George Zimmerman Launches Site With Photo of Vandalized Black Cultural Center

He apparently needs money fast, with an arrest pending
WTF • Views: 37,178

NBC News broke this story today; I have to admit I’m still a little skeptical, but apparently the man who shot Trayvon Martin, George Zimmerman, has started a website named therealgeorgezimmerman.com asking for donations to help pay for his legal costs.

One of the reasons I’m skeptical is that the page titled “Album” at this site contains a photo of The Frank W. Hale Jr. Black Cultural Center at Ohio State University, after it was defaced with graffiti saying “Long Live Zimmerman.”

Click to enlarge

Could Zimmerman really be this dumb? There’s also a page linked in the sidebar titled “My Race,” but it only contains a quote from Thomas Paine.

The site’s source code reveals that it was generated by GoDaddy’s very simple Website Builder tool, one of the options you get when you register a domain through GoDaddy. It looks like it was quickly thrown together, and it’s been crashing all day because it’s probably a very cheap, low-traffic GoDaddy shared hosting plan.

However, when I was able to get in, I clicked the Paypal link and it does lead to a real Paypal account; if it were just a simple hoax, that’s going to an extreme because it would possibly involve criminal fraud — so that argues strongly in favor of it being genuine.

And as I write this, ThinkProgress now has updated their post to say it’s confirmed by several sources that the site is owned and personally managed by George Zimmerman.

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577 comments
1 Targetpractice  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 5:27:50pm

Considering the contents of this site, it would have been better for GZ if he'd just kept silent.

2 Kragar  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 5:28:20pm

Service Temporarily Unavailable

Karma is a bitch.

3 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 5:28:26pm

TP also says:

The other photo featured on Zimmerman’s website is from a rally held by Koran-burning pastor Terry Jones

And indeed.

Baffling.

That it's not a hoax is clear from the fact that lawyers confirmed the site to NBC and Reuters. However, it could be that he doesn't necessarily make it himself (maybe his brother/father, etc.).

4 Decatur Deb  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 5:29:17pm

The cultural center needs to establish a neighborhood watch.

5 bluecheese  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 5:29:46pm

the people that spray painted that brick wall are the same kind of people that will contribute to the douchebags pay pal account.

6 b_Snark  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 5:30:54pm

Charles, did you intend for there to be and extra 'traffic' in "probably a very cheap traffic, low-traffic GoDaddy" or should it be "probably a very cheap, low-traffic GoDaddy"?

7 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 5:32:49pm

People have been asking why younger Trayvon's photo is juxtaposed with gloomy/fatter GZ photo. Liberal bias? Well, Fox does it too: [Link: www.foxnews.com...]

8 ProGunLiberal  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 5:33:30pm

re: #3 Johnny Derp

Wow, he is hitting every asshole button.

9 sean6886politik  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 5:34:03pm

Tried to access but getting the unavailable error.
As someone said earlier, he should've stayed silent.
If he put it up though, maybe he has been told he'll be arrested. Isn't the decision tomorrow?

10 wrenchwench  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 5:34:22pm

re: #7 Johnny Derp

People have been asking why younger Trayvon's photo is juxtaposed with gloomy/fatter GZ photo. Liberal bias? Well, Fox does it too: [Link: www.foxnews.com...]

But look how much bigger Trayvon's head is!! George didn't stand a chance!!!1!

11 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 5:34:48pm

Lazy reporting from Telegraph:

[Link: www.telegraph.co.uk...]

The link to a page called "My Race" was broken on Monday but it is thought to address the issue of Mr Zimmerman's own background. In initial reports he was usually said to be white but is now more regularly referred to as a mixed-race hispanic.

Yo, ever heard about reloading a page?

12 teleskiguy  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 5:38:04pm

Sickening.

Drudge Report's little section on the Trayvon Martin affair has the lovely heading "Race Wars:"

Some of these people really want to see mass violence. Makes me ill.

13 ProGunLiberal  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 5:38:29pm

Looking at Something Awful's thread about the story, they are having a conniption fit. Wonder how bad it will get when they see the part about Terry Jones getting support from him.

14 watching you tiny alien kittens are  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 5:40:06pm

re: #3 Johnny Derp

"I'm not a racist, race had nothing to do with this, and to prove it I'm now going to create a site with photos of racist vandalism by my supporters and a rally led by a racist islamaphobe."

Why?
Really. Just. Why?

15 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 5:40:36pm

[Link: littlegreenfootballs.com...]

A staggering 15,292 warm temperature records were broken, (7,755 record highs and 7,517 record high overnight lows), according to Chris Vaccaro, spokesperson for NOAA. “That’s tremendously excessive. The scope and the scale of warmth was really unprecedented, Vaccaro said.

16 sean6886politik  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 5:40:51pm

The quote he uses says, "justice for ALL". I guess he doesn't mean Trayvon when he says ALL. Just go to court. If you're innocent , let the evidence prove it, if you're guilty, let the evidence prove it. You can't just shoot an unarmed kid who was doing nothing illegal and walk free. That's not the USA I want to live in.

17 jamesfirecat  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 5:41:34pm

We all should take a moment and thank Mr. Zimmerman, all of CNN's video editing software can't do what he's done in an afternooon...

18 Lidane  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 5:42:00pm

re: #14 Tiny Alien Kitties are Watching You

Why?
Really. Just. Why?

Stupid is as stupid does.

19 Daniel Ballard  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 5:42:06pm

re: #12 teleskiguy

I have witnessed race riots twice in my life. I'd really like that to stay in my past. I was there in south central during the Watts riots at my grandparents home, and of course we had the Rodney king riots and curfew here in LA. I have harsh words for anyone looking to ramp up the tensions with this.

20 ProGunLiberal  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 5:43:59pm

Oh, the rabbit hole goes deeper. He referred to the shooting as a "life-changing event." That's how he thinks of the cold-blooded murder of a teenager. He is an evil POS being protected by his Judge daddy.

Also, his family did this:

“Strangely enough this case has a lot of parallels to those of Harper Lee’s ‘To Kill a Mockingbird,’” the letter to Attorney General Holder read. “George Zimmerman has been treated much like Tom Robinson was, chastised for not being the right (or wrong) color and found guilty based on race factors.

“You have the opportunity to act as Atticus [Finch] and do the right thing. Your boss would refer to this as a ‘teachable moment.’”

This family needs to be treated with contempt. At best.

21 Daniel Ballard  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 5:44:05pm

re: #16 sean6886politik

Thee might not be enough evidence to satisfy anyone. Except those who have long since already made up their minds of course.

22 EdDantes  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 5:44:27pm

Regardless of his appeal to patriotism (...the last refuge of scoundrels-Samuel Johnson), I don't see how using deadly force in this case is justified.
He appeared to be the stalker. Bringing a gun to a fist fight is frowned upon in the criminal justice system.

23 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 5:46:19pm

I wonder if seeing the reaction to the site GZ will try to claim that it was all a big mistake and it's a hoax after all.

24 jamesfirecat  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 5:46:25pm

re: #20 ProGunLiberal

Oh, the rabbit hole goes deeper. He referred to the shooting as a "life-changing event." That's how he thinks of the cold-blooded murder of a teenager. He is an evil POS being protected by his Judge daddy.

Also, his family did this:

This family needs to be treated with contempt. At best.

Here's a hint, you're being chastised not for your race but because EVEN YOU ADMIT that you shot an unarmed kid.

25 Lidane  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 5:46:33pm

re: #20 ProGunLiberal

He referred to the shooting as a "life-changing event."

It was a life-ending event for Trayvon Martin, but of course that apparently doesn't matter.

26 Charles Johnson  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 5:47:22pm

I'm actually surprised by this. I thought that couldn't happen any more.

Posting that photo is either so mind-bogglingly dumb that it defies imagination, or a pretty open admission that he's a racist creep. I don't see any other option.

27 ProGunLiberal  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 5:47:56pm

re: #25 Lidane

Yeah. This site more or less completely shows him as being an unmitigated racist and bigot.

The little letter his family did shows the same, as well as being class-less clowns.

Again, proof that money != class.

28 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 5:48:51pm

re: #26 Charles Johnson

I'm actually surprised by this. I thought that couldn't happen any more.

Posting that photo is either so mind-bogglingly dumb that it defies imagination, or a pretty open admission that he's a racist creep. I don't see any other option.

Coupled with the Terry Jones photo it's even more mind-boggling.

29 Decatur Deb  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 5:49:51pm

re: #14 Tiny Alien Kitties are Watching You

"I'm not a racist, race had nothing to do with this, and to prove it I'm now going to create a site with photos of racist vandalism by my supporters and a rally led by a racist islamaphobe."

Why?
Really. Just. Why?

The quality of derp is not strained, it droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven.

30 blueraven  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 5:50:56pm

re: #9 sean6886politik

Tried to access but getting the unavailable error.
As someone said earlier, he should've stayed silent.
If he put it up though, maybe he has been told he'll be arrested. Isn't the decision tomorrow?

It was announced today that the special prosecutor will not be sending this case to a grand jury

Corey has had three options: to file charges against Mr. Zimmerman, drop the case, or send it before the grand jury. And despite expectations that the jury might convene this week, Corey had indicated earlier that she might not use that option, saying that she has never before used a grand jury to decide on filing charges in a possible homicide case.

Benjamin Crump, a lawyer for Trayvon's family, spoke with several news outlets right after word of Corey's decision to bypass the grand jury was announced. He said he's hoping that means that charges against Zimmerman will be announced soon.

[Link: www.csmonitor.com...]

31 moderatelyradicalliberal  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 5:51:28pm

So the wannabe Dirty Harry who shot an unarmed kid dead is a terrible person lacking in good judgment or taste? Not surprising.

32 Charles Johnson  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 5:51:41pm

I can't get on to the site at all now. I guess Zimmerman should have sprung for a more expensive hosting plan. Another possible indication that this guy ain't too bright -- wouldn't take a genius at this point to figure out that launching a website in the middle of all this would involve some pretty large traffic.

33 Eventual Carrion  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 5:52:03pm

re: #12 teleskiguy

Sickening.

Drudge Report's little section on the Trayvon Martin affair has the lovely heading "Race Wars:"

Some of these people really want to see mass violence. Makes me ill.

Wonder how long before Helter Skelter Manson style is reborn.

34 jamesfirecat  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 5:52:50pm

re: #32 Charles Johnson

I can't get on to the site at all now. I guess Zimmerman should have sprung for a more expensive hosting plan. Another possible indication that this guy ain't too bright -- wouldn't take a genius at this point to figure out that launching a website in the middle of all this would involve some pretty large traffic.

But I thought the internet was a truck that could haul lots of data from one place to another....

35 Decatur Deb  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 5:53:24pm

re: #34 jamesfirecat

But I thought the internet was a truck that could haul lots of data from one place to another...

Gonna need bigger tubes.

36 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 5:53:52pm

re: #32 Charles Johnson

Opens up for me on the n-th try.

37 elizajane  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 5:54:07pm

re: #26 Charles Johnson

I'm actually surprised by this. I thought that couldn't happen any more.

Posting that photo is either so mind-bogglingly dumb that it defies imagination, or a pretty open admission that he's a racist creep. I don't see any other option.

Like the person at Fox Orlando who really didn't know that the National Socialists were not a civil rights organization. It's so stupid that it's got to be true -- nobody could deliberately do anything that dumb. Especially not somebody who's already got a lawyer.

38 EdDantes  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 5:56:11pm

re: #25 Lidane

It was a life-ending event for Trayvon Martin, but of course that apparently doesn't matter.

As exists with many young people today, it all about them.

39 SpaceJesus  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 5:57:40pm

Well, at least we know for sure that the real George Zimmerman is an idiot

40 Decatur Deb  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 5:57:49pm

Hope someone has alerted the Freepers about this worthy cause. Every dime they send him is one less for Rove.

41 blueraven  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 5:57:58pm

It looks like he took the photos down from the Album page

Now all I get is this quote

"A thousand words will not leave so deep an impression as one deed" - Henrik, Ibsen
This page is dedicated to persons whom have displayed their support of Justice for All.
Thank you,
George Zimmerman

and then this quote

The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil, is that good men do nothing. - Edmund Burke.

42 Shvaughn  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 5:58:08pm

Zimmerman is amazingly stupid. His lawyers must be shitting themselves.

43 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 5:59:10pm

re: #41 blueraven

It looks like he took the photos down from the Album page

Now all I get is this quote

and then this quote

No, they're just hard to load.

44 General Nimrod Bodfish  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 6:00:11pm

The sewer systems in Florida must be clogged from the massive bricks Zimmerman's lawyer shat upon receiving news of this site. That's just dumb. The dumb is so dense it could form a black hole!

45 jamesfirecat  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 6:00:53pm

re: #42 Shvaughn

Zimmerman is amazingly stupid. His lawyers must be shitting themselves.

Lets hope they get paid the same rate weather he walks free or goes to jail....

46 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 6:01:21pm

re: #44 Give the Mule what he wants

The sewer systems in Florida must be clogged from the massive bricks Zimmerman's lawyer shat upon receiving news of this site. That's just dumb. The dumb is so dense it could form a black hole!

I doubt it. It was the lawyers who confirmed the site to the press. If they were smart they would not comment, meanwhile begging GZ to take it down. So they're not worried.

47 Daniel Ballard  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 6:02:00pm

re: #42 Shvaughn

Zimmerman is amazingly stupid. His lawyers must be shitting themselves.

I'm pretty sure he has no competent legal representation. Or clue.

48 Charles Johnson  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 6:02:07pm

The photos are still there ... they don't show up sometimes because the server's getting hammered. There are probably other sites on that server too, suffering because of this mammoth traffic surge.

Whoever's actually in charge of that box is probably very pissed off at Mr. Zimmerman right now.

49 EdDantes  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 6:02:15pm

re: #44 Give the Mule what he wants

The sewer systems in Florida must be clogged from the massive bricks Zimmerman's lawyer shat upon receiving news of this site. That's just dumb. The dumb is so dense it could form a black hole!

The lawyer must feel like a "potted plant."

50 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 6:02:33pm

re: #48 Charles Johnson

Could be some ddosing too.

51 Shvaughn  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 6:02:46pm

re: #46 Johnny Derp

I doubt it. It was the lawyers who confirmed the site to the press. If they were smart they would not comment, meanwhile begging GZ to take it down. So they're not worried.

I dunno. I don't think this is the site they intended when they announced zimmermandefense.com last week. The lawyer carefully disavowed that he was responsible for therealgeorgezimmerman.com and that George did it all himself.

52 Decatur Deb  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 6:02:49pm

re: #47 Daniel Ballard

I'm pretty sure he has no legal representation. Or clue.

The yute probably hired his cousin from New York.

53 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 6:04:03pm

re: #51 Shvaughn

I dunno. I don't think this is the site they intended when they announced zimmermandefense.com last week. The lawyer carefully disavowed that he was responsible for therealgeorgezimmerman.com and that George did it all himself.

If they were worried, they had a 'no comment' option.

54 Shvaughn  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 6:04:04pm

re: #47 Daniel Ballard

I'm pretty sure he has no competent legal representation. Or clue.

I read a story saying that his lawyer usually just handles DUIs and has only been in court once with a case not involving traffic. I'll try to see where that article is.

55 EdDantes  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 6:04:15pm

re: #52 Decatur Deb

The yute probably hired his cousin from new York.

But he has posi-traction!

56 lawhawk  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 6:07:32pm

Can't imagine how his lawyers would have let him go ahead with the site in that kind of condition (with those photos/images). Highly prejudicial against his interests and would definitely affect a potential jury trial in the area. Probably done against their recommendations.

There were ways for him to set up a site and call for donations to a legal defense fund, but he's chosen a path that is far more revelatory than he may possibly imagine.

Not the smartest move, but one that seems to fit Zimmerman's MO.

57 engineer cat  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 6:07:36pm

when john lennon said "i don't believe in zimmerman" this wasn't what he had in mind

58 Shvaughn  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 6:08:05pm

About Craig Sonner, George Zimmerman's lawyer:

Next at bat was lawyer Craig Sonner, a DUI attorney who Seminole County court records show has only one recent case that is not traffic-related. In fact, a majority of his cases in that county are misdemeanors. In Orange County, the vast majority of the cases he handled in the past decade were for civil and criminal traffic violations.

Experts note that DUI cases are complicated and difficult, but the expertise an attorney builds on those cases does not apply to major crimes. A former prosecutor, he told the Orlando Sentinel that he was an engineer and has a black belt in aikido. He did not return at least a dozen messages left over the past two weeks.

In early television interviews, Sonner, 47, seemed unsure of himself. The analysis of Florida’s “Stand Your Ground” law that he offered on CNN was the opposite of what the statute actually says, although he has since acknowledged the gaffe and now speaks more assertively.

“That would shake my confidence in him a bit,” said veteran prosecutor Jeff Ashton, who tried the Casey Anthony case. “He seemed inexperienced. He could articulate intelligently, but he didn’t seem like someone who had much experience in front of the media, which can be intimidating if you’re not ready for it.”

59 sean6886politik  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 6:09:03pm

re: #30 blueraven

Thanks. I knew about the grand jury part but I didn't know if that still meant something would happen this week, like possibly an arrest.

60 engineer cat  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 6:09:41pm

re: #51 Shvaughn

I dunno. I don't think this is the site they intended when they announced zimmermandefense.com last week. The lawyer carefully disavowed that he was responsible for therealgeorgezimmerman.com and that George did it all himself.

"the first thing you need to do mr zimmerman is SHUT UP that will be five thousand dollars thank you very much"

61 Targetpractice  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 6:10:03pm

re: #56 lawhawk

Can't imagine how his lawyers would have let him go ahead with the site in that kind of condition (with those photos/images). Highly prejudicial against his interests and would definitely affect a potential jury trial in the area. Probably done against their recommendations.

There were ways for him to set up a site and call for donations to a legal defense fund, but he's chosen a path that is far more revelatory than he may possibly imagine.

Not the smartest move, but one that seems to fit Zimmerman's MO.

Honestly seems like a guy who thinks that he sounds sympathetic, when really it just makes him sound like an insensitive ass.

62 lawhawk  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 6:10:03pm

re: #47 Daniel Ballard

He has a lawyer, but that doesn't mean that the lawyer was listened to, or the lawyer has a good PR guy to help spin/manage media. Or that the lawyer has good control over setting message/agenda.

Or Zimmerman went ahead and did this, and the lawyer was not entirely in the loop and was told to confirm the site (because Zimmerman needs the money.. to pay for the lawyer and the inevitable fees/costs associated with a criminal trial, and potential civil trials down the line).

63 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 6:10:16pm

re: #58 Shvaughn

Could be the kind of a guy who doesn't understand what a disaster just happened to his client.

64 watching you tiny alien kittens are  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 6:10:19pm

re: #48 Charles Johnson

The photos are still there ... they don't show up sometimes because the server's getting hammered. There are probably other sites on that server too, suffering because of this mammoth traffic surge.

Whoever's actually in charge of that box is probably very pissed off at Mr. Zimmerman right now.

Was just thinking that whoever sold him the server space must be pretty pissed off about now as they watch their network crawl along on the verge of lock-up.

65 darthstar  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 6:11:43pm

I'm not fond of convicting people before they have a fair trial, but Zimmerman is fucking himself pretty seriously in the court of public opinion with shit like this.

66 Killgore Trout  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 6:11:54pm

re: #26 Charles Johnson

I'm actually surprised by this. I thought that couldn't happen any more.

Posting that photo is either so mind-bogglingly dumb that it defies imagination, or a pretty open admission that he's a racist creep. I don't see any other option.

Possibly. I was at first skeptical about this one. The site is so bad and so obtuse I still find it hard to believe that a man who is potentially going to spend a very long time in prison would do something so stupid. I'm not sure if this makes him more or less sympathetic. He might be an overt racist or maybe he's just a dangerously stupid person. I'm pretty sure his lawyers will tell him to take the site down. It's just absurd.

67 Decatur Deb  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 6:12:46pm

re: #63 Johnny Derp

Could be the kind of a guy who doesn't understand what a disaster just happened to his client.

Could be a guy, his father, and lawyer who are all convinced that their case is bullet-proof.

68 Targetpractice  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 6:12:57pm

re: #65 darthstar

I'm not fond of convicting people before they have a fair trial, but Zimmerman is fucking himself pretty seriously in the court of public opinion with shit like this.

Maybe his lawyer sees this as a good thing, making it virtually impossible to find an unbiased jury in the entirety of the US?

69 William Barnett-Lewis  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 6:13:36pm

I'm reminded of the old saw about how it's better to stay quiet and be thought an idiot than to speak up and remove all doubt...

70 Killgore Trout  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 6:13:50pm

re: #62 lawhawk

He has a lawyer, but that doesn't mean that the lawyer was listened to, or the lawyer has a good PR guy to help spin/manage media. Or that the lawyer has good control over setting message/agenda.

Or Zimmerman went ahead and did this, and the lawyer was not entirely in the loop and was told to confirm the site (because Zimmerman needs the money.. to pay for the lawyer and the inevitable fees/costs associated with a criminal trial, and potential civil trials down the line).

That's one of the reasons I was so sure this was a hoax. He discredited the site his lawyers announced a few days ago to solicit donations for his defense. This guy is a massive idiot.

71 engineer cat  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 6:14:10pm

re: #68 Targetpractice

Maybe his lawyer sees this as a good thing, making it virtually impossible to find an unbiased jury in the entirety of the US?

they think they might get a sympathetic jury if they can get the trial moved to the early 19th century

72 EdDantes  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 6:14:28pm

re: #69 William Barnett-Lewis

I'm reminded of the old saw about how it's better to stay quiet and be thought an idiot than to speak up and remove all doubt...

Now you tell me!

73 Decatur Deb  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 6:14:46pm

re: #71 engineer cat

they think they might get a sympathetic jury if they can get the trial moved to the early 19th century

Or the Florida panhandle.

74 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 6:15:17pm

re: #65 darthstar

I'm not fond of convicting people before they have a fair trial, but Zimmerman is fucking himself pretty seriously in the court of public opinion with shit like this.

The atmosphere around this case is not healthy. It seems that if he appears in the open on the street, there's a great danger to his life and limb. He may be scum, but I think everybody here can agree that justice should be served in court. Which is why not arresting him was a mistake - it raised the rage to the boiling point.

75 Daniel Ballard  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 6:15:34pm

re: #62 lawhawk

Okay, those are good points. He really needs a PR guy and a "gun defense" specialist attorney. If one would take what might be one whopper of a loser case.

It's interesting George makes no effort to defend himself with the site. Not even the story he gave the police. Just bad images, vague quotes and a pitch for money.

76 Killgore Trout  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 6:15:59pm

re: #73 Decatur Deb

Or the Florida panhandle.

I'm hesitant to upding posts goofing on southerners but funny is funny.

77 Decatur Deb  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 6:16:40pm

re: #76 Killgore Trout

I'm hesitant to upding posts goofing on southerners but funny is funny.

Not funning. I live 11 miles from the border.

78 Shvaughn  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 6:16:48pm

Trayvon's family are certainly better at making a web site asking for donations.

... in fact, I think I'll chip in a few bucks to help them out, as a "fuck you" to The Real George Zimmerman.

79 darthstar  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 6:16:57pm

re: #68 Targetpractice

Maybe his lawyer sees this as a good thing, making it virtually impossible to find an unbiased jury in the entirety of the US?

Yes and no...Yes, this will help taint the jury pool a little, but you have only to look at how many Americans can't name the current Vice President to be reassured that there will be no problem finding a dozen people who haven't been paying attention to this story, and will likely pay even less attention at trial (He had Skittles and he was black!?!).

80 sean6886politik  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 6:17:05pm

This is the thing about racists, they just won't admit it but they do stuff like this all day long.
It's like people who say they cannot be racist because they have black friends, but use the N word when those black "friends" aren't around. They just don't get it.
If you think your race is superior to other races, you're a racist. You don't have to wear a white sheet to be a racist.
I loathe Derbyshire, but at least he is honest about who he is.

81 Charles Johnson  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 6:18:11pm

And now ...

82 darthstar  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 6:18:13pm

re: #74 Johnny Derp

The atmosphere around this case is not healthy. It seems that if he appears in the open on the street, there's a great danger to his life and limb. He may be scum, but I think everybody here can agree that justice should be served in court. Which is why not arresting him was a mistake - it raised the rage to the boiling point.

This guy's too stupid to protect himself. He really needs to sit this thing out on the taxpayer's dime in a cell.

83 darthstar  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 6:18:50pm

re: #81 Charles Johnson

And now ...

She He sure tole [sic] you. (thought that was Jenny, not Jimmy)...

84 lawhawk  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 6:20:20pm

re: #75 Daniel Ballard

If he makes statements on the site about the case, they could come back to bite him in a real bad way - if it addresses the timeline, events ,facts, etc. They could be used at trial as statements against interest, character evidence, etc.

Much better to simply state the need for a legal defense fund and that's it.

Or to have your lawyer state that a donation account has been set up w/paypal or other service and that he thanks the public for their ongoing support.

85 sean6886politik  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 6:20:43pm

re: #74 Johnny Derp

I don't think Sanford thought this would get as big as it did. They probably thought it would be swept under the rug and forgotten about like other bungled cases they've had.

86 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 6:20:46pm

re: #81 Charles Johnson

What, his line of followers is now longer? Sweet! /

87 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 6:21:22pm

Is there a deadline for the special prosecutor?

88 Daniel Ballard  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 6:22:26pm

re: #84 lawhawk

How could the statement he gave police hurt him?
It's odd he's dumb enough to put in those images but smart enough to be vague.

89 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 6:23:04pm

Larry Sinclair? ROTFL. This guy is beyond redemption.

90 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 6:23:42pm

re: #88 Daniel Ballard

How could the statement he gave police hurt him?

If it is contradicted by established facts or credible witnesses.

91 sean6886politik  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 6:24:05pm

re: #79 darthstar

Let's not forget, the Casey Anthony trial was in FL as well. Global coverage, angry mobs, most people thought she was guilty before trial and she was found not guilty so that theory might not stick.
Hopefully though, the state can put up enough evidence against Zimmerman. Remember, the Sanford PD bungled this.

92 Daniel Ballard  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 6:24:47pm

re: #90 Johnny Derp

Well it's hard to argue against a statement you give to the police.

93 Targetpractice  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 6:25:06pm

re: #87 Johnny Derp

Is there a deadline for the special prosecutor?

Think it was something like 180 days, but it's been awhile since I looked it up.

94 Charles Johnson  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 6:25:08pm
95 Shvaughn  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 6:25:23pm

Zimmerman has a contact form and says he'll answer questions from his supporters.

I'm tempted to make a nominal donation and see if he'll write to me.

97 lawhawk  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 6:26:19pm

re: #92 Daniel Ballard

If he sticks to the actual statement given, then that could fly. If he embellishes with additional statements or commentary, that would raise the potential for problems. Better to not say anything

98 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 6:26:22pm

re: #94 Charles Johnson

He defends Derb too.

99 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 6:27:39pm

re: #92 Daniel Ballard

Well it's hard to argue against a statement you give to the police.

He can easily contradict himself even if the statement is true, moreso if it's substantially false.

100 Kragar  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 6:27:42pm

re: #93 Targetpractice

Think it was something like 180 days, but it's been awhile since I looked it up.

I think its 25 weeks, 175 days

101 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 6:28:34pm

re: #100 Kragar

I think it was a limit on standard charging, I'm just checking if this special prosecutor has even tighter limits.

102 William Barnett-Lewis  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 6:31:14pm

re: #75 Daniel Ballard

It's pretty obvious to me that he does not have any legal representation that is even slightly familier with the messiness of shooting cases. This thing almost reads like a "Mirror Universe" Massad Ayoob story - where the lawyers do everything wrong in the worst of all possible ways. Even though I'm quite convinced of the guy's guilt, he deserves competent council and a fair trial. He's certainly not got the former and I doubt the latter can happen any more thanks to the local PD.

Sigh. Where's a young John Adams when you really need him?

103 abolitionist  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 6:34:17pm

I suspect the sites(s) might be deliberate attempts to lay some groundwork for an insanity defense.

I'll be waiting to see if that "You got me" quote is ever mentioned again in any legal proceedings. That's what TM allegedly said immediately after being shot, according to GZ's father.

104 Daniel Ballard  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 6:35:00pm

re: #102 William Barnett-Lewis

Exactly. For those not familiar with Massad Ayoob, this link might help. He's an oft published defensive pistol trainer. Frequent expert witness for those who defend themselves with a gun. Guy writes more than shoots I think.

105 lawhawk  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 6:35:26pm

re: #94 Charles Johnson

And yet they keep saying you're not relevant. From all the flak you're getting, I'd say you're not only over the target, but you're hitting it dead on...

106 EdDantes  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 6:37:17pm

re: #102 William Barnett-Lewis

It's pretty obvious to me that he does not have any legal representation that is even slightly familier with the messiness of shooting cases. This thing almost reads like a "Mirror Universe" Massad Ayoob story - where the lawyers do everything wrong in the worst of all possible ways. Even though I'm quite convinced of the guy's guilt, he deserves competent council and a fair trial. He's certainly not got the former and I doubt the latter can happen any more thanks to the local PD.

Sigh. Where's a young John Adams when you really need him?

John Adams was one of the greatest lawyers in American history ,and he was principled.

107 Kragar  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 6:42:33pm

"Justified homicides" in Florida triple since Stand Your Ground law went into effect

In the five years before the law’s passage, just 12 killings per year, on average, were declared justifiable by Florida prosecutors — that number spiked to an average of 36 since the law passed. At least 32 states have copied Florida’s statute, thanks to a campaign by the National Rifle Association and the conservative, corporate-backed American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), and the “other states have seen similar increases” in justifiable homicides.

108 Prideful, Arrogant Marriage Equality Advocate  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 6:42:40pm

Well maybe if he makes enough money off this site he can afford a better lawyer who will tell him to take this damn site down!

109 William Barnett-Lewis  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 6:44:21pm

re: #104 Daniel Ballard

Exactly. For those not familiar with Massad Ayoob, this link might help. He's an oft published defensive pistol trainer. Frequent expert witness for those who defend themselves with a gun. Guy writes more than shoots I think.

Well, he is a police officer and a competition shooter so he does shoot more than the vast majority of gun owners. In the most recent book of his that I have, he talks about the three times as a peace officer where he had to draw his sidearm in the line of duty. He comes across as honestly relieved that all three incidents ended without his having to fire a shot. That is one of the reasons I trust his thoughts more than most of the other so called experts in the field.

110 darthstar  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 6:44:46pm

You can take Barry Zito off the milk carton...his four hit shut-out today was pretty fucking sweet.
IP - 9.0
H - 4
ER - 0
BB - 0
K - 4

Only four strike outs, but no walks.

111 ProGunLiberal  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 6:45:33pm

With the fact that Zimmerman showed the defacement of a Multi-Cultural Center, I go back to the idea I had earlier that Zimmerman deliberately hunted down and murdered Martin.

112 Kragar  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 6:50:43pm

That Edmund Burke quote has become the Wingnuts version of "We did what we were told."

113 ProGunLiberal  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 6:51:19pm

re: #112 Kragar

Which is why I worry about November.

114 jhrhv  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 6:51:59pm

Don't know if this has already been said. I saw something on the weekend where the two lawyers were asked if they had ever met face to face with Zimmerman. Neither of them had. The only conversations they've had with him is over the phone.

115 goddamnedfrank  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 6:52:15pm

re: #111 ProGunLiberal

With the fact that Zimmerman showed the defacement of a Multi-Cultural Center, I go back to the idea I had earlier that Zimmerman deliberately hunted down and murdered Martin.

It's far more likely that he saw an expression of support and never bothered to learn the context. Mental filters tend to fuck with reading comprehension, which I doubt was Zimmerman's strong suit to begin with.

116 Daniel Ballard  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 6:52:32pm

re: #109 William Barnett-Lewis

I do respect his work. I happen to have trained with a guy that was also a police officer, author and long time defensive trainer. Mike Dalton. I met Masaad at a match, and yes he can shoot quite well. I think my very first holster class was at a west coast seminar LFI put on with local police instructors at Angeles Shooting Ranges.

One small disagreement (unless he has changed his position in recent years) I have is his strong emphasis on box stock guns and ammo. Another school of thought is the gun details are unimportant, it's about evidence and good reason to fire. My defense gun is modified for accuracy and ease of targeting. Masaad would argue that will get me in trouble.

117 Decatur Deb  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 6:57:11pm

re: #116 Daniel Ballard

...snip. My defense gun is modified for accuracy and ease of targeting. Masaad would argue that will get me in trouble.

That, and the fact that it's a metalstorm:

Youtube Video
118 goddamnedfrank  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 7:00:05pm

re: #116 Daniel Ballard

I do respect his work. I happen to have trained with a guy that was also a police officer, author and long time defensive trainer. Mike Dalton. I met Masaad at a match, and yes he can shoot quite well. I think my very first holster class was at a west coast seminar LFI put on with local police instructors at Angeles Shooting Ranges.

One small disagreement (unless he has changed his position in recent years) I have is his strong emphasis on box stock guns and ammo. Another school of thought is the gun details are unimportant, it's about evidence and good reason to fire. My defense gun is modified for accuracy and ease of targeting. Masaad would argue that will get me in trouble.

Well, you're both right. It's a trade off, Massad is talking about how a gun looks in front of a jury whereas you're looking to maximize shooting performance. I'll modify pistol triggers on target .22s but that's about it. I have a guide rod laser on my 220, but keep wood grips for the more benign look. Similarly all my rifles have wood stocks, not interested in anything that looks too tactical.

119 William Barnett-Lewis  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 7:03:17pm

re: #116 Daniel Ballard

He's stuck with that philosophy, though I think he's less dogmatic on it than he used to be. He does talk of cases where prosecutors try to make a big deal of some mods. My own Glock is moded with a NY1 & a 3.5 connector, a combination that makes the trigger actually slightly heavier than stock but consistant through the pull like a revolver. Since it's an "approved" combo by Glock it's considered to be, essentially, a stock combo. I don't know but if I have to use it, I can a whole lot better than I could out of the box.

That said, I only carry factory loaded ammo (Winchester RA9TA) for SD. They can make much better than I can and the ballistics experts don't have to guess about it.

120 palomino  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 7:04:09pm

If this is legit, GZ's "I'm not a racist" argument becomes a lot harder to swallow. Clearly he's appealing to the very people who instinctively take his side because he's not black, people who view blacks as the "real racists" and whites as the victims of political correctness run amok.

121 sean6886politik  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 7:07:34pm

re: #95 Shvaughn

I finally got onto the Contact page. You do not have to donate to make contact but they are requiring a lot of data like address and phone-not just typical email address.
I know this is impossible but I hope his non-supporters stay away from making threatening or vile comments on that site. They may use them in court. Public opinion proof or something.

122 Jerk  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 7:08:25pm

George is channelling Geocities.

123 Daniel Ballard  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 7:13:42pm

re: #119 William Barnett-Lewis

The ammunition I chose for work is .45acp Glaser or Remington Golden Sabre hollow points. I really have to count on them being stopped by the first object struck as best I can. I got neighbors on all sides at home and work. FMJ is a very bad idea AFAIK.

If having a black rubber custom grip or sight or more accurate barrel can get you in trouble, then the law or it's application has become questionable to say the least. There has got to be some mid point between SYG and a high capacity magazine making you be presented as some vigilante in waiting by a prosecutor if you shoot some guy in your house that was forcing his way to the kids room.

Please nobody get the idea I support SYG in public. I don't. I hew to the SCOTUS principle set long ago. SYG with reasonable force applies at home, at work and (depends on details) on your land IMHO.

124 SanFranciscoZionist  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 7:16:17pm

re: #12 teleskiguy

Sickening.

Drudge Report's little section on the Trayvon Martin affair has the lovely heading "Race Wars:"

Some of these people really want to see mass violence. Makes me ill.

There is no race war about it. I'm simply opposed to people being allowed to shoot teenagers and not account for it in court.

Also, I think there's a shitload of race issue attached to it, but that doesn't need to influence the legal response.

125 SanFranciscoZionist  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 7:17:12pm

re: #16 sean6886politik

The quote he uses says, "justice for ALL". I guess he doesn't mean Trayvon when he says ALL. Just go to court. If you're innocent , let the evidence prove it, if you're guilty, let the evidence prove it. You can't just shoot an unarmed kid who was doing nothing illegal and walk free. That's not the USA I want to live in.

To be entirely fair, the man can't arrest or indict himself. Not that he seems to feel any need to, but that part was not his screw-up.

126 SanFranciscoZionist  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 7:18:10pm

re: #20 ProGunLiberal

Oh, the rabbit hole goes deeper. He referred to the shooting as a "life-changing event." That's how he thinks of the cold-blooded murder of a teenager. He is an evil POS being protected by his Judge daddy.

Also, his family did this:

This family needs to be treated with contempt. At best.

OK, I know that wingnuts are currently all hopped up about "To Kill A Mockingbird", but WHAT?

Where is that dreck from?

127 Kragar  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 7:24:42pm

re: #122 Jerk

George is channelling Geocities.

What he needs is some flag gifs waving in the background and a MIDI of Hulk Hogan's "Real American" playing when you load the site.

128 Kragar  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 7:26:52pm

[Link: www.fortunecity.com...]

129 goddamnedfrank  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 7:27:27pm

The graffiti image has been removed.

130 erik_t  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 7:28:49pm

re: #129 goddamnedfrank

Nothing is ever removed from the internet. Streisand Effect is a bitch.

131 William Barnett-Lewis  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 7:29:08pm

re: #123 Daniel Ballard

Understood. That Winchester load is a JHP load that is commonly used by police and has a good track record.

But equally I also understand your other comment. There has always been a tension in American life about where one right begins and ends wrt to our other rights and responsibilities. I fully believe that everyone has an inalienable right to self defense but that there are heavy responsibilities that go along with that right. Far too many seem to only want to acknowledge the "right" side of the equation (if you'll pardon the expression).

132 Four More Tears  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 7:32:23pm

I just clicked on the page and the late 90's era hit counter said I was visitor 216. That can't be right, can it?

133 ProGunLiberal  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 7:34:29pm

re: #132 Oblivious Troll

216 since the last crash, probably.

134 goddamnedfrank  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 7:35:37pm

re: #129 goddamnedfrank

The graffiti image has been removed.

Now it's back, weird. Maybe it just didn't load last time because the hosting sucks. Everything about that page is a cancer.

135 goddamnedfrank  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 7:39:17pm

re: #133 ProGunLiberal

216 since the last crash, probably.

The counter is buggered. It just went from 2248 to 89 on a reload.

136 WINDUPBIRD DISEASE [S.K.U.M.M.]  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 7:40:41pm

re: #135 goddamnedfrank

The counter is buggered. It just went from 2248 to 89 on a reload.

Go back to the Practice Internet, George

137 Four More Tears  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 7:45:13pm

I move that George Zimmerman be granted a permit to insert an "Under Construction" gif on his website.

138 watching you tiny alien kittens are  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 7:45:56pm

re: #116 Daniel Ballard

Sig Sauer P232 380 Semi-Auto pistol is about all you need for a CCW, it is just about perfect in every way right out of the box. Just don't try to feed it hollow point or Glaser slugs, it will "smokestack" jam every fifth or sixth round if you do.

Smooth "snag free" design, point of sight accuracy, a hammer decocking lever, tritium three dot sights, extremely light weight, seven round capacity. Why buy cheaper and then fancy it up with after market add-ons when you can buy something that is nearly perfect right out of the factory box? :p

139 ProGunLiberal  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 7:53:44pm

Radio Dead Air is talking about Derbyshire.

140 jaunte  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 7:53:57pm
141 ProGunLiberal  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 8:08:27pm

re: #139 ProGunLiberal

Normal anger about racism, but other things came up, namely South-Bashing, and saying how the South is regressive, backwards, and just plain nasty.

It got cruel.

142 freetoken  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 8:12:59pm

Looks like Indiana will become even more of a one party state, a party that is increasingly bent on atavism:

Indiana Republicans eager to swoop up seats in House

No matter which legislative candidates you choose in the May 8 primary election, the ultimate winner may have been predetermined by the Indiana General Assembly.

Republicans have redrawn district boundaries in the Indiana House in a way that favors their party. Coupled with the retirement of several long-serving Democrats, Republicans have a chance to win at least 67 districts -- seven more than they now hold. With so large a majority, they could pass legislation even if House Democrats were to walk out again.

[...]

143 ProGunLiberal  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 8:20:10pm

re: #142 freetoken

By the way, Twitter is crapping up.

144 Mich-again  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 8:22:07pm

re: #142 freetoken

The pendulum can only stop in the middle. When one side pushes too hard, it just builds up potential energy for a swing in the opposite direction.

The best thing a minority party can do in that situation is stake out the middle ground and let the other side fight over who is further from the center.

145 freetoken  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 8:33:22pm

re: #144 Mich-again

I think I disagree with you on two things:

(1) the "pendulum" will not stop in the middle, it only stops when it hits the maximum height at either end of the swing. Like in physics, the political pendulum will only stop swinging when E=0, which in political/biological terms means death. The Indiana electorate is hitting its maximum extant of far-right theocratic atavism - they probably aren't at the very maximum yet but they are getting closer.

(2) a minority ought not try to stake out the middle ground. Rather, that is the duty of a subset of the majority who, for one reason or another, prefer to share blame/praise rather than hog it all. OTOH, the minority ought to stake out clear positions in support of their own constituents, all the more if those interests are radically different than the majorities', which in this case in Indiana is pretty extreme.

146 Decatur Deb  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 8:39:22pm

Colbert is gold tonight.

147 ProGunLiberal  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 8:53:56pm

Why is it so dead?

148 Ben G. Hazi  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 8:54:56pm

re: #147 ProGunLiberal

Why is it so dead?

Dunno...maybe everyone's out snipe hunting or looking for ST1s.

149 Kragar  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 8:56:31pm

9 Supposed Action Stars Who Clearly Couldn't Fight

150 Surabaya Stew  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 9:05:30pm

re: #147 ProGunLiberal

Why is it so dead?

Ok, I'll liven things up!!!

Errrrr....Uhhhhhhh........Hmmmmmmm.....

(runs back into the shadows)

151 Amory Blaine  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 9:07:39pm

Evening all. It's my Friday afternoon so bottoms up!! ;)

152 ProGunLiberal  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 9:19:24pm

Why is Twitter Broken?

153 freetoken  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 9:20:53pm

re: #152 ProGunLiberal

Why is Twitter Broken?

I guess I'm not following you. I can open Twitter and it seems to work quite fine.

154 ProGunLiberal  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 9:22:14pm

re: #153 freetoken

For me, it does some weird HTML looking thing.

155 Kragar  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 9:22:22pm

re: #152 ProGunLiberal

Why is Twitter Broken?

WHERE WILL WE FIND OUR DAILY DOSE OF TWITS?!

156 freetoken  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 9:28:08pm

re: #154 ProGunLiberal

Sorry can't help. I just successfully tweeted this LGF entry.

You might reload your browser.

157 ProGunLiberal  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 9:33:23pm

XD

158 ProGunLiberal  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 9:33:46pm

re: #156 freetoken

It got better a few minutes ago.

159 funky chicken  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 9:57:42pm
Could Zimmerman really be this dumb?

We are talking about a guy who packed heat while on neighborhood watch, and left his vehicle, weapon in hand, while stalking an unarmed teenager.

160 CriticalDragon1177  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 9:58:11pm

Charles Johnson

Could George Zimmerman be this dumb? Is that a rhetorical question? I think the answer is obviously yes.

161 funky chicken  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 10:03:36pm

re: #21 Daniel Ballard

Thee might not be enough evidence to satisfy anyone. Except those who have long since already made up their minds of course.

I'd like to have a jury decide that.

162 Shvaughn  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 10:30:34pm

Hi again everyone! Gosh it's quiet tonight.

163 Lidane  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 10:31:24pm

re: #161 funky chicken

I'd like to have a jury decide that.

So would a lot of other people. Charging Zimmerman with a crime would help with that, so he could go to trial and all this could be aired in court.

164 Feline Emperor of the Conservative Tears  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 10:55:04pm

Good morning Lizards from the graveyard shift here in Philly.

Quiet tonight - so I am catching up on work.

165 Tricho  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 11:16:56pm

Hello everyone.

I have no trouble viewing the "therealgeorgezimmerman" website. It loads instantly, photos and everything.

The photos of the Terry Jones sign and the vandalized cultural center are still there.

If I was George Zimmerman's lawyer, I would tell him to explain his use of the photos thusly:

"I didn't know where those photos originated. I Googled my own name, and used the Images feature. On the first page of hits, along with the misleading photo of me that is so widespread, were the two images in question. So, I copied them and used them on my website, as they were in support of me. I had no idea that they had come from such reprehensible sources, and have removed them."

I think that is the only way out of it. If he admits to knowledge of where they originated, he is screwed in the court of public opinion.

166 Kragar  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 11:51:00pm

The toughest thing about an eye infection. I keep saying just take the meds and don't rub your eyes to stop the itching, and then I'll go ahead and start scratching before I realize what I'm doing.

167 freetoken  Mon, Apr 9, 2012 11:56:55pm
MP3 Audio
168 freetoken  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 12:43:05am

Not well known by youngsters today, but a delightful voice - Monna Bell with her most famous hit and great tune:

MP3 Audio
169 researchok  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 1:23:02am

Morning, all

170 Kragar  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 2:31:00am

In a stunning turn of events, Syria ignores truce

171 Feline Emperor of the Conservative Tears  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 2:39:07am

re: #170 Kragar

In a stunning turn of events, Syria ignores truce

Would it be the height of poetic irony if North Korea's rocket test goes astray and by pure happenstance lands on Assad?

172 Kragar  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 2:43:06am

re: #171 Feline Emperor of the Conservative Waste

Would it be the height of poetic irony if North Korea's rocket test goes astray and by pure happenstance lands on Assad?

That would be quite a feat.

173 researchok  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 2:54:43am

re: #170 Kragar

In a stunning turn of events, Syria ignores truce

Shocking.

Who would have thought that?

174 Kragar  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 3:00:45am

Turkish PM says Syria violated border; Turkey assessing possible response

Turkey's prime minister has accused Syria of infringing its border and says his country is considering what steps to take in response, including measures "we don't want to think about."

175 freetoken  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 4:10:42am
MP3 Audio
176 freetoken  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 4:44:17am

Sometimes hearing the obvious helps:


Consumerism and its antisocial effects can be turned on -- or off

[...]

In two of four experiments, university students were put in a materialistic frame of mind by tasks that exposed them to images of luxury goods or words mobilizing consumerist values (versus neutral scenes devoid of consumer products or words without such connotations). Completing questionnaires afterwards, those who looked at the pictures of cars, electronics, and jewelry rated themselves higher in depression and anxiety, less interested in social activities like parties, and more in solitary pursuits than the others. Those primed to materialism by exposure to certain words evinced more competitiveness and less desire to invest their time in pro-social activities like working for a good cause.

[...] The last experiment presented participants with a hypothetical water shortage in a well shared by four people, including themselves. The water users were identified either as consumers or individuals. Might the collective identity as consumers—as opposed to the individual role—supersede the selfishness ordinarily stimulated by the consumer identity? No: The "consumers" rated themselves as less trusting of others to conserve water, less personally responsible and less in partnership with the others in dealing with the crisis. The consumer status, the authors concluded "did not unite; it divided."

The findings have both social and personal implications, says Bodenhausen. "It's become commonplace to use consumer as a generic term for people," in the news or discussions of taxes, politics, or health care. If we use term such as Americans or citizens instead, he says, "that subtle difference activates different psychological concerns." We can also take personal initiative to reduce the depressive, isolating effects of a materialist mindset by avoiding its stimulants—most obviously, advertising. One method: "Watch less TV."

177 Obdicut  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 5:13:09am

re: #176 freetoken

Huh. That makes a lot of sense. It also explains why I always hated regular TV, but am perfectly fine with watching stuff on Amazon and netflix.

178 Douchecanoe and Ryan Too  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 5:13:33am

Morning Lizardim. Time to re-integrate myself into productive society following my 4-day weekend to fish country and back. I wish that sleep had come along with that weekend, but alas, there was none to be found. How was the weekend here in Lizardia?

179 Obdicut  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 5:38:55am

re: #178 thedopefishlives

My wife and I had an amazing Cuban dinner at a place here in New York called Caille Ocho, in a celebration-- for us-- of the end of her 2nd year of medical school, and-- for the restaurant-- of Cuban independence day.

180 Gus  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 5:44:39am

Mourn-Ing. Found a good one.

Florida Republicans Will Save Us From Threat of Obama Dictatorship That Doesn't Exist

A couple of Florida's GOP congressmen, lead by first term Rep. Sandy Adams, read some crazy conspiracy theories on the Internet about how Obama was going to enslave us all into military conscription and forced labor, and decided to file an actual resolution about it. Obviously Allen West is involved.

For 60 years the president has had powers to increase his powers "in the event of a potential threat" like times of war or natural disaster. The same version of this law has been in place since Bill Clinton's term in office, but President Obama decided to update it to reflect the creation of the Department of Homeland Security. Otherwise, Obama didn't give himself any powers his predecessors didn't have.

For some reason, right-wing muckrakers wanted you to think he did. The Drudge Report posted a link to a story with the title, "Martial Law?" The right-leaning Washington Times and World News Daily also published bizarre articles about it. "EXECUTIVE-ORDER PANIC: MARTIAL LAW IN THE U.S.?," read the WND headline in dramatic all caps...

The "good one" being this comment:

Morons 14 hours ago

Florida Republicans, leading through reading crazy conservative email forwards..

Never thought of that one.

181 Gus  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 5:49:15am

OK. I'll come back in an hour and see if there was a response.

//

182 Gus  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 5:50:20am

Image: poster.jpg

183 Douchecanoe and Ryan Too  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 5:53:04am

re: #181 Gus

OK. I'll come back in an hour and see if there was a response.

//

Hey, it dipped below freezing overnight here in the wild north country. My blood has turned to a consistency roughly equivalent to maple syrup. I've got a lot of basking to do before I'll be in any shape to respond to much of anything.

184 Gus  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 5:53:59am

re: #183 thedopefishlives

Hey, it dipped below freezing overnight here in the wild north country. My blood has turned to a consistency roughly equivalent to maple syrup. I've got a lot of basking to do before I'll be in any shape to respond to much of anything.

Drink more booze!

//

185 Gus  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 5:57:01am

I might go back to sleep here as it is... As it was... As it could be... Leg hurts and was tired last night. Cats are fast asleep. Heard something about snow in the weather report but that's not until several days. Checking... Nope, showers or rain.

186 Interesting Times  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 5:59:12am
187 Gus  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 6:05:17am

re: #186 Interesting Times

The Holy Church of Norquist. Thou shalt not disobey His word! Olmm.

188 Eventual Carrion  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 6:05:35am

re: #183 thedopefishlives

Hey, it dipped below freezing overnight here in the wild north country. My blood has turned to a consistency roughly equivalent to maple syrup. I've got a lot of basking to do before I'll be in any shape to respond to much of anything.

Well, as for maple syrup, this is exactly what is needed. That sap won't flow unless we get these cold nights and mild days. Sure don't need your pancake breakfast prices going up like everything else (it will anyway but if syrup production lags because of the weather it will be just something else for everyone to bitch about while ignoring the reason).

189 Obdicut  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 6:06:13am

re: #187 Gus

It's weird how a guy who lacks personal charm and who is obviously a simple thinker can have such influence.

I guess he's just saying something useful for people to pretend to believe.

190 Douchecanoe and Ryan Too  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 6:07:19am

re: #188 RayFerd

Well, as for maple syrup, this is exactly what is needed. That sap won't flow unless we get these cold nights and mild days. Sure don't need your pancake breakfast prices going up like everything else (it will anyway but if syrup production lags because of the weather it will be just something else for everyone to bitch about while ignoring the reason).

Yeah, that's been mentioned here in these parts. The University of Minnesota has a pretty spiffy syrup-producing operation, but I guess they haven't been able to get a good run on sap yet.

191 Interesting Times  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 6:08:14am

re: #189 Obdicut

I guess he's just saying something useful for people to pretend to believe.

People enjoy lies that make them feel good. Until you find a way to genetically engineer this out of human nature, people will continue to behave in horrifically short-sighted and self-destructive ways.

192 Gus  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 6:09:34am

re: #189 Obdicut

It's weird how a guy who lacks personal charm and who is obviously a simple thinker can have such influence.

I guess he's just saying something useful for people to pretend to believe.

He's like a one-man NRA. Likely to be with us for decades to come -- sort of like Castro. No amount of petitions -- as I often see -- is going to get rid of him since he's still within his rights. Is not as much about Norquist as it is with Republicans but they get into office because people vote for them.

193 Obdicut  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 6:11:02am

re: #191 Interesting Times

Well, I think as Freetoken's link above shows, human beings are very responsive to culture and influences. The main problem is that the good people, those with the ideas that could help humanity, are often disillusioned doomers, while the worst are full of passionate intensity.

Humanity is eminently redeemable, is obviously capable of great things, but it's extremely difficult to make it so. Most people give up trying. And those who do try are behind the 8-ball, because most of those who agree with their goals feel that it's a futile effort, sadly.

194 Eventual Carrion  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 6:12:47am

re: #190 thedopefishlives

Yeah, that's been mentioned here in these parts. The University of Minnesota has a pretty spiffy syrup-producing operation, but I guess they haven't been able to get a good run on sap yet.

Yep, I'm in NW Pennsylvania and have been hearing the last month that they are not getting the flow they need to make it worth harvesting. I hope these next few nights of cold (and possibly snow) help get things moving.

195 Gus  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 6:12:52am

This is funny. Well, not funny but points to a serious misunderstanding about how the world of entertainment, gaming, software, etc, really works:

Anonymous' Launches Boycott Over Netflix PAC!!!!

“Dear freedom lovers, @netflix is forming a PAC to push for a new version of SOPA, cancel your sub and go back to pirating!” tweeted @YourAnonNews at about 5 pm ET, referring to Netflix’s political action committee, FLIXPAC, formed over the weekend.

A little below we find a Netflix statement:

Netflix attempted to tamp the furor, responded to TPM’s inquiries with the following statement:

“PACs are commonplace for companies that lead a big, growing market and Netflix is no exception. Our PAC is a way for our employees to support candidates that understand our business and technology. It was not set up for the purpose of supporting SOPA or PIPA. Instead, Netflix has engaged on other issues including network neutrality, bandwidth caps, usage based billing and reforming the Video Privacy Protection Act.”

196 Gus  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 6:16:30am

So anonymous thinks that Netflix is not entitled to form their own PAC like almost every other corporation or organization has done for decades? We're supposed to then boycott them and "go back to stealing crap" through pirating?

Movies are free? Actors shouldn't expect to be paid? Software developers should expect to see a giant hole in their profit margins? Musicians should spend thousands of hours in a studio and then expect nothing in return because it hurts the feelings of a bunch of moby-assed emos living in their mother's basement?

197 Douchecanoe and Ryan Too  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 6:19:50am

re: #194 RayFerd

Yep, I'm in NW Pennsylvania and have been hearing the last month that they are not getting the flow they need to make it worth harvesting. I hope these next few nights of cold (and possibly snow) help get things moving.

The cold is definitely going to play havoc on the Mrs. Fish's garden. Good thing we didn't put the cactus out yet.

198 Gus  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 6:19:55am

Yeah. Good thing that anonymous let us know about the evil Netflix™ by Tweeting it on the non-profit and apolitical site known as Twitter™. I'm sure that the apolitical and non-profit Google™ had nothing to do with it either. No Apples or ASUS motherboards were neither employed. Anonymous picks their target and all the sad little emos fall in line and never question the World Net Daily like announcement from the clueless undereducated "hackers" at anonymous.

199 Obdicut  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 6:21:05am

re: #196 Gus

There's no proof whatsoever that pirating in any way actually negatively affects a company's bottom line. It's equally stupid for people to pirate 'on principle', but anti-pirating attempts often demonstrably negatively affect the company's sales.

I think Netflix has a right to a PAC as long as everyone else does, but I also don't think lobbying groups spending money to influence legislators is a way to get good law crafted.

200 Renaissance_Man  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 6:22:52am

re: #199 Obdicut

I think Netflix has a right to a PAC as long as everyone else does, but I also don't think lobbying groups spending money to influence legislators is a way to get good law crafted.

Oh, and I suppose you'd base laws off democracy or common good or something like that.

Why do you hate corporate persons?

201 lawhawk  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 6:23:28am

re: #187 Gus

Pie Iesu Domine, dona eis requiem. Dona eis requiem sempiternam *thwack*

202 Gus  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 6:23:51am

re: #199 Obdicut

There's no proof whatsoever that pirating in any way actually negatively affects a company's bottom line. It's equally stupid for people to pirate 'on principle', but anti-pirating attempts often demonstrably negatively affect the company's sales.

I think Netflix has a right to a PAC as long as everyone else does, but I also don't think lobbying groups spending money to influence legislators is a way to get good law crafted.

The problem with PACs isn't Netflix. Obviously. Isolating them in this useless matter about freaking movies, which is largely a Western luxury, doesn't garner much sympathy in me and is way down on my priority scale. There is a noticeable loss in revenue through pirating. Apple App store lost 450 million from my quick 30 second search.

203 Gus  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 6:24:22am

re: #200 Renaissance_Man

Oh, and I suppose you'd base laws off democracy or common good or something like that.

Why do you hate corporate persons?

PACs are not all affiliated with corporations of course.

204 Gus  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 6:25:57am

Some FEC disclosures for Reed Hastings, CEO of ooga-booga Netflix. Page 1:


HASTINGS, REED
LOS GATOS, CA 95032
NETFLIX.COM

DSCC/NON-FED UNINCORP ASSOC
10/30/2000 5000.00 20020401702

HASTINGS, REED
SANTA CRUZ, CA 95060
NETFLIX

DEMOCRATIC STATE CENTRAL COMMITTEE OF CA - FEDERAL
10/27/2010 10000.00 10992443763

DNC-NON-FEDERAL INDIVIDUAL
10/11/2000 15000.00 20036392210

Total Soft Money: 30000.00

205 Gus  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 6:26:30am

Page 2:

Recipient of Joint Fundraiser Contributions

These are the Final Recipients of Joint Fundraising Contributions

HASTINGS, REED
LOS GATOS, CA 95032
NETFLIX

OBAMA, BARACK
VIA OBAMA FOR AMERICA
02/01/2012 2500.00 12951275165
02/01/2012 2500.00 12951272967

HASTINGS, REED
SANTA CRUZ, CA 95060
NETFLIX

DNC SERVICES CORPORATION/DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE
04/29/2010 30000.00 10930770840
OBAMA, BARACK
VIA OBAMA FOR AMERICA
08/27/2008 2300.00 28933290387
08/27/2008 2300.00 28933290387

HASTINGS, REED
SANTA CRUZ, CA 95060
RETIRED

CAPPS, LOIS G
VIA FRIENDS OF LOIS CAPPS
02/27/1998 1000.00 98032923848
DEMOCRATIC CONGRESSIONAL CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE
02/27/1998 8000.00 98033050837
THOMPSON, MIKE MR.
VIA MIKE THOMPSON FOR CONGRESS
02/27/1998 1000.00 98033054806

HASTINGS, REED MR.
SANTA CRUZ, CA 95060
NETFLIX/CEO

DNC SERVICES CORPORATION/DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE
08/22/2008 23900.00 28992198358

206 Obdicut  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 6:26:47am

re: #202 Gus

I fully agree that the problem with PACs isn't Netflix, and that Anonymous are being spoiled bitches.

But there is no, no, no good data showing that pirating loses companies money. Companies make the assumption that every piece of piracy is a lost sale. That's obviously wrong, and demonstrably so. There is pretty substantial evidence that pirating actually increases music sales.

Pirating is something that has become useful for industries to blame for lost sales, while ignoring the real reason that customers aren't buying their stuff.

207 Gus  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 6:28:59am

re: #206 Obdicut

I fully agree that the problem with PACs isn't Netflix, and that Anonymous are being spoiled bitches.

But there is no, no, no good data showing that pirating loses companies money. Companies make the assumption that every piece of piracy is a lost sale. That's obviously wrong, and demonstrably so. There is pretty substantial evidence that pirating actually increases music sales.

Pirating is something that has become useful for industries to blame for lost sales, while ignoring the real reason that customers aren't buying their stuff.

The point I'm making is that there will be watered down version of SOPA coming down the road. Whether we like it or not. It's just going to affect "crap" for the most part so I'm not worried too much. We'll see what Debbie Wasserman-Schultz will come with since she played a large role in SOPE the first go around.

208 Gus  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 6:32:27am

re: #205 Gus

Page 2:

Recipient of Joint Fundraiser Contributions

These are the Final Recipients of Joint Fundraising Contributions

HASTINGS, REED
LOS GATOS, CA 95032
NETFLIX

OBAMA, BARACK
VIA OBAMA FOR AMERICA
02/01/2012 2500.00 12951275165
02/01/2012 2500.00 12951272967

HASTINGS, REED
SANTA CRUZ, CA 95060
NETFLIX

DNC SERVICES CORPORATION/DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE
04/29/2010 30000.00 10930770840
OBAMA, BARACK
VIA OBAMA FOR AMERICA
08/27/2008 2300.00 28933290387
08/27/2008 2300.00 28933290387

HASTINGS, REED
SANTA CRUZ, CA 95060
RETIRED

CAPPS, LOIS G
VIA FRIENDS OF LOIS CAPPS
02/27/1998 1000.00 98032923848
DEMOCRATIC CONGRESSIONAL CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE
02/27/1998 8000.00 98033050837
THOMPSON, MIKE MR.
VIA MIKE THOMPSON FOR CONGRESS
02/27/1998 1000.00 98033054806

HASTINGS, REED MR.
SANTA CRUZ, CA 95060
NETFLIX/CEO

DNC SERVICES CORPORATION/DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE
08/22/2008 23900.00 28992198358

Full listing here:

[Link: textuploader.com...]

So. Make a big deal of it as you will. But remember that you're looking at a relatively liberal and progressive organization whose CEO supports Democrats and Barrack Obama for president. So, you can either side with Netflix or side with "anonymous" and their World Net Daily, Barrett Brown like hysteria and support the emo-candate of your choosing.

209 Douchecanoe and Ryan Too  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 6:33:43am

re: #202 Gus

There is a noticeable loss in revenue through pirating. Apple App store lost 450 million from my quick 30 second search.

Yeah, and who came out with that number? The problem is that the actual effects of piracy are wildly different from what those who have a vested interest in preserving content rights claim they are - and theirs is by far the loudest voice in the piracy "debate". They release all these figures claiming millions and billions in "lost sales" from pirates, but what does that term even mean? The whole discussion is rather one-sided, because there's no real way to measure piracy losses objectively, and when we try, the content providers shout us down.

210 Obdicut  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 6:34:30am

re: #208 Gus

You don't actually have to side with either. You can reasonably say that SOPA is a sucky deal, that if anything like it is going to be passed it needs a hell of a lot of work and input from people other than those who have the resources to benefit from a tiered approach to internet service.

And you can say that pirating doesn't actually negative effect companies, but that people who pirate 'on principle' are self-entitled, whiny douchebags.

211 Gus  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 6:35:01am

re: #209 thedopefishlives

Yeah, and who came out with that number? The problem is that the actual effects of piracy are wildly different from what those who have a vested interest in preserving content rights claim they are - and theirs is by far the loudest voice in the piracy "debate". They release all these figures claiming millions and billions in "lost sales" from pirates, but what does that term even mean? The whole discussion is rather one-sided, because there's no real way to measure piracy losses objectively, and when we try, the content providers shout us down.

You might be forgetting that a large part of that is because of pirating activity in China and Russia. There are other countries with higher incidences such as South Korea or Taiwan.

212 Gus  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 6:35:50am

re: #210 Obdicut

You don't actually have to side with either. You can reasonably say that SOPA is a sucky deal, that if anything like it is going to be passed it needs a hell of a lot of work and input from people other than those who have the resources to benefit from a tiered approach to internet service.

And you can say that pirating doesn't actually negative effect companies, but that people who pirate 'on principle' are self-entitled, whiny douchebags.

This is true.

213 Obdicut  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 6:36:30am

re: #209 thedopefishlives

Well, a lot of places that have done entirely without DRM have demonstrated, at least, that they're pirated at no higher rates than those with highly restrictive DRM. Like Stardock and Sins of a Solar Empire.

214 Gus  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 6:37:52am

In any event. Not interested in joining anonymous's latest stupidity. Heck. I don't even use Netflix since I'm not privileged enough for such a luxury.

215 darthstar  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 6:38:28am

re: #209 thedopefishlives

Yeah, and who came out with that number? The problem is that the actual effects of piracy are wildly different from what those who have a vested interest in preserving content rights claim they are - and theirs is by far the loudest voice in the piracy "debate". They release all these figures claiming millions and billions in "lost sales" from pirates, but what does that term even mean? The whole discussion is rather one-sided, because there's no real way to measure piracy losses objectively, and when we try, the content providers shout us down.

Every content provider loses the same 450 million every day. When you bootleg a CD (like my wife's uncle Frankie did when he sent me a Moody Bluegrass disc recently), you steal that revenue from iTunes, Amazon, Borders, Barnes & Noble, Tower Records, Warehouse Records, Tapestry Records & Head Shop(closed in 1973), and more...

216 Douchecanoe and Ryan Too  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 6:39:41am

re: #213 Obdicut

Well, a lot of places that have done entirely without DRM have demonstrated, at least, that they're pirated at no higher rates than those with highly restrictive DRM. Like Stardock and Sins of a Solar Empire.

Heck, I would pay extra for games that are distributed without DRM. And there have been some studies that indicate that I am far from alone in this position.

217 Obdicut  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 6:40:33am

re: #211 Gus

But those definitely aren't really lost sales in China, because most of the people using the pirated versions in China would not be able to pay the actual price of the game. The pirating companies in China, furthermore, actually sell the games, making them rather different than piracy in the West which tends to crack for the sake of cracking and make the games available for free.

So, in China, you have people paying a small percentage of the 'true' cost of the game, because that's what the market will bear. If the pirates did not crack and redistribute the games in China, there would not be a huge uprush of sales in China, because the money is not there to buy the games at the full price.

It is true that some companies attempt to compete with the pirates by pricing games in China at around the same price as the pirates, but the problem is that they have no actual competitive advantage, and several disadvantages. The pirates have an existing infrastructure for sales, and the Chinese public in general would rather buy a 'Chinese' product than a US one. The pirate industry in China occurs with the involvement of the Chinese government; they are not pirates, they are privateers.

218 Douchecanoe and Ryan Too  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 6:40:38am

re: #214 Gus

In any even. Not interested in joining anonymous's latest stupidity. Heck. I don't even use Netflix since I'm not privileged enough for such a luxury.

Hold on a minute. You're on the NWO and the Zionist payrolls, aren't you? You should have untold BEEELIONS sitting in an offshore bank account somewhere. A simple Netflix account can't be THAT prohibitive.

219 Interesting Times  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 6:42:50am
220 Daniel Ballard  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 6:45:20am

re: #206 Obdicut

I find the "piracy does no harm" argument to be weak. I have a hard time thinking the following would be true.

Piracy results in no lost sales at all. It increases sales in movies, music, games, and software. Right across the board. And for those reasons we can ignore the pirates as clever salesmen? Stop protecting the intellectual property rights? Stop protecting patents too? The "nothing material is stolen" argument applies there too.

If we conclude there is scapegoating or exaggerations we get to just dismiss the whole complaint?

At what point are we really just giving up on protecting legitimate rights?

Tell ya what, I'm not buying that theory or any pirated music or movies. Given the chance I'd drop a dime on the pirated material sellers every time. If I had a child, I'd teach him stealing is wrong. Materially or otherwise.

221 Obdicut  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 6:46:28am

re: #220 Daniel Ballard

I find the "piracy does no harm" argument to be weak. I have a hard time thinking the following would be true.

It's really not something that can be just throught through. You have to do actual research.

Piracy results in no lost sales at all. It increases sales in movies, music, games, and software. Right across the board.

Who is saying that?

Tell ya what, I'm not buying that theory or any pirated music or movies. Given the chance I'd drop a dime on the pirated material sellers every time. If I had a child, I'd teach him stealing is wrong. Materially or otherwise.

Did you ever listen to a mix tape?

222 Gus  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 6:50:33am

If someone hacks into my computer and steals one of my drawings that's pirating. They can, theoretically, take one of those drawings and sell of for $5,000 in some cases. I don't care if it's one or 12,000 drawings.

That's theft. So if it's me an individual or a corporation it doesn't make much a difference. The laws side with the victims and doesn't rationalize things based on feelings or anecdotal evidence or perceptions of cultural nuances.

The other thing people aren't taking into account is that the trend is growing and not diminishing. Protections have to be put in place as this onslaught continues. We cannot allow this kind of anarchy to continue and expect companies or individuals to look the other way.

223 Obdicut  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 6:52:36am

One of the weirder things in piracy is that a lot of the piracy is by people who never consume what they pirate. In most piracy statistics that have actual usage-- like, who the people are who actually download stuff, how much they use it, the average 'pirate' downloads a couple of games, a few songs, a movie or two.

But some users download several orders of magnitude more-- and then never actually listen/play/watch the crap. People will download entire runs of anime and never watch them, download every latest hit game and just delete them, download 5,000 songs.

Obviously, these people would not have purchased this amount, and yet these people make up a very large amount of the statistical percentage of piracy.

Here are few good articles for those interested in the subject:

[Link: news.cnet.com...]

[Link: www.neowin.net...]

And, for a relatively pure thinking-it-through post, this is a good one:

[Link: www.gameproducer.net...]

The problem is not whether people pirate games, it's whether people buy games.

224 Daniel Ballard  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 6:54:47am

re: #221 Obdicut

I did quite some reading on this. And I spoke to artists and a couple folks that work at studios, movies in one instance and music in a couple others.

"Who is saying that?" How about this.
I moved the bar, or standard. For the Piracy is harmless argument to work, you can't just accept that every pirated copy is not as lost sale as the same as piracy is not causing any lost sales.

Mix tapes? Not really a factor in my music listening. In the abstract, personal use only or get the rights. Pay the money.

I have to get to work which has changed (busier) for me significantly. I may not have time to follow up.

225 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 6:54:55am

Good news:

[Link: www.google.com...]

An Egyptian court on Tuesday suspended a 100-member panel selected by lawmakers from the Islamist-dominated parliament and tasked with drafting the country's new constitution.

The ruling was a blow to the Islamists, who have catapulted into the center of Egypt's political stage since the ouster 14 months ago of longtime authoritarian leader Hosni Mubarak.

226 Obdicut  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 6:54:58am

re: #222 Gus

Legally, it's copyright violation, not theft. And the vast majority of pirates in the West make and attempt to make no money on their pirating.

The other thing people aren't taking into account is that the trend is growing and not diminishing. Protections have to be put in place as this onslaught continues. We cannot allow this kind of anarchy to continue and expect companies or individuals to look the other way.

Protections are in place. DRM is loaded onto almost everything. It's also almost entirely ineffective, and always will be. It's an impossible goal.


If the desire is for people to get paid for the creative work they do, then stopping piracy is not going to achieve that goal, first because it's impossible, and second because there is no legitimate research showing that piracy is anywhere near the biggest problem in getting people to buy digital products.

227 Killgore Trout  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 6:57:00am

Report: Iran intecepts Israel-linked 'mercenary' ring

Iran's intelligence department says suspects arrested in different parts of the country, seize large quantities of weaponry and telecommunications equipment.

228 Obdicut  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 6:58:21am

re: #224 Daniel Ballard

I moved the bar, or standard. For the Piracy is harmless argument to work, you can't just accept that every pirated copy is not as lost sale as the same as piracy is not causing any lost sales.

I'm not saying piracy is harmless, though.

Mix tapes? Not really a factor in my music listening. In the abstract, personal use only or get the rights. Pay the money.

So you haven't listened to mix tapes, or watched VHS copies, or watched music videos on youtube that weren't on the musicians VIMEO or otherwise monetized channel?

I see people post music videos here all the time from youtube that are from channels that in no way get revenue back to the artists.

I think it's very good to want musicians and other creative types to get paid for their work. I want that too. But righteous indignation isn't going to make that happen. The way to approach things should be with that goal in mind: get people paid for the work that they do, if they want to be paid for it.

229 darthstar  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 6:59:16am

re: #227 Killgore Trout

More backpackers with Swiss Army knives and a cell phone?

230 Gus  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 7:01:13am

re: #223 Obdicut

Yes, it's not really about one guy in his mother's basement pirating [sic] one game or one song. Whatever they do with what they pirate steal is a subjective question. They may or may not "use" the item. But if I shoplift a DVD from Walmart am I supposed to then tell the security guard, "I really wasn't going to use it" that it would change anything? So let's go back to that "one guy" grabbing something for free. There are 7 billion people on the Earth and that's growing exponentially. Right now we're looking at "one guy" multiplied by several million. That's significant.

Frankly, I think it's funny because with anonymous we're looking at a huge consumerist demographic that runs to the Apple store every time a new iPad or iPhone is released.

231 Obdicut  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 7:01:21am

re: #229 darthstar

More likely just some guys who are opposed to the mullahs, who are being tied to Israel to make it easier to demonize and prosecute them.

232 Killgore Trout  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 7:01:30am

re: #225 Johnny Derp

Good news:

[Link: www.google.com...]

I was just looking into that. It is good news but I'm not sure how long it will last. It might just be delaying the inevitable. I don't think the Muslim Bros are going to play nice any more than they have to. They aren't going to share any more power than absolutely necessary.

233 Killgore Trout  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 7:02:16am

re: #229 darthstar

More backpackers with Swiss Army knives and a cell phone?

Maybe. It's always hard to tell with Iranian state news sources.

234 Obdicut  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 7:02:27am

re: #230 Gus

But if I shoplift a DVD from Walmart am I supposed to then tell the security guard, "I really wasn't going to use it" that it would change anything?

That comparison doesn't work at all. A DVD is a physical object. If you take it, then the store can't sell it.

I'm not sure what point you were trying to make in the last post.

235 darthstar  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 7:02:35am

re: #228 Obdicut

I see people post music videos here all the time from youtube that are from channels that in no way get revenue back to the artists.

At least these guys never made a big deal out of people copying their music and sharing it...

Youtube Video
236 Gus  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 7:02:49am

In any event. Anonymous can take their Netflix boycott and shove it up their ass.

237 darthstar  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 7:03:48am

re: #236 Gus

In any event. Anonymous can take their Netflix boycott and shove it up their ass.

I have Netflix streaming. There isn't enough content available to boycott.

238 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 7:03:51am

Good news, everybody: anybody who has listened to an mp3 posted here by Freetoken or myself from tunnel.ru has downloaded illegal, pirated music and if piracy is theft, all of you are thieves.

239 darthstar  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 7:04:36am

re: #238 Johnny Derp

Good news, everybody: anybody who has listened to an mp3 posted here by Freetoken or myself from tunnel.ru has downloaded illegal, pirated music and if piracy is theft, all of you are thieves.

You post stuff?

240 Gus  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 7:04:50am

re: #237 darthstar

I have Netflix streaming. There isn't enough content available to boycott.

That's funny. They're like a self-fulfilling boycott.

//

241 Obdicut  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 7:05:14am

re: #237 darthstar

Amazon prime instant videos are already much better than netflix.

242 darthstar  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 7:05:31am

re: #240 Gus

That's funny. They're like a self-fulfilling boycott.

//

They still get my seven bucks a month...at least until I have watched all 63 episodes of Burn Notice.

243 darthstar  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 7:06:03am

re: #241 Obdicut

Amazon prime instant videos are already much better than netflix.

Hm...Can I get that on my Roku?

244 Killgore Trout  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 7:06:40am

If bbc and Chanel 4 would sell me a licence to watch streaming videos here in the states I'll gladly stop stealing their shit.

245 Gus  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 7:06:54am

re: #242 darthstar

They still get my seven bucks a month...at least until I have watched all 63 episodes of Burn Notice.

Last time I used Netflix was back when they did the snail-mail thing. Was still cheaper than Blockbuster.

246 Obdicut  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 7:06:57am

re: #243 darthstar

Yes.

247 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 7:08:32am

Edith Piaf - Le Chant du Pirate

MP3 Audio
248 Gus  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 7:09:46am

re: #247 Johnny Derp

Edith Piaf - Le Chant du Pirate

[Embedded content]

Piracy!!!!!

//

249 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 7:10:59am

re: #248 Gus

Piracy!!!

//

I have obviously just cost some corporation a whole pile of dollars that all of you dirty thieves listening to this would have thrown at them to buy this Piaf album!

250 darthstar  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 7:11:00am

re: #247 Johnny Derp

Edith Piaf - Le Chant du Pirate

[Embedded content]

Thanks...I was just about to go to iTunes to buy that very song, and now I don't have to.

251 Gus  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 7:11:37am

STOP THE NDAA INDEFINITE DETENTION SPY DRONE HELLFIRE MISSILE GITMO FEMA CAMP GESTAPO MARTIAL LAW LEGALIZED MURDER OF AMERICAN CITIZENS OBAMABUSHHITLER SOPA PIPA INFRINGEMENT ON OUR RIGHTS!!!

252 darthstar  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 7:12:04am

re: #251 Gus

Legalize Marijuana.

253 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 7:12:22am

re: #251 Gus

AND GIVE ME BACK MY PRECIOUS FLUIDS!!!1 Pretty please?

254 Gus  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 7:12:50am

re: #250 darthstar

Thanks...I was just about to go to iTunes to buy that very song, and now I don't have to.

No thanks to Sergey! And Killgore is stealing from the BBC. I'm headed to Portland with my can of pepper spray and make a citizen's arrest. Anything goes wrong and I'll just place a bag of Skittles and a can of iced tea next to his body.

//

255 Lidane  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 7:15:11am

Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s Legal Bulldog Faces Disbarment

In six years as the top prosecutor in Maricopa County, he stood side-by-side with Sheriff Joe Arpaio and earned a reputation as an aggressive and ambitious politician. A pair of conservative warriors in a Republican stronghold, the two teamed up to push for tougher treatment of illegal immigrants and to pursue what they saw as widespread corruption by local government officials.

But somewhere in the process, according to ethics investigators who scrutinized his actions in recent years, Thomas became obsessed with his political enemies. With Arpaio’s help, he targeted them with criminal investigations, had some of them arrested and some charged with crimes. The evidence he and Arpaio used in the process was often questionable. The charges rarely stuck.

Later today, the former prosecutor, who graduated from Harvard Law School the same year as Barack Obama, is facing the possibility of being disbarred for his role in the crusade.

Ethics investigators with the State Bar of Arizona have accused Thomas of a spree of bad acts, saying he abused his authority even to the point of committing crimes himself.

He “undermined the public trust and inflicted great damage to the system of justice,” the investigators wrote in December. “The only way to restore that trust and to repair the damage to the system is to disbar Thomas.”

The investigators have also called for one of Thomas’ top aides, Lisa Aubuchon, to be disbarred and for another aide, Rachel Alexander, to have her license suspended.

A judge in Phoenix is scheduled to unveil the decisions on all three cases at noon ET.

256 Gus  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 7:15:40am

BREAKING: Coming up next at Diary of Diarrhea, Killgore Trout admits to stealing from the BBC and Gus802 threatens to shoot down after making citizens arrest!

257 kirkspencer  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 7:16:48am

re: #202 Gus

The problem with PACs isn't Netflix. Obviously. Isolating them in this useless matter about freaking movies, which is largely a Western luxury, doesn't garner much sympathy in me and is way down on my priority scale. There is a noticeable loss in revenue through pirating. Apple App store lost 450 million from my quick 30 second search.

Apple claims $11 Billion per year lost to software piracy. That's roughly one full quarter of total revenues from all sources (software, hardware, music, etc.) for them.

To get there they make assumptions of how many copies of everything is out there, they use full (zero discount, highest point of sale) prices, and they assume every copy would have been purchased if unable to be pirated. Break any of those three elements and the losses get hammered.

258 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 7:17:02am

re: #255 Lidane

Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s Legal Bulldog Faces Disbarment

I hope they all go to prison.

259 Gus  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 7:18:31am

re: #257 kirkspencer

I think both sides that are on the extreme end of this issue are wrong. On the one hand you get the ultra-authoritarians. The other side you get the naive anarchists like anonymous. The answer is right where it always should be and that's right in the middle.

260 darthstar  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 7:18:46am

re: #254 Gus

No thanks to Sergey! And Killgore is stealing from the BBC. I'm headed to Portland with my can of pepper spray and make a citizen's arrest. Anything goes wrong and I'll just place a bag of Skittles and a can of iced tea next to his body.

//

I wonder if leaving a bag of Skittles on someone's desk will now be seen as a form of harassment. "Dear other manager...I know you've been a dick lately but no hard feelings. Here, have some Skittles and Arizona Iced Tea...but wear this hoodie, the AC is acting up in the office."

261 Gus  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 7:19:08am

So. What the fuck is wrong with Alicia Silverstone?

Derp.

262 Gus  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 7:20:08am

re: #260 darthstar

I wonder if leaving a bag of Skittles on someone's desk will now be seen as a form of harassment. "Dear other manager...I know you've been a dick lately but no hard feelings. Here, have some Skittles and Arizona Iced Tea...but wear this hoodie, the AC is acting up in the office."

Might be worse than bringing a tiny vial of mercury to play with at the office.

//

263 Obdicut  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 7:20:24am

re: #261 Gus


The Onion: Actress Opens Poorly Conceived Animal Shelter

264 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 7:20:56am

re: #260 darthstar

Kinda like horse's head in the bed?

265 Killgore Trout  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 7:21:00am

Police Car Shot Up in Trayvon Martin's Neighborhood

Six shots were fired into an empty police cruiser early today in the Florida neighborhood where black teenager Trayvon Martin was shot and killed as the mayor warned that the town has become a "kindling box."

No one was injured in the 4:30 a.m. shooting at the Retreat at Twin Lakes in Sanford, Fla. Police removed the vehicle and have begun an investigation.

266 darthstar  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 7:22:52am

re: #257 kirkspencer

You know what would help create jobs? Giving companies like Apple a tax break on the revenue they claim to have lost due to piracy. They should be able to write off those numbers as an operating expense. And since corporations are people, I'd like to write off my entire salary as potential bonuses I didn't get because of piracy hurting Apple and that impacting jobs and that impacting other companies that support my company, which isn't Apple.

Please don't share this idea with any Republican law makers.

267 Killgore Trout  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 7:22:59am

re: #256 Gus

I'll have to face the legal wrath of Hugh Farley Wittingstall
Image: hugh.jpg

268 darthstar  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 7:24:03am

re: #265 Killgore Trout

How's that neighborhood watch program Zimmerman started helping with property values now?

269 Killgore Trout  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 7:24:06am

The frogs had a busy night. Much sexy talk and I can see they've been visiting the breeding area.

270 Gus  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 7:24:14am

re: #265 Killgore Trout

Police Car Shot Up in Trayvon Martin's Neighborhood

That's fucked up.

271 Killgore Trout  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 7:25:54am

re: #268 darthstar

How's that neighborhood watch program Zimmerman started helping with property values now?

I'm pretty sure that if cops cars are getting shot the neighborhood watch guys are staying home with the lights turned off and hoping for the best.

272 Lidane  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 7:26:25am

Norway's mass killer Breivik declared sane

A second psychiatric evaluation of Norwegian mass killer Anders Behring Breivik has found him sane enough to face trial and a jail term.

The findings contradict a previous evaluation, published in November, that found him legally insane.

Breivik is due to stand trial on Monday over a bomb attack and shooting spree last July that killed 77 people.

Both reports will be considered by the court when it decides whether he should be sent to a psychiatric ward or jail.

The second evaluation was approved by a court in January following widespread criticism of last year's assessment that concluded he was psychotic at the time of the attacks and diagnosed him as a paranoid schizophrenic - meaning he would most likely be detained in psychiatric care.

Many of his surviving victims believed he was sane, and that the only proper punishment would be a prison sentence.

273 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 7:27:45am

re: #272 Lidane

Norway's mass killer Breivik declared sane

"Eh, sane enough." ~ Olaf Simpsson./

274 NJDhockeyfan  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 7:28:07am

Good morning lizards!

Last Thursday my neighbor's dogs got loose again and killed my daughter's little beagle. This is the third time this motherfucker's dogs have attacked. I am pissed.

275 Obdicut  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 7:28:54am

re: #274 NJDhockeyfan

Holy crap, that's terrible. Are you calling the cops/animal control? Dogs like that are also a menace to your kids.

276 Killgore Trout  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 7:29:25am

re: #274 NJDhockeyfan

Good morning lizards!

Last Thursday my neighbor's dogs got loose again and killed my daughter's little beagle. This is the third time this motherfucker's dogs have attacked. I am pissed.

damn, sorry to hear that.

277 NJDhockeyfan  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 7:30:26am

re: #275 Obdicut

Holy crap, that's terrible. Are you calling the cops/animal control? Dogs like that are also a menace to your kids.

Animal control is on it. They have been trying to reach him. I am hoping they they take those dogs before the end of the week.

278 lawhawk  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 7:30:33am

re: #272 Lidane

Breivik has been claiming all along that he's sane and that he's really fighting the first battle of the coming war against outsiders to uphold the purity of the race.

He clearly knows right from wrong, even if he's absolutely wrong about a race war. Violent xenophobia isn't the same as being mentally incompetent to stand trial. But this will come down to the battle of experts - and the panel will have a lot to choose from.

I'm betting that they find him competent to stand trial, and they'll find him guilty.

Either way, he's not going to be set free under any circumstances.

279 Gus  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 7:30:33am

Having said that about Netflix I still support what people are doing against Rush Gasbaugh. Priorities!

280 Lidane  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 7:30:51am

re: #275 Obdicut

Holy crap, that's terrible. Are you calling the cops/animal control? Dogs like that are also a menace to your kids.

Not to mention the rest of the neighborhood.

281 NJDhockeyfan  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 7:32:12am

About 5 years ago they both attacked my big dog in our driveway. She needed a lot of stitches and he had to pay the vet bill. i think it was about 800 dollars. The animal control should have taken them away back then.

282 ProGunLiberal  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 7:32:19am

re: #274 NJDhockeyfan

This makes my sad in every way possible.

That family with the feral dogs need to be punished harshly.

283 lawhawk  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 7:34:22am

re: #274 NJDhockeyfan

That totally sucks, and here's hoping that animal control gets to deal with the dogs quickly before they can do any further harm.

284 Douchecanoe and Ryan Too  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 7:34:28am

re: #281 NJDhockeyfan

About 5 years ago they both attacked my big dog in our driveway. She needed a lot of stitches and he had to pay the vet bill. i think it was about 800 dollars. The animal control should have taken them away back then.

At least he had to pay the vet bill. You probably have a pretty solid case for him having to "replace" the dog (I know full well that an animal can never be truly replaced).

285 NJDhockeyfan  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 7:35:24am

re: #282 ProGunLiberal

This makes my sad in every way possible.

That family with the feral dogs need to be punished harshly.

He lives alone and is chairman of the county electoral board.

286 sattv4u2  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 7:35:59am

re: #281 NJDhockeyfan

About 5 years ago they both attacked my big dog in our driveway. She needed a lot of stitches and he had to pay the vet bill. i think it was about 800 dollars. The animal control should have taken them away back then.

Animal control in your area is more lax than in our county!

This is the third time this motherfucker's dogs have attacked

One and done here if the attack ends in a death!

287 Gus  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 7:36:24am

First Man Arrested With Drone Evidence Vows to Fight Case!!!!

288 Interesting Times  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 7:36:42am

re: #282 ProGunLiberal

This makes my sad in every way possible.

That family with the feral dogs need to be punished harshly.

That reminds me of an anchorwoman for a radio station in my area who flubbed her lines as follows:

"After the pit bull attacks, several owners were put down - er, the dogs were put down..."

289 darthstar  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 7:37:14am

re: #274 NJDhockeyfan

That's fucked up. Let your daughter know there are people in California who are saddened for her too.

290 darthstar  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 7:38:18am

re: #287 Gus

First Man Arrested With Drone Evidence Vows to Fight Case!!!

For whatever reason, I read that as "Fat Man Arrested..." and thought, WTF?

291 NJDhockeyfan  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 7:38:24am

re: #284 thedopefishlives

At least he had to pay the vet bill. You probably have a pretty solid case for him having to "replace" the dog (I know full well that an animal can never be truly replaced).

A neighbor stopped by when he saw one of them eating my dog. The animal control officer came by a little while later and met both dogs in my yard. They were growling and barking at her. She is mad too. The idiot left both his back door and front doors open so the dogs just ran out. Imagine if my daughters were waiting for the bus.

292 Gus  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 7:38:44am

Tyranny of the drones! OK, are we ready to hear the why and what of what happened?

The bizarre case started when six cows wandered onto Rodney Brossart's 3,000 acre farm. Brossart, an alleged anti-government "sovereignist," believed he should have been able to keep the cows, so he and two family members chased police off his land with high powered rifles.

After a 16-hour standoff, the Grand Forks police department SWAT team, armed with a search warrant, used an agreement they've had with Homeland Security for about three years, and called in an unmanned aerial vehicle to pinpoint Brossart's location on the ranch. The SWAT team stormed in and arrested Brossart on charges of terrorizing a sheriff, theft, criminal mischief, and other charges, according to documents.

Brossart says he "had no clue" they used a drone during the standoff until months after his arrest.

Here's a pic of the nut.

293 darthstar  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 7:40:09am

Okay...the rain isn't letting up. Looks like I get to get wet on the poop loop with the boys.

NJD...sorry about your girl's beagle.

294 NJDhockeyfan  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 7:41:11am

re: #293 darthstar

Okay...the rain isn't letting up. Looks like I get to get wet on the poop loop with the boys.

NJD...sorry about your girl's beagle.

Thank you. Lots of tears were falling Friday night.

295 Lidane  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 7:41:59am

re: #291 NJDhockeyfan

People like that have no business owning animals. Ever.

WTF.

296 lawhawk  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 7:42:02am

re: #293 darthstar

Hey, when you're done with the rain there, we could use it here in the NYC metro area. We're bone dry and are a tinderbox waiting to explode; we've already had a bunch of significant wildfires that have caused some damage to homes and property, and if we don't get rain soon, we're doing to have the potential for even more...

297 Gus  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 7:42:51am

What's the freaking difference between using a drone against some "right wing, anti-government sovereign citizen lunatic" and using a Cessna 172 or a Bell Jet Ranger?

298 wrenchwench  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 7:43:11am

re: #290 darthstar

For whatever reason, I read that as "Fat Man Arrested..." and thought, WTF?

Hey, where's FBV? It's been almost a month since he's posted.

299 Obdicut  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 7:43:59am

re: #298 wrenchwench

I hope he's okay.

300 Douchecanoe and Ryan Too  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 7:44:05am

re: #291 NJDhockeyfan

A neighbor stopped by when he say one of them eating my dog. The animal control officer came by a little while later and met both dogs in my yard. They were growling and barking at her. She is mad too. The idiot left both his back door and front doors open so the dogs just ran out. Imagine if my daughters were waiting for the bus.

What a dumbass. At least the animal control officer was able to see the dogs behaving aggressively; I have seen cases where the dog was clearly a danger, but by the time animal control arrived, the owner had managed to pacify it and so nothing happened.

301 lawhawk  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 7:44:18am

Heh alert.

A new study found that homophobic people are more likely to have experienced attraction to the same sex:

People who fear homosexuality the most are actually likely to have experienced an attraction to a member of the same sex, according to a new study.

Research, to be published this month in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, suggests that homophobes develop such anti-gay attitudes after repressing their own same-sex desires.

"Individuals who identify as straight but in psychological tests show a strong attraction to the same sex may be threatened by gays and lesbians because homosexuals remind them of similar tendencies within themselves," said Netta Weinstein, the study's lead author, according to Science Daily.

Four experiments went into the study, each involving about 160 college students in the United States and Germany. Researchers measured students' implicit and explicit sexual orientations by their responses in a split-second timed task, in which they were shown words and pictures on a computer screen and asked to label each as "gay" or "straight," and gauged their reactions. They also answered questions about their upbringing and families, and filled out questionnaires to assess their homophobia.

302 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 7:44:50am

re: #298 wrenchwench

Hey, where's FBV? It's been almost a month since he's posted.

I wanted to ask this same thing, but LGF ated my comment.

303 Killgore Trout  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 7:48:11am

re: #297 Gus

What's the freaking difference between using a drone against some "right wing, anti-government sovereign citizen lunatic" and using a Cessna 172 or a Bell Jet Ranger?

Drones are cheaper and have lower operating costs. That's about the only difference I can think of.

304 Gus  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 7:48:40am

So to re-cap:

The bizarre case started when six cows wandered onto Rodney Brossart's 3,000 acre farm. Brossart, an alleged anti-government "sovereignist," believed he should have been able to keep the cows, so he and two family members chased police off his land with high powered rifles.

305 Gus  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 7:49:12am

re: #303 Killgore Trout

Drones are cheaper and have lower operating costs. That's about the only difference I can think of.

Yep. Less fuel. Lower CO2 footprint. Quiet.

306 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 7:49:27am

re: #304 Gus

Eh. Um. Did he explain why he had a right to the cows?

307 Douchecanoe and Ryan Too  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 7:49:52am

re: #306 Johnny Derp

Eh. Um. Did he explain why he had a right to the cows?

They wandered onto his land, of course.

308 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 7:50:36am

re: #307 thedopefishlives

They wandered onto his land, of course.

Yes, but then what?

309 NJDhockeyfan  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 7:50:40am

re: #300 thedopefishlives

What a dumbass. At least the animal control officer was able to see the dogs behaving aggressively; I have seen cases where the dog was clearly a danger, but by the time animal control arrived, the owner had managed to pacify it and so nothing happened.

I have picture of the last attack on my other dog. When my girls were 2 they were out on the lawn playing and his pit came running across the yard after them. My big dog came out of nowhere, tacked it, and chased it back to its own yard. When I got home I told him about it. His response was 'He's a friendly dog!' That's when he came back into my yard and went after me. He should have been taken away then.

310 ProGunLiberal  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 7:50:53am

re: #304 Gus

Considering who this was, I am somewhat sad they didn't use a Reaper.

EDIT:Mistype sorry!

311 Gus  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 7:51:04am

re: #306 Johnny Derp

Eh. Um. Did he explain why he had a right to the cows?

Eminent domain? Who knows. If he's a sovereign citizen he can make up his own laws at will.

...he and two family members chased police off his land with high powered rifles...

312 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 7:51:42am

re: #311 Gus

But then he is not paying taxes and should have been locked up long ago, right?

313 Gus  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 7:51:52am

Doesn't matter what the cows did. You can't chase cops off "yer land!" with high powered rifles.

314 Gus  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 7:52:10am

re: #312 Johnny Derp

But then he is not paying taxes and should have been locked up long ago, right?

Not always.

315 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 7:52:50am

re: #314 Gus

Not always.

Why, sometimes this goes on for long time?

316 ProGunLiberal  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 7:52:52am

re: #314 Gus

Sorry about my mistype. Had a brain fart.

317 NJDhockeyfan  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 7:53:29am

My wife just told me the animal control officer just stopped by. She left a note on his door to contact her.

318 Gus  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 7:53:46am

Here ya go. Ol' Rodney made the SPLC.

Law Enforcement Takes on the ‘Sovereigns’

The flap began on June 23, when half a dozen cows wandered onto Rodney Brossart’s land in Lakota, N.D., a tiny prairie town about 100 miles northwest of Fargo. Acting on his peculiar interpretation of open-range laws, Brossart refused to return the wayward beasts and instead claimed them as his own property.

The local sheriff disagreed. That’s when the trouble started with the Brossart clan.

Over the next three days, six family members would end up in jail. The sheriff says Brossart had to be Tasered when he defied deputies and that his daughter was taken into custody, too, for interfering with his arrest. The next day, Bossart’s three sons were arrested after pointing rifles at deputies. Two days later, his wife allegedly tried to mislead deputies during a search for illegal weapons.

Rodney Brossart’s conflict with authorities, which started small but escalated to include his whole family, is typical of the “sovereign citizens” movement. All six were released on bond but then failed to show up for their arraignment. Arrest warrants were issued....

319 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 7:54:27am

re: #318 Gus

Serves them good.

320 ProGunLiberal  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 7:55:14am

re: #317 NJDhockeyfan

Unacceptable behavior. He won't call back.

321 lawhawk  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 7:55:21am

re: #297 Gus

Or high powered cameras/infrared monitors, or helicopters using the same kinds of sensors? The only difference is that the drone is unmanned and operated remotely. The guy has no case - but as a sovereign citizen nutter, he's going to try anyways. And then claim that the courts have no jurisdiction to try him... wasting still more time and money.

322 Lidane  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 7:55:55am

Iran plans to unplug the Internet, launch its own "clean" alternative

Iran topped a recent list of repressive regimes that most aggressively restrict Internet freedom. The list, published by Reporters Without Borders, is a part of the 2012 edition of the organization’s Enemies of the Internet report. One of the details addressed in that report is the Iranian government’s bizarre plan to create its own “clean” Internet. The proposed system, an insular nation-wide intranet that is reportedly isolated from the regular Internet, would be heavily regulated by the government.

Reporters Without Borders drew attention to Iran’s national Internet plan when it was first proposed in 2011. The organization says that the system "consists of an Intranet designed ultimately to replace the international Internet and to discriminate between ordinary citizens and the 'elite' (banks, ministries and big companies), which will continue to have access to the international Internet."

In addition to developing its own Intranet system, Reporters Without Borders says that the Iranian government is also creating its own custom electronic mail service and a national search engine called Ya Haq (Oh Just One) that is intended to replace Google. In order to obtain an account on the state-approved mail service, users will have to register their identity with the government.

323 Gus  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 7:56:48am

re: #321 lawhawk

Or high powered cameras/infrared monitors, or helicopters using the same kinds of sensors? The only difference is that the drone is unmanned and operated remotely. The guy has no case - but as a sovereign citizen nutter, he's going to try anyways. And then claim that the courts have no jurisdiction to try him... wasting still more time and money.

Yeah. It's almost like they're arguing, "well the cops CHEATED they used drones!" WTF. I really have little patience for this drone phobia and Luddism.

324 NJDhockeyfan  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 7:57:17am

re: #320 ProGunLiberal

Unacceptable behavior. He won't call back.

If they don't do anything I will have to take matters into my own hands.

325 ProGunLiberal  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 7:57:56am

re: #322 Lidane

The clock for this nutty government is ticking away.

326 Gus  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 7:58:01am

re: #324 NJDhockeyfan

If they don't do anything I will have to take matters into my own hands.

No. Well you can but do it legally.

327 Daniel Ballard  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 7:58:56am

re: #228 Obdicut

I'm not saying piracy is harmless, though.

So you haven't listened to mix tapes, or watched VHS copies, or watched music videos on youtube that weren't on the musicians VIMEO or otherwise monetized channel?

I see people post music videos here all the time from youtube that are from channels that in no way get revenue back to the artists.

Honestly I'm sure I have watched or listened to unpaid copies or youtube content. I do refrain from posting those videos. I do refrain from illegal download or buying pirated material. Back to work...

328 Eventual Carrion  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 7:58:58am

re: #323 Gus

Yeah. It's almost like they're arguing, "well the cops CHEATED they used drones!" WTF. I really have little patience for this drone phobia and Luddism.

Wonder how cheated they would have felt if the officers had 'stood their ground' and gunned down the boys when they pointed their rifles at the officers.

329 kirkspencer  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 8:00:40am

re: #322 Lidane

Iran plans to unplug the Internet, launch its own "clean" alternative

Shades of China.

330 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 8:01:16am

re: #327 Daniel Ballard

Honestly I'm sure I have watched or listened to unpaid copies or youtube content. I do refrain from posting those videos. I do refrain from illegal download or buying pirated material. Back to work...

A piraty song just for you. But if you watch it, you're a thief! ;)

Youtube Video
331 Gus  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 8:01:30am

re: #328 RayFerd

Wonder how cheated they would have felt if the officers had 'stood their ground' and gunned down the boys when they pointed their rifles at the officers.

The defense is probably trying to look for some lame ass excuse to drop the case because the cops violated FAA rules. Which could be considered a valid legal. So they let them out on a technicality. FAA rules have already changed as far as I know WRT to police use of drones.

332 NJDhockeyfan  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 8:01:34am

North Korea Says Launch Assembly Complete

PYONGYANG, North Korea—North Korean space officials said Tuesday all assembly and preparations for this week's planned satellite launch have been completed and denied it is a cover for a missile test.

Space officials told reporters at a news conference in Pyongyang that the launch of the three-stage rocket is on target to take place between Thursday and Monday as part of centennial birthday commemorations for late President Kim Il Sung, the country's founder.

The Kwangmyongsong-3 satellite, equipped with a camera designed to capture images of North Korea's terrain and send back data about weather conditions, was being mounted on the rocket Tuesday, said Ryu Kum Chol, deputy director of the Space Development Department of the Korean Committee for Space Technology.

"All the assembly and preparations of the satellite launch are done," including fueling of the rocket, he said.

The U.S., Britain, Japan and others have urged North Korea to cancel the launch, saying it would be considered a violation of U.N. resolutions prohibiting the country from nuclear and ballistic missile activity.

Dangerous times we live in. Japan said they will shoot it down if it enters their airspace.

333 ProGunLiberal  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 8:03:22am

re: #329 kirkspencer

I don't think Iran's current government will last more than another 15 years.

334 Killgore Trout  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 8:04:48am

re: #332 NJDhockeyfan

North Korea Says Launch Assembly Complete

Dangerous times we live in. Japan said they will shoot it down if it enters their airspace.

They're also making moves for another nuke test. I've seen some speculation that the last test a few years ago may have included an Iranian device.

335 NJDhockeyfan  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 8:07:27am

re: #334 Killgore Trout

They're also making moves for another nuke test. I've seen some speculation that the last test a few years ago may have included an Iranian device.

If their ballistic missile is a success I can see Iran getting a great deal on them.

336 kirkspencer  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 8:09:15am

re: #333 ProGunLiberal

I don't think Iran's current government will last more than another 15 years.

Depends how you identify "current government".

They have what is on its face a good constitution with a lot of checks and balances. I abhor the theocratic orientation, but it doesn't make it an unworkable constitution.

The flaw in it is that the powers of the Supreme Leader were left unchecked in writing. The checks existed in principle and precedence, instead. The current Supreme Leader has chosen to violate the principles and precedence and increase power in the areas that were supposed to provide checks against him.

The crisis approaching for Iran in that regard is whether they shift to being yet another theocratic dictatorship or they amend their constitution to write the currently unwritten checks. If they do the latter in some fashion then I expect to see Iran's government last longer.

Note the problem of violating unwritten rules and bypassing constraints is not unique to Iran. It happens frequently, and in my opinion one of the tests of the strength of nations is how well they cope with that challenge.

337 NJDhockeyfan  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 8:09:20am

Meanwhile Assad continues to murder his people while the rest of the world just watches...

Syria: Opposition claims 1,000 deaths by Assad’s troops in last 8 days

SYRIAN troops loyal to President Bashar al-Assad have killed in the region of 1,000 people over the last eight days, the opposition claimed today.

The Syrian National Council says government forces have stepped up their crackdown on opposition in key areas.

That comes despite the regime saying it would honour a UN peace plane.

A spokesman for the SNC said told reporters that 160 died in Syria yesterday.

Bassma Kodmani, the spokesman, said regime forces have used heavy weapons including anti-aircraft guns against civilians in apparent defiance of an agreement to begin a ceasefire today.

338 Gus  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 8:09:57am

Colmes Tweets this:

And gets this response:

Right. That's the first thing that crossed my mind too. Jeez Louise, people are taking this partisan crap too far.

339 ProGunLiberal  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 8:10:58am

re: #336 kirkspencer

The flaws in it, at least. However, I expect there to be a period of Theocratic Dictatorship, ending with a coup.

340 Killgore Trout  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 8:11:26am

Another victory for the Obama regime!
Abu Hamza and 4 other terror suspects can be sent to US

Britain can extradite five terror suspects to the US, a European court ruled. Muslim cleric Abu Hamza al-Masri is accused of trying to set up an Al Qaeda training camp in Oregon.

341 Gus  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 8:12:11am

re: #340 Killgore Trout

Another victory for the Obama regime!
Abu Hamza and 4 other terror suspects can be sent to US

They're all the same!!!!!

//

342 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 8:12:48am

re: #340 Killgore Trout

Another victory for the Obama regime!
Abu Hamza and 4 other terror suspects can be sent to US

HE OBVIOUSLY WANTS THEM IN AMERICA TO PLOT TOGETHER AGAINST MOM AND APPLE PIE!!!1

343 Gus  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 8:13:20am

re: #342 Johnny Derp

Hmm. Good point. I didn't consider that.

//

344 kirkspencer  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 8:14:45am

re: #338 Gus

Colmes Tweets this:

And gets this response:

Right. That's the first thing that crossed my mind too. Jeez Louise, people are taking this partisan crap too far.

Of course it has to be either/or in their minds. Especially when it's

Proof of Evil

345 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 8:15:18am
MP3 Audio
346 Gus  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 8:15:43am

re: #344 kirkspencer

Of course it has to be either/or in their minds. Especially when it's

I was going to Tweet him a joke. "That's because you can fit a still into a backpack."

//

347 Gus  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 8:16:40am

BREAKING: 5 year old boy brings moonshine still to classroom show-and-tell in his back pack.

348 ProGunLiberal  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 8:17:45am

re: #347 Gus

That's just a normal day in Mississippi or Kentucky.

349 Gus  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 8:18:40am

re: #348 ProGunLiberal

That's just a normal day in Mississippi or Kentucky.

Or Pueblo.

//

350 NJDhockeyfan  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 8:22:50am

re: #347 Gus

BREAKING: 5 year old boy brings moonshine still to classroom show-and-tell in his back pack.

Franklin Co. man, 84, receives suspended sentence in moonshine case

ROCKY MOUNT -- Thirteen years ago, Cecil Love was quoted in an Associated Press story about Franklin County's long history of producing corn liquor outside of government control.

Love told the reporter he had made moonshine in the county for two decades before retiring. "It's kind of like the tobacco farmers -- once you get in it's hard to get out of it because it's profitable."

Indeed, Love, now 84 and facing a felony indictment for illegal manufacture of alcohol, pleaded guilty Monday in Franklin County Circuit Court to misdemeanor possession of distilling apparatus without a permit.

Love had never been charged with "so much as a speeding ticket" before and received a Purple Heart during his military service, according to his attorney, B.J. Jefferson.

Love avoided any jail time when Judge William Alexander accepted the plea to the reduced charge and suspended a 12-month sentence on the condition that Love be on good behavior for two years.

"I will add, because of your good name in Franklin County, that this agreement is appropriate," Alexander said.

I bought a case of moonshine at a bar in Ferrum 21 years ago when I first moved down here. It was very smooth. They called it 'Franklin County's Finest'.

352 ReamWorks SKG  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 8:26:32am

There's a chance the site _was_ real, but it's been hacked/vandalized.

353 Gus  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 8:26:47am

re: #351 Killgore Trout

Just how bad are American 'supermax' prisons?

What's the budget on ADX for the 252 prisoners?

354 Lidane  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 8:27:24am

re: #338 Gus

*sigh*

If a 5 year old brings 50 bags of heroin to show and tell, that's a reason to get the kid out of his house and into a safe home, not a partisan issue. WTF.

355 ReamWorks SKG  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 8:27:43am

re: #5 bluecheese

In all fairness there are idiots on either side of this. The police car in Sanford that was shot up today....

(And there are more than "two sides". I'm firmly of the belief that George Zimmerman shouldn't have been patrolling with a gun, and that he had no good reason to start a fight with Martin that ended in a fatality; but I largely don't like the rhetoric of extremists taking positions on either side of this.)

356 Interesting Times  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 8:27:58am
357 Gus  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 8:28:56am

re: #354 Lidane

*sigh*

If a 5 year old brings 50 bags of heroin to show and tell, that's a reason to get the kid into foster care and into a safe home, not a partisan issue. WTF.

Drug use and dealing is largely apolitical. You have heroin users/dealers. Meth users/dealers. These people don't do politics. Most of them don't vote. People become addicted to drugs regardless of politics and happens regardless of religion or lack or religion. And so on.

358 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 8:29:21am

re: #356 Interesting Times

Unfortunately for him, Stormfront doesn't think he is white.

359 Killgore Trout  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 8:29:32am

re: #353 Gus

What's the budget on ADX for the 252 prisoners?

I'm sure the cost is huge.

360 Gus  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 8:36:07am

re: #359 Killgore Trout

I'm sure the cost is huge.

They should be locked up for good of course but just look at that aerial. Damn place is like the F-35 of prisons and all of that is for 252 prisoners. Probably amounts to 100K per prisoner. Those cells look rather brutal to me but one really has to make a serious effort to get in there.

361 Interesting Times  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 8:41:42am

:(

362 Gus  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 8:46:48am

Baseball player unknown to me "praises" Castro! The people of Miami are shocked!

"I respect Fidel Castro," Guillen said in the article. "You know why? A lot of people have wanted to kill Fidel Castro for the last 60 years, but that son of a bitch is still there."

Not exactly praise. But. I guess people have a lot of time on their hands.

363 lawhawk  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 8:47:09am

re: #360 Gus

That may be on the high side, but not out of the realm of possibility. Colorado State supermax facilities per inmate costs are around $42-$48,000 per inmate per year, which is about $15-21,000 more than standard incarcerations.

Feds don't break out the statistics in the same way.

364 kirkspencer  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 8:48:54am

re: #360 Gus

They should be locked up for good of course but just look at that aerial. Damn place is like the F-35 of prisons and all of that is for 252 prisoners. Probably amounts to 100K per prisoner. Those cells look rather brutal to me but one really has to make a serious effort to get in there.

23 hours per day in a 22x10 room. One hour per day in cuffs (ed - only for transport to and from) a rec area - either the half-court basketball or the exercise (weight machine) area, I don't know if any of the other areas have been made or not. Actually, part of that hour is moving to and from, and that's in cuffs. Several of the b-ball courts are open to sky (chain over the top). You don't have to toss the ball, you can stand staring at the sky or sit or walk the perimeter of the court...

Can't speak for ADX, but Colorado's max (which is just down the road) was interesting duty for librarians. Walk door to door. Update Want list, pick up previous read, deliver new read (one book limit). Paperbacks only. Reference duty was get list of questions (either at walk-through or through message service), get the answers, bring them next trip through or send them through message service. Odd place, glad I only did back-up there and did most of my work at a less restrictive facility.

365 Gus  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 8:49:58am

re: #363 lawhawk

That may be on the high side, but not out of the realm of possibility. Colorado State supermax facilities per inmate costs are around $42-$48,000 per inmate per year, which is about $15-21,000 more than standard incarcerations.

Feds don't break out the statistics in the same way.

Pelican Bay $70,641 per SHU inmate.

[Link: solitarywatch.files.wordpress.com...]

The Feds would have to pay more because, well, they're the Feds. Also:

The BOP says it does not know the cost of holding an inmate in ADX.

366 HappyWarrior  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 8:51:13am

This makes me despise the guy even more.

367 NJDhockeyfan  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 8:52:56am

Student newspaper under fire for satirical article praising Hitler

NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ (CBSNewYork) - Rutgers University is investigating an article written by a student-run satirical newspaper. The article is titled "What About The Good Things Hitler Did?", it was falsely attributed to Jewish student Aaron Marcus.

The article appeared in The Medium on Rutgers' New Brunswick campus.

Marcus who's relatives are holocaust survivors, was highly offended by the article.

"I'm a firm believer in freedom of speech, but I'm not a firm believer in impersonation and libel," Marcus said.

Rutgers officials criticized the article.

"Federal courts extend broad protection to student media. However, a recent article in the Medium, purporting to be written by student Aaron Marcus and using Mr. Marcus' photograph, is extremely offensive and repugnant," said Rutgers President Richard McCormick.

368 Gus  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 8:57:58am

re: #367 NJDhockeyfan

Student newspaper under fire for satirical article praising Hitler

Well, they could have claimed the 1st Amendment here but the main problem is "it was falsely attributed to Jewish student Aaron Marcus." So it as he says "impersonation and libel."

369 sattv4u2  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 8:58:47am

re: #362 Gus

Baseball played unknown to me "praises" Castro! The people of Miami are shocked!

Not exactly praise. But. I guess people have a lot of time on their hands.

"Not too many people like the president. I do."

You have to remember,,, He's managing a team that's based in Miami which has a huge Cuban exile population

370 iossarian  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 8:59:13am

re: #367 NJDhockeyfan

Student newspaper under fire for satirical article praising Hitler

Straight out of the Rush Limbaugh school of satire.

371 Gus  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 8:59:19am

re: #369 sattv4u2

"Not too many people like the president. I do."

You have to remember,,, He's managing a team that's based in Miami which has a huge Cuban exile population

Well, reading the rest of that... he's a douche.

372 Gus  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 8:59:47am

re: #371 Gus

Well, reading the rest of that... he's a douche.

But not enough to fire him. We can still have douches around in this world. I think.

373 Gus  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 9:00:28am
374 sattv4u2  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 9:00:33am

re: #372 Gus

But not enough to fire him. We can still have douches around in this world. I think.

he didn't get fired
He got a 5 game (out of 162) suspension

375 Gus  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 9:01:13am

re: #374 sattv4u2

he didn't get fired
He got a 5 game (out of 162) suspension

I know, but I'm sure people will still want his head.

376 NJDhockeyfan  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 9:02:40am

re: #375 Gus

I know, but I'm sure people will still want his head.

The Cuban population in Miami are pretty upset.

377 Obdicut  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 9:02:52am

re: #364 kirkspencer

Just one book? Per day? That sucks. I'd have to find the longest possible paperbacks.

378 Simply Sarah  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 9:03:03am

When you hire Ozzie Guillen, you have to expect him to shoot his mouth off and say some really unwise things, because that's what Ozzie Guillen does. This isn't the first time he has gotten in trouble for publicly saying things he shouldn't have and I'm sure it won't be the last, either.

379 Gus  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 9:03:15am

re: #376 NJDhockeyfan

The Cuban population in Miami are pretty upset.

380 Gus  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 9:04:03am

re: #378 Simply Sarah

When you hire Ozzie Guillen, you have to expect him to shoot his mouth off and say some really unwise things, because that's what Ozzie Guillen does. This isn't the first time he has gotten in trouble for publicly saying things he shouldn't have and I'm sure it won't be the last, either.

Not this time! He has learned from this.

//

381 Simply Sarah  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 9:04:35am

re: #380 Gus

Not this time! He has learned from this.

//

For reals this time, I'm sure.

382 Gus  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 9:05:14am

re: #381 Simply Sarah

For reals this time, I'm sure.

America will overcome this crisis! We always do!

//

383 iossarian  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 9:05:58am

re: #382 Gus

America will overcome this crisis! We always do!

//

Maybe we should start thinking about how to avoid the next crisis!

THERE'S NO TIME! CRISIS COMING UP!

/

384 Gus  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 9:07:08am

re: #383 iossarian

Maybe we should start thinking about how to avoid the next crisis!

THERE'S NO TIME! CRISIS COMING UP!

/

Run around screaming! Hey, you know, I wasn't crazy about what Tebow said over the weekend either. But what am I gonna do? Nothing.

385 NJDhockeyfan  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 9:09:22am

Hugo Chavez, Suffering From Cancer, Begs Jesus Christ to Spare His Life

After returning from cancer treatment in Cuba last week, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez went on national television to ask Jesus Christ to save him from death so that he can continue serving his country.

The president, who is a Roman Catholic, openly wept at a pre-Easter mass last week in his home state of Barinas as he called upon Jesus, the Guardian reported.

"Give me your crown, Jesus. Give me your cross, your thorns so that I may bleed. But give me life, because I have more to do for this country and these people. Do not take me yet," Chávez expressed, as he stood below a statue of Jesus with the crucifix.

"Today I have more faith than yesterday," he said. "Life has been a hurricane ... but a couple of years ago my life began to become not my own any more. Who said the path of revolution would be easy?"

386 lawhawk  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 9:10:09am

re: #384 Gus

Well, you can expect/hope the Jets to S-U-C-K, suck suck, next year, but get all the headlines, while their stadium-mates stay quiet and make it back to the playoffs (for another Super Bowl run?).

After all, the first time Sanchez messes up, they'll be calling for Tebow to step up, and when he fails, it will be a mess that Ryan can't deal with.

387 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 9:11:00am

re: #385 NJDhockeyfan

Hugo Chavez, Suffering From Cancer, Begs Jesus Christ to Spare His Life

Wait, I thought he was a godless commie! //

I hope Venezuela will be better after Chavez.

388 Gus  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 9:12:41am

re: #385 NJDhockeyfan

Hugo Chavez, Suffering From Cancer, Begs Jesus Christ to Spare His Life

Considering how long his "treatment" has been going on? I don't think he'll make it.

389 Simply Sarah  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 9:13:44am

re: #386 lawhawk

Well, you can expect/hope the Jets to S-U-C-K, suck suck suck, next year, but get all the headlines, while their stadium-mates stay quiet and make it back to the playoffs (for another Super Bowl run?).

After all, the first time Sanchez messes up, they'll be calling for Tebow to step up, and when he fails, it will be a mess that Ryan can't deal with.

You forgot the third 'suck'. Without it, the whole thing falls apart.
/

390 lawhawk  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 9:13:56am

Well, we're less than a week into the full season, and the Marlins are already making headlines on and off the field. Outstanding work, and some have some interesting sartorial choices to boot.

Guillen's comments shouldn't shock or surprise, but the team knew what it was getting when it hired him. They had no choice but to act because if the fans stay away in protest, it will hurt the team's bottom line. As manager, you've got to know that you are a representative of the team and pissing off a major segment of your fan base isn't going to help the team in its inaugural season at the new ballpark.

391 kirkspencer  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 9:15:23am

re: #377 Obdicut

Just one book? Per day? That sucks. I'd have to find the longest possible paperbacks.

What I thought. I mean, I understood, but I go through books fast.

Oh - I need to add a caveat. I just realized that's fifteen year old data. I have no idea how much has changed since then. The basics are similar, but the overall is unknown.

I know that about the time I left the questions of game machines and computers were dancing on various agendas.

392 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 9:15:57am

Baseball. *mumble grumble*

393 Gus  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 9:16:26am

re: #392 Johnny Derp

Baseball. *mumble grumble*

America in crisis.

//

394 Gus  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 9:17:34am

Meanwhile. There a poet causing another crisis on the other side of the world.

395 Gus  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 9:18:02am

It's the "War of the Words!"

396 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 9:18:10am

re: #394 Gus

People worry about the darndest things.

397 Gus  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 9:19:02am

re: #396 Johnny Derp

People worry about the darndest things.

Yeah. Meanwhile. Rush Limbaugh is still on the radio. He's like a roach.

//

398 Simply Sarah  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 9:20:24am

re: #394 Gus

Meanwhile. There a poet causing another crisis on the other side of the world.

So...what you're saying is that we shouldn't have sent one?

399 Gus  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 9:20:37am

You compared Rush to a ROACH?!?! Do you know what that MEANS?!?!?!?!

Shit like that.

400 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 9:21:21am

re: #399 Gus

That was my first thought. But then, while I'm choosy about my animal metaphors, I don't mind them in principle.

401 NJDhockeyfan  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 9:21:34am

re: #322 Lidane

Iran plans to unplug the Internet, launch its own "clean" alternative

They are going after sat dishes too...

Iran Security Forces Promise Satellite Dish Crackdown

The Mehr News Agency reports that Brigadier General Ahmadreza Radan, the deputy head of Iranian security forces, announced on Monday that they are intent on stepping up efforts to confiscate all satellite dishes.

"Fortunately, with good cooperation from the public, the use of satellite dishes has fallen significantly," Radan claimed.

Radan also commended the national broadcaster Seda-va-Sima for increasing the number of channels it carries and producing more varied programming in order to compete with satellite programs.

He maintained that more interesting national programming has caused a significant drop in the use of satellites in the country.

In recent years, the Iranian government has made the use of satellites a serious crime. As part of the government's "Social Security" plan, police are charged with identifying households that have satellite dishes and confiscating them.

402 Gus  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 9:22:03am

re: #400 Johnny Derp

That was my first thought. But then, while I'm choosy about my animal metaphors, I don't mind them in principle.

See what I mean? You're just a pussy cat.

//

403 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 9:22:24am

re: #402 Gus

See what I mean? You're just a pussy cat.

//

Meow.

404 Simply Sarah  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 9:22:55am

re: #402 Gus

See what I mean? You're just a pussy cat.

//

Stop being such a platypus.

405 Gus  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 9:22:59am

re: #398 Simply Sarah

So...what you're saying is that we shouldn't have sent one?

About the poet crisis? I've been ignoring it. Jeff Goldberg and Didi Remez seems to be having a tiny battle. I don't even know what they heck is going on.

406 Gus  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 9:24:59am

Günter Grass’s Poem, and the Israeli Reaction

Re “Israel Bars German Laureate Over Poem” (news article, April 9):

Jewish reactions to Günter Grass’s poem “What Must Be Said,” about the nuclear crisis in the Middle East, are excessively defensive. Reading the poem itself is the best way to judge its merits as poetry and as controversial thought-provoking literature.

Mr. Grass is clearly not expressing anti-Semitic remarks. No one doubts his stated and demonstrated support of Israel. Rather than criticizing Mr. Grass’s expression of a political and practical way of reducing the risks of a war in the Middle East, readers should be studying and analyzing the piece, as any other literary piece, especially one designated as poetry...

That's from the New York Times. So, if you Google Günter Grass you can probably find a news report that fits another interpretation.

407 Gus  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 9:27:27am

First I ever read of it.

408 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 9:28:28am

re: #406 Gus

Tempest in a teapot.

409 Gus  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 9:29:30am

re: #408 Johnny Derp

Tempest in a teapot.

410 Gus  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 9:30:16am

There's another one. That's the one that Emma Thompson got mixed up with.

411 Gus  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 9:32:27am

Think I just made KT's argument by accident. ;)

412 Simply Sarah  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 9:33:24am

re: #411 Gus

Think I just made KT's argument by accident. ;)

Don't look at me, I'm not cleaning it up!
/

413 NJDhockeyfan  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 9:34:00am

Ugh...

Report: Jewish man in critical condition after assaulted by neo-Nazis in Ukraine

A Jewish man is in critical condition after being assaulted by a neo-Nazi gang in the Ukrainian capital Kiev, the city's Jewish community reported on Monday, as local police attempted to determine the motivation behind the incident.

According to Jewish community representatives, an ultra-Orthodox student by the name of Aharon Alexander, 25, was attacked by skinheads near Kiev's central synagogue.

Other than a severe injury to his head, the Jewish man also reportedly suffered bruises in his upper body.

Following the incident, a meeting is scheduled for Tuesday participated by chief rabbi of the Ukrainian Jewish community Moshe Reuven Asman, Israel's ambassador to the country Reuven Diner, and the Ukrainian Minister of Internal Affairs Viktor Yanukovich.

Speaking with Haaretz, the head of Kiev's Jewish community Yaakov Zilberman said that the community was "disturbed by the assault" and intends to "act against a cover-up of incident as well as of the rise in anti-Semitism."

414 Gus  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 9:34:20am

I love Castro!

There! I said it.

//

415 lawhawk  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 9:35:36am

re: #414 Gus

That's not the Castro I know and loved.

416 Gus  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 9:35:56am

re: #414 Gus

I love Castro!

There! I said it.

//

Damn place is like the moon.

417 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 9:36:13am

re: #413 NJDhockeyfan

The name is actually Aaron (Aleksandr) Goncharov.

[Link: www.strana.co.il...]

418 Gus  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 9:36:30am

re: #415 lawhawk

That's not the Castro I know and loved.

That was my first option. Remember the jingle? Castro...convertible.

419 Gus  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 9:37:32am

Castro Convertible

Youtube Video
420 NJDhockeyfan  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 9:40:57am

re: #414 Gus

I love Castro!

There! I said it.

//

I like this Castro better.

421 erik_t  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 9:41:28am

Never change, House GOP.

House Budget Chairman Paul Ryan told reporters in New York today that a dozen elected Democrats secretly support his plan to cut entitlement spending and privatize some benefits — but he wouldn't name "because I don't want to get them in trouble."

The only thing that offends me any more about Ryan is how stupid he must think I am.

422 HappyWarrior  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 9:42:37am

re: #421 erik_t

Never change, House GOP.

The only thing that offends me any more about Ryan is how stupid he must think I am.

Yeah, he's a smug ass just like his candidate.

423 Targetpractice  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 9:42:44am

re: #421 erik_t

Never change, House GOP.

The only thing that offends me any more about Ryan is how stupid he must think I am.

If anything, I would think that Ryan would want to name names, if only to start infighting and potentially endanger those Democrats if they're running for reelection.

424 iossarian  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 9:43:15am

re: #421 erik_t

Never change, House GOP.

The only thing that offends me any more about Ryan is how stupid he must think I am.

Seriously. "We've backdated the privatization of Medicare so that it won't affect current seniors, but that's not because it's a bad thing, on the contrary it's excellent!"

425 Gus  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 9:43:16am

Just did a sympathy upding. ;)

426 erik_t  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 9:44:12am

re: #423 Targetpractice

If anything, I would think that Ryan would want to name names, if only to start infighting and potentially endanger those Democrats if they're running for reelection.

I believe that Paul Ryan has done just this, and has named every Democratic supporter he has.

427 Simply Sarah  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 9:44:35am

re: #423 Targetpractice

If anything, I would think that Ryan would want to name names, if only to start infighting and potentially endanger those Democrats if they're running for reelection.

Hard to say. In some ways, I think they GOP wants to keep around at least a small handful of the vanishing Blue Dog Democrats, if just to use them as potential 'bipartisan partners'.

428 Targetpractice  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 9:45:07am

re: #427 Simply Sarah

Hard to say. In some ways, I think they GOP wants to keep around at least a small handful of the vanishing Blue Dog Democrats, if just to use them as potential 'bipartisan partners'.

I think they're more focused on single-party dominance than they are appearing "bipartisan."

429 Simply Sarah  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 9:45:40am

re: #428 Targetpractice

I think they're more focused on single-party dominance than they are appearing "bipartisan."

A fair enough point.

430 Obdicut  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 9:46:35am

re: #420 NJDhockeyfan

I like this Castro better.

Image: 351-Castro+hill1769.jpg

431 Gus  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 9:48:33am

re: #430 Obdicut

I like this Castro better.

Image: 351-Castro+hill1769.jpg

Image: morgue27-castro.jpg

432 darthstar  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 9:48:41am

re: #298 wrenchwench

Hey, where's FBV? It's been almost a month since he's posted.

I see him on facebook. He's learning how to do manly things judging from the injuries he's inflicted upon himself. :)

433 Gus  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 9:48:43am
Youtube Video
434 SanFranciscoZionist  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 9:50:32am

re: #322 Lidane

Iran plans to unplug the Internet, launch its own "clean" alternative

It's like the people at Christian Mingle had their own country!

//Christian Mingle is a Christian singles site that gradually became sort of a Christian Facebook. It was much mocked by some of its members when they realized that--probably because of its origins and mission as a dating site--they could not 'smile' at friends of their own gender. The Iranian version probably won't allow you to smile at friends of the opposite gender instead, but you get the idea.

435 NJDhockeyfan  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 9:50:35am

Gawker:

CBS News' Mike Wallace, who died over the weekend at 93, is being hailed as an icon of broadcast journalism for his foundational role as 60 Minutes' investigative bulldog. This is bullshit. He was a failed soap actor and vaudeville hack named Myron who just wanted to be on television. He was as much a journalist as Ryan Seacrest.

Glossed over in most of Wallace's obituaries is the fact that his pre-60 Minutes career—he didn't join the show until he was 50 years old and on his third wife—was a little more than a desperate and sustained attempt at achieving celebrity. Not journalistic celebrity, or reportorial renown, but the sort of tawdry, famous-for-being-famous notoriety currently reserved for cable reality show cast members.

...

What a shitty thing to say, especially right after his death.

436 NJDhockeyfan  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 9:51:10am

re: #432 darthstar

I see him on facebook. He's learning how to do manly things judging from the injuries he's inflicted upon himself. :)

He needs to eat more meat.

437 darthstar  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 9:51:37am

re: #350 NJDhockeyfan

Franklin Co. man, 84, receives suspended sentence in moonshine case

I bought a case of moonshine at a bar in Ferrum 21 years ago when I first moved down here. It was very smooth. They called it 'Franklin County's Finest'.

I'm building a still this summer. I'm tired of brewing beer. Going to make my own bourbon.

438 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 9:51:47am

re: #425 Gus

Great Expectations.

439 Gus  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 9:52:22am

re: #438 Johnny Derp

Great Expectations.

Yeah. Just taking KT's advice again.

//

440 Gus  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 9:53:58am

O-M-G! O-M-G! O-M-G! O-M-G! O-M-G! //

Barack Obama in his 20s

Youtube Video
441 Gus  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 9:54:37am

Did you see that! He said "I am a Communist!"

442 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 9:54:46am

re: #440 Gus

O-M-G! O-M-G! O-M-G! O-M-G! O-M-G! //

Barack Obama in his 20s

[Embedded content]

Finally the infamous College Tape?!//

443 Eventual Carrion  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 9:55:01am

OT, but caught me by surprise here in small town PA. Little town I work in has one stop light that goes to flashing yellow about 7:00 every night. I just went to the bigger town down the road to grab something for lunch. As I made the right turn at the only light I see a white SUV with a police light rack on the top and a white Charger with red/blue lights mounted on the grill. On the vehicles, in green lettering, is the identification of Border Patrol. We are only about 2 hours from Canada, but I had never seen border patrol vehicles in this area, ever.

Wonder if those Canadians are starting to stream across our border. DEY TUK UR JOBS, eh.

444 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 9:55:38am

re: #440 Gus

Youtube Video
445 Gus  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 9:55:46am

re: #442 Johnny Derp

Finally the infamous College Tape?!//

BREAKING!!!11ty

446 SanFranciscoZionist  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 9:56:14am

re: #435 NJDhockeyfan

Gawker:

What a shitty thing to say, especially right after his death.

His name was Myron? GASP.

I don't quite get what the charge is. He started in entertainment? He went into TV news and got a break? He wanted to be famous, and became famous?

447 Gus  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 9:56:23am

re: #444 Johnny Derp

[Embedded content]

Wow. What's that from 1946?

//

448 Vicious Babushka  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 9:56:42am

re: #443 RayFerd

OT, but caught me by surprise here in small town PA. Little town I work in has one stop light that goes to flashing yellow about 7:00 every night. I just went to the bigger town down the road to grab something for lunch. As I made the right turn at the only light I see a white SUV with a police light rack on the top and a white Charger with red/blue lights mounted on the grill. On the vehicles, in green lettering, is the identification of Border Patrol. We are only about 2 hours from Canada, but I had never seen border patrol vehicles in this area, ever.

Wonder if those Canadians are starting to stream across our border. DEY TUK UR JOBS, eh.

I didn't know PA shared a border with Canada. Maybe New York has seceded, but nobody noticed?

449 HappyWarrior  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 9:58:31am

re: #446 SanFranciscoZionist

His name was Myron? GASP.

I don't quite get what the charge is. He started in entertainment? He went into TV news and got a break? He wanted to be famous, and became famous?

I don't either and I don't get the hate on him for starting 60 Minutes in his 50's. That show debuted when he was in his 60's. Anyhow, I liked Wallace and Rooney both. We'd always watch 60 minutes before the Simpsons and my Dad remembers watching it with his parents too.

450 Gus  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 9:58:37am

Oh brother. Some video I ran into...

Did his explosive CPAC speech get him killed? And why has the MSM come out so quickly claiming natural causes? As free thinking Americans we must demand answers to these questions as well as an autopsy be done on the body of this American Patriot, Andrew Breitbart. Thanks for the watching.

451 lawhawk  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 9:59:51am

re: #448 Learned Mother of Zion

There is a stretch of PA surrounding Erie that does border Canada (across the Lake). Border Patrol will frequently operate well behind the US border at places it believes are congregating points for illegals entering the US (which I've seen particularly in AZ and CA, but not so much in NYS or PA).

452 NJDhockeyfan  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 10:00:00am

WOW...

British sperm donor ‘fathered 600 children’

A BRITISH scientist may have fathered 600 children after making donations to a fertility programme he ran with his wife.

And one of his biological children has suggested the number may even be as high as ONE THOUSAND.

Bertold Wiesner - who was born in Austria - ran the Barton Clinic in London which helped more than 1,500 women conceive.

Barry Stevens, a film-maker from Canada, was concieved using Wiesner's donated sperm and said the number could be much higher.

He said last night: "He was the one that found the donors so it's possible he didn't tell his wife and she believed the donations were coming from a lot of different men."

Wiesner ran the controversial clinic with his wife Mary - until he died in 1972. Research shows he regularly made donations from the early 1940s until the mid-1960s.

David Gollancz, a London-based barrister also conceived at the clinic, said last night: "A conservative estimate is that he would have been making 20 donations a year.

453 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 10:00:06am

re: #450 Gus

Oh brother. Some video I ran into...

Uh, dunno, let them do it, who cares.

454 HappyWarrior  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 10:00:19am

re: #450 Gus

Oh brother. Some video I ran into...

You know, I feel and felt bad for Breitbart's family but the attempts to deify him and make this into an anti-Obama CT are stupid even by RWNJ standards.

455 Gus  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 10:00:59am

re: #453 Johnny Derp

Uh, dunno, let them do it, who cares.

Doesn't bother me. It's good for a laugh.

456 darthstar  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 10:01:25am

re: #452 NJDhockeyfan

WOW...

British sperm donor ‘fathered 600 children’

Talk about working your fingers to the bone.

457 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 10:01:39am

Oh yes, there clearly is a Breitbart Apotheosis movement. St. Andrew of Derp.

458 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 10:02:16am

re: #455 Gus

Wasn't aimed at you, rather at those idjits ;)

459 funky chicken  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 10:02:20am

re: #180 Gus

EXECUTIVE-ORDER PANIC: MARTIAL LAW IN THE U.S.?

Undiagnosed and untreated panic disorder. At the very least.

460 Simply Sarah  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 10:02:25am

re: #454 HappyWarrior

You know, I feel and felt bad for Breitbart's family but the attempts to deify him and make this into an anti-Obama CT are stupid even by RWNJ standards.

Those are basically my feelings as well. I don't like seeing anyone die that young, especially not one with a family, but that's the end of it. It was a sad thing to happen and to try and somehow make it political is just bizarre.

461 HappyWarrior  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 10:02:26am

re: #457 Johnny Derp

Oh yes, there clearly is a Breitbart Apotheosis movement. St. Andrew of Derp.

I hear his statue shouts obscenities at you when you pray to him.

462 Targetpractice  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 10:02:44am

re: #457 Johnny Derp

Oh yes, there clearly is a Breitbart Apotheosis movement. St. Andrew of Derp.

Patron saint of douchebags?

463 Gus  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 10:02:58am

re: #457 Johnny Derp

Oh yes, there clearly is a Breitbart Apotheosis movement. St. Andrew of Derp.

Yeah. Don't talk ill of the dead! Unless of course it's a Democrat.

464 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 10:03:09am

re: #461 HappyWarrior

I hear his statue shouts obscenities at you when you pray to him.

Have there been cases of miraculous salivation?

465 Gus  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 10:03:33am

re: #461 HappyWarrior

I hear his statue shouts obscenities at you when you pray to him.

That's! FUNNY.

466 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 10:03:48am

re: #462 Targetpractice

Patron saint of douchebags?

You got it, bro.

467 Gus  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 10:04:30am

re: #461 HappyWarrior

I hear his statue shouts obscenities at you when you pray to him.

You should Tweet that to all the conservative hashtags... then wait.

468 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 10:04:52am

BEHAVE YOURSELVES!

469 HappyWarrior  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 10:05:20am

re: #467 Gus

You should Tweet that to all the conservative hashtags... then wait.

Oh, I don't own a twitter account.

470 Gus  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 10:05:31am

re: #468 Johnny Derp

BEHAVE YOURSELVES!

STOP RAPING PEOPLE! STOP RAPING PEOPLE!

471 lawhawk  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 10:05:49am

re: #468 Johnny Derp

Who are you? The head of OCP? /

472 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 10:06:06am

re: #470 Gus

The Two Commandments.

Can you do the Holy Tablets?

473 Gus  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 10:06:25am

re: #472 Johnny Derp

The Two Commandments.

Can you do the Holy Tablets?

Maybe later.

474 Gus  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 10:06:56am

re: #472 Johnny Derp

The Two Commandments.

Can you do the Holy Tablets?

I can do a cut and paste like I did with Gov. Perry. ;)

475 shutdown  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 10:07:04am

by the time Zimmerman goes to trial, there will not be a single untainted jury pool in the country. And I think he launched his site with just that in mind.

476 Feline Emperor of the Conservative Tears  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 10:07:42am

re: #448 Learned Mother of Zion

I didn't know PA shared a border with Canada. Maybe New York has seceded, but nobody noticed?

Boat people landing on Presque Isle?

477 Simply Sarah  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 10:08:31am

re: #475 Phlebas

by the time Zimmerman goes to trial, there will not be a single untainted jury pool in the country. And I think he launched his site with just that in mind.

They'll work around it. If they could find a jury for OJ, they can find a jury for this.

478 Vicious Babushka  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 10:08:41am

re: #476 Feline Emperor of the Conservative Waste

Boat people landing on Presque Isle?

Zug Island.

479 funky chicken  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 10:08:44am

re: #450 Gus

Oh brother. Some video I ran into...

He was young so I would assume his family would want the autopsy, but it's their private decision to make. If the ME doesn't find a crime they don't have to release the autopsy results either, so these lunatics may never be satisfied. Breitbarts' family is gonna have some creepy folks hanging around trying to offer "support" for a while, I'd bet.

480 shutdown  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 10:08:57am

re: #476 Feline Emperor of the Conservative Waste

Boat people landing on Presque Isle?

Plenty of points in Northwestern PA are within a 2 hour drive of Canada.

481 Eventual Carrion  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 10:09:31am

re: #448 Learned Mother of Zion

I didn't know PA shared a border with Canada. Maybe New York has seceded, but nobody noticed?

Half way across Lake Erie (but I go around toward Buffalo, easier on the car).

482 HappyWarrior  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 10:10:10am

Pray for us Breitbartus, and forgive our sins by twisting our words.

483 Feline Emperor of the Conservative Tears  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 10:10:12am

re: #478 Learned Mother of Zion

Zug Island.

Don't they land in fear of the mutated peregrine falcons though?
;)

484 shutdown  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 10:10:58am

re: #477 Simply Sarah

They'll work around it. If they could find a jury for OJ, they can find a jury for this.

Remember how the OJ thing worked out?

485 Eventual Carrion  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 10:11:37am

re: #451 lawhawk

There is a stretch of PA surrounding Erie that does border Canada (across the Lake). Border Patrol will frequently operate well behind the US border at places it believes are congregating points for illegals entering the US (which I've seen particularly in AZ and CA, but not so much in NYS or PA).

And my PA fishing license is still good on the Canadian side of Lake Erie. So we are friendly in that respect.

486 kirkspencer  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 10:12:05am

re: #467 Gus

You should Tweet that to all the conservative hashtags... then wait.

Exactly the reason I don't have a twitter account.

I know if I had access to instant-react, I'd be an a-hole. And after the "look at me" posts, the a-hole posts seem to be the most dominant tweets out there. No desire to add to the noise.

487 Gus  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 10:12:15am

re: #479 funky chicken

He was young so I would assume his family would want the autopsy, but it's their private decision to make. If the ME doesn't find a crime they don't have to release the autopsy results either, so these lunatics may never be satisfied. Breitbarts' family is gonna have some creepy folks hanging around trying to offer "support" for a while, I'd bet.

They can keep it private as far as I'm concerned. I know I would. The details of his death really aren't any of my business. All I know is that he had a heart condition combined with a very amplified personality.

488 Simply Sarah  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 10:12:41am

re: #484 Phlebas

Remember how the OJ thing worked out?

That was more the fault of the police and the prosecution, though. Granted, that isn't exactly encouraging in this case either, but that's a completely different issue from the jury pool.

489 NJDhockeyfan  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 10:12:44am

Greek journalist pelted with eggs, yogurt on live TV

Panagiotis Bourchas came under fire for his decision to invite a neo-Nazi guest

News anchors sometimes have to worry about how the television audience may react to an interview.

While they may prepare for email complaints, they usually don't prepare for food to be pelted at their heads.

Greek journalist Panagiotis Bourchas had an interview with a far-right neo-Nazi spokesman named Ilias Kasithiari and literally came under fire for it, reports Greek Reporter.

According to Fox 8, Epiros TV reports 17 intruders broke into the studio during the evening broadcast Saturday and chucked eggs and Greek yogurt at the anchor. As seen in the video, Bourchas doesn't even attempt to get out of the way. He just keeps standing there and turns around so the food doesn't hit him in the face. After about a minute, he finally picks up his computer, takes out his earpiece and walks off the set.

One of the first things an intruder yells is "You allow fascists in here" and later they chant "I can say you're a Marxist and a Nazi."

490 Feline Emperor of the Conservative Tears  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 10:13:01am

re: #485 RayFerd

And my PA fishing license is still good on the Canadian side of Lake Erie. So we are friendly in that respect.

You just have to remember to keep your Octoberfest festivities well clear of those Toronto skunks though. That have a vicious taste for sausage!
;)

491 Vicious Babushka  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 10:13:23am

re: #481 RayFerd

Half way across Lake Erie (but I go around toward Buffalo, easier on the car).

I kind of don't think of a Great Lake as a border crossing, considering that they don't run regular boat service (correct me if I'm wrong) and you have to drive to a crossing point, like Detroit or Buffalo.

492 funky chicken  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 10:13:37am

re: #452 NJDhockeyfan

WOW...

British sperm donor ‘fathered 600 children’

20 "donations" a year, huh? I'm kinda guessing he donated the old-fashioned way.

493 HappyWarrior  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 10:13:40am

re: #486 kirkspencer

Exactly the reason I don't have a twitter account.

I know if I had access to instant-react, I'd be an a-hole. And after the "look at me" posts, the a-hole posts seem to be the most dominant tweets out there. No desire to add to the noise.

I get freaked when people I don't know folllow me. At least with facebook, you can control that.

494 shutdown  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 10:15:19am

I put slivered almonds in my matza brei. surprisingly good.

495 Gus  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 10:15:26am

Louis Gohmert told me that B.M.W.s are bringing in terrorist Hamas babies from the PA in from the Texas-Mexico border and driving them across America and into Canada.

496 Simply Sarah  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 10:15:52am

re: #493 HappyWarrior

I get freaked when people I don't know folllow me. At least with facebook, you can control that.

Eh, I take that as either meaning your tweets are interesting enough that someone somehow found you and wanted to see more of what you have to offer or, as often seems to be the case, it's just a random Twitter bot or spammer or something.

497 Feline Emperor of the Conservative Tears  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 10:16:13am

re: #491 Learned Mother of Zion

I kind of don't think of a Great Lake as a border crossing, considering that they don't run regular boat service (correct me if I'm wrong) and you have to drive to a crossing point, like Detroit or Buffalo.

Group tried to get a Rochester-Toronto ferry service going in the mid-2000s.

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

498 NJDhockeyfan  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 10:16:26am

Another Zimmerman in the news...

MP 'was sent threatening email'

A Conservative MP was sent a threatening email telling her she would have to choose which one of her children would die, a court has heard.

Mother-of-three Louise Mensch, who is MP for Corby in Northamptonshire, was told she faced a "Sophie's Choice" - a reference to a novel and later film in which heroine Sophie has to choose between the life of her son or daughter at a Nazi concentration camp.

The sinister email was purportedly sent from the online hacking group Anonymous, Gloucester Magistrates' Court heard. However, police later arrested and charged Frank Zimmerman - a 60-year-old agoraphobic living in a run-down house in Gloucester.

499 shutdown  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 10:16:44am

re: #495 Gus

It's true. One stopped at my diner and ordered a Halal turkey sandwich

500 HappyWarrior  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 10:17:20am

re: #496 Simply Sarah

Eh, I take that as either meaning your tweets are interesting enough that someone somehow found you and wanted to see more of what you have to offer or, as often seems to be the case, it's just a random Twitter bot or spammer or something.

Yeah, I'm a pretty private person though. I also have a big mouth. Hard for me to get to the point in 150 characters or less.

501 Bill Schmalfeldt  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 10:17:21am

I had a little fun with this concept over on the "pages" today. The more I thought about this web page of his, the more I thought about creating my own version thereof (only better looking and easier to access). Learned this morning that no one had grabbed the domain with an extra "n" added to Zimmerman's name, as it will oft be misspelled. So I snagged it, created a web page that discusses racism and directs donations -- not to Zimmerman's lawyers -- but to the Martin Family, the United Negro College Fund, the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, and the Southern Poverty Law Center.

If anyone has any suggestions of social justice agencies I should add, let me know.

The LGF page is here. [Link: littlegreenfootballs.com...]

The actual page is here: [Link: therealgeorgezimmermann.com...]

502 shutdown  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 10:17:29am

re: #497 Feline Emperor of the Conservative Waste

Group tried to get a Rochester-Toronto ferry service going in the mid-2000s.

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

Took it once. Delays, damage to the boat in Toronto due to wind... What a fiasco

503 Gus  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 10:17:59am

re: #499 Phlebas

It's true. One stopped at my diner and ordered a Halal turkey sandwich

I heard that B.M.W.s will masticate the Halal turkey sandwiches first and then proceed to feed the babies as if though they were birds. At least that's what Alicia Silverstone told me.

//

504 shutdown  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 10:19:34am

re: #503 Gus

I heard that B.M.W.s will masticate the Halal turkey sandwiches first and then proceed to feed the babies as if though they were birds. At least that's what Alicia Silverstone told me.

//

My wife is really weirded out by that Silverstone thing.

Back in a sec. Off for a second serving of matza brei

505 Feline Emperor of the Conservative Tears  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 10:19:38am

re: #499 Phlebas

It's true. One stopped at my diner and ordered a Halal turkey sandwich

Wouldn't halal Gerber's jars be more apt?

506 Simply Sarah  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 10:19:40am

re: #500 HappyWarrior

Yeah, I'm a pretty private person though. I also have a big mouth. Hard for me to get to the point in 150 characters or less.

I think one of the benefits of Twitter (Although it can cut both ways) is that if helps force you to say what you want to say in a succinct manner. Which is really nice for me, since I tend to be so long winded otherwise.

507 Gus  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 10:19:43am

B.M.W. -- use this for reference.

Only on Fox News!

508 Gus  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 10:20:06am

re: #504 Phlebas

My wife is really weirded out by that Silverstone thing.

Back in a sec. Off for a second serving of matza brei

I think we all are.

509 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 10:20:37am

re: #501 Bill Schmalfeldt

Not so much criticism as a friendly suggestion: the lynching photo on the frontpage seems over-the-top.

510 shutdown  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 10:20:49am

re: #508 Gus

I think we all are.

I really don't think there is enough matza brei for all of you.... :(

511 Simply Sarah  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 10:21:14am

re: #502 Phlebas

Took it once. Delays, damage to the boat in Toronto due to wind... What a fiasco

It's really too bad, if you ask me. I think it was a neat idea and still has some promise if someone could do it right.

512 Shvaughn  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 10:21:32am

re: #501 Bill Schmalfeldt

This strikes me as a poor idea, to be honest.

513 Eventual Carrion  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 10:21:37am

re: #491 Learned Mother of Zion

I kind of don't think of a Great Lake as a border crossing, considering that they don't run regular boat service (correct me if I'm wrong) and you have to drive to a crossing point, like Detroit or Buffalo.

True, but I have friends and people I know that fly or boat across the lake many times a year. You can boat right up to the shore on the Canadian side and not have to have a passport, but as soon as you want to get off the boat and go ashore you had better have your passport.

514 Obdicut  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 10:21:46am

re: #501 Bill Schmalfeldt

Is the lynching photo really necessary? It's not a comparable situation to the Zimmerman case in any way.

515 shutdown  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 10:22:52am

re: #511 Simply Sarah

It's really too bad, if you ask me. I think it was a neat idea and still has some promise if someone could do it right.

A new group has been considering it. Smaller boats, better business plan. We'll see.

516 HappyWarrior  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 10:23:06am

re: #506 Simply Sarah

I think one of the benefits of Twitter (Although it can cut both ways) is that if helps force you to say what you want to say in a succinct manner. Which is really nice for me, since I tend to be so long winded otherwise.

Yeah this is true.

517 Gus  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 10:23:20am

I see thunder clouds forming.

518 darthstar  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 10:24:40am

re: #470 Gus

STOP RAPING PEOPLE! STOP RAPING PEOPLE!

Great...it's back to livestock.

519 shutdown  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 10:24:41am

re: #517 Gus

I see thunder clouds forming.

That's my daughter and a friend. They are baking. Neither of them know how to bake. Firefighters are standing by.

520 Interesting Times  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 10:24:57am

re: #517 Gus

I see thunder clouds forming.

Watch your head!

Youtube Video
521 Vicious Babushka  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 10:25:06am

re: #504 Phlebas

My wife is really weirded out by that Silverstone thing.

Back in a sec. Off for a second serving of matza brei

I'm not weirded out, I am GROSSED OUT.

Jimmy Kimmel did a video of mothers pre-chewing their kids' food and the kids' reactions.

522 SanFranciscoZionist  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 10:25:10am

re: #475 Phlebas

by the time Zimmerman goes to trial, there will not be a single untainted jury pool in the country. And I think he launched his site with just that in mind.

Oh, I'm pretty sure there are still millions of people who haven't even heard of this case, and many more who don't know very much about it.

523 Gus  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 10:26:04am

re: #520 Interesting Times

Watch your head!

[Embedded content]

Hail is God's way of defrosting the sky.

//

524 Gus  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 10:28:18am

re: #521 Learned Mother of Zion

I'm not weirded out, I am GROSSED OUT.

Jimmy Kimmel did a video of mothers pre-chewing their kids' food and the kids' reactions.

Must. Share.

YouTube Challenge - Hey Jimmy Kimmel, I Silverstoned My Kid

Youtube Video
525 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 10:28:20am

re: #518 darthstar

Great...it's back to livestock.

Well, why not?

Youtube Video
526 Bill Schmalfeldt  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 10:28:40am

re: #514 Obdicut

If one person says it's offputting, that's easy to ignore. When more than one says so, it gives reason to reconsider.

I really want a powerful image, and the arbitrary killing of black people is the subject. But I do want people to read the website... so let me see what I can come up with.

Thank you for the criticism.

527 Simply Sarah  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 10:28:44am

re: #508 Gus

I think we all are.

Mostly, I'm just a bit confused at why she's doing this chewing thing instead of just continuing to breastfeed. Has there been a reason stated why she went in this direction instead of that? I admit to not exactly caring enough to look into the details of the story to see if that's mentioned.

528 shutdown  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 10:29:04am

re: #521 Learned Mother of Zion

I'm not weirded out, I am GROSSED OUT.

Jimmy Kimmel did a video of mothers pre-chewing their kids' food and the kids' reactions.

You just want to reach through the screen and explain that opposable thumbs, along with forks and knives, are an evolutionary game changer.

529 Vicious Babushka  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 10:29:33am

re: #527 Simply Sarah

Mostly, I'm just a bit confused at why she's doing this chewing thing instead of just continuing to breastfeed. Has there been a reason stated why she went in this direction instead of that? I admit to not exactly caring enough to look into the details of the story to see if that's mentioned.

LOOK AT ME! LOOK AT ME!

530 darthstar  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 10:30:10am

LOL cats - almost as old as the internet.


Image: c4.jpg

531 Obdicut  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 10:31:07am

re: #526 Bill Schmalfeldt

No problem. But I think the image in many ways detracts from your message. I haven't seen anything that convinces me that Zimmerman is a virulent racist of the type that participated in lynchings. Rather, what I've seen is that he appears to share the racism common with most people in the US, that of profiling young black men as potential criminals. They're very different forms of racism, and conflating them I think hinders attempts to fight back against them.

532 Randall Gross  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 10:31:29am

re: #526 Bill Schmalfeldt

To me you are walking a fine borderline between being convincing and being so quickly offensive that people will immediately bounce. I'd lean the other way a bit, but everyone has their own style and judgement.

533 Feline Emperor of the Conservative Tears  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 10:31:33am

Well, time to get a meal and some sleep. Got another midnight shift this evening.

534 SanFranciscoZionist  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 10:31:56am

re: #529 Learned Mother of Zion

LOOK AT ME! LOOK AT ME!

Yeah.

I don't believe in rewarding the Special Super Mommy thing with attention. You want to do some parenting thing that's weird and off the beaten track? If it doesn't harm the child, and no, breastfeeding until five doesn't harm the child, and chewing his food for him doesn't, and not diapering doesn't, much as they may annoy various persons around you, have at it. Just don't expect me to be excited for you.

535 shutdown  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 10:32:15am

re: #533 Feline Emperor of the Conservative Waste

Have a good evening

536 Gus  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 10:34:08am

re: #530 darthstar

LOL cats - almost as old as the internet.

Image: c4.jpg

Got any LOL Daguerreotypes?

537 Killgore Trout  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 10:34:15am

re: #532 Randall Gross

To me you are walking a fine borderline between being convincing and being so quickly offensive that people will immediately bounce. I'd lean the other way a bit, but everyone has their own style and judgement.

I didn't look at the site long enough to figure it out but using a deceptive url to solicit donations is problematic. I'm not sure if people would know what site they're looking at or where their money is going.

538 Vicious Babushka  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 10:34:17am

re: #534 SanFranciscoZionist

Yeah.

I don't believe in rewarding the Special Super Mommy thing with attention. You want to do some parenting thing that's weird and off the beaten track? If it doesn't harm the child, and no, breastfeeding until five doesn't harm the child, and chewing his food for him doesn't, and not diapering doesn't, much as they may annoy various persons around you, have at it. Just don't expect me to be excited for you.

Well. Zedushka told me that he remembers his mother chewing meat before feeding it to his baby brother. He doesn't remember receiving such meat himself, he would have been too young. But I guess that it used to be a way of feeding "grown up" food (like steak) to toddlers.

539 darthstar  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 10:34:35am

re: #525 Johnny Derp

Well, why not?

[Embedded content]

Okay, that was fucking hilarious.

540 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 10:35:32am

re: #539 darthstar

Okay, that was fucking hilarious.

Yep. Both fucking AND hilarious. /

541 Gus  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 10:36:34am

Don't miss:

Tommy Tucker, Fashion Squirrel

In the 1940s a cross-dressing squirrel from Washington, D.C., took the nation by storm. With more than 100 outfits to choose from — and such accessories as hats and pearl necklaces — Tommy Tucker captivated adults and children alike. He sold war bonds during World War II and encouraged members of the Tommy Tucker Club to be kind to animals.

542 Bill Schmalfeldt  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 10:36:59am

re: #531 Obdicut

It has been changed. "Sanitized for your protection" if you will. :)

Constructive criticism, always accepted.

543 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 10:38:19am

re: #537 Killgore Trout

I'm not sure if people would know what site they're looking at or where their money is going.

Those people who would get confused by this page and think they're donating to GZ not only deserve to be parted with their money, they soon will be anyway, as per the proverb.

544 SanFranciscoZionist  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 10:39:20am

re: #538 Learned Mother of Zion

Well. Zedushka told me that he remembers his mother chewing meat before feeding it to his baby brother. He doesn't remember receiving such meat himself, he would have been too young. But I guess that it used to be a way of feeding "grown up" food (like steak) to toddlers.

Lots of people do/have done it, yeah.

545 Vicious Babushka  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 10:39:34am

re: #543 Johnny Derp

Those people who would get confused by this page and think they're donating to GZ not only deserve to be parted with their money, they soon will be anyway, as per the proverb.

Maybe Pamela will donate $2 as Don Corleone.

546 Shvaughn  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 10:40:36am

re: #543 Johnny Derp

Those people who would get confused by this page and think they're donating to GZ not only deserve to be parted with their money, they soon will be anyway, as per the proverb.

Johnny, read the comments on the page you linked to. Someone was already confused and thinks it's the real GZ.

547 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 10:41:19am

re: #546 Shvaughn

Johnny, read the comments on the page you linked to. Someone was already confused and thinks it's the real GZ.

I'm talking only about the financial aspect.

548 Obdicut  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 10:43:45am

re: #526 Bill Schmalfeldt

I also think using the "I" form, and calling Zimmerman's family racist, are counterproductive as well. As I said, I don't think that Zimmerman displayed any more racism than is present in the majority of the US; to most people, 'racist' means 'more racist than I am', as in, explicitly hating another race or believing another race to be inferior.

I think the website makes a lot of sense to and would appeal to someone who already agrees with you, but will do very little to persuade or inform anyone who doesn't.

549 Kragar  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 10:44:29am

Miss Universe Pageant Allows Transgender Women to Compete

550 Obdicut  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 10:45:33am

re: #549 Kragar

Brazil wins.

551 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 10:45:36am

re: #549 Kragar

TBH, pageants are such a derp that whether they do or not shouldn't make a difference.

552 Shvaughn  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 10:46:47am

re: #548 Obdicut

I think the whole site is honestly counterproductive and needlessly inflammatory.

553 Simply Sarah  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 10:48:43am

re: #551 Johnny Derp

TBH, pageants are such a derp that whether they do or not shouldn't make a difference.

I disagree, at least in part. I personally don't care much for the contests themselves, but if they're going to have them they should be open to all women, period. And yes, I know that doesn't really address the many gender binary issues surrounding that, but it's a start.

554 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 10:52:12am

re: #553 Simply Sarah

What they should or should not do is really up to them. I think they shouldn't do them at all, so the rest is pretty much redundant.

555 Bill Schmalfeldt  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 10:52:44am

re: #543 Johnny Derp

It's not that easy to make a donation on my site. You have to click an image that takes you to that site's donation page. That way, the donator can be sure I'm not getting any of the money. If they haven't figured it out by then, then let them donate to Trayvon Martin's family, or the United Negro College Fund, or the Boys and Girls Club of America, or the Southern Poverty Law Center.

If one follows the narrative, one understands the "I" being referred to is not the physical George Zimmerman, but -- as is stated on the front page picture -- the spirit of fear that led to this horrible deed.

I agree that the photo, while having the shock value I intended, could be offputting. And I'm sorry that folks can't look past that to see that this may well have been a modern-day lynching. Why did Zimmerman track Martin with a gun?

But I bow to the collective wisdom of the community.

556 Obdicut  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 10:54:11am

re: #555 Bill Schmalfeldt

Well, if your effort is to communicate, then it's not really a bowing situation, we're just telling you how the communication isn't quite working for us. In various different ways.

A lynching begins as an attempt at murder. Are you really saying that you think Zimmerman headed out after Trayvon with the full intent of murdering him?

557 Bill Schmalfeldt  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 10:55:46am

re: #548 Obdicut

I don't think that I am so naive as to believe that I am going to convert a shitload of racists. This page is merely meant as a vehicle for folks to read the other side of the story, to consider the harm done by racism and the hateful speech that leads to violence, to shine the disinfecting light of day on the people who are intentionally drumming up that fear and hatred, and to give folks an outlet where they can "help" if they want to.

If trying to fight racism is "needlessly inflammatory," then I don't know what to say.

558 Simply Sarah  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 10:56:21am

re: #554 Johnny Derp

What they should or should not do is really up to them. I think they shouldn't do them at all, so the rest is pretty much redundant.

Well, I simply cannot agree with this. If it's a beauty contest for women and allows women that have had various kinds of surgery, then the idea that it should be able to arbitrarily ban a certain class of women just doesn't fly.

559 SanFranciscoZionist  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 10:56:32am

re: #554 Johnny Derp

What they should or should not do is really up to them. .

I don't know about that. I wouldn't say that if they let black girls in should be up to them. Granted, transgendered women are in a different place, both biologically and in the process of social rethinking, but the trend is pretty obvious, and the beauty pageants may as well get with it.

That said, it occurs to me that I would be much more comfortable as a parent with a child transitioning genders than a child seeking to become a beauty pageant contender. I don't know what this says about me, except of course, that I'm a liberal from NoCal.

560 Shvaughn  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 10:57:59am

re: #557 Bill Schmalfeldt

I don't think that I am so naive as to believe that I am going to convert a shitload of racists. This page is merely meant as a vehicle for folks to read the other side of the story, to consider the harm done by racism and the hateful speech that leads to violence, to shine the disinfecting light of day on the people who are intentionally drumming up that fear and hatred, and to give folks an outlet where they can "help" if they want to.

The other side of the story should come from Trayvon's family, not some random white dude tossing up lynching pictures and pretending to speak for Zimmerman's "spirit of racism."

If you're not trying to change anyone's mind, what are you trying to do here?

561 Obdicut  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 10:58:12am

re: #557 Bill Schmalfeldt

I think you're not quite engaging with the point about the different kinds of racism, though. I think that most people in the US are racist to the extent that they treat black people with more suspicion, less favor, more bias than they do white people. I do not think they're racist to the extent that they actually believe black people are inferior or deserve fewer rights.

I think that the former kind of racist are very reachable and 'convertable', I don't think the latter kind are very much so.

562 Simply Sarah  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 10:59:19am

re: #559 SanFranciscoZionist

I don't know about that. I wouldn't say that if they let black girls in should be up to them. Granted, transgendered women are in a different place, both biologically and in the process of social rethinking, but the trend is pretty obvious, and the beauty pageants may as well get with it.

That said, it occurs to me that I would be much more comfortable as a parent with a child transitioning genders than a child seeking to become a beauty pageant contender. I don't know what this says about me, except of course, that I'm a liberal from NoCal.

Well, that doesn't surprise me at all. The former is a kid doing what is natural for them and directly acting to improve their life, whereas the latter often reenforces some rather negative aspects of gender and culture.

563 Bill Schmalfeldt  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 11:00:16am

re: #556 Obdicut

That would be first degree murder. I think he brought the gun with him because "these assholes always get away" and he hated "fucking coons" and who knows, the kid might have a knife or an Uzi, and if push comes to shove I'll be ready.

I don't think he went after the kid to kill him. I think he toted the gun, knowing there was a possibility he would use it. And a couple boo-boos on the noggin do not justify shooting someone.

There were so many other things Zimmerman could have done but didn't do. Even if he was jumped by Trayvon (which, in the light of the call between T and his girlfriend seems unlikely), killing the kid was unnecessary. You can push off the kid and run. You can kick the kid in the nuts and wait for the cops. You can overpower this kid with your bulk and try to calm him down. But unless the kid was standing over you with a boulder, ready to crush your skull, shooting him was not necessary.

And, in my opinion, he did it because it was a black kid and he thought he could get away with it.

He may yet.

564 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 11:01:35am

re: #559 SanFranciscoZionist

I don't know about that. I wouldn't say that if they let black girls in should be up to them.

Oh, it absolutely should be up to them. Unless you think there should be laws regulating such contests. People are also welcome to protest this and apply social pressure.

565 Bill Schmalfeldt  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 11:02:16am

re: #560 Shvaughn

Now I'm "some random white dude?"

I think I have explained my reasoning for this sufficiently and any further explanation would be pointless, at least as far as you are concerned.

The site has had hundreds of hits and many positive comments since I posted it this morning. I believe I'll stand by what I've written.

566 Obdicut  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 11:03:33am

re: #563 Bill Schmalfeldt

I don't think he went after the kid to kill him. I think he toted the gun, knowing there was a possibility he would use it

That makes it not a lynching, though.

. And a couple boo-boos on the noggin do not justify shooting someone.

Absolutely not. I can't think of anyone here who has said they do.

And, in my opinion, he did it because it was a black kid and he thought he could get away with it.

This seems completely unsubstantiated to me. I think he killed him because he had this fantasy of being a cop, was trying to act like a cop, and the situation quickly turned on him and he found himself in danger of getting hurt by a kid who he'd terrorized by following like a creep. The entire situation, start to finish, is his fault, but I don't see why you think that he actually considered his chances of getting away with it before pulling the trigger.

567 Bill Schmalfeldt  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 11:03:50am

re: #561 Obdicut

And hopefully, that "former kind" will stumble onto the site and be given reason for second thought.

568 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 11:04:04am

re: #563 Bill Schmalfeldt

Actually the "fucking coons" part has not been proven.

569 Obdicut  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 11:04:28am

re: #567 Bill Schmalfeldt

And hopefully, that "former kind" will stumble onto the site and be given reason for second thought.

I don't think your site will give the former kind a reason for second thought, since I think that Zimmerman himself was of that former kind.

I guess you think he was of the latter kind.

570 Bill Schmalfeldt  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 11:05:20am

re: #569 Obdicut

Strictly my opinion, based on the fact that most of the people he "reported" were of the African American variety.

571 Shvaughn  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 11:05:41am

re: #565 Bill Schmalfeldt

The site has had hundreds of hits and many positive comments since I posted it this morning. I believe I'll stand by what I've written.

And I'll disagree with your tactics and methods.

572 Obdicut  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 11:06:25am

re: #570 Bill Schmalfeldt

Strictly my opinion, based on the fact that most of the people he "reported" were of the African American variety.

But how on earth would that make him the latter kind, not the former kind of racist? How does it make him the virulent hater type, and not the fearful type?

573 Bill Schmalfeldt  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 11:06:55am

And you don't think the "former kind" will look at the examples posted of right wingers stirring up race hatred and suspicion and ask themselves, "why are they doing that?"

574 Shvaughn  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 11:08:32am

re: #573 Bill Schmalfeldt

And you don't think the "former kind" will look at the examples posted of right wingers stirring up race hatred and suspicion and ask themselves, "why are they doing that?"

I don't think they will have that reaction to your web site, no.

575 Bill Schmalfeldt  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 11:09:08am

re: #572 Obdicut

Haters ARE fearful. That's why they hate! They hate because they fear. These are not cool, calm, calculated people. They hate blacks, gays, women or whatever because they FEAR them. In fact, I don't think the "former" kind have that much fear. I think they are casually racist as in the "how can I be racist when I have a black friend" kind of racism.

But it's clear I am not going to change your mind, and we could go round and round on this all afternoon. I appreciate your suggestions.

576 Obdicut  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 11:10:48am

re: #573 Bill Schmalfeldt

And you don't think the "former kind" will look at the examples posted of right wingers stirring up race hatred and suspicion and ask themselves, "why are they doing that?"

Sure, I do, if they were presented well and in context. But to me, you're presenting them in context of saying that George Zimmerman was an active, virulent racist, so it actually makes it easier for them to dismiss racism-- including their own-- as something that's present and dangerous only in extremes. I think that your conflation of hate and fear is problematic, and you are missing an opportunity to ask people to think about the fear as separate from hate.

Because a person can easily say "Why, I don't hate black people at all," and ignore the fact that they're less likely to accept the testimony of a black witness to a crime than a white one.

Out of interest, have you see the Harvard Implicit Association test?

577 Obdicut  Tue, Apr 10, 2012 11:16:44am

re: #575 Bill Schmalfeldt

Haters ARE fearful. That's why they hate!

Well, no, some just hate without fear. Really. They hate and loathe with contempt and superiority and with nary a bit of fear. I fully agree most haters are fearful, but not all, and it is often the ones who aren't afraid who are the most dangerous.

. In fact, I don't think the "former" kind have that much fear. I think they are casually racist as in the "how can I be racist when I have a black friend" kind of racism.

Then you're not understanding what I mean. It is demonstrably true that most people treat black people differently than white people. They are less likely to offer them jobs, to believe their testimony as witnesses, more likely to see them as a threat, etc. The extent to which this is true is often very mild, but, combined with centuries of legal and economic oppression, serves to continue to diminish chances of achievement for blacks in the US. But just because the fear isn't a very conscious or gnawing one doesn't mean it's not there.

But it's clear I am not going to change your mind, and we could go round and round on this all afternoon. I appreciate your suggestions.

I'm not even sure in what way you're trying to change my mind. If you're trying to convince me that most people don't have a mild, latent, unconscious form of racism towards black people, then, yeah, you're not going to change my mind because I've seen enough data to convince me that most people do have that sort of racism.


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