Q:

Why should things be easy to understand?

A: Voters.

re: #1 freetoken

Q:

A: Voters.

“The best argument against democracy is a five minute conversation with the average voter.” -Winston Churchill.

re: #2 ausador

“The best argument against democracy is a five minute conversation with the average voter.” -Winston Churchill.

Man had a way with words.

re: #3 Dark_Falcon

Man had a way with words.

Wondering if he used his talent to write mocking poetry. Hoping not.

re: #4 Silvergirl

Wondering if he used his talent to write mocking poetry. Hoping not.

Churchill painted, and wrote prose of course, I don't know if he had any interest in verse.

re: #1 freetoken

Q:

A: Voters.

"Having the thinking man's vote is good, but I need a majority to win." - Adlai Stevenson

re: #6 laZardo

"Having the thinking man's vote is good, but I need a majority to win." - Adlai Stevenson

A line he said without thinking. It did him a good bit of harm by making him look like an out-of-touch elitist.

A little simplification would be the first step toward rational living, I think.
--Eleanor Roosevelt

re: #7 Dark_Falcon

A line he said without thinking. It did him a good bit of harm by making him look like an out-of-touch elitist.

Good thing he didn't bring up the arugula. That would have done him in completely!

Good-night to all.

Has anyone posted about the Moscow bombings yet?

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

re: #7 Dark_Falcon

A line he said without thinking. It did him a good bit of harm by making him look like an out-of-touch elitist.

Having lived through several elections here though, I guess it's one of those little 'facts of life' everyone knows inside but don't like to reveal.

Pynchon.

A friend of mine was hitchhiking up the California coast decades ago, and got a ride from a strange buck-toothed man in a beat-up Cadillac. Who invited him to spend the night. They did major amounts of Jamaican bud until the wee, wee hours, laughing their asses off over silly puns.

Several years later, my bud (who now directs shows for HBO) figured it out.

It was the elusive TP.

He never gave away the secret location, no matter how much single-malt I plied him with.

OK, I looked back, they have

Brb lunch.

What is grand is necessarily obscure to weak men. That which can be made explicit to the idiot is not worth my care. -- William Blake

And on that note, I'm off to bed. Some late night music before leaving, as well:

G'night Lizards! :)

re: #10 Conservative Moonbat

Has anyone posted about the Moscow bombings yet?

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

We were talking about it a little on the last thread.

My dad's going to be beside himself. Russia is one of his 'things'.

PomplamooseMusic covering Mrs. Robinson - Simon and Garfunkel

re: #16 SanFranciscoZionist

We were talking about it a little on the last thread.

My dad's going to be beside himself. Russia is one of his 'things'.

Repost about Chechnya from the last thread:

The latest Russian tactic has been to bring back 2 armored trains to patrol the rail lines in the area. They carry 23mm automatic cannon and combat vehicles (mostly BMP-2s). It also allows rapid movement of heavy weapons to areas where terrorist are found in numbers.

re: #10 Conservative Moonbat

Has anyone posted about the Moscow bombings yet?

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

Was just gonna post about it:

[Link: www.jpost.com...]

re: #10 Conservative Moonbat

Veronika Smolskaya, Moscow Emergency Ministry spokeswoman, said 22 people were killed in the first blast, at the Lubyanka station in central Moscow.

The station is underneath the building that houses the main offices of the Federal Security Service, the KGB's main successor agency.

So they hit the station that is underneath the FSB offices? Looks like someone just threw down the gauntlet, ballsy but stupid. Knowing the Russians they are going to pick it right up and smack the hell out of someone with it.

re: #20 ausador

So they hit the station that is underneath the FSB offices? Looks like someone just threw down the gauntlet, ballsy but stupid. Knowing the Russians they are going to pick it right up and smack the hell out of someone with it.

True. For terror attacks like this, Russia uses torture for interrogations. Any members of a terror cell they capture will suffer horrifically.

I'm going to bed now. Sleep well, all.

re: #22 Dark_Falcon

I'm going to bed now. Sleep well, all.

Night, D_F.

Nite DF. :)

For everyone that says the US has been "heavy handed" in Iraq and Afghanistan I just have to point to how Russia has handled the Chechnyians. Jesus. We might as well have been buying everybody ice cream in Iraq.

Nearly 300 Congress Members Declare Committment to 'Unbreakable' US-Israel Bond

re: #25 Conservative Moonbat

For everyone that says the US has been "heavy handed" in Iraq and Afghanistan I just have to point to how Russia has handled the Chechnyians. Jesus. We might as well have been buying everybody ice cream in Iraq.

Yes, and against us, the world marched in the streets.

Against Russia, everyone went "Mmmm."

Howdy, all-

For those of you who remember me, uh, howdy again. For those who don't, I've worked with Charles on some things such as getting Robert Stacy McCain exposed as a white supremacist (although we seem to have accidentally helped him get back on with the Washington Times by doing so, lollimus maximus), and did a profile on him for Vanity Fair; I also write for HuffPo, Skeptic, Skeptical Inquirer, True/Slant, and now The New York Observer.

At the end of the VF profile, I alluded to a project with which Charles is working with me, and which I'm about to announce more formerly. Project PM is an effort to increase the reach and influence of the better portions of the blogosphere while also reducing the influence of such commentators as Thomas Friedman and Charles Krauthammer along with other pundits and outlets which have failed to properly perform their duties in informing the citizenry. The project is centered around a network of bloggers, both independent and associated with mainstream outlets, and chosen by virtue of their intellectual honesty and competence. The network differs largely from existing mediums, and we believe that its unique structure, coupled with its participants, has the potential to make a significant impact on information flow.

In addition to the blogger network - which will begin with a core group of people like former Newsweek Baghdad correspondent Michael Hastings and Huffington Post blogger and radio host Allison Kilkenny, I'm establishing a sub-network of non-bloggers to serve as a legislative body which will make necessary decisions as they arise as well as to incubate new ideas, monitor the manner in which the blogger network operates, and otherwise taking over from myself at some point after we launch a couple of months from now. I'm interested in having LGF readers serving in this sub-network along with others I've already brought on (note that joining does not entail any time commitment at all; participants need not participate, as the network won't suffer from it) as well as in recruiting anyone with certain useful skill sets such as programming or anyone else who'd like to help out, if only by spreading the word.

Some details may be found here, or feel free to contact me with any questions you may have. Thanks for your time.

re: #28 Barrett Brown

I already emailed you about that after your DKos post and have been meaning to respond to your response.

re: #27 SanFranciscoZionist

Yes, and against us, the world marched in the streets.

Against Russia, everyone went "Mmmm."

"Because that's kinda how the Russians have always handled things. It's a legacy of their heavy-handed Soviet days."

/

//lolputins are funny tho

re: #28 Barrett Brown

[snip]

... while also reducing the influence of such commentators as Thomas Friedman and Charles Krauthammer along with other pundits and outlets which have failed to properly perform their duties in informing the citizenry.

[snip]

I imagine that about now, Friedman and Krauthammer are quaking in their boots and "other pundits and outlets" are folding up their tents and slinking off into obscurity.

re: #29 Conservative Moonbat

Great, take your time, and thanks again for getting involved.

re: #27 SanFranciscoZionist

Yes, and against us, the world marched in the streets.

Against Russia, everyone went "Mmmm."

Too true.

What's wrong with Charles Krauthammer?

re: #28 Barrett Brown

Does your compensation package include gold-plated medical coverage?

re: #31 Walter L. Newton

I appreciate you alerting me to the fact that this probably won't bring down every problematic media institution, but we're already quite aware of this, which is why our focus is on simply raising awareness of those deficits by way of the collaboration of a great number of commentators with a collectively large audience and acting in such a way as to prompt mainstream outlets to address certain problems with other mainstream outlets. If you'd like to learn more, please check out the link.

re: #35 Spare O'Lake

Does your compensation package include gold-plated medical coverage?

Cadillac plan.

re: #34 stayfrosty

He has been wrong about every U.S. military question of the last 12 years and plenty else besides without having ever taken responsibility for this, and is demonstrably inconsistent in his assertions from column to column. See my Vanity Fair piece on him; my upcoming book includes about 20,000 words on his other failures.

re: #38 Barrett Brown

I'll check it out. Thanks for the linkage.

re: #35 Spare O'Lake

There's no compensation involved for anyone involved, as there is no income; participants get involved as a means to improve the media and thus the knowledge of the electorate.

re: #38 Barrett Brown

He has been wrong about every U.S. military question of the last 12 years and plenty else besides without having ever taken responsibility for this, and is demonstrably inconsistent in his assertions from column to column. See my Vanity Fair piece on him; my upcoming book includes about 20,000 words on his other failures.

Sounds like quite the vendetta.

The husband and I watched District 9 this evening.

re: #42 SanFranciscoZionist

The husband and I watched District 9 this evening.

Good flick. I enjoyed it.

re: #41 Spare O'Lake

Well, I was asked to do a book on notable pundits who damage the understanding of the citizenry by way of incompetence and intellectual dishonesty, and found that Krauthammer fits the bill. Insomuch as that I had more material than could fit even in a long chapter, I decided to write an article on him as well. It's not a vendetta in the sense that I have something personal against him; I just happen to be a writer who's been looking into the question of whether or not those who have been granted a large degree of influence are using that influence in a way that actually assists the public in coming to life-and-death decisions.

re: #44 Barrett Brown

Well, I was asked to do a book on notable pundits who damage the understanding of the citizenry by way of incompetence and intellectual dishonesty, and found that Krauthammer fits the bill. Insomuch as that I had more material than could fit even in a long chapter, I decided to write an article on him as well. It's not a vendetta in the sense that I have something personal against him; I just happen to be a writer who's been looking into the question of whether or not those who have been granted a large degree of influence are using that influence in a way that actually assists the public in coming to life-and-death decisions.

No Thomas Friedman?

re: #44 Barrett Brown

Krauthammer is a great friend of Israel. For that reason he is and will remain in my good books.

re: #45 Conservative Moonbat

No Thomas Friedman?

Certainly, I did a chapter on him and have also written several articles on his various failings, as I consider him to be most emblematic of the problem we have with commentators being unaccountable for repeated mistakes (a pundit made is rarely unmade); even so, I've still got plenty of material left over. He's an extraordinarily sloppy fellow with an unfortunate tendency towards hypocrisy.

re: #4 Silvergirl

Wondering if he used his talent to write mocking poetry. Hoping not.

What, pray, do you have against mockery?

It is the very life's blood of de-mock-racy.

re: #44 Barrett Brown

So which other "notable pundits" have you investigated and found to be damaging?

re: #46 Spare O'Lake

Krauthammer is a great friend of Israel. For that reason he is and will remain in my good books.

That's fine. My work is generally intended for those whose opinions on commentators hinge on the quality and honesty of their output, which is to say it's not for everyone.

re: #28 Barrett Brown

I thoroughly approve of anything that would bring Tom Friedman down a notch or ten.

But do you think it's wise to shoot your bolt before the lightning's primed?

re: #51 Cato the Elder

But do you think it's wise to shoot your bolt before the lightning's primed?

In bed?

re: #49 TheMatrix31

So which other "notable pundits" have you investigated and found to be damaging?

I try to stay away from the most blatantly ridiculous ones, although James Dobson is in there along with his various cohorts as well as a few politicians like Mitt Romney. The book also has chapters on William Bennett, P.J. O'Rourke, Robert Stacy McCain (more for what it says about the conservative blogosphere that he's still acceptable despite what Charles and others have dug up on him rather than his prominence, which is relatively minor), and Martin Peretz. Aside from the book, I've been going after some other folks here and there.

re: #50 Barrett Brown

That's fine. My work is generally intended for those whose opinions on commentators hinge on the quality and honesty of their output, which is to say it's not for everyone.

I didn't mean to imply that I am not interested in honest, non-partisan investigative journalism.

re: #51 Cato the Elder

I thoroughly approve of anything that would bring Tom Friedman down a notch or ten.

But do you think it's wise to shoot your bolt before the lightning's primed?

Which bolt and which lightning? I had to make an early announcement of Project PM due to something which happened earlier this week regarding Wikileaks, though a more comprehensive (and reader-friendly) manifesto will be going up soon; are you referring to something else?

re: #54 Spare O'Lake

Of course you didnt. That's just how the spin goes.

re: #54 Spare O'Lake

I didn't mean to imply that I am not interested in honest, non-partisan investigative journalism.

Well, I'm not doing investigative journalism in this case, but rather criticism. I get it, though.

Ahh, the unintentional comedy gold quotes of FSTDT are always a great boredom reliever.

First a fine example of proper "Christian" sentiment?...

(On the passing of former Secretary of the Interior and environmentalist Stewart Udall)

I hope he enjoys his eternity in Hell. Let this be a lesson to democrats everywhere. Get right with Jesus or go to Hell. This man is, right now, screaming for God to save him. He is covered in flames and being sodomised by fire daemons over and over again and it will never stop. It will go on for an eternity.

Then of course onto some homophobic disinformation...

Gay marriage was the idea of far left politicians who needed another victim group to keep their funds and offices in place. I never heard hard working gays say they wanted to be Betty Crocker, it's just the "in your face" losers looking for their share of social service hand outs. In my humble opinion.

And the day wouldn't be complete without a little Muslim bashing to round it out...

I was going through a couple magazines down the local mosque the other day, I was really enjoying myself.............. then the rifle jammed.

It never ceases to amaze me how stupid and hateful the things people will say on the internet are, (or how funny they can be without even trying). Every time I go to FSTDT I find at least one thing that makes me literally LOL, schadenfreude anyone?

re: #45 Conservative Moonbat

Friedman is nicer (blander?) about it but I can't recall him ever being, as a old prof of mine would have put it, right as hell! about anything. Anything.

re: #28 Barrett Brown

Agree that both Friedman and Krauthammer are overexposed compared to the quality of what they actually deliver.

Putting together a new network of bloggers to try and influence the public discourse sounds like a big challenge.

Good luck.

re: #55 Barrett Brown

Which bolt and which lightning? I had to make an early announcement of Project PM due to something which happened earlier this week regarding Wikileaks, though a more comprehensive (and reader-friendly) manifesto will be going up soon; are you referring to something else?

Regarding Friedman, you write: "He's an extraordinarily sloppy fellow with an unfortunate tendency towards hypocrisy."

Sloppy, yes, indeed. And one of the greatest patters-of-self-on-back since Francis Fukuyama.

But I don't think hypocrisy is his major failing. He's far too self-enamored for that. His greatest weakness, the thing to which he is most prey, is sheer silliness.

Here's my 2001 Amazon review of his ridiculous book "The Lexus and the Olive Tree: Understanding Globalization."

Gotta getta Lexus (or be run over), March 23, 2001

What a marvelous concept, "the golden straitjacket" reaching "critical mass"! How lucky we are to live in an age when gifted seers can mix such delirious metaphorical cocktails and have the op-ed establishment purvey them as divine elixir! "One size fits all" is fine, if the size happens to be yours, right? Why shouldn't you be comfortable on the bed of Procrustes if you can snuggle down in it without doing violence to your physique? As for those poor benighted countries whose olive trees get in the way of the roads a Lexus needs to roll down on its triumphal tour of the globe, they'll soon learn to appreciate the blessings of universal Americanization. Once those stupid trees are lopped down and the highways plowed through, the "slow world" will forget all about its futile particularism! And then the prophet of Foreign Affairs (soon to be renamed simply "Affairs", since, after all, the walls have come tumbling down) will be hailed as the oracular flag-bearer of the glorious New Dawn. Thank you for ripping the scales from our eyes, o wise and beneficent one. We'll stop complaining at once, and learn to love the Lexi...

What Friedman requires is not debunking, but good old-fashioned butt-thrashing mockery. Do let me know if you'd like my assistance. My nick is blue.

re: #60 freetoken

Thanks. As I mentioned, a lot of what we hope to achieve will be made possible by the particular dynamics of the network, which we think will be an improvement on existing mediums insomuch as that it takes into account various negative dynamics that have become evident in other internet-based networks ranging from Daily Kos to reddit to memeorandum Pajamas Media. The network will be able to expand in such a way as to minimize the negative results that occur when lesser bloggers are brought in, for example; it should be able to grow a great deal without being noticeably watered down or unwieldy.

re: #61 Cato the Elder

I agree that hypocrisy is not his major failing; Bennett and Krauthammer are far more prone to that than is Friedman. I also agree that silliness is his particular problem. He has a tendency to invent metaphors and other various literary devices and then force the facts into these models after the, uh, fact.

Here's a piece I did on him a little while ago, excerpted from the book. Here's another one. There are, like, half a dozen more.

re: #62 Barrett Brown

Given the real divide between cultures within our society, not to mention the segmentation between those who dependably read online blogs vs. the tweeters vs. the (mostly older folks who) rely on television and radio, you've got quite a job on your hands.

Krauthammer and Friedman can get on just about any TV show.

Of course, then you will be up against the monied interests who use all possible outlets to maneuver the political discussion into the correct direction...

Integrity in journalism, and honesty in the public discourse - big ideas, big challenge.

Apparent suicide bombings in Moscow

More coverage from the Beeb

Absolutely horrendous. My heart goes out to the victims.

re: #41 Spare O'Lake

Sounds like quite the vendetta.

*rolls eyes*

Morning Lizards

Dog Eats Police Car

A better title would be "Dog mauls Police Car". This is what happens when you buy a car with cheap plastic bumpers

Some photos from cameras inside Lubyanka Station in Moscow.

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

Seems the Islamists used female suicide bombers, again. Next we will hear about how their husbands or fathers or brothers were killed by the Russians previously, again, as if that justifies it.

Now the whole circle of violence starts over because you know Russia is going to enact some form of retaliation. Sigh...radical Islam sure is causing a lot of people an awful lot of harm, on both sides of the conflict. One continues to hope that perhaps it's surviving adherants will one day wake up and see it for what it is, evil.

A POWERFUL bomb has exploded in front of an institute for training public officials in the west of Athens, killing a 15-year-old boy and injuring a girl and her mother.

The boy was killed on the spot while his 10-year-old sister was seriously wounded and their mother escaped with slight injuries.

Police said the family, Afghan nationals, had probably been walking past the building when the explosion occurred.

The Civil Protection ministry later released a statement saying the boy stumbled upon a bag in a garbage bin that contained the bomb.

SNIP

The last attack to have injured anyone was in October 2009, when six police officers were wounded in a machine gun attack on a police station.

Greece has been rocked by a string of attacks against economic interests and offices of politicians since a youth was killed by a police officer in December 2008.

A Greek extremist group last Monday claimed responsibility for three bomb attacks over the weekend that caused damage to the offices of a neo-Nazi movement, the home of a Pakistani and migration offices.

The group, the Conspiracy of the Cells of Fire, said in a message posted on the left-leaning Indymedia website the attacks were a contribution to the ongoing debate in the country on immigration.

SNIP

re: #64 freetoken

Of course, then you will be up against the monied interests who use all possible outlets to maneuver the political discussion into the correct direction...

and who decides what the correct direction is? It seems that anything that leans right (and yes, I went and read some of your stuff) is incorrect.

I always worry when someone claims to be the one to 'fix' things based on some arbitrary set of rules created by the fixer.

My response to the nut jobs on the right.

Red Rider - Lunatic Fringe

Lyrics

Lunatic Fringe
from the Red Rider LP "As Far As Siam"

Lunatic fringe
I know you're out there
You're in hiding
And you hold your meetings
We can hear you coming
We know what you're after
We're wise to you this time
We won't let you kill the laughter.

Lunatic fringe
In the twilight's last gleaming
This is open season
But you won't get too far
We know you've got to blame someone
For your own confusion
But we're on guard this time
Against your final solution

We can hear you coming
(We can hear you coming)
No you're not going to win this time
We can hear the footsteps
(We can hear the footsteps)
Way out along the walkway
Lunatic fringe
We know you're out there
But in these new dark ages
There will still be light

An eye for an eye;
Well before you go under...
Can you feel the resistance?
Can you feel the thunder?

re: #72 Stonemason

Not Freetoken's stuff, Barret Brown's stuff.

(for clarification)

Morning Mandy.

re: #75 Bubblehead II

Good morning, Bubblehead!

Former US ambassador to the UN John Bolton expressed concern Sunday that Washington was coming to terms with a nuclear Iran.

“I very much worry the Obama administration is willing to accept a nuclear Iran, that's why there's this extraordinary pressure on Israel not to attack in Iran,” Bolton told Army Radio.

The former envoy claimed that this pressure was the focus of last week's meetings in Washington between Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyhau and US officials, including President Barack Obama.

Bolton said that the Obama administration had embraced the view, prevalent in Europe, that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict was the key to the resolution of all other conflicts throughout the Middle East, including the Iranian conflict.

He added that the rift in US-Israel relations stemmed from a fundamental difference in the understanding of the Middle East and Israel's role in the Middle East, and is not really about east Jerusalem at all.

Bolton said that the treatment Netanyahu received during his visit "should tell the people of Israel how difficult it's going to be dealing with Washington for the next couple of years."

SNIP

re: #76 MandyManners

I hope today finds you and the kid well.

Moscow Metro hit by deadly suicide bombings

I wonder which religious background those two suicide-bombers had?

re: #79 gegenkritik

Moscow Metro hit by deadly suicide bombings

I wonder which religious background those two suicide-bombers had?

Seventh-day Adventist?

/

Venezuela's highest court on Sunday barred an outspoken opponent of President Hugo Chavez from talking to news media about criminal charges alleging he struck a police official.

The Supreme Court's order prohibits lawmaker Wilmer Azuaje from "talking in relation to the present issue through any media outlet," including television, radio, newspapers or the Internet.

It said the measure is meant to protect the "reputation, integrity and honor of the victim."

The court order comes as a chorus of Chavez critics and human rights groups are accusing the government of increasingly using the courts to punish its adversaries while ignoring other allegedly illegal acts by the socialist leader's allies.

Chavez rejects such accusations.

SNIP

Another Chinese Coal Mine incident.

153 trapped in China coal mine

You would think that by now they would have learned proper safety methods.

/Hell life is cheap and they have so many to spare.

re: #78 Bubblehead II

I hope today finds you and the kid well.

I'm up before the sun as usual and am enjoying the peace.

I hope today finds you and yours well.

Has the Obama Administration, Against U.S. Interests, Declared Diplomatic War on Israel?

By Barry Rubin
March 29, 2010

Up to now my view has been that the U.S. government didn't want a crisis but merely sought to get indirect negotiations going between Israel and Palestinians in order to look good.
Even assuming this limited goal, the technique was to keep getting concessions from Israel without asking the PA to do or give anything has been foolish, but at least it was a generally rational strategy.
But now it has become reasonable to ask whether the Obama White House is running amuck on Israel, whether it is pushing friction so far out of proportion that it is starting to seem a vendetta based on hostility and ideology. And if that's true, there is little Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu or any Israeli leader can do to fix the problem.
A partial explanation of such behavior can be called, to borrow a phrase from the health law debate, a "single-payer option" as its Middle East strategy. That is, the administration seems to envision Israel paying for everything: supposedly to get the Palestinian Authority (PA) to talks, do away with any Islamist desire to carry out terrorism or revolution, keep Iraq quiet, make Afghanistan stable, and solve just about any other global problem.
What makes this U.S. tactic even more absurd is doing so at the very moment when it is coddling Syria and losing the battle for anything but the most minimal sanctions on Iran.
During his visit to Washington, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tried to defuse the tension. His partners in government, we should never forget, are Defense Minister Ehud Barak, leader of the Labour Party, and President Shimon Peres, who has done more to promote Middle East peace than any other living Israeli leader.
But according to reliable sources, Obama went out of his way to be personally hostile, treating Netanyahu like some colonial minion who could be ordered around. ...

re: #80 ausador

Seventh-day Adventist?

/

A Scientologist with a badly done audit.

re: #82 Bubblehead II

Another Chinese Coal Mine incident.

153 trapped in China coal mine

You would think that by now they would have learned proper safety methods.

/Hell life is cheap and they have so many to spare.

But, BHO admires their infrastructure.

re: #86 MandyManners

But, BHO admires their infrastructure.

I'm betting 153 Chinese do not right now...

Good Morning Lizardkind! I must run for now. Kid delivery and such. I am a house husband for 2 weeks until I magically transform into a staff weenie.

The man who put the dude in prostidude has left the brothel business, but the Shady Lady Ranch vows to press on without him.

Though the Nye County bordello 150 miles northwest of Las Vegas has temporarily stopped servicing women, owner Bobbi Davis said she isn't ready to give up on her groundbreaking foray into legal male prostitution.

"We're just taking a little break," she said.

Markus, the Shady Lady's first stud for hire, called it quits a few weeks ago after drawing fewer than 10 customers. Since then, the workload has been shouldered by a Las Vegas man in his mid-30s who -- Davis swears she's not making this up -- performs under the name "Y. Not."

SNIP

re: #84 gegenkritik

Has the Obama Administration, Against U.S. Interests, Declared Diplomatic War on Israel?

Rubin doesn't "heart" the NYT.

The New York Times has now crossed the line from being a grossly slanted newspaper in its Middle East coverage to being one so partisan, blinkered, and defensive as to lose its value altogether. I do not write this lightly and have no wish to exaggerate. But the newspaper’s editorial of March 26 is so mendacious, so made up to suit the political purposes of the Obama administration without any reference to the facts that it is a work of politically tailored fiction.

SNIP

re: #83 MandyManners

I'm up before the sun as usual and am enjoying the peace.

I hope today finds you and yours well.

Same here. The Wife just accused me of spoiling her. Since I get home before she wakes up, I have a cup of coffee (1 pack Splenda and a dash of Vanilla Carmel Creamer) prepared for her. Just have to add the hot water and deliver. No it's not per say "instant" coffee. It's a toddy

As for the accusation of spoiling her? My response was, Isn't that what I am supposed to do?

re: #90 Bubblehead II

Same here. The Wife just accused me of spoiling her. Since I get home before she wakes up, I have a cup of coffee (1 pack Splenda and a dash of Vanilla Carmel Creamer) prepared for her. Just have to add the hot water and deliver. No it's not per say "instant" coffee. It's a toddy

As for the accusation of spoiling her? My response was, Isn't that what I am supposed to do?

I'm off coffee. No matter how I mixed de-caff and caff, I always wound up with too much caffeine and a buzz in my ears. I start my day with a cuppa' tea.

re: #91 MandyManners

I'm off coffee. No matter how I mixed de-caff and caff, I always wound up with too much caffeine and a buzz in my ears. I start my day with a cuppa' tea.

Speaking of which,...

re: #91 MandyManners

I'm off coffee. No matter how I mixed de-caff and caff, I always wound up with too much caffeine and a buzz in my ears. I start my day with a cuppa' tea.

Tea is good. You still get the caffeine, but it is not so much in your face as some coffee or energy drink/pills. Plus you have the olfactory pleasure as well. Coffee, well it smells like, Coffee. Tea on the other hand, well you have a wide variety of choices.

Caffeine Content Of Popular Drinks

re: #79 gegenkritik

Moscow Metro hit by deadly suicide bombings

I wonder which religious background those two suicide-bombers had?

Russian police have killed several Islamic militant leaders in the North Caucasus recently, including one last week in the Kabardino-Balkariya region. The killing of Anzor Astemirov was mourned by contributors to two al-Qaida-affiliated Web sites.

The killings have raised fears of retaliatory strikes by the militants.

The milkman's a spy.

re: #93 Bubblehead II

Tea is good. You still get the caffeine, but it is not so much in your face as some coffee or energy drink/pills. Plus you have the olfactory pleasure as well. Coffee, well it smells like, Coffee. Tea on the other hand, well you have a wide variety of choices.

Caffeine Content Of Popular Drinks

Every now and then The Kid tries to get me to let him have a Red Bull. Considering his ADHD, no way. No how.

re: #94 sattv4u2

Russian police have killed several Islamic militant leaders in the North Caucasus recently, including one last week in the Kabardino-Balkariya region. The killing of Anzor Astemirov was mourned by contributors to two al-Qaida-affiliated Web sites.

The killings have raised fears of retaliatory strikes by the militants.

The Chechens and Ingush have been treated like SHIT by the Russians for a long, long time. Don't get me started on Stalin's genocide.

Here comes the spin. Sure took them long enough

Obama did not snub Israeli PM: Axelrod
[Link: www.reuters.com...]

"This was a working meeting among friends. And so there was no snub intended," White House senior adviser David Axelrod told CNN's State of the Union news program.

Axelrod noted that the two leaders had met in private for two hours and had better things to do with their time than worry about protocol.

feh

The Obama administration's pressure on Israel to curb settlement activity will bolster Palestinian hardliners and hinder peace efforts, a senior cabinet minister said on Monday.

Tensions with Washington flared three weeks ago, and have simmered unresolved since, over the announcement of an Israeli blueprint for 1,600 more homes for Jews in areas of the West Bank that Israel annexed to East Jerusalem.

The Palestinians, who want statehood in the West Bank and Gaza with a capital in East Jerusalem, backed out of planned U.S.-mediated peace talks with Israel, demanding the new project be scrapped.

Benny Begin, a member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's inner cabinet, described Washington's scrutiny on Jerusalem as departing from previous U.S. administrations' view that the city's status should be resolved in peace negotiations.

SNIP

re: #97 MandyManners

The Chechens and Ingush have been treated like SHIT by the Russians for a long, long time. Don't get me started on Stalin's genocide.

I know the history
Even still, you don't blow yourself up in a crowded civilian subway

re: #94 sattv4u2

Thanks, but my question was sarcastic. If there's a suicide-bombing in the news, I normally just wait for the experts to explain that it has nothing to do with Islam, which is a religion of peace and so on.

And yes, Russia is an ugly autocratic-regime, for which I have no sympathy at all. If Israel would treat the Palestineans the way like Russia does with the Chechens, whole world would have invaded Israel.

Though, compared to the Islamic hell that many of their Chechen enemies want to create, Russia's still the better choice.

re: #100 sattv4u2

I know the history
Even still, you don't blow yourself up in a crowded civilian subway

Hard to argue with that.

I wonder if the Saudis have been as busy spreading Wahhabism in that region as they have in the Balkans.

re: #101 gegenkritik

Thanks, but my question was sarcastic.
I know ,, somehow my tag "It was the Amish" got lost

re: #72 Stonemason

and who decides what the correct direction is? It seems that anything that leans right (and yes, I went and read some of your stuff) is incorrect.

I always worry when someone claims to be the one to 'fix' things based on some arbitrary set of rules created by the fixer.

I didn't write that which you're quoting. However, I'd be willing to address any specifics regarding things I've written here or at the Project PM summary linked above.

DOGS 1
POLICE CAR 0

A guy I work with was the number one, not the boss, although I worked for my boss years ago. Working this weekend, my boss remembered all I did for him years ago. (he knew, just forgot the little things) The guy that was ahead of me has been in the hospital for a week and at about 4 PM today will be having open heart surgery. I hope the best for him. Good morning.

re: #72 Stonemason

I should mention, though, that I don't really go after anything that leans right, as I'm not a liberal. For instance, the main focus of the book is Thomas Friedman, and Richard Cohen makes up another chapter, and Martin Peretz still another. I do tend to go after conservatives more than liberals, partly because they come after me, partly because I write for pubs like Skeptic and Skeptical Inquirer and did my first book on creationism and intelligent design and of course the right tends to be more religious than the left, partly because I advocate gay rights, and otherwise because I see the right's modern manifestations as far more intellectually dishonest than those of the left, much as Charles Johnson does. See the Robert Stacy McCain affair, for instance.

re: #107 Barrett Brown

Are you a Michael Shermer fan? (sp?)

Morning all.

re: #109 RogueOne

Morning all.

WTF is that suppose to mean?
/

Lizards, It is time to call it a day

To the Lizard Nation

I hope this Day is Good

To my wife (whom I suspect looks in on me from time to time)

Hey, She is entitled .

For My Lady (Moody Blues cover) - The New Horizons

re: #110 Cannadian Club Akbar

WTF is that suppose to mean?
/

"you people"

re: #109 RogueOne

Morning all.

What's shaking?

re: #112 RogueOne

"you people"

We bitter clingers are doing fine!

Tonight's dinner will be "wet burritos."
Ironically, tomorrow will be "wet fart" day. Heh.

re: #101 gegenkritik

Thanks, but my question was sarcastic. If there's a suicide-bombing in the news, I normally just wait for the experts to explain that it has nothing to do with Islam, which is a religion of peace and so on.

Without more information we don't know if the bomber was a nationalist or an islamist. They're both working towards the same short-term goal, removal of russian forces and an independent state, but they have very different long-term visions. The majority of the resistance doesn't have any desire to establish a sharia-driven islamic state.

Mornin', Lizards. Ugh, what crappy news to wake up to.

re: #116 RogueOne

Without more information we don't know if the bomber was a nationalist or an islamist. They're both working towards the same short-term goal, removal of russian forces and an independent state, but they have very different long-term visions. The majority of the resistance doesn't have any desire to establish a sharia-driven islamic state.

I'm gonna' chalk this one up to Islamists. I've never heard of a Russain Orthodox woman blowing herself up in a subway. Or, anywhere else for that matter.

And, don't forget Beslan's perpetrators. They weren't Orthodox.

Marco Rubio will win the Senate seat here in Florida. Sorry, Charlie.

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

re: #117 Dante41

Mornin', Lizards. Ugh, what crappy news to wake up to.

Indeed.

Good morning lizards!

Some sad news from the sports world...

Pa. city losing hockey team, just like 'Slap Shot'

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – In the 1977 cult hit movie "Slap Shot," when player/coach Reggie Dunlop learns his minor-league hockey team will fold, he boosts player morale by planting a phony story in the local paper: The Charlestown Chiefs are moving south.

And now, 22 years after they were founded in a moment of inspiration from the film, the real-life Johnstown Chiefs really are moving to Greenville, S.C.

But the move is doing anything but boosting the morale of this gritty town, where the economy and its people never recovered from the steel industry meltdown of the 1970s and the last of three titanic floods.

The movie, starring Paul Newman, was shot in Johnstown as a barely disguised homage to the beloved Johnstown Jets. The team folded the year the movie was released, after floodwaters damaged ice-making equipment at the team's riverside arena.

The Johnstown Chiefs were founded in 1988, and a succession of owners has labored to keep the team alive, largely because "Slap Shot" stoked interest in the city's tragicomic love affair with what the movie called "old-time hockey."

"'Slap Shot' was a big factor in me, personally, having the team here, owning the team," said majority owner and head coach Neil Smith, 56, who played for the New York Islanders' farm system. "I was fascinated by that: the original building, the small town, the whole thing."

Formerly the general manager who led the New York Rangers to their last Stanley Cup championship in 1994, Smith bought the cash-strapped Chiefs in 2002. He promised not to move them for at least two seasons but sought a local buyer sentimental enough to keep the team in town and rich enough to write off the team's perennial losses.

(Movie irony: The rich owner in "Slap Shot" folded the team as a tax write-off.)

re: #118 MandyManners

I'm gonna' chalk this one up to Islamists. I've never heard of a Russain Orthodox woman blowing herself up in a subway. Or, anywhere else for that matter.

And, don't forget Beslan's perpetrators. They weren't Orthodox.

I heard it was 2 women. And Beslan was fucking disgusting. Islamist raping young girls for days, then killing them. Fucking monsters.

re: #120 MandyManners

Indeed.

Yes. I honestly think I will just go back to bed after Stability class today, on the hope that if it gets worse I won't know about it.

re: #116 RogueOne

Without more information we don't know if the bomber was a nationalist or an islamist. They're both working towards the same short-term goal, removal of russian forces and an independent state, but they have very different long-term visions. The majority of the resistance doesn't have any desire to establish a sharia-driven islamic state.

What you call "resistance" is infact a bunch of rackets, who blow up civilians in a subway-station. This is the behavior of Islamic terrorists, not "nationalists".

And how do you know that "the majority" of what you call "resistance" does not want a peaceful sharia-driven islamic state? Have you spoke to all of them?

re: #108 Cannadian Club Akbar

Are you a Michael Shermer fan? (sp?)

Yeah. I actually know him, as I write for Skeptic and he's the editor.

re: #125 Barrett Brown

Yeah. I actually know him, as I write for Skeptic and he's the editor.

I saw that after I posted. I love that guy. And good for you!!:)

re: #124 gegenkritik

What you call "resistance" is infact a bunch of rackets, who blow up civilians in a subway-station. This is the behavior of Islamic terrorists, not "nationalists".

And how do you know that "the majority" of what you call "resistance" does not want a peaceful sharia-driven islamic state? Have you spoke to all of them?

There is no such thing as "peaceful Sharia."

re: #124 gegenkritik

What you call "resistance" is infact a bunch of rackets, who blow up civilians in a subway-station. This is the behavior of Islamic terrorists, not "nationalists".

And how do you know that "the majority" of what you call "resistance" does not want a peaceful sharia-driven islamic state? Have you spoke to all of them?

Honestly, I don't think Russian-Islamic tensions play into this. If they did, the Tartars would be doing things since they are the largest Russian Muslim population. However, they aren't. This looks to be just a grim new chapter of tactics from Chechnya.

re: #128 Dante41

Honestly, I don't think Russian-Islamic tensions play into this. If they did, the Tartars would be doing things since they are the largest Russian Muslim population. However, they aren't. This looks to be just a grim new chapter of tactics from Chechnya.

After quick research, it appears that this isn't new at all.

Shahidka.

re: #121 NJDhockeyfan

Top of the day to you, NJD!

re: #122 Cannadian Club Akbar

I heard it was 2 women. And Beslan was fucking disgusting. Islamist raping young girls for days, then killing them. Fucking monsters.

Yes, it was two women.

re: #127 Cannadian Club Akbar
Of course there is. Islam is peace and so is Sharia.

re: #123 Dante41

Yes. I honestly think I will just go back to bed after Stability class today, on the hope that if it gets worse I won't know about it.

Trust me: ignoring shit won't make it go away.

re: #132 gegenkritik

Of course there is. Islam is peace and so is Sharia.

Sure they are....and I'm a Chinese astronaut!

re: #127 Cannadian Club Akbar

There is no such thing as "peaceful Sharia."

Hard to pursue peace while subjugating women.

re: #128 Dante41

Honestly, I don't think Russian-Islamic tensions play into this. If they did, the Tartars would be doing things since they are the largest Russian Muslim population. However, they aren't. This looks to be just a grim new chapter of tactics from Chechnya.

How can you deny the role of Islam?!

re: #133 MandyManners

Trust me: ignoring shit won't make it go away.

I know. Part of it is simply I haven't got much sleep recently.

re: #124 gegenkritik

What you call "resistance" is infact a bunch of rackets, who blow up civilians in a subway-station. This is the behavior of Islamic terrorists, not "nationalists".

And how do you know that "the majority" of what you call "resistance" does not want a peaceful sharia-driven islamic state? Have you spoke to all of them?

I keep in weekly contact with a variety of resistance cells weekly.//

Right now they're working under the premise "the enemy of my enemy....". Chechen Nationalists are not driven by their religion, they're driven by their desire for a free state and they don't have a problem with blowing themselves up to get it but right now they'll take what help they can get. This won't turn into an actual religious fueled war until after the Russians have been removed. Like I said, that's when it gets interesting.

re: #136 MandyManners

How can you deny the role of Islam?!

I'm not denying it. I'm just saying that it isn't the sole cause.

re: #129 Dante41

After quick research, it appears that this isn't new at all.

Shahidka.

There's the Wahabism connection.

re: #28 Barrett Brown

"...while also reducing the influence of such commentators as Thomas Friedman and Charles Krauthammer along with other pundits and outlets which have failed to properly perform their duties in informing the citizenry"

And who are you to decide that which others have failed at, and are not worthy their voice?

This doesn't pass the smell test.

re: #137 Dante41

I know. Part of it is simply I haven't got much sleep recently.

So, get some. Sleep deprivation is a pretty serious condition.

re: #142 MandyManners

So, get some. Sleep deprivation is a pretty serious condition.

I would, but I have formation (and a Dress Whites inspection) in 15 minutes, and then a STCW class an hour after that. Can't go to sleep until all of those are done, but I will as soon as they are.

Ex-Scientology lawsuits reveal elite Sea Org group

SAN JACINTO, Calif. – At the edge of arid foothills far outside Los Angeles, hundreds of Scientology followers live on a gated, 500-acre campus and work long hours for almost no pay reproducing the works of founder L. Ron Hubbard and creating the church's teaching and promotional materials.

The church says its 5,000 so-called Sea Organization members are religious devotees akin to monks who are exempt from wage requirements and overtime. But two lawsuits filed by two former Sea Org members, as they are known, allege the workers are little more than slave laborers, forced to work 100-hour weeks for pennies and threatened with manual labor if they cause trouble.

Marc Headley and his wife, Claire, are seeking back pay and overtime that could add up to $1 million each, according to their attorney, Barry Van Sickle.

Experts say the plaintiffs face an uphill battle; one similar lawsuit in state court has already been dismissed, although the plaintiff plans to appeal.

But the dispute has nonetheless focused unwelcome attention on the Sea Org, which operates as a nerve center for the church's most important business. While Sea Org members hold positions of authority within the international church, from the public relations team to the top leadership, lower-ranking members make up much of the work force.

The members are Scientology's most devoted followers: they sign a billion-year pledge, vow not to have children and live and work communally.

re: #139 Dante41

I'm not denying it. I'm just saying that it isn't the sole cause.

Chechens and Ingush have resisted the occupying Rusians and Ossetians for a long time. This is a new tactic. (See my No. 102 for the spread of Wahabism.)

A guy on my radio is defending the Pope, saying that most of the abuse cases were handled on a local level. He also said he doesn't think the Pope will step down. He also sounds like he is out of breath. I don't trust people who sound like that.

Gotta' git.

re: #147 MandyManners

Gotta' git.

Bye....have a great Monday!

Health overhaul likely to strain doctor shortage

WASHINGTON – Better beat the crowd and find a doctor.

Primary care physicians already are in short supply in parts of the country, and the landmark health overhaul that will bring them millions more newly insured patients in the next few years promises extra strain.

The new law goes beyond offering coverage to the uninsured, with steps to improve the quality of care for the average person and help keep us well instead of today's seek-care-after-you're-sick culture. To benefit, you'll need a regular health provider.

Yet recently published reports predict a shortfall of roughly 40,000 primary care doctors over the next decade, a field losing out to the better pay, better hours and higher profile of many other specialties. Provisions in the new law aim to start reversing that tide, from bonus payments for certain physicians to expanded community health centers that will pick up some of the slack.

A growing movement to change how primary care is practiced may do more to help with the influx. Instead of the traditional 10-minutes-with-the-doc-style office, a "medical home" would enhance access with a doctor-led team of nurses, physician assistants and disease educators working together; these teams could see more people while giving extra attention to those who need it most.

re: #145 MandyManners

Chechens and Ingush have resisted the occupying Rusians and Ossetians for a long time. This is a new tactic. (See my No. 102 for the spread of Wahabism.)

True. I am just saying that other larger Islamic minorities in Russia get along just swimmingly with the Russians without doing things like this.

Also, I have to leave for that Dress Whites inspection that I mentioned earlier. Be back in about 35 minutes.

re: #146 Cannadian Club Akbar

A guy on my radio is defending the Pope, saying that most of the abuse cases were handled on a local level. He also said he doesn't think the Pope will step down. He also sounds like he is out of breath. I don't trust people who sound like that.

Is it Bill Donohue of the Catholic League?
I don't trust him either.

re: #151 reine.de.tout

Is it Bill Donohue of the Catholic League?
I don't trust him either.

No. Wasn't him. But the guy definitely had an agenda.

re: #152 Cannadian Club Akbar

No. Wasn't him. But the guy definitely had an agenda.

Donohue often sounds breathless, and he's usually red-in-the-face angry, but not about the things he should be angry about.

The Pope is head of the church; it falls squarely on his shoulders to properly handle (or not handle) the sex abuse cases. And IMO, the Vatican just continues to be blind as to the depth of the problem, as well as causes for the problem and as to the utter devastation these incidents bring to young people. It's protection of priests to the detriment of the people of the Catholic Church.

re: #136 MandyManners

How can you deny the role of Islam?!

Nothing has anything to do with Islam anymore.
Chechnyan terrorism - nyet
Pali terrorism - nope
Iranian nukes - nah

Good Morning LGF

re: #153 reine.de.tout

I've seen him on TV. I know what you're saying. The guy on my radio was just relentless in protecting the Pope. The Pope could set a cat on fire and the guy would make an excuse for it.

re: #150 Dante41

True. I am just saying that other larger Islamic minorities in Russia get along just swimmingly with the Russians without doing things like this.

Also, I have to leave for that Dress Whites inspection that I mentioned earlier. Be back in about 35 minutes.

Dante,
Are you in the Navy?

re: #156 rwdflynavy

Dante,
Are you in the Navy?

That's what I was wondering, since it is spring and all.

re: #156 rwdflynavy

Dante,
Are you in the Navy?

[resisting temptation to post the Village People]

re: #138 RogueOne

Right now they're working under the premise "the enemy of my enemy...". Chechen Nationalists are not driven by their religion, they're driven by their desire for a free state and they don't have a problem with blowing themselves up to get it but right now they'll take what help they can get. This won't turn into an actual religious fueled war until after the Russians have been removed. Like I said, that's when it gets interesting.

How many other conflicts do you know where people "driven by the desire for a free state" blew themselves up? Please list only those, where the brave freedom-fighters are not Muslims.

Video of the aftermath of the splodydopes in Russia.
[Link: news.bbc.co.uk...]

Best wishes for a happy Passover holiday to all Jewish lizards.
And a special request for whoever is leading the Seder Service tonight at the White House: Please don't forget to stress the eternal prayer of the Jewish people - "L'Shana Haba'a B'Yerushalayim" (Next Year In Jerusalem).
BBL.

Internet ain't workin' at home this morning; drive by HOWDY KNUCKLEHEADS!

re: #162 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

Internet ain't workin' at home this morning; drive by HOWDY KNUCKLEHEADS!

Are you at a donut shop with WiFi?

re: #144 NJDhockeyfan

Ex-Scientology lawsuits reveal elite Sea Org group

I love the 'billion-year pledge' part.

Morning!! Don't have enough dynamite yet to get Little Man out of bed.....have to give a few minutes to get his eyes lined up with the holes = )

Hope everyone is well!!

re: #162 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

Internet ain't workin' at home this morning; drive by HOWDY KNUCKLEHEADS!

Howdy, FBV.

re: #164 Aceofwhat?

I love the 'billion-year pledge' part.

I wish those fuckers would knock on my door.

re: #141 Ericus58

"...while also reducing the influence of such commentators as Thomas Friedman and Charles Krauthammer along with other pundits and outlets which have failed to properly perform their duties in informing the citizenry"

And who are you to decide that which others have failed at, and are not worthy their voice?

This doesn't pass the smell test.

I'm a citizen, just like everyone else who thinks very little of certain other citizens and seeks to point out the flaws in their reasoning so that others won't be taken in by them - for instance, that thing you're doing right now.

re: #156 rwdflynavy

Dante,
Are you in the Navy?

Nah. Texas Maritime Academy. I've mentioned before that I was going to school to get my Third Mate's license.

Or in other words: Not Navy, Merchie-in-Training.

re: #168 Barrett Brown

I'm a citizen, just like everyone else who thinks very little of certain other citizens and seeks to point out the flaws in their reasoning so that others won't be taken in by them - for instance, that thing you're doing right now.

And what is it I'm' doing right now?
I'm questioning your lack of non-partisanship. DKos has a long history of not being non-partisan, rather it's been known for being quite partisan.
And I'm questioning your thrust that only right-minded columnist need their influence "reduced" while not applying the same energy to left-minded columnists.

Sorry, but your partisan bent is quite apparent and my bringing it up is not the issue. You posted here in no uncertain terms who you are and what your gig is. Don't let me stop you, I'll not try and "reduce your influence" - welcome to freedom of speech - but don't think you won't be called on it.

re: #170 Ericus58

And what is it I'm' doing right now?
I'm questioning your lack of non-partisanship. DKos has a long history of not being non-partisan, rather it's been known for being quite partisan.
And I'm questioning your thrust that only right-minded columnist need their influence "reduced" while not applying the same energy to left-minded columnists.

Sorry, but your partisan bent is quite apparent and my bringing it up is not the issue. You posted here in no uncertain terms who you are and what your gig is. Don't let me stop you, I'll not try and "reduce your influence" - welcome to freedom of speech - but don't think you won't be called on it.

well said

re: #168 Barrett Brown

I'm a citizen, just like everyone else who thinks very little of certain other citizens and seeks to point out the flaws in their reasoning so that others won't be taken in by them - for instance, that thing you're doing right now.

Sometimes it's not so much what one says as the way they say it. I think you gave the impression in the sentence quoted by Ericus that you have an undiclosed personal partisan political agenda, rather than a strictly anti-idiotarian orientation.

re: #169 Dante41

Nah. Texas Maritime Academy. I've mentioned before that I was going to school to get my Third Mate's license.

Or in other words: Not Navy, Merchie-in-Training.

Makes me think that I still have my Merchant Marine papers.

I just filled out my census form. That's 20 seconds of my life I'll never get back. I expect the black helicopters any time now.
/

re: #159 gegenkritik

How many other conflicts do you know where people "driven by the desire for a free state" blew themselves up? Please list only those, where the brave freedom-fighters are not Muslims.

Ever heard of Sri Lanka? Maybe I'm not making my point correctly so I'll try to rephrase. The Chechen war is not a religious ideological battle. Yes, there are islamists helping the rebels and Yes, a variety of KLA/Islamist types would love to set up a sharia based government in Chechnya but the majority of the people on the side of independence do not want a strict sharia-based form of government. Right now they'll take whatever help they can get but don't think that the underlying reason is based on their religious preference because it isn't.

re: #173 ryannon

Makes me think that I still have my Merchant Marine papers.

Really? Deck or Engine department?

My boss paid me for 7 hours I didn't work on my last check. I just called him to remind him to shave 7 hours off my check this week. Integrity sucks.
//

re: #150 Dante41

True. I am just saying that other larger Islamic minorities in Russia get along just swimmingly with the Russians without doing things like this.

Also, I have to leave for that Dress Whites inspection that I mentioned earlier. Be back in about 35 minutes.

Do those others have the same history of oppression that the Chechens and Ingush have?

re: #105 sattv4u2

DOGS 1
POLICE CAR 0

[Video]

Another dog gets labeled as a "terrorist" for acting out in righteous anger against the cat oppressors and their ignorant human lackeys.

//

re: #179 oaktree

heh - that happened in my neck of the woods. Kinda neat to see something local spread so far :)

(oh, yeah, happy Monday, everybody!)

re: #178 MandyManners

Do those others have the same history of oppression that the Chechens and Ingush have?

The Tartars, the Uzbeks, the Tajiks, the Kazakhs, and the Krgyz. I am not sure.

re: #159 gegenkritik

How many other conflicts do you know where people "driven by the desire for a free state" blew themselves up? Please list only those, where the brave freedom-fighters are not Muslims.

How radicalized have the Muslim Chechens become lately?

re: #169 Dante41

Nah. Texas Maritime Academy. I've mentioned before that I was going to school to get my Third Mate's license.

Or in other words: Not Navy, Merchie-in-Training.

Ah hah! Got it.

re: #182 Dante41

The Tartars, the Uzbeks, the Tajiks, the Kazakhs, and the Krgyz. I am not sure.

Were any of them forced into genocidal, internal exile by Stalin only to be allowed to return a few years later to find their homes taken over by those favored by the Soviets?

Sadly, I have to depart now, Lizards. Stability class and more Free Surface corrections await.

re: #183 MandyManners

How radicalized have the Muslim Chechens become lately?

I think a decent portion of their support started out radicalized. After the Slavic battles wore down in the 90's these groups migrated out. Their only choices for targets have been Chechnya, Iraq, and Afghanistan with the majority going to support Chechnya.

Hey, oaktree - our kitty that went blind? She passed on the 9th . . .

re: #186 Dante41

Sadly, I have to depart now, Lizards. Stability class and more Free Surface corrections await.

Vaya con Dios!

re: #186 Dante41

Try to stay awake in class! :)

re: #188 SasyMomaCat

Hey, oaktree - our kitty that went blind? She passed on the 9th . . .

Sorry to hear that. You can have our 3rd kitten, which we're forced to get rid of, if you'd like.

re: #176 Dante41

Really? Deck or Engine department?

Just the basic OS package.

I was living in Chicago as a youngster, and freighters would come all the way up the St. Lawrence Seaway to dock at Navy Pier. I kind of caught a virus: every time I saw one, I wanted to sign on. No real idea of a career and even less as an officer, just the desire to sail.

At that time, the only way to obtain Seaman's Papers was through the unions: if they promised you a job, the government (Coast Guard) issued the papers. The ore carriers on the Great Lakes were all unionized, so I spent a summer hanging out at a local in South Chicago until the secretary took pity on me and typed out the prerequisite letter.

I got to know some of the guys on the ore carriers that summer, and they were a wild bunch. I seriously doubt that merchant sailors like that even exist today - which is a shame. They were like cowboys - had their own code - and often didn't give a shit, which can be pretty impressive when you're a seventeen or eighteen-year-old kid who's never seen anything like that.

It took me a while to use those papers - I was in Italy by that time, but I did and was quite happy to have them.

But that was a long time ago, and shipping out for people on my level has totally changed since then.

Best of luck to you - it's still an excellent profession and the higher you get in it, the more interesting, even today.

re: #191 thedopefishlives

Thanks, it's a sweet offer. I think we'll stick with the two we currently have for now . . . thinking about selling the house and renting an apartment and most have a 2 cat max. Since we've got two, I'll let someone else enjoy the little furball.

re: #175 RogueOne

Ever heard of Sri Lanka? Maybe I'm not making my point correctly so I'll try to rephrase. The Chechen war is not a religious ideological battle. Yes, there are islamists helping the rebels and Yes, a variety of KLA/Islamist types would love to set up a sharia based government in Chechnya but the majority of the people on the side of independence do not want a strict sharia-based form of government. Right now they'll take whatever help they can get but don't think that the underlying reason is based on their religious preference because it isn't.

The problem, Rogue, is that the Chechens who blow up schools and subways are all Islamists. In way cases they were radicalized by the Al Qaeda fighters who trained them. the use of suicide bombers like this in Russia says that these deaths can almost certainly be blamed on Radical Islam.

re: #187 RogueOne

I think a decent portion of their support started out radicalized. After the Slavic battles wore down in the 90's these groups migrated out. Their only choices for targets have been Chechnya, Iraq, and Afghanistan with the majority going to support Chechnya.

The oppression started a long time ago but I'm focusing on what happened to them under Stalin.

I posted an article yesterday about the efforts by Saudi Arabia to promote Wahabism in the Balkans. Is there any of that in the Caucasus?

re: #188 SasyMomaCat

Hey, oaktree - our kitty that went blind? She passed on the 9th . . .

(((SMC)))

re: #188 SasyMomaCat

Sorry to hear that...

re: #196 MandyManners

Thanks, Mandy - she'd been with us for 17 years, so we miss her a lot . . .

re: #194 Dark_Falcon

The problem, Rogue, is that the Chechens who blow up schools and subways are all Islamists. In way cases they were radicalized by the Al Qaeda fighters who trained them. the use of suicide bombers like this in Russia says that these deaths can almost certainly be blamed on Radical Islam.

Russian chickens coming home to roost?

re: #195 MandyManners

The oppression started a long time ago but I'm focusing on what happened to them under Stalin.

I posted an article yesterday about the efforts by Saudi Arabia to promote Wahabism in the Balkans. Is there any of that in the Caucasus?

Mostly its been AQ trying to radicalize. The Russians don't really let much Saudi money in as far as I know.

re: #197 Rightwingconspirator

Thanks, rwc

re: #188 SasyMomaCat

Hey, oaktree - our kitty that went blind? She passed on the 9th . . .

Sorry to hear that. Hopefully it was a gentle passing.

re: #199 MandyManners

Russian chickens coming home to roost?

That's how that shitbird Ward Churchill would view it.

re: #199 MandyManners

Russian chickens coming home to roost?

/but are they free-range chickens?

re: #202 oaktree

Thanks. I believe it was - she had gotten really weak in the days before and I think she just lay down and didn't get back up. We should all be so lucky when it is our time to go.

re: #193 SasyMomaCat

Thanks, it's a sweet offer. I think we'll stick with the two we currently have for now . . . thinking about selling the house and renting an apartment and most have a 2 cat max. Since we've got two, I'll let someone else enjoy the little furball.

Just figured I would offer. Losing a cat as long-lived as that one is a hard thing. I know some people would just flat-out refuse to get another one for a long time afterward.

re: #200 Dark_Falcon

Mostly its been AQ trying to radicalize. The Russians don't really let much Saudi money in as far as I know.

Who took over after Basayev bit the dust?

re: #203 Dark_Falcon

That's how that shitbird Ward Churchill would view it.

I'm not trying to exonerate the radicals but, their beef goes back a long, long way.

re: #206 thedopefishlives

That would be the temptation here, for sure. They each have their own little personality. She was a sweet, slightly eccentric little curmudgeon.

re: #204 Aceofwhat?

/but are they free-range chickens?

Chicken Kiev?

re: #210 MandyManners

Chicken Kiev?

Cordon Blue.

Greets and saluts from the NYC metro area. Waking up this AM to hear of the terrorist attacks in Moscow definitely caught my attention given that I'm a regular commuter here in the oft-targeted NYC metro area subway/PATH systems (where security was visibly increased this morning). The Moscow attacks were apparently carried out by Chechen Black Widows, and while some outlets are saying that they're a separatist group, they are also an Islamic terror group seeking a Muslim homeland in Chechnya. I'd further caution that this terrorist faction has connections with al Qaeda, including training and trading tactics, including coordinated mass casualty attacks.

Another name for the black widows are the Brides of Allah - to make the connection with Islamic terror all the more explicit.

re: #210 MandyManners

Chicken Kiev?

Chicken a la Czar

re: #211 Cannadian Club Akbar

Roasted, I think . . .

I've got my resident overlords temporarily confused. Bunch of stuff came into the apartment that doesn't make sense to them yet. (Pots, bag of gravel, bag of potting soil, and some smelly plants.) Currently occupying space in the bathroom until I get a few hours to assemble things.

Since I have some nice tall south-facing windows I am going to give some window sill planters a shot. Mainly herbs (rosemary, parsley, etc.) but I also have a few pepper plants (jalapeno) and some catnip seeds germinating.

Too many recipes that call for a little bit of fresh herbs, but nowhere near the quantity that the stores sell. I just hate getting a bunch of basil and then having to throw most of it out.

re: #205 SasyMomaCat

Thanks. I believe it was - she had gotten really weak in the days before and I think she just lay down and didn't get back up. We should all be so lucky when it is our time to go.

Michael de Ridder, the head of the emergency ward at a Berlin hospital and author of a new book on dying, discusses how modern medical advances are making death more complicated for patients with little hope of living. His book makes a plea for doctors to allow people to die with greater dignity.

SNIP

re: #211 Cannadian Club Akbar

Cordon Blue.

Too Frenchified.

re: #215 oaktree

My two animals - the ones that made the move, that is - are just now getting back to their usual selves. The move was hard enough, and we also had them de-clawed before the move, because we've had problems with them tearing up the furniture despite having a scratching post to scratch on. But they've adjusted well and are back to demanding that everything be about them again.

re: #170 Ericus58

And what is it I'm' doing right now?
I'm questioning your lack of non-partisanship. DKos has a long history of not being non-partisan, rather it's been known for being quite partisan.
And I'm questioning your thrust that only right-minded columnist need their influence "reduced" while not applying the same energy to left-minded columnists.

Sorry, but your partisan bent is quite apparent and my bringing it up is not the issue. You posted here in no uncertain terms who you are and what your gig is. Don't let me stop you, I'll not try and "reduce your influence" - welcome to freedom of speech - but don't think you won't be called on it.

I would appreciate it if you would take the time to look into who I am and what I am doing a bit more before announcing to everyone who I am and what I am doing. I do indeed cross-post some of my work at Daily Kos - for instance, I did so last week in an effort to draw attention to the harassment of the admins of Wikileaks by the U.S. intelligence community, which joins those of China, Zimbabwe, and several other nations of that sort in seeking to marginalize that institution, which was founded in part by Chinese dissidents and which serves a crucial role in transparency and free information; incidentally, I do not need to be "welcomed" to "freedom of speech," though I appreciate the sentiment in a literal manner.

But I have also written for libertarian publications and routinely criticized the Democrats from a libertarian perspective. This is because I am a libertarian/anarcho-capitalist/quietist/skeptic, not a liberal.

As for my alleged "thrust," I will note that my upcoming book takes on Thomas Friedman, Richard Cohen, and Martin Peretz, none of whom can be mistaken for a conservative. I will also note that Charles Johnson has known and collaborated with me for a while now, and having more knowledge regarding my output and stances, has determined me to be exactly what I say I am - in fact, our views are pretty much in line. He also happens to have been working with me on this project from the very beginning, so perhaps you will describe him as a liberal as well. You may notice that he routinely attacks conservatives these days, as I do myself. The reason that both of us do this is that we - like the great number of conservatives who have left the movement or been kicked out as of late - consider the nation's conservatives to be in decline and particularly prone to intellectual dishonesty and what Johnson describes as "bad craziness."

So, having said all that, perhaps you will allow for the possibility that I am telling the truth, and that Johnson is not a fool whom I have hoodwinked into thinking that I am something entirely different than what I am, and that it might make sense for you to consider Johnson's opinions on me insomuch as that he has known me for a while whereas you have known me since morning.

Let me know if you have any question about the project and my political views, rather than statements.

re: #213 Aceofwhat?

Chicken a la Czar

Chicken shit.

re: #194 Dark_Falcon

The problem, Rogue, is that the Chechens who blow up schools and subways are all Islamists. In way cases they were radicalized by the Al Qaeda fighters who trained them. the use of suicide bombers like this in Russia says that these deaths can almost certainly be blamed on Radical Islam.

True but when deciding on a course of action we need to see the problem for what it is and what it isn't. Know what I'm saying? If we go under the mistaken assumption that this war is primarily due to radical islam we'll allow the russians to literally get away with murder.

re: #215 oaktree

Chop up the herbs, put in an ice cube tray and fill it with water. Freeze it. Works just fine.

re: #215 oaktree

Sounds like a great plan - and I think the overlords will like it, too ;-)

re: #220 MandyManners

Chicken shit.

Chickenhawk?

re: #207 MandyManners

Who took over after Basayev bit the dust?

The current one is named Doku Umarov according to the BBC. He calls his terror organization the "Caucasian Mujahadeen". He claimed responsibility for the bombing of a Moscow to Saint Petersburg express train. That one murdered 26 people.

re: #221 RogueOne

True but when deciding on a course of action we need to see the problem for what it is and what it isn't. Know what I'm saying? If we go under the mistaken assumption that this war is primarily due to radical islam we'll allow the russians to literally get away with murder.

DINGDINGDING!!!

re: #219 Barrett Brown

what is an 'anarcho-capitalist'?

re: #224 thedopefishlives

Chickenhawk?

Chicken Little.

re: #220 MandyManners

Chicken shit.

mmm...nuggets...

re: #218 thedopefishlives

But, of course! Everything IS about them, doncha know? :)

re: #219 Barrett Brown

This is because I am a libertarian/anarcho-capitalist/quietist/skeptic, not a liberal.

Now you've done it. You're on a list somewhere now.

re: #230 SasyMomaCat

But, of course! Everything IS about them, doncha know? :)

Oh, I know. But for a while after the move, all they did was hide in a corner of the basement bathroom. We have a finished basement that we're planning on letting them rule freely, but we figured we'd have them start small and begin by ruling the bathroom. They've certainly attained that goal.

re: #225 Dark_Falcon

The current one is named Doku Umarov according to the BBC. He calls his terror organization the "Caucasian Mujahadeen". He claimed responsibility for the bombing of a Moscow to Saint Petersburg express train. That one murdered 26 people.

Is he the one with the nasty beard?

re: #229 Aceofwhat?

mmm...nuggets...

Gazan chicken.

re: #221 RogueOne

True but when deciding on a course of action we need to see the problem for what it is and what it isn't. Know what I'm saying? If we go under the mistaken assumption that this war is primarily due to radical islam we'll allow the russians to literally get away with murder.

Yes, I understand. But I'm not prepared to criticize what the Russians do after this. We need to be supportive of strong reactions to Islamist terror, even if those reactions are monstrous. To criticize makes us look weak and soft, and that is much worse than letting the Putin get away with murder.

re: #233 MandyManners

Is he the one with the nasty beard?

you mean there are Islamic terrorists who don't grow nasty beards??

re: #229 Aceofwhat?

eeeewwwwww!

Mornin' all. So I can't sleep last night and I'm channel surfing and here comes the news about homicide bombers in Moscow. J haven't read the whole thread, so I'll throw this out...How far would the US public go if it happened here?

re: #219 Barrett Brown

what is an 'anarcho-capitalist'?

re: #233 MandyManners

Is he the one with the nasty beard?

I do not know. I'll try to look up a photo later.

The cluster-fuck continues.

Arab leaders failed at their summit on Sunday to reach a consensus on whether the Palestinians should resume stalled talks with Israel.

The Arab League scheduled an extraordinary summit for later this year to tackle issues it had been unable to resolve during its two days of meetings in the Libyan city of Sirte.

The Arab League had given its blessing to the Palestinians, before the Israeli decision was announced, to conduct the so-called proximity talks with Israel, so the organisation’s stance now on whether those negotiations should still go ahead is potentially decisive.

After two days of talks a committee of foreign ministers from some member states produced a resolution saying that a halt to all settlement activity was necessary for peace negotiations to go ahead.

But that decision was not adopted by the full summit and, in a sign of the lack of consensus, Syria’s foreign minister said his country would not recognise the document as representing the view of the Arab League.

SNIP

re: #205 SasyMomaCat

One of mine got real weak while he was having hyperthyroid issues. Couldn't jump a lick and the failed attempts were more pathetic than anything. Apartment had "ramps" in three rooms so that he could work his way to couch/bed level in easy steps.

He's gotten better, but still nowhere near standard cat ability. And he prefers using the one "ramp" left in the bedroom than attempting the bed in a single bound. (One recent attempt to do that resulted in the cat doing a face-plant directly into the side of the bed. Looked like something out of a Coyote-Roadrunner cartoon.)

The one cat that I had put down went down quietly. With his advancing kideny failure he'd lost all his body fat and couldn't heat regulate. His last evening was at the vet's under a heat blanket and he actually looked fairly content despite the strange surroundings. Quick shot into his IV and it was over in seconds. Over a year ago, and I still expect to see him appear every so often, or to hear him come walking through the apartment crying for attention.

re: #239 Aceofwhat?
Someone confused about anarchy and capitalism.

re: #227 Aceofwhat?

what is an 'anarcho-capitalist'?

This.

re: #236 Aceofwhat?

you mean there are Islamic terrorists who don't grow nasty beards??

IIRC, this guy's beard is singularly awful.

re: #241 MandyManners
Just like herding cats.

re: #240 Dark_Falcon

I do not know. I'll try to look up a photo later.

I rest my case.

I'm going to be lurking for a little while. Gotta take an important call.

re: #246 pingjockey

Just like herding cats.

Heh.

re: #247 MandyManners

I rest my case.

Thank you, Mandy.

re: #246 pingjockey

Just like herding cats.

There's a mean joke in there about litter boxes that I'll not make.

re: #221 RogueOne

If we treat the Chechen terrorists as a politically motivated group, it will result in pressure on the Russians to negotiate and seek some manner of accommodation with the group but the Islamists will see that as a success and seek to use it to their advantage there and around the world.

If we treat the Chechen terrorists as an Islamic terror group, we'd be giving the Russians a green light to go after the terrorists - up to and including ethnic cleansing and widespread civilian casualties - as had been witnessed in the Chechen conflict to date. The Russian desire to spare civilian populations isn't nearly as strong or overwhelming to military strategy as it is here in the US and the West in general.

With that in mind, it's little wonder that the Russians want to portray this as an Islamic terror attack so as to get the green light to continue their crackdown in Chechnya because they can claim they're fighting the same fight as the US is with al Qaeda in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan and around the world. And the Russians would be right - since the Chechen conflict is grounded in an Islamic struggle, but the question is how the Russians intend to fight the conflict.

Any of our well traveled lizards been on the Moscow metro? I saw an wpisode on the history channel and they looked pretty damn posh for a subway system, marble and such. Really cool looking.