opted by the left.

Unfortunately at the same time as this group split from the Republicans, all the kooks and JBS people joined them since they had already been pushed out by Goldwater and Buckley. When Reagan came to prominence at the end of the 70s, most of the sane members of the LP left and rejoined the Republican party. The few sane left in the LP were turned off by Reagan playing lip-service to the Religious Right. They were far outnumbered by kooks though, and have been ever since.

It was a good idea that was corrupted and destroyed by conspiracy kooks, anarchocapitalists, and the JBS. Luap Nor and Glenn Beck are indicative of this.

re: #63 SanFranciscoZionist

"I ain't no monkey!"

That's not that far removed from what that guy said.

All right. I need to stop making fun of strange people, and go to sleep.

Night all.

re: #54 Steve

Speaking of fencing

I fenced foil and saber! love it! I also did kendo for a few years!

re: #57 ausador

Heh, we might be related.

Me: "I don't see the point of the Book of Job. Seems out of place to me".

Her: "It's about keeping faith in the face of extreme tragedy".

Me: "Okay, but why would God need to make a bet with Lucifer, and give him the go ahead to fuck up someone's life"?

Her: "To put Satan in his place".

Me: "Wasn't that point already made when God kicked him out of Heaven"?

Her: *blink blink*

re: #61 TheMatrix31

If you think hard enough-- it'll come to ya.

No, it won't, because I won't think hard on it. I don't deal in vague commentary. It seems craven too me. I prefer direct speech.

By your response, I assume you weren't simply referring to something that happened to you today in the real world, but were making a cryptic statement about someone here without addressing them directly. Am I wrong?

re: #57 ausador

I used to have similar conversations with the resident "we are in/near the endtimes" person at work. He had all these charts and notes and even was trying to start a line of endtimes related clothing. He made a number of concrete "this absolutely has to happen" predictions about 2008 and 2009. Not a single one actually happened. I haven't heard a peep out of him on the subject since.

My answer to everything was usually something like this: "At any given point in history going back to the first century, people thought that and 'had it all figured out' too. You don't actually think no one thought that the Great Depression and WW2 were the tribulation and endtimes do you?"

re: #52 SanFranciscoZionist

Glenn Beck is a Mormon.

Just to balance things out, so is Harry Reid.

Egads! Well I hope those two are not representative of typical Mormon politics.

re: #69 Slumbering Behemoth

It's both, actually. Reading through the last thread got me thinking about Los Angeles and the problems this place has, and maybe that acting in that plasticy fashion is not limited to LA. It was a real revelation for me, who's trying to figure out his place here (in Los Angeles, I mean).

In fact, there would have been less than 1 chance / 100000000 (hundred of zeros) that the Big Bang would not have resulted in a cloud of dust because the result of an explosion without laws is always disorganised. There are no sign of intelligence in explosions contrarily to what evolutionists think. I have never seen a bomb expode and build a temple in the process of the explosion. This is the same thing. Ok, this is the simple argument, I have explained it widely because I know most evolutionists don't want to see that the second law of thermodynamics render the evolution impossible.

You just gotta love people whose egos are ten times the size of their intellect, always good for a laugh. ;)

re: #72 TheMatrix31

That's not really a direct answer to my question. I guess you don't want to clarify, and I don't really want to press the issue right now. I need to sack out anyhow.

G'nite Lizards.

re: #74 Slumbering Behemoth

Goodnight. :)

re: #64 ArchangelMichael

Interesting, I had thought the philosophy went back further. I'll have to read up on it.

Certainly the current kooks are discrediting the libertarian side.

America is a two party state at this point, what the major parties think appears the most relevant to me, so I don't really consider the fringe parties much.

Similar in the UK, though it's necessary to be aware of more parties, the fringe nutters are really more to be pitied than scorned. At least historically.

That is changing, but I don't expect that change in the US.

re: #74 Slumbering Behemoth

That's not really a direct answer to my question. I guess you don't want to clarify, and I don't really want to press the issue right now. I need to sack out anyhow.

G'nite Lizards.

Goodnight Somnolent Monster.

[About the sixth day of creation]

This means that each kind of dinosuar was created on the same day that god made the first two people, Adam and Eve! Do you realize what that means?
It means dinosuars and people lived toghether!

lol...by our old buddy (creation museum) Ken Ham no less, in his "Dinosaurs for Kids" book.

re: #76 Bagua

The philosophy technically goes back to enlightenment philosophers in the 1700s, and has been a part of American politics in varying degrees since the founding. The actual Libertarian Party though, is a product of the early 1970s.

re: #79 ArchangelMichael

re: #79 ArchangelMichael

I see, now I understand. I hadn't clocked on to the difference between the political philosophy and the political party.

Like the Conservative Party in Britain, many will argue they are anything but Conservative.

re: #80 Bagua

re: #79 ArchangelMichael

I see, now I understand. I hadn't clocked on to the difference between the political philosophy and the political party.

Like the Conservative Party in Britain, many will argue they are anything but Conservative.

Or like you have a "friend" who won a Nobel in physics... OMG... that was the bet lie you've told yet :)

re: #55 Girth

Mormons across the U.S. would appreciate it if you stop now.

She is rubbing it in isn't she ? :)))

re: #59 SanFranciscoZionist

Uh...yes, I probably should, shouldn't I?

Well you ARE on a roll so why stop? :))

Abdulmutallab is the fourth president of a London student Islamic society to face terrorist charges in three years

Security sources are concerned that the picture emerging of his undergraduate years suggests that he was recruited by al-Qaeda in London. Security sources said that Islamist radicalisation was rife on university campuses, especially in London, and that college authorities had “a patchy record in facing up to the problem”. Previous anti-terrorist inquiries have uncovered evidence of extremists using political meetings and religious study circles to identify potential recruits.

He is the fourth president of a London student Islamic society to face terrorist charges in three years. One is facing a retrial on charges that he was involved in the 2006 liquid bomb plot to blow up airliners. Two others have been convicted of terrorist offences since 2007.

Mr Abdulmutallab left UCL last year. The Times has learnt that his attempt to renew his student visa in May this year was based on an application to study “life coaching” at a non-existent college. That visa refusal may have saved Britain from an attack.

*Stretches legs*
*Looks around*
*Scratches self*
*Turns around*
*Starts to leave*

*pauses with his hand on the doorknob*...

re: #85 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

*Stretches legs*
*Looks around*
*Scratches self*
*Turns around*
*Starts to leave*

*pauses with his hand on the doorknob*...

Mornin'. I was about to leave myself, after viewing the carnage in the last several threads. Looks like an 11-hour stalk-and-rant may have finally blown itself out, but I'm not sure.

re: #56 Bagua

I'd always been fond of the beliefs of libertarians, though I've never studied the idea in any depth. I do favour personal freedom almost to the point of anarchy.

Then came Ron Paul, and Glenn Beck. It's no longer cool to be a libertarian without disclamers.

Exactly. There is a reason I generally don't call myself a "L"ibertarian or an atheist in public.

Mornin People!

Since I missed the torture thread I'll post this here:

[Link: www.courthousenews.com...]

Prospero Lassi says he suffered a diabetes-induced seizure at home on April 9. His roommate called 911, and police from LaGrange Park and Brookfield responded, with EMTs from LaGrange Park.
Lassi says his roommate explained to police that he was having a diabetic seizure. Lassi "was not alert and could not move his body."
When the EMTs asked the cops to help them move Lassi from where he was lying on the floor, Lassi says, one of his "arms flailed during his diabetes-induced seizure, striking one of the LaGrange and Brookfield defendants. At no time did Mr. Lassi intentionally strike or offensively touch any of the LaGrange or Brookfield defendants."
Lassi says LaGrange Park Officer Darren Pedota responded by Tasering him 11 times, for nearly a minute, as he lay helpless.
He was hospitalized for 5 days, and was unable to work for 3 months because of the attack, "and his quality of life has suffered substantially," Lassi says.

I don't think I've ever seen a thread with so few people. I show up and everyone bails? I think my feelings are hurt./

re: #89 RogueOne

I don't think I've ever seen a thread with so few people. I show up and everyone bails? I think my feelings are hurt./

Someone was working out their OCD for about 11 hours straight, and drove everyone off from the looks of things.

So, why are people getting so worked up lately.

Can't everybody just get along?

"Rodney King deserved to get beat up, for being a growed up man driving a Hyundai!"
-Cederick the Entertainer, Barbershop

re: #15 Slumbering Behemoth

Just spent the past hour or so reading the insanity they've so helpfully documented there, and may have come across one of the most deranged posts of all time.

You'll also notice that the marks on Obama's knees, which in the smaller black and white photo look like ordinary scrap marks typical of a kid of his age, now stand out more clearly and they somehow look "odd".

With the color added, you also notice the strange bumpiness of his hands that stand out more sharply. When I enlarge and crop these areas in the photos seen below, you will see very distinct images of etheric entities: some alien-looking, some human-like, and and others animal-like. The "bumpiness" of his hands, when enlarged, reveal the tell-tale reptilian feature of scale-like appearance to the skin. And within that scaly skin appearance are images of reptilian entities

re: #92 RadicalModerate

Holy lizard skin, Batman!

re: #88 RogueOne

Since I missed the torture thread I'll post this here:

[Link: www.courthousenews.com...]

Holy shit. Where did this happen?

I'm diabetic, and have had several diabetic seizures over the years. EMT always shows up accompanied by the police -and the police are trained to stand back out of the way, or to render assistance when asked. They are well informed about seizures of different kinds, so if they arrive first they can at least make sure the victim doesn't thrash against something hard and heavy, and hurt themselves.

The kind of behavior described here is beyond inexcusable, especially since there were EMT personnel on the scene who certainly informed the police of what was going on.

Sounds like the victim was, after a very long time, OK (recovery from a seizure typically takes minutes once glucose is administered, not months). I wish him good luck and an early retirement when he wins several lawsuits against the morons who attacked him. Although if I were him, I'd probably move somewhere else, given that property taxes will have to be raised to cover his court awards.

re: #92 RadicalModerate

Just spent the past hour or so reading the insanity they've so helpfully documented there, and may have come across one of the most deranged posts of all time.

Glad to see that the Ickians are on the case.

re: #92 RadicalModerate

Wow. So Obama is a lizard?
Good Morning LGF

re: #91 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

So, why are people getting so worked up lately.

Can't everybody just get along?

"Rodney King deserved to get beat up, for being a growed up man driving a Hyundai!"
-Cederick the Entertainer, Barbershop

There seems to be a single source of provocation. I'm doing my best to ignore it, but the last several threads are a complete mess.

re: #96 Spare O'Lake

Wow. So Obama is a lizard?
Good Morning LGF

See, that is the kind of bullshit I hate. Obama is a shape shifter. Geez./ And good morning to all after the best nights sleep I have had in 2 weeks.:)

re: #94 SixDegrees

My wife's a diabetic. Not a very brittle one, has never had a seizure that I know of. Sorry about that Six.

I think that in the near future there are going to be transplants for diabetics (Type A, anyway)... what a messed up condition.

She's been diabetic since the age of 17. It would be cool to just get a pancreas transplant, huh?

re: #97 SixDegrees

LGF seems to have a tag-team provocation group... have have re-thunk my recent opinion of the "scrap starters".

People are being dumb asses by being lured in (IMO).

re: #98 Cannadian Club Akbar

See, that is the kind of bullshit I hate. Obama is a shape shifter. Geez./ And good morning to all after the best nights sleep I have had in 2 weeks.:)

Zapped with Obama's Alien Sleep Ray?

re: #99 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

My wife's a diabetic. Not a very brittle one, has never had a seizure that I know of. Sorry about that Six.

I think that in the near future there are going to be transplants for diabetics (Type A, anyway)... what a messed up condition.

She's been diabetic since the age of 17. It would be cool to just get a pancreas transplant, huh?

I could use one. But there are major downsides to transplants - like anti-rejection drugs. Right now, they're worse than the diabetes.

I haven't had my blood sugar collapse and induce a seizure for several years, thanks to more careful control. I don't remember any of the seizure I have had, but apparently it scares the hell out of people.

Then there's the other end of the scale - massively high blood sugar causing diabetic coma. Been there, too - two days of my life completely gone, with people making final arrangements for me. Which pissed me off when I came out of it, because no one had included the chorus line or the John Phillip Sousa marching band I had so clearly indicated I wanted. At least I wised up enough to get important stuff like that down in writing and filed with my attorney. I want my estate blown on entertainment, not on my heirs.

re: #101 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

Zapped with Obama's Alien Sleep Ray?

Could be. Or it could be that I had 3 beers and a big bowl of cereal after work. And didn't have the radio or TV on. I vote "beer."

re: #103 Cannadian Club Akbar

That discovered paycheck mebbe?

re: #100 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

LGF seems to have a tag-team provocation group... have have re-thunk my recent opinion of the "scrap starters".

People are being dumb asses by being lured in (IMO).

I tend to agree with you. Best not to feed the trolls.

re: #104 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

That discovered paycheck mebbe?

Not cashing that 'til I need to.

BBIAB.

re: #106 Cannadian Club Akbar

90 days or you may have to get the check re-cut...

re: #108 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

90 days or you may have to get the check re-cut...

180. Gonna squeeze that money tight in case I have to make a job change, which I see in my future.

re: #109 Cannadian Club Akbar

Ahhh. Okay! Could swear it used to be 90.

Evening honcos. 2 Bottom comments? I should make myself a medal for that.

Just a drive by, started my new job yesterday at the LARGE non-profit thrift store. My title is "Furniture Pricer."

Ha... What they don't tell you until you sign on the dotted line. The title should be...

"Furniture /Hauler/Cleaner/Hauler/Fixer/Hauler/Mover/Hauler/Sweeper/Hauler/Pricer..."

Ah... the joys of physical labor at the age of 57.

re: #112 Walter L. Newton

Good luck with your new job, man. Even better you've got one in these times.

re: #112 Walter L. Newton

Glad you lost all that weight, huh!?

And in the theatre you were...

"Furniture /Hauler/Cleaner/Hauler/Actor/Fixer/Hauler/Mover/Hauler/S weeper/Hauler/..."

re: #112 Walter L. Newton

I prefer "antique lounging specialist.":)

re: #111 lazardo

What's up with that?

re: #100 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

LGF seems to have a tag-team provocation group... have have re-thunk my recent opinion of the "scrap starters".

People are being dumb asses by being lured in (IMO).

Does LGF have a tag team introduction service?

re: #114 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

Glad you lost all that weight, huh!?

And in the theatre you were...

"Furniture /Hauler/Cleaner/Hauler/Actor/Fixer/Hauler/Mover/Hauler/S weeper/Hauler/..."

That's about right actually. Oh... ouch.

re: #116 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

What's up with that?

See previous thread, starting with #9, and regretting nothing.

re: #113 lazardo

Good luck with your new job, man. Even better you've got one in these times.

No kidding. The stipend sized salary at the theatre was just catching up with me, and since I can't find programming work, this is a good bet.

re: #118 Walter L. Newton

No rest for the weary in a non-union theatre.

"Romeo, Romeo where for art thou, Romeo? Great, here, Romeo, grab the other end of this trellis. We'll be running scene two in 15."

re: #112 Walter L. Newton

Just a drive by, started my new job yesterday at the LARGE non-profit thrift store. My title is "Furniture Pricer."

Ha... What they don't tell you until you sign on the dotted line. The title should be...

"Furniture /Hauler/Cleaner/Hauler/Fixer/Hauler/Mover/Hauler/S weeper/Hauler/Pricer..."

Ah... the joys of physical labor at the age of 57.

Once your body gets used to it, all that exercise will help to keep you in good shape.

re: #122 ryannon

Once your body gets used to it, all that exercise will help to keep you in good shape.

That's what I am expecting, I',m not totally physically unable to break a sweat, but it's been a while and this morning, there's a good amount of stiffness. It should work out, and I stopped going to the gym about a year ago, so this may take up that slack.

re: #121 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

No rest for the weary in a non-union theatre.

"Romeo, Romeo where for art thou, Romeo? Great, here, Romeo, grab the other end of this trellis. We'll be running scene two in 15."

"A strike! A strike on all your matinees!"

re: #114 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

Glad you lost all that weight, huh!?

And in the theatre you were...

"Furniture /Hauler/Cleaner/Hauler/Actor/Fixer/Hauler/Mover/Hauler/S weeper/Hauler/..."

re: #121 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

No rest for the weary in a non-union theatre.

"Romeo, Romeo where for art thou, Romeo? Great, here, Romeo, grab the other end of this trellis. We'll be running scene two in 15."

LOL.

re: #120 Walter L. Newton

No kidding. The stipend sized salary at the theatre was just catching up with me, and since I can't find programming work, this is a good bet.

Tell ya what, down here thrift stores and dollar stores are always busy. A good bet for employment for a while, I would guess.

re: #126 Cannadian Club Akbar

Tell ya what, down here thrift stores and dollar stores are always busy. A good bet for employment for a while, I would guess.

Believe it or not, this position starts at two dollars over minimum, which is very surprising.

re: #90 SixDegrees

I caught the end of the last thread, seemed people were a little irritable.

re: #123 Walter L. Newton

That's what I am expecting, I',m not totally physically unable to break a sweat, but it's been a while and this morning, there's a good amount of stiffness. It should work out, and I stopped going to the gym about a year ago, so this may take up that slack.

I did a grape harvest once. The people who had done it before told me that first three days are hell, and then you get into it. They were right. It's still back-breaking work, but I can't imagine that your own position is as continuously labor-intensive.

Also, if you know anything about antiques, contemporary classics and collectibles, you'll probably be in for some interesting finds.... Once again, best of luck to you!

re: #121 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

And of course, furniture covers electronics. I fixed a 1970's electronic spinet organ yesterday (which would have been trashed), but together a computer system from misc components and cleaned up a Pachinko machine, all items I knew how to work on from past experience. I use to work in an music store, organ department in the 70's, of course I know how to build computers and I actually worked part time in the 80's for the dude (Rag Gelotti) who introduced Pachinko to the US.

Jack of all trades, master of...

re: #128 RogueOne

I caught the end of the last thread, seemed people were a little irritable.

The "____ists say the darndest things" link is cool though. It's like 4chan, only you really can't believe the people who say those things are actually serious.

re: #120 Walter L. Newton

I'm very good at what I do, and make a pretty good living at it. That being said, the month of December, historically for me, my income drops by 75%.

I vow "By Grabthar's hammer, by the sons of Worvan" I will take the last two weeks of the year off next year.

re: #129 ryannon

Yes I do... I've have a lot of knowledge of collectibles and contemporary kitsch... See...
re: #130 Walter L. Newton

re: #130 Walter L. Newton

Hell, I'd take home whatever isn't wanted, fix it and put it on Craigs List. No charge and things generally sell fast.

re: #94 SixDegrees

The tasering happened in Chicago. I've read at least a 1/2 dozen times this year where cops have tasered people who were having some form of seizure. A few months ago in Indy a guy had a seizure on the interstate and someone called it in as a possible drunk driver. The guy had managed to pull over to the side of the road by the time the cops showed. When he didn't respond to their demands to get out of the vehicle they closed down the interstate for an hour trying to talk a comatose man out of his vehicle before they finally busted out his window and gassed him before dragging him out. oops.

re: #135 RogueOne

That being said, better a taser than a .45. Still stupid, mind you, but...

Eames furniture! A late 40s Wurlitzer juke-box! Carnival glass! A mint Amiga 500! May it all start raining down on your head!

re: #134 Cannadian Club Akbar

Hell, I'd take home whatever isn't wanted, fix it and put it on Craigs List. No charge and things generally sell fast.

No can do. Can't dumpster dive. Since employees are responsible for pricer or trashing, that would be a conflict of interest... you want something, you trash it and get it later.

No, we can but items we didn't price ourselves at 30 percent off, and if it's something we priced ourselves, we need a supervisor to sign off on it. We do get 24 hour hold on what we want, we get first dibs.

re: #137 ryannon

That would hurt.

re: #131 lazardo

The "___ists say the darndest things" link is cool though. It's like 4chan, only you really can't believe the people who say those things are actually serious.

I love 4Chan. Nothing cracks me up like a good flame war.

re: #137 ryannon

Eames furniture! A late 40s Wurlitzer juke-box! Carnival glass! A mint Amiga 500! May it all start raining down on your head!

When I had oddles of money, in the past, I use to collect and restore coin operated antiques of all sorts. I had some kick ass game rooms in the past.

re: #140 RogueOne

I love 4Chan. Nothing cracks me up like a good flame war.

/b/ got boring though, so I mainly hang out on /v/. My little bro is a die-hard /k/ommando, apparently.

re: #141 Walter L. Newton

When I had oddles of money, in the past, I use to collect and restore coin operated antiques of all sorts. I had some kick ass game rooms in the past.

That's a hobby I tried to start but quickly found out I didn't have the time or money. I have an old "Defender" game as a memento.

Bye, I'm off at 3:30... I'll be back.

re: #142 lazardo

/b/ got boring though, so I mainly hang out on /v/. My little bro is a die-hard /k/ommando, apparently.

I never participate, I'm a lurker everywhere but here.

re: #135 RogueOne

The tasering happened in Chicago. I've read at least a 1/2 dozen times this year where cops have tasered people who were having some form of seizure. A few months ago in Indy a guy had a seizure on the interstate and someone called it in as a possible drunk driver. The guy had managed to pull over to the side of the road by the time the cops showed. When he didn't respond to their demands to get out of the vehicle they closed down the interstate for an hour trying to talk a comatose man out of his vehicle before they finally busted out his window and gassed him before dragging him out. oops.

Unbelievable.

My doctor, at one point, advised me to get a Medic Alert tag; I wear one on a necklace, so EMT folks can skip a lot of diagnostic BS and get straight to the problem, and also because in it's early stages, a sugar crash makes a person behave somewhat like a drunk - loss of motor control, slurred speech, and so forth - and police are supposed to be trained to look for MA tags.

I'm appalled to hear about cases like this. I would have an attorney eating those police departments for lunch in a heartbeat.

re: #144 Walter L. Newton

Bye, I'm off at 3:30... I'll be back.

Cheers, man.

Morning Lizards,

I observed the last couple threads and subsequent chaos. Pretty much stayed clear of the carnage.

Gotta go brief to fly in a couple.

re: #137 ryannon

Eames furniture! A late 40s Wurlitzer juke-box! Carnival glass! A mint Amiga 500! May it all start raining down on your head!

What's a mint Amiga worth? I have a couple of them in original packaging.

Many, I loved that machine.

re: #149 SixDegrees

What's a mint Amiga worth? I have a couple of them in original packaging.

Many, I loved that machine.

I haven't the slightest. But I do know that they're considered collectibles. Put one on the 'bay and see what happens....

Morning all!

re: #148 rwdflynavy

Morning Lizards,

I observed the last couple threads and subsequent chaos. Pretty much stayed clear of the carnage.

Gotta go brief to fly in a couple.

I just keep away from that BS. I come here to learn, have fun and smart conversation. Not to walk away all pissed.

re: #146 SixDegrees

The guy in Indy took it real well. At first the local news was reporting the guy was trying to kill himself, where they got that idea I don't know. Struck me funny they were out there for an hour trying to talk to a guy in a coma and no one got close enough to see wtf was going on until they decided to toss in the gas.

re: #150 ryannon

I haven't the slightest. But I do know that they're considered collectibles. Put one on the 'bay and see what happens...

One of them is an original model, with the designer's signatures inside the case.

I may have to do some research.

re: #148 rwdflynavy

I've been meaning to ask, are you active duty or civilian?

My blood's so mad, feels like coagulatin'
I'm sittin' here just contemplatin.

re: #156 Spare O'Lake

My blood's so mad, feels like coagulatin'
I'm sittin' here just contemplatin.

And I said stop children, what's that sound, everybody look what's goin down~

re: #155 RogueOne

I've been meaning to ask, are you active duty or civilian?

Active duty helo pilot. Beats workin for a livin!

re: #155 RogueOne

I've been meaning to ask, are you active duty or civilian?

He's the man! That's what he is. Damn handsome too!

re: #148 rwdflynavy

Morning Lizards,

I observed the last couple threads and subsequent chaos. Pretty much stayed clear of the carnage.

I miss all the fun stuff.

Let's get a couple of voice actors to a thread with a high attrition rate, set it to music (Specifically the song "Let the Bodies hit the Floor") and put it on YouTube. We'll be the next internet sensation!

re: #160 SteveC

Let's get a couple of voice actors to a thread with a high attrition rate, set it to music (Specifically the song "Let the Bodies hit the Floor") and put it on YouTube. We'll be the next internet sensation!

They do that on the John Gibson radio show sometimes... it is hysterical. Christine and Angry Rich read posts from Kos, Freep, etc... whole lot of bleeps go on there.

re: #159 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

He's the man! That's what he is. Damn handsome too!

*blushes*

re: #159 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

He's the man! That's what he is. Damn handsome too!

re: #162 rwdflynavy

*blushes*

Get a romm, you two!
/

re: #157 lazardo

And I said stop children, what's that sound, everybody look what's goin down~

And the big fool says to push on.

re: #158 rwdflynavy

What a cool job. My brother was a chief air crewman in the marines. I think he was on a CH-53? I went to visit him once at Cherry Point, NC and it looked like a big ass bus with rotars.

re: #163 Cannadian Club Akbar

Get a romm, you two!
/

A romm?

/Germans? Attacking Pearl Harbor?

re: #166 SteveC

A romm?

/Germans? Attacking Pearl Harbor?

Don't stop him, he's on a roll.

re: #165 RogueOne

What a cool job. My brother was a chief air crewman in the marines. I think he was on a CH-53? I went to visit him once at Cherry Point, NC and it looked like a big ass bus with rotars.

I fly the SH-60B, quite a bit smaller than the 53, that thing is a beast!!

re: #168 rwdflynavy

I fly the SH-60B, quite a bit smaller than the 53, that thing is a beast!!

If anyone checks, my avatar is a SH-2F, the first helo I flew in the fleet.

re: #158 rwdflynavy

Active duty helo pilot. Beats workin for a livin!

re: #165 RogueOne

What a cool job.

It has to be a cool job. But I keep reminding myself that helicopters tend not to glide very well.

re: #160 SteveC

I miss all the fun stuff.

Let's get a couple of voice actors to a thread with a high attrition rate, set it to music (Specifically the song "Let the Bodies hit the Floor") and put it on YouTube. We'll be the next internet sensation!

I'd be happy to if my Dell laptop with Windows 7 didn't keep my mic port muted and disabled.

/and yes, I tried the registry fix.

re: #170 SteveC

Yeah, at the time I was a young army officer in a mech infantry unit. The worst thing that could happen to me if the engine went out is I was stuck in the middle of BFE. Piloting is a dangerous profession in the military.

Q: What is the propeller on an airplane used for?

A: It is an air conditioner.

Observe closely: Should the propeller stop turning, the pilot will begin to sweat - profusely! When the propeller resumes turning the pilot will no longer sweat.

re: #171 lazardo

I'd be happy to if my Dell laptop with Windows 7 didn't keep my mic port muted and disabled.

/and yes, I tried the registry fix.

A buddy got his new Dell laptop for xmas. It showed up with a bad motherboard. Merry Xmas!

re: #174 RogueOne

A buddy got his new Dell laptop for xmas. It showed up with a bad motherboard. Merry Xmas!

Mine's from 2004. Only had to replace bits and pieces but still running strong.

Better than HP though. Relative abroad shipped my little bro a new HP laptop for his graduation. Broke down just after warranty gave out, and the repair cost was more than the laptop was bought for.

re: #173 SteveC

Q: What is the propeller on an airplane used for?

A: It is an air conditioner.

Observe closely: Should the propeller stop turning, the pilot will begin to sweat - profusely! When the propeller resumes turning the pilot will no longer sweat.

I used to joke that there was no such thing as a water landing. Sully Sullenberger ruined that for my. (the plane that landed in the Hudson)

re: #174 RogueOne

A buddy got his new Dell laptop for xmas. It showed up with a bad motherboard. Merry Xmas!

My son has had problems with his Dell laptop as well; the keyboard loses certain keys once in a while.

Dell's quality control seems to have slipped badly on laptops. Their desktop machines seem to work fine, or maybe I've just been lucky.

re: #176 Cannadian Club Akbar

I used to joke that there was no such thing as a water landing. Sully Sullenberger ruined that for my. (the plane that landed in the Hudson)

my=me, PIMF, geez.

re: #177 SixDegrees

My son has had problems with his Dell laptop as well; the keyboard loses certain keys once in a while.

Dell's quality control seems to have slipped badly on laptops. Their desktop machines seem to work fine, or maybe I've just been lucky.

I have 2 Dell laptops. The older one's keyboard went batshit crazy. I bought an external keyboard and mouse. Then, it just fixed itself. Still works fine, though.

re: #176 Cannadian Club Akbar

I used to joke that there was no such thing as a water landing. Sully Sullenberger ruined that for my. (the plane that landed in the Hudson)

Now that was one helluva feat. That guy must make loud brass clanking sounds when he walks.

re: #179 Cannadian Club Akbar

I have 2 Dell laptops. The older one's keyboard went batshit crazy. I bought an external keyboard and mouse. Then, it just fixed itself. Still works fine, though.

Sounds very familiar. That's been his experience, as well.

re: #170 SteveC

It has to be a cool job. But I keep reminding myself that helicopters tend not to glide very well.

No, but they do autorotate. BBL

Iran's police chief threatened Wednesday to show "no mercy" in crushing any new opposition protests and said more than 500 demonstrators have been arrested in the wake of this week's deadly clashes.

SNIP

Police chief Gen. Ismail Ahmadi Moghaddam made a harsh threat to protesters to stay off the streets.

"In dealing with previous protests, police showed leniency. But given that these opponents are seeking to topple (the ruling system), there will be no mercy," Moghaddam said, according to IRNA. "We will take severe action. The era of tolerance is over. Anyone attending such rallies will be crushed."

He said more than 500 protesters who took part in Sunday's demonstrations have been arrested but the number may be higher since hardline Basij militiamen and intelligence agents may have apprehended more people on their own.

SNIP

re: #174 RogueOne

A buddy got his new Dell laptop for xmas. It showed up with a bad motherboard. Merry Xmas!

I got a new laptop 2 years ago, the screen flickered continuously. If you're old enough to remember TVs with Vertical Control and Horizontal Control knobs, it looked as if someone had turned the Horizontal Control knob. So I sent it back.

Telephone rigs a couple of days later, it is So-and-so from HP Quality Control. They have had several laptops opf this model come back with this problem; he wanted my permission to take my computer completely apart and diagnose it to try to find the problem. I told him yes, but added 6 to 8 months to the total repair time in my head. Then he says that as a "Thank You" HP would send me, free of charge, their latest laptop! The nameplate says it is the HP-2007-XX and for a few months, they didn't have anything comparable online or in the catalog.

re: #182 rwdflynavy

No, but they do autorotate. BBL

Sometimes. Several years ago, a well-known radio traffic reporter was getting recertified, and during the autorotation part of the test...it didn't. Two broken legs, several crushed vertebrae and a laundry list of other injuries, he was off for over a year.

Still flying, though, as far as I know.

re: #183 MandyManners

This one's an old article, but when the Iranians say the crackdown tactics are "worse than the Zionists", you know it's THAT bad.

High-tech security scanners that might have prevented the Christmas Day attempt to blow up a jetliner have been installed in only a small number of airports around the world, in large part because of privacy concerns over the way the machines see through clothing.

The body-scanning technology is in at least 19 U.S. airports, while European officials have generally limited it to test runs.

Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, the Nigerian accused of trying to ignite explosives aboard a Northwest Airlines jet as it was coming in for a landing in Detroit, did not go through such a scan where his flight began, at Amsterdam's Schiphol airport.

The full-body scanner "could have been helpful in this case, absolutely," said Evert van Zwol, head of the Dutch Pilots Association.

But the technology has raised significant concerns among privacy watchdogs because it can show the body's contours with embarrassing clarity. Those fears have slowed the introduction of the machines.

SNIP

re: #187 MandyManners

The just Dutch announced they are installing full body scanners at their airports immediately for flights heading to America.

re: #187 MandyManners

But the technology has raised significant concerns among privacy watchdogs because it can show the body's contours with embarrassing clarity. Those fears have slowed the introduction of the machines.

The machines are expected to be installed and operational in airports across Japan within the next few weeks.

/better than cellphone cameras! *^-^*

re: #177 SixDegrees

Dell's quality control seems to have slipped badly on laptops. Their desktop machines seem to work fine, or maybe I've just been lucky.

It depends on when they were built. From 2006 - 2008 Dell PCs had widespread problems with motherboards melting down. We bought 300 of them at work and 2/3 melted within 2 years. Cost cutting > cheap components > poor quality > one IT division that remains pretty suspicious fo Dell products to this day.

re: #184 SteveC

I got a new laptop 2 years ago, the screen flickered continuously. If you're old enough to remember TVs with Vertical Control and Horizontal Control knobs, it looked as if someone had turned the Horizontal Control knob. So I sent it back.

Telephone rigs a couple of days later, it is So-and-so from HP Quality Control. They have had several laptops opf this model come back with this problem; he wanted my permission to take my computer completely apart and diagnose it to try to find the problem. I told him yes, but added 6 to 8 months to the total repair time in my head. Then he says that as a "Thank You" HP would send me, free of charge, their latest laptop! The nameplate says it is the HP-2007-XX and for a few months, they didn't have anything comparable online or in the catalog.

I read someplace that all the major laptops are made in China, including Dell and Apple.

re: #191 Spare O'Lake

I read someplace that all the major laptops are made in China, including Dell and Apple.

That explains the exploding batteries?

/checking

Officials: Somali Tried to Board Flight With Explosives Last Month

MOGADISHU, Somalia — Officials say a Somali national tried to board a commercial airliner in Mogadishu last month with powdered chemicals, liquid and a syringe that together could have caused an explosion. The hallmarks bear chilling similarities to the terrorist plot to blow up a Detroit-bound airliner.

Police spokesman Abdulahi Hassan Barise says the suspect was arrested before the Nov. 13 Daallo Airlines flight departed. It was scheduled to travel from Mogadishu to the northern Somali city of Hargeisa, then to Djibouti and Dubai.

Two international officials in Nairobi said Wednesday the incident is similar to the Detroit attack in that the Somali man had a syringe, a bag of powdered chemicals and liquid. U.S. officials are aware of the incident and hastening to investigate any possible links with the Detroit attack.

re: #187 MandyManners

High-tech security scanners that might have prevented the Christmas Day attempt to blow up a jetliner have been installed in only a small number of airports around the world, in large part because of privacy concerns over the way the machines see through clothing.

SNIP

Privacy concerns - honestly, I am not so different or special that any hazy view of my body through a scanner is gonna shock or upset anybody. If these things will keep us safer, they need to be installed.

re: #192 lazardo

That explains the exploding batteries?

/checking

That's a feature, not a glitch!

The Netherlands will immediately begin using full body scanners for flights heading to the United States to prevent future terrorist attacks like the foiled Christmas Day attempt.

SNIP

Amsterdam's Schiphol has 15 body scanners, but their use has been limited because of privacy objections that they display the contours of the passenger's body. Neither the European Union nor the U.S. have approved the routine use of the scanners.

New software, however, eliminates that problem by projecting a stylized image onto a computer screen, highlighting the area of the body where objects are concealed in pockets or under the clothing and alerting security guards.

Two scanners have been experimentally using that software since late November and the Dutch said those will be put into use immediately. All scanners will be upgraded within three weeks so they can be used on flights to the United States.

SNIP

re: #192 lazardo

That explains the exploding batteries?

/checking

Uh,yes.
[Link: www.tampabay.com...]

re: #188 NJDhockeyfan

The Just Dutch?
/

re: #194 reine.de.tout

Privacy concerns - honestly, I am not so different or special that any hazy view of my body through a scanner is gonna shock or upset anybody. If these things will keep us safer, they need to be installed.

Morning Lizards. I was actually going to ask everyone if they'd be willing to trade their "privacy concerns" for heightened security. It is a balancing act, and it depends on what you call an invasion of privacy. Me, hey, they're welcome to check out my beer belly any time.

re: #191 Spare O'Lake

I read someplace that all the major laptops are made in China, including Dell and Apple.

Don't know. All I know is my experience with HP. I was (and still am) a happy camper!

re: #200 SteveC

Don't know. All I know is my experience with HP. I was (and still am) a happy camper!

Me, not so much. Took the Mrs. Fish's computer in because it was overheating regularly. When it came back, the wireless was non-functional, and of course, it was just out of warranty by the time it came back.

re: #188 NJDhockeyfan

The just Dutch announced they are installing full body scanners at their airports immediately for flights heading to America.

Nice of them. But it would have been better if someone had noticed just one of the multiple red flags this guy was waving in the air while shouting "Hey! I'm a terrorist on a mission!" at the top of his lungs, and yanked his visa before he ever got on a plane in the first place.

Somali pirates carried out a record number of attacks and hijackings in 2009, despite the deployment of international warships to thwart them and a United Nations Security Council resolution to bring the fight against them to shore.

The Piracy Reporting Center of the International Maritime Bureau said Tuesday that pirates operating across the Gulf of Aden and along the coast of Somalia had attacked 214 vessels so far this year, resulting in 47 hijackings. Twelve of those ships, with a total of 263 crew members, are currently being held for ransom by the pirates.

SNIP

re: #200 SteveC

I've bought 4 HP's and never had a problem, knock on wood.

/"wood"

re: #202 SixDegrees

Nice of them. But it would have been better if someone had noticed just one of the multiple red flags this guy was waving in the air while shouting "Hey! I'm a terrorist on a mission!" at the top of his lungs, and yanked his visa before he ever got on a plane in the first place.

Agreed.
But since it appears that we cannot count on folks noticing multiple red flags, then these scanners just might be necessary.

re: #202 SixDegrees

Nice of them. But it would have been better if someone had noticed just one of the multiple red flags this guy was waving in the air while shouting "Hey! I'm a terrorist on a mission!" at the top of his lungs, and yanked his visa before he ever got on a plane in the first place.

There was a witness who was at the airport in Nigeria who said he had no visa. Another guy talked the airport officials to let him on anyway because 'we do it all the time'.

re: #186 lazardo

This one's an old article, but when the Iranians say the crackdown tactics are "worse than the Zionists", you know it's THAT bad.

Oh, golly. Sure it's not worse than Conservative thought in action?

re: #199 thedopefishlives

Full body scans, IMO are no more an invasion of privacy than we already go through in airports. I have no problem with something that gets me through an airport faster and safer.

I think people are ignoring the actual pictures that are being shown and are thinking of the movie "Airplane!" where it shows naked people on the tv screen.

Speaking of airport landings, checking up on what's happening at Clark Field with the shiny new airport they're building there.

Apparently Clark Field was once an active Space Shuttle landing site. ):

re: #206 NJDhockeyfan

There was a witness who was at the airport in Nigeria who said he had no visa. Another guy talked the airport officials to let him on anyway because 'we do it all the time'.

Per my No. 186:

Abdulmutallab arrived in Amsterdam on Friday from Lagos, Nigeria. After a layover of less than three hours, he passed through a security check at the gate in Amsterdam, including a hand baggage scan and a metal detector.

Abdulmutallab was carrying a valid Nigerian passport and had a valid U.S. visa, the Dutch said.

re: #199 thedopefishlives

Morning Lizards. I was actually going to ask everyone if they'd be willing to trade their "privacy concerns" for heightened security. It is a balancing act, and it depends on what you call an invasion of privacy. Me, hey, they're welcome to check out my beer belly any time.

Woman being interviewed on one of the networks last night said she just wants to be on a plane that lands. She's apparently not familiar with the physics of flight; the plane always lands - if all goes well, it will be in one piece in a designated landing area, and with the wheels down!

Security doesn't bother me; but when/if they start treating airline passengers as suspects, that's a problem. The last day or so they've been treating everyone as if they must be guilty of something if they are flying.

re: #207 MandyManners

Oh, golly. Sure it's not worse than Conservative thought in action?

Well, the Iranian government is often referred to as ultraconservative...

re: #206 NJDhockeyfan

There was a witness who was at the airport in Nigeria who said he had no visa. Another guy talked the airport officials to let him on anyway because 'we do it all the time'.

I've heard this story. It seems to be somewhat suspect at the moment.

re: #210 MandyManners

Per my No. 186:

Abdulmutallab arrived in Amsterdam on Friday from Lagos, Nigeria. After a layover of less than three hours, he passed through a security check at the gate in Amsterdam, including a hand baggage scan and a metal detector.

Abdulmutallab was carrying a valid Nigerian passport and had a valid U.S. visa, the Dutch said.

Thanks. That clears that up.

The Red Cross in Nigeria says many of the people killed on Monday in clashes between security forces and rival factions of a radical Islamic sect in the northern city of Bauchi were children.

The Red Cross in Bauchi says a large number of those killed were boys.

SNIP

re: #214 NJDhockeyfan

Thanks. That clears that up.

I've heard the opposite all week.

re: #210 MandyManners

Everytime I hear that guys name I hear this song go off in my head. No wonder he was so depressed.

gotta run off to a stupid meeting. Cya folks.

re: #215 MandyManners

The Red Cross in Nigeria says many of the people killed on Monday in clashes between security forces and rival factions of a radical Islamic sect in the northern city of Bauchi were children.

SNIP

There seems to be a common thread with all the violence in the world today but I can't seem to put my finger on it.

//

For the record, my personal preference is a combination of smart suspect profiling and full-body scanning. There's no need to scan everyone that walks into an airport; only a few would have the telltale markers that security SHOULD be looking for to flag suspected terrorists. That was part of the failure of the Christmas Day flight. I know hindsight is always 20/20, but if he'd been flagged by security personnel and then run through one of these scanners, it would've been perfectly obvious.

re: #219 NJDhockeyfan

There seems to be a common thread with all the violence in the world today but I can't seem to put my finger on it.

//

The Baptist, I say.
/

re: #215 MandyManners

The Red Cross in Bauchi says a large number of those killed were boys.

SNIP

That is a disturbing and horrifically depraved way to die.

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin called Tuesday for the development of new offensive weapons systems to "preserve a strategic balance" with the United States.

The Russian leader also demanded that Washington disclose more details of its planned missile defense deployments and technology. Putin warned that a powerful missile shield, which has long irritated a nervous Kremlin, could make the United States feel safe enough to become more aggressive in its dealings with the rest of the world.

"What preserved peace, even in Cold War conditions, was a balance of forces," Putin said.

The provocative comments from the man widely regarded as Russia's most powerful leader were emblematic of lingering fears and clashing world views as U.S. and Russian negotiators struggle to finalize a long-anticipated deal to cut nuclear stockpiles.

The nuclear deal, agreed upon in broad terms in April, has been trumpeted as the centerpiece of the Obama administration's drive to salvage a badly dented relationship with Moscow. President Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev agreed to cut their respective nuclear arsenals by as much as a third.

Despite vague but encouraging statements from officials on both sides, however, a final agreement remains elusive. The details weren't finalized by the time the previous Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty expired in early December. Nor do negotiators appear ready to finish the deal by year's end, as once expected. They packed up and went home the weekend before Christmas.

Nevertheless, American officials said Tuesday that they were unfazed by Putin's comments.

"We have made substantial progress in the negotiations and remain confident that when talks resume in January that we'll be able to finalize an agreement," said one U.S. official, who spoke on condition of anonymity given the sensitivity of the talks.

SNIP

re: #204 RogueOne

I've bought 4 HP's and never had a problem, knock on wood.

/"wood"

We are addicted to cheap Chinese/Malaysian computers.
I wonder how many US or Canadian consumers would be willing to pay two or three times as much for their computers in order to support a domestic computer manufacturing industry.

re: #220 thedopefishlives

For the record, my personal preference is a combination of smart suspect profiling and full-body scanning. There's no need to scan everyone that walks into an airport; only a few would have the telltale markers that security SHOULD be looking for to flag suspected terrorists. That was part of the failure of the Christmas Day flight. I know hindsight is always 20/20, but if he'd been flagged by security personnel and then run through one of these scanners, it would've been perfectly obvious.

Maybe. The scanners themselves have limitations, and a few trial runs at a total cost of a few thousand dollars would quickly illuminate them and defeat a multi-million dollar machine.

I don't think they're useless, but they need to be considered as only a part of a complete security program, not as a single, final answer.

The United States has rejected fresh concerns raised by Moscow about its planned missile defence system.

The State Department statement came after Russian PM Vladimir Putin said the US plans were holding up a new nuclear disarmament treaty.

The statement said the two issues were completely separate, and discussions would continue separately.

Russia and the US are yet to find a successor to the Cold War-era Start I treaty, which expired on 5 December.

Analysts say Moscow wants a clause in the new treaty that would limit the scale of any US defence shield.

The US has shelved plans for missile defence stations in Central Europe, but intends to use a sea-based system.

The BBC's Imtiaz Tyab in Washington says it is clear from Mr Putin's comments Russia still sees any missile shield as a threat - one it is now pledged to counter.

But the hardening of Russia's position must be frustrating for US President Barack Obama, our correspondent says, after the concessions he has made.

SNIP

*snicker*

That mean Putin won't play fair!

re: #221 Cannadian Club Akbar

The Baptist, I say.
/

Hey now, I'm a Baptist!

We usually don't kill our victims, we just put them on every church committee we can think of!

Hey, the Southern Baptist Convention has a Committee on Committees!

re: #226 MandyManners

The United States has rejected fresh concerns raised by Moscow about its planned missile defence system.

SNIP

*snicker*

That mean Putin won't play fair!

Wait, wait, wait just a goshdarn second. You mean the unclenched fist thingy ISN'T working?! /

Terror Suspect May Have Studied in Houston in 2008

HOUSTON - A local Islamic education center in Houston is looking into whether a Nigerian man accused in the failed Christmas Day plane bombing had taken any classes at its facility.

Reports say Umar Farouk Abdul Mutallab was in Houston during the summer of 2008 for an Islamic summit.

Irtiza Hasan, chairman of the Al Maghrib Institute board, says that they are checking their records to determine if the suspect actually attended any of their classes, but employees in the registrar's office are off for the holdiays. The institute holds classes at various universities and hotels nationwide.

re: #225 SixDegrees

Maybe. The scanners themselves have limitations, and a few trial runs at a total cost of a few thousand dollars would quickly illuminate them and defeat a multi-million dollar machine.

I don't think they're useless, but they need to be considered as only a part of a complete security program, not as a single, final answer.

Oh no, I totally agree. That was the point of my post. There is more to security than herding everyone through a One Size Fits All (tm) combination scanner-fingerprinter-probing machine (a bit heavy on the hyperbole, but you get the idea) and calling it good. Whatever technological measures need to be taken, need to be combined with good ol' human intuition.

China will start restoring Internet service in its western Xinjiang region after nearly six months of a near-total ban on Web access and international phone calls, state media said Tuesday.

The clampdown on communications, in which China also blocked Web sites including Facebook and Twitter nationwide, followed deadly ethnic riots in Xinjiang in July. Nearly 200 people died as Uighurs, a mostly Muslim minority group native to the region, and members of the Han Chinese ethnic majority hunted each other in the streets.

Internet service ceased in the province, though authorities later opened a regional network that let users access certain local news portals and bank and government Web sites, according to the state-run China Daily. Text messaging on mobile phones and international call services were also blocked.

SNIP

re: #225 SixDegrees

Maybe. The scanners themselves have limitations, and a few trial runs at a total cost of a few thousand dollars would quickly illuminate them and defeat a multi-million dollar machine.

I don't think they're useless, but they need to be considered as only a part of a complete security program, not as a single, final answer.

News program yesterday (ABC Nightly News? Can't remember) had a talking head who thought that Al-Q had purchased a full body scanner to "practice" with.

Apple appears to have blocked iPhone applications related to the Dalai Lama in its China App Store, making it the latest U.S. technology company to censor its services in China.

Those apps, which appear in most countries' versions of the App Store, do not currently appear in the Chinese version. Another app related to Rebiya Kadeer, who like the Dalai Lama is an exiled minority leader reviled by China's authorities, is unavailable in the China App Store as well. The apparent censorship comes after carrier China Unicom launched iPhone sales two months ago, making regulatory approval of the phone's contents in the country necessary for the first time.

"We continue to comply with local laws," Apple spokeswoman Trudy Muller said in an e-mail when asked about the missing apps. "Not all apps are available in every country."

SNIP

But, you're still making money off of them, arentcha'?

re: #232 SteveC

News program yesterday (ABC Nightly News? Can't remember) had a talking head who thought that Al-Q had purchased a full body scanner to "practice" with.

Maybe, although I doubt it. It's a lot cheaper to just buy tickets and send jihadists through airports as test subjects, and attracts a lot less attention than making such a large purchase. Those machines also require extensive maintenance, adding more expense and exposure.

Sounds like there was another, very similar incident within the last few weeks, but the perp got caught before takeoff.

re: #227 SteveC

Hey now, I'm a Baptist!

We usually don't kill our victims, we just put them on every church committee we can think of!

Hey, the Southern Baptist Convention has a Committee on Committees!

Saw this on a pastor's desk once...
"For God, so loved the world, that he did not send a committee."

Staggered explosions Wednesday killed 23 people — 13 of them policemen — and wounded an Iraqi provincial governor, officials said, in the worst violence in months to hit the western province that was formerly al-Qaida's top stronghold in Iraq.

The strategically important Anbar province was once the heartland of support for al-Qaida-linked militants, before many insurgents turned on the terror organization and joined forces with U.S. troops and the Iraqi government. The governor is the most senior Sunni leader to be attacked since then.

While violence in Iraq has dropped considerably since the height of the conflict in 2006 and 2007, a reinvigorated insurgency in Anbar — which is also Iraq's largest province — could pose a serious risk to the country's stability as it prepares for elections in March.

SNIP

BBL late dinner.

Guess where?
[Link: www.alibaba.com...]

re: #235 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

Saw this on a pastor's desk once...
"For God, so loved the world, that he did not send a committee."

A-MEN! Speak the Truth, Brother!

re: #233 MandyManners

Apple appears to have blocked iPhone applications related to the Dalai Lama in its China App Store, making it the latest U.S. technology company to censor its services in China.

SNIP

But, you're still making money off of them, arentcha'?

Apple, like the rest of the electronics multinationals, depends on China to manufacture most of its electronics, so why wouldn't they be kissing Chinese ass?

re: #240 Spare O'Lake

Apple, like the rest of the electronics multinationals, depends on China to manufacture most of its electronics, so why wouldn't they be kissing Chinese ass?

KACHING.

re: #240 Spare O'Lake

Apple, like the rest of the electronics multinationals, depends on China to manufacture most of its electronics, so why wouldn't they be kissing Chinese ass?

Also, a potential market of over a billion customers isn't something they're going to ignore.

Cardiologists are suing HHS Sec. Sebelius

Heart specialists on Monday filed suit against Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius in an effort to stave off steep Medicare fee cuts for routine office-based procedures such as nuclear stress tests and echocardiograms.

re: #243 SteveC

Teeny tiny itsy bitsy tippity tip-tip of a massive iceberg... Climate change ain't gonna do a damn thing about it either...

A Nevada couple letting their SUV's navigation system guide them through the high desert of Eastern Oregon got stuck in snow for three days when the GPS unit sent them down a remote forest road.

On Sunday, atmospheric conditions apparently changed enough for their GPS-enabled cell phone to get a weak signal and relay coordinates to a dispatcher, Klamath County Sheriff Tim Evinger said.

SNIP

re: #245 MandyManners

A Nevada couple letting their SUV's navigation system guide them through the high desert of Eastern Oregon got stuck in snow for three days when the GPS unit sent them down a remote forest road.

SNIP

Good thing they were prepared with warm clothes and such. You have to be ready for anything in that kind of weather.

re: #245 MandyManners

GPS has tried to hurt me before, but I am smarter than it is.

Things look wrong? I turn the hell around.

Shh! Don't tell anybody!

Janamaitri Hospital today revealed that as per the request of the government, the hospital did not make public the patients who succumbed to Pandemic Influenza A (H1N1).

Dear USA:
If you want us to continue to supply cheap consumer goods, electronics and almost everything else you need, then we suggest you just shut the fuck up about our internal politics and our massive carbon emissions and pollution.
And by the way, we own your debt.
So just shut the fuck up.
Or else.
Fondly,
China

re: #247 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

GPS has tried to hurt me before, but I am smarter than it is.

Things look wrong? I turn the hell around.

You were born at night, but you weren't born last night!

re: #249 Spare O'Lake