Overnight Open Thread
Here’s an open thread for the night owls; Libya may explode into all-out war before the sun rises in California, so here’s a place to keep up on breaking events…
Here’s an open thread for the night owls; Libya may explode into all-out war before the sun rises in California, so here’s a place to keep up on breaking events…
1 | joe90 Mon, Feb 21, 2011 11:04:13pm |
Sad news tonight, confirmed 65 fatalities after todays Christchurch quakes with an unknown number of people trapped in rubble, some with cellphone contact and others able to text family and rescuers. High hopes for their survival and rescue.
Some small communities are still isolated with little or no coverage with suggestions that the container port at Lyttleton is very badly damaged and that the township looks like a set from war a movie.
The American deepfreeze facilities are up and running as a link offshore to the people and machinery we’ll need in the next few days. Ta for that America.
sigh..
[Link: www.christchurchquakemap.co.nz…]
2 | freetoken Mon, Feb 21, 2011 11:05:41pm |
Oil prices are over $100/bbl:
[Link: www.upstreamonline.com…]
Note that the US price, WTI, is the price at Cushing, OK and is not representative anymore of where world oil prices are heading.
3 | Westward Ho Mon, Feb 21, 2011 11:15:04pm |
What an evil motherfucker Al Jazeera has people calling them from Libya completely shell shocked and traumatized - they talk about sniper fire, mercenaries raping and shooting families - aeroplanes dropping bombs on gatherings of protestors an entire slum in Tripoli shelled. I hope that the bastard is torn to pieces by a mob.
4 | OhCrapIHaveACrushOnSarahPalin Mon, Feb 21, 2011 11:38:07pm |
I discovered some of these today, myself.
http://www.undispatch.com/nine-twitterers-to-follow-for-news-on-libyaNine Twitterers To Follow For News on Libya
5 | Girl with a Pearl Earring Tue, Feb 22, 2011 12:21:04am |
I wonder how many defections we’ll see from Libyan diplomats around the world. Members of the Libyan mission to the UN are already breaking with him:
[Link: www.nytimes.com…]
The Libyan Ambassador to the US is calling for him to quit as well:
[Link: www.seattlepi.com…]
And if Qaddafi is still in power next week and next month and overcomes this rebellion this ambassador will be asking for asylum. He’s either betting on the accuracy of information he’s getting from unofficial channels in Libya or worse has been given assurances by someone in the US or who is supporting the anti-Qaddafi crowd.
6 | Girl with a Pearl Earring Tue, Feb 22, 2011 12:32:42am |
re: #1 joe90
Although this earthquake was of less magnitude than the one in September, it wasn’t as deep and the original tremor, plus repeated aftershocks have probably weakened some structures. Worse, there is no sign that the quakes are over yet. New Zealand has more than 14,000 earthquakes a year.
[Link: www.bbc.co.uk…]
9 | harlequinade Tue, Feb 22, 2011 2:52:45am |
[Link: blogs.aljazeera.net…]
Though, I think, this one’s a bit better.
[Link: www.guardian.co.uk…]
Jon Snow also does a wonderful editorial here: [Link: blogs.channel4.com…]
10 | boxhead Tue, Feb 22, 2011 3:02:02am |
re: #3 Westward Ho
What an evil motherfucker Al Jazeera has people calling them from Libya completely shell shocked and traumatized - they talk about sniper fire, mercenaries raping and shooting families - aeroplanes dropping bombs on gatherings of protestors an entire slum in Tripoli shelled. I hope that the bastard is torn to pieces by a mob.
Just another sad chapter in the depths of depravity some humans will go. He have been removed long ago…
13 | sattv4u2 Tue, Feb 22, 2011 3:59:22am |
re: #11 boxhead
w00t… finally over 1000 karma!
Things To Do Today
1),, find three recent comments by boxhead and downding them, bringing her/his total back under 1K!~~
//
j/k ,, congrats,,, here,, have another upper!!
14 | freetoken Tue, Feb 22, 2011 4:06:15am |
Pat Buchanan has a new article out titled, get this, “Barack Hussein Alinsky”.
Just as part of his overwrought verbiage, Buchanan’s concluding paragraphs:
What Obama has done will come back to haunt him. He has encouraged if not incited an angry and alienated left that lost the country in a free election to overturn the results of that election by street protests and invasions of state capitols.
As the huge antiwar demonstrations in the 1960s broke the presidency of Lyndon Johnson and sought to break the presidency of Richard Nixon, Obama and his cohorts are out to break Wisconsin.
One hopes the people of Wisconsin will stand up to this extortion being carried on with the blessing of their own president.
Gah.
And as expected, the crowd at Townhall are eating it up.
15 | Winny Spencer Tue, Feb 22, 2011 4:10:40am |
re: #14 freetoken
Pat Buchanan has a new article out titled, get this, “Barack Hussein Alinsky”.
Just as part of his overwrought verbiage, Buchanan’s concluding paragraphs:
Gah.
And as expected, the crowd at Townhall are eating it up.
It is truly amazing that Pat ‘Buchenwald’ Buchanan has any credibility left, among anyone.
16 | PT Barnum Tue, Feb 22, 2011 4:12:58am |
re: #15 Winny Spencer
It is truly amazing that Pat ‘Buchenwald’ Buchanan has any credibility left, among anyone.
I have said the same thing about many a figure on the rabid right: Palin, Geller, Beck, limbaugh, Hannity, Coulter, et al. Yet them all having jobs of one sort or another tells me that I will continue to be amazed and disappointed at their longevity.
17 | Wozza Matter? Tue, Feb 22, 2011 4:14:56am |
re: #15 Winny Spencer
It is truly amazing that Pat ‘Buchenwald’ Buchanan has any credibility left, among anyone.
Being against Iraq saved him with the isolationists and being out ahead on the debt mountain - even during the Bush years - saved him with the fis-cons.
He still, therefore, has constituencies he speaks to.
18 | Glenn Beck's Grand Unifying Theory of Obdicut Tue, Feb 22, 2011 4:15:08am |
re: #14 freetoken
I love the bizarreness of the GOP and right-wing, who ginned up anti-health care protests, incited terrible behavior at town halls, and have loved and cosetted the Tea Party protests, suddenly being all shocked and dismayed by citizens protesting.
19 | Varek Raith Tue, Feb 22, 2011 4:19:06am |
re: #14 freetoken
Pat Buchanan has a new article out titled, get this, “Barack Hussein Alinsky”.
Just as part of his overwrought verbiage, Buchanan’s concluding paragraphs:
Gah.
And as expected, the crowd at Townhall are eating it up.
Wait, what?
I’m confused. Did the right not gin up the TeaParty…?
:/
20 | Jimmah Tue, Feb 22, 2011 4:35:46am |
re: #18 Obdicut
I love the bizarreness of the GOP and right-wing, who ginned up anti-health care protests, incited terrible behavior at town halls, and have loved and cosetted the Tea Party protests, suddenly being all shocked and dismayed by citizens protesting.
Yeah but there is a huge difference between genuinely oppressed white right wing Americans protesting for freedom and nasty, uppity muslims who are just greedy for a caliphate./
21 | Why I Never! Tue, Feb 22, 2011 4:36:20am |
re: #18 Obdicut
I love the bizarreness of the GOP and right-wing, who ginned up anti-health care protests, incited terrible behavior at town halls, and have loved and cosetted the Tea Party protests, suddenly being all shocked and dismayed by citizens protesting.
It’s like they inhabit an alternate universe. Like that guy who publicisied his ‘plans” to discredit protestors. “They do it to us!”
uh, no.
24 | Vicious Babushka Tue, Feb 22, 2011 4:57:30am |
Boker tov honcos.
Took me over an hour to get into work this morning. The drive was even worse than yesterday. The Wayne County road workers are all hiding. The freeway was still not plowed after Sunday’s snowstorm, and yesterday’s slush froze into ice.
Who the hell does not plow a major freeway? City of Detroit, that’s who.
Fuck you all, I have a 4 wheel drive. But even 4 wheel drive does not have superpowers.
25 | Wozza Matter? Tue, Feb 22, 2011 5:01:57am |
re: #23 iceweasel
Hi wozza! How goes it?
Mustn’t grumble. Can’t complain, could be worse ;-)
Yourselves?
26 | (I Stand By What I Said Whatever It Was) Tue, Feb 22, 2011 5:02:19am |
27 | Jimmah Tue, Feb 22, 2011 5:03:04am |
re: #22 wozzablog
Morning Ice, Morning Jim.
Hi wozz! This guy is the funniest thing on UK TV at the moment (IMO). Charlie Brooker: 10 Biggest Cocks in Advertising
28 | Wozza Matter? Tue, Feb 22, 2011 5:06:36am |
30 | Jimmah Tue, Feb 22, 2011 5:11:13am |
re: #25 wozzablog
Mustn’t grumble. Can’t complain, could be worse ;-)
Yourselves?
Happy as a welshman on St Davids day who just found an extra leek in his leek soup.
31 | Wozza Matter? Tue, Feb 22, 2011 5:14:19am |
re: #30 Jimmah
Happy as a welshman on St Davids day who just found an extra leek in his leek soup.
the family friendly version of Charlie Brooker……
32 | Varek Raith Tue, Feb 22, 2011 5:15:07am |
re: #30 Jimmah
Happy as a welshman on St Davids day who just found an extra leek in his leek soup.
MMM, leek soup…
33 | treasured people Tue, Feb 22, 2011 5:16:08am |
Here, in Israel, all is calm. Call me a hopeless optimist but I cannot help but see some bright glimmerings in the upheaval that now stretches from Libya to Bahrain. Of course, the tendency in the Arab street is to blame the Jews for everything, but this time things might be different. Just as no one predicted the fall of Mubarak and Kadafi, no one is predicting acceptance of Israel by the Arabs. But let’s hope the pundits will continue to be wrong just a little while longer.
34 | Jimmah Tue, Feb 22, 2011 5:18:57am |
re: #31 wozzablog
the family friendly version of Charlie Brooker…
[Video]
Heh. Jamie Oliver is such a colossal tit, he actually managed to get me and ice on the side of the local rednecks in his “Jamie Re-educates America” or whatever that tosh was called.
35 | Wozza Matter? Tue, Feb 22, 2011 5:21:50am |
re: #34 Jimmah
Heh. Jamie Oliver is such a colossal tit, he actually managed to get me and ice on the side of the local rednecks in his “Jamie Re-educates America” or whatever that tosh was called.
that was just about the only thing i haven’t minded all that much.
everything else has been bunkum and wank.
36 | Why I Never! Tue, Feb 22, 2011 5:23:25am |
Bunkum and Wank sound like they should be a firm of solicitors in a Dickens novel.
37 | Wozza Matter? Tue, Feb 22, 2011 5:24:20am |
re: #36 iceweasel
Bunkum and Wank sound like they should be a firm of solicitors in a Dickens novel.
Bunkum, Wank & Buggrit
38 | Varek Raith Tue, Feb 22, 2011 5:25:46am |
39 | Why I Never! Tue, Feb 22, 2011 5:26:06am |
40 | freetoken Tue, Feb 22, 2011 5:26:22am |
Barbour finally gives in:
Haley Barbour says he’d veto Ku Klux Klan license plate
Under pressure to address racial issues swirling around a potential presidential bid, Haley Barbour said on Monday for the first time that he wouldn’t sign legislation in Mississippi to honor a former Ku Klux Klan leader with a state-issued license plate.
“The bureaucracy denied it, the legislature won’t pass it and if the legislature passes it, it won’t become law because I won’t sign it,” Barbour told the Associated Press in an interview – a change from when he had earlier declined to take a position against the measure.
[…]
When originally presented with the issue one would think this to be a “gimme” as far as national politics is concerned - that Barbour took so long to state what he should have to begin with shows he is truly out in the boonies.
41 | Wozza Matter? Tue, Feb 22, 2011 5:29:48am |
re: #39 iceweasel
That’s even better. Buggeral, maybe. :)
another senior partner in the firm.
They all run so well together as names :)
I gots to go. I have to take the myriad of maladies that i’m not grumbling about back off to bed.
42 | Why I Never! Tue, Feb 22, 2011 5:30:02am |
43 | Varek Raith Tue, Feb 22, 2011 5:31:11am |
44 | Jimmah Tue, Feb 22, 2011 5:31:50am |
re: #41 wozzablog
another senior partner in the firm.
They all run so well together as names :)
I gots to go. I have to take the myriad of maladies that i’m not grumbling about back off to bed.
Hope you feel better soon, wozza, ya soft southern bastid: )
45 | Why I Never! Tue, Feb 22, 2011 5:34:02am |
re: #43 Varek Raith
Pretty good. :)
You and Jimmah?
As pleased as an easily pleased thing with a special reason to be pleased.
/leek soup would be nice too.
47 | Wozza Matter? Tue, Feb 22, 2011 5:39:13am |
re: #44 Jimmah
Hope you feel better soon, wozza, ya soft southern bastid: )
[Video]
:p
less of that, you ;0
mothers from yorkshur and pops from scottishlands :)
48 | Wozza Matter? Tue, Feb 22, 2011 5:39:45am |
re: #47 wozzablog
srsly tho, tanks for the well wishes.
49 | Boondock St. Bender Tue, Feb 22, 2011 5:42:08am |
re: #40 freetoken
considering that forrest was a huge confederate hero,barbour may have felt he had to tred lightly on the issue.That being said,leaders should lead and not waffle over things,forrests activity in founding the kkk should have been a slam dunk as far as refusal to honor him on a licence plate goes.
all barour did was make himself look weak,and piss off all parties concerned.
50 | RogueOne Tue, Feb 22, 2011 5:48:05am |
re: #49 Boondock St. Bender
Even if the license plate request made it through all the proper channels and wouldn’t have come up for a vote until after Barbour left office it still should have been pretty easy to say “This is not a good idea. If you want to put a “I ♥ Forrest!” bumper sticker on your car that’s your business but don’t bring the state into it.”
51 | Girl with a Pearl Earring Tue, Feb 22, 2011 5:48:22am |
re: #49 Boondock St. Bender
“That being said,leaders should lead and not waffle over things,forrests activity in founding the kkk should have been a slam dunk as far as refusal to honor him on a licence plate goes.”
Agree - well said.
53 | Boondock St. Bender Tue, Feb 22, 2011 5:56:27am |
coffee’s horrible this morning,…but on the plus side it’s coffee…
54 | RogueOne Tue, Feb 22, 2011 6:00:16am |
re: #53 Boondock St. Bender
coffee’s horrible this morning,…but on the plus side it’s coffee…
I just dropped mine in my lap and had to change. Luckily it’s not hot.
55 | Boondock St. Bender Tue, Feb 22, 2011 6:03:07am |
re: #54 RogueOne
i hate that! the worst is the loose lid dunkin donuts dribble cup,that deposits a nice stain on your white shirt five minutes into the work day.
but, at least it’s still coffee….lol
56 | Political Atheist Tue, Feb 22, 2011 6:06:20am |
I just heard on CBS radio-A report from the Pentagon
Sad breaking news…
Those pirate bastards killed everyone on the yacht. Gunfire was heard, our people boarded, but it was too late. Some pirates killed the rest captured.
57 | Boondock St. Bender Tue, Feb 22, 2011 6:07:26am |
anybody have any new news about libya?
coverage on the major news carriers seems to be sparse.
(understandably,as that country isn’t exactly a bastion of freedom of the press)
58 | NJDhockeyfan Tue, Feb 22, 2011 6:07:48am |
Good morning!
The Jakarta Post is posting updates in Libya continuously:
1353 GMT: The Netherlands will send a military transport plane to the Libyan capital Tripoli today to evacuate its nationals from the protest-hit nation, the defence ministry says.
1350 GMT: CNN cites a woman in Tripoli describing the scene this morning: “We heard a lot of gun shots, explosions, demonstrations and the sound of sirens.” The witness added that firefighters have not been able to extinguish a fire at the People’s Hall government building.
1343 GMT: Israeli President Shimon Peres says the anti-government protests sweeping the Arab world that have toppled the leaders of Tunisia and Egypt are an “opportunity for peace” in the Middle East.
“We believe that the biggest guarantee of peace is having democracy in our neighbours. We are happy to witness this democratic revolution which is taking place in the Arab world,” he says in an address to the Spanish parliament.
59 | NJDhockeyfan Tue, Feb 22, 2011 6:09:01am |
re: #56 Rightwingconspirator
I just heard on CBS radio-A report from the Pentagon
Sad breaking news…
Those pirate bastards killed everyone on the yacht. Gunfire was heard, our people boarded, but it was too late. Some pirates killed the rest captured.
Fuckers! Did someone kill the pirates?
60 | Boondock St. Bender Tue, Feb 22, 2011 6:09:52am |
re: #56 Rightwingconspirator
That’s horrible.
crimes like that defy punishment.
61 | NJDhockeyfan Tue, Feb 22, 2011 6:10:41am |
Fidel Castro says US plans NATO invasion of Libya
Who is Fidel Castro?
/
62 | Boondock St. Bender Tue, Feb 22, 2011 6:11:00am |
re: #58 NJDhockeyfan
cool thanks
(cool for the update that is)
63 | Vicious Babushka Tue, Feb 22, 2011 6:12:13am |
re: #56 Rightwingconspirator
I just heard on CBS radio-A report from the Pentagon
Sad breaking news…
Those pirate bastards killed everyone on the yacht. Gunfire was heard, our people boarded, but it was too late. Some pirates killed the rest captured.
Kill them all except for the pirate leader. Crucify him on the bow of his cigarette boat and send it on a heading straight east to the middle of the Indian ocean with a sign nailed above his head “Pirates ye be warned”
64 | Boondock St. Bender Tue, Feb 22, 2011 6:12:26am |
re: #61 NJDhockeyfan
I guess he would be in the inside to know such things….
65 | Jadespring Tue, Feb 22, 2011 6:13:26am |
Not sure if this has been posted yet but…
Go Ben Wedenman from CNN. He got into Lybia to report!
66 | Vicious Babushka Tue, Feb 22, 2011 6:13:31am |
re: #63 Alouette
Kill them all except for the pirate leader. Crucify him on the bow of his cigarette boat and send it on a heading straight east to the middle of the Indian ocean with a sign nailed above his head “Pirates ye be warned”
BTW that is a scene in David Stone’s novel “The Orpheus Deception” in which Somali pirates attempt to hijack a freighter that has already been hijacked by some very very bad Serbian gangsters, and that is how they deal with the pirates.
68 | NJDhockeyfan Tue, Feb 22, 2011 6:13:53am |
Muslim Brotherhood Issues a Fatwa Against Qaddafi As Armed Opposition Gains Ground
Muammar Qaddafi may be losing his grip on Libya. Armed with weapons from security warehouses, anti-regime forces in eastern Libya are taking control of the region. In Tripoli, the battle rages on. Witnesses told Al Jazeera that at least 61 people were killed in the capital during yesterday’s brutal takedown, in which fighter jets bombed portions of the city. Last night, Khalid Kaim, Libya’s deputy foreign minister, denied reports that foreign mercenaries were working in Libya, but residents report that what appear to be “battalions of foreign fighters” are being helicoptered to different parts of the city. An influential Muslim cleric named Yusuf al-Qaradawi issued a fatwa yesterday through Al Jazeera saying, “Whoever in the Libyan army is able to shoot a bullet at Mr. Qaddafi should do so.” Qaradawi, the spiritual leader of Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood, also urged Libyan soldiers “not to obey orders to strike at your own people,” and urged Libyan ambassadors to disassociate themselves from Qaddafi.
70 | Political Atheist Tue, Feb 22, 2011 6:14:15am |
re: #59 NJDhockeyfan
Some killed, the rest captured is what was reported. The world community has been far too gentle on this. 600+ hostages are said to be held in Somalia. That place is far too lawless and threatening. Time to clean house.
71 | Vicious Babushka Tue, Feb 22, 2011 6:14:32am |
72 | NJDhockeyfan Tue, Feb 22, 2011 6:14:38am |
re: #65 Jadespring
Not sure if this has been posted yet but…
Go Ben Wedenman from CNN. He got into Lybia to report!
Brave man. Not sure if I would have done that.
73 | Jadespring Tue, Feb 22, 2011 6:16:36am |
re: #69 Boondock St. Bender
very brave…
He just filed a report. Said he’s in the eastern provinces. Things calm there but said it’s obvious that despite what Ghaddfi is saying he does not have control of this area at all. No police, no military and that the tribal leaders there have gone against him and are saying they are going to cut off the oil supplies.
74 | Jadespring Tue, Feb 22, 2011 6:17:47am |
re: #72 NJDhockeyfan
Brave man. Not sure if I would have done that.
Seriously. He really rocks. His coverage of Egypt was great. He would go right into the fray and pull no punches with his reporting.
75 | Political Atheist Tue, Feb 22, 2011 6:18:01am |
re: #60 Boondock St. Bender
We have got to shut down the pirate bases. Sink the boats at the docks, and board every ship captured. No more pussyfooting around.
76 | Boondock St. Bender Tue, Feb 22, 2011 6:19:45am |
re: #75 Rightwingconspirator
problem is,there doesn”t seem to be any political will to do it.
77 | NJDhockeyfan Tue, Feb 22, 2011 6:20:05am |
78 | Jadespring Tue, Feb 22, 2011 6:21:53am |
Here area some of his tweets.
bencnn benwedeman
On one wall in Torbuk saw grafitti: “freedom=AlJazeera” #Libya
3 hours ago Favorite Retweet Reply
»
benwedeman
bencnn benwedeman
Saw police station in Tobruk main square. Was torched. Other buildings sacked. Banks other installations untouched. #Libya
3 hours ago Favorite Retweet Reply
»
benwedeman
bencnn benwedeman
People in Tobruk threatening to cut off export of oil from Eastern #Libya “if Qaddafi does not stop this massacre.”
3 hours ago Favorite Retweet Reply
»
benwedeman
bencnn benwedeman
Egyptian doctors with medical supplies had been waiting hours to cross into #Libya. Egyptians very sympathetic to Libyan plight. #Egypt
12 hours ago Favorite Retweet Reply
»
benwedeman
bencnn benwedeman
On Egyptian side of border, saw anti-Qaddafi Bedouin convince Egyptian army to allow Egyptian medical aid into #Libya.
12 hours ago Favorite Retweet Reply
»
benwedeman
bencnn benwedeman
Driver advice: “If you’re stopped by forces loyal to Qaddafi, tell them you’re a German doctor.” #Libya
12 hours ago Favorite Retweet Reply
»
benwedeman
bencnn benwedeman
What I haven’t seen are signs yet of widespread looting. Even properties known to belong to Qaddafi family seem to have been spared. #Libya
12 hours ago Favorite Retweet Reply
»
benwedeman
bencnn benwedeman
Libyans in east giddy with joy, but worried Qaddafi may still have something nasty in store for them. #Libya
12 hours ago Favorite Retweet Reply
»
benwedeman
bencnn benwedeman
Hearing lots of anger over Saif Al-Islam Qaddafi’s Sunday night speech. “It was a call for genocide,” one man told me. #Libya
13 hours ago Favorite Retweet Reply
»
benwedeman
bencnn benwedeman
Leader of anti-Qaddafi movement told me Libyan army in the east has sided with revolt, in consultations with anti-Qaddafi forces. #Libya
13 hours ago Favorite Retweet Reply
»
benwedeman
bencnn benwedeman
Also hearing lots of criticism of perceived weak US response to harsh crackdown on anti-Qaddafi revolt. #Libya
13 hours ago Favorite Retweet Reply
»
benwedeman
bencnn benwedeman
Visceral, profound hatred for Muammar Qaddafi and his family. Accused of decades of theft, nepotism, brutality, neglect of people. #Libya
13 hours ago Favorite Retweet Reply
»
benwedeman
bencnn benwedeman
Ammunition dump on fire by side of road near border, constant explosions, people worried may be mustard gas-though no sign it is so. #Libya
13 hours ago Favorite Retweet Reply
»
benwedeman
bencnn benwedeman
Saw gas stations, some stores opened. Much of the traffic on roads was minibuses taking Egyptians to the border. #Libya
14 hours ago Favorite Retweet Reply
»
benwedeman
bencnn benwedeman
Libyan side of border controlled by untrained volunteers armed with shotguns, Ak-47s. No passport formalities. #Libya
14 hours ago Favorite Retweet Reply
»
benwedeman
bencnn benwedeman
Egyptian border officials say 15,000 Egyptians crossed Monday from #Libya to #Egypt.
14 hours ago Favorite Retweet Reply
»
benwedeman
bencnn benwedeman
Anti-Qaddafi forces seem to be in firm control of eastern #Libya but there is concern they don’t have means to resist major counteroffensive
79 | PT Barnum Tue, Feb 22, 2011 6:23:15am |
re: #77 NJDhockeyfan
Seems to me that Obama is perhaps right to stay out of this. The dictators would love to trot out “the protesters are the pawns of foreign interests” line over and over again, and even though they try, the protesters seem to be doing fine without our help.
That being said, it’s a tragedy that people are being killed in the process, but there is no revolution or great change without pain of one sort or another.
80 | Boondock St. Bender Tue, Feb 22, 2011 6:23:40am |
re: #73 Jadespring
If khadffi(or however he’s spelling it this week)is intent on holding power,(and has military support)this could get real ugly.
tea baggers take note…this is what a popular revolution really looks like.
81 | PT Barnum Tue, Feb 22, 2011 6:24:36am |
re: #80 Boondock St. Bender
If khadffi(or however he’s spelling it this week)is intent on holding power,(and has military support)this could get real ugly.
tea baggers take note…this is what a popular revolution really looks like.
But Glenn Beck said there would be internment camps!
///
82 | Political Atheist Tue, Feb 22, 2011 6:26:15am |
re: #76 Boondock St. Bender
We (globally) seem to have too much faith in strongly worded letters and condemnations. It’s like arguing with a mad dog. Not gonna have any effect.
[Link: today.msnbc.msn.com…]
83 | PT Barnum Tue, Feb 22, 2011 6:26:47am |
re: #75 Rightwingconspirator
We have got to shut down the pirate bases. Sink the boats at the docks, and board every ship captured. No more pussyfooting around.
I think we find a way to camoflage armored gunboats and blow the pirates out of the water when they attack what they think is a helpless ship. Make em wonder whether the next ship they try to board is going to blast em or not.
For those who want NO regulation, move to Somalia. I’m sure they’d be happy to deregulate you right out of existence.
84 | Jadespring Tue, Feb 22, 2011 6:27:03am |
Reports saying Ghadafi is going to do an address soon.
86 | Political Atheist Tue, Feb 22, 2011 6:28:06am |
re: #83 PT Barnum
Send the WTO anarchists, black masks and all. Heh.
87 | PT Barnum Tue, Feb 22, 2011 6:28:23am |
re: #84 Jadespring
Reports saying Ghadafi is going to do an address soon.
Preferrably an address explaining a soon to come change of address.
89 | Boondock St. Bender Tue, Feb 22, 2011 6:29:44am |
re: #82 Rightwingconspirator
strongly worded letters make good butt-wipe.(paper is scarce in somolia.)
90 | Talking Point Detective Tue, Feb 22, 2011 6:29:53am |
So I was checking out the “stalker’ blog and read that their fearless leader posted this:
Are you a creationist, Daedalus?
I’m not a creationist and I’m not a Darwinist. I think its possible humans aren’t from this planet. In short, I don’t give a shit how I got here. I’m concerned with the here and now.
and this:
No I always believed in an non Earth origins theory for humanity. It’s possible that Humanity did start here but that humans developed elsewhere and some refugees came 10-20,000 years ago.
All civilizations have legends of people who come from the sky. I don’t think we were create din 6 days nor do I think we come from monkies.
This isn’t an issue I get worked over.
OK - the theory that we “came from monkies [sic]” is too far-fetched… so he believes we came from another planet?
Too feakin’ funny.
91 | Jadespring Tue, Feb 22, 2011 6:29:56am |
re: #82 Rightwingconspirator
We (globally) seem to have too much faith in strongly worded letters and condemnations. It’s like arguing with a mad dog. Not gonna have any effect.
[Link: today.msnbc.msn.com…]
It’s not so much faith but that unless one is prepared to go and interfere directly then condemnations are the only thing you can do.
Condemnations can work to a point if they have leverage behind them, like money and other economic influence. If that isn’t present then it’s just pissing into the wind really.
92 | Jadespring Tue, Feb 22, 2011 6:30:44am |
re: #87 PT Barnum
Preferrably an address explaining a soon to come change of address.
Doubtful.
But I would love to wrong.
93 | PT Barnum Tue, Feb 22, 2011 6:30:59am |
re: #90 Talking Point Detective
So I was checking out the “stalker’ blog and read that their fearless leader posted this:
and this:
OK - the theory that we “came from monkies [sic]” is too far-fetched… so he believes we came from another planet?
Too feakin’ funny.
Um…wouldn’t that just make him a Scientoligist, or in other words, bug fukkin crazy?
94 | Boondock St. Bender Tue, Feb 22, 2011 6:31:02am |
re: #88 PT Barnum
yours was worded much more eloquently.
95 | PT Barnum Tue, Feb 22, 2011 6:32:26am |
re: #92 Jadespring
Doubtful.
But I would love to wrong.
My guess is that the whole Arab world overthrowing their oppressors through protest rather than terrorism has to be making Al Queda nervous. “Hey wait! You were supposed to wait for us to throw off oppression for you! No fair doing it yourself without resorting to terrorism!”
96 | Varek Raith Tue, Feb 22, 2011 6:33:22am |
re: #90 Talking Point Detective
So I was checking out the “stalker’ blog and read that their fearless leader posted this:
and this:
OK - the theory that we “came from monkies [sic]” is too far-fetched… so he believes we came from another planet?
Too feakin’ funny.
There is a scientific theory that life on Earth came from meteorites that were ejected from Mars.
97 | PT Barnum Tue, Feb 22, 2011 6:33:23am |
re: #94 Boondock St. Bender
yours was worded much more eloquently.
I bow deeply in your general direction!
98 | Political Atheist Tue, Feb 22, 2011 6:33:45am |
re: #91 Jadespring
Piracy threatens global commerce. It must be dealt with better than this. Look at the results. I think we have a window here where the US may act sharply without being seen as over reacting. In the end we may need troops on the ground to recover hostages and wreck the pirate boats and bases. Can’t be that much more risky than letting them continue.
Let’s no let the blackhawk down incident scare us off forever.
100 | PT Barnum Tue, Feb 22, 2011 6:34:00am |
re: #96 Varek Raith
and this:
OK - the theory that we “came from monkies [sic]” is too far-fetched… so he believes we came from another planet?
Too feakin’ funny.
There is a scientific theory that life on Earth came from meteorites that were ejected from Mars.
The people on the stalker site came from the giant gas rings that circle Uranus.
101 | PT Barnum Tue, Feb 22, 2011 6:34:53am |
re: #98 Rightwingconspirator
Piracy threatens global commerce. It must be dealt with better than this. Look at the results. I think we have a window here where the US may act sharply without being seen as over reacting. In the end we may need troops on the ground to recover hostages and wreck the pirate boats and bases. Can’t be that much more risky than letting them continue.
Let’s no let the blackhawk down incident scare us off forever.
Time for the drones to just lay a big plate of whoopass on the pirate bases. Not like Somalia is organized enough to do anything but whine to the UN.
102 | Varek Raith Tue, Feb 22, 2011 6:35:57am |
re: #101 PT Barnum
Time for the drones to just lay a big plate of whoopass on the pirate bases. Not like Somalia is organized enough to do anything but whine to the UN.
Hellfire missiles too small.
Send some Tomahawks.
103 | Talking Point Detective Tue, Feb 22, 2011 6:36:32am |
re: #96 Varek Raith
and this:
OK - the theory that we “came from monkies [sic]” is too far-fetched… so he believes we came from another planet?
Too feakin’ funny.
There is a scientific theory that life on Earth came from meteorites that were ejected from Mars.
He believes that humans came from other planets and colonized the Earth. Pretty big diff, I’d say.
104 | PT Barnum Tue, Feb 22, 2011 6:36:40am |
Anybody else getting hit by the flu bug? We’ve had a crapload of it around here. Went to doc yesterday, he said he had 3 cases out of the 30 he saw that morning that weren’t upper respiratory symptoms.
105 | Varek Raith Tue, Feb 22, 2011 6:36:52am |
re: #103 Talking Point Detective
He believes that humans came from other planets and colonized the Earth. Pretty big diff, I’d say.
Oh, well he’s kooky.
:)
106 | PT Barnum Tue, Feb 22, 2011 6:37:29am |
re: #102 Varek Raith
Hellfire missiles too small.
Send some Tomahawks.
Better yet, let’s bury em in pig shit. I know any number of confinement lots here in IOwa that would be happy to contribute.
107 | Jadespring Tue, Feb 22, 2011 6:37:42am |
re: #98 Rightwingconspirator
Piracy threatens global commerce. It must be dealt with better than this. Look at the results. I think we have a window here where the US may act sharply without being seen as over reacting. In the end we may need troops on the ground to recover hostages and wreck the pirate boats and bases. Can’t be that much more risky than letting them continue.
Let’s no let the blackhawk down incident scare us off forever.
Oh wait. I got the convos mixed up. Sorry. I thought the condemnation comment was in regards to people like Ghaddifi and other countries.
The piracy issue is a whole other thing. Yes, strongly worded letters in this case will do sweet f all.
108 | PT Barnum Tue, Feb 22, 2011 6:38:07am |
re: #106 PT Barnum
Better yet, let’s bury em in pig shit. I know any number of confinement lots here in IOwa that would be happy to contribute.
To finish my thought…hell enough fertilizer they might be able to grow something other than pirates.
109 | Political Atheist Tue, Feb 22, 2011 6:38:48am |
re: #101 PT Barnum
We’ll lose hostages, but the alternative is just more hostages to lose get captured. BTW, it was also reported these American hostages were in extra peril as Christian evangelists bringing bibles to their many destinations on an around the world 7 year voyage. The pirates have us by the balls to the extent of 600 + ordinary people being held. What awful cowards.
110 | PT Barnum Tue, Feb 22, 2011 6:40:57am |
re: #109 Rightwingconspirator
We’ll lose hostages, but the alternative is just more hostages to lose get captured. BTW, it was also reported these American hostages were in extra peril as Christian evangelists bringing bibles to their many destinations on an around the world 7 year voyage. The pirates have us by the balls to the extent of 600 + ordinary people being held. What awful cowards.
I think that has to be a consideration, but the problem is that until we hit the root causes (no other ways for people to earn a living, lack of a functioning government), piracy will continue as a symptom of deeper ills, regardless of how satisfying it would be to just drop bombs or troops.
111 | Jadespring Tue, Feb 22, 2011 6:41:26am |
Looks like more reporters are getting in now.
Richard Engel from NBC is reporting from inside now too. Same area as Ben.
richardengelnbc richard engel
@Libya..People taking uniforms and heavy weapons from base, as shout, ‘people and army together’
2 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply
»
richard engel
richardengelnbc richard engel
#Libya At Tubruk military base..alll soldiers tell us they are with the people..Army switched sides in this area
4 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply
»
richard engel
richardengelnbc richard engel
#Libya…graffiti on wall Tubruk, ‘down Ghadafi’
47 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply
»
richard engel
richardengelnbc richard engel
@Libya…Boys at checkpoint, flashing victory sign. One carrying pistol..
112 | darthstar Tue, Feb 22, 2011 6:41:42am |
Back from a weekend of waist deep powder skiing…anything important happen on the planet that I might have missed?
113 | Jadespring Tue, Feb 22, 2011 6:42:58am |
More from Engel
richardengelnbc richard engel
#Libya..streets in east Libya.remarkably calm…but people still seem surprised that they’ve thrown out the gov’t. Mostly tribes taken over
1 hour ago Favorite Retweet Reply
»
richard engel
richardengelnbc richard engel
#Libya lots of informal checkpoints. men with hunting rifles, clubs..organized by tribes
1 hour ago Favorite Retweet Reply
»
richard engel
richardengelnbc richard engel
#Libya.. told Benghazi is in hands of revolt
1 hour ago Favorite Retweet Reply
»
richard engel
richardengelnbc richard engel
#Libya people say shortages of rice, flour, sugar, oil
114 | PT Barnum Tue, Feb 22, 2011 6:43:43am |
Sounds like Walker, Wisconsin Douchebag may be getting a recall vote when his year is up.
115 | Vicious Babushka Tue, Feb 22, 2011 6:44:27am |
re: #112 darthstar
Back from a weekend of waist deep powder skiing…anything important happen on the planet that I might have missed?
I went waist deep powder skiing in my vehicle, down the middle of the freeway, which the county road commission has decided just to not plow or salt.
116 | darthstar Tue, Feb 22, 2011 6:44:46am |
re: #111 Jadespring
richard engel
richardengelnbc richard engel
@Libya…Boys at checkpoint, flashing victory sign. One carrying pistol..
117 | Boondock St. Bender Tue, Feb 22, 2011 6:44:58am |
re: #114 PT Barnum
A recall…that would be sweet! I can hear the wing nuts screaming now!
118 | darthstar Tue, Feb 22, 2011 6:45:21am |
re: #115 Alouette
I went waist deep powder skiing in my vehicle, down the middle of the freeway, which the county road commission has decided just to not plow or salt.
Isn’t it fun making fresh tracks in the snow?
119 | Glenn Beck's Grand Unifying Theory of Obdicut Tue, Feb 22, 2011 6:45:22am |
re: #110 PT Barnum
Yep. The pirates come from a place where they face violent death every day. The threat of violent death isn’t really a deterrent for them.
These guys also put out to sea in incredibly unseaworthy vessels. If they get caught in any sort of bad weather, they drown.
120 | ProBosniaLiberal Tue, Feb 22, 2011 6:45:38am |
re: #112 darthstar
Gaddafi acting like a bastard against his own people, and an earthquake in Christchurch killed 65, and scared the crap out of our diplomatic service because Richard Armitage was there at the time. He’s okay though.
121 | PT Barnum Tue, Feb 22, 2011 6:46:17am |
re: #117 Boondock St. Bender
A recall…that would be sweet! I can hear the wing nuts screaming now!
Overreach isn’t just for Democrats anymore.
122 | ProBosniaLiberal Tue, Feb 22, 2011 6:47:12am |
The reporters getting in to Libya have cajones, I’ll give them that. I pray that they stay safe.
123 | darthstar Tue, Feb 22, 2011 6:47:17am |
re: #120 ProLifeLiberal
Gaddafi acting like a bastard against his own people, and an earthquake in Christchurch killed 65, and scared the crap out of our diplomatic service because Richard Armitage was there at the time. He’s okay though.
Well, I expected Gaddafi probably was going to act like that. Didn’t hear about the NZ quake…
124 | PT Barnum Tue, Feb 22, 2011 6:47:57am |
re: #121 PT Barnum
Overreach isn’t just for Democrats anymore.
Of course considering the propensities of many of the GOP lately, a reacharound isn’t out of the question.
125 | RogueOne Tue, Feb 22, 2011 6:48:08am |
re: #112 darthstar
Back from a weekend of waist deep powder skiing…anything important happen on the planet that I might have missed?
You take a break and the world falls to shit. See what happens? I blame you.
126 | Decatur Deb Tue, Feb 22, 2011 6:48:19am |
re: #114 PT Barnum
Sounds like Walker, Wisconsin Douchebag may be getting a recall vote when his year is up.
The GOP/TP survives on Dem disunity. His Guvnership just solved much of that problem in WI.
127 | lawhawk Tue, Feb 22, 2011 6:48:23am |
re: #112 darthstar
The Horsemen of the Apocalypse have been busy…
Earthquakes in New Zealand with at least 65 dead.
Riots and revolutions in Libya (and possible civil war as Khadafi’s regime tries to hold on and fight to the last man).
Unions under assault in Wisconsin.
And more snow in the Middle Atlantic and NYC metro area.
Oh, and Carmelo Anthony is now a Knick.
128 | Political Atheist Tue, Feb 22, 2011 6:48:55am |
re: #110 PT Barnum
The bombs and troops are just about saving hostages and stopping the piracy.
Just maybe, if you reduce the criminal element the place has a better shot at governance. Time for the more advanced African nations with some sane locals to step up. We (the western nations) can not again try to impose governance on the desperately poor. It fails. At the least they can be deterred from piracy. IMO anyway. No pirate boats no piracy. Somali boats full of fish and fishermen can pass. Weapons and pirates get captured and the boats sunk. Stopping piracy is a global obligation for all nations that have commerce worth protecting.
129 | Vicious Babushka Tue, Feb 22, 2011 6:49:35am |
re: #118 darthstar
Isn’t it fun making fresh tracks in the snow?
I have 4 wheel drive, screw you all!
130 | RogueOne Tue, Feb 22, 2011 6:49:43am |
re: #114 PT Barnum
Sounds like Walker, Wisconsin Douchebag may be getting a recall vote when his year is up.
An AFL/CIO poll? Sounds legit.
131 | PT Barnum Tue, Feb 22, 2011 6:49:48am |
re: #126 Decatur Deb
The GOP/TP survives on Dem disunity. His Guvnership just solved much of that problem in WI.
zackly…thinking this may be all it takes to get it going other places as well. I for one, welcome the overthrow of our Galtian overlords.
132 | Decatur Deb Tue, Feb 22, 2011 6:50:14am |
133 | PT Barnum Tue, Feb 22, 2011 6:51:21am |
re: #130 RogueOne
An AFL/CIO poll? Sounds legit.
If you read the rest of the article, you would have seen that the results were in line with those a more GOP leaning polling group got earlier. Methodology was also fairly sound with the issue questions coming later rather than earlier in the polling.
134 | Vicious Babushka Tue, Feb 22, 2011 6:51:37am |
re: #132 Decatur Deb
Pride goeth before a fender-bender.
I passed plenty of spin outs today, driving two fisted at 20 mph. 4 wheel drive does not mean superpowers.
135 | Jadespring Tue, Feb 22, 2011 6:51:54am |
re: #122 ProLifeLiberal
The reporters getting in to Libya have cajones, I’ll give them that. I pray that they stay safe.
It’s look like from their reports that unless Ghaddifi does some sort of assault against that area then it’s relatively safe now. Everything I’ve been reading is that the military in that area has pretty much mutinied and that the anti-regime peeps are in charge and welcoming of non state news media. G is not in control the tribal leaders are. If he was still in control it’s doubtful that the reporters could get in and move around like they appear to be doing now.
136 | Boondock St. Bender Tue, Feb 22, 2011 6:52:03am |
re: #130 RogueOne
well it was sponsored by them,although given the shows of support on both sides,(protests)it seems to look about ballpark.
137 | Political Atheist Tue, Feb 22, 2011 6:52:46am |
re: #119 Obdicut
Would you propose we try nation building there? I think we are unable to succeed. They do have some potential on their own, if they could just organize.
[Link: www.state.gov…]
In any case stopping or at least drastically reducing the piracy is a shared obligation, or else we just get more of what we have now, which in a sane world would be unacceptable.
138 | Decatur Deb Tue, Feb 22, 2011 6:52:52am |
re: #134 Alouette
I passed plenty of spin outs today, driving two fisted at 20 mph. 4 wheel drive does not mean superpowers.
At best it’s half the equation. The other half is a late-for-work stoner in a 2-wheel drive 1983 Toyota pickup.
139 | darthstar Tue, Feb 22, 2011 6:53:30am |
re: #125 RogueOne
You take a break and the world falls to shit. See what happens? I blame you.
Sorry about that. I’m back now. Would everyone please calm the fuck down now? And yes, Earth, I’m talking to you too. Just because NZ is anti-nuke doesn’t mean you get to fuck with them.
140 | Talking Point Detective Tue, Feb 22, 2011 6:54:05am |
re: #130 RogueOne
But it is worth noting that these results are broadly in line the results released a few days ago by the GOP-aligned group WeAskAmerica.
[Link: weaskamerica.com…]
It would appear that–for now, at least–the public tide has turned against Gov. Walker’s proposals.
141 | PT Barnum Tue, Feb 22, 2011 6:54:30am |
re: #136 Boondock St. Bender
well it was sponsored by them,although given the shows of support on both sides,(protests)it seems to look about ballpark.
IT was also in line with the results from a more rightward group “We Ask America.”
142 | lawhawk Tue, Feb 22, 2011 6:54:57am |
re: #138 Decatur Deb
4-wheel drive does not mean 4-wheel stop. Or 4-wheel traction.
143 | darthstar Tue, Feb 22, 2011 6:55:06am |
re: #127 lawhawk
Oh, and Carmelo Anthony is now a Knick.
Jesus NO! Next thing you’ll tell me is that Justin Bieber is going to be on the cover of Rolling Stone.
144 | darthstar Tue, Feb 22, 2011 6:55:32am |
re: #142 lawhawk
4-wheel drive does not mean 4-wheel stop. Or 4-wheel traction.
You can say that again.
145 | Boondock St. Bender Tue, Feb 22, 2011 6:55:50am |
re: #135 Jadespring
one would hope.enough people have been killed.hopefully khaddafi is persued,and prosecuted for his numerous crimes as well.
146 | Jadespring Tue, Feb 22, 2011 6:55:57am |
I know that something has to be done about the piracy in the area.
Why in the heck though would people decide that it was a smart thing to do to take holiday sails, on small pleasure boats in the area where they’re constantly doing this shit?
147 | ProBosniaLiberal Tue, Feb 22, 2011 6:56:09am |
re: #135 Jadespring
I’ve heard that the Berbers have been integral to this rebellion.
148 | PT Barnum Tue, Feb 22, 2011 6:56:14am |
re: #142 lawhawk
4-wheel drive does not mean 4-wheel stop. Or 4-wheel traction.
There should be mandatory warning labels on all 4 wheel drive vehicles.
WARNING: FOUR WHEEL DRIVE WILL NOT PROTECT YOU FROM THE CONSEQUENCES OF BEING AN IRRESPONSIBLE ASSHOLE.
149 | PT Barnum Tue, Feb 22, 2011 6:56:45am |
re: #147 ProLifeLiberal
I’ve heard that the Berbers have been integral to this rebellion.
But what about the shags and indoor/outdoors?
151 | Decatur Deb Tue, Feb 22, 2011 6:57:21am |
153 | RogueOne Tue, Feb 22, 2011 6:57:52am |
re: #133 PT Barnum
If you read the rest of the article, you would have seen that the results were in line with those a more GOP leaning polling group got earlier. Methodology was also fairly sound with the issue questions coming later rather than earlier in the polling.
Forgive me for not buying the hype. The repubs just swept the state in an election just 2 months ago after running on this issue, rassmussen has Walker up by 10 pts, and the NY times is publishing stories like this:
Union Bonds in Wisconsin Begin to Fray
[Link: www.nytimes.com…]
This is a losing position for the dems. My biggest beef is that this fight didn’t happen next year so it would be good and fresh in the minds of the voters. Obama isn’t going to win Ohio or Indiana next cycle, it would be nice if I could add WI to that list early.
154 | RogueOne Tue, Feb 22, 2011 6:58:48am |
re: #148 PT Barnum
There should be mandatory warning labels on all 4 wheel drive vehicles.
WARNING: FOUR WHEEL DRIVE WILL NOT PROTECT YOU FROM THE CONSEQUENCES OF BEING AN IRRESPONSIBLE ASSHOLE.
People around here also forget that 4x4’s help you go but stopping is still a problem.
155 | Jadespring Tue, Feb 22, 2011 7:00:22am |
re: #145 Boondock St. Bender
one would hope.enough people have been killed.hopefully khaddafi is persued,and prosecuted for his numerous crimes as well.
Well sure. I think if he stays though he’s got more chance of being eventually strung up so to speak then getting a trial.
156 | RogueOne Tue, Feb 22, 2011 7:00:30am |
re: #142 lawhawk
4-wheel drive does not mean 4-wheel stop. Or 4-wheel traction.
You should have said that again so I wouldn’t have missed it./
157 | Winny Spencer Tue, Feb 22, 2011 7:00:59am |
re: #153 RogueOne
Forgive me for not buying the hype. The repubs just swept the state in an election just 2 months ago after running on this issue, rassmussen has Walker up by 10 pts, and the NY times is publishing stories like this:
Union Bonds in Wisconsin Begin to Fray
[Link: www.nytimes.com…]This is a losing position for the dems. My biggest beef is that this fight didn’t happen next year so it would be good and fresh in the minds of the voters. Obama isn’t going to win Ohio or Indiana next cycle, it would be nice if I could add WI to that list early.
I think Romney could carry WI.
158 | RogueOne Tue, Feb 22, 2011 7:01:39am |
159 | PT Barnum Tue, Feb 22, 2011 7:02:10am |
re: #153 RogueOne
Forgive me for not buying the hype. The repubs just swept the state in an election just 2 months ago after running on this issue, rassmussen has Walker up by 10 pts, and the NY times is publishing stories like this:
Union Bonds in Wisconsin Begin to Fray
[Link: www.nytimes.com…]This is a losing position for the dems. My biggest beef is that this fight didn’t happen next year so it would be good and fresh in the minds of the voters. Obama isn’t going to win Ohio or Indiana next cycle, it would be nice if I could add WI to that list early.
I wouldn’t be so sure. Rasmussen consistently polls rightward, and should be adjusted down by at least 3 points as a result.
Frankly, I don’t see it as a losing proposition for Dems at all. If there are no more jobs in 2012 than there were in 2010, then the GOP becomes just as responsible as the Obama Administration. People who still have jobs are going to be a lot more worried about keeping what they have at that point. The Repubs showing that they’re dedicated to taking it away at the earliest opportunity, means that they won’t be any more competitive than the Dems, and without any kind of results to show after spending all their time on abortion, repeal of the ACA and other issues having little to do with stoking demand and thus job creation.
160 | Boondock St. Bender Tue, Feb 22, 2011 7:02:21am |
re: #155 Jadespring
couldn’t happen to a nicer guy.
Be even better if it was his all-girl kung fu protection squad were the ones who did it.
161 | Talking Point Detective Tue, Feb 22, 2011 7:02:33am |
re: #153 RogueOne
Forgive me for not buying the hype. The repubs just swept the state in an election just 2 months ago after running on this issue, rassmussen has Walker up by 10 pts, and the NY times is publishing stories like this:
Union Bonds in Wisconsin Begin to Fray
[Link: www.nytimes.com…]This is a losing position for the dems. My biggest beef is that this fight didn’t happen next year so it would be good and fresh in the minds of the voters. Obama isn’t going to win Ohio or Indiana next cycle, it would be nice if I could add WI to that list early.
We’ve noted before that the automated polling firm Rasmussen Reports has had problems with bias in a statistical sense: in the election last fall, its polls overestimated the standing of Republican candidates by roughly 4 percentage points on average.
A somewhat different issue arises today in a poll the firm conducted on the dispute in Wisconsin between Gov. Scott Walker and some of the state’s public-employee unions.
The poll, which included people that Rasmussen deemed to be “likely voters” from across the country, found that 48 percent of respondents agreed more with Mr. Walker in the dispute, while 38 percent agreed more with “the union for teachers and other state employees.”
That question, though, was the fourth one Rasmussen asked in the survey — and the questions that came before it may have biased the responses.
According to the firm’s statement of question wording, these were the first four questions Rasmussen asked in the poll:
1: How closely have you followed news reports about the Wisconsin governor’s effort to limit collective bargaining rights for most state employees?
2: Does the average public employee in your state earn more than the average private sector worker in your state, less than the average private sector worker in your state, or do they earn about the same amount?
3: Should teachers, firemen and policemen be allowed to go on strike?
4: In the dispute between the governor and the union workers, do you agree more with the governor or the union for teachers and other state employees?
[Link: fivethirtyeight.blogs.nytimes.com…]
The “We Ask America” poll was of Wisconsin’s residents - the Rassmussen poll was of the whole country.
162 | Glenn Beck's Grand Unifying Theory of Obdicut Tue, Feb 22, 2011 7:03:02am |
re: #137 Rightwingconspirator
Would you propose we try nation building there?
It depends what you mean by ‘nation building’.
In any case stopping or at least drastically reducing the piracy is a shared obligation, or else we just get more of what we have now, which in a sane world would be unacceptable.
I’d say reducing the crushing, devastating poverty afflicting Africa is a shared obligation, and in sane world that state of affairs would be unacceptable.
163 | Decatur Deb Tue, Feb 22, 2011 7:03:06am |
164 | RogueOne Tue, Feb 22, 2011 7:04:52am |
165 | Talking Point Detective Tue, Feb 22, 2011 7:05:12am |
re: #153 RogueOne
Sorry, I should have added this from the FiveThirtyEight excerpt:
There is nothing wrong with the first question, which simply asks people whether they have been following events in Madison. But the second and third questions are arguably problematic.
The issue is clearest with the third question, which asked respondents whether “teachers, firemen and policemen” should be allowed to go on strike. By invoking the prospect of such strikes, which are illegal in many places (especially for the uniformed services) and which many people quite naturally object to, the poll could potentially engender a less sympathetic reaction toward the protesters in Wisconsin. It is widely recognized in the scholarship on the subject, and I have noted before, that earlier questions in a survey can bias the response to later ones by framing an issue in a particular way and by casting one side of the argument in a less favorable light.
166 | PT Barnum Tue, Feb 22, 2011 7:06:12am |
re: #163 Decatur Deb
re: #158 RogueOne
If unemployment stays a 9%, any Repub can. If it’s under 7, none can.
I’m not even sure then. The Republicans have shown that they are more interested in further decimating the middle class than in putting anyone to work. I think another two years of dismal economic results would be just as bad for the GOP as the Dems, since people will be a little less inclined to dump on the unemployed if they’re worried about joining their ranks.
167 | Jadespring Tue, Feb 22, 2011 7:06:29am |
re: #160 Boondock St. Bender
couldn’t happen to a nicer guy.
Be even better if it was his all-girl kung fu protection squad were the ones who did it.
Yes, my belief in the rule of law and the right to fair trial wavers a lot when it comes to people like him. I think it would be best if he could be tried, publically and in full few of the world because of the message it would send.
However if it goes the other route I wouldn’t lose sleep over it.
168 | Decatur Deb Tue, Feb 22, 2011 7:07:50am |
re: #164 RogueOne
I wouldn’t say “any” but you have a point.
Bringing us to: “Would the Rovians, racists, and socons deliberately tank the recovery to get rid of Obama?”
169 | Jadespring Tue, Feb 22, 2011 7:08:10am |
More from Engel
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#Libya Soldiers tell us they refuse to fire on own people..’our army like Egypt. Won’t kill its people’
170 | Talking Point Detective Tue, Feb 22, 2011 7:08:19am |
re: #153 RogueOne
Forgive me for not buying the hype.
So, if you’re not buying the hype, then why are you citing the Rasmussen poll?
171 | PT Barnum Tue, Feb 22, 2011 7:08:29am |
Okay…I gotta go run errands and then crawl back to my sickbed so I can go back to work tomorrow.
I think we infect all the somali pirates with sinus infections and upper respiratory diseases. None of them will want to crawl out of bed to do anything.
172 | PT Barnum Tue, Feb 22, 2011 7:10:11am |
re: #168 Decatur Deb
Bringing us to: “Would the Rovians, racists, and socons deliberately tank the recovery to get rid of Obama?”
I think they would like to, but the consequences of getting caught doing it would be a long freaking time in the wilderness.
173 | Boondock St. Bender Tue, Feb 22, 2011 7:10:18am |
gotta bail myself as well.
see you guys later!
174 | RogueOne Tue, Feb 22, 2011 7:10:20am |
re: #166 PT Barnum
I’m not even sure then. The Republicans have shown that they are more interested in further decimating the middle class than in putting anyone to work. I think another two years of dismal economic results would be just as bad for the GOP as the Dems, since people will be a little less inclined to dump on the unemployed if they’re worried about joining their ranks.
I obviously disagree. The issue seems to me to be who gets to decide the pay/benefits of our employees…especially in a time of economic downturn. The people of WI voted in Nov to turn over the state to a guy who said public employee unions need to go away. I have a hard time believing they’ve changed their minds in the 2 months he’s been in office.
175 | Jadespring Tue, Feb 22, 2011 7:10:29am |
CNN is reporting and showing protest in Bahrain. 30,000 protest. Say largest protest yet since they began.
176 | RogueOne Tue, Feb 22, 2011 7:10:41am |
re: #168 Decatur Deb
Bringing us to: “Would the Rovians, racists, and socons deliberately tank the recovery to get rid of Obama?”
Doesn’t seem he needs any help./
177 | Varek Raith Tue, Feb 22, 2011 7:12:03am |
The GOP isn’t interested in jobs.
They far more interested in abortion and cutting programs that help the poor while keeping tax cuts for corporations.
178 | Decatur Deb Tue, Feb 22, 2011 7:12:06am |
179 | Jadespring Tue, Feb 22, 2011 7:13:20am |
re: #177 Varek Raith
The GOP isn’t interested in jobs.
They far more interested in abortion and cutting programs that help the poor while keeping tax cuts for corporations.
I think they are interested in jobs. They just think that those things will somehow help in the quest for them.
180 | RogueOne Tue, Feb 22, 2011 7:13:21am |
re: #170 Talking Point Detective
So, if you’re not buying the hype, then why are you citing the Rasmussen poll?
I’m not. I would have continued to blow it off if not for the afl/cio poll. I put more faith in the last real poll, the November elections. IIRC, Christie polled pretty horribly early in his term also. Same with Daniels. Some voters waffle, they want change then they don’t but when it comes down to it they’ll vote their pocketbook.
181 | PT Barnum Tue, Feb 22, 2011 7:13:31am |
re: #174 RogueOne
I obviously disagree. The issue seems to me to be who gets to decide the pay/benefits of our employees…especially in a time of economic downturn. The people of WI voted in Nov to turn over the state to a guy who said public employee unions need to go away. I have a hard time believing they’ve changed their minds in the 2 months he’s been in office.
He got 52% of half the state’s eligible voters. Sounds like a mandate to me.
//
182 | PT Barnum Tue, Feb 22, 2011 7:14:20am |
re: #179 Jadespring
I think they are interested in jobs. They just think that those things will somehow help in the quest for them.
The only jobs their interested in are their own.
183 | Talking Point Detective Tue, Feb 22, 2011 7:14:21am |
re: #174 RogueOne
I obviously disagree. The issue seems to me to be who gets to decide the pay/benefits of our employees…especially in a time of economic downturn. The people of WI voted in Nov to turn over the state to a guy who said public employee unions need to go away. I have a hard time believing they’ve changed their minds in the 2 months he’s been in office.
Do you have evidence of how destroying public unions’ ability for collective bargaining was part of his platform?
184 | Decatur Deb Tue, Feb 22, 2011 7:14:33am |
Time for the first lawn mowing of the year (actually a vacuuming). BBL.
186 | Varek Raith Tue, Feb 22, 2011 7:15:08am |
re: #184 Decatur Deb
Time for the first lawn mowing of the year (actually a vacuuming). BBL.
I got snow on the ground.
:P
187 | Decatur Deb Tue, Feb 22, 2011 7:15:40am |
188 | Talking Point Detective Tue, Feb 22, 2011 7:17:34am |
re: #180 RogueOne
I’m not. I would have continued to blow it off if not for the afl/cio poll. I put more faith in the last real poll, the November elections. IIRC, Christie polled pretty horribly early in his term also. Same with Daniels. Some voters waffle, they want change then they don’t but when it comes down to it they’ll vote their pocketbook.
You spoke to the question of how this issue will affect Walker’s popularity in WI.
You said this issue would help Walker, not hurt him. You cited a flawed, national, Rasmussen poll - which had results that contradicted other polls of WI voters.
189 | lawhawk Tue, Feb 22, 2011 7:22:05am |
The addled Fidel Castro thinks that the Libyan uprising is a pretext for a US invasion.
Cuba’s former leader Fidel Castro says it’s too early to criticize Libya’s government - but just the moment to denounce something says is planned: A U.S.-led invasion of the North African nation.Castro uses a column published in Cuban media on Tuesday to accuse the United States of planning a NATO invasion of Libya to control its oil. He says that might happen “in a question of hours or very short days.”
He says the plan “has to be denounced.”
*face palm*
190 | Jadespring Tue, Feb 22, 2011 7:22:08am |
re: #182 PT Barnum
The only jobs their interested in are their own.
Well sure and the same could be said for the other side.
I just think that messaging is important. Just saying “You aren’t interested in jobs” goes no where because all their messaging says ‘we’re into jobs’ or ‘course we’re interested in them. Shut up’.
Better messaging would be along the lines of “so you’re into job creation..explain how what you’re focusing in is doing that.” What does all this abortion stuff have to do with jobs?
Right now our head guy Harper is a master at this and it appears to be working. Not that I think what he’s doing is great or anything but he always turns the messages from the opposition into “Please, what does XXX have to do with jobs?” The opposition right now is really sucking at turning it back into ‘Well what does what your doing have to do with jobs.” They seem to be stuck on, “You’re not really interested in jobs.”
191 | Jadespring Tue, Feb 22, 2011 7:24:10am |
re: #189 lawhawk
The addled Fidel Castro thinks that the Libyan uprising is a pretext for a US invasion.
*face palm*
He may not be wrong about NATO doing something, though obviously not for the reasons he says they will.
NATO is making noises right now.
192 | Talking Point Detective Tue, Feb 22, 2011 7:24:25am |
re: #180 RogueOne
[Link: www.jsonline.com…]
In the firm’s Wisconsin survey taken Dec. 10-12, Walker was viewed favorably by 41% of registered voters but unfavorably by 49%. That’s worse than Ohio’s John Kasich (36% favorable/40% unfavorable) and far worse than Pennsylvania’s Tom Corbett (39%/27%); Michigan’s Rick Snyder (48%/26%); Wyoming’s Matt Mead (53%/17%); and Nevada’s Brian Sandoval (57%/20%). The only new GOP governor of the seven who did worse than Walker was Florida’s Rick Scott (33%/43%). The numbers for the other governors come from similar polls done in the past month or so.
So, in WI, he had a net disapproval rating in December, and polling shows that in WI, this is not an issue that works to his favor.
You can believe that he’s doing just fine and that this issue helps him, and you may be right, but your opinion is in contradiction to the available polling.
193 | Talking Point Detective Tue, Feb 22, 2011 7:27:31am |
re: #180 RogueOne
There’s also this:
A large majority of Wisconsinites favor raising taxes “on higher income people” in the state “to alleviate the state budget deficit,” according to a survey by a conservative think tank. Other results from the poll, including widespread opposition to the now-defunct high-speed rail line, have been reported. But an even wider margin favored increasing taxes for the rich, a finding that went un-publicized until recently, after a blogger reviewed some hard data from the survey posted on the think tank’s website.
The survey of 615 state residents was conducted in mid-November last year, funded by the conservative Wisconsin Policy Research Institute and directed by UW-Madison political science professor Ken Goldstein. Question 35 in the detailed 45-question poll begins, “To alleviate the state budget deficit, a proposal has been made to increase taxes on higher income people in the State of Wisconsin.” Do you support this proposal?
Almost 40 percent of respondents said they “completely favor” it. About 24 percent said they “somewhat” favored it. That’s an approval rating of almost 64 percent.
On the disapproving side, about 15 percent said they “completely opposed” the proposal, and about 13 percent said they “somewhat” opposed it. The rest of the respondents either said they were neutral on the issue (6 percent) or didn’t provide an answer (2 percent).
Opposition to the proposed Milwaukee-Madison high speed rail line, the result that lead WPRI’s own account of the survey’s results and got the most mentions in state media, was split 52-35.
194 | Killgore Trout Tue, Feb 22, 2011 7:28:36am |
re: #189 lawhawk
The addled Fidel Castro thinks that the Libyan uprising is a pretext for a US invasion.
*face palm*
I imagine Castro and Chavez are watching these uprisings nervously.
195 | Jadespring Tue, Feb 22, 2011 7:30:27am |
re: #194 Killgore Trout
I imagine Castro and Chavez are watching these uprisings nervously.
Doubt they’re that concerned.
196 | Talking Point Detective Tue, Feb 22, 2011 7:36:28am |
re: #194 Killgore Trout
I imagine Castro and Chavez are watching these uprisings nervously.
Chavez isn’t a very comparable situation. I don’t know what level of public support Castro has, but I’d question whether it’s as low as ME dictators.
197 | lawhawk Tue, Feb 22, 2011 7:37:54am |
re: #195 Jadespring
Chavez is probably a bit more insulated from possible uprisings than Castro, but Cuba is ripe for its own protests and uprisings because of the poor socioeconomic conditions. Raul may have issued some “reforms” but the situation is still quite poor there.
Where Castro is wrong is that the Libyans themselves may be calling for outside assistance - when you have Libyan diplomats all over the world breaking with Khadafi, including the UN mission, and foreign missions the world over, then the cracks in the regime are becoming clearer by the day.
I just don’t see NATO getting involved in what is an internal state matter, and the UN isn’t exactly in a position to act either - for the same reason. The UN may issue resolutions or place embargoes on military transactions, but that’s not likely to stop the carnage there.
At this point, the only thing that would stop the carnage is for Khadafi to exit stage left, and he’s not going to do that without racking up a hefty body count.
198 | Jadespring Tue, Feb 22, 2011 7:38:13am |
Oh look more protests in the US. Four states now.
199 | Varek Raith Tue, Feb 22, 2011 7:39:31am |
200 | Kronocide Tue, Feb 22, 2011 7:39:40am |
Beckstradamus tying ME riots with union protests yet?
Let me make a prediction….
201 | Varek Raith Tue, Feb 22, 2011 7:40:58am |
re: #200 BigPapa
Beckstradamus tying ME riots with union protests yet?
Let me make a prediction…
Page 1543 of Beck’s Grand Unified Conspiracy About Everything and Everyone.
202 | Talking Point Detective Tue, Feb 22, 2011 7:43:16am |
re: #197 lawhawk
Actually, the revolutions in the ME may help Chavez if there are resulting increases in the price of oil.
203 | Varek Raith Tue, Feb 22, 2011 7:43:35am |
[LIBYA, 10:38 a.m. ET, 5:38 local] U.S. Sen. John Kerry, D-Massachusetts, urged all American and international oil companies to immediately cease operations in Libya.
“The Gadhafi government’s use of deadly force against its own people should mean the end of the regime itself. It’s beyond despicable, and I hope we are witnessing its last hours in power,” Kerry’s statement read in part. “… All American and international oil companies should immediately cease operations in Libya until violence against civilians ceases. The Obama administration also should consider re-imposing U.S. sanctions that were lifted during the Bush era.”
204 | Why I Never! Tue, Feb 22, 2011 7:45:22am |
re: #200 BigPapa
Beckstradamus tying ME riots with union protests yet?
Upding for Beckstradamus!
205 | Jadespring Tue, Feb 22, 2011 7:47:36am |
re: #197 lawhawk
Chavez is probably a bit more insulated from possible uprisings than Castro, but Cuba is ripe for its own protests and uprisings because of the poor socioeconomic conditions. Raul may have issued some “reforms” but the situation is still quite poor there.
It’s always been poor so it’s not like anything has changed. However the attitude to the situation I think is quite different. For all the gov’ts faults they do provide a level of basic food and things like health care which does a lot to mitigate some of the biggest complaints about conditions. I know quite a few people over the years who have been to Cuba both on holidays and various socially related reasons since Canada does not have the same sort of restrictions that the US has. All of them come away with very different impression of what life and attitudes is like their then what seems to be the conventional understanding coming out of things like US media.
206 | RogueOne Tue, Feb 22, 2011 7:48:05am |
re: #188 Talking Point Detective
You spoke to the question of how this issue will affect Walker’s popularity in WI.
You said this issue would help Walker, not hurt him. You cited a flawed, national, Rasmussen poll - which had results that contradicted other polls of WI voters.
Ok. Let me rephrase I guess, Regardless of the polls I believe this will end up helping Walker and republicans in WI. You disagree. We won’t really know who is right until Nov ‘12.
207 | lawhawk Tue, Feb 22, 2011 7:48:29am |
re: #202 Talking Point Detective
You could make a similar case for Iran, Saudi Arabia and other oil-backed regimes. As long as the revolutions hit other oil-producing countries and they’re (Venezuela, Iran, Saudi Arabia, etc.) still standing at the end of the day, they’ll benefit from higher oil prices*.
But as we’ve seen, there is no guarantee that the higher oil prices will stop uprisings and protests against these regimes - especially when the oil profits stay close to the regimes’ themselves.
*but not too high because if prices shock a fragile economy, then we could push back into a recession that reduces demand considerably once again.
210 | Jadespring Tue, Feb 22, 2011 7:55:18am |
Sucky translation.
Still have no idea what the hell he’s blabbering about.
211 | Varek Raith Tue, Feb 22, 2011 7:55:50am |
re: #210 Jadespring
Sucky translation.
Still have no idea what the hell he’s blabbering about.
That’s normal for his speeches.
212 | Jadespring Tue, Feb 22, 2011 7:56:05am |
Okay I get it. He seems to be telling Libyan people that the outside is painting all of you as bad.
213 | Jadespring Tue, Feb 22, 2011 7:57:05am |
Foreign powers are interfering and bring shame to you and your families.
214 | Stanley Sea Tue, Feb 22, 2011 7:57:26am |
Ghonim Wael Ghonim
#Qaddafi is living in a denial just like the other dictators. Same shit different asshole.
215 | lostlakehiker Tue, Feb 22, 2011 7:57:43am |
re: #80 Boondock St. Bender
If khadffi(or however he’s spelling it this week)is intent on holding power,(and has military support)this could get real ugly.
tea baggers take note…this is what a popular revolution really looks like.
Tea Party agenda is not revolution in the streets. It’s not teacher strikes and legislator strikes. It’s an electoral agenda, and the aim is to win elections. Where has there been any kind of dust up as a result of sore-loser behavior by tea party adherents?
216 | Jadespring Tue, Feb 22, 2011 7:58:06am |
We defy America from here. We defy atomic powers. We are more qualified then those rats and agents to make descions.
217 | Talking Point Detective Tue, Feb 22, 2011 7:58:16am |
re: #206 RogueOne
Ok. Let me rephrase I guess, Regardless of the polls I believe this will end up helping Walker and republicans in WI. You disagree. We won’t really know who is right until Nov ‘12.
I’m actually not convinced one way or the other.
I’m just saying that the evidence that we have so far indicates that it’s hurting him, not helping him. What I’m reacting to is the rightwing spin. I read an article about the Rasmussen poll on Fox that spun it as a poll of WI voters, and which neglected to mention that it was actually in contrast to local polls.
218 | Buck Tue, Feb 22, 2011 7:59:39am |
re: #200 BigPapa
Beckstradamus tying ME riots with union protests yet?
Let me make a prediction…
No but he did predict you would say that.
/
219 | Jadespring Tue, Feb 22, 2011 7:59:49am |
Talking about defy Italy too.
Think it’s referencing history.
We defyed them in the revolution.
Lybia will lead the world in this defiance. Lead Asia lead, everyone.
It is not possible for me to leave this place. I will be a martyr in the end.
220 | Jadespring Tue, Feb 22, 2011 8:01:52am |
I am much higher then any other leader in the world.
Says house in tripoli has been raided by US airplanes. Accuses US of bombing people.
Not sure if he is talking about now or before.
221 | Jadespring Tue, Feb 22, 2011 8:03:34am |
Says that small group of youth that have been given hallucination pills have been raiding police stations and barracks.
223 | sattv4u2 Tue, Feb 22, 2011 8:04:03am |
re: #219 Jadespring
It is not possible for me to leave this place
((as I sit here on the shores of Caracas Venezuela)
I am much higher then any other leader in the world
((Damn, these South American Drug Lords have some good shit!!))
224 | RogueOne Tue, Feb 22, 2011 8:04:20am |
225 | Walter L. Newton Tue, Feb 22, 2011 8:04:40am |
226 | Achilles Tang Tue, Feb 22, 2011 8:04:45am |
I think he has taken public speaking lessons from Palin; or is it the other way around?
227 | Jadespring Tue, Feb 22, 2011 8:04:56am |
The youths are not responsible though they have been manipulate by people in Tunisia. They have been given drugs by infiltrators.
228 | Varek Raith Tue, Feb 22, 2011 8:05:19am |
229 | BishopX Tue, Feb 22, 2011 8:05:26am |
Dude, Tunisia is on the other side of your country from the main protest sites…
230 | Jadespring Tue, Feb 22, 2011 8:06:16am |
His speech in a nutshell. All these problems are being cause by DRUGS. Say no to DRUGS!!
231 | lawhawk Tue, Feb 22, 2011 8:07:18am |
re: #219 Jadespring
I think I’ve heard that speech before…
Harry: [trying to translate for Helen what Aziz is saying] In 90 minutes, the holy fire, will light up the skies.
[the terrorists are covering the nuclear warhead with an american flag and cement]
Harry: We will tell the the whole world, that we speak, the truth. No force can stop us now, we’re cool, we’re badasses, blah, blah, blah. /true lies
Khadafi is only the latest to declare himself invincible against the people that seek a better life for themselves and to depose a despot.
He’s busy yakking away about anything that comes to mind - whether it’s current or from 25 years ago (the US airstrikes against Libya).
232 | NJDhockeyfan Tue, Feb 22, 2011 8:07:19am |
1556 GMT: Kadhafi says he cannot step down as “I am not a president, I am a leader.”
1552 GMT: Kadhafi speaking on Libyan state TV
1550 GMT: The UN Security Council has begun emergency consultations on the Libyan crisis with Germany and other western nations pressing for “swift and clear” action.
Libyan diplomats who have broken with strongman leader Moamer Kadhafi and demanded the meeting are calling for a UN no-fly zone over the country and humanitarian action.
German ambassador Peter Wittig called the violence used by Kadhafi’s forces “really shocking.”
“It has regional and international implications. That is why we think it is a case for the Security Council and the council should act with a swift and clear message,” Wittig said going into the meeting.
233 | lostlakehiker Tue, Feb 22, 2011 8:07:19am |
re: #56 Rightwingconspirator
I just heard on CBS radio-A report from the Pentagon
Sad breaking news…
Those pirate bastards killed everyone on the yacht. Gunfire was heard, our people boarded, but it was too late. Some pirates killed the rest captured.
What else? Pirates are pirates. That’s what they do if they don’t get their way.
In other news, massive earthquake in NZ. Story
234 | Jadespring Tue, Feb 22, 2011 8:07:25am |
More from Engel
richardengelnbc richard engel
#libya.. Airforce officer says its not mainstream airforce firing on people, but an elite core around ghadafi
47 seconds ago Favorite Retweet Reply
»
richard engel
richardengelnbc richard engel
#libya.. Momentum seems very strong.. Don’t see how govt could re-take places in east like tubruk
1 minute ago Favorite Retweet Reply
»
richard engel
richardengelnbc richard engel
#Libya demonstrators say they’ve captured a group of mercenaries..including at least one from niger
4 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply
»
richard engel
richardengelnbc richard engel
#libya.. Protests say ‘this is now war’.. Not demonstrations
5 minutes ago
235 | sattv4u2 Tue, Feb 22, 2011 8:08:38am |
Someone should yell ,,”RONALD REAGAN ,, INCOMING” to him he’ll shrink like George Costanzas wiener after he was in the pool!!
236 | CuriousLurker Tue, Feb 22, 2011 8:08:41am |
Drive-by post:
I just found a very interesting article about Gaddafi’s history and posted a page about it. It’s worth a read.
BBL
237 | Walter L. Newton Tue, Feb 22, 2011 8:08:41am |
re: #228 Varek Raith
I think he smoked it.
re: #225 Walter L. Newton
Nope, this is just the first time I’ve actually listened to his rambling.
Get his greatest hits from Amazon… “This breezy but well-researched history takes a not-so-critical look at a man described by Nelson Mandela as “one of the greatest revolutionary legends of our times” and by President Ronald Reagan as “the mad dog of the Middle East.”“
[Link: www.amazon.com…]
238 | sattv4u2 Tue, Feb 22, 2011 8:09:49am |
re: #237 Walter L. Newton
re: #235 sattv4u2
Someone should yell ,,”RONALD REAGAN ,, INCOMING” to him he’ll shrink like George Costanzas wiener after he was in the pool!!
re: #237 Walter L. Newton
Get his greatest hits from Amazon… “This breezy but well-researched history takes a not-so-critical look at a man described by Nelson Mandela as “one of the greatest revolutionary legends of our times” and by President Ronald Reagan as “the mad dog of the Middle East.”“
[Link: www.amazon.com…]
gmta
(ours too!!)
239 | Jadespring Tue, Feb 22, 2011 8:10:44am |
There is one plus about Kadahfii. I never have to actually learn how to spell his name. Anything thing that starts with a Q K or G plus an AHH sounds plus a FEE sounds works.
240 | Walter L. Newton Tue, Feb 22, 2011 8:11:44am |
re: #239 Jadespring
There is one plus about Kadahfii. I never have to actually learn how to spell his name. Anything thing that starts with a Q K or G plus an AHH sounds plus a FEE sounds works.
Cadaffy.
241 | sattv4u2 Tue, Feb 22, 2011 8:11:54am |
re: #239 Jadespring
There is one plus about Kadahfii. I never have to actually learn how to spell his name. Anything thing that starts with a Q K or G plus an AHH sounds plus a FEE sounds works.
A “K” with a “DAFFY” works for me
243 | NJDhockeyfan Tue, Feb 22, 2011 8:12:21am |
Gadhafi Blames ‘Rats’ And Foreign ‘Agents’; Says He Will Be A ‘Martyr’
Under pressure from mounting protests within his nation and mounting outrage from around the world for his government’s deadly crackdown on demonstrators, Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi is once again defying calls for him to step down.
On state TV (being rebroadcast and translated on CNN), he just said that “rats” and agents of “foreign intelligence services” are behind the unrest in Libya.
Saying that “this is my country” and that he and others have “irrigated it with our blood,” Gadhafi just proclaimed he will “be a martyr at the end.”
We’ll add more to this post as he speaks.
Update at 11:05 a.m. ET: Gadhafi just blamed “a small group of youth who have been given hallucination pills” for attacks on some police stations.
244 | Varek Raith Tue, Feb 22, 2011 8:12:33am |
re: #239 Jadespring
There is one plus about Kadahfii. I never have to actually learn how to spell his name. Anything thing that starts with a Q K or G plus an AHH sounds plus a FEE sounds works.
His name is banned from Scrabble.
/
245 | lawhawk Tue, Feb 22, 2011 8:12:45am |
re: #239 Jadespring
Given how the expiration date on his regime is fast approaching, we wont have to worry about his spelling for much longer.
246 | sattv4u2 Tue, Feb 22, 2011 8:12:48am |
248 | sattv4u2 Tue, Feb 22, 2011 8:13:49am |
249 | Jadespring Tue, Feb 22, 2011 8:14:08am |
CNN not showing. Moved to CBC…..
Now he’s yelling at the people in Benghazi. Literally. Was screaming.
Says they’ve all been drugged.
Now yelling again.
250 | Killgore Trout Tue, Feb 22, 2011 8:14:37am |
WTF is up with the bombed out wreck behind him? is that his old house?
251 | Cannadian Club Akbar Tue, Feb 22, 2011 8:15:02am |
252 | lawhawk Tue, Feb 22, 2011 8:15:22am |
re: #243 NJDhockeyfan
And he’s explaining his diplomats’ standing against Khadafi how? That they’re under foreign influence and control?
Yeah, that’ll be the ticket. It’s always someone else’s fault when you’re a dictator, but at the rate things are going, he’s going to be swinging from the end of a rope because his free exile ticket hasn’t been punched.
253 | Jadespring Tue, Feb 22, 2011 8:15:48am |
I’m going to transcribe that part of the speech as “FUCK YOU Benghazi. How dare you defy me!! NOW I’M GOING TO FUCK YOU UP.”
254 | sattv4u2 Tue, Feb 22, 2011 8:16:07am |
re: #250 Killgore Trout
WTF is up with the bombed out wreck behind him? is that his old house?
The Ronald Reagan Memorial Shell!
255 | lawhawk Tue, Feb 22, 2011 8:16:24am |
Realities on the ground and defections from more Libyan officials around the world showed Gadhafi’s grip on power (and reality) appeared to be weakening.
He’s pulling a Baghdad Bob…
256 | Cannadian Club Akbar Tue, Feb 22, 2011 8:16:27am |
re: #252 lawhawk
He always has a home on a BP oil rig.
/
257 | First As Tragedy, Then As Farce Tue, Feb 22, 2011 8:16:59am |
Google has created a Person Finder app as a response to the NZ earthquake.
258 | Jadespring Tue, Feb 22, 2011 8:17:55am |
#Gaddafi: I am not a president to step down, I have no post. I have my rifle and I will fight till the last moment. #Libya #Feb17
1 minute ago Favorite Retweet Reply
»
Andy Carvin
acarvin Andy Carvin
Gaddafi:If I was the president, I would throw my resignation at your face. But I will fight until the last drop of my blood
260 | FemNaziBitch Tue, Feb 22, 2011 8:18:45am |
Hey all!
We got a dusting of snow in the night.
What is happening in your part of the world this am?
261 | Varek Raith Tue, Feb 22, 2011 8:18:56am |
Does no one know how to be a dictator anymore?
When the shit hits the fan, you leave in a private jet with loads of cash to a private beach.
Sheesh.
262 | Killgore Trout Tue, Feb 22, 2011 8:19:08am |
The lighting on the background just changed. Is he speaking in front of a green screen?
263 | sattv4u2 Tue, Feb 22, 2011 8:19:19am |
re: #260 ggt
Hey all!
We got a dusting of snow in the night.
What is happening in your part of the world this am?
Sunny,, approaching the mid 60’s,, PERFECT
264 | Varek Raith Tue, Feb 22, 2011 8:19:51am |
re: #262 Killgore Trout
The lighting on the background just changed. Is he speaking in front of a green screen?
Hmm, I thought something was odd with the background…
265 | Jadespring Tue, Feb 22, 2011 8:19:57am |
If all the stories of different part of the military mutinying are solid then I’m predicting civil war now.
266 | Cannadian Club Akbar Tue, Feb 22, 2011 8:20:03am |
re: #261 Varek Raith
Does no one know how to be a dictator anymore?
When the shit hits the fan, you leave in a private jet with loads of cash to a private beach.
Sheesh.
Don’t forget Quadaffy has his Wench Special Force SquadTM.
267 | Varek Raith Tue, Feb 22, 2011 8:20:57am |
re: #266 Cannadian Club Akbar
Don’t forget Quadaffy has his Wench Special Force SquadTM.
Who doesn’t have a Hot Chick Protection Squad?!?!
268 | Political Atheist Tue, Feb 22, 2011 8:21:09am |
re: #162 Obdicut
So far all those efforts in Somalia have been unsuccessful, IMO in no small part due to the same warlords that run the pirates. I can not accept the catch-22 caused by the warlords as displacing the responsibility back onto the rest of the world.
The aid goes in, they steal it or destroy it, and now we have your calls for more aid? Time for a game changer. This link shows what has been done. It’s no small effort.
This link shows what happens to aid.
As long as these militants & warlords are in charge nothing will change for the better. We can deter them or remove them. I prefer deterrence from piracy for a start. It’s a case IMO of first things first. It’s too easy to fall back on the catch 22 they created. Further inaction & failed aid programs will not help anyone, least of all the Somali people.
269 | sattv4u2 Tue, Feb 22, 2011 8:21:20am |
re: #261 Varek Raith
Does no one know how to be a dictator anymore?
When the shit hits the fan, you leave in a private jet with loads of cash to a private beach.
Sheesh.
“Dear Hugo
Things are getting a tad tight here. I trust your Swiss Bank Account received the,, umm,,, donation to you favorite charity courtesy of the Libyan people.
Is my oceanfront Villa ready yet?
Love
MoooMar”
270 | Killgore Trout Tue, Feb 22, 2011 8:21:25am |
re: #264 Varek Raith
Hmm, I thought something was odd with the background…
It’s looks a little suspect. I keep watching to see if he casts a shadow on the column behind him but haven’t seen anything yet.
271 | FemNaziBitch Tue, Feb 22, 2011 8:21:41am |
272 | First As Tragedy, Then As Farce Tue, Feb 22, 2011 8:22:12am |
officers will go to tribal areas, cleanse these people, and they will be prosecuted. this will be their punishment.
Hearts & minds.
273 | Jadespring Tue, Feb 22, 2011 8:22:26am |
Way easier to follow his talking with the tweets…
acarvin Andy Carvin
Gaddafi: officers will go to tribal areas, cleanse these people, and they will be prosecuted. this will be their punishment.
1 minute ago Favorite Retweet Reply
»
Egyptocracy
Egyptocracy Egyptocracy
#Gaddafi: This is the influence of Bin Laden. He will bring occupation to you. #Libya #Feb17
1 minute ago Favorite Retweet Reply
»
AJELive
AJELive AJELive
#Gaddafi says on state TV: Do you want the Americans to come and occupy us like Afghanistan? http:/[Link: twitter.com…] #libya
1 minute ago Favorite Retweet Reply
»
Bilal - Al Jazeera
bilalr Bilal - Al Jazeera
by AJELive
#Gaddafi: Do you want America to come and occupy you like Afghanistan, Iraq … go out in the streets, chase them … [Link: aje.me…]
2 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply
»
Andy Carvin
acarvin Andy Carvin
Gaddafi: (another pause)
1 minute ago Favorite Retweet Reply
»
Zeinobia
Zeinobia Zeinobia
Qaddafi screaming and accusing Egyptians and Tunisians of spread LSD of revolution in his country [Link: instagr.am…]
1 minute ago Favorite Retweet Reply
»
Andy Carvin
acarvin Andy Carvin
Gaddafi: our country will become afghanistan - is that what you want? Go into the streets, take their weapons, turn them in. Terrorists.
2 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply
»
Egyptocracy
Egyptocracy Egyptocracy
#Gaddafi: Chase them, take their weapons, arrest them and hand them in to the police. #Libya #Feb17
2 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply
»
Rawya Rageh
RawyaRageh Rawya Rageh
by AJELive
#Gaddafi: I have not used force until now. But I will if need be. #Libya #Feb17
3 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply
»
Bilal - Al Jazeera
bilalr Bilal - Al Jazeera
by AJELive
#Gaddafi:Do you want #Benghazi destroyed, cut off from electricity and water? [Link: aje.me…]
3 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply
»
Andy Carvin
acarvin Andy Carvin
Gaddafi: they’re worried these rats will attack them. Derna has become a rebel. Killing Derna. Beware that they will come and rule you.
274 | RogueOne Tue, Feb 22, 2011 8:22:30am |
re: #266 Cannadian Club Akbar
Don’t forget Quadaffy has his Wench Special Force SquadTM.
Insteading of calling in an air strike that’s who he should have sent out to quell the rebellious citizenry, the hot chicks.
276 | sattv4u2 Tue, Feb 22, 2011 8:23:24am |
277 | Stanley Sea Tue, Feb 22, 2011 8:23:35am |
re: #273 Jadespring
Qaddafi screaming and accusing Egyptians and Tunisians of spread LSD of revolution in his country [Link: instagr.am…]
LSD? hahahaha.
278 | Cannadian Club Akbar Tue, Feb 22, 2011 8:23:44am |
If Quadaffy is in front of a green screen, I will pay a billion dollars if someone will hack into it for me.
279 | lostlakehiker Tue, Feb 22, 2011 8:23:53am |
re: #255 lawhawk
Realities on the ground and defections from more Libyan officials around the world showed Gadhafi’s grip on power (and reality) appeared to be weakening.
He’s pulling a Baghdad Bob…
Baghdad Bob was just a spokesman. This is how it goes with the top honchos who cross too many lines:
The Ceaușescus were executed by a firing squad consisting of elite paratroop regiment soldiers: Captain Ionel Boeru, Sergant-Major Georghin Octavian and Dorin-Marian Cirlan,[13] while reportedly hundreds of others also volunteered. The firing squad began shooting as soon as they were in position against a wall. The firing happened too soon for the film crew covering the events to record it.[14] After the shooting, the bodies were covered with canvas. The hasty trial and the images of the dead Ceaușescus were videotaped and the footage promptly released in numerous western countries. Later that day, it was also shown on Romanian television.
280 | Jadespring Tue, Feb 22, 2011 8:24:01am |
Gaddafi: they don’t want me or libya. This is a criminal act. Anyone who lifts arm shall be punished with death.
acarvin Andy Carvin
Gaddafi: anyone who undermines the soverignty of the state will be punished by death.
2 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply
»
Egyptocracy
Egyptocracy Egyptocracy
#Gaddafi is now holding up Libya’s criminal law and reading out from it. #Libya #Feb17
2 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply
»
Andy Carvin
acarvin Andy Carvin
Gaddafi: those who spy for other countries shall be punished with death.
282 | Jadespring Tue, Feb 22, 2011 8:25:06am |
AJELive AJELive
#Gaddafi: If you love Muammar Gaddafi go out and secure Libya’s streets [Link: aje.me…]
1 minute ago Favorite Retweet Reply
»
Andy Carvin
acarvin Andy Carvin
Gaddafi: if you use explosives, bombs, you’ll be put to death.
1 minute ago Favorite Retweet Reply
»
Andy Carvin
acarvin Andy Carvin
Gaddafi: anyone who undermines the constitution shall be put to death.
1 minute ago Favorite Retweet Reply
»
Nicholas Kristof
NickKristof Nicholas Kristof
#Qaddafi never had a PR sense. In intervu with female US journalist, he made a on-record pass at her. Equally astute now.
1 minute ago Favorite Retweet Reply
»
Andy Carvin
acarvin Andy Carvin
Gaddafi: we don’t blame the youth. When they are caught and prosecuted, they will beg for mercy. We won’t be merciful.
283 | FemNaziBitch Tue, Feb 22, 2011 8:25:20am |
re: #268 Rightwingconspirator
Interesting what happens to the money —in short, no one knows exactly because of an interesting system called “hawala”.
285 | Walter L. Newton Tue, Feb 22, 2011 8:25:35am |
re: #277 Stanley Sea
Qaddafi screaming and accusing Egyptians and Tunisians of spread LSD of revolution in his country [Link: instagr.am…]
LSD? hahahaha.
I keep seeing a vision of Glen Beck going out like this… screaming and kicking and claiming that Fox News drugged him or something.
286 | sattv4u2 Tue, Feb 22, 2011 8:26:10am |
re: #281 lawhawk
Heck, even Janet Jackson has a hot-chick (and dude) brigade
[Video]
Were Janet and Micheal ever seen in the same room together??
287 | Jadespring Tue, Feb 22, 2011 8:26:21am |
acarvin Andy Carvin
Gaddafi: you won’t have to be like somalia. It’ll be civil war if you don’t apprehend them. (big sigh, pause)
27 seconds ago Favorite Retweet Reply
»
AJELive
AJELive AJELive
#Gaddafi warns of civil war, saying #Libya can become like Somalia [Link: aje.me…]
26 seconds ago Favorite Retweet Reply
»
AJELive
AJELive AJELive
#Gaddafi: I haven’t even started giving the orders to use bullets - any use of force against authority of state will be sentenced to death.
24 seconds ago Favorite Retweet Reply
»
Zeinobia
Zeinobia Zeinobia
Honolulu what ?
44 seconds ago Favorite Retweet Reply
»
Mo-ha-med
TravellerW Mo-ha-med
The people on the street aren’t “raising weapons against #Libya”, #Gaddafi. They ARE Libya.
288 | Cannadian Club Akbar Tue, Feb 22, 2011 8:26:29am |
LSD should only be used before a TOOL concert.
290 | Jadespring Tue, Feb 22, 2011 8:27:43am |
HalaGorani Hala Gorani
by Zeinobia
Based on sculpture of fist crushing American fighter jet, Gaddafi is delivering speech from his compound bombed in 1986.
291 | Varek Raith Tue, Feb 22, 2011 8:27:56am |
re: #270 Killgore Trout
It’s looks a little suspect. I keep watching to see if he casts a shadow on the column behind him but haven’t seen anything yet.
Yeah, the shadows on him are wrong. Also, watch when his arm goes over the sun light. Looks wrong.
Hmmm
292 | FemNaziBitch Tue, Feb 22, 2011 8:29:08am |
What do the Libyan upper-ups think of Moomar (so much easier to figure out how to spell).
I have to wonder how many have thought about assassinating him themselves —like Adolph.
Perhaps he is easy crazy. They can keep him calm and control him.
293 | Jadespring Tue, Feb 22, 2011 8:29:48am |
Ha ha stating the obvious.
Pundit on BBC says I don’t think there is any PR company involved in this speech it’s coming straight out of his own mind.
295 | First As Tragedy, Then As Farce Tue, Feb 22, 2011 8:33:22am |
NickKristof Nicholas Kristof
Having failed to bomb his people into submission, #Qaddafi is now using his TV speech to try to bore them to death.
296 | Cannadian Club Akbar Tue, Feb 22, 2011 8:33:34am |
Hasn’t Daffy been known to give multiple hour speeches? (He’s got nothing on Castro, though)
297 | lawhawk Tue, Feb 22, 2011 8:33:35am |
Form committees to defend the revolution? Umm… Mumar, they’re already forming committees to defend the revolution - except it’s not the revolution you’re looking for.
They’re looking to send you and your regime packing - not to defend it.
298 | Jadespring Tue, Feb 22, 2011 8:34:55am |
BBC anchor—- So is he in touch with what’s going on on the streets?
Pundit: —-(pause) No I don’t think so….
299 | First As Tragedy, Then As Farce Tue, Feb 22, 2011 8:35:54am |
warrenellis Warren Ellis
Gadaffi’s speech seems to boil down to “Everyone is on drugs except me. Also I am Batman.”
300 | Stanley Sea Tue, Feb 22, 2011 8:35:58am |
OT, but pretty classic
America’s joke, Sarah Palin, wrote Letters to the Editor praising HERSELF, using different pen names. [Link: politi.co…] #tpn #tcot #p2
301 | sattv4u2 Tue, Feb 22, 2011 8:36:07am |
re: #297 lawhawk
Form committees to defend the revolution? Umm… Mumar, they’re already forming committees to defend the revolution - except it’s not the revolution you’re looking for.
They’re looking to send you and your regime packing - not to defend it.
“Lets see
We need a rope committee,, a gallows committee,,a hole digging committee,,,”
302 | Varek Raith Tue, Feb 22, 2011 8:36:07am |
re: #298 Jadespring
BBC anchor—- So is he in touch with what’s going on on the streets?
Pundit: —-(pause) No I don’t think so…
He’s no longer in touch with reality.
304 | 122 Year Old Obama Tue, Feb 22, 2011 8:37:19am |
re: #300 Stanley Sea
Wooooowww. Just…. just wow. There are just no words for how stupid this is.
305 | RogueOne Tue, Feb 22, 2011 8:39:31am |
Speaking of stupid, updates on the pirate fiasco:
[Link: www.cbsnews.com…]
Some pirates moved to bow and put up their hands in surrender. The U.S. forces killed two pirates in the course of clearing the vessel - one with a handgun and one in a close-combat knife fight. There were no injuries to U.S. forces or damage to U.S. ships, Fox said.
picking a fight with a navy seal is just asking to get stabbed.
306 | sattv4u2 Tue, Feb 22, 2011 8:39:40am |
307 | lawhawk Tue, Feb 22, 2011 8:39:55am |
At this point, he’d be better off reading from the Tripoli phone book, because he’s making less and less sense (even more than usual).
308 | Jadespring Tue, Feb 22, 2011 8:40:13am |
re: #300 Stanley Sea
OT, but pretty classic
America’s joke, Sarah Palin, wrote Letters to the Editor praising HERSELF, using different pen names. [Link: politi.co…] #tpn #tcot #p2
It is common for a campaign to get people to write letters and get other real people to send them. It’s common to give real people templates to follow and write letters. It’s not so common for the candidate to write their own letters and use fake names.
309 | Killgore Trout Tue, Feb 22, 2011 8:40:37am |
re: #300 Stanley Sea
OT, but pretty classic
America’s joke, Sarah Palin, wrote Letters to the Editor praising HERSELF, using different pen names. [Link: politi.co…] #tpn #tcot #p2
heh
310 | What, me worry? Tue, Feb 22, 2011 8:41:08am |
Did you hear that CBS is now putting together a new reality show called “Despot Island”? Kaddafi, Qaddafi, Quadaffi (all 3 of them) along with Mubarak, That-Guy-From-Tunisia and That-Other-Guy-From-Yemen will share an island and the wackiness will ensue.
See Kaddafi punch Mubarak in the face screaming, “Death to America!”
Castro is set to make a special guest appearance. Watch how Castro confesses to hating arroz con pollo!
Each week a new leader will be added to the island.
It’s must see TV.
Oh, Death to America!
311 | Cannadian Club Akbar Tue, Feb 22, 2011 8:42:20am |
re: #305 RogueOne
Speaking of stupid, updates on the pirate fiasco:
[Link: www.cbsnews.com…]
picking a fight with a navy seal is just asking to get stabbed.
SEAL To Do list:
Wake up.
Eat pancakes.
Kill pirate with knife.
Have lunch. Nap.
Dinner.
Wait for more pirates.
312 | rwdflynavy Tue, Feb 22, 2011 8:42:38am |
313 | Killgore Trout Tue, Feb 22, 2011 8:42:55am |
The lighting changed again but I don’t think he’s in front of a green screen. It looks a little odd but when the lighting changes on him it also changes on the background.
314 | reine.de.tout Tue, Feb 22, 2011 8:43:03am |
315 | Killgore Trout Tue, Feb 22, 2011 8:43:57am |
316 | RogueOne Tue, Feb 22, 2011 8:44:52am |
re: #315 Killgore Trout
Very sad. What a terrible way to go.
Dying is a lousy way to go. I’m currently looking at alternatives.
317 | Cannadian Club Akbar Tue, Feb 22, 2011 8:45:57am |
re: #316 RogueOne
Dying is a lousy way to go. I’m currently looking at alternatives.
[Link: www.alcor.org…]
318 | Jadespring Tue, Feb 22, 2011 8:46:08am |
acarvin Andy Carvin
Gaddafi: Unarmed incidents in Waco were dealt with by force.
2 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply
»
Andy Carvin
acarvin Andy Carvin
my fingers hurt
2 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply
»
Andy Carvin
acarvin Andy Carvin
Gaddafi: The Dravidian cults in Waco were dealt with by armed vehicles.
319 | Killgore Trout Tue, Feb 22, 2011 8:47:46am |
GOP getting whiter, less educated……
Poll: Whites pessimistic on economy
The prolonged economic downturn has made white Americans — especially those without a college degree — more pessimistic than blacks and Hispanics, and has driven them toward the Republican Party, a survey has found.
320 | Stanley Sea Tue, Feb 22, 2011 8:47:47am |
321 | Glenn Beck's Grand Unifying Theory of Obdicut Tue, Feb 22, 2011 8:48:49am |
re: #268 Rightwingconspirator
I really have no idea what you’re talking about. The poverty in Africa wasn’t created by African warlords; they are the result of the poverty. Yes, it’s a Catch-22, for the African population. I have no idea why you saw me saying that poverty in Africa is a terrible problem that demands the attention of the world as a simple call for more aid to be sent.
And deterrence does not work with people who, as I said, already face violent death every day. They put their lives at risk every time they go out in those tiny little boats, and every time they return empty-handed.
What’s needed in Africa isn’t anything as simple as aid, nor is it as simple as shooting people. It’s mostly about encouraging non-exploitative trade, supporting the non-corrupt governments, ending agricultural subsidies here in the US to allow African countries to compete in the global market, and making a commitment to invest in those countries.
Obviously, Somalia isn’t going to be open to this overnight. Change will have to start elsewhere in Africa, and spread from there.
But you’re not going to deter desperate people who live in a lawless society where the average age of death is forty-two and who face violence every day of their lives by threatening them with more violence.
322 | Cannadian Club Akbar Tue, Feb 22, 2011 8:48:50am |
323 | Sol Berdinowitz Tue, Feb 22, 2011 8:48:55am |
re: #319 Killgore Trout
GOP getting whiter, less educated…
Poll: Whites pessimistic on economy
With their guns and Bibles close at their side…
324 | Jadespring Tue, Feb 22, 2011 8:49:18am |
325 | What, me worry? Tue, Feb 22, 2011 8:49:48am |
re: #319 Killgore Trout
GOP getting whiter, less educated…
Poll: Whites pessimistic on economy
Not sure HOW it could get much whiter, but ok!
Headline news: Rednecks gravitate to GOP
Whoda thunk it?
326 | Sol Berdinowitz Tue, Feb 22, 2011 8:50:46am |
327 | Jadespring Tue, Feb 22, 2011 8:51:05am |
acarvin Andy Carvin
just changed translators. Poor guy.
328 | Cannadian Club Akbar Tue, Feb 22, 2011 8:53:11am |
re: #327 Jadespring
acarvin Andy Carvin
just changed translators. Poor guy.
Going to the bullpen so early, is he?
/
329 | First As Tragedy, Then As Farce Tue, Feb 22, 2011 8:53:37am |
re: #314 reine.de.tout
You’d think piracy would become really unpopular after the way the Russians handled an incident last year.
330 | PT Barnum Tue, Feb 22, 2011 8:54:16am |
re: #325 marjoriemoon
Not sure HOW it could get much whiter, but ok!
Headline news: Rednecks gravitate to GOP
Whoda thunk it?
Pretty soon they’ll be putting human turnips up for office because they’re the least inbred of the lot.
331 | Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton Tue, Feb 22, 2011 8:55:59am |
re: #329 negativ
You’d think piracy would become really unpopular after the way the Russians handled an incident last year.
[Video]
Why? All they was to put them in an inflatable boat and let them go. Come to think of it, they even had a small chance.
332 | FemNaziBitch Tue, Feb 22, 2011 8:58:11am |
re: #329 negativ
You’d think piracy would become really unpopular after the way the Russians handled an incident last year.
[Video]
“Why do you lie to me, this is not fishing boot”
Why are they speaking english?
334 | Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton Tue, Feb 22, 2011 8:59:21am |
re: #332 ggt
“Why do you lie to me, this is not fishing boot”
Why are they speaking english?
Well, I suppose they wouldn’t learn the Somali language just for the pirates.
335 | Glenn Beck's Grand Unifying Theory of Obdicut Tue, Feb 22, 2011 8:59:31am |
re: #329 negativ
This is where the pirates come from.
The land of desperation.
336 | FemNaziBitch Tue, Feb 22, 2011 9:02:00am |
re: #334 Sergey Romanov
Well, I suppose they wouldn’t learn the Somali language just for the pirates.
russians talking to somalis in english?
Does everyone know english?
337 | Cannadian Club Akbar Tue, Feb 22, 2011 9:02:34am |
338 | RogueOne Tue, Feb 22, 2011 9:02:58am |
re: #335 Obdicut
Until the possible gain is outweighed by the risk, piracy isn’t going to end. Right now, as those pics demonstrate, what do they have to lose?
339 | Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton Tue, Feb 22, 2011 9:03:29am |
re: #336 ggt
russians talking to somalis in english?
Does everyone know english?
I suppose talking in Russian would be even less probable to elicit any kind of an informative response.
340 | Sol Berdinowitz Tue, Feb 22, 2011 9:04:18am |
Would it not make more sense to use Pirate Speak?
341 | Cannadian Club Akbar Tue, Feb 22, 2011 9:04:50am |
re: #339 Sergey Romanov
I suppose talking in Russian would be even less probable to elicit any kind of an informative response.
I bet getting hit with the butt of a rifle would garner a response. Just sayin’.
342 | FemNaziBitch Tue, Feb 22, 2011 9:07:05am |
re: #338 RogueOne
Until the possible gain is outweighed by the risk, piracy isn’t going to end. Right now, as those pics demonstrate, what do they have to lose?
It sucks to be Somali, I understand that.
We talk about being outraged that whacko muslims want to revert to the middle ages, and we try to do something about it.
Yet, we (the world) seems to just “sigh” when piracy on the high-seas is happening again.
We can help the Somali’s if the war-lords are removed.
Until some kid of a diplomat is captured, or they create a major economic problem (or a they take a major heroin shipment), nothing will be done.
343 | Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton Tue, Feb 22, 2011 9:07:15am |
Another problem with the piracy is that there’s a black legal hole as to what to do them after they’re captured. Both Russians and the Norwegians (or was that Swedes? I forgot.) just let the pirates go (in various ways, with Russians leaving less of a chance for survival since an inflatable boat without a compass etc. is a probable death, but still). Because apparently they couldn’t have been prosecuted.
Also see [Link: www.telegraph.co.uk…]
344 | FemNaziBitch Tue, Feb 22, 2011 9:07:19am |
345 | Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton Tue, Feb 22, 2011 9:08:18am |
re: #341 Cannadian Club Akbar
I bet getting hit with the butt of a rifle would garner a response. Just sayin’.
Once they’re captured you don’t do that to them. At least not on camera ;)
346 | Buck Tue, Feb 22, 2011 9:08:26am |
re: #130 RogueOne
An AFL/CIO poll? Sounds legit.
Super tiny number of people were polled. Only 400 in the second poll, and 600 in the first. That makes the margin of error huge. Almost 5%
347 | FemNaziBitch Tue, Feb 22, 2011 9:09:09am |
re: #343 Sergey Romanov
Another problem with the piracy is that there’s a black legal hole as to what to do them after they’re captured. Both Russians and the Norwegians (or was that Swedes? I forgot.) just let the pirates go (in various ways, with Russians leaving less of a chance for survival since an inflatable boat without a compass etc. is a probable death, but still). Because apparently they couldn’t have been prosecuted.
Also see [Link: www.telegraph.co.uk…]
There aren’t antiquated laws still on the books fro the 1800’s?
348 | RogueOne Tue, Feb 22, 2011 9:09:35am |
There’s a lot wrong with this story,
How $31 of pot gave mom a 10-year-prison sentence
[Link: newsok.com…]
including a mother selling even a small amount of weed in front of her kids, but 10yrs for a first time offender for 2 buys totaling $31? Somehow people think that’s not only fair but a good idea?
Secondly, how do you get sentenced to a total of 12 years (10+2 concurrently for another charge) and get out in 3? How does that make any sense?
349 | Cannadian Club Akbar Tue, Feb 22, 2011 9:09:41am |
re: #343 Sergey Romanov
Didn’t we just give a pirate 33 years?
350 | FemNaziBitch Tue, Feb 22, 2011 9:10:43am |
I seem to remember something about the Captain of the ship being the law, judge and jury on the high-seas?
I know, I know … .
351 | Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton Tue, Feb 22, 2011 9:10:48am |
re: #347 ggt
There aren’t antiquated laws still on the books fro the 1800’s?
I dunno, but the problem does exist, judging by various accounts.
352 | Four More Tears Tue, Feb 22, 2011 9:11:05am |
You can stand under my umbrella…
353 | Killgore Trout Tue, Feb 22, 2011 9:12:35am |
re: #348 RogueOne
There’s a lot wrong with this story,
How $31 of pot gave mom a 10-year-prison sentence
[Link: newsok.com…]including a mother selling even a small amount of weed in front of her kids, but 10yrs for a first time offender for 2 buys totaling $31? Somehow people think that’s not only fair but a good idea?
Secondly, how do you get sentenced to a total of 12 years (10+2 concurrently for another charge) and get out in 3? How does that make any sense?
Our drug laws are pretty messed up. It also didn’t help that the defendant is black and poor. If it had been a white suburban mom doing that it probably would have been a slap on the wrist.
354 | Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton Tue, Feb 22, 2011 9:12:52am |
355 | FemNaziBitch Tue, Feb 22, 2011 9:13:21am |
356 | Cannadian Club Akbar Tue, Feb 22, 2011 9:16:20am |
Alrighty, kids, gotta run. See ya’ll soon.
357 | RogueOne Tue, Feb 22, 2011 9:22:22am |
re: #353 Killgore Trout
Our drug laws are pretty messed up. It also didn’t help that the defendant is black and poor. If it had been a white suburban mom doing that it probably would have been a slap on the wrist.
All it takes is being poor. If you have to depend on a PD you’re screwed. We always had a bunch of guys from the county work release working at the shop. One of the guys got pulled over (license plate light out) and after searching the (borrowed) truck they found 1 non-narcotic prescription pill underneath a seat and they charged him with a felony. Prosecutors know they can push you to accept a plea on bs charges if you don’t have a private attorney.
358 | FemNaziBitch Tue, Feb 22, 2011 9:24:17am |
re: #357 RogueOne
All it takes is being poor. If you have to depend on a PD you’re screwed. We always had a bunch of guys from the county work release working at the shop. One of the guys got pulled over (license plate light out) and after searching the (borrowed) truck they found 1 non-narcotic prescription pill underneath a seat and they charged him with a felony. Prosecutors know they can push you to accept a plea on bs charges if you don’t have a private attorney.
And, most people don’t understand that they do not have to submit to a search of their home or car without a warrant.
Cops can be pricks. I wouldn’t want their job for anything.
359 | NJDhockeyfan Tue, Feb 22, 2011 9:25:19am |
360 | FemNaziBitch Tue, Feb 22, 2011 9:26:06am |
re: #359 NJDhockeyfan
1650 GMT: Kadhafi threatens strikes against protesters like Tiananmen Square
ARe any of his ‘underlings’ prepared to follow-thru on his threats?
361 | Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton Tue, Feb 22, 2011 9:27:10am |
re: #343 Sergey Romanov
Reading a bit more, it’s apparently not so much the lack of laws, but rather the difficulty of proving individual culpability - every captured alleged pirate suddenly becomes a simple fisherman kidnapped by the pirates, the evidence is quickly disposed of, etc.
362 | FemNaziBitch Tue, Feb 22, 2011 9:27:58am |
re: #361 Sergey Romanov
Reading a bit more, it’s apparently not so much the lack of laws, but rather the difficulty of proving individual culpability - every captured alleged pirate suddenly becomes a simple fisherman kidnapped by the pirates, the evidence is quickly disposed of, etc.
All the more reason for mugshots and fingerprints!
363 | tradewind Tue, Feb 22, 2011 9:31:26am |
Now word is in that Somali pirates who had captured the Quest, a yacht owned by four American retirees who sold everything they owned and sailed the Pacific distributing bibles to remote areas, have murdered the four hostages, two in their seventies.
They had no money for ransom… this is an outrage.
Pray for their families, and that this will stop.
365 | Stormageddon, Dark Lord of All Tue, Feb 22, 2011 9:32:29am |
re: #358 ggt
And, most people don’t understand that they do not have to submit to a search of their home or car without a warrant.
Cops can be pricks. I wouldn’t want their job for anything.
Cars are a little trickier, because it’s not considered your ‘home’ therefore if the police has a ‘reasonable suspicion’ they can search it right on the spot.
In particular, if you’ve broken any traffic laws, you’re effectively at their mercy.
The home, you’re right in theory, though even then, that’s under attack, as police are now getting warrants for entire apartment complexes and parking lots, and the right to search anyone who enters or leaves an area.
It still amazes me how so many people are willing to ignore constitutional violations, so long as it’s happening to a group they don’t particularly like. (be it, poor, black, muslim) It’s almost like they never think it’ll happen to them. which is the worst thing to think.
366 | RogueOne Tue, Feb 22, 2011 9:32:42am |
re: #358 ggt
And, most people don’t understand that they do not have to submit to a search of their home or car without a warrant.
Cops can be pricks. I wouldn’t want their job for anything.
If you’re on probation you have to submit to a search. IMO, that’s partly the reason why they give such long sentences and let people out after a few. That keeps them in the system, and a possible source of revenue, for years.
367 | FemNaziBitch Tue, Feb 22, 2011 9:34:12am |
re: #365 bloodstar
Cars are a little trickier, because it’s not considered your ‘home’ therefore if the police has a ‘reasonable suspicion’ they can search it right on the spot.
In particular, if you’ve broken any traffic laws, you’re effectively at their mercy.
The home, you’re right in theory, though even then, that’s under attack, as police are now getting warrants for entire apartment complexes and parking lots, and the right to search anyone who enters or leaves an area.
It still amazes me how so many people are willing to ignore constitutional violations, so long as it’s happening to a group they don’t particularly like. (be it, poor, black, muslim) It’s almost like they never think it’ll happen to them. which is the worst thing to think.
And if you seem like someone who won’t have the money or the brains to hire your own attorney … .
368 | albusteve Tue, Feb 22, 2011 9:34:37am |
it’s coming…gas prices are gonna go through the roof
[Link: blogs.telegraph.co.uk…]
369 | tradewind Tue, Feb 22, 2011 9:35:30am |
re: #366 RogueOne
IIRC, a search without a warrant is permissible if police have reason to believe there is an imminent danger to life or imminent danger that evidence will be lost.
370 | FemNaziBitch Tue, Feb 22, 2011 9:35:46am |
re: #368 albusteve
it’s coming…gas prices are gonna go through the roof
[Link: blogs.telegraph.co.uk…]
and Spring is coming with it’s blend of gas and higher prices for the transition. …
oh, and another round of “the price of gas” hearings on C-SPAN.
371 | tradewind Tue, Feb 22, 2011 9:37:00am |
re: #368 albusteve
We get less than two percent of our oil imported from Libya…. maybe less than that.
This may simmer down.
372 | General Nimrod Bodfish Tue, Feb 22, 2011 9:37:01am |
From BBC News:
#
1722: Col Gaddafi finishes his speech after an hour-and-a-quarter with the threat to “cleanse Libya house by house” if the protesters don’t surrender.
373 | albusteve Tue, Feb 22, 2011 9:37:36am |
re: #370 ggt
and Spring is coming with it’s blend of gas and higher prices for the transition… .
oh, and another round of “the price of gas” hearings on C-SPAN.
our recovery is a sham, dependent, in the end, on gas prices….I’ve predicted a second collapse for two years now and I still believe it’s coming
374 | jamesfirecat Tue, Feb 22, 2011 9:37:54am |
re: #366 RogueOne
If you’re on probation you have to submit to a search. IMO, that’s partly the reason why they give such long sentences and let people out after a few. That keeps them in the system, and a possible source of revenue, for years.
Gah…. we really shouldn’t be letting police keep the materials that they seize/the money gained from auctioning them off, that creates far too obvious a chance for corruption.
If the objects/money was given to the government in general and the government financed our police forces better, we’d have at least a slightly more sane legal process in America if you ask me….
375 | FemNaziBitch Tue, Feb 22, 2011 9:38:52am |
re: #374 jamesfirecat
Gah… we really shouldn’t be letting police keep the materials that they seize/the money gained from auctioning them off, that creates far too obvious a chance for corruption.
If the objects/money was given to the government in general and the government financed our police forces better, we’d have at least a slightly more sane legal process in America if you ask me…
the war on drugs is a farce.
376 | Achilles Tang Tue, Feb 22, 2011 9:40:25am |
re: #335 Obdicut
This is where the pirates come from.
The land of desperation.
I’m not sure what your point is. Those pictures could come from many places other than Somalia, let alone the children of pirates waiting for daddy to return with bound hostages for the table.
377 | jamesfirecat Tue, Feb 22, 2011 9:40:37am |
re: #375 ggt
the war on drugs is a farce.
Not to degenerate the brave men who put their lives on the line to protect us and our civilized society, but there are some stupid rules relating to their jobs to say the least….
378 | Glenn Beck's Grand Unifying Theory of Obdicut Tue, Feb 22, 2011 9:42:04am |
re: #376 Naso Tang
I’m not sure what your point is. Those pictures could come from many places other than Somalia, let alone the children of pirates waiting for daddy to return with bound hostages for the table.
I think I’ve made my point abundantly clear, several times:
You can’t threaten people with death who are already under the threat of death. It really doesn’t work very well.
379 | Stormageddon, Dark Lord of All Tue, Feb 22, 2011 9:42:53am |
re: #373 albusteve
our recovery is a sham, dependent, in the end, on gas prices…I’ve predicted a second collapse for two years now and I still believe it’s coming
Dude, we hadn’t even come out of the first collapse two years ago! :)
I’d say that the recovery isn’t a sham, per se, I think the better word is ‘fragile’. Increase in customer spending and demand and production is up. And companies are starting to feel that hiring and investment in infrastructure is better than sitting on piles of cash. So in that sense, the recovery is real.
It’s just that there’s still a lot of slack in the system, and it wouldn’t take much for the recovery to be derailed in very unpleasant ways.
381 | tradewind Tue, Feb 22, 2011 9:43:23am |
re: #372 commadore183
It was the brown acid!
Update at 11:58 a.m. ET: “Don’t destroy your country for no reason,” Gadhafi tells the protesters, who he again refers to as young people high on drugs. “What’s come over you?”
cnnbrk
Gadhafi says protesters in #Libya are under influence of “hallucination pills.” [Link: on.cnn.com…]
32 minutes ago via web
382 | Glenn Beck's Grand Unifying Theory of Obdicut Tue, Feb 22, 2011 9:43:38am |
re: #379 bloodstar
Unless income starts to rise in the lower and middle class, we’re not ever going to really recover.
383 | tradewind Tue, Feb 22, 2011 9:44:55am |
re: #379 bloodstar
Yeah, and a federal bailout of states whose pension plans have bankrupted them would absolutely do it.
385 | albusteve Tue, Feb 22, 2011 9:45:43am |
re: #376 Naso Tang
I’m not sure what your point is. Those pictures could come from many places other than Somalia, let alone the children of pirates waiting for daddy to return with bound hostages for the table.
I’m unimpressed…saving Somali children is secondary to saving American lives….if the pics are supposed to rile up my sympathies, they pretty much fail
386 | NJDhockeyfan Tue, Feb 22, 2011 9:46:20am |
387 | lawhawk Tue, Feb 22, 2011 9:46:26am |
re: #371 tradewind
We may get less than 2%, but the oil prices for Brent crude have taken a beating (although the US supply isn’t directly affected), and Europe gets a significant percentage of the Libyan production. The uncertainty due to Libya, plus ongoing concerns about other OPEC country uprisings is causing a rise in prices.
If those prices continue rising, it would jeopardize the economic recovery in the US and elsewhere.
Fear is driving the prices on oil - speculation that the supply may get crimped further, and rising demand is going to send prices for oil to levels at or above those seen 2 years ago.
388 | Achilles Tang Tue, Feb 22, 2011 9:47:23am |
re: #378 Obdicut
I think I’ve made my point abundantly clear, several times:
You can’t threaten people with death who are already under the threat of death. It really doesn’t work very well.
For thousands, tens of thousands, of years they managed to survive without depending on piracy and murder. Now you excuse it because it is more profitable than fishing or farming?
Death, or jail, can be translated into non profitable.
389 | Glenn Beck's Grand Unifying Theory of Obdicut Tue, Feb 22, 2011 9:48:38am |
re: #388 Naso Tang
Please point out where I’m excusing anything.
390 | jamesfirecat Tue, Feb 22, 2011 9:48:47am |
re: #383 tradewind
Yeah, and a federal bailout of states whose pension plans have bankrupted them would absolutely do it.
How would that derail the recovery?
391 | Stormageddon, Dark Lord of All Tue, Feb 22, 2011 9:51:49am |
re: #382 Obdicut
Unless income starts to rise in the lower and middle class, we’re not ever going to really recover.
You point is well taken, Though, as I said, there are hopeful signs out there, so long as things don’t get derailed
There’s an interesting mix of deflationary and inflationary pressure going on. Gas and fuel prices remain relatively high, and home prices remain depressed and falling.
(personal anecdote: I was going to buy a house last year, got pre approved and everything, and then just couldn’t pull the trigger when the prices kept falling. (I refuse to put 10% or 20% down, only to find that I have no equity 12 months later). So, I’ll wait it out.)
Fuel prices affect everything, and that could drive costs up for everyone, which will further squeeze the poor and middle class. But right now companies tended in the past towards hiring people over giving raises as the economy recovered, but that could not be the case this particular time.
392 | jamesfirecat Tue, Feb 22, 2011 9:52:02am |
re: #388 Naso Tang
For thousands, tens of thousands, of years they managed to survive without depending on piracy and murder. Now you excuse it because it is more profitable than fishing or farming?
Death, or jail, can be translated into non profitable.
To quote Grosse Pointe blank (as best my memory recalls)
“It’s not an excuse…it’s a reason, “
And has threatening to put people in jail managed to make the drug trade here in America “unprofitable?”
393 | Vicious Babushka Tue, Feb 22, 2011 9:54:00am |
re: #343 Sergey Romanov
Another problem with the piracy is that there’s a black legal hole as to what to do them after they’re captured. Both Russians and the Norwegians (or was that Swedes? I forgot.) just let the pirates go (in various ways, with Russians leaving less of a chance for survival since an inflatable boat without a compass etc. is a probable death, but still). Because apparently they couldn’t have been prosecuted.
Also see [Link: www.telegraph.co.uk…]
394 | Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton Tue, Feb 22, 2011 9:55:46am |
395 | Achilles Tang Tue, Feb 22, 2011 9:55:52am |
re: #389 Obdicut
Please point out where I’m excusing anything.
You seem to be suggesting they have no alternatives. The bottom line is that the environment they create by becoming criminals to everyone else seriously damages anything that other can do do help them.
I think the operative word is greed, not desperation. The cost of their weapons and boats and fuel alone could feed thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, of their children.
396 | Achilles Tang Tue, Feb 22, 2011 9:57:29am |
re: #392 jamesfirecat
To quote Grosse Pointe blank (as best my memory recalls)
“It’s not an excuse…it’s a reason, “
And has threatening to put people in jail managed to make the drug trade here in America “unprofitable?”
No, I don’t accept that it is a reason either, it is an opportunity to get rich, not the only way they can feed their families.
397 | Glenn Beck's Grand Unifying Theory of Obdicut Tue, Feb 22, 2011 10:00:37am |
re: #395 Naso Tang
You seem to be suggesting they have no alternatives.
No, I don’t. I haven’t said a single goddamn thing that would at all equate to that. They have precious few other alternatives, and they do engage with them as well. Every viable economic end is being pursued there.
I think the operative word is greed, not desperation.
Heh. Yeah. That’s it. It’s greed. They’re not really desperate at all. Just a sham.
The cost of their weapons and boats and fuel alone could feed thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, of their children.
And after that money ran out? After they’d sold that, and fed them? What then? That’s not a sustainable alternative.
The problems in Somalia are not entirely of the Somalians making. The corrupt warlords are useful to others, and profit from others, too.
[Link: afp.google.com…]
What I am saying is simply this: You cannot stop people who are under the threat of violent death every day by threatening them with violent death.
It doesn’t work.
If you want to address what I’m saying, address that.
398 | jamesfirecat Tue, Feb 22, 2011 10:05:05am |
re: #396 Naso Tang
No, I don’t accept that it is a reason either, it is an opportunity to get rich, not the only way they can feed their families.
Regardless of why they do it, do you have any response to my second comment in regards to how “The War on Drugs” has yet to make drug growing/smuggling/selling “non profitable” enough to cause it to be shut down?
If it doesn’t work in our own backyard why should we expect it to work halfway across the world?
399 | Achilles Tang Tue, Feb 22, 2011 10:15:19am |
re: #397 Obdicut
What I am saying is simply this: You cannot stop people who are under the threat of violent death every day by threatening them with violent death.
It doesn’t work.
If you want to address what I’m saying, address that.
I already answered that. It is not the “threat” of death that is the issue, it is showing them that others will do what their government would do if they had one. In other words, make it unprofitable.
They are not all pirates. Those who want to get rich are.
400 | SanFranciscoZionist Tue, Feb 22, 2011 10:16:58am |
re: #80 Boondock St. Bender
If khadffi(or however he’s spelling it this week)is intent on holding power,(and has military support)this could get real ugly.
tea baggers take note…this is what a popular revolution really looks like.
The military, as in Egypt, is the key bit, and I have no idea how that works in Libya.
401 | Glenn Beck's Grand Unifying Theory of Obdicut Tue, Feb 22, 2011 10:20:25am |
402 | Achilles Tang Tue, Feb 22, 2011 10:23:15am |
re: #398 jamesfirecat
Regardless of why they do it, do you have any response to my second comment in regards to how “The War on Drugs” has yet to make drug growing/smuggling/selling “non profitable” enough to cause it to be shut down?
If it doesn’t work in our own backyard why should we expect it to work halfway across the world?
Sure I’ll comment. There are similarities to the extent that some will always the the get rich quick route if it is available, regardless of risk and we see where that leads in Mexico which is not all that different from piracy, and they don’t either do it out of desperation.
Drugs are however not the same as hostage taking and much harder to target, but we could solve most of it by legalizing many drugs and dealing differently with those determined to kill themselves eventually with the worst ones.
403 | Achilles Tang Tue, Feb 22, 2011 10:29:58am |
re: #401 Obdicut
How?
We have things like radar and flying machines. So far we seem to chase those we are close to and wring our hands about the others. If most piracy originates in Somalia, blockade the coast and search every vessel coming or going. Sink all boats found with weapons or refusing searches. Invade the coastal areas that they are supplied from, and so on. This is not a matter of preventing smuggling of ounces of drugs by thousands of individuals on the ground.
In other words make it a war that is unprofitable to them.
404 | jamesfirecat Tue, Feb 22, 2011 10:32:49am |
re: #403 Naso Tang
We have things like radar and flying machines. So far we seem to chase those we are close to and wring our hands about the others. If most piracy originates in Somalia, blockade the coast and search every vessel coming or going. Sink all boats found with weapons or refusing searches. Invade the coastal areas that they are supplied from, and so on. This is not a matter of preventing smuggling of ounces of drugs by thousands of individuals on the ground.
In other words make it a war that is unprofitable to them.
Does the US have the ability to effectively project ground troops in any real number halfway around the world at the moment into yet another nation that is seriously in need of rebuilding?
405 | Glenn Beck's Grand Unifying Theory of Obdicut Tue, Feb 22, 2011 10:32:55am |
re: #403 Naso Tang
If most piracy originates in Somalia, blockade the coast and search every vessel coming or going.
Does the fact that this is not a viable option bother you at all?
Invade the coastal areas that they are supplied from, and so on.
Somalia definitely needs more war. That’ll help.
Sink all boats found with weapons or refusing searches.
Great. So the fishermen carrying ak-s to fight off the pirates stealing their catches, we’re going to sink their boats. Awesome!
You certainly have a great plan to fuck up Somalia even more. Way to go.
406 | Achilles Tang Tue, Feb 22, 2011 11:53:57am |
re: #405 Obdicut
Does the fact that this is not a viable option bother you at all?
Somalia definitely needs more war. That’ll help.
It’s not viable only because nobody wants to seem like the bad guy to the Somalis in case you get upset.
Actually an additional approach is to have two or three man crews with chain guns and long range .50 calibers ride shotgun through the region. Much cheaper insurance than paying ransoms, or facing worse. One warning flare ignored means nobody goes home. But again, many more people will need to be murdered before that happens, but I suspect it will.
Great. So the fishermen carrying ak-s to fight off the pirates stealing their catches, we’re going to sink their boats. Awesome!
Do I have to explain the obvious? No, only those fishing with RPGs and machine guns and no ice in the holds.
You certainly have a great plan to fuck up Somalia even more. Way to go.
Well, aside from having a lousy temper when you debate, you sure don’t offer any solutions, and on top of that it sounds like you think all Somalis are pirates.
Sounds a bit like the argument that all Muslims are terrorists, and out of desperation at that.
407 | Achilles Tang Tue, Feb 22, 2011 11:56:25am |
re: #404 jamesfirecat
Does the US have the ability to effectively project ground troops in any real number halfway around the world at the moment into yet another nation that is seriously in need of rebuilding?
We know where the pirate harbors are and where the boats are, but we let them have safe harbors. I don’t know where the nation building is a part of dealing with that.
408 | jamesfirecat Tue, Feb 22, 2011 11:57:06am |
re: #407 Naso Tang
We know where the pirate harbors are and where the boats are, but we let them have safe harbors. I don’t know where the nation building is a part of dealing with that.
Because if we just go in blow them up, cheer and go home… what will stop people from setting up new ones?
409 | Glenn Beck's Grand Unifying Theory of Obdicut Tue, Feb 22, 2011 11:58:13am |
re: #406 Naso Tang
It’s not viable only because nobody wants to seem like the bad guy to the Somalis in case you get upset.
No, it’s not viable because of the size of the coastline of Somalia and the cost of the interdiction.
Actually an additional approach is to have two or three man crews with chain guns and long range .50 calibers ride shotgun through the region.
Have you ever seen the ocean? Do you have any clue, at all, how much manpower this would require? Seriously, do you?
Do I have to explain the obvious? No, only those fishing with RPGs and machine guns and no ice in the holds.
Ah, okay. So fishermen have to be vastly underarmed versus the pirates, and the pirates just have to steal a catch of fish first. Cool.
Well, aside from having a lousy temper when you debate, you sure don’t offer any solutions, and on top of that it sounds like you think all Somalis are pirates.
Yeah, since you’ve strenuously avoided my actual point, I’m tired of your fantasies of just killin’ all the pirates.
that it sounds like you think all Somalis are pirates.
Nope. Especially since I talked about fishermen, this is your stupidest claim yet.
Try not making easily demonstrably false claims. It’ll help.
410 | Achilles Tang Tue, Feb 22, 2011 12:14:35pm |
re: #408 jamesfirecat
Because if we just go in blow them up, cheer and go home… what will stop people from setting up new ones?
We don’t go home until we can afford to.
411 | jamesfirecat Tue, Feb 22, 2011 12:16:13pm |
re: #410 Naso Tang
We don’t go home until we can afford to.
In that case then I think we REALLY can’t afford to go in the first place at the moment.
412 | Achilles Tang Tue, Feb 22, 2011 12:24:35pm |
re: #409 Obdicut
No, it’s not viable because of the size of the coastline of Somalia and the cost of the interdiction.
Have you ever seen the ocean? Do you have any clue, at all, how much manpower this would require? Seriously, do you?
Ah, okay. So fishermen have to be vastly underarmed versus the pirates, and the pirates just have to steal a catch of fish first. Cool.
Yeah, since you’ve strenuously avoided my actual point, I’m tired of your fantasies of just killin’ all the pirates.
Nope. Especially since I talked about fishermen, this is your stupidest claim yet.
Try not making easily demonstrably false claims. It’ll help.
I don’t much like your tone my friend, but you really do seem to be making only excuses and no solutions.
Every ship doesn’t have to be armed to be a deterrent, as long as it’s not obvious who is, and pleasure boats are advised to stay away from the region. How much do you think it would cost a ship to hire three men with appropriate weapons for perhaps 5 days?
As to real fishermen, you think they need to be armed and hundreds of miles offshore with small boats?
413 | Achilles Tang Tue, Feb 22, 2011 12:27:30pm |
re: #411 jamesfirecat
In that case then I think we REALLY can’t afford to go in the first place at the moment.
Right, cheaper to pay ransoms I suppose.
414 | Glenn Beck's Grand Unifying Theory of Obdicut Tue, Feb 22, 2011 12:35:19pm |
re: #412 Naso Tang
I don’t much like your tone my friend, but you really do seem to be making only excuses and no solutions.
There isn’t any easy solution. Life’s like that sometime.
How much do you think it would cost a ship to hire three men with appropriate weapons for perhaps 5 days?
This is your grand plan? Against guys with RPGs and machine guns, three guys with guns are going to effectively defend a giant tanker?
Every ship doesn’t have to be armed to be a deterrent, as long as it’s not obvious who is,
You’re really not getting the whole “threat of death isn’t a deterrent” thing, are you?
As to real fishermen, you think they need to be armed and hundreds of miles offshore with small boats?
I think they need to be armed to fight off the pirates, yes. What didn’t you get about that?
Do you actually know how far offshore fishermen fish? I don’t.
415 | jamesfirecat Tue, Feb 22, 2011 12:44:13pm |
re: #413 Naso Tang
Right, cheaper to pay ransoms I suppose.
Compared to the cost of a war, and building Somalia into a nation state?
F*** YES!
416 | jamesfirecat Tue, Feb 22, 2011 12:44:39pm |
re: #415 jamesfirecat
Compared to the cost of a war, and building Somalia into a nation state?
F*** YES!
Or if not pay the ransom send in strike teams to deal with the ones who capture our people like we did with the Navy SEALS….
417 | Achilles Tang Tue, Feb 22, 2011 12:49:00pm |
re: #414 Obdicut
There isn’t any easy solution. Life’s like that sometime.
This is your grand plan? Against guys with RPGs and machine guns, three guys with guns are going to effectively defend a giant tanker?
You’re really not getting the whole “threat of death isn’t a deterrent” thing, are you?
I think they need to be armed to fight off the pirates, yes. What didn’t you get about that?
Do you actually know how far offshore fishermen fish? I don’t.
Did I say easy? Did I say one approach only?
A large modern ship or double hulled supertanker is in little danger from an RPG, particularly when the shooter can be seen from miles away, and coming by radar, and picked off by a sniper at far beyond the RPG range.
The reason it doesn’t happen that way is that everyone is scared of being sued for killing innocent fishermen who just kept an RPG as self defense.
You don’t get the no profit as a deterrent, do you?
So now you imagine the pirates taking their own people who do some fishing as hostages, and think the fishermen need to be armed to protect themselves, do you? What’s the ransom going to be in that case? 5 gallons of warm snapper?
Yes, I know that small boats fishing hundreds of miles offshore in deep water makes no sense.
418 | Achilles Tang Tue, Feb 22, 2011 12:53:08pm |
re: #415 jamesfirecat
Compared to the cost of a war, and building Somalia into a nation state?
F*** YES!
Who said anything about invading Somalia and attempting to build an impossible tribal state? I sure didn’t.
This isn’t a state in any real sense of the word. It is a territory ruled by a mishmash of warlords. We should go after them just as we do with the Taliban in Pakistan and elsewhere when we know where they are.
419 | Glenn Beck's Grand Unifying Theory of Obdicut Tue, Feb 22, 2011 12:54:51pm |
re: #417 Naso Tang
A large modern ship or double hulled supertanker is in little danger from an RPG, particularly when the shooter can be seen from miles away, and coming by radar, and picked off by a sniper at far beyond the RPG range.
Okay, now you’re sniping people at long range. No problems there, I’m sure. Nobody accidentally getting shot who shouldn’t be.
Not to mention that pirates often manage to get to and board the boats before anyone knows they’re even there, since they use low-slung boats to avoid radar.
Not to mention that it takes an enormous number of men to do an effective sea watch on a large vessel.
The reason it doesn’t happen that way is that everyone is scared of being sued for killing innocent fishermen who just kept an RPG as self defense.
Maybe they actually don’t want to kill innocent people.
You don’t get the no profit as a deterrent, do you?
You aren’t making it no profit, unless you have a 100% success rate.
So now you imagine the pirates taking their own people who do some fishing as hostages, and think the fishermen need to be armed to protect themselves, do you? What’s the ransom going to be in that case? 5 gallons of warm snapper?
Do you seriously not know that the pirates also steal the fisherman’s catches? Really?
You don’t know this happens?
Okay. You have no clue how hard it is to patrol an area of ocean, no clue how hard a small boat is to pick up on radar, no clue how many men would be necessary to do a watch on a ship, no clue that tankers have this little problem of being filled with explosive and flammable materials and so an RPG is an actual danger to them, and generally no fucking clue.
I’m done talking with you. It’s fine to be ignorant. It’s not fine to be ignorant and opinionated.
420 | jamesfirecat Tue, Feb 22, 2011 12:55:48pm |
re: #418 Naso Tang
Who said anything about invading Somalia and attempting to build an impossible tribal state? I sure didn’t.
This isn’t a state in any real sense of the word. It is a territory ruled by a mishmash of warlords. We should go after them just as we do with the Taliban in Pakistan and elsewhere when we know where they are.
Yes… and then unless we build a functioning state before we leave then new warlords will rise up to take over once we’re gone.
421 | Achilles Tang Tue, Feb 22, 2011 1:11:01pm |
re: #419 Obdicut
I’m done talking with you. It’s fine to be ignorant. It’s not fine to be ignorant and opinionated.
I’ll agree with you there. :=)
422 | Achilles Tang Tue, Feb 22, 2011 1:14:37pm |
re: #420 jamesfirecat
Yes… and then unless we build a functioning state before we leave then new warlords will rise up to take over once we’re gone.
Screw that. Nobody has figured out how to build a nation in the Somalia territory. Tribes have no nation mentality. All I am saying is attack the pirates and kill them if necessary as we do with other terrorists.
423 | jamesfirecat Tue, Feb 22, 2011 1:21:59pm |
re: #422 Naso Tang
Screw that. Nobody has figured out how to build a nation in the Somalia territory. Tribes have no nation mentality. All I am saying is attack the pirates and kill them if necessary as we do with other terrorists.
Whatever happened to American Exceptionalism? Seriously, if we don’t do something with Somalia to make it a functioning nation, then all stepping in is going to do is insure the next batch of pirates hate the US in particular for what we did to their parents/grandparents/wives/husbands/children….
424 | Achilles Tang Tue, Feb 22, 2011 1:39:51pm |
re: #419 Obdicut
Okay, now you’re sniping people at long range. No problems there, I’m sure. Nobody accidentally getting shot who shouldn’t be.
Can’t resist…. If I see someone in a high powered scope coming at me in a fast boat I don’t think pulling the trigger can amount to an accident. You can have one warning shot first, if you wish.
Not to mention that pirates often manage to get to and board the boats before anyone knows they’re even there, since they use low-slung boats to avoid radar.
Rubbish. I’ve been on small boats with radar and counted seagulls on the horizon.
Not to mention that it takes an enormous number of men to do an effective sea watch on a large vessel.
Really? Perhaps if they all had really stiff necks and could only look in one direction.
Maybe they actually don’t want to kill innocent people.
Innocent people who drive full speed in fast boats at ships in the open ocean, and ignore warnings deserve to be taken out of the gene pool, pirates or not./
You aren’t making it no profit, unless you have a 100% success rate.
Pedant! How many less pirate attacks do you think it is worth aiming for?
Do you seriously not know that the pirates also steal the fisherman’s catches? Really?
There are no small fishermen boats in the open ocean, but the image of two of them having it out in the middle of the ocean with RPGs for some fish is kind of amusing, not to mention trying to imagine how they found each other in all that territory you mentioned, what with no radar and low slung boats and all.
Okay. You have no clue how hard it is to patrol an area of ocean, no clue how hard a small boat is to pick up on radar, no clue how many men would be necessary to do a watch on a ship, no clue that tankers have this little problem of being filled with explosive and flammable materials and so an RPG is an actual danger to them, and generally no fucking clue.
One of us has no effing clue, to be sure. The reason it isn’t happening is legalistic.
I’m done talking with you. It’s fine to be ignorant. It’s not fine to be ignorant and opinionated.
Seems like you only like to talk when you are agreed with. Personally I find that boring.
425 | Achilles Tang Tue, Feb 22, 2011 1:43:33pm |
re: #423 jamesfirecat
Whatever happened to American Exceptionalism? Seriously, if we don’t do something with Somalia to make it a functioning nation, then all stepping in is going to do is insure the next batch of pirates hate the US in particular for what we did to their parents/grandparents/wives/husbands/children…
Come on now! Pirates are one issue. Nation building is another, and regardless of desire we can’t afford that again. You think pirates are out there because of hate?
426 | jamesfirecat Tue, Feb 22, 2011 1:49:20pm |
re: #425 Naso Tang
Come on now! Pirates are one issue. Nation building is another, and regardless of desire we can’t afford that again. You think pirates are out there because of hate?
No I don’t think the are out there because of hate. But I do think that unless we build a nation then killing the current generation of pirates will just create openings for new ones further on down the line.
Killing people is only kicking the can down alley in the grand scheme of things.
What do you think killing will achieve in the long run?
427 | Achilles Tang Tue, Feb 22, 2011 2:22:43pm |
re: #426 jamesfirecat
No I don’t think the are out there because of hate. But I do think that unless we build a nation then killing the current generation of pirates will just create openings for new ones further on down the line.
Killing people is only kicking the can down alley in the grand scheme of things.
What do you think killing will achieve in the long run?
Did I say just kill them all? You are moving the goalposts. Killing people shooting at you in the middle of the ocean is fine in my book, but capturing them when possible is preferred (that way we can pay for their keep for the rest of their lives/).
If you are looking for neat tidy and nice solutions from me, I don’t have any.
However, you do recall the last time we tried to help Somalia don’t you?