Ah, the sweet smell of a new open thread. Time for the noobs to tell us something about themselves.

Welcome to LGF! By and large the most reasonable Board of its kind on the planet.

Experience is what I get from YOUR mistakes, and boy am I a wise ass man.

T shirt at a store:

The Ass family:
Wise
Smart
Dumb
Lazy
Fat

re: #1 austin_blue

Ah, the sweet smell of a new open thread. Time for the noobs to tell us something about themselves.

Welcome to LGF! By and large the most reasonable Board of its kind on the planet.

You mean the FUTURE FLOUNCERS AND SOCKS?

/

re: #5 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)

Lol that was awesome.

re: #4 laZardo

You mean the FUTURE FLOUNCERS AND SOCKS?

/

Now, now, I have more faith in America.

(OK, we'll see.)

Jeez, 1:00 AM. Night all, sweet scaly dreams!

hokay headin' to bed. nighty.

Experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes.

I must be a very experienced man by now...

Interesting night at the club. We had a special guest get up and do a few songs...

Any Lizards awake?

Patriotism is the virtue of the vicious.

-Oscar Wilde

re: #12 boxhead

yes, busy playing this thing: [Link: deusex.com...]

woop, and if you'll excuse me *_*

re: #14 WindUpBird

yes, busy playing this thing: [Link: deusex.com...]

woop, and if you'll excuse me *_*

cool... I am having trouble finding a new time sink.... :) waiting patiently for the next Diablo... heheh

re: #12 boxhead

re: #16 freetoken

[Video]

LOL... giving hints? heheh

Morning, all

Morning Honcos.

re: #19 Cannadian Club Akbar

Morning Honcos.

Morning Honky.

I guess I'll file this under WTF?
[Link: www.tampabay.com...]

Good Morning Honcos!

The only problem with experience being such a good way to learn is that the final exam comes before any of the material has been presented.

All right, quick timeline:
I posted a story a month or so ago about 2 Bulgarian chicks who found spy cameras in their apartment.
Yesterday I posted a story about them suing the landlord.
Well....
[Link: www.tampabay.com...]

re: #24 Cannadian Club Akbar

All right, quick timeline:
I posted a story a month or so ago about 2 Bulgarian chicks who found spy cameras in their apartment.
Yesterday I posted a story about them suing the landlord.
Well...
[Link: www.tampabay.com...]

Looks like they can't make it stick, but that Landlord is a douche.

re: #24 Cannadian Club Akbar

Okay. That's the cops not doing their job. They closed the investigation? What the fuck.

I hope they get a shitload in court.

re: #25 rwdflynavy

Looks like they can't make it stick, but that Landlord is a douche.

When the original story came out I posted some of the comments here. Comedy Gold!! And you're right, the landlord is a douche.

re: #26 Obdicut

Okay. That's the cops not doing their job. They closed the investigation? What the fuck.

I hope they get a shitload in court.

The cops said the cameras weren't hooked up.

Good Morning.

re: #28 Cannadian Club Akbar

The cops said the cameras weren't hooked up.

So what? He posted an ad on craigslist asking for someone to install cameras that had remote capability. The cameras were there. They obviously weren't just to hang around being cameras.

Why do all the fuck ups live in Florida? Sheesh...

re: #31 Cannadian Club Akbar

Just like me
They long to be
Close to you...

Whaaa-ahhh-aaahhh
Close to you...

re: #31 Cannadian Club Akbar

Why do all the fuck ups live in Florida? Sheesh...

Fark.com thinks the same thing. Even has a Florida tag for stories from Florida. As a long time resident over 21 years in the Navy, I have to agree.

re: #33 rwdflynavy

Fark.com thinks the same thing. Even has a Florida tag for stories from Florida. As a long time resident over 21 years in the Navy, I have to agree.

This is bizarre.
[Link: www.tampabay.com...]

re: #30 Obdicut

There is something so incredibly un-sexy about filming a woman (regardless of her beauty) wandering around in an apartment. People are disgusting; they did a great SNL skit... Ghost, Patrick Swayze in the apartment with Demi... her farting, scratching herself, smelling garments to see if they were still clean enough to wear...

Daycare, Florida style.
[Link: www.wtsp.com...]
I'll stop now.

re: #35 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

seriously. Though it does tend to evoke tenderness. When the FBI or the cops are having someone do surveillance, they have to switch guys regularly because if you watch someone go through their daily routine often enough, you have sympathy for them. I like that about humans. All it really takes for us to like each other is to understand each other.

Image: coexist-sticker.gif

Found out this morning that John Hiatt was in Roanoke last night.

Shit.

re: #38 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

Found out this morning that John Hiatt was in Roanoke last night.

Shit.

He was just driving through in a Subaru Forrester.
/

re: #37 Obdicut

You had me until the sticker.
/

Alright. Time to do dishes and then writing.

see you guys in a few thousand words.

re: #39 Cannadian Club Akbar

His opening song...

Again... shit.

Please do not knock the Subaru Forrester. My dad drives one. They are pretty good in snow. Also very good when you go to BJ's.

I'll bet this woman is a Packers fan, 'cause she sure ain't a Bears fan.
[Link: gawker.com...]

I will be back later.

"Let's go to a Cubs game!!! We'll have snacks"!!
[Link: aol.sportingnews.com...]

Later lizards. Off to the commissary.

re: #43 PhillyPretzel

Please do not knock the Subaru Forrester. My dad drives one. They are pretty good in snow. Also very good when you go to BJ's.

Does he drive it the speed limit. Thousand to one he doesn't.

re: #47 rwdflynavy

Later lizards. Off to the commissary.

I'm surprised they didn't rename those during the Cold War.

Hot beef injection.
[Link: www.wlsam.com...]

re: #50 Cannadian Club Akbar

Ah, geeze...

[Link: www.nasa.gov...]

T-minus 40ish minutes.

re: #52 Varek Raith

[Link: www.nasa.gov...]

T-minus 40ish minutes.

When I lived in Orlando, the cable company there had an actual NASA channel. When there was a Shuttle mission it would show their orbit. Was neat.

re: #41 Obdicut

"It wasn't a dark and stormy night. It should have been, but there's the weather for you. For every mad scientist who's had a convenient thunderstorm just on the night his Great Work is complete and lying on the slab, there have been dozens who've sat around aimlessly under the peaceful stars while Igor clocks up the overtime."
-Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman in their novel "Good Omens"

re: #53 Cannadian Club Akbar

Now it just shows the pavement below in it's parking space?

re: #52 Varek Raith

[Link: www.nasa.gov...]

T-minus 40ish minutes.

Neat. What's it carrying?

re: #55 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

Now it just shows the pavement below in it's parking space?

Not sure. I don't live in Orlando anymore. And never will again. But I get your point.

re: #55 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

Now it just shows the pavement below in it's parking space?

Mine shows cryogenics gassing at about 24 minutes.

re: #56 Decatur Deb

Neat. What's it carrying?

Two moon satts to map the moon's gravity field.

re: #59 Varek Raith

Two moon satts to map the moon's gravity field.

Thnx, glad to see any activity.

re: #60 Decatur Deb

Thnx, glad to see any activity.

It'll help O'Rly answer the question of who put the moon there.
:)

re: #52 Varek Raith

re: #61 Varek Raith

It'll help O'Rly answer the question of who put the moon there.
:)

Only if he accepts the consensus on the density of green cheese.

Greets and saluts from the NYC metro area. Things are drying out in these parts, which is greatly appreciated by everyone who suffered from flood damage or saw their communities inundated by flooding that shut down roads and businesses for days on end.

With everyone focusing on tomorrow's annivesary, is it surprising that someone took tasteless to a new level? Someone apparently hacked the NBC News twitter to claim that terrorists hijacked a plane and crashed it into the under construction WTC.

NBC News released a statement, "The NBC News twitter account was hacked late this afternoon and as a result, false reports of a plane attack on ground zero were sent to @NBCNews followers. We are working with Twitter to correct the situation and sincerely apologize for the scare that could have been caused by such a reckless and irresponsible act."

There are real threats, including the car/truck bomb threat announced earlier in the week that now appears to include the threat of a dirty bomb, particularly against Times Square.

re: #64 lawhawk

Regarding the first story you linked. Why on Earth would somebody... oh, heck. I'd be stupid to even ask.

re: #64 lawhawk

If they actually had the materials for a dirty bomb, they wouldn't need a car or truck.

Image: Delsey-Garment-District-W-2.jpg

re: #65 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

Regarding the first story you linked. Why on Earth would somebody... oh, heck. I'd be stupid to even ask.

Image: 215499488_8pSZr-L-2.jpg

re: #67 Varek Raith

Image: 215499488_8pSZr-L-2.jpg

"I was told there would be no math."

re: #64 lawhawk

This one says Zawahri ordered attacks and that 2 peeps are American citizens.
[Link: www.huffingtonpost.com...]

re: #69 Cannadian Club Akbar

This one says Zawahri ordered attacks and that 2 peeps are American citizens.
[Link: www.huffingtonpost.com...]

Let's get those profiler machines working.

re: #69 Cannadian Club Akbar

Let's put them on trial. If they are found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt?

Kill them a lot.

Go for launch at 9:08 am.
[Link: www.nasa.gov...]

re: #66 Decatur Deb

That may be true, and that's why the NYPD is stepping up its subway stop and bag checks.

I'm not sure of how accurate the threat assessment is, but the NYPost is reporting that the intel source has "never been wrong" but other papers like the WaPo claim that the source has been generally reliable.

That may be part of the reason for why the law enforcement is taking it so seriously - the intel source has been on the ball before and there's no reason to doubt him here.

Car bombs are likely to do a whole lot more damage than a dirty bomb, but the dirty bomb is as much as psychological weapon as a physical one.

If you match up the two - you get widespread damage and long term concerns over contamination.

re: #71 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

I just watched a show on Discovery Science about Danny Rollins (Gainesville murderer). Can't wait to see him go.

re: #72 Varek Raith

Rocket - Def Leppard style:

re: #74 Cannadian Club Akbar

He a white guy? (Please tell me he's a white guy...)

re: #76 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

He a white guy? (Please tell me he's a white guy...)

Yes. He killed 8 people, I think. Raped a couple of the girls. Cut off one guys head and placed it on a table at the end of a hallway.

re: #72 Varek Raith

Go for launch at 9:08 am.
[Link: www.nasa.gov...]

As atheists we must now proceed with the finger crossing ritual!

//

re: #77 Cannadian Club Akbar

Yes. He killed 8 people, I think. Raped a couple of the girls. Cut off one guys head and placed it on a table at the end of a hallway.

Buhbye.

re: #74 Cannadian Club Akbar

Rolling was executed by lethal injection in 2006 after entering guilty pleas on the murders and getting the death penalty in the penalty phase for each.

re: #73 lawhawk

That may be true, and that's why the NYPD is stepping up its subway stop and bag checks.

I'm not sure of how accurate the threat assessment is, but the NYPost is reporting that the intel source has "never been wrong" but other papers like the WaPo claim that the source has been generally reliable.

That may be part of the reason for why the law enforcement is taking it so seriously - the intel source has been on the ball before and there's no reason to doubt him here.

Car bombs are likely to do a whole lot more damage than a dirty bomb, but the dirty bomb is as much as psychological weapon as a physical one.

If you match up the two - you get widespread damage and long term concerns over contamination.

There's a world of rad materials that lose their identities and controls once they make it to the third world. We once surplussed a nuclear medicine machine to Mexico that came back across the border as cesium-contaminated construction rebar. On the up side, such materials are easy to survey for with the proper equipment.

re: #80 lawhawk

Rolling was executed by lethal injection in 2006 after entering guilty pleas on the murders and getting the death penalty in the penalty phase for each.

I was wondering what was taking so long after watching the show. Was gonna googly it. But thanks.

60 seconds

[Link: www.nasa.gov...]

re: #77 Cannadian Club Akbar

He a white guy? (Please tell me he's a white guy...)

Yes. He killed 8 people, I think. Raped a couple of the girls. Cut off one guys head and placed it on a table at the end of a hallway.

Thank God! Uh, that he is a white guy, I mean.
///

mea maxima culpa, could not resist

4493 MPH

Oh noz. A cheapo animation! ;)

re: #31 Cannadian Club Akbar

Nothing good comes outta the south
/

Unemployment Blues, the Ongoing Saga:

A couple months ago, I scored a temporary assignment at a local hospital. The assignment wasn't in my traditional line of work, but I took the gig because the hospital liked my resume and because I was overjoyed to be doing something productive.

Unfortunately, between never having had experience in scheduling or Windows 2007, I didn't adapt to the intricacies of the job fast enough for their liking, and so they let me go. I'm almost 55 and don't catch on to things as quickly as I used to; of course I'd be lying if I said that decades of low-level recreational drug use (green, not white) didn't play at least some part in that.

So I re-opened my unemployment claim with the state I used to live in, where they *promptly* made a decision to suspend my benefits while they (*cough*) investigated the reasons for the separation. If one is not discharged for "lack of work," the powers that be need to determine whether the applicant quit a job, or was fired for cause. There are any number of reasons to deny benefits, but from everything I've read, being dumber than a bag of rocks is not a disqualifying reason.

They assigned a hearing officer, and told me that they had 30 days to make a determination. Of course they took the full 30 days. I waited patiently, and on Day 31 called back to see whether they had made a decision. For the first time, the unemployment representative said "oh, you need to submit a written statement."

Uh-huh. So, what's the deal with that?

Well, once the applicant submits a written statement telling his side of the story, then the Department has an additional three weeks to make a decision.

So after four weeks of eating more fucking chicken noodle soup than anyone should ever have to, I now have another three weeks to wait. While it's conceivable that it won't take them the full three weeks, given that they never bothered to tell me about the written statement, I'd be shocked if they made their decision sooner than Day 21.

I get that they're not in business to make it easy for people to collect unemployment benefits; they want people to work.

But they could at least tell you the damn rules up front, y'know?

Unemployment sucks; it's a hardscrabble life -- although, obviously, not as hardscrabble as having no income.

I miss traveling, and going to ball games and concerts. I've been to one concert this past year, and that was only due to the generosity of my best friend who allowed me to pay him back for the trip at $20 a week.

Whatever its faults may be, unemployment insurance at least allows a person to retain a small bit of dignity without having to sponge off friends and family.

My apologies for the lengthy whine, but after these past five weeks of bureaucratic bullshit, I just needed to vent a little. :-)

re: #74 Cannadian Club Akbar

I just watched a show on Discovery Science about Danny Rollins (Gainesville murderer). Can't wait to see him go.

Dude was executed five years ago.

Buhbye anyway.

> Nadir Punjani, who also uses the name Raj Armani

*snicker*

Science!

re: #91 Varek Raith

Science!

It's not science it's a hoax! They blew up the rocket over the Atlantic and now they've taken over with CGI and we're watching a Hollywood set on video!

//

Just finished a most delicious breakfast, gramma eggs and steak. Gramma eggs are a piece of bread with the center cut out (with a shot glass) and that is where you put your egg and fry it. I just rediscovered potato bread, yummy. Now I have no reason not to do all the yardwork I've been neglecting, just one quick Dead Island game...

re: #91 Varek Raith

Science!

Religion!

GET IT ON!

re: #88 BongCrodny

Sorry man. I scored a temp construction job this week (and next week hopefully). I suck at construction. Thought the guy was gonna fire me. Instead he said he was glad I wasn't like other people he's hired who think they know it all then proceed to fuck things up. And since I can't get a call back for jobs I'm overqualified for I'm sending out resumes for jobs I'm not qualified for. Something has to give.:)

re: #92 Gus 802

It's not science it's a hoax! They blew up the rocket over the Atlantic and now they've taken over with CGI and we're watching a Hollywood set on video!

//

My thoughts exactly.

re: #94 Sergey Romanov

Religion!

GET IT ON!

It was launched in Florida. And it's called the Grail!

//

re: #95 Cannadian Club Akbar

Speaking of contractors, I'm trying to get estimates on a remodel job. Contact a bunch of places through Service Magic (kinda like Angies List) and within minutes of hitting enter to send out the request, I'm getting calls for setting up appointments.

So, first contract is supposed to show earlier this week.

He never does. No calls. No email. Nothing.

I don't get that. I'll never go with that company now. Lost business - and while it isn't a huge job, it's still money coming in for the contractor and I get a better room.

re: #98 lawhawk

My parents had an electrical problem. Found a guy on Craig's List. He was there in 30 minutes. Easy fix. Wasn't all that much. And you're right. In this economy you would think people would be gobbling up work. The guy I'm working for does remodels and he said he's only getting 4 calls a month now.

Alrighty. Gonna squeeze in a 20 minute nap before worky. See ya'll tonight.

re: #99 Cannadian Club Akbar

Around here, we've got lots of flood damage and the need to do insurance claims work so contractors who do remodels should be busy - and with guaranteed money too.

I'm not doing an insurance claims-related work, but still have work to be done. It's as though some contractors can't be bothered with smaller jobs as though they can afford to be picky.

Really impressive piece of research here by the Guardian into the Breivik manifesto - following the links and finding the bad crazy subculture that he was part of.

The summary of their findings is fascinating.

Nothing there that you won't find from reading LGF for a couple of years but it's interesting to see it all put together in one place.

re: #95 Cannadian Club Akbar

Sorry man. I scored a temp construction job this week (and next week hopefully). I suck at construction. Thought the guy was gonna fire me. Instead he said he was glad I wasn't like other people he's hired who think they know it all then proceed to fuck things up. And since I can't get a call back for jobs I'm overqualified for I'm sending out resumes for jobs I'm not qualified for. Something has to give.:)

If you have a lot of weekend dead time and want to develop construction skills, volunteer at a Habitat worksite on Saturdays. They have no attitude about anyone's skill levels. When I started, I could drive a nail. Now I can plan and execute a moderately complex roof from the wall plates to the last shingle.

re: #95 Cannadian Club Akbar

Sorry man. I scored a temp construction job this week (and next week hopefully). I suck at construction. Thought the guy was gonna fire me. Instead he said he was glad I wasn't like other people he's hired who think they know it all then proceed to fuck things up. And since I can't get a call back for jobs I'm overqualified for I'm sending out resumes for jobs I'm not qualified for. Something has to give.:)

I live in an "industrial" town and not a "paper-pushing" town; there are more opportunities here for that type of work than office support.

Unfortunately, I did the same thing you did: about 20 years ago, I took a temporary labor job at a paper mill doing army-type "dig a hole and fill it back in" work; I swear my job seemed to be nothing more than carrying heavy piping from one location to another and then back again.

Two back operations and four lost discs later...

re: #103 Decatur Deb

If you have a lot of weekend dead time and want to develop construction skills, volunteer at a Habitat worksite on Saturdays. They have no attitude about anyone's skill levels. When I started, I could drive a nail. Now I can plan and execute a moderately complex roof from the wall plates to the last shingle.

What about the laser turrets???
And the one hundred cm armored duranium???
:)
Though, good on ya for helping.

re: #105 Varek Raith

What about the laser turrets???
And the one hundred cm armored duranium???
:)
Though, good on ya for helping.

Hah. I did weekend construction to get away from Munroe effect armor penetration and atomics.

re: #106 Decatur Deb

Hah. I did weekend construction to get away from Munroe effect armor penetration and atomics.

Kinky.
/

Woo-hoo. 3,000 words written this morning. Productivity is awesome.

re: #107 Varek Raith

Kinky.
/

Alma Mater:

[Link: www.pica.army.mil...]

re: #108 Obdicut

Woo-hoo. 3,000 words written this morning. Productivity is awesome.

What's the book about?

re: #110 Varek Raith

What's the book about?

Sex drugs and Japanese punk.

It's about a deranged lunatic who closely resembles a combination of myself and a friend of mine who falls in love with a girl but dumps her because he's an idiot and then later realizes she's the one for him and has to get her back.

In the meantime, there's poker, muggings, Ethiopian jazz, screaming queens in kimonos, and lots of sex with other women.

I'll put up a page with a brief excerpt so you can get an idea.

re: #111 Obdicut

Sex drugs and Japanese punk.

It's about a deranged lunatic who closely resembles a combination of myself and a friend of mine who falls in love with a girl but dumps her because he's an idiot and then later realizes she's the one for him and has to get her back.

In the meantime, there's poker, muggings, Ethiopian jazz, screaming queens in kimonos, and lots of sex with other women.

I'll put up a page with a brief excerpt so you can get an idea.

Disney will snap up the rights.

re: #110 Varek Raith

Here. This is a bit I wrote a long time ago when I was just getting into it so it's not that relevant to the plot or anything but gives you a sense of the character.

[Link: littlegreenfootballs.com...]

re: #113 Obdicut

Here. This is a bit I wrote a long time ago when I was just getting into it so it's not that relevant to the plot or anything but gives you a sense of the character.

[Link: littlegreenfootballs.com...]

That's pretty damn good.

re: #92 Gus 802

It's not science it's a hoax! They blew up the rocket over the Atlantic and now they've taken over with CGI and we're watching a Hollywood set on video!

//

Is Michael Bay directing?

/

re: #98 lawhawk

Yesterday I was running late for an appointment. Called the customer to let them know I'd be 20 minutes late.

When I got there? The issue was not that I was late.

They bowed at my feet for A. Showing up. and B. Calling to let them know I was going to be only 20 minutes late.

Something you may not know about SVC Magic... that guy? You've already cost him 40.00. That's what it costs to get a referral from them.

I sell jobs ALL THE TIME that I get from Service Magic. Mainly? Because I AM THE GUY WHO SHOWS UP! The list of unkept appointments from my competitors is wider than my girth.

re: #115 Dark_Falcon

Is Michael Bay directing?

/

Worse.
Uwe Boll.

Egyptians are using their new found freedoms to storm the Israeli embassy....
Cairo: Protesters re-attempt Israel embassy break-in

Security forces on high alert after demonstrators try to breach embassy; report says military council rejected Egyptian PM resignation; Israel ambassador evacuates Cairo.

Spirits above and behind me
Faces gone, black eyes burnin' bright
May their precious blood forever bind me
Lord as I stand before your fiery light

re: #116 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

I never have an issue if someone's running late if they're considerate enough to call that they're delayed. When I get no response at all? That just ticks me off.

That it cost the company $40 to not show up? Priceless.

re: #120 lawhawk

I know, right? Makes me laugh Every. Damn. Time.

Herman Cain produces incredibly tasteless 9/11 video (video)

Presidential candidate sings over clips of death and terror

re: #118 Killgore Trout

Egyptians are using their new found freedoms to storm the Israeli embassy...
Cairo: Protesters re-attempt Israel embassy break-in

The Jew-hate in Egypt is intense, and it got even worse after the Palmer report ruled that Israel's blockade of Gaza is legal. I fear for where this can lead. At a very minimum, Al Qaeda will get some new recruits out of this.

re: #122 Killgore Trout

Herman Cain produces incredibly tasteless 9/11 video (video)

O_o

I guess I'll file this under "Mysteries of the Universe".

My dog (pic is he) bolts like a sprinter if I fire up the vacuum cleaner. Goes to a different area of the house.

I let him roam the yard while I mow. He won't move out of the way of the lawn mower until the very last second. What the heck?

"Mysteries ies ies ies. Of of of of. The the the the. Universe erse erse erse..."

re: #120 lawhawk

I never have an issue if someone's running late if they're considerate enough to call that they're delayed. When I get no response at all? That just ticks me off.

That it cost the company $40 to not show up? Priceless.

I see that at work when the managers set up interview and the prospective employee shows up 20 minutes late, never having called. What's worse is that the people who do that never think they did anything wrong.

re: #122 Killgore Trout

Herman Cain produces incredibly tasteless 9/11 video (video)

I saw that on Digby's blog earlier. This is a weekend I will be staying away from the TV so I won't be subjected to this ugliness over and over again. Life is way too short,

re: #126 Dark_Falcon

You are totally forgiven with me if you are 20 minutes late if you call me prior to the time. We may have to re-schedule, but you're forgiven.

One of the things that I do (in my job) is if I have a 3:00 pm appointment with a customer and I get there 30 minutes early? I'll sit a mile or two away and wait until I will arrive at their house at 2:58 pm. At three bells? I knock on the door.

It amazes me how much that blows their minds.

re: #127 allegro

I'll go to a remembrance service tomorrow. But I am avoiding the tele and news at all costs.

Every thing they show just PISSES me off.

NY Democrats are panicking over the possible and likely loss of Rep. Anthony Weiner's seat to a TPer.

Party leaders say the president’s flagging popularity and defections among Jewish voters have left them facing the embarrassing possibility that their candidate, Assemblyman David I. Weprin, could lose New York’s Ninth Congressional District to a little-known Republican businessman who has never held elected office.

A new poll released on Friday showed Bob Turner, the Republican, with a six-point lead over Mr. Weprin. The election is on Tuesday, and even though lawmakers have discussed eliminating the district in redistricting next year, the race has become symbolically important as an indication of how much Mr. Obama’s unpopularity might affect other Democratic candidates.

“This has been a difficult campaign, and this campaign has had some major operational problems,” said Assemblyman Vito J. Lopez, chairman of the Brooklyn Democratic Party.

Mr. Lopez said that he expected Mr. Weprin to win, but that the campaign needed to become much more aggressive in the final days.

Weprin is a career politician who is the son of a former State Assembly Speaker. Nice guy, but he's run a lackluster campaign and apparently thinks that being a Democrat is sufficient to win in the special election. Discontent about the way the economy is going is playing a big role, and national Democrats are concerned that this may be a preview of November elections and then 2012.

re: #125 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

Heh, just noticed. Neat dog.

re: #128 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

You are totally forgiven with me if you are 20 minutes late if you call me prior to the time. We may have to re-schedule, but you're forgiven.

One of the things that I do (in my job) is if I have a 3:00 pm appointment with a customer and I get there 30 minutes early? I'll sit a mile or two away and wait until I will arrive at their house at 2:58 pm. At three bells? I knock on the door.

It amazes me how much that blows their minds.

Back in the olden days before cell phones I could understand when someone got stuck in traffic or something and was unable to call if they were going to be late. With cell phones today it is just inexcusable. Being one who is about compulsively on time, I have no patience for that. If someone wants my business, they had better not waste my time that way.

re: #129 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

I probably wont watch the commemorations/dedication or any of the other 9/11 programming. Living through it and directly affected was bad enough.

In some respects the memorial and museum are more for future generations and those who live outside the NYC metro area. Those of us here know how it happened.

re: #127 allegro

I'm avoiding anything and everything to do with 9/11 this weekend. I just don't have the stomach to subject myself to all that. Anything they show will either come across as exploitative or as cloying and over-dramatic. Thanks, but no.

re: #101 lawhawk

It's as though some contractors can't be bothered with smaller jobs as though they can afford to be picky.

The other thing? Service Magic normally puts you in contact with three different companies.

The first guy never gets the deal because the second and third guys have the leg up. They are hard appointments to close for contractors. Easy for a salesperson.

Wanna know why? We make a proposal (right there) and ask for the order. Contractors would triple their dang business if they asked for the order. They measure and say they'll send a quote. Which they seldom follow up on.

Then they shit-can service magic because their leads suck. (btw, they are great!)

I shit you not.

re: #129 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

I'll go to a remembrance service tomorrow. But I am avoiding the tele and news at all costs.

Every thing they show just PISSES me off.

I wish it just pissed me off. When 911 happened I had just lost my husband, less than a month before. He died in his sleep, totally unexpectedly. I went to bed happily married and woke up a widow lying next to a dead man. I was incredibly fragile emotionally - just reeling still. Seeing those images takes me back to that and I get an almost overwhelming sadness and grief again. I understand so well how those families and friends of the 911 victims feel. This exploitation of that event and those horrible losses does so much more than anger, it hurts really, really bad.

re: #130 lawhawk

NY Democrats are panicking over the possible and likely loss of Rep. Anthony Weiner's seat to a TPer.

Weprin is a career politician who is the son of a former State Assembly Speaker. Nice guy, but he's run a lackluster campaign and apparently thinks that being a Democrat is sufficient to win in the special election. Discontent about the way the economy is going is playing a big role, and national Democrats are concerned that this may be a preview of November elections and then 2012.

That's the same mistake the Dems made in Massachusetts and got Scott Brown his opening. It's the same mistake Republicans made in Illinois for Dennis Hastert's former House seat a few years back.

You have to actually campaign to get elected the first time in a case like this. Just phoning it in gives the other side an opening.

re: #137 Dark_Falcon

Exactly. Stupid and arrogant entrenched pols.

re: #137 Dark_Falcon

That's the same mistake the Dems made in Massachusetts and got Scott Brown his opening. It's the same mistake Republicans made in Illinois for Dennis Hastert's former House seat a few years back.

You have to actually campaign to get elected the first time in a case like this. Just phoning it in gives the other side an opening.

Not if you have the Force.
:P

re: #138 Sergey Romanov

Entrenched and entitled.

re: #136 allegro

Oh, my. You poor dear. Infinity condolences.

re: #141 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

Oh, my. You poor dear. Infinity condolences.

Aw, thanks. I mostly shared that out of compassion for those who have to live through this nightmare over and over again at this time every year. Some things you just never get over, not ever. You just bandage it up and go on. The families and friends of 911 victims have that bandage violently ripped off at this time every year, with this 10th anniversary putting it over the top. The assholes who use it for their own profit or advancement are truly vampires sucking their lifeblood.

re: #136 allegro

Have you written much about that experience? While I understand that you could be tour guide in Hell after what you've been through, you do write very well. Or do you feel it doesn't give the catharsis that I'd imagine that it would.

That may be too personal to ask, feel free to ignore the question.

Some pics from Thursday's rain.
Image: 1.jpg
Image: 2.jpg
Image: 3.jpg
Image: 4.jpg

This was just down the street.

re: #144 Varek Raith

I'm hoping it was "down" the street.

re: #145 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

I'm hoping it was "down" the street.

Lol.

re: #145 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

I'm hoping it was "down" the street.

Ninja Edit!
:P

re: #143 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

Have you written much about that experience? While I understand that you could be tour guide in Hell after what you've been through, you do write very well. Or do you feel it doesn't give the catharsis that I'd imagine that it would.

That may be too personal to ask, feel free to ignore the question.

After my retirement from the university, I started writing professionally. It's what I do now. Thanks for the compliment!

re: #144 Varek Raith

Some pics from Thursday's rain.
Image: 1.jpg
Image: 2.jpg
Image: 3.jpg
Image: 4.jpg

This was just down the street.

Within an hour of taking those the water was gone. The drainage pond's water level in the 3 and 4 pics dropped 7ish feet.

Annon shuts down Talking Points Memo...
So What Happened?

As some of you may have noticed, TPM was offline and inaccessible for roughly 8 hours starting just before 5 PM on the East Coast this evening. The site was the victim of a massive denial of service (DDOS) attack. Here's what we know about what happened.

This morning TPM published an article on the Anonymous 'hacktivist' group featuring mugshots of 14 people accused of being members of the group and participating in an attack on Paypal after it refused to continue servicing Wikileaks. This was part of our on-going coverage of the 'Anonymous' story.

re: #142 allegro

After my mom died last year; I was shocked at the number of things rip the bandage off of the wound. As time passes it doesn't hurt as much.

But, then again, she didn't die in one of History's great atrocities.
Then again, I haven't seen video of her demise.
Then again, I haven't seen people attacking those who tried to help her.
Then again... well, you see my point.

I can't imagine being one of those families who've had to endure this pain/anger/sadness/insecurity/worry/etc.

re: #139 Varek Raith

Not if you have the Force.
:P

That's too much work for this kind of lazy pol. A Jedi or a Sith must train hard for about 20 years to acquire the power to sway most of a large crowd (there will always be some strong-minded beings that do not succumb), whereas this bozo can't even be pothered to engage in normal retail politics. You can be good or evil and use the Force, but you cannot be lazy and entitled.

re: #151 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

After my mom died last year; I was shocked at the number of things rip the bandage off of the wound. As time passes it doesn't hurt as much.

But, then again, she didn't die in one of History's great atrocities.
Then again, I haven't seen video of her demise.
Then again, I haven't seen people attacking those who tried to help her.
Then again... well, you see my point.

I can't imagine being one of those families who've had to endure this pain/anger/sadness/insecurity/worry/etc.

Exactly. Beautifully stated.

re: #150 Killgore Trout

Annon shuts down Talking Points Memo...
So What Happened?

Heh, weaksauce anon!
TPM still has your mugshots up!
What a bunch of whiny babies.

re: #151 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

I didn't personally know one person who was killed (as opposed to died) on 9/11

Yet,,, I miss every single one of them!

re: #130 lawhawk

NY Democrats are panicking over the possible and likely loss of Rep. Anthony Weiner's seat to a TPer.

Weprin is a career politician who is the son of a former State Assembly Speaker. Nice guy, but he's run a lackluster campaign and apparently thinks that being a Democrat is sufficient to win in the special election. Discontent about the way the economy is going is playing a big role, and national Democrats are concerned that this may be a preview of November elections and then 2012.

Lackluster. Yeah, like I said the other day the Dems need to go on the offensive. Fat chance in some parts of the country. Some of them keep trying to play Mr. or Mrs. Nice Guy but that won't work anymore or at least for the time being. They need to stop talking like they're on some ag-report in the early morning hours or liks SNL's parody of NPR. But this is what you get when you have professional politician who are set in life and most likely affluent and aren't affected by the recession. In many cases the elitist label fits. Perhaps they can learn a thing or two from James Hoffa. Maybe not as extreme but in that direction. Get angry damn it!

re: #150 Killgore Trout

Annon shuts down Talking Points Memo...
So What Happened?

So Anonymous complains that Julian Assange's right to free speech is being "attacked" because people think he shouldn't publish classified materials with the names of US informants included, but when Talking Points Memo publishes publicly available information Annon shuts them down.

I guess some animals are more equal than other animals.

re: #156 Gus 802

Perhaps they can learn a thing or two from James Hoffa. Maybe not as extreme but in that direction. Get angry damn it!

Maybe some of these people should have read your post before acting!!

[Link: news.google.com...]

re: #157 Dark_Falcon

So Anonymous complains that Julian Assange's right to free speech is being "attacked" because people think he shouldn't publish classified materials with the names of US informants included, but when Talking Points Memo publishes publicly available information Annon shuts them down.

I guess some animals are more equal than other animals.

Never fails. Sort of like when peace protesters end up getting violent. Everything always boils down to human behavior. Regardless of ideologies for the most part. So now imagine that Anonymous wanted to create their own political system -- most likely it would be a type anarchist syndicalism, or something. It wouldn't take long before they would be applying the same policies, if not worse, then those that they complain about now. All in all there is no nirvana. There is no utopia. Humans will be humans.

re: #158 sattv4u2

Perhaps they can learn a thing or two from James Hoffa. Maybe not as extreme but in that direction. Get angry damn it!

Maybe some of these people should have read your post before acting!!

[Link: news.google.com...]

Yep. That's what I meant. Just like that.

//

re: #156 Gus 802

Lackluster. Yeah, like I said the other day the Dems need to go on the offensive. Fat chance in some parts of the country. Some of them keep trying to play Mr. or Mrs. Nice Guy but that won't work anymore or at least for the time being. They need to stop talking like they're on some ag-report in the early morning hours or liks SNL's parody of NPR. But this is what you get when you have professional politician who are set in life and most likely affluent and aren't affected by the recession. In many cases the elitist label fits. Perhaps they can learn a thing or two from James Hoffa. Maybe not as extreme but in that direction. Get angry damn it!

James Hoffa (and this is true of both father and son, though the son is not a criminal) reminds me in some ways of Christian Bale's portrayal of Batman in The Dark Knight. Someone who doesn't have to be loved to be effective and indeed will accept being hated if that is what it takes to get the job done he thinks needs doing.

Mid-20th century infrastructure is beginning to wear out:

Sherman Minton Bridge closed indefinitely due to structural cracks

Will Wingfield, a spokesman for the Indiana Department of Transportation, said officials "do not have an estimate" on how long it will take to repair and reopen the bridge, which carries Interstate 64 traffic across the Ohio River.

re: #159 Gus 802

. It wouldn't take long before they would be applying the same policies, if not worse, then those that they complain about now

Not sure that they would apply the similar policies, but I DO know that they would be pissed if another group did to them what they have been/ are doing now

re: #161 Dark_Falcon

James Hoffa (and this is true of both father and son, though the son is not a criminal) reminds me in some ways of Christian Bale's portrayal of Batman in The Dark Knight. Someone who doesn't have to be loved to be effective and indeed will accept being hated if that is what it takes to get the job done he thinks needs doing.

Anyone to fire up the crowds. Frankly, the Democrats can learn a thing or two from the Tea Party. Take a look at how the Tea Party learned from Alinsky and apply the same techniques. That's pretty darn ironic. There's been some talk about a "coffee party." Enough already with the blue blood liberalism where a lot of people are speaking with a clenched jaw.

re: #163 sattv4u2

. It wouldn't take long before they would be applying the same policies, if not worse, then those that they complain about now

Not sure that they would apply the similar policies, but I DO know that they would be pissed if another group did to them what they have been/ are doing now

I don't know. People or groups will misbehave from time to time. My point was that the left needs to get fired up and stop putting out boring candidates. Frankly, I've seen the headline for that incident and don't really care what happened.

WTF?

Japan air controller 'blogged Air Force One flight plans'

A Japanese air traffic controller has been questioned after apparently blogging about the flight plans of the US president's plane, Air Force One, reports say.

The unnamed controller, who works at Tokyo International Airport, faces possible charges or disciplinary action.

The information, including a map showing the route and altitude of Air Force One, was apparently published during a visit by President Barack Obama to Asia in November...

re: #165 Gus 802

I don't know. People or groups will misbehave from time to time. My point was that the left needs to get fired up and stop putting out boring candidates. Frankly, I've seen the headline for that incident and don't really care what happened.

The only reason why I "cared" was that it went well beyond picketing and calling people "scabs"

They took 6 people hostage for several hours. Thats beyond the pale.

Morning all!

How is it going?

re: #167 sattv4u2

The only reason why I "cared" was that it went well beyond picketing and calling people "scabs"

They took 6 people hostage for several hours. Thats beyond the pale.

That's cool. But I'm not interested in that news. :)

re: #162 jaunte

Mid-20th century infrastructure is beginning to wear out:

Sherman Minton Bridge closed indefinitely due to structural cracks

Who wants to go to Louisville, anyway? Of course, you can have your bridge back if you can prevent the next seven natural disasters, give the Koch brothers a tax credit, and accept that the earth is 6,000 years old.

Mornin' everyone.

re: #162 jaunte

Mid-20th century infrastructure is beginning to wear out:

Sherman Minton Bridge closed indefinitely due to structural cracks

I know that bridge!

re: #168 ggt

Morning all!

How is it going?

We are well. My plans for today have been disrupted, though. So I've been here waiting. I'll be leaving in a few minutes, though.

re: #166 Gus 802

WTF?

Japan air controller 'blogged Air Force One flight plans'

The ministry added that the man's motivations had apparently been to impress his friends, rather than to cause any risk to Mr Obama

I wonder how "impressed" they'll be when they can only visit him every other Sunday, from noon till 4!

Looks like the GOP making a fuss over Obama's speech plans generated some publicity....
President Obama’s Jobs Speech Draws 31 Million Viewers

New York does a lot of things really well, some thing better than anywhere else in the world, but one thing we don't do well at all? The County Fair. OMG.

If anybody's around the Upper West Side with time to kill this afternoon, if you want to attend the world's saddest County Fair... It's in Riverside Park on the pier at 70th street... and for a block or two above and below. I go every year because it's close, and I'm down there a lot anyway but...

I grew up near the LA County Fair. *That's* a FAIR. This is like... some high school fundraiser or something. The midway games are about the level of a purim festival (at the 2nd best synagogue in a town with not many Jews). The rides are like the ones in the supermarket parking lot for 50¢ and they'll only fit kids less than 3 ft tall. There's a pretty good baked goods booth, and some fresh fruit (just like you'd find at dozens of other places around town, except the Union Square Greenmarket and most of the grocery stores would have a better selection), but...

And the Hudson River is looking particularly ugly today. I went to the spot where I like to dip my feet in at high tide most days, but it was all brown for some reason and I was afraid to get too close.

re: #173 sattv4u2

The ministry added that the man's motivations had apparently been to impress his friends, rather than to cause any risk to Mr Obama

I wonder how "impressed" they'll be when they can only visit him every other Sunday, from noon till 4!

If that's true I think it's safe to categorize him as "a big dummy."

re: #162 jaunte

Mid-20th century infrastructure is beginning to wear out:

Sherman Minton Bridge closed indefinitely due to structural cracks

The freemarket will step in.
/

re: #171 ggt

Indiana is apparently in charge of maintenance. I was looking at Mitch Daniels' wiki entry:

"His second term saw a large drop in state revenues, leading to major spending cuts to maintain a balanced budget."
[Link: en.wikipedia.org...]

re: #174 Killgore Trout

Looks like the GOP making a fuss over Obama's speech plans generated some publicity...
President Obama’s Jobs Speech Draws 31 Million Viewers

Holy smokes. Really? Must Tweet.

re: #174 Killgore Trout

Looks like the GOP making a fuss over Obama's speech plans generated some publicity...
President Obama’s Jobs Speech Draws 31 Million Viewers

That's only 25.7 million more people than watched the Republican "debate".

re: #177 Varek Raith

The freemarket will step in.
/

I think Indiana needs the freemasons.

Image: 35wBridgecollapse.gif

re: #167 sattv4u2

The only reason why I "cared" was that it went well beyond picketing and calling people "scabs"

They took 6 people hostage for several hours. That's beyond the pale.

Agreed. The right to strike does not cover the right to unlawfully detain people. The longshoremen who did that should face legal consequences. The tactics of the owners of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory are not valid for anyone to use.

re: #162 jaunte

Mid-20th century infrastructure is beginning to wear out:

Sherman Minton Bridge closed indefinitely due to structural cracks

So, uh... that's the bridge that goes from John Boehner's district into Mitch McConnell's state? Where Obama's going to be showing up to say Pass This Jobs Bill Now To Repair Bridges!!?

Fox News promoting Trutherism .....
Fox's Napolitano: "Will Future Generations Ever Know The Full Truth About The Events That Led To 9-11," Or "Accept The Government Account"?
I think it's a pretty safe bet that Fox will be the only network to give a platform to Truthers this week.

bbiab

re: #184 sagehen

So, uh... that's the bridge that goes from John Boehner's district into Mitch McConnell's state? Where Obama's going to be showing up to say Pass This Jobs Bill Now To Repair Bridges!!?

I confuse Indiana and Ohio myself sometimes...but I think Mr. Orange is from that flyover state, and not a Hooter or whatever they call their basketball players in Indiana. Still, it's a great place to stand and give a speech about how the federal government would love to help the good people of Kentucky and Indiana not get fucked in the ass with traffic every morning because one of their two bridges is gone, if only Congress would pass his jobs bill.

It's called playing hard ball.

REPORT: As Their States’ Bridges And Roads Crumble, GOP Leaders Remain Opposed To Infrastructure Investment

OHIO: 27 percent of the bridges Speaker John Boehner’s home state of Ohio are either “structurally deficient or functionally obsolete,” while one-fourth of its roads are considered poor or mediocre. At the heart of the Midwest, Ohio’s share of the national highway system has 171 highway bridges that are structurally deficient. 10 of those bridges are located in Boehner’s own district. Indeed, Obama singled out the Brent-Spence bridge connecting Ohio and Kentucky as “one of the busiest trucking routes in North America.” A recent Cincinnati Enquirer investigation into the bridge noted that it “is one of only 15 major interstate bridges in the country labeled by the federal government as ‘functionally obsolete’ for failure to meet safety or traffic flow standards.”

KENTUCKY: More than one-third (34 percent) of the bridges in Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell’s home state are structurally deficient or obsolete, including the Brent-Spence Bridge. Of those bridges, 108 are located on the national highway system, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Nearly one in five of Kentucky’s roads are in poor or mediocre condition.

VIRGINIA: In House Majority Leader Eric Cantor’s home state, 26 percent of bridges are considered structurally deficient or obsolete, 104 of which are on the national highway system. Nearly one in four of the state’s roads are considered to be in poor or mediocre condition. In Cantor’s congressional district, 11 national highway bridges are considered deficient.

ARIZONA: In Senate Minority Whip Jon Kyl’s home state, 12 percent of the bridges are “structurally deficient or functionally obsolete.” Of those in the national highway system, 25 are structurally deficient. Indeed, a recent report found that the poor rural roads and bridges in Arizona, where 21 percent of roads are considered poor or mediocre, have earned the state the eighth highest rural traffic fatality rate in the nation.

CALIFORNIA: Home to House Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy, California is perhaps most in need of infrastructure improvement. Thirty percent of its bridges are “structurally deficient or fundamentally obsolete.” Though a well-traveled state, California has a whopping 976 bridges on its national highways that are structurally deficient; 24 of those bridges are in McCarthy’s district. California ranks 19th in the nation for percentage of rural bridges that are structurally deficient, and two-thirds of its major roads are in poor or mediocre condition.

re: #185 Killgore Trout

Fox News promoting Trutherism ...
Fox's Napolitano: "Will Future Generations Ever Know The Full Truth About The Events That Led To 9-11," Or "Accept The Government Account"?
I think it's a pretty safe bet that Fox will be the only network to give a platform to Truthers this week.

...

But Van Jones! ...

Uh huh.

re: #188 Varek Raith

REPORT: As Their States’ Bridges And Roads Crumble, GOP Leaders Remain Opposed To Infrastructure Investment

Hey! California gets mentioned! Whoo-hoo! (waves)...

re: #188 Varek Raith

REPORT: As Their States’ Bridges And Roads Crumble, GOP Leaders Remain Opposed To Infrastructure Investment

Eisenhower would have loved the idea of infrastructure investment. But that was the Republican Party of decades past.

Here's the reality of it.
Our country's infrastructure is apalling. It' gonna have to be fixed. No ifs, ands or buts. If we don't we'll have more I-35W events. Count on it.

re: #192 Varek Raith

Here's the reality of it.
Our country's infrastructure is apalling. It' gonna have to be fixed. No ifs, ands or buts. If we don't we'll have more I-35W events. Count on it.

That's not how they think. Think about what went on with the Ford Pinto. A lot of paleo-cons would rather save the money and pay out family members after an accident occurs. So let the bridges crumble and when they do just give the families a couple of million here and there. Paleo-con cost efficiency at work.

re: #191 Gus 802

Eisenhower would have loved the idea of infrastructure investment. But that was the Republican Party of decades past.

Right now, the GOP's idea is get runaway spending under control, then worry about infrastructure.

Separately, its my conclusion that the Congress should not hold committee hearings on the president's plans till September 21st, two days after he announces how he intends to pay for it. This will provide adequate time for proper analysis. Passing the kind of bill he wants is not to be done with undue haste.

So, this is weird. I surf from behind the Great Firewall of China. This morning, I could access LGF. This evening, I can't. Firefox tells me the server connection was reset, which is usually what the Great Firewall tells me when I try to get to some verboten website, like Facebook or Youtube.

Charles, did you do something to piss off the Chinese? Or is this some glitch in the Intertubes.

FWIW, I also seem to be cut off from Sadly No!

I enjoy coming by here, and I comment occasionally -- usually late, because of the 12-hour time difference. So I'm using a proxy to climb the Wall, as we say here.

re: #195 wheatdogg

Does Tor work there?

PS: Charles banned Chinese spammers, maybe that's why? And yes, I see that you could connect the first time, so maybe the ban isn't total.

BBL

re: #192 Varek Raith

Here's the reality of it.
Our country's infrastructure is apalling. It' gonna have to be fixed. No ifs, ands or buts. If we don't we'll have more I-35W events. Count on it.

The closing of that one bridge in Indiana/Kentucky mentioned above will cripple parts of the local economy. Gas stations, diners, hotels near the bridge on both sides will be fucked.

Or, if you want to pull on McConnell's patriotic heart strings:
Weak bridges = prime soft targets for terrorists.

re: #193 Gus 802

That's not how they think. Think about what went on with the Ford Pinto. A lot of paleo-cons would rather save the money and pay out family members after an accident occurs. So let the bridges crumble and when they do just give the families a couple of million here and there. Paleo-con cost efficiency at work.

What's wrong with the Pinto?

re: #199 darthstar

What's wrong with the Pinto?

[Video]

Libertarian Motor Works™

//

re: #196 Sergey Romanov

Does Tor work there?

PS: Charles banned Chinese spammers, maybe that's why? And yes, I see that you could connect the first time, so maybe the ban isn't total.

Tor used to work, but China's Net nannies figured out how to block it, too.
Now I use Ultrasurf, which works most of the time, with frequent updates.

re: #199 darthstar

Ah, my first ride. No ac, but a reliable runner except for that little incendiary problem.

re: #200 Gus 802

Libertarian Motor Works™

//

The cool thing about hybrids...if you rear-end a Prius, the resulting EMP could wipe out all electronics within a city block.

re: #202 jaunte

Ah, my first ride. No ac, but a reliable runner except for that little incendiary problem.

It was only a problem if the guy behind you was driving a Granada.

Ah, the Ford Pinto. Anybody ever have the pleasure (?) of driving a Chevy Vega. Or an AMC Hornet?

re: #205 wheatdogg

Ah, the Ford Pinto. Anybody ever have the pleasure (?) of driving a Chevy Vega. Or an AMC Hornet?

I had a friend in highschool that had an AMC Pacer. Awesome car.

re: #205 wheatdogg

Ah, the Ford Pinto. Anybody ever have the pleasure (?) of driving a Chevy Vega. Or an AMC Hornet?

I got to drive an AMC Pacer once...fishbowl of a car that weighed a ton and had a suspension for a car half its weight. It was like riding in a jello mold, without the acceleration.

Image: 01-1975-amc-pacer-x.jpg

My first car - a hand-me-down from mom to brother to me... 1974 Subaru Wagon.
Image: 1974-Subaru-GL-Wagon.jpg

my buddy Scott had a 74-75 Datsun. Neither of our cars went over 75mph with the foot down. We'd "race" home from town seeing who could hold the slowest pace the longest as traffic built up behind us (rural area...four five cars was the most we ever had)

re: #208 darthstar

My first car - a hand-me-down from mom to brother to me... 1974 Subaru Wagon.
Image: 1974-Subaru-GL-Wagon.jpg

my buddy Scott had a 74-75 Datsun. Neither of our cars went over 75mph with the foot down. We'd "race" home from town seeing who could hold the slowest pace the longest as traffic built up behind us (rural area...four five cars was the most we ever had)

My first new car was a Datsun B-210, one of the first off the boat. It had this teeny little engine and might do 75 going downhill with a good tail wind. I loved that little car. It about ran on air and with essentially no maintenance at all - who knew you were supposed to change the oil every now and again? - I drove that sucker for about 13 years.

It's remarkable how few of the 70s and 80s American compact cars have survived. I haven't seen a Pinto on the street in years even though millions of them were built. Vegas are likewise extinct on the street, but there is a giant rusty pile of them at a local junkyard.
The Pacer, of which 280,000 were built, has something of a cult following but they are still very rarely seen in public. Unlike most American cars, the Pacer was fairly popular in Europe. Paris AMC distributor Jean Charles came up with an interesting comparison for the Pacer's attractively rounded body style in this ad.

@EricBoehlert:

paging @instapundit @edmorrissey.... RNC website: "Abraham Lincoln helped establish the Republican Party."
[Link: www.gop.com...]

re: #211 jaunte

@EricBoehlert:

Are they still getting their panties in a twist over that?

re: #212 darthstar

Instapundit is still going on about it.

re: #213 jaunte

Instapundit is still going on about it.

Hot Air is complaining again this morning too.

re: #214 Killgore Trout

Gaffegate!

Richard Teague, who designed the Pacer, was also responsible for the very dramatically styled 1974 AMC Matador coupe. It was something completely different at the time and still looks fresh today. This is also a great rarity but there is a bright yellow one near my house and I see it regularly on the street. It is a real head turner.

re: #162 jaunte

Mid-20th century infrastructure is beginning to wear out:

Sherman Minton Bridge closed indefinitely due to structural cracks

Oh, man, people there are just fucked. There are only two other ways across the Ohio: one's a narrow four-laner connected to city streets and the other is clear over on the west side of Louisville on I-64. Meanwhile, the people in the Louisville metro area have been dragging their feet for 30+ years about building a new bridge in the east side of town to finish I-265 (a loop route that's been shaped like the letter "C" for 30 years or more), mostly because the rich folks in the East End don't want an expressway spoiling their views and property values. Of course, the Sherman Minton being closed won't bother them much. They probably don't work in Indiana.

As a long-term former resident of the area, I find it very telling that the Indiana DOT found the cracks near the Kentucky side. What was the Ky DOT doing? Probably still dealing with the paint job that took years to finish.

GOP Policy Chairman Tom Price: Obama’s Payroll Tax Cut For Working Families Is ‘Class Warfare’

re: #210 Shiplord Kirel

Paris AMC distributor Jean Charles came up with an interesting comparison for the Pacer's attractively rounded body style in this ad.

I have $50 here says that he can't do anything with
[Link: www.google.com...]

(friend of mine actually still has a running one,, he keeps it as his "island car" {Peaks Island, Maine},, as long as it stays on the island he doesn;t have to register)

re: #216 Shiplord Kirel

Richard Teague, who designed the Pacer, was also responsible for the very dramatically styled 1974 AMC Matador coupe. It was something completely different at the time and still looks fresh today. This is also a great rarity but there is a bright yellow one near my house and I see it regularly on the street. It is a real head turner.

I had one of those (the coupe). Bought a 76 version used in 82/83

Died within a year.

re: #187 darthstar

I confuse Indiana and Ohio myself sometimes...but I think Mr. Orange is from that flyover state, and not a Hooter or whatever they call their basketball players in Indiana.

They call 'em Hoosiers. In fact, people from Indiana call themselves Hoosiers. Which Kentuckians can twist easily into a weak sort of joke (ironic, considering the kind of Kentucky jokes out there) about "who's yer father?"

Hooters is where you go after the game, or if you couldn't get tickets and have to watch it on TV.

Mr Orange is indeed from the Buckeye State. Indiana can claim Dan Quayle, who nowadays seems like a mental giant among GOP midgets. And Kentucky has two winners: McConnell and AynRandPaul.

And yes, I have lived in both those states.

re: #198 darthstar

The closing of that one bridge in Indiana/Kentucky mentioned above will cripple parts of the local economy. Gas stations, diners, hotels near the bridge on both sides will be fucked.

Or, if you want to pull on McConnell's patriotic heart strings:
Weak bridges = prime soft targets for terrorists.

That Bridge, IIRC, is the I-65 Bridge that crosses the Ohio River from Indiana to KY. It's a major fucking Bridge. Closing it will mess-things up big time.

I used to live in those parts.

re: #175 sagehen

You've got to check out the NYS Fair in Syracuse. That's a state fair. The fairs you see around NYC are child's play in comparison. Used to go to the Orange County fair in Middletown NY and that wasn't bad.

Can't imagine what going to a fair in "fair country" would be like - places like OK, TX, etc.

As for the Hudson - you're seeing the ongoing runoff from the storm flooding upstate. The Mohawk and all the Hudson River tributaries upstate flooded during Irene and then with TS Lee - that's why it's looking like the Big Muddy.

re: #216 Shiplord Kirel

Richard Teague, who designed the Pacer, was also responsible for the very dramatically styled 1974 AMC Matador coupe. It was something completely different at the time and still looks fresh today. This is also a great rarity but there is a bright yellow one near my house and I see it regularly on the street. It is a real head turner.

Ok, that's a cool looking car.

I'm not a car buff.

re: #221 wheatdogg

They call 'em Hoosiers. In fact, people from Indiana call themselves Hoosiers. Which Kentuckians can twist easily into a weak sort of joke (ironic, considering the kind of Kentucky jokes out there) about "who's yer father?"

Hooters is where you go after the game, or if you couldn't get tickets and have to watch it on TV.

Mr Orange is indeed from the Buckeye State. Indiana can claim Dan Quayle, who nowadays seems like a mental giant among GOP midgets. And Kentucky has two winners: McConnell and AynRandPaul.

And yes, I have lived in both those states.

I lived in Indiana..

re: #225 HoosierHoops

I lived in Indiana..

Hey Hoots! You don't say? I thought you were a Sooner now.

re: #224 ggt

Ok, that's a cool looking car.

I'm not a car buff.

However, THE question is
Are you IN the buff!??!

re: #188 Varek Raith

And that IN bridge (Sherman Minton) looks like it could have used a good paint job years back. Routine maintenance gets ignored, problems go from minor issues that can be fixed with relative ease to major issues requiring closures and substantial work that costs many times more.

There's a reason good transit agencies do preventative maintenance - it keeps things in check.

re: #225 HoosierHoops

I lived in Indiana..

I was born there, went to high school there and still have relatives there.

But I claim Detroit as my home-town.

wouldn't you?

:)

re: #225 HoosierHoops

I lived in Indiana..

By the way, my "Hooters" reference was just a little shout out to you...I know the Indiana fans are Hoosiers. Iowa has all the Hooters.

re: #227 sattv4u2

However, THE question is
Are you IN the buff!??!

You like the gutter don't you?

Will you ever move up and out?

:)

He He. I'm trying to find parts to make a custom case/trunk, and I'm at this Chinese website and the language on the page is amusing.

Here's a quote:

Our factory will treat you as the same as our other customers. We believe that we will overcome the difficulties of today, and we will enjoy the sunlight together tomorrow.

re: #226 darthstar

Hey Hoots! You don't say? I thought you were a Sooner now.

I did live in Indiana...past tense..I am a Sooner now..Which is kind of Weird.. I was born and raised in California...So Technically I am a Native Californian and damn proud of it
/Hi you

re: #228 lawhawk

There's a reason good transit agencies do preventative maintenance - it keeps things in check.

And large companies do fleet maintenance

We have thousands of vehicles and once every three months each has to be taken in for a look see

re: #233 HoosierHoops

I did live in Indiana...past tense..I am a Sooner now..Which is kind of Weird.. I was born and raised in California...So Technically I am a Native Californian and damn proud of it
/Hi you

Yes, but Napa doesn't have any great sports teams. Always good to see you.

re: #231 ggt

You like the gutter don't you?

Will you ever move up and out?

:)

I have it decorated just the way I like

There's my reclining chair, right next to the table with my TV remote on it

I had a '97 Geo Metro for seven years. Bought it used in 2001, because I needed a cheap car. It was on its last legs (literally, it needed CV joints) when I gave it to my teenage niece to practice driving around her neighborhood. Her folks sold the Geo and got enough money to fix the brakes on a much safer Volvo wagon for the Niece. But they told me the Geo is still running around town (Charlestown, Indiana). I figure it's got at least 280,000 miles on it by now.

Made by Suzuki of Japan. Many are still on the road. Same with Dodge Omnis and Plymouth Horizons -- Mitsubishi drivetrains on them. All-American Pintos, Vegas, Pacers -- not so much.

There is one old railroad bridge over the Ohio from Louisville to New Albany? or Clarksville. The local Radio Station WLS strung it with lights and lit it up every Christmas season.

It was very cool looking over the river at night. I can't find a pic of it tho. Probably using the wrong search terms.

re: #223 lawhawk

Can't imagine what going to a fair in "fair country" would be like - places like OK, TX, etc.

If you're ever in Georgia early to mid October, let me know

I'll take you

[Link: www.gnfa.com...]

re: #239 sattv4u2

Can't imagine what going to a fair in "fair country" would be like - places like OK, TX, etc.

If you're ever in Georgia early to mid October, let me know

I'll take you

[Link: www.gnfa.com...]

County Fairs are fun, fun, fun--even if you don't drink!

Good Morning all.
I have been reading comments, which I should have done after signing up- I regret the breech and seek to make amends.

First I wish I'd been a bit more creative in my screen name! Some of yours are amazing. But I didn't, I'm Michele, Midwest girl(ha, too old for that term but eh) and I admit I began reading the articles here on global warming and evolution because of a student I had when I was still teaching. This student didn't "believe in" global change. Didn't believe at all. Now as a Sociology person, the science was way out of my realm of knowledge, so until he was done with my class, I looked for as many articles and research based examples as could be found to give him the "other side" of the issue. In the text I used for my class, there was a chapter on demography, environment, and he was totally dismissive of everything I showed the class(I did not single him out, but I did get the information with him in mind) The evolution question is more a personal thing, but I think I am getting a handle on that, thanks in part to a very simple concept- religion is theology, not science(I read that in a comment to me on an earlier thread), and should be taught accordingly.
I've noticed that politics are a popular topic here;) Politically speaking, I've yet to find a place to fit in, maybe others here had a upbringing like mine- the group of people who helped raise me could not have been any different, despite all being in the same family. My mother and uncle are very VERY conservative in their politics. My dad was, and my uncle still is, very ver liberal. Elections were always interesting in my house, and the Thanksgiving after was usually a bit of a gloatfest for the group that had won.
I admit to being a secret idealist when it comes to politics, clinging to the belief that somehow it all has to work out. I admit to being taken with Sarah Palin at first, because she was the first politician I identified with, but in her positions we truned out to be very different. I was never one to pout if my choice didn't win, willing to give the winner my support and hope for the best.
That said, this coming election feels different in a lot of ways for a fence sitter like me. Before the last election I was employed, married and hopeful, this coming election finds me divorced, unemployed, and a lot less smug and lazy in my assurance that it'll all work out. I would like to do my part, more than just voting, but not without more information. It is that need for more information that led me here.
I'm sorry I didn't introduce myself properly at first, and thanks so much for the patience you've shown.

And after all that, I'd respectfully like to ask- why do some of you say "good night lizards?"

Michele

re: #236 sattv4u2

I have it decorated just the way I like

There's my reclining chair, right next to the table with my TV remote on it

Does your recliner have duct tape on it?

re: #228 lawhawk

There's a long story about painting that bridge. Several years ago, the Ky DOT paid a contractor to do it. Said contractor put up the scaffolds and safety nets, etc. Never painted the bridge. It took a year, IIRC, before anyone finally noticed not much was being done.

And yeah, I was on that same bridge just last month. It looks like shit. It's on a major N-S route that gets a lot of heavy truck traffic (which has to go through downtown Louisville because the East End loop is not completed), so all that traffic is taking its toll on the structure.

re: #241 MicheleR

Good Morning all.
I have been reading comments, which I should have done after signing up- I regret the breech and seek to make amends.

First I wish I'd been a bit more creative in my screen name! Some of yours are amazing. But I didn't, I'm Michele, Midwest girl(ha, too old for that term but eh) and I admit I began reading the articles here on global warming and evolution because of a student I had when I was still teaching. This student didn't "believe in" global change. Didn't believe at all. Now as a Sociology person, the science was way out of my realm of knowledge, so until he was done with my class, I looked for as many articles and research based examples as could be found to give him the "other side" of the issue. In the text I used for my class, there was a chapter on demography, environment, and he was totally dismissive of everything I showed the class(I did not single him out, but I did get the information with him in mind) The evolution question is more a personal thing, but I think I am getting a handle on that, thanks in part to a very simple concept- religion is theology, not science(I read that in a comment to me on an earlier thread), and should be taught accordingly.
I've noticed that politics are a popular topic here;) Politically speaking, I've yet to find a place to fit in, maybe others here had a upbringing like mine- the group of people who helped raise me could not have been any different, despite all being in the same family. My mother and uncle are very VERY conservative in their politics. My dad was, and my uncle still is, very ver liberal. Elections were always interesting in my house, and the Thanksgiving after was usually a bit of a gloatfest for the group that had won.
I admit to being a secret idealist when it comes to politics, clinging to the belief that somehow it all has to work out. I admit to being taken with Sarah Palin at first, because she was the first politician I identified with, but in her positions we truned out to be very different. I was never one to pout if my choice didn't win, willing to give the winner my support and hope for the best.
That said, this coming election feels different in a lot of ways for a fence sitter like me. Before the last election I was employed, married and hopeful, this coming election finds me divorced, unemployed, and a lot less smug and lazy in my assurance that it'll all work out. I would like to do my part, more than just voting, but not without more information. It is that need for more information that led me here.
I'm sorry I didn't introduce myself properly at first, and thanks so much for the patience you've shown.

And after all that, I'd respectfully like to ask- why do some of you say "good night lizards?"

Michele

MIchele, thanks for your thoughtful and polite post!

You'll fit in just fine--

but drinks are on the hatchlings and my coffee cup is empty --I take fresh coffee with cream and sugar.

WELCOME!

re: #235 darthstar

Yes, but Napa doesn't have any great sports teams. Always good to see you.

True.. LOL.. We had a few guys come out of the Valley that were note worthy...Not like the Bay area where some of the best athletes in the world are raised..We had a Super bowl Coach..Dick Vermeil grew up in Calistoga.. His dad owned the radiator shop.. We had Bill Buckner but he was scorned for many years...

Who needs bridges and roads anyway?
/

re: #246 Varek Raith

Who needs bridges and roads anyway?
/

The living.

re: #244 ggt
We have the same taste in coffee:) and thank you very much

Fun with shredders

re: #232 Amory Blaine

He He. I'm trying to find parts to make a custom case/trunk, and I'm at this Chinese website and the language on the page is amusing.

Our factory will treat you as the same as our other customers. We believe that we will overcome the difficulties of today, and we will enjoy the sunlight together tomorrow.

Chinglish. They also write speeches for Sarah Palin.

re: #241 MicheleR

And after all that, I'd respectfully like to ask- why do some of you say "good night lizards?"

Welcome, Michele

You, by your joining LGF, are a Lizard!

re: #248 MicheleR

We have the same taste in coffee:) and thank you very much

Nice to see you again...I'm a big Kona Coffee drinker...
You'll do fine here