1 Our Precious Bodily Fluids  Thu, Jul 5, 2012 6:17:33pm

Still makes more sense than a Pamela Gellar post.

2 Gus  Thu, Jul 5, 2012 6:32:36pm

Hilarious. So does this mean that he would have nominated a John Roberts in his (Mitt's) previous form?

3 Gus  Thu, Jul 5, 2012 6:40:21pm
4 goddamnedfrank  Thu, Jul 5, 2012 6:40:33pm

re: #2 Gus

[Embedded content]

Hilarious. So does this mean that he would have nominated a John Roberts in his (Mitt's) previous form?

Basically Mitt is confirming that he's the kind of guy who surrounds himself with yes men.

5 The Gender Ambiguity of a Flea  Thu, Jul 5, 2012 6:46:59pm

re: #3 Gus

Turn Off Fox News

The important thing about a news channel isn't facts--it's knowing what I watch pisses off the black socialist president!

6 Dark_Falcon  Thu, Jul 5, 2012 6:50:47pm

It is brutally hot tonight in Chicagoland, and so humid I could not wear my glasses outside after it rained. So if I seem not up to par, blame it on the heat.

7 Kragar  Thu, Jul 5, 2012 7:14:12pm

So according to customer service, I advance order my book 3 weeks in advance so I can have it shipped to me one day early, which means it will finally show up at my house 1 week after I could buy it in the store.

8 Dark_Falcon  Thu, Jul 5, 2012 7:29:33pm

Damnit, Kragar! You broke the thread again!

9 jaunte  Thu, Jul 5, 2012 7:35:28pm

Taxpayer revolt vs. Wildfires

Nobody Could Have Predicted
Not surprisingly, it turns out that refusing to raise taxes and firing your police and firefighting force instead is not a recipe for success now that we live in the new normal of record-breaking heat waves, drought, and wild fires.

.......

Colorado Springs, which depends on sales tax for about half of its revenue, was hit harder than most. The city -- the birthplace 20 years ago of the Taxpayer Bill of Rights, which later passed statewide and has been pushed around the country to restrict government spending -- became a high-profile example of cost-cutting.
[Link: www.bloomberg.com...]

10 Kragar  Thu, Jul 5, 2012 7:37:25pm

re: #8 Dark_Falcon

Damnit, Kragar! You broke the thread again!

Its a living.

Let me fix it:

On March 31st, 2012 some of the greatest voice talent on the planet descended on the Emerald City Comicon to give you one of the greatest, most outrageous readings of Star Wars you will ever hear!

11 Dark_Falcon  Thu, Jul 5, 2012 7:47:19pm

re: #9 jaunte

Taxpayer revolt vs. Wildfires

...

The fires won't change a thing there when it comes to taxes. The highly restrictive funding rules Colorado still labors under mean that support from foundations is crucial there. And just try winning support from large GOP organizations if you break The Pledge and cross Grover Norquist.

12 The Gender Ambiguity of a Flea  Thu, Jul 5, 2012 7:49:33pm

re: #10 Kragar

Its a living.

Let me fix it:

On March 31st, 2012 some of the greatest voice talent on the planet descended on the Emerald City Comicon to give you one of the greatest, most outrageous readings of Star Wars you will ever hear!

[Embedded content]

...awesome.

13 Political Atheist  Thu, Jul 5, 2012 7:50:10pm

[Link: littlegreenfootballs.com...]

Varek? Thanks for the loan of the propulsion unit..
Got to Flagstaff in almost no time!

14 Ojoe  Thu, Jul 5, 2012 7:51:30pm

A fairly typical Towercam sunset.

San Gabriel Mountains of California, Pacific time zone.

15 jaunte  Thu, Jul 5, 2012 7:51:43pm

re: #11 Dark_Falcon

I'm sorry those people lost their houses. The Colorado Taxpayer Bill of Rights seems to be an experiment that's failed. [Link: www.cbpp.org...]

16 Ojoe  Thu, Jul 5, 2012 7:53:31pm

re: #9 jaunte

Clear the brush around your house, citizens.

No wood shingle roofs either.

Etc.

There is much you can do to help yourself and the firefighters.

17 Dark_Falcon  Thu, Jul 5, 2012 7:54:03pm

re: #15 jaunte

I'm sorry those people lost their houses. The Colorado Taxpayer Bill of Rights seems to be an experiment that's failed. [Link: www.cbpp.org...]

It would have worked had it been coupled with caps on government worker pensions and benefits. As it is, Colorado Springs is either going to give in and majorly hike taxes or they'll default on their pension plan. I predict the latter, through Chapter 9 in Colorado law allows for that.

18 Dark_Falcon  Thu, Jul 5, 2012 7:59:03pm

re: #17 Dark_Falcon

Don't just downding, PS, explain yourself.

19 austin_blue  Thu, Jul 5, 2012 7:59:29pm

Hi folks! Wanted to comment earlier, but I found that Joe Walsh made my blood boil to the point that I was only capable of finger vomiting on the keyboard. That man has the manners and morals of a spirochete.

20 Dark_Falcon  Thu, Jul 5, 2012 8:01:28pm

re: #19 austin_blue

Hi folks! Wanted to comment earlier, but I found that Joe Walsh made my blood boil to the point that I was only capable of finger vomiting on the keyboard. That man has the manners and morals of a spirochete.

Well, at least he isn't a blight on your state like he is on mine.

22 Kragar  Thu, Jul 5, 2012 8:02:45pm

re: #19 austin_blue

Hi folks! Wanted to comment earlier, but I found that Joe Walsh made my blood boil to the point that I was only capable of finger vomiting on the keyboard. That man has the manners and morals of a spirochete.

I just want to say...

ASHLEIGH! ASHLEIGH! ASHLEIGH! ASHLEIGH! ASHLEIGH! ASHLEIGH! ASHLEIGH! ASHLEIGH! ASHLEIGH! ASHLEIGH! ASHLEIGH! ASHLEIGH! ASHLEIGH! ASHLEIGH!

23 jaunte  Thu, Jul 5, 2012 8:03:30pm

re: #17 Dark_Falcon

If they default on their pension plan, some of the employees will probably move on.

The lowest paid employees are a Pikes Peak Highway Ranger and a Parking Meter Mechanic, who both make $16,669.37 a year.
The highest paid employee is a City Attorney who pulls in $183,735.99 a year.
Most police officers make around $67,000 a year, and most firefighters make around $61,000.
[Link: www.coloradoconnection.com...]

24 Kragar  Thu, Jul 5, 2012 8:04:54pm

re: #21 Ojoe

A brick building with iron shutters, designed against fire. Nevada City, California.

Using Goats to Prevent Wildfires

"Goats are good for this sort of fuel management because they are primarily browsers," said Brea, explaining that brush, once ignited, acts like a ladder carrying the fire to the treetops. "Goats would rather eat brush than grass," she added. "They like their food right at eye level. At home, the goats ignore the wonderful green grass and look longingly at the scruffy taller stuff beyond the fence."

After the disastrous Oakland Hills fire destroyed more than 2,400 houses in 1991, local governments with vulnerable open space began to seek ways to prevent a recurrence. Fires in the area have been better contained in places where goats have browsed.

25 Interesting Times  Thu, Jul 5, 2012 8:05:40pm

re: #15 jaunte

I'm sorry those people lost their houses. The Colorado Taxpayer Bill of Rights seems to be an experiment that's failed. [Link: www.cbpp.org...]

And naturally they're demanding all sorts of aid from the big, bad federal government:

The city has been aggressive in applying for federal grants, too, which have funded wildfire mitigation efforts, said Bret Waters, emergency management director.

Dunn notes that the city, where there is strong anti-federal government sentiment, is now turning to the U.S. for assistance.

Would be something if they were told, "Sorry, no federal aid available; it went down the drain of Grover Norquist's bathtub." 9_9

26 Dark_Falcon  Thu, Jul 5, 2012 8:06:13pm

re: #23 jaunte

If they default on their pension plan, some of the employees will probably move on.

I know, and I wasn't suggesting they should default, I was just saying what I felt was likely to happen.

27 Killgore Trout  Thu, Jul 5, 2012 8:07:19pm

When you refuse to accept the humanity of other you become inhuman
Image: qyMrA.png

28 jaunte  Thu, Jul 5, 2012 8:09:30pm

re: #27 Killgore Trout

I live near that guys' parents.

29 austin_blue  Thu, Jul 5, 2012 8:09:46pm

re: #20 Dark_Falcon

Well, at least he isn't a blight on your state like he is on mine.

Oh, we've got numerous blighters down here, trust me. All you need to do is start at the top and work your way down. There is is nothing but R's in state-wide offices/elections. And not any Mod R's, either. I live in Jesus-stan. And Jesus is pale-skinned with light brown hair and blue eyes. He's just like us!!!

As Kinky Friedman so correctly noted, "They ain't making Jews like Jesus anymore."

30 Dark_Falcon  Thu, Jul 5, 2012 8:10:47pm

re: #27 Killgore Trout

When you refuse to accept the humanity of other you become inhuman
Image: qyMrA.png

John Derbyshire Reaction:

And that photo is why I could never trust George W. Bush: He refused to see poor black people as the inferior wretches they really are.

/Not really kidding.

31 Interesting Times  Thu, Jul 5, 2012 8:10:48pm

Guess which filthy un-American socialist said the following:

The Remissness of our People in Paying Taxes is highly blameable; the Unwillingness to pay them is still more so. I see, in some Resolutions of Town Meetings, a Remonstrance against giving Congress a Power to take, as they call it, the People's Money out of their Pockets, tho' only to pay the Interest and Principal of Debts duly contracted. They seem to mistake the Point. Money, justly due from the People, is their Creditors' Money, and no longer the Money of the People, who, if they withold it, should be compell'd to pay by some Law.

All Property, indeed, except the Savage's temporary Cabin, his Bow, his Matchcoat, and other little Acquisitions, absolutely necessary for his Subsistence, seems to me to be the Creature of public Convention. Hence the Public has the Right of Regulating Descents, and all other Conveyances of Property, and even of limiting the Quantity and the Uses of it. All the Property that is necessary to a Man, for the Conservation of the Individual and the Propagation of the Species, is his natural Right, which none can justly deprive him of: But all Property superfluous to such purposes is the Property of the Publick, who, by their Laws, have created it, and who may therefore by other Laws dispose of it, whenever the Welfare of the Publick shall demand such Disposition. He that does not like civil Society on these Terms, let him retire and live among Savages. He can have no right to the benefits of Society, who will not pay his Club towards the Support of it.

32 austin_blue  Thu, Jul 5, 2012 8:14:05pm

re: #31 Interesting Times

Guess which filthy un-American socialist said the following:

That would be the only President of the USofA who was never the President of the USofA.

33 Kragar  Thu, Jul 5, 2012 8:16:08pm

re: #30 Dark_Falcon

John Derbyshire Reaction:

/Not really kidding.

National Review Contributor: ‘Most Of The World Worked Better In Colonial Times’

34 Interesting Times  Thu, Jul 5, 2012 8:17:45pm

re: #32 austin_blue

That would be the only President of the USofA who was never the President of the USofA.

Tax-and-spend librul! Heretic! BURN HIM!!!111!!!

35 Bubblehead II  Thu, Jul 5, 2012 8:19:05pm

Night Lizards, Time to crawl back under my rock and sleep the night away.
But first, well you know...........................

:-)

Afterwords. Enya.

Sleep well Lizards. May the Deity of Your Choice Smile Down Upon You and Yours.

36 Dark_Falcon  Thu, Jul 5, 2012 8:19:41pm
37 jaunte  Thu, Jul 5, 2012 8:23:32pm

Official count confirms Pena Nieto win in Mexico

The Federal Electoral Institute found that Pena Nieto still had a more than 6 percent lead after a nearly 100 percent count, which included a extra review of more than half the ballot boxes in response to indications of possible problems.

38 Kragar  Thu, Jul 5, 2012 8:23:37pm

National Review: Where pasty European neo-nazis tell gullible Americans about the good ole days which never existed.

39 bratwurst  Thu, Jul 5, 2012 8:26:47pm

re: #36 Dark_Falcon

No comment.

So does this mean you are giving up your steadfast defense of that particular sewer?

40 Four More Tears  Thu, Jul 5, 2012 8:32:16pm

You're all just jealous because you don't have offshore bank accounts.

41 austin_blue  Thu, Jul 5, 2012 8:32:52pm

re: #33 Kragar

National Review Contributor: ‘Most Of The World Worked Better In Colonial Times’

Yup, back when there was child labor, black, brown, and yellow people supplying' us industrial feedstock, that was the Golden Age.

Or, as Archie Bunker sang, "Those were the days!"

42 The Gender Ambiguity of a Flea  Thu, Jul 5, 2012 8:34:29pm

re: #41 austin_blue

Yup, back when there was child labor, black, brown, and yellow people supplying' us industrial feedstock, that was the Golden Age.

Or, as Archie Bunker sang, "Those were the days!"

Don't forget, and being forced to buy our overpriced crap.

43 bratwurst  Thu, Jul 5, 2012 8:37:30pm

re: #41 austin_blue

Yup, back when there was child labor, black, brown, and yellow people supplying' us industrial feedstock, that was the Golden Age.

Or, as Archie Bunker sang, "Those were the days!"

His logic: people in the formerly colonized world have subsequently done things to each other that were actually worse than what Europeans did to them...or something.

44 austin_blue  Thu, Jul 5, 2012 8:39:25pm

re: #40 It's a cookbook!

You're all just jealous because you don't have offshore bank accounts.

[Embedded content]

I'd just like to have something to *put* into an offshore bank account!

45 jaunte  Thu, Jul 5, 2012 8:39:37pm

re: #33 Kragar

When wars and ruling were the province of Lannisters and Baratheons, and the peasants knew their place.

46 austin_blue  Thu, Jul 5, 2012 8:46:35pm

re: #45 jaunte

When wars and ruling were the province of Lannisters and Baratheons, and the peasants knew their place.

The Starks will rise again!

(By the way, just got finished reading A Dance With Dragons and GRRM is "unclear" about when he will finish the next volume. Maybe a year, maybe two).

Cocksucking motherfucking son of a bitch.

47 Gus  Thu, Jul 5, 2012 8:47:06pm

re: #33 Kragar

National Review Contributor: ‘Most Of The World Worked Better In Colonial Times’

This cracks me up:

...It is verging on secular heresy to make the point, especially in the week of July 4, but the American colonists didn’t have much to complain about, either. The British pretension that the Mother of Parliaments could represent the Americans although they had no members of it was nonsense, especially as America had 30 percent of the population of Great Britain by the Revolution, and was the most prosperous British entity. But the taxes imposed were less than the British Isles were already paying; Britain gave the Americans a year to propose alternative sources of revenue; and all Britain was seeking was help in reducing the national debt, which had doubled during the Seven Years’ War (largely owing to the effort to throw the French out of Canada, at the insistence of the Americans). The original tea partiers, disguised as Indians, were overreacting to a tax that was confined to tea and was not excessive. Their current emulators are less colorful and imaginative.

The colonists had the better of the argument with the British, but individual Americans did not have substantively more liberties at the end of the Revolution than they had had at the beginning, nor more than the British in the home islands had (then or now or at any time in between), apart from having a resident sovereign government. The whole American notion of liberty came from the British, along with the common law and the English language. If the Americans had maintained their British status, they would control Britain and Canada and Australia and New Zealand now (another 120 million people and over $5 trillion of GDP), have all their energy needs met, and enjoy better government than they have actually endured for the past 20 years. It would have been much easier to abolish slavery and, if there had been a Civil War, it would not have lasted long, nor cost a fraction of the 750,000 American lives that it did. There would have been no World Wars or Cold War, or at least no conflict remotely as perilous as those were. The United States would also have less than its current 25 percent of the world’s incarcerated people, and wouldn’t have a legal cartel that devours 10 percent of its GDP. These are matters that, though they verge on secular heresy, Americans may want to consider, in between singing splendid anthems and rereading Jefferson’s defamation of poor old George III and his blood libel on the American Indian in the Declaration of Independence, this national holiday.

He's effectively saying that the USA, the world, would have been better off had we remained a British colony.

In National Review...

And on the 4th of July!!!

48 Gus  Thu, Jul 5, 2012 8:47:40pm

re: #47 Gus

This cracks me up:

He's effectively saying that the USA, the world, would have been better off had we remained a British colony.

In National Review...

And on the 4th of July!!!

The original tea partiers, disguised as Indians, were overreacting to a tax that was confined to tea and was not excessive. Their current emulators are less colorful and imaginative.

49 Gus  Thu, Jul 5, 2012 8:48:45pm

See the title? Post-Colonial KILLING FIELDS!

50 austin_blue  Thu, Jul 5, 2012 8:49:07pm

re: #47 Gus

This cracks me up:

He's effectively saying that the USA, the world, would have been better off had we remained a British colony.

In National Review...

And on the 4th of July!!!

Meh, fucking Tories. What are you going to do? Wrong side then, wrong side now.

Whinging bastards.

51 jaunte  Thu, Jul 5, 2012 8:49:27pm

re: #49 Gus

Dwight Mannsburden!

52 Dark_Falcon  Thu, Jul 5, 2012 8:49:50pm

re: #47 Gus

This cracks me up:

He's effectively saying that the USA, the world, would have been better off had we remained a British colony.

In National Review...

And on the 4th of July!!!

Old School Tory, that's what this post is. Pre-Thatcher as PM, too. Pre-Churchill as PM, for that matter.

53 Kragar  Thu, Jul 5, 2012 8:50:16pm

re: #46 austin_blue

The Starks will rise again!

(By the way, just got finished reading A Dance With Dragons and GRRM is "unclear" about when he will finish the next volume. Maybe a year, maybe two).

Cocksucking motherfucking son of a bitch.

I'm still waiting on the last Wheel of Time novel.

54 austin_blue  Thu, Jul 5, 2012 8:53:18pm

re: #53 Kragar

I'm still waiting on the last Wheel of Time novel.

I have never read those. Worth the time? As good as the Nine Princes in Amber series?

55 The Gender Ambiguity of a Flea  Thu, Jul 5, 2012 8:57:16pm

re: #54 austin_blue

As good as the Nine Princes in Amber series?

NO.

56 jaunte  Thu, Jul 5, 2012 8:57:29pm
57 austin_blue  Thu, Jul 5, 2012 9:00:01pm

re: #55 The Ghost of a Flea

NO.

Thanks. I set my reading time-investment bar pretty high.

58 Kragar  Thu, Jul 5, 2012 9:01:32pm

re: #55 The Ghost of a Flea

NO.

I will destroy you.

59 jaunte  Thu, Jul 5, 2012 9:02:46pm

Poets Ranked by Beard Weights

The beards are ranked on Underwood’s Pogonometric Index of 0 (“Very very weak”) to 60 (“Very very heavy”), which attributes numerical values to “poetic gravity” and relative “beard weights,” citing 10 to 24 as the normal range for the average person, with the exceptionally gifted scoring upwards of forty.

60 Ojoe  Thu, Jul 5, 2012 9:07:25pm

re: #32 austin_blue

10 points for Firesign Theater reference.

61 Kragar  Thu, Jul 5, 2012 9:07:36pm

Mitt Romney bravely stand up to his detractors and says "Okay, you win!"

After Conservative Ire, Romney Campaign Plans To Add Communications Staff

62 Dark_Falcon  Thu, Jul 5, 2012 9:08:15pm

re: #58 Kragar

I will destroy you.

No, you won't. GoaF has me as an ally and I have a pair of 500 KT nukes that say you'll leave him/her alone.

63 The Gender Ambiguity of a Flea  Thu, Jul 5, 2012 9:08:20pm

re: #57 austin_blue

Thanks. I set my reading time-investment bar pretty high.

Then I'll expand and say: I wouldn't. There's a couple of nice ideas (the magic system) and a few characters with charm, but it's bloated, borrows a lot of ideas from other epic sci-fi/fantasy, and its subplots don't have the vigor of the ones in SoF&I (which are still getting a bit far-strung)

Right now my go-to recommendation is The City & The City by China Mieville, but if you're specifically looking for fantasy you might want to try Perdido Street Station.

64 austin_blue  Thu, Jul 5, 2012 9:09:12pm

re: #59 jaunte

Poets Ranked by Beard Weights

Edna St. Vincent Millay, Sara Teasdale, Elizabeth Barret Browning, and Emily Dickenson are so fucked...

I claim Testosterone Fail!

65 Kragar  Thu, Jul 5, 2012 9:10:44pm

re: #62 Dark_Falcon

No, you won't. GoaF has me as an ally and I have a pair of 500 KT nukes that say you'll leave him/her alone.

Prepping cyclonic torpedoes and virus bombs...

66 Kragar  Thu, Jul 5, 2012 9:11:14pm

re: #63 The Ghost of a Flea

Then I'll expand and say: I wouldn't. There's a couple of nice ideas (the magic system) and a few characters with charm, but it's bloated, borrows a lot of ideas from other epic sci-fi/fantasy, and its subplots don't have the vigor of the ones in SoF&I (which are still getting a bit far-strung)

Right now my go-to recommendation is The City & The City by China Mieville, but if you're specifically looking for fantasy you might want to try Perdido Street Station.

Go with the Horus Heresy.

67 jaunte  Thu, Jul 5, 2012 9:11:50pm

re: #64 austin_blue

I see that I've screwed up the link once again.
Maybe this one:
[Link: www.brainpickings.org...]

68 austin_blue  Thu, Jul 5, 2012 9:12:27pm

re: #60 Ojoe

10 points for Firesign Theater reference.

Dogs Flew Spaceships! The Aztecs Invented the Vacation! The South Really Won The War!

Everything You Know Is Wrong!

69 Ojoe  Thu, Jul 5, 2012 9:14:33pm

re: #68 austin_blue

Your brain is not the boss!


Good night all.

70 Dark_Falcon  Thu, Jul 5, 2012 9:17:39pm

re: #66 Kragar

Go with the Horus Heresy.

Well, Horus was an incredible badass. He took the Emperor to the very limit. But the Emperor did defeat him, albeit at dire price.

71 jaunte  Thu, Jul 5, 2012 9:19:55pm

Argentine ex-dictator Videla was sentenced to 50 years for stealing baby

The former dictator Jorge Videla of Argentina (1976-1981) was sentenced Thursday to 50 years in prison, while the former dictator Reynaldo Bignone (1982-1983) to 15 years in prison, guilty of a systematic theft of babies, children of prisoners -disappeared, said the court.

"Sentencing the former general Jorge Videla (86 years) to 50 years imprisonment (...) and the former general Reynaldo Bignone (84) to 15 years," read the court's president, Mary Roqueta, before a packed room in the presence Estela de Carlotto, the leader of the humanitarian organization Grandmothers of Plaza de Mayo.
[Link: translate.google.com...]

72 austin_blue  Thu, Jul 5, 2012 9:21:17pm

re: #63 The Ghost of a Flea

Then I'll expand and say: I wouldn't. There's a couple of nice ideas (the magic system) and a few characters with charm, but it's bloated, borrows a lot of ideas from other epic sci-fi/fantasy, and its subplots don't have the vigor of the ones in SoF&I (which are still getting a bit far-strung)

Right now my go-to recommendation is The City & The City by China Mieville, but if you're specifically looking for fantasy you might want to try Perdido Street Station.

Thanks, but I'm still a hard SF dude. SoF&I was a diversion. I'm diving right back into Iain Banks's Surface Details. I do like me some hard science space opera.

(Although this book is, so far at the halfway point, kind of meh. Some great concepts, but not much subtlety. The best antagonists are grey, as are the best protagonists.)

73 dragonath  Thu, Jul 5, 2012 9:21:36pm

re: #59 jaunte

Poets Ranked by Beard Weights

Kermit the frog is so screwed

74 jaunte  Thu, Jul 5, 2012 9:25:11pm

re: #73 Be Zorch, Daddio

Kermit would probably get high points for "galvanic response."

That "exalted dignity, that certain solemnity of mien," lent by an imposing beard, "regardless of passing vogues and sartorial vagaries," says Underwood, is invariably attributable to the presence of an obscure principle known as the odylic force, a mysterious product of "the hidden laws of nature." The odylic, or od, force is conveyed through the human organism by means of "nervous fluid" which invests the beard of a noble poet with noetic emanations and ensheathes it in an ectoplasmic aura. This, according to Underwood, is the same force which facilitates the divinatory faculty and affords occult insight into matters of travel, voyages and accidents. More importantly, magnetic waves sparked by the od force give off a radiation whose "wattage" can be calibrated in angstroms of net effect. These waves generate electrical essences which register on special laboratory equipment developed by Underwood and a team of researchers.
[Link: 50watts.com...]

75 Dark_Falcon  Thu, Jul 5, 2012 9:26:37pm

I should also note that National Review's readers are taking Conrad Black to the woodshed in the comments on his article. And they're doing it without being vile:

[Approved commenter] Cloudbuster
07/04/12 06:52

Wow, the concluding sentences really caught me by surprise. What complete speculation and fantasy. Really? On the Fourth of July, considering the state Britain is in, you really want to try to dress down the United States of America?

Kiss my red, white and blue butt, Conrad.

Reply to this commentLinkReport Abuse
Brandabar
07/04/12 08:34

What Cloudbuster said.

Reply to this commentLinkReport Abuse

This one's even better:

An Historian
07/04/12 07:11

This is all well and good... so long as you ignore the millions who died in India and Ireland from famines exacerbated largely by the British. And so long as you ignore the horrors of the sugar plantations and the diamond mines. Yes, European colonists brought a number of institutions and a number of practices that improved the lives of the natives. India is now a democracy rather than a Maratha-run kingdom. That is all an improvement, but once you begin a scorecard comparing the atrocities of one group to the atrocities of another, you've already admitted that your argument is flawed and weak. Empire is a dirty word for a reason.

I'd also remind Mr. Black that our ancestors did not revolt over taxes. They revolted over the threat of tyranny. They revolted over the capricious dictates of an emperor and feared what could happen more than what was happening. I would say all people have that right, no matter how benign their chains.

Reply to this commentLinkReport Abuse

One more, this one taking Black's presentation of history head on:

JohntyD
07/04/12 09:05

It seems disingenuous to sing the praises of colonialism by citing the violence that was perpetrated after independence from those seeds usually cultivated by the imperialist powers in order to divide and conquer in the first place.

But the lack of internecine warfare is not really a fair measure by which to judge the matter.

How many wars were fought between the English, Scottish, Welsh and Irish before they arrived at their present state? Would the English agree that the Pax Romana justified a continued Roman presence on English soil?

Freedom means that we have the right to evolve through the same self-killing, war and murder that the luxury of England had also done for a 1000yrs.

Mr. Black you're just saying self-development is something permitted only to the European Powers. Why and how do you say so? Because the bones of colonials bleach whiter that those of England or Europe?

Reply to this commentLinkReport Abuse

76 austin_blue  Thu, Jul 5, 2012 9:26:48pm

re: #73 Be Zorch, Daddio

Kermit the frog is so screwed

Yes, but his fundamental question remains unanswered:

Why *are* there so many songs about rainbows?

It's a philosophical question of epic proportions.

77 Kragar  Thu, Jul 5, 2012 9:31:03pm

re: #70 Dark_Falcon

Well, Horus was an incredible badass. He took the Emperor to the very limit. But the Emperor did defeat him, albeit at dire price.

They've done a great job with the main story line. The ones providing background for other events have been pretty good, but you can pass them up without missing much.

Horus Heresy (novels)

Main storyline being:
Horus Rising
False Gods
Galaxy in Flames
The Flight of the Eisenstein
Fulgrim
Mechanicum
A Thousand Sons
The First Heretic
Prospero Burns
Know No Fear

78 The Gender Ambiguity of a Flea  Thu, Jul 5, 2012 9:44:26pm

re: #75 Dark_Falcon

I should also note that National Review's readers are taking Conrad Black to the woodshed in the comments on his article. And they're doing it without being vile:

This one's even better:

One more, this one taking Black's presentation of history head on:

It's cold comfort that the commenters are pushing back. That's good for them, but it speaks poorly of the NRO's editing and publishing staff that they saw this fit to print. Black is either lying or ignorant about the subjects he purports to write about...both the body counts of past empires and the origins of current violence in post-colonial regions. His obfuscations are apparent with minimal source checking on the time and periods he's mentioning.

79 Dark_Falcon  Thu, Jul 5, 2012 9:51:03pm

re: #78 The Ghost of a Flea

It's cold comfort that the commenters are pushing back. That's good for them, but it speaks poorly of the NRO's editing and publishing staff that they saw this fit to print. Black is either lying or ignorant about the subjects he purports to write about...both the body counts of past empires and the origins of current violence in post-colonial regions. His obfuscations are apparent with minimal source checking on the time and periods he's mentioning.

I doubt they wanted to spike Black's column, and given the holiday, that's what sending it back would have had the effect of doing. So they decided to run it and hope for the best.

80 dragonath  Thu, Jul 5, 2012 9:51:38pm

Well, Conrad Black is (was?) a former Canadian... so...

GOD SAVE THE QUEEN

81 jaunte  Thu, Jul 5, 2012 9:51:41pm

Colorado wildfire scar

The red in this image is actually vegetation — NASA’s satellite covers both the visible and infrared spectrum to get a more accurate image, which is why it looks like that. So unburnt forest is bright red, and lighter vegetation is pinkish. The white parts, pretty obviously, are buildings. And that huge dark-brown chunk — well, that used to be vegetation, and some of it used to be buildings.

82 austin_blue  Thu, Jul 5, 2012 9:51:52pm

Sleep time for me. Sweet dreams to all Lizardii.

BTW, did it feel like we had two Mondays this week to anyone else? If I had a 4 X 10 workweek, I would never choose Wednesday as my day off. Odd.

83 Dark_Falcon  Thu, Jul 5, 2012 9:55:34pm

re: #80 Be Zorch, Daddio

Well, Conrad Black is (was?) a former Canadian... so...

GOD SAVE THE QUEEN

Conrad Black isn't her fault.

84 Dark_Falcon  Thu, Jul 5, 2012 9:57:00pm

I missed this yesterday: It's a nice little change from some of the celebrity stuff I've been putting up.

85 jaunte  Thu, Jul 5, 2012 10:04:13pm

Climate Change Is Already Shrinking Crop Yields

Goldman Sachs projects that this year's corn yields will come in 7.5 percent below the USDA's projection of 166 bushels an acre.
.......
Projections:
...yields will fall by the end of this century by as much as 43 percent "under the slowest warming scenario" and 79 percent "under the most rapid warming scenario."

86 Kragar  Thu, Jul 5, 2012 10:05:54pm

re: #85 jaunte

Climate Change Is Already Shrinking Crop Yields

I have it on good authority that Jesus says it nothing to worry about.

87 The Gender Ambiguity of a Flea  Thu, Jul 5, 2012 10:09:56pm

Currently up at NRO:

Only You Can Exploit Forest Fires by Michelle Malkin. DERP.

And Jonah Goldberg is trying to spin the recent lifeguard firing and this story into a parable of how union rules and the social safety net mean that our culture is sick. Funny how stories at the time of the suicide (sfgate, NPR) present things differently; if by unions, one meant budget cuts to rescue training, safety issues for dealing with a drowning suicide who may or may not be a threat without proper equipment and/or local government's aversion to liability, then the stories match up. Also not mentioned: the lifeguard in question was fired by the private company contracted to provide lifeguards to the public beach.

88 Dark_Falcon  Thu, Jul 5, 2012 10:11:37pm

Good night, all.

89 Kragar  Thu, Jul 5, 2012 10:12:37pm

re: #87 The Ghost of a Flea

Currently up at NRO:

Only You Can Exploit Forest Fires by Michelle Malkin.

How to exploit a forest fire? Blame environmentalists while you cripple firefighters.

90 freetoken  Thu, Jul 5, 2012 10:15:14pm

May be too late for Iowa GOP to end gay marriage

Ever since gay couples began flocking to Iowa to marry three years ago, conservative Republicans have been looking forward to amassing enough political power to put an end to it. But now that the opportunity is finally approaching, their goal may be slipping out of reach.

Conservative lawmakers are watching public opinion move away from them on the same-sex marriage issue, and now fear that voters might not approve a ban even if the GOP can put one on the ballot by winning control of the Legislature in November.

The shifting views come as a disappointment for the state's prominent Christian conservative community, which has long bridled at Iowa's status as a gay-rights haven in the heartland - the only place outside the Northeast where gays and lesbians can marry.

"People are getting comfortable with it and that's a shame to tell you the truth," said Susan Geddes, an Iowa Republican and social conservative organizer who worked for Mike Huckabee's 2008 presidential campaign in the state.

Even Republicans seem to be more accepting, said Julie Summa, marketing director for the Family Leader, a social conservative advocacy group. She and other evangelical leaders attribute the change to libertarian Republicans, like supporters of Texas Rep. Ron Paul, who oppose restrictions on personal freedoms.

[...]

RON PAUL!!

91 Kragar  Thu, Jul 5, 2012 10:17:18pm

re: #90 freetoken

May be too late for Iowa GOP to end gay marriage

RON PAUL!!

People tolerating other people beliefs and way of life which has zero effect on them?

That's a shame.
///

92 engineer cat  Thu, Jul 5, 2012 10:45:16pm

Romney: I'd no longer nominate judges like John Roberts

how long before the Last True Conservative excommunicates the Second To Last True Conservative?

93 freetoken  Thu, Jul 5, 2012 10:46:59pm

Tabs I have open with stories/headlines that one doesn't commonly see in some corridors of the internet:

[Link: www.childreninmilitarycustody.org...]

In September 2011 a UK delegation of 9 lawyers, from the fields of human rights, crime and child welfare, travelled to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories to assess the treatment of Palestinian children under Israeli military law.

[...]

Kenyan Muslims team up to protect Christians

A group of Muslim leaders in Kenya has agreed to help their Christian countrymen defend their churches, after a rash of attacks that killed 15 Christians, according to the BBC.

94 freetoken  Thu, Jul 5, 2012 10:55:27pm

Some days ago I linked to the breaking story about South Korean educational officials bringing creationism into their public schools. Creationists have been targeting SK for a while (remember that SK had been the target of evangelical sorts stretching way back, with strange spin-offs.)

Here's a recent example of what is published in a Korean outlet:

Life after Darwin

[...]

Genetic research, in particular, must be free to find new models to explain, and enhance, 21st-century scientific discovery. Today, Darwin’s theory of evolution is more a hindrance than a help, because it has become a quasi-theological creed that is preventing the benefits of improved research from being fully realized.

The author is himself not Korean, yet he runs an article full of misstatements about Darwinian evolution in a Korean paper. The author (Didier Raoult) is not known to be a creationist per se, but he has been making a name for himself as anti Darwinian, and thus finding himself being hearted by creationists.

Which explains why his opinion piece shows up in a Korean outlet when their is a stirring brouhaha over creationism.

95 freetoken  Thu, Jul 5, 2012 10:57:28pm

As an example, here are the IDiots giving Raoult press:

Top Microbiologist: Darwin was a priest

96 palomino  Thu, Jul 5, 2012 10:59:50pm

re: #6 Dark_Falcon

It is brutally hot tonight in Chicagoland, and so humid I could not wear my glasses outside after it rained. So if I seem not up to par, blame it on the heat.

You live in Chicago without A/C? Uggh.

97 Mich-again  Thu, Jul 5, 2012 11:35:54pm

re: #96 palomino

You live in Chicago without A/C? Uggh.

Well if the glasses were colder than the dewpoint of the humid outside air which caused the glass to fog up, those glasses must have previously been in a cooler environment, so there has to be A/C involved..

98 Sol Berdinowitz  Thu, Jul 5, 2012 11:40:16pm

re: #91 Kragar

People tolerating other people beliefs and way of life which has zero effect on them?

That's a shame.
///

If you are a Dominionist, then gay marriage affects you - and us all.

We are Exceptional as a nation only because we have a Covenant with God, in which we reflect His Divine Laws in our own legislation.

(These people being final arbiters of what constitutes His Divine Law, of course)

As soon as we start allowing things like gay marriage, abortion, contraception, prostitution, legalized drugs, progressive taxation, etc., we are shaking our fist at God and inviting His Divine Retribution.

That is why these people cannot and will not back down on issues like gay marriage. Our nation's destiny depends on it, you see...

99 Kragar  Thu, Jul 5, 2012 11:42:24pm

re: #98 Expand Your Ground

If you are a Dominionist, then gay marriage affects you and us all.

We are Exceptional as a nation only because we have a Covenant with God, in which we reflect His Divine Laws in our own legislation.

(These people being final arbiters of what constitutes His Divine Law, of course)

As soon as we start allowing things like gay marriage, abortion, contraception, prostitution, legalized drugs, progressive taxation, etc., we are shaking our fist at God and invitin his Divine Retribution.

That is why these people cannot and will not back down on issues like gay marriage. Our nation's destiny depends on it, you see...

I never made a deal with any supernatural entity. Too many strings attached.

100 Sol Berdinowitz  Thu, Jul 5, 2012 11:44:01pm

re: #99 Kragar

I never made a deal with any supernatural entity. Too many strings attached.

This is not an offer you are free to refuse...

101 Kragar  Thu, Jul 5, 2012 11:51:12pm

re: #100 Expand Your Ground

This is not an offer you are free to refuse...

Oh, there are ways.

102 Sol Berdinowitz  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 12:10:49am

I know you are being facetious, but the point is that a lot of people cannot accept the notion that what happens between two consenting adults and does not affect them is not any of their business.

And they see teh gey as such a massive abdomination unto the Lord that they immediately associate with with paedophilia, bestiality and spouse abuse.

They do seem to brood on the issue a lot. Self-hatred is the most intense and complex form of hatred.

103 Kragar  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 12:17:11am

William Lynch Found Not Guilty in Beating of Priest He Said Sexually Abused Him

William Lynch, the 44-year-old California man who admitted he pummeled a Jesuit priest who he said abused him as a boy, has been found not guilty of felony assault and elder abuse charges.

The jury of nine men and three women could not reach a verdict on a lesser charge of misdemeanor assault for the 2010 attack at a retirement home, deadlocking 8-4 to convict him.

Lynch could have faced four years in jail if convicted on all the charges.

"I honestly thought I was going to jail," Lynch said after the verdicts were read, according to The Associated Press. "It turned our better than I expected."

104 Kragar  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 12:21:36am

re: #102 Expand Your Ground

I know you are being facetions, but the point is that a lot of people cannot accept the notion that what happens between two consenting adults and does not affect them is not any of their business.

And they see teh gey as such a massive abdomination unto the Lord that they immediately associate with with paedophilia, bestiality and spouse abuse.

They do seem to brood on the issue a lot. Self-hatred is the most intense and complex form of hatred.

I get the distinct impression that future generations will look back at these decades as a dark age of superstition and zealotry.

105 Sol Berdinowitz  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 12:23:02am

re: #103 Kragar

William Lynch Found Not Guilty in Beating of Priest He Said Sexually Abused Him

He has just given the Catholic Church another martyr, I am afrad...

106 Kragar  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 12:24:34am

re: #105 Expand Your Ground

He has just given the Catholic Church another martyr, I am afrad...

My bets still on the lions.

107 Sol Berdinowitz  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 12:31:03am

The Catholic church thrives on persecution, or rahter the image of being persecuted, and they will certainly play up the angle of a helpless old man being beaten up and his "tormentor" getting away with it.

108 Kragar  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 12:39:35am

re: #107 Expand Your Ground

The Catholic church thrives on persecution, or rahter the image of being persecuted, and they will certainly play up the angle of a helpless old man being beaten up and his "tormentor" getting away with it.

I don't think the Church is in nearly as strong a position as you do. Too much evidence of their tacit approval of child molestation for generations now has been established as fact.

Just my opinion.

109 Sol Berdinowitz  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 12:55:46am

There are objective facts, and there is the church's position on things and the spin it puts on them for PR purposes.

I agree that their position has weakend over past decades, but at the same time we have seen them redoubling their efforts to paint themselves as some sort of victims.

110 researchok  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 1:01:47am

Morning, all

111 Sol Berdinowitz  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 1:18:21am

dead zone

112 freetoken  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 1:29:42am
113 researchok  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 1:39:08am

re: #112 freetoken

First cousin to that girl from Ipanema.

114 Decatur Deb  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 2:14:47am

re: #107 Expand Your Ground

The Catholic church thrives on persecution, or rahter the image of being persecuted, and they will certainly play up the angle of a helpless old man being beaten up and his "tormentor" getting away with it.

"The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church."

115 Sol Berdinowitz  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 2:25:57am

re: #114 Decatur Deb

"The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church."

It takes a great deal of talent to be able to persecute people for centuries and still sell yourself as a victim...

116 Ziggy Standard  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 2:30:47am

New Giant's Causeway Centre made into creationist laughing stock by National Trust:

[Link: littlegreenfootballs.com...]

117 Decatur Deb  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 2:30:51am

re: #115 Expand Your Ground

It takes a great deal of talent to be able to persecute people for centuries and still sell yourself as a victim...

Just total immersion in a perspective-free cosmology.

118 freetoken  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 2:34:47am
119 Decatur Deb  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 2:37:33am

re: #115 Expand Your Ground

It takes a great deal of talent to be able to persecute people for centuries and still sell yourself as a victim...

"Just total immersion in a perspective-free cosmology."

Not just talking about my old creed:

MARTYRDOM POETRY CONTEST

[Link: lutheransurrealism.blogspot.com...]

120 Sol Berdinowitz  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 2:58:24am

re: #117 Decatur Deb

Just total immersion in a perspective-free cosmology.

You don't need perspective when you have a monoply on The Truth

121 freetoken  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 4:10:59am
122 Sol Berdinowitz  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 4:11:43am

drip, drip...

123 freetoken  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 4:15:41am
124 freetoken  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 4:21:06am

The end of the last one was a bridge to the next cut:

125 Sol Berdinowitz  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 4:25:34am

the Ennio Morricone Experience?

126 freetoken  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 4:29:06am

re: #125 Expand Your Ground

the Ennio Morricone Experience?

Via YoYo Ma.

127 Sol Berdinowitz  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 4:34:54am

re: #126 freetoken

Via YoYo Ma.

Sounded too well played for most spaghetti westerns...

128 Sol Berdinowitz  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 4:35:34am

BTW, the proper, non-gangsta name is "YourYour Mother"

129 Douchecanoe and Ryan Too  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 4:57:39am

Morning Lizardim. Happy Friday from the hot and humid wild north country. We're set to have a rollicking good time today, as thunderstorms are finally going to sweep this heat wave off the map and usher in some cool Canadian air to bring things back to normal. I'm in an extra good mood, as this is my one weekend off amidst a bunch of crazy family stuff and I'm looking forward to crashing on the couch and doing exactly NOTHING for the duration. What's new on the front lines of the war on derp?

130 Varek Raith  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 5:22:55am

Good morning.
It's hot now.
It'll be hot later.
It'll be real hot tomorrow.
It'll be hot on Sunday.
It'll be nice Monday.
The sun sucks.

131 Douchecanoe and Ryan Too  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 5:25:49am

re: #130 Varek Raith

Good morning.
It's hot now.
It'll be hot later.
It'll be real hot tomorrow.
It'll be hot on Sunday.
It'll be nice Monday.
The sun sucks.

Well, then, blow it up. You CAN do that, right?

132 Varek Raith  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 5:27:48am

re: #131 thedopefishlives

Well, then, blow it up. You CAN do that, right?

Are you implying I can't?!

*PEW!*

...
..
.
Dammit, sorry Mercury....

133 Douchecanoe and Ryan Too  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 5:32:43am

re: #132 Varek Raith

My favorite line from the original Stargate series:

"You know, you blow up one sun and suddenly everyone expects you to walk on water."

134 Varek Raith  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 5:35:57am

re: #133 thedopefishlives

My favorite line from the original Stargate series:

"You know, you blow up one sun and suddenly everyone expects you to walk on water."

Carter?
I CAN SEE MY HOUSE!

135 Varek Raith  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 5:37:06am

Colonel Jack O'Neill: They didn't go for it.
Major Samantha Carter: They didn't approve the mission?
Colonel Jack O'Neill: Well no, they did that. Once they knew the stakes and the whole fate of the universe stuff, both the President and Hammond realized we had no choice. He sends good luck, God speed and all those things he says when he thinks we're gonna die.
Major Samantha Carter: So what didn't they go for?
Colonel Jack O'Neill: The name I suggested.
Major Samantha Carter: For the ship?
Colonel Jack O'Neill: Yeah.
Major Samantha Carter: Yeah, sir, we can't call it the Enterprise.
Colonel Jack O'Neill: Why not?

136 Douchecanoe and Ryan Too  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 5:39:41am

re: #135 Varek Raith

Mmm, Amanda Tapping. Hot chick with guns.

/Oh, hi, Mrs. Fish, I was just +++CARRIER LOST

137 Vicious Babushka  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 6:04:13am
138 Mich-again  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 6:15:33am

Its so hot here that I just saw my dog chasing a squirrel in the yard and they were both walking. /

139 Sol Berdinowitz  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 6:36:21am

re: #137 Learned Mother of Zion

I am sure he would be in favor of "scrapping" those memebers of the military rewponsible for the reports on the threats to US security posed by climate change...and the ones pressing for alternate/renewable energy sources for the armed forces as well.

140 Feline Fearless Leader  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 6:37:20am

re: #131 thedopefishlives

Well, then, blow it up. You CAN do that, right?

You got paid off by Burns didn't you. Now the streetlights will stay on all the time...

141 Feline Fearless Leader  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 6:42:24am

re: #138 Mich-again

Its so hot here that I just saw my dog chasing a squirrel in the yard and they were both walking. /

Not quite as exciting when they're just going through the motions, eh?

Sounds a bit like when I was chasing down a cat who had been given a tranquilizer pill before leaving on a trip. The cat very "I must run... but I don't want to" where he'd flee (slowly) about three feet and then stop. Repeat.

142 Flounder  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 6:43:45am

I hope this arsehole goes to jail:
[Link: www.nypost.com...]

15-passenger capacity boat had 27 people on board

"Don't blame Sal, we all got on the boat"

143 William Barnett-Lewis  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 6:44:26am

re: #54 austin_blue

I have never read those. Worth the time? As good as the Nine Princes in Amber series?

Late to the post, but not even close.

144 Douchecanoe and Ryan Too  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 6:47:42am

re: #140 Feline Emperor of the Conservative Waste

You got paid off by Burns didn't you. Now the streetlights will stay on all the time...

No, I'm just sick of the heat. We could use another Ice Age.

145 Sol Berdinowitz  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 6:48:02am

re: #142 Tommy's cone of shame

I hope this arsehole goes to jail:
[Link: www.nypost.com...]

15-passenger capacity boat had 27 people on board

"Don't blame Sal, we all got on the boat"

Yes, blame Sal. His boat. His responsibility.

146 Flounder  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 6:48:25am

re: #143 William Barnett-Lewis

I really enjoyed the Wheel of Time series. Damn author went up on died on me tho...:(

147 Feline Fearless Leader  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 6:54:00am

re: #146 Tommy's cone of shame

I really enjoyed the Wheel of Time series. Damn author went up on died on me tho...:(

I never bothered to start it. Large, and appeared to be unending, series of doorstop books. Due to being burned with other series taking so long to be completed I generally hold off until they're done, and then read them. (Though I have read the first three "Song of Fire and Ice" books, so there are exceptions granted.)

Comparing "Wheel of Time" to "Nine Princes in Amber" is sort of interesting. SF literature from two different time periods, and I think all of the latter's volumes is probably a lighter page count than any two of the former's volumes. So the features of SF writing in the interim have changed. (Whether it's for the better or the worse is open to debate. Wandering down some of the side trails about characters is interesting at times, but horribly distracting from plots in other cases.)

148 Flounder  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 6:59:23am

re: #147 Feline Emperor of the Conservative Waste
I research a book more than I research an investment. THe Wheel of Time's first book was given to me in college, loved it. Now I will be getting Nine Princes in Amber, as soon as I finish A Game of Thrones, and watching the HBO version...
(Almost better than zombies!!!!!!!)

149 Flounder  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 7:00:29am

re: #147 Feline Emperor of the Conservative Waste

oh yeah, Jordan was definately fluffing his last few books.

150 William Barnett-Lewis  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 7:05:46am

I've found very little in modern SF to be particularly memorable, at least positively, outside of David Brin, William Gibson, & Lois Bujold. So much of it is derivative, repetitive & dull writing that is over written so they can sell 3 volumes rather that one much better written book. And I won't even begin talking about the pro-monarchist & far-right politics of many of them...

For what it's worth, I'd rather go back and re-read "Lord of Light" by Zelazny, "Earth" by Brin or even the real deal LOTR again than try Song of Fire & Boredom or Wheel of Time again. Thankfully Brin has a new novel "Existence" coming out about a first contact situation 50 years in the future so at least I know I'll have one good novel to read this summer. After that, I'll find my copy of John M. Ford's (RIP, Mike :( ) "The Dragon Waiting" which remains the best alt-history novel I've ever read.

151 Sol Berdinowitz  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 7:09:53am

Is Jasper Fforde science fiction? It is "alternative present" speculative detective fiction with a lot of droll humor in it, more along the lines of a Douglas Adams or Terry Pratchett.

He has managed to turn out a whole series of books without getting too terribly repetitive or derivative.

152 Feline Fearless Leader  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 7:13:33am

re: #150 William Barnett-Lewis

I've found very little in modern SF to be particularly memorable, at least positively, outside of David Brin, William Gibson, & Lois Bujold. So much of it is derivative, repetitive & dull writing that is over written so they can sell 3 volumes rather that one much better written book. And I won't even begin talking about the pro-monarchist & far-right politics of many of them...

For what it's worth, I'd rather go back and re-read "Lord of Light" by Zelazny, "Earth" by Brin or even the real deal LOTR again than try Song of Fire & Boredom or Wheel of Time again. Thankfully Brin has a new novel "Existence" coming out about a first contact situation 50 years in the future so at least I know I'll have one good novel to read this summer. After that, I'll find my copy of John M. Ford's (RIP, Mike :( ) "The Dragon Waiting" which remains the best alt-history novel I've ever read.

I do like GRR Martin's writing, but I think SoFaI got way out of hand in terms of chasing around various characters to follow plot points and development "on screen". I pretty much buy Bujold and Banks upon appearance.

Tim Powers is generally a good read. But he has never quite caught the lightning of _The Anubis Gates_ again, though _Declare_, _Last Call_ and _On Stranger Tides_ are all quite good in my opinion. Secret history novels are very entertaining when done well.

153 Sol Berdinowitz  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 7:14:43am
154 NJDhockeyfan  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 7:17:13am

Good morning lizards!

I can't wait for this heat wave to go away. Damn dog days of summer!

155 William Barnett-Lewis  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 7:20:30am

re: #154 NJDhockeyfan

Good morning lizards!

I can't wait for this heat wave to go away. Damn dog days of summer!

That's not till August when Sirius is back above the horizon at night...

156 Killgore Trout  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 7:26:41am

U.K. Terrorism Officials Arrest 7 More Suspects

Seven more terrorism suspects have been arrested and detained in the United Kingdom in what is now the fourth security-related incident this week as the world counts down to the London Olympics, which begin three weeks from today.
...
The arrests follow the six arrested Thursday in an early morning raid. New details that have emerged since those arrests indicate that it was three brothers and three other men who are suspected of being Islamic terrorists planning a strike in the U.K. during the Olympic Games.

One of the suspects is Muslim-convert Richard Dart, a former BBC security guard who uses the name Salahuddin al Britani, and rails against Britain's royals and Britain's military. Another one of the three suspects, detained in West London Thursday, is Jahangir Alom, a former community police officer in the United Kingdom.

Three of the men were arrested in a house approximately one mile from Olympic Park.

"There wasn't any specific threat to the Olympics," said Tobias Feakin, an expert on British security. "It's the fact that now the police intelligence services will act far earlier on in a plot, an active plot, because risk appetite is diminishing rapidly as we reach closer and closer to the Olympic Games."

157 Varek Raith  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 7:28:35am

Massive spreadsheet of doom!
Oy, what a mess.

158 Douchecanoe and Ryan Too  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 7:29:12am

re: #156 Killgore Trout

The arrests follow the six arrested Thursday in an early morning raid. New details that have emerged since those arrests indicate that it was three brothers and three other men who are suspected of being Islamic terrorists planning a strike in the U.K. during the Olympic Games.

Expect the usual suspects to absolutely explode with their anti-Muslim rhetoric when they catch wind of this. And they will. They always do, somehow.

159 Sol Berdinowitz  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 7:31:13am

re: #158 thedopefishlives

Expect the usual suspects to absolutely explode with their anti-Muslim rhetoric when they catch wind of this. And they will. They always do, somehow.

Remember: to these people, Islam = Islamism = Jihad

160 Eventual Carrion  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 7:33:46am

re: #159 Expand Your Ground

Remember: to these people, Islam = Islamism = Jihad

And christian = christ's army = new crusade. Twin brothers from different mothers.

161 Douchecanoe and Ryan Too  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 7:34:49am

re: #160 RayFerd

And christian = christ's army = new crusade. Twin brothers from different mothers.

Yes, but the Crusades were good, don'tcha know.

/That one burned just coming off my fingertips

162 Sol Berdinowitz  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 7:40:11am

Don't forget: Judaism = Zionism = domination of world finances

163 NJDhockeyfan  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 7:41:42am

re: #156 Killgore Trout

U.K. Terrorism Officials Arrest 7 More Suspects

Police in the United Kingdom impounded a vehicle after a routine stop Saturday on a highway north of London, suspecting the driver didn't have valid car insurance. When police searched the vehicle, they found firearms and other material hidden inside.

"As soon as the items were discovered in the impounded vehicle, our priority was to protect the public by pursuing and arresting those we believed to be involved," Det. Chief Superintendent Kenny Bell said.

Sounds like this was just a lucky find. The security teams still have a lot of work to do running up to the Olympics. I'm sure searching for these unknown terror cells is like finding a needle in a haystack.

164 Killgore Trout  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 7:42:18am

re: #158 thedopefishlives

Expect the usual suspects to absolutely explode with their anti-Muslim rhetoric when they catch wind of this. And they will. They always do, somehow.

It'll be even worse if these dicks make a successful attack during the Olympics. What a mess.

165 Vicious Babushka  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 7:42:37am

BUY A BUNCH OF AHAVA.

166 Gus  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 7:44:03am

Must. Control. Feelings. Feel. Grumpy. Stop.

167 Gus  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 7:46:01am

re: #165 Learned Mother of Zion

[Embedded content]

BUY A BUNCH OF AHAVA.

55 followers! ;)

168 Sol Berdinowitz  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 7:47:05am

re: #163 NJDhockeyfan

Sounds like this was just a lucky find. The security teams still have a lot of work to do running up to the Olympics. I'm sure searching for these unknown terror cells is like finding a needle in a haystack.

Yes and no, from what I gather is that they usually let the things run on as long as possible once discovered to find out more about the networkds behind them, usually only stepping in at the last minute.

But with the Olympics coming up, they had to act sooner rather than later.

169 Gus  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 7:47:52am

Cripes. Not again. My Java blocked bug is back this morning.

170 Douchecanoe and Ryan Too  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 7:48:08am

re: #166 Gus

Must. Control. Feelings. Feel. Grumpy. Stop.

HULK. SMASH.

171 Gus  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 7:52:11am

Kaspersky sucks. Never thought I'd say that but it's official. Looks like their run has come to and end.

172 Douchecanoe and Ryan Too  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 7:53:49am

re: #171 Gus

Kaspersky sucks. Never thought I'd say that but it's official. Looks like their run has come to and end.

Glad you figured it out, at least.

173 Vicious Babushka  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 7:55:01am

re: #167 Gus

55 followers! ;)

All this BDS shit gets retweeted by Mondoweiss. He's like Neturei Karta but without the Hasidic costume.

174 lawhawk  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 8:00:35am

Greets and saluts from the sweltering Baked Big Apple. The unemployment figures are out, and it's a mixed bag. ADP says private payrolls grew 176,000, well above the consensus estimate of 100,000. That was bolstered by an upwards revision of May to 133,000. However, the Labor Department's job figures were worse than expected. Only 80,000 nonfarm jobs were created.

The unemployment rate has remained at 8.2%. The U-6 rate is up to 15.1, after falling to 14.3 for May (unadjusted). Adjusted for seasonal, the rate is still higher - at 14.9.

176 Killgore Trout  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 8:03:40am

Background on one of the suspects.
White Muslim one of six arrested over ‘terror plot'

The Daily Telegraph understands the police moved over fears that a group had obtained a sword which could potentially be used in a terrorist attack.

Mr Dart, 29, the son of Dorset teachers, featured in a BBC documentary last year filmed by his own brother about his conversion. During the film, called My Brother the Islamist, he was seen protesting about British soldiers in Afghanistan and accused them of being “murderers”.

He also called for Sharia law to be established in Britain, as well as saying that one of his friends used to be “in the police”, but is not any more. Mr Dart has changed his name to Salahuddin al Britani. Salahuddin comes from the medieval leader who drove King Richard I from Jerusalem during the Crusades.

It emerged last year that the former BBC security guard was living off state benefits in a luxury flat in Mile End, east London.

Anjem Choudary said he had converted Mr Dart but had not been in contact with him for more than a year.

I hope they have more evidence than a sword. Interesting to see Choundary's name mentioned.

177 Sol Berdinowitz  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 8:08:33am

re: #175 Kronocide

Ted Nugent: 'I'm Beginning to Wonder if it Would Have Been Best had the South Won the Civil War'

A rock musician shares his opinions on politics. Now let Justice Roberts tell us what he thinks of rock 'n' roll...

178 Henchman Ghazi-808  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 8:09:23am
Never trust a man who wears a black robe. He might be naked under there.

Oookaay.

179 Feline Fearless Leader  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 8:09:59am
180 Gus  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 8:16:00am

Forking A. Turn off Kaspersky and everything works again. Was working fine for a couple of days after I did a clean reinstall of KAV with the latest installer. Suddenly BOOM! This morning it goes back to pre-reinstall mode.

181 iossarian  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 8:16:01am

re: #176 Killgore Trout

Background on one of the suspects.
White Muslim one of six arrested over ‘terror plot'

I hope they have more evidence than a sword. Interesting to see Choundary's name mentioned.

I love how the Torygraph can't resist throwing in "luxury flat" and "state benefits".

182 iossarian  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 8:22:54am

Daily Telegraph "luxury flat":

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

183 NJDhockeyfan  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 8:23:09am

re: #168 Expand Your Ground

Yes and no, from what I gather is that they usually let the things run on as long as possible once discovered to find out more about the networkds behind them, usually only stepping in at the last minute.

But with the Olympics coming up, they had to act sooner rather than later.

I think this was just a lucky break. As soon as they saw what was in the car they quickly went out and grabbed them.

A spokesman said: “The arrests followed a routine stop of a vehicle by police on the M1 motorway in South Yorkshire on Saturday.

“The car was impounded on suspicion of having no insurance.

“Firearms, offensive weapons and other material were later found hidden inside, prompting police to take action to trace and arrest the driver, passenger and others suspected of being involved.”

184 Sol Berdinowitz  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 8:23:17am

re: #175 Kronocide

Ted Nugent: 'I'm Beginning to Wonder if it Would Have Been Best had the South Won the Civil War'

I am sure that if you press him on it, he will say that he did not mean that in regard to slavery, (which only played a minor rolr in the Civil War in his mind) but in the issue of States' Rights...

185 Henchman Ghazi-808  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 8:27:23am

re: #184 Expand Your Ground

I am sure that if you press him on it, he will say that he did not mean that in regard to slavery, (which only played a minor rolr in the Civil War in his mind) but in the issue of States' Rights...

Of course. There's little regard for slavery, that's been made very clear. State's Rights are much more important.

186 Big Steve  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 8:28:25am

With all the controversial topics in the last day here and yet not one down ding in the last 24 hours....have we become that much of an echo chamber?

187 Killgore Trout  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 8:28:30am

re: #181 iossarian

I love how the Torygraph can't resist throwing in "luxury flat" and "state benefits".

Pics of the house here: Seven more terror arrests as police find 'weapons hidden in car' just a day after Olympic round-up that saw white Muslim convert captured
That does look pretty nice for London. Almost American sized yard.

188 lawhawk  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 8:30:52am

re: #186 Big Steve

You're just itching for a down ding... aren't you /

Must.Resist.Urge.

Traffic is probably lighter than usual so that means fewer of the hits due to the holiday week.

189 Decatur Deb  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 8:34:36am

re: #165 Learned Mother of Zion

[Embedded content]

BUY A BUNCH OF AHAVA.

Is she thinking wishful? Last I saw the Presbyterians voted not to divest.

190 iossarian  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 8:36:13am

re: #187 Killgore Trout

Pics of the house here: Seven more terror arrests as police find 'weapons hidden in car' just a day after Olympic round-up that saw white Muslim convert captured
That does look pretty nice for London. Almost American sized yard.

I think that's a different house - caption says "three weeks ago". Besides it's in East Stratford, which is not exactly Mile End (though they are essentially next to each other).

191 Decatur Deb  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 8:36:14am

re: #188 lawhawk

You're just itching for a down ding... aren't you /

Must.Resist.Urge.

Traffic is probably lighter than usual so that means fewer of the hits due to the holiday week.

We could talk about OWS and their single great virtue vs Tea Partiers.

192 GunstarGreen  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 8:36:19am

re: #171 Gus

Kaspersky sucks. Never thought I'd say that but it's official. Looks like their run has come to and end.

I find that Avast! covers all of my needs. Good protection, highly configurable, small memory footprint, regular and efficient background updates, and free.

193 Henchman 25  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 8:36:22am

re: #186 Big Steve

With all the controversial topics in the last day here and yet not one down ding in the last 24 hours...have we become that much of an echo chamber?

Neither Buck nor rwmofo have stopped by to drop any turds in the threads.

194 Gus  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 8:38:43am

Dagnabbit. Pushed some buttons and it appears to be normal for the moment.

195 Decatur Deb  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 8:39:23am

re: #193 Artist

Neither Buck nor rwmofo have stopped by to drop any turds in the threads.

We're like sheepdogs without a wolf.

Image: Sam_and_Ralph_clock.png

196 Sol Berdinowitz  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 8:41:16am

re: #195 Decatur Deb

We're like sheepdogs without a wolf.

Image: Sam_and_Ralph_clock.png

that's a coyote

197 Gus  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 8:42:22am

First some people complain about down dings and making bottom comment sweeps then they complain about no bottom comments. Make up your fucking mind.

198 Decatur Deb  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 8:43:04am

re: #196 Expand Your Ground

that's a coyote

Nope. It's Ralph E. Wolf. Wile E. Coyote was drawn almost identically.

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

199 Douchecanoe and Ryan Too  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 8:43:24am

re: #197 Gus

First some people complain about down dings and making bottom comment sweeps then they complain about no bottom comments. Make up your fucking mind.

Make me make up my mind.

200 lawhawk  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 8:44:22am

re: #199 thedopefishlives

If I wanted your opinion, I'd have given it to you. /

201 Gus  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 8:45:21am

re: #199 thedopefishlives

Make me make up my mind.

Help me help you!

202 Sol Berdinowitz  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 8:45:53am

re: #198 Decatur Deb

Nope. It's Ralph E. Wolf. Wile E. Coyote was drawn almost identically.

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

I remember the cartoon as a kid, but was never aware of the distinction.

203 iossarian  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 8:47:13am

re: #198 Decatur Deb

Nope. It's Ralph E. Wolf. Wile E. Coyote was drawn almost identically.

Dude, you are the man. That is awesome cartoon trivia.

204 Decatur Deb  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 8:47:44am

re: #202 Expand Your Ground

I remember the cartoon as a kid, but was never aware of the distinction.

Wiki says the red or black nose is about the only giveaway. (I edited the wiki into the comment above.)

205 Decatur Deb  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 8:49:04am

re: #203 iossarian

Dude, you are the man. That is awesome cartoon trivia.

Got it here. I think it's a recurring LGF theme.

206 GunstarGreen  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 8:49:18am

re: #197 Gus

I believe it stems from two different interpretations of the significance of downdings. Are downdings supposed to signify bad posts (trolling, poorly-constructed content, etc.), or simply posts that the reader disagrees with?

In that way, one can either view it as "opposing views should not be buried with downdings simply because they're opposing views", or "the lack of downdings signifies a lack of opposing views which is unhealthy for open discussion".

207 Gus  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 8:50:34am

Today's jobs report came in with 15,000 less jobs than predicted...

Seriously? Big. Fucking. Deal. Of course the Republicans will make it seem like the end of the world. No wait. They already are. Unemployment remains unchanged.

Let's start another war! [Hurl]

208 iossarian  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 8:51:24am

re: #205 Decatur Deb

Got it here. I think it's a recurring LGF theme.

Hey, if you stick around one place long enough, you become the embodied knowledge. We are all standing on the shoulders of giants. Or pygmies, as the case may be.

209 Decatur Deb  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 8:52:01am

re: #208 iossarian

Hey, if you stick around one place long enough, you become the embodied knowledge. We are all standing on the shoulders of giants. Or pygmies, as the case may be.

Turtles. Another LGF theme.

210 Douchecanoe and Ryan Too  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 8:53:40am

re: #209 Decatur Deb

Turtles. Another LGF theme.

So tell me, ladies, what do you know about sea turtles?

211 Douchecanoe and Ryan Too  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 8:54:31am

re: #207 Gus

Today's jobs report came in with 15,000 less jobs than predicted...

Seriously? Big. Fucking. Deal. Of course the Republicans will make it seem like the end of the world. No wait. They already are. Unemployment remains unchanged.

Let's start another war! [Hurl]

Why not? Wars are great for the economy. Terrible for bumfuck all else, especially international relations, but we don't need no stinkin' international relations, we're AMERCIA, dammit!

//

212 Decatur Deb  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 8:55:57am

re: #210 thedopefishlives

So tell me, ladies, what do you know about sea turtles?

They confuse easily. You can't show lights on the nearby beaches when eggs are laid. TPGOPers are like that, but they don't get laid.

213 Flounder  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 8:55:59am

God loves marines, because marines keep heaven full of fresh bodies!

214 Gus  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 8:56:55am

United States of Walmart

215 NJDhockeyfan  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 8:58:41am

re: #207 Gus

Today's jobs report came in with 15,000 less jobs than predicted...

Seriously? Big. Fucking. Deal. Of course the Republicans will make it seem like the end of the world. No wait. They already are. Unemployment remains unchanged.

Let's start another war! [Hurl]

I believe this is considered a big deal by most Americans sitting at home without a job. Of course the Democrats are going to continue to blame George Bush for this.

216 Flounder  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 8:58:56am

now i want a jelly donut

217 iossarian  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 8:59:48am

re: #211 thedopefishlives

I know this wasn't the point of your comment, but I think the "war is good for the economy" angle is overplayed. Sure, WWII basically forced the US to implement the jobs program that it needed to finally kick the depression. But that's a completely different animal than spending a bunch of money to blow stuff up, and then cutting social programs to pay for it.

218 GunstarGreen  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 8:59:48am

It has always struck me as odd that, in all of the myriad economic mental masturbations that have gone in throughout our present financial woes, nobody (or at least, nobody that gets much play in the mainstream) has brought up the idea that a decade plus of continual war, with absolutely no tax increase of any kind to support the increased expenditures (and, in fact, simultaneous tax CUTS) might just have a significant effect on the national debt.

219 Gus  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 9:00:12am

re: #215 NJDhockeyfan

I believe this is considered a big deal by most Americans sitting at home without a job. Of course the Democrats are going to continue to blame George Bush for this.

Of course. It's not the "Republicans fault" but it's the "Democrat's fault" yet it's no ones fault. Don't say anything about the record profits of the Fortune 500 companies either... Got it.

220 Sol Berdinowitz  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 9:01:05am

re: #215 NJDhockeyfan

I believe this is considered a big deal by most Americans sitting at homeoutside their recently repossessed homes without a job. Of course the Democrats are going to continue to blame George Bush for this.

They certainly do not have any GOP policies to thank.

221 iossarian  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 9:01:15am

re: #215 NJDhockeyfan

I believe this is considered a big deal by most Americans sitting at home without a job. Of course the Democrats are going to continue to blame George Bush for this.

Says the man who will vote for a guy who will make millions if the dollar declines.

222 Douchecanoe and Ryan Too  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 9:01:21am

re: #217 iossarian

I know this wasn't the point of your comment, but I think the "war is good for the economy" angle is overplayed. Sure, WWII basically forced the US to implement the jobs program that it needed to finally kick the depression. But that's a completely different animal than spending a bunch of money to blow stuff up, and then cutting social programs to pay for it.

Well, it was the point insomuch as it is one of the examples any good Teabagger will point to when asked why, exactly, they feel that going to war with Iran is such a Good Thing (tm) for the United States. Obviously, we all know that defense contractors will make a mint during wartime. However, it's not the huge depression-ending bump that the rapid modernization/industrialization programs of WWII were.

223 Big Steve  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 9:01:53am

re: #197 Gus

When I check in each day I check the bottom 10 list first. Some are down dinged for being a-holes but some are down dinged for just not spouting the current LGF party line. I find those more interesting to read than the top 10 which tend to be more of the "hooray for our side" type comments. But I am jaded because I am most often on the bottom 10 myself. Its been interesting because when I first joined LGF the Karma thing wasn't on but once it got turned on, I was often down dinged for being way too liberal. Then there was a period of time, albeit short, where I was main stream. But now I routinely down dinged for being too conservative. I am kind of the less loquacious, less good looking version of Killgore.

224 Gus  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 9:02:03am

re: #220 Expand Your Ground

They certainly do not have any GOP policies to thank.

Yeah. Let's pass another bill to probe womens' vaginas once again.

Next up. Homosexuals and Mexicans!

225 Douchecanoe and Ryan Too  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 9:03:16am

re: #224 Gus

Yeah. Let's pass another bill to probe womens' vaginas once again.

Next up. Homosexuals and Mexicans!

I think the GOP is way ahead of you when it comes to probing homosexuals.

/Yeah, I just went there

226 Decatur Deb  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 9:07:04am

re: #215 NJDhockeyfan

I believe this is considered a big deal by most Americans sitting at home without a job. Of course the Democrats are going to continue to blame George Bush for this.

I'll be happy to. It's just possible that the people who had been running the government and their buddies running the economy in the years before 2009 have fucked it so well that it will never be unfucked.

227 iossarian  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 9:08:33am

When employment crashes massively under one president, and then increases steadily, albeit slowly, under the next, I tend to place blame for unemployment on the earlier guy.

But that's just me and my strange fascination with mathematics and logic.

228 b_sharp  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 9:09:26am

REQUEST FOR DOWN-DING.

If you hate stinky cheese, please down-ding this comment.

Otherwise, please down-ding this comment.

229 Douchecanoe and Ryan Too  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 9:09:49am

re: #227 iossarian

When employment crashes massively under one president, and then increases steadily, albeit slowly, under the next, I tend to place blame for unemployment on the earlier guy.

But that's just me and my strange fascination with mathematics and logic.

I tend not to blame the president at all. I do, however, completely blame the collection of idiots in charge of details like financial sector oversight.

230 Flounder  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 9:10:24am

oops

231 wrenchwench  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 9:10:36am

re: #228 b_sharp

REQUEST FOR DOWN-DING.

If you hate stinky cheese, please down-ding this comment.

Otherwise, please down-ding this comment.

B-sharp has run the entire Bottom Comment category!!!1!

232 GunstarGreen  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 9:11:38am

re: #227 iossarian

When employment crashes massively under one president, and then increases steadily, albeit slowly, under the next, I tend to place blame for unemployment on the earlier guy.

But that's just me and my strange fascination with mathematics and logic.

It's a classic case of moving goalposts. First it was that the economy was worsening under Obama. Then, when that turned out not to be true, it was that the economy wasn't recovering fast enough under Obama.

The idea that recovering from over a decade of bad policy takes more than a couple of years is foreign to a lot of people.

233 wrenchwench  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 9:11:39am

Well, for a second there, he did. And I do hate stinky cheese.

234 iossarian  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 9:11:58am

re: #229 thedopefishlives

I tend not to blame the president at all. I do, however, completely blame the collection of idiots in charge of details like financial sector oversight.

I quite agree, though of course the president bears some responsibility for appointements, legislation and so on.

235 b_sharp  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 9:12:02am

re: #229 thedopefishlives

I tend not to blame the president at all. I do, however, completely blame the collection of idiots in charge of details like financial sector oversight.

I blame the push for deregulation, trickle-down economics and faith in the magic hand of unfettered corporatism.

236 Mattand  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 9:12:50am

re: #184 Expand Your Ground

I am sure that if you press him on it, he will say that he did not mean that in regard to slavery, (which only played a minor rolr in the Civil War in his mind) but in the issue of States' Rights...

The Smithsonian Channel has a series called Aerial America which is bascailly helicopter shots of all 50 states while a narrator voiceovers facts and trivia.

They were doing Mississippi the other night and got to the Jackson Court House. When talking about MS seceding, they mentioned the proclamation read from the porch as to why MS was outta there.

In plain English, MS was leaving the Union because they wanted to preserve slavery. Couldn't have been any clearer.

I'm always amazed at all of these revisionists who claim that the Civil War was about everything else but slavery. It's like deep, deep down they know slavery's wrong, but they bring themselves to say it.

237 A Mom Anon  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 9:12:56am

re: #184 Expand Your Ground

Ted Nugent. Really? The man whose deepest thoughts are contained in the lyrics to WangDangSweetPoontang? Why oh why is he even remotely relevant? GAH. He totally creeps me out.

238 Douchecanoe and Ryan Too  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 9:13:21am

re: #234 iossarian

I quite agree, though of course the president bears some responsibility for appointements, legislation and so on.

On that, we agree. And I will admit that my former rabid support for George W. Bush has tempered considerably over the last few years.

239 Gus  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 9:13:26am

re: #229 thedopefishlives

I tend not to blame the president at all. I do, however, completely blame the collection of idiots in charge of details like financial sector oversight.

I look at the private sector. There is plenty of cash at hand to create and enormous amount of jobs. Instead it's being horded by a small percentage of citizens that keep claiming they're unsure about the future while paying for breast implants; lousy basketball players; and reality TV. I think it's strange that we're talking about creating employment which requires "cash at hand" while we have a luxury class that's living better than ever and providing little to no value to society including the creation of jobs.

240 Decatur Deb  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 9:13:32am

There has been a rather laid-back mood here since the USSC Obamacare decision, then the holiday. That might reflect the slow improvement in the Prez's numbers shown in RCP and Nate Silver's blogs.

241 Vicious Babushka  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 9:14:43am

STAY CLASSY DOUCHEWADS

242 Douchecanoe and Ryan Too  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 9:14:56am

re: #239 Gus

I look at the private sector. There is plenty of cash at hand to create and enormous amount of jobs. Instead it's being horded by a small percentage of citizens that keep claiming they're unsure about the future while paying for breast implants; lousy basketball players; and reality TV. I think it's strange that we're talking about creating employment which requires "cash at hand" while we have a luxury class that's living better than ever and providing little to no value to society including the creation of jobs.

B-b-but those luxurious lifestyles are creating MILLIONS OF JERBS!

243 b_sharp  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 9:16:33am

re: #231 wrenchwench

B-sharp has run the entire Bottom Comment category!!!1!

Yah!!

See, we don't live in an echo chamber!ho chamber!chamber!amber!er fuckit!

244 Gus  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 9:16:35am

15,000 people making 30,000/year = $450,000,000 or

90 reality TV and pop stars making $5,000,000/year.

That's how America work.

245 Douchecanoe and Ryan Too  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 9:17:07am

re: #242 thedopefishlives

Actually, on a more serious note on that topic, I think that's one of the arguments from the rabid right wing that burns me the most. Rush Limbaugh can sit his fat ass behind the Golden EIB Microphone and declare that his buying luxury goods is driving the economy, but that doesn't make it true. Luxury goods generate a lot of revenue, but almost no volume; that means that it's making a very few people very wealthy. Why, it's almost like rich people are building a system to keep themselves rich...

246 The Gender Ambiguity of a Flea  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 9:18:49am

Louisiana Republican: When I Voted for State Funds to go to Religious Schools, I Didn’t Mean Muslim Ones

Rep. Valarie Hodges, R-Watson, says she had no idea that Gov. Bobby Jindal’s overhaul of the state’s educational system might mean taxpayer support of Muslim schools.

“I actually support funding for teaching the fundamentals of America’s Founding Fathers’ religion, which is Christianity, in public schools or private schools,” the District 64 Representative said Monday.

From the derps of derp...derp.

247 wrenchwench  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 9:18:56am

re: #245 thedopefishlives

Actually, on a more serious note on that topic, I think that's one of the arguments from the rabid right wing that burns me the most. Rush Limbaugh can sit his fat ass behind the Golden EIB Microphone and declare that his buying luxury goods is driving the economy, but that doesn't make it true. Luxury goods generate a lot of revenue, but almost no volume; that means that it's making a very few people very wealthy. Why, it's almost like rich people are building a system to keep themselves rich...

Class warfare!

Marx didn't have the answers, but he was asking the right questions.

248 sattv4u2  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 9:19:47am

re: #228 b_sharp

REQUEST FOR DOWN-DING.

If you hate stinky cheese, please down-ding this comment.

Otherwise, please down-ding this comment.

I'm SO conflicted!!

You'll have to read between the dings to see mine!!!

249 wrenchwench  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 9:20:05am

re: #246 The Ghost of a Flea

Louisiana Republican: When I Voted for State Funds to go to Religious Schools, I Didn’t Mean Muslim Ones

From the derps of derp...derp.

"When I say 'religion', I mean MY religion!!"

250 Decatur Deb  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 9:20:29am

If Ted Nugent had been alive in 1860, would he have fouled his breeches to avoid serving with R E Lee?

251 b_sharp  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 9:20:57am

re: #247 wrenchwench

Class warfare!

Marx didn't have the answers, but he was asking the right questions.

Marx was a philosopher, not an economist so his ideas were rooted in fairness to labour, not an interactive global economy.

252 b_sharp  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 9:21:19am

re: #248 sattv4u2

I'm SO conflicted!!

You'll have to read between the dings to see mine!!!

You weinie.

253 NJDhockeyfan  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 9:21:40am

Douchebag Alert:

Mask slips on Le Pen front

JEAN-Marie Le Pen is trying to play a jovial patriot unjustly portrayed in the French press as an anti-Semitic Nazi sympathiser. He dotes over a photograph of his nine grandchildren, talks of his love of dogs and paints his household as a haven of peace.

But in an interview with The Times, the far-right leader lets the mask slip now and then, proclaiming his admiration for skinheads, lauding Enoch Powell and warning that "Pakis" - he uses the English term - are a threat to the British way of life.

He calls Marine Le Pen, his daughter and successor as National Front leader, une petite bourgeoise, exactly what her political opponents say of her. The next Le Pen family reunion at their manor in Saint-Cloud, outside Paris, promises to be stormy.

...

254 sattv4u2  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 9:21:44am

re: #247 wrenchwench

Class warfare!

Marx didn't have the answers, but he was asking the right questions.

Heresy!!

Groucho had ALL the answers!!!

255 Henchman Ghazi-808  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 9:21:46am

re: #215 NJDhockeyfan

I believe this is considered a big deal by most Americans sitting at home without a job. Of course the Democrats are going to continue to blame George Bush for this.

Of course they are. Because they should.

I suppose if Obama didn't spend any $ on Stimulus and let the auto companies fail, and lowered taxes, more people would be back at work now. That's what the Free Market Fairy sez.

256 GunstarGreen  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 9:21:49am

re: #246 The Ghost of a Flea

Louisiana Republican: When I Voted for State Funds to go to Religious Schools, I Didn’t Mean Muslim Ones

From the derps of derp...derp.

Yeah, been hearing about that over the last couple of days. Frankly, I'm pretty enraged that there hasn't been an accompanying story of someone, ANYONE, walking up to these "constitution-loving" Republicans and saying, "What does it say here about Government and Religion?"

Because taxpayer funds being direct specifically to private schools of one and only one religion? It doesn't get much more "regarding the establishment of a religion" than that.

As funny as it is to watch them squirm when they realize that, oh hey, we forgot to specify "christians only", it's equally infuriating that nobody is calling them on it in any capacity other than snarky blog posts.

257 Eventual Carrion  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 9:21:59am

re: #250 Decatur Deb

If Ted Nugent had been alive in 1860, would he have fouled his breeches to avoid serving with R E Lee?

He would have been too busy off fornicating with the great white buffalo.

258 sattv4u2  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 9:22:19am

re: #252 b_sharp

You weinie.

No,, I keep that between the buns!!

259 Henchman Ghazi-808  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 9:22:46am

re: #244 Gus

15,000 people making 30,000/year = $450,000,000 or

90 reality TV and pop stars making $5,000,000/year.

That's how America work.

Don't forget, TV and Poop Stars should be paying even less taxes, because that means more tax $ and they hate because of our freedoms.

260 Mattand  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 9:22:59am

re: #247 wrenchwench

Class warfare!

Marx didn't have the answers, but he was asking the right questions.

Man, when I see Fox News pushing that class warfare meme, I just see 50 shades of red. It's like saying Godzilla is being picked on because the mean old Army is shooting at him.

What's worse, the people who watch that friggin' propaganda network are on the losing end of our current "class warfare", yet repeatedly support the people who are backing them into the corner.

261 wrenchwench  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 9:23:02am

re: #254 sattv4u2

Heresy!!

Groucho had ALL the answers!!!

Actually, Harpo did, but he wasn't sharing....

262 b_sharp  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 9:24:04am

re: #246 The Ghost of a Flea

Louisiana Republican: When I Voted for State Funds to go to Religious Schools, I Didn’t Mean Muslim Ones

From the derps of derp...derp.

Even the royalty of derp could choke on that derp.

263 The Gender Ambiguity of a Flea  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 9:24:09am

re: #257 RayFerd

He would have been too busy off fornicating with the great white buffalo.

The great white buffalo has far better taste than to take up with Ted Nugent.

264 Varek Raith  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 9:25:22am
265 Mattand  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 9:25:28am

re: #254 sattv4u2

Heresy!!

Groucho had ALL the answers!!!

"I am a Marxist of the Groucho sort."
-Anonymous
[Link: www.goodreads.com...]

266 b_sharp  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 9:25:32am

re: #254 sattv4u2

Heresy!!

Groucho had ALL the answers!!!

He made them up on the spot.

267 Henchman Ghazi-808  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 9:25:34am

Let them drink tea

Madame Palin

268 Vicious Babushka  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 9:26:58am

re: #245 thedopefishlives

Actually, on a more serious note on that topic, I think that's one of the arguments from the rabid right wing that burns me the most. Rush Limbaugh can sit his fat ass behind the Golden EIB Microphone and declare that his buying luxury goods is driving the economy, but that doesn't make it true. Luxury goods generate a lot of revenue, but almost no volume; that means that it's making a very few people very wealthy. Why, it's almost like rich people are building a system to keep themselves rich...

The GM bailout created confidence in the auto industry, which lead to jobs opening up at the auto companies, which lead to the newly employed feeling confident enough to invest in their employers by purchasing new cars...

269 b_sharp  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 9:27:00am

re: #258 sattv4u2

No,, I keep that between the buns!!

MMmmm, fresh buns.

271 b_sharp  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 9:28:02am

re: #261 wrenchwench

Actually, Harpo did, but he wasn't sharing...

I prefer Zippo for lighting fires.

272 Decatur Deb  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 9:30:31am

re: #270 Varek Raith

Louisiana Revelation: School Voucher Funding – It’s Not Just For Christians Any More

If someone wants to start a madrassa, wiccan academy, or LGBT refuge-school, and name it for Bobby Jindal, I'll toss in a few bucks.

273 Douchecanoe and Ryan Too  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 9:31:09am

re: #268 Learned Mother of Zion

The GM bailout created confidence in the auto industry, which lead to jobs opening up at the auto companies, which lead to the newly employed feeling confident enough to invest in their employers by purchasing new cars...

That tiny popping sound you hear? Wingnuts' heads asploding.

274 Gus  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 9:31:29am

re: #264 Varek Raith

HAHAHAHA

Don't laugh! That's part of the Republican jobs and manufacturing platform.

//

275 Decatur Deb  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 9:32:01am

re: #268 Learned Mother of Zion

The GM bailout created confidence in the auto industry, which lead to jobs opening up at the auto companies, which lead to the newly employed feeling confident enough to invest in their employers by purchasing new cars...

How would you know? ...Oh...

276 Feline Fearless Leader  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 9:32:35am

re: #210 thedopefishlives

So tell me, ladies, what do you know about sea turtles?

They're less evolved than "G" turtles. And they like to refer to clownfish (and almost everything else) as "dude".
;)

277 Mattand  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 9:33:02am

re: #246 The Ghost of a Flea

Louisiana Republican: When I Voted for State Funds to go to Religious Schools, I Didn’t Mean Muslim Ones

From the derps of derp...derp.

I play this card whenever someone insists we need prayer in public schools. 99% of the people who tell me this want only Christian religion in school. I point out that if a school were to open the day with a Jewish or Muslim prayer, the school board would be fielding death threats for weeks.

The honest ones at least admit they want to force their religion on everyone. The rest usually just shut up.

278 b_sharp  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 9:33:28am

re: #273 thedopefishlives

That tiny popping sound you hear? Wingnuts' heads asploding.

If you're talking WND level wingnuts, Alouette's comment had way too many big words in it for them to understand.

279 The Gender Ambiguity of a Flea  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 9:34:38am

re: #256 GunstarGreen

Yeah, been hearing about that over the last couple of days. Frankly, I'm pretty enraged that there hasn't been an accompanying story of someone, ANYONE, walking up to these "constitution-loving" Republicans and saying, "What does it say here about Government and Religion?"

Because taxpayer funds being direct specifically to private schools of one and only one religion? It doesn't get much more "regarding the establishment of a religion" than that.

As funny as it is to watch them squirm when they realize that, oh hey, we forgot to specify "christians only", it's equally infuriating that nobody is calling them on it in any capacity other than snarky blog posts.

One of the features the "original intent" concept is that you can retroactively claim that the Founders really only meant Christianity to be protected. Heck, that's the entire basis of David Barton's career: ignoring all historical materials that point out that the Framers of the Constitution were (1) pretty well versed in world religion, for the time, (2) were Enlightenment Christians whose ideas about religion were Deist (and perhaps Freemasonic Deism specifically).

The only thing scarier that a-historicity is the built-in conceit that Christianity always means Protestant, evangelical, charsimatic, and ideologically overlapped with modern far-right politics.

280 Douchecanoe and Ryan Too  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 9:34:50am

re: #278 b_sharp

If you're talking WND level wingnuts, Alouette's comment had way too many big words in it for them to understand.

The Dunning-Krueger effect applied to political discourse.

281 Feline Fearless Leader  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 9:34:56am

re: #222 thedopefishlives

Well, it was the point insomuch as it is one of the examples any good Teabagger will point to when asked why, exactly, they feel that going to war with Iran is such a Good Thing (tm) for the United States. Obviously, we all know that defense contractors will make a mint during wartime. However, it's not the huge depression-ending bump that the rapid modernization/industrialization programs of WWII were.

And there was a huge worry post-WW2 that we would demobilize, have a gut of men seeking employment, a glut of industry not producing war goods, and promptly slip right back into another Depression.

282 NJDhockeyfan  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 9:35:48am

How bad is the job market? Depends on your state

...Only 14 states have unemployment rates above the national average. But most of them have large populations. Thirty-four states — more than two-thirds — have rates that are below the national average of 8.2 percent. Two states — Arizona and Kentucky — are at the national average.

Unemployment is highest in Nevada (11.6 percent), where the effects of the housing bust are pervasive. The four states with the next highest rates are: Rhode Island (11 percent), California (10.8 percent), North Carolina (9.4 percent) and New Jersey (9.2 percent).

Unemployment is lowest in North Dakota (3 percent). It's an agricultural state that avoided the housing boom and bust and has benefited from an oil-drilling boom. The four states with the next lowest rates are Nebraska (3.9 percent), South Dakota (4.3 percent), Vermont (4.6 percent) and Oklahoma (4.8 percent).

The Labor Department's state-by-state unemployment data is for May.
...

North Dakota? Hmmmmm...I will keep an eye on that should I find myself looking for a job.

283 Gus  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 9:36:26am

re: #277 Mattand

I play this card whenever someone insists we need prayer in public schools. 99% of the people who tell me this want only Christian religion. I point out that if a school were to open the day with a Jewish or Muslim prayer, the school board would be fielding death threats for weeks.

he honest ones at least admit they want to force their religion on everyone. The rest usually just shut up.

Yep. "Creationism in public schools" means "Christian creationism in public schools" and not any other religion. I would also say that it also doesn't include not only Judaic (if there were to be creationism here) or Muslim religions but include "Catholic creationism." When these Republicans speak of "Christianity" they're largely speaking of Protestantism or Baptist.

284 Brother Holy Cruise Missile of Mild Acceptance  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 9:36:26am

re: #246 The Ghost of a Flea

I LOL'd when I saw that article.

285 Mattand  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 9:37:15am

re: #268 Learned Mother of Zion

The GM bailout created confidence in the auto industry, which lead to jobs opening up at the auto companies, which lead to the newly employed feeling confident enough to invest in their employers by purchasing new cars...

I keep seeing reports that the auto bailouts are costing the US billions of dollars that are lost forever. Is that true, or is that warmed over Tea Bagger talking points the networks are just regurgitating?

EDIT: I meant auto bailouts

286 William Barnett-Lewis  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 9:37:40am

re: #247 wrenchwench

Class warfare!

Marx didn't have the answers, but he was asking the right questions.

His analysis tended to be spot on. The problem was his tendency to utopianism that got magnified out of all reality by Lenin and company.

287 Douchecanoe and Ryan Too  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 9:39:44am

re: #285 Mattand

I keep seeing reports that the bailouts are costing the US billions of dollars that are lost forever. Is that true, or that warmed over Tea Bagger talking points the networks are just regurgitating?

It's twice-baked horse hockey. I thought I heard a report that at least in the case of GM, the bailout funds were largely repaid.

288 Gus  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 9:41:18am

Yes. And removing "critical thinking" from our education process will really bode well for our research, technological, and scientific future on the national front. Yep. Keep teaching them about ghosts and goblins and Bronze age idols. That should work wonders for America's future.

289 Kragar  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 9:42:02am

Ted Nugent: 'I'm Beginning to Wonder if it Would Have Been Best had the South Won the Civil War'

Yogi Berra said that when you come to a fork in the road, take it. When supposed-conservative Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. came to a judicial conservative-liberal fork in the road, he veered left.

With Chief Justice Roberts‘ vote to save Obamacare, I was reminded of what my dad told me more than 50 years ago: Never trust a man who wears a black robe. He might be naked under there.

The bottom line is that Chief Justice Roberts‘ traitor vote will ensure more monumental spending and wasted taxes and put almost 15 percent of the nation’s gross domestic product (GDP) under one of the world’s most bureaucratic, ineffective, incompetent and grossly expensive systems ever devised by man: our out-of- control federal government.

Chief Justice Roberts squandered the opportunity to restore judicial, financial and legislative sanity to a government that by any sane person’s standards is insane and addicted to centralized federal control of our lives.

Because our legislative, judicial and executive branches of government hold the 10th Amendment in contempt, I’m beginning to wonder if it would have been best had the South won the Civil War. Our Founding Fathers’ concept of limited government is dead.

Obamacare will now join Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid as another unaffordable, unsustainable, runaway, unaccountable social program.

Our entitlement programs have bankrupted America. We have dug a financial crater so deep that many doubt we can ever climb out. With his vote, Chief Justice Roberts didn’t give Fedzilla an even bigger shovel, he gave Fedzilla an earth mover with which to dig bigger financial holes.

Quite possibly, with his vote, Chief Justice Roberts just engineered the ultimate demise of this great experiment in self- government. If you think we are skating on financial thin ice now, just wait until 2014 when the full financial tsunami of Obamacare comes crashing down.

The president should have Chief Justice Roberts over for dinner, give him a ride on Air Force One and apologize for not voting for him during his confirmation hearings. It’s the least the community-organizer- in-chief can do for the turncoat chief justice who saved the president’s socialist health care program.

Limited government is dead. The smothering era of socialism is here.

290 The Gender Ambiguity of a Flea  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 9:42:16am

How Four Supreme Court Justices Misquoted Alexander Hamilton

If Congress can do that, the dissenting justices write, “then the Commerce Clause becomes a font of unlimited power, or in Hamilton’s words, “the hideous monster whose devouring jaws ... spare neither sex nor age, nor high nor low, nor sacred nor profane.”

Those are indeed the words of Alexander Hamilton, but, as they’re quoted here, it seems that he must have been warning against the ever-present tyranny of the federal government. But that was not what he was saying.

The image of the devouring monster in Federalist 33 is, in fact, Hamilton sarcastically denouncing the scare tactics of the Anti-Federalists -- the men who opposed the Constitution. Hamilton wanted to assure the voters of New York that far from the tyrannous monster they had been warned about, the broad power of taxation in the Constitution was perfectly consistent with republican government.

The relevant clauses of the Constitution, Hamilton wrote, had been “the source of much virulent invective and petulant declamation…” He castigated his political opponents who had criticized the powers the Constitution gave to the federal government “… in all the exaggerated colors of misrepresentation as the pernicious engines by which their local governments were to be destroyed and their liberties exterminated; as the hideous monster whose devouring jaws would spare neither sex nor age, nor high nor low, nor sacred nor profane.”

Hamilton did not decry the federal government as a constitutional Godzilla. He denounced the Anti-Federalists for their distortions and lies.

So how could such a misreading find its way into the dissenting judgment on the health care reforms?

291 Killgore Trout  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 9:42:59am

re: #223 Big Steve

I am kind of the less loquacious, less good looking version of Killgore.

Unpossible

292 lawhawk  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 9:44:03am

re: #285 Mattand

The auto bailout monies are in two categories - the direct bailout, which has largely been repaid by Chrysler (Fiat) and GM, and the stock ownership that was part of the reorganization of both GM and Chrysler.

It's the stock ownership portion of the bailout that is a persistent loss for the taxpayers unless the stocks for those companies rise above the strike price (which I think is in the mid 40s for GM). Selling at less than that price would mean a loss. So, as of now, the losses are paper losses. If GM stock price rises to that strike level, the taxpayers would be fully covered. If it goes above that level, taxpayers get a windfall profit.

The selling of GM stock would depend on the politics - not wanting to take undue losses versus needing to divest from the position. IIRC some 500 million GM shares are owned by the feds.

*added* - the feds sold their remaining shares to Fiat, giving Fiat more than 50% ownership in the company, and the feds lost $1.3 billion on the whole from Chrysler.

293 b_sharp  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 9:44:52am

re: #282 NJDhockeyfan

How bad is the job market? Depends on your state

North Dakota? Hmmm...I will keep an eye on that should I find myself looking for a job.

If you check Canada's top two provinces, you'll see they're sitting on the same or similar oil fields to those in ND. Oil (and potash in Sask) is the main driver of those economies since the price of oil skyrocketed. When it was $20/brl it wasn't worth it to pull oil from the oil-sands, but $120.00/brl oil makes it worth it to squeeze oil from a rock. If production increases too much and the price drops, the economies of the west are going to take a hit.

294 Douchecanoe and Ryan Too  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 9:45:32am

re: #288 Gus

Yes. And removing "critical thinking" from our education process will really bode well for our research, technological, and scientific future on the national front. Yep. Keep teaching them about ghosts and goblins and Bronze age idols. That should work wonders for America's future.

I never understood why people thought it was a good idea to start de-emphasizing real math and science in the classroom and to start "teaching the controversy" instead. Concrete reasoning skills are important.

295 Brother Holy Cruise Missile of Mild Acceptance  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 9:45:51am

re: #290 The Ghost of a Flea

BECAUSE SHUT UP! THAT'S WHY! //Scalia

296 Brother Holy Cruise Missile of Mild Acceptance  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 9:46:51am

oh, if you haven't seen it, I highly recommend the documentary "Gasland".

298 b_sharp  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 9:47:30am

re: #285 Mattand

I keep seeing reports that the bailouts are costing the US billions of dollars that are lost forever. Is that true, or is that warmed over Tea Bagger talking points the networks are just regurgitating?

What is the breakdown in funds. How much was in loans, how much was in gifts and how much in stock?

299 sattv4u2  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 9:47:39am

re: #291 Killgore Trout

Unpossible

Thats right ,, Only one can be, and thats moi!!

300 Killgore Trout  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 9:48:36am

re: #294 thedopefishlives

I never understood why people thought it was a good idea to start de-emphasizing real math and science in the classroom and to start "teaching the controversy" instead. Concrete reasoning skills are important.

I was talking to my hippie neighbors. They are moving because they want a better school system for their kids. Portland schools are notoriously awful. I was surprised when they said they wanted a school system with classes in gardening, composting and music. No mention of fundamentals. Those are all things I enjoy but it's really hard to make a living composting.

301 Gus  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 9:49:31am

Oh brother. LOLGOP Retweeted this.

302 lawhawk  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 9:49:35am

re: #300 Killgore Trout

Pundits seem to be able to quite well in flinging the compost..

303 sattv4u2  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 9:49:36am

re: #300 Killgore Trout

it's really hard to make a living composting

I dunno. I can point to lots of people that make a good living shoveling shit!!.

304 Feline Fearless Leader  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 9:51:37am

re: #283 Gus

Yep. "Creationism in public schools" means "Christian creationism in public schools" and not any other religion. I would also say that it also doesn't include not only Judaic (if there were to be creationism here) or Muslim religions but include "Catholic creationism." When these Republicans speak of "Christianity" they're largely speaking of Protestantism or Baptist.

Which is partially amusing given where the Baptists stood on the separating church and state issue a few hundred years ago. All part of evolving divinely re-creating one's position on such issues.

305 Mattand  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 9:52:49am

re: #292 lawhawk

The auto bailout monies are in two categories - the direct bailout, which has largely been repaid by Chrysler (Fiat) and GM, and the stock ownership that was part of the reorganization of both GM and Chrysler.

It's the stock ownership portion of the bailout that is a persistent loss for the taxpayers unless the stocks for those companies rise above the strike price (which I think is in the mid 40s for GM). Selling at less than that price would mean a loss. So, as of now, the losses are paper losses. If GM stock price rises to that strike level, the taxpayers would be fully covered. If it goes above that level, taxpayers get a windfall profit.

The selling of GM stock would depend on the politics - not wanting to take undue losses versus needing to divest from the position. IIRC some 500 million GM shares are owned by the feds.

Goddamn, do you just know all of this stuff, or do you research at Flash levels?

Appreciate the info. I was just poking around FactCheck.org, and they mentioned that we're still $40 billion in the hole. They do mention the Treasury Department's TARP udpdate, but if there's a mention of stocks, I couldn't figure it out.

I'd be curious to see how all of this is reported if the stocks bounce back.

306 Brother Holy Cruise Missile of Mild Acceptance  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 9:53:29am

re: #304 Feline Emperor of the Conservative Waste

but see that's when the baptists were more of a minority and were threatened. Now it's time for payback....

//

307 Mattand  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 9:53:35am

re: #298 b_sharp

What is the breakdown in funds. How much was in loans, how much was in gifts and how much in stock?

Lawhawk FTW.

308 Mostly sane, most of the time.  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 9:54:11am

re: #300 Killgore Trout

I was talking to my hippie neighbors. They are moving because they want a better school system for their kids. Portland schools are notoriously awful. I was surprised when they said they wanted a school system with classes in gardening, composting and music. No mention of fundamentals. Those are all things I enjoy but it's really hard to make a living composting.

Where are they moving to?

309 sattv4u2  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 9:54:12am

An UPDING for former President GW Bush and wife Laura

[Link: www.voanews.com...]

310 William Barnett-Lewis  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 9:54:18am

re: #300 Killgore Trout

I was talking to my hippie neighbors. They are moving because they want a better school system for their kids. Portland schools are notoriously awful. I was surprised when they said they wanted a school system with classes in gardening, composting and music. No mention of fundamentals. Those are all things I enjoy but it's really hard to make a living composting.

Music is critical to the fundamentals though. A real grounding in music generally improves both reading and, especially, math skills. Mind, this is only from serious music classes not sitting around regurgitation bad folk songs. Theory, scales, an instrument and voice as a minimum. Unfortunately no one wants to pay for that because it's not something they can force people to teach to the test about.

311 lawhawk  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 9:54:38am

re: #305 Mattand

Having a real good memory doesn't hurt, and knowing where to find information in a jiffy is a bonus.

312 sattv4u2  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 9:55:05am

re: #308 Mostly sane, most of the time.

Where are they moving to?

An Amish community!!
//

313 Feline Fearless Leader  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 9:56:06am

re: #293 b_sharp

If you check Canada's top two provinces, you'll see they're sitting on the same or similar oil fields to those in ND. Oil (and potash in Sask) is the main driver of those economies since the price of oil skyrocketed. When it was $20/brl it wasn't worth it to pull oil from the oil-sands, but $120.00/brl oil makes it worth it to squeeze oil from a rock. If production increases too much and the price drops, the economies of the west are going to take a hit.

My brother said last night that in two hundred years those writing the literature on human history will be saying "They did *what* with the oil!?!" along with lamenting that their predecessors had foreknowledge of global warming effects and opted to do nothing about it. And that Bangladesh will be the new Lyonesse.

314 NJDhockeyfan  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 9:57:01am

re: #309 sattv4u2

An UPDING for former President GW Bush and wife Laura

[Link: www.voanews.com...]

Good stuff!

LUSAKA — Former President George W. Bush has kept a relatively low profile in the United States since leaving office. But in Africa this week he is publicly promoting his institute's initiative to prevent and treat cervical cancer. While Bush is following a familiar post-presidential path in supporting humanitarian causes, he would prefer to focus on quiet service, to lead through example and hard work.

He worked alongside other volunteers in Kabwe - Zambia's second-largest city - to renovate a health clinic which specializes in the early detection and treatment of cervical cancer.

“You're always the former president but I wanted to come here as a laborer...I do want to say that on this particular trip that myself and friends have left behind a clinic and hope to inspire others to come and refurbish clinics as well,” Bush said.

Bush is helping lead the fight against cervical cancer in his post-presidential years and has so far helped raise more than $85 million. But he is a reluctant public spokesman for the cause and says he would prefer to contribute outside the media spotlight.

“I hope you don't see much of it because I don't want to be in the news. In other words, I believe that quiet service is the best kind of service,” he said.

In Zambia, Bush and his wife Laura also visited an orphanage where many of the children were born with HIV. The children are alive today because of President Bush's 2003 AIDS initiative in Africa that provided billions of dollars for retroviral drugs and treatment. It is an emotional tour full of hugs and picture taking.

“I believe freedom is important for peace and I believe one aspect of freedom is people to be free from disease. And so Laura and I are very much involved in this initiative,” Bush said.

That's a class act.

315 Douchecanoe and Ryan Too  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 9:57:09am

re: #310 William Barnett-Lewis

Music is critical to the fundamentals though. A real grounding in music generally improves both reading and, especially, math skills. Mind, this is only from serious music classes not sitting around regurgitation bad folk songs. Theory, scales, an instrument and voice as a minimum. Unfortunately no one wants to pay for that because it's not something they can force people to teach to the test about.

There's nothing wrong with the arts. However, people need basic education in fundamental math, science, and language, as well. The ability to reason logically is at least as important as raw creativity, even in "creative" or "artsy" career paths.

316 Varek Raith  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 9:57:15am
317 Mattand  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 9:57:18am

re: #300 Killgore Trout

I was talking to my hippie neighbors. They are moving because they want a better school system for their kids. Portland schools are notoriously awful. I was surprised when they said they wanted a school system with classes in gardening, composting and music. No mention of fundamentals. Those are all things I enjoy but it's really hard to make a living composting.

Music, I can understand. Gardening and composting? Um. Wow.

318 sattv4u2  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 9:58:17am

re: #317 Mattand

Music, I can understand. Gardening and composting? Um. Wow. Oh, Shit

ftfy

319 sattv4u2  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 9:59:01am

re: #316 Varek Raith

Check Your Computer for Malware -- Or Lose Internet Access on Monday
Click to see if you're infected or not.
[Link: dnschanger.detect.my...]

conundrum

Do I trust Varek enough to click on a link about a VIRUS !!!

hmmmmm,,,,,
//

320 b_sharp  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 9:59:13am

re: #313 Feline Emperor of the Conservative Waste

My brother said last night that in two hundred years those writing the literature on human history will be saying "They did *what* with the oil!?!" along with lamenting that their predecessors had foreknowledge of global warming effects and opted to do nothing about it. And that Bangladesh will be the new Lyonesse.

God moves in mysterious waves.

321 Gus  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 9:59:36am
322 Feline Fearless Leader  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 9:59:57am

re: #316 Varek Raith

Check Your Computer for Malware -- Or Lose Internet Access on Monday
Click to see if you're infected or not.
[Link: dnschanger.detect.my...]

Hey, that's Muslim security! Probably installing creeping sharia virus while you're not looking!

Note: Malaysian site doing that security check. :)

323 iossarian  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 10:01:00am

re: #314 NJDhockeyfan

Good stuff!

That's a class act.

That's nice.

It's a shame he opposed providing African women with contraception when he was in power. That would have done a whole lot more good.

324 lawhawk  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 10:01:01am

re: #305 Mattand

The Dept. of Treasury (aka the Feds) own 31.9% of the outstanding stock or more than 500 million shares in GM. At current prices, that's a little more than $11.5 billion. Breakeven is at $53 a share, meaning that the feds are down about $14.5 billion.

325 Mostly sane, most of the time.  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 10:01:35am

re: #317 Mattand

Music, I can understand. Gardening and composting? Um. Wow.

Piano lesson. They're not just about piano. They're about brain training as well.

326 Brother Holy Cruise Missile of Mild Acceptance  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 10:01:38am
327 Varek Raith  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 10:01:39am

re: #322 Feline Emperor of the Conservative Waste

Note: Malaysian site doing that security check. :)

The US version of that site is overloaded atm.
[Link: www.dns-ok.us...]

328 b_sharp  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 10:01:50am

re: #316 Varek Raith

Check Your Computer for Malware -- Or Lose Internet Access on Monday
Click to see if you're infected or not.
[Link: dnschanger.detect.my...]

I'm pretty careful with my home networks.

329 Vicious Babushka  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 10:02:02am

re: #321 Gus

Stupid.

I have stopped being surprised by the massive amount of breathtaking bullshit that is tweeted out of Mondoweiss.

330 b_sharp  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 10:02:29am

re: #319 sattv4u2

conundrum

Do I trust Varek enough to click on a link about a VIRUS !!!

hmmm,,,
//

It's OK, it's from Malaysia.

331 Varek Raith  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 10:02:40am

re: #321 Gus

Stupid.

I heard he was in league with the Romulans.

332 sattv4u2  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 10:02:48am

re: #321 Gus

Stupid.

Tell Karen J for me that I know a guy that mowed the lawn of a lady whose daughter babysat for a family that had a cat that once got into a fight with a dog that used to live down the street from that guy that used to wash Cantors cars, so I should be investigated also!!!

334 Douchecanoe and Ryan Too  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 10:04:28am

re: #333 Kragar

Fischer: Government Should Mandate that Everyone Attend Church and Tax Those Who Don't

*epic facepalm*

Ugh. Why can't my fellow Christians actually be Christ-like instead of bigoted derpy dipshits.

335 b_sharp  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 10:04:49am

re: #332 sattv4u2

Tell Karen J for me that I know a guy that mowed the lawn of a lady whose daughter babysat for a family that had a cat that once got into a fight with a dog that used to live down the street from that guy that used to wash Cantors cars, so I should be investigated also!!!

You should start listening for the black helicopters right about ... NOW!

336 iossarian  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 10:04:50am
337 Feline Fearless Leader  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 10:05:12am

re: #330 b_sharp

It's OK, it's from Malaysia.

[Durian v1.1.003 sucessfully installed. Please reboot your system. This makes your computer smell bad enough to repel all known virii and malware.]
;)

338 Douchecanoe and Ryan Too  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 10:05:16am

re: #335 b_sharp

You should start listening for the black helicopters right about ... NOW!

Sorry. Fleet's down for maintenance today.

339 brennant  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 10:05:29am

re: #334 thedopefishlives

bigoted derpy dipshits

The name of next album.

340 sattv4u2  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 10:05:30am

re: #335 b_sharp

You should start listening for the black helicopters right about ... NOW!

You never hear them coming!

341 Varek Raith  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 10:05:40am

re: #335 b_sharp

You should start listening for the black helicopters right about ... NOW!

You can't hear them silly.
Also, thanks to me, you can no longer see them. Cloaking devices FTW.

342 Gus  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 10:06:07am

re: #332 sattv4u2

Tell Karen J for me that I know a guy that mowed the lawn of a lady whose daughter babysat for a family that had a cat that once got into a fight with a dog that used to live down the street from that guy that used to wash Cantors cars, so I should be investigated also!!!

Yeah. Did you see that? Suddenly Eric Cantor gets thrown into the conspiracy. Seriously? And this is coming from my so called secular, and SKEPTICAL peers? Even Retweeted by LOLGOP? WTF. SNAFU.

343 sattv4u2  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 10:06:27am

re: #335 b_sharp

You should start listening for the black African American helicopters right about ... NOW!

ftfy!

//

344 b_sharp  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 10:07:11am

re: #338 thedopefishlives

Sorry. Fleet's down for maintenance today.

I didn't get the memo.

OK, then send the black Fiats.

345 Sol Berdinowitz  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 10:07:22am

re: #270 Varek Raith

Louisiana Revelation: School Voucher Funding – It’s Not Just For Christians Any More

I suspect that it is all part of a subtle creeping Sharia trick: she is practicing a form of Taqqiyah - lying to infidels - in order to play stupid on the issue.

Becasue I refuse to belive that anyobdy, even in Louisiana, could be that friggin' dumb.

/

346 sattv4u2  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 10:07:30am

re: #342 Gus

Yeah. Did you see that? Suddenly Eric Cantor gets thrown into the conspiracy. Seriously? And this is coming from my so called secular, and SKEPTICAL peers? Even Retweeted by LOLGOP? WTF. SNAFU.

Seriously

I don't tweet. So I'll give you a dollar if you send that to Karen J!!

347 Mostly sane, most of the time.  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 10:07:33am

re: #333 Kragar

Fischer: Government Should Mandate that Everyone Attend Church and Tax Those Who Don't

In Colonial Williamsburg, they showed us the balcony that the students at William & Mary used to sit in. They were locked in by their professors. (Causing me to wonder what happened in a fire?)

I propose that if everyone should have to attend church, Fischer should be forced to attend a church he doesn't actually believe in, just to be fair.

Not my ward, though. No thanks.

348 Killgore Trout  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 10:08:15am

re: #308 Mostly sane, most of the time.

Where are they moving to?

I don't know. They were talking about some new eco-friendly housing development further south. Maybe a commune.

349 Mattand  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 10:08:32am

re: #324 lawhawk

I'm an idiot. It's all explained by Footnote 10 in the TARP Update PDF.

Appreciate you pointing me in the right direction.

350 Kragar  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 10:08:33am

re: #347 Mostly sane, most of the time.

In Colonial Williamsburg, they showed us the balcony that the students at William & Mary used to sit in. They were locked in by their professors. (Causing me to wonder what happened in a fire?)

I propose that if everyone should have to attend church, Fischer should be forced to attend a church he doesn't actually believe in, just to be fair.

Not my ward, though. No thanks.

Fischer would fail to answer the riddle of steel.

351 Gus  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 10:09:16am

re: #346 sattv4u2

Seriously

I don't tweet. So I'll give you a dollar if you send that to Karen J!!

I already Tweeted the others:

352 Douchecanoe and Ryan Too  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 10:09:45am

re: #344 b_sharp

I didn't get the memo.

OK, then send the black Fiats.

When did we switch to Fiats? Last I checked, they were Smart cars.

353 sattv4u2  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 10:10:06am

re: #348 Killgore Trout

I don't know. They were talking about some new eco-friendly housing development further south. Maybe a commune.

I hear you can get one of these ,, cheap

[Link: images.travelpod.com...]

354 Killgore Trout  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 10:10:52am

re: #351 Gus

I already Tweeted the others:

[Embedded content]

Polonium!

355 Gus  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 10:11:20am

re: #354 Killgore Trout

Polonium!

Cyanide producing GM grass!

356 sattv4u2  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 10:11:35am

re: #351 Gus

Mine would have been better!!!

357 iossarian  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 10:11:47am

re: #350 Kragar

Fischer would fail to answer the riddle of steel.

I think he'd fail to answer the riddle of "what common household pet starts with c and rhymes with hat?"

358 Feline Fearless Leader  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 10:11:54am

re: #347 Mostly sane, most of the time.

In Colonial Williamsburg, they showed us the balcony that the students at William & Mary used to sit in. They were locked in by their professors. (Causing me to wonder what happened in a fire?)

I propose that if everyone should have to attend church, Fischer should be forced to attend a church he doesn't actually believe in, just to be fair.

Not my ward, though. No thanks.

Heinz Field Megachurch of the Steeler Faithful. Our only dogma is "black and gold".
;)

359 Gus  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 10:12:14am

re: #356 sattv4u2

Mine would have been better!!!

I work really hard at being polite.

//

360 b_sharp  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 10:12:20am

re: #352 thedopefishlives

When did we switch to Fiats? Last I checked, they were Smart cars.

Fiat bought Chrysler.

361 Feline Fearless Leader  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 10:12:33am

re: #348 Killgore Trout

I don't know. They were talking about some new eco-friendly housing development further south. Maybe a commune.

Are you going to get them a box of rats as a going away present?
//

362 Douchecanoe and Ryan Too  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 10:12:42am

re: #360 b_sharp

Fiat bought Chrysler.

Oh, I see. Keeping it American.

363 Decatur Deb  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 10:12:43am

re: #300 Killgore Trout

I was talking to my hippie neighbors. They are moving because they want a better school system for their kids. Portland schools are notoriously awful. I was surprised when they said they wanted a school system with classes in gardening, composting and music. No mention of fundamentals. Those are all things I enjoy but it's really hard to make a living composting.

Go ahead--talk them out of the move. You know you should.

364 b_sharp  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 10:13:12am

re: #359 Gus

I work really hard at being polite.

//

Say what?

365 Vicious Babushka  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 10:13:19am

re: #360 b_sharp

Fiat bought Chrysler.

From Daimler/Benz.

366 Sol Berdinowitz  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 10:13:26am

re: #246 The Ghost of a Flea

Louisiana Republican: When I Voted for State Funds to go to Religious Schools, I Didn’t Mean Muslim Ones

From the derps of derp...derp.

There is only one defense from here: double down and insist that Islam is not a religion, it is a political system contrary to the Constitution.

367 Henchman Ghazi-808  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 10:13:35am

Isn't Polonium some new club drug or boy band?

368 Gus  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 10:14:50am

re: #364 b_sharp

Say what?

It's the polonium. It's gone to mah brainz!

//

369 The Gender Ambiguity of a Flea  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 10:15:07am

Free Speech Under Siege: Obama ‘Jokes’ About Turning Off Fox News At A Bar

...during an impromptu visit to Ziggy’s Pub and Restaurant, the President imperiously demanded that all dissent be stifled forever. As the nascent dictator talked with “supporters” in the bar, a member of the group of locals, Jeff Hawks, pointed at one of the TV’s and said, “You’re in a building that has Fox news on.” Pool reporter Mark Landler of the New York Times captured the chilling conversation that followed:

Obama suggested that Hawks ask for it to be changed. “The customer is always right,” he said.

“I’ll arm-wrestle you for your vote,” Hawks said to Obama. “No, I’ll play basketball for your vote,” he replied.

This is what prompted the Twitchy freakout?

Man, they really live up to their name.

370 Henchman Ghazi-808  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 10:15:18am

re: #366 Expand Your Ground

There is only one defense from here: double down and insist that Islam is not a religion, it is a political system contrary to the Constitution.

It's a political system based on a religion. Based on a some dude several hundred years ago that loved. And smited. Lots of love and smiting. Sorta goes together, love and smiting.

371 Vicious Babushka  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 10:16:01am

TOO FUNNY

I think this is the "real" Mitt Romney account, not a spoof.

372 Douchecanoe and Ryan Too  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 10:16:07am

re: #369 The Ghost of a Flea

Free Speech Under Siege: Obama ‘Jokes’ About Turning Off Fox News At A Bar

This is what prompted the Twitchy freakout?

Man, they really live up to their name.

Oh, that there's funny, I don't care who y'are.

373 lawhawk  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 10:16:36am

re: #365 Learned Mother of Zion

Actually, after Daimler Chrysler went bust, Daimler sold Chrysler to Cerebus, which was the entity running Chrysler when it declared bankruptcy.

Fiat ended up buying Chrysler in the reorganization process.

374 b_sharp  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 10:16:51am

re: #367 Kronocide

Isn't Polonium some new club drug or boy band?

club drug boy band

club drug
club boy
club band
drug boy
drug band
boy band

Why do they all make sense?

375 iossarian  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 10:16:59am

re: #371 Learned Mother of Zion

TOO FUNNY

[Embedded content]

I think this is the "real" Mitt Romney account, not a spoof.

I HAVE BETTER IDEAS

YES

VOTE FOR ME

YES

I WILL MAKE EVERYTHING BETTER FOR EVERYONE

MITT ROMNEY 2012

YES

376 Varek Raith  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 10:17:15am

re: #369 The Ghost of a Flea

Free Speech Under Siege: Obama ‘Jokes’ About Turning Off Fox News At A Bar

This is what prompted the Twitchy freakout?

Man, they really live up to their name.

Wait till they here my priest jokes!

377 Mattand  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 10:17:19am

re: #369 The Ghost of a Flea

Free Speech Under Siege: Obama ‘Jokes’ About Turning Off Fox News At A Bar

This is what prompted the Twitchy freakout?

Man, they really live up to their name.

Wonkette is becoming my new favorite site. Jon Stewart should hire them for TDS.

378 Eventual Carrion  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 10:17:22am

re: #333 Kragar

Fischer: Government Should Mandate that Everyone Attend Church and Tax Those Who Don't

Why does this person hate the US Constitution? Should this person be charged with sedition for making these kinds of statements to incite revolution against our founding principals?

379 sattv4u2  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 10:17:53am

re: #375 iossarian

I wonder if he can buy some old HOPE and CHANGE signs?

380 Killgore Trout  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 10:19:29am

re: #363 Decatur Deb

Go ahead--talk them out of the move. You know you should.

I would rather have them stay. They're ok folks. It's always a crap shoot with new neighbors.

381 Henchman Ghazi-808  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 10:19:38am

re: #369 The Ghost of a Flea

Charles will post this for sure. What irreducible douchenozzles.

382 sattv4u2  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 10:20:03am

re: #300 Killgore Trout

re: #363 Decatur Deb

Go ahead--talk them out of the move. You know you should.

The only way Kilgore could do that is if KILGORE promises to move!!!

383 sattv4u2  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 10:20:56am

re: #380 Killgore Trout

I would rather have them stay. They're ok folks. It's always a crap shoot with new neighbors.

There's your problem

Never shoot craps with the neighbors

Shitty idea!!

384 Henchman Ghazi-808  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 10:21:00am

re: #374 b_sharp

club drug boy band

club drug
club boy
club band
drug boy
drug band
boy band

Why do they all make sense?

Yeah, after the seventh reading really fast, there seems to be some concoction.

385 Eventual Carrion  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 10:21:32am

re: #358 Feline Emperor of the Conservative Waste

Heinz Field Megachurch of the Steeler Faithful. Our only dogma is "black and gold".
;)

Go Stillers 'n 'at

386 sattv4u2  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 10:21:36am

re: #384 Kronocide

Yeah, after the seventh reading really fast Vodka Martini , there seems to be some concoction.

ftfy

387 Kragar  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 10:21:41am

Reagan-Appointed Judge Defends Roberts, Says GOP Has Become ‘Goofy’

In a candid interview with NPR Thursday, Posner opened up about what he sees as a “real deterioration in conservative thinking” over the last decade.

“I’ve become less conservative since the Republican Party started becoming goofy,” Posner said.

388 Killgore Trout  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 10:22:01am

re: #382 sattv4u2

re: #363 Decatur Deb

The only way Kilgore could do that is if KILGORE promises to move!!!

They were actually very sweet about it and thanked me for "enriching their environment" with the sounds from the pond and the frogs.

389 iossarian  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 10:22:15am

re: #369 The Ghost of a Flea

Free Speech Under Siege: Obama ‘Jokes’ About Turning Off Fox News At A Bar

This is what prompted the Twitchy freakout?

Man, they really live up to their name.

From the comments:

Sarah Palin responded by visiting Wasilla library and asking them to turn all their books off.

390 Vicious Babushka  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 10:22:23am

Some Twitter accounts are worth following just for the world class DERP.

391 Mostly sane, most of the time.  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 10:22:52am

re: #388 Killgore Trout

They were actually very sweet about it and thanked me for "enriching their environment" this the sounds from the pond and the frogs.

I have trouble seeing hippies not liking frogs and greenhouses.

Are they moving to the Beaverton school district?

392 Varek Raith  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 10:23:30am

re: #390 Learned Mother of Zion

Some Twitter accounts are worth following just for the world class DERP.

[Embedded content]

Why does he hate America?

393 Decatur Deb  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 10:23:40am

re: #388 Killgore Trout

They were actually very sweet about it and thanked me for "enriching their environment" this the sounds from the pond and the frogs.

A commune of cat-people who hate frogs could replace them..

394 sattv4u2  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 10:25:01am

re: #393 Decatur Deb

A commune of cat-people who hate frogs could replace them..

worse,,,,, a commune of frog eating frogs!!

Image: Cambodia_Frog_Eating_Frog.JPG

STEALTH!!!

395 Mostly sane, most of the time.  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 10:25:02am

re: #393 Decatur Deb

A commune of cat-people who hate frogs could replace them..

Our neighbors were talking loudly outside at 3 am this morning. And banging on something--couldn't figure that one out.

396 William Barnett-Lewis  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 10:25:21am

re: #334 thedopefishlives

*epic facepalm*

Ugh. Why can't my fellow Christians actually be Christ-like instead of bigoted derpy dipshits.

Amen.

397 Decatur Deb  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 10:25:38am

re: #390 Learned Mother of Zion

Some Twitter accounts are worth following just for the world class DERP.

[Embedded content]

"Bryan Fischer @BryanJFischer

Did the American Revolution violate the Romans 13 command to submit to government? Column is up: bit.ly/NbiljS"

Yes.
Next question.

398 sattv4u2  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 10:25:48am

re: #395 Mostly sane, most of the time.

Our neighbors were talking loudly outside at 3 am this morning. And banging on something--couldn't figure that one out.

tell your neighbors to bang in the privacy of their own bedroom

((unless you have a real good video camera!!))

399 b_sharp  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 10:25:57am

re: #389 iossarian

From the comments:

The ability to think critically and logically has taken a nose dive since getting a 'liberal education' has been de-emphasized.

400 Gus  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 10:25:58am

Let's see why Oliver Stone is trending...

401 Sol Berdinowitz  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 10:26:01am

re: #394 sattv4u2

worse,,, a commune of frog eating frogs!!

Image: Cambodia_Frog_Eating_Frog.JPG

STEALTH!!!

Didn't Ted Nugent write a song about that?

402 Decatur Deb  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 10:26:40am

re: #395 Mostly sane, most of the time.

Our neighbors were talking loudly outside at 3 am this morning. And banging on something--couldn't figure that one out.

Were they sitting in a circle, smelling of pepperspray?

403 Gus  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 10:26:54am

Ah, just a new movie called "Savages." Whew. Thought it was another pronouncement to be adhered to by Puritopians.

//

404 lawhawk  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 10:27:18am

re: #387 Kragar

Posner = RINO! /

Mind you that Judge Posner is one of the most respected jurists in the country. He gets it, even if he didn't go far enough in denouncing the right wing wackaloons who are running the show.

405 Kragar  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 10:27:46am

re: #400 Gus

Let's see why Oliver Stone is trending...

New movie.

406 sattv4u2  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 10:27:50am

And on that note, being awake for 32 straight hours is taking it's toll on me

C
Ya

407 Mattand  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 10:28:14am

re: #395 Mostly sane, most of the time.

Our neighbors were talking loudly outside at 3 am this morning. And banging on something--couldn't figure that one out.

We're in a state of detente right now, but my neighbor threatened us a few years back because we asked him to stop letting his dogs shit on our yard.

Granted, I was bagging the stuff and dropping it on their side, but here's the interesting thing: once the cops got involved, the problem went away. Go figure.

408 Varek Raith  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 10:28:56am

re: #406 sattv4u2

And on that note, being awake for 32 straight hours is taking it's toll on me

C
Ya

TV CRASHED!
FIX IT
FIX IT
FIX IT
FIX IT
FIX IT
FIX IT
FIX IT
FIX IT
FIX IT
FIX IT
FIX IT
Also

409 Killgore Trout  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 10:30:16am

re: #391 Mostly sane, most of the time.

I have trouble seeing hippies not liking frogs and greenhouses.

Are they moving to the Beaverton school district?

I think a bit south of Sellwood but I'm not really sure.

410 Mostly sane, most of the time.  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 10:31:48am

re: #407 Mattand

We're in a state of detente right now, but my neighbor threatened us a few years back because we asked him to stop letting his dogs shit on our yard.

Granted, I was bagging the stuff and dropping it on their side, but here's the interesting thing: once the cops got involved, the problem went away. Go figure.

The folks before them we had had to call the cops for noise. That was after we lay awake from 1-3 listening to a drunken party or fight or something.

They stopped after they found out what the ticket was for making a lot of noise in the middle of the night.

411 Lidane  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 10:47:23am

Not from The Onion:

Republican Horrified to Discover that Christianity is Not the Only Religion

It's an honest mistake, assuming that the Constitution only protects your own personal megachurch faith. But one Louisiana Republican is learning the hard way that religious school vouchers can be used to fund education at all sorts of religious schools, even Muslim ones. And while she's totally in favor of taxpayer money being used to pay for kids to go to Christian schools, she's willing to put a stop to the entire program if Muslim schools are going to be involved.

Valarie Hodges admitted that when she supported Governor Bobby Jindal's school voucher program, she only did so because she assumed the religious school vouchers could only be used for Christian schools.

412 Flounder  Fri, Jul 6, 2012 10:50:17am

Powerful documentary on the epidemic of meth use, this is in Montana.


I urge everyone to watch this.

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