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444 comments
1 Kragar  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 5:55:45pm

Now that is a a serious 'stache.

2 wrenchwench  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 5:59:34pm

Maybe these two will cure the blues.

Image: h72BBBCF8.jpg

Later, lizards.

3 Gus  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 6:04:01pm

What a douche.



4 Targetpractice  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 6:05:03pm

Old man spends a week getting progressively sicker, all the while muttering he's fine, it's just a simple cold, no need to go see the doctor. Wakes up today, voice so horse he can barely speak, and we finally said his ass was going to the doctor. Sure enough, he's got pneumonia again.

Joy.

5 Vicious Babushka  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 6:06:20pm

re: #4 Targetpractice

Old man spends a week getting progressively sicker, all the while muttering he's fine, it's just a simple cold, no need to go see the doctor. Wakes up today, voice so horse he can barely speak, and we finally said his ass was going to the doctor. Sure enough, he's got pneumonia again.

Joy.

Would that old man be you? Get well soon.

6 Charles Johnson  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 6:07:55pm

Just discovered a great iOS app called VLC Streamer that lets you stream video and audio from a desktop computer (Mac or PC) with the VLC player to an iPhone or iPad.

It's great because it lets you completely skip the tedious process of converting/copying/syncing files, and view almost any kind of video file right away. If you have a good fast wireless connection you can stream HD video with pretty good audio, no problem.

7 jaunte  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 6:08:54pm

re: #3 Gus

Samson's Law, passed in 1998 after a well-known bull elk in Estes Park was killed by a poacher who was fined just a few hundred dollars, adds substantial fines for the killing of trophy animals. The killing of a bull elk with six-point antlers or larger can carry a fine of up to $10,000, on top of the other criminal penalties.

In addition, hunting is never allowed within city limits.

I count at least ten points on the elk in that photo.

8 Gus  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 6:11:57pm

re: #7 jaunte

I count at least ten points on the elk in that photo.

Look at that beautiful thing. Dead. Kill, kill, kill! Morons.

9 Romantic Heretic  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 6:13:30pm

Yay! I finally have a post with negative karma. Yay me!

10 jaunte  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 6:13:33pm

re: #8 Gus

JoOnna Silberman, who lives in the 300 block of Spruce Street, said she saw the animal a few hours before it was killed, and it was not limping.

Looking at that address on google maps, it's just a block or so away from the edge of the mountains. Pretty much the elk's neighborhood.

11 lawhawk  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 6:14:02pm

re: #8 Gus

But it'll look great hanging from my wall. /once I get the damned thing reinforced, that is.

Damn... just damn...

12 Targetpractice  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 6:16:08pm

re: #5 Vicious Babushka

Would that old man be you? Get well soon.

Nah, my old man. I'm not that old...yet. Still got a year til my midlife crisis sneaks up on my ass.

13 Gus  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 6:17:17pm

re: #10 jaunte

Looking at that address on google maps, it's just a block or so away from the edge of the mountains. Pretty much the elk's neighborhood.

Lame ass response:

Jan. 3, 2013 - Boulder Police Dept. statement regarding elk
Thursday, January 03, 2013
Contact: Kim Kobel, Boulder Police

On Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013, a Boulder police officer shot and killed a bull elk in the area of Ninth and Mapleton around 11:00 p.m. According to the officer, he was on routine patrol when he observed the elk, which appeared to be injured. It was limping, and some of the elk’s antlers had been broken off. In the officer’s judgment, the animal needed to be humanely put down.

The elk was in a residential yard when the officer dispatched it with one shot from a shotgun. The elk was taken home to be processed for meat by another officer, who was off-duty at the time.

It appears that the officer did not inform Boulder Police Dispatch about his intentions to dispatch the animal, nor did he notify an on-duty supervisor or file a report on the incident. Since there was no record about the Boulder Police Department’s involvement, it created confusion about who was responsible. We apologize for the confusion and have initiated an internal personnel investigation into the matter.

The Colorado Parks and Wildlife Department is investigating the matter to determine whether any crime was committed. The Boulder Police Department is cooperating fully with that investigation.

14 jaunte  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 6:19:13pm

re: #13 Gus

In the officer’s judgment

I think we need some more evidence that such a thing exists.

15 dragonath  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 6:19:26pm

re: #3 Gus

The people in that neighborhood seemed to be pretty mellow about having an Elk around. Then this guy happens.

16 Four More Tears  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 6:20:02pm

re: #6 Charles Johnson

Just discovered a great iOS app called VLC Streamer that lets you stream video and audio from a desktop computer (Mac or PC) with the VLC player to an iPhone or iPad.

It's great because it lets you completely skip the tedious process of converting/copying/syncing files, and view almost any kind of video file right away. If you have a good fast wireless connection you can stream HD video with pretty good audio, no problem.

I love VLC. Use it on my PC and used to use it when I had an Android phone.

17 BongCrodny  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 6:21:26pm

It's very interesting that my browser shows the "Thursday Night Thrash: Grinderman - No Pussy Blues" headline, but the associated video is that of Bryan Fischer.

18 lawhawk  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 6:22:04pm
19 Gus  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 6:22:48pm

re: #14 jaunte

I think we need some more evidence that such a thing exists.

Where are the broken off antlers?

20 TedStriker  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 6:23:21pm

re: #13 Gus

Lame ass response:

Jan. 3, 2013 - Boulder Police Dept. statement regarding elk
Thursday, January 03, 2013
Contact: Kim Kobel, Boulder Police,[no phone numbers allowed]

Bullshit...what's in that press release reeks of the Boulder PD doing a CYA on officers who just happened upon a "injured" elk that needed "dispatching".

Funny that the carcass was hauled off tout de suite (by another off-duty cop) and likely field-dressed and carved up in nice little chunks fairly quickly, precluding a proper examination of said carcass by the fish & wildlife folks....

21 Targetpractice  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 6:23:21pm

re: #16 Four More Tears

I love VLC. Use it on my PC and used to use it when I had an Android phone.

VLC's good stuff. Handles all the video file types I've found use for.

22 Stanghazi  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 6:24:07pm

re: #19 Gus

Where are the broken off antlers?

What assholes.

23 Charles Johnson  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 6:24:09pm

re: #16 Four More Tears

I love VLC. Use it on my PC and used to use it when I had an Android phone.

There was an iOS version of VLC available for a while, but it was pulled from the app store because of some kind of licensing issue. VLC streaming is actually better because you don't have to copy or sync anything before you can watch videos.

24 Four More Tears  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 6:25:31pm

re: #23 Charles Johnson

There was an iOS version of VLC available for a while, but it was pulled from the app store because of some kind of licensing issue. VLC streaming is actually better because you don't have to copy or sync anything before you can watch videos.

And they made their goal on their Win 8 kickstarter.

25 Gus  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 6:27:41pm

re: #22 Stanghazi

What assholes.

Seriously. Am I missing something? I see no broken antlers.

26 jaunte  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 6:28:52pm

re: #25 Gus

I think what you're seeing is a crappy, invented-on-the-fly excuse from someone who didn't think he'd have to justify his actions.

27 Stanghazi  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 6:31:03pm

re: #25 Gus

Seriously. Am I missing something? I see no broken antlers.

Since when is a broken antler a sign of injury? Am I missing something?

28 jaunte  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 6:31:21pm

re: #12 Targetpractice

Nah, my old man. I'm not that old...yet. Still got a year til my midlife crisis sneaks up on my ass.

Did you see this?

Why You Won’t Be the Person You Expect to Be

29 Gus  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 6:32:45pm

re: #26 jaunte

I think what you're seeing is a crappy, invented-on-the-fly excuse from someone who didn't think he'd have to justify his actions.

Boulder PD. Remember how they botched up the Jon Benet Ramsey case?

30 Targetpractice  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 6:34:06pm

re: #28 jaunte

Did you see this?

Why You Won’t Be the Person You Expect to Be

Huh, interesting stuff. But they're totally off, because I'm never going to change.

//

31 Gus  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 6:35:18pm

I didn't come from no monkey!!

//

32 freetoken  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 6:36:17pm

re: #28 jaunte

Did you see this?

Why You Won’t Be the Person You Expect to Be

I was just reading this. Lots of interesting stuff about how we change often gets overlooked.

You are not the same person you were 10 years ago.

33 freetoken  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 6:37:51pm

re: #31 Gus

I didn't come from no monkey!!

//

Speaking of which, this afternoon I was thinking about writing up a Page about an issue that has flared up about "Adam" and "Eve" and how loose-talking by some associated with the genomics industry just feeds into the existing creationist mindset so common.

It got more attention today courtesy of John Hawks.

34 lawhawk  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 6:38:18pm

re: #31 Gus

I didn't come from no monkey!!

//

Get your paws off me you damned dirty ape! /

35 TedStriker  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 6:39:07pm

re: #25 Gus

Seriously. Am I missing something? I see no broken antlers.

re: #26 jaunte

I think what you're seeing is a crappy, invented-on-the-fly excuse from someone who didn't think he'd have to justify his actions.

If this story shakes out the way it looks like right now, I've got a word that describes this Boulder cop that shot the elk and his off-duty buddy who hauled the carcass off:

Poachers. With a badge and a city-issued shotgun.

Hell, these assholes didn't even have to haul their own hunting gear, buy a hunting license, or pay for the ammo...and one of them got paid on-the-clock for it all, but hopefully these morons will get what's coming to them for this.

36 Obdicut  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 6:39:28pm

re: #32 freetoken

I was just reading this. Lots of interesting stuff about how we change often gets overlooked.

You are not the same person you were 10 years ago.

Also, your memories change. That's the part that freaks most people out. If you ask someone to describe a memory at age fifteen, twenty, twenty-five, thirty, it gets rewritten every time. Only about one in ten memories is really fixed in our heads.

37 freetoken  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 6:41:32pm

re: #36 Obdicut

Yes, very scary.

And, if I may tie this into a long running topic of mine here, this is why religious texts that some propose as "history" are so wrong for task. Even with the best of intentions, the ever changing nature of human memory means that recalling the past is at best an interpretation of what happened.

This is why objective, empirical, evidence is so prized.

38 Vicious Babushka  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 6:41:41pm

re: #36 Obdicut

Also, your memories change. That's the part that freaks most people out. If you ask someone to describe a memory at age fifteen, twenty, twenty-five, thirty, it gets rewritten every time. Only about one in ten memories is really fixed in our heads.

9/11
Space Shuttle Challenger
Kennedy Assassination

I think because these memories are revisited over and over and over.

39 Targetpractice  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 6:42:53pm

re: #36 Obdicut

Also, your memories change. That's the part that freaks most people out. If you ask someone to describe a memory at age fifteen, twenty, twenty-five, thirty, it gets rewritten every time. Only about one in ten memories is really fixed in our heads.

Hell, I'd be hard-pressed to describe what I did last week. My memory's measured in picoseconds.

40 freetoken  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 6:45:35pm

Speaking of ... ahem... focusing like a laser on jobs...

Sen. Dennis Kruse files bill that would allow schools to require saying Lord's Prayer

The chairman of the [Indiana] Senate education committee, who last year unsuccessfully sought the teaching of creationism in schools, now wants public schools to have the option of beginning each day with the Lord’s Prayer.

Sen. Dennis Kruse, R-Auburn, has filed a bill that would allow school districts to require the recitation of the Lord’s Prayer, though individual students could opt out if they or their parents preferred.

[...]

41 Gus  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 6:46:38pm

re: #35 TedStriker

re: #26 jaunte

If this story shakes out the way it looks like right now, I've got a word that describes this Boulder cop that shot the elk and his off-duty buddy who hauled the carcass off:

Poachers. With a badge and a city-issued shotgun.

Hell, these assholes didn't even have to haul their own hunting gear, buy a hunting license, or pay for the ammo...and one of them got paid on-the-clock for it all, but hopefully these morons will get what's coming to them for this.

Yep. It's rather incriminating statement. "Oh I shot this elk because it was limping and had some broken antlers [not visible in 'trophy shot'] and let my friend take it home to butcher it and I didn't report it."

42 HoosierHoops  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 6:52:14pm

re: #39 Targetpractice

Hell, I'd be hard-pressed to describe what I did last week. My memory's measured in picoseconds.

One day in High school my teacher met me in the hall and asked if I would be involved in a social experience. During class we got in a huge fight and he kicked me out of class. Then he asked the class to write out what had just happened. It was amazing the multiple views of what happened. The shock of this effected the different views of the class. I do mean shock. I snapped at the teacher and there were some terrified, You could see in their eyes.

43 freetoken  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 6:55:30pm
44 TedStriker  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 6:57:23pm

re: #43 freetoken

[Embedded content]

Ahh, them wacky Canadians!

///

45 Kaessa  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 6:57:29pm

re: #43 freetoken

[Embedded content]

Best. Tweet. Ever.

46 Romantic Heretic  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 6:58:01pm

re: #42 A Man for all Seasons

One book in my library is Killer by 'Joey'. He was a hitter for the Mob in the 50s and 60s.

One of his hits, he walked into a busy restaurant at lunch, killed his target and walked out again.

He got to see the police report later. Over thirty eyewitnesses and not one set of events or description of the perp matched.

Kinda scary.

47 TedStriker  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 6:58:06pm

re: #41 Gus

Yep. It's rather incriminating statement. "Oh I shot this elk because it was limping and had some broken antlers [not visible in 'trophy shot'] and let my friend take it home to butcher it and I didn't report it."

FUBAR.

48 Obdicut  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 6:58:34pm

re: #37 freetoken

Yes, very scary.

Why is it scary?

And, if I may tie this into a long running topic of mine here, this is why religious texts that some propose as "history" are so wrong for task. Even with the best of intentions, the ever changing nature of human memory means that recalling the past is at best an interpretation of what happened.

Very few people accept religious texts as evidence of history unless they're saying that the texts are divinely inspired to be accurate. Otherwise, they treat them the same way as any other narrative from that time period.

This is why objective, empirical, evidence is so prized.

49 Varek Raith  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 7:03:55pm

re: #36 Obdicut

Also, your memories change. That's the part that freaks most people out. If you ask someone to describe a memory at age fifteen, twenty, twenty-five, thirty, it gets rewritten every time. Only about one in ten memories is really fixed in our heads.

It's actually quantum memories bleeding through parallel universes.
It's most annoying actually.
;)

50 ProBosniaLiberal  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 7:07:20pm

I'm exhausted emotionally. All my efforts to keep friends, get new ones, and to find people to go to the museums up in Denver with me have failed.

One friend even took pictures of here and her friend at the Science one, and put them on FB. Even as I told this girl I wanted to go to the Museum. She says she's a friend though.

I have given upon things getting better. I simply don't have the energy to try anymore. I've cried so many times out of loneliness in the past month.

At least I seem to have lost the ability to empathize. I am numb to damn near everything now.

51 The Ghost of a Flea  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 7:07:28pm

re: #46 Romantic Heretic

One book in my library is Killer by 'Joey'. He was a hitter for the Mob in the 50s and 60s.

One of his hits, he walked into a busy restaurant at lunch, killed his target and walked out again.

He got to see the police report later. Over thirty eyewitnesses and not one set of events or description of the perp matched.

Kinda scary.

I don't have a list of them like I used to, but social psych studies of people's "eye witness" recall tend to show that folks aren't very reliable. Even simple stuff, like who's the perpetrator and who's the victim, get flipped pretty easy. And hasty assumptions and judgements are immediately part of their "recall": for example, one study using a video segment depicting a "crime," followed by participants recounting what happened, many participants immediately flipped the race of the victim (an old black man) and the perpetrator (a young white man).

52 freetoken  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 7:09:12pm

re: #48 Obdicut

Why is it scary?

Because we rely so much on our "memory".

In the old days when life was simpler, yes simpler, knowing where to forage for food in what season may have been the difference between life and death - that was important memorization.

Today what I find increasingly scary is that we our defined by our "information" - an information society we are called.

Yet what if that "information" is mostly highly suspect memories, interpretations of our past?

I wonder if the increasingly sclerotic political system in this country is the result of groups hardening in their positions, reassured of the rightness of their beliefs because, well, that is what they remember them to be.

If we are animals whose brains are selected for, as an example, making spears and hunting animals, what happens when those brains now have to deal with multi-layered abstractions and societies very far removed from familial tribes?

Secondarily, I think it is "scary" that as I get older I now realize that I will slowly lose that which I now know. That's pretty scary too.

53 Targetpractice  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 7:09:59pm

re: #49 Varek Raith

It's actually quantum memories bleeding through parallel universes.
It's most annoying actually.
;)

Is that why I have a memory of Vulcan being destroyed by a Romulan ship?

//

54 Obdicut  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 7:10:09pm

re: #50 ProMayaLiberal

I'm exhausted emotionally. All my efforts to keep friends, get new ones, and to find people to go to the museums up in Denver with me have failed.

One friend even took pictures of here and her friend at the Science one, and put them on FB. Even as I told this girl I wanted to go to the Museum. She says she's a friend though.

I have given upon things getting better. I simply don't have the energy to try anymore. I've cried so many times out of loneliness in the past month.

At least I seem to have lost the ability to empathize. I am numb to damn near everything now.

Seek professional help, stop posting about stuff like this on websites. We are not trained professionals. You need one. If you have one, figure out if you need a different one.

55 engineer cat  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 7:11:39pm

re: #28 jaunte

Did you see this?

Why You Won’t Be the Person You Expect to Be

...and the future ain't what it used to be

for many decades people imagined a jetson's style future. then for a while we saw post-apocalyptic futures

these days the future in movies tends to look quite fascist

56 Dark_Falcon  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 7:11:43pm

re: #50 ProMayaLiberal

I'm exhausted emotionally. All my efforts to keep friends, get new ones, and to find people to go to the museums up in Denver with me have failed.

One friend even took pictures of here and her friend at the Science one, and put them on FB. Even as I told this girl I wanted to go to the Museum. She says she's a friend though.

I have given upon things getting better. I simply don't have the energy to try anymore. I've cried so many times out of loneliness in the past month.

At least I seem to have lost the ability to empathize. I am numb to damn near everything now.

Relax, finding people who fit you emotionally takes time. Be careful not to put too much effort into it, because if you do people will be put off instead of drawn to you. Just be someone other people will want to be around. It's not easy (I'm not good at myself, but I'm better than I used to be), but its the best way forward.

57 freetoken  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 7:12:11pm

re: #50 ProMayaLiberal

I'm exhausted emotionally.

Each day is a new day, and it's all each of us have every day.

Other than that, second Obdi's recommendations. Find someone (don't be afraid to look around) with whom you can discuss these things in detail, in private.

58 Obdicut  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 7:13:23pm

re: #52 freetoken

Because we rely so much on our "memory".

In the old days when life was simpler, yes simpler, knowing where to forage for food in what season may have been the difference between life and death - that was important memorization.

Today what I find increasingly scary is that we our defined by our "information" - an information society we are called.

Yet what if that "information" is mostly highly suspect memories, interpretations of our past?

But it's not. We have shitloads of records these days, and eyewitness testimony is even losing its lustre in courts.

Basically, this is the least scary time in human history, as far as memory goes. I'd say a much bigger problem is people choosing to remember the wrong information.

I wonder if the increasingly sclerotic political system in this country is the result of groups hardening in their positions, reassured of the rightness of their beliefs because, well, that is what they remember them to be.

Wouldn't this mean that this should have happened in every country?

If we are animals whose brains are selected for, as an example, making spears and hunting animals, what happens when those brains now have to deal with multi-layered abstractions and societies very far removed from familial tribes?

Our brains are also selected for language and outsmarting other humans, which requires very abstract thinking.

Secondarily, I think it is "scary" that as I get older I now realize that I will slowly lose that which I now know. That's pretty scary too.

You've already lost most of what you knew before, and reinterpreted a lot of it. If you weren't able to do that, you'd be a robot programmed by memory.

59 Dark_Falcon  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 7:13:30pm

re: #54 Obdicut

Seek professional help, stop posting about stuff like this on websites. We are not trained professionals. You need one. If you have one, figure out if you need a different one.

Must Concur. PLL, if things are that bad, then you need to get help.

60 Gus  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 7:13:49pm
61 ProBosniaLiberal  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 7:14:26pm

re: #54 Obdicut

I've put all my effort into trying to improve my situation.

It hasn't worked. Besides, Psychs, while useful, don't care. They get money to hear peoples problems. I just want one damn sign of hope.

62 bratwurst  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 7:14:37pm

re: #54 Obdicut

Seek professional help, stop posting about stuff like this on websites. We are not trained professionals. You need one. If you have one, figure out if you need a different one.

I am thirding these wise words. You have many well-wishers here, but you need help that none of us can provide. PLEASE do not hesitate to reach out for help. Doing so is far from a sign of weakness, it is a sign of strength.

63 Obdicut  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 7:14:57pm

re: #50 ProMayaLiberal


And I'm not saying 'stop posting this on websites' as a rebuke, but because doing something like that gives you the illusion that you're making an effort, but really, people don't get cured by interaction with other people on the internet. They might possibly gain a bit of perspective, but mostly doing that serves as a way to avoid really dealing with stuff. Somethingawful's E/N forum serves as a testimony to this.

64 ProBosniaLiberal  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 7:15:36pm

re: #61 ProMayaLiberal

I can become like my dad. It will be easier.

65 Obdicut  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 7:15:42pm

re: #61 ProMayaLiberal

I've put all my effort into trying to improve my situation.

It hasn't worked. Besides, Psychs, while useful, don't care. They get money to hear peoples problems. I just want one damn sign of hope.

I'm going back to school to go into social work and make about half as much money as I do now precisely because I do care. There you go again with your stupid group blame bullshit.

66 freetoken  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 7:15:43pm

re: #58 Obdicut

But it's not. We have shitloads of records these days, and eyewitness testimony is even losing its lustre in courts.

No doubt about that.

Yet when you sit in a group, around a family table, at a bar, on the beach... how many people whip out copies of (known provenance) records, versus referencing what they "believe" or "feel"?

67 freetoken  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 7:18:43pm

'The Avengers' voted most overrated movie of 2012 by a landslide

I could go with that. Yet just having seen The Hobbit I was left with a similar impression.

68 Dark_Falcon  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 7:18:54pm

re: #65 Obdicut

I'm going back to school to go into social work and make about half as much money as I do now precisely because I do care. There you go again with your stupid group blame bullshit.

Obdi, when you have hard time with social interaction it really can feel like the world is closing you out. Believe me, I've been there myself.

69 HoosierHoops  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 7:19:51pm

re: #61 ProMayaLiberal

I've put all my effort into trying to improve my situation.

It hasn't worked. Besides, Psychs, while useful, don't care. They get money to hear peoples problems. I just want one damn sign of hope.

When you are comfortable in your own skin and who you are then you'll find friends will be drawn to you and want to spend time with you.

70 Obdicut  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 7:20:28pm

re: #66 freetoken

No doubt about that.

Yet when you sit in a group, around a family table, at a bar, on the beach... how many people whip out copies of (known provenance) records, versus referencing what they "believe" or "feel"?

Okay, this has been this way throughout all human history. And most of it doesn't matter much. Whether Warren has a Native American in her family tree or not really doesn't matter. Whether my grandmother's repeated assertions that my grandfather's family, though living in Poland, were Sephardic Jewish who had moved there from Spain, or whether they were Ashkenazi who used a tale of being Sephardi in order to gain favorable trade contracts, really doesn't matter.

Some things do matter. We should-- and in many cases, do-- make an effort to really nail those things down. Many people do this even for the trivial stuff like family history-- my uncle, otherwise a rather useless man, spent hours digging up family information about what that side of my family was up to in the Civil War.

A lot of people act on the assumption that most of the stuff we consider fact in terms of history and narrative is highly distorted. That's why we have so many cliches about it, and, too, why people are so prone to the magical thinking bullshit about balance.

71 Vicious Babushka  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 7:20:46pm

re: #61 ProMayaLiberal

I've put all my effort into trying to improve my situation.

It hasn't worked. Besides, Psychs, while useful, don't care. They get money to hear peoples problems. I just want one damn sign of hope.

Why don't you ask for guidance from your local imam?

72 Kragar  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 7:20:47pm

re: #67 freetoken

'The Avengers' voted most overrated movie of 2012 by a landslide

I could go with that. Yet just having seen The Hobbit I was left with a similar impression.

Objection. People went to see Twilight. The fact anyone considers that tripe a movie obviously means it was overrated.

73 Gus  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 7:21:24pm

re: #69 A Man for all Seasons

When you are comfortable in your own skin and who you are then you'll find friends will be drawn to you and want to spend time with you.

Sometimes one finds that you might not need friends per se and that it's OK to be alone if that's their true nature.

74 dragonath  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 7:21:47pm

re: #67 freetoken

I could go with that. Yet just having seen The Hobbit I was left with a similar impression.

I saw that last week. I kept thinking of Bilbo's description in LOTR:

Sort of stretched, like... butter scraped over too much bread.

75 Obdicut  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 7:21:47pm

re: #68 Dark_Falcon

Obdi, when you have hard time with social interaction it really can feel like the world is closing you out. Believe me, I've been there myself.

It is not an excuse for denying the reality that many therapists choose that career not for the money but because they actually feel a calling to try to help people. And self-pity is a trap. Self-forgiveness is a good thing. Self-pity is an excuse to remain trapped.

76 ProBosniaLiberal  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 7:21:55pm

re: #65 Obdicut

No, it's logical.

I do everything based on logic. My conversion came from logic. Namely that the Trinity is mindbogglingly weird.

77 Targetpractice  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 7:22:08pm

re: #55 engineer cat

...and the future ain't what it used to be

for many decades people imagined a jetson's style future. then for a while we saw post-apocalyptic futures

these days the future in movies tends to look quite fascist

Goes further back than that. So long as science fiction has been around, there's been those who postulated as to what the future would hold. If things seem to be going good and life is well, then the future is hopeful and filled with wonder. If not, then it's a choice over how crap-tastic you expect it'll get.

78 jaunte  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 7:23:06pm

409 gun deaths since Newtown, Dec. 14:
[Link: www.slate.com...]

79 Dark_Falcon  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 7:23:35pm

re: #76 ProMayaLiberal

No, it's logical.

I do everything based on logic. My conversion came from logic. Namely that the Trinity is mindbogglingly weird.

That isn't really true. Your desire for friends is based on a need for human connection that is not logic based. Human beings are far too complex to fit into anything as simple as a system of logic.

80 dragonath  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 7:24:34pm

Get funky!

Youtube Video
81 jaunte  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 7:24:44pm

Talk therapy isn't a rapid cure.

82 Varek Raith  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 7:25:06pm

re: #80 dragonath

Get funky!

[Embedded content]

Negative.

83 Obdicut  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 7:25:25pm

re: #76 ProMayaLiberal

No, it's logical.

I do everything based on logic. My conversion came from logic. Namely that the Trinity is mindbogglingly weird.

Okay. So are you say I'm lying when I say I'm choosing to switch careers and become a therapist because I care about that work, and I'll be taking a big pay cut to do it, or what?

And are you saying the various friends I have who are therapists of one sort or another are all lying when they say that they do they job primarily because they find it rewarding to try to help others?

Logical doesn't mean "Ignoring evidence contrary to your assertion to make yourself feel better".

84 ProBosniaLiberal  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 7:26:16pm

re: #71 Vicious Babushka

There is none in Colorado Springs.

There's a mosque, yes, but the "preacher" seems to the members who are the loudest and with the most opinions.

Otherwise known as village idiots.

I am going to be talking the Church that found an old friend of mine for me about putting pressure on that Mosque to reform itself.

85 ProBosniaLiberal  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 7:27:34pm

re: #83 Obdicut

No, it just means I see profit motive everywhere.

Maybe logical is the wrong word. It could be just catastrophic cynicism.

86 TedStriker  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 7:27:59pm

re: #67 freetoken

'The Avengers' voted most overrated movie of 2012 by a landslide

I could go with that. Yet just having seen The Hobbit I was left with a similar impression.

Lots of times, "fans" invest way too much into their chosen movies/music/comics/etc. and load their respective blessed franchises up with expectations that may be nigh impossible to live up to every time out of the box; sci-fi fans are bad about this (Trekkies/Trekkers and Star Wars fans, I'm looking at you, even though I'm nominally both).

Sometimes, you just need to go into a movie, turn off your brain a bit, and enjoy the show.

87 dragonath  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 7:28:00pm

re: #82 Varek Raith

Negative.

:O

88 freetoken  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 7:28:25pm

re: #86 TedStriker

Sometimes, you just need to go into a movie, turn off your brain a bit, and enjoy the show.

It was just too long.

89 lawhawk  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 7:28:28pm

re: #67 freetoken

'The Avengers' voted most overrated movie of 2012 by a landslide

I could go with that. Yet just having seen The Hobbit I was left with a similar impression.

I was underwhelmed by Hobbit. Saw it in the 3d 48fps, and it looked like a video game. And it was very tiring for my eyes. If you didn't hold your head straight, it would go out of 3d focus. Very annoying.

Loved the visuals for the LoTR trilogy, but the 48fps was overrated.

The movie itself was quite good and it was enjoyable. I'll have to admit that the 3d effects were quite good and effective at moving the story along, but it still wasn't worth it. Will see the remaining Hobbit movies, but not in the 48fps. Not worth it for the headache/eye strain after.

The Avengers on the other hand, was an awesome popcorn flick. Didn't mean to change the world. Only entertain it. And it did that quite well. Nice humorous bits, great bad guy and action scenes.

90 lawhawk  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 7:29:01pm

re: #72 Kragar

Twilight for the win!

91 Feline Fearless Leader  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 7:30:05pm

re: #13 Gus

Lame ass response:

Jan. 3, 2013 - Boulder Police Dept. statement regarding elk
Thursday, January 03, 2013
Contact: Kim Kobel, Boulder Police

They're covering up that the elk was wearing a hoodie and carrying a bale of hay.
//

92 freetoken  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 7:30:20pm

re: #85 ProMayaLiberal

No, it just means I see profit motive everywhere.

Maybe logical is the wrong word. It could be just catastrophic cynicism.

I've had a couple of friends/acquaintances in the therapy professions. Of course all of them wanted/needed an income, but it was also true that they were interested in helping people.

The two are not mutually exclusive.

93 Targetpractice  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 7:30:25pm

re: #86 TedStriker

Lots of times, "fans" invest way too much into their chosen movies/music/comics/etc. and load their respective blessed franchises up with expectations that may be nigh impossible to live up to every time out of the box; sci-fi fans are bad about this (Trekkies/Trekkers and Star Wars fans, I'm looking at you, even though I'm nominally both).

Sometimes, you just need to go into a movie, turn off your brain a bit, and enjoy the show.

Hey now, as a Trekker, I take offense to being lumped in with those scruffy nerfherders.

//

94 lawhawk  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 7:31:17pm

re: #93 Targetpractice

They're all toasters' I tell ya!

95 freetoken  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 7:32:18pm

AskReddit finally finds its purpose for being:

How do I tactfully tell my wife I don't want to do it doggy-style with her because her butt stinks? (no need to upvote) (self.AskReddit)
submitted 4 hours ago by stankybuttssssss

[–]clitromney 850 points 4 hours ago
we could upvote this to the front page and then you can be like "hey honey, did you see this?"

96 dragonath  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 7:32:25pm

I thought the Hobbit would have been better off if they didn't have to contrive a villain that was already dead for 200 years- it's not like there was any shortage of Orcs to go around.

I thought the first 45 minutes were great though. The sequels are going to have a dragon though... :)

97 Obdicut  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 7:32:36pm

re: #85 ProMayaLiberal

No, it just means I see profit motive everywhere.

Maybe logical is the wrong word. It could be just catastrophic cynicism.

Whatever it is, it's self-indulgent and excuse-making. There are plenty of therapists who really care about the success of their patients. If you feel you have one who doesn't, talk about it with them, and if you can't resolve it, try another therapist.

I know you have few resources, but one of the reason I know that therapists care is because so fucking many of them charge on a sliding scale and will charge very little to a portion of their patients so that they can get the help they need.

Which is another reason your stupid accusation that they only care about profit, they don't actually care was, well foolish.

You're in pain. Don't turn that pain into anger or hatred against other people, or you're going down a really dark road and you will acquire so many bad habits so fast it'll make your head spin.

98 freetoken  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 7:34:48pm

America, 2013:

Presidential Fitness Test Now Awarded To Any Kid Who Can Eat Without Sweating

99 TedStriker  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 7:34:49pm

re: #88 freetoken

It was just too long.

I was referring more to The Avengers, because LotR/The Hobbit isn't really my cup of tea.

However, mediocre is mediocre, no matter who made it, I suppose.

100 Targetpractice  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 7:35:07pm

Considering all the belly-aching I've heard over The Hobbit, I can only assume by this point that Jackson did the LotR movies first because it was easier to sell the studios on 2+ hour action flicks.

101 TedStriker  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 7:36:43pm

re: #100 Targetpractice

Considering all the belly-aching I've heard over The Hobbit, I can only assume by this point that Jackson did the LotR movies first because it was easier to sell the studios on 2+ hour action flicks.

Maybe, but a lot of the delay with The Hobbit was squabbling between the studios (New Line, in particular) and the Tolkien estate, IIRC.

102 ProBosniaLiberal  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 7:37:07pm

re: #96 dragonath

Eh, what?

What are you referring too?

103 Feline Fearless Leader  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 7:38:15pm

re: #46 Romantic Heretic

One book in my library is Killer by 'Joey'. He was a hitter for the Mob in the 50s and 60s.

One of his hits, he walked into a busy restaurant at lunch, killed his target and walked out again.

He got to see the police report later. Over thirty eyewitnesses and not one set of events or description of the perp matched.

Kinda scary.

Want to have real fun. Tell a judge during jury selection that you do not believe eyewitness testimony is accurate for determining guilt or innocence in a court of law.

104 Varek Raith  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 7:38:16pm

I guess some of you won't be needing that ship to Valinor.
:P

105 Targetpractice  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 7:38:27pm

re: #101 TedStriker

Maybe, but a lot of the delay with The Hobbit was squabbling the Tolkien estate, IIRC.

Indeed. Days I look more and more forward to sane copyright laws.

106 freetoken  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 7:40:28pm

Humans:


Cup Color Influences the Taste of Hot Chocolate

Two researchers from the Polytechnic University of Valencia and the University of Oxford have demonstrated that hot chocolate tastes better in an orange or cream coloured cup than in a white or red one. The study adds to recent research demonstrating how our senses perceive food in a different way depending on the characteristics of the container from which we eat and drink.

[...]

Both conducted an experiment in which 57 participants had to evaluate samples of hot chocolate served in four different types of plastic cup. They were the same size but of different colours: white, cream, red and orange with white on the inside.

Published in the Journal of Sensory Studies, the results reveal that the flavour of chocolate served in orange or cream coloured cups was better for the tasting volunteers.

[...]

"There is no fixed rule stating that flavour and aroma are enhanced in a cup of a certain colour or shade," recognised Piqueras-Fiszman. "In reality this varies depending on the type of food, but the truth is that, as this effect occurs, more attention should be paid to the colour of the container as it has more potential than one could imagine."

According to the study, these results are relevant for those scientists interested in understanding how the brain integrates visual information not just from the food itself but from the receptacle or container from which it is consumed.

In addition, this information could encourage chefs, catering professionals and even the packaging industry to think more about the colour of crockery and packaging. As the researcher explains, "it is a case of experimenting to understand how the container itself affects the perceptions that the consumers have on the product."

[...]

107 TedStriker  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 7:41:46pm

re: #105 Targetpractice

Indeed. Days I look more and more forward to sane copyright laws.

Refresh my post for an update...

New Line's apparent dicking around with the Tolkien estate (and the fact that they tried to pull the same old "Hollywood accounting" BS on Peter Jackson with the LotR trilogy) were the main reasons for the delays.

Quoth the Wiki:

South Canterbury Finance invested $30 million in The Lord of the Rings film trilogy, only to have New Line produce accounts showing that the movies did not make a profit, but made "horrendous losses". According to SCF CEO Allan Hubbard: "We found it surprising because it was one of the biggest box office success of all time."[15] (The three films rank 5th, 18th and 25th on the list of Highest Grossing Movies.)

Fifteen actors are suing New Line Cinema claiming that they have never received their 5% of revenue from merchandise sold in relation to the movie, which contains their likeness.[16] Similarly, the Tolkien estate sued New Line, claiming that their contract entitled them to 7.5% of the gross receipts of the $6 billion hit.[17]

Peter Jackson's production company Wingnut Films questioned New Line Cinema's accounting methods, bringing in an outside auditor as allowed by the contract, and eventually sued New Line.[18] New Line executive Robert Shaye took great offense, declared that they would never work with Jackson again.[19]

Saul Zaentz also has an ongoing dispute with New Line Cinema over profits from The Lord of the Rings films. The dispute began shortly after the release of the films. In December 2007 Variety reported that Zaentz was also suing New Line Cinema, alleging that the studio has refused to make records available so that he can confirm his profit-participation statements are accurate.[20]

108 Targetpractice  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 7:45:07pm

re: #107 TedStriker

Refresh your quote of me; New Line's apparent dicking around with the Tolkien estate (and the fact that they tried to pull the same old "Hollywood accounting" BS on Peter Jackson with the LotR trilogy) were the main reasons for the delays.

Ah, no surprises there. Seems Jackson has a habit of taking on franchises where the rights holders and the studios don't see eye to eye.

109 dragonath  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 7:48:22pm

re: #102 ProMayaLiberal

Spoilers!

It's Azog. In the books, he was beheaded about 150 years before the events of the Hobbit but inexplicably the movie flips the story around and makes him into a kind of Super Orc.

It's padding the script with a villain that didn't even exist in the Hobbit. This guy did, but Jackson is saving him for the 2nd or 3rd film in the trilogy.

110 Dancing along the light of day  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 7:49:06pm

OBdi said "You're in pain. Don't turn that pain into anger or hatred against other people, or you're going down a really dark road and you will acquire so many bad habits so fast it'll make your head spin."

Please do listen to him. He's a good guy, and is (IMHO) giving you good advice. You need help to deal with your situation. Best wishes to you.

111 TedStriker  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 7:49:24pm

re: #108 Targetpractice

Ah, no surprises there. Seems Jackson has a habit of taking on franchises where the rights holders and the studios don't see eye to eye.

Refresh again, please ;-P

It's wasn't so much that the Tolkien estate and New Line didn't want to get The Hobbit made, it's that New Line tried to screw everyone over on LotR with Hollywood accounting, saying that the trilogy lost money, even with some of the biggest BO grosses ever.

Peter Jackson, the actors (for their share of merchandising), the Tolkien estate...everyone.

112 Targetpractice  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 7:51:43pm

re: #111 TedStriker

Refresh again, please ;-P

It's wasn't so much that the Tolkien estate and New Line didn't want to get The Hobbit made, it's that New Line tried to screw everyone over on LotR with Hollywood accounting, saying that the trilogy lost money, even with some of the biggest BO grosses ever.

Peter Jackson, the actors (for their share of merchandising), the Tolkien estate...everyone.

I did refresh, and like I said, no surprises.

113 Romantic Heretic  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 7:52:00pm
re: #86 TedStrikerSometimes, you just need to go into a movie, turn off your brain a bit, and enjoy the show.

This. Which Is why I really liked The Avengers.

Especially the part where the Hulk beat the floor with Loki.

114 freetoken  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 7:55:01pm

Here I am, eating Endangered Species Wolf Chocolate, wondering if it would taste better if it came in a cream colored package rather than the brown.

115 TedStriker  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 7:55:05pm

re: #112 Targetpractice

I did refresh, and like I said, no surprises.

I was just saying that it wasn't Jackson's fault that New Line decided to be scumbags about the LotR profits and hold The Hobbit hostage.

116 Feline Fearless Leader  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 7:55:42pm

A one-point safety in a college bowl game just now.

117 ProBosniaLiberal  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 7:59:24pm

re: #109 dragonath

Maybe the Orcs use the same names over, and over?

118 dragonath  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 8:08:59pm

re: #117 ProMayaLiberal

That Bolg guy was Azog's son. I don't mind the character so much, it's just that, um... imagine if a full half of the Fellowship of the Ring was in Moria and the Balrog had not been struck down, ending the movie on a cliffhanger.

That's the Hobbit, really.

119 Joanne  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 8:21:09pm

re: #53 Targetpractice

Is that why I have a memory of Vulcan being destroyed by a Romulan ship?

//

Nah, that was just the last Star Trek movie. You're good. :-)

120 freetoken  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 8:24:55pm

Absurdity:

The public: clients of science?

[...] In this case, the scientists assumed that they knew best how to interpret the data and so, prodded by politicians, emphasised the low probability of catastrophe to mitigate what they believed would have otherwise been an irrational public response.

[...]

Who would have thought that seismologists would be the best ones to interpret seismology data?

121 William Barnett-Lewis  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 8:31:09pm

re: #43 freetoken

[Embedded content]

Just no intelligent life?

Still it's a beautiful thing to live long enough to see...

122 b_sharp  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 8:45:00pm

re: #33 freetoken

Speaking of which, this afternoon I was thinking about writing up a Page about an issue that has flared up about "Adam" and "Eve" and how loose-talking by some associated with the genomics industry just feeds into the existing creationist mindset so common.

It got more attention today courtesy of John Hawks.

Do it.

123 darthstar  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 8:55:06pm

Okay...got my Dell E6500 running Ubuntu 12.10 with wifi enabled...take that, Microsoft motherfuckers.

Time to pay attention to my wife. See you all in the morning.

124 William Barnett-Lewis  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 9:04:21pm

re: #123 darthstar

Okay...got my Dell E6500 running Ubuntu 12.10 with wifi enabled...take that, Microsoft motherfuckers.

Time to pay attention to my wife. See you all in the morning.

Enjoy. My Dell C640 (over 10 years old, Redmond!!!! It barely handles XP!!!) is running 12.10 well. Some mouse driver issues that make me rip my hair, but you get that with any OS.

125 Gus  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 9:07:00pm

re: #123 darthstar

Okay...got my Dell E6500 running Ubuntu 12.10 with wifi enabled...take that, Microsoft motherfuckers.

Time to pay attention to my wife. See you all in the morning.

Youtube Video
126 b_sharp  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 9:08:23pm

Today is my 36th wedding anniversary, so my wife bought me a new laptop. It has Win8 installed. What a frikkin waste. I may end up installing Kubuntu or Mint on it.

127 Dancing along the light of day  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 9:09:15pm

re: #126 b_sharp

Ungrateful bastard....

128 Dancing along the light of day  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 9:10:10pm

re: #126 b_sharp

And you got her.....

129 wrenchwench  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 9:10:38pm

re: #126 b_sharp

Today is my 36th wedding anniversary, so my wife bought me a new laptop. It has Win8 installed. What a frikkin waste. I may end up installing Kubuntu or Mint on it.

I have Windows 8 on my new laptop. I guess if one is coming to it from Windows XP, it doesn't seem so bad.

Congrats on the anniversary. And many more!

130 Gus  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 9:11:56pm

Mijami Vice

Youtube Video
131 b_sharp  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 9:11:59pm

re: #128 Dancing along the light of day

And you got her.....

Me.
Naked.

132 wrenchwench  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 9:12:38pm

re: #126 b_sharp

Today is my 36th wedding anniversary, so my wife bought me a new laptop. It has Win8 installed. What a frikkin waste. I may end up installing Kubuntu or Mint on it.

It has a Kindle app and I just downloaded a free book. :p

133 ProBosniaLiberal  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 9:14:51pm

So, Empire (9.8 Gig) took ~40 hours to down load of of Steam.

Then Portal(3.8 Gig), Half-Life 2 (4.4 Gig), Half-Life 2 Episode 1 (3.6Gig) took about 3-4 hours each. Roughly the same for Half-Life Episode 2 (Spaced on it 5-6 Gig?)

Now, Team Fortress 2 is downloading. All 9.5 Gig of it. Already have 2.2 Gig done.

Is this gonna suck? I can't do crap with Medieval II, or installing the loose little runts until it is done.

Also, apparently Steam gave me the Team Fortress 2 Demo, even though I got Team Fortress 2 with the Orange Box I got Portal though.

What do I do with it. I want to fully install everything, because I get get really wonky about a little uninstalled thing in the Library of games.

But it's useless, right?

134 ProBosniaLiberal  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 9:15:23pm

re: #129 wrenchwench

I got Windows 7. This thing is a beauty.

135 freetoken  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 9:16:15pm

Letter: Prayer would provide protection to schools

In reference to the increasing frequency of tragic school shootings:

Consider that since the Supreme Court of this great nation judged prayer and the mention of God in our schools to be unlawful, there has been a downspiraling of morality, of safety and security. The hallowed space that was once occupied by God became vacant space. Since God was evicted out of our public schools, that vacant space has become occupied by the evil force that manifests itself in devious violent immorality and other lurking dangers in the hallways.

How can teachers nurture children with a sense honesty, caring, compassion, consideration and respect of others without a the mention of God from whom such virtues originate? Instead, the people in charge, are either so far removed from the truth, or so fearful of being sued for acknowledging a loving God, they do nothing.

Students and teachers beginning their day with morning prayer thanking God for loving guidance and protection is by far the best, most powerful security system.

JOANNE LEPKOWSKI

OWEGO

And here I thought MOAR GUNZ! was supposed to be the answer.

136 wrenchwench  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 9:16:36pm

re: #134 ProMayaLiberal

I got Windows 7. This thing is a beauty.

See! You don't need friends!

/////

{{{PML}}}

137 Kragar  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 9:16:49pm

re: #133 ProMayaLiberal

So, Empire (9.8 Gig) took ~40 hours to down load of of Steam.

Then Portal(3.8 Gig), Half-Life 2 (4.4 Gig), Half-Life 2 Episode 1 (3.6Gig) took about 3-4 hours each. Roughly the same for Half-Life Episode 2 (Spaced on it 5-6 Gig?)

Now, Team Fortress 2 is downloading. All 9.5 Gig of it. Already have 2.2 Gig done.

Is this gonna suck? I can't do crap with Medieval II, or installing the loose little runts until it is done.

Also, apparently Steam gave me the Team Fortress 2 Demo, even though I got Team Fortress 2 with the Orange Box I got Portal though.

What do I do with it. I want to fully install everything, because I get get really wonky about a little uninstalled thing in the Library of games.

But it's useless, right?

Team Fortress 2 is free to play for everyone nowadays.

138 Dancing along the light of day  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 9:17:52pm

re: #131 b_sharp

I bet she likes that!

139 ProBosniaLiberal  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 9:18:22pm

re: #137 Kragar

But it is sitting there, twice in my Library.

It's bugging me. One says, Team Fortress 2. The other says Team Fortress 2 Beta.

Are they different? Are they the same? That is the problem.

140 Four More Tears  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 9:18:25pm

What's with the Win 8 hate? Click the desktop and you barely have to see it.

141 b_sharp  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 9:18:41pm

re: #132 wrenchwench

It has a Kindle app and I just downloaded a free book. :p

Win 7 is a very good OS. Pasting on to that some stupid startup that makes it harder to find applications and runs substandard 'apps' while hiding most of the functionality is stupid.

142 Kronocide  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 9:19:45pm

re: #135 freetoken

Letter: Prayer would provide protection to schools

And here I thought MOAR GUNZ! was supposed to be the answer.

Prayer research has been well vetted:
Rectums: the resort of choice for well traveled demons

143 wrenchwench  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 9:21:21pm

re: #141 b_sharp

Win 7 is a very good OS. Pasting on to that some stupid startup that makes it harder to find applications and runs substandard 'apps' while hiding most of the functionality is stupid.

I've dumped most of the stuff off the start page.

See, I skipped Win 7. Don't know what I'm missing.

Later, lizards.

Image: h1E600968.jpg

144 Gus  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 9:21:24pm

re: #134 ProMayaLiberal

I got Windows 7. This thing is a beauty.

Win 7 Pro OEM here. On 32GB RAM and an Intel i5 2500K with a honking Zalman fan.

145 Kragar  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 9:21:35pm

re: #135 freetoken

Letter: Prayer would provide protection to schools

And here I thought MOAR GUNZ! was supposed to be the answer.

What a complete and utter twit.

146 freetoken  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 9:21:50pm

Will the US Senate ever change the way it does business?


SENATUS DECADENS

147 b_sharp  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 9:21:57pm

re: #138 Dancing along the light of day

I bet she likes that!

Not as much as she likes jewellery. I helped her buy an amethyst ring.

148 Gus  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 9:22:06pm

OS on a SSD.

149 Gus  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 9:22:50pm

Logitech Performance MX laser mouse.

150 ProBosniaLiberal  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 9:23:23pm

re: #144 Gus

Think mine has yours outclassed.

This thing ran Empire:Total War at the highest settings. The computers CPU and Memory Usage didn't break 15%.

151 Gus  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 9:24:21pm

re: #150 ProMayaLiberal

Think mine has yours outclassed.

This thing ran Empire:Total War at the highest settings. The computers CPU and Memory Usage didn't break 15%.

I know. :D Read it a couple of weeks ago. Yours is an i7.

152 Gus  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 9:25:44pm

I've got a LAN case with 4 fans plus the CPU Zalman fan. Scout.

153 Kragar  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 9:26:10pm

Whats funny is the number of people who realize the government runs on a lowest bidder/mass production/one size fits all mentality are still totally shocked when confronted with the fact that our government agencies runs on Windows.

154 b_sharp  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 9:26:34pm

re: #140 Four More Tears

What's with the Win 8 hate? Click the desktop and you barely have to see it.

It's harder to access the drive and instead of having a list of available applications to pick from you have several screens of 'modern' apps to go through or and additional step to access legacy applications.

155 William Barnett-Lewis  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 9:27:11pm

re: #126 b_sharp

Today is my 36th wedding anniversary, so my wife bought me a new laptop. It has Win8 installed. What a frikkin waste. I may end up installing Kubuntu or Mint on it.

Here's hoping you married young so you still have a decade or three to go.

156 freetoken  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 9:28:24pm

Ruling on whether gold and silver find is 'treasure'

The fate of 90 pieces of gold and silver found in the same field as the Staffordshire Hoard is to be decided by a Coroner who will rule whether or not they are treasure.

[...]

"I wish to register a complaint"
"We're closing for lunch"
"I wish to complain about this gold and silver I found"
"Oh yes, the treasure. What's wrong with it?"
"I'll tell you what's wrong with it - it's not a treasure."
...

157 b_sharp  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 9:29:25pm

re: #151 Gus

I know. :D Read it a couple of weeks ago. Yours is an i7.

My new laptop is an i7.

158 b_sharp  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 9:30:22pm

re: #155 William Barnett-Lewis

Here's hoping you married young so you still have a decade or three to go.

I was 22.

159 Kragar  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 9:30:34pm

CNN contributor explains pagan origins of Christian holidays to Wisconsin lawmaker

On CNN, Grothman explained that Americans shouldn’t celebrate the African American holiday because its founder, Ron Karenga, was “a black separatist who felt the Black Panthers didn’t dislike white people enough.” Grothman denied the holiday could be separated from its origins.

“I would ask the senator you look at Easter that was derived from a pagan holiday and so do you defend that?” Roland asked Grothman. “You talk about a made up holiday. Please tell me which of the holidays we celebrate in America that have descended from on high and granted to us when we were born. Aren’t all holidays actually created made up by someone?”

The CNN contributor noted that Easter and other Christian holidays were derived from pagan festivals and celebrations.

“I’m a Christian author,” Martin explained. “My wife is an ordained minister. What I’m saying is if you look at the origin of Easter, it actually was a combination of Christianity and also the pagan holiday where people walked around and painted themselves. Why do you think we get the painted eggs?”

160 b_sharp  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 9:31:52pm

I have to go pull all my passwords from my dead system so I'm still using my tablet to post.

161 b_sharp  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 9:34:18pm

I'm outie.

162 Gus  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 9:34:21pm

re: #160 b_sharp

I have to go pull all my passwords from my dead system so I'm still using my tablet to post.

Swatin' skeeters?

163 ProBosniaLiberal  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 9:36:39pm

Still need guidance on Team Fortress 2 issue.

165 Kaessa  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 9:37:21pm

re: #154 b_sharp

It's harder to access the drive and instead of having a list of available applications to pick from you have several screens of 'modern' apps to go through or and additional step to access legacy applications.

May I recommend "Start8" from Stardock if you don't like the launch screen? I hardly ever see it anymore.

166 Kragar  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 9:38:13pm

re: #163 ProMayaLiberal

Still need guidance on Team Fortress 2 issue.

Use the Pyro.

167 ProBosniaLiberal  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 9:40:10pm

re: #166 Kragar

No, as in is there a difference between the different version I seem to have?

168 William Barnett-Lewis  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 9:42:50pm

Just had a bit of a laugh over at a lefty site. They were grousing about people who mistake them for conservatives...

Me says:

Then I get to defense and I'm center-right. Which around here is mistaken for far right, especially if it relates to Israel... sorry guys but guess what? I don't like that shitbird Bibi Netanyahu either. He doesn't make Israel inherently evil anymore than Dubya did to America though...

169 Kragar  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 9:43:55pm

re: #167 ProMayaLiberal

No, as in is there a difference between the different version I seem to have?

Beta is like the test version where they try out new mods and other tweaks before they add them to the main version

170 William Barnett-Lewis  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 9:45:01pm

re: #159 Kragar

Grothman makes Walker look like an Einstein though.

171 EmmaAnne  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 9:46:19pm

re: #67 freetoken

'The Avengers' voted most overrated movie of 2012 by a landslide

I could go with that. Yet just having seen The Hobbit I was left with a similar impression.

I had fun at The Avengers and was bored at The Hobbit. So I will go with the latter as most overrated.

172 EmmaAnne  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 9:49:38pm

re: #85 ProMayaLiberal

No, it just means I see profit motive everywhere.

Maybe logical is the wrong word. It could be just catastrophic cynicism.

Depression is like wearing mud colored glasses. Everything looks dark and grim, yet you feel like you are being objective and accurate. The human brain does not want to realize it is malfunctioning.

I needed meds to beat it, myself.

173 Kaessa  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 9:53:10pm

re: #171 EmmaAnne

I had fun at The Avengers and was bored at The Hobbit. So I will go with the latter as most overrated.

I had a great time at both. I think I'm just weird.

174 Targetpractice  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 9:55:08pm

Think of all the games I own, I've gotten more play out of Minecraft this year than all the rest.

175 Kaessa  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 9:56:41pm

re: #174 Targetpractice

Think of all the games I own, I've gotten more play out of Minecraft this year than all the rest.

I have yet to play that. I'm afraid I'll get obsessed, so I'm sticking with Guild Wars 2. Easy to log in, play for 10 minutes, and log out.

176 Kragar  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 9:56:58pm

re: #174 Targetpractice

Think of all the games I own, I've gotten more play out of Minecraft this year than all the rest.

Probably Skyrim for me

177 Targetpractice  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 9:58:36pm

re: #175 Kaessa

I have yet to play that. I'm afraid I'll get obsessed, so I'm sticking with Guild Wars 2. Easy to log in, play for 10 minutes, and log out.

Yeah, I'll admit I spend hours at a time playing. Though most of the play I've gotten out of it recently has been due to mods.

178 Gus  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 9:59:47pm

This is fucking awesome.

Ellington - Perdido

Youtube Video
179 HappyWarrior  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 9:59:52pm

re: #174 Targetpractice

Think of all the games I own, I've gotten more play out of Minecraft this year than all the rest.

Madden probably for me. I did like Sleeping Dogs a lot though even if it was a bit short.

180 DREd  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 10:00:07pm

Wingnuts all in a tizzy at Joe Biden joking with the families of incoming Senators at the swearing in ceremony today. As an aside, Biden is awesome.

181 William Barnett-Lewis  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 10:01:11pm

re: #174 Targetpractice

Think of all the games I own, I've gotten more play out of Minecraft this year than all the rest.

I hate minecraft. Java exists only to make good computers slow. Java is inherently evil. Minecraft is written in Java. Therefore...

???

No, it's close to sarc, but the problem is real enough I won't put a sarc tags on it.

182 gwangung  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 10:01:26pm

re: #180 DREd

Wingnuts all in a tizzy at Joe Biden joking with the families of incoming Senators at the swearing in ceremony today. As an aside, Biden is awesome.

Uh, wha--?

183 HappyWarrior  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 10:02:03pm

re: #180 DREd

Wingnuts all in a tizzy at Joe Biden joking with the families of incoming Senators at the swearing in ceremony today. As an aside, Biden is awesome.

Joe Biden just being there makes them mad. They're still convinced that it should have been Palin and now Ryan.

184 Kragar  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 10:02:08pm

re: #180 DREd

Wingnuts all in a tizzy at Joe Biden joking with the families of incoming Senators at the swearing in ceremony today. As an aside, Biden is awesome.

I think they just got mad when Joe was spinning donuts in the GOP parking lot while blasting Billy Squier from his Camaro

Youtube Video
185 HappyWarrior  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 10:02:54pm

Betcha Biden's a hit at Congressional Karaoke night.

186 gwangung  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 10:05:28pm

re: #185 HappyWarrior

Betcha Biden's a hit at Congressional Karaoke night.

Having fun and being un-self conscious is probably a cardinal sin in the wing nut book...

187 Targetpractice  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 10:06:01pm

re: #183 HappyWarrior

Joe Biden just being there makes them mad. They're still convinced that it should have been Palin and now Ryan.

Pretty much. Not only there, but not the gaffe-prone albatross they predicted he'd be 4 years ago. Remember the "rumors" months back about how Obama saw him as so much of a problem that he'd jettison him and take Hillary as VP to prevent women from abandoning the Dems?

188 HappyWarrior  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 10:08:11pm

re: #187 Targetpractice

Pretty much. Not only there, but not the gaffe-prone albatross they predicted he'd be 4 years ago. Remember the "rumors" months back about how Obama saw him as so much of a problem that he'd jettison him and take Hillary as VP to prevent women from abandoning the Dems?

I do. Honestly Biden's reputation is way overblown. Annoying to hear him described as stupid too. And frankly sometimes, it's needed. I thought him saying ACA was a big fucking deal was great. Stupid nuts got bent out of shape about that but it was a big fucking deal considering that presidents since Teddy Roosevelt have worked on some form of drastic health care reform.

189 HappyWarrior  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 10:08:51pm

re: #186 gwangung

Having fun and un-self conscious is probably a cardinal sin in the wing nut book...

Thou Shall Only Make Jokes At the Expense of Others. I believe Limbaugh wrote that commandment.

190 Kragar  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 10:09:40pm

Conservatism: The soul numbing fear that someone, somewhere is having fun without shame

191 Targetpractice  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 10:10:38pm

re: #190 Kragar

Conservatism: The soul numbing fear that someone, somewhere is having fun without shame

It never fails to amaze me that people who whine incessantly about liberals "not having a sense of humor" get so bent out of shape over Biden being...well, Biden.

192 Kragar  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 10:11:13pm

re: #191 Targetpractice

It never fails to amaze me that people who whine incessantly about liberals "not having a sense of humor" get so bent out of shape over Biden being...well, Biden.

They probably wouldn't even see the humor in this:

Youtube Video
193 Mich-again  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 10:13:27pm
They’re not like other bands.

WTF was that???

194 HappyWarrior  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 10:13:30pm

I believe Biden was judiciary chair when it came to Bork and Thomas' confirmations. You can't underestimate that as a reason for them hating him. Gosh it's bad enough that we have Scalia, Thomas, and Alito. Can you imagine a USSC that had until his recent passing: Scalia, Thomas, Alito, and Bork? Bork is the big reason I don't want to hear from wingnuts about "extreme liberal judiges" ever.

195 HappyWarrior  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 10:14:22pm

re: #191 Targetpractice

It never fails to amaze me that people who whine incessantly about liberals "not having a sense of humor" get so bent out of shape over Biden being...well, Biden.

With no irony whatsoever. Biden's a character. I really think in a different world he could have been president and a decent one at that.

197 Mich-again  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 10:19:13pm

I like Grinderman.. very cool. I'm going to have to check more out from them..

Here is a video from a band that spoofs the Hair Metal bands of the '80's. This is some pretty funny unplugged shit. Steel Panther.

Youtube Video
198 Kragar  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 10:23:47pm

re: #197 Mich-again

I like Grinderman.. very cool. I'm going to have to check more out from them..

Here is a video from a band that spoofs the Hair Metal bands of the '80's. This is some pretty funny unplugged shit. Steel Panther.

[Embedded content]

Anthrax's contribution to the rock love ballads of the 90s.

Youtube Video
199 Mich-again  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 10:29:18pm

re: #198 Kragar

That is just horrible. Nigel Tufnel would love it..

200 Interesting Times  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 10:31:15pm

re: #196 Four More Tears

This is... interesting.

Crime Is at its Lowest Level in 50 Years. A Simple Molecule May Be the Reason Why.

From the article:

A second study found that high exposure to lead during childhood was linked to a permanent loss of gray matter in the prefrontal cortex—a part of the brain associated with aggression control as well as what psychologists call "executive functions": emotional regulation, impulse control, attention, verbal reasoning, and mental flexibility. One way to understand this, says Kim Cecil, another member of the Cincinnati team, is that lead affects precisely the areas of the brain "that make us most human."

I conclude House republicans must have been exposed to staggering amounts.

201 wilburs  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 10:38:29pm

re: #196 Four More Tears

This is... interesting.

Crime Is at its Lowest Level in 50 Years. A Simple Molecule May Be the Reason Why.

This idea has been around for a long time, but no one has quantified it.

Lead abatement was one of the most successful policy achievements ever, along with CFC bans

Too bad we can't do stuff like that anymore

202 Mich-again  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 10:39:08pm

re: #200 Interesting Times

From the article:

I conclude House republicans must have been exposed to staggering amounts.

Shotgun pellets, bullets and sinkers used in fishing..

203 Kragar  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 10:42:10pm

re: #202 Mich-again

Shotgun pellets, bullets and sinkers used in fishing..

Paint chips.

Delicious, delicious paint chips.

204 Mattand  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 11:01:52pm

re: #194 HappyWarrior

I believe Biden was judiciary chair when it came to Bork and Thomas' confirmations. You can't underestimate that as a reason for them hating him. Gosh it's bad enough that we have Scalia, Thomas, and Alito. Can you imagine a USSC that had until his recent passing: Scalia, Thomas, Alito, and Bork? Bork is the big reason I don't want to hear from wingnuts about "extreme liberal judiges" ever.

Rachel Maddow recapped his ruling that companies had a right to fire women if they got pregnant. The case in question involved a company that literally told the female employees to get sterilized or get fired.

I had no idea what a piece of shit Bork actually was. Condolences to his family, but he won't be missed.

205 engineer cat  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 11:12:45pm

re: #196 Four More Tears

This is... interesting.

Crime Is at its Lowest Level in 50 Years. A Simple Molecule May Be the Reason Why.

seriously, as a hippie health food nut in the 70s i used to speculate that the lead in car exhaust had had a significant deleterious effect on the intelligence of the american people

in my case however i tagged the blandness, conformism, and bad taste of the 1950s as the most noticeable effect

206 freetoken  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 11:46:03pm

Mahalia Jackson:

MP3 Audio
207 HappyWarrior  Thu, Jan 3, 2013 11:56:38pm

re: #204 Mattand

Rachel Maddow recapped his ruling that companies had a right to fire women if they got pregnant. The case in question involved a company that literally told the female employees to get sterilized or get fired.

I had no idea what a piece of shit Bork actually was. Condolences to his family, but he won't be missed.

Yikes. Yeah I feel bad for his family. After all he is someone's father and grandfather and husband but man we were lucky to have Biden, Ted Kennedy, and the others to expose what a disaster this guy would be on the high court.

208 researchok  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 12:19:08am

Morning, all

209 researchok  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 12:28:24am

re: #206 freetoken

Best version, ever. I'm bowled over.

No wonder she brought so many people to their knees with her Gospel singing.

Favorited.

210 freetoken  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 12:43:54am

Leopold Weiss' "Concerto for Lute, two violins and cello" :

MP3 Audio
211 researchok  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 1:04:44am

Superb

TY

212 Jimmah  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 3:05:14am

re: #67 freetoken

'The Avengers' voted most overrated movie of 2012 by a landslide

I could go with that. Yet just having seen The Hobbit I was left with a similar impression.

I liked the Avengers a lot, my vote would have gone to:

"Batman: The Dark Knight Rises"

Just a shitty, shitty, confused mess of a movie.

Haven't seen the Hobbit yet, but it looks absolutely dreadful on paper.

"Like butter scraped over too much bread"

213 A Mom Anon  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 3:16:39am

As always I'm late to the conversation but Pro Life Liberal, I'd like to suggest you get in touch with people who understand autism and Asperger's in particular. It's hard to find reputable people and places to go, so I would suggest contacting a couple of places:

The Marcus Center at marcus.org. It's in Atlanta, affiliated with Emory Hospital.

The Kennedy Krieger Center in Baltimore.

I realize you're in Colorado, but calling them and asking if they can advise you on how to find help is not a bad idea. Every therapist is not trained or familiar with autism or Asperger Syndrome, you have to ask and make sure they have worked with people on the spectrum in the past. And please, STAY AWAY from online "self help" groups, they are full of quacks and trolls. You are not weak because you need help, but you need to be aware that you do not have all the answers and what you define as logic may not be helpful to you right now. I wish you all the best, but please don't underestimate the value of a commitment to long term therapy. Good luck.

214 Vicious Babushka  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 4:49:12am

My paycheck went down by $31 this pay cycle, thanks GOP cocksuckers!

215 Vicious Babushka  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 4:50:08am

Of course the wingnut are blaming Obama for the payroll tax increase when it was totally caused by the GOP.

216 Vicious Babushka  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 5:04:15am

DERP


Hey dumbass, Obama won 62% of the vote!

Fucking math, how does it work?

217 Vicious Babushka  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 5:15:41am

LOL DERP, yes Boehner will give all the RINO's high cholesterol.

218 BongCrodny  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 5:59:56am

re: #216 Vicious Babushka

DERP

[Embedded content]


Hey dumbass, Obama won 62% of the vote!

Fucking math, how does it work?

At last count, Obama had 65,899,660 votes.

Boehner got 220 votes.

Why, they're exactly alike!

219 Mattand  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 6:28:25am

re: #216 Vicious Babushka

DERP

[Embedded content]


Hey dumbass, Obama won 62% of the vote!

Fucking math, how does it work?

Here's how I started my morning:

220 Vicious Babushka  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 6:30:02am

re: #219 Mattand

Here's how I started my morning:

[Embedded content]

Obama won 62% of the electoral vote, Bryan can weasel and claim he was referring to the popular vote but that's bullshit, Presidential elections are not determined by the popular vote.

221 Mattand  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 6:33:16am

re: #212 Jimmah

I liked the Avengers a lot, my vote would have gone to:

"Batman: The Dark Knight Rises"

Just a shitty, shitty, confused mess of a movie.

Haven't seen the Hobbit yet, but it looks absolutely dreadful on paper.

"Like butter scraped over too much bread"

I don't think it was that bad, but I totally get that. Of the three, Batman Begins is the most tightly focused. Hell, even Inception was more focused, given it's length and subject matter

I worry that Nolan and Jackson are going the way of Lucas, Burton, and Gilliam: directors who make stunning films visually, but are so successful that no one with authority can criticize them when their stories blow.

222 Mattand  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 6:35:28am

re: #220 Vicious Babushka

Obama won 62% of the electoral vote, Bryan can weasel and claim he was referring to the popular vote but that's bullshit, Presidential elections are not determined by the popular vote.

Appreciate it. None my Tweet recipients notice me anyway, so it's basically me Eastwooding to make myself feel better.

223 Vicious Babushka  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 6:36:26am

re: #219 Mattand

Here's how I started my morning:

[Embedded content]

EVEN MORE BREATHTAKING DERP FAIL:


He's counting everyone who didn't vote and is not eligible to vote.

(This is on the Super Derp list for Derp that is too Derpy for the regular Derp list.)

224 darthstar  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 6:37:30am

re: #222 Mattand

Appreciate it. None my Tweet recipients notice me anyway, so it's basically me Eastwooding to make myself feel better.

We're all Eastwooding on Twitter. Nobody ever notices until we say something stupid...which is why Fischer has an audience.

225 darthstar  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 6:39:04am

re: #223 Vicious Babushka

So Romney gets 250 million votes and still loses? How pathetic is that!

226 Vicious Babushka  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 6:40:32am

re: #225 darthstar

So Romney gets 250 million votes and still loses? How pathetic is that!

Cartman stole all those ballots. Search the Hummer dealership!

227 Vicious Babushka  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 6:43:12am

Right on schedule, blaming POTUS for the GOP refusal to extend the payroll tax cuts.

228 darthstar  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 6:44:43am

Speaking of Romney, I was listening to Steve Earle's end of year Hardcore Troubadore show on Sirius Outlaw Country coming home from Lake Tahoe, and at the end of his show he introduced a Springsteen song (Jack of All Trades) by talking about the election - in gentle terms at first because he knows there are a lot of rednecks listening to him who hate Obama. Well, as he talked about 'how things turned out' being 'better than the alternative' he finally let slip Romney's name, and at that point moved into 'shit would have been really fucked up if he won' territory. Hilarious.

229 darthstar  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 6:48:02am

re: #227 Vicious Babushka

Anchor baby says what?

230 Targetpractice  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 6:51:00am

re: #227 Vicious Babushka

Right on schedule, blaming POTUS for the GOP refusal to extend the payroll tax cuts.

[Embedded content]

I'm not really up to it this morning, but I'm willing to bet if you check her Twitter history and blog, she was one of those screaming their heads off for the GOP to let the payroll tax holiday expire a year ago, as scheduled, rather than give Obama a "win."

231 Vicious Babushka  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 6:51:16am
232 Mattand  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 6:51:21am

re: #229 darthstar

Anchor baby says what?

LOL.

I've never understood how children of immigrants can line up with the current Republicans. I know her parents came here legally, but I really don't think the current crew cares about that.

I'm sure if they had their way, anyone with a suntan would be kicked out ASAP.

233 lawhawk  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 6:54:02am

re: #215 Vicious Babushka

The change in the payroll tax from 4.2% to 6.2% was part of the expiration of the payroll tax holiday enacted by Congress and the President. That will cover nearly all of the increase in tax withholding you've seen (unless you're making serious coin, in which case, you'd see higher withholding in the top tax bracket). In other words, Congress chose not to extend the temporary tax break on the payroll tax that funds Social Security, thereby improving the solvency of that program that everyone (except the rabid right wing - but I repeat myself) agrees is worthwhile and important part of the safety net.

It's a fair cop to blame Obama for the expiration of the payroll tax break. Taxes did go up - but they're directly funding a program whose utility is (other than the RWNJs) considered sacrosanct.

The tax deal also increased commuter mass transit tax breaks to $240 a month - matching the break offered for commuter parking. The 2012 break was reduced to $120, so commuters see a significant break - about $1,200 for the year. That almost offsets the payroll tax change.

The remaining tax breaks and credits don't affect most people. The 2012 tax rates will carry over into 2013 except for the top tax bracket, who will now have higher rates. But that means for anyone under $400/450k, they'll see the same federal income tax rates as they did in 2012. Capital gains may change depending on the threshold levels, but most people don't see capital gains.

The game changer is making the AMT patch permanent. The AMT used to require an annual patch, and when the CBO and JCT would score budget plans going out 10 years, they'd have to report that the plans would resolve more revenue than they should because the AMT would revert to the original levels and hit more taxpayers. The patch would manually adjust the levels and reduce income going forward.

That's why the CBO/JCT scoring on the 2012 tax act was $4t - $1.8t of that amount was taking into account making the AMT patch permanent, even though the AMT was patched annually. Going forward, the CBO and JCT can't take the AMT into account - so the scoring will be more accurate. It means Congress wont be able to play nearly as many games as they would otherwise.

234 Dark_Falcon  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 6:54:57am

re: #227 Vicious Babushka

Right on schedule, blaming POTUS for the GOP refusal to extend the payroll tax cuts.

[Embedded content]

I really wish she'd stop pathologizing political decisions. A decision was made that keeping income taxes low for 99.2% of people had the priority, and that keeping the payroll tax reduction wasn't worth it. That's not 'betrayal', nor is it 'evil'. It's tax and budget decision making, for God's sake!

235 Targetpractice  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 6:55:21am

My apologies, it has been a year since I last looked. It wasn't an extension, the payroll tax cut was implemented as part of the GOP deal to extend the Bush Tax Cut and federal UI insurance an additional two years, as a replacement for the "Making Work Pay" tax credit that was part of the previous year's stimulus bill.

So in short, the GOP got what they wanted two years ago (the bulk of Bush Tax Cuts made permanent), and in exchange the rest of us get to eat shit.

236 Vicious Babushka  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 6:55:40am

re: #233 lawhawk

The tax deal also increased commuter mass transit tax breaks to $240 a month - matching the break offered for commuter parking. The 2012 break was reduced to $120, so commuters see a significant break - about $1,200 for the year. That almost offsets the payroll tax change.

Doesn't apply if you live in a place that does not have mass transit.

237 lawhawk  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 6:55:43am

Put another way, if you phrase the payroll tax change knowing that the funds go to Social Security, much of that anger about the paychecks would go away.

238 lawhawk  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 7:00:11am

re: #235 Targetpractice

That's what I've been saying. The Bush tax cuts were made permanent for all but those making over $400/450k. The cap gains was increased marginally, but the GOP position on taxes was largely made permanent. Yet, the GOP complains that they didn't get what they wanted in spending cuts.

So they're now focused on the debt ceiling as a way to reduce spending that the Congress had already appropriated and agreed upon. They want to reneg on the agreed upon budget deal.

Think about that. They agreed to a budget, but now want to reduce that budget even further. They complained about the expiration of the Bush tax cuts and reduced spending even though it was essentially austerity that the fiscal hawks had been seeking. But when that all came to a head, they didn't want to feel any pain, so they put off the spending cuts while extending the cuts to most Americans.

They'll be back at going after spending cuts, even though they wont want any of the cuts to affect their districts while protecting what pork comes their way. Business as usual.

239 darthstar  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 7:00:58am

re: #237 lawhawk

Put another way, if you phrase the payroll tax change knowing that the funds go to Social Security, much of that anger about the paychecks would go away.

I followed the link from one of the other tweets at twitchy (what a stupid site!) and that's exactly what happened to the woman who was originally quoted. Someone explained it was the GOP refusal to extend the SS break and she said, "Oh. Okay." - of course, I wasted 10 minutes of my life finding that out.

240 Vicious Babushka  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 7:02:06am

re: #237 lawhawk

Put another way, if you phrase the payroll tax change knowing that the funds go to Social Security, much of that anger about the paychecks would go away.

The whole purpose of this exercise was to pin the blame on Obama.

241 Targetpractice  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 7:02:55am

re: #238 lawhawk

That's what I've been saying. The Bush tax cuts were made permanent for all but those making over $400/450k. The cap gains was increased marginally, but the GOP position on taxes was largely made permanent. Yet, the GOP complains that they didn't get what they wanted in spending cuts.

So they're now focused on the debt ceiling as a way to reduce spending that the Congress had already appropriated and agreed upon. They want to reneg on the agreed upon budget deal.

Think about that. They agreed to a budget, but now want to reduce that budget even further. They complained about the expiration of the Bush tax cuts and reduced spending even though it was essentially austerity that the fiscal hawks had been seeking. But when that all came to a head, they didn't want to feel any pain, so they put off the spending cuts while extending the cuts to most Americans.

They'll be back at going after spending cuts, even though they wont want any of the cuts to affect their districts while protecting what pork comes their way. Business as usual.

And McConnell's statement this week seems to be the same as Boehner gave during the "fiscal cliff" negotiations: Democrats have to name the cuts. Republicans will insist on cuts, they'll rail against Democrats for not agreeing to cuts, and they'll predict economic doom if cuts are not put forward. But they will do everything possible to avoid naming the cuts, because they know they'll be politically devastating to whoever puts them forward.

242 darthstar  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 7:03:52am

re: #238 lawhawk

There will be no debate on the debt limit. President Obama has already promised to campaign against the GOP if they try. They can go on Fox and pretend they're negotiating the debt limit with the President, but at the end of the day they won't be allowed to hold the country hostage.

243 [deleted]  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 7:07:20am
244 Renaissance_Man  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 7:07:25am
So in short, the GOP got what they wanted two years ago (the bulk of Bush Tax Cuts made permanent), and in exchange the rest of us get to eat shit.

That's been the story for much of Obama's presidency - Republicans getting what they wanted previously but now oppose to feed hate to the base. Obamacare, for instance.

Proof that being crazy arseholes to shift the Overton Window works, as long as it is framed correctly in the media.

245 lawhawk  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 7:07:35am

re: #236 Vicious Babushka

That's true. There are also other tax breaks and incentives that were included or extended by the program.

246 darthstar  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 7:08:33am

That's probably going to get misinterpreted.

247 lawhawk  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 7:13:55am

re: #246 darthstar

Looks like stinky was on top of the case....

248 darthstar  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 7:15:34am
249 Dark_Falcon  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 7:17:53am

[deleted by author]

250 Joanne  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 7:18:22am

re: #222 Mattand

Appreciate it. None my Tweet recipients notice me anyway, so it's basically me Eastwooding to make myself feel better.

Makes me feel better too. I responded.

251 Vicious Babushka  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 7:19:16am

re: #250 Joanne

Makes me feel better too. I responded.

[Embedded content]

Not to mention Ayn Rand was very pro-choice!

252 Varek Raith  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 7:19:53am

Connecticut Town Collects Violent Video Games For Destruction
Yes, let's just all ignore the massive elephant in the room.

253 darthstar  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 7:20:15am

re: #249 Dark_Falcon

[deleted by author]

Yeah...and rightly so.

254 Varek Raith  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 7:20:25am

Bad Dark!
Bad Darth!

255 darthstar  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 7:22:12am

re: #254 Varek Raith

Bad Dark!
Bad Darth!

I knew better. Suffice it to say I have little faith in some people's willingness to change.

256 Vicious Babushka  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 7:22:15am

TEH. DERPZ. #WhyIsMyPaycheckLessThisWeek

257 BongCrodny  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 7:22:37am

So, this medical transcription training program I'm taking through the VA?

I have to learn words like esophagogastroduodenoscopy.

Admit it. You all envy me.

:-)

258 Vicious Babushka  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 7:24:55am

re: #257 BongCrodny

So, this medical transcription training program I'm taking through the VA?

I have to learn words like esophagogastroduodenoscopy.

Admit it. You all envy me.

:-)

That's a procedure where they shove a tube down your throat in order to view the contents of your stomach.

259 Varek Raith  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 7:25:22am

re: #257 BongCrodny

So, this medical transcription training program I'm taking through the VA?

I have to learn words like esophagogastroduodenoscopy.

Admit it. You all envy me.

:-)

WHAT DID YOU CALL ME?!?!
:P

260 Renaissance_Man  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 7:26:18am
So, this medical transcription training program I'm taking through the VA?

I have to learn words like esophagogastroduodenoscopy.

Admit it. You all envy me.

By a strange coincidence, I just did one. Dictating it now.

Let me know if there are any problems.

261 lawhawk  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 7:26:27am

re: #258 Vicious Babushka

All the way into the small intestines.

262 Vicious Babushka  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 7:27:11am

re: #261 lawhawk

All the way into the small intestines.

I had to have one about 12 years ago when I was diagnosed with an ulcer.

263 BongCrodny  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 7:27:12am

re: #259 Varek Raith

WHAT DID YOU CALL ME?!?!
:P

"Sir."

264 Dark_Falcon  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 7:27:45am

re: #256 Vicious Babushka

TEH. DERPZ. #WhyIsMyPaycheckLessThisWeek

Answer: Your paycheck is less so that Social Security doesn't go bankrupt.

265 Varek Raith  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 7:28:02am

Chili and lime dark chocolate = Awesomesauce.

266 Dark_Falcon  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 7:30:33am

re: #252 Varek Raith

Connecticut Town Collects Violent Video Games For Destruction
Yes, let's just all ignore the massive elephant in the room.

It's a DERP, but its not a harmful DERP. A couple of left-of-center people (none of them here at LGF) called it a 'witch hunt' or a 'book buring', which it isn't. Thankfully, the meme did not take hold.

267 BongCrodny  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 7:30:56am

re: #265 Varek Raith

Chili and lime dark chocolate = Awesomesauce.

A friend recently told me that I should add 6 squares of a Hershey bar to spaghetti sauce.

I'd never heard that suggestion before, but (other than quality) it sounds similar in nature.

How do you suppose you go through 56 years on this rock without ever hearing something, and then you hear it twice in one month?

268 Romantic Heretic  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 7:31:38am

re: #169 Kragar

Beta is like the test version where they try out new mods and other tweaks before they add them to the main version

Beta is short for 'Beta than nothing.'

269 Varek Raith  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 7:32:17am

re: #266 Dark_Falcon

It's a DERP, but its not a harmful DERP. A couple of left-of-center people (none of them here at LGF) called it a 'witch hunt' or a 'book buring', which it isn't. Thankfully, the meme did not take hold.

I'd only call it a witch hunt if they called for a ban on them.
Until then, it's a stupid feel-good measure that will amount to a hill of beans.
Edited for spelling.

270 Dark_Falcon  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 7:34:43am
271 Romantic Heretic  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 7:35:13am

re: #176 Kragar

Probably Skyrim for me

Bioshock 2 and Diablo 3 for me. I stay away from MMOs. Waaaay too many psychotics on them.

272 Renaissance_Man  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 7:35:51am
It's a DERP, but its not a harmful DERP.

Absolutely it is. It's harmful because it deliberately ignores the most direct problem (guns), thus perpetuating the myth that is at the heart of the problem (that guns aren't the problem). It is exactly this sort of delusion that kills so many Americans.

273 BongCrodny  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 7:38:58am

re: #260 Renaissance_Man

By a strange coincidence, I just did one. Dictating it now.

Let me know if there are any problems.

Well, I'm only on Chapter One, so the tough sledding is yet to come.

I'm pretty sure the "esophagogastroduodenoscopy" is just for show, since we're only learning word roots, combination forms and suffixes and prefixes for the moment.

Still, it's a very interesting program, and if there are other unemployed vets (or people who know unemployed vets) reading this the VRAP program is well worth exploring. The VA will pay you a stipend of $1,564 per month for up to one year to take training for a "high demand occupation"; the only obligation is that you need to pay for the school out of that money (or out of savings).

There are about 10,000 slots still open for this fiscal year, so it appears to be a popular program.

274 I Am Kreniigh!  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 7:44:54am

re: #93 Targetpractice

Probably already posted here but WTH

275 NJDhockeyfan  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 7:45:01am

Good morning lizards!

276 Varek Raith  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 7:45:14am

re: #275 NJDhockeyfan

Good morning lizards!

Prove it.
:P

277 lawhawk  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 7:45:46am

This is an odd report. JPost picked up a report attributed to BBC, that Iranian authorities have called for an evacuation of Isfahan over pollution. The BBC news site doesn't appear to have that item though.

The reports further indicate that the evacuation edict was not for pollution, but a possible problem at one of Iran's nuclear facilities in the city that began back in November (according to other sources).

I haven't seen confirmation of any of this anywhere else. The evacuation of a city with 1.5 million people would certainly register with folks in the intel community. It would certainly get more than a couple of minor writeups.

278 Varek Raith  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 7:47:04am

re: #277 lawhawk

This is an odd report. JPost picked up a report attributed to BBC, that Iranian authorities have called for an evacuation of Isfahan over pollution. The BBC news site doesn't appear to have that item though.

The reports further indicate that the evacuation edict was not for pollution, but a possible problem at one of Iran's nuclear facilities in the city that began back in November (according to other sources).

I haven't seen confirmation of any of this anywhere else. The evacuation of a city with 1.5 million people would certainly register with folks in the intel community. It would certainly get more than a couple of minor writeups.

Any one know the reactor design of that facility?
I know it's Russian.

279 NJDhockeyfan  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 7:48:34am

re: #276 Varek Raith

Prove it.
:P

I woke up alive.

280 Varek Raith  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 7:48:47am

re: #278 Varek Raith

Any one know the reactor design of that facility?
I know it's Russian.

Correction.
They are 4 Chinese research reactors.

281 Varek Raith  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 7:49:19am

re: #279 NJDhockeyfan

I woke up alive.

Yeah?
Well I'm already undead so...
Prove it.
:P

282 ProBosniaLiberal  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 7:49:49am

re: #280 Varek Raith

Oh, that's even worse then.

But, uh, would we notice a massive evacuation? Even if by Satellite?

283 Varek Raith  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 7:50:02am

And an uranium conversion facility.

284 Varek Raith  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 7:52:33am

Sounds like the problem is at the conversion facility.

285 NJDhockeyfan  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 7:54:33am

re: #277 lawhawk

This is an odd report. JPost picked up a report attributed to BBC, that Iranian authorities have called for an evacuation of Isfahan over pollution. The BBC news site doesn't appear to have that item though.

The reports further indicate that the evacuation edict was not for pollution, but a possible problem at one of Iran's nuclear facilities in the city that began back in November (according to other sources).

I haven't seen confirmation of any of this anywhere else. The evacuation of a city with 1.5 million people would certainly register with folks in the intel community. It would certainly get more than a couple of minor writeups.

This story includes pictures of what they are calling heavy smog.

Photos: Tehran's air pollution reaches alarming level

286 Dark_Falcon  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 7:54:51am

re: #282 ProMayaLiberal

Oh, that's even worse then.

But, uh, would we notice a massive evacuation? Even if by Satellite?

We'd notice. The increase in outbound traffic and the simultaneous absence of inbound traffic (except perhaps for trains and/or buses) would be noticeable even from civilian photo-satellites. The Sats Google uses could see such an evacuation easily.

287 ProBosniaLiberal  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 7:56:33am

re: #286 Dark_Falcon

I would imagine Google would come out and say "Ahhh, something is wrong in Isfahan."

288 Vicious Babushka  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 7:56:36am

Oh, uccch, look at a trending topic for too long and it gets swarmed by spambots.

289 Varek Raith  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 7:57:54am

re: #287 ProMayaLiberal

I would imagine Google would come out and say "Ahhh, something is wrong in Isfahan."

I'm pretty sure the world's intel agencies have been monitoring that site from orbit since it was built in 84.

290 Varek Raith  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 8:00:29am

If something did happen at that facility, I hope, hope, it wasn't stuxnet or something similar.

291 Vicious Babushka  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 8:01:48am

re: #290 Varek Raith

If something did happen at that facility, I hope, hope, it wasn't stuxnet or something similar.

I think stuxnet is programmed to cause the centifuges to shut down, not to cause a Chernobyl event.

292 Varek Raith  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 8:02:30am

re: #291 Vicious Babushka

I think stuxnet is programmed to cause the centifuges to shut down, not to cause a Chernobyl event.

Yep, it caused their motors to burn out.
I'm just being cautious is all.
:)

293 Sionainn  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 8:02:49am

re: #257 BongCrodny

So, this medical transcription training program I'm taking through the VA?

I have to learn words like esophagogastroduodenoscopy.

Admit it. You all envy me.

:-)

I always loved that word. However, when doing transcription, I use EGD on my quick correct so I don't have to spell it out every time. ;-)

294 ProBosniaLiberal  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 8:03:31am

re: #290 Varek Raith

Let's not take this too seriously. We would have evidence if such an event occurred, and there isn't any.

295 Varek Raith  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 8:04:04am

re: #294 ProMayaLiberal

Let's not take this too seriously. We would have evidence if such an event occurred, and there isn't any.

Which is why I italicized 'if'.

296 Varek Raith  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 8:05:30am

It's not like we or the Russians have never had accidents at enrichment facilities.
It's a dangerous process.

297 Sionainn  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 8:05:34am

re: #273 BongCrodny

Well, I'm only on Chapter One, so the tough sledding is yet to come.

I'm pretty sure the "esophagogastroduodenoscopy" is just for show, since we're only learning word roots, combination forms and suffixes and prefixes for the moment.

Still, it's a very interesting program, and if there are other unemployed vets (or people who know unemployed vets) reading this the VRAP program is well worth exploring. The VA will pay you a stipend of $1,564 per month for up to one year to take training for a "high demand occupation"; the only obligation is that you need to pay for the school out of that money (or out of savings).

There are about 10,000 slots still open for this fiscal year, so it appears to be a popular program.

Good luck with your program!

299 Vicious Babushka  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 8:08:46am

WTF DERP


I read the article Bryan links to here and I don't see any "judicial activism." Bryan is making shit up, as usual.

300 lawhawk  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 8:09:14am

re: #290 Varek Raith

A containment leak requiring mass evacuations would probably be beyond the scope of the stuxnet or similar worm/virus/cyberattack. Even if it wasn't, Iran could still peg blame on it - and therefore use it as an excuse to go after the US or Israel. Iran might not want to admit that their systems were screwed up by Stuxnet - confirming just how badly they got hit though.

At the same time, it could be a containment failure because they simply didn't institute the kinds of precautions and protections that are sufficient to contain highly radioactive materials. If the materials were in liquid form, they could have made their way into local waterways and aquifers, poisoning the area for a long time to come (depending on what was in the witches' brew, it could be for thousands of years based on half lives). The enrichment of uranium or plutonium and their subseequent decay cycle for contain some really nasty stuff.

We've got parts of Hanford and Oak Ridge that are no-go zones because of the radioactive contamination.

And yet there's no reason to believe the one-off reports without further confirmation. All supposition at this point.

301 Varek Raith  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 8:11:43am

I was always against using cyber warfare like stuxnet in peace time.
I mean, how would we react if someone launched a similar attack against us?

302 dragonath  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 8:13:01am

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

303 Vicious Babushka  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 8:13:21am

It didn't take long to go from "Blame Obama!" to the ugly naked racism.

#WhyIsMyPaycheckLessThisWeek

304 Mattand  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 8:14:46am

re: #266 Dark_Falcon

It's a DERP, but its not a harmful DERP. A couple of left-of-center people (none of them here at LGF) called it a 'witch hunt' or a 'book buring', which it isn't. Thankfully, the meme did not take hold.

Not really. A bunch of people are gathering together to scapegoat a form of entertainment in a massive bonfire. Instead of doing something constructive, like contacting their elected officials about gun control.

Burning videogames is a protected form of free speech, but to say it's different than book burning is bullshit. Different medium, same concept.

305 Dark_Falcon  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 8:16:25am

re: #299 Vicious Babushka

WTF DERP

[Embedded content]


I read the article Bryan links to here and I don't see any "judicial activism." Bryan is making shit up, as usual.

If anything, Salon blames the law, not the judges, who had to decide the appeal based on it. The article end by calling for the law to be changed, which is not what you'd expect to see in an article decrying judicial activism. Bryan Fisher is claiming the article means exactly the opposite of what is really being said, which is par for the course for Mr. Fischer.

306 NJDhockeyfan  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 8:17:17am

Scientologists' Alleged 'Alien Space Cathedral' Found

A secret bunker hidden deep within the deserts of New Mexico is reported to be the "alien space cathedral" of the Church of Scientology, according to the author of a new book on Scientology.

The site is marked by a large symbol etched onto the desert floor: two diamonds surrounded by a pair of overlapping circles, according to the British newspaper The Sun. A private airstrip, built to serve the controversial church's leaders, is within walking distance of the symbol.

The entire complex is located near Mesa Huerfanita, N.M., roughly two-hour's drive from Santa Fe, N.M., and three hours north of Roswell, N.M., site of numerous purported UFO sightings, according to The Sun.

The Sun report, penned by BBC journalist (and author) and Scientology debunker John Sweeney, claims the church designed the underground site to withstand a nuclear holocaust. Hidden within the complex's vaults are titanium caskets that hold gold disks inscribed with the original texts of Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard, according to the Daily Mail.

Best known for its celebrity members like Tom Cruise, John Travolta and Kirstie Alley, scientology "is a religion that offers a precise path leading to a complete and certain understanding of one’s true spiritual nature and one’s relationship to self, family, groups, Mankind, all life forms, the material universe, the spiritual universe and the Supreme Being," according to the organization's website.

The symbols seen on the desert floor are reportedly there to help guide such Scientologists returning to Earth after fleeing the planet to escape a future "Armageddon," writes the Daily Mail.

The Church of Scientology did not respond to requests for comment, according to the Daily Mail. Sweeney's new book "The Church of Fear: Inside the Weird World of Scientology" (Silvertail Books), is scheduled to be published in January 2013.

307 Dark_Falcon  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 8:18:29am

re: #303 Vicious Babushka

It didn't take long to go from "Blame Obama!" to the ugly naked racism.

#WhyIsMyPaycheckLessThisWeek

Here's a nasty little bit of filth that's also utterly wrong:

308 Obdicut  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 8:19:48am

re: #298 NJDhockeyfan

The Telegraph:

The Guardian speaks up for paedophiles, flirts with anti-Semitism and jumps on every crazy Leftist bandwagon in sight. What happened to quality control?

The author of that piece in the Telegraph is a guy who managed to write a biography of Pat Buchanan without ever mentioning he's an anti-semite.

Why do you consider him a good source?

309 dragonath  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 8:20:02am

Judge: Law won't protect unmarried victims in rape

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A California appeals court overturned the rape conviction of a man who authorities say pretended to be a sleeping woman's boyfriend before initiating intercourse, ruling that an arcane law from 1872 doesn't protect unmarried women in such cases.

A panel of judges reversed the trial court's conviction of Julio Morales and remanded it for retrial, in a decision posted Wednesday from the Los Angeles-based court.

The decision also urges the Legislature to examine the law, which was first written in response to cases in England that concluded fraudulent impersonation to have sex wasn't rape because the victim would consent, even if they were being tricked into thinking the perpetrator was their husband.

"Has the man committed rape? Because of historical anomalies in the law and the statutory definition of rape, the answer is no, even though, if the woman had been married and the man had impersonated her husband, the answer would be yes," Judge Thomas L. Willhite Jr. wrote in the court's decision.

WTF

310 Vicious Babushka  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 8:21:30am

re: #307 Dark_Falcon

Here's a nasty little bit of filth that's also utterly wrong:

[Embedded content]

They're all utterly wrong but that one is vicious.

311 NJDhockeyfan  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 8:21:47am

re: #308 Obdicut

re: #298 NJDhockeyfan

The author of that piece in the Telegraph is a guy who managed to write a biography of Pat Buchanan without ever mentioning he's an anti-semite.

Why do you consider him a good source?

I posted a headline and a link. There are links to the Guardian in the story. What's the problem?

312 Dark_Falcon  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 8:22:39am

And here's another piece of wrongheaded asshattery:

313 Vicious Babushka  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 8:23:11am

Here is one that is not wrong:

314 Obdicut  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 8:23:23am

re: #311 NJDhockeyfan

I posted a headline and a link. There are links to the Guardian in the story. What's the problem?

The problem is that the story is written by a guy who wrote a biography of Pat Buchanan without ever mentioning he's an anti-semite, so his credibility in calling out other people an anti-semitism is basically zero.

Yet again, your'e posting about supposed anti-semitism without really giving a shit about anti-semitism. You're promoting a guy who gave Pat Buchanan a pass on anti-semitism.

315 KingKenrod  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 8:23:24am

re: #306 NJDhockeyfan

Scientologists' Alleged 'Alien Space Cathedral' Found

I found it on Google Maps.

[Link: maps.google.com...]

316 Kronocide  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 8:24:24am

re: #308 Obdicut

The author of that piece in the Telegraph is a guy who managed to write a biography of Pat Buchanan without ever mentioning he's an anti-semite.

Why do you consider him a good source?

I was wondering why NJD made that post in the first place.

317 NJDhockeyfan  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 8:24:27am

re: #315 KingKenrod

I found it on Google Maps.

[Link: maps.google.com...]

Nice. Where is the entrance?

318 Vicious Babushka  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 8:24:34am

Swimming upstream.

319 lawhawk  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 8:24:49am
320 Mattand  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 8:24:52am

re: #311 NJDhockeyfan

I posted a headline and a link. There are links to the Guardian in the story. What's the problem?

I'd imagine that someone who writes a bio of Pat Buchanan and fails to mention his, shall we say, barely disguised bigotry is either sympathetic or an incompetent moron. Or both.

Therefore, said author's out put should be taken with an oil tanker full of salt or ignored.

321 dragonath  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 8:25:17am

re: #316 Kronocide

I was wondering why NJD made that post in the first place.

Because the Guardian speaks for Liberals everywhere, dont'cha know.

322 Varek Raith  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 8:25:22am

re: #315 KingKenrod

I found it on Google Maps.

[Link: maps.google.com...]

There goes that landing site.
Jerk.
;)

323 kirkspencer  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 8:25:54am

Logging on late, I miss the stuff I want to run with. (grin)

referencing the Win8/Ubuntu discussion above...

First, why windows over Linux? Because I use Dragon NaturallySpeaking. Note this is not just for text dictation but for verbal control of my computer. I have this problem, one for which I had surgery a few years back. Right now I'm fine but the progress is inevitable, and in five to ten years I will lose half or more of the fine motor control of my hands. (It'll get worse, later.) Even now there are times when I have to stop for a while when fine fingerwork is required. Fat fingering the keyboard and misclicking the mouse are getting more common.

I liked Linux. I used Gentoo by preference on my systems so they'd run right. But Linux won't run DNS without jumping through a lot of hoops, and even then it's flaky. Which takes me to point two...

If you're a tech-savvy person and like to fiddle with it, OR if you're so short of funds that you're forced to fiddle with it to have anything at all, go linux. For everyone else, Windows or Mac. Which to choose depends on what programs you - and just as important the people with whom you work and associate - use. Most of the time either is fine, but if you've got something that only runs or runs significantly better on one or the other, use it. (See DNS, above.)

I sorta liken it to working with cars. If you're experienced and like actually driving then going with standard transmission is a much better choice. Most people, however, just use a car to get from point A to point B, at which point automatic is the way to go. That, however, is almost Mac v M$ in comparison to maintenance. Knowing what to do and liking to do it saves you money and does it "right". But you can pay someone to change oil, and in the time that's happening you can do what you like to do and in some cases earn money to pay for that oil change. I do that, by the way. I know my way around the car -- for example I've rebuilt an engine, once, because I had to. It was not fun for me, and the gains weren't worth the effort. I can get more words written or do some sculpting or something else while someone else does the work on the car and that is just fine for me.

The other part of the discussion was 'why win8'? Honestly, it's not just Win7 with a app-launch screen on top. It's a mobile-oriented OS with the cojones to run a system embedded in it. I've said it before and will frequently repeat it - I think that this is a bright move on Microsoft's part. I think they took a hard look at the future and made a bet which way most people - business and public - are going, and instead of following have jumped to lead. The problem with doing that is that everyone snipes at you for not being on the well-traveled path. Oh, and sometimes you guess wrong. (See Windows ME. shudder.)

Here's the way I see a lot of this shaking out. You have your tablet with you most of the time, and it does 3/4 of what you need done. (more for some, less for others, it's a general thought.) Sometimes you need more, though, so you either dock (physical or virtual) or remote desktop over vpn to a Big System also running Win8. The desktop or cloud computer, whichever, provides increased processor and RAM performance. Sometimes (the docking situation) it's so you can use the larger monitor (and the tablet becomes a mouse/touchpad equivalent). Conceptually Win8 can handle that cleanly. I'm going to be getting my hands on a Win8 tablet (vs a Win RT tablet - the new ME in my opinion) and seeing if it'll set up as cleanly as I imagine.

Allow me to add to this image - but only for my personal use - that I expect to be able to use DNS between the two. I'm also figuring that either Kinect or (more likely) Leap Motion will come into play, allowing handwave gestures without actually touching the screen, in turn allowing off-set and virtual monitors (see for example google glass).

The future is here.

324 NJDhockeyfan  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 8:26:15am

re: #314 Obdicut

The problem is that the story is written by a guy who wrote a biography of Pat Buchanan without ever mentioning he's an anti-semite, so his credibility in calling out other people an anti-semitism is basically zero.

Yet again, your'e posting about supposed anti-semitism without really giving a shit about anti-semitism. You're promoting a guy who gave Pat Buchanan a pass on anti-semitism.

How the fuck would I know that? I don't research every author of news stories and I certainly haven't read his book. Are you trying to start something again?

325 Kronocide  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 8:28:46am

re: #324 NJDhockeyfan

How the fuck would I know that? I don't research every author of news stories and I certainly haven't read his book. Are you trying to start something again?

By maybe reading the fucking links you post and understanding the background.

Don't whine about people 'starting something' when you post shit mindlessly.

326 Obdicut  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 8:29:37am

re: #324 NJDhockeyfan

How the fuck would I know that?

How did I know it? Because I care about who people are that write stuff that I read, and I look into them a little. I remembered this guy after I googled him for his supremely shitty biography of Pat Buchanan.

I'm asking you why you blindly posted that article without knowing the quality of it. I'm assuming you did it because it attacks a liberal newspaper, because you usually post your shit that attacks liberals without verifying it.

The fucking irony of this is that you're posting an article from a guy who whitewashed Pat Buchanan, anti-semite, the article makes accusations of anti-semitism, but most of all ,the article is complaining about a lack of quality control.

Basically: Quality control? You have none. You display absolutely no basis for what you post except posting shit that's hostile to those who you're politically motivated against, and you don't appear to give a shit where it comes from, who writes it, or whether it is true.

327 Dark_Falcon  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 8:29:52am

re: #309 dragonath

This is the same story covered by that Salon article Bryan Fischer inked to. In brief, California law only makes sex via deceit rape if a woman was deceived into thinking she was having sex with her husband. It's a law that was passed in the 19th century and its original purpose was to guard against a woman being considered an adulteress due to someone tricking her into thinking she was having sex with her husband. The law made the deceiver the criminal and established that a wife who had acted in good faith had done no wrong, so it was progressive for its time. The problem is that the law hasn't been revised to keep up with the times.

The fault is not with the judges but instead with California's dysfunctional legislature.

328 Dark_Falcon  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 8:31:51am

re: #319 lawhawk

Image: 031612coletoon.jpg

329 Lidane  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 8:31:54am
330 Varek Raith  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 8:33:03am

re: #328 Dark_Falcon

Image: 031612coletoon.jpg

Being a leader sucks.
Too much paper work, not enough smiting Jedi.
;)

331 lawhawk  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 8:33:09am

re: #329 Lidane

332 Obdicut  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 8:33:25am

re: #329 Lidane

You're fucking kidding me. There's another bill coming, right? They're not just doing that and that's it?

333 Varek Raith  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 8:34:21am

re: #332 Obdicut

You're fucking kidding me. There's another bill coming, right? They're not just doing that and that's it?

The 15th, last I heard.

334 Mattand  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 8:35:28am

re: #324 NJDhockeyfan

How the fuck would I know that? I don't research every author of news stories and I certainly haven't read his book. Are you trying to start something again?

You seem to have a tendency to post stuff that plays to any confirmation bias you have on certain subjects.

I'm guessing the spoiled rich kid terrorist article that incorrectly speculated they were OWS-affiliated is one.

Another is the poll that supposedly proved a majority of US doctors hate Obamacare/ACA; in that case, the poll was done by a Tea Bagger doctor, with a sample size so tiny as to be less than useless.

I've been guilty of this behavior, too. Everyone makes mistakes. One should be more skeptical when researching emotional subjects like anti-semitism. The internet at times isn't your friend.

335 lawhawk  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 8:36:05am

re: #330 Varek Raith

Even Darth Vader and other Sith lords got out there and swung a light sabre and commanded armies in the field.

But the bureaucracy can even get Darth Sidious down from time to time. The credit line for a replacement Death Star doesn't get extended out of thin air.

Youtube Video
336 Dark_Falcon  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 8:36:49am
337 Kronocide  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 8:37:05am

Mini Breitbart has a sadz.

338 NJDhockeyfan  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 8:38:16am

re: #334 Mattand

Another is the poll that supposedly proved a majority of US doctors hate Obamacare/ACA; in that case, the poll was done by a Tea Bagger doctor, with a sample size so tiny as to be less than useless.

I never posted anything about that.

I've been guilty of this behavior, too. Everyone makes mistakes. One should be more skeptical when researching emotional subjects like anti-semitism. The internet at times isn't your friend.

Thank you.

339 Dark_Falcon  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 8:39:25am

re: #335 lawhawk

Even Darth Vader and other Sith lords got out there and swung a light sabre and commanded armies in the field.

But the bureaucracy can even get Darth Sidious down from time to time. The credit line for a replacement Death Star doesn't get extended out of thin air.

[Embedded content]

LMAO! Thanks.

340 Lidane  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 8:40:01am

re: #332 Obdicut

You're fucking kidding me. There's another bill coming, right? They're not just doing that and that's it?

House votes to expand borrowing authority for Sandy flood claims

The vote was 354 to 67.

Elected officials in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut had assailed House Speaker John Boehner for not allowing a vote Tuesday night on additional funding for people affected by last October’s storm. Friday’s vote was a prelude to another vote on Jan. 15 to make additional outlays to cities, towns and property owners affected by the storm.

--SNIP--

House Financial Services Committee chairman Rep. Jeb Hensarling, R-Texas, said during the debate Friday, “There’s no doubt that Hurricane Sandy rendered unspeakable damage to both lives and property on our East Coast. It represents truly one of the great natural disasters of recent history.”

He said, “For the victims who paid for flood insurance policies with the National Flood Insurance Program, their claims need to be paid – and paid now.”
But he added the NFIB “is beyond broke – it is taxpayer-bailout broke.”

He called for reforms to the program to ensure that “taxpayer bailouts are never needed again” and to get NFIP “on a path towards actuarial soundness.” But despite some reforms enacted last year, Hensarling said, “Sandy has hit before many of these provisions could take effect.”

He said his committee would take up a bill this year “to transition to a private innovative, competitive, sustainable flood insurance market.”

341 darthstar  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 8:40:47am

re: #324 NJDhockeyfan

How the fuck would I know that? I don't research every author of news stories and I certainly haven't read his book. Are you trying to start something again?

I'm sure Matt Drudge feels the same way sometimes. So you fucked up...we all fuck up. I fucked up this morning and got deleted (rightly...sorry about that Charles).

Nobody cares that you fucked up. But don't play the victim when you inflicted your own wounds...people will think you're this person.

Image: ashley-todd-1-big.jpg

342 Varek Raith  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 8:42:18am

re: #335 lawhawk

Even Darth Vader and other Sith lords got out there and swung a light sabre and commanded armies in the field.

But the bureaucracy can even get Darth Sidious down from time to time. The credit line for a replacement Death Star doesn't get extended out of thin air.

[Embedded content]

I love that one.

343 Lidane  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 8:42:25am
344 Lidane  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 8:42:41am
345 NJDhockeyfan  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 8:43:12am

re: #341 darthstar

I'm sure Matt Drudge feels the same way sometimes. So you fucked up...we all fuck up. I fucked up this morning and got deleted (rightly...sorry about that Charles).

Nobody cares that you fucked up. But don't play the victim when you inflicted your own wounds...people will think you're this person.

Image: ashley-todd-1-big.jpg

I'm not playing victim but thanks for not going ape shit on me. You got deleted this morning? Sorry to hear that. It's happened to me a few times too.

346 lawhawk  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 8:44:37am

re: #332 Obdicut

The $51b balance is going to come through in a vote on January 15. It's indefensible and inexcusable why this got dragged out for as long as it did.

Congress had 3 weeks to consider the bill, and the House sat on it. The House GOP leadership sat on it until they essentially killed it at the end of the 112th Congress by their inaction. They promised to get it done, but refused to act because they had to go to kabuki theater on the fiscal cliff (which was never a cliff, but the imposition of previously agreed upon austerity - tax hikes and spending cuts).

Now, the House GOP finally got around to acting on the NFIP re-funding, which will help immensely, but the bulk of the reconstruction aid awaits in the main package.

And when it finally passes by a wide margin (as the NFIP portion did 354 to 67), it shows that it was always about politics and never about helping #Sandy victims.

A straight up/down vote last week could have gotten the whole thing done without the drama. Instead, the GOP got itself a rightfully deserved shitshow.

347 Joanne  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 8:44:57am

re: #233 lawhawk

Ok, I am nominating you as Secretary of 'Splaining Stuff! :-D

348 darthstar  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 8:47:17am

re: #345 NJDhockeyfan

I'm not playing victim but thanks for not going ape shit on me. You got deleted this morning? Sorry to hear that. It's happened to me a few times too.

I don't click on 99% of the links you post, so I'm almost never offended by them. I pretty much know where they're from by the link text without having to follow them. It's your internet too...you're allowed to play.

349 Dark_Falcon  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 8:47:37am

This is worth seeing, and some rare good advice out of Alabama:

Youtube Video
350 Varek Raith  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 8:48:29am

XD

Youtube Video
351 Obdicut  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 8:49:19am

re: #349 Dark_Falcon

This is worth seeing, and some rare good advice out of Alabama:

Failed quote causes unintentional hilarity.

352 Lidane  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 8:54:05am
353 kirkspencer  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 8:54:14am

re: #340 Lidane

House votes to expand borrowing authority for Sandy flood claims

and in particular

He said his committee would take up a bill this year “to transition to a private innovative, competitive, sustainable flood insurance market.”

WTF? seriously. paraphrasing: "Oh, we want everyone to get flood insurance to protect themselves from hurricane damage. And we're going to revise legislation so it's done that way instead of through FEMA."

354 Mattand  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 8:54:26am

re: #338 NJDhockeyfan

I never posted anything about that.

Actually, you kinda posted a whole Page about it. Although admittedly the phrase "OWS Activists" is in quotes.

Than again, it's a story from the Daily Mail, so there's that.

Thank you.

No problem.

EDIT: Ugh. Reading comprehension fail on my part. Will be back with actual link.

EDIT 2: The actual link for the Tea Bagger doctor survey.

355 Obdicut  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 8:56:08am

re: #353 kirkspencer

and in particular

WTF? seriously. paraphrasing: "Oh, we want everyone to get flood insurance to protect themselves from hurricane damage. And we're going to revise legislation so it's done that way instead of through FEMA."

He's just lying. There's no real private market for flood insurance. That's why it's been taken over by the government.

356 Joanne  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 8:56:15am

re: #353 kirkspencer

and in particular

WTF? seriously. paraphrasing: "Oh, we want everyone to get flood insurance to protect themselves from hurricane damage. And we're going to revise legislation so it's done that way instead of through FEMA."

OOOH! I can't wait until the private sector scams people out of getting their shit repaired. I used to contract to a large insurance company who was slammed after a major earthquake.

357 Vicious Babushka  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 8:56:51am

"Suck it up"

358 Dark_Falcon  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 8:56:59am

re: #351 Obdicut

Failed quote causes unintentional hilarity.

Now fixed. Please refresh.

359 NJDhockeyfan  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 8:57:40am

US troops arrive in Turkey to man Patriot missile batteries on Syria border

The first American military forces have "put boots on the ground" in Turkey to man Patriot missile batteries along the border with war-wracked Syria, defense officials told NBC News on Friday.

The officials said that 27 out of an eventual total of 400 American service members tasked with operating and supporting two Patriot missile batteries were already in Turkey. The Patriots are a defensive weapon used to intercept and shoot down incoming enemy combat aircraft and missiles.

In December, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta signed an order to send two Patriot missile batteries to Turkey following cross-border artillery and fighter jet attacks by Syria against Turkish targets.

360 lawhawk  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 8:58:19am

re: #353 kirkspencer

The reason that the NFIP was done was because people couldn't get flood insurance on the private market. The NFIP required bailouts because of a string of flood disaster claims that overwhelmed its budget. This is another bailout of the program, and it will allow to program to continue with paying Sandy claims, plus any other flood claims that hit in coming months (and there will be those claims).

361 ProBosniaLiberal  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 8:59:35am

re: #357 Vicious Babushka

Can someone tell him to piss off.

re: #355 Obdicut

Not only that, but I have seen how well private "home insurance" works with Katrina. Pay in for years, something happens, no help.

I would be in favor of Federal Insurance being offered that covers all forms of disasters that damage property.

362 kirkspencer  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 9:01:02am

re: #355 Obdicut

He's just lying. There's no real private market for flood insurance. That's why it's been taken over by the government.

Actually there is a flood insurance market. It's just that the rider is very expensive, and unless you happen to live in an area that not only requires it but for which law and regulation have the government making it happen, most people don't bother.

Examples include the coastal counties of Houston and the 'Mississipi Floodplain' requirements of Missouri.

363 kirkspencer  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 9:02:04am

re: #360 lawhawk

The reason that the NFIP was done was because people couldn't get flood insurance on the private market. The NFIP required bailouts because of a string of flood disaster claims that overwhelmed its budget. This is another bailout of the program, and it will allow to program to continue with paying Sandy claims, plus any other flood claims that hit in coming months (and there will be those claims).

I agree. I was objecting to the comment of his bill that will create an innovative private market replacement.

364 Obdicut  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 9:02:11am

re: #362 kirkspencer

Actually there is a flood insurance market. It's just that the rider is very expensive, and unless you happen to live in an area that not only requires it but for which law and regulation have the government making it happen, most people don't bother.

That's what I mean. There's no effective flood insurance market. It doesn't work. And I'm not aware of any place that requires flood insurance where it's not also subsidized by the government.

365 Vicious Babushka  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 9:03:52am

*SOB*

366 Obdicut  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 9:05:04am

re: #365 Vicious Babushka

Her name is Jane Galt, honoring Ayn Rand, who was virulently anti-religious, and she's referencing a guy who's whining about non-existent loss of religious freedom.

It takes effort to be that clueless.

367 Vicious Babushka  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 9:05:55am

It's hilarious that somebody with a Tweet name of "Jane Galt" doesn't even realize that Ayn Rand was totally pro-choice and also lived on welfare for a while.

368 lawhawk  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 9:06:06am

re: #361 ProMayaLiberal

Insurance companies are designed to take premiums and minimize payouts.

Friends on SI note that they saw adjusters and would claim that damage was due to flooding, not wind. Flooding = no $ because it isn't covered under the standard policy. Wind damage is covered under homeowners. Despite eyewitnesses saying that the damage was due to wind, not rain, the insurance company denied the claim. They're fighting with the company on that front.

I don't think it'd be any different with the federal government in the insurance game. We'd just be blaming the government for the failure to compensate for damage claims instead of the insurance company. Both would have a fiduciary duty to manage claims, risk, and set premiums accordingly.

Thing is, if you're in a flood zone, your rates will go up. Sandy reset flood zone maps in NYC metro so some areas will now face higher insurance costs (on top of whatever damage sustained). Higher insurance costs may end up doing more to refashion coastal development than anything else, but it also may push lower income residents away from the coast. Only the rich will remain, or afford to be close to the coast (since they can afford to build/rebuild).

369 darthstar  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 9:06:44am

re: #364 Obdicut

That's what I mean. There's no effective flood insurance market. It doesn't work. And I'm not aware of any place that requires flood insurance where it's not also subsidized by the government.

I'll be damned...it is subsidized...then again, I wouldn't want to sell (let alone buy) a house in an area designated as AE...

[Link: www.sactoflood.com...]

FEMA flood zone designations:
[Link: msc.fema.gov...]

370 darthstar  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 9:07:13am

re: #365 Vicious Babushka

*SOB*

[Embedded content]

He's an S. O. B.

371 Obdicut  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 9:07:42am

re: #368 lawhawk

I don't think it'd be any different with the federal government in the insurance game. We'd just be blaming the government for the failure to compensate for damage claims instead of the insurance company. Both would have a fiduciary duty to manage claims, risk, and set premiums accordingly.

It is really obviously different when there isn't a profit motive. Really, really obviously. The government has much less of an incentive to deny claims.

372 kirkspencer  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 9:08:21am

re: #365 Vicious Babushka

*SOB*

[Embedded content]

re the letter itself... If your reasoning would allow the thuggee cult to continue practicing, you may be wrong.

373 BongCrodny  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 9:08:57am

re: #306 NJDhockeyfan

Scientologists' Alleged 'Alien Space Cathedral' Found

Best known for its celebrity members like Tom Cruise, John Travolta and Kirstie Alley, scientology "is a religion that offers a precise path leading to a complete and certain understanding of one’s true spiritual nature and one’s relationship to self, family, groups, Mankind, all life forms, the material universe, the spiritual universe and the Supreme Being," according to the organization's website.

Scientology could use three different examples if they're looking to satisfy that definition.

374 lawhawk  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 9:10:37am

re: #357 Vicious Babushka

Idaho has never had flooding, requiring disaster aid? Really?

Oh wait. Back in 2011 there was major flooding. Guess we should get that money back - since we were in debt as we are in now. Idaho cost taxpayers at least $5m for road repairs and other costs.

How about Fischer give that back to taxpayers since we're supposed to be self sufficient.

375 kirkspencer  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 9:11:09am

re: #306 NJDhockeyfan

Scientologists' Alleged 'Alien Space Cathedral' Found

So is this going to be Scientology's equivalent of the "This time we've really found Noah's Ark. No, really."?

376 lawhawk  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 9:11:19am

re: #371 Obdicut

But that allows for questionable claims and can lead to higher costs for taxpayers and ratepayers.

377 Vicious Babushka  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 9:11:25am

*HEAD DESK*
*HEAD DESK*
*HEAD DESK*
*HEAD DESK*

378 NJDhockeyfan  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 9:12:27am

re: #375 kirkspencer

So is this going to be Scientology's equivalent of the "This time we've really found Noah's Ark. No, really."?

Except they are waiting for the Ark to find them.

379 Dark_Falcon  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 9:12:48am

re: #377 Vicious Babushka

*HEAD DESK*
*HEAD DESK*
*HEAD DESK*
*HEAD DESK*

[Embedded content]

Praise the Lord and pass the idiocy!

*HEAD DESK*

380 lawhawk  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 9:14:01am

re: #369 darthstar

[Link: www.floodsmart.gov...] You can get an idea of flood risk and costs for insurance here.

381 Obdicut  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 9:16:43am

re: #376 lawhawk

But that allows for questionable claims and can lead to higher costs for taxpayers and ratepayers.

No, you're ignoring what I said.

A for-profit insurance company has to extract profit. That is it's goddamn raison d'etre. Money is paid into the system that gets taken out of it as profit.

A government program doesn't have to make a profit. No money has to be taken out of the program. All the fees put into it can be applied to claims, and more put into the system if needed from outside funding.

For many things, insurance works well. The companies manage a reasonable amount of risk and charge for the service. With some things, like health insurance, flood insurance, earthquake insurance, the system is too unstable, extreme, or otherwise unfit for private profit motive to provide any benefit, and the private insurance is much less effective than the governmental one.

This has fuck-all to do with claim evaluation. The lack of profit motive doesn't meant that the government lacks motive to distinguish between valid claims and invalid ones. It does mean the for-profit company has a motive to deny claims not based on real validity but for any reason that they can.

382 Lidane  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 9:18:13am

re: #377 Vicious Babushka

re: #379 Dark_Falcon

And both of you are still using your heads more than Bryan Fischer.

383 Lidane  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 9:19:48am

Fischer haz a sad:

384 Dark_Falcon  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 9:22:22am

re: #381 Obdicut

No, you're ignoring what I said.

A for-profit insurance company has to extract profit. That is it's goddamn raison d'etre. Money is paid into the system that gets taken out of it as profit.

A government program doesn't have to make a profit. No money has to be taken out of the program. All the fees put into it can be applied to claims, and more put into the system if needed from outside funding.

For many things, insurance works well. The companies manage a reasonable amount of risk and charge for the service. With some things, like health insurance, flood insurance, earthquake insurance, the system is too unstable, extreme, or otherwise unfit for private profit motive to provide any benefit, and the private insurance is much less effective than the governmental one.

This has fuck-all to do with claim evaluation. The lack of profit motive doesn't meant that the government lacks motive to distinguish between valid claims and invalid ones. It does mean the for-profit company has a motive to deny claims not based on real validity but for any reason that they can.

I think lawhawk has a point, though, Obdi. Government agencies are vulnerable to public pressure, so orders might come down to not screen claims too closely or to pay out claims of flood damage that were actually wind damage. Or you could just political pressure to pay out have the good old-fashioned fraudulent claims (New York is much cleaner than it once was, but any big city will have a few corrupt officials).

385 Feline Fearless Leader  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 9:23:19am

re: #363 kirkspencer

I agree. I was objecting to the comment of his bill that will create an innovative private market replacement.

It will be innovative in how it diverts public funds into the pockets of some of his campaign reelection contributors.
///

386 Lidane  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 9:24:41am

If I said what I thought of this, I'd be banned:

California Court Declares That It’s Not Rape If The Unconscious Women You Trick Into Sleeping With You Isn’t Married

Good thing I have a lot of work to do today. It will give me something to focus on other than this complete and utter bullshit.

387 dragonath  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 9:24:51am

re: #384 Dark_Falcon

I think lawhawk has a point, though, Obdi. Government agencies are vulnerable to public pressure...

And private companies? A agency doing a bad job should be vulnerable, and answerable to the public.

388 Dark_Falcon  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 9:25:47am

re: #386 Lidane

If I said what I thought of this, I'd be banned:

California Court Declares That It’s Not Rape If The Unconscious Women You Trick Into Sleeping With You Isn’t Married

Good thing I have a lot of work to do today. It will give me something to focus on other than this complete and utter bullshit.

re: #327 Dark_Falcon

This is the same story covered by that Salon article Bryan Fischer inked to. In brief, California law only makes sex via deceit rape if a woman was deceived into thinking she was having sex with her husband. It's a law that was passed in the 19th century and its original purpose was to guard against a woman being considered an adulteress due to someone tricking her into thinking she was having sex with her husband. The law made the deceiver the criminal and established that a wife who had acted in good faith had done no wrong, so it was progressive for its time. The problem is that the law hasn't been revised to keep up with the times.

The fault is not with the judges but instead with California's dysfunctional legislature.

389 Vicious Babushka  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 9:25:50am

re: #386 Lidane

If I said what I thought of this, I'd be banned:

California Court Declares That It’s Not Rape If The Unconscious Women You Trick Into Sleeping With You Isn’t Married

Good thing I have a lot of work to do today. It will give me something to focus on other than this complete and utter bullshit.

Here's mayo for the shit sandwich:

390 Dark_Falcon  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 9:28:48am

re: #387 dragonath

And private companies? A agency doing a bad job should be vulnerable, and answerable to the public.

But it might not be. The agency still hands out the monies to the people who lost their house in this scenario, it just gives out corrupt payouts as well. It takes through investigation to spot the frauds and such investigation can often be curtailed by political pressure.

391 wrenchwench  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 9:29:26am
392 bratwurst  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 9:30:06am

Good news: Bill O'Reilly has (for now) given up stereotyping "hispanic moochers". The bad news is that he is now turning his attention to Asians:

"Asian People Are Not Liberal, You Know, By Nature. They're Usually More Industrious And Hard-Working"

(never mind the fact that Asian-Americans voted for Obama by a clear margin)

Bill O'Reilly: an amazing cross between Ted Baxter and Archie Bunker!

393 Lidane  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 9:31:02am

re: #392 bratwurst

Bill O'Reilly: an amazing cross between Ted Baxter and Archie Bunker!

But not as funny and with less self-awareness than either of them.

394 wrenchwench  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 9:31:59am

re: #392 bratwurst

Good news: Bill O'Reilly has (for now) given up stereotyping "hispanic moochers". The bad news is that he is now turning his attention to Asians:

"Asian People Are Not Liberal, You Know, By Nature. They're Usually More Industrious And Hard-Working"

(never mind the fact that Asian-Americans voted for Obama by a clear margin)

Bill O'Reilly: an amazing cross between Ted Baxter and Archie Bunker!

What, he can't multi-task? Most bigots are pretty good at that.

395 BongCrodny  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 9:38:41am

re: #377 Vicious Babushka

*HEAD DESK*
*HEAD DESK*
*HEAD DESK*
*HEAD DESK*

The secret to school safety: God and a loaded gun.

Why would God need a loaded gun?

396 Decatur Deb  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 9:40:01am

Don't know if this was up, but here's the VP making a photo-op for TPGOP senator Ted Cruz and his family. Man has a kind of genius.

[Link: www.c-spanvideo.org...]

397 Lidane  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 9:41:07am
398 kirkspencer  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 9:41:51am

re: #384 Dark_Falcon

I think lawhawk has a point, though, Obdi. Government agencies are vulnerable to public pressure, so orders might come down to not screen claims too closely or to pay out claims of flood damage that were actually wind damage. Or you could just political pressure to pay out have the good old-fashioned fraudulent claims (New York is much cleaner than it once was, but any big city will have a few corrupt officials).

So the choices for abuse are:
a) all wind damage claims, plus some that should be just water damage; or
b) no water damage claims, and some wind damage wrongfully denied.

There are no perfect solutions. The choices for error are too much or too little, and we strive to minimize the error either way. Me, provided we do indeed strive to minimize, I prefer the thought of an asshole getting undeserved coverage over a family out on the streets.

399 Dark_Falcon  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 9:42:46am

re: #398 kirkspencer

So the choices for abuse are:
a) all wind damage claims, plus some that should be just water damage; or
b) no water damage claims, and some wind damage wrongfully denied.

There are no perfect solutions. The choices for error are too much or too little, and we strive to minimize the error either way. Me, provided we do indeed strive to minimize, I prefer the thought of an asshole getting undeserved coverage over a family out on the streets.

I'm not really saying that. All I was trying to do was to back up Lawhawk.

400 Dark_Falcon  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 9:43:13am

re: #395 BongCrodny

Why would God need a loaded gun?

Same reason he needs a starship, maybe?

///

401 kirkspencer  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 9:44:40am

re: #399 Dark_Falcon

I'm not really saying that. All I was trying to do was to back up Lawhawk.

I know you're backing him up. It's still the implication.

402 NJDhockeyfan  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 9:47:03am

Holy cow. I hope no other ones actually made it through into Gaza.

Report: Egypt thwarts smuggling of 6 U.S.-made missiles into Gaza

Security forces in northern Sinai thwarted the smuggling of six U.S.-made missiles to the Gaza Strip Friday morning. According to an Egyptian news agency, special police units and border police, assisted by a sapper (combat engineer) located a secret warehouse storing six missiles that were on their way to being smuggled through tunnels into Gaza.

According to the report, intelligence information received by the Egyptian Interior Ministry, with the help of two Bedouin agents in Sinai, led the force to the hideout called Bir Lahfan, just south of Al-Arish, known for being an area smugglers use to hide weapons. It turns out the missiles and their accompanying equipment were already ready to be launched.

The missiles have a range of 75 kilometers, with a launch base and operating system, and Egyptian authorities believe the missiles were smuggled by Libya into the Sinai Peninsula.

Am I reading this right? Egyptian security is helping smuggle other missiles into Gaza?

Another report indicates that this is not the first time missiles and other weapons designated for smuggling to the Gaza Strip. In addition, two weeks ago Egyptian security forces smuggled 17 French-made missiles into Gaza.

403 Obdicut  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 9:49:14am

re: #384 Dark_Falcon

I think lawhawk has a point, though, Obdi. Government agencies are vulnerable to public pressure, so orders might come down to not screen claims too closely or to pay out claims of flood damage that were actually wind damage.

Yes, the worst-case scenario is taxpayers getting a bit more money from the government than they deserve.

Or you could just political pressure to pay out have the good old-fashioned fraudulent claims (New York is much cleaner than it once was, but any big city will have a few corrupt officials).

There can be corrupt insiders in an insurance company, too.

404 Dark_Falcon  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 9:49:20am

re: #402 NJDhockeyfan

Holy cow. I hope no other ones actually made it through into Gaza.

Report: Egypt thwarts smuggling of 6 U.S.-made missiles into Gaza

Am I reading this right? Egyptian security is helping smuggle other missiles into Gaza?

The French missiles are anti-tank missiles (ATGMs) called MILAN. They are deadly to anything less than an MBT.

405 Vicious Babushka  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 9:50:57am

re: #403 Obdicut

Yes, the worst-case scenario is taxpayers getting a bit more money from the government than they deserve.

There can be corrupt insiders in an insurance company, too.

After Katrina people were using FEMA money to buy themselves lap dances and Vegas vacations and Gucci bags!1!ty I know because I totally read it at The Blaze!1!1ty

406 Dark_Falcon  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 9:51:18am

re: #403 Obdicut

Yes, the worst-case scenario is taxpayers getting a bit more money from the government than they deserve.

There can be corrupt insiders in an insurance company, too.

Sure there can be. I'm not saying you don't have the right of it. But I felt lawhawk had a point and I supported him in the interests of fostering discussion.

407 dragonath  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 9:53:31am

OMG

The 1870-1914 Gold Standard: The Most Perfect One Ever Created

Nice work, Forbes.

408 NJDhockeyfan  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 9:53:57am

re: #405 Vicious Babushka

Don't laugh about lap dances. They raised money in Atlantic City with lap dances...

Atlantic City strip club to donate $5 a lap dance to Hurricane Sandy victims

409 kirkspencer  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 9:54:52am

re: #404 Dark_Falcon

The French missiles are anti-tank missiles (ATGMs) called MILAN. They are deadly to anything less than an MBT.

er... Milans can challenge MBTs, too.

410 Lidane  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 9:55:59am

re: #407 dragonath

OMG

The 1870-1914 Gold Standard: The Most Perfect One Ever Created

Nice work, Forbes.

OK, my turn.

*headdesk*
*headdesk*
*headdesk*
*headdesk*

Ugh. These economic illiterates annoy me.

411 Dark_Falcon  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 9:56:09am

re: #407 dragonath

OMG

The 1870-1914 Gold Standard: The Most Perfect One Ever Created

Nice work, Forbes.

LUAP DNAR!

If you want some real irony, the "Forbes Food For Thought" quote that I had to click through was from George Orwell:

"Who controls the present, controls the past.
Who controls the past, controls the future."
- 1984

412 Decatur Deb  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 9:56:16am

re: #408 NJDhockeyfan

Don't laugh about lap dances. They raised money in Atlantic City with lap dances...

Atlantic City strip club to donate $5 a lap dance to Hurricane Sandy victims

Good conservative response--NJ lifting itself by its own bra-straps.

413 Kragar  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 9:57:12am

re: #407 dragonath

OMG

The 1870-1914 Gold Standard: The Most Perfect One Ever Created

Nice work, Forbes.

The author is a major gold bug, wrote a whole book catering to the Ron Paul crowd about it.

414 dragonath  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 9:58:58am

re: #406 Dark_Falcon

Sure there can be. I'm not saying you don't have the right of it. But I felt lawhawk had a point and I supported him in the interests of fostering discussion.

I'd rather have a system that is answerable to the voters, instead of creating a second bureaucracy with a history of finagling claims.

415 NJDhockeyfan  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 10:00:19am

re: #409 kirkspencer

er... Milans can challenge MBTs, too.

MILAN

MILAN (French: Missile d´infanterie léger antichar; English: Anti-Tank Light Infantry Missile, "milan(e)" is French and German for "kite") is a European anti-tank guided missile. Design of the MILAN started in 1962. It was ready for trials in 1971, and was accepted for service in 1972. It is a wire guided SACLOS (Semi-Automatic Command to Line-Of-Sight) missile, which means the sight of the launch unit has to be aimed at the target to guide the missile. The MILAN can be equipped with a MIRA thermal sight, or MILIS to give it night-firing ability.

...MILAN 1: Single, Main Shaped Charge Warhead (1972), calibre 103 mm

MILAN 2: Single, Main Shaped Charge Warhead, with standoff probe to increase penetration (1984) - see photo to right, calibre 115 mm

MILAN 2T: Single main Shaped Charge, with smaller shape charge warhead at end of standoff probe to defeat reactive armour (1993)

MILAN 3: Tandem, Shaped Charge Warheads (1996) and electronic beacon

MILAN ER: Extended Range (3000 m) and improved penetration

The later MILAN models have tandem HEAT warheads. This was done to keep pace with developments in Soviet armour technology. Soviet tanks began to appear with explosive reactive armour, which could defeat earlier ATGMs. The smaller precursor HEAT warhead penetrates and detonates the ERA tiles, paving the way for the main HEAT warhead to penetrate the armour behind.

416 Killgore Trout  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 10:00:50am

re: #402 NJDhockeyfan

Holy cow. I hope no other ones actually made it through into Gaza.

Report: Egypt thwarts smuggling of 6 U.S.-made missiles into Gaza

Am I reading this right? Egyptian security is helping smuggle other missiles into Gaza?

They are restocking and their equipment keeps getting better. Once the arsenal gets replenished they'll do it again. It's only going to get worse and there's no end in sight.

417 lawhawk  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 10:03:01am

re: #399 Dark_Falcon

Didn't know I needed backup. But thanks anyways.

If anything the NFIP is proof that the government insurance isn't a cureall either. It's got a budget and it too can get overwhelmed (the latest $9.7b bailout suggests as much). It too can raise premiums to cover costs to a point where insurance becomes prohibitive and reduces development in flood zones - which is arguably a sound environmental and damage mitigation policy, but bad for economic development when we treat coasts as assets for exploitation (and where most people like to live and where property values tend to be higher for the views and access). Many coastal and river communities would disappear if insurance took a hard look. It's a policy choice to continue extending the flood insurance.

The NFIP is under pressure to extend insurance to areas, even though it makes more sense to remediate back to wetlands those areas that have repeatedly flooded - like along the Passaic River after TS Floyd, Lee, Irene, etc (and seemingly after every lesser storm that rolls through).

In the end, the government insurance would still have to decide whether to continue extending insurance or not - at reasonable rates or not - and if it extends insurance at reasonable rates that can't recoup flood damage costs, then the costs are borne by taxpayers who have to bail out the program.

Alternatively, insurers could be required to provide the same flood insurance, but as part of their standard policies (since the #1 cause of claims is flooding nationally) and increase everyone's policies accordingly - but spreading the risk and increasing the size of the risk pool.

418 NJDhockeyfan  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 10:03:24am

re: #416 Killgore Trout

They are restocking and their equipment keeps getting better. Once the arsenal gets replenished they'll do it again. It's only going to get worse and there's no end in sight.

Not to worry, I bet the UN will get right on this.

419 ProBosniaLiberal  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 10:03:25am

Ah, what just happened in Iraq. My Imam is asking for prayers for there.

420 Dark_Falcon  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 10:03:26am

re: #409 kirkspencer

er... Milans can challenge MBTs, too.

True but its harder. Even without DU armor, the M1A1 MBTs Egypt fields are only vulnerable to MILAN on the sides and rear.

Fun Fact: Tank losses to Iranian MILAN and TOW/I-TOW missiles during the Iran-Iraq war cause Iraq to refit a modest number of its T-55 with large slabs of composite applique armor. Unlike some weapons programs (such as the M2 Bradley, if you've seen The Pentagon Wars) the engineers who created the armor package tested the armor against captured Iranian MILAN missiles. Knowledge of the successful tests meant that the Iraqi officers commanding the ultimately abortive attack on Khafji, Saudi Arabia in 1991 were able to order an attack directly against Saudi positions, knowing that their tanks were invulnerable front on. This ultimately did not suffice, though, since the Saudis brought up M60A1 tanks that were massively superior to the T-55.

421 NJDhockeyfan  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 10:04:47am

re: #419 ProMayaLiberal

Ah, what just happened in Iraq. My Imam is asking for prayers for there.

This perhaps?

Suicide car bomber kills 27 Shi'ite pilgrims in Iraq

422 kirkspencer  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 10:06:09am

re: #420 Dark_Falcon

True but its harder. Even without DU armor, the M1A1 MBTs Egypt fields are only vulnerable to MILAN on the sides and rear.

Fun Fact: Tank losses to Iranian MILAN and TOW/I-TOW missiles during the Iran-Iraq war cause Iraq to refit a modest number of its T-55 with large slabs of composite applique armor. Unlike some weapons programs (such as the M2 Bradley, if you've seen The Pentagon Wars) the engineers who created the armor package tested the armor against captured Iranian MILAN missiles. Knowledge of the successful tests meant that the Iraqi officers commanding the ultimately abortive attack on Khafji, Saudi Arabia in 1991 were able to order an attack directly against Saudi positions, knowing that their tanks were invulnerable front on. This ultimately did not suffice, though, since the Saudis brought up M60A1 tanks that were massively superior to the T-55.

An infantryman who shoots an anti-tank missile at the tank's front is committing suicide by MBT. Of less snark and more pertinence, in modern warfare there are many opportunities for attacks on the flanks and rear of MBTs. See for example Hezbollah's use of RPG-29s against Israel.

423 Dark_Falcon  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 10:06:11am

re: #419 ProMayaLiberal

Ah, what just happened in Iraq. My Imam is asking for prayers for there.

Shiite pilgrims returning from Karbala were hit by a car bomb. 15 dead.

CNN article.

424 Kragar  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 10:06:51am

Sandy Rios: Clinton Blood Clot an Alinskyite Feminist Lie

Naturally, the American Family Association is promoting conspiracy theories about Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s medical condition. Today, the AFA’s Sandy Rios argued that Clinton is lying about the blood clot that was located between her brain and skull and about her earlier health problems. Citing the tabloid The National Enquirer, which says Clinton has brain cancer, Rios concludes that Clinton isn’t sick at all but rather orchestrating a lie straight from the Saul Alinsky playbook!

Rios finds a clue in the fact that Clinton’s doctors “are both women and they have these very strong female names” and therefore must be playing along in the blood clot deceit. She claims that “the doctors have refused to make statements” and “have not been allowed to ask questions.” (The doctors did in fact release a statement to the press.) The self-proclaimed “pro-family activist” even argued that Clinton isn’t telling the truth about her “supposed” health condition since she looked “happy” (gasp!) after she left the hospital.

425 Obdicut  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 10:08:28am

re: #417 lawhawk

Didn't know I needed backup. But thanks anyways.

If anything the NFIP is proof that the government insurance isn't a cureall either.

It was not claimed to be a cureall. The claim is that private insurance for some things-- like flood insurance-- will never work in the private market in any actually efficacious way This is true. That's why flood insurance in the US is subsidized by the government when not directly provided by the government.

426 Kronocide  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 10:09:08am

Clinton should release her blood clot. What is she trying to hide?

427 Dark_Falcon  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 10:10:55am

re: #422 kirkspencer

An infantryman who shoots an anti-tank missile at the tank's front is committing suicide by MBT. Of less snark and more pertinence, in modern warfare there are many opportunities for attacks on the flanks and rear of MBTs. See for example Hezbollah's use of RPG-29s against Israel.

The problem in Khaji was that the Saudi troops initially attacked didn't have the discipline to hold on and counterattack once the tanks broke through their positions. It's called "tank panic" and its a serious problem unless troops are properly trained and disciplined. The Hebollah

428 Mattand  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 10:11:45am

re: #426 Kronocide

Clinton should release her blood clot. What is she trying to hide?

She actually got it in Kenya, and then planted all of the reports that said it happened in the US.

429 Feline Fearless Leader  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 10:12:55am

re: #426 Kronocide

Clinton should release her blood clot. What is she trying to hide?

Clotghazi?

430 dragonath  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 10:13:18am

re: #429 Feline Fearless Leader

I was just going to post that

431 kirkspencer  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 10:16:05am

re: #427 Dark_Falcon

The problem in Khaji was that the Saudi troops initially attacked didn't have the discipline to hold on and counterattack once the tanks broke through their positions. It's called "tank panic" and its a serious problem unless troops are properly trained and disciplined. The Hebollah

Yep. Sauds don't really train. Hezbollah does. So, as I keep saying, does Iran (from what we can tell).

432 Dark_Falcon  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 10:16:08am

re: #424 Kragar

Sandy Rios: Clinton Blood Clot an Alinskyite Feminist Lie

Saul Alinsky would neither have advised telling a lie that can ultimately be entirely disproved, nor of attacking someone while they are suffering from a major health emergency. Alinsky knew that both such actions are stupid mistakes more likely to hurt a cause than to advance it.

But that last really is the difference: Saul Alinsky had things he wanted to get done and his actions and advice were designed to achieve desired political or social ends. The AFA just wants to spew mindless hate and rage at Hillary Clinton to keep its donations coming. They don't actually have a desired result, they just want to skate by in life on hate and rage.

433 Kragar  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 10:17:42am

re: #427 Dark_Falcon

The problem in Khaji was that the Saudi troops initially attacked didn't have the discipline to hold on and counterattack once the tanks broke through their positions. It's called "tank panic" and its a serious problem unless troops are properly trained and disciplined. The Hebollah

Prior to the Yom Kippur War, the Israelis relied on the strategic doctrine relying on the supremacy of the tank. This backfired on them during the early engagements of the war because of the massive amounts of infantry based anti-tank weapons the Russians supplied to the Egyptians.

Speaking of discipline, the Russians in WW2 used to include a process called ironing in their basic training. They would have the infantry dig trenches, then drive tanks over them for hours at a time to prove to them they could survive an assault by German Panzers.

434 Gus  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 10:17:47am

re: #424 Kragar

Sandy Rios: Clinton Blood Clot an Alinskyite Feminist Lie

Heh. Was just thinking about the preponderance of blonde white women in the right wing.

435 Gus  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 10:18:10am

We're at war men!

//

436 Obdicut  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 10:18:13am

re: #432 Dark_Falcon

The AMA just wants to spew mindless hate and rage at Hillary Clinton to keep its donations coming.

The American Medical Association is out for Clinton? Who knew?

/I know, you really mean the American Motorcycle Association

437 NJDhockeyfan  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 10:20:34am

15 Jaw-Dropping Wedding Photos

438 Dark_Falcon  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 10:20:41am

re: #436 Obdicut

The American Medical Association is out for Clinton? Who knew?

/I know, you really mean the American Motorcycle Association

AFA. PIMF

439 darthstar  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 10:21:59am

Image: 47714_10151207606766275_1652579740_n.jpg

440 Gus  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 10:24:14am
441 HoosierHoops  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 10:24:48am

re: #432 Dark_Falcon

They don't actually have a desired result, they just want to skate by in life on hate and rage.

Sounds like the stalkers mission statement.

You & I are a subject to their disdain this week. I've been accused among other things of being lazy. They are right. I only make a 6 figure salary.
If I wasn't so fucking lazy I'd make a million a year. So there is that. Dumb fucks

442 Dark_Falcon  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 10:25:01am

re: #433 Kragar

Prior to the Yom Kippur War, the Israelis relied on the strategic doctrine relying on the supremacy of the tank. This backfired on them during the early engagements of the war because of the massive amounts of infantry based anti-tank weapons the Russians supplied to the Egyptians.

Speaking of discipline, the Russians in WW2 used to include a process called ironing in their basic training. They would have the infantry dig trenches, then drive tanks over them for hours at a time to prove to them they could survive an assault my German Panzers.

The Germans conducted similar types of training. German training was designed to be as realistic and tough as possible, to the point that for every 200 or so recruits it was considered desirable if the training killed one of them. The idea was to impress upon everyone right from the outset how serious a matter war was and to make sure it was clearly understood that battle would mean people getting killed.

443 Gus  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 10:28:00am
444 Dark_Falcon  Fri, Jan 4, 2013 10:31:03am

re: #441 A Man for all Seasons

They don't actually have a desired result, they just want to skate by in life on hate and rage.

Sounds like the stalkers mission statement.

You & I are a subject to their disdain this week. I've been accused among other things of being lazy. They are right. I only make a 6 figure salary.
If I wasn't so fucking lazy I'd make a million a year. So there is that. Dumb fucks

It's just typical hatespewing from Dorkus and Co.

[waves to the Stalkers]


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