GOP Takes Up Residence on Fantasy Island

Magical thinking trumps rationality every time
Politics • Views: 34,573

Jacob Weisberg asks: Birtherism, the debt ceiling, climate change, evolution: Are Republicans losing their grip on reality?

At a press conference last week, someone asked Chris Christie for his views on evolution vs. creationism. “That’s none of your business,” the New Jersey governor barked in response.

This minor incident, which barely rated as news for a few political blogs, offers a glimpse of Christie’s personality, which seems increasingly grumpy and snappish. But it says even more about the current state of the national Republican Party, where magical thinking trumps rationality, and even to acknowledge basic realities about the world we live in runs the risk of damaging one’s political future.

Christie is not part of the natural constituency for Darwin-denial. He’s an intelligent man, a lawyer, a fiscal rather than a social conservative. But Christie is also someone who might want to run for president someday, or be selected as someone’s running mate. For those purposes, he must constantly ask himself the question: Am I about to say something to which a white, evangelical, socially conservative, gun-owning, Obama-despising, pro-Tea Party, GOP primary voter in rural South Carolina might object? By this standard, simple acceptance of the theory of evolution becomes a risky stance. To lie or to duck? Christie chose the option of ducking while signaling his annoyance at being put in this ridiculous predicament.

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286 comments
1 SanFranciscoZionist  Sun, May 22, 2011 1:30:51pm

I must agree with Christie--that's none of the press' business.

2 (I Stand By What I Said Whatever It Was)  Sun, May 22, 2011 1:31:00pm

Waiting for a political realignment to get the US out of the current mess… … … … …

3 jamesfirecat  Sun, May 22, 2011 1:31:06pm

So how long until they start turning into Donkey's... or is that Pleasure Island?

4 Killgore Trout  Sun, May 22, 2011 1:31:31pm
Like the White Queen in her youth, the contemporary Republican politician must be capable of believing as many as six impossible things before breakfast.


Classic.

5 jaunte  Sun, May 22, 2011 1:32:03pm
“That’s none of your business,” the New Jersey governor barked in response.


"Shut up," he explained.

6 (I Stand By What I Said Whatever It Was)  Sun, May 22, 2011 1:32:16pm

re: #1 SanFranciscoZionist

I must agree with Christie--that's none of the press' business.

His faith shouldn't be – his stance on issues of public policy is.

7 sagehen  Sun, May 22, 2011 1:34:40pm

re: #1 SanFranciscoZionist

I must agree with Christie--that's none of the press' business.

Im'a disagree.

I want to know if the man is capable of evaluating evidence and processing logic.

8 celticdragon  Sun, May 22, 2011 1:34:58pm
For those purposes, he must constantly ask himself the question: Am I about to say something to which a white, evangelical, socially conservative, gun-owning, Obama-despising, pro-Tea Party, GOP primary voter in rural South Carolina might object?

You like that? You guys are gonna love this...

Check out the wingnut, lever action .30-30 toting, flag draped, anti-homo symbol emblazoned fantasy Christ picture.

I wanna know where this guy found it.

9 windsagio  Sun, May 22, 2011 1:35:04pm

re: #1 SanFranciscoZionist

It kind of is, I think. It's actually a fairly good political litmus test.

10 austin_blue  Sun, May 22, 2011 1:35:30pm

Da Plane, Boss! Da plane!

Ahh..thank you, Tattoo. Do you think I can interest our guests in some rich Corinthian Denialism?

11 celticdragon  Sun, May 22, 2011 1:36:21pm

re: #3 jamesfirecat

So how long until they start turning into Donkey's... or is that Pleasure Island?

Actually, they are going to donkey shows on Pleasure Island, and they have renta-boys to carry their luggage for them...

12 BARACK THE VOTE  Sun, May 22, 2011 1:36:28pm

re: #8 celticdragon

Link no work. :(

13 celticdragon  Sun, May 22, 2011 1:37:24pm

re: #4 Killgore Trout

Classic.

We have always been at war with Eastasia...

14 Killgore Trout  Sun, May 22, 2011 1:38:06pm

This fits in nicely with this thread. Wingnuts are claiming this was a big win for them....

Ryan Schools Gregory: 'I Don't Consult Polls to Tell Me What My Principles Are or Policies Should Be - Leaders Change Polls'


So, yes, we are going to lead and we are going to try and move these polls and change these polls, because that's what the country wants.


So that means the people don't really want what they think they want. What they really want is to be corrected.
/Genius!

15 celticdragon  Sun, May 22, 2011 1:38:59pm
16 Iwouldprefernotto  Sun, May 22, 2011 1:39:17pm

What are these people thinking? Do they really believe that 95% of the world's scientists are lying about climate change and evolution?

17 austin_blue  Sun, May 22, 2011 1:39:22pm

re: #8 celticdragon

You like that? You guys are gonna love this...

Check out the wingnut, lever action .30-30 toting, flag draped, anti-homo symbol emblazoned fantasy Christ picture.

I wanna know where this guy found it.

Hey, CD!

From yesterday, if you didn't see it:

re: #114 celticdragon

Is it a concert harp, a Welsh triple strung high headed harp, a Paraguan harp or a Celtic harp? :)

I love my Celtic harp, but I would love one of the Wesh triple strung types...

Well, we have one of these on the left top:
[Link: [Link: www.selkiestrings.co.uk...]...]

One of these with both stands and Delacor levers:
[Link: [Link: www.starfishdesigns.co.uk...]...]

And then there is La Negrita:
[Link: [Link: www.pilgrimharps.co.uk...]...] (in Ebony, of course) and finally,

The Cannon:
[Link: salviharpsinc.com...]

But this is what you want. Our buddy Robin:
[Link: images.search.yahoo.com...]

18 BARACK THE VOTE  Sun, May 22, 2011 1:41:52pm

re: #15 celticdragon

I'll try again...

:(

Check out the wingnut, lever action .30-30 toting, flag draped, anti-homo symbol emblazoned fantasy Christ picture.

That should do it. Apologies.

Love it. I'm saving it to decorate some of my pages. :-)

19 Sol Berdinowitz  Sun, May 22, 2011 1:41:52pm

It is disturbing that we line in a country where creationism vs evolution is still a political issue. Most other civilized countries buried that in the first half of the last century...

20 celticdragon  Sun, May 22, 2011 1:42:21pm

re: #17 austin_blue

Hey, CD!

From yesterday, if you didn't see it:

re: #114 celticdragon

Is it a concert harp, a Welsh triple strung high headed harp, a Paraguan harp or a Celtic harp? :)

I love my Celtic harp, but I would love one of the Wesh triple strung types...

Well, we have one of these on the left top:
[Link: [Link: www.selkiestrings.co.uk...]...]

One of these with both stands and Delacor levers:
[Link: [Link: www.starfishdesigns.co.uk...]...]

And then there is La Negrita:
[Link: [Link: www.pilgrimharps.co.uk...]...] (in Ebony, of course) and finally,

The Cannon:
[Link: salviharpsinc.com...]

But this is what you want. Our buddy Robin:
[Link: images.search.yahoo.com...]

Oh dear. The server seems to be down for the pictures you tried to show me. :(

What exactly do you play? I have a Goldsberry Mountain Lupine with 36 strings. Her name is Deidre. :)

21 Charles Johnson  Sun, May 22, 2011 1:42:47pm

Came out today that Tim Pawlenty's running for Pres.

He apologized for once accepting the existence of global warming, wants to allow schools to teach creationism instead of science, wants to reinstate DADT, and has reversed his once-moderate views on gay marriage.

22 windsagio  Sun, May 22, 2011 1:44:07pm

re: #21 Charles

The GOP always makes me think 'damn, we have to totally rework our primary system.'

This whole thing about HAVING to pander to the base is just really ugly.

23 BARACK THE VOTE  Sun, May 22, 2011 1:44:45pm

re: #21 Charles

Came out today that Tim Pawlenty's running for Pres.

He apologized for once accepting the existence of global warming, wants to allow schools to teach creationism instead of science, wants to repeal DADT, and has reversed his once-moderate views on gay marriage.

Repeal DADT or oppose its repeal?

24 celticdragon  Sun, May 22, 2011 1:44:56pm

re: #14 Killgore Trout

This fits in nicely with this thread. Wingnuts are claiming this was a big win for them...

Ryan Schools Gregory: 'I Don't Consult Polls to Tell Me What My Principles Are or Policies Should Be - Leaders Change Polls'


So that means the people don't really want what they think they want. What they really want is to be corrected.
/Genius!

First comment right off the bat:

Gregory is nothing more than some DNC butt boy who would never ever talk like that to Harry Reid or Nancy Pelosi. He even made more of a fool of himself by referencing Newt Gingrich who got hammered for what he said about Ryan's plan and had to back track and apologize and has since retracted it.

Gotta work in the whole ghey secks thing for people he hates, right?

25 austin_blue  Sun, May 22, 2011 1:45:43pm

Ops, here's working links on the last two:


The Cannon:
[Link: salviharpsinc.com...]

But this is what you want, Our buddy Robin:
[Link: images.search.yahoo.com...]

26 Decatur Deb  Sun, May 22, 2011 1:45:58pm

re: #21 Charles

Came out today that Tim Pawlenty's running for Pres.

He apologized for once accepting the existence of global warming, wants to allow schools to teach creationism instead of science, wants to repeal DADT, and has reversed his once-moderate views on gay marriage.

So he's Bachmann without the bra.

27 Charles Johnson  Sun, May 22, 2011 1:46:01pm

re: #23 iceweasel

Repeal DADT or oppose its repeal?

Sorry -- oppose the repeal, that's right. He's a perfect example of Weisberg's point.

28 SanFranciscoZionist  Sun, May 22, 2011 1:46:20pm

re: #15 celticdragon

I'll try again...

:(

Check out the wingnut, lever action .30-30 toting, flag draped, anti-homo symbol emblazoned fantasy Christ picture.

That should do it. Apologies.

To quote Colm Meaney in "The Commitments", "THET'S BLASPHEMY!!"

(He actually said it about a song that went "Elvis Was A Cajun", but who really cares?)

29 RadicalModerate  Sun, May 22, 2011 1:46:31pm

re: #15 celticdragon

I'll try again...

:(

Check out the wingnut, lever action .30-30 toting, flag draped, anti-homo symbol emblazoned fantasy Christ picture.

That should do it. Apologies.

The only inacccuracy on that picture is that it should have either a Gadsen or a Confederate battle flag instead of the Stars and Stripes.

30 Sol Berdinowitz  Sun, May 22, 2011 1:46:32pm

Just reinstating DADT will not cut it. We must ban gays from the miitary. And teaching. And civil service.

/

31 celticdragon  Sun, May 22, 2011 1:47:17pm

re: #23 iceweasel

Repeal DADT or oppose its repeal?

He went on neo-facsist Bryan Fischer's show (that alone should disqualify any person for holding office in a sane society) and said he would re-institute DADT as President.

I imagine that thousands of troops would then be forcibly expunged at that point.

32 Mattand  Sun, May 22, 2011 1:48:10pm

re: #1 SanFranciscoZionist

I must agree with Christie--that's none of the press' business.

Given the GOP obsession with pushing creationism/intelligent design in public school science and Christie's potential for running for POTUS, it is an absolutely legitimate question.

It's also odd that he snapped like that, in that he recently punted the question and said the states should decide what to teach. That would be a good answer if creationism was science and not the unproven mythology it actually is.

As a NJ resident, I also want to know whether my governor is going to sit back and let that horseshit infect our state, the way it has Kansas, Louisiana, and other. We have our problems, but creationism in schools isn't one of them.

So far.

33 Ziggy Standard  Sun, May 22, 2011 1:48:25pm

The GOP are caught up in a kind of vortex of self destructive butthurt. The more wingnuts double down on this insanity, the more justified ridicule they open themselves up to. This of course increases their butthurt, which in turn makes them double down on the stupid even more, which in turn makes them even more ridiculous, thereby increasing their butthurt, which makes them double down even more etc etc.

Once one is caught up in this vortex, it seems that the only way is down. Ironically enough, terminal butthurt seems to be a progressive disease.

34 celticdragon  Sun, May 22, 2011 1:48:40pm

re: #16 Iwouldprefernotto

What are these people thinking? Do they really believe that 95% of the world's scientists are lying about climate change and evolution?

Yes.

Culture war grievance and identity filters every scrap of information for these people.

35 BARACK THE VOTE  Sun, May 22, 2011 1:49:09pm

re: #31 celticdragon

He went on neo-facsist Bryan Fischer's show (that alone should disqualify any person for holding office in a sane society) and said he would re-institute DADT as President.

I imagine that thousands of troops would then be forcibly expunged at that point.

I can't believe Fischer still has a radioshow. Pretty sure he's had people like Huckabee as guests. I'd have to check.

36 Obdicut  Sun, May 22, 2011 1:51:12pm

re: #33 Jimmah

[Link: instantrimshot.com...]

37 Mattand  Sun, May 22, 2011 1:51:59pm

Addendum to 32: I think he said it should be decided at the local level. Still a bullshit answer. I just wish Christie or some other "moderate" would grow a spine and say teaching creationism in public schools is wrong.

38 celticdragon  Sun, May 22, 2011 1:52:59pm

re: #26 Decatur Deb

So he's Bachmann without the bra.

The really hilarious thing is that he may still be too librul for Iowa...

39 BARACK THE VOTE  Sun, May 22, 2011 1:52:59pm

re: #37 mattand

Addendum to 32: I think he said it should be decided at the local level. Still a bullshit answer. I just wish Christie or some other "moderate" would grow a spine and say teaching creationism in public schools is wrong.

Deciding it at the local level is what creationists count on and why they concentrate on infiltrating school boards at the grassroots level.

40 Sol Berdinowitz  Sun, May 22, 2011 1:54:20pm

re: #39 iceweasel

That is what they have been doing ever since Ronal Reagan pandered to them to get elected and then tossed them overboard as soon as Nancy's house astrologer told her the time was right...

41 celticdragon  Sun, May 22, 2011 1:54:38pm

re: #37 mattand

Addendum to 32: I think he said it should be decided at the local level. Still a bullshit answer. I just wish Christie or some other "moderate" would grow a spine and say teaching creationism in public schools is wrong.

He would be forced to apologize or switch parties.

42 Randall Gross  Sun, May 22, 2011 1:54:46pm

re: #27 Charles

A lot of people tweeted this photo of the recent SC teaparty rally that fizzled the other day, using it as an example of how the tea party is out of steam:

[Link: motherjones.tumblr.com...]

However what reporters and the general GOP membership doesn't get is that even with fading popularity, and lack of members (it always was astroturf) those two people in lawn chairs have a total freaking lock on the primary.

43 windsagio  Sun, May 22, 2011 1:55:37pm

re: #39 iceweasel

Slavery should be decided on the local level too.

44 celticdragon  Sun, May 22, 2011 1:56:31pm

re: #42 Thanos

A lot of people tweeted this photo of the recent SC teaparty rally that fizzled the other day, using it as an example of how the tea party is out of steam:

[Link: motherjones.tumblr.com...]

However what reporters and the general GOP membership doesn't get is that even with fading popularity, and lack of members (it always was astroturf) those two people in lawn chairs have a total freaking lock on the primary.

The primaries are dictated by the groups with the highest levels of engagement...and that has a high positive correlation with unhinged insanity.

45 Sol Berdinowitz  Sun, May 22, 2011 1:57:01pm

re: #43 windsagio

Slavery should be decided on the local level too.


Rand Paul thinks that lunch counter service should be decided on at a local level

46 windsagio  Sun, May 22, 2011 1:57:56pm

re: #45 ralphieboy

well yeah.

It really really is all the same group, going back almost 200 years.

47 sagehen  Sun, May 22, 2011 1:58:22pm

re: #30 ralphieboy

Just reinstating DADT will not cut it. We must ban gays from the miitary. And teaching. And civil service.

/

Deport them to Uganda!!

48 Mattand  Sun, May 22, 2011 1:59:16pm

re: #39 iceweasel

Deciding it at the local level is what creationists count on and why they concentrate on infiltrating school boards at the grassroots level.

Absolutely. That's why I think Christie's going to run for POTUS in 2016 with comments like these. If he waffles or avoids these questions altogether, he eliminates much of the baggage that Romney has with healthcare or Pawlenty's flips that Charles detailed above.

I find it amusing that so many people outside of NJ think he's the Second Coming. "This guy yells at teachers! I want him for President!" Oy...

49 austin_blue  Sun, May 22, 2011 2:00:23pm

re: #20 celticdragon

Oh dear. The server seems to be down for the pictures you tried to show me. :(

What exactly do you play? I have a Goldsberry Mountain Lupine with 36 strings. Her name is Deidre. :)

Top left: [Link: salviharpsinc.com...]

This is her Celtic: [Link: www.starfishdesigns.co.uk...]
(Delacor levers and both stands)

This is her small pedal harp: [Link: www.pilgrimharps.co.uk...]
In ebony. And I reposted the other two.

50 celticdragon  Sun, May 22, 2011 2:01:01pm

re: #43 windsagio

Slavery should be decided on the local level too.

The shitstains (I will not be nice about this at all) who think the SCOTUS had no business deciding Lovett Vs Virgina are completely okay with the fact that in some localities, inter-racial marriage would have been illegal until the late 1980's if left up to popular vote.

Never mind that a poll last month found that nearly half of Republican in Mississippi still think it should be illegal...

States rights, bee-yotches!
/

51 windsagio  Sun, May 22, 2011 2:03:14pm

re: #50 celticdragon

Damn. Some things you'd rather not be proven right about :(

52 celticdragon  Sun, May 22, 2011 2:04:17pm

re: #49 austin_blue

Top left: [Link: salviharpsinc.com...]

This is her Celtic: [Link: www.starfishdesigns.co.uk...]
(Delacor levers and both stands)

This is her small pedal harp: [Link: www.pilgrimharps.co.uk...]
In ebony. And I reposted the other two.

Beautiful. Thank you for showing those. The Glenelle is interesting. The lever arrangement is quite different from mine. Are her harps named?

(Common question in the harp world. Other harpers immediately ask me what my harp's name is :).....)

53 Lidane  Sun, May 22, 2011 2:05:46pm

re: #21 Charles

Came out today that Tim Pawlenty's running for Pres.

He apologized for once accepting the existence of global warming, wants to allow schools to teach creationism instead of science, wants to reinstate DADT, and has reversed his once-moderate views on gay marriage.

So in other words, he apologized for being sane, is pandering to the anti-intellectual, anti-science, anti-reason wing of the party, pandering to the bigots who can't deal with the fact that gays exist, and has flip-flopped again to appeal to the nutjobs.

Too bad for Tim Pawlenty that despite all his pandering, he still blends into the furniture. Boring politician is boring.

54 Lidane  Sun, May 22, 2011 2:07:12pm

re: #48 mattand

I find it amusing that so many people outside of NJ think he's the Second Coming. "This guy yells at teachers! I want him for President!" Oy...

A lot of those same people wanted Trump because "he's a business man" and a "straight talker".

It's enough to make your head hurt.

55 makeitstop  Sun, May 22, 2011 2:08:04pm

re: #52 celticdragon

Beautiful. Thank you for showing those. The Glenelle is interesting. The lever arrangement is quite different from mine. Are her harps named?

(Common question in the harp world. Other harpers immediately ask me what my harp's name is :)...)

Question, CD - What exactly do the pedals do? I play pedal steel guitar and am familiar with them but am completely ignorant as to what the ones on harps do.

Is there a short explanation you could provide?

56 Sol Berdinowitz  Sun, May 22, 2011 2:08:41pm

re: #48 mattand

I find it amusing that so many people outside of NJ think he's the Second Coming. "This guy yells at teachers! I want him for President!" Oy...

Plus he looks like his wife won't be bugging us about eating healthy...

57 Sol Berdinowitz  Sun, May 22, 2011 2:09:37pm

re: #55 makeitstop


There are not enough strings on a harp to make it chromatic, you gotta push pedals or flip levers to alter the pitch of strings to fit a particular key

58 Targetpractice  Sun, May 22, 2011 2:10:11pm

Unfortunately, the drawback to the current situation is that we have ceased to have a functioning government. How can you get anything done, even basic work, when half the members of Congress don't even commute to reality on a regular basis?

59 austin_blue  Sun, May 22, 2011 2:10:21pm

re: #20 celticdragon

Oh dear. The server seems to be down for the pictures you tried to show me. :(

What exactly do you play? I have a Goldsberry Mountain Lupine with 36 strings. Her name is Deidre. :)

You've got a Jerry Goldsberry? Nice axes. Oh, and I don't play anything. I do production, sound, lighting, &c, but She is the Artiste in our li'l fambly.

60 makeitstop  Sun, May 22, 2011 2:13:31pm

re: #57 ralphieboy

There are not enough strings on a harp to make it chromatic, you gotta push pedals or flip levers to alter the pitch of strings to fit a particular key

So they shift the entire tuning, or just certain strings or sections of strings?

Pardon me for asking potentially dumb questions - I've never been near a harp, let alone played one.

61 celticdragon  Sun, May 22, 2011 2:14:51pm

re: #55 makeitstop

Question, CD - What exactly do the pedals do? I play pedal steel guitar and am familiar with them but am completely ignorant as to what the ones on harps do.

Is there a short explanation you could provide?

I do not play a pedal harp, but what they do is adjust string tension to allow you to play in different keys, thus making the harp a fully chromatic instrument.

Cross strung harps are another solution to the chromatic problem, and African American harper Ben Brown has done a fantastic job of resurrecting this nearly forgotten instrument.

I play a lever harp, and that means you must use a mechanical lever that changes or sharpens the pitch on a string. This is fine for folk/Celtic music, but can be difficult for classical pieces that may require multiple level flips throughout a performance.

62 Kragar  Sun, May 22, 2011 2:15:35pm

I understand it being a personal belief, but when you're running for the highest public office we have, and your personal beliefs will directly affect the policies governing millions of people, it would be nice to know.

63 Ziggy Standard  Sun, May 22, 2011 2:18:09pm

re: #62 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)

I understand it being a personal belief, but when you're running for the highest public office we have, and your personal beliefs will directly affect the policies governing millions of people, it would be nice to know.

Yep. Something in my water tells me that the question "Are you an anti-science nutcase?" might somehow be relevant ;)

64 PhillyPretzel  Sun, May 22, 2011 2:18:15pm

I made a page to this story. [Link: news.yahoo.com...]

65 A Man for all Seasons  Sun, May 22, 2011 2:19:48pm

re: #62 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)

I understand it being a personal belief, but when you're running for the highest public office we have, and your personal beliefs will directly affect the policies governing millions of people, it would be nice to know.

Isn't that what JFK had to battle through? Being a Catholic and all?

66 PhillyPretzel  Sun, May 22, 2011 2:21:29pm

re: #65 HoosierHoops
Yes.

67 Kragar  Sun, May 22, 2011 2:21:55pm

re: #65 HoosierHoops

Isn't that what JFK had to battle through? Being a Catholic and all?

I see a distinct difference between "Are you religious?" and "are you willing to ignore all evidence to the contrary in favor of dogma based drivel?"

68 makeitstop  Sun, May 22, 2011 2:22:18pm

re: #61 celticdragon

I do not play a pedal harp, but what they do is adjust string tension to allow you to play in different keys, thus making the harp a fully chromatic instrument.

Cross strung harps are another solution to the chromatic problem, and African American harper Ben Brown has done a fantastic job of resurrecting this nearly forgotten instrument.

I play a lever harp, and that means you must use a mechanical lever that changes or sharpens the pitch on a string. This is fine for folk/Celtic music, but can be difficult for classical pieces that may require multiple level flips throughout a performance.

Interesting. So, one would set the levers or a certain tuning at the beginning of a piece, as opposed to a pedal steel which allow for changing the pitch of individual strings within a note cluster on the fly for chording?

Most guitarists look at the pedal steel as a frighteningly abstract instrument. I look at those harps and get the same feeling - it looks like it would take a long time to get a handle on how to play it.

(I say this as someone who has played pedal steel or nearly 15 years and am only now cratching the surface of the instrument's possibilities.)

69 jaunte  Sun, May 22, 2011 2:22:37pm

re: #65 HoosierHoops

The Birchers used to claim he was going to be a slave to the Pope.

70 Decatur Deb  Sun, May 22, 2011 2:23:07pm

re: #65 HoosierHoops

Isn't that what JFK had to battle through? Being a Catholic and all?

The questions failed to recognize the difference between a Kennedy Catholic and a Santorum Catholic.

71 SanFranciscoZionist  Sun, May 22, 2011 2:23:10pm

re: #69 jaunte

The Birchers used to claim he was going to be a slave to the Pope.

That's "the Pope of Rome". Just in case there was confusion about which pope they meant.

72 jaunte  Sun, May 22, 2011 2:23:53pm

re: #71 SanFranciscoZionist

Not the one from Greenwich Village, then.

73 Kragar  Sun, May 22, 2011 2:24:34pm

re: #71 SanFranciscoZionist

That's "the Pope of Rome". Just in case there was confusion about which pope they meant.

Not Greenwich village?

74 Decatur Deb  Sun, May 22, 2011 2:24:54pm

re: #72 jaunte

Not the one from Greenwich Village, then.

More like the pope in "Cardinal Puff".

75 Decatur Deb  Sun, May 22, 2011 2:25:51pm

Cardinal Puff

[Link: www.barmeister.com...]

76 Varek Raith  Sun, May 22, 2011 2:26:20pm

-GOP motto

77 PhillyPretzel  Sun, May 22, 2011 2:28:48pm

re: #76 Varek Raith
Unfortunately yes.

78 William Barnett-Lewis  Sun, May 22, 2011 2:29:07pm

re: #68 makeitstop

Interesting. So, one would set the levers or a certain tuning at the beginning of a piece, as opposed to a pedal steel which allow for changing the pitch of individual strings within a note cluster on the fly for chording?

Most guitarists look at the pedal steel as a frighteningly abstract instrument. I look at those harps and get the same feeling - it looks like it would take a long time to get a handle on how to play it.

(I say this as someone who has played pedal steel or nearly 15 years and am only now cratching the surface of the instrument's possibilities.)

The harp really isn't that hard in that sense. The bigger thing is taking the time to practice :( I really should have stuck with it. I think should get a small, say about 22 string, harp and have at it again.

79 austin_blue  Sun, May 22, 2011 2:30:49pm

re: #52 celticdragon

Beautiful. Thank you for showing those. The Glenelle is interesting. The lever arrangement is quite different from mine. Are her harps named?

(Common question in the harp world. Other harpers immediately ask me what my harp's name is :)...)

The travel harp is Selkie skerie. The Starfish is just The Starfish, for now. The Pilgrim is La Negrita, and the Salvi is BamBam.

The Glenelle is a brilliant. With its travel case (custom carbon fiber by Colorado Cases) it weighs in at 46 pounds, which is the magic number when flying, especially overseas. It is also played by some of the best harpers including Rachel Hair and Catriona McKay.

The Delacour levers are sweet in that they rotate a single peg disk to sharp the string. Just pressure, no wear. Strings last Much longer.

80 celticdragon  Sun, May 22, 2011 2:32:06pm

More fun with the Westboro wackos...

Lisa Lampanelli donated 44,000 to a GLBT org last Friday night
and dedicated it to the Westboro folks who were picketing her show in Topeka. Today, they have been snarling traffic all over Savannah Georgia in protests at 5 different churches.

81 makeitstop  Sun, May 22, 2011 2:32:39pm

re: #78 wlewisiii

The harp really isn't that hard in that sense. The bigger thing is taking the time to practice :( I really should have stuck with it. I think should get a small, say about 22 string, harp and have at it again.

It's funny - I say the same thing to guitarists who look at the pedal steel and can't figure out how anyone can get anything musical out of it. :)

I look at the harp and it just looks... daunting.

82 celticdragon  Sun, May 22, 2011 2:33:30pm

re: #79 austin_blue

The travel harp is Selkie skerie. The Starfish is just The Starfish, for now. The Pilgrim is La Negrita, and the Salvi is BamBam.

The Glenelle is a brilliant. With its travel case (custom carbon fiber by Colorado Cases) it weighs in at 46 pounds, which is the magic number when flying, especially overseas. It is also played by some of the best harpers including Rachel Hair and Catriona McKay.

The Delacour levers are sweet in that they rotate a single peg disk to sharp the string. Just pressure, no wear. Strings last Much longer.

Thank you so much :)

I actually got to get out and practice a bit today on some pieces I needed to work on. I looked around after half an hour and I had an audience, lol!

83 celticdragon  Sun, May 22, 2011 2:34:48pm

re: #81 makeitstop

It's funny - I say the same thing to guitarists who look at the pedal steel and can't figure out how anyone can get anything musical out of it. :)

I look at the harp and it just looks... daunting.

You learn to make friends with each string.

After awhile, it really feels like the music is lurking or hiding somewhere in the instrument, and your job is to gently coax it out.

84 Turkey Jihad  Sun, May 22, 2011 2:35:28pm

At a press conference last week, someone asked Chris Christie for his views on evolution vs. creationism. "That's none of your business," the New Jersey governor barked in response.

Now I know for a fact Christie's running for President.

85 sagehen  Sun, May 22, 2011 2:37:11pm

re: #76 Varek Raith

[Video]-GOP motto

As long as Obama is president, this is their approach:

86 makeitstop  Sun, May 22, 2011 2:37:46pm

re: #83 celticdragon

You learn to make friends with each string.

After awhile, it really feels like the music is lurking or hiding somewhere in the instrument, and your job is to gently coax it out.

I would love to give it a try.

How long have you been playing the harp?

87 austin_blue  Sun, May 22, 2011 2:40:57pm

re: #60 makeitstop

So they shift the entire tuning, or just certain strings or sections of strings?

Pardon me for asking potentially dumb questions - I've never been near a harp, let alone played one.

It depends. On a lever harp, you preset the key of the song by sharping various strings. During the song, you change individual strings by sharping/unsharping them to sound accidentals- notes outside of the base signature.

On a pedal harp, each pedal has three positions, open-sharp-flat, that changes every seventh string when moved. Seven Pedals. On some really chromatic pieces, (Debussy, Mahler) or some of the more modern uses of tone (Bartok, Stravinsky, Cage), the harpist must dance the pedals like a dervish to keep up.

88 William Barnett-Lewis  Sun, May 22, 2011 2:41:47pm

Hey, CD, have you ever seen these people's kits?
[Link: www.markwoodstrings.com...]

Somehow I think a kit would have a chance at being better than the ... uh, "inexpensive" Pakistani ones I noticed at Amazon.

89 windsagio  Sun, May 22, 2011 2:41:56pm

re: #71 SanFranciscoZionist

The Avignon popes were better?

90 makeitstop  Sun, May 22, 2011 2:48:01pm

re: #87 austin_blue

It depends. On a lever harp, you preset the key of the song by sharping various strings. During the song, you change individual strings by sharping/unsharping them to sound accidentals- notes outside of the base signature.

On a pedal harp, each pedal has three positions, open-sharp-flat, that changes every seventh string when moved. Seven Pedals. On some really chromatic pieces, (Debussy, Mahler) or some of the more modern uses of tone (Bartok, Stravinsky, Cage), the harpist must dance the pedals like a dervish to keep up.

Thank you for that excellent description. Now I'm understanding how they work a little better.

I can definitely relate to the pedal-dancing! I often liken pedal steel playing to flying a helicopter, since all four extremities are used independently from one another to make it do what it does.

Of course, I'm playing stuff like Johnny Burnette and Hank Williams rather than Bartok or Mahler. :)

91 Turkey Jihad  Sun, May 22, 2011 2:49:16pm

re: #50 celticdragon

The shitstains (I will not be nice about this at all) who think the SCOTUS had no business deciding Lovett Vs Virgina are completely okay with the fact that in some localities, inter-racial marriage would have been illegal until the late 1980's if left up to popular vote.

I think you meant Loving v Virgina, yes?

Your text to link...

92 kirkspencer  Sun, May 22, 2011 2:52:55pm

re: #88 wlewisiii

Hey, CD, have you ever seen these people's kits?
[Link: www.markwoodstrings.com...]

Somehow I think a kit would have a chance at being better than the ... uh, "inexpensive" Pakistani ones I noticed at Amazon.

Maybe. It depends on several things, not least of which is the kit-builder's skill. From various builders I've met, some of the kits are very good while others less so.

Which I think is consistent regardless of what you're making from kit.

93 Eclectic Infidel  Sun, May 22, 2011 2:53:19pm

Hi lizards, could anyone sum up the outrage against the President regarding his speech at a recent aipac dinner? One of the Kahanist-sympathetic Zionists on a mailing list is already trolling against the President as having no spine or integrity. I haven't had time to really look into the whole thing given that final exams are literally on top of me now.

Anyone up for an explanation?

94 celticdragon  Sun, May 22, 2011 2:53:38pm

re: #86 makeitstop

I would love to give it a try.

How long have you been playing the harp?

Off and on for 12 years or more. I need to work on some new music this next week :)

95 celticdragon  Sun, May 22, 2011 2:54:06pm

re: #91 Kid A

Yes. Thanks for the correction.

96 PhillyPretzel  Sun, May 22, 2011 2:54:58pm

Charles, Did you add another feature to the weblog? I just reloaded the website and noticed my icon in the "logged in" block and it was not there before. That is a nice touch.

97 celticdragon  Sun, May 22, 2011 2:55:54pm

re: #88 wlewisiii

Hey, CD, have you ever seen these people's kits?
[Link: www.markwoodstrings.com...]

Somehow I think a kit would have a chance at being better than the ... uh, "inexpensive" Pakistani ones I noticed at Amazon.

I had one of the Pakistani harps for awhile and she was lovely to look at, but the sharpening levers were junk. It would have taken serious money and a professional luthier to really get her fixed up properly.

98 windsagio  Sun, May 22, 2011 2:55:59pm

re: #93 eclectic infidel

2 words: "Dog-Whistle".

99 moderatelyradicalliberal  Sun, May 22, 2011 2:56:18pm

re: #21 Charles

Came out today that Tim Pawlenty's running for Pres.

He apologized for once accepting the existence of global warming, wants to allow schools to teach creationism instead of science, wants to reinstate DADT, and has reversed his once-moderate views on gay marriage.

"I am sorry for ever having had a sane or fair minded policy or idea in the past. Please forgive me."

If he becomes the nominee the campaign slogan should be: We've got Pawlenty of nothing in 2012.

100 makeitstop  Sun, May 22, 2011 2:59:13pm

re: #94 celticdragon

Off and on for 12 years or more. I need to work on some new music this next week :)

So you've put in some work, then. :)

I've done the same with pedal steel, but 15 years is a drop in the bucket where that instrument is concerned. I believe that there is a reason that all the truly great pedal steel player are in their seventies - it's got to take that long to truly master the thing.

101 Charles Johnson  Sun, May 22, 2011 3:00:42pm

re: #96 PhillyPretzel

Charles, Did you add another feature to the weblog? I just reloaded the website and noticed my icon in the "logged in" block and it was not there before. That is a nice touch.

Yes, I just finished that code.

102 PhillyPretzel  Sun, May 22, 2011 3:03:23pm

re: #101 Charles
As I stated a little earlier it is a nice touch. :)

103 William Barnett-Lewis  Sun, May 22, 2011 3:04:47pm

re: #97 celticdragon

I had one of the Pakistani harps for awhile and she was lovely to look at, but the sharpening levers were junk. It would have taken serious money and a professional luthier to really get her fixed up properly.

About what I thought of them, but there's no way I can consider one of the good instruments out there, so the idea of a kit has it's advantages.

104 Fat Bastard Vegetarian  Sun, May 22, 2011 3:07:51pm

re: #86 makeitstop

How long have you been playing the harp?

Since yesterday, 6pm...

105 goddamnedfrank  Sun, May 22, 2011 3:09:23pm

re: #93 eclectic infidel

Hi lizards, could anyone sum up the outrage against the President regarding his speech at a recent aipac dinner? One of the Kahanist-sympathetic Zionists on a mailing list is already trolling against the President as having no spine or integrity. I haven't had time to really look into the whole thing given that final exams are literally on top of me now.

Anyone up for an explanation?

The AP and a bunch of the press reported Obama's speech regarding the 1967 lines minus the "with swaps" caveat. Netanyahu took this opportunity to play to his base and lie by omitting the swaps. A bunch of other things like Obama stating that a precondition of Palestinian statehood was its acceptance of Israel's right to exist and the fact that Obama has dropped opposition to settlement activity were ignored by almost everyone. Netanyahu got attacked hard by Tzipi Livni for pointlessly fucking up hasbara just to appease Avigdor Lieberman. Abe Foxman and the ADL are backing Obama. Pam Geller says Abe Foxman "is worse than a kapo." The right wing is again telling Jews how to think.

106 makeitstop  Sun, May 22, 2011 3:09:51pm

re: #104 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

Since yesterday, 6pm...

Did you get a free side of wings with your new harp?

107 Fat Bastard Vegetarian  Sun, May 22, 2011 3:11:54pm

re: #106 makeitstop

Yeah... but I feel stupid.

108 A Man for all Seasons  Sun, May 22, 2011 3:15:05pm

re: #100 makeitstop

So you've put in some work, then. :)

I've done the same with pedal steel, but 15 years is a drop in the bucket where that instrument is concerned. I believe that there is a reason that all the truly great pedal steel player are in their seventies - it's got to take that long to truly master the thing.

I'll just stick with the guitar...I play folk and rock songs with my own style..I'm a lefty that plays right handed guitar...I should practice more so I'm rusty

109 Fat Bastard Vegetarian  Sun, May 22, 2011 3:16:17pm

re: #108 HoosierHoops

If you practiced more you'd be less rusty.

Bulls coming back tonight?

110 [deleted]  Sun, May 22, 2011 3:16:45pm
111 Charles Johnson  Sun, May 22, 2011 3:18:01pm

re: #110 andres

Thanks for letting me know -- I'll communicate it to the ad server.

112 andres  Sun, May 22, 2011 3:19:35pm

re: #111 Charles

Thanks for letting me know -- I'll communicate it to the ad server.

No problem.

Feel free to delete #110, so you don't give 'em any undeserving free promotion.

113 windsagio  Sun, May 22, 2011 3:19:51pm

re: #110 andres

eeh its a slow time anyways, I just watched the new South park. C+ if that.

114 Fat Bastard Vegetarian  Sun, May 22, 2011 3:21:11pm

re: #110 andres

So, c'mon Andres! Spoil their gig. What are they saying is the "big single event that's gonna end America in 2011?" Been advertising it on Sirius Satellite Radio for over a month.

I'm curious as hell about their angle. But not enough to click.

115 makeitstop  Sun, May 22, 2011 3:23:10pm

re: #108 HoosierHoops

I'll just stick with the guitar...I play folk and rock songs with my own style..I'm a lefty that plays right handed guitar...I should practice more so I'm rusty

Guitar is my instrument of choice as well. I've been playing or 48 years and still find new stuff on a regular basis. And I play out at least a couple of times a week, which keep the rust knocked of for the most part.

116 A Man for all Seasons  Sun, May 22, 2011 3:23:30pm

re: #109 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

If you practiced more you'd be less rusty.

Bulls coming back tonight?

Hard to say...I hate the Bulls and hate the Heat even more...
Too bad both teams can't beat each other up to exhaustion.. Maybe 6 OT's would be nice tonight.

117 Mostly sane, most of the time.  Sun, May 22, 2011 3:23:56pm

re: #114 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

So, c'mon Andres! Spoil their gig. What are they saying is the "big single event that's gonna end America in 2011?" Been advertising it on Sirius Satellite Radio for over a month.

I'm curious as hell about their angle. But not enough to click.

DWTS, Jersey Shore, and American Idol will all broadcast on the same night, creating a triangle of tackiness that will suck all of America down.

118 Fat Bastard Vegetarian  Sun, May 22, 2011 3:25:05pm

re: #117 EmmmieG

That's funny. But I'm serious. These guys have a butt-load of advertising bucks and I'd love to know what their bullshit is.

119 A Man for all Seasons  Sun, May 22, 2011 3:27:07pm

re: #115 makeitstop

Guitar is my instrument of choice as well. I've been playing or 48 years and still find new stuff on a regular basis. And I play out at least a couple of times a week, which keep the rust knocked of for the most part.

A few weeks ago I picked up the Strat and played Fear the Reaper..I used to know that lead note for note....I sucked at it....total bummer

120 Fat Bastard Vegetarian  Sun, May 22, 2011 3:27:16pm

An investment scheme...

121 Kragar  Sun, May 22, 2011 3:30:27pm

re: #119 HoosierHoops

A few weeks ago I picked up the Strat and played Fear the Reaper..I used to know that lead note for note...I sucked at it...total bummer

Reminds me I need to bust out the old cowbell sometime.

122 Fat Bastard Vegetarian  Sun, May 22, 2011 3:30:33pm

Online article about this guy...

Yesterday, my mother sent me an email asking what I thought about the contents at a link. The link, titled "end of america 2011" (no, I'm not re-linking it) led to a site that immediately started playing a video. Not wanting to watch the video, I decided to figure out who was putting it on.

It turns out that the video, all 77(!) minutes of it, is the work of one *name deleted*. The first thing you need to know about Stansberry is that the SEC recently fined him $1.5 million for securities fraud. The guy could make change for a nine-dollar bill with threes (bonus points for you if you know what movie that's from) and if he tells you anything more controversial than the sun rises in the east and sets in the west, double-check him.

So, according to this guy, if you actually watch all 77(!) minutes of *name deleted*'s magnum opus, you get:

1) A triple dose of fear-mongering, scare tactics and "must act now" hype.
2) Advice to buy gold. (*name deleted* knows a good company to work with.)
3) Advice to buy silver (see #2)
4) Advice to stash your cash overseas - *name deleted* will sell you a tip sheet on where and how.
5) A special offer to buy his $100/issue newsletter at the low-low price of $50/issue.

Hey, guys, those SEC fines don't pay themselves!

123 makeitstop  Sun, May 22, 2011 3:30:47pm

re: #119 HoosierHoops

A few weeks ago I picked up the Strat and played Fear the Reaper..I used to know that lead note for note...I sucked at it...total bummer

It happens. Someone suggested a song to me last night, and I thought 'I know that'... after mulling it over or a minute I amended to 'I used to know that.'

124 Turkey Jihad  Sun, May 22, 2011 3:32:16pm

OT, I was curious what Palin might be "thinking," so I went to her Facebook page and there was nothing new from the Bard of Wasilla. However, I did see this post from one of her Real American followers...

Their is no objective media in America. They seek to destroy Conservatives and help Liberals like Obama get elected. We should ignore them, not watch them or read them and just go on shows that are fair. That is hard to find in America. Go around the Liberal Media directly to the People of America Sarah. Because we already know they actively tried to get Obama elected and did!! And they will do the same again!!! God Bless Sarah!! You and we are up against some very Corrupt and Conniving Liberals who use Alinsky tactics at every turn!!

125 A Man for all Seasons  Sun, May 22, 2011 3:34:41pm

re: #123 makeitstop

It happens. Someone suggested a song to me last night, and I thought 'I know that'... after mulling it over or a minute I amended to 'I used to know that.'

If I played as well as Charles I'd be blogging from my tour bus right now

126 andres  Sun, May 22, 2011 3:34:52pm

re: #114 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

So, c'mon Andres! Spoil their gig. What are they saying is the "big single event that's gonna end America in 2011?" Been advertising it on Sirius Satellite Radio for over a month.

I'm curious as hell about their angle. But not enough to click.

Trust me, my friend, it's painful to hear. At least the animation tries to live it up.

Basically, it's another of those "I have no interest in scaring you*, but America is an unstoppable train on way to financial ruin!!!!! Send me all your money, and you'll be among the lucky ones to survive it!!!!! [But I can't promise you'll emerge from this crisis completely unharmed*]".

*Honest. Those two phrases are verbatim from the video.[1]

[1] Yes, I heard it twice. Paraphrasing just won't be the same as the actual, real words.

127 austin_blue  Sun, May 22, 2011 3:36:13pm

Errands. BBIAB.

128 jaunte  Sun, May 22, 2011 3:37:13pm

re: #124 Kid A

Alinsky tactics
...
at every turn
...
Alaska mavericks
...
Feel the burn
...
Burma Shave

129 Fat Bastard Vegetarian  Sun, May 22, 2011 3:38:14pm

re: #126 andres

Thanks.

130 Kragar  Sun, May 22, 2011 3:38:14pm

Rocking some homemade turkey noodle soup with fresh baked bread right now.

131 makeitstop  Sun, May 22, 2011 3:38:22pm

re: #125 HoosierHoops

If I played as well as Charles I'd be blogging from my tour bus right now

You and me both.

132 Turkey Jihad  Sun, May 22, 2011 3:39:41pm

And for some good belly laughs, there's a site called conservapedia.com.
Here's their page on evolution if you want a good howler.

Your text to link...

133 makeitstop  Sun, May 22, 2011 3:41:08pm
134 A Man for all Seasons  Sun, May 22, 2011 3:41:53pm

re: #131 makeitstop

You and me both.

Of course I wouldn't sign autographs and beat up paparazzi daily for taking pictures of my pregnant super model girlfriends..
/yeah..I wanna be a rock star
heheheh

135 Kragar  Sun, May 22, 2011 3:42:09pm

re: #132 Kid A

And for some good belly laughs, there's a site called conservapedia.com.
Here's their page on evolution if you want a good howler.

Your text to link...

Biblical creation science.

/facepalm

136 Charles Johnson  Sun, May 22, 2011 3:44:42pm
137 Stanghazi  Sun, May 22, 2011 3:45:49pm

re: #124 Kid A

OT, I was curious what Palin might be "thinking," so I went to her Facebook page and there was nothing new from the Bard of Wasilla. However, I did see this post from one of her Real American followers...

Their is no objective media in America. They seek to destroy Conservatives and help Liberals like Obama get elected. We should ignore them, not watch them or read them and just go on shows that are fair. That is hard to find in America. Go around the Liberal Media directly to the People of America Sarah. Because we already know they actively tried to get Obama elected and did!! And they will do the same again!!! God Bless Sarah!! You and we are up against some very Corrupt and Conniving Liberals who use Alinsky tactics at every turn!!

Haha, I'm playing around making word clouds. Needed a good one. Here ya go: (it's not that good, but whatev)

[Link: www.wordle.net...]

138 Killgore Trout  Sun, May 22, 2011 3:46:08pm

Our old pal Barrett Brown is leaving Anon to pursue more a more anti-American agenda...
"Face" of Anonymous quits -- exclusive interview with Barrett Brown

Q - Anonymous seems to be splintering into different factions, with some defectors warring against other Anonymous members. Is this why you are leaving Anonymous to focus on your Project PM?

Operation Metal Gear has been my main focus and the sort of work it requires is best conducted by a cohesive group of people who are interested in researching and exposing the intelligence contracting industry.


Q - Project PM is your brainchild, but has over 90 members ranging from "a former CIA Directorate of Operations and the current Director of the University Center for Innovation in Teaching and Education at Case Western Reserve, to a Project Manager specialized in Internet strategy and development for firms, such as the Mozilla Foundation and John Hopkins University, and a jazz guitarist turned award-winning blogger." How do these members as well as those that are leaving Anonymous to join Project PM, feel about your plans to expose pro-government and pro-corporation bias in the media?

I'll be sending out an e-mail to all past participants later today, explaining that we'll be rekindling our earlier projects while also concentrating on new efforts; I only expect a portion of those 90 or so people to get actively involved, but I'm now actively recruiting.

I wonder if Charles will get an invite?

139 Charles Johnson  Sun, May 22, 2011 3:48:24pm

re: #138 Killgore Trout

Oh, good freaking grief.

140 Kragar  Sun, May 22, 2011 3:49:52pm

re: #138 Killgore Trout

Our old pal Barrett Brown is leaving Anon to pursue more a more anti-American agenda...
"Face" of Anonymous quits -- exclusive interview with Barrett Brown

Q - Anonymous seems to be splintering into different factions, with some defectors warring against other Anonymous members. Is this why you are leaving Anonymous to focus on your Project PM?


Q - Project PM is your brainchild, but has over 90 members ranging from "a former CIA Directorate of Operations and the current Director of the University Center for Innovation in Teaching and Education at Case Western Reserve, to a Project Manager specialized in Internet strategy and development for firms, such as the Mozilla Foundation and John Hopkins University, and a jazz guitarist turned award-winning blogger." How do these members as well as those that are leaving Anonymous to join Project PM, feel about your plans to expose pro-government and pro-corporation bias in the media?

I wonder if Charles will get an invite?

SPLITTER!

141 jaunte  Sun, May 22, 2011 3:52:33pm

re: #138 Killgore Trout

"Face" of Anonymous quits


What will Anonymous do without a self-promoting face?

142 Velvet Elvis  Sun, May 22, 2011 3:54:07pm

re: #138 Killgore Trout

Once upon a time I signed up to help with web development on that, before he went totally loco, or made it obvious that he was totally loco. He said the last web guy was developing the whole thing in XMPP (which makes no sense) and left the project with all the work hanging.

In a "takes one to know one" kind of way I got the impression of a mania fueled bipolar off his meds. Delusions of grandeur, out of touch with reality, taking on huge projects with little idea of how to achieve them, etc.

143 PhillyPretzel  Sun, May 22, 2011 3:54:14pm

re: #141 jaunte
It will become completely anonymous./

144 Kragar  Sun, May 22, 2011 3:54:16pm

re: #141 jaunte

What will Anonymous do without a self-promoting face?

They could form an anarcho-syndicalist commune. They could take it in turns to be a sort of executive officer for the week...

145 Killgore Trout  Sun, May 22, 2011 3:55:45pm

re: #140 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)

SPLITTER!

Anarchists are sooo unorganized.

146 darthstar  Sun, May 22, 2011 3:55:59pm

Watching the Giants-A's Game right now...foul ball down right field line...guy makes a lunge and bare-hands the ball as it comes over toward the wall....girlfriend gives him a hug and takes the ball...before the announcers are done making their jokes about it, she's got her iPhone out and is taking a picture of it (probably for facebook).

147 jaunte  Sun, May 22, 2011 3:56:16pm
"Anonymous attracts some of the best people in the world, but it also attracts emotionally disturbed individuals who disrupt serious work."


No kidding.

148 TedStriker  Sun, May 22, 2011 3:58:06pm

re: #138 Killgore Trout

Our old pal Barrett Brown is leaving Anon to pursue more a more anti-American agenda...
"Face" of Anonymous quits -- exclusive interview with Barrett Brown

Q - Anonymous seems to be splintering into different factions, with some defectors warring against other Anonymous members. Is this why you are leaving Anonymous to focus on your Project PM?


Q - Project PM is your brainchild, but has over 90 members ranging from "a former CIA Directorate of Operations and the current Director of the University Center for Innovation in Teaching and Education at Case Western Reserve, to a Project Manager specialized in Internet strategy and development for firms, such as the Mozilla Foundation and John Hopkins University, and a jazz guitarist turned award-winning blogger." How do these members as well as those that are leaving Anonymous to join Project PM, feel about your plans to expose pro-government and pro-corporation bias in the media?

I wonder if Charles will get an invite?

re: #139 Charles

Oh, good freaking grief.

I noticed that BB dropped a lot of impressive titles of people supposedly on board, but no names. Like Charles, who said that BB's claims that he was partnering him on a project (presumably this one) was bullshit, how many others of who BB said was with him don't have anything to do with it?

What is BB doing, just pulling random people out of his ass, just because their CVs sound impressive?

149 PhillyPretzel  Sun, May 22, 2011 3:59:06pm

re: #148 talon_262
sounds like that to me.

150 Vicious Babushka  Sun, May 22, 2011 3:59:17pm

re: #138 Killgore Trout

Our old pal Barrett Brown is leaving Anon to pursue more a more anti-American agenda...
"Face" of Anonymous quits -- exclusive interview with Barrett Brown

Does this mean they won't use the Guy Fawkes mask any more?

151 Killgore Trout  Sun, May 22, 2011 4:00:52pm

re: #148 talon_262

Well, those were people involved with project Pm from a few years ago. I'm not sure what the original purpose was but most of the original people probably don't want to be associated with him anymore.

152 Slumbering Behemoth Stinks  Sun, May 22, 2011 4:01:08pm

re: #145 Killgore Trout

Anarchists are sooo unorganized.

Just great. Now you've done it. Don't you know that's the siren call for some 'genius intellect' to come through and explain to us that we're just too damn stupid to understand the high minded, multi-syllabic, hyphenated concepts of some anarcho-bullshit or other?

153 Kragar  Sun, May 22, 2011 4:02:28pm

re: #150 Alouette

Does this mean they won't use the Guy Fawkes mask any more?

They'll probably be reserved for special occasions.

154 Velvet Elvis  Sun, May 22, 2011 4:03:14pm

re: #148 talon_262

re: #139 Charles

I noticed that BB dropped a lot of impressive titles of people supposedly on board, but no names. Like Charles, who said that BB's claims that he was partnering him on a project (presumably this one) was bullshit, how many others of who BB said was with him don't have anything to do with it?

What is BB doing, just pulling random people out of his ass, just because their CVs sound impressive?

I believe he did have some noteworthy individuals on board before he decided to go party with the 4-chan crowd and worship Wikileaks. John Cole, Charles, I forget who else was on board.

I think he still hasn't realized the degree to which he lost his respectability among grownups through.

155 TedStriker  Sun, May 22, 2011 4:07:49pm

re: #147 jaunte

"Anonymous attracts some of the best people in the world, but it also attracts emotionally disturbed individuals who disrupt serious work."

No kidding.

So BB was talking about himself, right?

/naaaaahhhh

156 Achilles Tang  Sun, May 22, 2011 4:08:42pm

re: #1 SanFranciscoZionist

I must agree with Christie--that's none of the press' business.

I beg your pardon?

It most certainly is when his party uses the issue as a factor in legislation affecting education, not to mention claiming all our rights derive from religion (their religion).

157 Fat Bastard Vegetarian  Sun, May 22, 2011 4:09:45pm

re: #133 makeitstop

This is nice - Photograph masquerading as painting

Looks like something from a Tim Burton movie.

158 Turkey Jihad  Sun, May 22, 2011 4:19:35pm

Somehow, the LGF site on my laptop is barely readable. The font size must be three times smaller. Any tips on how to fix. It's not doing it on any other sites.

159 Fat Bastard Vegetarian  Sun, May 22, 2011 4:21:27pm

re: #158 Kid A

Somehow, the LGF site on my laptop is barely readable. The font size must be three times smaller. Any tips on how to fix. It's not doing it on any other sites.

Ctrl+++
That's how I fixed it on mine.

160 Turkey Jihad  Sun, May 22, 2011 4:22:00pm

Ten updings!!! Thanks!

161 Kragar  Sun, May 22, 2011 4:22:04pm

re: #158 Kid A

Somehow, the LGF site on my laptop is barely readable. The font size must be three times smaller. Any tips on how to fix. It's not doing it on any other sites.

View > Zoom

162 darthstar  Sun, May 22, 2011 4:29:00pm

re: #158 Kid A

Somehow, the LGF site on my laptop is barely readable. The font size must be three times smaller. Any tips on how to fix. It's not doing it on any other sites.

Ctrl - plus(+) will increase the font size on your browser. Ctrl-minus(-) will make it smaller. Also, if you have a wheel mouse, holding down the Ctrl key while scrolling will zoom in/out...

163 Decatur Deb  Sun, May 22, 2011 4:34:10pm

re: #139 Charles

Oh, good freaking grief.

If you pick up a starving puppy in the park, it's yours forever.

164 Kragar  Sun, May 22, 2011 4:37:12pm

Armstrong Teammate Describes Doping System

Tyler Hamilton, a 2004 Olympic gold medalist and former Postal Service rider, described life on the team Sunday in an interview on the CBS news program “60 Minutes.” He said it was one filled with secret code words, clandestine phone lines and furtive conversations. Riders led double lives that revolved around performance-enhancing drug use, while publicly insisting that the team was perfectly clean, he said.

The best cyclists received white lunch bags filled with EPO, human growth hormone and testosterone by team doctors, who handed out the packages as if they contained only sandwiches and juice boxes. They were also given little red pills that contained a testosterone oil they squirted beneath their tongues for a performance boost.

And if a top rider needed the blood-booster EPO to help adjust his blood values to evade doping positives, Hamilton said, he knew exactly where to turn: to Armstrong, who was the undisputed leader of the team and whose help from other riders was necessary for victory.

165 darthstar  Sun, May 22, 2011 4:39:44pm

I almost feel sorry for the fucker...

The retired MTA worker from Staten Island bought $140,000 worth of advertising, proclaiming that the end was near. He and followers of California televangelist Harold Camping thought a global earthquake would strike the East Coast just before 6 p.m.

Read more: [Link: www.nydailynews.com...]


If those advertisers had any morals they'd give the poor bastard his money back.

166 darthstar  Sun, May 22, 2011 4:40:11pm

re: #165 darthstar

I almost feel sorry for the fucker...


If those advertisers had any morals they'd give the poor bastard his money back.///


forgot to snark that last line

167 Kragar  Sun, May 22, 2011 4:42:35pm

re: #165 darthstar

I almost feel sorry for the fucker...


If those advertisers had any morals they'd give the poor bastard his money back.

I feel sorry for the relatives and family members of those who fell for this crap. The people who willingly gave in to it, not so much.

168 A Man for all Seasons  Sun, May 22, 2011 4:44:28pm

re: #165 darthstar

I almost feel sorry for the fucker...


If those advertisers had any morals they'd give the poor bastard his money back.

Experience is something you get right after you need it

169 PhillyPretzel  Sun, May 22, 2011 4:45:58pm

re: #168 HoosierHoops
Yes. You can't have it before you need it or you would not need it.

170 Kragar  Sun, May 22, 2011 4:46:57pm

Read about a family, 3 teenage kids, whose parents cashed in their college funds to donate it to Camping, and told all the kid's they would end up in hell today.

"Gee, thanks Mom and Dad. We didn't get you anything."

171 Kragar  Sun, May 22, 2011 4:47:41pm

re: #168 HoosierHoops

Experience is something you get right after you need it

172 darthstar  Sun, May 22, 2011 4:49:09pm

re: #170 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)

Read about a family, 3 teenage kids, whose parents cashed in their college funds to donate it to Camping, and told all the kid's they would end up in hell today.

"Gee, thanks Mom and Dad. We didn't get you anything."

Well, at least the parents were right. Now the kids are stuck in the hell of dealing with parents who are depressed, have no way of supporting themselves, let alone their children, and have put the kids in a shitty situation for the foreseeable future.

173 A Man for all Seasons  Sun, May 22, 2011 4:52:19pm

re: #171 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)

[Video]

Awesome! Sam from Burn Notice...

174 Henchman Ghazi-808  Sun, May 22, 2011 4:54:54pm

re: #165 darthstar


If those advertisers had any morals they'd give the poor bastard his money back.

They should not have taken it in the first place.

175 Killgore Trout  Sun, May 22, 2011 4:56:29pm

The frogs have been very active lately. There's a mating pair that has been camped out right outside my bedroom window for about six weeks. I'm pretty sure a lot of the nighttime ruckus is the sound of frogs fucking but no sign of tadpoles in the pond. I wonder where they're putting all those fertilized eggs.

176 PhillyPretzel  Sun, May 22, 2011 4:57:14pm

re: #174 BigPapa
I agree but keep in mind if they did not there would have had a possible lawsuit on their hands.

177 PhillyPretzel  Sun, May 22, 2011 4:58:17pm

re: #175 Killgore Trout
under a lilypad?

178 Slumbering Behemoth Stinks  Sun, May 22, 2011 4:59:32pm

re: #170 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)

Read about a family, 3 teenage kids, whose parents cashed in their college funds to donate it to Camping, and told all the kid's they would end up in hell today.

"Gee, thanks Mom and Dad. We didn't get you anything."

Three teenage kids, huh? The should make it their duty to make their parents lives complete hell until they're old enough to fly the coop.

179 Killgore Trout  Sun, May 22, 2011 5:02:51pm

re: #177 PhillyPretzel

under a lilypad?

Maybe but I'm not sure they're even going to the pond. I think they might have a little cup of rainwater in the mint patch that they're using but I don't want to dig around too much in their territory and disturb them. I think I might spend more time at night with a flashlight and try to figure out what they're up to. My neighbors must think I'm insane.

180 PhillyPretzel  Sun, May 22, 2011 5:04:34pm

re: #179 Killgore Trout
Almost every neighbor thinks the other neighbor is insane. :)

181 Achilles Tang  Sun, May 22, 2011 5:04:48pm

I understand that this preacher who started it is worth some 70 million, and he didn't give it all away as far as I know. Let the fools sue him for the money they gave away.

182 darthstar  Sun, May 22, 2011 5:07:52pm

re: #181 Naso Tang

I understand that this preacher who started it is worth some 70 million, and he didn't give it all away as far as I know. Let the fools sue him for the money they gave away.

But he never asked them to spend their life savings selling Judgment day for him...they did that of their own choice. The only people who will benefit from this will be the lawyers...but that's true for most things.

183 Kragar  Sun, May 22, 2011 5:10:36pm

Harold Camping 'bewildered,' 'mystified' about failed prediction

Harold Camping is "a little bewildered" and "mystified" that his Doomsday prediction on May 21 did not come true, a board member of Camping's Family Radio International said on Sunday, according to a report.

Tom Evans, a board member told ABC News on Sunday that Camping's wife told him that the radio broadcaster has no intention of speaking or issuing a statement on Monday.

Camping's wife described him as being "somewhat bewildered" and "mystified."

184 A Man for all Seasons  Sun, May 22, 2011 5:11:14pm

re: #181 Naso Tang

I understand that this preacher who started it is worth some 70 million, and he didn't give it all away as far as I know. Let the fools sue him for the money they gave away.

70 million?! Holy Crap! OK the world is really going to end July 25th..
Who's with me? come on we can do better than 70 million!
LOL

185 darthstar  Sun, May 22, 2011 5:14:39pm

re: #183 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)

Harold Camping 'bewildered,' 'mystified' about failed prediction

Maybe he'll feel better if he just puts his church up for sale and retires to a small island someplace for the next two or three years or whatever he has left.

186 PhillyPretzel  Sun, May 22, 2011 5:15:25pm

re: #185 darthstar
That sounds good. I do not think he will do it.

187 Kragar  Sun, May 22, 2011 5:15:33pm

re: #184 HoosierHoops

70 million?! Holy Crap! OK the world is really going to end July 25th..
Who's with me? come on we can do better than 70 million!
LOL

"Well that's cutting it a little bit close, isn't it? I mean, just from a sales point of view, I mean your book is just coming out, you're not gonna see any paperback sales for at least a year. It'll be at least another year before you know whether you've got that mini-series or movie of the week kind of possibilities. I mean just Devil's Advocate."

188 Mostly sane, most of the time.  Sun, May 22, 2011 5:16:30pm

re: #172 darthstar

I had no college fund, and neither did my husband. They can still get through.

Still, Camping owes those people a refund or at the least an apology.

No old man needs millions while teens go into debt for college.

189 Velvet Elvis  Sun, May 22, 2011 5:16:56pm

re: #185 darthstar

Maybe he'll feel better if he just puts his church up for sale and retires to a small island someplace for the next two or three years or whatever he has left.

Odds are he spends the rest of his life fending off lawsuits.

190 darthstar  Sun, May 22, 2011 5:19:29pm

re: #189 Conservative Moonbat

Odds are he spends the rest of his life fending off lawsuits.

His kids willl fight this in court...it's their inheritance, after all.

191 A Man for all Seasons  Sun, May 22, 2011 5:24:31pm

re: #187 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)

"Well that's cutting it a little bit close, isn't it? I mean, just from a sales point of view, I mean your book is just coming out, you're not gonna see any paperback sales for at least a year. It'll be at least another year before you know whether you've got that mini-series or movie of the week kind of possibilities. I mean just Devil's Advocate."

I can't think of a more appropriate song

192 Fat Bastard Vegetarian  Sun, May 22, 2011 5:29:27pm

re: #188 EmmmieG

I had no college fund, and neither did my husband. They can still get through.

Still, Camping owes those people a refund or at the least an apology.

No old man needs millions while teens go into debt for college.

The parents would have found something else obscenely stupid with the same result.

193 Achilles Tang  Sun, May 22, 2011 5:31:23pm

re: #182 darthstar

But he never asked them to spend their life savings selling Judgment day for him...they did that of their own choice. The only people who will benefit from this will be the lawyers...but that's true for most things.

You can sue a stockbroker for misleading you about a sure thing. Why can't you sue a preacher for misleading you about a different sure thing?

Is stupidity only a defense in one case but not the other?

194 austin_blue  Sun, May 22, 2011 5:32:34pm

re: #168 HoosierHoops

Experience is something you get right after you need it

Ain't it the truth?

195 Kragar  Sun, May 22, 2011 5:32:56pm

re: #193 Naso Tang

You can sue a stockbroker for misleading you about a sure thing. Why can't you sue a preacher for misleading you about a different sure thing?

Is stupidity only a defense in one case but not the other?

One is a certified financial adviser. One interprets the will of the Gods.

I think it has to do with the certification.

196 jaunte  Sun, May 22, 2011 5:32:57pm

re: #193 Naso Tang

Camping did suggest a guarantee in his advertising:
Image: Guarantees.jpg

197 jaunte  Sun, May 22, 2011 5:33:36pm

This link, maybe [Link: buboblog.blogspot.com...]

198 Kragar  Sun, May 22, 2011 5:34:06pm

re: #196 jaunte

Camping did suggest a guarantee in his advertising:
Image: Guarantees.jpg

So we have to sue the Bible now?

199 austin_blue  Sun, May 22, 2011 5:34:07pm

re: #193 Naso Tang

You can sue a stockbroker for misleading you about a sure thing. Why can't you sue a preacher for misleading you about a different sure thing?

Is stupidity only a defense in one case but not the other?

One carries professional liability insurance, the other doesn't.

Wanna guess which is which?

200 jaunte  Sun, May 22, 2011 5:34:33pm

re: #198 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)

Maybe just the advertiser.

201 Fat Bastard Vegetarian  Sun, May 22, 2011 5:34:35pm

re: #197 jaunte

Great. Now we have to sue the Bible.

202 austin_blue  Sun, May 22, 2011 5:34:56pm

re: #198 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)

So we have to sue the Bible now?

Now, see, that's funny!

203 ProGunLiberal  Sun, May 22, 2011 5:35:02pm

I don't know if anyone saw this, but a major tornado struck Joplin, MO

PamCase Pam Case 
If you haven't heard already, devastating tornado damage to Joplin, Mo today. Need medical help there right away. Above all, pray.

204 Achilles Tang  Sun, May 22, 2011 5:35:24pm

re: #195 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)

One is a certified financial adviser. One interprets the will of the Gods.

I think it has to do with the certification.

I would love to hear a judge say the financial advisor`has a higher certification than God, or that this particular preacher doesn't have the word of God (but some other ones do).

205 jaunte  Sun, May 22, 2011 5:35:28pm

re: #201 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

Class action!

206 austin_blue  Sun, May 22, 2011 5:35:47pm

re: #203 ProLifeLiberal

I don't know if anyone saw this, but a major tornado struck Joplin, MO

Shit. Stand by, let me check some my ER sites.

207 Achilles Tang  Sun, May 22, 2011 5:36:27pm

re: #199 austin_blue

One carries professional liability insurance, the other doesn't.

Wanna guess which is which?

One can sue for any identifiable assets. Insurance is not needed.

208 ProGunLiberal  Sun, May 22, 2011 5:37:18pm

re: #206 austin_blue

I saw breaking news on the Weather Channel. A good sized area of the town is flattened.

209 Kragar  Sun, May 22, 2011 5:38:09pm

If we can't trust the predictions of a rambling senile old coot, what can we trust?

210 austin_blue  Sun, May 22, 2011 5:39:03pm

Initial news report. Ouch.



KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- A major tornado hit the city of Joplin Sunday evening, causing extensive damage.
St. John's Regional Medical Center had major structural damage. Neighborhoods near the hospital appeared to have been leveled from television reports.
Emergency crews are searching for victims and people possible trapped in the debris.
Doug Heady, the chief meteorologist for KOAM-TV in Joplin, said the storm flipped tractor-trailers and cars. People are reported to be trapped in their vehicles.
There were also reports that the roofs of two fire stations collapsed.
Authorities were calling for help from neighboring counties.

Read more: [Link: www.kmbc.com...]

211 Decatur Deb  Sun, May 22, 2011 5:39:07pm

re: #209 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)

If we can't trust the predictions of a rambling senile old coot, what can we trust?

Hey!!

212 Mostly sane, most of the time.  Sun, May 22, 2011 5:39:32pm

re: #209 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)

If we can't trust the predictions of a rambling senile old coot, what can we trust?

Our horoscopes?

The tea leaves?

213 PhillyPretzel  Sun, May 22, 2011 5:40:07pm

re: #210 austin_blue
That is bad. My prayers aer with those folks.

214 PhillyPretzel  Sun, May 22, 2011 5:40:27pm

re: #213 PhillyPretzel
aer= are

215 A Man for all Seasons  Sun, May 22, 2011 5:40:55pm

re: #209 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)

If we can't trust the predictions of a rambling senile old coot, what can we trust?

E=MC2
End times=moron x coot squared

216 Killgore Trout  Sun, May 22, 2011 5:41:16pm

Hostages inside Karachi base after attack

Militants have attacked a Pakistani air base in Karachi, the country's largest city, police say.

Explosions and gunshots were heard as the attackers fought with troops at the Mehran naval aviation base. There are reports of at least four casualties.


This seems pretty serious. This isn;t a remote outpost. Large military base in a very large city. the reporter mentions "foreigners" taken hostage inside the base.

217 Decatur Deb  Sun, May 22, 2011 5:42:21pm

re: #215 HoosierHoops

E=MC2
End times=moron x coot squared

Moron is going to spend his last days wading in a pool of Benjamins.

218 PhillyPretzel  Sun, May 22, 2011 5:43:45pm

From The Wall Street Journal: [Link: online.wsj.com...]

219 Achilles Tang  Sun, May 22, 2011 5:44:09pm

re: #214 PhillyPretzel

aer= are

I thouht it was yur suthrn akcent.

220 jaunte  Sun, May 22, 2011 5:44:10pm

re: #217 Decatur Deb

Camping is "a little bewildered" and "mystified"

221 PhillyPretzel  Sun, May 22, 2011 5:45:16pm

re: #219 Naso Tang
LOL. I am not a fast typist.

222 Killgore Trout  Sun, May 22, 2011 5:46:12pm

Gunmen storm Pakistan's naval aviation base

A group of militants were holed up inside Pakistan's naval aviation base on Monday, six hours after they stormed the installation with guns and grenades, killing at least five people and blowing up a military aircraft.

Nine explosions were reported from the PNS Mehran base in the southern city of Karachi after the late-night assault by up to 15 gunmen, who targeted three hangars housing aircraft.


15 guys take over a naval base and are still occupying it after 6 hours?
C'mon.

223 ProGunLiberal  Sun, May 22, 2011 5:47:11pm

re: #210 austin_blue

Minneapolis go struck too.

Also, there are Tornado Warnings near Chicago and St. Louis.

Holy Hell.

224 Achilles Tang  Sun, May 22, 2011 5:49:13pm

re: #222 Killgore Trout

Gunmen storm Pakistan's naval aviation base


15 guys take over a naval base and are still occupying it after 6 hours?
C'mon.

Seals invade Pakistan and spend an hour collecting stuff, and it takes the Pakistanis another hour to get there, from 5 minutes away.

Go figure.

225 PhillyPretzel  Sun, May 22, 2011 5:49:37pm

A front is moving through the Midwest. [Link: www.wunderground.com...]

226 Decatur Deb  Sun, May 22, 2011 5:50:03pm

re: #223 ProLifeLiberal

Minneapolis go struck too.

Also, there are Tornado Warnings near Chicago and St. Louis.

Holy Hell.

And what the shit is this in aid of?

Image: 3TSONG0523GALLERY.jpg

227 jaunte  Sun, May 22, 2011 5:50:31pm

re: #222 Killgore Trout

Wow:

Eleven people were wounded in the attack on one of the country's most heavily guarded military installations
228 ProGunLiberal  Sun, May 22, 2011 5:51:20pm

re: #226 Decatur Deb

Looting Prevention?

229 Decatur Deb  Sun, May 22, 2011 5:52:31pm

re: #226 Decatur Deb

And what the shit is this in aid of?

Image: 3TSONG0523GALLERY.jpg

Bullshit. He needs to be carrying stretchers.

230 Lidane  Sun, May 22, 2011 5:53:07pm

re: #220 jaunte

Camping is "a little bewildered" and "mystified"

Anyone with more than two brain cells to rub together could have told him that his prediction was bullshit. The only thing that he's a little mystified and bewildered about is the fact that he now has to face all the people he lied to, and they're not happy.

231 jaunte  Sun, May 22, 2011 5:54:21pm

Minneapolis curfew:

Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak and Police Chief Tim Dolan said early Sunday night that a large section of north Minneapolis was being put under a curfew to help emergency personnel move around and to combat potential looting of damaged homes and businesses.

The curfew was scheduled to run from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. Monday and cover from Interstate 94 west to Penn Avenue and from Plymouth Avenue north to Dowling Avenue. Anyone trying to enter that area will have to show identification first, the mayor and chief said.
[Link: www.startribune.com...]

232 Fat Bastard Vegetarian  Sun, May 22, 2011 5:54:28pm

re: #225 PhillyPretzel

Fu-hu-hu-hu-hu-ck.

233 Usually refered to as anyways  Sun, May 22, 2011 5:54:40pm

re: #230 Lidane

Anyone with more than two brain cells to rub together could have told him that his prediction was bullshit. The only thing that he's a little mystified and bewildered about is the fact that he now has to face all the people he lied to, and they're not happy.


I bet he weighs the same as a duck.
Get the pitchforks.

234 Varek Raith  Sun, May 22, 2011 5:55:29pm

re: #232 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

Fu-hu-hu-hu-hu-ck.

Heading right for you...
In a Forester...

235 Achilles Tang  Sun, May 22, 2011 5:55:38pm

re: #230 Lidane

Anyone with more than two brain cells to rub together could have told him that his prediction was bullshit. The only thing that he's a little mystified and bewildered about is the fact that he now has to face all the people he lied to, and they're not happy.

They'll be happy tomorrow. There is always a rationalization available in the rabbit hole and you can be sure it will pop out soon.

236 Fat Bastard Vegetarian  Sun, May 22, 2011 5:56:44pm

re: #234 Varek Raith

Heading right for you...
In a Forester...

that means I have a lot of time.

237 austin_blue  Sun, May 22, 2011 6:01:35pm

re: #223 ProLifeLiberal

Minneapolis go struck too.

Also, there are Tornado Warnings near Chicago and St. Louis.

Holy Hell.

Welcome to the New Normal of the greenhouse. Nothing specific can be predicted, but the sine wave of severity is increasing in amplitude.

Joplin didn't even get a tornado warning before the south side of town got smashed:

[Link: www.weather.gov...]

238 Shiplord Kirel  Sun, May 22, 2011 6:02:07pm

BBC on the Pakistan base raid, video included.

Foreigners, reported to be Chinese military personnel, are being held hostage. Several aircraft have been destroyed, including at least one of the Pakistan navy's P-3C Orions.

239 ProGunLiberal  Sun, May 22, 2011 6:03:58pm

re: #237 austin_blue

I know I have to get used to hearing about weather tragedies more often. Doesn't make it easier. Disaster Declaration from the Feds will probably happen within 24 hours.

On another topic, I am pissed at McKinney.

240 Fat Bastard Vegetarian  Sun, May 22, 2011 6:06:20pm

re: #239 ProLifeLiberal

Donald? I went to high school with him. What'd he do?

241 elizajane  Sun, May 22, 2011 6:06:38pm

re: #223 ProLifeLiberal

Minneapolis go struck too.

Also, there are Tornado Warnings near Chicago and St. Louis.

Holy Hell.

Payback for passing the ammendment making gay marriage unconstitutional?
(After all, why shouldn't the Lord's wrath be on the side of brotherly love and tolerance?)

242 austin_blue  Sun, May 22, 2011 6:06:57pm

re: #238 Shiplord Kirel

BBC on the Pakistan base raid, video included.

Foreigners, reported to be Chinese military personnel, are being held hostage. Several aircraft have been destroyed, including at least one of the Pakistan navy's P-3C Orions.

I bet it's them danged Hindooz!

///

243 Kragar  Sun, May 22, 2011 6:07:40pm

re: #230 Lidane

Anyone with more than two brain cells to rub together could have told him that his prediction was bullshit. The only thing that he's a little mystified and bewildered about is the fact that he now has to face all the people he lied to, and they're not happy.

A whole group of people who literally have nothing to lose, are majorly pissed, and have a single person they can focus their grievances on. What could possibly go wrong?

244 Lidane  Sun, May 22, 2011 6:08:12pm

The Elephant in the Green Room

For most of his tenure, the roles of network chief and GOP kingmaker have been in perfect synergy. Ailes’s network has dominated the cable news race for most of the past decade, and for much of that time, Fox News attracted more viewers than CNN and MSNBC combined. Throughout the George W. Bush years, the network’s patriotic cheerleading helped to marginalize the Democrats. And President Obama—he of the terrorist fist bump and uncertain ancestry and socialist leanings—turned out to be just as good for ratings, while galvanizing a conservative army that crushed the Democrats in the 2010 midterms. This double-barreled success is a testament to Ailes’s ferocious competitive streak. “Roger just likes to win,” former McCain adviser and longtime Ailes friend Charlie Black told me. “He’s very competitive in any game he’s in.”

So it must have been disturbing to Ailes when the wheels started to come off Fox’s presidential-circus caravan. (Coincidentally or not, this happened more or less when Donald Trump jumped on: “They like me on the network,” Trump told me. “I get ratings.”) The problem wasn’t that ratings had been slipping that much—Beck’s show declined by 30 percent from record highs, but the ratings were still nearly double those from before he joined the network. It was that, with an actual presidential election on the horizon, the Fox candidates’ poll numbers remain dismally low (Sarah Palin is polling 12 percent; Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum, 10 percent and 2 percent, respectively). Ailes’s ­candidates-in-­waiting were coming up small. And, for all his programming genius, he was more interested in a real narrative than a television narrative—he wanted to elect a president. All he had to do was watch Fox’s May 5 debate in South Carolina to see what a mess the field was—a mess partly created by the loudmouths he’d given airtime to and a tea party he’d nurtured.

245 Slumbering Behemoth Stinks  Sun, May 22, 2011 6:09:29pm

re: #239 ProLifeLiberal

On another topic, I am pissed at McKinney.

Green Party FTW!
/derp

246 ProGunLiberal  Sun, May 22, 2011 6:11:29pm

re: #240 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

Cynthia McKinney. I was a little...feisty when I saw a page with her most recent shenanigan.

247 Shiplord Kirel  Sun, May 22, 2011 6:12:25pm

re: #238 Shiplord Kirel

The BBC's Shoib Hasan says that thousands of security personnel are converging on the Karachi base. Hasan reported that he and other media crews are moving back from the perimeter because of heavy fire in the area. Pakistani marines and other forces stationed at the base have been heavily engaged for some time. That and the extent of the damage point to a much larger raiding force than the 12-15 initially reported.

248 Shiplord Kirel  Sun, May 22, 2011 6:13:50pm

re: #239 ProLifeLiberal

I know I have to get used to hearing about weather tragedies more often. Doesn't make it easier. Disaster Declaration from the Feds will probably happen within 24 hours.

On another topic, I am pissed at McKinney.

Cynbat the sailor

249 albusteve  Sun, May 22, 2011 6:15:28pm

re: #247 Shiplord Kirel

doesn't seem like Pakistan is all that bold protecting their interests and hunting terrorists...I get a real bad vibe from those guys, nukes and all...how long before somebody makes a play for one of those things?

250 Fat Bastard Vegetarian  Sun, May 22, 2011 6:16:34pm

re: #246 ProLifeLiberal

Cynthia McKinney. I was a little...feisty when I saw a page with her most recent shenanigan.

Oh. I couldn't imagine what Donald may have done.

251 elizajane  Sun, May 22, 2011 6:17:01pm

re: #244 Lidane

The Elephant in the Green Room

But this assumes that Ailes' goal was basically to appoint a president, rather than just to boost his ratings and rake in money by roiling the Republican waters.

I suspect that it suits him just fine to have firebrands stirring up his audience rather than going off and governing. Sanity and seriousness have never been virtues that Fox has promoted.

252 ProGunLiberal  Sun, May 22, 2011 6:17:03pm

re: #250 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

I'm assuming you didn't see my comment there?

253 Varek Raith  Sun, May 22, 2011 6:18:05pm

re: #252 ProLifeLiberal

I'm assuming you didn't see my comment there?

He's yanking your chain.
:)

254 Fat Bastard Vegetarian  Sun, May 22, 2011 6:18:29pm

re: #252 ProLifeLiberal

No. I was just being hysterically funny with my wacky hi-jinks.

255 austin_blue  Sun, May 22, 2011 6:19:53pm

re: #246 ProLifeLiberal

Cynthia McKinney. I was a little...feisty when I saw a page with her most recent shenanigan.

She's a Moonbat. I treat her the same way I treat Wingnuts. I don't actively seek them out. Hear about them second-hand? Sure.

Now, Republicans who appease the Wingnuts? That deserves my scorn. The interesting thing is that the vast majority of Dems don't mouth Moonbat BS to appease the crazies on the left. It's why I have so little respect for the Pawlentys, Christys, and Jindals of the Right.

Whores to their base.

256 Shiplord Kirel  Sun, May 22, 2011 6:21:11pm

re: #249 albusteve

doesn't seem like Pakistan is all that bold protecting their interests and hunting terrorists...I get a real bad vibe from those guys, nukes and all...how long before somebody makes a play for one of those things?

According a Pakistan TV report quoted at Rantburg, marines have delayed assaulting the building where the raiders are holed up because of "sensitive items" stored there. I hope they aren't nukes. As mentioned at the link, it is more likely to be intelligence and cryptographic material but given the Pakistanis demonstrated lack of proficiency and preparedness, anything seems possible.

257 albusteve  Sun, May 22, 2011 6:22:09pm

re: #255 austin_blue

She's a Moonbat. I treat her the same way I treat Wingnuts. I don't actively seek them out. Hear about them second-hand? Sure.

Now, Republicans who appease the Wingnuts? That deserves my scorn. The interesting thing is that the vast majority of Dems don't mouth Moonbat BS to appease the crazies on the left. It's why I have so little respect for the Pawlentys, Christys, and Jindals of the Right.

Whores to their base.

it's all about re-election, not leadership...
they're all the same to me

258 Slumbering Behemoth Stinks  Sun, May 22, 2011 6:23:42pm

re: #255 austin_blue

She's the kind of high-octane moonbat that makes Code Pink look like rational humans by comparison. Almost.

259 albusteve  Sun, May 22, 2011 6:25:00pm

re: #256 Shiplord Kirel

According a Pakistan TV report quoted at Rantburg, marines have delayed assaulting the building where the raiders are holed up because of "sensitive items" stored there. I hope they aren't nukes. As mentioned at the link, it is more likely to be intelligence and cryptographic material but given the Pakistanis demonstrated lack of proficiency and preparedness, anything seems possible.

you would think that they would have the warheads separated from the guidance systems to prevent a slam dunk...I'm thinking it's high time the US figures out the situation and has some plans in the works to deal with them...personally I believe it will come to that

260 austin_blue  Sun, May 22, 2011 6:26:52pm

re: #257 albusteve

it's all about re-election, not leadership...
they're all the same to me

Maybe, but you have to acknowledge the difference in tone. A mainline Dem would never publicly embrace Atheism or Guevera.

Mainline Reps seem to have no problem accepting the talking points of Shiite Christians (anti-science), or Doctor killers (abortion = murder).

261 ProGunLiberal  Sun, May 22, 2011 6:27:31pm

re: #258 Slumbering Behemoth

I've become very sensitive about Libya. So when this "woman" stands up for Qaddafi, one of the most evil people on the planet, I get angry. I want her arrested and tried for treason.

I'm sorry there hasn't been a Libya update. There is so little news coming out of Libya. I'll try for tomorrow.

262 Shiplord Kirel  Sun, May 22, 2011 6:28:23pm

GEO Pakistanre: #260 austin_blue

Maybe, but you have to acknowledge the difference in tone. A mainline Dem would never publicly embrace Atheism or Guevera.

Mainline Reps seem to have no problem accepting the talking points of Shiite Christians (anti-science), or Doctor killers (abortion = murder).

Yep, I remember John Kerry figuratively kicking Kos's ass over the notorious "screw them" remarks in 2004.

263 ProGunLiberal  Sun, May 22, 2011 6:29:18pm

re: #260 austin_blue

I think a better way to describe those Christians would be calling them "Salafi Christians" In this comparison, the flaw is that many Shias are not nearly this stupid. Just the loudest ones.

264 lawhawk  Sun, May 22, 2011 6:30:01pm

Pakistani naval base under attack:

265 austin_blue  Sun, May 22, 2011 6:30:19pm

re: #263 ProLifeLiberal

I think a better way to describe those Christians would be calling them "Salafi Christians" In this comparison, the flaw is that many Shias are not nearly this stupid. Just the loudest ones.

Agreed!

(pulls forelock)

266 albusteve  Sun, May 22, 2011 6:31:11pm

re: #260 austin_blue

Maybe, but you have to acknowledge the difference in tone. A mainline Dem would never publicly embrace Atheism or Guevera.

Mainline Reps seem to have no problem accepting the talking points of Shiite Christians (anti-science), or Doctor killers (abortion = murder).

the GOP is off the rails, as for the grisly particulars, I'm not interested..I have better things to do...I expect more from both parties and I'm not getting decent govt....constant finger pointing turns me off, which is the last straw for my enthusiasm for politics...I just sit and watch the wreck and leave the minutia analysis to the junkies

267 Lidane  Sun, May 22, 2011 6:31:24pm

re: #255 austin_blue

The interesting thing is that the vast majority of Dems don't mouth Moonbat BS to appease the crazies on the left.

If anything, most Dems do the opposite and marginalize the moonbats and crazies on the left.

I distinctly remember Kos telling his readers to STFU about his support for Jim Webb over a more liberal Senate candidate. Kos pointed out that in Virginia, a far left candidate would lose the election, and he wanted to win. That tends to happen a lot on the Democratic side. Winning > ideological purity, so the far left moonbats are the first ones who are ignored in favor of more pragmatic candidates.

268 Killgore Trout  Sun, May 22, 2011 6:33:15pm

Well, I'm quite happy. I did a little investigating around the pond and it seems the frogs have discovered the sheltered breeding areas I set up them. I found about 15 egg clusters containing 10 -20 eggs each. They seem particularly fond of laying eggs on the water chestnuts. assuming they keep laying eggs for another month of so I think I'll produce at least 100 frogs by august. maybe a whole lot more!

269 ProGunLiberal  Sun, May 22, 2011 6:34:11pm

The situation in Joplin may have just got worse. There are reports of a fire in the small city. I think I heard about a Tornado Warning in St.Louis County(?).

270 albusteve  Sun, May 22, 2011 6:34:24pm

re: #268 Killgore Trout

Well, I'm quite happy. I did a little investigating around the pond and it seems the frogs have discovered the sheltered breeding areas I set up them. I found about 15 egg clusters containing 10 -20 eggs each. They seem particularly fond of laying eggs on the water chestnuts. assuming they keep laying eggs for another month of so I think I'll produce at least 100 frogs by august. maybe a whole lot more!

at that point the state will demand you apply for a frog breeders license

271 austin_blue  Sun, May 22, 2011 6:35:18pm

re: #267 Lidane

If anything, most Dems do the opposite and marginalize the moonbats and crazies on the left.

I distinctly remember Kos telling his readers to STFU about his support for Jim Webb over a more liberal Senate candidate. Kos pointed out that in Virginia, a far left candidate would lose the election, and he wanted to win. That tends to happen a lot on the Democratic side. Winning > ideological purity, so the far left moonbats are the first ones who are ignored in favor of more pragmatic candidates.

Yup. What's amazing to me is that hard-right Wingnuts continue to be elected.

Just look at our own fair state, where The People's Republic of Travis County will be subdivided into four State Senate seats, one of which will reach to Mexico.

272 Fat Bastard Vegetarian  Sun, May 22, 2011 6:35:21pm

re: #270 albusteve

Steve does have a point...

273 Killgore Trout  Sun, May 22, 2011 6:35:27pm

re: #270 albusteve

at that point the state will demand you apply for a frog breeders license

I'm waiting for neighbor complaints about the noise. So far everybody's thrilled but that may change.

274 Lidane  Sun, May 22, 2011 6:37:31pm

re: #271 austin_blue

Ugh. Don't get me started on the latest gerrymandering idiocy.

It's hard enough being anything but a Republican in this state as it is. Now they're making it harder. Assholes, all of them.

275 albusteve  Sun, May 22, 2011 6:38:23pm

re: #273 Killgore Trout

I'm waiting for neighbor complaints about the noise. So far everybody's thrilled but that may change.

well...do you like frog legs?

276 Killgore Trout  Sun, May 22, 2011 6:38:46pm

re: #270 albusteve

BTW, you mentioned that you grow your own the other day. I'm not sure if you discard the leaves but you can buy Bubble Bags from amazon. One of the neighborhood growers showed me the process a few days ago. very easy.

277 Decatur Deb  Sun, May 22, 2011 6:38:51pm

re: #259 albusteve

you would think that they would have the warheads separated from the guidance systems to prevent a slam dunk...I'm thinking it's high time the US figures out the situation and has some plans in the works to deal with them...personally I believe it will come to that

Per agreements, we are helping the Pakistanis with surety issues on their arsenal. It's not bulletproof.

"US fears of Pakistani nukes falling into the wrong hands have been enhanced post the 26 Sep 2001 attacks by the Al Qaeda on the USA. As a safety mechanism, the US and Pakistan reached an understanding on nuclear security measures. Consequently, Gen Musharraf accepted oversight US management of Pakistan’s nuclear arsenals. The US provided assistance to Pakistan in the form of training to its personnel, funds, safety and security, equipments, and technology to the tune of USD 100 million. It is believed that as part of security measures the US may have transferred PAL technology, (Permissible Action Links) to Pakistan. If this be so, there may be concern in the Pakistan nuclear establishment of its ability to use such weapons. This could perhaps lead to a situation where Pakistan may go in for keeping a nuclear stockpile of weapons outside the PAL system – a second nuclear arsenal."

Center for Land Warfare Studies:

[Link: www.claws.in...]

278 austin_blue  Sun, May 22, 2011 6:39:07pm

Dinner!

Grilled steaks, dirty rice, green salad, red wine.

It's good to be a carnivore!

279 albusteve  Sun, May 22, 2011 6:40:53pm

re: #276 Killgore Trout

BTW, you mentioned that you grow your own the other day. I'm not sure if you discard the leaves but you can buy Bubble Bags from amazon. One of the neighborhood growers showed me the process a few days ago. very easy.

nah, my hash/hash oil days are long behind me...all the leaf matter goes back to nature as a sacrifice...neat contraption tho

280 albusteve  Sun, May 22, 2011 6:41:54pm

re: #277 Decatur Deb

interesting, thanks for that

281 Slumbering Behemoth Stinks  Sun, May 22, 2011 6:41:59pm

re: #278 austin_blue

Dinner!

Grilled steaks, dirty rice, green salad, red wine.

It's good to be a carnivore omnivore!

FTFY :)

282 Shiplord Kirel  Sun, May 22, 2011 6:51:32pm

I see McKinney and GOP crackpot David Barton as roughly equivalent: Both base their appeal on historical mythology (conspiracy theories in McKinney's case, Christian Dominionism in Barton's). Both advocate programs that would criminalize the opposition if implemented.
The difference is that Barton is embraced and feated by major Republicans while the Dems' only concern with McKinney is to keep her at arm's reach.

283 albusteve  Sun, May 22, 2011 6:51:44pm

STOP!
Joe B

284 Slumbering Behemoth Stinks  Sun, May 22, 2011 7:13:27pm

re: #282 Shiplord Kirel

The difference is that Barton is embraced and feated by major Republicans while the Dems' only concern with McKinney is to keep her at arm's reach.

She bounced to the Green Party round about '07, so I think she's more or less at "don't let the door hit you in the ass" reach as far as the Dems are concerned.

285 dragonfire1981  Sun, May 22, 2011 7:23:43pm

It seems to me, and perhaps I'm wrong here, that one's religious beliefs and ones duties as a civil servant would routinely clash in an ideal world.

For example, let's say the majority of your constituents are in favor of Gay marriage but you are not because of your religious beliefs. In my opinion, the right thing would be to respect the wishes of the majority of the people and legalize gay marriage, since you have (supposedly) been elected to serve the public interest.

Having said that, if you do believe there is a God who is telling you that homosexuality is wrong than by passing legislation that legalizes gay marriage you are going against God's supposed will, which is something no Christian wants to do. So it boils down to: Which interests come first, the people or yours?

But of course there's also the grey areas of the true meaning of scriptures that argue that homosexuality is sinful and whether or not they have been accurately translated and so forth.

It's also obvious that the current state of U.S. politics is VERY far from ideal.

Still though, an interesting moral conflict to ponder.

286 Sol Berdinowitz  Sun, May 22, 2011 10:42:57pm

re: #285 dragonfire1981

But of course there's also the grey areas of the true meaning of scriptures that argue that homosexuality is sinful and whether or not they have been accurately translated and so forth.

This is why we have a separation of church and state.

Divine Law is believed by many to be perfect and immutable.

Human law is imperffect and constantly changing to fit the situation.

It is a fine ideal to try and get human law to closely reflect one's ideal of divine law, but the twain shall never meet as long as we are imperfect beings with different ideas of what comprises divine law.

If it came to conflict between my concept of divine law and human law, I might even choose to act according to divine law, but I would have to be willing to accept the circumstances should it vary from human law and not put myself above the latter.

And that is the core disagreement I have with fundamentalists who want to put themselves above the law or impose their interpretation of divine law upon the rest of us.


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