Video: Science Denial is Dangerous
An excellent talk at TED by Michael Specter on the danger of science denial.
An excellent talk at TED by Michael Specter on the danger of science denial.
1 | Mostly sane, most of the time. Thu, Apr 22, 2010 9:57:03pm |
Gravity? Gravity? Sheesh, that Isaac Newton believes that we'll buy any old thing that he's trying to sell.
2 | Mostly sane, most of the time. Thu, Apr 22, 2010 9:59:42pm |
See, watch, I'll prove it.
Aiiieeee.....
3 | Cannadian Club Akbar Thu, Apr 22, 2010 10:00:47pm |
re: #1 EmmmieG
Gravity? Gravity? Sheesh, that Isaac Newton believes that we'll buy any old thing that he's trying to sell.
Gravity sucks.
/Evening Honcos!!
4 | Varek Raith Thu, Apr 22, 2010 10:01:17pm |
5 | Mostly sane, most of the time. Thu, Apr 22, 2010 10:02:01pm |
re: #4 Varek Raith
In Soviet Russia, you defy gravity!
In Soviet Russia, gravity only pretends to work...
6 | Cannadian Club Akbar Thu, Apr 22, 2010 10:02:47pm |
re: #2 EmmmieG
See, watch, I'll prove it.
Aiiieee...
I can prove gravity. Once I did a bong hit and there was something cold on my shoulder. It was the floor.
/
7 | SanFranciscoZionist Thu, Apr 22, 2010 10:04:15pm |
re: #3 Cannadian Club Akbar
Gravity sucks.
/Evening Honcos!!
Gravity is a harsh mistress!
(Also, Communism does not pay!)
8 | Mostly sane, most of the time. Thu, Apr 22, 2010 10:05:53pm |
Hmmm. I was about to post something about National Geographic regularly printing photographic proof of gravity, but I'd better not. Must be time for bed.
G'nite.
9 | Mad Prophet Ludwig Thu, Apr 22, 2010 10:14:04pm |
This is one of my favorite TED talks.
As a note BTW: I was recently talking to my brother, the cardiologist. He had a patient who is a heavy smoker and was starting to experience smoking related health problems.
The man acknowledged the dangers of smoking, but he said that he simply did not wish to quit or even try to quit.
My brother asked why he was suicidal.
The man said he did not wish to commit suicide.
My brother asked if he was aware of the risks of smoking and the fact that he was already starting to have problems which would only get worse if he continued to smoke.
The man said Yes yes yes, he's heard that all before.
So my brother asked again why he was suicidal.
The man said he was not suicidal.
Round and round it went.
My brother and I had quite a bonding experience over this.
He said, I understand, I really understand why you get so worked up over Global Warming. You aren't making it up, you have all the data in the world you need to prove you are telling the truth. You are trying to save lives by getting people to just take it seriously. And they ignore you.
I said yes, but with smoking they kill themselves and damage others from second hand smoke. With AGW they are sure to kill me and you too.
10 | Mad Prophet Ludwig Thu, Apr 22, 2010 10:16:51pm |
re: #4 Varek Raith
In Soviet Russia, you defy gravity!
re: #5 EmmmieG
In Soviet Russia, gravity only pretends to work...
In Soviet Russia, gravity is the force of the proletariat. Though it seems the weakest of the forces, when enough of the proletariat gets together it can overcome all the other forces.
11 | Cannadian Club Akbar Thu, Apr 22, 2010 10:18:43pm |
re: #9 LudwigVanQuixote
I need to get you to call a local (although nation wide) radio show. The guy has a list of about 200 or more papers, etc, that says it's a myth. I doubt he would actually debate you.
12 | Cannadian Club Akbar Thu, Apr 22, 2010 10:27:52pm |
I would like to take a moment to apologize to the Producers at "Fringe." What I thought would be the season ender happened tonight. But since it did, I know how the season will end. If that makes sense.
13 | Four More Tears Thu, Apr 22, 2010 10:33:48pm |
Science
14 | freetoken Thu, Apr 22, 2010 10:34:13pm |
re: #11 Cannadian Club Akbar
Just look at hard it is for Manzi to get anyone (in the right-o-sphere) to accept a critique of Levin. Levin's own reply was a good case of "epistemic closure" about which Manzi referred.
15 | freetoken Thu, Apr 22, 2010 10:34:27pm |
re: #12 Cannadian Club Akbar
Well, let me go watch it and get back to you.
16 | WINDUPBIRD DISEASE [S.K.U.M.M.] Thu, Apr 22, 2010 10:43:09pm |
re: #6 Cannadian Club Akbar
I can prove gravity. Once I did a bong hit and there was something cold on my shoulder. It was the floor.
/
heehee upding
17 | Cato the Elder Thu, Apr 22, 2010 10:49:57pm |
So is music denial. Anyone who says Beethoven didn't supersede Mozart is is a fool.
Still doesn't stop the Mozarians.
19 | Cannadian Club Akbar Thu, Apr 22, 2010 10:55:08pm |
20 | Cato the Elder Thu, Apr 22, 2010 10:59:09pm |
re: #19 Cannadian Club Akbar
Are they coming to take my "space modulator"?
Only if you use it for evil.
21 | Gus Thu, Apr 22, 2010 11:00:24pm |
Carina Nebula - Hubble Image
Large FileJPEG - 11.88 MB
4003 X 2719
This is a 12 MB image.
More here: Starry-Eyed Hubble Celebrates 20 Years of Awe and Discovery
22 | Obdicut Thu, Apr 22, 2010 11:00:56pm |
re: #17 Cato the Elder
But they both owe a debt to Papa Haydn.
23 | Kragar Thu, Apr 22, 2010 11:04:25pm |
re: #17 Cato the Elder
So is music denial. Anyone who says Beethoven didn't supersede Mozart is is a fool.
Still doesn't stop the Mozarians.
Until eventually, as time passes, you get new musical geniuses, who are also on the forefront of scientific discovery
///
24 | Cato the Elder Thu, Apr 22, 2010 11:04:26pm |
27 | Four More Tears Thu, Apr 22, 2010 11:18:15pm |
re: #21 Gus 802
Carina Nebula - Hubble Image
Large FileJPEG - 11.88 MB
4003 X 2719This is a 12 MB image.
More here: Starry-Eyed Hubble Celebrates 20 Years of Awe and Discovery
The first thing that came to my mind seeing that was a turd. I'm ashamed of myself.
28 | Cato the Elder Thu, Apr 22, 2010 11:18:31pm |
re: #23 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)
Until eventually, as time passes, you get new musical geniuses, who are also on the forefront of scientific discovery.
Whazzat fuokin' thang coming' up through the clouds at the sun, bitch?
I'm awesomed.
Magnets?
29 | Kragar Thu, Apr 22, 2010 11:20:33pm |
re: #28 Cato the Elder
Whazzat fuokin' thang coming' up through the clouds at the sun, bitch?
I'm awesomed.
Magnets?
The Pyramids, another of Nature's unexplainable miracles.
30 | Gus Thu, Apr 22, 2010 11:21:03pm |
re: #27 JasonA
The first thing that came to my mind seeing that was a turd. I'm ashamed of myself.
Ah. They are both natural shapes.
31 | Cato the Elder Thu, Apr 22, 2010 11:28:24pm |
32 | Kragar Thu, Apr 22, 2010 11:29:43pm |
re: #31 Cato the Elder
Well, you know, I will give ICP this: we don't know how the fuck they built the pyramids with the existent technology.
Much less how the Incans did this .
Stick a knife-blade up in there, yo.
Red Dwarf explained exactly how they were able to move those massive stones.
Massive whips.
35 | ghazidor Thu, Apr 22, 2010 11:47:30pm |
37 | AK-47% Fri, Apr 23, 2010 12:01:16am |
I think this is a debate that goes back to the very dawn of mankind when a medicine man/shaman had a nice racket going, having convinced that his magic dances make the crops grow.
Some wise-ass cam along and insisted that it was rain and fertilizer that make the crops grow, the dance is pretty much just window-dressing.
There was a big debate, the wise-ass got kicked out of the tribe. Shaman did his dance as before, but crops did not grow.
Conclusion: it was the wise-asses fault for offending the Gods with his heresy.
38 | Four More Tears Fri, Apr 23, 2010 12:02:45am |
re: #36 Gus 802
Another night of anti-Obama spam in the spinoffs.
You just got me to look at the spinoffs. I rarely do. Then the "20 years of Hubble" line clicked for me and I suddenly felt old. Jeez, I remember it pretty well. Like how the lens was off when it first went up so they had to fix it, remember that? Wow. I was just finishing up the 8th grade.
39 | Four More Tears Fri, Apr 23, 2010 12:06:28am |
SEC staffers watched porn as economy crashed
CNN) -- As the country was sinking into its worst financial crisis in more than 70 years, Security and Exchange Commission employees and contractors cruised porn sites and viewed sexually explicit pictures using government computers, an SEC investigation obtained by CNN showed.
"During the past five years, the SEC OIG (Office of Inspector General) substantiated that 33 SEC employees and or contractors violated Commission rules and policies, as well as the government-wide Standards of Ethical Conduct, by viewing pornographic, sexually explicit or sexually suggestive images using government computer resources and official time," said a summary of the investigation by the inspector general's office.
I vote we hand important stuff over to women.
40 | Gus Fri, Apr 23, 2010 12:06:36am |
re: #38 JasonA
You just got me to look at the spinoffs. I rarely do. Then the "20 years of Hubble" line clicked for me and I suddenly felt old. Jeez, I remember it pretty well. Like how the lens was off when it first went up so they had to fix it, remember that? Wow. I was just finishing up the 8th grade.
Yeah, it always seemed like yesterday. I was pushing 30 when it went up. We all thought it was lost but the first repair of the Hubble was a great success. The plan was to stop funding the telescope and I'm glad they kept it going. When the Webb telescope is operational we'll see imagery never before seen by man. The Hubble imagery is more than breathtaking.
41 | Four More Tears Fri, Apr 23, 2010 12:09:25am |
re: #40 Gus 802
Yeah, it always seemed like yesterday. I was pushing 30 when it went up. We all thought it was lost but the first repair of the Hubble was a great success. The plan was to stop funding the telescope and I'm glad they kept it going. When the Webb telescope is operational we'll see imagery never before seen by man. The Hubble imagery is more than breathtaking.
The Deep Field pictures are the prettiest images I've ever seen.
42 | Gus Fri, Apr 23, 2010 12:11:41am |
re: #41 JasonA
The Deep Field pictures are the prettiest images I've ever seen.
Would make for an interesting IMAX film. Was looking at a 6000 X 4000 pixel image before. You can get lost in them and can't help but wonder what it would be like to be up close to those massive forms.
43 | Cato the Elder Fri, Apr 23, 2010 12:12:40am |
re: #9 LudwigVanQuixote
As a smoker who can't seem to quit (I just stubbed one out) I have to say this this the best proof of general pessimism I've yet seen.
I've watched friends, relatives, and perfect strangers die of horrible head and neck cancers.
I wake up every morning coughing my lungs out
I hear nasty clicking noises in my throat that shouldna oughtna be there.
One of my best friends died eleven years ago of esophageal cancer.
His and my friend Rodney died last year of bloating emphysema.
And I'm about to pour another drink and light up a cig.
Tell me again how mankind is going to see reason.
44 | Four More Tears Fri, Apr 23, 2010 12:14:08am |
re: #43 Cato the Elder
Upding for a fellow sufferer.
45 | freetoken Fri, Apr 23, 2010 12:16:27am |
re: #43 Cato the Elder
It wasn't a particularly good sell on the part of Ludwig.
46 | Four More Tears Fri, Apr 23, 2010 12:16:42am |
re: #42 Gus 802
Would make for an interesting IMAX film. Was looking at a 6000 X 4000 pixel image before. You can get lost in them and can't help but wonder what it would be like to be up close to those massive forms.
Heh. Seeing galaxies so small like that I've often imagined flicking one with a finger :)
And on that note I should slumber. Ciao, comrades.
47 | Cato the Elder Fri, Apr 23, 2010 12:20:56am |
re: #45 freetoken
It wasn't a particularly good sell on the part of Ludwig.
All I'm sayin' is, you can show prospective new drivers all the horror movies you want about nasty car accidents.
You can show smokers all the grisly detail about what the weed does to your body.
You can show people anything you like about what the future might look like if we keep on going the way we're going.
None of it makes a shit-bit of difference without metanoia, which only comes from within.
48 | Gus Fri, Apr 23, 2010 12:32:23am |
Hard to believe. We still have some birthers, neo-birthers, or whatever they're called, hanging around LGF to this day.
50 | Gus Fri, Apr 23, 2010 12:33:58am |
51 | The Bunny Fri, Apr 23, 2010 12:36:38am |
May I make a contribution here?
Chantix works.
Try it for a month or two. It is different as you can still smoke while taking it.
I bet you will smoke less even if you do not quit. The math says to me, take Chantix, smoke less and with the price of cigarettes at the end of each month you will have spent the same amount of money, had the same pleasure, and smoked less.
52 | freetoken Fri, Apr 23, 2010 12:37:10am |
re: #50 Gus 802
New registrant, maybe a sock, won't live more than a day.
53 | Gus Fri, Apr 23, 2010 12:38:40am |
re: #52 freetoken
New registrant, maybe a sock, won't live more than a day.
Oh, I didn't notice that. Looks like the door was left open.
55 | Liet_Kynes Fri, Apr 23, 2010 12:49:38am |
re: #444 Cato the Elder
The crucial question is, why does "morality" exist at all?There may be evolutionary reasons for not murdering your kin, but what, in the "selfish gene" theory, should ever have come up with the idea that one should not kill random strangers?
Where did the idea arise that the stranger (in Greek: χενος, zenos = both "stranger" and "guest") enjoys particular protection?
Why is there a prohibition against murder written in every human heart?
Why do Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Zoroastrianism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Wicca, and every other "religion" except maybe $cientology (which commands that thou shalt do good only unto them that can pay) command respect for the weak and powerless?
There is no possible scientific explanation for this. We see the proof every day, in that to survive in this society, the very best thing you can do is oppress and exploit the weak and powerless for your own gain.
May I add a quick few thing before I run off for this evening to keep the interesting topic going?
1.) The problem with darwinistic evolutionary theory is that it necessitates that religion is an evolved human behavior but then goes on to hate religion as something backwards and out of place in the modern world. Three huge problems with this:
A.) If religion is an evolved behavior then it must be viewed as a GOOD THING as it got humanity to where it is now. The "not religious" got weeded out as inferior.
B.) it is impossible to educate a person out of a behavior that is encoded in their genes. In fact to try to educate people to a non-religious stance would be an evolutionary step backwards.
C.) If as it is sometimes suggested that we have reached a point where we can stop evolving (can evolution be stopped??) and choose instead a path against our genes (that is to be non-religious) is that good thing or rather the influence of bad genes?
2.) May I suggest that there is a difference between ETHICS and MORALITY and that these terms should not be used interchangeably? Ethics is typically the scientific study of the natural law and man’s actions in society (human law) in the determination of right and wrong whereas morality allows for the influence of divine law and eternal law in the study of the determination of right and wrong.
3.) Selfish gene theory doesn’t explain the fact that when we look at the various commands to respect the week and powerless in the various religions (religions are not equal on this though) that said commands are not beneficial to the stronger party and in fact the stronger party gives of his own strength (goods, food stuffs, time, etc.) to the weaker. Such religious commands demand a totally unselfish activity. It cannot be said that there is a selfish reason to make the weaker productive members of society because the religious commands are not about productivity or utility of persons because the commands extend to the absolute useless people (often they are placed at first priority) – the lepers, the old and infirm, the widdows, the aliens, those incapable of work, the murders, the toadies, etc.
56 | Kragar Fri, Apr 23, 2010 12:53:04am |
re: #54 Varek Raith
Heh, silly birther trolls.
Or, as I like to point out:
Of all the possible paths you could take opposing Obama, you go with this one?
57 | Liet_Kynes Fri, Apr 23, 2010 12:53:42am |
re: #55 Liet_Kynes
oops sorry...how did this get posted on the wrong page? Bad IE7 messing things up. Sorry..
58 | AK-47% Fri, Apr 23, 2010 12:56:18am |
re: #55 Liet_Kynes
Let us also keep in mind that the notion of individual rights/fredoms/morality is relatively recent development.
One used to have no individual existence outside one's tribe or nationality: it was perfectly acceptable to be judged or punished according to the actions of one's people.
59 | Kragar Fri, Apr 23, 2010 1:20:41am |
60 | Gus Fri, Apr 23, 2010 1:20:41am |
Some Googling
When is FOX going to wake up and realize that this REALLY IS a major issue? And it has NOTHING to do with the color of his skin.
The Constitution requires a person to be not just a "citizen," but a a "Natural Born" citizen in order to hold the office of President.
NBC = 1) born on U.S. soil AND 2) born to two parents who were U.S. citizens.
Obama fails on point #2 because his father was Kenyan. And very well may also fail on point #1.... Let's see the birth certificate! (not the COLB - the long form birth certificate!)
Monday, April 05, 2010 at 09:43 AM
62 | Cato the Elder Fri, Apr 23, 2010 1:23:07am |
re: #57 Liet_Kynes
oops sorry...how did this get posted on the wrong page? Bad IE7 messing things up. Sorry..
A) No problem, simply refer to the last thread. I am the biggest thread-fuckin' whore on this blog.
B) Thanks for your comments. From me, at least.
63 | freetoken Fri, Apr 23, 2010 1:39:40am |
Pat Buchanan does it again... (yeah, ok, so novelty is not his thing.) Sometimes he is just plain idiotic. Sometimes he is just plain evil. Sometimes, he manages to be both.
In a new essay titled "19th Century Americans", found in all the usual places, Buchanan is in full on revanchist mode, combined with the usual Paulian-isolationism.
Buchanan writes, in an essay mostly admiring China while setting up contrasts with the US :
China has dozens of nuclear power plants under construction, has completed the Three Gorges Dam — the largest power source on earth — and is tying the nation together with light rail, bullet trains and highways in infrastructure projects unlike any the world has ever seen.
Contrast what China is doing with what we are about. We have declared vast regions of our country, onshore and offshore, off-limits to drilling for oil and gas. We have not built a nuclear power plant in 30 years or a refinery in 25 years. We have declared war on fossil fuels to save the planet from global warming.
Given the power of the environmental lobby to tie up projects in endless litigation, we could never today build our Interstate Highway System, Hoover Dam, the TVA or the Union Pacific Railroad.
That of course is his play to the revanchists and the Limbaugh crowd, who seem to think that those nasty environmentalists are the root of America's economic problems.
The "refinery" canard, oft played by the Republicans too, is silly. Refineries have closed because they aren't needed. Redesigning older refineries have made some of the American capacity redundant, especially given an oversupply of refinery capacity worldwide.
Furthermore, Pat ignores is that the Hoover Dam can only be built once - because there is only Colorado river! The US has built very many dams, but the big rivers have been essentially tapped out. Also, he totally ignores the devastation that China's over-sized projects have wrought.
Anyway, I could go on, but all Buchanan has done is throw out red meat to those Americans who somehow feel aggrieved.
He also ignores how the Chinese have harmed their captured minorities and violated their rights. But that is to be expected, I suppose, given how Buchanan views American history:
The Chinese of 2010 call to mind 19th century Americans who shoved aside Mexicans, Indians and Spanish to populate a continent, build a mighty nation, challenge the British Empire — superpower of the day — and swiftly move past her in manufacturing to become first nation on earth. Men were as awed by America then as they are by China today.
I kept looking for a note in the essay, where Buchanan might have mentioned that the actions of Americans against the Indigenous were at times down right heinous... and at times genocidal, and condemn them, but nope, no where to be seen.
Has Pat Buchanan ever met a genocide he could not admire?
64 | freetoken Fri, Apr 23, 2010 1:57:30am |
re: #63 freetoken
Furthermore, Pat ignores is that the Hoover Dam can only be built once - because there is only Colorado river!
Gaahhh... that should read:
Furthermore, Pat ignores
isthat the Hoover Dam can only be built once - because there is only one Colorado river!
65 | Varek Raith Fri, Apr 23, 2010 2:00:32am |
re: #64 freetoken
2 possible solutions.
1 - Tear down the dam and build it again. JOBS!
2 - Dig another river and dam that. JOBS!
/
66 | freetoken Fri, Apr 23, 2010 2:02:34am |
So the gov't wants to go after criminals and liars in the Finance industry, and what does the Republican party do? Why, throw out a shiny bobble to get people to look the other way while at the same time sliming the agency:
GOP ramps up attacks on SEC over porn surfing
The SEC's inspector general conducted 33 probes of employees looking at explicit images in the past five years, according to a memo obtained by The Associated Press.
Yeah, in the past 5 years the IG probed (heh) 33 employees... and somehow this porn affliction at the SEC is the cause of the financial collapse.
Gee, I wonder if we went searching through Darrell Issa's PC what we would find?
67 | Varek Raith Fri, Apr 23, 2010 2:03:45am |
re: #66 freetoken
So the gov't wants to go after criminals and liars in the Finance industry, and what does the Republican party do? Why, throw out a shiny bobble to get people to look the other way while at the same time sliming the agency:
GOP ramps up attacks on SEC over porn surfing
Yeah, in the past 5 years the IG probed (heh) 33 employees... and somehow this porn affliction at the SEC is the cause of the financial collapse.
Gee, I wonder if we went searching through Darrell Issa's PC what we would find?
Good grief. Talk about questionable timing!
Besides... the internet was made for pr0n!
68 | freetoken Fri, Apr 23, 2010 2:03:50am |
re: #65 Varek Raith
In the PBS documentary I linked in the spin-offs, Udall mentions that while he was Secretary that they had another proposal, to build a dam in the Grand Canyon itself. Udall said he decided against it.
I'm sure Pat would be all for it.
69 | Varek Raith Fri, Apr 23, 2010 2:04:40am |
re: #68 freetoken
In the PBS documentary I linked in the spin-offs, Udall mentions that while he was Secretary that they had another proposal, to build a dam in the Grand Canyon itself. Udall said he decided against it.
I'm sure Pat would be all for it.
Cool, I'll check that out.
70 | freetoken Fri, Apr 23, 2010 2:06:21am |
re: #67 Varek Raith
From that link:
Former SEC spokesman Michael Robinson said he shares the public's outrage about SEC staffers who enjoyed porn on the taxpayer dime when they were supposed to be keeping the markets safe.
"That kind of behavior is just intolerable and atrocious," said Robinson, now with Levick Strategic Communications. He said he expects the head of the SEC, Mary Schapiro and her team, are "very focused on" the issue.
So, if those SEC employees would only have not enjoyed the Pr0n, as no doubt the IG office does not when having to view them, then everything would have been fine.
71 | cenotaphium Fri, Apr 23, 2010 2:07:00am |
This talk was like a swift kick to the nuts. Very, very good.
Some things I added to my quote bank:
"People wrap themselves in their beliefs. And they do it so tightly that you can't set them free. Not even the truth will set them free."
"Everyone is entitled to their opinion. You're not entitled to your own facts"
"Be skeptical. Ask questions. Demand proof. Demand evidence. Don't take anything for granted. But here's the thing - when you get proof, you need to accept the proof."
"When you start down the road where belief in magic replace evidence and science, you end up in a place you don't want to be."
72 | cenotaphium Fri, Apr 23, 2010 2:08:22am |
re: #71 cenotaphium
This talk was like a swift kick to the nuts. Very, very good.
..that might have come out wrong. :(
73 | freetoken Fri, Apr 23, 2010 2:11:23am |
re: #72 cenotaphium
This talk was like a swift kick to the nuts. Very, very good...that might have come out wrong. :(
Hey, as long as you don't enjoy watching such things while on the gov't dime, you'll be fine.
74 | Gus Fri, Apr 23, 2010 2:13:06am |
re: #68 freetoken
In the PBS documentary I linked in the spin-offs, Udall mentions that while he was Secretary that they had another proposal, to build a dam in the Grand Canyon itself. Udall said he decided against it.
I'm sure Pat would be all for it.
Mo died last month.
You know the Colorado River is already a mere dribble that it once used to be running through the Grand Canyon.
75 | freetoken Fri, Apr 23, 2010 2:14:35am |
InstaDrivel is now pimping that SEC Pr0n story, I see. He never passes up a good chance to pimp shiny-bobble-outrage.
76 | freetoken Fri, Apr 23, 2010 2:15:56am |
re: #74 Gus 802
Downstream from Hoover dam the thing is hardly a river. I've driven over it many times at Yuma. You can see from Google Earth that at the mouth it doesn't really so much as flow into the ocean but rather just melts into the sand bars.
77 | Gus Fri, Apr 23, 2010 2:17:31am |
re: #75 freetoken
InstaDrivel is now pimping that SEC Pr0n story, I see. He never passes up a good chance to pimp shiny-bobble-outrage.
But I thought Glenn Reynolds wants to have sex with a robot?
Actually, the story is that they were surfing for porn at the SEC during the Meltdown. That puts it under the watchful eye of the Republican White House. You know, like that dude whose name is Hank Paulson and all that jazz. I'm sure that's lost on his readership.
78 | Cato the Elder Fri, Apr 23, 2010 2:18:12am |
re: #76 freetoken
Which is as it should be. Man rules!
79 | freetoken Fri, Apr 23, 2010 2:20:58am |
re: #78 Cato the Elder
Ohhhh... go back to your belief that it is not possible for science to prove something or other...
80 | Gus Fri, Apr 23, 2010 2:21:47am |
re: #76 freetoken
Downstream from Hoover dam the thing is hardly a river. I've driven over it many times at Yuma. You can see from Google Earth that at the mouth it doesn't really so much as flow into the ocean but rather just melts into the sand bars.
It all stops at Lake Powell. I'm sure we've discussed it before here. You have people in Vegas that want to grow maple trees and lush bluegrass sod lawns.
81 | windsagio Fri, Apr 23, 2010 2:28:10am |
As WUB put it, the rosetta stone of 80s industrial/techno:
82 | freetoken Fri, Apr 23, 2010 2:28:18am |
re: #80 Gus 802
Despise Vegas, always made me uncomfortable to be in the casinos, especially the cheaper ones where all the hapless old fogies sit in front of the 1 arm bandits all day, smoking as fast as they can, pulling the arm as fast as they can, just waiting to die but doing their best to be zombied out by the blinking lights so they can ignore the remains of their pitiful lives.
Sickness, Vegas is... sickness.
83 | Gus Fri, Apr 23, 2010 2:29:04am |
84 | windsagio Fri, Apr 23, 2010 2:32:49am |
re: #82 freetoken
I'm going to vegas for a Fighting game convention this summer, I can't stand gambling tho'
85 | Gus Fri, Apr 23, 2010 2:33:54am |
re: #82 freetoken
Despise Vegas, always made me uncomfortable to be in the casinos, especially the cheaper ones where all the hapless old fogies sit in front of the 1 arm bandits all day, smoking as fast as they can, pulling the arm as fast as they can, just waiting to die but doing their best to be zombied out by the blinking lights so they can ignore the remains of their pitiful lives.
Sickness, Vegas is... sickness.
Casinos, gambling, the lottery. All are the opium of the masses. It's just an extension of greed making profits from the feeble wages of the lower to middle classes. Few ever win. The only people that win are those that run those outfits that has its history with the mafia and other unsavory characters. At least places like Monaco appeal to those that can afford to gamble. Vegas and Atlantic City make their riches on the backs of the working poor.
86 | freetoken Fri, Apr 23, 2010 2:34:30am |
re: #84 windsagio
I used to go for dancing. The casinos are affordable hotels for meetings and competitions, so everyone seems to go to Vegas. But it is a city, above all others, that is about lying.
87 | Varek Raith Fri, Apr 23, 2010 2:35:13am |
Video game music time!
Vamo' Alla Flamenco
Vamo' Alla Flamenco (The Black Mages)
88 | Gus Fri, Apr 23, 2010 2:38:14am |
90 | Cato the Elder Fri, Apr 23, 2010 2:44:53am |
re: #79 freetoken
Ohhh... go back to your belief that it is not possible for science to prove something or other...
Oh, go back to micturating upwards upon a hempen hawser.
Otherwise, pedicabo ego te et irrumabo, Freetokini!
91 | cenotaphium Fri, Apr 23, 2010 2:45:18am |
re: #85 Gus 802
Casinos, gambling, the lottery. All are the opium of the masses. It's just an extension of greed making profits from the feeble wages of the lower to middle classes. Few ever win.
I always thought it was the brilliant idea to capitalise on the failure of the school system to properly teach statistics.
Not all games are bad, you just need to learn which ones you can stack in your favour.
92 | ryannon Fri, Apr 23, 2010 2:48:17am |
I've already seen Spector's video!
Now everybody go back to the end of the last thread and read my posts!
I don't write them just because I've got nothing better to do you know!
Well, actually....
93 | Gus Fri, Apr 23, 2010 2:49:52am |
re: #91 cenotaphium
I always thought it was the brilliant idea to capitalise on the failure of the school system to properly teach statistics.
Not all games are bad, you just need to learn which ones you can stack in your favour.
I don't know the exact odds of some games. But for the lotteries I like to tell people it's like being presented with 7 million nails and then hoping to pick the one nail from those 7 million and expecting it to be the right match. It's a rather odd habit. One of the offshoots of that is that we have a large segment of our population dreaming that they'll some day be rich. Which of course they won't.
94 | freetoken Fri, Apr 23, 2010 2:50:50am |
re: #90 Cato the Elder
Oh, go back to micturating upwards upon a hempen hawser.
Aha! We always suspected you were just a sock puppet for Ms. Manners!
95 | Gus Fri, Apr 23, 2010 2:54:59am |
We now await to hear about how 4 people were killed by Muslim extremists overnight. Meanwhile, 41 people were probably murdered overnight in the USA and an equal number died as a result of drunk driving.
96 | ghazidor Fri, Apr 23, 2010 2:55:51am |
re: #92 ryannon
I've already seen Spector's video!
Now everybody go back to the end of the last thread and read my posts!
I don't write them just because I've got nothing better to do you know!
Well, actually...
And you missed out on playing with the birther troll too! :(
97 | Gus Fri, Apr 23, 2010 2:57:52am |
re: #95 Gus 802
We now await to hear about how 4 people were killed by Muslim extremists overnight. Meanwhile, 41 people were probably murdered overnight in the USA and an equal number died as a result of drunk driving.
Oops. According to the 2008 statistics it would probably be an average of 44 murders per night.
98 | Varek Raith Fri, Apr 23, 2010 2:59:57am |
99 | ghazidor Fri, Apr 23, 2010 3:00:13am |
re: #97 Gus 802
You were pretty close though.
Yeah but that is all violence committed by "Natural Born Citizens" so it is nowhere near as scary as violence committed by foreign heathen devils!
/
100 | Gus Fri, Apr 23, 2010 3:09:53am |
re: #99 ausador
You were pretty close though.
Yeah but that is all violence committed by "Natural Born Citizens" so it is nowhere near as scary as violence committed by foreign heathen devils!
/
Strange but true. Some nut will kill 9 people and if it's just some ordinary American that did it it will be ignored. No analysis or introspection whatsoever. Now, if it happens to be a Muslim...stop the presses. But the majority of murders are of course committed by what we would call ordinary Americans. It's like the geniuses that focus on Honor Killings yet ignore the overall statistics on violence against women.
And you know the 101st Fighting Keyboards will never mention these guys.
101 | ghazidor Fri, Apr 23, 2010 3:11:33am |
I hope the government is keeping a close eye on the truther and birther convention schedules. God help us if they ever get together in the same city at once. That much concentrated stupidity could open up a black hole of Idiocy that could swallow the entire planet.
/
102 | Cato the Elder Fri, Apr 23, 2010 3:12:16am |
My friend Sonya just buried her father in Thailand.
Bhagavad Gita:
śrībhagavān uvācamayy āveśya mano ye māṃ nityayuktā upāsate
śraddhayā parayopetāḥ te me yuktatamā matāḥye tv akṣaram anirdeśyaṃ avyaktaṃ paryupāsate
sarvatragam acintyaṃ ca kūṭasthaṃ acalaṃ dhruvamsaṃniyamyendriyagrāmaṃ sarvatra samabuddhayāḥ
te prāpnuvanti mām eva sarvabhūtahite ratāḥkleśodhikataras teṣāṃ avyaktāsaktacetasām
avyaktā hi gatir duḥkhaṃ dehavadbhir avāpyateye tu sarvāṇi karmāṇi mayi saṃnyasya matparaḥ
ananyenaiva yogena māṃ dhyāyanta upāsateteṣāṃ ahaṃ samuddhartā mṛtyusaṃsārasāgar
bhavāmi na cirāt pārtha mayy āveśitacetasāmmayy eva mana ādhatsva mayi buddhiṃ niveśaya
nivasiṣyasi mayy eva ata ūrdhvaṃ na saṃśayaḥatha cittaṃ samādhātuṃ na śaknoṣi mayi sthiram
abhyāsayogena tato mām ichāptuṃ dhanaṃjayaabhyāsepy asamarthosi matkarmaparamo bhava
madartham api karmāṇi kurvan siddhim avāpsyasiathaitad apy aśaktosi kartuṃ madyogam āśritaḥ
sarvakarmaphalatyāgaṃ tataḥ kuru yatātmavānśreyo hi jñānam abhyāsāj jñānād dhyānaṃ viśiṣyate
dhyānāt karmaphalatyāgas tyāgāc chāntir anantaramadveṣṭā sarvabhūtānāṃ maitraḥ karuṇa eva ca
nirmamo nirahaṃkāraḥ samaduḥkhasukhaḥ kṣamīsaṃtuṣṭaḥ satataṃ yogī yatātmā dṛḍhaniścayaḥ
mayy arpitamanobuddhir yo madbhaktaḥ sa me
priyaḥ [et usque]
Hebrew Kaddish (mourner's prayer):
Yit-gadal v'yit-kadash sh'may raba b'alma dee-v'ra che-ru-tay, ve'yam-lich mal-chutay b'chai-yay-chon uv'yo-may-chon uv-cha-yay d'chol beit Yisrael, ba-agala u'vitze-man ka-riv, ve'imru amen.Y'hay sh'may raba me'varach le-alam uleh-almay alma-ya.
Yit-barach v'yish-tabach, v'yit-pa-ar v'yit-romam v'yit-nasay, v'yit-hadar v'yit-aleh v'yit-halal sh'may d'koo-d'shah, b'rich hoo. layla (ool-ayla)* meen kol beer-chata v'she-rata, toosh-b'chata v'nay-ch'mata, da-a meran b'alma, ve'imru amen.
Y'hay sh'lama raba meen sh'maya v'cha-yim aleynu v'al kol Yisrael, ve'imru amen.
O'seh shalom beem-romav, hoo ya'ah-seh shalom aleynu v'al kol Yisrael, ve'imru amen.
Latin Requiem:
Requiem æternam dona ei, Domine,
et lux perpetua luceat ei.
Te decet hymnus Deus, in Sion,
et tibi reddetur votum in Ierusalem.
Exaudi orationem meam;
ad te omnis caro veniet.
Requiem æternam dona ei, Domine,
et lux perpetua luceat ei.
Translation from the Latin:
Peace eternal grant to him, O Lord,
And may light eternal light on him.
To You is the hymn, God, in Zion,
And to You is the the vow in Jerusalem.
Hear my prayer:
Unto you all flesh returns.
Peace eternal grant to him, O Lord,
And may light eternal light on him
The Latin translation is my own.
Sonya took loving care of her father till the end.
Honi soit qui mal y pense.
105 | cenotaphium Fri, Apr 23, 2010 3:19:27am |
re: #100 Gus 802
Strange but true. Some nut will kill 9 people and if it's just some ordinary American that did it it will be ignored. No analysis or introspection whatsoever. Now, if it happens to be a Muslim...stop the presses. But the majority of murders are of course committed by what we would call ordinary Americans. It's like the geniuses that focus on Honor Killings yet ignore the overall statistics on violence against women.
This is a common problem in reasoning. The grey masses of murders & violence are just a mixture of various reasons (or plain insanity) that defies categorization (and interest). When you can narrow down a group, you can start making a narrative around it. Be it "Islam is violent" or "men are killers, women are caretakers" or "black people commit most crimes".
It's not to say that there cannot be a statistically significant uptick in the level of murders or violence from any particular group - it's just that most of the conclusions that are openly or implicitly drawn from such "observations" are just not true. There is no reason to fear the average black male muslim, despite the alleged truths of all three narratives mentioned.
108 | cenotaphium Fri, Apr 23, 2010 3:25:20am |
re: #106 Cato the Elder
Bullshit.
Well, you can't argue with reasoning like that. I stand corrected.
110 | sattv4u2 Fri, Apr 23, 2010 3:31:24am |
re: #100 Gus 802
Strange but true. Some nut will kill 9 people and if it's just some ordinary American that did it it will be ignored. No analysis or introspection whatsoever. Now, if it happens to be a Muslim...stop the presses. But the majority of murders are of course committed by what we would call ordinary Americans. It's like the geniuses that focus on Honor Killings yet ignore the overall statistics on violence against women.
And you know the 101st Fighting Keyboards will never mention these guys.
The "majority of murders committed" do not have 9 victims
Anytime there is a multiple victim incident there is non stop "analysis or (and) introspection" regardless of the race/creed of the killer
111 | ghazidor Fri, Apr 23, 2010 3:44:30am |
re: #108 cenotaphium
Well, you can't argue with reasoning like that. I stand corrected.
Possibly Cato's concern is the number of black males who profess to adopt Islam while in prison. Most don't stick, they get out, go back to drugs and/or drink and just end up right back in prison again. But to be honest you can't really consider those men Muslim, they never had more than a surface veneer of knowledge about their newfound religion and certainly didn't practice it's tenants. But they still call themselves Muslims.
Then there are those who use Islam as a recruiting tool for racist organizations that actively despise the "white man," "Jews," and pretty much everyone else who is not black. Again they are not following the tenants of Islam, but they certainly claim to be Muslim also.
I know that there are more honorable and peaceful black Muslims in this country than belong to those two groups above. The problem for them is in overcoming the damage that those other groups do to how the public at large sees black Muslims as a whole unfortunately. :(
112 | freetoken Fri, Apr 23, 2010 3:53:05am |
I think I figured out why creationists have such a difficult problem with human evolution...
Human evolution requires... sex.
Seriously.
113 | Cato the Elder Fri, Apr 23, 2010 3:54:50am |
re: #111 ausador
Thank you.
But the word you're looking for is "tenets".
"Tenants" are the folks who rent your shitty house on the edge of town.
114 | WINDUPBIRD DISEASE [S.K.U.M.M.] Fri, Apr 23, 2010 3:56:04am |
Welcome to the garden of earthly delights and overturned camaros
115 | sattv4u2 Fri, Apr 23, 2010 3:59:59am |
re: #113 Cato the Elder
Thank you.
But the word you're looking for is "tenets".
"Tenants" are the folks who rent your shitty house on the edge of town.
Maybe he means the tenants that live in the edges of Islam!!
117 | Cato the Elder Fri, Apr 23, 2010 4:02:52am |
re: #114 WindUpBird
Welcome to the garden of earthly delights and overturned camaros
So you're hangin' out in Baltimore?
Plenty of young Hopkins grrrls with features that will make you crazee, but each one has a Beemer-drivin' dickhead to overturn your American wheels.
Bitches. Basterds. Bummer.
118 | sattv4u2 Fri, Apr 23, 2010 4:03:58am |
re: #117 Cato the Elder
So you're hangin' out in Baltimore?
Plenty of young Hopkins grrrls with features that will make you crazee, but each one has a Beemer-drivin' dickhead to overturn your American wheels.
Bitches. Basterds. Bummer. Beemer
ftfy
119 | ghazidor Fri, Apr 23, 2010 4:04:42am |
re: #113 Cato the Elder
Dohh!
That is one of few I consistently screw up even though I do know better, there are a few more I always interchange as well, I just do it without even thinking.
121 | MandyManners Fri, Apr 23, 2010 4:07:05am |
Petty Officer Julio Huertas, 28, was found not guilty of dereliction of duty and attempting to influence the testimony of another service member.
PO Huertas is the first of three sailors to face a court martial over the alleged abuse of Ahmed Hashim Abed.
SNIP
122 | Cato the Elder Fri, Apr 23, 2010 4:08:35am |
123 | sattv4u2 Fri, Apr 23, 2010 4:11:17am |
124 | MandyManners Fri, Apr 23, 2010 4:11:22am |
Five explosions hit an area packed with heavily armed soldiers and studded with banks, office towers and hotels. Four were seriously wounded, including two foreigners, according to hospital officials.
The M-79 grenades, fired with a shoulder-mounted launcher into an area where hundreds of pro-government protesters were gathering, were the same type that hit troops during a bloody clash with protesters that killed 25 people on April 10.
Troops, many armed with M-16 assault rifles, have poured into the area since Monday to contain the anti-government "red shirts", who have formed a barricade at an intersection leading into the bustling district also known for racy go-go bars.
The government said the grenades were fired from the red shirt protest area. Leaders of the red shirts, who have been demonstrating in Bangkok for nearly seven weeks seeking new elections, denied they were responsible.
SNIP
125 | MandyManners Fri, Apr 23, 2010 4:13:35am |
The advisory was issued by respective embassies, urging their citizens and tourists to be highly observant and avoid visiting crowded and popular shopping areas, as there are 'increased indications' of 'militant attacks in the capital'.
"The ministry of home affairs is aware of the advisory. We have alerted the Delhi police and all the necessary steps are being taken," said home ministry spokesperson Onkar Kedia.
Meanwhile, foreign secretary Nirupama Rao said, " All the necessary precautions are put in place to ensure that such events or such risks are taken care of."
A security ring has been thrown around the capital and large number of policemen have been deployed at important places such as the India Gate, North and South Blocks, Sarojini Nagar market to avert any untoward incident and track down suspicious movements.
SNIP
126 | Fat Bastard Vegetarian Fri, Apr 23, 2010 4:13:59am |
127 | Cato the Elder Fri, Apr 23, 2010 4:14:56am |
re: #124 MandyManners
Without you, how would we ever know these things?
128 | Fat Bastard Vegetarian Fri, Apr 23, 2010 4:15:57am |
130 | sattv4u2 Fri, Apr 23, 2010 4:18:11am |
re: #127 Cato the Elder
Without you, how would we ever know these things?
Without a trace
Without a paddle
Without precedence (legal definition)
Without being disrespectful!
131 | sattv4u2 Fri, Apr 23, 2010 4:18:39am |
132 | sattv4u2 Fri, Apr 23, 2010 4:20:17am |
re: #127 Cato the Elder
Without you, how would we ever know these things?
Whenever there's a TV show I don't like, I stop watching it!
134 | Fat Bastard Vegetarian Fri, Apr 23, 2010 4:21:19am |
re: #129 MandyManners
Hello Darlin'.
-Conway Twitty
135 | windsagio Fri, Apr 23, 2010 4:22:25am |
re: #129 MandyManners
Just a tip, if you're gonna claim to ignore somebody, don't react to them all.
This 'I'm ignoring you, but acknowledging you' thing doesn't work well.
136 | ghazidor Fri, Apr 23, 2010 4:22:28am |
Looks like Greece is going to go for the bail-out package today.
/When does the U.S. get bailed out though? ;)
137 | cenotaphium Fri, Apr 23, 2010 4:22:35am |
re: #111 ausador
Possibly Cato's concern is the number of black males who profess to adopt Islam while in prison.
Oh, I see.
I don't see why he couldn't have said that himself, instead of relying on an interpreter though.
I know that there are more honorable and peaceful black Muslims in this country than belong to those two groups above. The problem for them is in overcoming the damage that those other groups do to how the public at large sees black Muslims as a whole unfortunately.
And therein lies the rub. The image the narratives paint is one where you are more likely to run into a violent, deranged criminal, rather than just an average person, or that the publicized cases are representative of the population as a whole. If men are overrepresented among violent criminals, it doesn't mean I should base my interactions and judgements of men by that standard.
This is a fairly simple and obvious point to make. And I realize that it isn't easy or common to maintain an objective distance (and closer reading of the statistics) to things. Overcoming stereotypes and factoids is a constant struggle, since it's really a battle against how the mind works.
Regarding the specific example, I may be wrong about this. If someone has statistics where more than 50% of those who belong to the "male black muslim" group are dangerous, I'll retract my statement. Mind you, this isn't to say that muslim prison gang members can't be dangerous on average. But that'd be a new grouping. I wouldn't want to conflate the (alleged) christianity of a white power prison gang with christianity on average either.
138 | windsagio Fri, Apr 23, 2010 4:25:47am |
A year ago exactly on this same night we were assembled here in this very room. I your pastor, and you my beloved flock.
With hopefulness in my heart, I told you then that with Lucifers aid we might look forward to a more succulent occasion.
G'nite all!
139 | sattv4u2 Fri, Apr 23, 2010 4:26:11am |
re: #135 windsagio
Just a tip, if you're gonna claim to ignore somebody, don't react to them all.
This 'I'm ignoring you, but acknowledging you' thing doesn't work well.
That was well short of the standard 15% tip, imho
140 | Spare O'Lake Fri, Apr 23, 2010 4:26:56am |
re: #138 windsagio
L’hiyot am chofshi b’artzeinu b’eretz tziyon v’Yerushalayim”
– to be a free people in our land, in the land of Zion and Jerusalem.
Piss off.
141 | windsagio Fri, Apr 23, 2010 4:27:09am |
re: #139 sattv4u2
I'm a cheapass*.
Its good advice tho', acknowledging them ruins the whole effect >>
*actually thats a lie, only a serious douche wouldn't tip well.
143 | Spare O'Lake Fri, Apr 23, 2010 4:28:49am |
144 | Cato the Elder Fri, Apr 23, 2010 4:28:50am |
145 | Taqyia2Me Fri, Apr 23, 2010 4:28:53am |
146 | MandyManners Fri, Apr 23, 2010 4:29:28am |
Twenty-five militants and four security personnel were also injured in the clashes that occurred at three places.
SNIP
147 | Cato the Elder Fri, Apr 23, 2010 4:29:58am |
re: #143 Spare O'Lake
I find a plumber's friend useful, but I don't take it to bed with me.
148 | windsagio Fri, Apr 23, 2010 4:30:16am |
re: #144 Cato the Elder
I work graves, my schedule is all shot to hell. Also I was out drinkin' with friends most of the evenin' :D
ps: Its a good movie, you should watch it.
I'm not actually a satanist!
149 | sattv4u2 Fri, Apr 23, 2010 4:30:49am |
re: #147 Cato the Elder
I find a plumber's friend useful, but I don't take it to bed with me.
You're attempting to bed someone here ?
150 | sattv4u2 Fri, Apr 23, 2010 4:31:13am |
151 | Cato the Elder Fri, Apr 23, 2010 4:33:04am |
152 | MandyManners Fri, Apr 23, 2010 4:33:06am |
China's tight grip on Internet security means the central government blocks all politically sensitive and subversive websites. This includes many social networking sites, including Twitter.
Aoi Sola, a Japanese adult movie star, launched a Twitter account in March and, at last count, was approaching 58,000 followers.
Getting over the Chinese firewall isn't easy, but it's possible with some determination.
SNIP
153 | Spare O'Lake Fri, Apr 23, 2010 4:34:27am |
154 | MandyManners Fri, Apr 23, 2010 4:36:22am |
"He confirmed to me that there will be no execution," Ms al-Khansa said about her conversation with Mr Najjar. She refused to go into detail but said "matters are going in the right direction". "We have faith in Saudi Arabia's judicial system," she added, noting that Mr Sibat's actions are not a crime in Lebanon.
SNIP
155 | sattv4u2 Fri, Apr 23, 2010 4:36:27am |
156 | freetoken Fri, Apr 23, 2010 4:36:50am |
157 | sattv4u2 Fri, Apr 23, 2010 4:37:17am |
159 | Fat Bastard Vegetarian Fri, Apr 23, 2010 4:41:32am |
160 | ghazidor Fri, Apr 23, 2010 4:41:36am |
The International whaling commission wants to bring back legal whale hunting after twenty-five years of banning it. But only for Japan, Norway, and Iceland of course.
The newest proposal from the commission's chairman suggested specific catch quotas for various species. It would allow 69 bowhead whales, 145 gray whales, 14 humpbacks and 109 fin whales to be hunted each year around the world.
Plus all the hundreds of Minke and Sei whales...
161 | Cato the Elder Fri, Apr 23, 2010 4:42:08am |
Ah, well.
Enjoy the Early Morning Mandy Show, those of you who can stand it.
All nineteen of you.
162 | MandyManners Fri, Apr 23, 2010 4:43:38am |
A dog missing for over two months was found stuck in a rabbit hole close to the owner's home.
Heather Harrison, 51, from St Cyrus, Angus, believes she passed Sophie, a Jack Russell terrier, for weeks before she was found.
"After ten weeks of being missing, we never thought we'd see Sophie again. It was such a shock to find out what happened to her," the Scotsman quoted Heather, as saying.
"The skeletal little dog that was rescued from the hole couldn't have lasted much longer without food and water - I think of her as a little miracle. We're over the moon to have her home."
SNIP
163 | sattv4u2 Fri, Apr 23, 2010 4:43:44am |
re: #161 Cato the Elder
Ah, well.
Enjoy the Early Morning Mandy Show, those of you who can stand it.
All nineteen of you.
Yes, because her posting news links is SO egregious, SO terrible, SO unlike what other people on blogs do!
The bitch!
164 | Fat Bastard Vegetarian Fri, Apr 23, 2010 4:43:58am |
re: #156 freetoken
Rawr... She and Gogo Yubari could overthrow China...
166 | MandyManners Fri, Apr 23, 2010 4:44:47am |
167 | Only The Lurker Knows Fri, Apr 23, 2010 4:44:48am |
Morning Lizards. Do any of you find it weird that LGF is now entering its third day of open registration and we haven't been flooded with troll and socks?
168 | sattv4u2 Fri, Apr 23, 2010 4:44:52am |
169 | MandyManners Fri, Apr 23, 2010 4:45:05am |
170 | MandyManners Fri, Apr 23, 2010 4:45:42am |
re: #163 sattv4u2
Yes, because her posting news links is SO egregious, SO terrible, SO unlike what other people on blogs do!
The bitch!
That's "Ms. Bitch" to you.
171 | Fat Bastard Vegetarian Fri, Apr 23, 2010 4:46:16am |
Cato? I meant to ask you last night... have you picked up any of the Asian or Middle Eastern languages?
172 | MandyManners Fri, Apr 23, 2010 4:46:42am |
re: #168 sattv4u2
A Big Mac!?
Remember when McDonald's threatened to sue Johnny Carson and NBC after he joked about their finally killing a second cow?
173 | Fat Bastard Vegetarian Fri, Apr 23, 2010 4:46:51am |
re: #169 MandyManners
That's not "love", Mandy.
heh!
174 | Spare O'Lake Fri, Apr 23, 2010 4:47:04am |
175 | Fat Bastard Vegetarian Fri, Apr 23, 2010 4:47:38am |
re: #167 Bubblehead II
Ix-nay on the open-ay...
176 | ghazidor Fri, Apr 23, 2010 4:47:43am |
re: #167 Bubblehead II
You missed our late night birther troll, he was fun for something to do at 3:00am
177 | Fat Bastard Vegetarian Fri, Apr 23, 2010 4:48:35am |
I just looked it up! The culinary term for horse meat? Is "Horse Meat".
179 | Sigma_x Fri, Apr 23, 2010 4:51:18am |
re: #177 Fat Bastard Vegetarian
I just looked it up! The culinary term for horse meat? Is "Horse Meat".
In France they call it viande de cheval.
180 | Only The Lurker Knows Fri, Apr 23, 2010 4:51:25am |
re: #176 ausador
Saw that. The same old tired arguments. YL92 tried slipping in yesterday as, believe it or not YL93. Lasted about 2 minutes and 1 post.
181 | MandyManners Fri, Apr 23, 2010 4:51:41am |
You can't make this shit up.
Donkey, Horse and Cat in Israeli Jail
Stories and aberrant practices like these do not happen anywhere in the world but only in Israel, where the mentally ill zionists reign supreme. This latest story is not the imagination of the writer, or told by an ordinary person or by somebody accused of lying or slander, but it was seen and confirmed by fifteen peace activists and religious Christians, among them 10 men, 5 women, three Israelis, a French woman and another British one. The person who related this story is Abbas Zaki, a member of the Central Committee of Fatah, who is over sixty years old.
The date of the crime was on the return to the Christian celebrations of Palm on Sunday on last March 28, 2010. The story is about the arrest of a donkey and a horse by the Israeli soldiers in occupied Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank. The donkey and the horse are symbols of a Christian religious story, which is why they were arrested.
Five days later Zaki and his friends were released from the Israeli Jail, they were found not guilty by the Israeli military judge in the Ofer prison. But the Donkey and the horse still remain detained. Nobody knows if donkey and the horse will be sentenced by the military judge, or if the military will bring them to the court before the judge to hear their trial.
SNIP
182 | MandyManners Fri, Apr 23, 2010 4:52:37am |
183 | MandyManners Fri, Apr 23, 2010 4:52:57am |
184 | NJDhockeyfan Fri, Apr 23, 2010 4:53:06am |
Police arrest "holy man" over sex scandal
BANGALORE, India (Reuters) – Police have arrested a Hindu holy man with thousands of followers across India and abroad after video footage emerged last month allegedly showing him frolicking with two women.Nithyananda Swami, whose devotees include politicians and movie stars, was arrested in the resort town of Shimla in northern India late on Wednesday, police said on Thursday.
Swami, head of Dhyanapeetam, or "knowledge center," was forced to resign last month after the video that was allegedly shot in his center outside the southern city of Bangalore.
185 | MandyManners Fri, Apr 23, 2010 4:54:31am |
re: #177 Fat Bastard Vegetarian
I just looked it up! The culinary term for horse meat? Is "Horse Meat".
Not Trigger Tartare? Palomino Patty? Stallion Sirloin?
186 | MandyManners Fri, Apr 23, 2010 4:55:18am |
187 | NJDhockeyfan Fri, Apr 23, 2010 4:55:45am |
Condemned Utah killer could face firing squad
SALT LAKE CITY – A condemned killer appears headed for a date with death in Utah that could see him sit before a firing squad — a development that would likely re-ignite protests over an antiquated, Old West-style of justice.
At a hearing Friday, 3rd District Judge Robin Reese will consider whether to sign a warrant of execution for Ronnie Lee Gardner, who killed a man during a failed escape 25 years ago.
Under state law Gardner, 49, would be allowed to decide whether he would be killed by lethal injection or be shot by a five-man team of executioners firing from a set of matched rifles, a rarely used relic that harkens back to Utah's territorial history.
Of the 35 states with the death penalty on the books, Utah is the only one to use the firing squad as a method of execution since the U.S. Supreme Court reinstated capital punishment in 1976.
Two men have died in a hail of bullets since that decision: Gary Gilmore, on Jan. 17, 1977 — after famously uttering the last words, "Let's do it" — and John Albert Taylor on Jan. 26, 1996.
188 | Fat Bastard Vegetarian Fri, Apr 23, 2010 4:56:39am |
re: #184 NJDhockeyfan
If I were a swami? I'd get me a whole bunch of that!
189 | Sigma_x Fri, Apr 23, 2010 4:57:48am |
re: #187 NJDhockeyfan
That's how I'd like to go.
You don't even hear the bullets being fired; you'd be dead before the sound reached your ears.
190 | Fat Bastard Vegetarian Fri, Apr 23, 2010 4:57:57am |
re: #187 NJDhockeyfan
Can't we just get one of those little machines... step into it and "POOF"!
191 | Fat Bastard Vegetarian Fri, Apr 23, 2010 4:58:41am |
re: #190 Fat Bastard Vegetarian
It could be made to look like the telephone booth on Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure... the guys'll think they're gonna time travel...
192 | ghazidor Fri, Apr 23, 2010 4:59:49am |
re: #181 MandyManners
You can't make this shit up.
Sure you can!
You don't actually believe any of that malarkey do you?
193 | MandyManners Fri, Apr 23, 2010 5:00:42am |
A military appeals court on Thursday overturned the murder conviction of Sgt. Lawrence Hutchins III. The Camp Pendleton Marine led a squad that included six Marines and one Navy corpsman who were also charged in connection with the April 2006 murder of Hashim Ibrahim Awad, 52, in the village of Hamdania.
The court said it based its decision on the fact that a military defense attorney assigned to Hutchins was improperly dismissed before his trial in 2007.
The ruling by the U.S. Navy-Marine Corps Court of Appeals in Washington sets the stage for the release of Hutchins.
The case is now back with the Navy Judge Advocate General's Corps, which will decide whether to appeal the decision or order a retrial.
Thad Coakley, a former Marine Corps judge advocate, said he believes the government will appeal.
SNIP
194 | MandyManners Fri, Apr 23, 2010 5:01:27am |
195 | MandyManners Fri, Apr 23, 2010 5:01:54am |
re: #192 ausador
Sure you can!
You don't actually believe any of that malarkey do you?
I believe the blogger wrote about it.
196 | MandyManners Fri, Apr 23, 2010 5:02:20am |
Tebow's going to the Broncos!!! The Kid is ecstatic.
197 | Spare O'Lake Fri, Apr 23, 2010 5:02:21am |
Mindless science denial by non-scientists is medieval.
Mindless science worship by non-scientists is even worse.
198 | MandyManners Fri, Apr 23, 2010 5:04:53am |
The X-37 is an unpiloted demonstration spaceplane built by Boeing Phantom Works that is intended to test future launch technologies while in orbit and during atmospheric re-entry.
The spacecraft will be placed into low Earth orbit for testing, following which it will be de-orbited for landing.
The landing is to occur on a runway at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California with Edwards Air Force Base as the alternate site.
The duration of the mission has not been announced, although an Air Force spokesperson has said the vehicle has a requirement to be on-orbit for up to 270 days.
SNIP
199 | NJDhockeyfan Fri, Apr 23, 2010 5:05:18am |
Egypt finds hoard of 2,000-year-old coins
CAIRO - Archaeologists unearthed 383 bronze coins dating back to King Ptolemy III who ruled Egypt in the 3rd century B.C. and was an ancestor of the famed Cleopatra, the Egyptian antiquities authority announced Thursday.
The statement said one side of the coins were inscribed with hybrid Greek-Egyptian god Amun-Zeus, while the other side showed an eagle and the words Ptolemy and king in Greek.
Founded by one of Alexander the Great's generals, the Ptolemaic Dynasty ruled Egypt for some 300 years, fusing Greek and ancient Egyptian cultures.
The coins were found north of Qarun lake in Fayoum Oasis 50 miles (80 kilometers) southwest of Cairo.
Other artifacts were unearthed in the area included three necklaces made of ostrich egg shell dated back to the 4th millennium B.C. and a pot of kohl eyeliner from the Ottoman Empire.
The objects will all be displayed in the new Egyptian museum under construction near the pyramids of Giza.
200 | MandyManners Fri, Apr 23, 2010 5:06:50am |
In a case with potentially huge consequences for online publishers, lawyers acting for Andrew Weaver, a climate modeller at the University of Victoria, Canada, have demanded the National Post removes the articles not only from its own websites, but also from the numerous blogs and sites where they were reposted.
Weaver says the articles, published at the height of several recent controversies over the reliability of climate science in recent months, contain "grossly irresponsible falsehoods". He said he filed the suit after the newspaper refused to retract the articles.
Weaver said: "If I sit back and do nothing to clear my name, these libels will stay on the internet forever. They'll poison the factual record, misleading people who are looking for reliable scientific information about global warming."
The four articles, published from December to February, claimed that Weaver cherrypicked data to support his climate research, and that he tried to blame the "evil fossil fuel" industry for break-ins at his office in 2008 to divert attention from reported mistakes in the 2007 report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, on which he was lead author.
The lawsuit also highlights several claims in the articles that attempt to question or undermine the scientific consensus on climate change, including that annual global mean temperatures have stopped increasing in the last decade and that climate models are "falling apart".
SNIP
201 | freetoken Fri, Apr 23, 2010 5:08:07am |
re: #197 Spare O'Lake
Mindless science worship by non-scientists is even worse.
Heh, soon to be followed by: "Mindless science worship by scientists."
203 | MandyManners Fri, Apr 23, 2010 5:11:22am |
The three-judge panel in Manhattan stayed U.S. District Judge Nina Gershon's order barring enforcement of Congress' action until full arguments can be heard this summer.
ACORN, or the Association for Community Organizations for Reform Now, argued that it "has been penalized by Congress without an investigation."
Gershon agreed and twice ruled that the funding cutoff was unconstitutional, saying Congress can't halt federal funding without a trial.
Government attorney Mark Stern said Congress had simply responded to "widespread mismanagement" in the organization.
SNIP
204 | Fat Bastard Vegetarian Fri, Apr 23, 2010 5:11:28am |
re: #196 MandyManners
I'm rooting for Tebow to get the Broncos to the SuperBowl...
(of course to be defeated by the Cowboys)...
But I'm rooting on him to do well.
205 | cenotaphium Fri, Apr 23, 2010 5:11:37am |
re: #197 Spare O'Lake
Mindless science denial by non-scientists is medieval.
Mindless science worship by non-scientists is even worse.
Opposing humanitys singularly most important achievement without understanding it is not worse than supporting it without understanding it?
How do you figure?
206 | MandyManners Fri, Apr 23, 2010 5:11:45am |
207 | Spare O'Lake Fri, Apr 23, 2010 5:12:00am |
re: #201 freetoken
Heh, soon to be followed by: "Mindless science worship by scientists."
And the people bowed and prayed,
To the neon God they made...
208 | MandyManners Fri, Apr 23, 2010 5:12:25am |
re: #204 Fat Bastard Vegetarian
I'm rooting for Tebow to get the Broncos to the SuperBowl...
(of course to be defeated by the Cowboys)...
But I'm rooting on him to do well.
I dinged you up after reading the first sentence. I then rescinded it after reading the second sentence.
210 | NJDhockeyfan Fri, Apr 23, 2010 5:13:33am |
GOP ramps up attacks on SEC over porn surfing
WASHINGTON – Republicans are stepping up their criticism of the Securities and Exchange Commission following reports that senior agency staffers spent hours surfing pornographic websites on government-issued computers while they were supposed to be policing the nation's financial system.
California Rep. Darrell Issa, the top Republican on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, said it was "disturbing that high-ranking officials within the SEC were spending more time looking at porn than taking action to help stave off the events that put our nation's economy on the brink of collapse."
He said in a statement Thursday that SEC officials "were preoccupied with other distractions" when they should have been overseeing the growing problems in the financial system.
The SEC's inspector general conducted 33 probes of employees looking at explicit images in the past five years, according to a memo obtained by The Associated Press.
The memo says 31 of those probes occurred in the 2 1/2 years since the financial system teetered and nearly crashed.
The staffers' behavior violated government-wide ethics rules, it says.
213 | ghazidor Fri, Apr 23, 2010 5:15:03am |
re: #203 MandyManners
Isn't that all kind of moot now that ACORN no longer exists? Kinda seems like a waste of the courts time.
214 | Fat Bastard Vegetarian Fri, Apr 23, 2010 5:16:57am |
re: #213 ausador
I was wondering the same thing.
215 | Fat Bastard Vegetarian Fri, Apr 23, 2010 5:18:39am |
re: #199 NJDhockeyfan
Your Devils have ceased to be?
216 | Cato the Elder Fri, Apr 23, 2010 5:19:15am |
re: #213 ausador
Isn't that all kind of moot now that ACORN no longer exists? Kinda seems like a waste of the courts time.
Thanks to lying shmucks like O'Keefe and their nasty supporters on this blog and elsewhere.
217 | Spare O'Lake Fri, Apr 23, 2010 5:20:54am |
re: #205 cenotaphium
Opposing humanitys singularly most important achievement without understanding it is not worse than supporting it without understanding it?
How do you figure?
Science worship is a non sequitur.
It is the Frankenstein monster.
218 | NJDhockeyfan Fri, Apr 23, 2010 5:21:11am |
re: #215 Fat Bastard Vegetarian
Your Devils have ceased to be?
Yes, their season has gone to the big ice rink in the sky.
219 | NJDhockeyfan Fri, Apr 23, 2010 5:22:03am |
re: #216 Cato the Elder
Thanks to lying shmucks like O'Keefe and their nasty supporters on this blog and elsewhere.
I didn't know LGF lizards had that much influence in Washington. Cool!
220 | NJDhockeyfan Fri, Apr 23, 2010 5:23:28am |
Oh shit!
Police find suspect neck-deep in liquid manure pit
ALBION, Ind. (AP) -- Police said that officers searching for a man wanted on methamphetamine charges found him hiding neck-deep in a liquid manure pit at a northeastern Indiana farm. Noble County sheriff's deputies thought they'd lost the man until an officer spotted him in the tank beneath an outbuilding floor on the farm near Albion.Chief Deputy Doug Harp said the man, 52, had been neck-deep in the combination of hog and dog feces for at least an hour Tuesday evening. He later became combative and had to be shocked twice with a stun gun.
221 | Cannadian Club Akbar Fri, Apr 23, 2010 5:24:54am |
re: #220 NJDhockeyfan
Neck deep in crap then shocked twice makes it a "bad day".
222 | Spare O'Lake Fri, Apr 23, 2010 5:24:56am |
224 | NJDhockeyfan Fri, Apr 23, 2010 5:27:02am |
re: #223 Cato the Elder
Cousin of yours?
No, my uncles were cops in NJ. I don't think they ever pulled one of your relatives out of a vat of manure.
225 | Spare O'Lake Fri, Apr 23, 2010 5:27:05am |
Time to go aggravate some real folks.
Laters gators.
226 | Cato the Elder Fri, Apr 23, 2010 5:27:16am |
227 | Mad Al-Jaffee Fri, Apr 23, 2010 5:27:45am |
Cato, you sure are cranky this morning. Aren't there some kids on your lawn you can yell at?
228 | Cato the Elder Fri, Apr 23, 2010 5:28:27am |
re: #224 NJDhockeyfan
No, my uncles were cops in NJ. I don't think they ever pulled one of your relatives out of a vat of manure.
Your uncles would never find me. Or fine me. Have a hot dog!
229 | stevemcg Fri, Apr 23, 2010 5:29:13am |
re: #218 NJDhockeyfan
Yes, their season has gone to the big ice rink in the sky.
What happened? They had the Flyers right where they wanted them, up 3-1! Then to get shut out at home.
230 | Cato the Elder Fri, Apr 23, 2010 5:29:32am |
re: #227 Mad Al-Jaffee
Cato, you sure are cranky this morning. Aren't there some kids on your lawn you can yell at?
Only assholes have lawns. I have a garden.
231 | sattv4u2 Fri, Apr 23, 2010 5:29:59am |
ACORN defunded
Three recent election results (Massachusetts, New Jersey, Virginia)
Coincidence?
232 | sattv4u2 Fri, Apr 23, 2010 5:30:58am |
233 | NJDhockeyfan Fri, Apr 23, 2010 5:31:13am |
Schumer: Obama's 'counter-productive' Israel policy 'has to stop'
New York Senator Chuck Schumer harshly criticized the Obama Administration's attempts to exert pressure on Israel today, making him the highest-ranking Democrat to object to Obama's policies in such blunt terms.
Schumer, along with a majority of members of the House and Senate, signed on to letters politely suggesting the U.S. keep its disagreements with Israel private, a tacit objection to the administration's very public rebuke of the Jewish State over construction in Jerusalem last month.
But Schumer dramatically sharpened his tone on the politically conservative Jewish Nachum Segal Show today, calling the White House stance to date "counter-productive" and describing his own threat to "blast" the Administration had the State Department not backed down from its "terrible" tough talk toward Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Schumer, a hawkish ally of Israel since his days as a Brooklyn Congressman, described "a battle going on inside the administration" over Middle East policy.
"This has to stop," he said of the administration's policy of publicly pressuring Israel to end construction in Jerusalem.
"I told the President, I told Rahm Emanuel and others in the administration that I thought the policy they took to try to bring about negotiations is counter-productive, because when you give the Palestinians hope that the United States will do its negotiating for them, they are not going to sit down and talk," Schumer told Segal. "Palestinians don’t really believe in a state of Israel. They, unlike a majority of Israelis, who have come to the conclusion that they can live with a two-state solution to be determined by the parties, the majority of Palestinians are still very reluctant, and they need to be pushed to get there.
"If the U.S. says certain things and takes certain stands the Palestinians say, 'Why should we negotiate?'" Schumer said.
Even the liberals are starting to notice Obama's shitty treatment of Israel.
234 | Fat Bastard Vegetarian Fri, Apr 23, 2010 5:34:01am |
re: #230 Cato the Elder
Cato... did you miss my question earlier regarding Asian and Middle Eastern languages (as "have you picked up on any of them?") or did you ignore it.
I am really curious about the language thingy.
235 | Cannadian Club Akbar Fri, Apr 23, 2010 5:43:22am |
re: #234 Fat Bastard Vegetarian
Just saw your response on FB. GAK!!!
236 | NJDhockeyfan Fri, Apr 23, 2010 5:44:49am |
Blago’s lawyers: Obama lied twice
Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s lawyers filed a redacted motion Thursday to subpoena President Obama to testify at Blago’s upcoming corruption trial in June. They apparently want the president himself to testify about whether he sent “emissaries” to Blago from the White House to inform him of the president’s preferences to fill his vacated Senate seat.
‘President Obama has direct knowledge to allegations made in the indictment. In addition, President Obama’s public statements contradict other witness statements, specifically those made by labor union official and Senate Candidate B [believed to be White House senior advisor Valerie Jarrett],” the motion said.
The former governor’s lawyers also claim that Tony Rezko admitted he violated federal election laws by personally contributing “a large sum of cash” to an unnamed public official believed to be Obama.
Blago’s lawyers also accused Obama of not telling FBI agents the truth when he said Rezko never relayed a quid pro quo offer from a lobbyist who wanted to hold a fundraiser for Obama in exchange for favorable legislation, and again when he denied having any conversations with Rezko about a license for a casino linked to the Chicago mob.
237 | NJDhockeyfan Fri, Apr 23, 2010 5:46:04am |
re: #229 stevemcg
What happened? They had the Flyers right where they wanted them, up 3-1! Then to get shut out at home.
I know. Sucks to be a fan today. We'll get em' next year.
238 | William Barnett-Lewis Fri, Apr 23, 2010 5:48:22am |
re: #213 ausador
Isn't that all kind of moot now that ACORN no longer exists? Kinda seems like a waste of the courts time.
The courts need to remind people, as many times as necessary, that Bills of Attainder are explicitly forbidden by the Constitution. No amount of GOP posturing and lies can change that.
William
239 | Feline Emperor of the Conservative Tears Fri, Apr 23, 2010 5:48:28am |
re: #68 freetoken
In the PBS documentary I linked in the spin-offs, Udall mentions that while he was Secretary that they had another proposal, to build a dam in the Grand Canyon itself. Udall said he decided against it.
I'm sure Pat would be all for it.
Of course, easy *and profitable* way to cover up all those rock layers that the geologists point to as proving the age of the Earth.
241 | freetoken Fri, Apr 23, 2010 5:51:11am |
Michelle Malkin does her xenophobic best to attack John McCain:
John S. McCain, Will You Please Go Now?
Thing is, there are plenty of other multiple term GOP Senators, but she is not asking them to go... if they agree with her.
242 | Varek Raith Fri, Apr 23, 2010 5:51:41am |
Ahem.
ACCCOOORRRNNN!
/Captain James Tiberius Kirk.
244 | Feline Emperor of the Conservative Tears Fri, Apr 23, 2010 5:54:37am |
re: #126 Fat Bastard Vegetarian
Carry me back to ole' Virginny.
Cash and Carry
And I'll even hari-kari, if you show me how! ;)
245 | Varek Raith Fri, Apr 23, 2010 5:56:33am |
246 | Cannadian Club Akbar Fri, Apr 23, 2010 5:58:06am |
re: #244 oaktree
Cash and Carry
And I'll even hari-kari, if you show me how! ;)
But I will not carry a gun.
/took me a minute to remember that scene.:)
247 | Obdicut Fri, Apr 23, 2010 6:01:08am |
re: #236 NJDhockeyfan
Because Blagovitch has so much credibility.
248 | Varek Raith Fri, Apr 23, 2010 6:01:35am |
249 | Fat Bastard Vegetarian Fri, Apr 23, 2010 6:02:43am |
250 | Cannadian Club Akbar Fri, Apr 23, 2010 6:02:52am |
251 | freetoken Fri, Apr 23, 2010 6:03:23am |
re: #247 Obdicut
Yeah, Mediaite ran with that story yesterday. Besides the obvious (Blago being desperate), look closely at the allegations. They sound like hearsay - Blago isn't claiming he told Obama those things, but that somebody else did.
252 | Fat Bastard Vegetarian Fri, Apr 23, 2010 6:03:40am |
re: #236 NJDhockeyfan
Now, the Right'll start believing Blago...
253 | Varek Raith Fri, Apr 23, 2010 6:03:55am |
re: #250 Cannadian Club Akbar
I thought he was wearing a helmet. Geez.
/
It also can be used as a flotation device in the event of an emergency.
254 | Obdicut Fri, Apr 23, 2010 6:06:00am |
re: #248 Varek Raith
Trafficant vs. Blagovitch in the Hair-O-Dome. It's "Do" or die, time, folks, as these ferocious follicles fall into a fierce face off. Who will win, the Washington Wig or the Greasily Groomed Governor? Tonight only, sportsfans, see this hair-raising contest of the horribly hirsute!
255 | Fat Bastard Vegetarian Fri, Apr 23, 2010 6:06:29am |
re: #254 Obdicut
Two men enter, one man leave....
256 | freetoken Fri, Apr 23, 2010 6:07:37am |
For the comic lovers... an example of TEACH THE CONTROVERSY:
[Link: nodwick.humor.gamespy.com...]
257 | Obdicut Fri, Apr 23, 2010 6:07:39am |
re: #255 Fat Bastard Vegetarian
Judges include Phil Spector and Nicholas Cage with Bird-Hair.
258 | Mad Al-Jaffee Fri, Apr 23, 2010 6:07:51am |
re: #254 Obdicut
Trafficant vs. Blagovitch in the Hair-O-Dome. It's "Do" or die, time, folks, as these ferocious follicles fall into a fierce face off. Who will win, the Washington Wig or the Greasily Groomed Governor? Tonight only, sportsfans, see this hair-raising contest of the horribly hirsute!
Don King should be the referree.
259 | Our Precious Bodily Fluids Fri, Apr 23, 2010 6:10:00am |
re: #254 Obdicut
Trafficant vs. Blagovitch in the Hair-O-Dome. It's "Do" or die, time, folks, as these ferocious follicles fall into a fierce face off. Who will win, the Washington Wig or the Greasily Groomed Governor? Tonight only, sportsfans, see this hair-raising contest of the horribly hirsute!
260 | ghazidor Fri, Apr 23, 2010 6:10:39am |
re: #251 freetoken
Yeah, Mediaite ran with that story yesterday. Besides the obvious (Blago being desperate), look closely at the allegations. They sound like hearsay - Blago isn't claiming he told Obama those things, but that somebody else did.
Uhh, wouldn't these discussions that Blago claims happened with "Obama's emissaries" also be on the FBI bugging tapes or phone tap tapes? Of course he will claim they met in a park while wearing trench coats and dark glasses and fedoras, right?
261 | Fat Bastard Vegetarian Fri, Apr 23, 2010 6:10:50am |
re: #252 Fat Bastard Vegetarian
Now, the Right'll start believing Blago...
Banging gavel, "Blago has absolutely no credibility with us at this esteemed institu..."
(Charlie Brown's teacher's voice)
"Obama lied?" Bangs gavel, "Would Governor Blagojevich like to have the comfy chair?"
262 | freetoken Fri, Apr 23, 2010 6:11:17am |
The SEC would approve:
In the tech world, porn quietly leads the way
It was just days after the release of the iPad -- Apple's slate computer heralded as a tool for gaming, book and magazine reading and Web consumption -- when the announcement arrived.
One of the world's biggest porn companies claimed it had created a way to stream its videos onto the device, skipping the Apple store and its restrictions on salacious content.
The announcement illustrates a widely acknowledged but seldom-spoken truth of the technology world: Whenever there's a new content platform, the adult-entertainment industry is one of the first to adopt it -- if they didn't help create it in the first place.
What say we make iPads standard issue?
263 | Fat Bastard Vegetarian Fri, Apr 23, 2010 6:12:44am |
re: #262 freetoken
They have a larger size one now... it's called the maxi...
nah...
264 | reloadingisnotahobby Fri, Apr 23, 2010 6:12:54am |
re: #1 EmmmieG
Gravity? Gravity? Sheesh, that Isaac Newton believes that we'll buy any old thing that he's trying to sell.
Gravity??
It's NOT just SCIENCE!!
...IT"S THE LAW!!
265 | Mad Al-Jaffee Fri, Apr 23, 2010 6:13:02am |
266 | Mad Al-Jaffee Fri, Apr 23, 2010 6:13:42am |
re: #264 reloadingisnotahobby
Gravity??
It's NOT just SCIENCE!!
...IT"S THE LAW!!
STOP CONTINENTAL DRIFT!
267 | sattv4u2 Fri, Apr 23, 2010 6:14:12am |
re: #254 Obdicut
Trafficant vs. Blagovitch in the Hair-O-Dome. It's "Do" or die, time, folks, as these ferocious follicles fall into a fierce face off. Who will win, the Washington Wig or the Greasily Groomed Governor? Tonight only, sportsfans, see this hair-raising contest of the horribly hirsute!
I have a nice pis stripe suit
I used to have a leisure suit
I was once involved in a law suit
Does that count?
268 | sattv4u2 Fri, Apr 23, 2010 6:14:53am |
re: #267 sattv4u2
I have a nice
pisPIN stripe suit
I used to have a leisure suit
I was once involved in a law suit
Does that count?
pimf (the other would be disgusting ,,, worse than one made of hair!)
269 | Varek Raith Fri, Apr 23, 2010 6:15:19am |
270 | reloadingisnotahobby Fri, Apr 23, 2010 6:16:57am |
re: #266 Mad Al-Jaffee
Dude! Big DRIFT is and will rip us off!
271 | sattv4u2 Fri, Apr 23, 2010 6:17:10am |
272 | Fat Bastard Vegetarian Fri, Apr 23, 2010 6:17:48am |
273 | Fat Bastard Vegetarian Fri, Apr 23, 2010 6:18:22am |
re: #271 sattv4u2
Looks like a fuckin' spliff.
274 | Cannadian Club Akbar Fri, Apr 23, 2010 6:18:40am |
re: #271 sattv4u2
We have a winnah!!
Image: hillsborough_3291.jpg
Somewhere, for some reason, some girl thinks that is "hot". Heh.
275 | Obdicut Fri, Apr 23, 2010 6:18:51am |
276 | ghazidor Fri, Apr 23, 2010 6:18:56am |
re: #266 Mad Al-Jaffee
STOP CONTINENTAL DRIFT!
Continental drift is really just a Republican plot to get rid of California...
277 | sattv4u2 Fri, Apr 23, 2010 6:20:17am |
re: #275 Obdicut
The issue becomes confused!
Well ,, if you're not going to limit it to hair on heads
278 | reloadingisnotahobby Fri, Apr 23, 2010 6:20:19am |
re: #272 Fat Bastard Vegetarian
Being Follicly challenged,I find that disturbing and
somewhat ....ah..ah
279 | Mad Al-Jaffee Fri, Apr 23, 2010 6:20:39am |
re: #276 ausador
Continental drift is really just a Republican plot to get rid of California...
Really? I thought it was the Joos.
280 | Cannadian Club Akbar Fri, Apr 23, 2010 6:21:01am |
re: #277 sattv4u2
Well ,, if you're not going to limit it to hair on heads
Please don't ever do that again.
281 | Feline Emperor of the Conservative Tears Fri, Apr 23, 2010 6:21:03am |
re: #270 reloadingisnotahobby
Dude! Big DRIFT is and will rip us off!
Look how it's already affecting air travel in Europe...
282 | sattv4u2 Fri, Apr 23, 2010 6:21:32am |
283 | Obdicut Fri, Apr 23, 2010 6:21:33am |
re: #280 Cannadian Club Akbar
I didn't even click it. I've seen enough terrible things in my young life.
284 | Cannadian Club Akbar Fri, Apr 23, 2010 6:22:25am |
re: #283 Obdicut
I didn't even click it. I've seen enough terrible things in my young life.
Then don't click Satt's 282!!!
285 | Varek Raith Fri, Apr 23, 2010 6:22:56am |
re: #284 Cannadian Club Akbar
Then don't click Satt's 282!!!
You're such a gullible one, aren't you???
:)
286 | reloadingisnotahobby Fri, Apr 23, 2010 6:23:06am |
re: #281 oaktree
Watched History Channels special on Iceland,Worlds Largest Valcano!
...2009,I Thought ...No Shit??
287 | Cannadian Club Akbar Fri, Apr 23, 2010 6:24:36am |
We go from posting pics of Sofie to posting pics of hairy men. This blog has gone to shit!!
///
288 | Varek Raith Fri, Apr 23, 2010 6:25:18am |
re: #287 Cannadian Club Akbar
We go from posting pics of Sofie to posting pics of hairy men. This blog has gone to shit!!
///
HAIRY MAN FLOUNCE!
///
289 | sattv4u2 Fri, Apr 23, 2010 6:25:44am |
re: #287 Cannadian Club Akbar
We go from posting pics of Sofie to posting pics of hairy men. This blog has gone to shit!!
///
Back on track
[SIGH}
290 | reloadingisnotahobby Fri, Apr 23, 2010 6:26:19am |
Hair?
No comment...
Gravity...I've got a tree in my yard that needs topped...
..Hope it rains!
292 | Obdicut Fri, Apr 23, 2010 6:28:42am |
293 | Mad Al-Jaffee Fri, Apr 23, 2010 6:29:17am |
I'm gonna go read some of last night's South Park post comments (completely missed it.) BBL.
294 | Fat Bastard Vegetarian Fri, Apr 23, 2010 6:30:18am |
re: #282 sattv4u2
I'm just mad about Harry!
And Harry's mad about meee!
295 | Varek Raith Fri, Apr 23, 2010 6:30:22am |
296 | Cannadian Club Akbar Fri, Apr 23, 2010 6:30:25am |
297 | prairiefire Fri, Apr 23, 2010 6:30:50am |
This movie about illegal Iranian music looks good. "No One Knows About Persian Cats::[Link: trailers.apple.com...]
298 | Fat Bastard Vegetarian Fri, Apr 23, 2010 6:35:12am |
re: #294 Fat Bastard Vegetarian
Huh. Eubie Blake wrote that. And it's "Wild about Harry", not "mad".
299 | Ericus58 Fri, Apr 23, 2010 6:37:33am |
re: #293 Mad Al-Jaffee
I'm gonna go read some of last night's South Park post comments (completely missed it.) BBL.
"UPDATE: Parker and Stone comment on "South Park" censorship:
"In the 14 years we've been doing South Park we have never done a show that we couldn't stand behind. We delivered our version of the show to Comedy Central and they made a determination to alter the episode. It wasn't some meta-joke on our part. Comedy Central added the bleeps. In fact, Kyle's customary final speech was about intimidation and fear. It didn't mention Muhammad at all but it got bleeped too. We'll be back next week with a whole new show about something completely different and we'll see what happens to it.""
300 | sattv4u2 Fri, Apr 23, 2010 6:39:59am |
heh,,, I thought the new health legislation was aimed at reducing costs while adding uninsured people to the list
Report says health care will cover more, cost more
[Link: news.yahoo.com...]
But the analysis also found that the law falls short of the president's twin goal of controlling runaway costs, raising projected spending by about 1 percent over 10 years. That increase could get bigger, since Medicare cuts in the law may be unrealistic and unsustainable, the report warned.
'magine that!
301 | Daniel Ballard Fri, Apr 23, 2010 6:40:45am |
Good Morning all.
I just browsed through the bottom comments and I found... YoungLib again!? That guy is obsessed.
302 | Fat Bastard Vegetarian Fri, Apr 23, 2010 6:41:52am |
re: #301 Rightwingconspirator
Good Morning all.
I just browsed through the bottom comments and I found... YoungLib again!? That guy isobsregressed.
303 | Fat Bastard Vegetarian Fri, Apr 23, 2010 6:42:28am |
re: #299 Ericus58
I thought it was sooo perfect that Matt and Trey had done it.
I thought it was funny as hell.
304 | Varek Raith Fri, Apr 23, 2010 6:43:07am |
re: #301 Rightwingconspirator
Good Morning all.
I just browsed through the bottom comments and I found... YoungLib again!? That guy is obsessed.
XD
305 | Only The Lurker Knows Fri, Apr 23, 2010 6:43:25am |
re: #301 Rightwingconspirator
And this time he wasn't even subtle about it. Lasted about 2 minutes. And on that note, it's time to get ready for w*rk.
L8R
306 | Vicious Babushka Fri, Apr 23, 2010 6:44:08am |
re: #299 Ericus58
"UPDATE: Parker and Stone comment on "South Park" censorship:
"In the 14 years we've been doing South Park we have never done a show that we couldn't stand behind. We delivered our version of the show to Comedy Central and they made a determination to alter the episode. It wasn't some meta-joke on our part. Comedy Central added the bleeps. In fact, Kyle's customary final speech was about intimidation and fear. It didn't mention Muhammad at all but it got bleeped too. We'll be back next week with a whole new show about something completely different and we'll see what happens to it.""
I thought that censored episode was Teh Lame, but I am glad that Scott Tenorman finally got revenge.
307 | MandyManners Fri, Apr 23, 2010 6:44:56am |
Among individual donors, Ellison – the first Muslim elected to Congress – enjoys strong support from Muslim Americans throughout the country, campaign finance records show.
That's understandable. Tucked in among those contributions, however, are a handful of donors with a history of Muslim Brotherhood connections. For example, Ellison accepted $950 in contributions from Jamal Barzinji and another $1,000 from Hisham Al-Talib. And in late March, the Investigative Projec t on Terrorism has learned, Ellison attended a private fundraiser at the northern Virginia home of a man who led a group tied to the Muslim Brotherhood.
Barzinji and Al-Talib have served as vice presidents at the International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT), a Northern Virginia think-tank federal authorities suspect was part of a terrorist financing network. In addition, a previous FBI investigation concluded that Barzinji and Al-Talib were among U.S. leaders of the Muslim Brotherhood when they came here as students.
The Brotherhood, which also is called the Ikhwan, is an Egyptian-based religious/political movement that seeks to establish Islamic law as "the basis controlling the affairs of state and society." Documents from an FBI investigation from the late 1980s show Barzinji included among "members and leaders of the IKHWAN." He was the secretary general for the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) at that time.
ISNA was founded by Muslim Brotherhood members in the United States, records from that FBI probe and other investigations show.
Investigative records and trial exhibits also show that the organizations donors Barzinji and Al-Talib have been involved in and have helped finance criminal organizations including the Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development and a think tank that served as refuge for at least four members of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad's governing board during the early 1990s.
SNIP
Ellison also received $1,000 from Esam Omeish, former president of the Muslim American Society (MAS), another group founded by Muslim Brotherhood members in the United States. The MAS Minnesota chapter paid Ellison's travel expenses for a 2008 pilgrimage to Mecca.
During a 2000 rally, Omeish praised Palestinians for "choosing the jihad way" to liberation.
Other donors include Turkish Islamist Merve Kavakci, and Asad Zaman, principal of the MAS-run Tarek ibn Ziyad Academy in Minneapolis, and Aly Abuzaakouk, former executive director of the American Muslim Council and a former IIIT publications director.
SNIP
308 | keloyd Fri, Apr 23, 2010 6:45:18am |
re: #291 Liberal Classic
Science damn you!
I was totally expecting the smug, tribal arrogance that South Park ripped on, but the video upthread was actually right (though I wish he could have a lozenge for that squeaky voice.) He ripped on the scientifically literate elite's hypocrisy toward vitamins, supplements, and GMO frankenfoods as much as he ripped into the usual suspects.
Seriously, we all get worked up here about school boards in Texas who fight biological science or some inbred English dude who has made a hobby of fighting AGW way too much. The anti-science behind the West keeping GM food out of Africa kills more people in the here-and-now than any other anti-science movement.
If the guy installing your tires with his high school diploma doesn't believe in evolution, it's a shame, but it's not going to get people killed.
When I posted a Pro-AGW satirical article (on Russian skeptics doing research in the Arctic until their 'lab' fell thru the unseasonably thin ice) from the pro-AGW Scientific American, certain hotheads in this thread got all offended. How dare I address this subject with an attitude other than dour, shame-faced, guilt-ridden deadly seriousness(!) A half million dead or crippled Africans today from inadequate food and backwards agriculture is more important, or at least more time-sensitive. Where's the proportional outrageous outrage?
309 | Fat Bastard Vegetarian Fri, Apr 23, 2010 6:45:48am |
re: #306 Alouette
I thought it was very funny.
310 | keloyd Fri, Apr 23, 2010 6:47:43am |
re: #306 Alouette
I thought that censored episode was Teh Lame, but I am glad that Scott Tenorman finally got revenge.
The scene with Scott Tenorman - was that a reference to some movie? I couldn't place it.
311 | MandyManners Fri, Apr 23, 2010 6:47:45am |
re: #299 Ericus58
More on the intimidation front:
“It is forced vacation but it looks a lot like I’m being retired,” the 75-year-old cartoonist said, adding that he himself still had an “insatiable desire” to work.
The Danish cartoonist sparked violent protests in the Muslim world with drawings of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) that were considered blasphemous, that were published along with other cartoons in the Jyllands-Posten daily newspaper in September 2005.
SNIP
313 | Vicious Babushka Fri, Apr 23, 2010 6:51:15am |
re: #310 keloyd
The scene with Scott Tenorman - was that a reference to some movie? I couldn't place it.
That was a reference to a previous South Park episode, where Cartman murdered Scott Tenorman's parents and then fed him their remains in a bowl of chili.
314 | MandyManners Fri, Apr 23, 2010 6:52:19am |
Beth Gilinsky, head of the Jewish Action Alliance that is sponsoring the event, said, "We are outraged that President [Barack] Obama is scapegoating Israel and wants to expel Jews from their homes in Jerusalem. President Obama and Secretary Hillary Clinton show more anger about a Jewish family building a home in Jerusalem than Iran building a nuclear bomb," she added.
SNIP
The announcement, made during a visit to the region by Vice President Joe Biden, led to weeks of recriminations and condemnations by U.S. officials, beginning with an immediate, harsh condemnation from Biden himself. Less than 24 hours after he left the country, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu to scold him for having embarrassed the vice president and the Obama administration, and delivered a list of concessions and demands Israel was expected to fulfill in response. Other Obama officials followed with statements of criticism of their own.
Not one U.S. official at the time made mention of the formal government ceremony held by the Palestinian Authority during Biden's visit -- the naming of a public square in Ramallah to honor Dalah Mughrabi, the terrorist who led an attack that came to be known as the Coastal Road Massacre. In 1978, Mughrabi and her band of terrorists hijacked a tour bus on the coastal highway, murdering 37 innocent civilians and wounding 71 others, including more than a dozen children.
SNIP
315 | Tigger2005 Fri, Apr 23, 2010 6:52:24am |
I highly recommend Carl Sagan's "The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark". I take it out and read it every year or two. We lost such a treasure when he passed.
I wonder if Stephen Hawking's "Into the Universe" will evoke the same sense of wonder Sagan's "COSMOS" series did...
316 | Varek Raith Fri, Apr 23, 2010 6:52:26am |
re: #306 Alouette
I thought that censored episode was Teh Lame, but I am glad that Scott Tenorman finally got revenge.
What did he do?
317 | keloyd Fri, Apr 23, 2010 6:53:40am |
re: #313 Alouette
That was a reference to a previous South Park episode, where Cartman murdered Scott Tenorman's parents and then fed him their remains in a bowl of chili.
The Southpark references to Scott and the Denver Broncos I got. The general spooky carnival flavor of that scene - that's what I thought was a reference to something else. It seemed so specific, or odd, or something, that it must be a riff on something, if only our nerd-fu was strong enough to figure it out.
318 | Obdicut Fri, Apr 23, 2010 6:54:07am |
re: #315 Tigger2005
Have you read Dennett's Darwin's Dangerous Idea?
319 | Fat Bastard Vegetarian Fri, Apr 23, 2010 6:55:44am |
re: #313 Alouette
That was a reference to a previous South Park episode, where Cartman murdered Scott Tenorman's parents and then fed him their remains in a bowl of chili.
...and then licked up Scott's tears...
320 | MandyManners Fri, Apr 23, 2010 6:55:50am |
The suspects were expected to appear in court in Norfolk, Va., for indictment as early as Friday morning, two U.S. officials said on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the cases publicly.
The 11 have been held on U.S. ships for weeks off Somalia's pirate-infested coast and nearby regions as officials worked to determine whether and where they could be prosecuted and prepare legal charges against them.
The suspects were taken from the Nassau amphibious assault ship Thursday, handed over to U.S. law enforcement officials and were being flown to Virginia on a government plane in the custody of the Justice Department, one official said.
The transfer of the case to a U.S. court comes amid discussions about setting up a special international court to try piracy suspects, because a number of countries will not act against suspected pirates who are turned over to them. Some pirates have been released after capture because no nation could be found to try them.
SNIP
321 | Varek Raith Fri, Apr 23, 2010 6:56:29am |
re: #319 Fat Bastard Vegetarian
...and then licked up Scott's tears...
"Dude, that is fucked up!"
"Remind me never to piss off Cartman."
322 | Guanxi88 Fri, Apr 23, 2010 6:56:54am |
re: #319 Fat Bastard Vegetarian
...and then licked up Scott's tears...
Yes, the tears of your ineffable sadness. They're so sweet and yummy!
323 | Mad Al-Jaffee Fri, Apr 23, 2010 6:57:25am |
re: #317 keloyd
The Southpark references to Scott and the Denver Broncos I got. The general spooky carnival flavor of that scene - that's what I thought was a reference to something else. It seemed so specific, or odd, or something, that it must be a riff on something, if only our nerd-fu was strong enough to figure it out.
It was Alan Moore's Batman: The Killing Joke.
324 | prairiefire Fri, Apr 23, 2010 6:58:20am |
Face of the Day, The Big Lebowski:[Link: andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com...]
325 | Fat Bastard Vegetarian Fri, Apr 23, 2010 6:59:29am |
It still dark in California... I'm trying to watch the sunrise on the "Towercam".
326 | MandyManners Fri, Apr 23, 2010 6:59:47am |
One of the most heart-breaking photographs from the 1990s.
Diaz said the moment 10 years ago today ``forever'' haunts him.
``Elián said to me, `Qué está pasando, qué esté pasando?'' Diaz recalled in an interview this week with Miami Herald-WLRN News radio. ``I told the boy, in Spanish, that nothing's happening. It's going to be all right.''
Seconds later, the federal agent, wearing a helmet and riot gear, barged through the door and pointed a gun toward the boy, who was cowering with fear.
SNIP
328 | Guanxi88 Fri, Apr 23, 2010 7:00:11am |
re: #320 MandyManners
"Some pirates have been released after capture because no nation could be found to try them."
And therein lies the problem. When civilized nations are no longer willing to defend the borders and boundaries of civilization against barbarism, the fight to keep humanity out of the long dark night from which we have only recently escaped is already half-lost.
329 | Tigger2005 Fri, Apr 23, 2010 7:00:23am |
re: #318 Obdicut
Have you read Dennett's Darwin's Dangerous Idea?
No, I'll keep an eye out for it.
I've been busy reading the Aubrey/Maturin books lately. O'Brien really brings the spirit of the Enlightenment into the books. I like the eager, insatiable curiosity about nature displayed by Maturin and his associates. They want to know everything about everything.
330 | Fat Bastard Vegetarian Fri, Apr 23, 2010 7:01:03am |
331 | Obdicut Fri, Apr 23, 2010 7:01:48am |
re: #329 Tigger2005
Darwin's Dangerous Idea is the single most intellectually stimulating book I've read in my life.
332 | Mad Al-Jaffee Fri, Apr 23, 2010 7:01:54am |
333 | Tigger2005 Fri, Apr 23, 2010 7:04:23am |
re: #331 Obdicut
Darwin's Dangerous Idea is the single most intellectually stimulating book I've read in my life.
Have you read "The Beak of the Finch" ?
334 | Mad Al-Jaffee Fri, Apr 23, 2010 7:06:03am |
re: #331 Obdicut
Darwin's Dangerous Idea is the single most intellectually stimulating book I've read in my life.
Did Kirk Cameron write that one?
/
335 | Obdicut Fri, Apr 23, 2010 7:06:41am |
re: #333 Tigger2005
Yep. It did a beautiful job of showing evolution in a kind of narrative format. Living science.
And all of Dawkins's books are great, too.
But Dennett constructs a philosophy of science that is really beautifully elegant.
336 | MandyManners Fri, Apr 23, 2010 7:06:42am |
re: #307 MandyManners
Other donors include Turkish Islamist Merve Kavakci, and Asad Zaman, principal of the MAS-run Tarek ibn Ziyad Academy in Minneapolis, and Aly Abuzaakouk, former executive director of the American Muslim Council and a former IIIT publications director.
The names Asad Zaman and TiZA stirred a memory.
These bizarre developments are described in documents filed in a legal battle royal between TiZA -- a K-8 charter school with campuses in Inver Grove Heights and Blaine -- and the American Civil Liberties Union of Minnesota. Last year, the ACLU filed a federal suit claiming that TiZA impermissibly promotes religion.
In January, the ACLU sought a protective order, telling the court that intimidation by TiZA was discouraging potential witnesses from appearing. On Feb. 10, the court barred witness harassment or intimidation by either party.
Elmasry is one witness who sought such protection. In January, he testified about TiZA's financial entanglement with the Muslim American Society of Minnesota at a Minnesota Senate subcommittee hearing on charter school lease aid. Shortly thereafter, Elmasry says in an affidavit, he was informed by a friend and TIZA parent that TiZA authorities had called a parent meeting, where they showed a video of Elmasry's testimony. Then, according to the parent's account, Asad Zaman, the school's director and an imam -- or Muslim religious leader -- accused Elmasry of talking to the Minnesota Department of Education and "selling" his "Iman," meaning his Islamic faith, according to Elmasry's affidavit.
Elmasry was frightened, he says. "It is well-known in Islam that a Muslim who rejects his or her faith is committing an act punishable by death," according to his affidavit. "There are many accounts of Muslims taking matters into their own hands and killing people they believe have sold or rejected their Islamic faith or Iman."
SNIP
337 | Guanxi88 Fri, Apr 23, 2010 7:07:07am |
re: #331 Obdicut
Darwin's Dangerous Idea is the single most intellectually stimulating book I've read in my life.
That's because you haven't yet read my soon-to-be-published autobiography: "A Little Slice of Just About Adequate"
My nomination for most intellectually stimulating book I've come across, excluding philosophical works, would have to be "Witness" by old Whit Chambers.
338 | Obdicut Fri, Apr 23, 2010 7:07:21am |
re: #334 Mad Al-Jaffee
Heh. The title is fun, and I wonder if he chose it to lure in people who might think it's an anti-Evolution book.
339 | MandyManners Fri, Apr 23, 2010 7:07:48am |
re: #328 Guanxi88
"Some pirates have been released after capture because no nation could be found to try them."
And therein lies the problem. When civilized nations are no longer willing to defend the borders and boundaries of civilization against barbarism, the fight to keep humanity out of the long dark night from which we have only recently escaped is already half-lost.
I posted a link to a Spiegel article the other day about Germany trying pirates after Kenya backed out.
340 | Guanxi88 Fri, Apr 23, 2010 7:08:54am |
re: #339 MandyManners
I posted a link to a Spiegel article the other day about Germany trying pirates after Kenya backed out.
"Tis a sad day, indeed, when we must rely on Fritz to keep the order.
341 | keloyd Fri, Apr 23, 2010 7:11:26am |
re: #340 Guanxi88
I bet every lizard in Danzig is thinking, 'good idea! Keep the Germans busy with pirates 5000 miles away!'
342 | Obdicut Fri, Apr 23, 2010 7:11:34am |
re: #337 Guanxi88
Seriously? That's goofy. It's such an incredibly limited scope. I'd pick Farley Mowatt's The Dog Who Wouldn't Be over Witness.
Or any works by Murray Kempton, the socialist who was good friends with Buckley.
Have you read Rebellions, Perversities and Main Events?
343 | Guanxi88 Fri, Apr 23, 2010 7:15:11am |
re: #342 Obdicut
Seriously? That's goofy. It's such an incredibly limited scope. I'd pick Farley Mowatt's The Dog Who Wouldn't Be over Witness.
Or any works by Murray Kempton, the socialist who was good friends with Buckley.
Have you read Rebellions, Perversities and Main Events?
Saw you recommending Rebellions, etc, yesterday, and, what with my newly-freed up cash, have ordered same.
Witness as a goofy pick? Or of limited scope? Whit Chambers sat at the intersection of two of the most crucial political and intellectual movements of the 20th century, and was smack in the middle of one of the most controversial legal and political cases since about 1950.
But more than all that, the insight he provides is stunning, and the man's a brilliant writer. He explains what made him move toward Communism, not merely to the extent of being a Red, but of being a Soviet agent in the '30's and running espionage operations here in the States, and then shows how the same considerations and values that drove him TO communism eventually required him to move away from it, and even to oppose it openly.
344 | Obdicut Fri, Apr 23, 2010 7:15:40am |
re: #337 Guanxi88
Or more appropriate, this Witness, by one of my heroes (and friend of my gramma's!)
Witness: One of the Great Correspondents of the Twentieth Century Tells Her Story
345 | MandyManners Fri, Apr 23, 2010 7:16:21am |
Violence in Afghanistan? Neverrr.
The commanders are vying for military control of the insurgency, district elders and mid-level Taleban commanders have told The Times.
Mullah Abdul Qayyum Zakir and Mullah Akhtar Mohammad Mansoor were both named as the successors to Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, the Taleban’s second in command, who was arrested in Pakistan in February.
Mullah Zakir, according to reports at the time, was given responsibility for military operations, while his rival was put in charge of logistics. District elders in Helmand said that Mullah Mansoor was disappointed not to get his former leader’s operational role, referred to as the Taleban’s defence minister.
SNIP
346 | MandyManners Fri, Apr 23, 2010 7:16:36am |
348 | Guanxi88 Fri, Apr 23, 2010 7:18:11am |
re: #346 MandyManners
Movie?
Might be, but I can't say for sure.
As for exurbia - love it to pieces, and can't wait to bore all and sundry with the many advantages of living away from the Towns.
349 | Obdicut Fri, Apr 23, 2010 7:18:17am |
re: #343 Guanxi88
I'm sorry, but the most crucial intellectual movements of the 20th century were nowhere near the most crucial political movements. I think you're assigning far more importance to political theory than it actually has.
It's a fascinating story that's very well-written, but in terms of intellectual power it's incredibly narrow in scope.
350 | MandyManners Fri, Apr 23, 2010 7:19:16am |
Nuclear race in Southwest Asia?
The King Abdullah City for Nuclear and Renewable Energy, set to be established in Riyadh, will, according to a royal decree, be tasked with the research and application of nuclear technology and oversee all aspects of a nuclear power industry, the official Saudi Press Agency reported.
In an effort to diversify the country’s oil-based energy industry, Saudi Arabia has been experimenting with alternative energies such as solar power. Nuclear power is a growing focus area.
Analysts say, however, that politics may have played a major role in the Saudi decision to focus on nuclear technology, as the kingdom’s leaders feel increasingly threatened by the specter of a nuclear Iran.
SNIP
351 | Guanxi88 Fri, Apr 23, 2010 7:20:35am |
re: #349 Obdicut
I'm sorry, but the most crucial intellectual movements of the 20th century were nowhere near the most crucial political movements. I think you're assigning far more importance to political theory than it actually has.
It's a fascinating story that's very well-written, but in terms of intellectual power it's incredibly narrow in scope.
Then we'll leave it there. I, for one, find the analysis of the factors that drove the greatest minds of the 20th Century to consider the embrace of either Stalin or Hitler viable and credible alternative courses of action to be of great interest, but tastes vary.
352 | Obdicut Fri, Apr 23, 2010 7:21:07am |
re: #350 MandyManners
Oh don't worry, they're our allies! Never mind that they're one of the largest state sponsors of terrorism. I'm sure there's no way that the House of Saud could ever lose control of the country and it descend into the hands of Wahabists.
/
353 | Varek Raith Fri, Apr 23, 2010 7:22:01am |
re: #349 Obdicut
I'm sorry, but the most crucial intellectual movements of the 20th century were nowhere near the most crucial political movements. I think you're assigning far more importance to political theory than it actually has.
It's a fascinating story that's very well-written, but in terms of intellectual power it's incredibly narrow in scope.
Coke or Pepsi.
///
354 | MandyManners Fri, Apr 23, 2010 7:22:50am |
re: #348 Guanxi88
Might be, but I can't say for sure.
As for exurbia - love it to pieces, and can't wait to bore all and sundry with the many advantages of living away from the Towns.
Ah, yes. Country living. Last year the moles got most of my tulip bulbs, rabbits and deer got my lettuce and cabbage and the feral pigs got some of my garden and wreaked havoc on parts of the yard before the cops turned two of them into barbecue.
This year, the rabbits and SQUIRRELS have eaten my lettuce, cabbage and a few tomato plants.
I'm tempted to kill one of each and nail its carcass to a board next to my garden.
355 | MandyManners Fri, Apr 23, 2010 7:23:24am |
re: #352 Obdicut
Oh don't worry, they're our allies! Never mind that they're one of the largest state sponsors of terrorism. I'm sure there's no way that the House of Saud could ever lose control of the country and it descend into the hands of Wahabists.
/
Aren't the Saudis Wahabists already?
356 | Feline Emperor of the Conservative Tears Fri, Apr 23, 2010 7:24:16am |
re: #354 MandyManners
Be careful or the rabbit Wahabists might declare them martyrs and you'll have a lepus jihad on your hands.
//
357 | Obdicut Fri, Apr 23, 2010 7:24:59am |
re: #351 Guanxi88
I don't think it's a question of taste, but of where one places importance in intellectual affairs. I don't think politics are actually that intellectually complex or interesting. It's just a debased kind of information theory. It doesn't speak to much outside it, at all, whereas a book like Darwin's Dangerous Idea thoroughly explores the broad effect that Darwin's discovery had across the entire field of human achievement. They're not even in the same league, to me, intellectually.
Witness is a fascinating and wonderfully written book that shows a fascinating intellectual progression of an individual.
358 | keloyd Fri, Apr 23, 2010 7:25:21am |
re: #354 MandyManners
Half of the animals on that list are good eatin. I say replant the garden, sit reallly still next to an open window, load the firearm of your choice, and be vewy vewy quiet.
359 | lawhawk Fri, Apr 23, 2010 7:25:25am |
re: #352 Obdicut
Sorry I didn't get back to you yesterday on what "small wars" could look like.
Here's a few examples:
Grenada. Panama (both involving the US).
First Gulf War - multinational coalition, relatively short war - but the no-fly zones ran for pretty much a decade thereafter and there were periodic air strikes.
Israel has seen multiple wars in recent years:
The Hizbullah war and Operation Cast Lead. Both limited in duration and scope.
The thread running through all is that there wasn't spillover and a wider conflict. In all the cases, the conflicts ended within a short time and the goals were defined and met within short order.
Also, the Osirak strike in 1981 comes to mind. An airstrike against the Iraqi nuclear plant and crippled its nuclear ambitions. It didn't lead to a wider war between Iraq and Israel or even a regional conflict (though you could argue the proxies picked up the pieces and maintained or intensified their campaign against Israel).
360 | Obdicut Fri, Apr 23, 2010 7:26:53am |
re: #355 MandyManners
Yes. Sorry, what I meant was that I consider the House of Saud to just be a bunch of corrupt rich fuckers who probably aren't even honest in their religious zeal, but that the country has a large undercurrent of incredibly militant and fanatical Wahabists who want to topple them.
361 | Guanxi88 Fri, Apr 23, 2010 7:26:55am |
Riffing still on the Whit Chambers bit, I'd add that one of the most interesting, if largely unnoticed, facts of the 20th Century was the embrace by some of the greatest minds of the day of some of the worst and most dangerous ideas and ideologies.
Sartre went with Stalin; Heidegger never really gave up on the Fuhrer, and countless other examples less famous, but too numerous to be catalogued in full.
This, according to the teacher of my teacher, was as sure a sign as any that modernity had reached a phase of crisis, as its best minds were largely unable to recognize evil when it confronted them in its purest forms.
362 | Mad Al-Jaffee Fri, Apr 23, 2010 7:27:03am |
re: #354 MandyManners
License to kill gophers [and other critters] by the government of the United Nations. Man, free to kill gophers at will. To kill, you must know your enemy, and in this case my enemy is a varmint. And a varmint will never quit - ever. They're like the Viet Cong - Varmint Cong. So you have to fall back on superior intelligence and superior firepower. And that's all she wrote.
363 | MandyManners Fri, Apr 23, 2010 7:27:08am |
Former Brig. Gen. Antonio Rivero, who used to head the government's emergency management agency, said his decision to retire from the army this month was motivated mainly by "the presence and meddling of Cuban soldiers" in Venezuela's armed forces.
He told reporters that Cubans are now involved in training troops, including courses for snipers, and are also playing a role in intelligence, weapons, communications and other areas.
SNIP
Rivero also denounced the "politicization" of the military, including the slogan soldiers now repeat when saluting: "Socialist homeland or death!" Among other complaints, he condemned Chavez's enlistment of supporters in a growing civilian militia and said it's improper for the president, a civilian, to wear a military uniform as Chavez often does.
Chavez, a former paratroop commander, has made Cuba his closest ally since he took office in 1999. He often visits Fidel Castro, calling him a mentor, and has praised Cuba as a "revolutionary democracy."
Venezuela has also become a key economic benefactor to Cuba, sending the island about 100,000 barrels of oil a day on preferential terms in exchange for the services of thousands of Cuban doctors, whose work in free clinics has helped boost Chavez's political support.
SNIP
364 | Obdicut Fri, Apr 23, 2010 7:27:18am |
re: #359 lawhawk
Sorry I didn't get back to you yesterday on what "small wars" could look like.
That's not a problem, since that wasn't my question.
365 | MandyManners Fri, Apr 23, 2010 7:27:40am |
re: #356 oaktree
Be careful or the rabbit Wahabists might declare them martyrs and you'll have a lepus jihad on your hands.
//
ROFLMAO!!!
366 | MandyManners Fri, Apr 23, 2010 7:29:16am |
re: #360 Obdicut
Yes. Sorry, what I meant was that I consider the House of Saud to just be a bunch of corrupt rich fuckers who probably aren't even honest in their religious zeal, but that the country has a large undercurrent of incredibly militant and fanatical Wahabists who want to topple them.
Why do you think they export terrorism?!
367 | Fat Bastard Vegetarian Fri, Apr 23, 2010 7:29:50am |
368 | keloyd Fri, Apr 23, 2010 7:30:15am |
re: #355 MandyManners
Aren't the Saudis Wahabists already?
yes and no. There is a shia minority that is shat upon, if you'll pardon the expression. The public is much more half-ass than we realize about religion. Ramadan means sleeping in, then going to a big buffet from sundown to 2 am. OTOH, the activists, the busy bodies, the ones the rest are too apathetic or frightened to do anything about - they're the super-mega-man-black-belt wahabis. They're the Calvinists of Islam.
369 | Guanxi88 Fri, Apr 23, 2010 7:30:18am |
re: #357 Obdicut
I don't think it's a question of taste, but of where one places importance in intellectual affairs.
Yes, some are attracted to the materio-technical, others to the philosophical; tastes and inclinations vary.
370 | MandyManners Fri, Apr 23, 2010 7:30:22am |
re: #362 Mad Al-Jaffee
License to kill gophers [and other critters] by the government of the United Nations. Man, free to kill gophers at will. To kill, you must know your enemy, and in this case my enemy is a varmint. And a varmint will never quit - ever. They're like the Viet Cong - Varmint Cong. So you have to fall back on superior intelligence and superior firepower. And that's all she wrote.
I have bug zappers for my deck. I wish someone would make a Varmint Zapper.
371 | Guanxi88 Fri, Apr 23, 2010 7:30:47am |
re: #370 MandyManners
I have bug zappers for my deck. I wish someone would make a Varmint Zapper.
They do; they come in a variety of sizes and calibers.
372 | Obdicut Fri, Apr 23, 2010 7:30:54am |
re: #361 Guanxi88
In what manner is that an unnoticed fact? The attitudes of the great minds towards the various great evils of their time is something that's talked about quite a bit. I remember discussing it at length in college. Most books about the great minds talk about their attitudes towards the various political movements of the times.
I'm reading Oppenheimer's biography right now, which, among other things, shows him reacting to news of the Communist show-trials in the USSR, which makes him break his support for Communist Russia; he was able to actually accept the new information and change his mind, more to his credit.
374 | Mad Al-Jaffee Fri, Apr 23, 2010 7:31:21am |
re: #367 Fat Bastard Vegetarian
Did you ever see the Tiger Woods bit?
Was funny has hell.
No, and I can't watch videos at work.
375 | Fat Bastard Vegetarian Fri, Apr 23, 2010 7:31:52am |
re: #374 Mad Al-Jaffee
A very good send-up of Tiger play Bill's character.
376 | Obdicut Fri, Apr 23, 2010 7:32:14am |
re: #369 Guanxi88
I have no clue what materio-technical means. Can you explain what it means?
377 | MandyManners Fri, Apr 23, 2010 7:32:27am |
re: #363 MandyManners
About that civilian militia:
Chavez rallied the civilian militia at an outdoor speech while marking the anniversary of a failed 2002 coup against him. Organizers estimated about 35,000 militia members in the crowd, which filled a downtown avenue in Caracas.
The president said his opponents would be defeated if they tried another coup, and he vowed to emerge again with a dominant majority in the National Assembly after September elections.
Without giving details, Chavez told the crowd that he believes some people in Venezuela are conspiring to assassinate him.
"If they were to do it ... you know what you would have to do. Simply take all power in Venezuela, absolutely all, sweep away the bourgeoisie from all political and economic spaces, deepen the revolution," he said.
SNIP
378 | Obdicut Fri, Apr 23, 2010 7:32:41am |
re: #373 Fat Bastard Vegetarian
It's either the end of the universe or someone left their hat covering the camera.
379 | Mad Al-Jaffee Fri, Apr 23, 2010 7:32:46am |
re: #370 MandyManners
I have bug zappers for my deck. I wish someone would make a Varmint Zapper.
I just don't grow anything. Solves any pest/crop problems for me.
380 | Fat Bastard Vegetarian Fri, Apr 23, 2010 7:32:51am |
re: #375 Fat Bastard Vegetarian
Who the hell wrote that? Tarzan?
381 | MandyManners Fri, Apr 23, 2010 7:33:22am |
re: #368 keloyd
yes and no. There is a shia minority that is shat upon, if you'll pardon the expression. The public is much more half-ass than we realize about religion. Ramadan means sleeping in, then going to a big buffet from sundown to 2 am. OTOH, the activists, the busy bodies, the ones the rest are too apathetic or frightened to do anything about - they're the super-mega-man-black-belt wahabis. They're the Calvinists of Islam.
Excellent description.
382 | MandyManners Fri, Apr 23, 2010 7:33:55am |
re: #371 Guanxi88
They do; they come in a variety of sizes and calibers.
I think my DE .50 would be over-kill.
383 | Spare O'Lake Fri, Apr 23, 2010 7:34:05am |
re: #352 Obdicut
Oh don't worry, they're our allies! Never mind that they're one of the largest state sponsors of terrorism. I'm sure there's no way that the House of Saud could ever lose control of the country and it descend into the hands of Wahabists.
/
Maybe Obama should get his thumb out of his ass, stop gnawing on Israel's ankle, and together with our only reliable ally in the region get ready to take out the Iranian nuke program by overwhelming force.
384 | Obdicut Fri, Apr 23, 2010 7:34:56am |
re: #383 Spare O'Lake
Maybe he should drink a cold glass of lemonade and read an improving book.
385 | Guanxi88 Fri, Apr 23, 2010 7:35:06am |
re: #372 Obdicut
What is unnoticed about is that these leading lights of the West were fundamentally blind to facts which would have been immediately obvious to any moderately educated person but a few centuries earlier. Oppenheimer's repudiation of Communism is an interesting fact of his biography; that he was a physicist, however, suggests that his embrace of Communism was of a different character than, say, a philosopher's embrace of it.
Similarly, think of Karl Schmitt - a leading theoretician of German law and a respected authority on constitutional affairs. He read with great alarm the provisions of the Weimar Constitution that permitted the introduction of a state of emergency and the imposition of a dictatorship, recognizing they spelled the end of the republic itself, and went on to become one of the leading theoreticians of National Socialist jurisprudence, all without missing a beat.
386 | MandyManners Fri, Apr 23, 2010 7:35:11am |
re: #379 Mad Al-Jaffee
I just don't grow anything. Solves any pest/crop problems for me.
Ain't nothing like picking a head of lettuce in the morning and eating it in a salad that night.
387 | Mad Al-Jaffee Fri, Apr 23, 2010 7:36:00am |
re: #386 MandyManners
Ain't nothing like picking a head of lettuce in the morning and eating it in a salad that night.
in bed?
388 | Guanxi88 Fri, Apr 23, 2010 7:36:19am |
re: #376 Obdicut
I have no clue what materio-technical means. Can you explain what it means?
Odd, given it's your area. Materio-technical is a Heideggerean term, referring to the interpretation of Being with a view to its manipulation as physical matter; modern science is materio-technical in its orientation.
389 | vinnievin Fri, Apr 23, 2010 7:36:27am |
Yes, denial of science is dangerous. What concerns me is how, when almost every topic other that manmade global warming is discussed, there is a presence of qualifiers such as 'as far as we know' or 'it appears that' and a wealth of words and phrases with the same type of meaning. But when it concerns climate change, it is a fact that everyone knows is true and if you don't, you are stupid or paid for.
390 | Obdicut Fri, Apr 23, 2010 7:37:03am |
re: #385 Guanxi88
What is unnoticed about is that these leading lights of the West were fundamentally blind to facts which would have been immediately obvious to any moderately educated person but a few centuries earlier.
Well, that's an untestable premise, but it certainly is an argument that I've heard made quite often. So I'm still not sure where you get the idea that this is an 'unnoticed' idea. It's something even contemporaries during that time period, like Orwell, covered at length.
What is the difference you find between a physicist and a philosopher?
Have you read Feynman at all?
391 | Obdicut Fri, Apr 23, 2010 7:39:16am |
re: #388 Guanxi88
I don't like Heidegger. And what do you imagine is my area?
Odd, given it's your area. Materio-technical is a Heideggerean term, referring to the interpretation of Being with a view to its manipulation as physical matter; modern science is materio-technical in its orientation.
Do you just mean 'not believing in the supernatural'? And I think that that's just part of the classic false dichotomy between science and philosophy-- that's something Dennett actually addresses at length. I can't really tell, though, since I'm not familiar with how Heidegger uses the term.
392 | Spare O'Lake Fri, Apr 23, 2010 7:39:51am |
re: #384 Obdicut
Maybe he should drink a cold glass of lemonade and read an improving book.
Just as soon as he finishes his waffle.
393 | darthstar Fri, Apr 23, 2010 7:39:52am |
Happy Earth Day, everyone!
(didn't you know? Every day is earth day)
394 | Feline Emperor of the Conservative Tears Fri, Apr 23, 2010 7:41:47am |
re: #385 Guanxi88
What is unnoticed about is that these leading lights of the West were fundamentally blind to facts which would have been immediately obvious to any moderately educated person but a few centuries earlier. Oppenheimer's repudiation of Communism is an interesting fact of his biography; that he was a physicist, however, suggests that his embrace of Communism was of a different character than, say, a philosopher's embrace of it.
Similarly, think of Karl Schmitt - a leading theoretician of German law and a respected authority on constitutional affairs. He read with great alarm the provisions of the Weimar Constitution that permitted the introduction of a state of emergency and the imposition of a dictatorship, recognizing they spelled the end of the republic itself, and went on to become one of the leading theoreticians of National Socialist jurisprudence, all without missing a beat.
Sounds like one of those slow slides where ideas and opinions shift in such small increments that one doesn't realize the position one has ended up in. And the epiphany never occurs that dangerous ground has been reached and/or cognitive dissonance comes into play as the psyche refuses to accept that one has become part of the problem; e.g. the abyss has stared back.
395 | Obdicut Fri, Apr 23, 2010 7:42:29am |
re: #389 vinnievin
I really couldn't make head or tail of that. Would you mind rephrasing it?
396 | Guanxi88 Fri, Apr 23, 2010 7:42:34am |
re: #390 Obdicut
Well, that's an untestable premise, but it certainly is an argument that I've heard made quite often. So I'm still not sure where you get the idea that this is an 'unnoticed' idea. It's something even contemporaries during that time period, like Orwell, covered at length.
What is the difference you find between a physicist and a philosopher?
Have you read Feynman at all?
Feynman's not on the list of my readings, sad to say.
As for it's being unnoticed - yes, these individual instances were noticed; did anyone stop to ask what was wrong with Western thought, such as it was, that would permit such fundamental blindness? That's what went unnoticed.
Difference between a philosopher and a physicist: chiefly, the scope of data under consideration.
397 | MandyManners Fri, Apr 23, 2010 7:43:01am |
Redaction FAIL.
SNIP
White House officials declined to comment on the motion to subpoena the president -- redacted or un-redacted -- saying it's policy to not comment on a pending criminal proceeding. Blagojevich’s trial is scheduled to begin on June 3.
In the un-redacted portion, Blagojevich’s attorneys assert that “President Obama has direct knowledge to allegations made in the indictment. In addition, President Obama’s public statements contradict other witness statements..."
SNIP
398 | MandyManners Fri, Apr 23, 2010 7:43:30am |
399 | Mad Al-Jaffee Fri, Apr 23, 2010 7:43:50am |
re: #393 darthstar
Happy Earth Day, everyone!
(didn't you know? Every day is earth day)
AND it's 4:20 twice a day!!!!
400 | MandyManners Fri, Apr 23, 2010 7:44:09am |
re: #389 vinnievin
Yes, denial of science is dangerous. What concerns me is how, when almost every topic other that manmade global warming is discussed, there is a presence of qualifiers such as 'as far as we know' or 'it appears that' and a wealth of words and phrases with the same type of meaning. But when it concerns climate change, it is a fact that everyone knows is true and if you don't, you are stupid or paid for.
Or, both.
401 | Tigger2005 Fri, Apr 23, 2010 7:44:33am |
re: #377 MandyManners
"If they were to do it ... you know what you would have to do. Simply take all power in Venezuela, absolutely all, sweep away the bourgeoisie from all political and economic spaces, deepen the revolution," he said.
"The more you tighten your grip, Tarkin, the more star systems will slip through your fingers."
402 | MandyManners Fri, Apr 23, 2010 7:44:46am |
re: #393 darthstar
Happy Earth Day, everyone!
(didn't you know? Every day is earth day)
I might celebrate it by blasting some furry critters to smithereens.
403 | Mad Al-Jaffee Fri, Apr 23, 2010 7:45:21am |
re: #391 Obdicut
Immanuel Kant was a real pissant
Who was very rarely stable
Heidegger, Heidegger was a boozy beggar
Who could think you under the table
David Hume could out-consume
Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel
And Wittgenstein was a beery swine
Who was just as schloshed as Schlegel
404 | Obdicut Fri, Apr 23, 2010 7:45:22am |
re: #396 Guanxi88
As for it's being unnoticed - yes, these individual instances were noticed; did anyone stop to ask what was wrong with Western thought, such as it was, that would permit such fundamental blindness?
Yes. Orwell, for one. Erich Fromm, for another. Popper, for another. And those were just the contemporaries.
Have you read Popper? He is another person who started out with communist leanings and then, after exposure to the true tactics of communism, rejected it-- that became part of the foundation for his theories of open societies.
405 | MandyManners Fri, Apr 23, 2010 7:45:46am |
re: #401 Tigger2005
"The more you tighten your grip, Tarkin, the more star systems will slip through your fingers."
Seems to not be the case with Chavez. For now.
407 | Mad Al-Jaffee Fri, Apr 23, 2010 7:47:32am |
408 | lawhawk Fri, Apr 23, 2010 7:47:42am |
Developing from Iraq: multiple bombings across Iraq (but mostly in Baghdad) hit mosques and offices associated with al Sadr.
A triple bombing hit the main Baghdad office of an anti-U.S. Shiite cleric in the deadliest of a series of attacks across Iraq that killed dozens and wounded more than 200, officials said.The series of explosions mainly targeting Shiite worshippers in Baghdad killed at least 58 people, anonymous officials told The Associated Press. Reuters, meanwhile, reported that at least 56 people had died in the attacks.
There was no explanation for the different death tolls, although such discrepancies are common in the aftermath of such attacks.
The violence appeared to be an attempt by insurgents to demonstrate they are still a potent force days after Iraqi authorities announced the killings of the top two al-Qaida in Iraq leaders in what was seen as a major blow.
It would appear that al Qaeda is still intent on reigniting sectarian conflict between Sunni and Shia in Iraq, and they figure there's no better way than to murder people when they go to the mosques to pray on Friday.
409 | Guanxi88 Fri, Apr 23, 2010 7:48:08am |
re: #391 Obdicut
I don't like Heidegger. And what do you imagine is my area?
Do you just mean 'not believing in the supernatural'? And I think that that's just part of the classic false dichotomy between science and philosophy-- that's something Dennett actually addresses at length. I can't really tell, though, since I'm not familiar with how Heidegger uses the term.
Heidegger, as a phenomenologist, doesn't include the supernatural. His use of the term refers instead to what he terms the orientation of a human being toward Being as a whole, with "Being" understood strictly and completely without any mystico-religious overtones or implications.
It's his contention that a fundamental shift occurred in Western thought, in which the articulated order of the world (Being) came to be understood not as a given state of affairs, to be managed and navigated as best one can, but rather as a large mass of relatively unorganized (for human purposes) dead matter, subject to fundamental manipulation (not just physically, but conceptually as well) according to the will of man.
410 | Guanxi88 Fri, Apr 23, 2010 7:49:32am |
re: #404 Obdicut
Yes. Orwell, for one. Erich Fromm, for another. Popper, for another. And those were just the contemporaries.
Have you read Popper? He is another person who started out with communist leanings and then, after exposure to the true tactics of communism, rejected it-- that became part of the foundation for his theories of open societies.
Tactics and consequences; these were what they objected to. None of them realized that they themselves were a part of the intellectual tradition that led to the very excesses and evils they decried.
411 | cenotaphium Fri, Apr 23, 2010 7:50:34am |
re: #389 vinnievin
Yes, denial of science is dangerous. What concerns me is how, when almost every topic other that manmade global warming is discussed, there is a presence of qualifiers such as 'as far as we know' or 'it appears that' and a wealth of words and phrases with the same type of meaning. But when it concerns climate change, it is a fact that everyone knows is true and if you don't, you are stupid or paid for.
I think this is due to the weasily tactics of the denialist circle. I saw the same thing happen with discussions on evolution, after creationists got involved. Any reasonable criticism or skepticism turns into fodder for people who would discredit the entire field, not improve it.
That makes you cautious when discussing it in open forums.
Indeed, much of the "revelations of fraud" that climate deniers bring out is just that honest questioning and skepticism that scientists engage in when less guarded.
412 | Killgore Trout Fri, Apr 23, 2010 7:50:52am |
re: #406 Fat Bastard Vegetarian
I still get an occasional email from her with a link to a news story of a cat video. I'm not sure if she'll come back to us eventually.
413 | Obdicut Fri, Apr 23, 2010 7:51:21am |
re: #409 Guanxi88
Okay. Well, I've never read him, so I don't think he's going to be all that useful to clarifying the discussion for me.
If you read Dennett, you'll find one of the main things that he's interested in is the intersection between philosophy and physics, philosophy and physical (and mathematical) reality. I'm not sure how that fits into Hiedegger, obviously.
415 | Feline Emperor of the Conservative Tears Fri, Apr 23, 2010 7:52:06am |
re: #410 Guanxi88
Tactics and consequences; these were what they objected to. None of them realized that they themselves were a part of the intellectual tradition that led to the very excesses and evils they decried.
"All the trouble starts when you start treating people as things."
416 | MandyManners Fri, Apr 23, 2010 7:52:06am |
re: #408 lawhawk
Developing from Iraq: multiple bombings across Iraq (but mostly in Baghdad) hit mosques and offices associated with al Sadr.
It would appear that al Qaeda is still intent on reigniting sectarian conflict between Sunni and Shia in Iraq, and they figure there's no better way than to murder people when they go to the mosques to pray on Friday.
ROPMA
417 | Obdicut Fri, Apr 23, 2010 7:54:53am |
re: #410 Guanxi88
Actually, they did, especially Popper; I can tell you haven't read him or about him.
The tactics made him think about the larger philosophical issues, which made him reject them.
You seem to be simply committed to this idea that it's an unremarked-upon area, but it really isn't. There are entire books written about the intellectual inter-workings of the great minds of the times and the politics. All biographies of the great philosophers of the 20th century include examinations of how their intellectual thought was tied to politics. And many of them were highly self-aware; that's what farmed Popper's attack on Marxism as 'science'.
418 | Aceofwhat? Fri, Apr 23, 2010 7:55:23am |
re: #403 Mad Al-Jaffee
Immanuel Kant was a real pissant
Who was very rarely stable
Heidegger, Heidegger was a boozy beggar
Who could think you under the table
David Hume could out-consume
Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel
And Wittgenstein was a beery swine
Who was just as schloshed as Schlegel
there's nothin' Nietzsche couldn't teach ya 'bout the raisin' of the wrist...
420 | Mad Al-Jaffee Fri, Apr 23, 2010 7:55:46am |
re: #417 Obdicut
I keep thinking you're posting about John Popper and Blues Traveler.
421 | Obdicut Fri, Apr 23, 2010 7:57:31am |
re: #420 Mad Al-Jaffee
That would be awesome.
And then he could be disproving the Harpo Marxist view of the relation between labor and capital.
422 | MandyManners Fri, Apr 23, 2010 7:57:49am |
"Overall, I don't think it is a large threat at this time," said molecular biologist Edmond J. Byrnes III of Duke University Medical Center, the lead author of the report appearing in the online journal PLoS Pathogens. "But the fact that it is continuing to spread geographically and the number of cases is rising makes it a concern."
The spread is also a concern because the strain of the fungus that moved into the U.S. in 2004 has mutated to become more lethal than the original strain that invaded British Columbia in 1999.
Five of the 21 people who contracted the fungus in the U.S. have died (about 25%), compared with 8.7% of the 218 infected people in Canada. The fungus has also infected many different species of mammals.
SNIP
The spores are inhaled and colonize the lungs, and then they spread throughout the body. The primary symptoms include prolonged coughing, night sweats, pneumonia and weight loss over a period of weeks. Meningitis can occur, which produces severe headaches. Treatment involves six to eight weeks of intravenous antifungal medications, such as amphotericin B, followed by up to six months of oral fluconazole.
SNIP
423 | Spare O'Lake Fri, Apr 23, 2010 8:00:18am |
re: #411 cenotaphium
I think this is due to the weasily tactics of the denialist circle. I saw the same thing happen with discussions on evolution, after creationists got involved. Any reasonable criticism or skepticism turns into fodder for people who would discredit the entire field, not improve it.
That makes you cautious when discussing it in open forums.Indeed, much of the "revelations of fraud" that climate deniers bring out is just that honest questioning and skepticism that scientists engage in when less guarded.
That is a very well-argued point.
Now that you have admitted that even normal scientific skepticism can no longer be publicly tolerated by AGW scientists in the light of day, how does one express one's "normal" skepticism in a politically correct manner? Secretly?
425 | MandyManners Fri, Apr 23, 2010 8:03:08am |
SPIEGEL: In an open letter that was recently published in advertisements in The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal, you accused US President Barack Obama of having allowed a "dramatic deterioration" of relations with Israel. What do you mean?
Ronald Lauder: The Obama administration is blaming Israel for the stalling peace process, but it is in fact the Palestinians which are opposed to negotiations. Obama's criticism of Israel is disproportionate.
SPIEGEL: Isn't the Israeli government also to blame? After all, it announced the plan to expand a settlement in the eastern part of Jerusalem during US Vice President Joe Biden's visit.
Lauder: That was bad timing. But the Israeli government has made extraordinary concessions: It has accepted the idea of a Palestinian state, a moratorium on settlement building, and it has removed over a hundred roadblocks in the West Bank.
SNIP
Lauder: His main concern should be Iran. The regime in Tehran is threatening Israel and the entire Western world with its plans to build a nuclear bomb. That is why Obama should end his feud with Israel.
426 | Obdicut Fri, Apr 23, 2010 8:03:18am |
re: #423 Spare O'Lake
You completely changed what he said.
What he said was that any reasonable skepticism is used by the deniers in a dishonest way.
What you said was that AGW scientists can't 'publicly' tolerate 'normal scientific skepticism', which is nonsense, and has nothing to do with the fact that the smallest criticism of anything related to AGW science is trumpeted by know-nothings as though it's going to bring down the whole theory.
AGW is scientific skepticism, for one thing. It is the skeptical position.
427 | MandyManners Fri, Apr 23, 2010 8:04:36am |
428 | Spare O'Lake Fri, Apr 23, 2010 8:05:31am |
429 | Obdicut Fri, Apr 23, 2010 8:05:59am |
re: #410 Guanxi88
Here's Popper's most famous comments on the way that the Western intellectual tradition led to some of the more evil things. It is also a very, very good lesson for the more naive of modern liberals to remember.
Unlimited tolerance must lead to the disappearance of tolerance. If we extend unlimited tolerance even to those who are intolerant, if we are not prepared to defend a tolerant society against the onslaught of the intolerant, then the tolerant will be destroyed, and tolerance with them. In this formulation, I do not imply, for instance, that we should always suppress the utterance of intolerant philosophies; as long as we can counter them by rational argument and keep them in check by public opinion, suppression would certainly be most unwise. But we should claim the right to suppress them if necessary even by force; for it may easily turn out that they are not prepared to meet us on the level of rational argument, but begin by denouncing all argument; they may forbid their followers to listen to rational argument, because it is deceptive , and teach them to answer arguments by the use of their fists or pistols. We should therefore claim, in the name of tolerance, the right not to tolerate the intolerant. We should claim that any movement preaching intolerance places itself outside the law, and we should consider incitement to intolerance and persecution as criminal, in the same way as we should consider incitement to murder, or to kidnapping, or to the revival of the slave trade, as criminal.
It would also be a good thing for modern conservatives to pay attention to, since what's happening in the GOP right now is happening due to an overabundance of tolerance.
430 | Mad Al-Jaffee Fri, Apr 23, 2010 8:06:14am |
431 | Fat Bastard Vegetarian Fri, Apr 23, 2010 8:06:28am |
re: #424 Mad Al-Jaffee
Do you think the first person who made that play on words got a groan too?
432 | MandyManners Fri, Apr 23, 2010 8:06:46am |
The shaky government disintergrated after negotiations broke down to resolve a long-standing dispute between Dutch and French-speaking politicians over a bilingual voting district.
Dutch-speaking Liberals, one of Mr Leterme's five coalition parties, stormed out of cabinet, accusing its Francophone counterparts of blocking a deal to break up the Brussels-area district the constitutional court ruled illegal in 2003.
Mr Leterme then offered King Albert the resignation of his government. The Belgian monarch did not immediately accept it, but began consultations with key politicians on the way forward. In a statement, the royal palace called a political crisis "inopportune".
It said it could harm "Belgium's role in Europe and at an international level" -- a reference to fear that the political deadlock could drag into the second half of 2010 when Belgium is to hold the EU's rotating presidency.
SNIP
433 | MandyManners Fri, Apr 23, 2010 8:07:15am |
re: #431 Fat Bastard Vegetarian
Do you think the first person who made that play on words got a groan too?
In bed.
434 | Mad Al-Jaffee Fri, Apr 23, 2010 8:07:57am |
re: #431 Fat Bastard Vegetarian
Do you think the first person who made that play on words got a groan too?
Probably. I bet he was a fun guy.
436 | Mad Al-Jaffee Fri, Apr 23, 2010 8:09:04am |
Who says tv is bad for kids?
437 | Fozzie Bear Fri, Apr 23, 2010 8:09:28am |
re: #418 Aceofwhat?
there's nothin' Nietzsche couldn't teach ya 'bout the raisin' of the wrist...
Socrates himself was perpetually pissed....
438 | lawhawk Fri, Apr 23, 2010 8:12:50am |
Belgian Bishop resigns after admitting to abusing a boy decades ago.
The bishop of the Belgian city of Bruges, Roger Vangheluwe, has resigned after admitting sexual abuse of a boy earlier in his career.Bishop Vangheluwe, 73, said the abuse had happened when he was a simple priest and continued when he started as a bishop, a Vatican statement said.
The Vatican said Pope Benedict XVI had accepted the resignation.
The Catholic Church has come under severe pressure over child sexual abuse allegations emerging across the world.
"When I was not yet a bishop, and some time later, I abused a boy," Bishop Vangheluwe said in a letter that was read out at a press conference in Brussels.
Several other bishops in Europe have tendered resignations in scandals in Ireland and Germany as well. At the same time, the Vatican is being sued in a US court over abuse cases in Wisconsin.
439 | cenotaphium Fri, Apr 23, 2010 8:13:46am |
re: #423 Spare O'Lake
That is a very well-argued point.
Now that you have admitted that even normal scientific skepticism can no longer be publicly tolerated by AGW scientists in the light of day, how does one express one's "normal" skepticism in a politically correct manner? Secretly?
I think you're framing what I said very nicely to suggest something I never intended. Which is funny, considering the topic.
However, the dilemma should be obvious - if what you say will be quotemined and distorted by enemies of reason, how then do we keep our sanity and a healthy debate? I don't have a good answer.
Keeping a uniform front is good for trying to cement that the deniers are way off base, even as their political influence increases - at the cost of dampening the internal process of criticism. Sticking to the ideals of science and giving fodder for the deniers could end up hurting the end result even more, since the science is ultimately acted upon by public opinion (as evidenced by attempts to introduce creationist topics in the science curriculum).
It seems like the dilemma of democracy to me. To what extent can a democracy allow the actions of those who actively work against it, without compromising its foundations of free speech and expression? It's a balancing act on a knife's edge, and I don't think the problem is any less serious for science.
440 | Killgore Trout Fri, Apr 23, 2010 8:14:20am |
Court Martial Charges Brought Against Birther Army Doc
Formal court martial charges have been brought against Lt. Col. Terrence Lakin, the Army doctor who believes President Obama may not be a natural born citizen, for failing to follow orders, the military said today.
...
In a press release issued today by the American Patriot Foundation, which is raising money for Lakin's defense, he waxed heroic:"I invited my court martial, and today I stand ready to answer these charges. I was prepared to deploy if only the President would authorize the release of the proof of his eligibility. He refused, and now the court will determine the issue, and my fate. The constitution matters. The truth matters," he said.
Patriot my ass.
441 | Spare O'Lake Fri, Apr 23, 2010 8:14:22am |
re: #426 Obdicut
You completely changed what he said.
What he said was that any reasonable skepticism is used by the deniers in a dishonest way.
What you said was that AGW scientists can't 'publicly' tolerate 'normal scientific skepticism', which is nonsense, and has nothing to do with the fact that the smallest criticism of anything related to AGW science is trumpeted by know-nothings as though it's going to bring down the whole theory.
AGW is scientific skepticism, for one thing. It is the skeptical position.
What cenotaphium correctly pointed out was that the deniers have created such paranoia among the AGW scientists that they are now afraid to express or tolerate the normal skepticism which is so necessary to the advancement of the science.
Catch 22.
442 | ShaunP Fri, Apr 23, 2010 8:17:16am |
re: #441 Spare O'Lake
What cenotaphium correctly pointed out was that the deniers have created such paranoia among the AGW scientists that they are now afraid to express or tolerate the normal skepticism which is so necessary to the advancement of the science.
Catch 22.
Considering how they are pouring over their data to ensure that nothing was missed; I would label this charge "false."
443 | MandyManners Fri, Apr 23, 2010 8:18:07am |
Mr Copé submitted a proposed bill on banning the veil in public in January, on grounds of security and women's equality. On Wednesday, the government announced its intention to push through a full ban as early as this summer.
Mr Sarkozy, who has said that full veils oppress women, chose to defy France's highest administrative body, which says a full ban could be declared unconstitutional.
In a sign the French are already clamping down on the wearing of the garment, it emerged on Friday that a woman driver wearing an Islamic face veil had been fined 22 euros (£20) by French police for not having a clear field of vision.
Traffic police in the western city of Nantes fined the 31-year-old woman in early April.
Her lawyer said he is protesting the decision, saying a veil with eye slits is no more of a hindrance to sight than a motorcycle helmet.
SNIP
Bullshit.
444 | Spare O'Lake Fri, Apr 23, 2010 8:19:13am |
re: #442 ShaunP
Considering how they are pouring over their data to ensure that nothing was missed; I would label this charge "false."
Hahahahaha...I think you meant "poring"...hahahaha.
445 | Killgore Trout Fri, Apr 23, 2010 8:19:21am |
Fox pundit Andrew Napolitano gets a TV show, at last
The libertarian Fox News pundit Andrew Napolitano, the former New Jersey Superior Court judge who's toiled away with his online-only "Freedom Watch" for more than a year, has snagged a weekend slot for the show on Fox Business -- not the most desirable TV real estate on the planet, but space he'll share with the likes of John Stossel and Dave Ramsey.Ten months ago, the Daily Beast's Michelle Goldberg wondered whether Napolitano's show -- which promotes more radical, challenging ideas and guests than even Glenn Beck -- was "too hot" for Fox News proper. Apparently not. Napolitano's new edition of "Freedom Watch" will be a bigger production than his web show; he snagged Austin Peterson, a new media guru who cut his teeth at the Libertarian Party, as his writer and producer.
446 | Decatur Deb Fri, Apr 23, 2010 8:19:41am |
A 23 yr-old Staff Sergeant from Ft. Benning was killed when his UH-60 went down in Iraq. He was on his 7th combat tour, meaning he spent roughly one third of his life deployed. I will spend some time today comparing his civic contribution to that of a young derivatives trader.
447 | SanFranciscoZionist Fri, Apr 23, 2010 8:19:54am |
re: #98 Varek Raith
Mytron The Fifth, Illuminati Ruler And Secret Overlord Of All Humanity, Dead At 112
I'm so sorry to hear that. Did he leave family?
448 | SanFranciscoZionist Fri, Apr 23, 2010 8:20:50am |
re: #100 Gus 802
Strange but true. Some nut will kill 9 people and if it's just some ordinary American that did it it will be ignored. No analysis or introspection whatsoever. Now, if it happens to be a Muslim...stop the presses. But the majority of murders are of course committed by what we would call ordinary Americans. It's like the geniuses that focus on Honor Killings yet ignore the overall statistics on violence against women.
And you know the 101st Fighting Keyboards will never mention these guys.
Well, to be more accurate, the majority of murders in the US are commited by what we would call ordinary Americans.
449 | ShaunP Fri, Apr 23, 2010 8:21:09am |
450 | keloyd Fri, Apr 23, 2010 8:21:14am |
re: #423 Spare O'Lake
That is a very well-argued point.
Now that you have admitted that even normal scientific skepticism can no longer be publicly tolerated by AGW scientists in the light of day, how does one express one's "normal" skepticism in a politically correct manner? Secretly?
That's the fun thing about AGW. It is affected by every media bias all at the same time - hyperbole, the-sky-is-falling crises, and the smaller leftward bias. When Al Gore or Ehrlich or whoever says we have 5 years until catastrophe, and keep it up for decades, guess what? John Q. Public is being rational, if mistaken, to not believe any of it.
In the 1980's plenty of scientists leaned toward GW, but not AGW. It required religious zeal, in the absence of data, twenty years ago, to make that final step. Getting it right back then made you a lucky, not a good scientist, imho.
That rhetorical scam where you take the worst case scenario and portray it as typical or the most likely - there's a lot of that going around. They do it because it works. It worked for the Nazis. It works on the Lifetime Network with men. It works in Spike Lee movies with white people. It works when Al Gore's tawdry little powerpoint thing shows Florida under water. We all need to admit AGW can be true and hot heads can still lie about it to get attention and funding, imho.
451 | MandyManners Fri, Apr 23, 2010 8:21:23am |
"When you arrive in France, you respect the laws in force .... Everyone will have to respect the laws in France. That's how it is," Nadine Morano, a junior minister for families, told the radio station France Info.
Hundreds of thousands of visitors come to France each year from the Middle East, according to estimates from the tourism ministry, and veiled women are a common sight in the luxury stores on Paris shopping boulevards.
Ms Morano said women breaching the ban would be fined but would not be unveiled "on the spot".
Ms Morano said the planned ban was in line with France's secular principles but also aimed to give "a message at international level" and would apply equally to visitors from abroad.
SNIP
452 | SanFranciscoZionist Fri, Apr 23, 2010 8:21:26am |
re: #102 Cato the Elder
My friend Sonya just buried her father in Thailand.
Bhagavad Gita:
The Latin translation is my own.Sonya took loving care of her father till the end.
Honi soit qui mal y pense.
Baruch dayan emet.
453 | MandyManners Fri, Apr 23, 2010 8:21:49am |
re: #440 Killgore Trout
Court Martial Charges Brought Against Birther Army Doc
Patriot my ass.
Good.
454 | cenotaphium Fri, Apr 23, 2010 8:23:03am |
re: #429 Obdicut
Here's Popper's most famous comments on the way that the Western intellectual tradition led to some of the more evil things. It is also a very, very good lesson for the more naive of modern liberals to remember.
I like how that quote ties into the questions I raised in #439. It's a very balanced reasoning, I think. Ultimately, if the alternative to compromising the enlightened ideals may be the destruction of them altogether, it is preferable to err on the side of reason.
455 | SanFranciscoZionist Fri, Apr 23, 2010 8:25:18am |
re: #140 Spare O'Lake
L’hiyot am chofshi b’artzeinu b’eretz tziyon v’Yerushalayim”
– to be a free people in our land, in the land of Zion and Jerusalem.Piss off.
I totally missed something.
457 | vinnievin Fri, Apr 23, 2010 8:28:35am |
Obdicut,
I will rephrase.
It seems that you did not understand what I was saying. Your phrasing indicates that there was confusion about my meaning. I may have been unclear about what I meant. Perhaps I could have been more specific. So far, it seems that we are having a pleasant exchange of ideas. It is possible that, in the course of discussion, others could be rude or derogatory. I believe that we can continue such dialogue without such behavior.
All of the statements below contain qualifiers, which leave a little bit of wiggle room. It seems that you did not understand what I was saying, but maybe you did and just want me to expound. Your phrasing indicates there was confusion about my meaning, however someone else could read my post and understand it concisely. Perhaps I could have been more specific, but I did not see the need. So far it seems we are having a pleasant exchange of ideas, but that could change. And so on.
Such phrases are often used in science to allow the potential for new research to prove otherwise. If it weren't for the invention of the microscope and the discovery of germs, we might still be thinking exorcism is what is needed when one is ill. Or the widely believed science of the day that left no doubt that the earth was the center of the universe, and the sun revolved around the earth. However, future research indicated otherwise.
I am merely pointing out that, when you read any (I will include a qualifier - ALMOST any) article about climate change that concludes that the phenomenon is caused by man and carbon emissions, there is a complete absence of such qualifiers.
Thank you for your patience, and I hope I have been more clear as to my meaning.
458 | Killgore Trout Fri, Apr 23, 2010 8:30:14am |
re: #445 Killgore Trout
For a taste of what to expect, here's Napolitano on the Alex Jones Show.
A nasty rant against Lincoln at about 4:00.
459 | SanFranciscoZionist Fri, Apr 23, 2010 8:30:25am |
re: #231 sattv4u2
ACORN defunded
Three recent election results (Massachusetts, New Jersey, Virginia)
Coincidence?
Do you have any idea how delusional that sounds?
460 | SanFranciscoZionist Fri, Apr 23, 2010 8:31:32am |
re: #233 NJDhockeyfan
Schumer: Obama's 'counter-productive' Israel policy 'has to stop'
Even the liberals are starting to notice Obama's shitty treatment of Israel.
'Even the liberals'. That meaning Schumer? Look up his record on Israel, please.
461 | Walter L. Newton Fri, Apr 23, 2010 8:32:14am |
re: #457 vinnievin
Obdicut,
I will rephrase.
It seems that you did not understand what I was saying. Your phrasing indicates that there was confusion about my meaning. I may have been unclear about what I meant. Perhaps I could have been more specific. So far, it seems that we are having a pleasant exchange of ideas. It is possible that, in the course of discussion, others could be rude or derogatory. I believe that we can continue such dialogue without such behavior.
All of the statements below contain qualifiers, which leave a little bit of wiggle room. It seems that you did not understand what I was saying, but maybe you did and just want me to expound. Your phrasing indicates there was confusion about my meaning, however someone else could read my post and understand it concisely. Perhaps I could have been more specific, but I did not see the need. So far it seems we are having a pleasant exchange of ideas, but that could change. And so on.
Such phrases are often used in science to allow the potential for new research to prove otherwise. If it weren't for the invention of the microscope and the discovery of germs, we might still be thinking exorcism is what is needed when one is ill. Or the widely believed science of the day that left no doubt that the earth was the center of the universe, and the sun revolved around the earth. However, future research indicated otherwise.
I am merely pointing out that, when you read any (I will include a qualifier - ALMOST any) article about climate change that concludes that the phenomenon is caused by man and carbon emissions, there is a complete absence of such qualifiers.
Thank you for your patience, and I hope I have been more clear as to my meaning.
Do you know why there is "...a complete absence of such qualifiers"?
462 | MandyManners Fri, Apr 23, 2010 8:35:47am |
re: #456 SanFranciscoZionist
Well, there's that.
I wonder if they just wanted to scare him and other psychics.
463 | cliffster Fri, Apr 23, 2010 8:36:07am |
HCR will increase costs, Health and Human Services says
So is that wingnuts, or racist tea partiers, working at Health and Human Services?
464 | SanFranciscoZionist Fri, Apr 23, 2010 8:36:16am |
re: #355 MandyManners
Aren't the Saudis Wahabists already?
The people in charge are sort of Wahhabists Lite. As terrifying as that thought may be.
465 | Aceofwhat? Fri, Apr 23, 2010 8:36:28am |
re: #462 MandyManners
I wonder if they just wanted to scare him and other psychics.
i was wondering if he saw it coming//
466 | MandyManners Fri, Apr 23, 2010 8:36:29am |
re: #460 SanFranciscoZionist
'Even the liberals'. That meaning Schumer? Look up his record on Israel, please.
I read headline somewhere this morning about Schumer's being hot under the collar.
467 | MandyManners Fri, Apr 23, 2010 8:36:59am |
re: #464 SanFranciscoZionist
The people in charge are sort of Wahhabists Lite. As terrifying as that thought may be.
How's that working out for them?
468 | Obdicut Fri, Apr 23, 2010 8:37:15am |
re: #441 Spare O'Lake
No, again, you're falsifying what's going on, blatantly.
The skeptical position is the theory of AGW.
469 | Walter L. Newton Fri, Apr 23, 2010 8:37:19am |
Ok... I thought winter was over...
"For the Front Range Mountains and Foothills, snow amounts of 14 to 28 inches will fall through Saturday with the heaviest accumulations on the east slopes of the Front Range. Northwest winds of 15 to 25 mph will shift to the north today and increase to 20 to 30 mph with gusts to 50 mph causing blowing and drifting snow and at times near blizzard conditions. "
I woke up to about 3 inches, and it's not stopping. Now, I will enjoy the fact that my new job is five mile from my house, right up here in the mountains... My next shift is Sat. afternoon. This is one of the reasons I took this job, don't have to drive 25-30 miles one way on snowpack to get to a job in the Denver area.
470 | MandyManners Fri, Apr 23, 2010 8:37:30am |
471 | Walter L. Newton Fri, Apr 23, 2010 8:38:09am |
472 | MandyManners Fri, Apr 23, 2010 8:38:12am |
The SEC inspector general conducted 33 probes of employees, 31 of which occurred in the last two and a half years, according to a summary of the cases requested by Sen. Charles E. Grassley (R-Iowa) that first surfaced Thursday evening.
Several of employees held senior positions, earning between $99,300 and $222,418 per year, the inspector general's summary said. Three of the incidents occurred this year, ten in 2009, 16 in 2008, two in 2007 and one each in 2006 and 2005.
SNIP
473 | vinnievin Fri, Apr 23, 2010 8:38:16am |
Do you know why there is "...a complete absence of such qualifiers"?re: #461 Walter L. Newton
Are you being rhetorical or asking my opinion?
474 | SanFranciscoZionist Fri, Apr 23, 2010 8:38:30am |
re: #418 Aceofwhat?
there's nothin' Nietzsche couldn't teach ya 'bout the raisin' of the wrist...
Socrates himself was permanently pissed!
475 | Obdicut Fri, Apr 23, 2010 8:38:38am |
re: #457 vinnievin
I am merely pointing out that, when you read any (I will include a qualifier - ALMOST any) article about climate change that concludes that the phenomenon is caused by man and carbon emissions, there is a complete absence of such qualifiers.
But there isn't. That's what's baffling me about your claim. Papers on AGW are just like other scientific papers.
476 | Aceofwhat? Fri, Apr 23, 2010 8:40:21am |
re: #463 cliffster
HCR will increase costs, Health and Human Services says
So is that wingnuts, or racist tea partiers, working at Health and Human Services?
That's why i don't like getting to heated about HCR yet...believing that the proponents of the bill fed an accurate and prescient list of assumptions to the CBO is like believing that the Texas Board of Education doesn't have any ulterior motives...give it 12 months for the numbers to percolate and then let's see if we like it.
Personally, i'm hoping for the best. We have it now...here's to hoping that the cost projections were not as wildly optimistic as i fear!
477 | Decatur Deb Fri, Apr 23, 2010 8:41:34am |
478 | Aceofwhat? Fri, Apr 23, 2010 8:41:45am |
re: #474 SanFranciscoZionist
Socrates himself was permanently pissed!
Why is American beer like making love in a canoe? (no googling/cheating)
479 | cliffster Fri, Apr 23, 2010 8:42:02am |
re: #476 Aceofwhat?
I hope Santa Claus brings my daughter a unicorn for Christmas
480 | Aceofwhat? Fri, Apr 23, 2010 8:42:09am |
481 | Aceofwhat? Fri, Apr 23, 2010 8:42:50am |
re: #479 cliffster
I hope Santa Claus brings my daughter a unicorn for Christmas
careful. those things fart like crazy/
482 | Walter L. Newton Fri, Apr 23, 2010 8:43:58am |
re: #473 vinnievin
Do you know why there is "...a complete absence of such qualifiers"?
Are you being rhetorical or asking my opinion?
No... I want you to show me some proof of your statement. Show me a paragraph or a section of a paper which you think is lacking in qualifiers... link me to some information or clip and paste some information.
Just try to prove your point. That's common practice on LGF to back up ones statements with some proof, facts or at least examples of your position.
483 | Vicious Babushka Fri, Apr 23, 2010 8:44:17am |
re: #328 Guanxi88
"Some pirates have been released after capture because no nation could be found to try them."
And therein lies the problem. When civilized nations are no longer willing to defend the borders and boundaries of civilization against barbarism, the fight to keep humanity out of the long dark night from which we have only recently escaped is already half-lost.
What happened to hanging them and leave the rotting corpses for the crows? "Pirates ye be warned"
What is the U.S. going to do to them? Give them jobs at the Disney attraction?
484 | Spare O'Lake Fri, Apr 23, 2010 8:44:39am |
re: #468 Obdicut
No, again, you're falsifying what's going on, blatantly.
The skeptical position is the theory of AGW.
Don't gimme dat "skeptical position theory" jive turkey shit.
There's a whole lot of stuff going on, my friend.
485 | Aceofwhat? Fri, Apr 23, 2010 8:44:51am |
re: #473 vinnievin
Do you know why there is "...a complete absence of such qualifiers"?
Are you being rhetorical or asking my opinion?
if you read the papers, they're actually very well balanced IMHO. qualifiers abound.
if you're reading rebuttals to objections or "skeptical questions", there is an absence of qualifiers because 99.9% of "skeptical questions" have been answered 6 ways to Sunday and are barely worth the CO2 that is required to answer them.
so...it depends...
486 | Ayeless in Ghazi Fri, Apr 23, 2010 8:45:36am |
Denial of science can be dangerous indeed.
(For anyone out there who thinks that excessive salt intake is only harmful to a certain group of humans with a particular predisposition)
487 | cliffster Fri, Apr 23, 2010 8:45:41am |
re: #472 MandyManners
Heard about that. I would think someone making over $200K a year would be smart enough to know that there are people monitoring your internet traffic.
488 | MandyManners Fri, Apr 23, 2010 8:46:23am |
re: #466 MandyManners
I read headline somewhere this morning about Schumer's being hot under the collar.
This wasn't it but, it's similar.
In an interview on the politically conservative Jewish Nachum Segal Show, Schumer said he had told American President Barack Obama and administration officials that the policy of publicly pressuring Israel to end construction in Jerusalem "has to stop".
"I told the president, I told (White House Chief of Staff) Rahm Emanuel and others in the administration that I thought the policy they took to try to bring about negotiations is counter-productive, because when you give the Palestinians hope that the United States will do its negotiating for them, they are not going to sit down and talk," said Schumer, the most senior Democratic official to blast the administration over its policy towards Israel.
He referred to statements made by White House officials, that the relations between Washington and Jerusalem depended on the peace process, as "terrible".
SNIP
"You have to show Israel that it’s not going to be forced to do things it doesn’t want to do and can’t do. At the same time you have to show the Palestinians that they are not going to get their way by just sitting back and not giving in, and not recognizing that there is a state of Israel," Schumer said.
SNIP
489 | Fat Bastard Vegetarian Fri, Apr 23, 2010 8:46:45am |
re: #478 Aceofwhat?
Why is American beer like making love in a canoe? (no googling/cheating)
It's fucking close to water.
490 | MandyManners Fri, Apr 23, 2010 8:47:45am |
re: #487 cliffster
Heard about that. I would think someone making over $200K a year would be smart enough to know that there are people monitoring your internet traffic.
Spayshul Snowfwakes don't think the rules apply to them.
491 | Aceofwhat? Fri, Apr 23, 2010 8:47:46am |
re: #486 Jimmah
Denial of science can be dangerous indeed.
(For anyone out there who thinks that excessive salt intake is only harmful to a certain group of humans with a particular predisposition)
Dear sweet Lord. Wikipedia? On the topic of an interesting medical question?
Hold on while I go find my son's Thomas the Train books to debate HCR with you...
yawn.
I can go through that list of 'harmful effects' if you want me to...but first i needed to get the Wiki jab in.
492 | Aceofwhat? Fri, Apr 23, 2010 8:48:40am |
re: #489 Fat Bastard Vegetarian
It's fucking close to water.
i never doubted your prowess for a second-
493 | Fozzie Bear Fri, Apr 23, 2010 8:48:53am |
re: #484 Spare O'Lake
Don't gimme dat "skeptical position theory" jive turkey shit.
There's a whole lot of stuff going on, my friend.
No, really. AGW is the skeptical position. Disproving it would require a better explanation for current observations. Have you solved the mystery? Please do tell.
494 | Ericus58 Fri, Apr 23, 2010 8:51:05am |
You just can't write this stuff up...
Winner of $258M jackpot: I'm buying some new front teeth
[Link: www.komonews.com...]
"JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - A Missouri man who won a $258 million Powerball jackpot and plans to use some of the money to pay bills, replace his two missing front teeth and take his children to Disney World said he hasn't decided yet if he'll quit his job at the convenience store where he bought the winning ticket."
And yes, there is a photo.
What I consider 'high-risk investing", I"m afraid many people have the belief that this will be the "ticket" to their happpiness - taking them away from the grind of their daily lilfe.
If my grand pappy had held that thought, he would have stayed a miner... and my existence on this earth would have been quite different.
But even then, he didn't escape black-lung.
495 | Dark_Falcon Fri, Apr 23, 2010 8:53:46am |
re: #472 MandyManners
Typical idiocy. Lots of office have porn problems and have to fire people because of them.
496 | Aceofwhat? Fri, Apr 23, 2010 8:54:21am |
re: #486 Jimmah
Denial of science can be dangerous indeed.
(For anyone out there who thinks that excessive salt intake is only harmful to a certain group of humans with a particular predisposition)
Here ya go...a real sciencey type article. I couldn't find the full thing within 30 seconds but the abstract says it all...
[Link: linkinghub.elsevier.com...]
Interpretation
This observational study does not justify any particular dietary recommendation. Specifically, these results do not support current recommendations for routine reduction of sodium consumption, nor do they justify advice to increase salt intake or to decrease its concentration in the diet.
SNIPPITY
497 | Ayeless in Ghazi Fri, Apr 23, 2010 8:54:36am |
re: #491 Aceofwhat?
Dear sweet Lord. Wikipedia? On the topic of an interesting medical question?
Hold on while I go find my son's Thomas the Train books to debate HCR with you...
yawn.
I can go through that list of 'harmful effects' if you want me to...but first i needed to get the Wiki jab in.
2004 called- it wants its "wikipedia cannot be used as a reference" meme back.
You really are a muppet sometimes, Ace. And this is one of them. What wiki gave there is a summary of what we know about the dangers of salt. Which is a lot more than you know about it.
498 | Spare O'Lake Fri, Apr 23, 2010 8:55:31am |
re: #493 Fozzie Bear
No, really. AGW is the skeptical position. Disproving it would require a better explanation for current observations. Have you solved the mystery? Please do tell.
No, I have not solved the mystery of whether human activity is THE cause of global warming. But the AGW proponents sure as heck claim that they have solved it most conclusively.
If that is the "skeptical position" then I'll eat my hat.
499 | Aceofwhat? Fri, Apr 23, 2010 8:55:46am |
re: #495 Dark_Falcon
Typical idiocy. Lots of office have porn problems and have to fire people because of them.
Indeed. My only complaint would be that they weren't found sooner...but other than that, it's just another day at an office.
500 | Mad Al-Jaffee Fri, Apr 23, 2010 8:56:23am |
re: #489 Fat Bastard Vegetarian
It's fucking close to water.
Not true anymore. At least not ALL American beer. There's even one microbewery in CA that's planning to open a brewery in Europe. The microbrew revolution is over, and we won!
502 | Feline Emperor of the Conservative Tears Fri, Apr 23, 2010 8:56:47am |
re: #447 SanFranciscoZionist
I'm so sorry to hear that. Did he leave family?
His cat. Who is searching for a new figurehead emperor.
503 | MandyManners Fri, Apr 23, 2010 8:57:01am |
re: #495 Dark_Falcon
Typical idiocy. Lots of office have porn problems and have to fire people because of them.
You'd think people would have more common sense and decency.
504 | SanFranciscoZionist Fri, Apr 23, 2010 8:57:27am |
506 | MandyManners Fri, Apr 23, 2010 8:58:02am |
507 | Aceofwhat? Fri, Apr 23, 2010 8:58:09am |
re: #497 Jimmah
2004 called- it wants its "wikipedia cannot be used as a reference" meme back.
You really are a muppet sometimes, Ace. And this is one of them. What wiki gave there is a summary of what we know about the dangers of salt. Which is a lot more than you know about it.
I linked an actual paper for you. There are more, if you feel that one is cherry-picking. Let me know how many you need to reach critical mass.
I have a fondness for this topic going back some years.
508 | lostlakehiker Fri, Apr 23, 2010 8:58:11am |
re: #389 vinnievin
Yes, denial of science is dangerous. What concerns me is how, when almost every topic other that manmade global warming is discussed, there is a presence of qualifiers such as 'as far as we know' or 'it appears that' and a wealth of words and phrases with the same type of meaning. But when it concerns climate change, it is a fact that everyone knows is true and if you don't, you are stupid or paid for.
Well, now. Do we really write that `it appears that vaccination increases immunity to polio', or `as far as we know, when there is rain, water levels in rivers rise'?
As far as we know, when global CO2 levels go up, temperatures tend to go up too. To the best of our knowledge, though who can be sure, (for the memories of old folk are fickle, and who can trust photographs?), there used to be over 100 glaciers in what, for some quaint and unaccountable reason, is called "Glacier" National Park.
There is some reason to suspect that there are now shrubs growing on extensive areas of the Alaskan North Slope. People go there and take pictures and it looks like those are shrubs. They walk up to the shrubs and pull off twigs, and they look like twigs. They bring back the twigs and scientists say, that looks like a twig to me, but I'll have to check with a colleague before we can be sure.
In 1944-45, there was an aerial survey of that area of Alaska. No shrubs then. But maybe their cameras had software that edited out shrubs. Who can be sure? We don't know for a fact that they were using analog cameras, now do we?
Scientists suspect that coal is being mined around the country and burned in power plants, and some hypothesize that similar activities go on in other countries. Our grounds for this hypothesis is that when we travel, we sometimes drive along highways paralleled by railroads, and many trains carrying what appears to be coal are heading South from what might be Wyoming. We also read about coal mine disasters in the newspaper, and we wonder---why do they call them coal mines? Maybe because coal is being mined there?
And then it gets to the point that we say to ourselves, f* it. We know damned well those are coal mines. We know for a fact that CO2 levels are rising, we know for a fact that CO2 is a greenhouse gas, and the evidence that this is causing those shrubs to survive where before, winter killed them, that it is causing those glaciers to fail, where before, winter sustained them, is overwhelming. We are no more obliged to tiptoe around this conclusion, than we are obliged to tiptoe around general relativity, or the effectiveness of vaccines, or the fact that they don't cause autism, or the reality of evolution as the origin of species.
There is, yes, great uncertainty as to how much the climate will change, and how fast. We don't know exactly how fast the ocean will go on absorbing CO2; mixing rates are important and those depend on weather patterns and those are notoriously fickle. We don't know whether warmer climate in the arctic will lead to more evaporation of water from the northern seas, and thus more snow on land and a whiter arctic, (negative feedback), or whether, on the other hand, the earlier spring melt, which turns that white to green whenever it occurs, will prevail (positive feedback.) But we do know that there are positive feedback loops in operation, and so we warn: it is reasonably possible, the probability is far from negligible, that we're in for accelerated warming. It is reasonably possible that there are tipping points ahead. It is even possible that we've crossed some of them.
Anybody who ever buckles their seat belt should see the sense in taking real hazards into account. You just never know when there will be a smashup. You do know one is possible.
509 | SanFranciscoZionist Fri, Apr 23, 2010 8:58:15am |
re: #478 Aceofwhat?
Why is American beer like making love in a canoe? (no googling/cheating)
They're both fucking close to water!
510 | Dark_Falcon Fri, Apr 23, 2010 8:59:01am |
re: #499 Aceofwhat?
Indeed. My only complaint would be that they weren't found sooner...but other than that, it's just another day at an office.
Yep, complete with the firing of the buffoon. And getting fired for porn can be quite a black mark on your record. (known only through my readings, I have never done such a thing at work)
511 | cliffster Fri, Apr 23, 2010 8:59:04am |
re: #495 Dark_Falcon
Typical idiocy. Lots of office have porn problems and have to fire people because of them.
I think one dude was at it for 8 hours a day on some days. 8 hours?? Seems like maybe 10 minutes in the morning, and 10 minutes in the afternoon.. you're good to go.
512 | Cannadian Club Akbar Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:00:04am |
re: #511 cliffster
I think one dude was at it for 8 hours a day on some days. 8 hours?? Seems like maybe 10 minutes in the morning, and 10 minutes in the afternoon.. you're good to go.
10 minutes? Pull faster.
///sorry
513 | charlz Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:01:21am |
re: #499 Aceofwhat?
Indeed. My only complaint would be that they weren't found sooner...but other than that, it's just another day at an office.
And I'd complain about the headline. "Dozens"? Sounds like an epidemic of porn consumption. Thirty-one in the last 2 years is technically dozens but...
514 | Aceofwhat? Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:01:29am |
re: #497 Jimmah
2004 called- it wants its "wikipedia cannot be used as a reference" meme back.
You really are a muppet sometimes, Ace. And this is one of them. What wiki gave there is a summary of what we know about the dangers of salt. Which is a lot more than you know about it.
IIRC, the Japanese have a higher average sodium intake than the UK.
How are they doing WRT health and life expectancy?
515 | cenotaphium Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:01:54am |
re: #511 cliffster
I think one dude was at it for 8 hours a day on some days. 8 hours?? Seems like maybe 10 minutes in the morning, and 10 minutes in the afternoon.. you're good to go.
I don't appreciate how you make light of erectile dysfunction, sir. It is a very serious illness.
516 | lawhawk Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:02:09am |
re: #512 Cannadian Club Akbar
Do the math - one guy was blocked by the SEC proxy 16,000 times in one month. That's 533 requests per day, every day for one month.
Or, 66 times an hour if working an 8-hour day.
Nucking futs.
517 | Fozzie Bear Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:02:55am |
re: #498 Spare O'Lake
No, I have not solved the mystery of whether human activity is THE cause of global warming. But the AGW proponents sure as heck claim that they have solved it most conclusively.
If that is the "skeptical position" then I'll eat my hat.
No, that's a dramatic oversimplification for the purposes of beating up a strawman that resembles, but is not 1:1 with, the actual theory.
Human activity is the predominant cause of increasing CO2 levels, which has manifold climactic and environmental effects. That has been absolutely conclusively established.
Would you like salt with your hat?
518 | MandyManners Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:03:36am |
The popular animated show "South Park" — gloriously vulgar, sharply satirical and, one suspects, offensive to vast swaths of the viewing public — is, if nothing else, impressive in its evenhandedness.
Yet, in this week's episode, a depiction of the Prophet Muhammad in a bear costume (don't ask) was blocked with the word "censored" so the channel could avoid hurting the feelings of a few virtual New York City Jihadists.
This homegrown radical group called Revolution Muslim (no thanks), warned the show's architects, Matt Stone and Trey Parker, and they would "probably wind up like Theo van Gogh" because of the depiction in the episode.
Van Gogh, for those unaware, was a Dutch filmmaker who documented (along with feminist Ayaan Hirsi Ali) the abuse of women in the Islamic world. Consequently, Ali now lives in hiding and van Gogh was last seen dead in the middle of an Amsterdam street — a thoughtful dissertation on Islamic tolerance affixed to his chest with a knife. (If only the Dutch were less warlike, obviously, this never would have happened.)
Comedy Central initially banned "South Park" from showing any depictions of Muhammad in 2006, as Muslims consider a physical representation of the prophet blasphemous.
There is an appropriate response to this: Watch something else. Instead, the cable channel released a statement: "In light of recent world events, we feel we made the right decision." The "recent world events" was a reference to the plight of 12 editorial cartoonists who were trying to steer clear of van Gogh's fate after they had drawn cartoons that offended Muslims.
So are weak-willed executives really worried about assassination attempts here in the United States? What else could it be? Sensitivity?
"South Park" is the program that featured an image of Jesus Christ defecating on President George W. Bush and the American flag. It's the program that featured the Virgin Mary gushing blood while undergoing menstruation and Pope Benedict XVI inspecting her in a truly distasteful manner.
HASSAN CHOP
519 | Aceofwhat? Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:04:09am |
re: #510 Dark_Falcon
Yep, complete with the firing of the buffoon. And getting fired for porn can be quite a black mark on your record. (known only through my readings, I have never done such a thing at work)
as well it should be!
520 | charlz Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:04:16am |
re: #516 lawhawk
Do the math - one guy was blocked by the SEC proxy 16,000 times in one month.
My firewall blocked that link. Hope I don't get fired.
521 | lawhawk Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:04:36am |
re: #513 charlz
These were among the higher ranking officials - and it does go to oversight and enforcement of agency rules about such things.
One of those caught got a wrist slap of 2-weeks. That is a firing offense in most places of business. Porn is a zero-tolerance offense in most places because it fosters a hostile work environment and wastes computer/IT time and effort, plus it opens up a can of worms (literally - spyware and virus attacks).
522 | MandyManners Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:04:42am |
523 | Spare O'Lake Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:04:44am |
re: #508 lostlakehikerAnd then it gets to the point that we say to ourselves, f* it.
That's the point at which the theory is adjudged to be a fact, and any further skepticism is to be belittled and dismissed out of hand. 100% conclusive, measureable, repeatable, proof is first required.
524 | Aceofwhat? Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:04:56am |
re: #513 charlz
And I'd complain about the headline. "Dozens"? Sounds like an epidemic of porn consumption. Thirty-one in the last 2 years is technically dozens but...
yep. there are lots of employees at the SEC. an epidemic this isn't.
525 | ShaunP Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:04:58am |
re: #516 lawhawk
Do the math - one guy was blocked by the SEC proxy 16,000 times in one month. That's 533 requests per day, every day for one month.
Or, 66 times an hour if working an 8-hour day.
Nucking futs.
Are we sure that's not due to spam email or a virus? I've seen viruses that open porn pop-ups repeatedly...
No excuse BTW; just saying if it's as stated, that's insane...
526 | Ayeless in Ghazi Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:05:17am |
re: #496 Aceofwhat?
Here ya go...a real sciencey type article. I couldn't find the full thing within 30 seconds but the abstract says it all...
[Link: linkinghub.elsevier.com...]
And that article is supposed to faithfully represent the body of scientific thought on excessive salt consumption?
[Link: www.independent.co.uk...]
Cutting down on the amount of salt in the diet could save thousands of lives from strokes, scientists say. A study of 47 elderly people
whose salt intake was halved showed a marked reduction in blood pressure which is one of the main risk factors for stroke.The study, published in The Lancet, suggests that if all elderly people reduced their salt intake at least 34,000 lives a year would be saved. However, Professor Graham MacGregor and his colleagues at St George's Hospital, London, say that 80 per cent of salt in the diet is hidden in processed food and manufacturers are not doing enough to reduce it. Salt is the cheapest flavour enhancer, and allows more water to be added to processed meats, increasing their weight at no cost, and it is the main determinant of thirst in temperate climates, which is important to the soft drinks industry.
[Link: www.bbc.co.uk...]
The issue of salt, diet and health is a recurring theme in the UK. In 2006 the Food Standards Agency (FSA) published voluntary salt reduction targets for food manufacturers and retailers to reduce salt levels by 2010. Overconsumption of salt is linked to high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke.
[Link: www.internethealthlibrary.com...]
The dangers salt poses to your health
In 1994 the British government recommended that people reduce their consumption of salt from 9 grams per day to a maximum of 6 grams per day. Only in recent years have scientists begun to discover that excessive consumption of salt may be associated with serious health problems and that the government’s guidelines should be taken very seriously.
Hypertension
According to one report (1) in the British Medical Journal, people who consume high amounts of salt are at risk of stroke and cardiovascular disease. The recent INTERSALT study measured the salt intake of over 10,000 people in 32 countries and found that a difference of just 6 grams of salt per day was found to result in a difference of systolic blood pressure of 10mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure of 5mm Hg for a 55 year old male or female. These figures suggest that a extra 6 grams of salt consumed daily can increase in the risk of heart disease by 21 percent and stroke by 34 percent.
Osteoporosis
Other researchers (2) have found that excess salt in the diet can lead to excessive calcium loss and thereby increase the risk of osteoporosis.
Stomach Cancer
Researchers from Leuven University in Holland reviewing the dietary habits of people from 24 different countries have discovered that a high intake of salt can significantly increase the risk of stomach cancer (3).
527 | Obdicut Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:05:29am |
re: #515 cenotaphium
I don't appreciate how you make light of erectile dysfunction, sir. It is a very serious illness.
Well, it's really not much of a hardship. It's nothing to arouse any anger over. It's important to stand up prominently, but I think you're erecting a problem where there isn't one.
528 | Dark_Falcon Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:05:43am |
529 | MandyManners Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:05:46am |
re: #516 lawhawk
Do the math - one guy was blocked by the SEC proxy 16,000 times in one month. That's 533 requests per day, every day for one month.
Or, 66 times an hour if working an 8-hour day.
Nucking futs.
Better than John Holmes.
530 | Aceofwhat? Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:05:58am |
re: #521 lawhawk
These were among the higher ranking officials - and it does go to oversight and enforcement of agency rules about such things.
One of those caught got a wrist slap of 2-weeks. That is a firing offense in most places of business. Porn is a zero-tolerance offense in most places because it fosters a hostile work environment and wastes computer/IT time and effort, plus it opens up a can of worms (literally - spyware and virus attacks).
THAT was the part that pissed me off. I have zero tolerance for that crap in my workplace, and i know my VP's and HR have my back there.
531 | Dark_Falcon Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:06:51am |
re: #527 Obdicut
Well, it's really not much of a hardship. It's nothing to arouse any anger over. It's important to stand up prominently, but I think you're erecting a problem where there isn't one.
LOL!
532 | MandyManners Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:07:30am |
re: #527 Obdicut
Well, it's really not much of a hardship. It's nothing to arouse any anger over. It's important to stand up prominently, but I think you're erecting a problem where there isn't one.
You put up some stiff competition.
533 | darthstar Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:07:41am |
President Obama calls Arizona's new law 'irresponsible' and 'misguided'...No shit. Good for you, Mr. President. Arizona needed a good smack-down.
Our failure to act responsible at the federal level will only open the door to irresponsibility by others. That includes, for example, the recent efforts in Arizona which threaten to undermine basic notions of fairness that we cherish as Americans, as well as the trust between police and their communities that is so crucial to keeping us safe," the president said at a naturalization ceremony for members of the military.
In fact, I've instructed members of my administration to closely monitor the situation and examine the civil rights and other implications of this legislation. But if we continue to fail to act at the federal level, we will continue to see misguided efforts opening up around the country.
He added, "As a nation, as a people, we can choose a different future - a future that keeps faith with our history, with our heritage, and with the hope that America has always inspired in the hearts of people all over the world."
534 | lawhawk Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:07:47am |
re: #525 ShaunP
That's probably how this particular guy got caught. Probably saw the porn site one time, and then spyware/virus started pinging the porn site tripping the proxy blocks.
However, the report also indicated that this guy tried to go around the proxy blocks and had a substantial collection on his work computer.
535 | MandyManners Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:09:16am |
re: #527 Obdicut
Well, it's really not much of a hardship. It's nothing to arouse any anger over. It's important to stand up prominently, but I think you're erecting a problem where there isn't one.
You put up some stiff competition.
536 | Decatur Deb Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:10:18am |
re: #527 Obdicut
Well, it's really not much of a hardship. It's nothing to arouse any anger over. It's important to stand up prominently, but I think you're erecting a problem where there isn't one.
That's very enzytful.
537 | MandyManners Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:10:27am |
538 | MandyManners Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:10:45am |
re: #530 Aceofwhat?
THAT was the part that pissed me off. I have zero tolerance for that crap in my workplace, and i know my VP's and HR have my back there.
Gonna' resist.
539 | darthstar Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:10:55am |
re: #515 cenotaphium
I don't appreciate how you make light of erectile dysfunction, sir. It is a very serious illness.
That's a pretty limp argument.
540 | Dark_Falcon Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:11:18am |
541 | Ayeless in Ghazi Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:11:29am |
re: #507 Aceofwhat?
I linked an actual paper for you. There are more, if you feel that one is cherry-picking. Let me know how many you need to reach critical mass.
I have a fondness for this topic going back some years.
Better yet, show me evidence that the scientific/medical community has endorsed these opinions and repudiated the information I have linked to.
542 | Decatur Deb Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:12:47am |
543 | Dark_Falcon Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:13:41am |
re: #530 Aceofwhat?
THAT was the part that pissed me off. I have zero tolerance for that crap in my workplace, and i know my VP's and HR have my back there.
Exactly. Anywhere I've worked, if they found actual porn images on a PC, you'd be out the door with no unemployment or even vacation pay. Civil service must have lower standards. Just remember America, these are the people keeping watch on the economy. [facepalm]
544 | ShaunP Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:13:43am |
re: #537 MandyManners
Is hasenpfeffer halal?
OT: I wonder how many would actually know what hasenpfeffer is without bugs bunny...
545 | Vicious Babushka Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:14:34am |
re: #518 MandyManners
HASSAN CHOP
I want to know why "Revolution Muslim" has not been arrested for making threats against Comedy Central network executives and their families.
546 | SanFranciscoZionist Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:14:50am |
547 | cenotaphium Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:14:58am |
re: #527 Obdicut
Well, it's really not much of a hardship. It's nothing to arouse any anger over. It's important to stand up prominently, but I think you're erecting a problem where there isn't one.
I think we need to ween ourselves off that kind of penile discourse. It's not becoming to members of such an esteemed wank of blog! Let's focus our extensions on more pressing matters.
Malapropisms are allowed, right?
548 | Obdicut Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:15:13am |
re: #543 Dark_Falcon
On the other hand, when I worked at EA people openly looked at porn. They cracked down on it eventually, but for awhile it was a real locker room.
549 | Aceofwhat? Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:15:33am |
re: #526 Jimmah
And that article is supposed to faithfully represent the body of scientific thought on excessive salt consumption?
No, dude, i specifically said in my post that it was just one paper and i have more if you need them. I don't mind the "muppet" jab (actually, it was funny - cheers) but at least do me the favor of reading my post so that you accurately understand my intentions. Is that too much to ask?
Here's another one. Full paper.
[Link: www.jhsph.edu...]
Oh, and i know most of the studies you're reporting. Funny. The study on osteoporosis? Even your wikipedia link had the good grace to state that:
# Osteoporosis: One report shows that a high salt diet does reduce bone density in women.[46] Yet "While high salt intakes have been associated with detrimental effects on bone health, there are insufficient data to draw firm conclusions."[47]
When your Wikipedia article tones down your other article...it's not a good sign.
Juuust sayin.
Let me know if you want more articles. Like i said.
550 | Dark_Falcon Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:16:23am |
re: #545 Alouette
I want to know why "Revolution Muslim" has not been arrested for making threats against Comedy Central network executives and their families.
They didn't threaten the executives, only Parker and Stone. And even then they did not make a specific enough threat for a case to stand up in court. Sadly, this bunch of assholes has carefully studied where the line is and they go right up to it but never actually go over.
551 | Aceofwhat? Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:16:44am |
re: #527 Obdicut
Well, it's really not much of a hardship. It's nothing to arouse any anger over. It's important to stand up prominently, but I think you're erecting a problem where there isn't one.
OMG...if we end up talking about this for more than 4 hours, i'm checking myself into a clinic...
552 | MandyManners Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:17:26am |
553 | Fozzie Bear Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:17:30am |
re: #550 Dark_Falcon
They didn't threaten the executives, only Parker and Stone. And even then they did not make a specific enough threat for a case to stand up in court. Sadly, this bunch of assholes has carefully studied where the line is and they go right up to it but never actually go over.
Exactly right. Unfortunately, there is no legal basis to arrest them. They knew exactly how to phrase what they said such that it was 100% legal and protected speech.
Freedom is grand, ain't it?
554 | Aceofwhat? Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:18:02am |
re: #543 Dark_Falcon
Exactly. Anywhere I've worked, if they found actual porn images on a PC, you'd be out the door with no unemployment or even vacation pay. Civil service must have lower standards. Just remember America, these are the people keeping watch on the economy. [facepalm]
Unions.
In mines? Love 'em. Need 'em.
In the government?
Fuck 'em.
555 | MandyManners Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:20:02am |
re: #542 Decatur Deb
Is in Cajun country.
[Link: www.collegehumor.com...]
That much cute and that much personality...I need some insulin.
556 | MandyManners Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:20:36am |
re: #544 ShaunP
OT: I wonder how many would actually know what hasenpfeffer is without bugs bunny...
I would.
557 | Decatur Deb Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:21:12am |
re: #554 Aceofwhat?
Unions.
In mines? Love 'em. Need 'em.
In the government?
Fuck 'em.
Don't even bother. Fed civil service unions have no strike tool, thus are virtually powerless debating societies. When eligible, I had dues taken out just to avoid being a free-rider.
558 | MandyManners Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:21:21am |
re: #545 Alouette
I want to know why "Revolution Muslim" has not been arrested for making threats against Comedy Central network executives and their families.
It might hurt their widdle feewings? They might get violent if they're accused of threatening violence? Both?
559 | lostlakehiker Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:21:28am |
re: #523 Spare O'Lake
That's the point at which the theory is adjudged to be a fact, and any further skepticism is to be belittled and dismissed out of hand. 100% conclusive, measureable, repeatable, proof is first required.
But for a good part of the AGW story, we are at that point. It is simply beyond serious argument that CO2 is a greenhouse gas, and that CO2 levels are rising because of our own use of carbon based fuels. Deforestation may be a secondary cause but the broad outlines of the main factor are just *ing clear.
It's also beyond serious argument that the climate has in fact changed. The vanished glaciers of GNP are in fact gone. Spring does in fact spring earlier, in New England, Russia, Canada, etc. There really are now shrubs in AK where half a century ago there was pure tundra.
The photos are proof. The records of when the ice broke up on lake Ladoga go back centuries. What we're now seeing is not just another fluctuation, one of many over the last few centuries.
Over a deeper span of time, yes, the earth has been both much warmer, and very much colder, than it is now. But knowing that nature can push the climate all over the place tells us that the climate can be pushed, and right now, we're pushing.
560 | Ayeless in Ghazi Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:21:38am |
re: #549 Aceofwhat?
No, dude, i specifically said in my post that it was just one paper and i have more if you need them. I don't mind the "muppet" jab (actually, it was funny - cheers) but at least do me the favor of reading my post so that you accurately understand my intentions. Is that too much to ask?
Here's another one. Full paper.
[Link: www.jhsph.edu...]Oh, and i know most of the studies you're reporting. Funny. The study on osteoporosis? Even your wikipedia link had the good grace to state that:
# Osteoporosis: One report shows that a high salt diet does reduce bone density in women.[46] Yet "While high salt intakes have been associated with detrimental effects on bone health, there are insufficient data to draw firm conclusions."[47]
When your Wikipedia article tones down your other article...it's not a good sign.
Juuust sayin.
Let me know if you want more articles. Like i said.
Again, show me evidence that the scientific/medical community has endorsed these opinions and repudiated the information I have linked to.
Remember, you are on record as claiming that excessive salt intake is only harmful to a small subgroup of the human population.
561 | darthstar Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:22:15am |
re: #555 MandyManners
That much cute and that much personality...I need some insulin.
Ha! "I can play with my rabbit in the morning, and eat him for supper."
562 | Ayeless in Ghazi Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:22:44am |
re: #527 Obdicut
Well, it's really not much of a hardship. It's nothing to arouse any anger over. It's important to stand up prominently, but I think you're erecting a problem where there isn't one.
These things shall not stand!
563 | Dark_Falcon Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:22:54am |
re: #548 Obdicut
On the other hand, when I worked at EA people openly looked at porn. They cracked down on it eventually, but for awhile it was a real locker room.
That's kind of surprising. As Lawhawk stated, openly viewing porn can be grounds for a lawsuit. A sexual harassment suits can be very expensive.
564 | SanFranciscoZionist Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:23:11am |
re: #558 MandyManners
It might hurt their widdle feewings? They might get violent if they're accused of threatening violence? Both?
I'm pretty sure that if there were grounds to press charges they'd be pressed.
565 | MandyManners Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:23:21am |
566 | Dark_Falcon Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:23:30am |
re: #554 Aceofwhat?
Unions.
In mines? Love 'em. Need 'em.
In the government?
Fuck 'em.
Quite Concur.
567 | MandyManners Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:24:11am |
re: #550 Dark_Falcon
They didn't threaten the executives, only Parker and Stone. And even then they did not make a specific enough threat for a case to stand up in court. Sadly, this bunch of assholes has carefully studied where the line is and they go right up to it but never actually go over.
I wonder if they talked to CAIR's legal counsel first.
568 | cliffster Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:24:23am |
re: #554 Aceofwhat?
Unions.
In mines? Love 'em. Need 'em.
In the government?
Fuck 'em.
they're good in math too
569 | MandyManners Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:25:15am |
re: #561 darthstar
Ha! "I can play with my rabbit in the morning, and eat him for supper."
That impish grin is a killer! I bet she's Daddy's Little Princess.
570 | Obdicut Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:25:33am |
re: #563 Dark_Falcon
EA was a den of violations of every labor law you can think of.
I worked a 126 hour week there once. I was physically struck by a superior there-- just a whack on the back of the head, but still a big fucking deal to me.
Very exploitative environment.
571 | cenotaphium Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:25:55am |
re: #550 Dark_Falcon
They didn't threaten the executives, only Parker and Stone. And even then they did not make a specific enough threat for a case to stand up in court. Sadly, this bunch of assholes has carefully studied where the line is and they go right up to it but never actually go over.
Far be it for me to suggest that a person, such as yourself, in a situation like this, could end up in an unfortunate circumstance where you fall down a long set of stairs, accidentally.
Maybe these guys, like myself, learned everything they needed to know about veiled threats from the Sopranos?
572 | cliffster Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:25:55am |
re: #563 Dark_Falcon
That's kind of surprising. As Lawhawk stated, openly viewing porn can be grounds for a lawsuit. A sexual harassment suits can be very expensive.
On top of the expense, etc.. YOU JUST SHOULDN'T DO THAT SHIT AT THE OFFICE!!
573 | Decatur Deb Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:26:08am |
re: #561 darthstar
Ha! "I can play with my rabbit in the morning, and eat him for supper."
"Yum, yum, yum.."
574 | Dark_Falcon Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:26:09am |
re: #564 SanFranciscoZionist
I'm pretty sure that if there were grounds to press charges they'd be pressed.
You could file charges, but they'd have ACLU support and victory would be unlikely. Prosecutors, like all trial attorneys, do not like filing cases they don't think they can win. It hurts their win/loss average.
575 | MandyManners Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:26:18am |
re: #564 SanFranciscoZionist
I'm pretty sure that if there were grounds to press charges they'd be pressed.
As Falcon and Fozzie mentioned, they knew the line.
576 | Fozzie Bear Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:26:26am |
re: #570 Obdicut
EA was a den of violations of every labor law you can think of.
I worked a 126 hour week there once. I was physically struck by a superior there-- just a whack on the back of the head, but still a big fucking deal to me.
Very exploitative environment.
Not a jab, but frankly, their games have SUCKED for a long, long time. I guess that's a side effect of having such an environment.
577 | Mad Al-Jaffee Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:27:08am |
re: #516 lawhawk
Do the math - one guy was blocked by the SEC proxy 16,000 times in one month. That's 533 requests per day, every day for one month.
Or, 66 times an hour if working an 8-hour day.
Nucking futs.
What a wanker.
578 | MandyManners Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:27:33am |
Fozzie Wozzie woz a bear.
Fozzie Wozzie had no hair.
Fozzie Wozzie wozn't fozzy, woz he?
579 | Dark_Falcon Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:28:14am |
re: #570 Obdicut
EA was a den of violations of every labor law you can think of.
I worked a 126 hour week there once. I was physically struck by a superior there-- just a whack on the back of the head, but still a big fucking deal to me.
Very exploitative environment.
If anyone ever hit me, I'd be out the door so fast you'd think I was in a time warp. My first call would be to find a lawyer. And in my state you can get unemployment benefits if you have to quit because of that kind of abuse.
580 | Fozzie Bear Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:28:43am |
re: #578 MandyManners
Fozzie Wozzie woz a bear.
Fozzie Wozzie had no hair.
Fozzie Wozzie wozn't fozzy, woz he?
Actually, he's a little less fozzy than he used to be. On top of his head. And a little more fozzy everywhere else. Testosterone is a cruel, cruel mistress.
*cry*
581 | Dark_Falcon Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:28:59am |
re: #578 MandyManners
Fozzie Wozzie woz a bear.
Fozzie Wozzie had no hair.
Fozzie Wozzie wozn't fozzy, woz he?
Was that you, Mandy, or did your son type that? :D
582 | Obdicut Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:29:14am |
re: #576 Fozzie Bear
Oh don't worry, I won't argue. The best games they had were the ones they just published.
They're paying the price for decades of lack of innovation, bad business practices, and stifling and abusing talent, but it took a long time for them to have to face any kind of consequences. When a company is rich enough, it can distort the market to the point where even though other companies should be much more competitive, they can't match the advantages. For example, EA demanded-- and got-- immense amounts of shelf space at retail stores.
I am so glad Valve came along with Steam. It really revived the whole industry.
583 | Ayeless in Ghazi Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:29:19am |
Off to the shops-- see you all in a bit. :-)
584 | Obdicut Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:30:03am |
re: #579 Dark_Falcon
I should have, but I was young, incredibly poor-- I think I had $14 in my bank account-- and nobody else saw it.
I would have reported it had I seen it happen to anyone else, but I was feeling pretty defeated at that time in my life. Glad those days are over.
585 | Dark_Falcon Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:30:44am |
re: #567 MandyManners
I wonder if they talked to CAIR's legal counsel first.
They have talked to CAIR in the past, so it would not surprise me. They've clearly taken "Dhimmifying Westerners 101". It's a course I'd like to take off the catalog.
587 | Fozzie Bear Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:31:59am |
re: #582 Obdicut
Yep. Valve, Blizzard, and a few others have really saved the gaming industry. Or maybe it was the massive influx of cash into the industry from the proliferation of gaming consoles and high end PC's. Either way, gaming is making a comeback (in terms of quality).
588 | MandyManners Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:33:22am |
re: #580 Fozzie Bear
Actually, he's a little less fozzy than he used to be. On top of his head. And a little more fozzy everywhere else. Testosterone is a cruel, cruel mistress.
*cry*
(((Fozzie)))
589 | darthstar Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:33:27am |
* For: Protect America's Future PAC () (George Lemieux)
* Hosted by: Kirsten Chadwick FedEX PAC Scott Reed Honeywell International PAC David Hobbs Wendy Grubbs CSX Good Government Fund US-Cuba Democracy PAC
* When: 2010-04-22 (12 p.m. - 1 p.m.)
* Where: National Republican Senatorial Committee - 425 2nd Street NE
* Type of Event: Luncheon
* Other Lawmakers Mentioned: Sen. Mitch McConnell (R, KY) Sen. John Cornyn (R, TX) Sen. Richard Burr (R, NC) Sen. Chuck Grassley (R, IA) Sen. John McCain (R, AZ) Senator George LeMieux (R, FL)
* Contribution Information: $2,500 PAC Host; $1,000 Individual Host; $1,000 PAC; $250 Individual
* Make Checks Payable To: Protect America's Future PAC - 1203 Portner Road, Alexandria, VA 22314
* RSVP: Magda El-Tobgui %P% Mary Lindley Carswell;[no phone numbers allowed]; magda@aristeiagroup.com
* Distribution Paid for by: Protect America's Future PAC
590 | MandyManners Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:33:35am |
591 | Obdicut Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:33:49am |
re: #587 Fozzie Bear
Though Blizzard is now acting as a bit of a drug on the MMO market, but they created the damn market for the most part anyway, so it's alright. They don't really mean to be, either, they just found themselves in that position. They're actually quite good about not doing anything negative to other MMO houses.
592 | MandyManners Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:34:29am |
re: #585 Dark_Falcon
They have talked to CAIR in the past, so it would not surprise me. They've clearly taken "Dhimmifying Westerners 101". It's a course I'd like to take off the catalog.
The thing about Dhimmification is that once the target is exposed, it begins to Dhimmify itself.
593 | MandyManners Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:35:13am |
Fucking yellow-jacket's in my room. Gotta' get it before it gets me.
My DE .50 would be overkill.
594 | darthstar Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:35:26am |
re: #580 Fozzie Bear
Actually, he's a little less fozzy than he used to be. On top of his head. And a little more fozzy everywhere else. Testosterone is a cruel, cruel mistress.
*cry*
As long as we don't have to hear about you going 'bear-back'
595 | Fozzie Bear Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:36:09am |
re: #593 MandyManners
Any method of killing a bug that would probably involve patching a hole in your roof later is probably a little more than you need for the job.
596 | Dark_Falcon Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:36:12am |
re: #589 darthstar
It makes good sense. They know who their friends are and Obama ain't one of them.
597 | Mad Al-Jaffee Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:36:41am |
re: #580 Fozzie Bear
I'll be 40 in less than a month and I still have all my hair. That's one of the reasons I started letting it grow out more (instead of getting it cut short once a month, like I've done for over ten years.)
598 | Dark_Falcon Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:37:12am |
re: #593 MandyManners
Fucking yellow-jacket's in my room. Gotta' get it before it gets me.
My DE .50 would be overkill.
Try to let it out a window. Those things hurt like crazy when they sting.
599 | Obdicut Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:37:39am |
re: #596 Dark_Falcon
If the GOP thinks that being friends with the bankers and opposing regulation of the finance industry right after the meltdown is a good position to take, they're very slightly more delusional than I thought they were.
600 | Fozzie Bear Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:37:42am |
re: #596 Dark_Falcon
That's just depressing. If any bill is more important than HCR this year, this is it. And it's just a chess game to these assholes.
601 | Mad Al-Jaffee Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:38:26am |
re: #593 MandyManners
Fucking yellow-jacket's in my room. Gotta' get it before it gets me.
My DE .50 would be overkill.
Got a 12 gauge you could use?
602 | Dark_Falcon Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:38:40am |
re: #599 Obdicut
If the GOP thinks that being friends with the bankers and opposing regulation of the finance industry right after the meltdown is a good position to take, they're very slightly more delusional than I thought they were.
They need money, and the guys they were meeting with will give it to them to help get the bill the banks want.
603 | Stanghazi Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:38:57am |
Cliff, you here? Jay Mohr on the smackoff right now.
604 | cliffster Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:38:57am |
re: #596 Dark_Falcon
It makes good sense. They know who their friends are and Obama ain't one of them.
Their friends apparently are the democratic congressmen.. see fundraising ledgers.
605 | Obdicut Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:39:42am |
re: #602 Dark_Falcon
I think they need the public trust more than they need money, and I think that's what the GOP needs to focus on. I don't think they will, though I'm slightly encouraged that Steele apparently hasn't been slapped around yet for his recent remarks.
606 | Our Precious Bodily Fluids Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:39:48am |
SEC enforcers watched porn, not just failing banking system
What was going on at the Securities & Exchange Commission while the financial world teetered on the brink? Some serious online pornography viewing, it appears, according to a new SEC Inspector General memo. Released last night at the request of Sen. Charles Grassley (R-IA), the memo sums up 31 internal SEC porn probes from the last two-and-a-half years.
According to the report, "Many of the employees who engaged in such conduct were at a senior level and earned substantial salaries through their government employment. The employees found to have engaged in this inappropriate conduct included 17 employees at a level of grade SK-14 and above (which can range from $99,356 through $222,418.)" If that gets your eyes rolling in disgust, wait till you read the, err, highlights:
[...]
A Headquarters Senior Attorney admitted accessing Internet pornography and downloading pornographic images to his SEC computer during work hours so frequently that, on some days, he spent eight hours accessing Internet pornography. In fact, this attorney downloaded so much pornography to his government computer that he exhausted the available space on the computer hard drive and downloaded pornography to CDs or DVDs that he accumulated in boxes in his office.
607 | Walter L. Newton Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:40:07am |
re: #593 MandyManners
Fucking yellow-jacket's in my room. Gotta' get it before it gets me.
My DE .50 would be overkill.
SHOOT IT!
608 | Cannadian Club Akbar Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:40:15am |
609 | Aceofwhat? Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:40:36am |
re: #560 Jimmah
Again, show me evidence that the scientific/medical community has endorsed these opinions and repudiated the information I have linked to.
Remember, you are on record as claiming that excessive salt intake is only harmful to a small subgroup of the human population.
Huh? I think i'm unclear as to where we're unclear. And my goal is clarity.
The papers i'm linking are broader studies about potential causative links between sodium intake and mortality, over a long period of time (the last link was ~14 years).
The papers you're citing are one-off (Osteoporosis?? Stomach Cancer??) studies on a limited subgroup that cannot be applied to the broader population. Even Wiki is nice enough to say that one study is interesting but far short of proof.
So far, my understanding is that i'm linking papers published in prestigious articles showing no causative link over a long duration between sodium intake and CVD mortality, demonstrating the current understanding of the science as i know it and as the doctors that i know understand it.
You're linking opinions based on tightly focused studies that are viable and interesting but not accepted as causative proof...not even close.
Like i said. Sodium intake can be linked to negative outcomes for certain people. Take a broad cross-section, and the link disappears.
Can we PLEASE spend our regulatory dollars on something more urgent?
I have a great idea. How about we take all the dollars required to pass a ban on something that SOME folks ought to monitor on their own, and spend it researching cures for diseases like cancer, muscular dystrophy, etc. that truly afflict us.
Sodium intake is not an affliction. Regulation isn't free. You can't stop someone who wants to be a fat, lazy slob and die early. So let's cure cancer instead.
(do you have any idea how often i've heard variations of that rant at the dinner table??)
610 | Stanghazi Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:40:55am |
611 | darthstar Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:41:12am |
re: #597 Mad Al-Jaffee
I'll be 40 in less than a month and I still have all my hair. That's one of the reasons I started letting it grow out more (instead of getting it cut short once a month, like I've done for over ten years.)
46 and I have all my hair. I get it cut about once every three months...except for ski season, where I let it grow until after my last day (which will be tomorrow)...I've actually got enough hair to make a decent mullet right now. Might get one for grins and giggles.
612 | simoom Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:41:24am |
Speaking of science,
Air Force: winged robotic spacecraft launched
An unmanned Air Force space plane resembling a small space shuttle has been launched into orbit from Florida.An Atlas 5 rocket carried the reusable X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle aloft at 7:52 p.m. EDT Thursday from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.
The Air Force says the launch was a success, but released no details of the mission's progress.
The service says the winged spacecraft will be a platform for unspecified experiments and can stay in orbit up to 270 days before gliding to an autonomous runway landing. The primary landing site is Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.
The X-37B began as a NASA project before being transferred to the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency and then the secretive Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office.
I wonder if this has anything to do with Prompt Global Strike:
[Link: www.nytimes.com...]
In coming years, President Obama will decide whether to deploy a new class of weapons capable of reaching any corner of the earth from the United States in under an hour and with such accuracy and force that they would greatly diminish America’s reliance on its nuclear arsenal.
...
Called Prompt Global Strike, the new weapon is designed to carry out tasks like picking off Osama bin Laden in a cave, if the right one could be found; taking out a North Korean missile while it is being rolled to the launch pad; or destroying an Iranian nuclear site — all without crossing the nuclear threshold. In theory, the weapon will hurl a conventional warhead of enormous weight at high speed and with pinpoint accuracy, generating the localized destructive power of a nuclear warhead.
...
Under the Obama plan, the Prompt Global Strike warhead would be mounted on a long-range missile to start its journey toward a target. It would travel through the atmosphere at several times the speed of sound, generating so much heat that it would have to be shielded with special materials to avoid melting. (In that regard, it is akin to the problem that confronted designers of the space shuttle decades ago.)But since the vehicle would remain within the atmosphere rather than going into space, it would be far more maneuverable than a ballistic missile, capable of avoiding the airspace of neutral countries, for example, or steering clear of hostile territory. Its designers note that it could fly straight up the middle of the Persian Gulf before making a sharp turn toward a target.
613 | Fozzie Bear Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:41:26am |
Take it all with a grain of salt. But not two grains. Just one.
614 | BARACK THE VOTE Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:41:43am |
Random story: Jimmah just came back from the shops, where he was asked by the very nice girl working there 1) where he was from, and 2) Oh Scotland-- do they speak English there?
615 | cliffster Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:42:09am |
616 | Cannadian Club Akbar Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:42:49am |
re: #614 iceweasel
Random story: Jimmah just came back from the shops, where he was asked by the very nice girl working there 1) where he was from, and 2) Oh Scotland-- do they speak English there?
Did he answer:Si?
617 | Dark_Falcon Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:42:59am |
re: #614 iceweasel
Random story: Jimmah just came back from the shops, where he was asked by the very nice girl working there 1) where he was from, and 2) Oh Scotland-- do they speak English there?
LOL! Glad you're doing well, ice. I gotta jet. BBL
618 | Aceofwhat? Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:43:33am |
re: #557 Decatur Deb
Don't even bother. Fed civil service unions have no strike tool, thus are virtually powerless debating societies. When eligible, I had dues taken out just to avoid being a free-rider.
Is their power in California overstated, or am I conflating Fed and State civil service unions?
And if they have no strike tool and are relatively toothless, why doesn't everyone look at each other one day and say "hey...what the hell are we thinking"?
619 | webevintage Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:44:19am |
re: #589 darthstar
And R's knew that it looked bad because they made sure they were not seen going in though the front door.
620 | Lidane Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:44:33am |
Hola, Lizards!
If anyone hasn't seen this yet, it's worth watching:
Jon Stewart Stands Up For 'South Park,' Sings Another Round of 'Go F--k Yourselves'
Last night Jon Stewart came to the aid of his Comedy Central family, defending "South Park" creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone for their controversial (and censored) episode in which they portrayed Muhammad.
The censorship by Comedy Central was meant to protect Parker and Stone, following death threats from radical, NY-based Revolution Muslim. Yeah, NY based, which according to Stewart means that while they praise Osama Bin Laden and celebrate 9/11, they have access to our theater district, Jewish delis, and parks.
"These numbnuts get to enjoy it. All because of how much we, in this country, value and protect even their freedom of expression. "
Stewart himself is no stranger to mocking religions. After acknowledging how well each faith has handled the show's ridicule, he presented an epic reel of the show's religion jokes over the years.
And keeping consistent with the theme of the week, Stewart had one last thing to say to Revolution Muslim: "Go F--k Yourselves." And again, he did it through song. Nice way to close out a strong week for the "Daily Show."
621 | Mad Al-Jaffee Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:45:19am |
622 | BARACK THE VOTE Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:45:47am |
This get mentioned yet?
Insurer targeted breast cancer patients to cancel
One after another, shortly after a diagnosis of breast cancer, each of the women learned that her health insurance had been canceled. First there was Yenny Hsu, who lived and worked in Los Angeles. Later, Robin Beaton, a registered nurse from Texas. And then, most recently, there was Patricia Relling, a successful art gallery owner and interior designer from Louisville, Kentucky.
None of the women knew about the others. But besides their similar narratives, they had something else in common: Their health insurance carriers were subsidiaries of WellPoint, which has 33.7 million policyholders — more than any other health insurance company in the United States.
The women all paid their premiums on time. Before they fell ill, none had any problems with their insurance. Initially, they believed their policies had been canceled by mistake.
They had no idea that WellPoint was using a computer algorithm that automatically targeted them and every other policyholder recently diagnosed with breast cancer. The software triggered an immediate fraud investigation, as the company searched for some pretext to drop their policies, according to government regulators and investigators.
Once the women were singled out, they say, the insurer then canceled their policies based on either erroneous or flimsy information. WellPoint declined to comment on the women's specific cases without a signed waiver from them, citing privacy laws.
Tens of thousands lost insurance after diagnosis
That tens of thousands of Americans lost their health insurance shortly after being diagnosed with life-threatening, expensive medical conditions has been well documented by law enforcement agencies, state regulators and a congressional committee. Insurance companies have used the practice, known as "rescission," for years. And a congressional committee last year said WellPoint was one of the worst offenders.But WellPoint also has specifically targeted women with breast cancer for aggressive investigation with the intent to cancel their policies, federal investigators told Reuters.
Read the whole thing, etc.
623 | MandyManners Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:45:58am |
re: #595 Fozzie Bear
Any method of killing a bug that would probably involve patching a hole in your roof later is probably a little more than you need for the job.
I brought him down with a combination of Chanel No. 5 and a fly-swatter. Oh, and a shoe to smear his guts all over the carpet.
624 | Aceofwhat? Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:46:02am |
re: #593 MandyManners
Fucking yellow-jacket's in my room. Gotta' get it before it gets me.
My DE .50 would be overkill.
by the way...side effect of being a tennis player is that a racquet = world's best wasp-swatter.
it's light, has a lot of square inches (hard to miss the bug), and will literally cut the thing in half if you it it hard enough. if you don't, you still send it stunned to the ground and can step on it at your leisure.
wasps enter Ace's home to die...
625 | Aceofwhat? Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:46:20am |
re: #620 Lidane
Hola, Lizards!
If anyone hasn't seen this yet, it's worth watching:
Jon Stewart Stands Up For 'South Park,' Sings Another Round of 'Go F--k Yourselves'
it was awesome.
626 | Fozzie Bear Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:46:23am |
re: #620 Lidane
Hola, Lizards!
If anyone hasn't seen this yet, it's worth watching:
Jon Stewart Stands Up For 'South Park,' Sings Another Round of 'Go F--k Yourselves'
I fucking love Stewart.
627 | MandyManners Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:46:42am |
re: #598 Dark_Falcon
Try to let it out a window. Those things hurt like crazy when they sting.
I have a huge bay window in my room and the screens are a bitch to wrestle.
628 | Aceofwhat? Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:47:14am |
re: #622 iceweasel
This get mentioned yet?
Insurer targeted breast cancer patients to cancel
Read the whole thing, etc.
sickening
629 | MandyManners Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:47:16am |
630 | MandyManners Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:47:56am |
631 | Varek Raith Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:48:03am |
632 | MandyManners Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:48:14am |
633 | Fozzie Bear Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:48:26am |
re: #622 iceweasel
I read that. The banality of evil, indeed.
634 | Aceofwhat? Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:48:46am |
re: #614 iceweasel
Random story: Jimmah just came back from the shops, where he was asked by the very nice girl working there 1) where he was from, and 2) Oh Scotland-- do they speak English there?
i'm enjoying our little debate...i don't often get the chance to banter with him. good stuff!
636 | cliffster Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:49:10am |
bucketsforthecure.com. Really? Fried chicken? Is the slogan, "Heart Disease, not Cancer"??
637 | MandyManners Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:49:50am |
re: #624 Aceofwhat?
by the way...side effect of being a tennis player is that a racquet = world's best wasp-swatter.
it's light, has a lot of square inches (hard to miss the bug), and will literally cut the thing in half if you it it hard enough. if you don't, you still send it stunned to the ground and can step on it at your leisure.
wasps enter Ace's home to die...
I probably would take out a few lamps and assorted perfume bottles if I tried that.
638 | MandyManners Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:50:34am |
639 | Cannadian Club Akbar Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:50:43am |
re: #636 cliffster
bucketsforthecure.com. Really? Fried chicken? Is the slogan, "Heart Disease, not Cancer"??
Now if we can get SPAM on board...
640 | Our Precious Bodily Fluids Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:50:48am |
re: #593 MandyManners
Fucking yellow-jacket's in my room. Gotta' get it before it gets me.
My DE .50 would be overkill.
A can of Aqua-Net is an extremely effective anti-wasp munition. It's so sticky that it glues their wings together. For added fun, you can add a Zippo lighter and turn it into a flame thrower. Just the hairspray by itself works wonders, though.
641 | Feline Emperor of the Conservative Tears Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:51:04am |
re: #593 MandyManners
Fucking yellow-jacket's in my room. Gotta' get it before it gets me.
My DE .50 would be overkill.
Perhaps a tennis raquet?
642 | Aceofwhat? Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:51:31am |
643 | Tigger2005 Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:51:31am |
Please God, let me prove that winning the lottery won't corrupt me.
re: #494 Ericus58
You just can't write this stuff up...
Winner of $258M jackpot: I'm buying some new front teeth
[Link: www.komonews.com...]
"JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - A Missouri man who won a $258 million Powerball jackpot and plans to use some of the money to pay bills, replace his two missing front teeth and take his children to Disney World said he hasn't decided yet if he'll quit his job at the convenience store where he bought the winning ticket."
And yes, there is a photo.
What I consider 'high-risk investing", I"m afraid many people have the belief that this will be the "ticket" to their happpiness - taking them away from the grind of their daily lilfe.
If my grand pappy had held that thought, he would have stayed a miner... and my existence on this earth would have been quite different.
But even then, he didn't escape black-lung.
644 | MandyManners Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:52:11am |
re: #640 negativ
A can of Aqua-Net is an extremely effective anti-wasp munition. It's so sticky that it glues their wings together. For added fun, you can add a Zippo lighter and turn it into a flame thrower. Just the hairspray by itself works wonders, though.
I bet you had fun at rock concerts when you were a teen.
645 | Cannadian Club Akbar Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:52:12am |
re: #640 negativ
A can of Aqua-Net is an extremely effective anti-wasp munition. It's so sticky that it glues their wings together. For added fun, you can add a Zippo lighter and turn it into a flame thrower. Just the hairspray by itself works wonders, though.
I saw those flame throwers throughout the late 80's/ early 90's concerts!!
646 | BARACK THE VOTE Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:52:34am |
re: #621 Mad Al-Jaffee
"Aye" would be more appropriate.
Heh. If he'd said Aye they probably wouldn't have understood him. Seriously, he needs a translator here. I've seen people misunderstand very basic words he says-- not sure what's up with that. I probably shouldn't let him out alone. ;)
647 | MandyManners Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:52:38am |
648 | Lidane Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:53:03am |
649 | MandyManners Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:53:20am |
re: #645 Cannadian Club Akbar
I saw those flame throwers throughout the late 80's/ early 90's concerts!!
Beatcha' by one second.
650 | Fozzie Bear Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:54:04am |
re: #642 Aceofwhat?
was it bad in 2008 when they gave more to Democrats...or is it only bad now?
It's the legislative context that matters, imo. In presidential election years, wall street has shown that they are really pretty good at figuring out who is most likely to win and donating heavily in the hopes that will guarantee them access later. 2008 was no exception.
Regardless, they could hardly have been dumber about how this looks. They couldn't do much worse from a PR perspective.
652 | Mad Al-Jaffee Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:54:47am |
re: #646 iceweasel
Heh. If he'd said Aye they probably wouldn't have understood him. Seriously, he needs a translator here. I've seen people misunderstand very basic words he says-- not sure what's up with that. I probably shouldn't let him out alone. ;)
When I was in Edinburgh, people from Glasgow sounded to me like they were speaking a foreign language. And I had a really hard time understanding elederly people in South Yorkshire.
653 | Old Dragon Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:55:05am |
Brilliant video: recommend Carl Sagan's Demon Haunted World for reading along the lines of scientific illiteracy and fear.
Old Dragon delighted NOT to live in the past he taught about.
654 | Aceofwhat? Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:56:17am |
re: #650 Fozzie Bear
It's the legislative context that matters, imo. In presidential election years, wall street has shown that they are really pretty good at figuring out who is most likely to win and donating heavily in the hopes that will guarantee them access later. 2008 was no exception.
Regardless, they could hardly have been dumber about how this looks. They couldn't do much worse from a PR perspective.
that's fine. managing perception is a practical affair. i can't tell whether i perceive outrage only when bankers donate to the GOP because my ZOMG filter is on sideways or whether there really is some extra outrage when bankers donate to the GOP...
in short, i admit that it could just be me!
655 | webevintage Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:57:29am |
So my "man this shit annoys me" list today includes networks that have no problem with the Victoria Secret gals in commercials, but think plus size gals with great cleavage is too much and anyone who uses "back to the kitchen" in reference to getting a woman pol out of office.
[Link: jezebel.com...]
[Link: thinkprogress.org...]
656 | Aceofwhat? Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:57:34am |
re: #652 Mad Al-Jaffee
When I was in Edinburgh, people from Glasgow sounded to me like they were speaking a foreign language. And I had a really hard time understanding elederly people in South Yorkshire.
ah, but it's so lovely trying.
i'm glad i'm debating Jimmah over the intertoob...if we were in person, i'd probably just agree with whatever he said because the accent makes it sound so brilliant/
657 | Our Precious Bodily Fluids Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:58:06am |
re: #652 Mad Al-Jaffee
When I was in Edinburgh, people from Glasgow sounded to me like they were speaking a foreign language. And I had a really hard time understanding elederly people in South Yorkshire.
you might enjoy this:
[Link: accent.gmu.edu...]
and this:
[Link: web.ku.edu...]
658 | reine.de.tout Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:58:25am |
re: #642 Aceofwhat?
was it bad in 2008 when they gave more to Democrats...or is it only bad now?
This is just Goldman Sachs. Over 10 years, 64% of political donations were to Democratic candidates.
659 | Aceofwhat? Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:58:26am |
660 | Aceofwhat? Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:59:07am |
re: #658 reine.de.tout
This is just Goldman Sachs. Over 10 years, 64% of political donations were to Democratic candidates.
wait...so...are we upset? someone help my outrage-o-meter...
661 | cliffster Fri, Apr 23, 2010 9:59:17am |
re: #659 Aceofwhat?
updinged for TMI...
Yeah that's one benefit of talking to people over the internet. I don't give a damn whether you shower or not.
662 | Stanghazi Fri, Apr 23, 2010 10:00:25am |
re: #661 cliffster
Yeah that's one benefit of talking to people over the internet. I don't give a damn whether you shower or not.
phew
663 | cliffster Fri, Apr 23, 2010 10:00:30am |
re: #658 reine.de.tout
This is just Goldman Sachs. Over 10 years, 64% of political donations were to Democratic candidates.
No mention of the reform bills for the finance industry, not to mention fannie and freddie, that the Republicans tried to get through that the Democrats blocked. Obstructionists?
664 | reine.de.tout Fri, Apr 23, 2010 10:01:02am |
re: #660 Aceofwhat?
wait...so...are we upset? someone help my outrage-o-meter...
Me?
I don't care what they do.
It does get tiresome to hear how these sorts of firms are in bed with the Republicans, though.
665 | MandyManners Fri, Apr 23, 2010 10:01:04am |
666 | Aceofwhat? Fri, Apr 23, 2010 10:02:44am |
re: #661 cliffster
Yeah that's one benefit of talking to people over the internet. I don't give a damn whether you shower or not.
yeah, i have a fugly goatee going right now...the lines don't connect...i carved it last night out of laziness and Friday is telecommute day for me, so i'm happy not to be seen in public.
667 | Mad Al-Jaffee Fri, Apr 23, 2010 10:03:09am |
re: #661 cliffster
Yeah that's one benefit of talking to people over the internet. I don't give a damn whether you shower or not.
I do, if you have a webcam in your shower. (depends on who "you" are, of course)
668 | Feline Emperor of the Conservative Tears Fri, Apr 23, 2010 10:03:12am |
re: #650 Fozzie Bear
It's the legislative context that matters, imo. In presidential election years, wall street has shown that they are really pretty good at figuring out who is most likely to win and donating heavily in the hopes that will guarantee them access later. 2008 was no exception.
Regardless, they could hardly have been dumber about how this looks. They couldn't do much worse from a PR perspective.
Or they're assuming that the public will have forgotten this by November in favor of whatever the outrageous outrage of the moment is while those they have dropped money on will still be in office and at their beck and call.
Strikes me as a "crazy as a fox" behavior since there is a constant level of "evil banking industry" articles that this falls into, and eventually it all fades into the background and gets written off as part of the continual leftist/liberal screaming about the evils of capitalism.
669 | BARACK THE VOTE Fri, Apr 23, 2010 10:05:27am |
re: #634 Aceofwhat?
i'm enjoying our little debate...i don't often get the chance to banter with him. good stuff!
Cool! He says just wait til we're back in Scotland and have more than one computer-- you'll get it then! ;)
670 | cliffster Fri, Apr 23, 2010 10:05:35am |
re: #666 Aceofwhat?
yeah, i have a fugly goatee going right now...the lines don't connect...i carved it last night out of laziness and Friday is telecommute day for me, so i'm happy not to be seen in public.
My facial hair is pathetic. If I don't shave for a week, I look that that creepy neighbor kid on The Burbs with hair growing out of random places on his face.
671 | reine.de.tout Fri, Apr 23, 2010 10:06:09am |
re: #664 reine.de.tout
Me?
I don't care what they do.
It does get tiresome to hear how these sorts of firms are in bed with the Republicans, though.
Securities & Investments Firms:
Over 10 years, 51% of donations to Democrats, 49% to Republicans.
In 2010, 63% of donations to Democrats, 37% to Republicans.
In other years, a greater percentage went to Republicans.
I suspect this is probably a reflection of who is in power in any given year.
672 | Killgore Trout Fri, Apr 23, 2010 10:06:57am |
re: #663 cliffster
No mention of the reform bills for the finance industry, not to mention fannie and freddie, that the Republicans tried to get through that the Democrats blocked. Obstructionists?
I'm not sure if that's true....
Republican Congress Talked About Financial Reform, But Did Nothing
According to the New York Times, in September 2003 the Bush Administration "recommended the most significant regulatory overhaul in the housing finance industry since the savings and loan crisis a decade ago."
Seems like a well sourced article. For whatever reason the reform plans never happened.
673 | MandyManners Fri, Apr 23, 2010 10:07:44am |
I could contribute some stories about shaving/not shaving legs but, out of a finely honed sense of *snicker* decorum, I won't.
674 | BARACK THE VOTE Fri, Apr 23, 2010 10:12:24am |
The homosexual agenda advances further!
Kevin Keller debuts as first openly gay character in Archie's Veronica Comics
The decades-old question that has driven more Archie Comics plot turns than a white-walled jalopy just got a new twist.
Archie Comics announced Thursday that Riverdale High will enroll its first openly gay character in September.
The character, a blond newbie named Kevin Keller, will debut in No. 202 of Veronica Comics. In the initial story line, titled "Isn't It Bromantic?," Veronica is stymied when her womanly wiles hold no sway with Kevin, who has more in common with fellow foodie Jughead.
"Everyone seems to know where Kevin is coming from except Veronica," says Victor Gorelick, editor in chief of Archie Comics. "They don't tell Veronica -- they let her stew in it for a while. But he hangs out with Jughead -- they seem to have a connection as far as food goes."
I can't wait for the wankosphere to pick this up. ;)
675 | Walter L. Newton Fri, Apr 23, 2010 10:14:29am |
Well, we are setting up for 2-3 inches an hour, until Sat. morning. Girlfriend has off today, so we are going to stay up hill, have lunch at a local eatery, go get my paycheck at the supermarket and get back here before the roads become too snow packed. If you are in the foothills and mountain west of Denver, here is the bad news...
"Upper and surface low currently well positioned over southeast CO, bringing good upslope flow. Radar indicates heavy precipitation now over Urban Corridor and moving west into the foorhills shortly. This should bring initial band of heavy snow above 6000 ft and then models indicate once upclope flow is established, snow will continue through tonight and begin to dissipate Sat morning. Snow totals hard to predict at this point, but as heavy snow moves into foohills shortly, snow rates could easily be 2-3 inches per hour for a good period, so snow could accummulate rapidly above 7000 ft. Currently thinkiing snow totals of 8-16 inches by Sat noon for most foothill areas, with some favored areas seeing up to 18-20 inches, and banana belt areas seeing 3-7 inches. "
676 | Cannadian Club Akbar Fri, Apr 23, 2010 10:15:11am |
re: #673 MandyManners
I could contribute some stories about shaving/not shaving legs but, out of a finely honed sense of *snicker* decorum, I won't.
I worked with a girl who only shaved her legs up to the knee. Loved her at the beach.
/
677 | Walter L. Newton Fri, Apr 23, 2010 10:16:00am |
re: #676 Cannadian Club Akbar
I worked with a girl who only shaved her legs up to the knee. Loved her at the beach.
/
At least you had a beach to go to.
678 | SanFranciscoZionist Fri, Apr 23, 2010 10:16:20am |
re: #664 reine.de.tout
Me?
I don't care what they do.
It does get tiresome to hear how these sorts of firms are in bed with the Republicans, though.
It's their bed. The major parties just accept money for time spent in it.
679 | Cannadian Club Akbar Fri, Apr 23, 2010 10:16:36am |
680 | Vicious Babushka Fri, Apr 23, 2010 10:17:00am |
re: #550 Dark_Falcon
They didn't threaten the executives, only Parker and Stone. And even then they did not make a specific enough threat for a case to stand up in court. Sadly, this bunch of assholes has carefully studied where the line is and they go right up to it but never actually go over.
So then, why did the network cave in to them? Why didn't they just tell them, as Jon Stewart did, to go fuck themselves? I'm sure Parker and Stone would say that.
681 | lawhawk Fri, Apr 23, 2010 10:17:29am |
re: #674 iceweasel
They're still publishing Archie? I guess they had to do something to keep it going and somehow relevant and/or in the public view. What's next? Kill Captain America? Superman? Oh wait, they've done those things already... /
682 | cliffster Fri, Apr 23, 2010 10:17:32am |
re: #672 Killgore Trout
Seems like a well sourced article. For whatever reason the reform plans never happened.
Heh, from the NYT article cited by that link:
Significant details must still be worked out before Congress can approve a bill. Among the groups denouncing the proposal today were the National Association of Home Builders and Congressional Democrats who fear that tighter regulation of the companies could sharply reduce their commitment to financing low-income and affordable housing.
''These two entities -- Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac -- are not facing any kind of financial crisis,'' said Representative Barney Frank of Massachusetts, the ranking Democrat on the Financial Services Committee. ''The more people exaggerate these problems, the more pressure there is on these companies, the less we will see in terms of affordable housing.''
Representative Melvin L. Watt, Democrat of North Carolina, agreed.
''I don't see much other than a shell game going on here, moving something from one agency to another and in the process weakening the bargaining power of poorer families and their ability to get affordable housing,'' Mr. Watt said.
683 | jamesfirecat Fri, Apr 23, 2010 10:18:21am |
re: #680 Alouette
So then, why did the network cave in to them? Why didn't they just tell them, as Jon Stewart did, to go fuck themselves? I'm sure Parker and Stone would say that.
Probably because the network was afraid it might be liable if something happened to the Parker and Stone....
685 | Interesting Times Fri, Apr 23, 2010 10:19:08am |
re: #638 MandyManners
I can foresee a gigantic, mutant yellow-jacket in a few years.
686 | Aceofwhat? Fri, Apr 23, 2010 10:19:41am |
re: #680 Alouette
So then, why did the network cave in to them? Why didn't they just tell them, as Jon Stewart did, to go fuck themselves? I'm sure Parker and Stone would say that.
lawyers.
Bet you $5 that the company lawyers told the company execs that if something happened to an employee due to perceived inaction on Comedy Central's part, that CCentral likely faced a lawsuit.
Or, and this is what i personally hope, the execs decided that it wasn't right to ask company employees to shoulder part of the risk even if saying FU felt like the right thing to do?
687 | webevintage Fri, Apr 23, 2010 10:20:25am |
Jebus.
"Give me back my freedom
or I'm gonna fight
yeah yeah
all right
are you ready to fight fight fight?"
Barack Obama stole Missouri state-auditor candidate Tom Schweich’s freedom and rights the other day, like out of the front yard or something, so Schweich created this revolutionary Republican rock anthem to get back at socialism. If you ever wondered, “What would a wingnut chief of staff to John Bolton do with his ample spare time?”, here is your comprehensive video answer.
Read more at Wonkette: [Link: wonkette.com...]
689 | Killgore Trout Fri, Apr 23, 2010 10:21:20am |
re: #682 cliffster
It doesn't look like those proposals would have helped much anyways....
The administration's proposal, which was endorsed in large part today by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, would not repeal the significant government subsidies granted to the two companies. And it does not alter the implicit guarantee that Washington will bail the companies out if they run into financial difficulty; that perception enables them to issue debt at significantly lower rates than their competitors. Nor would it remove the companies' exemptions from taxes and antifraud provisions of federal securities laws.
It seems we would still have had the same problem.
690 | Lidane Fri, Apr 23, 2010 10:22:03am |
re: #655 webevintage
And over here, I'm amused by the fact that the RNC is in a financial quagmire:
Internal RNC probe finds financial controls in disarray
Barely 6 1/2 months before the midterm elections, an internal investigation by the Republican National Committee has revealed that the organization is beset with questionable financial management and oversight and is spending more money courting top-dollar donors than it raises.
The investigation found that the Republican Party's national governing body is losing money on its major-donors' fundraising program -- spending $1.09 for each $1.00 raised, according to RNC members privy to the investigation's findings. It typically costs about 40 cents for every dollar raised from donors who give more than $1,000.
The investigation also found that the RNC has allowed employees to forge Finance Director Rob Bickhart's initials on expense-reimbursement request approvals, according to an RNC member who spoke on the condition of anonymity for fear of retaliation.
Also, Michael Steele stated the obvious, admitting that the GOP has had a Southern Strategy for the last four decades, and has pissed a bunch of people off in the process:
692 | prairiefire Fri, Apr 23, 2010 10:24:37am |
693 | subsailor68 Fri, Apr 23, 2010 10:30:40am |
re: #689 Killgore Trout
It doesn't look like those proposals would have helped much anyways...
The administration's proposal, which was endorsed in large part today by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, would not repeal the significant government subsidies granted to the two companies. And it does not alter the implicit guarantee that Washington will bail the companies out if they run into financial difficulty; that perception enables them to issue debt at significantly lower rates than their competitors. Nor would it remove the companies' exemptions from taxes and antifraud provisions of federal securities laws.
It seems we would still have had the same problem.
Hi Killgore! I think you're right. And I do like the word "perception", and that it enables them to issue at lower rates.
Rates and interest are set as the result of risk assessment. The higher the risk assessed, the higher the rates -to offset the increased risk. If the lender's assessment is off, the company and shareholders are at risk of taking what could be substantial losses.
That doesn't change with Fannie and Freddie - other than the losses are shouldered by taxpayers instead of private investors.
694 | What, me worry? Fri, Apr 23, 2010 10:31:07am |
Afternoon lizards. Pardon the interruption, but does anyone know if there's a way to search the link viewer for a user name? I don't think the search goes through the viewer. I was looking for an article Thanos posted earlier this morning.
695 | MandyManners Fri, Apr 23, 2010 10:31:12am |
696 | prairiefire Fri, Apr 23, 2010 10:34:15am |
re: #457 vinnievin
Hi, Vinnievin. I will throw in my viewpoint that what the public at large generally hears on this issue is a distillation of the scientific papers and blather.
The news sources really dumb it down, in my opinion, and just states "there has been vast research on this issue for years with opposing sides!"
697 | reine.de.tout Fri, Apr 23, 2010 10:34:18am |
re: #694 marjoriemoon
Afternoon lizards. Pardon the interruption, but does anyone know if there's a way to search the link viewer for a user name? I don't think the search goes through the viewer. I was looking for an article Thanos posted earlier this morning.
You used to be able to search through linkviewer, but I can't see a search feature right now.
698 | Kragar Fri, Apr 23, 2010 10:35:19am |
I WIN AGAIN!
Jack-ass called me out on a call yesterday, saying I was wrong. Microsoft comes out with a bulletin today saying I was dead on right.
699 | reine.de.tout Fri, Apr 23, 2010 10:36:03am |
re: #694 marjoriemoon
Afternoon lizards. Pardon the interruption, but does anyone know if there's a way to search the link viewer for a user name? I don't think the search goes through the viewer. I was looking for an article Thanos posted earlier this morning.
OK. In linkviewer, on the right side, there's a "filter" field (underneath the ad).
type in the person's user name there, and select the date range.
700 | prairiefire Fri, Apr 23, 2010 10:41:44am |
re: #697 reine.de.tout
You used to be able to search through linkviewer, but I can't see a search feature right now.
Reine, can you check through past comments of Charles'? It seems I remember he told some one how to try to do it recently, maybe Thanos?
701 | prairiefire Fri, Apr 23, 2010 10:42:53am |
702 | What, me worry? Fri, Apr 23, 2010 10:43:59am |
re: #699 reine.de.tout
OK. In linkviewer, on the right side, there's a "filter" field (underneath the ad).
type in the person's user name there, and select the date range.
Thanks, Reine! But I'm not finding it :( When you say "linkviewer" you mean, when you "show" the linkviewer from inside the post? Or you mean where it says "sponsored links". The Sponsored Link search goes out to google.
703 | prairiefire Fri, Apr 23, 2010 10:45:30am |
re: #603 Stanley Sea
Cliff, you here? Jay Mohr on the smackoff right now.
You can see how I thought you were a guy.
705 | BARACK THE VOTE Fri, Apr 23, 2010 10:49:47am |
The Party of Fail:
GOP newsletter: ‘Let’s take Betty Sutton out of the House and put her back in the kitchen.’
The Medina County Republican Party in Medina, OH has put out a Spring 2010 edition of its newsletter titled the “Republican Review” that urges supporters to “slow the pace of President Obama’s slippery slide down the slippery slope toward a more socialistic society.” The newsletter names several Democrats that should be defeated and includes a sexist swipe at Rep. Betty Sutton (D-OH) {...}
This sexist belief that women don’t belong in the workforce is similar to a National Republican Congressional Committee press release that said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) needs to be “put in her place” for expressing certain views on the war in Afghanistan. As Pelosi later responded, “I’m in my place. I’m the speaker of the House — the first woman speaker of the House.” (HT: Jamison Foser)
Maybe the GOP there can start snazzing up their newsletters with suggestions that women shouldn't have the right to vote, either, like Coulter and whatshisname last week. Hyuck.
706 | charlz Fri, Apr 23, 2010 10:51:00am |
apropos of nothing
The "Real Fact" #758 from my Snapple Ice Tea bottle-cap today says:
"The only lizard that has a voice is the gecko."
707 | reine.de.tout Fri, Apr 23, 2010 10:51:58am |
re: #702 marjoriemoon
Thanks, Reine! But I'm not finding it :( When you say "linkviewer" you mean, when you "show" the linkviewer from inside the post? Or you mean where it says "sponsored links". The Sponsored Link search goes out to google.
Go to "linkviewer" under the "tools and info" in the left hand of this page.
That gives you the version of linkviewer where you can search (again, that search will be on the RIGHT side of the linkviewer page).
708 | Cannadian Club Akbar Fri, Apr 23, 2010 10:52:10am |
re: #705 iceweasel
I don't mind if ya'll vote, but we really need to talk about your driving.
///
709 | wrenchwench Fri, Apr 23, 2010 10:52:22am |
re: #706 charlz
apropos of nothing
The "Real Fact" #758 from my Snapple Ice Tea bottle-cap today says:
"The only lizard that has a voice is the gecko."
This site proves that wrong!
710 | What, me worry? Fri, Apr 23, 2010 10:54:46am |
re: #705 iceweasel
The Party of Fail:
GOP newsletter: ‘Let’s take Betty Sutton out of the House and put her back in the kitchen.’
Maybe the GOP there can start snazzing up their newsletters with suggestions that women shouldn't have the right to vote, either, like Coulter and whatshisname last week. Hyuck.
I find it hard to believe that anyone still feels women should be in the kitchen, barefoot and pregnant. After some 30 odd years, I'd give anything to stop working. Unfortunately, I'm not terribly domestic...
711 | What, me worry? Fri, Apr 23, 2010 10:55:21am |
re: #707 reine.de.tout
Go to "linkviewer" under the "tools and info" in the left hand of this page.
That gives you the version of linkviewer where you can search (again, that search will be on the RIGHT side of the linkviewer page).
Got it. I was looking from inside the post instead of going to the Tools.
712 | Mad Al-Jaffee Fri, Apr 23, 2010 10:55:28am |
"I would never let a woman kick my ass. If she tried something, I'd be like, HEY! You get your bitch ass back in the kitchen and make me some pie!"
-Eric Cartman
713 | reine.de.tout Fri, Apr 23, 2010 10:55:40am |
re: #701 prairiefire
re: #700 prairiefire
Thanks, Reine!
Thanks be to God the LA platform has not leaked oil yet!
There was some leakage, but a manageable level I think.
That stuff sits on top of the water an eventually evaporates. We just hope it evaporates before it reaches a beach somewhere.
My husband's company lost an employee in that explosion; and a HS friend of mine knows another of the "missing" employees whose wife is expected to give birth next month.
Some of the injuries are horrific; bad burns, skull fractures and broken bones coming through the skin.
Just a horrible situation. Those of you who are of a mind to pray, please keep these families in your prayers.
714 | b_snark Fri, Apr 23, 2010 10:56:34am |
re: #661 cliffster
Yeah that's one benefit of talking to people over the internet. I don't give a damn whether you shower or not.
Your system doesn't have smell-o-vision?
715 | Feline Emperor of the Conservative Tears Fri, Apr 23, 2010 10:56:48am |
re: #710 marjoriemoon
I find it hard to believe that anyone still feels women should be in the kitchen, barefoot and pregnant. After some 30 odd years, I'd give anything to stop working. Unfortunately, I'm not terribly domestic...
I think there are certain behavioral conditions that they would wish to impose in addition to a concentration on domestic duties...
716 | Feline Emperor of the Conservative Tears Fri, Apr 23, 2010 10:58:30am |
re: #713 reine.de.tout
Didn't you comment the other day that your husband considered that platform a disaster waiting to happen? Care to elaborate on that statement, or was it simply an impression about how the platform was being run?
717 | Stanghazi Fri, Apr 23, 2010 11:00:08am |
re: #713 reine.de.tout
There was some leakage, but a manageable level I think.
That stuff sits on top of the water an eventually evaporates. We just hope it evaporates before it reaches a beach somewhere.My husband's company lost an employee in that explosion; and a HS friend of mine knows another of the "missing" employees whose wife is expected to give birth next month.
Some of the injuries are horrific; bad burns, skull fractures and broken bones coming through the skin.
Just a horrible situation. Those of you who are of a mind to pray, please keep these families in your prayers.
In my thoughts. Tragic.
718 | reine.de.tout Fri, Apr 23, 2010 11:00:37am |
re: #716 oaktree
Didn't you comment the other day that your husband considered that platform a disaster waiting to happen? Care to elaborate on that statement, or was it simply an impression about how the platform was being run?
There is one he thinks is a disaster waiting to happen.
This was not it.
719 | What, me worry? Fri, Apr 23, 2010 11:00:52am |
re: #715 oaktree
I think there are certain behavioral conditions that they would wish to impose in addition to a concentration on domestic duties...
At that point, I would be living alone. Thank goodness my husband is a feminist. He really hates that term, too. I like to piss him off and call him a feminist. He uses the term "humanist." Actually I find that pretty impressive.
720 | Feline Emperor of the Conservative Tears Fri, Apr 23, 2010 11:03:25am |
re: #718 reine.de.tout
Thanks for the clarification.
721 | What, me worry? Fri, Apr 23, 2010 11:03:33am |
re: #713 reine.de.tout
I can't think of anything worse than a burn. Takes a long time to heal and is so incredibly painful. How awful!
722 | Fat Bastard Vegetarian Fri, Apr 23, 2010 11:20:13am |
re: #492 Aceofwhat?
Just don't ask something hard...I'll disappoint the hell out of ya...
723 | Dr. Shalit Fri, Apr 23, 2010 6:07:46pm |
re: #103 Gus 802
Gus 802 -
By (King) George (III) -
You "GOT IT" - By the bedraggled Monarch - as he is to the USA. George III was MORE Anti-Slavery than George Washington while he lived. As WERE the Confederates LESS Anti-Semetic than the Union in thee early days of the US Civil War - after all - Judah P. Benjamin was Attorney General of the CSA, and a "Helluvah" Barrister in England AFTER The WAR - The Union HAD NO PARALLEL PERSON! And Yet - Jews were considered to be the "Best Republicans" after the Civil War. Think on that! That is all. - S-