1 Mocking Jay  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 7:13:57pm

Am I the only one who thought something really dirty upon seeing the title of this post?

2 Dark_Falcon  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 7:14:32pm

"THE NBA IS SENDING OUT ITS STARS TO POISON AMERICANS!!1 BUY SURVIVAL RATIONZ!!1"

/Glenn Beck

3 brookly red  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 7:14:39pm

bigger budget, bigger explosions, can you dig it?

4 Jadespring  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 7:14:46pm

re: #1 JasonA

Am I the only one who thought something really dirty upon seeing the title of this post?

Please explain what you thought of. In detail please.

5 zora  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 7:15:17pm

re: #1 JasonA

i knew it was wishful thinking on my part.

6 Dark_Falcon  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 7:16:11pm

The problem I have with this idea is that "Black Mamba" is already taken: It was the codename of Uma Thurmans's revenge-seeking assassin in "Kill Bill".

7 Mocking Jay  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 7:16:34pm

re: #4 Jadespring

Please explain what you thought of. In detail please.

Stop trying to get me banned.

8 jaunte  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 7:17:06pm

Kobe "Black Mamba" Bryant (6' 6")
vs.
Danny 'The Crippler' Trejo, (5' 7")

9 Dark_Falcon  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 7:17:14pm

re: #3 brookly red

bigger budget, bigger explosions, can you dig it?

You gotta do that last bit with a Shaft angle. ;)

10 Digital Display  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 7:17:32pm

Kobe is one of the top 10 players of all time...

11 Jadespring  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 7:17:40pm

re: #7 JasonA

Stop trying to get me banned.

:D

12 brookly red  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 7:18:16pm

you know, that was kinda stupid and all...

13 Our Precious Bodily Fluids  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 7:21:54pm

Robert Rodriguez films always seem to me like a torturously extended TV commercial. When I watch his stuff I always find myself anticipating The Big Pay-off wherein we learn that Coke Is It and boy is it ever refreshing.

14 MittDoesNotCompute  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 7:22:27pm

re: #1 JasonA

Am I the only one who thought something really dirty upon seeing the title of this post?

That's OK...when I see "Black Mamba" in reference to Kobe, I can't help but think of the "me love you long time" sequence from Full Metal Jacket...

15 brookly red  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 7:22:33pm

re: #9 Dark_Falcon

You gotta do that last bit with a Shaft angle. ;)

/old fart.

16 engineer cat  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 7:23:18pm

i refuse to cooperate with any political parties or government entities as long as they're in the hands of humans

17 freetoken  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 7:24:15pm

Blaxploitation ... now a wholly owned subsidiary of Nike.

18 Our Precious Bodily Fluids  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 7:24:20pm

re: #4 Jadespring

Please explain what you thought of. In detail please.

ಠ_ಠ

19 Dark_Falcon  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 7:24:31pm

re: #13 negativ

Robert Rodriguez films always seem to me like a torturously extended TV commercial. When I watch his stuff I always find myself anticipating The Big Pay-off wherein we learn that Coke Is It and boy is it ever refreshing.

It's part of the whole campiness he cultivates. It's also why we complemented Quintin Tarantino so well with Grindhouse.

20 brookly red  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 7:24:56pm

re: #14 talon_262

That's OK...when I see "Black Mamba" in reference to Kobe, I can't help but think of the "me love you long time" sequence from Full Metal Jacket...

well just for the record, a Mamba is a breed of tree dwelling snake...

21 theheat  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 7:25:13pm

Terrier! This is now officially a perfect video.

22 Dark_Falcon  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 7:26:38pm

re: #20 brookly red

well just for the record, a Mamba is a breed of tree dwelling snake...

Black Mambas are actually ground dwellers. Its the Green Mamba that lives in trees. I hear Rodriguez is trying to sign Al Gore for that role. :D

23 brookly red  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 7:26:53pm

re: #17 freetoken

Blaxploitation ... now a wholly owned subsidiary of Nike.

was it Nike that tried to name a sneaker "Incubus" ? I think it was...

24 Mocking Jay  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 7:27:53pm

re: #22 Dark_Falcon

Black Mambas are actually ground dwellers. Its the Green Mamba that lives in trees. I hear Rodriguez is trying to sign Al Gore for that role. :D

If this were The Gong Show you would be done, my friend.

25 brookly red  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 7:27:59pm

re: #22 Dark_Falcon

Black Mambas are actually ground dwellers. Its the Green Mamba that lives in trees. I hear Rodriguez is trying to sign Al Gore for that role. :D

Bravo.

26 freetoken  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 7:28:05pm

re: #23 brookly red

was it Nike that tried to name a sneaker "Incubus" ? I think it was...

[Link: www.snopes.com...]

27 Killgore Trout  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 7:29:33pm

Everybody likes beer....
In Madison, two sides in bitter fight agree over beers

When the two sides in Wisconsin's bitter battle over the future of the state's unionized public employees converged on the Capitol on Saturday for dueling rallies, the fear was trouble would break out.

Instead, the day was marked by a surprising civility when the shouting stopped and the one-on-one conversations began.

28 Our Precious Bodily Fluids  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 7:29:42pm

re: #19 Dark_Falcon

It's part of the whole campiness he cultivates. It's also why we complemented Quintin Tarantino so well with Grindhouse.

But Death Proof was 937 million times better than Planet Terror.

If you do not agree, I will FIGHT you. I've got Jack Douglas (left fist) and Robert James Davis (right fist) in wait in case you need a tune-up.

29 palomino  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 7:30:42pm

One minor gripe: in one of the mini-trailers I saw for Black Mamba, Kobe is referred to as the "NBA's best player." Well, it's not 2007 any more, and if you know hoops you know LBJ is the best, and it's really not even close. Nobody else can do everything on court like Lebron.

In the two previous seasons, the Cavs (with Lebron) had the league's best record. Now the Cavs are the NBA's worst team, setting records for futility. Even if LBJ may not be your cup of tea, enjoy his hoops brilliance--it only comes along once or twice per generation.

30 brookly red  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 7:30:58pm

re: #26 freetoken

[Link: www.snopes.com...]

could you have not just said, "no it was Rebock" without making me read all that shit?

31 Mocking Jay  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 7:31:07pm

re: #23 brookly red

was it Nike that tried to name a sneaker "Incubus" ? I think it was...

re: #26 freetoken

[Link: www.snopes.com...]

Slap that name on a band and you've got gold, though.

32 Mocking Jay  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 7:31:39pm

re: #28 negativ

But Death Proof was 937 million times better than Planet Terror.

QFT.

33 Jadespring  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 7:32:59pm

re: #30 brookly red

could you have not just said, "no it was Rebock" without making me read all that shit?

It's good practice. Keeps your mind supple.

34 Dark_Falcon  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 7:33:11pm

re: #28 negativ

But Death Proof was 937 million times better than Planet Terror.

If you do not agree, I will FIGHT you. I've got Jack Douglas (left fist) and Robert James Davis (right fist) in wait in case you need a tune-up.

You don't need your fists, since I'd agree without any coercion that Death Proof was better. Heck, it wins just because it lets "Kurt Russell get to be a badass" (Tarantino's words).

35 brookly red  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 7:33:59pm

re: #33 Jadespring

It's good practice. Keeps your mind supple.

/I got your supple right here

36 Jadespring  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 7:35:23pm

re: #35 brookly red

/I got your supple right here

Give it back!

37 Dark_Falcon  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 7:35:24pm

re: #27 Killgore Trout

Everybody likes beer...
In Madison, two sides in bitter fight agree over beers

Well what do you expect from Cheeseheads?

/kidding, from a Bears fan

38 SanFranciscoZionist  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 7:35:27pm

Can I just say that I LOVE "In Plain Sight"?

"Stop yelling, or the neighbors will start to think we're poor white trash. Except for you, Raff, of course."

39 recusancy  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 7:35:34pm

re: #17 freetoken

Blaxploitation ... now a wholly owned subsidiary of Nike.

How is this blaxploitation?

40 NJDhockeyfan  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 7:36:07pm

Evening lizards from a very windy part of central Virginia.

41 brookly red  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 7:37:17pm

so I am guessing without the celebrity endorsement a pair of sneakers made in Malaysia should cost about 6 bucks?

42 Dark_Falcon  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 7:37:32pm

re: #38 SanFranciscoZionist

Can I just say that I LOVE "In Plain Sight"?

"Stop yelling, or the neighbors will start to think we're poor white trash. Except for you, Raff, of course."

It's not on the air right now, so i assume you got a DVD. I like the show, too. Though with his encyclopedic persona, Marshal Mann reminds me of a laid-back version of me.

43 brookly red  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 7:38:02pm

re: #39 recusancy

How is this blaxploitation?

it had black people in it?

44 Page 3 in the Binder of Women  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 7:38:23pm

That was epic Charles!

K O B E E E E E E

45 compound idaho  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 7:38:40pm

Don't care for basketball. Football is over. No baseball yet. Still a foot of snow on the ground. aaargh!

46 Digital Display  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 7:39:19pm

re: #29 palomino

One minor gripe: in one of the mini-trailers I saw for Black Mamba, Kobe is referred to as the "NBA's best player." Well, it's not 2007 any more, and if you know hoops you know LBJ is the best, and it's really not even close. Nobody else can do everything on court like Lebron.

In the two previous seasons, the Cavs (with Lebron) had the league's best record. Now the Cavs are the NBA's worst team, setting records for futility. Even if LBJ may not be your cup of tea, enjoy his hoops brilliance--it only comes along once or twice per generation.


Oh for gawds sake..How many rings does king James have? Zero...Period..end of discussion..He is a great power foward/Guard.. He has never won a fucking thing and won't win anything this year...LOL

47 Our Precious Bodily Fluids  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 7:39:26pm

re: #34 Dark_Falcon

You don't need your fists, since I'd agree without any coercion that Death Proof was better. Heck, it wins just because it lets "Kurt Russell get to be a badass" (Tarantino's words).

ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK

That is all.

48 Dark_Falcon  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 7:40:34pm

re: #47 negativ

ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK

That is all.

No more needs to be said.

49 MittDoesNotCompute  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 7:40:35pm

re: #47 negativ

ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK

That is all.

Just don't ever mention Escape from L.A.

Fuuuuuuccc....

50 brookly red  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 7:41:46pm

re: #49 talon_262

Just don't ever mention Escape from L.A.

Fuuuccc...

unless of course you are running a business...

51 Dancing along the light of day  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 7:42:13pm

And, Kobe is really kind, and appreciative to his fans.
He signed an autograph at the local KFC.
Yes, KFC, and he was NICE.

52 Page 3 in the Binder of Women  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 7:42:36pm

re: #46 HoosierHoops

Oh for gawds sake..How many rings does king James have? Zero...Period..end of discussion..He is a great power foward/Guard.. He has never won a fucking thing and won't win anything this year...LOL

Speak it Hoops!

53 Dark_Falcon  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 7:43:06pm

re: #49 talon_262

Just don't ever mention Escape from L.A.

Fuuuccc...

I dunno. I thought that both "Escape" movies were good.

54 Dancing along the light of day  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 7:43:29pm

re: #46 HoosierHoops

LOL!

55 freetoken  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 7:43:43pm

re: #30 brookly red

could you have not just said, "no it was Rebock" without making me read all that shit?

Education is good for you, no matter what the Tea Partying Republicans believe about it.

56 Mocking Jay  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 7:45:16pm

re: #47 negativ

ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK

That is all.

I counter with "The Thing."

57 Dancing along the light of day  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 7:45:58pm

re: #56 JasonA

I counter with "The Thing."

Creature from the black lagoon.

58 NJDhockeyfan  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 7:46:32pm

re: #45 compound idaho

Don't care for basketball. Football is over. No baseball yet. Still a foot of snow on the ground. aaargh!

I lost interest in the NBA after Michael Jordan left. Baseball is right around the corner. Go Cubs!

59 brookly red  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 7:46:45pm

re: #55 freetoken

Education is good for you, no matter what the Tea Partying Republicans believe about it.

Gee, your right. Please address me as Professor because I worked hard for my Degrees.

60 Mocking Jay  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 7:46:49pm

re: #57 Floral Giraffe

Creature from the black lagoon.

Kurt Russell was in that?

61 palomino  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 7:47:06pm

re: #46 HoosierHoops

Oh for gawds sake..How many rings does king James have? Zero...Period..end of discussion..He is a great power foward/Guard.. He has never won a fucking thing and won't win anything this year...LOL

He's got as many rings as MJ had at this point in his career.

Nobody else scores, rebounds and passes like LBJ. Nobody...period...end of discussion. He deserves the MVP again this year, but won't get it because he finally has talent around him.

The Cavs lost him and suddenly become one of the worst teams in history. Surrounded by all that shitty dead weight in Cleveland, even Russell or Wilt in their primes couldn't have won a title.

Wouldn't count them out this year, the Lakers and Celtics are showing their age. Spurs and Mavs ain't exactly young either. Even if they don't win title this year, the Heat have multiple rings in their near future.

62 Dancing along the light of day  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 7:48:53pm

Planet nine from outerspace.re: #60 JasonA

Kurt Russell was in that?

Um, no.

But you can see it here..
[Link: www.imdb.com...]

63 Jadespring  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 7:48:59pm

re: #59 brookly red

Gee, your right. Please address me as Professor because I worked hard for my Degrees.

Basket weaving?

64 zora  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 7:49:07pm

re: #56 JasonA

I counter with "The Thing."

there's no ass kicking, but i really liked him in overboard.

65 Page 3 in the Binder of Women  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 7:49:25pm

re: #55 freetoken

Education is good for you, no matter what the Tea Partying Republicans believe about it.

I am still laughing at the bagger sign @ today's rally

"YOUR FIRED"

epic

66 Dancing along the light of day  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 7:49:46pm

re: #46 HoosierHoops

He doesn't need to win any awards.
He has rocked them all.
Hope you are well?

67 Gus  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 7:50:29pm

That's Danny Trejo who was in Machete that the wingnuts had another brainfart over the "amnesty" theme.

68 compound idaho  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 7:50:37pm

re: #58 NJDhockeyfan

I lost interest in the NBA after Michael Jordan left. Baseball is right around the corner. Go Cubs!

I really do love baseball. When I hear the Baseball Tonight jingle, I feel warm all over. Go Braves!

69 NJDhockeyfan  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 7:51:18pm

re: #65 Stanley Sea

I am still laughing at the bagger sign @ today's rally

"YOUR FIRED"

epic

I have missed all the news pretty much all week. WTF is a 'bagger sign'?

70 SanFranciscoZionist  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 7:51:23pm

re: #42 Dark_Falcon

It's not on the air right now, so i assume you got a DVD. I like the show, too. Though with his encyclopedic persona, Marshal Mann reminds me of a laid-back version of me.

Netflix. And there are far worse people than Marshal Marshal to see yourself in.

;)

71 palomino  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 7:51:25pm

re: #67 Gus 802

That's Danny Trejo who was in Machete that the wingnuts had another brainfart over the "amnesty" theme.

Xenophobes grasping desperately at something to be outraged over.

72 Jadespring  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 7:51:41pm

re: #65 Stanley Sea

I am still laughing at the bagger sign @ today's rally

"YOUR FIRED"

epic

I mix up you're and your all the time. I think the difference must be that I know I've done it when I read it again.

Sucks when you don't have an edit button though.

73 Digital Display  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 7:52:08pm

re: #61 palomino

He's got as many rings as MJ had at this point in his career.

Nobody else scores, rebounds and passes like LBJ. Nobody...period...end of discussion. He deserves the MVP again this year, but won't get it because he finally has talent around him.

The Cavs lost him and suddenly become one of the worst teams in history. Surrounded by all that shitty dead weight in Cleveland, even Russell or Wilt in their primes couldn't have won a title.

Wouldn't count them out this year, the Lakers and Celtics are showing their age. Spurs and Mavs ain't exactly young either. Even if they don't win title this year, the Heat have multiple rings in their near future.

I like your passion my friend for Basketball...
Regards

74 Gus  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 7:52:12pm

re: #71 palomino

Xenophobes grasping desperately at something to be outraged over.

They're always peeing on themselves about something.

75 brookly red  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 7:52:41pm

re: #63 Jadespring

Basket weaving?

Why is it that you have such contempt for others?

76 Page 3 in the Binder of Women  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 7:54:05pm

re: #69 NJDhockeyfan

I have missed all the news pretty much all week. WTF is a 'bagger sign'?

Tea Party slur. :)

77 Only The Lurker Knows  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 7:54:12pm

Evening Lizards. While that wasn't the first 6 minutes of my life wasted, It was still a waste. Now a question. Is anyone logged in that can give a opinion on Windows XP Pro (32 bit) V Windows 7 (64 bit). I bought this system this morning.

Should I stay with XP or move up to W-7

78 Jadespring  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 7:54:26pm

re: #75 brookly red

Why is it that you have such contempt for others?

I don't. It was a joke. If it was contempt I wouldn't bother saying anything at all.

79 palomino  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 7:55:09pm

re: #74 Gus 802

They're always peeing on themselves about something.

Ditto to you.

LBJ's not the nicest guy, but his total package skills don't come along often.

80 brookly red  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 7:56:08pm

re: #78 Jadespring

I don't. It was a joke. If it was contempt I wouldn't bother saying anything at all.

OK, I will buy that... but pardon me if I don't laugh?

81 Our Precious Bodily Fluids  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 7:57:26pm

Speaking of Kurt Russel, my understanding is that some bunch of assholes has decided to remake THE THING. This cannot stand.

But Hollywood is run by tin-eared, graph paper-brained accountants, rather than film nerds. And this is one explanation why American film is destined to be shitty for years to come.

82 NJDhockeyfan  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 7:58:27pm

re: #76 Stanley Sea

Tea Party slur. :)

Oh, I just can't seem to keep up with the latest childish name calling since I've been back to work. I don't miss the six months I had off. I feel like I'm accomplishing something again.

83 brookly red  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 7:58:59pm

re: #81 negativ

Speaking of Kurt Russel, my understanding is that some bunch of assholes has decided to remake THE THING. This cannot stand.

But Hollywood is run by tin-eared, graph paper-brained accountantsliberals , rather than film nerds. And this is one explanation why American film is destined to be shitty for years to come.

fify ;)

84 Gus  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 8:01:56pm

re: #77 Bubblehead II

Evening Lizards. While that wasn't the first 6 minutes of my life wasted, It was still a waste. Now a question. Is anyone logged in that can give a opinion on Windows XP Pro (32 bit) V Windows 7 (64 bit). I bought this system this morning.

Should I stay with XP or move up to W-7

I don't know but you might want to read this:

List of limitations in 64-Bit Windows

Might have conflicts with 32 bit programs. Check compatibility.

85 Dark_Falcon  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 8:04:11pm

re: #67 Gus 802

That's Danny Trejo who was in Machete that the wingnuts had another brainfart over the "amnesty" theme.

Actually, Robert Rodriguez used used Arizona S.B. 1087 to frame a trailer for that movie, in which Machete inform "the People of Arizona that they just fucked with the wrong Mexican". Fairly clever and designed to provoke.

86 recusancy  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 8:04:16pm

re: #77 Bubblehead II

Evening Lizards. While that wasn't the first 6 minutes of my life wasted, It was still a waste. Now a question. Is anyone logged in that can give a opinion on Windows XP Pro (32 bit) V Windows 7 (64 bit). I bought this system this morning.

Should I stay with XP or move up to W-7

Move to 7

87 Only The Lurker Knows  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 8:05:01pm

re: #84 Gus 802

Thanks.

88 Gus  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 8:05:38pm

re: #87 Bubblehead II

Thanks.

Do you have any 32 bit programs you might want to install?

89 brookly red  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 8:05:43pm

re: #77 Bubblehead II

Evening Lizards. While that wasn't the first 6 minutes of my life wasted, It was still a waste. Now a question. Is anyone logged in that can give a opinion on Windows XP Pro (32 bit) V Windows 7 (64 bit). I bought this system this morning.

Should I stay with XP or move up to W-7

Mac, Mac, Mac... if you got the money buy the honey.

90 recusancy  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 8:06:52pm

re: #88 Gus 802

Do you have any 32 bit programs you might want to install?

You can install 32bit programs on a 64bit machine.

91 Mocking Jay  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 8:06:59pm

re: #89 brookly red

Mac, Mac, Mac... if you got the money buy the honey.

Macs are a waste of money unless you really need one, imho.

92 brookly red  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 8:07:40pm

re: #82 NJDhockeyfan

Oh, I just can't seem to keep up with the latest childish name calling since I've been back to work. I don't miss the six months I had off. I feel like I'm accomplishing something again.

don't worry, the latest childish name calling has time to catch up with you.

93 Our Precious Bodily Fluids  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 8:09:00pm

re: #83 brookly red

fify ;)

Is Citizen Kane liberal propaganda, or conservative propaganda? What about One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest?

94 jaunte  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 8:09:37pm

re: #93 negativ

Which one had more explosions?

95 brookly red  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 8:09:40pm

re: #91 JasonA

Macs are a waste of money unless you really need one, imho.

well actually computers are a waste of money cause it's all about clouds now...

96 Mocking Jay  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 8:10:29pm

re: #95 brookly red

well actually computers are a waste of money cause it's all about clouds now...

Still need one to access the cloud, though...

97 Dark_Falcon  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 8:10:35pm

re: #93 negativ

Is Citizen Kane liberal propaganda, or conservative propaganda? What about One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest?

Neither, it's Orson Wells fictionalized shot at William Randolph Hearst.

98 theheat  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 8:10:36pm

re: #81 negativ

I saw THE THING (w/Russell) in the theater when it was first released and was wowed for hours afterwards. To rehash it with some newer hipper ickier tabloid stars and a weakass plot is an insult.

Id' rather a new zombie movie.

99 NJDhockeyfan  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 8:11:14pm

re: #90 recusancy

You can install 32bit programs on a 64bit machine.

Not always. It depends on the program. I have XP64 on my desktop and had a hell of a time finding software after I installed it. Some work great and others wont install. Window 7 64 bit, however, does have more software available.

100 jaunte  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 8:11:21pm

movie tweet:

James Urbaniak
Raining in L.A. just like Blade Runner predicted.
101 brookly red  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 8:11:22pm

re: #93 negativ

Is Citizen Kane liberal propaganda, or conservative propaganda? What about One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest?

./Nurse! get me some Thorazine and give security a heads up...

102 recusancy  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 8:11:23pm

re: #95 brookly red

well actually computers are a waste of money cause it's all about clouds now...

The cloud aka the internet.

103 Dark_Falcon  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 8:11:36pm

re: #96 JasonA

Still need one to access the cloud, though...

It's also a good idea to have some storage space that you physically control.

104 theheat  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 8:11:55pm

re: #97 Dark_Falcon

You nailed it. We studied that movie in depth for a couple weeks in film school.

Rosebud.

105 NJDhockeyfan  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 8:12:10pm

re: #92 brookly red

don't worry, the latest childish name calling has time to catch up with you.

LOL. I don't get to spend as much time on here as I used to.

106 Killgore Trout  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 8:12:11pm

American History X


Namaste, Y'all
107 compound idaho  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 8:13:12pm

re: #89 brookly red

Lefty Frizzell - If You've Got The Money Honey

...... if you like the classics

108 Jadespring  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 8:13:38pm

re: #98 theheat

I saw THE THING (w/Russell) in the theater when it was first released and was wowed for hours afterwards. To rehash it with some newer hipper ickier tabloid stars and a weakass plot is an insult.

Id' rather a new zombie movie.

I have a friend who does some work with Russel when he's in the area. I've been trying to convince him to bring me on as a temp employee (I'd even work for free) during those times.

No luck yet. :( :)

109 Mocking Jay  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 8:13:48pm

re: #103 Dark_Falcon

It's also a good idea to have some storage space that you physically control.

Yeah, I'm all for cloud computing. With a good terabyte backup just in case.

110 brookly red  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 8:14:11pm

re: #102 recusancy

The cloud aka the internet.

kinda different and I see some security issues, but overall I like it...

111 Mocking Jay  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 8:14:58pm

re: #98 theheat

I saw THE THING (w/Russell) in the theater when it was first released and was wowed for hours afterwards. To rehash it with some newer hipper ickier tabloid stars and a weakass plot is an insult.

Id' rather a new zombie movie.

Possibly the most brilliant horror movie ever. How he deals with the computer when it's about to beat him in chess tells you all you need to know...

112 Only The Lurker Knows  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 8:15:32pm

re: #88 Gus 802

Unsure. I am going to have to look at all of them. None are mission critical.

113 Only The Lurker Knows  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 8:16:54pm

re: #89 brookly red

Mac, Mac, Mac... if you got the money buy the honey.

Not going to happen. Apple is the forbidden fruit.

/You should know that. :-)

114 SanFranciscoZionist  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 8:17:27pm

re: #93 negativ

Is Citizen Kane liberal propaganda, or conservative propaganda? What about One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest?

IIRC, Michael Medved has a whole rant about how One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest is, in fact, liberal propaganda. I don't know what he has to say about Citizen Kane, but I'm willing to bet that it's liberal propaganda too.

115 brookly red  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 8:19:17pm

re: #105 NJDhockeyfan

LOL. I don't get to spend as much time on here as I used to.

ROI, is a bitch.

116 theheat  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 8:20:27pm

re: #114 SanFranciscoZionist

Clearly, offing the main character with a pillow was pro euthanasia. (Liberal.)
//

117 NJDhockeyfan  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 8:20:42pm

re: #113 Bubblehead II

Not going to happen. Apple is the forbidden fruit.

/You should know that. :-)

I replaced our Blackberries with iPhones at Christmas. I am so addicted to it. Work then switched out my old fashioned cell phone with a Blackberry in January. It continues to remind me why I got rid of mine.

118 Our Precious Bodily Fluids  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 8:22:18pm

re: #97 Dark_Falcon

Neither, it's Orson Wells fictionalized shot at William Randolph Hearst.

The sky can sometimes be perceived as predominantly blue.

119 William Barnett-Lewis  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 8:24:44pm

re: #77 Bubblehead II

Evening Lizards. While that wasn't the first 6 minutes of my life wasted, It was still a waste. Now a question. Is anyone logged in that can give a opinion on Windows XP Pro (32 bit) V Windows 7 (64 bit). I bought this system this morning.

Should I stay with XP or move up to W-7

Find out if you can run Mac OS X on the hardware first. If so, you're golden. If not, move up to 7 as it is better than both XP & Vista & almost as good as W2k was.

120 Gus  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 8:27:08pm

re: #114 SanFranciscoZionist

IIRC, Michael Medved has a whole rant about how One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest is, in fact, liberal propaganda. I don't know what he has to say about Citizen Kane, but I'm willing to bet that it's liberal propaganda too.

Yes, yes. The old argument about portraying "crazy people" as normal and all of the "normal people" as crazy. The ones about mainstreaming and releasing once institutionalized people onto the streets. Much of which was done. So the liberals played a role in the mainstreaming and closing of institutions while the conservatives defunded mental health programs and clinics. In many cases prisons have become the new institutions for the mentally ill.

121 Big Joe  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 8:27:19pm

re: #77 Bubblehead II

Evening Lizards. While that wasn't the first 6 minutes of my life wasted, It was still a waste. Now a question. Is anyone logged in that can give a opinion on Windows XP Pro (32 bit) V Windows 7 (64 bit). I bought this system this morning.

Should I stay with XP or move up to W-7

Windows 7 64 bit for sure That's a relatively powerful system, it will make good use of it.

122 brookly red  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 8:29:00pm

re: #119 wlewisiii

Find out if you can run Mac OS X on the hardware first. If so, you're golden. If not, move up to 7 as it is better than both XP & Vista & almost as good as W2k was.

Vista was a train wreck, people should be jailed for that but I won't hold my breath waiting.

123 Dark_Falcon  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 8:29:17pm

re: #118 negativ

The sky can sometimes be perceived as predominantly blue.

Eh?

124 theheat  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 8:29:33pm

re: #120 Gus 802

In many cases prisons have become the new institutions for the mentally ill.

And the danger of privatizing those prisons and revisiting the horrors and inhumane conditions of prisons and institutions of long ago is something the GOPs are fighting for.

125 NJDhockeyfan  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 8:31:23pm

re: #122 brookly red

Vista was a train wreck, people should be jailed for that but I won't hold my breath waiting.

Vista is on my laptop and it's never failed me. I have no complaints so far.

126 Firstinla  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 8:31:48pm

re: #117 NJDhockeyfan

I hated my Blackberry. I fell for the "gotta have the latest (fill in the blank)". My problem is simple: general ignorance of technology. I was born 50 years to early.

127 brookly red  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 8:31:50pm

re: #120 Gus 802

Yes, yes. The old argument about portraying "crazy people" as normal and all of the "normal people" as crazy. The ones about mainstreaming and releasing once institutionalized people onto the streets. Much of which was done. So the liberals played a role in the mainstreaming and closing of institutions while the conservatives defunded mental health programs and clinics. In many cases prisons have become the new institutions for the mentally ill.

well yes and no... there is the before & after thing to consider.

128 Only The Lurker Knows  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 8:32:55pm

re: #117 NJDhockeyfan

I replaced our Blackberries with iPhones at Christmas. I am so addicted to it. Work then switched out my old fashioned cell phone with a Blackberry in January. It continues to remind me why I got rid of mine.

/// You know you are going to burn in hell.

/// Apple = deal with the Devil/Satan/Evil Enity of Your Choice.

JMO

129 Gus  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 8:33:16pm

re: #124 theheat

And the danger of privatizing those prisons and revisiting the horrors and inhumane conditions of prisons and institutions of long ago is something the GOPs are fighting for.

Somehow I can't see them wanting to fund private mental institutions that would be made available to the public. Prisons yes since they're always touting "law and order".

130 brookly red  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 8:34:06pm

re: #125 NJDhockeyfan

Vista is on my laptop and it's never failed me. I have no complaints so far.

Some people do better than others. I am not a liberal so I don't hold your success against you.

131 NJDhockeyfan  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 8:34:52pm

re: #126 Firstinla

I hated my Blackberry. I fell for the "gotta have the latest (fill in the blank)". My problem is simple: general ignorance of technology. I was born 50 years to early.

I didn't like the buttons on my Curve. They aren't nearly as bad as the curvy ones on my new work Blackberry. I am having a hard time hitting the right keys.

132 NJDhockeyfan  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 8:36:45pm

re: #130 brookly red

Some people do better than others. I am not a liberal so I don't hold your success against you.

I shouldn't have posted that. I am expecting the blue screen of death any time now.

133 SanFranciscoZionist  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 8:37:02pm

re: #130 brookly red

Some people do better than others. I am not a liberal so I don't hold your success against you.

Oh, God, the temptation is so strong...must resist.

134 theheat  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 8:37:06pm

re: #129 Gus 802

Somehow I can't see them wanting to fund private mental institutions that would be made available to the public. Prisons yes since they're always touting "law and order".

Consider the mental institutions a convenient dumping ground for the crazy, inconvenient, abandoned, and severely retarded, and you could see its allure.

Personal responsibility only applies when it's convenient.

135 SanFranciscoZionist  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 8:37:35pm

re: #132 NJDhockeyfan

I shouldn't have posted that. I am expecting the blue screen of death any time now.

Spin around three times, and spit on the screen.

136 brookly red  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 8:38:12pm

re: #133 SanFranciscoZionist

Oh, God, the temptation is so strong...must resist.

Oh fucking please just do it already

137 Firstinla  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 8:39:02pm

re: #133 SanFranciscoZionist

Don't hold back...don't hold it in. Just let it go, just let it flow. Your posts are always enjoyable and enlightening.

138 brookly red  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 8:39:10pm

re: #135 SanFranciscoZionist

Spin around three times, and spit on the screen.

./Witch! witch! we got a witch!

139 SanFranciscoZionist  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 8:40:26pm

re: #136 brookly red

Oh fucking please just do it already

I was just going to snipe back that since you're not a liberal, you won't hold his success against him--unless of course, he's black, Latino, gay or female, in which case his success must have been the result of affirmative action on Vista's part.

But petty sniping only begets more petty sniping.

140 NJDhockeyfan  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 8:41:30pm

re: #138 brookly red

./Witch! witch! we got a witch!

If I put my laptop in the tub full of water and it sinks I will know Vista is not a witch.

141 Gus  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 8:41:33pm

re: #134 theheat

Consider the mental institutions a convenient dumping ground for the crazy, inconvenient, abandoned, and severely retarded, and you could see its allure.

Personal responsibility only applies when it's convenient.

Which is what has happened to many people with behavioral problems which leads to prison time. Law enforcement, judiciary, and the penal system are barely qualified to make a mental health evaluation. They don't want to evaluate people as having a mental illness because then it deprives them the ability to attain penal revenge.

142 NJDhockeyfan  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 8:42:40pm

re: #139 SanFranciscoZionist

I was just going to snipe back that since you're not a liberal, you won't hold his success against him--unless of course, he's black, Latino, gay or female, in which case his success must have been the result of affirmative action on Vista's part.

But petty sniping only begets more petty sniping.

I am not a black Latino gay female.

143 brookly red  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 8:43:05pm

re: #139 SanFranciscoZionist

I was just going to snipe back that since you're not a liberal, you won't hold his success against him--unless of course, he's black, Latino, gay or female, in which case his success must have been the result of affirmative action on Vista's part.

But petty sniping only begets more petty sniping.

no actually I believe in freedom for all people so take that BS and you know, where the sun don't shine :) OK no sniping

144 SanFranciscoZionist  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 8:43:08pm

re: #140 NJDhockeyfan

If I put my laptop in the tub full of water and it sinks I will know Vista is not a witch.

At least unplug it before performing this experiment.

Or, how about you just dab it with some holy water, and see if it sizzles?

145 Gus  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 8:43:31pm

And prisons will cause mental illnesses.

146 SanFranciscoZionist  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 8:43:47pm

re: #142 NJDhockeyfan

I am not a black Latino gay female.

So you say. On the Internet, anyone could be a black, Latina lesbian.

147 NJDhockeyfan  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 8:45:08pm

re: #144 SanFranciscoZionist

At least unplug it before performing this experiment.

Or, how about you just dab it with some holy water, and see if it sizzles?

I'm fresh out of holy water. How about some Jack Daniels?

148 theheat  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 8:45:29pm

re: #141 Gus 802

Years ago I volunteered at a mental hospital. One of the wards had a collection of deformed and severely retarded lumps of flesh in diapers, some too deformed and mentally retarded to even move off their beds.

People will always need somewhere to warehouse these people quietly, to spend the rest of their miserable lives out of sight and out of mind. They're not really prison candidates.

149 brookly red  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 8:45:33pm

re: #140 NJDhockeyfan

If I put my laptop in the tub full of water and it sinks I will know Vista is not a witch.

no... you need to get in the tub with it & stick your finger in the outlet.

150 NJDhockeyfan  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 8:46:12pm

re: #146 SanFranciscoZionist

So you say. On the Internet, anyone could be a black, Latina lesbian.

I only use that description on dating sites to pick up women. How did you know?

151 Gus  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 8:46:48pm

re: #148 theheat

Years ago I volunteered at a mental hospital. One of the wards had a collection of deformed and severely retarded lumps of flesh in diapers, some too deformed and mentally retarded to even move off their beds.

People will always need somewhere to warehouse these people quietly, to spend the rest of their miserable lives out of sight and out of mind. They're not really prison candidates.

Right. I'm not talking about people in that condition.

152 brookly red  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 8:46:57pm

re: #145 Gus 802

And prisons will cause mental illnesses.

/so will most jobs...

153 NJDhockeyfan  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 8:47:31pm

re: #149 brookly red

no... you need to get in the tub with it & stick your finger in the outlet.

My fingers are too big to fit in those little holes.
;)

154 SanFranciscoZionist  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 8:48:16pm

re: #147 NJDhockeyfan

I'm fresh out of holy water. How about some Jack Daniels?

Would a possessed laptop dislike Jack Daniels? Or appreciate it?

155 brookly red  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 8:49:00pm

re: #153 NJDhockeyfan

My fingers are too big to fit in those little holes.
;)

bless you you are saved!

156 brookly red  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 8:49:39pm

re: #154 SanFranciscoZionist

Would a possessed laptop dislike Jack Daniels? Or appreciate it?

Mac or PC?

157 theheat  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 8:50:29pm

re: #151 Gus 802

BTW, that was a state mental hospital. I can only imagine how a poorly regulated private hospital might deal with the same creatures.

158 compound idaho  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 8:50:43pm

re: #153 NJDhockeyfan

My fingers are too big to fit in those little holes.
;)

I hit some live 220V fixing the oven the other day. I am still alive. Threw out the oven.

159 brookly red  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 8:51:16pm

re: #150 NJDhockeyfan

I only use that description on dating sites to pick up women. How did you know?

so are you gonna come over & pick up your shit or what?

160 Dark_Falcon  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 8:51:52pm

re: #141 Gus 802

Which is what has happened to many people with behavioral problems which leads to prison time. Law enforcement, judiciary, and the penal system are barely qualified to make a mental health evaluation. They don't want to evaluate people as having a mental illness because then it deprives them the ability to attain penal revenge.

That's not all of it. The mental health system has been shrunk so much that there is chronic shortage of space. Hence, judges and cops are reluctant to label someone as mentally ill since the space shortage means they just get released without effective treatment. So often the mentally ill go to prison, as that is the only confinement where there is space available.

161 NJDhockeyfan  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 8:52:32pm

re: #159 brookly red

so are you gonna come over & pick up your shit or what?

Flush it.

162 brookly red  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 8:54:38pm

btw, sfz, lk u mr tn stanley but u r M like that.

163 Gus  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 8:54:48pm

re: #160 Dark_Falcon

That's not all of it. The mental health system has been shrunk so much that there is chronic shortage of space. Hence, judges and cops are reluctant to label someone as mentally ill since the space shortage means they just get released without effective treatment. So often the mentally ill go to prison, as that is the only confinement where there is space available.

Yeah. Anyway, I'm rambling.

164 NJDhockeyfan  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 8:55:00pm

re: #158 compound idaho

I hit some live 220V fixing the oven the other day. I am still alive. Threw out the oven.

I got a new oven from Sears last year 50% off. It's fucking awesome.

165 NJDhockeyfan  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 8:56:10pm

re: #156 brookly red

Mac or PC?

Toshiba, PC, Vista.

166 compound idaho  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 8:56:35pm

re: #164 NJDhockeyfan

I got a new oven from Sears last year 50% off. It's fucking awesome.

Make sure you unplug it before making any repairs.

167 Gus  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 8:57:18pm

Gonna watch some Hulu. Back later maybe.

168 brookly red  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 8:57:54pm

re: #165 NJDhockeyfan

Toshiba, PC, Vista.

holy water should do it... providing you are not signed in here.

169 NJDhockeyfan  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 8:57:57pm

re: #166 compound idaho

Make sure you unplug it before making any repairs.

Thanks for electrocuting yourself for the safety of the rest of us. Bless you my fellow lizard.

170 Eclectic Infidel  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 8:59:09pm

re: #167 Gus 802

Gonna watch some Hulu. Back later maybe.

I'm there right now. Taking a break from studies.

171 NJDhockeyfan  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 8:59:34pm

re: #168 brookly red

holy water should do it... providing you are not signed in here.

I'm out of holy water. Maybe I can use some moonshine in it's place. It looks like water.

172 SanFranciscoZionist  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 8:59:46pm

re: #162 brookly red

btw, sfz, lk u mr tn stanley but u r M like that.

Er...OK.

173 brookly red  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 9:00:18pm

re: #169 NJDhockeyfan

Thanks for electrocuting yourself for the safety of the rest of us. Bless you my fellow lizard.

If you can prove you are dead you can get 3.5 carbon credits...

just saying.

174 compound idaho  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 9:02:43pm

re: #173 brookly red

If you can prove you are dead you can get 3.5 carbon credits...

just saying.

Does my heart have to stop or does brain dead count?

175 NJDhockeyfan  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 9:02:56pm

re: #173 brookly red

If you can prove you are dead you can get 3.5 carbon credits...

just saying.

Can I get those carbon credits autographed by Manbearpig?

176 Gretchen G.Tiger  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 9:03:21pm

Ok,, I liked Black Mamba.

How is everyone this evening?

177 Talking Point Detective  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 9:04:02pm

New CPAC Chair says no to groups that support DADT repeal or marriage, guess Dick Cheney is out then

Organizations are not welcome to come to CPAC next year if they support DADT repeal (which rules out 80% of all Americans, including that CPAC hero Dick Cheney, among others) and if they support marriage equality (which rules out that CPAC hero Dick Cheney, among others). He did say that "gays" are welcome so long as they don't advocate gays in the military or marriage.

Looks like conservatives are placing all their bets that bigotry will carry them to electoral victory, because they're making it plenty clear that no one except Cristian, white, straight, socons and anti-government loons are welcome.

178 Gretchen G.Tiger  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 9:06:32pm

re: #177 Talking Point Detective

New CPAC Chair says no to groups that support DADT repeal or marriage, guess Dick Cheney is out then

Looks like conservatives are placing all their bets that bigotry will carry them to electoral victory, because they're making it plenty clear that no one except CristianProtestant, white, straight, socons and anti-government loons are welcome.

ftfy
(I'm pretty sure they don't like Catholics.)

179 brookly red  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 9:07:04pm

re: #174 compound idaho

Does my heart have to stop or does brain dead count?

/errr, with out brain function you can still vote in most states...

180 theheat  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 9:08:35pm

re: #177 Talking Point Detective

Looks like conservatives are placing all their bets that bigotry will carry them to electoral victory, because they're making it plenty clear that no one except Cristian, white, straight, socons and anti-government loons are welcome.

Luckily, there's a surplus of exactly those types of people to fill those slots.

181 brookly red  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 9:10:12pm

re: #176 ggt

Ok,, I liked Black Mamba.

How is everyone this evening?

mostly civil for the most part...

182 Talking Point Detective  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 9:10:17pm

re: #179 brookly red

/errr, with out brain function you can still vote in most states...

In fact, the majority of Republican voters are proof of that.

183 Gretchen G.Tiger  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 9:10:35pm

Have you ever noticed that a German Shepherd Dog moves just like a fox?


Man's First Best Friend Might Have Been A Fox

It's a surprising find, Cambridge researcher Lisa Maher tells NPR's Linda Wertheimer. "When we were first excavating the site, we thought it might have been a dog," she says. It wasn't until her team analyzed the animal's remains that it realized it was a fox.

That the fox was a pet is only one of several possibilities, however. It may instead have had totemic or spiritual significance to the culture. But Maher's team compared the burial site to sites from 4,000 years later, when domesticated dogs did accompany human burials. The similarities suggest "that it probably was a more emotional relationship of one particular fox to one particular person," she says.

They are certainly much cuter than wolves.

184 Talking Point Detective  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 9:11:09pm

re: #180 theheat

Luckily, there's a surplus of exactly those types of people to fill those slots.

Lucky for them, not for everyone else.

185 brookly red  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 9:12:57pm

re: #177 Talking Point Detective

New CPAC Chair says no to groups that support DADT repeal or marriage, guess Dick Cheney is out then

Looks like conservatives are placing all their bets that bigotry will carry them to electoral victory, because they're making it plenty clear that no one except Cristian, white, straight, socons and anti-government loons are welcome.

Now think about how stupid that is, just imagine a government formed by anti government loo....

never mind

186 theheat  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 9:14:03pm

re: #183 ggt

For the first time yesterday I watched several episodes of Animal Planet's Fatal Attraction series. One lady's wolves killed her, another lady's poisonous snakes bit and killed her, another guy's bull killed him, an animal trainer's tiger killed him, etc.

I think a fox-sized critter might seem a safer bet "when pets go bad."

187 Gretchen G.Tiger  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 9:14:56pm

Judge Throws Out Ex-Detainee's Suit Alleging Torture


A federal judge tossed out a lawsuit by Jose Padilla, who alleged that he was tortured at a Navy brig while being held on terrorism charges.

U.S. District Judge Richard Gergel ruled Thursday that Padilla has no right to sue for constitutional violations and that the defendants, including Defense Secretary Robert Gates, enjoy qualified immunity.

Gergel's decision said a trial would turn into an "international spectacle" with the nation's present and former leaders summoned to a courtroom to answer Padilla's charges.

Padilla was convicted in 2007 of helping Islamic extremists and plotting overseas attacks in a case that came to symbolize the Bush administration's zeal to clamp down on terrorism.

In the suit, Padilla claimed he was illegally detained as an enemy combatant and tortured in a South Carolina brig by being kept in darkness and isolation, deprived of sleep and religious materials, and kept from family and attorneys.

My first thought was, good, because I'm basically tired of the whole subject. But I'm not so sure if it is the right decision on the part of the judge.

189 Gretchen G.Tiger  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 9:16:21pm

re: #186 theheat

For the first time yesterday I watched several episodes of Animal Planet's Fatal Attraction series. One lady's wolves killed her, another lady's poisonous snakes bit and killed her, another guy's bull killed him, an animal trainer's tiger killed him, etc.

I think a fox-sized critter might seem a safer bet "when pets go bad."

Frankly, I think it is rather STUPID to try to make a pet out of a wild animal. Especially when there are thousands if not hundreds of thousands of domesticated animals without homes.

190 brookly red  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 9:16:25pm

re: #186 theheat

For the first time yesterday I watched several episodes of Animal Planet's Fatal Attraction series. One lady's wolves killed her, another lady's poisonous snakes bit and killed her, another guy's bull killed him, an animal trainer's tiger killed him, etc.

I think a fox-sized critter might seem a safer bet "when pets go bad."

small government works better... just saying.

191 NJDhockeyfan  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 9:17:31pm

re: #186 theheat

For the first time yesterday I watched several episodes of Animal Planet's Fatal Attraction series. One lady's wolves killed her, another lady's poisonous snakes bit and killed her, another guy's bull killed him, an animal trainer's tiger killed him, etc.

I think a fox-sized critter might seem a safer bet "when pets go bad."

I think I'll skip that show. My kids watch Escape to Chimp Eden every morning while waiting for the school bus. Now that's entertainment.

192 Gretchen G.Tiger  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 9:18:00pm

re: #188 NJDhockeyfan

Libyan color code?

Libyan Leader Mu'ammar Al-Qadhafi Expounds on His Color Theory: White (the West) Is Trying to Wipe Out Red (Communism), Green (Islam) and Yellow (Buddhism, Confucianism, and Hinduism)

hmmm, perhaps the right crystals could make us all resonate in harmony? Just think a prism effect. All the colors would come together to make --ooooh, white light ..

:0

193 NJDhockeyfan  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 9:19:08pm

re: #192 ggt

hmmm, perhaps the right crystals could make us all resonate in harmony? Just think a prism effect. All the colors would come together to make --oooh, white light ..

:0

Racist!
/

194 Big Joe  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 9:19:48pm

re: #186 theheat

For the first time yesterday I watched several episodes of Animal Planet's Fatal Attraction series. One lady's wolves killed her, another lady's poisonous snakes bit and killed her, another guy's bull killed him, an animal trainer's tiger killed him, etc.

I think a fox-sized critter might seem a safer bet "when pets go bad."

Even my turtles are blood thirsty, cold-blooded killers....

Image: cimg0749mn8.jpg

195 Mocking Jay  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 9:20:22pm

re: #194 mracb

Even my turtles are blood thirsty, cold-blooded killers...

Image: cimg0749mn8.jpg

They even ate the picture...

196 theheat  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 9:20:30pm

re: #189 ggt

The point made repeatedly in the episodes I watched was these people's odd relationships with their animals indicate some other deep-seated problems - isolation, abandonment, thrill seeking, etc. In other words, rational people would know wild bears you feed off your porch might decide one day to eat you, so "don't feed the bears." But maybe a lonely old lady with few visitors might feel needed and fulfilled by striking up a potentially deadly relationship with them. (Yes, the old lady was eaten by a bear.)

These people have issues.

197 Dark_Falcon  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 9:20:36pm

re: #187 ggt

Judge Throws Out Ex-Detainee's Suit Alleging Torture

My first thought was, good, because I'm basically tired of the whole subject. But I'm not so sure if it is the right decision on the part of the judge.

I'd call it a good decision. Padilla was no ordinary criminal, he was an enemy combatant. And his claims of torture don't really track. Being held in darkness like that is not being burned or whipped. I'd prefer to stop defining torture down.

198 brookly red  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 9:21:27pm

re: #192 ggt

hmmm, perhaps the right crystals could make us all resonate in harmony? Just think a prism effect. All the colors would come together to make --oooh, white light ..

:0

[Link: www.popsci.com...]

199 Mocking Jay  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 9:22:31pm

re: #197 Dark_Falcon

I'd call it a good decision. Padilla was no ordinary criminal, he was an enemy combatant. And his claims of torture don't really track. Being held in darkness like that is not being burned or whipped. I'd prefer to stop defining torture down.

I'd settle for defining it at all at this point...

200 Big Joe  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 9:23:27pm

well that sucks, hmmm

Image: cimg0749mn8.jpg


this should work

201 Gretchen G.Tiger  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 9:23:49pm

WOW

Grand Jury Convenes To Investigate 1964 Cold Case

"Nelson grew up near Morris' shop, on the main street in Ferriday, La., a town just several miles across the Mississippi River from Natchez, Miss. He was 9 years old in December 1964, when Morris' store was set on fire with Morris trapped inside.

But Nelson only learned about Morris four years ago, along with the brutal Ku Klux Klan violence in his own community. That's when the FBI released a list of unsolved murders from the civil rights era.
The shoe store owned by Frank Morris after it was set ablaze in December 1964.
Photo courtesy of the Concorida Sentinel and August Thompson

The shoe store owned by Frank Morris after it was set ablaze in December 1964.

"I like Frank Morris. I respect him. He was a good man," says Nelson. "I wish that I had known him. Every person that worked for Frank remembers him in such a good way. But Concordia Parish has not lifted a finger for Frank Morris. [It] has not done anything for Frank Morris. But we can now. Justice is important for everybody."

Last month, the newspaper editor wrote the most important story of his career. On the front page, he named a suspect: Leonard Spencer, a former Ku Klux Klansman, who's now 72 and lives in a nearby parish. The sources were Spencer's own family members. They say Spencer and another Klansman, who's now dead, talked about setting the fire that night.

Spencer insists he wasn't involved."

202 theheat  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 9:25:08pm

re: #200 mracb

Clearly vicious, and they're also practicing hypnotics with those beady eyes of theirs.
//

203 Gretchen G.Tiger  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 9:25:24pm

re: #196 theheat

The point made repeatedly in the episodes I watched was these people's odd relationships with their animals indicate some other deep-seated problems - isolation, abandonment, thrill seeking, etc. In other words, rational people would know wild bears you feed off your porch might decide one day to eat you, so "don't feed the bears." But maybe a lonely old lady with few visitors might feel needed and fulfilled by striking up a potentially deadly relationship with them. (Yes, the old lady was eaten by a bear.)

These people have issues.

I'd have to agree with you.

204 Gretchen G.Tiger  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 9:26:20pm

re: #198 brookly red

[Link: www.popsci.com...]

sounds like the ultimate guy toy.

205 brookly red  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 9:27:08pm

re: #204 ggt

sounds like the ultimate guy toy.

you want crystals, we got crystals...

206 Jadespring  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 9:28:33pm

re: #196 theheat

The point made repeatedly in the episodes I watched was these people's odd relationships with their animals indicate some other deep-seated problems - isolation, abandonment, thrill seeking, etc. In other words, rational people would know wild bears you feed off your porch might decide one day to eat you, so "don't feed the bears." But maybe a lonely old lady with few visitors might feel needed and fulfilled by striking up a potentially deadly relationship with them. (Yes, the old lady was eaten by a bear.)

These people have issues.

I think is true. Some people though are just stupid and clueless. I lived in a town which had a lot of bears wandering around and a lot of tourists.
You would think that parents wouldn't do things like walk their three year old closer to a bear in order to get a picture... "Oh look Winnie the Poo! Cute"....but they do.

207 Gretchen G.Tiger  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 9:28:58pm

re: #199 JasonA

I'd settle for defining it at all at this point...

It seems that torture like abuse is defined by the victim. One person can hear a comment that is directed at them and they are cool with it, another is offended and cries abuse.

208 NJDhockeyfan  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 9:29:18pm

Damn wingnuts!

Wis. Democratic Party Condemns Hateful Signs Targeting State's GOP Governor and Lawmakers

Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chairman Mike Tate is condemning signs carried by pro-labor protesters that compare Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker to Hitler, Benito Mussolini and Hosni Mubarak and showed the governor with a cross-hairs rifle sight over his face.

...Shortly after the protests commenced, the state Republican Party released a video entitled “Rhetoric vs. Reality” in which rally attendees can be seen carrying signs that contain inflammatory messages -- including calls for the governor’s death.

The video also shows one Democratic lawmaker, state Sen. Lena Taylor (D-Milwaukee), comparing the governor’s proposals to actions taken by Hitler in the early 1930’s.

209 Gretchen G.Tiger  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 9:29:40pm

re: #206 Jadespring

I think is true. Some people though are just stupid and clueless. I lived in a town which had a lot of bears wandering around and a lot of tourists.
You would think that parents wouldn't do things like walk their three year old closer to a bear in order to get a picture... "Oh look Winnie the Poo! Cute"...but they do.

let's hope the bears were well fed!

210 NJDhockeyfan  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 9:31:12pm

re: #207 ggt

It seems that torture like abuse is defined by the victim. One person can hear a comment that is directed at them and they are cool with it, another is offended and cries abuse.

Then they call their lawyer and sue!

211 brookly red  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 9:32:31pm

re: #209 ggt

let's hope the bears were well fed!

In most cases animals respect other animals children...

in most cases.

212 prairiefire  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 9:35:00pm

re: #206 Jadespring

I heard on NPR that early mankind was so fearful of bears, there was not even a recorded name for them for many years. The experts thank that bear evolved from the word "brun" for brown. As in "that big brun thing just ate my ma."

213 NJDhockeyfan  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 9:35:40pm

re: #206 Jadespring

I think is true. Some people though are just stupid and clueless. I lived in a town which had a lot of bears wandering around and a lot of tourists.
You would think that parents wouldn't do things like walk their three year old closer to a bear in order to get a picture... "Oh look Winnie the Poo! Cute"...but they do.

"Help, help," cried Piglet, "a Heffalump, a Horrible Heffalump!" and he scampered off as hard as he could, still crying out, "Help, help, a Herrible Hoffalump! Hoff, hoff, a Hellible Horralump! Holl, holl, a Hoffable Hellerump!"

214 theheat  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 9:35:54pm

re: #206 Jadespring

You would think that parents wouldn't do things like walk their three year old closer to a bear in order to get a picture... "Oh look Winnie the Poo! Cute"...but they do.

This might be natural selection at work.

Another guy in Texas has a full grown male buffalo he brings in the house and wrestles with. He acts as though he has taught this buffalo not to cross a certain line, and has kicked the buffalo in the snout and whacked him upside the head with wood to let him know he's getting a little rough. But the owner is really kind of smug about it, as though city folk can't appreciate his ultimate training skills.

I was in a group that used young, half-grown, yearling buffalo for cutting horse practice. These buffalo were fairly wild, but were used to being fed and run through chutes by people. Again, these critters weren't nearly the size of a full grown buffalo, but they did have horns, and knew exactly where those horns were at all times. (They're fond of head butting and hooking.)

I saw a half grown buffalo slam a full grown stallion square in the chest, and lift that horse off his feet, over backwards, and proceed to drill it and his rider into the ground.

You don't fuck with buffalo. You don't bring them in your house. You don't wrestle with them.

215 Talking Point Detective  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 9:35:55pm

re: #206 Jadespring

I think is true. Some people though are just stupid and clueless. I lived in a town which had a lot of bears wandering around and a lot of tourists.
You would think that parents wouldn't do things like walk their three year old closer to a bear in order to get a picture... "Oh look Winnie the Poo! Cute"...but they do.

I'll never forget watching tourists stop their cars and get out to get closer to bears in Yellowstone. Grizzlies if I'm not mistaken.

216 brookly red  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 9:36:01pm

re: #210 NJDhockeyfan

Then they call their lawyer and sue!

/you downdinged me 14,283 comments ago... I am deeply hurt.... wanna settle outta court?

217 Gretchen G.Tiger  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 9:36:33pm

Myths That Make It Hard To Stop Campus Rape

"What Lisak found was that students who commit rape on a college campus are pretty much like those rapists in prison. In both groups, many are serial rapists. On college campuses, repeat predators account for 9 out of every 10 rapes.

And these offenders on campuses — just like men in prison for rape — look for the most vulnerable women. Lisak says that on a college campus, the women most likely to be sexually assaulted are freshmen.

"It's quite well-known amongst college administrators that first-year students, freshman women, are particularly at risk for sexual assault," Lisak says. "The predators on campus know that women who are new to campus, they are younger, they're less experienced. They probably have less experience with alcohol, they want to be accepted. They will probably take more risks because they want to be accepted. So for all these reasons, the predators will look particularly for those women."

Still, Lisak says these men don't think of themselves as rapists. Usually they know the other student. And they don't use guns or knives."

218 Talking Point Detective  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 9:40:22pm

re: #212 prairiefire

I heard on NPR that early mankind was so fearful of bears, there was not even a recorded name for them for many years. The experts thank that bear evolved from the word "brun" for brown. As in "that big brun thing just ate my ma."

Had some very close encounters with black bears in Kings Canyon last summer. Attacks from black bears in that region are extremely rare, but they are amazingly intimidating animals. One came into camp when we were hiking on a day trip. I came back to find my nalgene water bottle pierced clear through by a well-placed canine. Imagine what that bite would do to your leg.

The way to deal with those bears is to run at them shouting and throwing rocks. Not exactly your first instinct when you see them. But they do turn and run. One time one looked back and it felt like he was thinking, "Now just why am I running from those puny, pale creatures. They'd make a nice mid-afternoon snack."

220 Querent  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 9:41:54pm

re: #214 theheat

but they sure are good eatin'.

221 brookly red  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 9:43:12pm

re: #212 prairiefire

I heard on NPR that early mankind was so fearful of bears, there was not even a recorded name for them for many years. The experts thank that bear evolved from the word "brun" for brown. As in "that big brun thing just ate my ma."

uras major, ursa minor, early enough? ... yeah so much for NPR

222 Dark_Falcon  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 9:43:26pm

re: #208 NJDhockeyfan

Damn wingnuts!

Wis. Democratic Party Condemns Hateful Signs Targeting State's GOP Governor and Lawmakers

Those signs are way over the line, its a fact. If anyone from the Tea Party rally had had a sign with a labor leader in a crosshairs, we'd be hearing all about threats of violence again (with justice I might add). However, since its union activists doing the hatin', Media Matters won't raise a peep.

223 Querent  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 9:45:10pm

okay, where'd everybody go...

224 NJDhockeyfan  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 9:46:28pm

re: #220 Querent

but they sure are good eatin'.

Yes, yes they are.

Zucchini-Bison Wellington

Ingredients:

* 1 lb. ground Bison
* 1/2 c. sour cream
* 1 med. onion, chopped
* 1 (8-oz.) pkg. mozzarella cheese, grated
* 2 zucchini about 12 inches long, sliced
* 1 pkg. crescent rolls
* 1 pkg. spaghetti sauce with mushrooms
* 2 T. butter or margarine
* 1 (8-oz.) can tomato sauce
* 1/2 c. Parmesan cheese

Preparation:

Brown ground Bison and onions. Before completely done, add zucchini and saute' a few minutes. Remove from heat, add spaghetti sauce and tomato sauce. Put in 9X13 baking dish, spread sour cream over top. Cover with mozzarella- spread rolls over entire top. Drizzle butter over rolls - sprinkle with parmesan. Bake in preheated 350° oven for 30 minutes. Serves 6.

225 brookly red  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 9:47:18pm

re: #223 Querent

okay, where'd everybody go...

bears! save your self!

226 Jadespring  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 9:47:33pm

re: #214 theheat


Okay that guy does have some issues.

re: #215 Talking Point Detective

I'll never forget watching tourists stop their cars and get out to get closer to bears in Yellowstone. Grizzlies if I'm not mistaken.

I've had face to face encounters with bears a few times. I did a few years of bush work. Never been super scared, just very cautious and wary---okay Mister Bear, I'll go this way and you go that way.

Grizzlies? Never been face to face but they freak me out. I don't know how people could be that dumb. One time our truck broke down about 5 k from camp. The radio wouldn't work because of the terrain so we decided to hoof it back. There were five of us and one of the guys (who had spent years in the bush) was walking ahead. When we rounded a curve he suddenly stopped, looked down for a moment, turned back and said, "Okay everyone, don't ask, just everyone run." So we did, he was that type of guy. Ended up that he saw grizzly tracks that were filling with water which meant that it had crossed the road seconds before we came around the bend.

You don't fuck with grizzlies.

227 Querent  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 9:47:38pm

101 things to bake with crescent-roll dough...

(LGF cookbook #3)

228 Big Joe  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 9:47:50pm

re: #220 Querent

but they sure are good eatin'.

One of the best roasts I ever ate was bison.

229 What, me worry?  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 9:48:03pm

re: #212 prairiefire

I heard on NPR that early mankind was so fearful of bears, there was not even a recorded name for them for many years. The experts thank that bear evolved from the word "brun" for brown. As in "that big brun thing just ate my ma."

hehe It's probably better to have a healthy respect for anything larger and hairier than you are.

I was watching my neighbors husky once for the weekend, Jake. Jake weighed about 160lbs. Big dog.

I get the brilliant idea to walk him and as we're walking, he sees a cat and off he goes out of my hand. Now I'm freaking, running through the neighborhood after him. My friend saw me and helped me corner him in another neighbor's fenced yard. The only way out was how he got in. So I stood at the gate like a linebacker. Legs apart, arms out, ready to catch him when he ran by. I flung myself at him as he charged past me. We chest bumped and he sent me airborne about 6 feet. But it slowed him down enough for my friend to grab his collar. I left him in his own fenced yard after that.

Anyway, healthy respect for animals is the point here. lol

230 Querent  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 9:48:19pm

re: #225 brookly red

bears! save your self!

Lions & Tigers & Bears, ZOMG!!11ty!

231 NJDhockeyfan  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 9:48:54pm

re: #222 Dark_Falcon

Those signs are way over the line, its a fact. If anyone from the Tea Party rally had had a sign with a labor leader in a crosshairs, we'd be hearing all about threats of violence again (with justice I might add). However, since its union activists doing the hatin', Media Matters won't raise a peep.

You speak the truth. How many lefties blogs will raise anger over this? I bet none will.

232 compound idaho  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 9:49:58pm

re: #225 brookly red

You do not have to be able to out run the bear. You just have to be able to out run your hiking buddy.

233 What, me worry?  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 9:50:49pm

re: #232 compound idaho

You do not have to be able to out run the bear. You just have to be able to out run your hiking buddy.

LOL *snort*

234 brookly red  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 9:50:50pm

re: #230 Querent

Lions & Tigers & Bears, ZOMG!!11ty!

Bears piff, Packers! f'en A!

235 Querent  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 9:51:02pm

re: #232 compound idaho

You do not have to be able to out run the bear. You just have to be able to out run your hiking buddy.

And since i can't run all that fast, this is why i never go into the woods without some form of weaponry!

236 simoom  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 9:51:21pm

Wow... big savings (///):
House votes 244-179 to kill U.S. funding of IPCC

Just before 2 a.m. on February 19, the war on climate science showed its grip on the U.S. House of Representatives as it voted to eliminate U.S. funding for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. The Republican majority, on a mostly party-line vote of 244-179, went on record as essentially saying that it no longer wishes to have the IPCC prepare its comprehensive international climate science assessments.
...
The amendment was sponsored by second-term Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-Missouri), who obviously knows nothing about climate science or the IPCC, and I expect could care less. His talking points were clearly provided by some denial machine operative and Mr. Leutkemeyer simply followed the script. Leading off with a reference to the stolen climate scientists emails (‘climategate’), he said:

Luetkemeyer: Scientists manipulated climate data, suppressed legitimate arguments in peer-reviewed journals, and researchers were asked to destroy emails, so that a small number of climate alarmists could continue to advance their environmental agenda.
...
Mr. Chairman, if the families in my district have been able to tighten their belts, surely the federal government can do the same and stop funding an organization that is fraught with waste and abuse. My amendment simply says that no funds in this bill can go to the IPCC. This would save taxpayers millions of dollars this year and millions of dollars in years to come. In fact, the President has requested an additional $13 million in his fiscal 2012 budget request.

My constituents should not have to continue to foot the bill for an organization to keep producing corrupt findings that can be used as justification to impose a massive new energy tax on every American.
...
The international panel the last year or two has been funded at the rate of about $12.5 million per year. The President has it in his 2012 budget at $13 million a year. This group has been in the headlines for their activities with regard to how they are trying to tinker with the data they put out. Why would we want to fund a group of folks who are nefarious and give us incorrect information? It’s beyond me.

Gotta love all that libelous BS on the floor of Congress. ///

237 Dark_Falcon  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 9:51:54pm

re: #232 compound idaho

You do not have to be able to out run the bear. You just have to be able to out run your hiking buddy.

Even better, have a large caliber handgun. That'll cut a bear charge short.

238 Querent  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 9:51:56pm

so anyway DF, as i was saying last night before my browser decided to eat some code in a sidebar ad and choke on itself...

239 theheat  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 9:52:16pm

re: #214 theheat

Here's an old Remington painting called The Buffalo Hunt.

It's when it all goes terribly, terribly wrong.

240 brookly red  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 9:52:20pm

re: #232 compound idaho

You do not have to be able to out run the bear. You just have to be able to out run your hiking buddy.

not a problem since she is already walking funny...

241 Dark_Falcon  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 9:53:25pm

re: #224 NJDhockeyfan

Yes, yes they are.

Zucchini-Bison Wellington

A feast fit for the Iron Duke himself.

242 brookly red  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 9:54:01pm

re: #237 Dark_Falcon

Even better, have a large caliber handgun. That'll cut a bear charge short.

we don't get many bears in NYC...

243 prairiefire  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 9:54:24pm

re: #229 marjoriemoon

MM got tackled by a husky! A husky jumped its fence and killed my good friends cat, Bobo. Bobo made it the bit of the way home, but the husky had bit into him right when he landed on him and sweet Bobo died. It was traumatic!

244 Dark_Falcon  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 9:54:28pm

re: #238 Querent

so anyway DF, as i was saying last night before my browser decided to eat some code in a sidebar ad and choke on itself...

Yes, go on.

245 compound idaho  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 9:56:24pm

re: #237 Dark_Falcon

Even better, have a large caliber handgun. That'll cut a bear charge short.

Loaded guns are not allowed in Yellowstone back country. ;) I always figured I would deal with the park range if I had to ....... after I dealt with the bear. One carries a death penalty, the other a modest fine.

246 Querent  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 9:57:30pm

i'm glad to see that the "tough room" hasn't driven all of the senior-to-me lizards out.

i guess that means we have stronger resistance to the Bad-Crazy? Or we know that it's just a tough room and nothing personal.

Anyway, once i can quantify one Derp's worth of Stupid, i can fire up the Stupidioscope...

247 Jadespring  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 9:57:32pm

re: #218 Talking Point Detective

One of my favorite bear encounters was on a planting block. I was heading back from my piece on a trail, round a corner and oh look bear coming the other way. We both just stopped about 15 ft apart. My first thought, 'do I have any food on me?' Nope ate my lunch already, okay that's one less worry. Second thought"Any cubs?" Nope, 'phew'. Then I started thinking okay now what. Seriously though we both just stood there looking at each other for I don't know how long. Felt like ages. Finally I thought, okay this is stupid I guess I have to something so a raised my shovel and started to back away. As soon as I moved though he turned around and started running.

Then the problem was that the bear was where I had to go. So I stood around and waited for about 10 mins and then when I started walking started singing every girl guide song I could remember. Figured that would keep him away. :)

248 NJDhockeyfan  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 9:57:57pm

re: #242 brookly red

we don't get many bears in NYC...

No, they play in NJ when they are supposed to play NY.

249 Talking Point Detective  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 9:57:57pm

re: #226 Jadespring

Okay that guy does have some issues.

re: #215 Talking Point Detective

I've had face to face encounters with bears a few times. I did a few years of bush work. Never been super scared, just very cautious and wary---okay Mister Bear, I'll go this way and you go that way.

Grizzlies? Never been face to face but they freak me out. I don't know how people could be that dumb. One time our truck broke down about 5 k from camp. The radio wouldn't work because of the terrain so we decided to hoof it back. There were five of us and one of the guys (who had spent years in the bush) was walking ahead. When we rounded a curve he suddenly stopped, looked down for a moment, turned back and said, "Okay everyone, don't ask, just everyone run." So we did, he was that type of guy. Ended up that he saw grizzly tracks that were filling with water which meant that it had crossed the road seconds before we came around the bend.

You don't fuck with grizzlies.

Funny thing is, they say the worst thing to do is to run. Apparently they can run as fast as a race horse for short distances, or something like that.

Once I was hiking on a trail in the Canadian Rockies and some folks coming the other way said they had just seen a Grizzly. I decided to hang tight, but when a few other folks came along we decided to proceed very cautiously to see if we could catch a glimpse (I was young and foolish). Sure enough, we saw it out in the distance. After a while, the other folks moved along and I stayed to watch him a bit more, but lost sight of him. Then he stood up out of the brush maybe 30 yards away.

Like I said, they say that you're not supposed to run. I've never run that fast before in my life. Sheer panic.

After waiting a good long while I hiked back up the rail and saw his track mark right on top of a sunglasses strap I dropped when I was running.

250 theheat  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 9:58:04pm

re: #243 prairiefire

Neighbors that don't keep their own animals in suck. "Sorry" doesn't cut it after the fact.

I'd probably have had Husky Wellington for dinner. And I'm a vegetarian.

251 What, me worry?  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 9:58:29pm

re: #243 prairiefire

MM got tackled by a husky! A husky jumped its fence and killed my good friends cat, Bobo. Bobo made it the bit of the way home, but the husky had bit into him right when he landed on him and sweet Bobo died. It was traumatic!

Oh dear. I've had the misfortune of seeing the same. It's very traumatic.

Jake was a real mush, but he despised cats. Or so it seemed.

252 Querent  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 9:58:45pm

re: #247 Jadespring

Girl Scout / Guide Cookies: Made with real Girl Scouts? (Guides?)

253 brookly red  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 9:59:04pm

Ack! a bear! Blam, Blam, Blam!....

oh it was just my landlord.

Good thing I saved these posts!

254 Dark_Falcon  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 9:59:29pm

re: #245 compound idaho

Loaded guns are not allowed in Yellowstone back country. ;) I always figured I would deal with the park range if I had to ... after I dealt with the bear. One carries a death penalty, the other a modest fine.

Actually, they are allowed now. The regulations were changed a few years ago.

255 Dark_Falcon  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 10:00:06pm

re: #253 brookly red

Ack! a bear! Blam, Blam, Blam!....

oh it was just my landlord.

Good thing I saved these posts!

"It's comin' right at us!"

- Uncle Jimbo

256 Querent  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 10:00:51pm

re: #255 Dark_Falcon

"It's comin' right at us!"

- Uncle Jimbo

Cue the graphic from Frontierville with the big-wide-derp-grinning bear...

257 prairiefire  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 10:01:00pm

Witching hour, night, lizards.

258 Querent  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 10:01:26pm

goodnight prairiefire!

259 Querent  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 10:01:42pm

(and don't let the bears bite...)

260 compound idaho  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 10:01:56pm

re: #254 Dark_Falcon

Actually, they are allowed now. The regulations were changed a few years ago.

I did not know that. I am not far from the park, but I don't go much anymore. Too many people.

261 Jadespring  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 10:02:08pm

re: #249 Talking Point Detective

The bush guys that I worked with poo poo'd the don't thing when it came to grizzlies. They said if it's going to attack it will. Run, don't run doesn't matter. It will git you. They said at least with running or walking away really quickly you feel like your doing something. :)

262 Jadespring  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 10:03:03pm

re: #252 Querent

Girl Scout / Guide Cookies: Made with real Girl Scouts? (Guides?)

I was sworn to secrecy.... ;)

263 Gretchen G.Tiger  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 10:04:07pm

re: #237 Dark_Falcon

Even better, have a large caliber handgun. That'll cut a bear charge short.

or a dog, don't barking dogs deter bears?

264 What, me worry?  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 10:04:15pm

re: #247 Jadespring

One of my favorite bear encounters was on a planting block. I was heading back from my piece on a trail, round a corner and oh look bear coming the other way. We both just stopped about 15 ft apart. My first thought, 'do I have any food on me?' Nope ate my lunch already, okay that's one less worry. Second thought"Any cubs?" Nope, 'phew'. Then I started thinking okay now what. Seriously though we both just stood there looking at each other for I don't know how long. Felt like ages. Finally I thought, okay this is stupid I guess I have to something so a raised my shovel and started to back away. As soon as I moved though he turned around and started running.

Then the problem was that the bear was where I had to go. So I stood around and waited for about 10 mins and then when I started walking started singing every girl guide song I could remember. Figured that would keep him away. :)

Three cheers for the busdriver?

Annie-kootchy-katchy-comma-tosa-merra-tosa-nocka-sama-kama-wacky Brown?

Miss Mary Mack?

(I'm a sucker for this crap :p)

265 Querent  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 10:04:38pm

re: #262 Jadespring
and they keep changing the season around here. i've been hunting them for weeks.

(Too bad for a locla troop if i don't find them -- i was prepared to stock up...)

266 theheat  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 10:05:24pm

Was it Davey Crocket that supposedly killed a "bahr" with a knife when he was only X years old? (I watched a lot of B&W TV as a kid.)

267 Jadespring  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 10:06:19pm

re: #237 Dark_Falcon

Even better, have a large caliber handgun. That'll cut a bear charge short.

Only if you have the wherewithal to actually hit it dead on. If you don't or just clip it you'll just make it want you more.

268 What, me worry?  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 10:06:54pm

re: #262 Jadespring

I was sworn to secrecy... ;)

Your a brave lady. I've never had a bear encounter, other than husky gay men and they're pretty friendly :>

269 Querent  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 10:07:32pm

re: #268 marjoriemoon

Your a brave lady. I've never had a bear encounter, other than husky gay men and they're pretty friendly :>

Da Bearz!

270 Jadespring  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 10:07:51pm

re: #264 marjoriemoon

Three cheers for the busdriver?

Annie-kootchy-katchy-comma-tosa-merra-tosa-nocka-s ama-kama-wacky Brown?

Miss Mary Mack?

(I'm a sucker for this crap :p)

I don't know those ones. :)

I probably sang The Farmer and the Maid or Thunderation.

271 brookly red  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 10:08:02pm

re: #263 ggt

or a dog, don't barking dogs deter bears?

maybe... I carry an 8x10 glossy of Nancy Pelosie just in case.

272 Querent  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 10:08:44pm

re: #271 brookly red

maybe... I carry an 8x10 glossy of Nancy Pelosie just in case.

AAGGHH!! Run away screaming and set things on FIRE!!11!ty

273 Talking Point Detective  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 10:09:04pm

re: #261 Jadespring

The bush guys that I worked with poo poo'd the don't thing when it came to grizzlies. They said if it's going to attack it will. Run, don't run doesn't matter. It will git you. They said at least with running or walking away really quickly you feel like your doing something. :)

Yeah - I've heard that too about grizzlies. The thing with the black bears is really weird though, because the rangers are very specific that what you're supposed to do is make a lot of noise and run at them throwing rocks. It's just about the most counter-intuitive thing I can imagine. My first instinct was definitely not to piss them off. After a while you get the hang of it, to the point where I actually began to feel sorry for them, like I was hassling them.

The point is, though, that you need to keep them from getting habituated to humans, otherwise they need to be relocated or shot. It really pisses me off that bears have to be shot because humans are too stupid to hang their food properly.

274 NJDhockeyfan  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 10:10:40pm

I am tired. Have a wonderful night my friends.

:)

275 Querent  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 10:11:19pm

Looks like we have defined a new special flavor of /sarc tag: the /11ty tag. Code for "nutspeak"...

276 What, me worry?  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 10:11:26pm

Here is the story of Annie-kootchy-katchy-comma-tosa-merra-tosa-nocka-
sama-kama-wacky Brown.

Annie-kootchy-katchy-comma-tosa-merra-tosa-nocka-sama-kama-wacky Brown
fell into a well,
fell into a well,
fell into a deep dark well.

Susy Jones milking in the barn
Saw her fall
and ran inside to tell her mom that.

Annie-kootchy-katchy-comma-tosa-merra-tosa-nocka-sama-kama-wacky Brown
fell into a well,
fell into a well,
fell into a deep dark well.

Mrs. Jones, baking cracklin' bread
Told old Joe
She told him that her Susie said that

Annie-kootchy-katchy-comma-tosa-merra-tosa-nocka-sama-kama-wacky Brown
fell into a well,
fell into a well,
fell into a deep dark well.

Then old Joe put his plow aside
Grabbed his cane
And hobbled into town and cried that

Annie-kootchy-katchy-comma-tosa-merra-tosa-nocka-sama-kama-wacky Brown
fell into a well,
fell into a well,
fell into a deep dark well.

To the well
Everybody came
What a shame
It took so long to say her name that

Annie-kootchy-katchy-comma-tosa-merra-tosa-nocka-sama-kama-wacky Brown...

Who??

Annie-kootchy-katchy-comma-tosa-merra-tosa-nocka-sama-kama-wacky Brown
Drowned.

277 Gretchen G.Tiger  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 10:11:30pm

Campus Rape Victims: A Struggle For Justice

A Question Of Enforcement

The federal Department of Education regulates schools under the Clery Act. But it has fined offending schools just six times. Most fines have been small. The biggest — for $350,000 — came against Eastern Michigan University. Administrators there covered up the 2006 rape and murder of a student, 22-year-old Laura Dickinson, letting her parents think she'd died suddenly of natural causes.

The Department of Education can also hold schools accountable under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. Title IX is best known as the federal civil rights law that requires equality in men's and women's sports teams. But the law is broader than that. It says that any educational institution that takes federal funding cannot discriminate against women. Sexual harassment, sexual assault and rape are also considered discrimination on the basis of sex.

278 Querent  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 10:11:33pm

'nite NJD!

279 brookly red  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 10:14:30pm

re: #275 Querent

well a least we know she was not a witch.

280 Jadespring  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 10:15:11pm

re: #273 Talking Point Detective

Yeah - I've heard that too about grizzlies. The thing with the black bears is really weird though, because the rangers are very specific that what you're supposed to do is make a lot of noise and run at them throwing rocks. It's just about the most counter-intuitive thing I can imagine. My first instinct was definitely not to piss them off. After a while you get the hang of it, to the point where I actually began to feel sorry for them, like I was hassling them.

The point is, though, that you need to keep them from getting habituated to humans, otherwise they need to be relocated or shot. It really pisses me off that bears have to be shot because humans are too stupid to hang their food properly.

Yes black bears are different and ones that have been around humans have different behavior. In the town I lived in the bears wouldn't care. Their attitude was like "meh whatever human I just going to do what I'm going to do." With those ones if you needed to get them to go you had to rock throw and make it so you were annoying. With the ones in the bush like the one I met on the path, they were much more skitish. I could have been the first human it ever encountered which is probably why all I had to do was just move my arm and it ran. It didn't know what the heck I was so it was better to be safe.

281 theheat  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 10:15:35pm

re: #273 Talking Point Detective

The bears the lady had been feeding were all shot. The first bear they shot was found to not be the bear that had killed her. The second bear they shot was.

Fact is, they were not afraid of humans any longer, so by feeding them she handed them and herself a death sentence.

282 brookly red  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 10:15:48pm

re: #279 brookly red

sorry, that was for 276...

283 Dark_Falcon  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 10:15:56pm

re: #279 brookly red

well a least we know she was not a witch.

Because she weighed less than a duck? ;)

284 brookly red  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 10:16:53pm

re: #283 Dark_Falcon

Because she weighed less than a duck? ;)

no, more than a duck!

285 Lidane  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 10:18:33pm

Well, this promises to be fun. Anonymous is going after the WBC cult.

286 Querent  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 10:19:50pm

re: #283 Dark_Falcon

Because she weighed less than a duck? ;)

and therefore she was made of wood?

287 Querent  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 10:21:22pm

re: #285 Lidane

Well, this promises to be fun. Anonymous is going after the WBC cult.

Forget the popcorn, and the cupcakes. I bake special cake for this one.

DF! Fire up the grill... on second though, fire up the backhoe and we'll deep-pit those pigs in the backyard...

288 Gretchen G.Tiger  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 10:21:47pm

College Justice Falls Short For Rape Victim


"Margaux's family took another route that's available to women, but rarely used. They filed a request for the U.S. Department of Education to investigate Indiana University for violating Title IX, based on the way it handled the sexual assault.

Title IX is commonly known as the federal law that requires equality in men's and women's sports teams. But the law is broader than that: It says that any school that takes federal funding cannot discriminate against women. And that means putting an end to sexual harassment.

The Education Department's Office for Civil Rights opened an investigation. Margaux argued that it created a "hostile environment" for her to be on the same campus as the man who'd been found responsible for assaulting her. But in April 2009, the department concluded that Indiana University did not need to expel the man. "

What I don't understand about all this is that law enforcement was not involved. If there were drugs on campus or a murder, wouldn't law enforcement be called?

If the Catholic Church falls under law enforcement jurisdiction, don't college campuses?

289 brookly red  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 10:22:14pm

re: #286 Querent

and therefore she was made of wood?

no you sot! she drowned.

bloody bunch of simply twits can't even find a witch, no wonder the country is going to hell in a fema basket!

290 theheat  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 10:22:44pm

re: #285 Lidane

“the damage incurred will be irreversible, and neither your institution nor your congregation will ever be able to fully recover.”

Sounds like Anonymous was laying it on pretty thick, playing on WBC's superstitious nature.

Anonymous sucks. WBC sucks. It's like watching two disgusting parasites go at each other.

291 justaminute  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 10:23:05pm

I just got back in after a night out. I thought I would mention that in Iran the Green movement is going to start a protest today. It starts at 3pm their time which would be around 5:30am central. Good night everyone.

292 Jadespring  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 10:23:56pm

re: #281 theheat

The bears the lady had been feeding were all shot. The first bear they shot was found to not be the bear that had killed her. The second bear they shot was.

Fact is, they were not afraid of humans any longer, so by feeding them she handed them and herself a death sentence.

In the town I lived in they had tons of by-laws and bear education. It was illegal to leave your garbage out if it wasn't in a bear proof container and you could be fined up to thirty thousand dollars if you got caught feeding them. They even charged a few people with that. They worked really hard to teach people about bears. "A fed bear is a dead bear". Most of the problems were with tourists. Over the years after they started doing it the issues with problem bear decreased. People really like having bears around and didn't want them hurt.

Then one year a bear attacked a guy. He wasn't hurt bad but they ended up killing the bear. People kind of freaked. Then it came out that the guy had been drunk and thought it would be really fun to taunt the bear. Attitudes changed and people got really, really mad that the bear had been killed because of an idiot. The guy got socially shamed and he ended up leaving town.

293 MittDoesNotCompute  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 10:24:20pm

re: #290 theheat

Sounds like Anonymous was laying it on pretty thick, playing on WBC's superstitious nature.

Anonymous sucks. WBC sucks. It's like watching two disgusting parasites go at each other.

Anonymous and the WBC...a battle royale made in Hell.

294 Querent  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 10:24:54pm

re: #290 theheat

Sounds like Anonymous was laying it on pretty thick, playing on WBC's superstitious nature.

Anonymous sucks. WBC sucks. It's like watching two disgusting parasites go at each other.

The Stupidioscope is reading 99.5 MerrrgaDerps from just the concept of that...

295 Lidane  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 10:25:05pm

re: #290 theheat

Anonymous sucks. WBC sucks. It's like watching two disgusting parasites go at each other.

That's what makes it all fun. I've got no love for the WBC and have my issues with Anonymous. Watching them destroy each other will be entertaining.

296 theheat  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 10:26:53pm

re: #295 Lidane

That's what makes it all fun. I've got no love for the WBC and have my issues with Anonymous. Watching them destroy each other will be entertaining.

You have to wonder after exposing 70,000+ HBGary emails, what kinds of weird and crazy shit WBC might have laying around, unsecured.

297 Lidane  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 10:27:48pm

re: #296 theheat

You have to wonder after exposing 70,000+ HBGary emails, what kinds of weird and crazy shit WBC might have laying around, unsecured.

Gay porn. Lots and lots of gay porn, which Fred Phelps thinks is secure.

That's my guess anyway. Heh.

298 Querent  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 10:28:23pm

re: #297 Lidane

That would explain his moral derpitude.

299 brookly red  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 10:29:17pm

... and in NY Bloomberg fined the bear for shitting in the woods...

300 theheat  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 10:29:25pm

re: #297 Lidane

Gay porn. Lots and lots of gay porn, which Fred Phelps thinks is secure.

Better yet, who all that porn was FW FW to. They love the FW FW button. It's an addiction.

If anything good comes of this, I at least hope they delete every single installed copy of Comic Sans from their hard drives.

301 Gretchen G.Tiger  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 10:30:47pm

Ok, I don't know if this is really the "greatest guitar solo ever", but I thoroughly enjoyed the entire thing.

My Guitar Gently Weeps.

302 Dark_Falcon  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 10:32:34pm

re: #290 theheat

Sounds like Anonymous was laying it on pretty thick, playing on WBC's superstitious nature.

Anonymous sucks. WBC sucks. It's like watching two disgusting parasites go at each other.

I hope the Anonymous assholes who pull any attacks go to jail, but first I hope they hand Fred Phelps one very large computer repair bill.

303 Lidane  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 10:32:37pm

re: #300 theheat

If anything good comes of this, I at least hope they delete every single installed copy of Comic Sans from their hard drives.

Just replace Comic Sans with Wingdings. At least then, the WBC would produce something readable. Hehe.

304 brookly red  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 10:33:18pm

I gotta go or I will be PWI... see ya

305 Querent  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 10:34:24pm

'nite brookly!

306 theheat  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 10:34:28pm

re: #303 Lidane

In that case, they better wipe out Papyrus too, just to be sure.

Wingdings it is.

307 theheat  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 10:35:24pm

re: #306 theheat

Papyrus is often used anywhere that a somewhat antique look might be desired, such as a coffee shop or church flyer.

308 Gretchen G.Tiger  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 10:36:24pm

re: #306 theheat

In that case, they better wipe out Papyrus too, just to be sure.

Wingdings it is.

I like Papyrus. Mostly I use Comic Sans.

309 freetoken  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 10:36:33pm

re: #236 simoom

Yeah, I was live-blogging it here when it happened. The MO Republican was just essentially just slandering.

You know what was almost as bad, though? It was the Democratic party response. Waxman did attempt a half hearted response but he really didn't call out the slander or just how factually wrong the GOP member was.

It was just one more piece of evidence of how lame so many of the Democratic Party elected have become in being able to truly argue a cause.

During the 90 hours or so of discussion on the bill and amendments the few good rhetoricians and the handful of dedicated politicos among the elected Democrats really stood out from an otherwise bland crowd.

310 Lidane  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 10:37:29pm

re: #306 theheat

In that case, they better wipe out Papyrus too, just to be sure.

Wingdings it is.

They should just wipe out every font that the WBC has except for Wingdings. Maybe toss in MT Extra to be safe. Hehe.

311 theheat  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 10:37:38pm

re: #308 ggt

I like Papyrus. Mostly I use Comic Sans.

Gaze.
//

312 Lidane  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 10:39:11pm

re: #308 ggt

I pretty much live and die by Times New Roman for most of my stuff, but one prof requires Courier.

313 theheat  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 10:39:13pm

re: #310 Lidane

And make it so they can only type in lower case, regardless of the fonts they're left with. It'll cut those random capitalization Legs right out from under Them.

314 SanFranciscoZionist  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 10:39:37pm

re: #206 Jadespring

I think is true. Some people though are just stupid and clueless. I lived in a town which had a lot of bears wandering around and a lot of tourists.
You would think that parents wouldn't do things like walk their three year old closer to a bear in order to get a picture... "Oh look Winnie the Poo! Cute"...but they do.

Aiyah.

315 Gretchen G.Tiger  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 10:40:05pm

Charles has taught me what a real guitar solo is:

Blues Deluxe.

316 Gretchen G.Tiger  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 10:41:05pm

Bradley Hand is nice too, but it is so light it is almost invisible.

317 theheat  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 10:42:08pm

re: #316 ggt

Bradley Hand is nice too, but it is so light it is almost invisible.

Really, really strong gaze.
//

318 Gretchen G.Tiger  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 10:44:16pm

Batang sounds a bit risque, especially when used with Fiolex Girls.

319 SanFranciscoZionist  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 10:45:07pm

re: #212 prairiefire

I heard on NPR that early mankind was so fearful of bears, there was not even a recorded name for them for many years. The experts thank that bear evolved from the word "brun" for brown. As in "that big brun thing just ate my ma."

A lot of European language have euphemistic words for bears. "Beowulf" actually means bear, but literally, "bee-wolf". According to the Online Etymology Dictionary, you get others like 'the good calf', 'honey-eater', 'honey-pig'.

The OED says it's because of a hunter's taboo about naming wild animals directly. I imagine that bears and humans often end up competing--we eat the same stuff, want the same caves, etc. A wolf doesn't break into houses or cars for food, but bears do it all the time.

320 theheat  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 10:46:41pm

re: #318 ggt

Avoid Algerian and Bleeding Cowboys. Both cause seizures and carry mandatory prison terms.

321 Gretchen G.Tiger  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 10:46:56pm

re: #319 SanFranciscoZionist

A lot of European language have euphemistic words for bears. "Beowulf" actually means bear, but literally, "bee-wolf". According to the Online Etymology Dictionary, you get others like 'the good calf', 'honey-eater', 'honey-pig'.

The OED says it's because of a hunter's taboo about naming wild animals directly. I imagine that bears and humans often end up competing--we eat the same stuff, want the same caves, etc. A wolf doesn't break into houses or cars for food, but bears do it all the time.

Was there ever a taboo against naming Cats directly?

322 SanFranciscoZionist  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 10:46:56pm

re: #221 brookly red

uras major, ursa minor, early enough? ... yeah so much for NPR

Latin is hardly the earliest recorded language.

323 SanFranciscoZionist  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 10:47:23pm

re: #224 NJDhockeyfan

Yes, yes they are.

Zucchini-Bison Wellington

Trayf as hell, but sounds like it'd be good.

324 SanFranciscoZionist  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 10:48:08pm

re: #226 Jadespring

Okay that guy does have some issues.

re: #215 Talking Point Detective

You don't fuck with grizzlies.

Bryan Fischer has his own suggestions about that. But he is a moron.

325 goddamnedfrank  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 10:48:28pm

AppleMyungjo bitches!!!

326 Gretchen G.Tiger  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 10:48:35pm

re: #320 theheat

I have to wonder if is illegal in some countries to use Adobe Hebrew and/or Arabic Typesetting on the same document.

327 Gretchen G.Tiger  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 10:50:15pm

re: #312 Lidane

I pretty much live and die by Times New Roman for most of my stuff, but one prof requires Courier.

I hate Courier, reminds me of old fashioned typewriters and takes up more space. I will say it is the easiest to read. I used it on everything I did for my Dad in at least a 36 pt font. He has nearly blind.

328 Lidane  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 10:50:17pm

Time for bed. I'm tired. G'night Lizards!

329 Lidane  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 10:50:51pm

re: #327 ggt

I can't stand Courier either, but it's what he wants, so I have to use it. =P

330 SanFranciscoZionist  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 10:50:57pm

re: #231 NJDhockeyfan

You speak the truth. How many lefties blogs will raise anger over this? I bet none will.

Does the fact that the Wisconsin Democratic Party spoke out against it mean anything?

331 Gretchen G.Tiger  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 10:51:46pm

re: #329 Lidane

I can't stand Courier either, but it's what he wants, so I have to use it. =P

maybe has a hard time reading tons of papers, it is easier on the eyes.

332 Jadespring  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 10:52:07pm

re: #324 SanFranciscoZionist

Bryan Fischer has his own suggestions about that. But he is a moron.

Who's Bryan Fischer?

333 SanFranciscoZionist  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 10:52:43pm

re: #266 theheat

Was it Davey Crocket that supposedly killed a "bahr" with a knife when he was only X years old? (I watched a lot of B&W TV as a kid.)

Yes, Crockett. Kilt him a bar when he was only three.

Or, if you follow some schools of mishearing lyrics, was killed in a bar when he was only three.

334 Gretchen G.Tiger  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 10:55:26pm

re: #333 SanFranciscoZionist

Yes, Crockett. Kilt him a bar when he was only three.

Or, if you follow some schools of mishearing lyrics, was killed in a bar when he was only three.

LOL

I often listen to books thru Librivox. The volunteer readers can be a hoot. I've heard, I think, 5 different ways to correctly pronounce "Librivox". It depends on which country and region the reader is from. Even the more professional readers . . . .

335 theheat  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 10:57:02pm

re: #332 Jadespring

Your typical dominonist fundie.

336 Dark_Falcon  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 10:57:36pm

re: #330 SanFranciscoZionist

Does the fact that the Wisconsin Democratic Party spoke out against it mean anything?

It means something, but it still speaks ill of the unionists for having done it and it speaks ill of orgs like Media Matters that they don't even mention it. This is the kind of thing a 'watchdog' really does need to bark at, at least a little.

337 SanFranciscoZionist  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 10:59:43pm

re: #288 ggt

College Justice Falls Short For Rape Victim

What I don't understand about all this is that law enforcement was not involved. If there were drugs on campus or a murder, wouldn't law enforcement be called?

If the Catholic Church falls under law enforcement jurisdiction, don't college campuses?

I have a list of things I am going to tell my hypothetical children before sending them off to college, and one of them is, "If you are, God forbid, sexually assaulted on campus, first do whatever is necessary to make yourself physically safe, and then call the police department. If campus security tries to dissuade you, tell them to fuck themselves, and call the police department. Campus security is there for a reason, but their job description does not cover doing a rape kit, or processing a crime scene."

There was a stranger rape (what Whoopi Goldberg, bless her wacky soul, might call 'rape-rape' on campus my senior year of college. Granted, campus security did not hear about it for several months, since the victim clammed up, but when she did report, they tried to dissuade her from filing a police report.

Morons. Especially morons since, given the description of the attack we got, I'm pretty sure this was NOT this gentleman's first or only outing.

338 SanFranciscoZionist  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 11:00:25pm

re: #293 talon_262

Anonymous and the WBC...a battle royale made in Hell.

What exactly does Anonymous figure they can DO to the WBC?

339 Jadespring  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 11:01:14pm

re: #335 theheat

Your typical dominonist fundie.

Oh okay. :) I googled the name and that's who came up but I couldn't figure out what he would have to do with bears. So figured it maybe someone else, like one of those macho survival dudes or something.

340 Gretchen G.Tiger  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 11:01:26pm

re: #337 SanFranciscoZionist

I have a list of things I am going to tell my hypothetical children before sending them off to college, and one of them is, "If you are, God forbid, sexually assaulted on campus, first do whatever is necessary to make yourself physically safe, and then call the police department. If campus security tries to dissuade you, tell them to fuck themselves, and call the police department. Campus security is there for a reason, but their job description does not cover doing a rape kit, or processing a crime scene."

There was a stranger rape (what Whoopi Goldberg, bless her wacky soul, might call 'rape-rape' on campus my senior year of college. Granted, campus security did not hear about it for several months, since the victim clammed up, but when she did report, they tried to dissuade her from filing a police report.

Morons. Especially morons since, given the description of the attack we got, I'm pretty sure this was NOT this gentleman's first or only outing.

I guess I don't understand why law enforcement is the first responder?

341 SanFranciscoZionist  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 11:02:35pm

re: #321 ggt

Was there ever a taboo against naming Cats directly?

Dunno.

342 Gretchen G.Tiger  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 11:04:02pm

re: #341 SanFranciscoZionist

Dunno.

I know there was the idea that naming the "entity" would invoke it's spirit god. Which one wouldn't want in the case of a bear, and should be very careful about in the case of a Cat.

343 Jadespring  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 11:04:05pm

re: #338 SanFranciscoZionist

What exactly does Anonymous figure they can DO to the WBC?

They're going to screw with their web presence and computers.

344 theheat  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 11:04:15pm

re: #339 Jadespring

The dominionist fundies are a distinct flavor, and possibly the most loathsome of all.

345 SanFranciscoZionist  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 11:04:29pm

re: #332 Jadespring

Who's Bryan Fischer?

American Family Association douchebag. Feels that we've feminized the Medal of Honor by giving it to guys who save their comrades in the field, and wants to kill all the grizzly bears. To name just two of his stupid opinions.

346 Gretchen G.Tiger  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 11:05:41pm

re: #344 theheat

The dominionist fundies are a distinct flavor, and possibly the most loathsome of all.

I like the term "dominionist fundies". It's more specific than Whacko™ and accurate. It would be difficult to paint the wrong groups with that term.

347 Dark_Falcon  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 11:09:54pm

re: #340 ggt

I guess I don't understand why law enforcement is the first responder?

Because the first thing that needs to be done is to collect evidence. Rape is a hard thing to prove, and a victim serious about getting the rapist off the streets needs to proceed accordingly. Oftentimes if they are first to act, the police may be able to collect key evidence.

348 theheat  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 11:10:34pm

re: #346 ggt

I've dealt with them for years, in all their freaky colors and flavors. I found I could cope with them better by classifying them. Sort of my version of scientific documentation. Like Audubon and birds.

349 SanFranciscoZionist  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 11:11:20pm

re: #340 ggt

I guess I don't understand why law enforcement is the first responder?

You mean, is not? Two things. First, campus security is usually closer. A crime victim probably contacts them first because they can be there in minutes. Second, students are not taught how to handle this, and I strongly suspect that most campuses to some degree or another discourage police reports going out.

350 SanFranciscoZionist  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 11:12:16pm

re: #343 Jadespring

They're going to screw with their web presence and computers.

Well, good luck to them.

Seriously, whatever causes the Phelpses inconvenience and discomfort is pretty much OK with me.

351 Gretchen G.Tiger  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 11:13:05pm

re: #347 Dark_Falcon

Because the first thing that needs to be done is to collect evidence. Rape is a hard thing to prove, and a victim serious about getting the rapist off the streets needs to proceed accordingly. Oftentimes if they are first to act, the police may be able to collect key evidence.

I meant to say "Isn't" the first responder on college campuses.

PIMF!

When you call 911 from your cell, don't you get law enforcement or do you get college cops when you are at University?

In the articles I referenced the victim's worked with in the College Campus or Univeristy system to get justice and one went thru the Department of Education. WTF?

There must be some strange jurisdiction set-up that I don't understand.

352 Gretchen G.Tiger  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 11:15:17pm

re: #349 SanFranciscoZionist

You mean, is not? Two things. First, campus security is usually closer. A crime victim probably contacts them first because they can be there in minutes. Second, students are not taught how to handle this, and I strongly suspect that most campuses to some degree or another discourage police reports going out.

So when a crime is committed, college security isn't required to call in local law enforcement?

This is seriously fucked-up.

353 theheat  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 11:16:40pm

Naptime. Later.

354 Gretchen G.Tiger  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 11:22:06pm

off to bed all!

I leave you with this. Gar-RAN-teed to rid you of headaches.

Have a great morning!

355 SanFranciscoZionist  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 11:22:20pm

re: #352 ggt

So when a crime is committed, college security isn't required to call in local law enforcement?

This is seriously fucked-up.

I honestly don't know what their legal requirements are, and I should probably know a lot more.

356 SanFranciscoZionist  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 11:23:45pm

re: #355 SanFranciscoZionist

I honestly don't know what their legal requirements are, and I should probably know a lot more.

Your article says, though, that the local police wouldn't prosecute. The victim probably went to the campus mediation process in the hopes they might expel the rapist.

357 SanFranciscoZionist  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 11:31:57pm

The woman who was raped on my campus was a friend of a friend. A really nice girl. She was jogging on a campus trail when she saw a little boy on the path ahead of her and slowed down to see if he was OK. Then the rapist tackled her.

That struck me as such a distinctive (and horrifying) MO, that I was sure there must be other reports out there. And this was a white guy, on a women's college campus in an almost entirely black neighborhood. I don't think this was a casual opportunity thing.

She went back to the dorm, took a shower, and didn't say anything to anyone, not her mom, not her sister, not her fiance, for four months. It was just a crappy situation all around.

358 Dark_Falcon  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 11:32:20pm

Good night all.

359 Big Joe  Sat, Feb 19, 2011 11:54:33pm

I want to try this. Cooking with pink Himalayan salt blocks.

[Link: www.saltnews.com...]

360 freetoken  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 12:21:35am
361 Big Joe  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 12:33:25am

um, ok.

Levan Polkka

362 Big Joe  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 12:40:33am

Hong Kong's Symphony of Lights. Like Fantasia but bigger.

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

363 freetoken  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 1:25:06am

The Peanuts!

364 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 1:43:30am

re: #208 NJDhockeyfan

Damn wingnuts!

Wis. Democratic Party Condemns Hateful Signs Targeting State's GOP Governor and Lawmakers

Yes, damn wingnuts. Because wingnuts cannot even condemn the hateful rhetoric as old as birtherism, not to mention all the shit that comes out of teabaggers.

365 freetoken  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 1:44:31am

Note to self: Self, you really need to write about emergent racism in some well trafficked science blogs.

366 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 1:44:48am

re: #197 Dark_Falcon

I'd call it a good decision. Padilla was no ordinary criminal, he was an enemy combatant. And his claims of torture don't really track. Being held in darkness like that is not being burned or whipped. I'd prefer to stop defining torture down.

Sleep deprivation is torture.

367 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 1:45:59am

re: #187 ggt

Judge Throws Out Ex-Detainee's Suit Alleging Torture

My first thought was, good, because I'm basically tired of the whole subject. But I'm not so sure if it is the right decision on the part of the judge.

It's "good" because you're bored? Oookay...

368 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 1:48:30am

re: #361 mracb

um, ok.

Levan Polkka


[Video]

That's Ieval Polka (from "Ieva" - Eva).

369 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 1:48:48am

re: #368 Sergey Romanov

That's Ieval Polka (from "Ieva" - Eva).

Ievan

370 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 2:35:44am
Russia needs “just and fair” elections to spur economic growth and cut dependence on energy, Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin said.

The country, scheduled to hold parliamentary elections in December and a presidential poll next year, needs to ensure a credible vote to establish “the mandate of trust necessary for economic reform,” Kudrin said in a speech to an economic forum late yesterday in the Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk, according to a transcript on the government’s website.

“If distrust is established, we will not be able to carry out our tasks fully,” said Kudrin, who also holds the rank of deputy prime minister. “All major political forces in society” need to be represented in the elections for the results to be trusted, he said.

[Link: www.bloomberg.com...]

And of course Kudrin is now being attacked for his "politically ambiguous" statement.

371 freetoken  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 2:44:39am
373 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 3:36:04am

LOL. Sonic for hire.

374 laZardo  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 4:27:32am

Oh, that Black Mamba.

375 researchok  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 4:34:40am

Morning, all

376 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 4:40:34am

re: #374 laZardo

Oh, that Black Mamba.


[Video]

They should totally make this game.

377 Jadespring  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 6:04:21am

Morning all.

This is neat.

[Link: www.correntewire.com...]

Protest Pizza!

A pizza place that let folks online know that they could buy pizzas to send to the protestors there has received such a response that they’ve now stopped normal orders and are only processing orders for the protest: via pharyngula

This was just posted on Ian’s Facebook Wall:

This is astounding! As of right now, Ian’s Pizza on State’s normal in-store and delivery operations are on hold — due to the high volume of calls, we are only processing orders donated to the protesters. By our (rather harried) count, we’ve heard from 30 states and 5 countries (including Egypt, Korea, and our northern friends, Canada). Wow. Thank you! To our regular customers: We really apologize, but… wow

378 BishopX  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 6:10:51am

re: #377 Jadespring

I love that people in Egypt are backing the Wisconsin protesters. Says something about how supposedly anti-American the Egyptian people are.

379 Jadespring  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 6:21:35am

re: #378 BishopX

I love that people in Egypt are backing the Wisconsin protesters. Says something about how supposedly anti-American the Egyptian people are.

It also speaks a lot to just how much our world, beyond country is connected now. I think it's great that some people can see themselves, even with all the differences, in other people and relate, even in the smallest way over such vast distances.

380 laZardo  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 6:23:40am

re: #378 BishopX

I love that people in Egypt are backing the Wisconsin protesters. Says something about how supposedly anti-American the Egyptian people are.

SEKTRIT ISLAMIST INFILTRATION POLT!!!

/no backspaces were typed in the making of this outrage

381 sattv4u2  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 6:23:56am

Too bad it's Sunday

I'm SURE my invitation is in the mail!!

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

382 lawhawk  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 6:34:04am

Greets and saluts from the NYC metro area.

The situation in Libya is getting a whole lot more dangerous with more than 200 killed by Khadafi's security thugs. The situation in Yemen is quite bad.

And now, China is moving to stop protests before they grow to a point where the regime there can no longer control events. They're looking to stop the protests before they draw crowds that could threaten the regime itself.

383 Romantic Heretic  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 6:35:46am

re: #377 Jadespring

Morning all.

This is neat.

[Link: www.correntewire.com...]

Protest Pizza!

Grinning wide. Nice way to start the morning.

384 Romantic Heretic  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 6:37:35am

re: #382 lawhawk

Greets and saluts from the NYC metro area.

The situation in Libya is getting a whole lot more dangerous with more than 200 killed by Khadafi's security thugs. The situation in Yemen is quite bad.

And now, China is moving to stop protests before they grow to a point where the regime there can no longer control events. They're looking to stop the protests before they draw crowds that could threaten the regime itself.

My favorite local columnist wrote about China in this context this morning.

China ripe for discontent.

385 sattv4u2  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 6:40:00am

re: #377 Jadespring

re: #378 BishopX

Not to put a damper on it, but more likely than not it's ex-pats doing it

When I was in the m/e on business we would follow the news from home via various media outlets but our hosts were only interested if something coming out of Washington affected their country/ situation directly

386 BishopX  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 6:40:02am

re: #382 lawhawk

I'm finding it really interesting to watch how this spreads. Especially now that some non-Muslim countries are starting to pick it up. There were protests yesterday in the Ivory coast as well.

387 sattv4u2  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 6:50:57am

Why won't she go away!?!?!

BEHAR: Things have changed. And President Obama, do you like him? Do you think he is doing a good job? We started out the conversation before about it a little bit.

THOMAS: I think he lacks courage

BEHAR: He lacks courage?

THOMAS: And he is not a liberal. I had hoped he was. I suppose I thought he was, because he was black, I thought he would automatically be —

BEHAR: Well, that was your mistake.

THOMAS: That was my mistake. I thought he would be a liberal.

BEHAR: Can’t judge a person by the color.

THOMAS: Absolutely. You are so right. But I really thought that he would have an empathy for all the blacks, what they had gone through in life.

388 Jadespring  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 6:51:17am

re: #385 sattv4u2

re: #378 BishopX

Not to put a damper on it, but more likely than not it's ex-pats doing it

When I was in the m/e on business we would follow the news from home via various media outlets but our hosts were only interested if something coming out of Washington affected their country/ situation directly

Yes it very well could be. It could also be Egyptians who have connections to the US either through family or because they've worked or gone to school.
I do know however that some of the Egyptians that were involved in the revolution are aware of Wisconsin because they've tweeted about it. A couple of those tweets have even been posted here. One was kinda of funny. Something along the lines of "Egyptians are with you Wisconsin even though we don't know how to pronounce it."

389 Obdicut  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 6:51:46am

re: #387 sattv4u2

Oh please, Thomas, tell us about 'the blacks'.

390 Jadespring  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 6:53:45am

re: #389 Obdicut

Oh please, Thomas, tell us about 'the blacks'.

I can't watch the vid. Who is this Thomas? Helen?

391 sattv4u2  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 6:55:50am

re: #389 Obdicut

Oh please, Thomas, tell us about 'the blacks'.

It's worse

Check about 1:10 in when she's talking about Jews not having to "go anywhere" after WW2 because (her words) "they weren't being presecuted anymore"

392 sattv4u2  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 6:56:01am

re: #390 Jadespring

I can't watch the vid. Who is this Thomas? Helen?

yes

393 Obdicut  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 6:56:49am

Also, she's getting empathy and sympathy mixed up, and I fucking hate that.

394 sattv4u2  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 6:57:01am

re: #391 sattv4u2

It's worse

Check about 1:10 in when she's talking about Jews not having to "go anywhere" after WW2 because (her words) "they weren't being presecuted persecuted anymore but they were taking other peoples land"

pimf

395 Winny Spencer  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 7:00:20am

re: #394 sattv4u2

pimf

Someone made a page about it, I think yesterday.

The stupid is blinding.

396 Girl with a Pearl Earring  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 7:00:57am

Bruce Willis as "Master Suave" -- I love it!

397 sattv4u2  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 7:01:12am

re: #395 Winny Spencer

Someone made a page about it, I think yesterday.

The stupid is blinding.

Thanks

Didn't realize that

398 Talking Point Detective  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 7:01:59am

re: #384 Romantic Heretic

My favorite local columnist wrote about China in this context this morning.

China ripe for discontent.

I think that comparison is a pretty big stretch. Chinese attitudes towards their government are dramatically different from citizens in ME dictatorships:

A 2010 Pew survey shows that close to 90% of Chinese are satisfied with how things are going.

[Link: pewglobal.org...]

From 2008:

As they eagerly await the Beijing Olympics, the Chinese people express extraordinary levels of satisfaction with the way things are going in their country and with their nation’s economy. With more than eight-in-ten having a positive view of both, China ranks number one among 24 countries on both measures in the 2008 survey by the Pew Research Center’s Pew Global Attitudes Project. These findings represent a dramatic improvement in national contentment from earlier in the decade when the Chinese people were not nearly as positive about the course of their nation and its economy.

[Link: pewglobal.org...]

399 Winny Spencer  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 7:02:14am

re: #397 sattv4u2

Thanks

Didn't realize that

Just meant for more info.

I didn't realize the clip included all the different parts of stupid I read about yesterday.

400 sattv4u2  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 7:05:03am

re: #399 Winny Spencer

Just meant for more info.

I didn't realize the clip included all the different parts of stupid I read about yesterday.

When I 1st saw the quote that I posted in #387 I thought the clip would be all about her thoughts on Obama

Thats not talked about till 5:17 in to a 6:29 clip

I was dumbfounded with the 1st 5+ minutes!

401 Jadespring  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 7:08:24am

re: #392 sattv4u2

yes

Ah okay. Already know her views in this area. It's too bad really that this is they way she's going to go out. Without trying to be totally ageist when she talks about this stuff she reminds me of my Grandpa (RIP) who would have been the same age. I never knew his views on Israel but the way he talked about others just seemed so archaic and awkward to me.

402 RogueOne  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 7:08:48am

re: #398 Talking Point Detective

I think that comparison is a pretty big stretch. Chinese attitudes towards their government are dramatically different from citizens in ME dictatorships:

A 2010 Pew survey shows that close to 90% of Chinese are satisfied with how things are going.

[Link: pewglobal.org...]

The other 10% are currently putting together Ipads as cheap prison labor.

403 laZardo  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 7:09:59am

re: #402 RogueOne

The other 10% are currently putting together Ipads as cheap prison labor.

Thus satisfying the other 90% enough to not express their discontent openly.

404 Varek Raith  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 7:10:19am

Ug tooth hurt!!!!
/Feel a bit better...
:/

405 RogueOne  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 7:13:54am

re: #403 laZardo

Thus satisfying the other 90% enough to not express their discontent openly.

Exactly. 90% of those polled in NK approve of their leaders plan of national starvation in order to force the evolution of a nation of shorter, lighter, ninja-monkeys.

406 laZardo  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 7:15:35am
407 Varek Raith  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 7:16:41am

re: #405 RogueOne

Exactly. 90% of those polled in NK approve of their leaders plan of national starvation in order to force the evolution of a nation of shorter, lighter, ninja-monkeys.

Image: ninja-monkey.jpg

408 RogueOne  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 7:17:24am

re: #407 Varek Raith

Image: ninja-monkey.jpg

South kore is going down!

409 Talking Point Detective  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 7:19:54am

re: #405 RogueOne

Exactly. 90% of those polled in NK approve of their leaders plan of national starvation in order to force the evolution of a nation of shorter, lighter, ninja-monkeys.


That's a really bad comparison. I have worked with Chinese students and professionals. Very, very few of them express concerns about the lack of civil liberties. I'm talking about highly educated people who have lived in the states for years. Most of them believe that China is moving towards liberalization, but that moving too fast would be disastrous.

This really has very little to do with the inability to openly express critical views. There are certainly dissidents, and there are poor rural Chinese that are pretty angry about how they've been left behind in the modernization. There are also urban Chinese who are angry because they've moved to the cities and their standard of living has not improved as they had expected. But most Chinese are pretty positive about what's going on there as in general the standard of living has increased dramatically in recent decades.

410 Daniel Ballard  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 7:20:58am

Hello all,
I just got up to find this from Left_Wing_Conspirator sent to my in box. An unexpected duet to say the least. BB King and Pavarotti, "The Thrill Is Gone". It's early Sunday in my time zone, and I found it quite nice to start my day. Paged too.

411 treasured people  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 7:21:04am

I had a dream. The Moslem nations suddenly tell Israel, "We recognize that all your settlements are legitimate. We realize that the reason Arabs in Judea and Samaria (West Bank) are prospering more than in any Arab country is because of the freedoms they enjoy and the influence of Israel's booming economy. In fact, we are extending a hand of friendship to Israel. Come and show us how we can share in your economic success. Show us how to bring high tech science to industry and agriculture. Let's cooperate and create alliances of free nations. The Middle East is where civilization began. Let's have a renaissance here of civility and cooperation." We need only pray that not only will the pace of change be faster than ever before, but that the magnitude of change will also be something we have never seen before. Why not? The cynical experts have been consistently wrong up till now. Let them be wrong a little longer.

412 RogueOne  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 7:23:24am

The wheels on the bus go round and round...

23-Year-Old Man Killed When Wheels Come Off School Bus
[Link: www.wisn.com...]

413 Decatur Deb  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 7:23:52am

re: #398 Talking Point Detective

I think that comparison is a pretty big stretch. Chinese attitudes towards their government are dramatically different from citizens in ME dictatorships:

A 2010 Pew survey shows that close to 90% of Chinese are satisfied with how things are going.

[Link: pewglobal.org...]

From 2008:

[Link: pewglobal.org...]

Millions of Chinese starved to death or were slaughtered by the Japanese in my lifetime. The older generation reminds their kids that there are worse things than working yourself to death making Harbor Freight flashlights.

414 laZardo  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 7:24:21am

re: #411 treasured people

The cynical experts have been consistently wrong up till now. Let them be wrong a little longer.

It's not over until it's over.

And it's nowhere near over.

415 Varek Raith  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 7:24:26am

re: #412 RogueOne

The wheels on the bus go round and round...

23-Year-Old Man Killed When Wheels Come Off School Bus
[Link: www.wisn.com...]

Mythbusters showed what a blown tire can to to ya.
Scary stuff.

416 Talking Point Detective  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 7:28:00am

re: #413 Decatur Deb

Millions of Chinese starved to death or were slaughtered by the Japanese in my lifetime. The older generation reminds their kids that there are worse things than working yourself to death making Harbor Freight flashlights.

Yeah. In my experience, Chinese people have a very pragmatic attitude towards life. They view American attitudes about achieving happiness though the ability to change jobs and do what you want to do as highly self-indulgent. If you can obtain reasonable economic and job security, you should work hard and not expect much more.

417 Obdicut  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 7:33:05am

re: #411 treasured people

Dreams sure are nice.

Reality less so.

Prayer typically ineffective.

418 BishopX  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 7:33:11am

re: #416 Talking Point Detective

The Chinese government rightly recognizes that they need to maintain a certain rate of economic growth (something like 8-10% annually) in order to forestall social unrest.

When the Chinese real estate bubbles bursts there are going to be huge problems.

419 treasured people  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 7:37:50am

re: #414 laZardo

Amen to that.

420 laZardo  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 7:43:46am

re: #419 treasured people

Actually, I said that as one of those "cynical experts." I'm not optimistic about the future of "democracy" in the Middle East.

421 laZardo  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 7:45:19am

re: #415 Varek Raith

Mythbusters showed what a blown tire can to to ya.
Scary stuff.

Especially the "peelings" that come off 18-wheelers at 60 miles an hour.

422 Talking Point Detective  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 7:49:41am

re: #418 BishopX

The Chinese government rightly recognizes that they need to maintain a certain rate of economic growth (something like 8-10% annually) in order to forestall social unrest.

When the Chinese real estate bubbles bursts there are going to be huge problems.

Maybe. There was a some unrest not that long ago in some rural areas. But it's pretty phenomenal how after Tienanmen Square, many Chinese have become pretty complacent. When an economy crashes there's always the danger for social unrest, but in my experience, there's generally a lot of goodwill among Chinese towards their government at this point. It always amazes me when I meet a very westernized Chinese person living in the U.S. when they express no concern whatsoever about limits on free speech in China, but that's what I have typically found to be the case, and I've seen a lot of information that shows that there's a larger phenomenon than just my anecdotal experience.

423 treasured people  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 7:51:16am

re: #420 laZardo

But LaZardo, can you imagine if tyranny suddenly became just plain unfashionable and undigestible? If no people anywhere could abide dictatorship? The Internet and the access it has created to people and ideas is unprecedented. The new world of freedom and liberty begins with cyberspace and a keyboard. Everything is possible.

424 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 7:53:24am

re: #423 treasured people

Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too

425 laZardo  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 7:55:01am

re: #423 treasured people

But LaZardo, can you imagine if tyranny suddenly became just plain unfashionable and undigestible? If no people anywhere could abide dictatorship? The Internet and the access it has created to people and ideas is unprecedented. The new world of freedom and liberty begins with cyberspace and a keyboard. Everything is possible.


[Video]

Such as a tyranny based in the internet e.g. the "Anons" doing the hacking and their neckbeard cheerleaders donating their computers to the botnet. Besides which, most of the countries with ongoing rebellions have never really known democracy. It's likely that they'll end up with another authoritarian government that does something like China and finds a way to keep the populace pacified.

426 Talking Point Detective  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 7:55:23am

re: #423 treasured people

But LaZardo, can you imagine if tyranny suddenly became just plain unfashionable and undigestible? If no people anywhere could abide dictatorship? The Internet and the access it has created to people and ideas is unprecedented. The new world of freedom and liberty begins with cyberspace and a keyboard. Everything is possible.


[Video]

It is certainly interesting just how much energy the Chinese government puts into controlling Internet access. Clearly, it represents a huge threat to their autocratic structure.

427 laZardo  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 7:58:40am

re: #426 Talking Point Detective

It is certainly interesting just how much energy the Chinese government puts into controlling Internet access. Clearly, it represents a huge threat to their autocratic structure.

Which is why they pay off the tech wizards to do their own bidding. A technique that corporations might want to try with the folks jailbreaking their fancy gadgets.

428 Obdicut  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 7:59:16am

re: #425 laZardo

We have a strong, secular democracy in the US, and yet a huge percentage of the population is trying to turn it into a theocratic tyranny of the majority.

People.

429 laZardo  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 8:00:31am

re: #428 Obdicut

We have a strong, secular democracy in the US, and yet a huge percentage of the population is trying to turn it into a theocratic tyranny of the majority.

People.

For me that's putting it very mildly. But I'll leave that downthread.

430 treasured people  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 8:02:44am

Yes, you are so right! Yet we all know that the Chinese tyranny will soon collapse. It's not a question of if, but only of when. The Chinese are highly intelligent and industrious and cannot forever suffer having their freedom denied and creativity inhibited. We can take heart from the fact that no one predicted the fall of the Soviet Union (which happened before there was much of an Internet) and the democratization of its former satellite nations, and no one predicted the fall of Mubarak.

431 treasured people  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 8:05:13am

re: #426 Talking Point Detective

#430 was meant for you

432 Obdicut  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 8:07:20am

re: #430 treasured people

Many of the previous satellite nations haven't really be democratized so much.

You know that, right?

433 laZardo  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 8:07:31am

re: #430 treasured people

Lots of people were predicting the fall of the Soviet Union. We just didn't expect it to happen so...peacefully. As it were.

Nor, conversely, did we expect China to catch wind of what was going on in Eastern Europe and take matters into their own hands in 1989 as well. That and America and NATO using the Eastern European states as missile fodder instead of the Soviets.

Fate works both ways. More often than not it doesn't end well.

434 Talking Point Detective  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 8:08:21am

re: #427 laZardo

Which is why they pay off the tech wizards to do their own bidding. A technique that corporations might want to try with the folks jailbreaking their fancy gadgets.

Just listened to this interview yesterday.

[Link: www.npr.org...]

Fighting Cybercrime, One Digital Thug At A Time

California surfer and computer whiz Barrett Lyon founded an Internet security company after dropping out of college.

Attacking corporate Web sites and stealing personal financial information is no longer just the work of hackers. These days the mob is also taking an interest.

From San Francisco to Costa Rica to London to Russia, Joseph Menn's new book, Fatal System Error: The Hunt for the New Crime Lords Who Are Bringing Down the Internet, follows the evolution of digital crime from small-time thieving to organized gangs — all vying for a piece of a trillion-dollar pie.

Menn follows the book's hero — real-life cybercrime fighter Barrett Lyon — on a global investigation that uncovers alliances between the Russian mafia and the Russian government, and reveals how La Cosa Nostra and the Russians fight it out for control of the Internet's massive spoils.

This guy was a hacker as a kid and now is hired by companies to catch hackers. Scary stuff.

435 Semper Fi  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 8:09:32am

Happy sunday, lizards.
Hopefully, the final cold front in the current series has swept thru with much wind in the beginning. Driving was kinda dangerous along the highways with tumbleweeds on the move and some drivers dangerously swerving to avoid them at speeds in excess of 65mph. Hitting one is really ok as tumbleweeds are very dry and pretty much breakup on impact which is far preferable to an accident caused by swerving to avoid. Solo accidents can happen that way also.
Couple years ago driving in the CA Central Valley I noticed the highway maintenance crews gather and build great collections (as big as a car or two) of tumbleweeds in the center median for later disposal. Those dry tumbleweeds seem to stick to each other like velcro.

Just wanted to say good morning all...

436 laZardo  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 8:10:15am

re: #434 Talking Point Detective

Just listened to this interview yesterday.

[Link: www.npr.org...]

This guy was a hacker as a kid and now is hired by companies to catch hackers. Scary stuff.

Soldiers in cyber-warfare. Israel would know.

Not that Stuxnet was a bad thing where it ended up...

437 treasured people  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 8:12:08am

re: #432 Obdicut

Please keep me up to date. I am under the impression that the Eastern European nations are democratic as well as the ethnic and/or "stan" countries. Have some of them gone dictatorship again? Are their elections real or fake?

438 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 8:13:41am

re: #430 treasured people

Yes, you are so right! Yet we all know that the Chinese tyranny will soon collapse. It's not a question of if, but only of when. The Chinese are highly intelligent and industrious and cannot forever suffer having their freedom denied and creativity inhibited. We can take heart from the fact that no one predicted the fall of the Soviet Union (which happened before there was much of an Internet) and the democratization of its former satellite nations, and no one predicted the fall of Mubarak.

Actually the collapse of USSR was predictable, it only depends on what time frame we use. Maybe someone couldn't have predicted it in 1985, but it was more clear towards the end. When the Baltic republics declared independence, when republics like Ukraine and Russia declared their sovereignty in 1990, with the unrest in Caucasus - the fall was more or less inevitable.

439 treasured people  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 8:15:14am

re: #425 laZardo

Don't underestimate the power of the human spirit!

440 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 8:15:41am

re: #437 treasured people

Please keep me up to date. I am under the impression that the Eastern European nations are democratic as well as the ethnic and/or "stan" countries. Have some of them gone dictatorship again? Are their elections real or fake?

Like, duh? Belarus, Turkmenistan off the top of the head. Russia is not quite dictatorship, but not democratic too.

441 laZardo  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 8:16:19am

re: #439 treasured people

Don't underestimate the power of the human spirit!

I have never underestimated the capability of mankind to fuck themselves in the collective ass and not even have the goddamn common courtesy to give them a reacharound. ;)

442 Talking Point Detective  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 8:18:55am

re: #430 treasured people

Yes, you are so right! Yet we all know that the Chinese tyranny will soon collapse. It's not a question of if, but only of when. The Chinese are highly intelligent and industrious and cannot forever suffer having their freedom denied and creativity inhibited. We can take heart from the fact that no one predicted the fall of the Soviet Union (which happened before there was much of an Internet) and the democratization of its former satellite nations, and no one predicted the fall of Mubarak.

Again, I think though that China is a bit of a special case. Many Chinese people I've talked to feel that if there were no constraints on civil liberties, the country would collapse. They actively support the government's policy of measured progress. And in vibrant cities like Shanghai, people do not feel much like their creativity is being stifled.

There are certain advantages that a centralized capitalistic government like China has in today's economy. Think of their ability to build new infrastructure while we're mired in endless hand-wringing about government overreach. The Chinese people are aware of that advantage.

443 Obdicut  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 8:20:49am

re: #437 treasured people

Please keep me up to date. I am under the impression that the Eastern European nations are democratic as well as the ethnic and/or "stan" countries. Have some of them gone dictatorship again? Are their elections real or fake?

Yeah. Not even Russia is really a democracy right now. Not Western-style one, anyway. I see Sergey covered this already.

Before you celebrate something, it's best to check whether or not it's real.

444 laZardo  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 8:21:03am

re: #442 Talking Point Detective

Again, I think though that China is a bit of a special case. Many Chinese people I've talked to feel that if there were no constraints on civil liberties, the country would collapse. They actively support the government's policy of measured progress. And in vibrant cities like Shanghai, people do not feel much like their creativity is being stifled.

There are certain advantages that a centralized capitalistic government like China has in today's economy. Think of their ability to build new infrastructure while we're mired in endless hand-wringing about government overreach. The Chinese people are aware of that advantage.

Maybe it's an Eastern thing about discipline being key to success. It worked in Singapore, Japan and Korea.

It's also interesting to note that according to the World Bank, East Asia is the most closed to foreign investment in the media sector.

445 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 8:23:25am

re: #440 Sergey Romanov

Like, duh? Belarus, Turkmenistan off the top of the head. Russia is not quite dictatorship, but not democratic too.

To add to this, the US ally Uzbekistan is a de facto dictatorship, despite trappings of democracy.

446 treasured people  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 8:24:04am

re: #443 Obdicut

Still, the vast majority of nations and peoples dominated by the Soviets are now free.

447 laZardo  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 8:26:45am

Headan to bed. Nighty.

448 Talking Point Detective  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 8:27:09am

re: #444 laZardo

Maybe it's an Eastern thing about discipline being key to success. It worked in Singapore, Japan and Korea.

It's also interesting to note that according to the World Bank, East Asia is the most closed to foreign investment in the media sector.

Singapore is a fascinating case. In my experience, East Asians tend to view western attitudes about "open" or "closed" economies as highly hypocritical. There a bit sick of hearing westerners preach about how they should open their economies to the benefit of western countries. The theoretical argument that closed economies breed uncompetitive industries only goes so far. Of course, with increasing globalization and international corporations, the whole argument shifts center.

449 laZardo  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 8:30:48am

re: #448 Talking Point Detective

Singapore is a fascinating case. In my experience, East Asians tend to view western attitudes about "open" or "closed" economies as highly hypocritical. There a bit sick of hearing westerners preach about how they should open their economies to the benefit of western countries. The theoretical argument that closed economies breed uncompetitive industries only goes so far. Of course, with increasing globalization and international corporations, the whole argument shifts center.

Mind, a lot of these Eastern success stories have pretty open economies otherwise. I suspect the whole protectionist angle is actually to build up an industrial base from which they might have a chance at competing globally upon opening up their economy.

/but yeah, headan to bed.

450 Talking Point Detective  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 8:30:49am

re: #444 laZardo

Maybe it's an Eastern thing about discipline being key to success. It worked in Singapore, Japan and Korea.

It's also interesting to note that according to the World Bank, East Asia is the most closed to foreign investment in the media sector.

There's also a different attitude about authority, and about collective benefit versus individual benefit.

In this country, we tend to think that if everyone acts in their own best interest we'll all succeed. So, the first order of priority is individualistic - to focus on ourselves. In many Asian countries, the first order of priority is to do what is in the society's best interests. Actually, it's less true of Chinese than Koreans or Japanese, but it's still an important factor.

451 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 8:31:09am

For those interested in Russian politics as well as fancy what-if scenarios, run this half-parody item through google translate: [Link: grani.ru...]

452 Talking Point Detective  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 8:31:35am

re: #449 laZardo

Mind, a lot of these Eastern success stories have pretty open economies otherwise. I suspect the whole protectionist angle is actually to build up an industrial base from which they might have a chance at competing globally upon opening up their economy.

/but yeah, headan to bed.

Agreed. Sleep well.

453 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 8:36:46am

Well, whaddayaknow, someone on DailyKos recommended list corrects Maddow and the left:

[Link: www.dailykos.com...]

Like that happens often on the right.

454 Obdicut  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 8:40:15am

re: #446 treasured people

Still, the vast majority of nations and peoples dominated by the Soviets are now free.

Except, you know, Russia. That is, if you think stuff like freedom of the press and fair trials are important.

455 Sheila Broflovski  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 8:40:54am

Boker tov!

This morning I went swimming!

This afternoon I am going to get my nails done in the same color as my new car!

I have been saying for years that the car companies should make nail polish in all the new car colors, to give away as a promotion at auto shows.

456 Killgore Trout  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 8:41:09am

re: #453 Sergey Romanov

Well, whaddayaknow, someone on DailyKos recommended list corrects Maddow and the left:

[Link: www.dailykos.com...]

Like that happens often on the right.

Ah, thanks for the correction. Kudos to the Koskidz for acknowledging the fact check.

457 Obdicut  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 8:42:18am

re: #453 Sergey Romanov

It was pretty disappointing of people to jump on the 'he created it' meme, simply because it doesn't matter. The unionbusting is idiotic no matter what.

458 Talking Point Detective  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 8:44:20am

re: #453 Sergey Romanov

Well, whaddayaknow, someone on DailyKos recommended list corrects Maddow and the left:

[Link: www.dailykos.com...]

Like that happens often on the right.

Unfortunately, that difference hurts the left politically. The blanket refusal to be accountable for mistakes works very well with most of the rightwing.

459 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 8:44:20am

re: #456 Killgore Trout

Ah, thanks for the correction. Kudos to the Koskidz for acknowledging the fact check.

"Koskidz" is sooo LGF2004. Many of those "kidz" are older than me and you ;)

460 Killgore Trout  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 8:45:28am

re: #459 Sergey Romanov

"Koskidz" is sooo LGF2004. Many of those "kidz" are older than me and you ;)

;)

461 prairiefire  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 8:58:42am

"Female Foreign Correspondents' Code Of Silence Finally Broken:"[Link: www.huffingtonpost.com...]

462 albusteve  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 9:01:35am

Revolutionary Guard softening up?...lose the Guard and you lose Iran
[Link: blogs.telegraph.co.uk...]

463 albusteve  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 9:06:01am

That liberal vision of high-speed rail, renewable energy, health care for all, more money for universities? Sorry, that money is going to government workers and retirees.
not everyone in CA is dumber than a box of rocks....on pension spending


Reason’s Tim Cavanaugh explains how progressives in deep-blue California are starting to realize this:

The most aggressive lobbying for pension reform is coming not from fiscal conservatives but from progressives, who see the logarithmic cascade of pension liability as a threat to public parks, environmental programs, and rail transit.

Jeff Adachi, an attorney who has spent most of his career in government work, sees the problem strictly in terms of spending priorities. “Right now in San Francisco we’re spending a billion dollars a year on benefits,” he says. “That’s one out of every six dollars we spend. Within five years that’s going to double, to one out of every three dollars. I believe it’s already that ratio in Los Angeles.”

[Link: blogs.investors.com...]

464 albusteve  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 9:13:13am

cutting back....
First Lady Michelle Obama and daughters Malia and Sasha are said to be on a ‘private family trip’ to Colorado for Presidents' Day Weekend.

They are staying at the upscale Sebastian Hotel on Vail Mountain, where rooms start at $650 a night and range up to more than $2,400 for multi-bedroom suites.

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

SkiGate!

465 Girl with a Pearl Earring  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 9:13:45am

re: #462 albusteve

"Revolutionary Guard softening up?...lose the Guard and you lose Iran"

Absolutely; they are the most loyal of all . Thanks for the link. If the mullahs don't have the IRGC behind them they're in real trouble. To give you an idea of just how powerful they are, here's this from Wikipedia:

"The IRGC has 125,000 military personnel including ground, air and naval forces. It also controls the paramilitary Basij militia which has 90,000 active personnel, and in recent years has developed into a "multibillion-dollar business empire."

Since its origin as an ideologically driven militia,the Army of the Guardians of the Islamic Revolution has taken an ever more assertive role in virtually every aspect of Iranian society. Its expanded social, political, military, and economic role under president Ahmadinejad's administration — especially during the 2009 presidential election and post-election suppression of protest — has led many analysts to argue that its political power has surpassed even that of the Shiite clerical system."

466 reine.de.tout  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 9:14:38am

re: #464 albusteve

Steve - howya doin'?

467 blueraven  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 9:18:39am

re: #463 albusteve

That liberal vision of high-speed rail, renewable energy, health care for all, more money for universities? Sorry, that money is going to government workers and retirees.
not everyone in CA is dumber than a box of rocks...on pension spending


Reason’s Tim Cavanaugh explains how progressives in deep-blue California are starting to realize this:

The most aggressive lobbying for pension reform is coming not from fiscal conservatives but from progressives, who see the logarithmic cascade of pension liability as a threat to public parks, environmental programs, and rail transit.

Jeff Adachi, an attorney who has spent most of his career in government work, sees the problem strictly in terms of spending priorities. “Right now in San Francisco we’re spending a billion dollars a year on benefits,” he says. “That’s one out of every six dollars we spend. Within five years that’s going to double, to one out of every three dollars. I believe it’s already that ratio in Los Angeles.”

[Link: blogs.investors.com...]

I think everyone, including the unions (in Wisconsin) agrees that state worker cuts have to part of the fix. But that is not the argument. Why did Walker turn down this offer from the unions?
What they are fighting for is collective bargaining rights. Walker is trying to destroy the unions, while at the same time giving tax breaks to business.
A little balance is in order.

468 albusteve  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 9:18:46am

re: #466 reine.de.tout

Steve - howya doin'?

pretty shitty...I have a major detox jones flooding over me....third day and I have not killed myself...oxycodone is no wimp...life right now is about like looking through a toilet paper role...but I'll be fine, I think...I had to do this before and I think it was worse, so I'll survive

469 albusteve  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 9:21:01am

re: #467 blueraven

I think everyone, including the unions (in Wisconsin) agrees that state worker cuts have to part of the fix. But that is not the argument. Why did Walker turn down this offer from the unions?
What they are fighting for is collective bargaining rights. Walker is trying to destroy the unions, while at the same time giving tax breaks to business.
A little balance is in order.

Walker cannot destroy the union, virtually impossible....but the teachers must bend on this one and stay bent....Walker will have to concede

470 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 9:23:47am

re: #464 albusteve

cutting back...
First Lady Michelle Obama and daughters Malia and Sasha are said to be on a ‘private family trip’ to Colorado for Presidents' Day Weekend.

They are staying at the upscale Sebastian Hotel on Vail Mountain, where rooms start at $650 a night and range up to more than $2,400 for multi-bedroom suites.

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

SkiGate!

Weiner wants to defund the Congressional healthcare. If the Republicans are so serious about "cuts", they will do it.

471 Page 3 in the Binder of Women  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 9:24:03am

re: #466 reine.de.tout

Hey Reine, we've got a game today you know!

472 reine.de.tout  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 9:26:35am

re: #468 albusteve

pretty shitty...I have a major detox jones flooding over me...third day and I have not killed myself...oxycodone is no wimp...life right now is about like looking through a toilet paper role...but I'll be fine, I think...I had to do this before and I think it was worse, so I'll survive

Ah, Sorry to hear it!

re: #471 Stanley Sea

Hey Reine, we've got a game today you know!

We do? Uh-oh. I was unaware! Goodness, I need to keep track of these things better, eh?

473 Killgore Trout  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 9:26:46am

re: #463 albusteve

I saw that floating around the wingnut sites today but ignored it. A Rupert Murdoch outlet pushing crap from the libertarian loons at Reason. Been there, done that,

474 Killgore Trout  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 9:27:29am

re: #468 albusteve

pretty shitty...I have a major detox jones flooding over me...third day and I have not killed myself...oxycodone is no wimp...life right now is about like looking through a toilet paper role...but I'll be fine, I think...I had to do this before and I think it was worse, so I'll survive

ugh, Hang in there,

475 albusteve  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 9:28:04am

re: #473 Killgore Trout

I saw that floating around the wingnut sites today but ignored it. A Rupert Murdoch outlet pushing crap from the libertarian loons at Reason. Been there, done that,

just stirring the pot....

476 Page 3 in the Binder of Women  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 9:30:36am

re: #472 reine.de.tout

Ah, Sorry to hear it!

re: #471 Stanley Sea

We do? Uh-oh. I was unaware! Goodness, I need to keep track of these things better, eh?

1 pm Eastern.

477 reine.de.tout  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 9:36:26am

I don't know enough about economic stuff or unions to be able to say anything worthwhile about what's going on in Wisconsin; and honestly, I don't have enough time right now to research it all and find out more.

But a couple of things I can say:

1. The state employees of Wisconsin apparently have civil service protection, but that does not give them bargaining rights. And that would be true of a civil service system. HOWEVER, it would be incorrect to jump from there to an assumption that those employees have no POWER to influence what goes in within their Civil Service system.

2. If there's anyone here who lives in their state's capitol city - I highly recommend that the next time your legislature is in session, take a day (or two) and attend a couple of the committee meetings, and don't miss trying to take in a meeting or two where the state's budget is under discussion. These meetings are public, and the information is publicized on the internet as to committee and meetings dates/times. The experience will be an eye-opener for you.

479 Killgore Trout  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 9:40:30am

Clashes erupt at Libyan funeral procession, military camp

Violence flared again Sunday in Benghazi and appeared to be escalating, as Libyan protesters used an explosives-laden car in an attempt to gain entry into a military camp and clashes were reported between the military and marchers in a funeral procession.

480 reine.de.tout  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 9:41:49am

re: #478 Killgore Trout

The GOP decides accurate weather forecasting and hurricane tracking are luxuries America can’t afford

heh.
Robert in New Orleans says everything I would want to say:

Robert In New Orleans says:
February 18, 2011 at 11:58 am
This is a serious issue, as the satellite imagery that I look at on the internet is a very important piece of information. It helps me to to determine whether or not I will evacuate from the area.

How come the insurance industry is not pushing back against this?

481 blueraven  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 9:42:44am

re: #478 Killgore Trout

The people of LA, TX, FL etc... might take exception to that.

482 Killgore Trout  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 9:44:41am

re: #480 reine.de.tout

It also reminds me when Jindal came out against volcano and earthquake monitoring a year or so ago. This is the kind of thing that will cost lives.

483 Killgore Trout  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 9:45:43am

Libya protests: 140 'massacred' as Gaddafi sends in snipers to crush dissent

Women and children leapt from bridges to their deaths as they tried to escape a ruthless crackdown by Libyan forces loyal to Colonel Muammar Gaddafi.
484 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 9:47:22am

re: #483 Killgore Trout

So much effort to present himself as a legitimate leader again, distancing himself from past terror, and all for naught, eh.

485 albusteve  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 9:47:36am

re: #479 Killgore Trout

Clashes erupt at Libyan funeral procession, military camp

tanks, choppers, heavy weapons....I'll tell you what, if these people prevail, it will be against odds so stacked against them as to seem miraculous...Mo is just flat out gunning down his own people and they will remember that for a long time

486 Talking Point Detective  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 9:51:55am

re: #464 albusteve

cutting back...
First Lady Michelle Obama and daughters Malia and Sasha are said to be on a ‘private family trip’ to Colorado for Presidents' Day Weekend.

They are staying at the upscale Sebastian Hotel on Vail Mountain, where rooms start at $650 a night and range up to more than $2,400 for multi-bedroom suites.

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

SkiGate!

Well, after spending that $20 billion on that overseas trip, this is at least an improvement.

487 Kronocide  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 9:55:59am

re: #478 Killgore Trout

The GOP decides accurate weather forecasting and hurricane tracking are luxuries America can’t afford

That's deeply troubling. I came from reading some FB rants of morons right to that, a depressing one/two punch.

488 albusteve  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 9:59:17am

re: #487 BigPapa

That's deeply troubling. I came from reading some FB rants of morons right to that, a depressing one/two punch.

meanwhile...the big, fat assed Jabba the Fed keeps sucking up tax dollars like a Hoover....cutting the NOAA just shows how out of touch lawmakers are, those fat, fucking pigs....10 committees to look at one problem

489 Talking Point Detective  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 10:01:00am

Remember when Republicans were telling us how Libya was proof of the success of Bush's ME strategy?

Methinks we won't be hearing that much anymore.

490 Girl with a Pearl Earring  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 10:02:12am

re: #485 albusteve

"tanks, choppers, heavy weapons...I'll tell you what, if these people prevail, it will be against odds so stacked against them as to seem miraculous...Mo is just flat out gunning down his own people and they will remember that for a long time"

It will take a miracle, like the military refusing to obey Gaddafi. There is no way that unarmed crowds can stand up to an armed force ready, willing and able to shoot their fellow citizens down in the street like mad dogs. As long as the military keeps pulling the trigger Gaddafi will remain firmly in control.

491 blueraven  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 10:03:15am

To me what the GOP is recommending is ludicrous. Some of the cuts make no sense at all. They keep saying that we need to tighten our belts like business has.

Well lets say you have a fine dining restaurant. Business has slaked off a bit as the occasional middle class customer cannot afford this luxury right now. But you still have your high end customers.

Do you?
Cut advertising, staff training, quality of your food, fire your cleaning crew?

Or do you?
raise your prices on the people who can still afford it by 3-5%

So maybe you get rid of the cleaning crew and have other employees handle that...and raise your prices by 3.5 percent. So instead of a 200 dollar dinner for two, they pay 207.00

If you have 200-300 such tables per week, that gives you 1400-2100 more dollars per week in revenue, plus the money saved by cutting staff.

The GOP will not look at the revenue raising side...it is off the table, so to speak.

492 Jadespring  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 10:03:28am

re: #486 Talking Point Detective

Well, after spending that $20 billion on that overseas trip, this is at least an improvement.


I know stuff like this is used for politics. Omg gawd look at the lavishness and money!

Perhaps some of it is warranted and perhaps the Obama's could make a statement and take there holidays in the local Super-8, but then there would likely be complaints about what that looks like in terms of the general 'stature' of the office itself.

Another factor which most don't take into account though is security. Most higher end establishments are simply better equipped and have better capacity and capabilities of dealing with all the security issues. Not only do they generally have more experience because of the types of clientele they already deal with on a daily basis they have the in house personal and space requirements that lower end establishments don't.

493 Jadespring  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 10:06:56am

re: #489 Talking Point Detective

Remember when Republicans were telling us how Libya was proof of the success of Bush's ME strategy?

Methinks we won't be hearing that much anymore.

Or you will just hear some version of that he is doing what is necessary to keep the bad Muslims from getting power.

494 albusteve  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 10:09:27am

re: #489 Talking Point Detective

Remember when Republicans were telling us how Libya was proof of the success of Bush's ME strategy?

Methinks we won't be hearing that much anymore.

why not?....he has no designs on nuclear power, nor does he project his influence overtly and with malice...I think it's safe to say that all these new events were influenced by the Iraq experiment

495 webevintage  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 10:13:33am

re: #477 reine.de.tout

The experience will be an eye-opener for you.

It is.
I've attended a few over the years.
Besides being a bit boring at times the main thing I always take away is the amazing amount of stupid.
How do these people get elected?
Some of them are not even qualified to care for a hamster let alone making decisions that affect my life.

496 Kronocide  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 10:20:36am

All this talk about running government like a business sounds immensely silly. It's not a business, it's an administrative body.

497 Jadespring  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 10:21:56am

re: #495 webevintage

It is.
I've attended a few over the years.
Besides being a bit boring at times the main thing I always take away is the amazing amount of stupid.
How do these people get elected?
Some of them are not even qualified to care for a hamster let alone making decisions that affect my life.

I can tell you exactly why. Elections aren't run and won on a persons ability to sit at a meeting table and sort through the short term and long term effects of policy. They're run and won on the most superficial of traits. Doesn't even matter what side of the table you're talking about either. If you're lucky you'll get someone 'electable' who has the necessary abilities beyond just being good at the showmanship part. Usually though it's a crap shoot. Some of the best policy minds are boring, don't do well when it comes to public speech and have very little 'political' charisma.

498 Talking Point Detective  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 10:23:57am

re: #494 albusteve

why not?...he has no designs on nuclear power, nor does he project his influence overtly and with malice...I think it's safe to say that all these new events were influenced by the Iraq experiment

I can't agree that there is any direct linkage between the invasion of Iraq and those developments. It's nice wishful thinking.

499 blueraven  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 10:25:30am

re: #496 BigPapa

All this talk about running government like a business sounds immensely silly. It's not a business, it's an administrative body.

I agree, that is a GOP talking point, but cuts still have consequences and raising revenue should be a part of the budget equation.

500 albusteve  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 10:26:36am

re: #498 Talking Point Detective

I can't agree that there is any direct linkage between the invasion of Iraq and those developments. It's nice wishful thinking.

of course you wouldn't...I guessed that

501 Jadespring  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 10:30:35am

re: #500 albusteve

of course you wouldn't...I guessed that

Both are wishful thinking. Unless of course you have some in with the people causing the events to happen think or don't think about Iraq.

502 Talking Point Detective  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 10:30:52am

re: #494 albusteve

why not?...he has no designs on nuclear power, nor does he project his influence overtly and with malice...I think it's safe to say that all these new events were influenced by the Iraq experiment

Libya was moving in secret talks on nuclear issues as early as 2000.

Kudos to Bush for completing deals initiated under Clinton's administration:

[Link: www.brookings.edu...]

503 Talking Point Detective  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 10:45:23am

re: #494 albusteve

Here's more - from a pretty extensive and well-documented analysis:

It is not surprising that many consider the defeat of Saddam Hussein and his regime an influential factor in Libya’s decision, given the political expediency of this contention. Arms control experts inside and outside of the government argue that the demonstration of US power—combined with US intolerance for Saddam’s evasion of sanctions—demonstrated to other rogue states that the global superpower would rely on tactics as extreme as regime change to punish WMD proliferators. The Bush Administration highlighted this particular argument in its explanation of Libya’s disarmament decision, arguing that the Iraq war had established a “punitive model,” one that would induce other states to give up their WMD programs.

Yet two major factual points challenge the contention that Libya’s decision to disarm resulted from security considerations triggered by the 2003 Iraq war. First, Libya was not the only rogue regime attempting to acquire WMD in 2003. The “Iraq-war-as-punitive model” suggests that the Iranian and North Korean regimes would feel as threatened as Libya did. Yet Iran and North Korea, according to most analysts’ estimates, reacted to the US confrontation with Iraq by accelerating their development of nuclear weapons. Syria, Sudan, and other states of concern also do not seem to be following Libya’s lead, neither contemplating WMD disarmament nor seeking rapprochement with the United States. Of course, the Iraq war could still have played a role in Libya’s decision to disarm even if other rogue states did not imitate its WMD reversal.

Second, and perhaps more telling, the chronology of US-Libya bilateral negotiations calls into question the importance of the 2003 Iraq war in shaping Libyan behavior. As will be discussed in subsequent sections, Libya first expressed interest in disarming in the mid-1990s. In 1997, for instance, the Clinton Administration successfully negotiated with Libya to destroy its chemical weapons plant in Tarhunah. In 1999, according to multiple accounts by Clinton Administration officials, Libyan representatives offered to surrender WMD programs during secret negotiations with their US counterparts, including a formal offer by Qadhafi of rapprochement. Nearly four years before the United States toppled Saddam’s regime, therefore, the Libyans expressed willingness to discuss disarmament with the United States. Finally, Bush Administration officials have stated that before March 2003, Libyan officials had approached British and US officials and offered to begin negotiating a disarmament plan. Though US intentions to invade Iraq were clear by March 2003, the outcome—Saddam’s defeat—was not. Thus, this chronology undermines the argument of those who would solely attribute Qadhafi’s decision to the Iraq war’s deterrent effect.

[Link: webcache.googleusercontent.com...]

504 Talking Point Detective  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 10:54:31am

re: #500 albusteve

of course you wouldn't...I guessed that

Also - from the same (second) link:

In the short term, two specific, more immediate “triggers” probably contributed to the timing of Qadhafi’s announcement. First, in early October 2003, the United States allegedly intercepted an illegal shipment of thousands of parts of uranium-enrichment equipment bound for Libya. While Libyan officials already had approached Bush Administration officials six months earlier about Qadhafi’s intent to disarm, the seizure in early October likely sealed his decision to dismantle his nuclear weapons program. Being caught red-handed seemed to have expedited Qadhafi’s willingness to disarm and might have hastened the 19 December 2003 announcement. Second, Qadhafi’s concern about his succession probably influenced the timing of his decision. By all accounts, Qadhafi is grooming his son, Saif al-Islam, to replace him. Saif al-Islam might have urged his father to issue the disarmament decision as soon as possible, as Saif al-Islam himself has been a strong proponent of dialogue with the United States and the West.

While the above triggers are notable, they expedited an already ongoing process. The gradual rehabilitation of Qadhafi resulted from varied, long-term US foreign policy approaches. Ultimately, there is no clear formula prescribing the rehabilitation of rogues or a clear roadmap to generate voluntary disarmament. The Libyan reversal suggests that US policymakers should be mindful to appeal to a diverse array of possible approaches as a necessary, though not sufficient, first step.

505 Kronocide  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 11:03:28am

re: #499 blueraven

I agree, that is a GOP talking point, but cuts still have consequences and raising revenue should be a part of the budget equation.

Well, those are rational talking points. Not always crowd pleasers, these mundane and clinical specifics.

506 reine.de.tout  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 11:56:01am

re: #495 webevintage

It is.
I've attended a few over the years.
Besides being a bit boring at times the main thing I always take away is the amazing amount of stupid.
How do these people get elected?
Some of them are not even qualified to care for a hamster let alone making decisions that affect my life.

They are quite often boring. But as you say, filled with an amazing amount of stupid.

I saw some committee members once trying to decide whether to "consolidate" a piece of legislation that had been proposed, same thing word for word, by some Dems and by some Reps.

Consolidating the bill would have meant, of course, that fewer people would have to work on the damned thing to get it in shape for law because you would have ONE group of staff members working on it instead of TWO groups.

In the end, they decided not to, and here's why, from their very own mouths: For election publicity reasons, neither side wanted their names attached to proposed legislation that had the names of people from the OTHER PARTY on it.

I was in a position where I had to visibly show proper respect to the committee members, so I was unable to mutter and make the faces I wanted to make.

507 WINDUPBIRD DISEASE [S.K.U.M.M.]  Sun, Feb 20, 2011 2:43:51pm

re: #478 Killgore Trout

The GOP decides accurate weather forecasting and hurricane tracking are luxuries America can’t afford

hurricane tracking! They can get Jindal to make fun of it like he did with volcanoes

I DUN HEARD OF NO VOLCANO THOSE IS JES MADE UP YUK YUK


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