mmm, pan fried potatoes with onion and garlic

Cloudy here today, but brutally humid and still very hot.

I’ve got nothing but empathy for people who suffer from anxiety and panic attacks but this just isn’t the way to handle it:

PORTLAND, Maine — A civilian laborer set a fire that caused $400 million in damage to a nuclear-powered submarine because he had anxiety and wanted to get out of work early, Navy investigators said Monday.

Casey James Fury, 24, of Portsmouth, N.H., faces up to life in prison if convicted of two counts of arson in the fire aboard the USS Miami attack submarine while it was in dry dock May 23 and a second blaze outside the sub on June 16.

Fury was taking medications for anxiety and depression and told investigators he set the fires so he could get out of work, according a seven-page affidavit filed Monday in U.S. District Court in Portland.

re: #3 goddamnedfrank

I’ve got nothing but empathy for people who suffer from anxiety and panic attacks but this just isn’t the way to handle it:

He never heard of faking sickness?

re: #3 goddamnedfrank

I’ve got nothing but empathy for people who suffer from anxiety and panic attacks but this just isn’t the way to handle it:

That does require a prison sentence, though I wouldn’t give him life. 10 years sounds about right for a crime of his magnitude.

re: #2 Dark_Falcon

Cloudy here today, but brutally humid and still very hot.

Water vapor is a more potent greenhouse gas than CO2.

re: #3 goddamnedfrank

I’ve got nothing but empathy for people who suffer from anxiety and panic attacks but this just isn’t the way to handle it:

Starting a fire inside the giant steel tube which you yourself are inside: rarely a brilliant move.

Just sayin’.

I don’t think an anxiety attack would lead him to starting a fire. During the anxiety attacks I’ve had, I wasn’t able to do terribly much.

I think they should look for a different motive.

re: #8 b_sharp

I don’t think an anxiety attack would lead him to starting a fire. During the anxiety attacks I’ve had, I wasn’t able to do terribly much.

I think they should look for a different motive.

Stupidity in the first degree.

re: #2 Dark_Falcon

Cloudy here today, but brutally humid and still very hot.

Thunderstorms to the left of us, severe weather to the right.

You know who else liked clouds? Hitler.
/

re: #11 darthstar

You know who else liked clouds? Hitler.
/

Stalin used to look at clouds all the time.

re: #5 Dark_Falcon

That does require a prison sentence, though I wouldn’t give him life. 10 years sounds about right for a crime of his magnitude.

Just don’t give him kitchen duty.

re: #11 darthstar

You know who else liked clouds? Hitler.
/

I doubt it. Those trenches were muddy when it rained.

/So it wasn’t what you meant, so what? ;)

re: #11 darthstar

You know who else liked clouds? Hitler.
/

You know who else liked clouds?

@SarahPalinUSA oh really so she can fly in space but God forbid she marry her partner. Keep your mouth shut you pathetic excuse for a woman

— CHOmyGod (@CHOmyGod) July 24, 2012

You already got “Totally Wacky Monday Night Video” covered with the “Stand with Sheriff Joe” ad.

re: #16 darthstar

I decided to find out if Sally Ride herself was non-heterosexual before I said anything. I’m glad I did so; what appeared to be incredibly tacky before is… maybe not in superb taste, but is relatively justified.

I bet Palin’s Twitter crew didn’t have a clue, but I doubt they have a clue about much.

re: #18 erik_t

I decided to find out if Sally Ride herself was non-heterosexual before I said anything. I’m glad I did so; what appeared to be incredibly tacky before is… maybe not in superb taste, but is relatively justified.

I bet Palin’s Twitter crew didn’t have a clue, but I doubt they have a clue about much.

Next you’ll try and say Rock Hudson was gay

re: #19 Kragar

Next you’ll try and say Rock Hudson was gay

No, he wasn’t gay…but his boyfriend was.

re: #16 darthstar

epic. gracias.

re: #19 Kragar

Next you’ll try and say Rock Hudson was gay

I’d never heard of him until I googled the name just now.

re: #3 goddamnedfrank

I’ve got nothing but empathy for people who suffer from anxiety and panic attacks but this just isn’t the way to handle it:

My husband’s first comment—“He’s going to get a lot of time off work.”

re: #20 darthstar

No, he wasn’t gay…but his boyfriend was.

Bobby: I’m gay. And in case you haven’t noticed, so is Ray.
Ray: What? I ain’t gay!
Bobby: What are you talking about? You took me to that club.
Ray: So? They play good music.
Bobby: What about our trip to San Francisco?
Ray: I wanted to go shopping.
Bobby: But… you made love to me.
Ray: First of all, you sucked my…
Bobby: Whatever!

re: #19 Kragar

Next you’ll try and say Rock Hudson was gay

No, but his boyfriend was.

re: #20 darthstar

No, he wasn’t gay…but his boyfriend was.

I can’t believe you beat me to something so weird.

Psychrometric video..

re: #18 erik_t

I decided to find out if Sally Ride herself was non-heterosexual before I said anything. I’m glad I did so; what appeared to be incredibly tacky before is… maybe not in superb taste, but is relatively justified.

I bet Palin’s Twitter crew didn’t have a clue, but I doubt they have a clue about much.

Yeah, Ride’s parter is a woman. They were together twenty-seven years. They’d known each other since they were little girls taking tennis lessons.

:)

re: #26 b_sharp

I can’t believe you beat me to something so weird.

It was a gimme.

re: #29 darthstar

It was a gimme.

To a warped mind.

re: #28 SanFranciscoZionist

Yeah, Ride’s parter is a woman. They were together twenty-seven years. They’d known each other since they were little girls taking tennis lessons.

:)

Honestly, and I say this as someone pretty infatuated with the space program, Sally Ride’s sexual orientation had never crossed my mind. It probably never will again. It never had, and will never have, anything to do with why I’d heard of her, what she accomplished, and why I respected her.

re: #31 erik_t

Honestly, and I say this as someone pretty infatuated with the space program, Sally Ride’s sexual orientation had never crossed my mind. It probably never will again. It never had, and will never have, anything to do with why I’d heard of her, what she accomplished, and why I respected her.

I didn’t know about it until today, actually. The part about her partner was something that came up in one of the bazillion articles my friends have been Facebooking about her.

re: #31 erik_t

Honestly, and I say this as someone pretty infatuated with the space program, Sally Ride’s sexual orientation had never crossed my mind. It probably never will again. It never had, and will never have, anything to do with why I’d heard of her, what she accomplished, and why I respected her.

As it should be. We shouldn’t care what anyone’s sexuality is…it is never relevant.

re: #29 darthstar

re: #30 b_sharp

Get a room.

re: #31 erik_t

Honestly, and I say this as someone pretty infatuated with the space program, Sally Ride’s sexual orientation had never crossed my mind. It probably never will again. It never had, and will never have, anything to do with why I’d heard of her, what she accomplished, and why I respected her.

Sexual orientation only matters if you’re looking for love in all the wrong places.

What a VERY Willy Wonka Video!

re: #35 b_sharp

Sexual orientation only matters if you’re looking for love in all the wrong places.

If you’re looking for love in space, the population density is… not working in your favor.

re: #37 erik_t

If you’re looking for love in space, the population density is… not working in your favor.

Especially when you consider that it’s entirely possible that 100% of the women you meet in space are gay.

re: #36 Dancing along the light of day

What a VERY Willy Wonka Video!

Then where are the Oompa-Loompas? Or did you see them in the trees while you were browsing?

[looks up and waves]

re: #38 darthstar

Especially when you consider that it’s entirely possible that 100% of the women you meet in space are gay.

I swear I’ve been to that bar.

re: #40 erik_t

I swear I’ve been to that bar.

I met my hand in that bar.

re: #31 erik_t

Honestly, and I say this as someone pretty infatuated with the space program, Sally Ride’s sexual orientation had never crossed my mind. It probably never will again. It never had, and will never have, anything to do with why I’d heard of her, what she accomplished, and why I respected her.

Has anyone ever asked or thought about the male astronauts sexual orientation? I thought not.

re: #42 Dancing along the light of day

Has anyone ever asked or thought about the male astronauts sexual orientation? I thought not.

It will come up. Gays of all sexes are equally vilified.

re: #42 Dancing along the light of day

Has anyone ever asked or thought about the male astronauts sexual orientation? I thought not.

Pfft. Manly masculine men. Watch The Right Stuff if you doubt me!!

re: #41 b_sharp

I met my hand in that bar.

Was it near a US Army base in Germany? If so…

////

re: #37 erik_t

If you’re looking for love in space, the population density is… not working in your favor.

What, no Orion slave women?

re: #42 Dancing along the light of day

Has anyone ever asked or thought about the male astronauts sexual orientation? I thought not.

In the fifties they absolutely did ask about prospective astronauts’ sexual orientations.

Kameny, considered to be “grandfather” of the modern gay rights movement, was working for the Army Map Service on classified missile projects in the hopes of being an astronaut when he was fired.

I believe it was policy for a long time, certainly until 1973 when the APA stopped classifying gayness as a mental disorder, probably longer.

Re: Ride’s orientation. Call me a little bit of an idealist but I really think the best way for people to understand why GLBT rights are a worthy cause of supporting is knowing someone who is gay. I was really never a homophobic kid but I’ll tell you what helped turn me into a strong supporter of gay rights and equality was meeting my cousin and his then partner and their daughter. Great people who just happened to be gay. It always amuses me to hear a nut like Fischer or someone else justify anti gay policies by saying well what about the kids molested blah blah. You never hear anyone attack and understandably so heterosexuality when a person molests another of the opposite sex. Anyhow, damn shame about Sally Ride. She was close to my Dad’s age so that kind of hits home a little. Always admired the astronauts. My great aunt worked at NASA back in its early days.

re: #47 goddamnedfrank

Wow, as late as 1973? That’s nuts.

“Culturally conservative” rural kids here in Texas STILL think spaceflight itself and even aviation are gay pre-occupations, or at least tainted by it. No, it’s true. I’ve encountered this attitude more than once from them. Some were even in college, though not usually for long.
Homophobia is an absolute obsession among rural Texans, the primary basis for the real culture in that milieu, and dodging teh ghey is the prime motivation for practically everything the young men do or are encouraged to do.
At the same time, there are curious initiation rites that boys about to enter high school are required to undergo before they will be fully accepted. This is mostly just hazing, and highly illegal, but it still goes on almost everywhere out in the sticks. Thing is, these hazing rituals invariably include some very strong homo-erotic elements. Details are best left to the imagination.

Good Night, all.

re: #48 HappyWarrior

Re: Ride’s orientation. Call me a little bit of an idealist but I really think the best way for people to understand why GLBT rights are a worthy cause of supporting is knowing someone who is gay. I was really never a homophobic kid but I’ll tell you what helped turn me into a strong supporter of gay rights and equality was meeting my cousin and his then partner and their daughter. Great people who just happened to be gay. It always amuses me to hear a nut like Fischer or someone else justify anti gay policies by saying well what about the kids molested blah blah. You never hear anyone attack and understandably so heterosexuality when a person molests another of the opposite sex. Anyhow, damn shame about Sally Ride. She was close to my Dad’s age so that kind of hits home a little. Always admired the astronauts. My great aunt worked at NASA back in its early days.

As I’ve said before, homophobia is a powerful tool of social conformity, exploited for all it is worth for generations. Freedom for gays is freedom for everyone.

If any of the early astronauts weer gay, they were very far back in the closet. All of them were in the military in those days, and it was against the law to be gay.

re: #53 Shiplord Kirel

If any of the early astronauts weer gay, they were very far back in the closet. All of them were in the military in those days, and it was against the law to be gay.

Stop and remember what a TS clearance background check is like. From what I understand, the background check on the Astro’s made it look like that was nothing. It’s not impossible that one of the early guys was gay but he’s probably still deep in self denial if he was.

re: #52 Shiplord Kirel

As I’ve said before, homophobia is a powerful tool of social conformity, exploited for all it is worth for generations. Freedom for gays is freedom for everyone.

No kidding. Could say the same thing about racial and workers rights in the past too.

As some of you know, I am a retired field grade officer of the US Army. I also come from a very conservative rural background. I could never have imagined even a few years ago that I would become an outspoken advocate of gay rights in my old age. It has come to pass though. The reason is fairly simply: The pure, blatant, obscene injustice of political and religious homophobia offends the hell out of me, as does the realization that these forms of bigotry are, at heart, simply methods of callous manipulation.

re: #56 Shiplord Kirel

As a former NCO, I understand and salute you for it, sir.

Sometimes you just gotta fight for what’s right. Have to say while I respect a lot of the work they do, I am increasingly glad I never joined the BSA because I find their official stance on gay and atheist members appalling. It’s a mindset that disturbs me here in the 21st century. People are gay, so what? People are atheist, so what? The dream King had was that people would be judged on the content of their character. That’s something worth fighting for now as it was 44 years ago.

For PhillyPretzel and all other PA lizards:

Justice Department Investigates Pennsylvania Voter ID Law

re: #56 Shiplord Kirel

Out of sheer curiosity, did you get your eagles?

re: #60 William Barnett-Lewis

Out of sheer curiosity, did you get your eagles?

I did indeed, after a very long wait.

re: #61 Shiplord Kirel

I did indeed, after a very long wait.

Just wondered. I have known more good officers who ended with silver oak leaves than those who got their birds. As a result, I’m glad you got yours - it makes a healthy difference each month… ;)

And with that, good night all.

re: #58 HappyWarrior

Sometimes you just gotta fight for what’s right. Have to say while I respect a lot of the work they do, I am increasingly glad I never joined the BSA because I find their official stance on gay and atheist members appalling. It’s a mindset that disturbs me here in the 21st century. People are gay, so what? People are atheist, so what? The dream King had was that people would be judged on the content of their character. That’s something worth fighting for now as it was 44 years ago.

As someone who has been involved in Scouting for 25 years as a Scout (who earned Eagle) and as a Scouter, I have to tell you that the recent blue-ribbon committee at National over the BSA’s position on openly gay members aggravates me to no end. At the unit level, people aren’t stupid and know who’s who and what’s what and many really don’t care, IMO. It’s going to take continual societal pressure to force National to go the route of the GSUS and the miltary, as it took societal pressure to end racial discrimination in Scouting against black and other minority members in the 60s and 70s.

I can’t help but think that it will eventually happen, but there’s going to be a lot of wailing and gnashing of teeth from the old guard at National and the councils; meanwhile, a lot of gay Scouts and Scouters will continue to get railroaded and hounded out for simply being as they really are and that’s a damn shame and a loss to Scouting.

i just had a surfeit of cherries and iced milk

i’m taking the zachary taylor challenge

Since I crawled out of bed at 3pm today..I happened to be wide fricking awake now..This is messed up! :)

re: #66 Digital Display

And, who’s fault is that?
*smooches*

re: #67 Dancing along the light of day

And, who’s fault is that?
*smooches*

I’ll find some one to blame it on…:)
Why is the GOP running ads against Obama in Oklahoma?
Do they think they will lose here?
Why is Obama running ads against Romney in Oklahoma?
Do they think they will win here?
/

This song always tears me up when I hear it.

Morning, all

re: #71 freetoken

I’m going to go out on a limb here and suggest this guy did not ever teach kindergarten.

re: #70 freetoken

Great arrangement- who did that?

re: #69 Kragar

Great piece.

re: #74 researchok

Great arrangement- who did that?

It’s just more Wagner, the Pilgrim’s Hymn, I think it is called, from Tannehauser.

I guess I’ve gone totally longhair… oh well… re: #73 researchok

I’m going to go out on a limb here and suggest this guy did not ever teach kindergarten.

Probably not.

Here’s something a bit more conventional:

A song from Pantera, a slow rock song, a departure from their usual speed metal, one of my favorites

re: #78 freetoken

Beautiful.

When they say music soothes the soul, this is what they are talking about.

TY

You must have one hell of a Music collection- vinyl, cd’s, etc.

Eight tracks too, I’ll bet.

re: #78 freetoken

I guess I’ve gone totally longhair… oh well…

Probably not.

Here’s something a bit more conventional:

[Embedded content]

Here is one for you

re: #79 Kragar

Pretty good.

I have to admit that was better than I thought it would be.

re: #82 researchok

Pretty good.

I have to admit that was better than I thought it would be.

Its markedly different from the majority of their work, but I wish they had done more like it.

re: #80 researchok

I have boxes of CDs in storage - no need for them anymore in this modern age of the internet.

re: #81 Kragar

Outstanding.

Last one before I bail

Ritual is a strange thing.

Every morning, I post my links, settle in with coffee and listen to the music links posted.

Some days, I enjoy the music selections more than others but this time, before my world goes crazy is for me, a great way to start the day.

Music really is an extraordinary example of the best of what humans are capable of.

re: #86 Kragar

Great piece, great lyrics.

re: #16 darthstar

[Embedded content]

Sarah Palin’s 3-year-old grandson already using “faggot” to insult people.

So classy.

[Link: news.yahoo.com…]

One of the eulogies is from Sally’s ex husband, so she was in the closet for a while.

Accidental art: The crappy sculpture group at Penn State becomes a meaningful statement.

Image: images%2Fslides%2F01paternostatue_1.png

(photo from Slate)

re: #89 Learned Mother of Zion

Sarah Palin’s 3-year-old grandson already using “faggot” to insult people.

So classy.

Why does that not shock me at all?

Drive-by comment:

The more things change, the more they stay the same. Ran across this document while looking for something else—Pat Buchanan 42 years ago being an…well, being Pat Buchanan. He was relaying recommendations from one of the GOP’s “most experienced political advisers” on how to go after the “radical liberals” in the mid-terms:

Pat Buchanan, the Vice President, and the 1970 midterm election

Patrick J. Buchanan to the Vice President Counsellor [Bryce] Harlow Re: 1970 midterm election, September 26, 1970, folder VP-Campaign ‘70 (Strategy); Box 13; Subject Files; WHCF: SMOF: Bryce N. Harlow

PDF from The Nixon Library and Museum

The final recommendation on the list?

28. The adviser said, “Buchanan, you should kick them in the groin — or any other place you can find where it hurts worse.

Maybe politics and the GOP haven’t changed as much as it seems. The Dems need to start kicking back. Hard. //

Later, Lizards.

re: #92 HappyWarrior

Why does that not shock me at all?

Saddens me though it doesn’t surprise me.

re: #94 William Barnett-Lewis

Saddens me though it doesn’t surprise me.

Understandably so. The kid’s mother isn’t exactly an example of tolerance- calling the gay who criticized her mother a faggot or freaking out when Obama said his change of mind on gay marriage was done after talking with his wife and daughters.

re: #89 Learned Mother of Zion

Sarah Palin’s 3-year-old grandson already using “faggot” to insult people.

So classy.

*Shakes head*
Sigh.

Anyways, good morning LGF.

How astronomically fucked up is a world in which going to outer space is easier than coming out of the closet? huff.to/MUeoRy

— Brazenly?Liberal (@BrazenlyLiberal) July 24, 2012

“Wisconsin lost 10,200 construction jobs in the recent 12 months, second only to Alaska in the percentage of job losses in the sector, a new report shows.”

re: #91 Decatur Deb

Accidental art: The crappy sculpture group at Penn State becomes a meaningful statement.

Image: images%2Fslides%2F01paternostatue_1.png

(photo from Slate)

Yeah, I saw that photo yesterday and thought how it’s actually a really appropriate installation now. Funny how that worked out.

I need robotic knees.
These organic ones aren’t so good.

Mornin’ everyone…here, have some oatmeal.

Image: choose.png

Here’s the whole strip:
[Link: theoatmeal.com…]

re: #101 darthstar

Mornin’ everyone…here, have some oatmeal.

Image: choose.png

Here’s the whole strip:
[Link: theoatmeal.com…]

I love The Oatmeal but I can’t read it here.

re: #100 Varek Raith

I need robotic knees.
These organic ones aren’t so good.

Fuckin’ knees…mine bug the shit out of me because I beat the hell out of them for 30 years and now they’re starting to show it.

Greets and saluts from the NYC metro area. I was reading through a bunch of articles on the economy and what might happen if the automatic deficit cuts are applied (that was agreed upon by Congress if they couldn’t reach a deal on how to make specified cuts). The focus was on defense spending where a 10% automatic across-the-board cut would be applied. So, for a submarine construction program, they’d have to cut 10% funding. That has the GOP trying to pin the lost construction jobs on the President.

I find the hypocrisy of that unsurprising, but revealing. It is an admission that the government can and does create jobs - the GOP is questioning where those jobs are coming from. It’s apparently okay that defense contractors get government contracts to build stuff (using union labor in many instances), but if the President proposes infrastructure programs to spur jobs, he’s derided as a socialist or worse.

I don’t have a problem with the military spending on building new submarines and other technologies that can allow the military to do more with fewer personnel (the newest aircraft carrier will have a significant reduction in personnel aboard because of automation of numerous functions). Lower personnel costs have a cumulative effect. It reduces exposing our soldiers, sailors and marines to harms’ way.

But at the same time, we need to address serious and widespread deficiencies in infrastructure. That would be a tremendous jobs opportunity but the GOP points at the stimulus package as a failure. What they want people to ignore is that the stimulus was as much a bailout of states that were in major deficit situations that couldn’t raise taxes into the teeth of a major recession (at least half the stimulus was transfer payments to cover existing obligations, not to spend on new infrastructure that would encourage jobs development and a lasting improvement to infrastructure).

Still, there’s plenty of fat on infrastructure projects. Amtrak went ahead and announced a $151 billion program that would upgrade the Northeast Corridor to true high speed rail. It’s a staggering figure considering that it would run about $330+ million per mile or more than 10 times what it would cost for a mile of high speed rail in the rest of the world. There’s no reason it should cost that much, and it would sap spending elsewhere on infrastructure. Construction costs are significantly higher on such projects in the US than they are elsewhere. That cost inefficiency has to be addressed at the same time that such projects are done.

re: #100 Varek Raith

I know a guy who can handle the surgery (and a successful patient).

re: #103 darthstar

Fuckin’ knees…mine bug the shit out of me because I beat the hell out of them for 30 years and now they’re starting to show it.

Just yesterday I decided to bump up my cadence on my bike ride to/from work because I heard that a lower cadence wears your knees out faster.

I’m not anti-gun, but I am anti-Breitbart. Fucker’s dead and he’s still being a fucking douche.

Image: 563897_266707126769411_1526655558_n.jpg

re: #107 darthstar

Ban people.

re: #108 Obdicut

Ban people.

I think people are headed that way anyway. No need to pre-empt things with a ban.

re: #106 iossarian

Just yesterday I decided to bump up my cadence on my bike ride to/from work because I heard that a lower cadence wears your knees out faster.

Swam & biked on Sunday…found my right knee bothering me on the ride and bumped up the cadence…it helped. Third leg of our ‘practice tri’ was spent drinking beer and eating in front of a bar as the ballgame was early due to the Giants being on the east coast…so we never got to the run part.

Loved the swim, by the way…water’s about 52 degrees in Half Moon Bay…once I got used to it I was okay, and having a harbor seal hang around with me while I swam was pretty cool…I already told Satt the seal was nekkid.

re: #104 lawhawk

Still, there’s plenty of fat on infrastructure projects. Amtrak went ahead and announced a $151 billion program that would upgrade the Northeast Corridor to true high speed rail. It’s a staggering figure considering that it would run about $330+ million per mile or more than 10 times what it would cost for a mile of high speed rail in the rest of the world. There’s no reason it should cost that much, and it would sap spending elsewhere on infrastructure. Construction costs are significantly higher on such projects in the US than they are elsewhere. That cost inefficiency has to be addressed at the same time that such projects are done.

Someone needs to look into the details of that budget and see where the differentials are coming from. Maybe they just baked in the inevitable lobbying and legal costs that will be required to overcome the Supreme Court objections to spending money on public projects in the US?

re: #106 iossarian

Just yesterday I decided to bump up my cadence on my bike ride to/from work because I heard that a lower cadence wears your knees out faster.

Spin to win.

re: #112 bubba zanetti

Spin to win.

So sayeth St. Stephen of Roche.

re: #108 Obdicut

Ban people.

But my newest follower on twitter is playing with her titties in her profile pic. Don’t ban her!

I hope she doesn’t leave me in 24 hours like all the other followers I’ve gotten recently with webpages that have SEXPARTY.info or HARD_AND_WET.net addresses. Such sweet people.

re: #114 darthstar

But my newest follower on twitter is playing with her titties in her profile pic. Don’t ban her!

I hope she doesn’t leave me in 24 hours like all the other followers I’ve gotten recently with webpages that have SEXPARTY.info or HARD_AND_WET.net addresses. Such sweet people.

Man I need to get out more.

AP: Records show Skyward accepted offer
Walker administration said no commitment had been made

MADISON, Wis. -

Newly released records show that an offer of tax breaks to a Stevens Point company contingent on it winning a state contract had been accepted, contradicting earlier claims from Gov. Scott Walker’s administration that no firm commitment had been made.

The documents provided to The Associated Press under the state’s open records law show information systems company Skyward was asked to sign an acceptance of the March 22 proposal making $11.7 million in tax incentives available.

A June 5 email prepared by Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation staff for Walker says Skyward accepted the WEDC offer “to assist” if the company won the bid for a $15 million state project.

The offer was criticized as improper. It has since been rescinded and Walker has shaken up leadership in the semiprivate agency.

It’s an ominous morning.

kinda dark, kinda not —a little wet.

you?

re: #104 lawhawk

But at the same time, we need to address serious and widespread deficiencies in infrastructure. That would be a tremendous jobs opportunity but the GOP points at the stimulus package as a failure. What they want people to ignore is that the stimulus was as much a bailout of states that were in major deficit situations that couldn’t raise taxes into the teeth of a major recession (at least half the stimulus was transfer payments to cover existing obligations, not to spend on new infrastructure that would encourage jobs development and a lasting improvement to infrastructure).

Still, there’s plenty of fat on infrastructure projects. Amtrak went ahead and announced a $151 billion program that would upgrade the Northeast Corridor to true high speed rail. It’s a staggering figure considering that it would run about $330+ million per mile or more than 10 times what it would cost for a mile of high speed rail in the rest of the world. There’s no reason it should cost that much, and it would sap spending elsewhere on infrastructure. Construction costs are significantly higher on such projects in the US than they are elsewhere. That cost inefficiency has to be addressed at the same time that such projects are done.

Stupid GOP —Markets depend on Infrastructure!!! Without roads and bridges in good repair —goods and parts of goods cannot be brought to market. Infrastructure, in a big way, drives capitalism.

re: #100 Varek Raith

re: #103 darthstar

Doctor told me 5 years ago that within 7-8 years my right one will need to be replaced

Saw the doctor about 2 months ago and YIPPEEEE,,, I’m still “on target”!!!!
Oh ,, joy

re: #104 lawhawk

Still, there’s plenty of fat on infrastructure projects. Amtrak went ahead and announced a $151 billion program that would upgrade the Northeast Corridor to true high speed rail. It’s a staggering figure considering that it would run about $330+ million per mile or more than 10 times what it would cost for a mile of high speed rail in the rest of the world. There’s no reason it should cost that much, and it would sap spending elsewhere on infrastructure. Construction costs are significantly higher on such projects in the US than they are elsewhere. That cost inefficiency has to be addressed at the same time that such projects are done.

It’s always dangerous to compare across different systems without the benefit of context. For example, historically Amtrak has operated on cargo-rail rights of way, and the Northeast is a very built-up region (obviously). Converting to ‘true high speed rail’ (which I assume means dedicated line with no grade crossings) implies substantial additional land needs. Does any of that money address land purchases, eminent domain issues, or the like? How are those issues handled in this country versus your comparison countries?

Maybe I’m just young and naive, but I’ve tended to find that most stunning examples of how-is-that-even-possible waste tend to be, un-stunningly, not-even-possible. Counter-examples abound, but professionals tend to generally be competent and honest.

re: #119 sattv4u2

Verilast Technology

This ones “supposed” to last 30 years.

re: #119 sattv4u2

re: #103 darthstar

Doctor told me 5 years ago that within 7-8 years my right one will need to be replaced

Saw the doctor about 2 months ago and YIPPEEE,,, I’m still “on target”!!!
Oh ,, joy

I should introduce you to my friend Tanya Harding…she knows a thing or two about knees and can help.

re: #107 darthstar

I’m not anti-gun, but I am anti-Breitbart. Fucker’s dead and he’s still being a fucking douche.

Image: 563897_266707126769411_1526655558_n.jpg

Yes, because I can hit 70 people in under 2 minutes with a small rock.
/Idiots.

re: #119 sattv4u2

re: #103 darthstar

Doctor told me 5 years ago that within 7-8 years my right one will need to be replaced

Saw the doctor about 2 months ago and YIPPEEE,,, I’m still “on target”!!!
Oh ,, joy

Yeah but!
I’m 28.
THIS ISN’T SUPPOSED TO BE!!!
Lol.

re: #121 Amory Blaine

Verilast Technology

This ones “supposed” to last 30 years.

Yeah. Thats why we decided to wait “back then” because if I had it replaced at that time, I’d be needing another shorty after I retired

re: #123 Varek Raith

Yes, because I can hit 70 people in under 2 minutes with a small rock.
/Idiots.

I’ve heard that rocks don’t malfunction.

re: #124 Varek Raith

Yeah but!
I’m 28.
THIS ISN’T SUPPOSED TO BE!!!
Lol.

28!!!!

Shit. I have things in my freezer older than that

re: #127 sattv4u2

28!!!

Shit. I have things in my freezer older than that

I have shoes that old.

re: #124 Varek Raith

Yeah but!
I’m 28.
THIS ISN’T SUPPOSED TO BE!!!
Lol.

The undead need new parts?

re: #128 ggt

I have shoes that old.

And they always come back into fashion!

Want. (and you have to read the description)

Image: 12.jpg

re: #129 ggt

The undead need new parts?

Constantly.

There are other fashions as well that should come back…here’s the tweet that got me to the image in my 131.

Men, in belted sweaters. Yes, the 1970’s continue to haunt & prodouce good roller-skating songs. designtaxi.com/news/353101/Gr…

— KCGibbons (@KCGibbons) July 24, 2012

bbl

re: #131 darthstar

Want. (and you have to read the description)

Image: 12.jpg

…
Why did I read that?
*Shudders*

re: #120 erik_t

It’s always dangerous to compare across different systems without the benefit of context. For example, historically Amtrak has operated on cargo-rail rights of way, and the Northeast is a very built-up region (obviously). Converting to ‘true high speed rail’ (which I assume means dedicated line with no grade crossings) implies substantial additional land needs. Does any of that money address land purchases, eminent domain issues, or the like? How are those issues handled in this country versus your comparison countries?

Maybe I’m just young and naive, but I’ve tended to find that most stunning examples of how-is-that-even-possible waste tend to be, un-stunningly, not-even-possible. Counter-examples abound, but professionals tend to generally be competent and honest.

And with the “no at grade crossing” requirement you will get either a lot of raised track, or dug in track through that region. And also using a separate right-of-way since it won’t share rail with the freight service any more. That’s a lot of expensive construction work. And all the surveying, impact studues, etc. you need to do beforehand as well.

re: #126 ggt

I’ve heard that rocks don’t malfunction.

Here, try this piece of chalk…

Bulgarian Terrorist Attack Bomber May Have Been Deluded Drug Smuggler - Report

the Bulgarian and international investigators are said to be investigating a version in which the alleged suicide bomber was in fact a victim of the terrorist. He is believed to have been deluded, and to have been forced to smuggle into Bulgaria what he thought was a shipment of drugs.

re: #133 darthstar

btw

How did the “hey guys,.,, I’m outta here” speech to you co-workers go?

re: #111 iossarian

I’ve been following this for some time as have a few others, and about $50 billion is for several tunnel projects (around NYC - Gateway ($13-15 billion) a similar project near Philadelphia.

The overall cost of $151 billion is spread out until 2040 and that works out to around $5 billion a year in spending across the NEC. There are those who think those costs are overinflated and major improvements to the NEC could be done at a fraction of the cost by addressing speeding up commuter trains instead of building more track, upgrading catenary lines (power systems) at a faster rate, and shortening construction times.

re: #120 erik_t

It includes land acquisition but the ROW in most parts of the NEC are already sufficient for HSR, especially South of NYC. The NYC-Boston would include a new alignment, adding to the costs there.

re: #140 lawhawk

Oh, hell, I thought we were talking about Acela expansion or whatever. For true honest-to-god high speed I can totally believe those numbers.

This is Acela hanging out in downtown New London, CT. That’s not exactly a small step to something like this.

re: #136 Feline Emperor of the Conservative Waste

There are only 11 grade crossings on the NEC - all in Connecticut, which would be the segment last to be upgraded according to the Amtrak master plan (NYC to Boston). Eliminating grade crossings isn’t an issue south of NYC.

And right on cue, an Amtrak train goes by my office window.

Amtrak kicks ass.

re: #142 erik_t

Even if you’re comparing upgrading the NEC to the Shinkansen standards, the US costs are far in excess per mile. Japan has similar densities along the ROW and they’re built in earthquake zones, so the engineering has to deal with those higher stresses. Yet their construction costs are far lower than the US costs being indicated in the Amtrak documents.

re: #140 lawhawk

I’ve been following this for some time as have a few others, and about $50 billion is for several tunnel projects (around NYC - Gateway ($13-15 billion) a similar project near Philadelphia.

The overall cost of $151 billion is spread out until 2040 and that works out to around $5 billion a year in spending across the NEC. There are those who think those costs are overinflated and major improvements to the NEC could be done at a fraction of the cost by addressing speeding up commuter trains instead of building more track, upgrading catenary lines (power systems) at a faster rate, and shortening construction times.

Thanks for the links. I’ve been half following this. IMO, rail service is another one of the things, like health care or gun control, where the US is light years behind the rest of the world.

Costs always need to be controlled, but sometimes I think the bigger battle is fighting the average American’s lack of enthusiasm for public transportation. I’d love to be able to hop on a train and be in NYC in less than an hour.

re: #146 Mattand

I’d love to be able to hop on a train and be in NYC in less than an hour.

You can ,,,,as long as you live in NYC!!!

//

re: #147 sattv4u2

Or Jersey.

re: #148 garhighway

Or Jersey.

Not always

I’ve tried taking a train from the Meadowlands area into the city

one hour is not always doable!

re: #149 sattv4u2

From the Meadowlands?

It’s a 10 minute trip from Secaucus. It’s potentially as little as 30 minutes during rush hour from Rutherford to NYC via Secaucus. When there are events at the Meadowlands, it’s about the same.

It takes me about an hour to get to NYC from Northern NJ (a 30 minute train ride, transfers, and PATH to WTC plus walking at both ends).

re: #150 lawhawk

From the Meadowlands?

It’s a 10 minute trip from Secaucus. It’s potentially as little as 30 minutes during rush hour from Rutherford to NYC via Secaucus. When there are events at the Meadowlands, it’s about the same.

It takes me about an hour to get to NYC from Northern NJ (a 30 minute train ride, transfers, and PATH to WTC plus walking at both ends).

I said “not always”

There was a malfunction (iirc, it was a switching problem) one of the days I was riding it.

re: #146 Mattand

Thanks for the links. I’ve been half following this. IMO, rail service is another one of the things, like health care or gun control, where the US is light years behind the rest of the world.

Costs always need to be controlled, but sometimes I think the bigger battle is fighting the average American’s lack of enthusiasm for public transportation. I’d love to be able to hop on a train and be in NYC in less than an hour.

They just need to reintroduce segregation to railcars in order to increase ridership… wingnut, liberal, moonbat, and normal sections.
///

re: #152 Feline Emperor of the Conservative Waste

Don’t forget the Quiet Car!

re: #149 sattv4u2

Nothing is “always” anything.

re: #154 garhighway

Nothing is “always” anything.

yup,…. Always!

((oopppss))

Romney called Pres Obama’s views “very strange and in some respects foreign to the American experience type of philosophy.”

— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) July 24, 2012

Gee, killing Bin Laden is “very strange” and “foreign” to American philosophy? Who knew? 9_9 #RomneyTheDisgustingDogWhistlingDouche

Good morning lizards!

A week and a half vacation in Tennessee was much needed and now it’s back to work. Except for a scary moment with my daughter almost drowning in the lake everything was great.

re: #157 NJDhockeyfan

A week and a half vacation in Tennessee

saw a total of what ,,, 15 teeth??

re: #155 sattv4u2

yup,… Always!

((oopppss))

Toutes les généralisations sont fausses, y compris celle-ci.

re: #156 Interesting Times

[Embedded content]

Gee, killing Bin Laden is “very strange” and “foreign” to American philosophy? Who knew? 9_9 #RomneyTheDisgustingDogWhistlingDouche

The Real ‘Murrican (TM) solution would be to go traipse through some unrelated Middle Eastern country rather than looking for him, so… yes.

re: #158 sattv4u2

A week and a half vacation in Tennessee

saw a total of what ,,, 15 teeth??

It was my family. They know what a toothbrush is. I did spend a few hours with a bunch of hillbilly rednecks at the tractor pull on Saturday night. Daisy Duke jean shorts are still in style out there.

re: #161 NJDhockeyfan

It was my family. They know what a toothbrush is. I did spend a few hours with a bunch of hillbilly rednecks at the tractor pull on Saturday night. Daisy Duke jean shorts are still in style out there.

Image: DaisyDukeShorts.png

Outskies!

re: #163 sattv4u2

Outskies!

Commie.

More hate toward Jews spotted on PA TV…

Israel is monster that eats Palestinian children, in Palestinian art on PA TV

A Palestinian Authority TV host asked an artist to discuss one of his paintings “dealing with the Palestinian nation’s problems such as the Gaza massacres.”

…The painting shows an ogre impaling children on his bayonet and eating them one by one. On the lower right, dead children are piled up to be eaten and two baby ogres are also shown eating children. The three monsters wear skull caps with a Star of David. The scene is taking place in the ogre’s underground lair under cactuses that are growing on the surface. A Star of David is also painted on the lock of the lair.

Cyber Warfare: Iran’s Nuclear Computer ‘Forced to Play AC/DC’ by Computer Malware

re: #166 Killgore Trout

Iran was Thunderstruck by the Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap. Rock and Roll Ain’t Noise Pollution but Iran will stick by its Big Gun(s). Money talks and is money made. They’ll shoot to thrill, but in the end, it’s just noise pollution.

And for that, it’s a long way to the top.

re: #167 lawhawk

Iran was Thunderstruck by the Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap. Rock and Roll Ain’t Noise Pollution but Iran will stick by its Big Gun(s). Money talks and is money made. They’ll shoot to thrill, but in the end, it’s just noise pollution.

And for that, it’s a long way to the top.

Their nuclear bomb project will lead them to the Highway To Hell.

re: #166 Killgore Trout

Cyber Warfare: Iran’s Nuclear Computer ‘Forced to Play AC/DC’ by Computer Malware

Mikko Hypponen, lead researcher at the Finnish computer security firm F-Secure, reported in his blog that a scientist working at the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran (AEOI) sent him an e-mail about his systems getting hit by a cyber-attack.

From his blog:

Emails from Iran

Over the weekend, I received a series of emails from Iran. They were sent by a scientist working at the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI).

The scientist reached out to publish information about Iranian nuclear systems getting struck by yet another cyber attack.

He wrote:

I am writing you to inform you that our nuclear program has once again been compromised and attacked by a new worm with exploits which have shut down our automation network at Natanz and another facility Fordo near Qom.

According to the email our cyber experts sent to our teams, they believe a hacker tool Metasploit was used. The hackers had access to our VPN. The automation network and Siemens hardware were attacked and shut down. I only know very little about these cyber issues as I am scientist not a computer expert.

There was also some music playing randomly on several of the workstations during the middle of the night with the volume maxed out. I believe it was playing ‘Thunderstruck’ by AC/DC.

I’m not sure what to think about this. We can’t confirm any of the details. However, we can confirm that the researcher was sending and receiving emails from within the AEOI.

Mikko

Heh.

re: #169 NJDhockeyfan

From his blog:

Emails from Iran

I’m not sure what to think about this. We can’t confirm any of the details. However, we can confirm that the researcher was sending and receiving emails from within the AEOI.

Mikko

Heh.

Cool blog. I skimmed through some of his other stuff, it’s a bit too technical for me but still interesting.

re: #170 Killgore Trout

Heh.

Cool blog. I skimmed through some of his other stuff, it’s a bit too technical for me but still interesting.

Major ubergeek information. I wish I could understand it.

re: #168 NJDhockeyfan

Their nuclear bomb project will lead them to the Highway To Hell.

They may have to downgrade to TNT. But if they do that the other countries will just Walk all Over You.

After 500 Syrian soldiers enter demilitarized zone near border, Israel complains to UN

Israel files official complaint to the UN after Syrian security forces came near the Golan Heights border, violating agreement signed in 1974.

The UN should send some blue helmets out there.

Ok, I’m back.

Has the Rapture happened yet?

re: #173 NJDhockeyfan

The DMZ between Israel and Syria on the Golan is already patrolled by the UN. A major staging area for the UN is a few miles to the south of the area where the incursion took place. There’s a lookout not far from the location on Highway 98 that you can see all the way into Damascus on a clear day that I visited earlier this year and from which you can see the affected areas.

The Syrians could have been trying to provoke a response from Israeli forces, but that didn’t happen - as it is, they were apparently fighting rebel forces in that vicinity.

Violations of the UN SCR 338 and ceasefire agreements from 1974 should be taken quite seriously, but there’s not much that can be done with Assad with Russia continuing to back his regime.

“Excellency, I write to draw your attention to an alarming development in our region,” Israel’s Deputy Ambassador to the UN Haim Waxman wrote. “On 19 July 2012, in the midst of fighting between Syrian security forces and other armed elements near the Syrian village of Jubata Al Khashab, Syrian soldiers crossed into the area of separation under the 1974 Separation of Forces between Israel and Syria.”

The deputy ambassador noted that this was a blunt violation “of this agreement, with potentially far-reaching implications for the security and stability of the region. Waxman added that Israel is very concerned by the actions of the Syrian army in the separating area.

“The security council should address this alarming development with great seriousness,” he concluded.

If Assad thought that trying to provoke Israel into engaging in a firefight would help his cause, he’s seriously misguided since Syrians would see and respond that he’s trying to bluff his way out of his predicament by blaming Israel (something he’s been doing for far too long). And the last thing he wants to do is split his forces between going after the rebel forces and any kind of conflict with Israel and its technological superiority.

re: #174 ggt

Ok, I’m back.

Has the Rapture happened yet?

*crickets*
{cloths strewn all over the ground}

re: #140 lawhawk

I’ve been following this for some time as have a few others, and about $50 billion is for several tunnel projects (around NYC - Gateway ($13-15 billion) a similar project near Philadelphia.

The overall cost of $151 billion is spread out until 2040 and that works out to around $5 billion a year in spending across the NEC. There are those who think those costs are overinflated and major improvements to the NEC could be done at a fraction of the cost by addressing speeding up commuter trains instead of building more track, upgrading catenary lines (power systems) at a faster rate, and shortening construction times.

OMG! Speaking of infrastructure and NYC, I’m about 1/3 way thru the audio version of The Power Broker by Robert Caro. It’s amazing to me that he pulled all this off nearly 100 years ago. While being a racist scumbag —he is responsible for so much bad stuff just by directing the building of roads and bridges.

re: #148 garhighway

Or Jersey.

I’m in South Jersey, not North. Train ride times to NYC vary, depending what station you get on at. You either have to drive to Trenton or Hamilton, or go into Philly. Most take at least an hour.

Feinstein: Someone at White House is behind recent intel leaks

Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), chairwoman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, said Monday that someone at the White House was responsible for the recent leaks of classified information.

“I think the White House has to understand that some of this is coming from their ranks,” Feinstein said in an address at the World Affairs Council, The Associated Press first reported.

Feinstein said she was certain that President Obama had not disclosed any of the classified intelligence, but believed others in the administration were responsible.

Dianne Feinstein to be thrown under the bus in 5…4…3…

re: #177 ggt

Not quite a 100 years ago; it was starting in the late 1920s, but by the 1930s he was already building all the major bridges and tunnels through the region (Triboro, Throgs Neck, Whitestone and all their connecting highways), plus designing all the highways with low clearance to prevent trucks from using them - and forgoing use of mass transit in favor of cars to direct the right sort of people to his state parks on Long Island.

His choice of road location was predicated not on what was best, but what he wanted to do - and if you opposed him, he’d be sure to have the highway come right through the heart of your neighborhood. Brutally efficient in that manner.

Oh, and he never learned how to drive. Photos showing him behind the wheel of a car were staged. He always got chauffeured around.

re: #152 Feline Emperor of the Conservative Waste

They just need to reintroduce segregation to railcars in order to increase ridership… wingnut, liberal, moonbat, and normal sections.
///

I noticed you “forgot” to put “conservative” in as one of the choices.

I see what you did there…

Romney campaign leaks upcoming speech, in which Romney accuses Obama of allowing leaks of classified info for political gain.

Mitt Romney will accuse President Barack Obama and his administration of leaking classified intelligence details for political gain in a major foreign policy speech in Reno Tuesday.

“Whoever provided classified information to the media, seeking political advantage for the administration, must be exposed, dismissed, and punished. The time for stonewalling is over,” Romney will say, according to advanced excerpts released by his campaign.

[…]

There are feral camels in Australia? Why?

Numbers of wild camels in Australia have dropped by a quarter in recent years because of drought and culling, a wildlife survey shows.

The camel population was estimated at one million a few years ago, but the body tasked with controlling the animals says it has fallen to 750,000.

Introduced in the 1800s, the camels now form the world’s biggest wild herd.

But the camels cause significant environmental damage, and in 2010, the government endorsed a control plan.

The Australian Feral Camel Management Project (AFCMP) aims to reduce camel densities through culling and mustering the animals for sale.

re: #180 lawhawk

Not quite a 100 years ago; it was starting in the late 1920s, but by the 1930s he was already building all the major bridges and tunnels through the region (Triboro, Throgs Neck, Whitestone and all their connecting highways), plus designing all the highways with low clearance to prevent trucks from using them - and forgoing use of mass transit in favor of cars to direct the right sort of people to his state parks on Long Island.

His choice of road location was predicated not on what was best, but what he wanted to do - and if you opposed him, he’d be sure to have the highway come right through the heart of your neighborhood. Brutally efficient in that manner.

Oh, and he never learned how to drive. Photos showing him behind the wheel of a car were staged. He always got chauffeured around.

I KNOW!!!! What an ass.

Gafney: ” we have found America’s Iron Lady: Rep. Michele Bachmann”

re: #185 Kragar

Gafney: ” we have found America’s Iron Lady: Rep. Michele Bachmann”

I may lose my breakfast over that one.

re: #183 ggt

There are feral camels in Australia? Why?

Probably imported as draft animals due to the climate.

re: #178 Mattand

Yup. But most Jersey - NYC commuters are from North Jersey, and many make it into the city in an hour. Farther away means longer. No doubt.

re: #175 lawhawk

That area could possible be the most dangerous place in the world at the moment. Word is the Syrians are moving their WMDs to the borders…

Syria rebels: Assad regime moved chemical weapons near border

Conundrum of the Week:

Which Is Bigger: A Human Brain Or The Universe?

Ahead Of Voter ID Trial, Pennsylvania Admits There’s No In-Person Voter Fraud

The state signed a stipulation agreement with lawyers for the plaintiffs which acknowledges there “have been no investigations or prosecutions of in-person voter fraud in Pennsylvania; and the parties do not have direct personal knowledge of any such investigations or prosecutions in other states.”

Additionally, the agreement states Pennsylvania “will not offer any evidence in this action that in-person voter fraud has in fact occurred in Pennsylvania and elsewhere” or even argue “that in person voter fraud is likely to occur in November 2012 in the absense of the Photo ID law.”

re: #187 Kragar

Probably imported as draft animals due to the climate.

or draught animals? Yes, that is the reason.

dingos and dromadaries —I had no idea.

Okay,

Time to fess-up.

What books are you currently reading?

Police rescue sex doll from river

A team of 18 police officers was sent to rescue a ‘drowning woman’ from a Chinese river - only to find it was a sex doll.

Police in Shandong received a call reporting that a body had been seen floating in one of the province’s rivers.

The 18 officers worked frantically for 40 minutes to rescue what looked like a lady in distress, reports RocketNews24.com, quoting Chinese language news site Sohu.

A 1,000-strong crowd gathered to watch the heroic rescue attempt, blocking traffic and preventing firefighters and rescue officials from reaching the scene.

But when officers finally managed to bring the ‘body’ ashore they discovered it was only a discarded inflatable doll.

Embarrassed mothers reportedly covered their children’s faces and hurried them away from the scene before they could ask awkward questions.

re: #193 ggt

Okay,

Time to fess-up.

What books are you currently reading?

Flight of the Eisenstein

This looks kind of interesting
Looper Official Trailer

Great! ONE more thing to feel guilty about.

re: #189 NJDhockeyfan

Rebel groups are claiming that they’ve been moved to airports near the country’s borders, but let’s also keep in mind distances we’re talking about here. The threat is that he’s going to disperse and deploy them against foreign targets.

Yet Damascus is 45 miles from the Golan Heights DMZ. Tel Aviv and Jerusalem are only around 120 miles beyond that. The distances are so small that the threat is the same regardless of where Assad is putting those weapons if he’s going to use them against Israel via aircraft or long range missiles. Artillery delivering such weapons would have a shorter range, but that’s something that the Israelis would see via their listening posts on Mt. Hermon.

Dispersing the weapons means that the chances that they could fall into the wrong hands increases (terrorists or those who may have no idea what they’re doing) increases. But since Assad is expanding its air campaign against the rebels, it’s not beyond the possibility that despite his claims to the contrary, he could be preparing to use them against the rebel forces.

re: #188 garhighway

Yup. But most Jersey - NYC commuters are from North Jersey, and many make it into the city in an hour. Farther away means longer. No doubt.

LOL, thanks for the info. Having lived here for nearly 4 decades and traveled to NYC several times, I had no idea how that all worked.

The point is not everyone who lives in NJ is in North Jersey, and a less than one hour train ride to NYC from Philly would be greatly welcomed.

re: #193 ggt

Okay,

Time to fess-up.

What books are you currently reading?

STOLEN PREY by John Sandford
DEAD ZERO by Stephen Hunter

re: #193 ggt

Okay,

Time to fess-up.

What books are you currently reading?

None, I’m ashamed to say. Last book I read was Colbert’s I am America, and So Can You. Thinking about picking up Maddow’s new one.

re: #195 Kragar

Flight of the Eisenstein

What? Is this a series by a different author each installment?

re: #202 ggt

What? Is this a series by a different author each installment?

Yup. Unified universe with different authors all contributing novels and short stories.

Romney criticizes the President on security leaks, suggests he use his CPA Firm that are hiding his Tax Returns instead #p2 #tcot

— Rich Baska (@BlueTrooth) July 24, 2012

re: #203 Kragar

Yup. Unified universe with different authors all contributing novels and short stories.

Which is the first?

re: #198 lawhawk

The scary part is Assad transferring some of those to Hezbollah. Israel would have no choice but to attack and that would surely trigger an all out war in the region.

re: #205 ggt

Which is the first?

Horus Rising by Dan Abnett

re: #131 darthstar

Want. (and you have to read the description)

Image: 12.jpg

I used to wear that.

re: #208 b_sharp

I used to wear that.

I wouldn’t admit that.

re: #209 ggt

I wouldn’t admit that.

Is that zach galifianakis?

re: #197 ggt

Great! ONE more thing to feel guilty about.

They were gingers, anyway.

Old dead terrorists dumped in the ocean don’t fade away…they become crabs…

TERRORIST Osama Bin Laden has reared his ugly head again - on the belly of a CRAB.

A freakish image of the bearded monster was caught on camera by a family filming a fishing trip.

The face is the spit of the al Qaeda fiend gunned down in his Pakistan lair by US Navy Seals last year.

But now he’s back where he belongs - at the bottom of the ocean.

The crustacean was thrown back in the water near Everett, Washington state, because it was female and illegal to keep.

Dad John Cranfield said he did not notice the image until he watched the footage when he got home.

re: #190 ggt

Conundrum of the Week:

Which Is Bigger: A Human Brain Or The Universe?

Image: jonah-falcon-2.jpg

re: #207 Kragar

Horus Rising by Dan Abnett

Is it good, or just another of the basic fantasy/sci-fi world conquering formula?

re: #210 brennant

Is that zach galifianakis?

could be . .

re: #213 b_sharp

Image: jonah-falcon-2.jpg

linky no worky

You know what I hate?

When you are supposed to get together with a friend and they oversleep and don’t wake-up when you text as agreed.

re: #193 ggt

Okay,

Time to fess-up.

What books are you currently reading?

Postwar by Tony Judt

re: #216 ggt

linky no worky

Works for me.

It was this story.

re: #218 iossarian

Postwar by Tony Judt

Now, that sounds interesting. I’ve been on a non-fiction bent lately.

re: #219 b_sharp

Works for me.

It was this story.

How long did it take to frisk him?

“Two hour delay…Fun trip home (sarcasm mode),” he tweeted at the time.

Heh.

re: #220 ggt

Now, that sounds interesting. I’ve been on a non-fiction bent lately.

I’m reading books on PHP, MySQL, C# and Linux.

re: #221 NJDhockeyfan

How long did it take to frisk him?

Heh.

Depends on how many were in on it.

re: #222 b_sharp

I’m reading books on PHP, MySQL, C# and Linux.

I hope you are enjoying them.

re: #214 ggt

Is it good, or just another of the basic fantasy/sci-fi world conquering formula?

I’ve found them to be very enjoyable for the most part. With the various authors, some of the books are much better than others, but overall, the quality has been excellent. They’ve gotten good reviews by the critics and been on the NYT and UK best seller lists for the last few years.

re: #224 ggt

I hope you are enjoying them.

I’m still waiting for the protagonist to show and the plot to break.

They’re pretty dull, but the practical side is fun - ‘til it explodes and debugging has to be done.

re: #226 b_sharp

I’m still waiting for the protagonist to show and the plot to break.

They’re pretty dull, but the practical side is fun - ‘til it explodes and debugging has to be done.

Are you adding your own plot twists as you try to apply what you learn?

re: #222 b_sharp

I’m reading books on PHP, MySQL, C# and Linux.

That sounds incredibly boring.
:P

re: #225 Kragar

I’ve found them to be very enjoyable for the most part. With the various authors, some of the books are much better than others, but overall, the quality has been excellent. They’ve gotten good reviews by the critics and been on the NYT and UK best seller lists for the last few years.

hmm, I’ll add the first one to my queue for sci-fi future reading.

re: #227 ggt

Are you adding your own plot twists as you try to apply what you learn?

That’s why it sometimes blows up.

I want to read a book set in the Outback in which the characters encounter feral camels.

re: #146 mattand

New York has some really unique things going on when it comes to public transportation. THey have a metro rail line running waaaaay out to Port Jervis, which is on the NY/PA/NJ border. That line runs over a monster bridge that looks like this.

The state still operates the New York Canal System, which runs up the Hudson River from NYC up to Lake Champlain and across the state to Lake Erie. Former Governor Pataki tried to privatize the system but people came out against it. It’s a public service, which means any private operator can use the system too.

re: #231 ggt

I want to read a book set in the Outback in which the characters encounter feral camels.

Ok…
…
..
.

re: #233 Varek Raith

Ok…
…
..
.

and dingos.

re: #231 ggt

I want to read a book set in the Outback in which the characters encounter feral camels.

I want to read a book set in the Outback in which the characters are attacked by intelligent feral camels.

Slight modification.

re: #235 b_sharp

Slight modification.

and dingos

re: #236 ggt

and dingos

Could add a Raith in there too!

re: #236 ggt

and dingos

I want to read a book set in the Outback in which the characters are attacked by intelligent feral camels leading a pack of killer dingos.

re: #231 ggt

I want to read a book set in the Outback in which the characters encounter feral camels.

The restaurant chain decides to use feral camel meat in its burgers?

re: #238 b_sharp

I want to read a book set in the Outback in which the characters are attacked by intelligent feral camels leading a pack of killer dingos.

The dingos could be like flying vampire monkeys …

re: #236 ggt

and dingos

and frolicking goats!

re: #231 ggt

re: #235 b_sharp

Challenge accepted.

Image: mutants-down-under.jpg

re: #239 Learned Mother of Zion

The restaurant chain decides to use feral camel meat in its burgers?

No the restaurant would have to be vegetarian and at the end of the universe.

re: #237 ggt

Could add a Raith in there too!

I want to read a book set in the Outback in which the characters are attacked by intelligent feral camels leading a pack of killer dingos while a Wraith Hive ship orbits the Earth.

re: #241 NJDhockeyfan

and frolicking goats!

No that is just wierd.

re: #242 Kragar

re: #235 b_sharp

Challenge accepted.

Image: mutants-down-under.jpg

Almost perfect. Feral Camels can’t be mutants tho.

re: #244 b_sharp

I want to read a book set in the Outback in which the characters are attacked by intelligent feral camels leading a pack of killer dingos while a Wraith Hive ship orbits the Earth.

Raith, not Wraith.

As I understand it, there is a difference.

Conservative Media Attack The Muppets For Founding Company’s Chick-Fil-A Rebuke

Facepalm.

re: #247 ggt

Raith, not Wraith.

As I understand it, there is a difference.

P’shaw. Literary license.

Image: Steve_the_Wraith_%28Stargate%29.jpg

re: #247 ggt

Raith, not Wraith.

As I understand it, there is a difference.

Ringwraiths return in a Hive ship instead of horses and flying dinosaurs?

The dingo ate your baby…

re: #248 Varek Raith

Conservative Media Attack The Muppets For Founding Company’s Chick-Fil-A Rebuke

Facepalm.

As cool as the Muppets are, I don’t want to read about them with feral camels.