Navy SEALs Rescue Hostages in Somalia

Right wingers turn it into another reason to bash Obama
World • Views: 26,420

While the Republican Presidential candidates continue to accuse Obama of being weak and indecisive in his foreign policy, he just keeps chalking up successes like this: American hostage in Somalia rescued by US Navy SEALs in overnight raid.

In a daring nighttime raid Tuesday, U.S. Navy SEALs rescued two hostages, including one American, who were being held by kidnappers in Somalia, U.S. officials tell NBC News.

American Jessica Buchanan, 32,�and a 60-year-old Dane, Poul Thisted, were working for a Danish relief organization in northern Somalia when they were kidnapped last October.�U.S. officials described their kidnappers as heavily armed common criminals with no known ties to any organized militant group.

According to the U.S. officials, two teams of�Navy SEALs landed by helicopter near the compound where the two hostages were being held.

As the SEALS approached the compound on foot gunfire broke out, the U.S. officials said, and several of the militants were reportedly killed. There is no word that any of the Americans were wounded.

Of course, wingnut blogs are accusing Obama of ordering this rescue mission just to help his chances of reelection, and accusing the victims of being stupid leftists; that’s how they react to every story like this.

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211 comments
1 Sol Berdinowitz  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 11:27:26am

Why does Obama risk US lives just to do a favor to the Danes?

/

2 Obdicut  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 11:28:19am

The victims of kidnapping were indeed, leftists. Putting their lives on the line for the betterment of others. Oh no, how terrible.

3 PhillyPretzel  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 11:29:22am

Congrats to the Navy SEALs who pulled off this mission.

4 erik_t  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 11:29:37am

OMG HOW CAN HE TAKE ANY CREDIT IT WAS THE SEALS WHO WERE ACTUALLY THE ONES AT RISK

(and of course, great thanks and praise for them as well)

5 Lidane  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 11:30:01am

Well done, SEALs. Awesome job as always. And kudos to the President for taking the risk.

Also, screw the wingnuts. Let them be bitter.

6 jamesfirecat  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 11:30:06am

So is it confirmed that this was the work of Seal Team Six and if so how long before they get their own video game/movie?

7 Velvet Elvis  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 11:31:40am

That's the way you do it.

Money for nothing and checks for free.

8 Vicious Michigan Union Thug  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 11:31:42am

He was depriving these poor Africans of their only means of livelihood!

9 pinkbunny  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 11:31:43am

re: #6 jamesfirecat

So is it confirmed that this was the work of Seal Team Six and if so how long before they get their own video game/movie?

I think they already have...I read on twitter about an upcoming movie that had actors and actual seals in the movie. Can't remember the title..

10 Vicious Michigan Union Thug  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 11:32:14am

re: #9 pinkbunny

I think they already have...I read on twitter about an upcoming movie that had actors and actual seals in the movie. Can't remember the title..

Act of Valor.

11 Charles Johnson  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 11:33:04am

re: #6 jamesfirecat

So is it confirmed that this was the work of Seal Team Six and if so how long before they get their own video game/movie?

Actually, no:

The Navy SEALs that rescued the American and Danish hostages in Somalia on Tuesday were not the same individuals that killed Osama bin Laden, U.S. officials told NBC News, contradicting an earlier news service report.

12 mikec6666  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 11:33:09am

They say it's seal team 6. I wonder if the other teams get jealous?

13 pinkbunny  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 11:33:15am

re: #2 Obdicut

The victims of kidnapping were indeed, leftists. Putting their lives on the line for the betterment of others. Oh no, how terrible.

You really have to marvel at the idiocy and pettiness for anyone who things that!

14 Decatur Deb  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 11:34:16am

re: #12 mikec6666

They say it's seal team 6. I wonder if the other teams get jealous?

If we're doing it right, there might not actually be a Seal Team 6.

15 PhillyPretzel  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 11:35:35am

re: #14 Decatur Deb
That sounds a little closer to the truth. The idea is that no one is supposed to know who is who with any elite team.

16 pinkbunny  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 11:36:41am

re: #12 mikec6666

They say it's seal team 6. I wonder if the other teams get jealous?

I wouldn't think so, because from what I read, and typical of a majority of military, they are more humble, and also I would think they all know that each team has specific function

17 Obdicut  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 11:36:45am

re: #14 Decatur Deb

If we're doing it right, there might not actually be a Seal Team 6.

James Bond is a code name.

18 Decatur Deb  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 11:37:30am

re: #17 Obdicut

James Bond is a code name.

'Shangri La' never sailed.

19 Obdicut  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 11:38:50am

re: #18 Decatur Deb

'Shangri La' never sailed.

That one's too cryptic for me. What's the reference?

20 Decatur Deb  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 11:41:09am

re: #19 Obdicut

That one's too cryptic for me. What's the reference?

I was wrong anyway--the USS Shagri La was launched aftrer the war, in reference to FDR's joke:

Wiki:
United States President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, being considerably fond of Hilton's novel, named the presidential retreat, now known as Camp David, "Shangri-La" in 1942. After the Doolittle Raid on Tokyo in April 1942, when asked where the bombers came from, he quipped "Shangri-La". Later in the war, the United States Navy would launch an Essex class aircraft carrier named the Shangri-La (CV 38), as a result of this reference

21 jamesfirecat  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 11:41:14am

re: #14 Decatur Deb

If we're doing it right, there might not actually be a Seal Team 6.

Back home, your [Michael Weston] story Russian Intelligence tells to scare. They say you're one name for many people. Special Operations team. They think one person cannot make so much problems.

--- Burn Notice

22 PhillyPretzel  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 11:41:43am

re: #18 Decatur Deb
It just sounds good. :) Of course "Overlord" sounds ominous.

23 lawhawk  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 11:50:47am

re: #21 jamesfirecat

Indeed - Seal Team Six is part of DEVGRU (or was renamed as DEVGRU);

Under DEVGRU there are several units operating at any one time (apparently color coded), and since the moniker has stuck, they're all called SEAL Team Six in popular reference.

24 Feline Fearless Leader  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 11:54:35am

re: #12 mikec6666

They say it's seal team 6. I wonder if the other teams get jealous?

It's a misdirection ploy. All teams are #6.

25 Brother Holy Cruise Missile of Mild Acceptance  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 11:55:48am

re: #24 oaktree

It's a misdirection ploy. All teams are #6.

Who is number 1?

26 jamesfirecat  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 11:56:11am

re: #25 Dreggas

Who is number 1?

You are, number six.

27 Decatur Deb  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 11:56:37am

re: #25 Dreggas

Who is number 1?

That's just a few Marines.

28 mikec6666  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 11:59:58am

re: #27 Decatur Deb

Well, being an Army man myself, I'm partial to the Green Berets.

29 Obdicut  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 12:04:12pm

This is a much better way of deterring pirates, by the way, than cruising around with destroyers hoping to run into them in the act.

Obviously, it's kinda terrible in that it it involves people getting kidnapped, but that's going to happen anyway.

30 Brother Holy Cruise Missile of Mild Acceptance  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 12:04:59pm

Republicans plan for 2012 in congress: Do nothing but obstruct/investigate

31 kirkspencer  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 12:05:04pm

re: #28 mikec6666

Well, being an Army man myself, I'm partial to the Green Berets.

Personally, it depends on the mission. But if I had to pick one, I'd go for the Air force's Pararescue.

32 Feline Fearless Leader  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 12:05:26pm

re: #29 Obdicut

This is a much better way of deterring pirates, by the way, than cruising around with destroyers hoping to run into them in the act.

Obviously, it's kinda terrible in that it it involves people getting kidnapped, but that's going to happen anyway.

I'm sorta surprised no one has fielded a "Q-ship" out that way yet. Or maybe they have and have simply kept quiet about it.

33 Decatur Deb  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 12:08:08pm

re: #28 mikec6666

Well, being an Army man myself, I'm partial to the Green Berets.

Our sport parachute club in 2ID had SF from Seoul and PJs from Osan Airbase. Both were impressive in different ways. My 2-yr old had a PJ babysitter named "Roach".

34 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 12:09:20pm

re: #17 Obdicut

James Bond is a code name.

Huh?

35 Targetpractice  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 12:09:31pm

re: #30 Dreggas

Republicans plan for 2012 in congress: Do nothing but obstruct/investigate

Why give up a winning strategy? I mean, it's worked out so well for them so far! They're only at 18% approval, they can still go lower!

//

36 Obdicut  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 12:09:47pm

re: #33 Decatur Deb

My Latin teacher was an ex-Green Beret, from Vietnam, spent a lot of time over there.

He decided that being a Latin teacher was the farthest thing from being a green beret in Vietnam, so he decided to do that when he got back.

37 Vicious Michigan Union Thug  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 12:10:15pm

re: #34 Sergey Romanov

Huh?

It's a movie meme that explains why James Bond never gets old and has so many different appearances. :)

38 Obdicut  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 12:10:39pm

re: #34 Sergey Romanov

Huh?

There is a theory of interpretation of the Bond franchise that "James Bond" is not the name of an individual, but of the 007 position. This explains why the people change and no one seems to notice.

39 Decatur Deb  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 12:11:02pm

re: #32 oaktree

I'm sorta surprised no one has fielded a "Q-ship" out that way yet. Or maybe they have and have simply kept quiet about it.

It would be sorta simple to stash a Longbow behind some deck cargo ISO containers.

40 Political Atheist  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 12:11:05pm

re: #29 Obdicut

Was this pirates? I had heard (NPR) the USA now just says criminals, no terror or pirate links.

41 Obdicut  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 12:11:32pm

re: #40 Rightwingconspirator

Was this pirates? I had heard (NPR) the USA now just says criminals, no terror or pirate links.

Well, pirate/criminal is pretty much the same class to me.

42 Shiplord Kirel  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 12:11:46pm

According to Reuters, the capo of the pirate lair, "Galmudug President" Mohamed Ahmed Alim, had some amusing comments on the whole affair. He accused the US of spoiling the "peace and ethics" of his haven, and he called us "mafia."
Apparently he knows the mafia are western bad guys, but is not aware that it is the mafia themselves, not their victims, who engage in extortion, kidnapping, and organized theft.

43 Lidane  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 12:11:50pm

re: #37 Alouette

It's a movie meme that explains why James Bond never gets old and has so many different appearances. :)

Yep. It's basically the same idea behind Doctor Who regenerating instead of dying. Recasting becomes that much easier.

Having Bond as a code name allows for multiple actors to have the same role.

44 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 12:12:16pm

re: #37 Alouette

re: #38 Obdicut

Gotcha.

45 Political Atheist  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 12:13:09pm

re: #41 Obdicut

Yeah, I'm just not sure what effect this will have on hostage negotiations with the real pirates. I'd love to see action there. But I do presume that has not happened for good reason beyond my pay grade.

46 Decatur Deb  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 12:13:34pm

re: #41 Obdicut

Well, pirate/criminal is pretty much the same class to me.

Nay, matey--there is no "Talk Like a Criminal" day.

47 lawhawk  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 12:14:08pm

re: #43 Lidane

There's only one Bond (Connery, though Daniel Craig is making a good case for #2).

As for the Doctor, I grew up with Tom Baker (he of the multicolored scarf), but both David Tennant (aka Barty Crouch Jr.) and Matt Smith have brought their own spin on the character.

48 Obdicut  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 12:14:24pm

re: #46 Decatur Deb

Nay, matey--there is no "Talk Like a Criminal" day.

Sure there is, it's called "every day someone speaks Cockney".

49 Vicious Michigan Union Thug  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 12:15:16pm

re: #40 Rightwingconspirator

Was this pirates? I had heard (NPR) the USA now just says criminals, no terror or pirate links.

They were the kidnappy rapey stabby kind of pirates, not the movie-copying pirates or the Disney movie franchise pirates.

50 Decatur Deb  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 12:16:58pm

re: #49 Alouette

They were the kidnappy rapey stabby kind of pirates, not the movie-copying pirates or the Disney movie franchise pirates.

Seals would have handled the Megaupload issue differently.

51 wrenchwench  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 12:18:21pm

New Mexico is trying to keep up with the Joneses Oklahomans:

@fbihop Matthew Reichbach
Ah, Sen. Rod Adair introduced the law to ban Sharia Law. #nmleg
46 minutes ago

@fbihop Matthew Reichbach
An Appeals court recently blocked a similar law in Oklahoma. lat.ms/whi8pF #nmleg
45 minutes ago

52 Targetpractice  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 12:21:12pm

re: #43 Lidane

Yep. It's basically the same idea behind Doctor Who regenerating instead of dying. Recasting becomes that much easier.

Having Bond as a code name allows for multiple actors to have the same role.

Problem is that they established well back in the series canon that timelords have a limit of 12 regenerations, or 13 incarnations. And they're already on the 11th Doctor.

53 jamesfirecat  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 12:22:06pm

re: #52 Targetpractice, Worst of Both Worlds

Problem is that they established well back in the series canon that timelords have a limit of 12 regenerations, or 13 incarnations. And they're already on the 11th Doctor.

Just means they have to come up with something extra special fairly soon... (that or close down the series...)

54 makeitstop  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 12:23:21pm

re: #52 Targetpractice, Worst of Both Worlds

Problem is that they established well back in the series canon that timelords have a limit of 12 regenerations, or 13 incarnations. And they're already on the 11th Doctor.

I'd be very surprised if they didn't work up a loophole for that rule.

55 lawhawk  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 12:24:13pm

re: #54 makeitstop

River Song is the loophole to be exploited.

[and in more ways than one... ed-added]

56 Targetpractice  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 12:26:21pm

re: #54 makeitstop

I'd be very surprised if they didn't work up a loophole for that rule.

This is the Doctor we're talking about. There's always a loophole. If there wasn't, he wouldn't be The Doctor.

57 Atlas Fails  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 12:29:17pm

OT- Speaking of foreign policy, I just ran across an Atlantic article from last summer. Amazingly stupid, especially from a smart guy like Cohen. Yes, George W. Bush and Lyndon Johnson were easily our two worst foreign policy presidents of the last hundred years, but Kennedy as one of the best? And FDR as number one? I like Roosevelt, but some of his biggest blunders were on foreign policy, especially postwar. Oh, and Truman as one of the worst? WTF. He was one of the best, if not the best, imo, and the article totally misrepresents the Truman Doctrine while blaming it for Vietnam.

58 Gus  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 12:30:15pm

So a bunch of home bound, mouth breathing, Cheetos eating wingnut losers are calling the hostages leftists? Let's have a look at one:

Buchanan Sold Her Belongings to Become Missionary

Jessica Buchanan, the woman rescued from Somalia bandits by U.S. special forces, is so dedicated to helping others that she sold all of her belongings to become a missionary in Somalia.

Buchanan, 32, was born in Cincinnati, Ohio. She graduated from Valley Forge University, a Christian college in Phoenixville, Pa., in 2007. She was a student teacher in Africa before graduating and her romance with the continent began.

"She fell in love with Africa," Rev. Don Meyer, dean of Valley Forge University told the Associated Press. "She could hardly talk about Africa without tears in her eyes."

Her home church, the York Cavalry Temple Assembly of God, put out a message during her captivity that combined her devotion and determination...

59 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 12:31:22pm

re: #58 Gus 802

Scumbags.

60 Our Precious Bodily Fluids  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 12:32:36pm

re: #57 Atlas Fails

And FDR as number one? I like Roosevelt, but some of his biggest blunders were on foreign policy, especially postwar.

How did he manage to make foreign policy blunders post-war, considering he was dead before either Germany or Japan surrendered?

61 wrenchwench  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 12:33:17pm

I don't know anything about sports celebrities, but this is funny (h/t the same Tweeter as above).

62 Gus  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 12:33:30pm

re: #59 Sergey Romanov

Scumbags.

Having had to deal with many of them on the internet I can attest that this is a factual statement.

63 William of Orange  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 12:34:23pm

Kudos to the SEALs!!


(And in Republican thinking, this of course was not credited to Obama...)

64 Decatur Deb  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 12:35:15pm

re: #58 Gus 802

So a bunch of home bound, mouth breathing, Cheetos eating wingnut losers are calling the hostages leftists? Let's have a look at one:

Buchanan Sold Her Belongings to Become Missionary

Fukn' Christian hippies--worst kind.

65 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 12:35:47pm

re: #62 Gus 802

For some reason this reminded me of the contras. And nuns.

66 Atlas Fails  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 12:36:14pm

re: #60 negativ

How did he manage to make foreign policy blunders post-war, considering he was dead before either Germany or Japan surrendered?

I meant postwar Europe and the consolidation of power. By the Yalta Conference, the war in Europe was, for all intents and purposes, over. FDR misjudged Stalin and thought he could appease him, so to speak. Granted, he had planned on using his personality to prevent a cold war, and he may have been able to do it had he lived, but he didn't, so he has to be judged on what he did do.

67 kirkspencer  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 12:38:54pm

re: #57 Atlas Fails

... and the article totally misrepresents the Truman Doctrine while blaming it for Vietnam.

The Truman Doctrine is why we went into Vietnam. "[T]he policy of the United States [is] to support free people who are resisting attempted subjugation by armed minorities or by outside pressures."

There were also his major missteps leading up to the Korean war, not least of which was being a major driver behind reducing the size of the military below what even Congress was wanting, and failing to involve Congress when he went to the UN for military action (because the Navy was too small).

No, don't think I can call Truman the best. Better than some, but far from the best.

68 Gus  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 12:38:56pm

The thing is is that Obama never does brag about these accomplishments as Commander in Chief. Unlike one certain predecessor of his. Perhaps more than 1. But Obama is typically rather quiet about these events and is never a boast about.

69 Decatur Deb  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 12:39:37pm

re: #65 Sergey Romanov

For some reason this reminded me of the contras. And nuns.

And a heroine in TS Eliot's The Cocktail Party.

70 PhillyPretzel  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 12:40:35pm

re: #68 Gus 802
It is also better for operational security.

71 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 12:41:27pm

I may think different things about GWB, but his aid to Africa was a great accomplishment. Apparently, now it is also a sign of being a "leftist".

72 makeitstop  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 12:42:12pm

re: #61 wrenchwench

I don't know anything about sports celebrities, but this is funny (h/t the same Tweeter as above).

85 is a character. Those were some funny tweets.

73 Olsonist  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 12:43:32pm

re: #40 Rightwingconspirator

Was this pirates? I had heard (NPR) the USA now just says criminals, no terror or pirate links.

pirate |ˈpīrət|
noun
a person who attacks and robs ships at sea.

So yes, these were not pirates; they were terrorists/criminals.

74 jamesfirecat  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 12:45:12pm

re: #64 Decatur Deb

Fukn' Christian hippies--worst kind.

Just like that long haired guy who walked everywhere and said that rich people were less likely to get into heaven than a camel to pass through the eye of a needle!

75 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 12:46:07pm

re: #74 jamesfirecat

Just like that long haired guy who walked everywhere and said that rich people were less likely to get into heaven than a camel to pass through the eye of a needle!

Saul Alinsky? /

76 SanFranciscoZionist  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 12:46:30pm

re: #71 Sergey Romanov

I may think different things about GWB, but his aid to Africa was a great accomplishment. Apparently, now it is also a sign of being a "leftist".

Oh, back and forth. Mostly it's ammunition to defend the GOP, although God knows, anyone who made a point of saying he would follow in Bush's footsteps with that would lose a lot of support in this nomination race.

77 Decatur Deb  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 12:46:49pm

re: #74 jamesfirecat

Just like that long haired guy who walked everywhere and said that rich people were less likely to get into heaven than a camel to pass through the eye of a needle!

Clearly a 'shroom-driven simile.

78 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 12:47:15pm

re: #76 SanFranciscoZionist

Oh, back and forth. Mostly it's ammunition to defend the GOP, although God knows, anyone who made a point of saying he would follow in Bush's footsteps with that would lose a lot of support in this nomination race.

Yeah. During the TP period I learned to my surprise that GWB is actually a liberal. According to some.

79 jamesfirecat  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 12:47:30pm

re: #75 Sergey Romanov

Saul Alinsky? /

//No but I'm pretty sure the guy I'm talking about is Jewish so we're in the ballpark at least!

80 Gus  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 12:47:42pm

re: #71 Sergey Romanov

I may think different things about GWB, but his aid to Africa was a great accomplishment. Apparently, now it is also a sign of being a "leftist".

...

Yeah but George W. Bush isn't really a true conservative. He's not even a real Republican. He's a gawt damned Rino!

81 Political Atheist  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 12:48:19pm

Just had a conversation with a Mom who has a 17 year old. Is her point that some places are too dangerous for young people like he rescued lady valid? There are many impoverished places that are safer than Somalia. Or the Iran border area. Or the NK border area.

82 lawhawk  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 12:48:43pm

re: #74 jamesfirecat

Caine? /Kung Fu Master?

83 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 12:48:46pm

re: #79 jamesfirecat

//No but I'm pretty sure the guy I'm talking about is Jewish so we're in the ballpark at least!

Karl Marx!

///

84 Slumbering Behemoth Stinks  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 12:48:48pm

re: #75 Sergey Romanov

Saul Alinsky? /

No, I think his name was Dave.

85 lawhawk  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 12:49:18pm

re: #80 Gus 802

...

Worse than that... he's a neocon!

86 Vicious Michigan Union Thug  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 12:50:23pm

re: #81 Rightwingconspirator

Just had a conversation with a Mom

Did she try to sell you the "Wrinkle Trick" that makes "Doctors Hate Her!"

87 lawhawk  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 12:52:55pm

re: #81 Rightwingconspirator

There are indeed places that are safer, but part of the reason for the kind of humanitarian aid is that these places are unsafe. People living in lawless regions (due to no governance, tribal conflicts, civil wars, border wars, etc. ) are far more likely to need humanitarian aid than those living in a stable state. There are exceptions to that, but droughts, strife, etc., usually play out in places that turn into unsafe regions because of those underlying conditions.

88 SanFranciscoZionist  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 12:52:58pm

re: #81 Rightwingconspirator

Just had a conversation with a Mom who has a 17 year old. Is her point that some places are too dangerous for young people like he rescued lady valid? There are many impoverished places that are safer than Somalia. Or the Iran border area. Or the NK border area.

The young lady in question is thirty-two. Yes, it's dangerous as hell, but I assume she thought it worth the risk, just as a soldier or war journalist might.

89 Decatur Deb  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 12:53:17pm

re: #81 Rightwingconspirator

Just had a conversation with a Mom who has a 17 year old. Is her point that some places are too dangerous for young people like her valid? There are many impoverished places that are safer than Somalia. Or the Iran border area. Or the NK border area.

A marquee on a little Baptist church in our town said "Pray for our missionaries in Connecticut."

90 Gus  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 12:53:19pm

re: #85 lawhawk

Worse than that... he's a neocon!

New world order!

Clearly Obama did this in order to help him win the election! A Republican of true principles would have waited until after the election to show no ulterior motives! Newt Gingrich would have waited until after the election to rescue these hostages and that would have been the right thing to do!

Derp.

91 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 12:54:00pm

... and then it hit me: this is even controversial?..

92 Decatur Deb  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 12:54:35pm

re: #87 lawhawk

There are indeed places that are safer, but part of the reason for the kind of humanitarian aid is that these places are unsafe. People living in lawless regions (due to no governance, tribal conflicts, civil wars, border wars, etc. ) are far more likely to need humanitarian aid than those living in a stable state. There are exceptions to that, but droughts, strife, etc., usually play out in places that turn into unsafe regions because of those underlying conditions.

Her particular mission seems to be 'de-mining'. I don't think we're dealing with a wimp, here.

93 Slumbering Behemoth Stinks  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 12:55:47pm

re: #88 SanFranciscoZionist

The young lady in question is thirty-two.

:sigh: The realization sinks in that I can factually call a 32 year old woman a "young lady". FML.

Seriously, though, I am glad she is safe now. Or safer anyway.

94 lawhawk  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 12:56:17pm

re: #91 Sergey Romanov

We're invading a sovereign nation!! /11ty (just have to ignore that Somalia is anything but a functional nation).

Fact is that the US did the right thing by sending in the DEVGRU to rescue the hostages and should receive all the kudos for getting the job done and all safely returning. End of story. Any sniping at the Administration over this latest special forces raid just smacks of petty vendettas and politics.

95 SanFranciscoZionist  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 12:56:41pm

re: #89 Decatur Deb

A marquee on a little Baptist church in our town said "Pray for our missionaries in Connecticut."

For some reason, this makes me LOL.

Although my best 'missionary moment' was when a friend (Southern Baptist) told me that her new boyfriend had been a missionary to Lithuania.

As Lithuania was converted by St. Casimir in, I think 900 or so, this baffled me somewhat.

"Converted to what?" I asked.

"Christianity," she said, perfectly seriously.

96 Political Atheist  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 12:57:16pm

re: #87 lawhawk

There are indeed places that are safer, but part of the reason for the kind of humanitarian aid is that these places are unsafe. People living in lawless regions (due to no governance, tribal conflicts, civil wars, border wars, etc. ) are far more likely to need humanitarian aid than those living in a stable state. There are exceptions to that, but droughts, strife, etc., usually play out in places that turn into unsafe regions because of those underlying conditions.

Perhaps this is a reminder that when you volunteer abroad in very dangerous places, you put yourself and potential rescuers at risk to save your life.

97 blueraven  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 12:57:24pm

re: #91 Sergey Romanov

... and then it hit me: this is even controversial?..

And that is truly the insane take away here. A heroic action to rescue one of our own is suddenly not a good thing?

98 SanFranciscoZionist  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 12:58:09pm

re: #93 Slumbering Behemoth

:sigh: The realization sinks in that I can factually call a 32 year old woman a "young lady". FML.

Seriously, though, I am glad she is safe now. Or safer anyway.

I mean, it's not like I wouldn't have a breakdown if a friend or relative of mine took something like this on.

99 Decatur Deb  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 12:58:15pm

re: #95 SanFranciscoZionist

For some reason, this makes me LOL.

Although my best 'missionary moment' was when a friend (Southern Baptist) told me that her new boyfriend had been a missionary to Lithuania.

As Lithuania was converted by St. Casimir in, I think 900 or so, this baffled me somewhat.

"Converted to what?" I asked.

"Christianity," she said, perfectly seriously.

Well, Connecticut is riddled with Yankees.

100 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 12:58:46pm

re: #95 SanFranciscoZionist

When was Latveria converted? /

101 SanFranciscoZionist  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 12:59:29pm

re: #96 Rightwingconspirator

Perhaps this is a reminder that when you volunteer abroad in very dangerous places, you put yourself and potential rescuers at risk to save your life.

I see it as a reminder that when you kidnap an American, you put yourself in harm's way.

102 Slumbering Behemoth Stinks  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 1:00:24pm

re: #100 Sergey Romanov

Never. Victor von Doom does not allow conversions.

103 Atlas Fails  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 1:01:11pm

re: #67 kirkspencer

The Truman Doctrine is why we went into Vietnam. "[T]he policy of the United States [is] to support free people who are resisting attempted subjugation by armed minorities or by outside pressures."

There were also his major missteps leading up to the Korean war, not least of which was being a major driver behind reducing the size of the military below what even Congress was wanting, and failing to involve Congress when he went to the UN for military action (because the Navy was too small).

No, don't think I can call Truman the best. Better than some, but far from the best.

The important thing that Johnson ignored about the Truman Doctrine was that it only applied to situations where "free people were resisting attempted subjugation by armed minorities or by outside pressures." In Vietnam, the majority of the populace opposed the capitalist dictatorship we set up, and we plunged the country into chaos after the CIA assassinated Diem, the guy we helped put into power in the first place. The only significant outside pressure came from the U.S., and we were basically supporting an "armed minority." Johnson pretty much employed the bizarro version of the Truman Doctrine.

There were also his major missteps leading up to the Korean war, not least of which was being a major driver behind reducing the size of the military below what even Congress was wanting, and failing to involve Congress when he went to the UN for military action (because the Navy was too small).

Truman made mistakes during and leading up to Korea, no doubt, but they were outweighed by positive accomplishments, imo. The UN did have to bail out our Navy, but Truman was a driving force behind establishing the UN (and NATO, for that matter), which is much more significant than prematurely downsizing the military. Allowing MacArthur to cross the 38th parallel was probably his biggest blunder, but again, it is outweighed by the long-term success of our mission in Korea to me.

Going for a run, bbl.

104 SanFranciscoZionist  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 1:01:21pm

re: #100 Sergey Romanov

When was Latveria converted? /

I dunno. Where's Latveria?

105 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 1:01:23pm

re: #102 Slumbering Behemoth

Never. Victor von Doom does not allow conversions.

What is the official religion of Latveria then? Doom's Day cult?

106 lawhawk  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 1:01:31pm

re: #96 Rightwingconspirator

Except that you can't make these places safer with wishful thinking. You need boots on the ground - humanitarian groups (MSF and the charity group involved here for example) to do the heavy lifting of getting people on their feet to do things on their own, whether it is learning how to clear fields of mines (a totally admirable and thankless task despite the risks involved) or providing medical services under the worst possible circumstances.

These kinds of groups should get the protections of world organizations, but terrorists and criminal enterprises have regularly gone after these groups (stealing medicine for example and harassing other charities claiming that they're proselytizing or causing diseases to spread through vaccination etc.) and it means that someone has to step in to protect these folks doing thankless tasks.

107 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 1:02:17pm

Heh. Chunkymonkey shits all over himself as we speak.

108 Obdicut  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 1:02:56pm

re: #107 Sergey Romanov

Heh. Chunkymonkey shits all over himself as we speak.

He tries so hard!

109 SanFranciscoZionist  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 1:03:06pm

re: #104 SanFranciscoZionist

I dunno. Where's Latveria?

Ah. I see.

I only know about the conversion of Lithuania because my father made a trip to the USSR in 1980 with a bunch of other Catholics.

There were St. Casimir cards involved.

110 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 1:03:20pm

re: #104 SanFranciscoZionist

located in the Banat region. It is surrounded by the Carpathian Mountains, and also borders the Symkaria (home of Silver Sable) to the south. Its capital is Doomstadt.

111 Gus  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 1:03:40pm

re: #108 Obdicut

He tries so hard!

I always thought that came easy to him.

112 William Barnett-Lewis  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 1:03:46pm

re: #95 SanFranciscoZionist

For some reason, this makes me LOL.

Although my best 'missionary moment' was when a friend (Southern Baptist) told me that her new boyfriend had been a missionary to Lithuania.

As Lithuania was converted by St. Casimir in, I think 900 or so, this baffled me somewhat.

"Converted to what?" I asked.

"Christianity," she said, perfectly seriously.

Sigh. I can't even laugh. My MiL's cult (a small holiness movement derived church that was started in the 1880's though they "go all the way back to Jesus" don't you know?) sends missionaries to the Ukraine regularly. Of course they're one of those groups that says only 144,000 will be saved worldwide. :facepalm: Thankfully my father pays little attention to that. But I'm an even worse heathen as an Episcopalian because praying from a prayer book rather than off the cuff is horrible and I don't accept the primacy of the King James version. :headdesk:

113 Slumbering Behemoth Stinks  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 1:04:17pm

re: #105 Sergey Romanov

Ha! I still have this in the garage.

114 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 1:05:11pm

re: #113 Slumbering Behemoth

oh snap

115 Gus  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 1:06:41pm

Gov. Mitt Romney is reflected in his teleprompter.

But. But. I only thought that Barrack Hussein Obama used a teleprompter!

116 Obdicut  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 1:07:07pm

re: #115 Gus 802

That's a typo. Romney was using a Freedomprompter.

117 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 1:07:42pm

re: #115 Gus 802

Obama uses a teleprompter.

His opponents are teleprompters.

118 Gus  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 1:08:15pm

re: #117 Sergey Romanov

Obama uses a teleprompter.

His opponents are telepromters.

The Mitt Romney 2000 XLE.

119 Gus  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 1:08:51pm

Double quote there. Fixed.

120 Slumbering Behemoth Stinks  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 1:09:01pm

re: #115 Gus 802

re: #116 Obdicut

Both wrong. That's Mitt's evil(?) twin, stuck in the Phantom Zone.

121 Gus  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 1:10:37pm

Michelle Malkin
@michellemalkin Michelle Malkin
Good news: Obama's teleprompter got the number of states right. #sotu

Derp! They're still at it.

122 Gus  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 1:11:24pm
123 Feline Fearless Leader  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 1:11:39pm

re: #37 Alouette

It's a movie meme that explains why James Bond never gets old and has so many different appearances. :)

Done as a plot point in the first _Casino Royale_ movie. The original Bond (David Niven) comes out of retirement since his successor Bond has disappeared along with a bunch of other agents. And one of his first orders is that *all* agents will be referred to as "James Bond" in order to confuse the enemy.

124 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 1:11:41pm

re: #121 Gus 802

Derp! They're still at it.

Oh, number of the states. What about the number of Malkin's articles at the white supremacist site VDARE?

125 Gus  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 1:12:23pm

Dear Fox Nation idiots,

You input the complete text into the teleprompter software. And that would include ALL of the text.

Sincerely,

Gus

126 Targetpractice  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 1:12:34pm

re: #120 Slumbering Behemoth

re: #116 Obdicut

Both wrong. That's Mitt's evil(?) twin, stuck in the Phantom Zone.

"Come, son of Barack! Kneel before Mitt!"

//

127 Slumbering Behemoth Stinks  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 1:12:37pm

re: #121 Gus 802

Never let a stupid meme go to waste. Hawt Ayer is still using this graphic.

128 Obdicut  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 1:14:25pm

re: #127 Slumbering Behemoth

That's like a parody. Poe's Law is strong.

129 Gus  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 1:14:26pm

Oh it's from that idiot Weasel Zippers. Can you believe that? Fox Nation uses idiots like Weasel Zipper and Jim Hoft for content. If this doesn't tell you about the quality and caliber of the Fox News organization then I don't know what else does.

130 iceweasel  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 1:15:26pm

re: #129 Gus 802

Oh it's from that idiot Weasel Zippers. Can you believe that? Fox Nation uses idiots like Weasel Zipper and Jim Hoft for content. If this doesn't tell you about the quality and caliber of the Fox News organization then I don't know what else does.

No duh, my brother.
How goes it, gus?

131 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 1:15:33pm

re: #129 Gus 802

Oh it's from that idiot Weasel Zippers. Can you believe that? Fox Nation uses idiots like Weasel Zipper and Jim Hoft for content. If this doesn't tell you about the quality and caliber of the Fox News organization then I don't know what else does.

It tells me about the quality and caliber of Hoft and Zipper.

132 Gus  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 1:16:30pm

re: #130 iceweasel

No duh, my brother.
How goes it, gus?

Hey Ice. It goes. Kind of a nice day outside. How's things in the land of the Scots? I heard something movement towards Scottish independence on the news.

133 ProMayaLiberal  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 1:17:55pm

Al-Assad stepped in it today:

2011–2012 Syrian uprising: The Syrian Red Crescent says its vice president has been shot dead. (BBC)

134 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 1:18:26pm

Stain has been wiped.

135 iceweasel  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 1:18:41pm

re: #132 Gus 802

Hey Ice. It goes. Kind of a nice day outside. How's things in the land of the Scots? I heard something movement towards Scottish independence on the news.

Jimmah and I moved through the pub, that's all I know about Scottish independence. //

//no really. it's a referendum in 2014, iirc.

136 Gus  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 1:19:22pm

re: #134 Sergey Romanov

Stain has been wiped.

Looks like the Chunkymonkey was just flushed down the toilet!

137 Obdicut  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 1:19:53pm

re: #136 Gus 802

He was boring.

138 Feline Fearless Leader  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 1:20:15pm

re: #135 iceweasel

Jimmah and I moved through the pub, that's all I know about Scottish independence. //

//no really. it's a referendum in 2014, iirc.

If it passes have they already scheduled the first invasion across the Marches? Or are they simply going to settle for rugby and football matches?

139 Targetpractice  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 1:20:48pm

re: #136 Gus 802

Looks like the Chunkymonkey was just flushed down the toilet!

Another name to add to the Wall of Shame.

140 ProMayaLiberal  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 1:20:51pm

re: #135 iceweasel

I don't think the referendum will work for the SNP. I've seen some polling, and talked to more than a few people (both real world and on the internet).

141 Gus  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 1:21:03pm

re: #135 iceweasel

Jimmah and I moved through the pub, that's all I know about Scottish independence. //

//no really. it's a referendum in 2014, iirc.

Tried sending you some messages on Gmail last night but they didn't get through. ;)

142 Gus  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 1:21:43pm

re: #139 Targetpractice, Worst of Both Worlds

Another name to add to the Wall of Shame.

Heck yeah. He'll be another nut that will be consumed by his "LGF experience" for the next 100 years. I guarantee! ;)

143 iceweasel  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 1:22:24pm

re: #138 oaktree

If it passes have they already scheduled the first invasion across the Marches? Or are they simply going to settle for rugby and football matches?

Jimmah says, First we take Manhattan York, you know the rest.

FREEDOM!

144 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 1:23:14pm

re: #142 Gus 802

Heck yeah. He'll be another nut that will be consumed by his "LGF experience" for the next 100 years. I guarantee! ;)

For all we know, it might be one of the "old friends".

145 lawhawk  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 1:23:24pm

re: #133 ProLifeLiberal

Really? That's sure to piss off other human rights groups, but Assad will likely claim that it was the protesters/terrorists/insurgents/Israel/US/etc. who were behind this, and not his own security forces.

It's what he does.

146 Feline Fearless Leader  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 1:23:25pm

re: #143 iceweasel

Jimmah says, First we take Manhattan York, you know the rest.

FREEDOM!

Well, once they go down it's all over but the kick'n!
(Crivens!)

147 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 1:23:48pm

re: #143 iceweasel

Jimmah says, First we take Manhattan York, you know the rest.

Then we drink silly in Berlin.

148 Killgore Trout  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 1:24:48pm

re: #58 Gus 802

So a bunch of home bound, mouth breathing, Cheetos eating wingnut losers are calling the hostages leftists?

It's definitely one of the most bizarre wingnut instincts. Back on the old LGF a lot of wingnuts would freak out over Jill Carrol, A journalist taken hostage in Iraq, or the British sailors who were briefly held hostage by Iran. They would for some reason assume that hostages were willing participants in their own captivity and the forced video statements were spoken from the heart.
I think there was one case of a German woman who was discovered with a portion of her own ransom money and the famous Yvonne Ridley but these cases are extremely rare.

149 Gus  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 1:24:57pm

re: #144 Sergey Romanov

For all we know, it might be one of the "old friends".

He's probably already lurking and taking screen shots!

Derp!

//

150 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 1:26:43pm

re: #149 Gus 802

He's probably already lurking and taking screen shots!

Derp!

//

He probably also has a whole big cache of emails from LGF luminaries like rwmofo and tshinkle. He will expose them!

151 Brother Holy Cruise Missile of Mild Acceptance  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 1:26:50pm

re: #148 Killgore Trout

Don't you know that they only became hostages because they surrendered in the first place and didn't fight their captors to the death? That means they obviously are leftists because only a leftist would surrender like France without even trying to fight back!

//

152 Gus  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 1:27:54pm

re: #150 Sergey Romanov

He probably also has a whole big cache of emails from LGF luminaries like rwmofo and tshinkle. He will expose them!

Wait until we release the information we've gathered about you Sergey! You're next!

Derp.

//

153 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 1:28:00pm

re: #151 Dreggas

Don't you know that they only became hostages because they surrendered in the first place and didn't fight their captors to the death? That means they obviously are leftists because only a leftist would surrender like France without even trying to fight back!

//

Well, that was the wingnut logic in regard to young Soros. He should have fought the Nazis, you see, like the other European 14 year olds.

154 Targetpractice  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 1:28:43pm

re: #142 Gus 802

Heck yeah. He'll be another nut that will be consumed by his "LGF experience" for the next 100 years. I guarantee! ;)

Another pile of protoplasm to slither over to one of the stalker blogs.

155 Gus  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 1:28:54pm

Or as they would say. "Your next!"

156 iceweasel  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 1:29:18pm

re: #155 Gus 802

Or as they would say. "Your next!"

hahahaha

157 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 1:29:41pm

re: #152 Gus 802

Wait until we release the information we've gathered about you Sergey! You're next!

Derp.

//

Yes, I'm a well-known neo-Nazi neo-Stalinist Jewish supremacist JDL type.

158 Gus  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 1:30:05pm

re: #156 iceweasel

hahahaha

I should show you one of the Tweets they sent me.

159 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 1:30:22pm

re: #157 Sergey Romanov

Also, gay. Says right there in my name. Never fails.

160 darthstar  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 1:30:50pm

Heh...The GOP is getting PWNED by fucking Castro...yes, the same Castro they flexed their testicles Monday night over by bragging about how he wasn't going to meet his maker (god) but go to the other place...

"The selection of a Republican candidate for the presidency of this globalized and expansive empire is — and I mean this seriously — the greatest competition of idiocy and ignorance that has ever been," said the retired Cuban leader, who has dueled with 11 U.S. administrations since his 1959 revolution.

When Fidel Castro mocks you, you know you suck.

161 Jimmah  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 1:30:58pm

And now I know how Joan of Arc felt...

Musical martyr cookie from The Smiths:

162 Killgore Trout  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 1:31:24pm

Report: Preconditions in place for Israeli Iran strike

Ronen Bergman, writing this week in the New York Times Magazine, assesses that three preconditions are in place: Israel is able to cause major damage to Iran's suspected nuclear weapons program and is able to withstand a counterattack; Israel has tacit American support; all other methods short of an attack are close to exhausted and this may be the last chance for a successful attack.

Bergman bases his conclusions on interviews with a range of top Israeli defense officials. Notably, two of them -- Defense Minister Ehud Barak and Moshe Ya'alon, the deputy prime minister and minister of strategic affairs -- speak extensively on the record.

Barak tells Bergman that the opportunity for a successful strike will likely close out this year.

163 iceweasel  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 1:32:04pm

re: #140 ProLifeLiberal

I don't think the referendum will work for the SNP. I've seen some polling, and talked to more than a few people (both real world and on the internet).

I think you're right, tho if I remember right the referendum doesn't come up for vote til 2014. Maybe I'm used to US election cycles, but for me that's so far away who knows what might happen.

164 Obdicut  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 1:33:00pm

re: #162 Killgore Trout


Well, here comes a wellspring of support for the mullahs.

Sigh.

165 Gus  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 1:34:46pm

Ice! Check your email.

166 SidewaysQuark  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 1:35:22pm

Obama is such a pacifist in the face of terrorism that he keeps ordering them killed all the time.

167 lawhawk  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 1:36:58pm

re: #166 SidewaysQuark

It interferes with his golf outings, dontcha know. /

168 iceweasel  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 1:37:28pm

re: #165 Gus 802

Ice! Check your email.

Just did. Whoa!

169 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 1:37:33pm

re: #166 SidewaysQuark

Obama is such a pacifist in the face of terrorism that he keeps ordering them killed all the time.

YOUR RIGHT. THIS IS SUSPICIOUS. IS HE TRYING TO ERASE TRACES OF HIS CONEXIONS TO TERORISM?!?!11

170 Jimmah  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 1:37:43pm

re: #132 Gus 802

Hey Ice. It goes. Kind of a nice day outside. How's things in the land of the Scots? I heard something movement towards Scottish independence on the news.

If I'm convinced that the Nationalists will move Scotland in a genuinely Socialist direction (right now the treatment of workers in the UK is nothing short of disgusting - yeah, thanks for that Thatch!), they'll have my vote. At the moment, the jury is out.

171 Gus  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 1:37:49pm

re: #168 iceweasel

Just did. Whoa!

It's dumb.

172 Decatur Deb  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 1:38:16pm

BBL

173 Charles Johnson  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 1:39:15pm

If anyone's interested, this is chunky's previous identity at LGF: [Link: littlegreenfootballs.com...]

174 Talking Point Detective  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 1:39:54pm

OT - but interesting:

Nate Silver reports today that Newt Gingrich has mentioned the name of the 40th President of the United States more than any other Republican candidate during the debates that have occurred this election cycle.

[...]


today at National Review, Elliot Abrams, who served in President Reagan’s State Department for the entirety of his eight years in office reveals that Gingrich didn’t really think much of Reagan while he was in office:

In the increasingly rough Republican campaign, no candidate has wrapped himself in the mantle of Ronald Reagan more often than Newt Gingrich. “I worked with President Reagan to change things in Washington,” “we helped defeat the Soviet empire,” and “I helped lead the effort to defeat Communism in the Congress” are typical claims by the former speaker of the House.

The claims are misleading at best. As a new member of Congress in the Reagan years — and I was an assistant secretary of state — Mr. Gingrich voted with the president regularly, but equally often spewed insulting rhetoric at Reagan, his top aides, and his policies to defeat Communism. Gingrich was voluble and certain in predicting that Reagan’s policies would fail, and in all of this he was dead wrong.

(…)

The best examples come from a famous floor statement Gingrich made on March 21, 1986. This was right in the middle of the fight over funding for the Nicaraguan contras; the money had been cut off by Congress in 1985, though Reagan got $100 million for this cause in 1986. Here is Gingrich: “Measured against the scale and momentum of the Soviet empire’s challenge, the Reagan administration has failed, is failing, and without a dramatic change in strategy will continue to fail. . . . President Reagan is clearly failing.” Why? This was due partly to “his administration’s weak policies, which are inadequate and will ultimately fail”; partly to CIA, State, and Defense, which “have no strategies to defeat the empire.” But of course “the burden of this failure frankly must be placed first on President Reagan.” Our efforts against the Communists in the Third World were “pathetically incompetent,” so those anti-Communist members of Congress who questioned the $100 million Reagan sought for the Nicaraguan “contra” rebels “are fundamentally right.” Such was Gingrich’s faith in President Reagan that in 1985, he called Reagan’s meeting with Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev “the most dangerous summit for the West since Adolf Hitler met with Neville Chamberlain in 1938 in Munich.”

175 steve_davis  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 1:41:24pm

re: #3 PhillyPretzel

Congrats to the Navy SEALs who pulled off this mission.

re: #38 Obdicut

There is a theory of interpretation of the Bond franchise that "James Bond" is not the name of an individual, but of the 007 position. This explains why the people change and no one seems to notice.

LOL! They would have an easier time with this if they stopped filling the position with major movie stars. ("Hey wait....I know you. Aren't you the guy who did The Saint?")

176 Talking Point Detective  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 1:41:40pm

re: #174 Talking Point Detective

[Link: www.outsidethebeltway.com...]

177 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 1:42:24pm

re: #174 Talking Point Detective

Oooooouuuucchhh

178 CuriousLurker  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 1:44:35pm

Drive-by comment because I had no idea...O_o

Forced Sterilization for Transgender People in Sweden

Little known fact about Sweden, that supposed bastion of liberal idealism: If a Swedish transgender person wants to legally update their gender on official ID papers, a 1972 law requires them to get both divorced and sterilized first.

WTF, Sweden?

179 lawhawk  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 1:44:48pm

Developing: Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner tells Bloomberg News he likely won't serve a second Obama term.

Turnover between administrations is pretty common, and this gives Obama another opportunity to pick someone going forward (or more headaches, depending on what you think of Geithner).

180 steve_davis  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 1:45:20pm

re: #47 lawhawk

There's only one Bond (Connery, though Daniel Craig is making a good case for #2).

As for the Doctor, I grew up with Tom Baker (he of the multicolored scarf), but both David Tennant (aka Barty Crouch Jr.) and Matt Smith have brought their own spin on the character.

You know, the really weird thing about the revamped series is that for several years I thought Chris Eccleston wasn't that good in the role. Then I finally watched the first series on DVD, sans commercial breaks. It turns out it wasn't Eccleston that turned me off--just the million commercials on BBC America.

181 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 1:45:41pm

re: #178 CuriousLurker

Is the law enforced?

182 CuriousLurker  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 1:47:17pm

re: #181 Sergey Romanov

Is the law enforced?

I appears so. Sheeeeeiiiit.

183 wrenchwench  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 1:48:00pm

re: #173 Charles

If anyone's interested, this is chunky's previous identity at LGF: [Link: littlegreenfootballs.com...]

He didn't change a thing, except the nic:

1196 carnaby12/01/2009 12:19:56 am PST

-4


re: #1180 Bagua

Be quiet carnaby, can't you see we are busy?

No need to be a jerk. Seriously though, I'm just curious. Leaving "the right," whatever that is, doesn't necessarily mean embracing the left. Now I know what Charles stands against. But I don't see that the left has much to offer except that they are not the right.

I had a difficult time with this in the last election. The right sucked and I avoided them, but I didn't vote for the left either. There's simply no where left to go.

.

1206 carnaby12/01/2009 12:22:42 am PST

-1

re: #1200 cliffster

away?

Wow, you guys are the biggest bunch of jerks around. What the hell is your problem?

184 Obdicut  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 1:48:02pm

re: #182 CuriousLurker

Sweden was big on eugenics for awhile, but I thought they had cut it all out.

185 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 1:48:22pm

re: #182 CuriousLurker

Well, I never was under impression that Europe was liberal up until relatively recently. I think they will get rid of this vestige of the past sooner or later.

186 Killgore Trout  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 1:48:54pm

Israeli hospital, newspaper websites hacked in latest series of politically motivated attacks

The Haaretz daily reported its site was hacked by a group calling itself Anonymous Palestine. The Tel Hashomer hospital’s website was also blocked Wednesday for a few hours by a flood of messages from abroad, a hospital spokesman said.

The Israel Festival’s site was plastered with a Palestinian flag icon and the message “Death to Israel and U.S.A.” A hacker dubbed Watchful Eye claimed responsibility

187 CuriousLurker  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 1:50:14pm

re: #184 Obdicut

re: #185 Sergey Romanov

All I can saw is that one really threw me for a loop. Sheesh.

188 Killgore Trout  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 1:51:10pm

re: #179 lawhawk

Developing: Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner tells Bloomberg News he likely won't serve a second Obama term.

Turnover between administrations is pretty common, and this gives Obama another opportunity to pick someone going forward (or more headaches, depending on what you think of Geithner).

Ugh, I'm pretty sure a replacement would require a confirmation hearing. I guess Obama will have to use a recess appointment.

189 Targetpractice  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 1:51:58pm

re: #179 lawhawk

Developing: Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner tells Bloomberg News he likely won't serve a second Obama term.

Turnover between administrations is pretty common, and this gives Obama another opportunity to pick someone going forward (or more headaches, depending on what you think of Geithner).

And now, I'll use my powers of clairvoyance to determine that the wingnuts view this as Obama forcing him to resign in order to use him as a scapegoat for the bad economy.

190 Obdicut  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 1:53:12pm

re: #187 CuriousLurker

More common than you'd think:

[Link: en.wikipedia.org...]

Czechoslovakia carried out a policy of sterilization of some Roma women, starting in 1973. In various cases the sterilization was agreed upon, often in exchange for social welfare benefits or was given by the lack of education. The dissidents of the Charter 77 denounced it in 1977-78 as a "genocide", but the practice continued through the Velvet Revolution of 1989. A 2005 report by the Czech government's independent ombudsman, Otakar Motejl, identified dozens of cases of coercive sterilization between 1979 and 2001, and called for criminal investigations and possible prosecution against several health care workers and administrators.

But for sweden:


[Link: en.wikipedia.org...]

In 1997, following the publication of articles by Maciej Zaremba in the Dagens Nyheter daily, widespread attention was given to the fact that Sweden once operated a strong sterilization program, which was active primarily from the mid 1930s until the 1970s. A governmental commission was set up, and finished its inquiry in 2000.

The eugenistic legislation was enacted in 1934 and was formally abolished in 1976. According to the 2000 governmental report, 21,000 were estimated to have been forcibly sterilized, 6,000 were coerced into a 'voluntary' sterilization while the nature of a further 4,000 cases could not be determined. However, the 40,000 or so socio-medical cases are contested, and Zaremba and others argue that they were more in the interest of society than individual women. The Swedish state subsequently paid out damages to victims who contacted the authorities and asked for compensation.

You sure it's still going on? They paid reparations.

191 Jimmah  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 1:53:51pm

re: #178 CuriousLurker

Drive-by comment because I had no idea...O_o

WTF, Sweden?

They werte sterilizing "defectives" right left and centre right up to the 1980's iirc.

192 Lidane  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 1:54:09pm

re: #52 Targetpractice, Worst of Both Worlds

Problem is that they established well back in the series canon that timelords have a limit of 12 regenerations, or 13 incarnations. And they're already on the 11th Doctor.

True, but they'll come up with some sort of explanation of why that was wrong when they get there. No way is the Beeb giving up on Doctor Who when it's massively popular again.

193 Obdicut  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 1:54:22pm

We did it here in the US, too.

[Link: www.npr.org...]

194 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 1:55:11pm

re: #193 Obdicut

Heck, only a few days ago a judge ordered sterilization.

195 TedStriker  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 1:56:56pm

re: #174 Talking Point Detective

OT - but interesting:

Nate Silver reports today that Newt Gingrich has mentioned the name of the 40th President of the United States more than any other Republican candidate during the debates that have occurred this election cycle.

[...]


today at National Review, Elliot Abrams, who served in President Reagan’s State Department for the entirety of his eight years in office reveals that Gingrich didn’t really think much of Reagan while he was in office:

In the increasingly rough Republican campaign, no candidate has wrapped himself in the mantle of Ronald Reagan more often than Newt Gingrich. “I worked with President Reagan to change things in Washington,” “we helped defeat the Soviet empire,” and “I helped lead the effort to defeat Communism in the Congress” are typical claims by the former speaker of the House.

The claims are misleading at best. As a new member of Congress in the Reagan years — and I was an assistant secretary of state — Mr. Gingrich voted with the president regularly, but equally often spewed insulting rhetoric at Reagan, his top aides, and his policies to defeat Communism. Gingrich was voluble and certain in predicting that Reagan’s policies would fail, and in all of this he was dead wrong.

(…)

The best examples come from a famous floor statement Gingrich made on March 21, 1986. This was right in the middle of the fight over funding for the Nicaraguan contras; the money had been cut off by Congress in 1985, though Reagan got $100 million for this cause in 1986. Here is Gingrich: “Measured against the scale and momentum of the Soviet empire’s challenge, the Reagan administration has failed, is failing, and without a dramatic change in strategy will continue to fail. . . . President Reagan is clearly failing.” Why? This was due partly to “his administration’s weak policies, which are inadequate and will ultimately fail”; partly to CIA, State, and Defense, which “have no strategies to defeat the empire.” But of course “the burden of this failure frankly must be placed first on President Reagan.” Our efforts against the Communists in the Third World were “pathetically incompetent,” so those anti-Communist members of Congress who questioned the $100 million Reagan sought for the Nicaraguan “contra” rebels “are fundamentally right.” Such was Gingrich’s faith in President Reagan that in 1985, he called Reagan’s meeting with Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev “the most dangerous summit for the West since Adolf Hitler met with Neville Chamberlain in 1938 in Munich.”

If the Newtomatons catch wind that that their hero slighted St. Ronald of Reagan like this, it's on like Donkey Kong. At least, I hope it will be...

196 CuriousLurker  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 1:58:13pm

re: #190 Obdicut

More common than you'd think:

[Link: en.wikipedia.org...]

But for sweden:

[Link: en.wikipedia.org...]

You sure it's still going on? They paid reparations.

Well, this appears to be a very recent push to get them to change the law, so it seems to me that it must be.

re: #191 Jimmah

They werte sterilizing "defectives" right left and centre right up to the 1980's iirc.

Ugh, that's so disgusting. I know it was even done here too, but I somehow perceived Sweden (and the other Scandinavian countries) as especially liberal.

Learn something new every day.

197 Talking Point Detective  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 1:58:20pm

re: #178 CuriousLurker

Drive-by comment because I had no idea...O_o

WTF, Sweden?

???? Just goes to show how easily we all make generalizations that aren't based in fact - I would have considered that to be an impossibility in modern-day Sweden.

198 Targetpractice  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 1:58:39pm

re: #179 lawhawk

Developing: Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner tells Bloomberg News he likely won't serve a second Obama term.

Turnover between administrations is pretty common, and this gives Obama another opportunity to pick someone going forward (or more headaches, depending on what you think of Geithner).

Geithner: Obama Wouldn’t Ask Me to Stay in a Second Term

Treasury Secretary Timothy F. Geithner said he doesn’t expect President Barack Obama to ask him to stay in office if he’s re-elected, and dismissed Wall Street’s concerns about financial regulations.

“He’s not going to ask me to stay on, I’m pretty confident,” Geithner said in an interview with Bloomberg Television today. “I’m confident he’ll be president. But I’m also confident he’s going to have the privilege of having another secretary of the Treasury.”

199 Obdicut  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 1:58:47pm

re: #195 talon_262

If the Newtomatons catch wind that that their hero slighted St. Ronald of Reagan like this, it's on like Donkey Kong. At least, I hope it will be...

I don't think so. Newt was attacking Reagan from the Right. If the wingnuts are forced to confront that Reagan was to the left of them, they might just explode. So they'll prefer to just not think about this.

200 CuriousLurker  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 1:59:24pm

re: #193 Obdicut

We did it here in the US, too.

[Link: www.npr.org...]

Yeah, I learned about that through Wikipedia a couple of years ago. I totally freaked me out.

201 Lidane  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 1:59:35pm

Rupert Murdoch states the obvious:

Murdoch: 'Romney's Tax Returns Might Kill His Chances'

Ya think? Between Mitt's taxes and Newt being Newt, the GOP is screwed.

202 CuriousLurker  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 2:00:07pm

re: #197 Talking Point Detective

??? Just goes to show how easily we all make generalizations that aren't based in fact - I would have considered that to be an impossibility in modern-day Sweden.

Me too!

203 Obdicut  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 2:01:21pm

re: #196 CuriousLurker

Oh, I see. Well, the only thing I can say that it's not forced eugenics per se, it's sterilization of people who want gender reassignment. It sucks and it's terrible and it's awful, but it looks like it's conservatives making a last crybaby stand.

204 Talking Point Detective  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 2:01:22pm

re: #195 talon_262

If the Newtomatons catch wind that that their hero slighted St. Ronald of Reagan like this, it's on like Donkey Kong. At least, I hope it will be...

Well - he might be an hypocritical blowhard that dog whistles about food stamps and " Most Of The Asians,’ Some Latinos, But Not Many African Americans Understand Entrepreneurship..." And he might cheat on his wives while they're in the hospital getting treatment for cancer. And he might call himself a Reagan conservative even though he said that Reagan's administration was a failure..

But what are the readability scores of his speeches?!?!?!?!?!?!

205 zora  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 2:03:47pm

re: #112 wlewisiii

Sigh. I can't even laugh. My MiL's cult (a small holiness movement derived church that was started in the 1880's though they "go all the way back to Jesus" don't you know?) sends missionaries to the Ukraine regularly. Of course they're one of those groups that says only 144,000 will be saved worldwide. :facepalm: Thankfully my father pays little attention to that. But I'm an even worse heathen as an Episcopalian because praying from a prayer book rather than off the cuff is horrible and I don't accept the primacy of the King James version. :headdesk:

i never understood those that spread the gospel but only believe that 144,000 will be saved. so if the heaven quota hasn't been met, why give your space away or the space for your family and friends./

206 ProMayaLiberal  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 2:05:12pm

re: #178 CuriousLurker

I posted a comment about that some time back.

Sweden maybe very good, but they still have work to do.

207 Talking Point Detective  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 2:16:54pm

Don't know if it's been linked:

Conn. mayor's 'tacos' comment in Latino profiling case draws outrage
By James Eng, msnbc.com

One blunder on top of another?

The mayor of East Haven, Conn., came under a torrent of criticism Wednesday for telling a TV reporter “I might have tacos” when asked about how he would support the Latino community in the aftermath of the arrest of four town police officers accused of racially profiling and bullying Latino residents.

[Link: usnews.msnbc.msn.com...]

Now, can you guess? Republican or Democrat? What do you think?

208 Achilles Tang  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 2:33:53pm

re: #170 Jimmah

If I'm convinced that the Nationalists will move Scotland in a genuinely Socialist direction (right now the treatment of workers in the UK is nothing short of disgusting - yeah, thanks for that Thatch!), they'll have my vote. At the moment, the jury is out.

I presume all the little details of what being an independent country entails have been worked out, particularly when everything is economically and financially linked to those bad southerners?

I suppose all the Scottish military people will have to go awol to come home, and so on.

Who owns the F16s?

I could go on but I would end up calling some people really really stupid, or maybe as smart as some Texans.

209 SanFranciscoZionist  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 3:10:34pm

re: #205 zora

i never understood those that spread the gospel but only believe that 144,000 will be saved. so if the heaven quota hasn't been met, why give your space away or the space for your family and friends./

I believe that the Jehovah's Witnesses work with the idea that 144,000 will actually go to Heaven, to be sort of divine administrators in the next world, but the rest of us can live on the newly refitted Earth and enjoy all the benefits of newly friendly wild animals and an end to sickness and death.

210 Origuy  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 3:26:19pm

re: #42 Shiplord Kirel

I think you misread the comments of President Alim of Galmudug. According to Reuters, he said:

About 12 U.S. helicopters are now at Galkayo. We thank the U.S. Pirates have spoilt the whole region’s peace and ethics. They are mafia.

He's calling the pirates mafia. He may be a warlord, but he's not anti-US in this case.

211 Tigger2005  Wed, Jan 25, 2012 4:31:23pm

re: #57 Atlas Fails

OT- Speaking of foreign policy, I just ran across an Atlantic article from last summer. www.theatlantic.com...]>I like Roosevelt, but some of his biggest blunders were on foreign policy, especially postwar.

Actually, Roosevelt didn't make any blunders postwar. He died before it was over. But, Yalta did take place when the outcome of the war, at least in Europe, was not really in doubt. And Roosevelt did put WAY too much faith in Stalin to keep his promises.


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