Gun Activists Say: Obama Is Raising a Private Black Army to Massacre White People

Weapons grade batshit racism
Wingnuts • Views: 35,546

You may think you’ve seen some incredible batshit crazy right wing rants, but this one deserves some kind of award. Maybe we should call it the Wacko Award.

Larry Pratt of the NRA’s less politically correct alter ego Gun Owners of America went on the Talk to Solomon Show with wingnut blogger Greg W. Howard yesterday, to push a fear-mongering fantasy about President Obama confiscating guns because he wants to provoke a violent response so that he can round up right wingers and imprison them, en masse.

That’s insane enough on its own to warrant the award, but then host Stan Solomon took it all the way into weapons grade Wacko territory with a bizarre, ugly racist fever dream: Gun Activists Warn Obama Is Raising a Private Black Army to Massacre White Americans.

Pratt predicted that President Obama may begin confiscating guns in order to provoke a violent response to justify further oppression, which host Stan Solomon feared would lead to the imprisonment of hundreds of thousands of people.

Pratt once again insisted that Obama is acting like King George III, a sentiment with which Solomon concurred, saying, “That will happen quickly and they will wipe those people out to set an example.”

But Solomon wasn’t finished: “I believe they will put together a racial force to go against an opposite race resistance, basically a black force to go against a white resistance, and then they will claim anyone resisting the black force they are doing it because they are racist.”

Howard agreed: “You may be right because he has been sowing the seeds of racial hatred; we were healing quite well as a nation on racial issues until Obama came along and now we have a lot of racial discord.”

Gun Owners of America president Larry Pratt then proceeded to agree, and threatened the families of Obama’s imaginary black soldiers.

Pratt agreed with their insane ramblings: “I do agree that the Obama administration would definitely be capable of something as evil as you were suggesting.”

However, Pratt warned that “a lot of people resolved, ‘no more free Wacos,’” and that if Obama “starts playing the massacre game the way you did at Waco, well, you’re going to get surrounded, you won’t be able to go home safely, your family won’t be safe.”

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241 comments
1 aagcobb  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 12:54:02pm

Complete neo-nazi race war fantasy. Are any of these guys open white nationalists?

2 erik_t  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 12:56:56pm

It’s very easy to believe any damned fool thing you want when you reject evidence-based rational and critical thinking.

Where are they? What is their motivation? How are they being paid? How are they being kept organized? How are they keeping the secret?

BECAUSE MAGNETS.

3 Vicious Babushka  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 12:59:14pm

re: #1 aagcobb

Complete neo-nazi race war fantasy. Are any of these guys open white nationalists?

Whole bunch of white supremacists swarming on TGDN.

There are wingnut SPAMBOTS now. GAH.

4 Kragar (Antichrist )  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 1:00:42pm

“we were healing quite well as a nation on racial issues until Obama came along and now we have a lot of racial discord.”

Translation: As long as minorities knew their place and didn’t take on airs or get uppity, everything was fine.

5 Vicious Babushka  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 1:01:38pm

What a blowhard.

6 wrenchwench  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 1:01:43pm
But Solomon wasn’t finished: “I believe they will put together a racial force to go against an opposite race resistance, basically a black force to go against a white resistance, and then they will claim anyone resisting the black force they are doing it because they are racist.”

I think he’s more upset at the prospect of being called a racist, which is clearly true, than he is at the prospect of being imprisoned or ‘wiped out’, which is highly unlikely.

7 EPR-radar  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 1:01:46pm
Howard agreed: “You may be right because he has been sowing the seeds of racial hatred; we were healing quite well as a nation on racial issues until Obama came along and now we have a lot of racial discord.”

We have a lot of racial discord in the Obama era because it turns out that there are an alarming number of white racists in the US who have completely and vocally lost their tiny minds since 2008.

Blaming Obama for this is the projection of all projections.

8 FemNaziBitch  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 1:02:04pm

I just posted this downstairs:

Crucially, Pasek found that Republicans drove the change: “People who identified themselves as Republicans in 2012 expressed anti-Black attitudes more often than did Republican identifiers in 2008.”

9 chadu  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 1:02:17pm

Could that last bit:

However, Pratt warned that “a lot of people resolved, ‘no more free Wacos,’” and that if Obama “starts playing the massacre game the way you did at Waco, well, you’re going to get surrounded, you won’t be able to go home safely, your family won’t be safe.”

…be construed as a threat against the President and/or First Family’s lives?

10 Kragar (Antichrist )  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 1:03:07pm

re: #5 Vicious Babushka

What a blowhard.

According to Ted Cruz, that twit means the guy is committing a felony.

11 Vicious Babushka  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 1:04:47pm

Go ahead, shoot the rapist! Then explain to Grandma why you killed creepy Uncle Mark.

12 erik_t  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 1:06:04pm

re: #5 Vicious Babushka

What a blowhard.

@GregWHoward I hereby declare the Govt of the United States to be destructive of our liberty and move to abolish and start over. #tcot #ocra

This idea, that the people themselves have the option to choose the makeup of the federal government of the United States, is intriguing. Perhaps we should try it.

Say, and I’m just throwing this out there… say several candidates shall campaign for each office, and each adult shall have the opportunity to cast a single vote, and whichever candidate gets the most votes shall hold that office until such time as the next scheduled vote.

13 Lidane  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 1:07:58pm

re: #7 EPR-radar

We have a lot of racial discord in the Obama era because it turns out that there are an alarming number of white racists in the US who have completely and vocally lost their tiny minds since 2008.

THIS. SO MUCH.

I mean, I live in Texas. I knew there were still a lot of ignorant rednecks and bigots in this country, because they’re around here. There are parts of East Texas where I’d rather have some of those spare fuel tanks for your car on hand than stop and fill up at the local gas station.

But 2008 really showed how backwards a lot of people in this country still are. All this bullshit the right has been spewing about REAL AMERICA since 2008 is nothing but code for White America. They lost their goddamn minds when a black man became POTUS and they haven’t been able to cope since.

14 Kragar (Antichrist )  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 1:08:09pm

From their screed:

just in case Obama goes through with his plans to “take down” the Internet, “people are setting up phone-trees all over the place” to stop Obama in his tracks.

Because even if Obama can take down the entire internet at once, there would be no possible way for him to stop telephone services.

15 Interesting Times  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 1:08:42pm

re: #13 Lidane

I mean, I live in Texas. I knew there were still a lot of ignorant rednecks and bigots in this country, because they’re around here. There are parts of East Texas where I’d rather have some of those spare fuel tanks for your car on hand than stop and fill up at the local gas station.

16 Bulworth  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 1:10:12pm

re: #5 Vicious Babushka

In other news, new U.S. Senator Cruz of Texas warns that Harvard University is full of Communists who want to overthrow the U.S. government….

//

17 Lidane  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 1:10:24pm

re: #15 Interesting Times

Blame Luap Nor and his fellow Neo-Confederate jackoffs for that garbage.

I never once saw anyone compare Lincoln to Hitler that wasn’t a toothless redneck until Ron Paul started gaining popularity nationally.

18 Vicious Babushka  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 1:10:32pm

TGDN is being flooded with wingnut spambots like this one:

19 Vicious Babushka  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 1:11:04pm

You can hardly tell them from a real live wingnut.

20 Bulworth  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 1:12:05pm

re: #14 Kragar (Antichrist )

Well, there would be no way for Obama or the government to interrupt land-line service, which none of us have anyway. //

21 Targetpractice  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 1:12:28pm

re: #12 erik_t

This idea, that the people themselves have the option to choose the makeup of the federal government of the United States, is intriguing. Perhaps we should try it.

Say, and I’m just throwing this out there… say several candidates shall campaign for each office, and each adult shall have the opportunity to cast a single vote, and whichever candidate gets the most votes shall hold that office until such time as the next scheduled vote.

By “adult,” you mean us makers, right? Because I don’t think anybody who doesn’t have a job should be allowed to vote. Too much incentive to vote for goodies. And we should consider stripping the vote away from women, because their emotions don’t allow them to consider things logically. And these minorities are voting for “justice,” which is what’s perpetuating all this racial animosity. Not to mention we can’t allow Muslims the vote, because they can’t be trusted to support America. So by “adult,” we should clarify it as all white, land-owning Christian males will have a single vote. Perhaps even multiple votes if they’re job producers, because they’re voting for their employees as well.

22 Kragar (Antichrist )  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 1:13:17pm

re: #18 Vicious Babushka

TGDN is being flooded with wingnut spambots like this one:

“If you want a picture of future, imagine twitter spamming you with wingnut quotes forever.”

23 Bulworth  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 1:13:23pm

re: #18 Vicious Babushka

The spambots recognizable for the general gibberish constituting their account name.

24 erik_t  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 1:13:52pm

re: #23 Bulworth

The spambots recognizable for the general gibberish constituting their account name.

And, since they’re just farming quotes from a list, better spelling and grammar.

25 Targetpractice  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 1:14:16pm

re: #18 Vicious Babushka

“No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear.” ~ Ronald Reagan #TCOT #TGDN

Said the guy who oversaw the largest growth of federal government in modern history.

26 Bulworth  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 1:14:40pm

re: #24 erik_t

A dead giveway, yes.

27 Vicious Babushka  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 1:14:46pm

IS THAT A THREAT OR A PROMISE?

28 Vicious Babushka  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 1:16:35pm

What a sweetheart this shmuck @LiberateTheUSA is:
#Tyranny has come to America. I block #Lefties. I retweet haters. My favorite shadowy conservative groups are #Resist44 & #TGDN The #WAR for America has begun!

29 Bulworth  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 1:17:27pm

re: #27 Vicious Babushka

Maybe there’s still time for the Day of Resistance crew to put that on the agenda.

But what of the TCOT’s and other True Red Patriots with the misfortunate of living in Communist radical islamic secular bluish states?

30 Lidane  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 1:19:00pm

Ladies and gents, the modern GOP:

Huckabee, Gingrich: Obama Is ‘Very Different’ Than George Washington

*sigh*

31 Bulworth  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 1:20:02pm

re: #28 Vicious Babushka

Wait, he blocks lefties but retweets haters?

32 dragonath  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 1:21:21pm

I noticed this from blogger Kay earlier:

Great news breaking in Fairfax County this morning. Electoral Boards are split 2-1 in Virginia, one Republican, one Democrat and one member of the Governor’s party. When Bob McDonnell was elected, the Fairfax GOP placed noted voter-fraud conspiracy theorist Hans Von Spakovsky on the electoral board in the largest county in Virginia. The result was massive lines at polling places with minority (Democratic) voters, while most GOP leaning precincts were able to go in and quickly vote with little wait time.

Long story short, the guy was replaced because he was so obviously corrupt.

Von Spakovsky remains a senior legal fellow in The Heritage Foundation’s Center for Legal and Judicial Studies, so he’s not out of a job yet.

Conservative intellectuals, my ass.

33 lawhawk  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 1:21:27pm

re: #18 Vicious Babushka

So, she supports the sequester (all the cuts that come with it - and all the unintended or intended consequences)?

34 Kragar (Antichrist )  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 1:22:33pm

I got into this with a guy last week.

What is the line where “2nd Amendment Solutions” are justified and you’re not just another Chris Dorner nut who decides to take on the police, or the IRS or the post office in the name of oppression?

You say the purpose of a well regulated militia is to take on a tyrannical government. This being the same government which gunnuts have forced to spend trillions on defense, meaning tanks, drones, satellites, etc. Also look at the historical evidence that no militia has ever won a military campaign against a trained army.

So lets say you take to the streets to oppose tyranny, killing American citizens and soldiers to “take back America.” What next? You think the whole US military is going to defect to your side? You’re going to beat the whole US military on your own? Better yet, you think you’re going to rally international support to your side against the government? Yeah, a bunch of religious xenophobes who’ve been behind every “police action” we’ve waged for the last half century are really going to have the nations of the world lining up behind them to fight the US military on their behalf.

Go fuck off to your survival compounds and sod off, you fucking morons.

35 FemNaziBitch  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 1:23:00pm

re: #16 Bulworth

In other news, new U.S. Senator Cruz of Texas warns that Harvard University is full of Communists who want to overthrow the U.S. government….

//

because we haven’t been hearing about the communists in academia since 1945?

36 Lidane  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 1:23:59pm

re: #16 Bulworth

In other news, new U.S. Senator Cruz of Texas warns that Harvard University is full of Communists who want to overthrow the U.S. government….

//

37 Charles Johnson  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 1:26:14pm
38 wrenchwench  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 1:26:33pm

re: #34 Kragar (Antichrist )

I got into this with a guy last week.

What is the line where “2nd Amendment Solutions” are justified and you’re not just another Chris Dorner nut who decides to take on the police, or the IRS or the post office in the name of oppression?

You say the purpose of a well regulated militia is to take on a tyrannical government. This being the same government which gunnuts have forced to spend trillions on defense, meaning tanks, drones, satellites, etc. Also look at the historical evidence that no militia has ever won a military campaign against a trained army.

So lets say you take to the streets to oppose tyranny, killing American citizens and soldiers to “take back America.” What next? You think the whole US military is going to defect to your side? You’re going to beat the whole US military on your own? Better yet, you think you’re going to rally international support to your side against the government? Yeah, a bunch of religious xenophobes who’ve been behind every “police action” we’ve waged for the last half century are really going to have the nations of the world lining up behind them to fight the US military on their behalf.

Go fuck off to your survival compounds and sod off, you fucking morons.

Can you say that in 140 characters? Could be handy.

39 dragonath  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 1:27:07pm

re: #27 Vicious Babushka

I thought Buckley lived in the Northeast.

40 Kragar (Antichrist )  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 1:27:55pm

“No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear.”

“No privileged minority ever voluntarily shares its privileges. A sense of superiority, once assumed, never disappears.”

41 Kragar (Antichrist )  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 1:28:59pm

re: #38 wrenchwench

Can you say that in 140 characters? Could be handy.

You could just use the last sentence I guess.

42 EPR-radar  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 1:30:03pm

re: #34 Kragar (Antichrist )

The idea that citizen gun nuts can be guardians of liberty against an oppressive US government is a wingnut fever dream.

If you want to be a revolutionary in the US, you’ll need to suborn the military, which will be very difficult. Not so incidentally, wingnuts are actually trying this, e.g., getting Christian Warrior nonsense into the service academies.

43 Decatur Deb  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 1:30:10pm

Helter Derple.

44 FemNaziBitch  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 1:31:03pm

re: #39 dragonath

I thought Buckley lived in the Northeast.

His grandfather (?) was a Texas Oil Businessman or Banker. I can’t remember the specifics.

45 Targetpractice  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 1:31:13pm

re: #37 Charles Johnson

Wonder how much money out of the cuts aimed at the DoD might be made up by just canceling that abomination?

46 Kragar (Antichrist )  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 1:32:43pm

re: #45 Targetpractice

Wonder how much money out of the cuts aimed at the DoD might be made up by just canceling that abomination?

Not going to happen.

47 Decatur Deb  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 1:34:00pm

re: #45 Targetpractice

Wonder how much money out of the cuts aimed at the DoD might be made up by just canceling that abomination?

Probably little or none. The structure of DoD acquisition contracts is such that it is far more expensive to abandon a weapon system than to finish it for the Army-Navy Surplus stores after a few development milestones.

48 Targetpractice  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 1:34:34pm

re: #46 Kragar (Antichrist )

Not going to happen.

I know, because Lockheed has plowed enough money into Congress to build a second Capital Building and still have money left over to gold plate the dome. It’s the most expensive “make-work” program in modern history.

49 Lidane  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 1:35:24pm

*sigh*

50 EPR-radar  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 1:36:09pm

re: #47 Decatur Deb

re: #48 Targetpractice

It is stuff like this that make me consider radical ideas like letting 100% of the sequester cuts hit the defense budget.

51 Kragar (Antichrist )  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 1:37:53pm

re: #47 Decatur Deb

re: #48 Targetpractice

Which just shows why we need commissars and the Inquisition.
///

52 Decatur Deb  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 1:39:56pm

re: #50 EPR-radar

re: #48 Targetpractice

It is stuff like this that make me consider radical ideas like letting 100% of the sequester cuts hit the defense budget.

Nah. Every generation or three, we actually need the world’s most powerful military.

53 EPR-radar  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 1:45:16pm

re: #52 Decatur Deb

Nah. Every generation or three, we actually need the world’s most powerful military.

It is difficult to find real numbers for this on short notice, but the US is so far ahead of every other nation on military spending that we could probably absorb 10x the sequester in defense spending cuts before there would be any chance of getting out of the “#1 military power by a wide margin” category.

54 Targetpractice  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 1:45:23pm

re: #52 Decatur Deb

Nah. Every generation or three, we actually need the world’s most powerful military.

Which is rather why, for much of the nation’s history, we had no standing army. The initial worry over a standing army was partially justified, as having one leads governments to view one as a tool of diplomacy, rather than as a last resort. The threat of war has become virtually a given now when the US takes interest in a region.

55 Lidane  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 1:45:58pm

re: #50 EPR-radar

It is stuff like this that make me consider radical ideas like letting 100% of the sequester cuts hit the defense budget.

That would be interesting for no other reason than to watch all the GOP heads explode en masse, but it won’t ever happen.

56 Lidane  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 1:47:27pm
57 Vicious Babushka  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 1:47:58pm

re: #33 lawhawk

So, she supports the sequester (all the cuts that come with it - and all the unintended or intended consequences)?

It’s just a bot, not a real person, it just tweets what it’s programmed to tweet.

58 Decatur Deb  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 1:48:15pm

re: #53 EPR-radar

It is difficult to find real numbers for this on short notice, but the US is so far ahead of every other nation on military spending that we could probably absorb 10x the sequester in defense spending cuts before there would be any chance of getting out of the “#1 military power by a wide margin” category.

The relationship between military spending and military power is not especially linear.

59 FemNaziBitch  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 1:49:01pm

re: #53 EPR-radar

It is difficult to find real numbers for this on short notice, but the US is so far ahead of every other nation on military spending that we could probably absorb 10x the sequester in defense spending cuts before there would be any chance of getting out of the “#1 military power by a wide margin” category.

IIRC, our military $ volume is larger than the GDP of “most of the rest of the world”

or something like that. It’s really staggering.

60 Vicious Babushka  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 1:49:03pm

re: #39 dragonath

I thought Buckley lived in the Northeast.

I thought Buckley was dead.

61 Sol Berdinowitz  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 1:50:36pm

This is not going to get better. These racially motivated gun freaks are going to provoke some reaction by the government by commiting or threatening acts of violence.

And when the government is compelled by their violence and/or threats to do its legal and constitutional duty by cracking down on this clear and present danger to our citizens’ safety and security, it will be pumped up and presented as final proof of their conspiracy theory.

62 FemNaziBitch  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 1:50:37pm

re: #60 Vicious Babushka

I thought Buckley was dead.

Yes, that is why the GOP is Whacko™ now.

63 EPR-radar  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 1:50:45pm

re: #59 FemNaziBitch

IIRC, our military $ volume is larger than the GDP of “most of the rest of the world”

or something like that. It’s really staggering.

I think we spend almost as much on our military as the rest of the world combined spends on its military. Not as bad as spending the GDP of the rest of the world, but still staggering.

64 FemNaziBitch  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 1:51:12pm

re: #61 Sol Berdinowitz

This is not going to get better. These racially motivated gun freaks are going to provoke some reaction by the government by commiting or threatening acts of violence.

And when the government is compelled by their violence and/or threats to do its legal and constitutional duty by cracking down on this clear and present danger to our citizens’ safety and security, it will be pumped up and presented as final proof of their conspiracy theory.

exactly, I think they want it all to happen before the end of the current term, so they can swing the next election their way.

65 Targetpractice  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 1:51:28pm

re: #56 Lidane

And when the cuts set in and the economy again takes a nosedive, what can the GOP say? “If we cut more, the confidence fairy will grant us increased investment and more jobs?” We keep cutting, but the fairy remains MIA.

66 EPR-radar  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 1:52:09pm

re: #61 Sol Berdinowitz

This is not going to get better. These racially motivated gun freaks are going to provoke some reaction by the government by commiting or threatening acts of violence.

And when the government is compelled by their violence and/or threats to do its legal and constitutional duty by cracking down on this clear and present danger to our citizens’ safety and security, it will be pumped up and presented as final proof of their conspiracy theory.

This rings true. For many of these nuts, every militia compound could be the next Ft. Sumter.

67 Lidane  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 1:53:38pm
68 Targetpractice  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 1:55:36pm

re: #67 Lidane

I’m shocked, SHOCKED!

69 Decatur Deb  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 1:55:44pm

re: #59 FemNaziBitch

IIRC, our military $ volume is larger than the GDP of “most of the rest of the world”

or something like that. It’s really staggering.

Youtube Video

Chorus:
I want to go to Andorra, Andorra, Andorra,
I want to go to Andorra, it’s a place I adore,
They spent four dollars and ninety cents
On armaments and their defense,
Did you ever hear of such confidence?
Andorra, hip hurrah!

In the mountains of the Pyrenees
There’s an independent state,
Its population five thousand souls,
And I think they’re simply great.
One hundred and seventy square miles big
And it’s awf’lly dear to me.
Spends less than five dollars on armaments,
And this I’ve got to see.

(Chorus)

It’s governed by a council,
All gentle souls and wise,
They’ve only five dollars for armaments
And the rest for cakes and pies;
They didn’t invest in a tommy gun
Or a plane to sweep the sky,
But they bought some blanks for their cap pistols
To shoot on their Fourth of July.

(Chorus)

They live by the arts of farm and field
And by making shoes and hats,
And they haven’t got room in their tiny land
For a horde of diplomats;
They haven’t got room in their tiny land
For armies to march about,
And if anyone comes with a war budget
They throw the rascals out.

[Link: people.wku.edu…]

70 erik_t  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 1:56:35pm

re: #58 Decatur Deb

The relationship between military spending and military power is not especially linear.

Particularly when you’re manufacturing everything in-country, thus seemingly skewing the R&D and production costs when compared to dramatically-outsourced commercial products.

The military’s toys seem less gold-plated when you realize that none of the parts were made by Foxconn for pennies worth of near-child-labor.

71 FemNaziBitch  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 1:57:08pm

re: #67 Lidane

shit! I just made a page out of this when I meant to post it to fb.

I have way to many tabs open on my browser right now!

:)

You post it and I’ll delete mine.

72 Decatur Deb  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 1:58:59pm

re: #70 erik_t

Particularly when you’re manufacturing everything in-country, thus seemingly skewing the R&D and production costs when compared to dramatically-outsourced commercial products.

The military’s toys seem less gold-plated when you realize that none of the parts were made by Foxconn for pennies worth of near-child-labor.

Not to mention the R&D cost of innovation. The Manhattan Project ate a tangible part of our GDP. Now any shitthole nation can take a stab at Fat Man. (Looking at you, Norks.)

73 erik_t  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 2:00:30pm

re: #72 Decatur Deb

Not to mention the R&D cost of innovation. The Manhattan Project ate a tangible part of our GDP. Now any shitthole nation can take a stab at Fat Man. (Looking at you, Norks.)

For this reason, I tend to be more accommodating of cash spent on crazy pie-in-the-sky programs like F-35, compared to cash spent blowing up and then rebuilding and then blowing up some damned bridge on the other side of the world.

74 FemNaziBitch  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 2:01:39pm

re: #73 erik_t

For this reason, I tend to be more accommodating of cash spent on crazy pie-in-the-sky programs like F-35, compared to cash spent blowing up and then rebuilding and then blowing up some damned bridge on the other side of the world.

when we have enough of our own infrastructure that needs rebuilding. . .

75 makeitstop  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 2:01:48pm

Aurora shooting victim’s father writes his senators, gets form letters back

Unbelievable.

76 Decatur Deb  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 2:02:16pm

re: #73 erik_t

For this reason, I tend to be more accommodating of cash spent on crazy pie-in-the-sky programs like F-35, compared to cash spent blowing up and then rebuilding and then blowing up some damned bridge on the other side of the world.

In my perfect world we have a hellish monster force, and we never, ever use it.

77 erik_t  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 2:03:54pm

re: #76 Decatur Deb

In my perfect world we have a hellish monster force, and we never, ever use it.

Fuckin’ A.

Although we rebuilt #74 aforementioned bridges first.

78 FemNaziBitch  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 2:04:38pm

bbl

79 EPR-radar  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 2:05:50pm

re: #75 makeitstop

Aurora shooting victim’s father writes his senators, gets form letters back

Unbelievable.

What is unbelievable is not that these Senators don’t care, it is that they aren’t even bothering to try to hide the fact that they don’t care.

Perhaps it is because being callous is a winner with the GOP base these days.

80 Robur  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 2:06:38pm

Look theres no reason to fear these guys,I have it on good authority that Capt.Jonathan Archer and T’Pol are coming back in time to fix this mess that the Reptilian and Insectoid races of the Zyndi caused.Instead of stealing a truck I’m going to loan them one of my cars. So it’s ok Starfleet is in the case…

81 Gus  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 2:08:04pm

This story appears to have the “scientists” concerned: U.S. Government Plans To Air Drop Toxic Mice To Fight Snake Invasion The “poison” is Acetaminophen. I haven’t been able to confirm the parachute drop stuff.

82 Targetpractice  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 2:09:18pm

re: #72 Decatur Deb

Not to mention the R&D cost of innovation. The Manhattan Project ate a tangible part of our GDP. Now any shitthole nation can take a stab at Fat Man. (Looking at you, Norks.)

The Manhattan Project also produced two bombs in 4 years. This turkey’s already 7 years and 70% over budget, and the first squadron isn’t set to go operational for another 3-4 years. The price per plane is now such that Lockheed will need to sell 3,000-4,000 of them just to break even.

83 Gus  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 2:11:34pm

Something smells funny with this story.

“In a effort to rid Guam of the brown tree snake, which have overrun the island, officials have begun air-dropping mice laced with poison and fitted with parachutes. Because sometimes the best solution is the simplest one.”
— Seth Myers
Saturday Night Live

84 Decatur Deb  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 2:11:34pm

re: #81 Gus

This story appears to have the “scientists” concerned: U.S. Government Plans To Air Drop Toxic Mice To Fight Snake Invasion The “poison” is Acetaminophen. I haven’t been able to confirm the parachute drop stuff.

No parachutes likely—mice are pre-deaded. (Suspect that mice have such a low terminal velocity that most would make it if dropped alive. Teaching them to do a good parachute landing fall would be a bitch, though.)

85 erik_t  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 2:11:49pm

re: #82 Targetpractice

Multi-service aircraft: often not a brilliant idea.

But it does save pretend future-money and make your administration look good; by the time the thing even gets close to service, you’re retired and don’t give a crap.

86 Decatur Deb  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 2:13:49pm

re: #85 erik_t

Multi-service aircraft: often not a brilliant idea.

But it does save pretend future-money and make your administration look good; by the time the thing even gets close to service, you’re retired and don’t give a crap.

Irony alert: One of the driving forces in development of multi-service planes is expected cost savings. Navy should just suck it up and put haybales on the carrier decks.

87 skylarkingtomfoolery  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 2:14:40pm

The resistance army is not looking too formidable:

An intoxicated man was arrested by deputies at gunpoint Tuesday night after he called 911 and said family members would not give him his bullets.

He also said President Barack Obama would not take his gun.

[Link: www.whiotv.com…]

88 Gus  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 2:15:57pm

re: #84 Decatur Deb

No parachutes likely—mice are pre-deaded. (Suspect that mice have such a low terminal velocity that most would make it if dropped alive. Teaching them to do a good parachute landing fall would be a bitch, though.)

I don’t know. The parachutes would help in that it will make the dead mice get snagged on the top cover of jungle foliage. That’s what you want. They’re already setting traps.

89 Targetpractice  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 2:16:23pm

re: #86 Decatur Deb

Irony alert: One of the driving forces in development of multi-service planes is expected cost savings. Navy should just suck it up and put haybales on the carrier decks.

Why should the Navy just “suck it up”? They’re in more dire need of replacement aircraft than the Chair Force.

90 Decatur Deb  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 2:17:22pm

re: #88 Gus

I don’t know. The parachutes would help in that it will make the dead mice get snagged on the top cover of jungle foliage. That’s what you want. They’re already setting traps.

Snake: “What the hell is that mouse doing up here? I smell a rat.”

91 Tigger2005  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 2:17:35pm

re: #54 Targetpractice

Which is rather why, for much of the nation’s history, we had no standing army. The initial worry over a standing army was partially justified, as having one leads governments to view one as a tool of diplomacy, rather than as a last resort. The threat of war has become virtually a given now when the US takes interest in a region.

With WW2 it became pretty evident we no longer had the luxury of waiting until a threat presented itself before raising an army.

92 Decatur Deb  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 2:18:06pm

re: #89 Targetpractice

Why should the Navy just “suck it up”? They’re in more dire need of replacement aircraft than the Chair Force.

And they could have them if they could just learn to land gently.

93 Targetpractice  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 2:21:04pm

re: #92 Decatur Deb

And they could have them if they could just learn to land gently.

There is no landing gently on a carrier, it’s a controlled crash. And even if there was, saltwater corrosion takes its toll.

94 Lidane  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 2:21:23pm

re: #71 FemNaziBitch

Done! Paged it here.

95 Decatur Deb  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 2:22:08pm

re: #93 Targetpractice

There is no landing gently on a carrier, it’s a controlled crash. And even if there was, saltwater corrosion takes its toll.

Hence the haybales. We could probably also budget for a little WD40.

96 wrenchwench  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 2:22:24pm

re: #87 skylarkingtomfoolery

The resistance army is not looking too formidable:

[Link: www.whiotv.com…]

Yeah, if you can’t make it past your dad, you won’t stand much of a chance against the Private Black Army.

97 Gus  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 2:22:34pm

Here’s something.

Potential Flotation Devices for Aerial Delivery of Baits to Brown Treesnakes
Peter J. Savarie,

Brown treesnakes are exotic invasive predators that have extirpated native forest birds and caused drastic reductions of lizards on Guam. Operational management control methods to contain the snake on Guam include the use of live traps, hand capture from fences, and canine detection. Live traps are also used to depopulate small forest plots. Toxicants offer an additional means for reducing snake populations on small plots. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic pipe bait stations containing dead neonatal mice (DNM) treated with 80 mg acetaminophen are placed about 1.5 m above the ground in vegetation to reduce exposure to terrestrial scavengers such as toads, crabs, and feral pigs. Live traps or bait stations are not practical to use in remote, large-scale areas of forest but aerial delivery of baits may have application. Small plastic parachutes have been used for entangling DNM in forest canopy but parachutes are relatively expensive and cumbersome to use. Inconveniences can be tolerated when only a small number are deployed. But it is anticipated that several thousand baits may be delivered per drop, and inconveniences must be kept to a minimum to maintain an efficient aerial drop system. We therefore evaluated 5 types or flotation materials dropped by helicopter, using DNM implanted with radio transmitters to record landing site (canopy or ground) and bait consumption by snakes and non-target animals. The types of material and percentage of baits that became entangled in the canopy were: paper ring - 39%, paper drinking cup - 50%, excelsior (wood shavings) and burlap - each 56%, and commercial paper food cup - 60%. For all devices, bat consumption by snakes ranged from 19-50% and bait consumption by non-target toads and crabs ranged from 0 - 11%. Commercial food cups were the most convenient material to use because they could be nested together prior to deployment.

98 erik_t  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 2:23:15pm

re: #89 Targetpractice

Why should the Navy just “suck it up”? They’re in more dire need of replacement aircraft than the Chair Force.

The STOVL version is the real problem; F/A-18 works just fine in land service. Ask the Canadians, among others.

Now I love and respect the men and women of the United States Marine Corps, but it cannot be ignored that pretty much every procurement program they touch turns to flaming wreckage. V-22, F-35, LPD-17, EFV…

99 Gus  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 2:24:27pm

It appears that this has been done before.

100 Kragar (Antichrist )  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 2:25:23pm

re: #84 Decatur Deb

No parachutes likely—mice are pre-deaded. (Suspect that mice have such a low terminal velocity that most would make it if dropped alive. Teaching them to do a good parachute landing fall would be a bitch, though.)

Actually, they want the chutes so the mice get stuck in trees where the snakes live.

101 Gus  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 2:28:46pm

More science here:

102 Gus  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 2:29:21pm

Don’t say anything Killgore!!

//

103 Decatur Deb  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 2:29:28pm

re: #100 Kragar (Antichrist )

Actually, they want the chutes so the mice get stuck in trees where the snakes live.

Submunitions carried in artillery rounds and bombs sometimes use a few feet of plastic ribbon for deceleration/orientation. Ought to give it a go.

104 Targetpractice  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 2:30:13pm

re: #98 erik_t

The STOVL version is the real problem; F/A-18 works just fine in land service. Ask the Canadians, among others.

Now I love and respect the men and women of the United States Marine Corps, but it cannot be ignored that pretty much every procurement program they touch turns to flaming wreckage. V-22, F-35, LPD-17, EFV…

Almost all related to the Marines desire to perform future amphibious landings from a farther point offshore than current tech allows.

105 erik_t  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 2:31:47pm

re: #104 Targetpractice

Almost all related to the Marines desire to perform future amphibious landings from a farther point offshore than current tech allows.

Pretty much. Frankly, it’d take a lot of effort to convince me that we’ll ever, ever conduct another amphibious assault against meaningfully competent opposition. Cheap and cheerful is, IMHO, the right direction for the USMC. Right now we have two goddamned major land armies. That’s stupid.

106 Decatur Deb  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 2:34:51pm

re: #104 Targetpractice

Almost all related to the Marines desire to perform future amphibious landings from a farther point offshore than current tech allows.

Low Earth Orbit is only a couple hundred miles from anywhere. (Don’t bet someone wouldn’t want to try it.)

107 aagcobb  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 2:35:37pm

re: #30 Lidane

Ladies and gents, the modern GOP:

Huckabee, Gingrich: Obama Is ‘Very Different’ Than George Washington

*sigh*

For one thing, Obama has an anti-colonial mindset causing him to hate the British, whereas Washington, um, uh, Benghazi!

108 Kragar (Antichrist )  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 2:35:50pm

re: #105 erik_t

Pretty much. Frankly, it’d take a lot of effort to convince me that we’ll ever, ever conduct another amphibious assault against meaningfully competent opposition. Cheap and cheerful is, IMHO, the right direction for the USMC. Right now we have two goddamned major land armies. That’s stupid.

The USMC needs to focus on remaining a compact, easily deployable response force, amphibious or otherwise. Leave the siege and occupation roles to the army.

109 erik_t  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 2:35:59pm

re: #106 Decatur Deb

Low Earth Orbit is only a couple hundred miles from anywhere. (Don’t bet someone wouldn’t want to try it.)

You think you’re making a joke…

110 Decatur Deb  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 2:36:09pm

re: #107 aagcobb

For one thing, Obama has an anti-colonial mindset causing him to hate the British, whereas Washington, um, uh, Benghazi!

Getting good stuff today.

111 Kragar (Antichrist )  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 2:36:27pm

re: #106 Decatur Deb

Low Earth Orbit is only a couple hundred miles from anywhere. (Don’t bet someone wouldn’t want to try it.)

So you’re saying we shouldn’t even try drop pods?
/

112 Gus  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 2:37:01pm

You can read some of the “toxic mice” Twitter fail here. It seems to be a bipartisan concern. :D

113 Decatur Deb  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 2:37:30pm

re: #111 Kragar (Antichrist )

So you’re saying we shouldn’t even try drop pods?
/

I once semi-seriously suggested styrofoam LAPES “buses” to get squads down in one place.

114 Decatur Deb  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 2:38:11pm

re: #109 erik_t

You think you’re making a joke…

Didn’t have the details, but I know the mentality.

115 Bulworth  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 2:40:29pm

I know it’s been a busy day of derp, but Peggy Yard Signs Noonan is having a sad, and none of yous people have noticed (h/t PM Carpenter and Balloon Juice):

But we’ve been through it before, and you wonder, again, why a triumphant president and a battered Republican House majority can’t reach a responsible agreement.

And then you remind yourself why. Because Mr. Obama thrives in chaos. He flourishes in unsettled circumstances and grooves on his own calm. He spins an air of calamity, points fingers and garners support. His only opponent is a hapless, hydra-headed House. America has a weakness for winners, and Republicans just now do not look like winners.

PBO “grooves on his own calm.” How more evil than that can you get?

116 Decatur Deb  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 2:41:38pm

re: #115 Bulworth

I know it’s been a busy day of derp, but Peggy Yard Signs Noonan is having a sad, and none of yous people have noticed (h/t PM Carpenter and Balloon Juice):

PBO “grooves on his own calm.” How more evil than that can you get?

Michelle is embroidering a sampler as we speak.

117 Vicious Babushka  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 2:41:59pm

Time for me to stop rolling.

118 EPR-radar  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 2:43:26pm

re: #115 Bulworth

What a dim witted pundit Noonan is. The reason that the House GOP is seen as a pack of crazed weasels stuffed into a barrel and eating each other’s entrails is because that is exactly how they are acting.

119 Tigger2005  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 2:43:33pm

re: #79 EPR-radar

What is unbelievable is not that these Senators don’t care, it is that they aren’t even bothering to try to hide the fact that they don’t care.

Perhaps it is because being callous is a winner with the GOP base these days.

I think most of the GOP base these days are borderline sociopaths who have difficulty empathizing with anyone different from them. The smug satisfaction and even joy they take from other people’s pain and suffering is horrifying.

120 EPR-radar  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 2:45:58pm

re: #119 Tigger2005

I think most of the GOP base these days are borderline sociopaths who have difficulty empathizing with anyone different from them. The smug satisfaction and even joy they take from other people’s pain and suffering is horrifying.

I can’t begin to imagine what the crowd participation highlights will be like for the 2016 GOP primary season —- the 2012 version was already awful.

121 Tigger2005  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 2:47:42pm

re: #61 Sol Berdinowitz

This is not going to get better. These racially motivated gun freaks are going to provoke some reaction by the government by commiting or threatening acts of violence.

And when the government is compelled by their violence and/or threats to do its legal and constitutional duty by cracking down on this clear and present danger to our citizens’ safety and security, it will be pumped up and presented as final proof of their conspiracy theory.

Things always get worse before they get better. But these guys are essentially cowards, and once they see the Government hammer come down in earnest, they will be curled up in the fetal position soiling their underwear.

122 Tigger2005  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 2:52:24pm

re: #34 Kragar (Antichrist )

I got into this with a guy last week.

I posted a much longer message on FB last night after enduring all I could of the paranoid ravings of some gun nuts of my acquaintance:

instead of addressing your “arguments” against gun control one post at a time, I’m just going to lay out the facts and reality of the matter.
Our Founders never envisioned a country where individuals had absolutely unlimited, unrestricted freedom. They certainly wanted to protect individual liberty as much as possible. But they also knew human societies needed governments—to provide for national defense, to promote the common good, and so on. Without government you don’t have freedom…you have anarchy. There is no “freedom” or progress in anarchy…there is only a constant struggle for survival, that spirals down and down into barbarism.
The Founders worked very hard, thought very hard, applied all their considerable intellectual acumen to creating a representative government with three branches, each limiting the powers of the others. This is their legacy to us. Not unrestricted individual liberty, but the right to govern ourselves. We elect a President, we elect Congressmen. We have unelected Supreme Court judges so they can interpret the laws without pressure from the majority to interpret them in its favor at the expense of minorities. Congress makes laws. Some of these laws may restrict our liberties. But this is not “tyranny,” because WE THE PEOPLE elected Congress to represent us and make laws on our behalf. However, the judicial branch is there to decide if a law DOES go too far. And so on.
If this system is not working, it is because WE THE PEOPLE have allowed it to stop working. We have fallen asleep at the switch. We have become lazy, uninformed, uninvolved, self-absorbed, We have STOPPED GOVERNING OURSELVES. We have allowed special interests to take over, and not just take over Congress, but take over US. We mindlessly repeat the talking points given to us by billionaires and wealthy multinational corporations that do NOT have our best interests at heart, who only care about the bottom line. These people tell us our Government is the “enemy.” But again, if the Government has really in any sense become “the enemy” (or rather, “an enemy,” because there’s clearly more than one enemy of the common people), it is because we’ve let “Government of the people, by the people, for the people” get away from us.
Think about it. Like all things, Government can be abused. Congressmen can be corrupted by big money and stop representing the people. BUT, we can vote out those Congressmen who don’t serve our interests. Big business, big banks, billionaires, etc., we have no such power over them. We can try boycotts and strikes and the like, but what they do in that case is build monopolies and force out small businesses so we are limited in where we can shop and work. The only organization with enough power to stop businesses and banks and billionaires from doing whatever they like is the Government. And the Government will only serve the interests of WE THE PEOPLE if we stop thinking of our Government as “the enemy” and start thinking of it as US, and take back control of it. Again, we do that by being informed, involved, civic-minded citizens, voting, participating in our Government.
(cont)

123 Lidane  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 2:52:27pm

re: #120 EPR-radar

I can’t begin to imagine what the crowd participation highlights will be like for the 2016 GOP primary season —- the 2012 version was already awful.

Yeah, 2016 promises to be a cavalcade of derp, especially if the GOP lose seats in 2014.

124 Gus  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 2:53:11pm

[Link: twitter.com…]

125 Gus  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 2:53:38pm

Oops.

126 Tigger2005  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 2:53:59pm

(cont)
Why have I gone into all this? What does it have to do with gun control? What’s my point? It’s this…in this country, the people don’t prevent a tyrannical government by being armed (but let me state for the record that NOBODY is calling for a total gun ban or for taking people’s guns away)…they prevent a tyrannical government by BEING the Government. They protect their rights, while enacting reasonable restrictions on them to prevent individual rights and liberties from infringing on the rights and liberties of others and maintain a civil society, again by BEING the Government. They exercise collective responsibility AS WELL AS individual responsibility. They recognize that sometimes they cannot do or have (or even say) every single thing they want, if society, collectively through its elected, representative Government, has determined that the untrammeled exercise of a particular liberty is detrimental to the common good, if it infringes on the rights and liberties of others. Once again…this is NOT tyranny. Tyranny is the arbitrary restriction of liberty by an unelected (or fraudulently elected), non-representative government or a dictator with unlimited powers. And again, we have the judicial branch to weigh whether society’s collective expectations, manifested in its laws, are reasonable or unwarranted intrusions on individual liberty. (In extreme circumstances, such as during an existential struggle such as the Civil War or WW2, we may collectively agree to temporarily restrict certain liberties moreso than usual, if the unrestricted exercise of that liberty is determined to be excessively detrimental to the war effort.)
If our Government is moving toward tyranny, it is not a sign we need more guns…it is a sign we need to become more involved in it, to take back government for WE THE PEOPLE. And contrary to your view, the threat of a tyrannical government is not coming from liberals, or from gun control proposals. It is coming from right-wing politicians who claim to serve your interests but actually serve billionaires and corporations (and gun manufacturers) who spend millions upon millions to convince you that THEIR best interests are YOUR best interests. You are being played, and you don’t even realize it. They convince you there are all kinds of “conspiracies” on the Left to deprive you of your rights, when the real conspiracy is that of incredibly wealthy people and corporations with no national loyalty and with massive economic and political power that you can barely conceive of. And YOU are an unwitting participant in their plans to deprive you, a member of the working or middle class, of ever more economic and political power so they can continue to do whatever they want and more.
And here you are, working WITH them by calling YOUR Government…YOUR most powerful tool against these interests to ensure YOUR rights and liberties…your most effective avenue for collective action to secure your future and that of your descendants (there are others, such as unions and other political organizations, but Government of the people, by the people and for the people is #1 by far)…the primary means by which the people build and protect a stable society with a reasonably level playing field on which they can pursue dreams and opportunities—“the ENEMY.” The legacy bequeathed to us by the Founders has become, to you, not your Government to be taken back, but an enemy to be battled and destroyed.And what then? You’ll be free? No, you’ll be subject to the tyranny of those with vastly more money and resources than you, who are not beholden to you in any way, shape or form (except as consumers and customers, which, with them making the rules, won’t mean squat).
And all your guns will not make a bit of difference against them.
(Cont)

127 Tigger2005  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 2:54:22pm

P.S. One reason you want guns is because they give you a feeling of control. But again…our Founders set up a government that gave you, the common person, more power than the common people since the dawn of human civilization ever dared dream of. And by making that government “the enemy,” you are pissing that power away for what is a very, very limited amount of “control.”

128 Decatur Deb  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 2:55:38pm

re: #125 Gus

Oops.

MickeyGate !!1!

129 Charles Johnson  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 2:57:31pm

re: #115 Bulworth

I know it’s been a busy day of derp, but Peggy Yard Signs Noonan is having a sad, and none of yous people have noticed (h/t PM Carpenter and Balloon Juice):

PBO “grooves on his own calm.” How more evil than that can you get?

“Those people” are always “grooving” and “jiving.”

Seriously, how much more patronizingly racist can Peggy Noonan get?

130 wrenchwench  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 2:57:33pm

re: #122 Tigger2005

I posted a much longer message on FB last night after enduring all I could of the paranoid ravings of some gun nuts of my acquaintance:

instead of addressing your “arguments” against gun control one post at a time, I’m just going to lay out the facts and reality of the matter.
Our Founders never envisioned a country where individuals had absolutely unlimited, unrestricted freedom. They certainly wanted to protect individual liberty as much as possible. But they also knew human societies needed governments—to provide for national defense, to promote the common good, and so on. Without government you don’t have freedom…you have anarchy. There is no “freedom” or progress in anarchy…there is only a constant struggle for survival, that spirals down and down into barbarism.
The Founders worked very hard, thought very hard, applied all their considerable intellectual acumen to creating a representative government with three branches, each limiting the powers of the others. This is their legacy to us. Not unrestricted individual liberty, but the right to govern ourselves. We elect a President, we elect Congressmen. We have unelected Supreme Court judges so they can interpret the laws without pressure from the majority to interpret them in its favor at the expense of minorities. Congress makes laws. Some of these laws may restrict our liberties. But this is not “tyranny,” because WE THE PEOPLE elected Congress to represent us and make laws on our behalf. However, the judicial branch is there to decide if a law DOES go too far. And so on.
If this system is not working, it is because WE THE PEOPLE have allowed it to stop working. We have fallen asleep at the switch. We have become lazy, uninformed, uninvolved, self-absorbed, We have STOPPED GOVERNING OURSELVES. We have allowed special interests to take over, and not just take over Congress, but take over US. We mindlessly repeat the talking points given to us by billionaires and wealthy multinational corporations that do NOT have our best interests at heart, who only care about the bottom line. These people tell us our Government is the “enemy.” But again, if the Government has really in any sense become “the enemy” (or rather, “an enemy,” because there’s clearly more than one enemy of the common people), it is because we’ve let “Government of the people, by the people, for the people” get away from us.
Think about it. Like all things, Government can be abused. Congressmen can be corrupted by big money and stop representing the people. BUT, we can vote out those Congressmen who don’t serve our interests. Big business, big banks, billionaires, etc., we have no such power over them. We can try boycotts and strikes and the like, but what they do in that case is build monopolies and force out small businesses so we are limited in where we can shop and work. The only organization with enough power to stop businesses and banks and billionaires from doing whatever they like is the Government. And the Government will only serve the interests of WE THE PEOPLE if we stop thinking of our Government as “the enemy” and start thinking of it as US, and take back control of it. Again, we do that by being informed, involved, civic-minded citizens, voting, participating in our Government.
(cont)

re: #126 Tigger2005

re: #127 Tigger2005

Can you say that in 140 characters?

/

131 erik_t  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 2:57:39pm

re: #125 Gus

Oops.

@DanFosterNRO Thanks, Obama. RT @washingtonpost: Dead, drugged baby mice to be dropped from helicopter over Guam [Link: wapo.st…] #conservation

Doesn’t even know he’s self-parodying.

132 EPR-radar  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 2:57:46pm

re: #126 Tigger2005

(cont)
…
And here you are, working WITH them by calling YOUR Government…YOUR most powerful tool against these interests to ensure YOUR rights and liberties…your most effective avenue for collective action to secure your future and that of your descendants (there are others, such as unions and other political organizations, but Government of the people, by the people and for the people is #1 by far)…the primary means by which the people build and protect a stable society with a reasonably level playing field on which they can pursue dreams and opportunities—“the ENEMY.” The legacy bequeathed to us by the Founders has become, to you, not your Government to be taken back, but an enemy to be battled and destroyed.And what then? You’ll be free? No, you’ll be subject to the tyranny of those with vastly more money and resources than you, who are not beholden to you in any way, shape or form (except as consumers and customers, which, with them making the rules, won’t mean squat).
And all your guns will not make a bit of difference against them.
(Cont)

QFT. The gun nuts are one subset of the useful idiots the real GOP needs to dupe in order to enact its agenda.

133 RadicalModerate  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 3:01:43pm

For those of you wondering where this whole “Obama’s private black army” is originated from, here’s a February, 2009 (cached page) from the white nationalist Stormfront website:

[Link: webcache.googleusercontent.com…]

The Republican Right nowadays isn’t even trying to hide their true colors anymore.

134 Gus  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 3:01:58pm

re: #128 Decatur Deb

It appears that byline editors everywhere have achieved their goals. I wish people would know what they were running around screaming about before they started running around and screaming.

135 thecommodore  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 3:04:36pm

re: #1 aagcobb

Complete neo-nazi race war fantasy. Are any of these guys open white nationalists?

Pratt has been linked them in the past. In fact, concerns over this got him booted from Pat Buchanan’s - of all people - presidential campaign in 1996.

He’s also written favorably about militias and other gun grabbing wingnuttery in the past.

136 Gus  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 3:06:02pm

DEADLY TOXIC, POISONOUS BABY MICE TO BE AIR DROPPED BY US GOVERNMENT SCIENTISTS POSSIBLY ON THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLE OF GUAM NEARBY AMERICAN AIR FORCE BASE IN AN EFFORT TO ERADICATE AN INVASIVE SNAKE SPECIES!

//

137 Gus  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 3:07:01pm

NBC joins in the derp fest.

Toxic mice airdrop aims to wipe out Guam’s venomous snakes

138 Lidane  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 3:08:15pm
139 Gus  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 3:08:20pm
140 Gus  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 3:09:35pm

Even Nature Conservancy fell for the derp.

141 allegro  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 3:11:24pm

re: #139 Gus

Clearly they aren’t aware that acetaminiphen is… Tylenol.

142 Decatur Deb  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 3:11:26pm

re: #140 Gus

Even Nature Conservancy fell for the derp.

They should know better—some of them have had Biology an’ all.

143 EPR-radar  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 3:13:03pm

re: #135 thecommodore

Pratt has been linked them in the past. In fact, concerns over this got him booted from Pat Buchanan’s - of all people - presidential campaign in 1996.

He’s also written favorably about militias and other gun grabbing wingnuttery in the past.

That’s impressive. Pratt’s white nationalism must not have been sufficiently deniable.

However, if Buchanan or his like were to run today, I can’t believe overt white nationalism would still be a problem.

144 calochortus  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 3:13:33pm

re: #140 Gus

Even Nature Conservancy fell for the derp.

Might there be something else out there that could eat the mice and be poisoned? These things often have unintended consequences.

145 Gus  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 3:13:43pm

re: #142 Decatur Deb

They should know better—some of them have had Biology an’ all.

Let alone the fact that this is NOT being done to “exterminate Guam’s venomous snakes.” It’s an invasive species that’s destroying the current ecology. It’s also threatening to work it’s way to Hawaii which could be devastating. That and the reports also indicated that the goal of this is not to completely eradicate this snake but it is just an added tool of sorts. Eventual eradication would be a goal however.

146 EPR-radar  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 3:14:21pm

re: #141 allegro

Clearly they aren’t aware that acetaminiphen is… Tylenol.

Cue the deadly dihydrogen monoxide jokes.

147 Gus  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 3:14:28pm

re: #144 calochortus

Might there be something else out there that could eat the mice and be poisoned? These things often have unintended consequences.

They’ve been doing studies on this since 2001. Perhaps even before that.

148 Gus  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 3:14:51pm

re: #146 EPR-radar

Cue the deadly dihydrogen monoxide jokes.

Ha! Was just thinking about that.

149 calochortus  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 3:15:08pm

re: #146 EPR-radar

Cue the deadly dihydrogen monoxide jokes.

Except that Tylenol can destroy your liver.

150 aagcobb  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 3:15:42pm

re: #149 calochortus

Except that Tylenol can destroy your liver.

Don’t eat the Guam mice!

151 calochortus  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 3:16:11pm

re: #150 aagcobb

Don’t eat the Guam mice!

I’ll try to remember that.

152 EPR-radar  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 3:16:30pm

re: #141 allegro

Clearly they aren’t aware that acetaminiphen is… Tylenol.

Jokes aside, Tylenol is actually a nasty toxin for humans if too much is taken.

153 Gus  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 3:17:04pm

re: #149 calochortus

Except that Tylenol can destroy your liver.

True. This mice air drop will probably lead to rampant liver failure amongst the native peoples of Guam.

//

154 calochortus  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 3:17:17pm

By the way, I’m completely on board with the idea of getting rid of the snakes. It’s just that this sort of plan has gone awry before.

155 Gus  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 3:17:55pm

Oh boy. I’m out.

156 allegro  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 3:18:01pm

The snake problems are severe and this plan sounds like it has potential. In the case of poisoning the critters, there should be little collateral damage with acetaminophen since it is generally non-toxic to most species AFAIK and there is no secondary or tertiary kill potential. It should have no toxic environmental effects. The biggest problem I see is getting the snakes to take the bait in large enough numbers to get control over the population. Many snakes will not go for already dead prey and this is born out by their own research numbers with a high of 50% accepting the bait. That isn’t enough for long term control.

157 wrenchwench  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 3:19:25pm

re: #155 Gus

Oh boy. I’m out.

One post too soon, Gus.

158 aagcobb  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 3:21:47pm

The sequester doesn’t matter much. The real deadline is when the continuing resolution expires, and the government shuts down on March 27.

159 Lidane  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 3:24:14pm

Completely OT, but this is one of the coolest things I’ve seen:

Biodegradable Urn Lets You Go Green, Even Six Feet Under

I like that idea.

160 JeffFX  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 3:31:37pm

re: #84 Decatur Deb

No parachutes likely—mice are pre-deaded. (Suspect that mice have such a low terminal velocity that most would make it if dropped alive. Teaching them to do a good parachute landing fall would be a bitch, though.)

The terminal velocity of a mouse in atmosphere should be quite a bit faster than a human, and dropping a mouse from 4 feet onto carpet will fatally injure them about a quarter of the time.

No, I don’t torture mice for a living, but I do feed them to snakes, and they’ll occasionally get away from me and break their backs or necks when they hit the carpet.

161 wrenchwench  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 3:32:57pm

She seems nice.

BrendaGale ‏ @bgc558

#Constitution, #hater of all things LEFT,#theResistance,#bitterclinger,#intolerantbitch, STOP SHARIA, #NRA

Click the link, check out her background imageghazi.

162 William Barnett-Lewis  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 3:33:03pm

re: #38 wrenchwench

Can you say that in 140 characters? Could be handy.

How’s this?

“If you think it’s time to rebel, grab your rifle and go out onto the street. If you’re alone, it’s not time.”

163 Decatur Deb  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 3:38:07pm

re: #160 JeffFX

The terminal velocity of a mouse in atmosphere should be quite a bit faster than a human, and dropping a mouse from 4 feet onto carpet will fatally injure them about a quarter of the time.

No, I don’t torture mice for a living, but I do feed them to snakes, and they’ll occasionally get away from me and break their backs or necks when they hit the carpet.

Don’t have data on mice, was extrapolating from the difference in survival between cats and humans. We are right on the edge of surviving our 200g or so impact from our range of terminal velocities—that’s where the handful of validated stories come from. Recently read that cats do much better, with frequent survival from height. The trick is to teach the mice to hit a stable spread and avoid a max track. Wingsuits for them would be too expensive.

164 wrenchwench  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 3:39:53pm

re: #162 William Barnett-Lewis

How’s this?

“If you think it’s time to rebel, grab your rifle and go out onto the street. If you’re alone, it’s not time.”

I’m afraid to see how many would run out into the street with a rifle. Something along those lines, though.

165 allegro  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 3:40:45pm

Just had an idea… snakes go for live prey. Live mice with acetaminophen injected implants could be released. Release only male mice to prevent introducing another problem species. The problem would be the implant - it would have to dissolve in the snakes’ guts but not under the meeces skin. Hmmm…

166 Decatur Deb  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 3:40:58pm

re: #164 wrenchwench

I’m afraid to see how many would run out into the street with a rifle. Something along those lines, though.

Darwin meets Paul Revere.

167 FemNaziBitch  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 3:43:30pm

re: #159 Lidane

Completely OT, but this is one of the coolest things I’ve seen:

Biodegradable Urn Lets You Go Green, Even Six Feet Under

I like that idea.

I saw that on fb, but I couldn’t find it available in the US.

168 Gus  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 3:43:31pm

re: #157 wrenchwench

One post too soon, Gus.

Serenity now!

169 Decatur Deb  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 3:44:10pm

re: #165 allegro

Just had an idea… snakes go for live prey. Live mice with acetaminophen injected implants could be released. Release only male mice to prevent introducing another problem species. The problem would be the implant - it would have to dissolve in the snakes’ guts but not under the meeces skin. Hmmm…

Durable microprocessor-controlled windup mice with semtex underwear. Gets ‘em every time.

170 FemNaziBitch  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 3:44:46pm

re: #154 calochortus

By the way, I’m completely on board with the idea of getting rid of the snakes. It’s just that this sort of plan has gone awry before.

How else can you justify your arsenal of weapons?

171 wrenchwench  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 3:44:50pm

re: #168 Gus

Serenity now!

I don’t even see how to log out that fast. Do you have some special button set up?

172 Decatur Deb  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 3:45:26pm

re: #167 FemNaziBitch

I saw that on fb, but I couldn’t find it available in the US.

I push the ‘green funeral’ movement every year or so. This one is near us, others are around:

[Link: www.glendalenaturepreserve.org…]

173 allegro  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 3:45:36pm

re: #167 FemNaziBitch

I saw that on fb, but I couldn’t find it available in the US.

There is a cemetery in Florida where a natural burial can be had. It’s the only one I know of in the US.

174 FemNaziBitch  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 3:45:44pm

re: #149 calochortus

Except that Tylenol can destroy your liver.

so can bourbon

175 Decatur Deb  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 3:46:43pm

re: #173 allegro

There is a cemetery in Florida where a natural burial can be had. It’s the only one I know of in the US.

I posted it at 172. There is an affiliated one in NC. Can’t imagine CA not having a couple.

176 calochortus  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 3:46:53pm

re: #174 FemNaziBitch

so can bourbon

Tylenol does it faster-and without the annoying taste of bourbon. ;-)

177 Gus  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 3:47:33pm

OK, here’s the DRAFT Environmental Impact Statement:

Finding and decision:

Study 1.

Study 2.

Here’s a link to: Brown Treesnake Research at NWRC - Publications

178 FemNaziBitch  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 3:47:41pm

I had this idea long ago that we could turn the ancient forests into cemeteries. People could pay big bucks to be buried at the base of an ancient tree. There would be money to keep-up land and plant more trees, THE TREES would be protected because they are in a cemetery and because the cost of untangling the roots from the caskets would be cost-preventative AND most of all I liked the idea of becoming one with the tree in death.

179 JeffFX  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 3:47:42pm

re: #165 allegro

Just had an idea… snakes go for live prey. Live mice with acetaminophen injected implants could be released. Release only male mice to prevent introducing another problem species. The problem would be the implant - it would have to dissolve in the snakes’ guts but not under the meeces skin. Hmmm…

Assuming that mice can’t digest bone, sealing it in a bone-like material would do what you suggest, since snakes completely digest bone.

180 wrenchwench  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 3:47:44pm

re: #172 Decatur Deb

I push the ‘green funeral’ movement every year or so. This one is near us, others are around:

[Link: www.glendalenaturepreserve.org…]

This makes me nervous:

In a hurry? Click for a QUICK & BRIEF OVERVIEW

181 Gus  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 3:48:34pm

re: #171 wrenchwench

I don’t even see how to log out that fast. Do you have some special button set up?

It’s right below the “New Comments” button on the regular pages. Not using spy mode.

182 RadicalModerate  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 3:48:37pm

re: #161 wrenchwench

She seems nice.

Click the link, check out her background imageghazi.

Among her follows/retweets: Council of Conservative Citizens, Jared Taylor, Charlie Daniels, Ted Nugent, Ann Coulter.

And that only goes back as far as three weeks ago.

183 FemNaziBitch  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 3:48:41pm

re: #168 Gus

Serenity now!

Here you go

184 wrenchwench  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 3:49:46pm

re: #181 Gus

It’s right below the “New Comments” button on the regular pages. Not using spy mode.

Duh! I’ve never used that button! Thanks!

185 Decatur Deb  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 3:50:39pm

re: #178 FemNaziBitch

I had this idea long ago that we could turn the ancient forests into cemeteries. People could pay big bucks to be buried at the base of an ancient tree. There would be money to keep-up land and plant more trees, THE TREES would be protected because they are in a cemetery and because the cost of untangling the roots from the caskets would be cost-preventative AND most of all I liked the idea of becoming one with the tree in death.

That’s part of the plan of the Florida brothers’ place. They intend to make their land ‘undevelopable’ to satisfy their dad’s wishes. Part of the strategy is to be a little sloppy about marking the exact burials.

186 FemNaziBitch  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 3:52:36pm

re: #185 Decatur Deb

That’s part of the plan of the Florida brothers’ place. They intend to make their land ‘undevelopable’ to satisfy their dad’s wishes. Part of the strategy is to be a little sloppy about marking the exact burials.

very cool! But I’d want my tree marked. I have this idea that people could say “hi” to me when they walk by. Makes me smile.

187 wrenchwench  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 3:53:50pm

re: #182 RadicalModerate

Among her follows/retweets: Council of Conservative Citizens, Jared Taylor, Charlie Daniels, Ted Nugent, Ann Coulter.

And that only goes back as far as three weeks ago.

Arizonan, I think.

188 FemNaziBitch  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 3:54:15pm

Is this a big deal?

189 Interesting Times  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 3:55:26pm

re: #174 FemNaziBitch

so can bourbon

re: #176 calochortus

Tylenol does it faster-and without the annoying taste of bourbon. ;-)

Well, if you insist I post this again… ;)

In a medical breakthrough that should come as welcome news for millions of at-risk Americans, University of Pennsylvania cardiologists announced Tuesday that taking one aspirin tablet and a fifth of bourbon daily can “significantly reduce” an individual’s awareness of heart attacks.

190 Decatur Deb  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 3:57:09pm

re: #186 FemNaziBitch

very cool! But I’d want my tree marked. I have this idea that people could say “hi” to me when they walk by. Makes me smile.

They allow a ‘natural’ rock marker, and have the GPS coordinates to within a few yards. They envision the families using the area as a park.

191 wrenchwench  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 3:58:53pm

re: #188 FemNaziBitch

Is this a big deal?

Only if you drink water. Ceratinly a bigger deal than they’re letting on.

192 Gus  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 3:59:22pm

re: #184 wrenchwench

Duh! I’ve never used that button! Thanks!

Here’s my custom log-off button.

193 Decatur Deb  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 3:59:38pm

re: #186 FemNaziBitch

very cool! But I’d want my tree marked. I have this idea that people could say “hi” to me when they walk by. Makes me smile.

Note that pets are welcome, above ground and below. Big selling point for my friend.

194 FemNaziBitch  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 4:00:06pm

When my gf was in the hospital for major surgery last month, they gave her liquid acetaminophen in her IV. She said it worked very well. I thought that either she has a very high pain tolerance, or it is some special acetaminophen. Then I wondered why they were using it as they big thing lately has been concern for the liver because of the stuff.

195 FemNaziBitch  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 4:01:44pm

re: #193 Decatur Deb

Note that pets are welcome, above ground and below. Big selling point for my friend.

Oh good, then dogs could pee on me.

/

196 Gus  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 4:01:56pm

re: #191 wrenchwench

Only if you drink water. Ceratinly a bigger deal than they’re letting on.

Yucca Mountain could have helped prevent that. So instead we stick our heads in the sand which means a lot of nuclear waste is sitting at nuclear generation facilities.

197 FemNaziBitch  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 4:02:06pm

re: #191 wrenchwench

Only if you drink water. Ceratinly a bigger deal than they’re letting on.

Originally it was 1 tank —6 days ago.

198 Decatur Deb  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 4:03:46pm

Off to hit the gym—fending off the Green Reaper. BBL

199 Kragar (Antichrist )  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 4:08:44pm

re: #194 FemNaziBitch

When my gf was in the hospital for major surgery last month, they gave her liquid acetaminophen in her IV. She said it worked very well. I thought that either she has a very high pain tolerance, or it is some special acetaminophen. Then I wondered why they were using it as they big thing lately has been concern for the liver because of the stuff.

Tylenol with codeine maybe?

200 Targetpractice  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 4:09:17pm

re: #191 wrenchwench

Only if you drink water. Ceratinly a bigger deal than they’re letting on.

Look at it this way: You won’t need a flashlight to take a piss.

//

201 calochortus  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 4:13:05pm

re: #194 FemNaziBitch

When my gf was in the hospital for major surgery last month, they gave her liquid acetaminophen in her IV. She said it worked very well. I thought that either she has a very high pain tolerance, or it is some special acetaminophen. Then I wondered why they were using it as they big thing lately has been concern for the liver because of the stuff.

I think a lot of the concern was because people don’t pay attention to what they are taking and can easily take a couple things that contain acetaminophen without realizing they are doubling up on their dose.

re: #199 Kragar (Antichrist )

I had a knee replacement and because narcotics and I don’t play well together I used only extra strength Tylenol and ice packs after I got home (48 hours after the surgery.) I was amazed at how well it controlled the pain.

202 FemNaziBitch  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 4:16:10pm

re: #199 Kragar (Antichrist )

Tylenol with codeine maybe?

nope, straight acetaminaphen. (which I’ll never remember how to spell correctly) It’s a new thing, I guess.

203 FemNaziBitch  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 4:16:15pm

bbl

205 b_sharp  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 4:25:15pm

re: #190 Decatur Deb

They allow a ‘natural’ rock marker, and have the GPS coordinates to within a few yards. They envision the families using the area as a park.

OMG! Walking on dead people!

206 engineer cat  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 4:26:18pm

No government ever voluntarily reduces

Flash: Conservative Movement Exposed As Sophisticated AI Spambot Automaton

americans relieved to find out that millions of fellow citizens not nearly as stupid as feared

207 Hercules Grytpype-Thynneghazi  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 4:29:20pm

re: #202 FemNaziBitch

nope, straight acetaminaphen. (which I’ll never remember how to spell correctly) It’s a new thing, I guess.

You got it except for one letter (‘o’ before ‘p’).

208 calochortus  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 4:29:57pm

bbl

209 engineer cat  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 4:31:03pm

re: #178 FemNaziBitch

I had this idea long ago that we could turn the ancient forests into cemeteries. People could pay big bucks to be buried at the base of an ancient tree. There would be money to keep-up land and plant more trees, THE TREES would be protected because they are in a cemetery and because the cost of untangling the roots from the caskets would be cost-preventative AND most of all I liked the idea of becoming one with the tree in death.

we buried a deceased puddy right underneath a new tree we were planting

i like to think that many years from now somebody could be carving the root of that tree and find puddy’s bones embedded in the wood

210 thecommodore  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 4:32:33pm

I think Pratt is largely a fringe figure. If you’re too insane for Pat Buchanan, that’s really fringe. And I had never heard of Stan Solomon or Greg Howard until now. My guess is that Solomon’s show is carried on stations that are at 1400 and above on the am band, where he may even pay for airtime.

Also, Gun Owners of America claim to have 300,000 members. The NRA, by contrast, has recently claimed to have more than 4,000,000 - a figure many have disputed, but I think it’s safe to say that the NRA has about ten times as many members as does GOA. This is not to suggest that the NRA hasn’t been guilty of wingnuttery in the past, but I think even this scenario postulated by Pratt and company in this videos is too far out there even for the NRA.

So while we should be concerned about people spewing nonsense like this - 300,000 is still a lot of people - in the big picture, it’s a tiny audience.

211 engineer cat  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 4:33:06pm

re: #202 FemNaziBitch

nope, straight acetaminaphen. (which I’ll never remember how to spell correctly) It’s a new thing, I guess.

i already get a headache just trying to spell it and pronounce it

212 Gus  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 4:45:58pm

Image: Log-Off-Eject-Retro.jpg

213 wrenchwench  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 4:59:17pm

re: #192 Gus

Here’s my custom log-off button.

LOL!

re: #212 Gus

Image: Log-Off-Eject-Retro.jpg

OMGDOUBLELOL!

214 Gus  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 5:04:42pm

re: #213 wrenchwench

LOL!

re: #212 Gus

OMGDOUBLELOL!

Retro panel no with bullshit meter, self distruct button, and weapons panel.

215 wrenchwench  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 5:09:05pm

re: #214 Gus

Retro panel no with bullshit meter, self distruct button, and weapons panel.

I want one. Put a guard over that red button, though.

216 Gus  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 5:15:12pm

re: #215 wrenchwench

I want one. Put a guard over that red button, though.

More buttons! No self-destruct but with added drones.

218 wrenchwench  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 5:16:59pm

We need a button for this guy.

219 Killgore Trout  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 5:28:28pm
Liveleak Video

Code Pink meets with Pakistani Ambassador over drone strikes

On the 22nd of February, Code Pink continued a week of protests
against US drone murders with a visit to the Pakistani Embassy. After a
few speeched outside in the rain, the Ambassador invited everyone in for
tea and to discuss the drones.

A number of the activists present at the Embassy were Pakistani
themselves, and several of the Code Pink members who were in Pakistan
with Imrad Kahn’s march to the Federally Administered Tribal Areas were
also present.

The Ambassador called the drone strikes a violation of Pakistan’s
sovereignty. An activist from Catholic Worker apologized on behalf of
the American people for the murderous drone strikes.

One of the other activists suggested the possiblity that Pakistan could
demand an end to drone strikes as a precondition of permitting the US to
continue using the Khyber Pass route to move heavy equipment into and
out of Afghanistan.

220 Gus  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 5:33:17pm

re: #219 Killgore Trout

[Embedded content]


Code Pink meets with Pakistani Ambassador over drone strikes

Oy. It’s not the drones it’s war. War kills people. Drones in fact are lowering collateral damage. War is not murder unless decided up by the ICC. The quickest way to ending the use of drones is a path to peace. To that end, it is incumbent on Al Qaeda and the Taliban to surrender. I’ll wait.

221 Targetpractice  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 5:33:48pm

BWAHAHAHAHAHA!:

Air Force chief: Sequester might ground lawmakers

Forget threats of furloughed workers or reduced security at embassies.

Here’s what might be the most powerful incentive yet for members of Congress to come up with a deal to avert the sequester: the head of the Air Force today warned that the spending cuts that will go into effect March 1 could cause the military to eliminate those lovely miljet flights that lawmakers enjoy.

Members of Congress adore flying on Air Force jets, particularly for overseas trips — there are no security lines, check-in is a breeze, the service couldn’t be better, and it’s business class-only.

But if the government-wide cuts aren’t thwarted and the military has to pinch pennies, lawmakers might have to kiss those perks goodbye, Air Force Secretary Michael Donley told the crowd at the Air Force Association’s winter conference in Orlando, Fla., we’re told.

Fly commercial? The horror.

And if members of Congress are forced into such dire circumstances, they’re in for even more delays. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood cautioned on Friday that the sequester could cause major backups in airports around the country.

So much for all those fact-finding trips.

222 Killgore Trout  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 5:35:55pm

re: #220 Gus

Oy. It’s not the drones it’s war. War kills people. Drones in fact are lowering collateral damage. War is not murder unless decided up by the ICC. The quickest way to ending the use of drones is a path to peace. To that end, it is incumbent on Al Qaeda and the Taliban to surrender. I’ll wait.

The moonbats also fail to notice that the the Pakistani ambassador is blowing smoke up their asses. The Pakistani government quietly endorses the strikes and only complains for domestic political reasons…and to appease the occasional moonbat.

223 A Mom Anon  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 5:36:22pm

re: #221 Targetpractice

Good. I hope it fucks up their day in more ways than that. I really wish their fucking pay was suspended til they quit trying to sabotage the President. Fat chance I know, but if they’re going to fuck with so many they should feel it too.

224 wrenchwench  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 5:40:06pm
225 kirkspencer  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 5:43:32pm

Ah, good, I see Gus is on. Hey Gus, you’re no longer the newest injured lizard. Managed to break my right tibia today - a “displaced fracture”.

Was cutting tree branches. Thought I was being safe - put in an anchor line on the branch, made sure I had two feet of extension ladder beyond the branch.

Anchor line let go, branch climbed three feet, I fell ten feet. I tried to roll as 30 year old instinct took over, and I actually did it right — except that I dropped into mud which seized my right foot and held it in place.

Fortunately the break did not puncture the skin. But this jobless, insuranceless man is about to go through a lot of fun (///).

Anyway, the most amusing thing is that one of the first thoughts that went through my head after the “snap” was wondering if I’d one-upped you with my stupidity (grin). So of course I have to share.

226 Gus  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 5:44:17pm

re: #222 Killgore Trout

The moonbats also fail to notice that the the Pakistani ambassador is blowing smoke up their asses. The Pakistani government quietly endorses the strikes and only complains for domestic political reasons…and to appease the occasional moonbat.

“Al-Qaeda commander Mustafa Abu al-Yazid claimed responsibility for the attack…” that killed Benazir Bhutto. Anyone that thinks that Pakistan is “cool” with Al Qaeda is fooling themselves. Al Qaeda doesn’t want to negotiate. That’s not what they’re about. It’s a fight to the finish. The Taliban on the other hand may be more manageable.

227 Gus  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 5:45:42pm

re: #225 kirkspencer

Ah, good, I see Gus is on. Hey Gus, you’re no longer the newest injured lizard. Managed to break my right tibia today - a “displaced fracture”.

Was cutting tree branches. Thought I was being safe - put in an anchor line on the branch, made sure I had two feet of extension ladder beyond the branch.

Anchor line let go, branch climbed three feet, I fell ten feet. I tried to roll as 30 year old instinct took over, and I actually did it right — except that I dropped into mud which seized my right foot and held it in place.

Fortunately the break did not puncture the skin. But this jobless, insuranceless man is about to go through a lot of fun (///).

Anyway, the most amusing thing is that one of the first thoughts that went through my head after the “snap” was wondering if I’d one-upped you with my stupidity (grin). So of course I have to share.

Oh shit. I feel your pain man. How is it? Pain killers? They suggest surgery?

Damn, hope this doesn’t become an LGF epidemic. :|

228 kirkspencer  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 5:48:40pm

OK, on to the subject at hand. I have several concerns regarding the use of drones. They’re strategic in nature, because tactically they make a lot of sense.

Basically, I’m afraid that drones will finish cutting the break lines on declarations of war. They’re easy, from our point of view they are pretty much bloodless, and as a result Congress doesn’t get much pressure to tell the president to wait for a declaration of war.

And since drones suffer the same problem as aircraft it puts us in a major potential bind. That problem, by the way, is that it takes a couple of boots on the ground to actually hold that piece of ground. Air, barring genocide, does not conclude wars. Air power advocates have argued “this time is different” pretty much since they began trying, but it doesn’t work.

Add to this the easy way this can slip over into domestic use. From surveillance only to heavily overseen overwatch to … I dunno.

It annoys me that I find myself in agreement with Senator Rand, but stopped clocks and all that.

229 wrenchwench  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 5:49:29pm

Later, lizards. Time to go shopping.

Image: h44C52EB9.jpg

230 kirkspencer  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 5:50:03pm

re: #227 Gus

Oh shit. I feel your pain man. How is it? Pain killers? They suggest surgery?

Damn, hope this doesn’t become an LGF epidemic. :|

Just Motrin and APAP. I see the Ortho guy Monday and he’ll tell me the whole deal. I agree about the fear of epidemic. Let’s hope we’re an exclusive and not particularly desirable club, huh?

231 Feline Fearless Leader  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 6:02:53pm

re: #225 kirkspencer

Ah, good, I see Gus is on. Hey Gus, you’re no longer the newest injured lizard. Managed to break my right tibia today - a “displaced fracture”.

Was cutting tree branches. Thought I was being safe - put in an anchor line on the branch, made sure I had two feet of extension ladder beyond the branch.

Anchor line let go, branch climbed three feet, I fell ten feet. I tried to roll as 30 year old instinct took over, and I actually did it right — except that I dropped into mud which seized my right foot and held it in place.

Fortunately the break did not puncture the skin. But this jobless, insuranceless man is about to go through a lot of fun (///).

Anyway, the most amusing thing is that one of the first thoughts that went through my head after the “snap” was wondering if I’d one-upped you with my stupidity (grin). So of course I have to share.

It’s a good thing you’re all Lizards and not Horses. Otherwise, we’d have to take a more stringent solution.

Image: glue.jpg

232 chadu  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 6:04:57pm

re: #178 FemNaziBitch

You’re sorta like the Lorax. (The cool one, not the lame one.)

233 Feline Fearless Leader  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 6:06:49pm

re: #228 kirkspencer

OK, on to the subject at hand. I have several concerns regarding the use of drones. They’re strategic in nature, because tactically they make a lot of sense.

Basically, I’m afraid that drones will finish cutting the break lines on declarations of war. They’re easy, from our point of view they are pretty much bloodless, and as a result Congress doesn’t get much pressure to tell the president to wait for a declaration of war.

And since drones suffer the same problem as aircraft it puts us in a major potential bind. That problem, by the way, is that it takes a couple of boots on the ground to actually hold that piece of ground. Air, barring genocide, does not conclude wars. Air power advocates have argued “this time is different” pretty much since they began trying, but it doesn’t work.

Add to this the easy way this can slip over into domestic use. From surveillance only to heavily overseen overwatch to … I dunno.

It annoys me that I find myself in agreement with Senator Rand, but stopped clocks and all that.

It’s not a new concept. The British did “air policing” in the Middle East and Africa between the two world wars.

Policing the Empire and activities in Great Britain

Following the end of World War I and the accompanying British defence cuts, the newly-independent RAF took up the task of policing the British Empire from the air. It was argued that the use of air power would prove to be a more cost-effective way of controlling large areas than by using conventional land forces. Sir Hugh Trenchard, the Chief of the Air Staff, had formulated ideas about the use of aircraft in colonial policing and these were first put into practice in 1920 when the RAF and imperial ground units defeated rebel Somaliland dervishes. The following year, in 1921, the RAF was given responsibility for all British forces in Iraq with the task of ‘policing’ the tribal unrest. The RAF also saw service in Afghanistan in 1928, when following the outbreak of civil war, the British Legation and some European diplomatic staff based in Kabul were cut off. The operation to rescue them, the Kabul Airlift, was the first evacuation of civilians by air.

234 chadu  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 6:10:58pm

re: #224 wrenchwench

She did the Dougie?

ZOMG.

Barack, you don’t treat that woman right, I’m gonna make a run. ;)

235 Gus  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 6:13:41pm

re: #228 kirkspencer

OK, on to the subject at hand. I have several concerns regarding the use of drones. They’re strategic in nature, because tactically they make a lot of sense.

Basically, I’m afraid that drones will finish cutting the break lines on declarations of war. They’re easy, from our point of view they are pretty much bloodless, and as a result Congress doesn’t get much pressure to tell the president to wait for a declaration of war.

And since drones suffer the same problem as aircraft it puts us in a major potential bind. That problem, by the way, is that it takes a couple of boots on the ground to actually hold that piece of ground. Air, barring genocide, does not conclude wars. Air power advocates have argued “this time is different” pretty much since they began trying, but it doesn’t work.

Add to this the easy way this can slip over into domestic use. From surveillance only to heavily overseen overwatch to … I dunno.

It annoys me that I find myself in agreement with Senator Rand, but stopped clocks and all that.

I believe things are different technologically. We’ve made great strides in advancing military tactics that minimize collateral damage. We can even start in the late 1960s and look back at the carpet bombing large swaths of land in North Vietnam and Cambodia utilizing dumb bombs. Napalm which was used in Vietnam. Most aircraft in Vietnam dropped their bombs In other war fronts rolling barrages of massive of amounts of artillery was used. Advanced guidance and smart bombs began to change everything. Lower yield munitions are being developed.

Drones are also far better than using cruise missiles and regular naval or air force air power. Drones provide sustained on the scene surveillance of a target before launching a Hellfire. Changes can be made up to the last minute. Otherwise it would be an F-18 coming in hot and planting a smart well placed bomb on the designated target. No adjustments can be made for any possible placement of human shields at the last minute.

236 kirkspencer  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 6:16:13pm

re: #233 Feline Fearless Leader

It’s not a new concept. The British did “air policing” in the Middle East and Africa between the two world wars.

They’re not the only ones. But the thing is that there is some significant (though subtle) difference between drones and manned aircraft.

FWIW I’m not entirely averse to the air patrolling itself. And in fact I think increased surveillance in the US is inevitable and, in general, good. (The whole privacy discussion is worth having, but the short is that like a lot of other things generational expectations are significantly different.)

But it concerns me - a lot - that the way we’re mostly bringing in drones for law enforcement is as ‘special systems’ which are a subset of special weapons. It concerns me even more that we’re bringing them in but NOT hammering out a public policy. Cap that with the realization there is a policy, but it’s classified.

It’s not the tool, it’s the way it’s getting used.

237 Gus  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 6:16:47pm

re: #233 Feline Fearless Leader

It’s not a new concept. The British did “air policing” in the Middle East and Africa between the two world wars.

People also seem to forget the continuing French presence in Chad: Opération Épervier.

238 Gus  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 6:19:33pm

Drones are everywhere!

239 jamesfirecat  Fri, Feb 22, 2013 6:27:33pm

re: #80 Robur

Look theres no reason to fear these guys,I have it on good authority that Capt.Jonathan Archer and T’Pol are coming back in time to fix this mess that the Reptilian and Insectoid races of the Zyndi caused.Instead of stealing a truck I’m going to loan them one of my cars. So it’s ok Starfleet is in the case…

Captain Jonathan “Duchess” Archer?

We’re all doomed…..

240 majii  Sat, Feb 23, 2013 5:59:44pm

Wait, I’m a Black American, and I had to read about this secret plan that I’m supposed to be a part of on LGF? Wow, I really am out of touch!! This is another lie that these bozos pulled from their asses, the same place where they find their other nutso conspiracy theories.

241 majii  Sat, Feb 23, 2013 6:08:04pm

re: #4 Kragar (Antichrist )

They were fine as long as they could be bigots and discriminate against others they don’t like in a mainly covert manner, but when Barack Obama became president, having a blah in the WH was more than they could take. They then proceeded to take their “show” on the road and make their racism and bigotry a part of the political and social landscape, and they found many who were willing to listen to their racist crap. We have a lot of people like this down here in GA. They attend church and Bible study religiously while fully embracing racism and bigotry, cause see, Jesus told them it’s okay to live this way. Now, I feel sick.


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