1 kirkspencer  Fri, Sep 6, 2013 5:20:56pm

If you go to the white house page you can get both the video and the transcript, but there’s a little digging required. To save that effort:
Video
Transcript

2 First As Tragedy, Then As Farce  Fri, Sep 6, 2013 5:59:42pm

re: #1 kirkspencer

If you go to the white house page you can get both the video and the transcript, but there’s a little digging required. To save that effort:
Video
Transcript

Good, because I am an idiot and can’t keep myself from reading the YouTube comments.

3 Targetpractice  Fri, Sep 6, 2013 7:09:33pm

Andy Borowitz publishes on his satire blog for the New Yorker that G20 ended after Obama called Putin a jackass, and now every damned emoprog and wingnut on the net is assuming its a real story.

4 darthstar  Fri, Sep 6, 2013 7:15:18pm

re: #3 Targetpractice

Andy Borowitz publishes on his satire blog for the New Yorker that G20 ended after Obama called Putin a jackass, and now every damned emoprog and wingnut on the net is assuming its a real story.

Borowitz screwed the pooch on that one. It wasn’t even a decent try at satire. It was juvenile.

5 EPR-radar  Fri, Sep 6, 2013 7:16:36pm

re: #3 Targetpractice

Andy Borowitz publishes on his satire blog for the New Yorker that G20 ended after Obama called Putin a jackass, and now every damned emoprog and wingnut on the net is assuming its a real story.

What kind of a mental model of Obama do they have where this idiocy becomes even remotely plausible?

Wingnuts I can sort of understand. Now that Putin is their new best friend, of course the Obama of the voices in their heads will call their best buddy a jackass.

The emoprogs remain a mystery.

6 Targetpractice  Fri, Sep 6, 2013 7:18:16pm

re: #5 EPR-radar

What kind of a mental model of Obama do they have where this idiocy becomes even remotely plausible?

Wingnuts I can sort of understand. Now that Putin is their new best friend, of course the Obama of the voices in their heads will call their best buddy a jackass.

The emoprogs remain a mystery.

The belief that Obama is “thin-skinned” and so resorts to attacking any who question him for the purpose of destroying them. In their minds, Obama calling out Putin as a jackass in front of a large audience fits with the idea of a guy who can’t handle Putin being such a “better” leader than he.

7 elizajane  Fri, Sep 6, 2013 7:19:19pm

re: #5 EPR-radar

What kind of a mental model of Obama do they have where this idiocy becomes even remotely plausible?

Wingnuts I can sort of understand. Now that Putin is their new best friend, of course the Obama of the voices in their heads will call their best buddy a jackass.

The emoprogs remain a mystery.

Putin is the emoprogs’ best friend too because he’s protecting Snowdon from the Obama regime’s NSA apparatus. Or something.

8 EPR-radar  Fri, Sep 6, 2013 7:19:52pm

re: #7 elizajane

Putin is the emoprogs’ best friend too because he’s protecting Snowdon from the regime’s NSA apparatus.

FFS.

9 Targetpractice  Fri, Sep 6, 2013 7:21:40pm

Yep, the wingnuts love Vlad because he’s an authoritarian that uses heavy-handed tactics to silence critics and naysayers alike, while emoprogs love him because they love anybody who’s at odds with Obama at the moment.

10 darthstar  Fri, Sep 6, 2013 7:22:37pm

re: #9 Targetpractice

Wingnuts love Vlad because he’s white. Period.

11 EPR-radar  Fri, Sep 6, 2013 7:23:57pm

re: #10 darthstar

Wingnuts love Vlad because he’s white. Period.

Putin gets significant bonus points from US wingnuts for hating on the gays.

12 Targetpractice  Fri, Sep 6, 2013 7:25:05pm

re: #11 EPR-radar

Putin gets significant bonus points from US wingnuts for hating on the gays.

Hating on the gays, throwing journalists in prison, and being a “strong” leader. Plus they get these funny feelings in their pants when they see him shirtless that they don’t like to acknowledge aloud.

13 Internet Tough Guy  Fri, Sep 6, 2013 7:26:47pm

re: #12 Targetpractice

You forgot “willing to turn his country into a theocracy for a little power,” which is really the reason for his hating on the gays.

14 EPR-radar  Fri, Sep 6, 2013 7:27:21pm

re: #7 elizajane

Putin is the emoprogs’ best friend too because he’s protecting Snowdon from the Obama regime’s NSA apparatus. Or something.

OK. I can see this bit of nonsense, but have the emoprogs really dissociated from reality as badly as the wingnuts? After all, Obama has dealt with a great many jackasses in the last 4.5 years (many in the US Congress), and hasn’t called anyone a jackass to their face.

15 Targetpractice  Fri, Sep 6, 2013 7:27:52pm

re: #13 Internet Tough Guy

You forgot “willing to turn his country into a theocracy for a little power,” which is really the reason for his hating on the gays.

He’s playing a page out of the authoritarian playbook, playing up religion to promote himself and his ideology. Setting himself up as the “defender of the faith.”

16 klys  Fri, Sep 6, 2013 7:28:14pm

re: #14 EPR-radar

OK. I can see this bit of nonsense, but have the emoprogs really dissociated from reality as badly as the wingnuts? After all, Obama has dealt with a great many jackasses in the last 4.5 years (many in the US Congress), and hasn’t called anyone a jackass to their face.

Short answer: yes.

17 Targetpractice  Fri, Sep 6, 2013 7:29:11pm

re: #14 EPR-radar

OK. I can see this bit of nonsense, but have the emoprogs really dissociated from reality as badly as the wingnuts? After all, Obama has dealt with a great many jackasses in the last 4.5 years (many in the US Congress), and hasn’t called anyone a jackass to their face.

He’s also not had anybody executed for whistleblowing, but that hasn’t stopped them from accusing him of planning that if Snowden is ever caught and put on trial.

18 Carlos Danger  Fri, Sep 6, 2013 7:32:40pm

Australian election is under way.

19 blueraven  Fri, Sep 6, 2013 7:36:18pm

re: #18 Carlos Danger

Australian election is under way.

Those crazy bastards vote on Saturday, when people are off from work!!!
///

21 EPR-radar  Fri, Sep 6, 2013 7:45:28pm

re: #17 Targetpractice

He’s also not had anybody executed for whistleblowing, but that hasn’t stopped them from accusing him of planning that if Snowden is ever caught and put on trial.

If I were a US prosecutor and was in a position to prepare charges against Snowden, I’d definitely consider adding further espionage act charges to what was originally filed, including capital charges.

22 Political Atheist  Fri, Sep 6, 2013 7:48:18pm

re: #20 Stanley Sea

That near murderous bastard is going to jail for damn near forever. Or certainly should. Words fail.

23 blueraven  Fri, Sep 6, 2013 7:54:35pm

re: #22 Political Atheist

That near murderous bastard is going to jail for damn near forever. Or certainly should. Words fail.

They have charged him with “injury to a child”! WTF?
Why not “attempted murder”? He shot a third grader in the face!

24 klys  Fri, Sep 6, 2013 7:54:36pm

Today’s YouTube appreciation moment:

Youtube Video

I mean really, who thinks of these things?

25 ProTARDISLiberal  Fri, Sep 6, 2013 7:56:55pm

Sorry to repeat post, but wanted your opinion:

So, in Skyrim, I just defeated Ulfric Stormcloak after falling in with the Empire.

No, I have decided to be the one to send out. Do I use the admittedly awesome sword Tullius gave me, or do shout him down like he did Torygg?

26 klys  Fri, Sep 6, 2013 8:00:00pm

Our Chromecast has bugged into playing Kutiman’s YouTube videos on its own after the husband played the first one.

I don’t even know.

27 calochortus  Fri, Sep 6, 2013 8:03:17pm

re: #22 Political Atheist

White guy shoots black child. Why am I not seeing this being covered on the conservative blogs? /

28 Stanley Sea  Fri, Sep 6, 2013 8:22:56pm

OK, here’s some fun ya’ll @luvvie is tweeting 50 Shades of Gray

29 Gus  Fri, Sep 6, 2013 8:24:00pm

Range green.

30 Gus  Fri, Sep 6, 2013 8:33:14pm

Woosh! Over 19,000 ft/sec.

31 Gus  Fri, Sep 6, 2013 8:40:05pm

GRAYSON: What’s actually happened is that until this point, in the past couple of years, this has been an internal civil war. It’s been the Alawites on one side and the Sunnis on the other side. And it’s been to some degree a reasonable expression of the desire of many people to have a modern life and not live under a dictatorship. But in the past several months what’s happened is that the backing by other foreign governments of certain rebels, Al-Nusra, has led to a situation where the strongest opposition force in Syria today is in fact another fundamentalist Muslim regime like the one in Iran. So we have a fundamentalist Muslim regime in Iran fighting fundamentalist Muslim Sunnis in a proxy war in Syria. I don’t think we have a dog in that fight. I think this is one of those extraordinarily rare occasions when I think I’m in agreement with Sarah Palin. She said, let Allah sort it out.

32 Targetpractice  Fri, Sep 6, 2013 8:40:38pm

The more and more I watch the trailer for the new Robocop, the less impressed I’m with it. I get that sinking feeling that, if you strip all the parts that they carried over from the original, it’s gonna end up being a generic action film.

33 palomino  Fri, Sep 6, 2013 8:43:16pm

re: #6 Targetpractice

The belief that Obama is “thin-skinned” and so resorts to attacking any who question him for the purpose of destroying them. In their minds, Obama calling out Putin as a jackass in front of a large audience fits with the idea of a guy who can’t handle Putin being such a “better” leader than he.

Of course Putin’s a “better” leader. He doesn’t have to deal with a real democratic system. (Wanna serve another term as president? No problem, just do it.)

Authoritarianism is only bad when it’s godless (former USSR). As long as the Church is involved, American reactionaries generally support it.

34 Gus  Fri, Sep 6, 2013 8:48:05pm
35 blueraven  Fri, Sep 6, 2013 8:53:36pm

re: #31 Gus

GRAYSON: What’s actually happened is that until this point, in the past couple of years, this has been an internal civil war. It’s been the Alawites on one side and the Sunnis on the other side. And it’s been to some degree a reasonable expression of the desire of many people to have a modern life and not live under a dictatorship. But in the past several months what’s happened is that the backing by other foreign governments of certain rebels, Al-Nusra, has led to a situation where the strongest opposition force in Syria today is in fact another fundamentalist Muslim regime like the one in Iran. So we have a fundamentalist Muslim regime in Iran fighting fundamentalist Muslim Sunnis in a proxy war in Syria. I don’t think we have a dog in that fight. I think this is one of those extraordinarily rare occasions when I think I’m in agreement with Sarah Palin. She said, let Allah sort it out.

He is an ass. I was really sad to see him get back into congress.

36 Kragar  Fri, Sep 6, 2013 8:56:24pm

If you find yourself agreeing with Caribou Barbie, seek immediate medical assistance

37 The Ghost of a Flea  Fri, Sep 6, 2013 8:57:37pm

re: #31 Gus

GRAYSON: What’s actually happened is that until this point, in the past couple of years, this has been an internal civil war. It’s been the Alawites on one side and the Sunnis on the other side. And it’s been to some degree a reasonable expression of the desire of many people to have a modern life and not live under a dictatorship. But in the past several months what’s happened is that the backing by other foreign governments of certain rebels, Al-Nusra, has led to a situation where the strongest opposition force in Syria today is in fact another fundamentalist Muslim regime like the one in Iran. So we have a fundamentalist Muslim regime in Iran fighting fundamentalist Muslim Sunnis in a proxy war in Syria. I don’t think we have a dog in that fight. I think this is one of those extraordinarily rare occasions when I think I’m in agreement with Sarah Palin. She said, let Allah sort it out.

Oh fuck him in so many different ways.

I am so fucking sick of variants of “Brown people gonna brown people. SEP”

Like every person in Syria is cleanly aligned with an religious extremist faction, such that none of their deaths are tragic or unavoidable.

38 Stanley Sea  Fri, Sep 6, 2013 8:58:19pm

I am not linking the good ones. You’ll have to follow @luvvie yourself. I’ve laughed so hard.

39 The Ghost of a Flea  Fri, Sep 6, 2013 9:01:42pm

Note: that should be tragic or avoidable.

Tech Note: I’m having some issues with comments using Firefox. They won’t load consistently when I enter a thread. Sometimes I can dither about with entering Spy and going back to regular presentation and they load. Hence me needing to append a correction rather than make it with the pencil.

40 Targetpractice  Fri, Sep 6, 2013 9:03:15pm

re: #36 Kragar

If you find yourself agreeing with Caribou Barbie, seek immediate medical assistance

I’m pretty sure that level of derp is terminal.

41 Gus  Fri, Sep 6, 2013 9:08:27pm

Speaking of useless idiots.

42 ProTARDISLiberal  Fri, Sep 6, 2013 9:09:58pm

re: #37 The Ghost of a Flea

The ultimate dudebro.

43 Gus  Fri, Sep 6, 2013 9:10:03pm

Fascinating part of this? I got that from Newsbusters. My bullshit meter just broke. The pro-left media won’t touch this.

44 blueraven  Fri, Sep 6, 2013 9:11:53pm

re: #43 Gus

Fascinating part of this? I got that from Newsbusters. My bullshit meter just broke. The pro-left media won’t touch this.

touch what?

45 Gus  Fri, Sep 6, 2013 9:12:40pm

re: #44 blueraven

touch what?

Grayson’s rat fucking.

46 Amory Blaine  Fri, Sep 6, 2013 9:12:59pm

What’s up with our “leaders” throwing around such inflammatory language? I mean, you can disagree with striking Syria but we are in the midst of making a decision. Especially all this impeachment talk. Yeah makes us look real good to Putin.

47 palomino  Fri, Sep 6, 2013 9:13:10pm

re: #34 Gus

[Embedded content]

Very strange bedfellows. Similar to what I just saw a couple of hours ago here in L.A. (in Studio City at corner of Laurel Canyon and Ventura Blvd).

About once a month on Fridays a group of 2-3 conservative Repubs (since self-rebranded as tea partiers) protest on one side of the street. On the other are usually about 8-10 liberals counter-protesting. This has been going on since at least 2002, with Iraq the initial bone of contention.

For the first time I’ve ever seen the two sides were in agreement on an issue, both opposing action in Syria, but of course for different reasons: liberals hate war, tea partiers hate Obama and some are Paulite libertarian isolationists.

Both sides had “No War for Credibility” signs. But the tea side had the more stupid and insulting signs: Obama called “Black Nixon” in one sign; and just “Idiot” in another one.

As I drove by the intersection I screamed “fuck you!” at the teabaggers.
Was that wrong of me? Oh, well, I’ll just have to live with it. They’re probably used to it anyway…this is a very liberal neighborhood—80% Dem, with gay bars and sushi restaurants everywhere. But the “Black Nixon” sign especially pissed me off; why not just call him Black Hitler?

48 blueraven  Fri, Sep 6, 2013 9:13:18pm

re: #45 Gus

Grayson’s rat fucking.

Ah…

49 Gus  Fri, Sep 6, 2013 9:17:50pm
50 Amory Blaine  Fri, Sep 6, 2013 9:18:02pm

Last time americans agreed so much on a foreign policy issue, we invaded Iraq.

51 Targetpractice  Fri, Sep 6, 2013 9:20:08pm

re: #50 Amory Blaine

Last time americans agreed so much on a foreign policy issue, we invaded Iraq.

10 years ago, Democrats were split with a majority supporting the president and Republicans in lock-step behind their guy.

10 years later, Democrats are split with a majority supporting the president and Republicans are in lock-step against the other side’s guy.

Can anyone say with a straight face the exact same situation would exist if it were a President McCain or Romney proposing military intervention in Syria?

52 Amory Blaine  Fri, Sep 6, 2013 9:23:28pm

re: #51 Targetpractice

If that were the scenario Romney would already have his mission accomplished photo op.

53 Dark_Falcon  Fri, Sep 6, 2013 9:27:50pm

re: #31 Gus

GRAYSON: What’s actually happened is that until this point, in the past couple of years, this has been an internal civil war. It’s been the Alawites on one side and the Sunnis on the other side. And it’s been to some degree a reasonable expression of the desire of many people to have a modern life and not live under a dictatorship. But in the past several months what’s happened is that the backing by other foreign governments of certain rebels, Al-Nusra, has led to a situation where the strongest opposition force in Syria today is in fact another fundamentalist Muslim regime like the one in Iran. So we have a fundamentalist Muslim regime in Iran fighting fundamentalist Muslim Sunnis in a proxy war in Syria. I don’t think we have a dog in that fight. I think this is one of those extraordinarily rare occasions when I think I’m in agreement with Sarah Palin. She said, let Allah sort it out.

It seems I was right about Alan Grayson: He has shown himself unfit for his office yet again.

54 blueraven  Fri, Sep 6, 2013 9:30:12pm

“Did The White House Help Plan the Syrian Chemical Attack?”

Atlas Shrugs. Not linking to this tripe.

55 Gus  Fri, Sep 6, 2013 9:31:29pm

Watch this before it’s banned.

Van Halen - Hot For Teacher

Youtube Video

56 Dark_Falcon  Fri, Sep 6, 2013 9:32:53pm

re: #54 blueraven

“Did The White House Help Plan the Syrian Chemical Attack?”

Atlas Shrugs. Not linking to this tripe.

Question in reply: “What is so wrong with your head that you would even think that?!”

57 Gus  Fri, Sep 6, 2013 9:34:54pm
58 blueraven  Fri, Sep 6, 2013 9:38:37pm

re: #56 Dark_Falcon

Question in reply: “What is so wrong with your head that you would even think that?!”

Limbaugh has floated this too.

Yes, the rabid left has been really awful in some cases, like Grayson. But even he, pales in comparison to these RW fuckers.

59 Gus  Fri, Sep 6, 2013 9:39:01pm
60 blueraven  Fri, Sep 6, 2013 9:40:01pm

re: #57 Gus

[Embedded content]

He would be laughed off the stage, just like he has been. He is a joke.

61 Dark_Falcon  Fri, Sep 6, 2013 9:40:44pm

re: #58 blueraven

Limbaugh has floated this too.

Yes, the rabid left has been really awful in some cases, like Grayson. But even he, pales in comparison to these RW fuckers.

Must Concur. Alan Grayson is a disgraceful excuse for a congressman, but even isn’t in Limbaugh league when it comes to being a shithead.

62 Gus  Fri, Sep 6, 2013 9:42:42pm
63 BongCrodny  Fri, Sep 6, 2013 9:45:22pm

re: #60 blueraven

He would be laughed off the stage, just like he has been. He is a joke.

Mark Sanford got elected to Congress.

Anthony Weiner is hovering around 7% in the New York City mayoral race.

He might be doing better if he were Republican.

64 Gus  Fri, Sep 6, 2013 9:47:38pm

Fuck Putin. Fuck Russia. Fuck Assad. Fuck Iran. Fuck Hezbollah. Fuck Greenwald. Fuck Manning. Fuck Snowden. Fuck Assange. Fuck Wikileaks. Fuck Salon. Fuck the Far Left.

65 prairiefire  Fri, Sep 6, 2013 9:50:01pm

re: #64 Gus

Fuck Putin. Fuck Russia. Fuck Assad. Fuck Iran. Fuck Hezbollah. Fuck Greenwald. Fuck Manning. Fuck Snowden. Fuck Assange. Fuck Wikileaks. Fuck Salon. Fuck the Far Left.

Simmer down, Sarge! Justice meted out hand to mouth, I’m afraid.

66 Gus  Fri, Sep 6, 2013 9:51:24pm

re: #65 prairiefire

Simmer down, Sarge! Justice meted out hand to mouth, I’m afraid.

Taking prisoners. //

67 darthstar  Fri, Sep 6, 2013 9:56:35pm

Damn…one strike short of a perfect game. Nice job Petit…your first complete game, and it was a 1 hit shut out.

68 blueraven  Fri, Sep 6, 2013 10:09:02pm

re: #64 Gus

Fuck Putin. Fuck Russia. Fuck Assad. Fuck Iran. Fuck Hezbollah. Fuck Greenwald. Fuck Manning. Fuck Snowden. Fuck Assange. Fuck Wikileaks. Fuck Salon. Fuck the Far Left.

It’s not just the far left, it is the extremes on both sides.
Perfectly rational people can disagree on NSA, and on Syria. But you get the Greenwalds and the Graysons, Salon combined with the Limbaughs, Drudge and the Paulians, and it sucks.

69 prairiefire  Fri, Sep 6, 2013 11:47:49pm

re: #68 blueraven

Aue contraire, it does not suck. It is the price of our political freedoms.

70 piratedan  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 12:00:59am

finished reading the transcript, knew I could find a truly idiotic question from our press corp and sure as hell, Chuckie Todd didn’t disappoint. It’s like the press (at least the mainstream US press) is willfully ignorant of the region, the issue, what the President is saying and proposing. Christ their own myopia on how they choose to frame things keeps me enraged knowing that they are fully complicit in keeping Americans stupid.

71 sagehen  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 12:15:06am

re: #63 BongCrodny

Mark Sanford got elected to Congress.

Anthony Weiner is hovering around 7% in the New York City mayoral race.

He might be doing better if he were Republican.

The Republican in the NYC mayor’s race is in favor of killing kittens. Seriously.

Comedy Central

72 wheat-dogghazi  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 12:38:52am

re: #70 piratedan

finished reading the transcript, knew I could find a truly idiotic question from our press corp and sure as hell, Chuckie Todd didn’t disappoint. It’s like the press (at least the mainstream US press) is willfully ignorant of the region, the issue, what the President is saying and proposing. Christ their own myopia on how they choose to frame things keeps me enraged knowing that they are fully complicit in keeping Americans stupid.

Sadly, this is true for most Americans, including Congress. Having some background knowledge about the region would be necessary for a journalist or congress critter, you’d think.

73 freetoken  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 2:25:22am
74 Justanotherhuman  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 2:34:21am

Morning shift has arrived. So has a shift to the right in Australia.

I see that Tony Abbott (Liberal National Party) has won the PM election in Australia. Abbott is a social conservative & Catholic and a monarchist. Anti-gay, anti-abortion and clueless about women’s issues (even with 2 daughters 20 and 21). Part of his platform is to stop immigration and abandon Australia’s carbon tax. Thatcher admirer.

Never mind the names of the various parties—Australian politics, how do they work? : )

#BREAKING: @antonygreenabc has called the election. Tony Abbott will be Aust’s next PM. #ausvotes (File Photo: AAP) pic.twitter.com/ZAikr8OTQS

75 Decatur Deb  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 2:36:25am

re: #74 Justanotherhuman

No Senator Assange? Pity.

76 Justanotherhuman  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 2:39:55am

re: #75 Decatur Deb

No Senator Assange? Pity.

So far, no. Ain’t gonna happen.

The East Coast gets lonely in the am, but I’m a very early riser. : )

Easier, though, to keep up with the rest of the world.

77 Decatur Deb  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 2:48:13am

re: #76 Justanotherhuman

Yes—pretty much the bottom of the day. We used to have a couple lizards who would goof off with great ‘Florida Man’ stuff at this hour. The ringleader got a decent job/school break, and faded away.

78 Justanotherhuman  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 2:57:02am

Canberra, where JA ran, went Labor: theage.com.au

“Covering just over three quarters of the ACT, this seat takes in the parts of the territory to the south of Lake Burley Griffin and the Molonglo River including the suburbs of Weston Creek, the Woden Valley and Tuggeranong and the industrial areas of Fyshwick and Hume. Residents of Norfolk Island are also enrolled in this division. Canberra has usually been held by Labor, but was won by the Liberal Party in the election that followed the 1975 dismissal of the Whitlam Government, and again twenty years later in a byelection following the resignation of Labor MP Ros Kelly over the “sports rorts” affair. Sitting MP Gai Brodtmann can be expected to campaign hard on Tony Abbott’s plans to reduce the size of the public service.”

Canberra is the Australian Capital Territory, and its demographic is generally more educated and younger than the largest cities, Sydney & Melbourne.

Nice to know people there have good sense. : )

79 Justanotherhuman  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 3:12:50am

re: #78 Justanotherhuman

Also, see the Murdoch endorsements:

“Labor initially saw its figures improve significantly. But in recent weeks Mr Abbott has again broadened the gap. He has enjoyed the strident support of Rupert Murdoch’s newspapers, and remains ahead in the opinion polls.”

bbc.co.uk

Gah.

80 Decatur Deb  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 3:21:59am

re: #79 Justanotherhuman

Also, see the Murdoch endorsements:

“Labor initially saw its figures improve significantly. But in recent weeks Mr Abbott has again broadened the gap. He has enjoyed the strident support of Rupert Murdoch’s newspapers, and remains ahead in the opinion polls.”

bbc.co.uk

Gah.

Look’s like Murdoch’s personal mission is to corrupt the entire English-speaking world, out of pique.

81 Decatur Deb  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 3:27:00am

re: #3 Targetpractice

Andy Borowitz publishes on his satire blog for the New Yorker that G20 ended after Obama called Putin a jackass, and now every damned emoprog and wingnut on the net is assuming its a real story.

A Freep thread swallowed it whole last night.

82 A Mom Anon  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 3:39:47am

re: #38 Stanley Sea

I do not get what the hell the appeal of these books are. I tried reading the first bit of the first book on Amazon and it wasn’t only badly written, it was boring as hell. I think I was able to access the first 50-70 pages and it was god awful.

Then I started seeing the stupid books all over the place, women reading them in line at the store, at the dog park, and for sale at the damned grocery store. I thought I must be missing something, so I tried again to read the first book. Um, NO. I’m not a literary snob, but holy crap that is just awful writing. Supposedly women like their porn with a story, but, just, no. I don’t get the appeal. And I’ve noticed there’s about 10 different knock off series by other authors trying to make a buck off the trend(kinda like the whole teenage vampire thing that’s hopefully run it’s course or will soon). Yay.

83 Justanotherhuman  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 3:48:43am

re: #82 A Mom Anon

I do not get what the hell the appeal of these books are. I tried reading the first bit of the first book on Amazon and it wasn’t only badly written, it was boring as hell. I think I was able to access the first 50-70 pages and it was god awful.

I remember all the hype and thought, WTF? It was obvious it was being hyped heavily, but for what reason? I read a couple of reviews and the feminist in me revolted against ever laying an eye on it; it seemed to be little more than a Harlequin romance with some kinky male dominance in the guise of a sort of “how-to” manual for submission/humiliation.

84 Kragar  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 3:54:57am

Say what you will about Brian Lumley as a writer, but he certainly got away from the brooding goth vampire model.

85 Dr Lizardo  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 3:56:45am

re: #83 Justanotherhuman

I remember all the hype and thought, WTF? It was obvious it was being hyped heavily, but for what reason? I read a couple of reviews and the feminist in me revolted against ever laying an eye on it; it seemed to be little more than a Harlequin romance with some kinky male dominance in the guise of a sort of “how-to” manual for submission/humiliation.

“50 Shades” is dreck. It’s the Marquis de Sade for the suburban soccer-mom set without the extreme and violent misogyny of de Sade. Or frankly, his borderline insanity.

86 A Mom Anon  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 4:05:08am

re: #83 Justanotherhuman

You know, what ever floats your boat as long as no one gets hurt. Not my business, if it works for you, awesome.

But this is just bad, at least put some effort into the writing FFS. So now there’s yet another manufactured stereotype about women not really being strong because all women just have to have a guy dominate them. It’s what we all secretly want, don’tcha know…What’s disturbing is the whole cast of knock off book series from other”authors”. You can spot them right away; same black and white photo cover, same goofy type of book/series title (Bared to You, Shadows of Pearl, For His Desire….barf). There’s even a “bedside companion” book to the 50 Shades series, so you too can bore the shit out of each other in the sack. Also a knock off series called 50 Shades of Oz with a pic of red stilettos on the cover. Do I want to know what Dorothy does with all the other characters in these books? NO. Just. NO. And, you can even buy, I swear to god, your own 50 Shades set of “toys”. Ick.

Americans are weird.

87 Justanotherhuman  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 4:12:39am

re: #86 A Mom Anon

Evidently, the author of “50” was forced to read “The Story of O” in college and got the idea of doing an up-to-date Americanized version.

Another boring, but a bit better written, throwaway.

88 Romantic Heretic  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 4:27:27am

re: #82 A Mom Anon

I do not get what the hell the appeal of these books are. I tried reading the first bit of the first book on Amazon and it wasn’t only badly written, it was boring as hell. I think I was able to access the first 50-70 pages and it was god awful.

Then I started seeing the stupid books all over the place, women reading them in line at the store, at the dog park, and for sale at the damned grocery store. I thought I must be missing something, so I tried again to read the first book. Um, NO. I’m not a literary snob, but holy crap that is just awful writing. Supposedly women like their porn with a story, but, just, no. I don’t get the appeal. And I’ve noticed there’s about 10 different knock off series by other authors trying to make a buck off the trend(kinda like the whole teenage vampire thing that’s hopefully run it’s course or will soon). Yay.

Speaking as someone who writes this stuff professionally (or perhaps semi-professionally considering the size of my royalties) that book pisses me off. I work really hard to make sure my kinky erotica has plot, characters and dialog. All the things that make for a good story.

Then this…hack comes along and makes a mint slapping some piece of crap together.

I know life isn’t fair but why can’t it ever be unfair in my favour?

89 Decatur Deb  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 4:51:05am

Secession Porn from Slate:

Three brave novelists dare to imagine Lone Star secession.

slate.com

90 Justanotherhuman  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 5:09:13am

Germany joins US, 10 other members of G-20 in blaming Syrian government for chemical attack against civilians last month - @AP

So—what y’all gonna do about it? Hmm?

91 Pavlovian Hive Mind  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 5:17:22am

re: #89 Decatur Deb

Secession Porn from Slate:

Three brave novelists dare to imagine Lone Star secession.

slate.com

Lol.

92 freetoken  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 5:25:50am

File under Not-looking-good-for-Adam-and-Eve:

In the upcoming science conference of the American Society of Human Genetics there are several presentations that further the idea of a complex background to the evolution of our species. Notably:

Insights into population history from a high coverage Neandertal genome

We have sequenced to about 50-fold coverage a genome sequence from about 40 mg of a bone found in Denisova Cave in Southern Siberia. The genome of this female is much more closely related to the low-coverage Neandertal genomes from Croatia, Spain, Germany and the Caucasus than to the genome of archaic Denisovans, a sister group of Neandertals, and provides unambiguous evidence that both Neandertals and Denisovans inhabited the Altai Mountains in Siberia. The high-coverage Neandertal genome, combined with our earlier sequencing of a high quality Denisova genome, allows novel insights about the population history of archaic humans:
•We document recent inbreeding in this Altai Neandertal. The inbreeding coefficient of about 1/8 corresponds to about the homozygosity that would be expected from a mating of half siblings.
•The Altai Neandertal genome shares almost seven percent more derived alleles with present-day Africans than does the Denisova genome. This means that the Denisovans derived a proportion of their ancestry from a very archaic human lineage, and the amount of this ancestry they inherit is larger than in Neandertals.
• The Denisovan genome is affected by major recent gene flow from an Altai-related Neandertal.
• To further characterize the variation among Neandertals we sequenced the genome of a Neandertal from the Caucasus to about 0.5-fold coverage. Comparisons to present-day genomes show that the Neandertals who contributed genes to present-day non-Africans were more closely related to this Caucasian Neandertal than to the Neandertals we sequenced from the Altai.
•We built a map of Neandertal ancestry in modern humans, using data from all non-Africans in the 1000 Genomes Project. We show that the average Neandertal ancestry on chromosome X of present-day non-Africans is about a fifth of the genome average. It is known that hybrid incompatibility loci concentrate on chromosome X. Thus, this observation is consistent with a model of hybrid incompatibility in which Neandertal variants that introgressed into modern humans were rapidly selected away due to epistatic interactions with the modern human genetic background.

So, the Neanderthal and sapiens hybrids quickly underwent selection to get rid of many of the incompatible variants of genes, meaning what we still have were either led to neutral or positive effects.

More interestingly, that the Denisovans may have had in their background even more ancient humans, previous to the split of Neanderthals and Denisovans, reminds us of the intriguing discovery that some Africans also include ancient admixtures.

And speaking of Africa:

The Saudi Arabian Genome Reveals a Two Step Out-of-Africa Migration.

Here we present the first high-coverage whole genome sequences from a Middle Eastern population consisting of 14 Eastern Province Saudi Arabians. Genomes from this region are of interest to further answer questions regarding “Out-of-Africa” human migration. Applying a pairwise sequentially Markovian coalescent model (PSMC), we inferred the history of population sizes between 10,000 years and 1,000,000 years before present (YBP) for the Saudi genomes and an additional 11 high-coverage whole genome sequences from Africa, Asia and Europe.
The model estimated the initial separation from Africans at approximately 110,000 YBP. This intermediate population then underwent a long period of decreasing population size culminating in a bottleneck 50,000 YBP followed by an expansion into Asia and Europe. The split and subsequent bottleneck were thus two distinct events separated by a long intermediate period of genetic drift in the Middle East. The two most frequent mitochondria haplogroups (30% each) were the Middle Eastern U7a and the African L. The presence of the L haplogroup common in Africa was unexpected given the clustering of the Saudis with Europeans in the phylogenetic tree and suggests some recent African admixture. To examine this further, we performed formal tests for a history of admixture and found no evidence of African admixture in the Saudi after the split. Taken together, these analyses suggest that the L3 haplogroup found in the Saudi were present before the bottleneck 50,000 YBP. Given the TMRCA estimates for the L3 haplogroup of approximately 70,000 YBP and the timing of the Out-of-Africa split, these analyses suggest that L3 haplogroup arose in the Middle East with a subsequent back migration and expansion into Africa over the Horn-of-Africa during the lower sea levels found during the glacial period bottleneck.
These results are consistent with the hypothesis that modern humans populated the Middle East before a split 110,000 YBP, underwent genetic drift for 60,000 years before expanding to Asia and Europe as well as back-migration into Africa. Examination of genetic variants discovered by Saudi whole genome sequencing in ancestral African populations and European/Asian populations will contribute to the understanding human migration patterns and the origin of genetic variation in modern humans.

Quite a mongrel species, we are.

Adam and Eve will never be the same.

93 Decatur Deb  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 5:39:20am

re: #92 freetoken

We were starting to guess about a two-step outmigration back in the early 70’s, but the discoveries and molecular anthropology itself just weren’t there.

94 freetoken  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 5:54:18am

re: #93 Decatur Deb

It’s not just “two step”, though.

The point is that there have been dynamics over the past several hundred thousands of years that in the end present us, a polyglot of a species with multiple admixture events over the last million years.

This is a somewhat intermediate position, between multi-regional human evolution and a hard OOA event. Evidence has been mounting that upright hominini are mobile enough to travel great distances in short periods.

Our development is now well enough documented to pose very thorny issues not just for the literalist creationists but also for those who want to remain in hard and fast camps of OOA or multi-regional evolution.

It’s beginning to look like we are somewhat reminiscent to the so called “ring species”, like the large bears of the Northern Hemisphere temperate and Arctic regions. We are the result of many related populations all over the Easter hemisphere. Some of the other papers presented delve into the African population splits, perhaps 110k to 140k years ago, then admixture of the groups starting about 50k years ago. This latter event would have gone in parallel to what was happening on the Arabian peninsula, and the admixture of Neanderthals with their kissin’ cousin in the Denisova cave. There were probably many of this mixtures going on and it’s probably not reasonable to describe any of them as being especially “us”

It’s beginning to look like we-happened as not anything that can be easily put into a neat timeline, but is rather described as a bushy network of DNA flowing all over the place.

95 Justanotherhuman  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 5:57:23am

re: #92 freetoken

How old is that stuff?

96 freetoken  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 5:57:56am

re: #95 Justanotherhuman

How old is that stuff?

Not sure what you are inquiring.

97 Justanotherhuman  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 6:03:24am

re: #96 freetoken

Not sure what you are inquiring.

There is no date on the pages. Was it lifted from somewhere else?

98 freetoken  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 6:04:44am

re: #97 Justanotherhuman

The link takes you to ASHG 2013 pages, which happens next month:

ashg.org

99 freetoken  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 6:06:31am

Refuting the VDARE approach for the GOP, as endorsed by NRO and The Weekly Standard:

Republicans Can’t Win With White Voters Alone

The author hints at, but refuses to call out, the essentially racist base of the hardcore “conservatives” in certain states.

100 NJDhockeyfan  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 6:09:34am

Good morning lizards.

The morning useful idiot report…

101 freetoken  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 6:11:25am

re: #100 NJDhockeyfan

There’s competition for this morning’s “useful idiot”:

Rodman has harsh words for Obama, great ones for Kim Jong Un

Retired NBA star Dennis Rodman left North Korea Saturday, professing his affection for autocratic leader Kim Jong Un and angrily rejecting calls to lobby for the release of imprisoned American citizen Kenneth Bae.

Despite earlier calling on Kim to set Bae free, Rodman said the Christian missionary’s fate was none of his business.

“Guess what? That’s not my job to ask about Kenneth Bae,” Rodman told reporters upon arrival at the airport in China’s capital, Beijing.

“Ask (President Barack) Obama about that. … Ask Hillary Clinton. … Ask those [expletive].” a visibly agitated Rodman shouted, referencing the former secretary of state.

Chomping an unlit cigar, the typically flamboyant Rodman displayed a stack of photos showing him hugging Kim, laughing and conversing with him over a meal, and the two of them watching a basketball game together.

The NBA Hall of Famer and five-time championship winner said the two had formed a close bond over the course of his two visits to the isolated communist dictatorship.

He’s my friend for life. I don’t care what you guys think about him. I don’t give a [expletive] what people around the world think about him. But he’s my friend. And you saw it on the pictures. He’s my friend,” Rodman said.

[…]

102 Decatur Deb  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 6:14:12am

re: #94 freetoken

Remember that even the ‘splitters’ had a much simpler taxonomy then. Habilis was a gracile Australopithecine, and lumpers were pulling Australopithecus into Homo. We didn’t even talk of hominins.

103 Decatur Deb  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 6:15:15am

re: #100 NJDhockeyfan

Good morning lizards.

The morning useful idiot report…

[Embedded content]

What if someone shielded a CW depot and nobody came?

104 Justanotherhuman  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 6:15:35am

re: #98 freetoken

The link takes you to ASHG 2013 pages, which happens next month:

ashg.org

Ah, OK, so it was all probably done on some WP program. Just looked “old”. : )

105 Justanotherhuman  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 6:17:22am

re: #101 freetoken

There’s competition for this morning’s “useful idiot”:

Rodman has harsh words for Obama, great ones for Kim Jong Un

Yeah, you fame whore, nothing like having a murderous dictator as a “friend”.

106 Justanotherhuman  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 6:20:59am

re: #100 NJDhockeyfan

Good morning lizards.

The morning useful idiot report…

[Embedded content]

Can’t see it. I have cookies blocked.

107 sagehen  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 6:21:15am

re: #83 Justanotherhuman

I remember all the hype and thought, WTF? It was obvious it was being hyped heavily, but for what reason? I read a couple of reviews and the feminist in me revolted against ever laying an eye on it; it seemed to be little more than a Harlequin romance with some kinky male dominance in the guise of a sort of “how-to” manual for submission/humiliation.

It actually started as “Twilight” fanfic, that got such huge response online that the author took it down, changed the character names and reworked it a little. Does that make the character dynamic easier to recognize? It’s basically the same audience too, just a few years older now than they were when they started reading the dreck source material.

108 NJDhockeyfan  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 6:22:42am

re: #105 Justanotherhuman

Yeah, you fame whore, nothing like having a murderous dictator as a “friend”.

He’s such an ass.

109 NJDhockeyfan  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 6:28:25am

Look below Rodman’s left hand. What do you see?

110 BongCrodny  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 6:30:15am

re: #89 Decatur Deb

Secession Porn from Slate:

Three brave novelists dare to imagine Lone Star secession.

slate.com

I would think it would get a little confusing when every street is named John Galt Boulevard.

111 freetoken  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 6:30:47am

re: #109 NJDhockeyfan

You mean the extra hand under Rodman’s right hand?

112 NJDhockeyfan  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 6:32:26am

re: #111 freetoken

You mean the extra hand under Rodman’s right hand?

Left hand, right hand, third hand…not too sure which one.

113 Justanotherhuman  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 6:34:32am

re: #107 sagehen

It actually started as “Twilight” fanfic, that got such huge response online that the author took it down, changed the character names and reworked it a little. Does that make the character dynamic easier to recognize? It’s basically the same audience too, just a few years older now than they were when they started reading the dreck source material.

Never read the “Twilight” stuff, either. I figured if my granddaughter (not a heavy reader) was so enthused about “Twilight”, it probably wasn’t something I’d enjoy.

114 Justanotherhuman  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 6:36:47am

re: #111 freetoken

You mean the extra hand under Rodman’s right hand?

Looks more like a claw…

115 BongCrodny  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 6:37:12am

re: #109 NJDhockeyfan

Look below Rodman’s left hand. What do you see?

[Embedded content]

“…and then I had my girlfriend executed for cheating on me — hey, wanna shoot some hoops?”

116 PhillyPretzel  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 6:39:06am

re: #114 Justanotherhuman

I just magnified it and it appears to be a white hand holding a cigarette. It may be photoshopped.

117 freetoken  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 6:39:51am

We need to come to terms with the idea that “higher education” is supposed to be a ticket to salvation:


Vying for top marks in the ‘educational apocalypse’ category

Who is today’s undergraduate? According to a new book by former Harvard president Derek Bok, she is an unfocused and homework-averse student who is being aided to achieve an inappropriate and useless education by a university system in which the needs of undergraduates come last.

[…]

A formulaic approach to education smothers the curious mind while doing little to redress the incurious.

118 Justanotherhuman  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 6:48:58am

“Rodman’s entourage for the trip — which was sponsored by an online gambling firm — included Michael Spavor, a Canadian who runs an education exchange scheme called the Pyongyang Project, and Joseph Terwilliger, an associate professor of neuroscience at Columbia University in New York.”

sg.news.yahoo.com

119 wheat-dogghazi  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 6:52:25am

re: #117 freetoken

The same review glosses over yet another William Bennett tome espousing the idea that only rich kids get anything out of a liberal arts education, and poor kids should just stick with community colleges and state u’s for marketable skills.

The Ilgunas book looks more interesting and more informative. Bok, bless his elderly heart, apparently spends 500 pages analyzing what most people in academia already know, and do little about.

120 William Barnett-Lewis  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 6:59:51am

re: #117 freetoken

We need to come to terms with the idea that “higher education” is supposed to be a ticket to salvation:

Vying for top marks in the ‘educational apocalypse’ category

A formulaic approach to education smothers the curious mind while doing little to redress the incurious.

Freedom is only deserved by the rich and only their children should be educated for it.

121 wrenchwench  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 7:06:01am
122 Carlos Danger  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 7:07:27am

Ever wonder what goes on in Rupert Murdoch’s brain?

Image: TX1VNn6.png

123 wheat-dogghazi  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 7:10:04am

re: #122 Carlos Danger

Ever wonder what goes on in Rupert Murdoch’s brain?

Image: TX1VNn6.png

I think he had a really bad experience at the DMV as a younger man. Scarred him for life.

124 PhillyPretzel  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 7:10:46am

re: #122 Carlos Danger

That is why I call him “that muckraker Murdoch.” He will do anything to make headlines.

125 darthstar  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 7:18:12am
126 Carlos Danger  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 7:18:36am

This was the top reated comment on reddit:

I just don’t understand how this happened. I get that people are annoyed with Rudd and Labor, I am too, but did the voters eve look at the LNP’s policies?! Now we’ll be stuck with a PM who; doesn’t believe in climate change, is against marriage equality, thinks women are second class citizens, is a disaster regarding international relations, wants us to have shit internet, shit educations, and wants to strip away workers’ rights… Great job, Australia.

Rudd was fairly thoughtful for a leader- too bad his own party contested his leadership. I think most people’s perception of Abbott in the US is him being an asshole to Gillard (see: the misogyny speech).

We think we have a shitty media- Murdoch owns 70% in Oz.

127 Justanotherhuman  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 7:21:26am

re: #125 darthstar

[Embedded content]

Obviously for those who have BTK fantasies.

128 William Barnett-Lewis  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 7:22:18am

re: #122 Carlos Danger

Ever wonder what goes on in Rupert Murdoch’s brain?

Image: TX1VNn6.png

He really hates the ideas of freedom and democracy. Only the rich deserve anything good, the rest get the “circuses” of Faux Entertainment.

129 sattv4u2  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 7:31:20am

re: #114 Justanotherhuman

Looks more like a claw…

tip of a pen

Metallic point, and if you follow it back towrds the hand you can see the color of the barrel

(between the forefinger and the thumb)

130 Backwoods_Sleuth  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 7:37:35am

re: #109 NJDhockeyfan

Look below Rodman’s left hand. What do you see?

[Embedded content]

So, MIB was correct…Rodman is an alien.
Also, interesting that Kim’s cigar was photoshopped (badly) out of his hand.

131 Justanotherhuman  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 7:37:58am

re: #129 sattv4u2

tip of a pen

Metallic point, and if you follow it back towrds the hand you can see the color of the barrel

Oh yeah, thanks, blew it up myself and saw it. Notice how tiny Kim’s hands are? Obviously photoshopped, or some tiny person was sitting next to Rodman’s chair. : )

132 Carlos Danger  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 7:38:02am

Yesh, Australia has religious whackos too, and one of them won election, although it’s hard to tell them apart from the LIberals:

Family First opposes the introduction of any emissions trading scheme or ‘carbon tax’ and believes it would be grossly irresponsible to proceed with such a policy that will involve major changes to the Australian economy without first having an independent enquiry e.g. a Royal Commission, which is prepared to listen to scientists who disagree with the current ‘climate change doctrine’

I think most scientists would agree objectively that Australia is losing it’s reserves of freshwater and the hinterland is dry as punk and getting hotter.

Family First aims to increase the affordability of housing by increasing the affordability of land. Family First believes that this should be achieved by removing urban growth boundaries and zoning restrictions

Yeah- removing zoning in a country with a minuscule percentage of arable land. Sounds like a smashing idea.

133 Pavlovian Hive Mind  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 7:38:11am

re: #125 darthstar

[Embedded content]

What in the fuck….

134 Eventual Carrion  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 7:39:51am

re: #129 sattv4u2

tip of a pen

Metallic point, and if you follow it back towrds the hand you can see the color of the barrel

(between the forefinger and the thumb)

Maybe someone behind Rodman, ducked out of the pic behind Rodman’s chair as the photo was snapped. Only his hand supporting him was still on the chair arm for support in his crouch so showed in the pic.

135 Carlos Danger  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 7:41:19am

re: #114 Justanotherhuman

Looks more like a claw…

How else did you think he snagged all those rebounds?

136 NJDhockeyfan  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 7:43:03am

re: #130 Backwoods_Sleuth

So, MIB was correct…Rodman is an alien.
Also, interesting that Kim’s cigar was photoshopped (badly) out of his hand.

It doesn’t make sense why they would photoshop pictures of Rodman and Kim. Did they not find a good picture of the two BFFs?

137 Justanotherhuman  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 7:43:08am

re: #134 Eventual Carrion

Maybe someone behind Rodman, ducked out of the pic behind Rodman’s chair as the photo was snapped. Only his hand supporting him was still on the chair arm for support in his crouch so showed in the pic.

I wouldn’t doubt that R & Co weren’t allowed to take their own photos, but had to take those provided by NK. It would make sense they would be photoshopped in order to present Lil Kim in the best possible light and were done rather badly. Rodman came back with what looked like 5x7 prints.

138 darthstar  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 7:43:13am

re: #133 Pavlovian Hive Mind

What in the fuck….

If you want people to think you’re cool, hang some Trucknutz from your bumper.

139 sattv4u2  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 7:43:56am

re: #134 Eventual Carrion

Maybe someone behind Rodman, ducked out of the pic behind Rodman’s chair as the photo was snapped. Only his hand supporting him was still on the chair arm for support in his crouch so showed in the pic.

translator, most likely

has to be close enough to hear both men as well as translate in a hushed tone so as not to drown out whoever is spaeking

140 darthstar  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 7:51:36am
141 sattv4u2  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 7:53:16am

re: #140 darthstar

[Embedded content]

you forget all the money you also got from that Nigerian prince

142 darthstar  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 7:55:35am

I hate predatory companies almost as much as I hate predatory “journalists”…so I’m making a constructive suggestion…

143 darthstar  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 7:56:00am

re: #141 sattv4u2

you forget all the money you also got from that Nigerian prince

SSSHHH! Nobody knows about that!

144 sattv4u2  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 7:59:21am

re: #143 darthstar

SSSHHH! Nobody knows about that!

WE
KNOW
ALL!!!

145 darthstar  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 8:01:59am
146 Dark_Falcon  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 8:03:16am

re: #80 Decatur Deb

Look’s like Murdoch’s personal mission is to corrupt the entire English-speaking world, out of pique.

Australia has always had a place in Rupert Murdoch’s heart (he funded Gallipoli, the early 19800’s movie that started Mel Gibson on the path to stardom) and he has always sough to influence it.

As me, I am of course quite please to see the national Liberal party back in charge in Australia.

147 darthstar  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 8:04:00am

re: #144 sattv4u2

WE
KNOW
ALL!!!

The NSA intercepted my account number so I never got the “$860,00,000 MILLIONS” I was promised.

148 sattv4u2  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 8:05:38am

re: #147 darthstar

The NSA intercepted my account number so I never got the “$860,00,000 MILLIONS” I was promised.

On the upside, there are several NSA employees that have extremely nice beachfront homes, and they thank you

149 Feline Fearless Leader  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 8:11:02am

re: #103 Decatur Deb

What if someone shielded a CW depot and nobody came?

It’s a false flag operation by the CIA to help pin-point where they are!

150 William Barnett-Lewis  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 8:13:49am

re: #146 Dark_Falcon

Australia has always had a place in Rupert Murdoch’s heart (he funded Gallipoli, the early 19800’s movie that started Mel Gibson on the path to stardom) and he has always sough to influence it.

As me, I am of course quite please to see the national Liberal party back in charge in Australia.

Yep. Denying climate change, denying marriage equality, considering women to be second or third class citizens, foreign policy that makes W look thoughtful and cautious, and economics that only an Austrian could think will work while being even more Tax Phobic than the fellow from Mississippi. Have I missed anything of what they’re like?

The only good news is that being a parliamentary system, they can give the idiots a boot when they wake up and not have to wait until four years of damage has been done.

151 Carlos Danger  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 8:14:39am

re: #146 Dark_Falcon

Australia has always had a place in Rupert Murdoch’s heart (he funded Gallipoli, the early 19800’s movie that started Mel Gibson on the path to stardom) and he has always sough to influence it.

As me, I am of course quite please to see the national Liberal party back in charge in Australia.

You’re trolling us again, aren’t you. The Liberals don’t believe in global warming, are dead set against gay rights, and are proposing cuts to departments on little more than political orthodoxy. Indigenous legal services, research grants, and public education are on the chopping block.

I guess you would like them.

152 sagehen  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 8:15:40am

re: #146 Dark_Falcon

Australia has always had a place in Rupert Murdoch’s heart (he funded Gallipoli, the early 19800’s movie that started Mel Gibson on the path to stardom) and he has always sough to influence it.

As me, I am of course quite please to see the national Liberal party back in charge in Australia.

Isn’t that where he’s from originally?

153 Dark_Falcon  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 8:16:59am

re: #152 sagehen

Isn’t that where he’s from originally?

I believe so, but I’m not sure.

154 First As Tragedy, Then As Farce  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 8:20:54am

re: #125 darthstar

I lived in Waco for several years. I was there during the Branch Davidian ‘event’, and while I {now} despise conspiracy theory thinking, I can’t help but remember that the Waco Tribune Herald ran a week-long story called “The Sinful Messiah” which was all about David Koresh and the supposedly salacious goings-on at Mount Carmel, and it just ever-so-conveniently happened to conclude on the day of the ATF raid..

Waco was also the site of a particularly heinous moment in human history that you would find laughably unbelievable if presented as a work of fiction.

I go to Waco every 3 or 4 years to visit family, and every time I am overwhelmed with unexpected nostalgia because the entire city somehow manages to resist changing.

155 Justanotherhuman  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 8:21:45am

re: #153 Dark_Falcon

I believe so, but I’m not sure.

Born in Melbourne. First wife was 19; he was 41. Unless Wikipedia is lying. : )

156 Dark_Falcon  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 8:22:33am

re: #150 William Barnett-Lewis

Climate change is not to be fixed by inflicting new taxes. Carbon taxes simply give more money to governments, which generally misuse such funds.

Research grants to fight AGW, now those are a different kettle of fish. Those can indeed make a positive difference. It is best if they are private, of course, but properly screen government grants can be useful.

157 Iwouldprefernotto  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 8:24:26am

re: #156 Dark_Falcon

Climate change is not to be fixed by inflicting new taxes. Carbon taxes simply give more money to governments, which generally misuse such funds.

Research grants to fight AGW, now those are a different kettle of fish. Those can indeed make a positive difference. It is best if they are private, of course, but properly screen government grants can be useful.

Taxes on carbon make it more expensive, giving business a reason to change. Most are not going to do to because it’s the right thing to do.

158 darthstar  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 8:24:31am

By the way, if you don’t watch Conan O’Brien, check out the videos from Thursday night. Carl Reiner (!!!) was on - at 91 years old, he’s still sharp as ever. Fantastic interview, and Conan and Andy were both just overjoyed and honored to have him on the show…and apparently Carl Reiner always wanted to sing opera…and does…it’s fucking beautiful.

teamcoco.com

159 Dark_Falcon  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 8:26:15am

re: #154 First As Tragedy, Then As Farce

I lived in Waco for several years. I was there during the Branch Davidian ‘event’, and while I {now} despise conspiracy theory thinking, I can’t help but remember that the Waco Tribune Herald ran a week-long story called “The Sinful Messiah” which was all about David Koresh and the supposedly salacious goings-on at Mount Carmel.

Waco was also the site of a particularly heinous moment in human history that you would find laughably unbelievable if presented as a work of fiction.

I go to Waco every 3 or 4 years to visit family, and every time I am overwhelmed with unexpected nostalgia because the entire city somehow manages to resist changing.

I’ve read that Wiki page before and its still shocking. But in reading my belief in justice in given new impulse, for ensuring justice is the way to prevent such a vile deed from occurring.

Both of the most horrific things to have happened in Waco involved fire.

160 Carlos Danger  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 8:27:06am

re: #156 Dark_Falcon

Never mind the fact that Australia managed to level off its carbon emissions?

161 sattv4u2  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 8:27:44am

re: #158 darthstar

Carl Reiner always wanted to sing opera…and does…it’s fucking beautiful.

iirc, he did it a couple of times on the old Dick Van Dyke show in character as Alan Brady and yes, even though he did it on a comedy show, he was good

162 darthstar  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 8:28:57am

re: #161 sattv4u2

Carl Reiner always wanted to sing opera…and does…it’s fucking beautiful.

iirc, he did it a couple of times on the old Dick Van Dyke show in character as Alan Brady and yes, even though he did it on a comedy show, he was good

Watch the section where he talks about finding Mary Tyler Moore…hilarious.

163 darthstar  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 8:30:52am
164 William Barnett-Lewis  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 8:34:12am

re: #156 Dark_Falcon

DF, they totally deny it exists even as the hinterlands are running out of water.

This will not end well for the people of Australia.

165 Dark_Falcon  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 8:34:17am

re: #163 darthstar

166 Political Atheist  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 8:35:32am

re: #157 Iwouldprefernotto

But that’s not the right scenario. It.s not tax vs willingness. It’s existing energy sources vs lack of options.

Tax incentives for hybrid or electric conversions to vehicles. It’s putting in more natural gas and nuclear energy infrastructure. Smoothing the regulatory/building code to accept solar and wind systems. Taming objections to unsightly solar farm and wind farms given the warming crisis.

I know of a place where LA County building and safety thwarted a big solar installation. They threatened an unreasonable and un necessary rewiring of buildings that basically meant a total rebuild of some walls, and the whole electrical grid on the property. So the place still lets all that solar just make weeds on the property and Edison still sells us the now all fossil fueled electricity. I saw all the reports.

167 Carlos Danger  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 8:36:25am

re: #164 William Barnett-Lewis

DF, they totally deny it exists even as the hinterlands are running out of water.

This will not end well for the people of Australia.

The “but the government” excuse really skates on thin ice when one of Abbott’s proposals was a $75,000AUD subsidy to mother per child.

168 darthstar  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 8:41:24am

Apparently, Murdoch tried to ban this ad.

169 Gus  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 8:42:03am


Boink.

Internet ≠ Reality

170 Dark_Falcon  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 8:44:24am

re: #166 Political Atheist

But that’s not the right scenario. It.s not tax vs willingness. It’s existing energy sources vs lack of options.

Tax incentives for hybrid or electric conversions to vehicles. It’s putting in more natural gas and nuclear energy infrastructure. Smoothing the regulatory/building code to accept solar and wind systems. Taming objections to unsightly solar farm and wind farms given the warming crisis.

I know of a place where LA County building and safety thwarted a big solar installation. They threatened an unreasonable and un necessary rewiring of buildings that basically meant a total rebuild of some walls, and the whole electrical grid on the property. So the place still lets all that solar just make weeds on the property and Edison still sells us the now all fossil fueled electricity. I saw all the reports.

Matters like that solar installation failure happen because activists and legislators don’t follow through after getting their ballyhooed “do something” legislation. Oversight over the regulatory agencies is largely boring and quite unsexy, but it is absolutely needed if reform is to really work.

171 bratwurst  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 8:45:27am
172 Carlos Danger  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 8:45:52am

re: #166 Political Atheist

So your proposal is basically to bribe businesses into accepting the cheapest system possible? That’s a kludge, not a effective system for real reform.

173 Gus  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 8:47:54am

Wikileaks! We are the one percent!

174 Political Atheist  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 8:49:33am

re: #172 Carlos Danger

Let’s say I prefer carrot to stick. Do you think of a Prius buyer as someone who was bribed? I don’t. Taxing fossil energy without alternatives in place is just gouging and inflationary.

175 Gus  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 8:52:37am

I think when you see any of these fringe types on the internet you’re looking at a minute part of society.

176 Carlos Danger  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 8:55:26am

re: #174 Political Atheist

Taxing fossil energy without alternatives in place is just gouging and inflationary.

Australia’s economy grew over 10% under Labour’s watch and inflation dropped, even with the Carbon Tax.

Sorry, them’s the facts.

177 Dark_Falcon  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 8:58:36am

re: #175 Gus

I think when you see any of these fringe types on the internet you’re looking at a minute part of society.

True, but their loudness and commitment to their causes* gives them visibility and sometimes strength that exceeds what mere numbers would suggest.

*: “Commitment to their causes”, but too many of them just plain need to be committed to a mental health facility.

178 Political Atheist  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 9:04:13am

re: #176 Carlos Danger

That’s a nation that may or may not compare well to here. And is that oil tax causation all that well established, or did a great recovery overcome increased taxes like what we saw here in the ‘90’s?

179 Gus  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 9:07:11am

re: #178 Political Atheist

That’s a nation that may or may not compare well to here. And is that oil tax causation all that well established, or did a great recovery overcome increased taxes like what we saw here in the ‘90’s?

Yep. Minimum wage in Australia for example being around 15/hr. One size doesn’t fit all.

180 Amory Blaine  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 9:08:36am
181 Gus  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 9:08:48am

So, if I want to find solutions to climate change and don’t accept the notion of a carbon tax I get kicked out of the club? I have to support a carbon tax?

182 Gus  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 9:10:36am

Sleepy… no coffee yet.

183 Iwouldprefernotto  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 9:11:37am

re: #181 Gus

So, if I want to find solutions to climate change and don’t accept the notion of a carbon tax I get kicked out of the club? I have to support a carbon tax?

No. Come up with a better plan.

Plus I would never kick you out of the club because of your mad photoshop skills.

184 Gus  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 9:13:02am

re: #183 Iwouldprefernotto

No. Come up with a better plan.

Plus I would never kick you out of the club because of your mad photoshop skills.

Electric car sales are jumping. Especially in California. In Denver I’m seeing metro cars by the boatload. A few years ago they were an oddity. Now they’re very common. Bike stations everywhere it seems.

185 Political Atheist  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 9:13:15am

re: #179 Gus

That’s a bit too much like comparing Israeli airline security to ours. Sheer scale and population makes a heck of a difference. So do you prefer stick to carrot for reform overall? I just don’t. Provide better alternatives and people (including purchasing managers and location development people) will step up. Not all, but most.

What’s my alternative to fossil fueled electricity at work? NOTHING. There is no clean outlet. Edison no longer runs a nuke. If we switched from gas furnaces (a half million BTU’s) to electric the environment takes a bigger hit. Tax our gas and we might switch to electric. Raise taxes on that and we still don’t have an alternative, and just raise prices. Inflationary and a significant competitive disadvantage. Who’s the winner there again?

Move to Aus? Add twelve time zones of travel to shipping product? No thanks.

186 Carlos Danger  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 9:15:28am

re: #178 Political Atheist

Can you provide a better real world example? We need an effective plan that reduces emissions, and even California hasn’t managed to do that.

BTW, here are the trend lines showing carbon emissions by sector. Electricity generation is about where it was in 2005.

Image: Australia%20Sectoral%20Carbon%20Emissions%202012.png

187 Dark_Falcon  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 9:16:54am

re: #180 Amory Blaine

Freedom or something.

Public hearing set on Wisconsin bill legalizing some raw milk sales

This one has been going on in Wisconsin for a long time. There have been raw milk supporters there for a long as I can remember. Like the French, they also support using that raw milk to make specialty cheeses, which one would expect from Cheeseheads.

188 Gus  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 9:17:33am

Pondering sitting out in the sun.

189 Carlos Danger  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 9:18:49am

re: #187 Dark_Falcon

This one has been going on in Wisconsin for a long time. There have been raw milk supporters there for a long as I can remember. Like the French, they also support using that raw milk to make specialty cheeses, which one would expect from Cheeseheads.

I can totally hear the vocal raw cheese movement busting down the doors to get to these public hearings.

Yes. Totally.

190 blueraven  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 9:18:51am

re: #188 Gus

Pondering sitting out in the sun.

charging your battery?

191 Feline Fearless Leader  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 9:19:58am

re: #190 blueraven

charging your battery?

I need to do that as well - simply to keep up with the cats and their highly efficient solar charging systems.

192 Gus  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 9:21:01am

Wait a second. So Australian didn’t choose their new PM but Rupert Murdoch chose him for them or something?

Kidding. I’m seeing some of that on Twitter. Rather derpy. Australia goes back and forth this way. Nothing new.

193 Gus  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 9:21:22am

re: #190 blueraven

charging your battery?

Might help the blood flow.

194 Amory Blaine  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 9:22:03am

Yeah I like specialty cheese as much as the next cheesehead but milk is pasteurized for a reason. Not big government intruding on “choice”. There were options for raw milk before. There are farms where you can buy a share of a dairy cow and use the raw milk. There’s a pic of an amish guy at the link pouring milk into a jar on the floor. Nice.

195 Political Atheist  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 9:23:29am

re: #186 Carlos Danger

Okay. Offer the carrot, enforce with the stick. Edison should have been able to keep that nuke running if at reduced capacity. California needs to have less objections in the actual way of cleaner energy sources. Each and every clean source has had objections and “concerns” kept in the way.

Solar farms? Ugly. Alters the environment by changing the land. Hurts land creature by altering the plant growth pattern. Wind? Kills too many protected bird species. Home solar? Coming along but building regs are still woefully behind as are the inspectors training. Home wind? Yes, out in the farmlands but not being allowed in suburbia, too noisy. Again not well regulated.

Apartment dwellers? Totally at the mercy of the landlord. No solar, no wind, no alternatives. Small biz? Utterly at the mercy of the locality.

Stick without carrot? No thanks.

196 Gus  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 9:25:39am
197 Iwouldprefernotto  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 9:26:24am

re: #195 Political Atheist

Okay. Offer the carrot, enforce with the stick. Edison should have been able to keep that nuke running if at reduced capacity. California needs to have less objections in the actual way of cleaner energy sources. Each and every clean source has had objections and “concerns” kept in the way.

Solar farms? Ugly. Alters the environment by changing the land. Hurts land creature by altering the plant growth pattern. Wind? Kills too many protected bird species. Home solar? Coming along but building regs are still woefully behind as are the inspectors training. Home wind? Yes, out in the farmlands but not being allowed in suburbia, too noisy. Again not well regulated.

Apartment dwellers? Totally at the mercy of the landlord. No solar, no wind, no alternatives. Small biz? Utterly at the mercy of the locality.

Stick without carrot? No thanks.

Plus one of the reasons that Electric cars are selling is the incentives from the state and federal govt.

198 Feline Fearless Leader  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 9:27:08am

re: #196 Gus

[Embedded content]

Is Perry quaking in his boots with Texas now having competition?
//

199 Amory Blaine  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 9:27:36am

There’s not enough exploitation of geothermal.

200 darthstar  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 9:29:11am

re: #199 Amory Blaine

There’s not enough exploitation of geothermal.

Or solar.

201 Dark_Falcon  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 9:31:28am

re: #195 Political Atheist

Okay. Offer the carrot, enforce with the stick. Edison should have been able to keep that nuke running if at reduced capacity. California needs to have less objections in the actual way of cleaner energy sources. Each and every clean source has had objections and “concerns” kept in the way.

Solar farms? Ugly. Alters the environment by changing the land. Hurts land creature by altering the plant growth pattern. Wind? Kills too many protected bird species. Home solar? Coming along but building regs are still woefully behind as are the inspectors training. Home wind? Yes, out in the farmlands but not being allowed in suburbia, too noisy. Again not well regulated.

Apartment dwellers? Totally at the mercy of the landlord. No solar, no wind, no alternatives. Small biz? Utterly at the mercy of the locality.

Stick without carrot? No thanks.

“All stick, no carrot” seldom works and in my mind should not be used when dealing with the general public or with non-crooked businesses. It crushes initiative and enables overbearing, unresponsive government.

202 Amory Blaine  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 9:31:37am

I would totally love to install a geothermal heat pump but it would cost like 30,000 dollars to install. I would love to see big tax credits for this. Would be highly effective in the north.

203 ObserverArt  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 9:32:15am

re: #156 Dark_Falcon

Climate change is not to be fixed by inflicting new taxes. Carbon taxes simply give more money to governments, which generally misuse such funds.

Research grants to fight AGW, now those are a different kettle of fish. Those can indeed make a positive difference. It is best if they are private, of course, but properly screen government grants can be useful.

What are your feelings about an agency like the EPA being involved? Set standards and have the agency police/report. Of course the EPA would need to be strengthened and I know it is a political whipping boy, but it has helped the environment.

Instead of taxing, the government could use political influence through assistance and maybe tax offsets or credits for industries that meet new standards. Industries that do not might be fined through taxes, but those monies could help pay for the incentives. Bad industry pushing the good as their punishment. In time the technology that good industries create always becomes cheaper and the poorer performing industries will then benefit.

204 Dark_Falcon  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 9:32:26am

re: #199 Amory Blaine

There’s not enough exploitation of geothermal.

True that.

205 b_sharp  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 9:33:18am

re: #181 Gus

So, if I want to find solutions to climate change and don’t accept the notion of a carbon tax I get kicked out of the club? I have to support a carbon tax?

Do you have a different solution that will act as quickly?

206 Gus  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 9:33:40am

re: #198 Feline Fearless Leader

Is Perry quaking in his boots with Texas now having competition?
//

Reading. He doesn’t pass my social liberal standards that’s for sure.

207 Gus  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 9:34:09am

re: #205 b_sharp

Do you have a different solution that will act as quickly?

Are we doing anything quickly?

208 Gus  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 9:35:05am

re: #205 b_sharp

Do you have a different solution that will act as quickly?

If you tax energy that means the government gets money to buy stuff. Money equals energy so a carbon tax itself has a carbon footprint.

209 Feline Fearless Leader  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 9:35:20am

re: #207 Gus

Are we doing anything quickly?

Besides repealing Obamacare? I don’t think so.
/

210 Carlos Danger  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 9:36:11am

re: #195 Political Atheist

Okay. Offer the carrot, enforce with the stick.

Both is better than just one or the other. But the key is to all of this is education - if schools keeps turning out people ignorant of climate change, it’s going to make the entire debate irrelevant.

211 Gus  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 9:36:12am

re: #209 Feline Fearless Leader

Besides repealing Obamacare? I don’t think so.
/

They were trying to build a rather large solar energy facility in California. It’s being held up for environmental studies.

212 Amory Blaine  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 9:37:08am

Some of the environmental groups are big energy’s best friend. My opinion.

213 Political Atheist  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 9:37:26am

re: #197 Iwouldprefernotto

Yeah, that figures with what is really overly early versions. The elctric cars of a few years from now will ably show why the Prius and Volt need incentives to carve out market share. the pioneers get the arrows the settlers get the farms. So to speak.

You know what car I like? The H cars that have fuel cells. No combustion engine at all. Those cars will be come the performance cars IMO. Just takes time. Again it’s early in development. They will get better. Hydrogen fueling stations will become less rare.

214 ProTARDISLiberal  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 9:37:46am

re: #206 Gus

Somehow, Australia is behind us in several regards socially.

Proud to be an American today. I see a few Australian Whovians on Tumblr going a bit wonky:

Tony Abbott is worse than Rassilon, okay? That’s how bad it is. The Liberal Party is Earth’s equivalent of the Time Lord High Council.

Yep, I’d say that was accurate. (Except Rassilon actually accomplished something before he turned madman and they locked him up in his tomb alive. Abbot is pretty much just post-Time War Rassilon after he escaped the Dark Tower.)

215 Gus  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 9:38:11am

The carbon taxes won’t just sit around and go unspent. They’ll turn around and use it for say, entitlement programs. Running those programs have a CO2 footprint for administrative facilities, electricity, heat, etc. Entitlements themselves result in consumer spending on goods and services which also have a CO2 footprint.

216 Feline Fearless Leader  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 9:39:03am

re: #213 Political Atheist

Yeah, that figures with what is really overly early versions. The elctric cars of a few years from now will ably show why the Prius and Volt need incentives to carve out market share. the pioneers get the arrows the settlers get the farms. So to speak.

You know what car Hlike? The H cars that have fuel cells. No combustion engine at all. Those cars will be come the performance cars IMO. Just takes time. Again it’s early in development. They will get better. Hydrogen fueling stations will become less rare.

Once the fuel cells are ready we then move on to plastic armor, weapons, and CAR WARS.
;)

217 ProTARDISLiberal  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 9:39:32am

re: #214 ProTARDISLiberal

To be fair, that isn’t new.

I have seen people using the Republicans as punchlines regarding the Daleks, and vice versa.

218 Amory Blaine  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 9:39:34am

It will promote drive to be more efficient though.

219 ObserverArt  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 9:40:01am

re: #175 Gus

I think when you see any of these fringe types on the internet you’re looking at a minute part of society.

And the internet being so immediate and all-covering they are also made to look bigger even though only a small fraction cares.

It sort of like Steve Martin in “The Jerk” getting all excited getting the new phone book and seeing himself listed and scream “I’m somebody!”.

Get a web site and a good net tech guy…you too can be big and dangerous.

220 b_sharp  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 9:43:04am

re: #207 Gus

Are we doing anything quickly?

No we aren’t and that’s the problem. At 400ppm we’re at a point where the script is written. We need to do something to reduce emissions dramatically in the short term, not the long term.

So far the only method that has a chance of reducing emissions over that short period is the stick. Humans respond faster when their pocket books are affected so a carbon tax is the best choice now. However that tax needs to be reinvested into new technologies so contrary to what some say, the tax doesn’t just disappear into the aether.

221 Amory Blaine  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 9:43:53am

re: #213 Political Atheist

New capacitors to improve electric vehicles

The Technology Strategy Board programme for Low Carbon Vehicles funded scientists at NPL and their collaborators to work on a solution to this problem by developing a new ceramic capacitor dielectric material with a high energy density, called HITECA, which operates with a stable capacitance at temperatures of 200 °C and above.
The use of this material in electric and hybrid vehicles would reduce the need for cooling and the associated weight of the vehicles. Its high permittivity could enable smaller electronic devices and its reduced loss of capacitance with voltage could improve overall vehicle performance. Other types of capacitor, for example barium titanate capacitors, can lose up to 85% of their capacitance at working voltage.

Fits and starts.

222 blueraven  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 9:44:06am

re: #192 Gus

Wait a second. So Australian didn’t choose their new PM but Rupert Murdoch chose him for them or something?

Kidding. I’m seeing some of that on Twitter. Rather derpy. Australia goes back and forth this way. Nothing new.

I agree, they go back and forth but I think Murdoch has himself to blame for much of that. He has claimed his paper’s endorsements and influence are key. So people like to give him the credit/blame whether it is true or not.

He has created the myth.

“It was the Sun what did it”

One of the biggest jokes of the nineties was the claim by The Sun newspaper that “It Was The Sun What Did It!” when the Tories were swept back into power against all the odds after the 1992 election.

Then, later that decade, The Sun mysteriously fell in love with New Labour and Tony Blair, causing some of us to think that they simply saw which way the wind was blowing and adjusted their sails accordingly.

223 Feline Fearless Leader  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 9:44:35am

re: #219 ObserverArt

And the internet being so immediate and all-covering they are also made to look bigger even though only a small fraction cares.

It sort of like Steve Martin in “The Jerk” getting all excited getting the new phone book and seeing himself listed and scream “I’m somebody!”.

Get a web site and a good net tech guy…you too can be big and dangerous.

Well, the time since the movie has shown that we have plenty of defective cans *and* defective people.

224 Carlos Danger  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 9:44:41am

re: #215 Gus

The emissions data is published earlier up in the thread. “General government services” only makes up 25% of the Australian budget, with health and social security making up another 50%.

Does a research grant funded by the carbon tax have a CO2 footprint? Would it be more or less regressive to cut that out completely?

225 Gus  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 9:45:57am

Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen. Decisions, decisions.

226 blueraven  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 9:46:29am

re: #225 Gus

Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen. Decisions, decisions.

Ha…both!

227 Gus  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 9:47:16am

re: #226 blueraven

Ha…both!

Sounds dangerous. OK, done!

228 Amory Blaine  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 9:47:31am

Ibuprofen is harder on the stomach.

229 Political Atheist  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 9:48:50am

re: #221 Amory Blaine

When my employer had to get the next work truck I tried and tried to find a cost effective electric or hybrid. Just too costly by far. Even if gas was $6.00 Looked at hydrogen conversion for the truck. Natural gas conversion.

230 blueraven  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 9:49:46am

re: #227 Gus

Sounds dangerous. OK, done!

Not really. They work differently.
Of course not all at once and not habitually. Staggered. Ibuprofen, then 2 hrs later acetaminophen or vice versa.

231 Gus  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 9:50:34am

re: #220 b_sharp

No we aren’t and that’s the problem. At 400ppm we’re at a point where the script is written. We need to do something to reduce emissions dramatically in the short term, not the long term.

So far the only method that has a chance of reducing emissions over that short period is the stick. Humans respond faster when their pocket books are affected so a carbon tax is the best choice now. However that tax needs to be reinvested into new technologies so contrary to what some say, the tax doesn’t just disappear into the aether.

You know what gets me? We have all of that free energy from the sun going unused. Kind of stunning really. No, it’s not free since it requires technology to capture it but there it is. Solar energy that I “studied” for a year in the early 80s. Solar panels and the satellite solar power stations. That was 33 years ago. Here we are.

232 Decatur Deb  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 9:50:55am

re: #202 Amory Blaine

I would totally love to install a geothermal heat pump but it would cost like 30,000 dollars to install. I would love to see big tax credits for this. Would be highly effective in the north.

A more workable home fix is a heat-pump water heater, $900-1200. If Well done, it also acts as a 9000-15000 btu air condtioner for part of the house. Savings payback is a couple years at our electricity cost. GE and one or two others make them.

233 Gus  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 9:51:21am

re: #230 blueraven

Not really. They work differently.
Of course not all at once and not habitually. Staggered. Ibuprofen, then 2 hrs later acetaminophen or vice versa.

That’s what I’m starting to do. Was doing Ibuprofen with baby aspirin. Aspirin is pretty harsh.

234 Dark_Falcon  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 9:51:41am

re: #217 ProTARDISLiberal

To be fair, that isn’t new.

I have seen people using the Republicans as punchlines regarding the Daleks, and vice versa.

Well, there are orange Daleks, but I don’t see John Boehner shouting “EXTERMINATE! EXTERMINATE!”. :D

The Daleks could be jokingly linked to today’s drones, especially in order to get a rise out of the dudebros.

BBL

235 Carlos Danger  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 9:52:31am

re: #231 Gus

I wonder how effective solar would be on all those huge flat roofed warehouses I see around my area…

236 wrenchwench  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 9:54:50am

This morning as I walked to work, I saw a cat with something wiggly hanging out of his mouth. I first thought it was a lizard, because they’re so common around here, but I didn’t see any legs. If it had legs, and they were in the cat’s mouth, that cat had a whole lot of lizard in it’s mouth. So I figured it had to be a snake.

When the cat got to his front porch, he dropped his prize. It sat there and wiggled. It was a tail, and only a tail, from a good-sized lizard, who is now eating extra bugs so she can grow a new one.

237 Gus  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 9:55:22am

re: #235 Carlos Danger

I wonder how effective solar would be on all those huge flat roofed warehouses I see around my area…

Not sure. They could sell energy to the utility company. I heard something about some utility wanting to curb home solar panel use. Have to look that up.

238 b_sharp  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 9:56:03am

re: #231 Gus

You know what gets me? We have all of that free energy from the sun going unused. Kind of stunning really. No, it’s not free since it requires technology to capture it but there it is. Solar energy that I “studied” for a year in the early 80s. Solar panels and the satellite solar power stations. That was 33 years ago. Here we are.

As long as solar costs more to utilize than a cheap and plentiful, and most importantly a well established, alternative there will be little incentive to develop it.

That’s the free market way.

239 sattv4u2  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 9:56:29am

re: #225 Gus

Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen. Decisions, decisions.

be on the safe side
Go with the one that goes best with Vodka

240 Political Atheist  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 9:57:03am

California already has very high gasoline taxes. Electrics and hybrids still sell poorly absent further incentives. This does not bode well for the carbon tax until alternatives are in place. $.72 per gallonLink, and gas is about $4. About 18%.

With combined incentives they sell really well.

Carrot beats stick.

241 Gus  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 9:57:24am

With Rooftop Solar on Rise, U.S. Utilities Are Striking Back
Faced with the prospect of a dwindling customer base, some U.S. power companies are seeking to end public subsidies and other incentives for rooftop solar. In Arizona, the issue has sparked a heated public relations battle that could help determine the future of solar in the United States.

242 Carlos Danger  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 9:57:56am

re: #239 sattv4u2

be on the safe side
Go with the one that goes best with Vodka

Caffeinated coffee vodka!

243 Gus  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 9:58:00am

re: #241 Gus

With Rooftop Solar on Rise, U.S. Utilities Are Striking Back
Faced with the prospect of a dwindling customer base, some U.S. power companies are seeking to end public subsidies and other incentives for rooftop solar. In Arizona, the issue has sparked a heated public relations battle that could help determine the future of solar in the United States.

Several utilities, including Arizona Public Service and Denver-based Xcel Energy, have asked their state regulators to reduce incentives or impose charges on customers who install rooftop solar; so far, at least, they aren’t making much headway. A bill in the California legislature, backed by the utility interests would add $120 a year in fees to rooftop solar customers.

244 Gus  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 9:58:42am

I just scanned through that so YMMV.

245 Decatur Deb  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 9:59:19am

re: #238 b_sharp

As long as solar costs more to utilize than a cheap and plentiful, and most importantly a well established, alternative there will be little incentive to develop it.

That’s the free market way.

“Get these numbers up before the next quarterly report. Fuck next year and your grandkids.”

Also the free market way.

246 Gus  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 9:59:26am

So it could be bonkers for all I know. :D Happens sometimes. It’s the internets.

247 ProTARDISLiberal  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 10:00:26am

re: #234 Dark_Falcon

The joke I remember the most goes like this. In regards to the Parliament of the Daleks from the episode Asylum of the Daleks:

Wait a minute, you are telling me that a society that regularly devalues its most common members and raises its elites up to titles such as ‘Supreme’ or ‘Emperor,’ has all along been a democracy at heart? Sounds like the Republican Daleks have won the last few elections.

248 b_sharp  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 10:00:36am

re: #235 Carlos Danger

I wonder how effective solar would be on all those huge flat roofed warehouses I see around my area…

Solar is best used on motorized racks that keep the angle to the sun.

249 ProTARDISLiberal  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 10:01:55am

re: #243 Gus

I think we need to nationalize power companies. Without profit being the bottom line, we should be able to think farther ahead.

250 sattv4u2  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 10:03:04am

re: #242 Carlos Danger

Caffeinated coffee vodka!

Sure

But for me, please hold the caffeinated coffee

251 Decatur Deb  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 10:03:36am

re: #249 ProTARDISLiberal

I think we need to nationalize power companies. Without profit being the bottom line, we should be able to think farther ahead.

The GOP has been trying to de-nationalize the TVA since Roosevelt. There are some signs of that under the present administration.

252 Feline Fearless Leader  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 10:04:30am

re: #251 Decatur Deb

The GOP has been trying to de-nationalize the TVA since Roosevelt. There are some signs of that under the present administration.

Once they do that they can then drain the lake and claim the treasure!
:p

253 Carlos Danger  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 10:05:02am

re: #252 Feline Fearless Leader

Once they do that they can then drain the lake and claim the treasure!
:p

Confederate money?

254 Political Atheist  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 10:05:09am

re: #248 b_sharp

That’s “best” but after taking a hard look for that facility I mentioned up thread the numbers at our latitude (34 N.) make more sense for simple south facing fixed installation. Partly involved in that is bracing against severe winds. Adds a lot of complexity in design and control. Adds a lot of weight too. I saw a program where a kid worked out a far better configuration. It’s lots of small panels arranged vertical and horizontal. Like trees. Man nature has done so much engineering for us and we just miss it.

255 ProTARDISLiberal  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 10:05:11am

re: #251 Decatur Deb

The fee-market ideology is hyper-destructive. At some point, it must be challenged.

256 b_sharp  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 10:06:21am

re: #240 Political Atheist

California already has very high gasoline taxes. Electrics and hybrids still sell poorly absent further incentives. This does not bode well for the carbon tax until alternatives are in place. $.72 per gallonLink, and gas is about $4. About 18%.

With combined incentives they sell really well.

Carrot beats stick.

Both have to be in place. If we had all the time in the world the carrot by itself would likely be sufficient, except the money for the subsidies has to come from somewhere.

During the polluted ’70s crack downs on companies ignoring new regulations resulted in a quick reduction of pollutants. Money from taxes and fines helped other companies implement new technologies through subsidies.

257 Feline Fearless Leader  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 10:06:36am

re: #253 Carlos Danger

Confederate money?

A large buried reserve of Dapper Dan!

258 Feline Fearless Leader  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 10:07:32am

re: #254 Political Atheist

That’s “best” but after taking a hard look for that facility I mentioned up thread the numbers at our latitude (34 N.) make more sense for simple south facing fixed installation. Partly involved in that is bracing against severe winds. Adds a lot of complexity in design and control. Adds a lot of weight too. I saw a program where a kid worked out a far better configuration. It’s lots of small panels arranged vertical and horizontal. Like trees. Man nature has done so much engineering for us and we just miss it.

How do you keep the pigeons and sparrows from nesting in those and crapping all over the panels though?

259 Decatur Deb  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 10:07:52am

re: #255 ProTARDISLiberal

The fee-market ideology is hyper-destructive. At some point, it must be challenged.

And this golden oldie goes out to our pal PTL in Colorado:

Youtube Video

260 Carlos Danger  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 10:08:16am

re: #257 Feline Fearless Leader

A large buried reserve of Dapper Dan!

I don’t want FOP

261 ProTARDISLiberal  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 10:08:42am

re: #259 Decatur Deb

I like the Social Democratic model. Also, I value people over money.

262 Feline Fearless Leader  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 10:09:10am

re: #261 ProTARDISLiberal

I like the Social Democratic model. Also, I value people over money.

What about people made out of money?

263 sattv4u2  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 10:10:08am

re: #258 Feline Fearless Leader

How do you keep the pigeons and sparrows from nesting in those and crapping all over the panels though?

hire cats

264 Carlos Danger  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 10:10:31am

re: #254 Political Atheist

I saw some pictures of solar panels over parking lots in California. That looked pretty cool (for the cars too).

265 Feline Fearless Leader  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 10:11:03am

re: #263 sattv4u2

hire cats

Won’t cat hair all over the panels interfere with their efficiency? Not to mention them napping on the horizontally mounted panels.

266 Gus  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 10:11:17am

re: #249 ProTARDISLiberal

I think we need to nationalize power companies. Without profit being the bottom line, we should be able to think farther ahead.

Thought about that. Utilities however are tied in with energy companies so it’s hard to escape the profit motive. A nationalized model would still have to remain profitable if we are to expect any innovations, modernizations, etc. Otherwise, if there’s zero gain then things would begin to deteriorate.

267 Decatur Deb  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 10:11:23am

re: #263 sattv4u2

hire cats

School children who don’t turn in work on time.

268 sattv4u2  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 10:11:33am

re: #262 Feline Fearless Leader

What about people made out of money?

They get real soggy in the rain

269 Feline Fearless Leader  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 10:12:17am

re: #268 sattv4u2

They get real soggy in the rain

Another reason to replace the $1 bill with a coin - and stick to it for once.

270 Political Atheist  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 10:12:22am

re: #245 Decatur Deb

“Get these numbers up before the next quarterly report. Fuck next year and your grandkids.”

Also the free market way.

When sales with profits were king, rather than stock values, not as much. Stocks are so volatile compared to annualized performance. When CEO’s got big salaries they paid big taxes from a high place on the tax chart. When they get stocks instead the perspective shortens and shortens, and then stock holders amplify it, and product quality and sales can suffer despite short term profit gains.

Maybe we should end stock compensation via increased taxes. Pay them in real taxable dollars like actors and athletes. Or course that salary envy thing would have to be tamed a bit to get that to pass.

271 b_sharp  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 10:12:28am

re: #254 Political Atheist

That’s “best” but after taking a hard look for that facility I mentioned up thread the numbers at our latitude (34 N.) make more sense for simple south facing fixed installation. Partly involved in that is bracing against severe winds. Adds a lot of complexity in design and control. Adds a lot of weight too. I saw a program where a kid worked out a far better configuration. It’s lots of small panels arranged vertical and horizontal. Like trees. Man nature has done so much engineering for us and we just miss it.

Up here (51 N.) fixed works during the summer, but tracking racks work best in winter. Our seasons vary much more than yours. I like that kid’s idea, it would probably work well here. Nature has had a very long time to use trial and error.

272 sattv4u2  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 10:12:50am

re: #265 Feline Fearless Leader

Won’t cat hair all over the panels interfere with their efficiency? Not to mention them napping on the horizontally mounted panels.

Thats what the dogs are for,, to chase a away the cats

273 sattv4u2  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 10:13:28am

re: #269 Feline Fearless Leader

Another reason to replace the $1 bill with a coin - and stick to it for once.

Then you’ll be complaining about how heavy those people are!!!

274 b_sharp  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 10:13:31am

re: #258 Feline Fearless Leader

How do you keep the pigeons and sparrows from nesting in those and crapping all over the panels though?

Hawks and falcons.

275 Gus  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 10:13:41am

What about solar powered cats? //

276 Decatur Deb  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 10:13:42am

re: #271 b_sharp

Up here (51 N.) fixed works during the summer, but tracking racks work best in winter. Our seasons vary much more than yours. I like that kid’s idea, it would probably work well here. Nature has had a very long time to use trial and error.

Almost 6000 years.

277 Feline Fearless Leader  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 10:13:48am

re: #272 sattv4u2

Thats what the dogs are for,, to chase a away the cats

And then we send in the police to shoot the dogs - and the cycle begins anew.

278 Carlos Danger  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 10:14:17am

Sometimes I think we’re all special interests who somehow cancel each other out.

It’s Zen man

279 sattv4u2  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 10:14:41am

re: #278 Carlos Danger

Sometimes I think we’re all special interests who somehow cancel each other out.

It’s Zen man

:)

280 Decatur Deb  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 10:15:04am

re: #277 Feline Fearless Leader

And then we send in the police to shoot the dogs - and the cycle begins anew.

And Texans to shoot the schoolkids.

281 Targetpractice  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 10:15:15am

re: #275 Gus

What about solar powered cats? //

Certainly would save the money I spend on cat food.

282 b_sharp  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 10:15:40am

re: #272 sattv4u2

Thats what the dogs are for,, to chase a away the cats

Let me know when it’s time for the elephants.

283 b_sharp  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 10:16:26am

re: #279 sattv4u2

:)

You bugger.

284 sattv4u2  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 10:16:42am

re: #282 b_sharp

Let me know when it’s time for the elephants.

send in the mice!!

AND ,, we’re back to the cats

285 Feline Fearless Leader  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 10:16:55am

re: #282 b_sharp

Let me know when it’s time for the elephants.

We already have the rock that keeps them away, or is that for the tigers?

286 Gus  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 10:17:26am
287 Gus  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 10:18:12am

Apparently Bloomberg is letting it all hang out now.

288 Feline Fearless Leader  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 10:18:15am

re: #286 Gus

[Embedded content]

Now there is a statement that need a whole lotta additional context.

289 Gus  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 10:18:41am

re: #288 Feline Fearless Leader

Now there is a statement that need a whole lotta additional context.

Looking.

290 Gus  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 10:19:24am

This fact checking stuff can be a pain. //

291 Amory Blaine  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 10:21:24am

Free market middle men suck up cost saving incentives on the consumer end. Like with oil. Geologists and other industry experts are produced in government subsidized universities and primary schools. The drilling takes place mainly on public lands. WTF do we need an energy CEO for?

292 Carlos Danger  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 10:21:47am

re: #289 Gus

Looking.

It’s derived from De Blasio’s “two cities” rhetoric.

Mayor Bloomberg: Bill de Blasio’s campaign is ‘racist’

But de Blasio, himself, is not one, says Mike Bloomberg, who also thinks the campaign is wrong in other ways. ‘Tearing people apart with this ‘two cities’ thing doesn’t make any sense to me. It’s a destructive strategy for those you want to help the most,’ says Hizzoner.

nydailynews.com

293 Gus  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 10:21:53am

re: #288 Feline Fearless Leader

Now there is a statement that need a whole lotta additional context.

OK, he didn’t say that. Found it here:

In Conversation: Michael Bloomberg

But his whole campaign is that there are two different cities here. And I’ve never liked that kind of division. The way to help those who are less fortunate is, number one, to attract more very fortunate people. They are the ones that pay the bills. The people that would get very badly hurt here if you drive out the very wealthy are the people he professes to try to help. Tearing people apart with this “two cities” thing doesn’t make any sense to me. It’s a destructive strategy for those you want to help the most. He’s a very populist, very left-wing guy, but this city is not two groups, and if to some extent it is, it’s one group paying for services for the other.

294 Gus  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 10:24:07am

Still checking.

295 Carlos Danger  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 10:24:09am

That “two cities” line is giving me an Edwards flashback…

296 ProTARDISLiberal  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 10:25:00am

re: #293 Gus

Not a huge deal better.

And New York has a horrifically wide gap, income-wise. How much attention does the Bronx get?

Though, to be fair, the Bronx got the last laugh during Sandy. Protected by the rest of NYC and Long Island, they made it out almost completely unscathed.

Bloomberg is out of touch. He doesn’t give a damn about the poor.

297 Gus  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 10:25:06am

Or did he say that? I give up.

298 Decatur Deb  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 10:25:29am

re: #291 Amory Blaine

Free market middle men suck up cost saving incentives on the consumer end. Like with oil. Geologists and other industry experts are produced in government subsidized universities and primary schools. The drilling takes place mainly on public lands. WTF do we need an energy CEO for?

Those PAC checks aren’t going to write themselves.

299 Feline Fearless Leader  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 10:25:33am

re: #293 Gus

OK, he didn’t say that. Found it here:

In Conversation: Michael Bloomberg

I somehow doubt, even then, that the “very fortunate” are really that key to the NYC tax base. Especially compared to the middle class denizens of the city.

The statement itself could also be taken as a claim that the city residents absorb a heavy services burden to cover non-residents that commute into the city for their jobs and are not charged taxes/fees in proper relation to those services.

300 Gus  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 10:26:26am

Here it’s in quotes.

“[H]is whole campaign is that there are two different cities here,” said Mr. Bloomberg. “And I’ve never liked that kind of division … The people that would get very badly hurt here if you drive out the very wealthy are the people he professes to try to help. Tearing people apart with this ‘two cities’ thing doesn’t make any sense to me. It’s a destructive strategy for those you want to help the most. He’s a very populist, very left-wing guy, but this city is not two groups, and if to some extent it is, it’s one group paying for services for the other.”

301 ProTARDISLiberal  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 10:26:31am

re: #293 Gus

Also, I would guess that Bloomberg is for lower taxes, so we don’t even get money from the “more fortunate.”

He just wants a rich boys club, surrounded by the poor who work for them for crumbs.

302 Gus  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 10:26:56am

Plan B: Cat Pics

303 Decatur Deb  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 10:27:54am

re: #299 Feline Fearless Leader

I somehow doubt, even then, that the “very fortunate” are really that key to the NYC tax base. Especially compared to the middle class denizens of the city.

The statement itself could also be taken as a claim that the city residents absorb a heavy services burden to cover non-residents that commute into the city for their jobs and are not charged taxes/fees in proper relation to those services.

Yes—the Day City/Night City meme is nicer than the Rich City/Poor City.

304 Feline Fearless Leader  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 10:31:10am

re: #303 Decatur Deb

Yes—the Day City/Night City meme is nicer than the Rich City/Poor City.

It’s more likely the latter meme. It’s just that the one sentence unto itself lacked sufficient context to really allow you to connect it to a particular meme since you could split the NYC occupants into “two cities” along a multitude of categories.

It’s a really, really, bad tweet as a result.

305 Carlos Danger  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 10:31:46am

re: #303 Decatur Deb

Yes—the Day City/Night City meme is nicer than the Rich City/Poor City.

And it also sounds like a Joe Jackson album…

306 Decatur Deb  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 10:32:32am

re: #304 Feline Fearless Leader

It’s more likely the latter meme. It’s just that the one sentence unto itself lacked sufficient context to really allow you to connect it to a particular meme since you could split the NYC occupants into “two cities” along a multitude of categories.

Mets/Yankees, or in my case Yankees/Dodgers.

307 Feline Fearless Leader  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 10:33:28am

re: #306 Decatur Deb

Mets/Yankees, or in my case Yankees/Dodgers.

They’re still bums even after moving to California?
:)

308 Pavlovian Hive Mind  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 10:36:19am

re: #306 Decatur Deb

Mets/Yankees, or in my case Yankees/Dodgers.

Youtube Video

309 Gus  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 10:36:37am

I went to page 2. Here’s the 1st page.

In Conversation: Michael Bloomberg
The mayor has harsh words for Bill de Blasio, rebuts the charge that he’s in the tank for the wealthy, questions just how poor the poor really are, and considers (for the first time) what he might like named after him.

310 Carlos Danger  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 10:38:08am

re: #309 Gus

Yow, just look at that picture!

311 Killgore Trout  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 10:38:30am

All this nuance might eventually lead to a strongly worded letter.
EU blames Assad for chemical attack in nuanced message

312 Gus  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 10:38:30am

Googles Bill de Blasio…

313 Decatur Deb  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 10:38:55am

re: #308 Pavlovian Hive Mind

[Embedded content]

Home
About »
PostsComments

“Doesn’t anybody here know how to play this game?”

314 Gus  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 10:39:37am

Oy…he started in politics with David Dinkins… no comment.

315 sattv4u2  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 10:40:38am

re: #309 Gus

and considers (for the first time) what he might like named after him.

Guess he forgot about the TV service that bears the family name,,,and the radio outlets ,, and the ,,,,,,

316 Gus  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 10:40:56am

re: #310 Carlos Danger

Yow, just look at that picture!

Looks like a statue.

317 sattv4u2  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 10:41:35am

re: #311 Killgore Trout

All this nuance might eventually lead to a strongly worded letter.
EU blames Assad for chemical attack in nuanced message

I hear that the EU is really upset this time though

They’re sending the letter,,,,POSTAGE DUE!!!

318 Dr Lizardo  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 10:42:43am

re: #311 Killgore Trout

All this nuance might eventually lead to a strongly worded letter.
EU blames Assad for chemical attack in nuanced message

Dear President Assad;

We, the European Union, find ourselves deeply vexed as it appears that you may have used chemical weapons recently. We insist that you immediately refrain from such naughtiness, or we shall be compelled to discuss the possibility of further diplomatic action against you and your government.

Respectfully yours,
The E.U.

319 Gus  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 10:45:28am

re: #318 Dr Lizardo

Dear President Assad;

We, the European Union, find ourselves deeply vexed as it appears that you may have used chemical weapons recently. We insist that you immediately refrain from such naughtiness, or we shall be compelled to discuss the possibility of further diplomatic action against you and your government.

Respectfully yours,
The E.U.

The Plenary Session of the United Nations Task Force on Sternly Worded Letters Announces their Meeting at a Special Session in Geneva Switzerland to Plan a Draft Letter to the Government of Syria

320 ProTARDISLiberal  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 10:46:07am

re: #315 sattv4u2

re: #314 Gus

He really is coming off as a massive dick in the interview.

321 sattv4u2  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 10:47:08am

re: #319 Gus

The Plenary Session of the United Nations Task Force on Sternly Worded Letters Announces their Meeting at a Special Session in Geneva Switzerland to Plan a Draft Letter to the Government of Syria

NOTICE

The above mentioned meeting has been delayed so the committee can lunch at Switzerlands most exclusive restaurant

322 Gus  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 10:48:01am

re: #320 ProTARDISLiberal

He really is coming off as a massive dick in the interview.

Blasio or Bloomberg? Bloomberg’s always been a massive dick.

323 Carlos Danger  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 10:49:16am

That NyMag article has a link to this story:

Landlords Who Reap Millions From City Housing Homeless Bet Big on De Blasio

Maybe this is why Weiner is still polling 7%…

324 Gus  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 10:50:17am

re: #323 Carlos Danger

That NyMag article has a link to this story:

Landlords Who Reap Millions From City Housing Homeless Bet Big on De Blasio

Maybe this is why Weiner is still polling 7%…

Interesting headline.

325 ProTARDISLiberal  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 10:50:19am

re: #322 Gus

Bloomberg.

326 Carlos Danger  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 10:54:42am

So that dude has connections with a bunch of felony prone corrupt slumlords. Man, I am totally getting the Edwards heebie jeebies again.

327 Pavlovian Hive Mind  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 10:58:33am

Good afternoon, weirdos.

328 FemNaziBitch  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 10:59:02am

Now, I see Madeleine Albright is pro-going to war with Syria.

I’m going to ignore the rest of the day.

bbl

329 First As Tragedy, Then As Farce  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 11:00:35am

HOLY SHIT you guys, I just bought an album on line…
And next thing you know the company that owns the credit card I bought it with sent me an email saying words to the effect that “HEY MAN WE TOTALLY KNOW WHAT YOU JUST BOUGHT AND HERE ARE ALL THE INTRICATE DETAILS OF THE TRANSACTION AS PROOF” Oh god they know everything! And then I logged into my bank account and HOLY FUCK they know about all the times I’ve been to the grocery store and the liquor store and Home Depot! AND THEY KNOW MY EXACT ADDRESS! Holy shit Holy shit Holy shit Holy shit Holy shit Holy shit Holy shit Holy shit Holy shit Holy shit Holy shit Holy shit Holy shit Holy shit Holy shit Holy shit Holy shit Holy shit Holy shit Holy shit Holy shit Holy shit Holy shit Holy shit Holy shit Holy shit Holy shit

330 chadu  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 11:00:38am

Guess who just emailed the WH with what it’s strategic goals should be?

(Me.)

331 Gus  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 11:01:28am

ATT mobile conx. doing it’s best imitation of AOL dial-up 1992.

332 sattv4u2  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 11:01:29am

re: #328 FemNaziBitch

Now, I see Madeleine Albright is pro-going to war with Syria.

I’m going to ignore the rest of the day.

bbl

Just as RWNJ’s have a knee jerk reaction that they must oppose the President at every turn, some Lefties have the same instinct to back him no matter what

333 ObserverArt  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 11:03:21am

re: #249 ProTARDISLiberal

I think we need to nationalize power companies. Without profit being the bottom line, we should be able to think farther ahead.

Look out your window. Do you see anything that looks like a plain white van with a small Koch Industries logo on it. They may be watching you.

/

334 Decatur Deb  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 11:04:52am

re: #330 chadu

Guess who just emailed the WH with what it’s strategic goals should be?

(Me.)

Is it francis’ day off?

335 Gus  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 11:06:43am

re: #332 sattv4u2

Just as RWNJ’s have a knee jerk reaction that they must oppose the President at every turn, some Lefties have the same instinct to back him no matter their what

Albright was SoS during the Bosnian and Kosovo wars. Not really a surprise to see her take this stance.

336 Gus  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 11:07:20am
337 chadu  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 11:07:23am

re: #85 Dr Lizardo

“50 Shades” is dreck. It’s the Marquis de Sade for the suburban soccer-mom set without the extreme and violent misogyny of de Sade. Or frankly, his borderline insanity.

“Borderline”? You are kind.

338 sattv4u2  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 11:07:27am

re: #330 chadu

Guess who just emailed the WH with what it’s strategic goals should be?

(Me.)

Guess whose e-mail got filed in the Junk e-mail folder !?!?!
/

339 darthstar  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 11:08:13am

What’s with the autoplay MacKeeper ad?

340 chadu  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 11:08:32am

re: #88 Romantic Heretic

Word.

341 First As Tragedy, Then As Farce  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 11:13:33am

re: #331 Gus

ATT mobile conx. doing it’s best imitation of AOL dial-up 1992.

Thoroughly pleased with T-Mobile here. I was on AT&T for 5-6 years and never had any problems until I tried to cancel the service. I kept getting bills for over a year after I had canceled my AT&T service. Even after they straightened it out and realized I was no longer a customer, I still got bills for $0.00, and I even got anoverdue notice for not paying my outstanding balance of $0.00.

I never paid it.

TO THIS DAY, I OWE AT&T AN OUTSTANDING OVERDUE BALANCE OF $0.00, WHICH I INTEND NEVER TO PAY!! And I also tore off my mattress tag. Fuck tha police!

342 NJDhockeyfan  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 11:16:07am
343 Amory Blaine  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 11:16:25am

re: #309 Gus

I went to page 2. Here’s the 1st page.

In Conversation: Michael Bloomberg
The mayor has harsh words for Bill de Blasio, rebuts the charge that he’s in the tank for the wealthy, questions just how poor the poor really are, and considers (for the first time) what he might like named after him.

Looks like satan is pulling him by his leash.

//

344 sattv4u2  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 11:16:38am

re: #335 Gus

Albright was SoS during the Bosnian and Kosovo wars. Not really a surprise to see her take this stance.

Making a larger point

I think it explains why there are so many “undecided” when it comes to action against Syria
Their instinct is that they do not want the USA involved, but otoh they want to support “their’ guy

345 chadu  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 11:17:25am

re: #334 Decatur Deb

Hey, I paged what I thought over on the right-hand side bar.

346 Political Atheist  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 11:17:35am

If I could ask a little favor? I’m doing some research for a formal paper. This won’t Google well at all. Some of you bought white gold somewhere along the line. Did the jeweler mention rhodium plating at all? Did you have trouble with it? Nic is blue for responses. All will be held confidential. No budget but all responders will have a “friend in the biz” for future reference. Thanks for any consideration.

347 Amory Blaine  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 11:18:20am

Next he will say that the rich really aren’t rich.

348 Gus  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 11:18:27am

re: #344 sattv4u2

Making a larger point

I think it explains why there are so many “undecided” when it comes to action against Syria
Their instinct is that they do not want the USA involved, but otoh they want to support “their’ guy

I’ve seen this argued on Twitter and elsewhere. I honestly don’t care about other people’s motivations to support. There seems to be a majority of support against taking action in the House including a lot of Democrats.

349 Pavlovian Hive Mind  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 11:18:41am

re: #344 sattv4u2

Making a larger point

I think it explains why there are so many “undecided” when it comes to action against Syria
Their instinct is that they do not want the USA involved, but otoh they want to support “their’ guy

Nope, it’s much simpler than that.
So many see Syria as Iraq.

350 chadu  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 11:18:45am

re: #338 sattv4u2

That would probably be me.

Yes, your joke is very funny.

I laughed. Once.

351 Decatur Deb  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 11:19:14am

re: #345 chadu

Hey, I paged what I thought over on the right-hand side bar.

No civic deed goes unpunished.

352 sattv4u2  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 11:19:22am

re: #349 Pavlovian Hive Mind

Nope, it’s much simpler than that.
So many see Syria as Iraq.

Then why “undecided”?

Those that do (your point) would say NO in a poll

353 Gus  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 11:19:58am

re: #349 Pavlovian Hive Mind

Nope, it’s much simpler than that.
So many see Syria as Iraq.

I think everyone must have missed the Libya thing. They’re all unique of course.

354 Decatur Deb  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 11:20:22am

re: #352 sattv4u2

Then why “undecided”?

Those that do (your point) would say NO in a poll

Unless they’re still undecided about Iraq.

355 Amory Blaine  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 11:20:53am

Poverty in this country should parallel the trajectory of the rich in this country. Period.

356 Gus  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 11:21:07am

Wait… let me guess… Adam Baldwin —->

357 Stanley Sea  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 11:21:30am

re: #346 Political Atheist

Nic went to one of your pages. Not email.

358 chadu  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 11:21:32am

re: #346 Political Atheist

White gold wedding ring; rhodium never mentioned. Ring sold back for about 65% of the initial price, post-divorce.

359 Gus  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 11:21:33am

Nope.

360 sattv4u2  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 11:22:27am

re: #346 Political Atheist

Some of you bought white gold somewhere along the line

Sorry

never have

361 chadu  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 11:23:16am

re: #351 Decatur Deb

No civic deed goes unpunished.

I’ve civic deed’d more than the average bear.

362 Decatur Deb  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 11:24:28am

re: #346 Political Atheist

Silver weddings rings count? They’re white. (10 bucks each from a couple hippie jewelers in the Village.)

363 Stanley Sea  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 11:24:35am

re: #346 Political Atheist

If I could ask a little favor? I’m doing some research for a formal paper. This won’t Google well at all. Some of you bought white gold somewhere along the line. Did the jeweler mention rhodium plating at all? Did you have trouble with it? Nic is blue for responses. All will be held confidential. No budget but all responders will have a “friend in the biz” for future reference. Thanks for any consideration.

Same as chadu white gold wedding ring, didn’t see benefit of spending extra $ on platinum to match the engagement ring. Rhodium never mentioned. It yellowed a little bit, but nothing bad. And yeah, sold for way less at divorce.

364 Political Atheist  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 11:26:55am

re: #357 Stanley Sea

Nic went to one of your pages. Not email.

oops. Going to profile…

365 PhillyPretzel  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 11:28:21am

re: #346 Political Atheist

Did not buy white gold wedding band but kid sister had to have white gold hoop earrings. They did “tarnish” and she sold them. I do not know how much she got for them. I was told it was nickel that made them white.

366 Political Atheist  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 11:29:49am

re: #357 Stanley Sea

Nic went to one of your pages. Not email.

Okay sorry, best fix is go to pmwest.us

My email is front and center on the main page with the company addy.

367 Stanley Sea  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 11:32:07am

re: #366 Political Atheist

Okay sorry, best fix is go to pmwest.us

My email is front and center on the main page with the company addy.

I responded here, not much info, but what it is!

368 Political Atheist  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 11:32:17am

re: #365 PhillyPretzel

Yeah the way white gold works is it’s either added nickel or palladium in the alloy. Then often enough rhodium over the top. Which technically adds another valuable metal. But there is a growing controversy in the trade and I’m in as an adviser to manufacturers and others. So I am writing a white paper on white gold.

369 klys  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 11:32:28am

re: #346 Political Atheist

If I could ask a little favor? I’m doing some research for a formal paper. This won’t Google well at all. Some of you bought white gold somewhere along the line. Did the jeweler mention rhodium plating at all? Did you have trouble with it? Nic is blue for responses. All will be held confidential. No budget but all responders will have a “friend in the biz” for future reference. Thanks for any consideration.

Did rhodium plating on a set of necklace charms that came in yellow gold where we wanted white, about …16 years ago? As a present for a friend from two of us (big sis, sis, lil sis). It’s held up pretty well - maybe starting to wear a little bit on the back of mine, but it was smooth there and the charm was worn every day for quite some time. I can check if needed.

All three together last year. My friend who held the “lil sis” piece died in a car accident my senior year of high school, so the charms have been pretty significant for us. I hold her piece and mine, and the last one is with the original reason we got the set.

370 Political Atheist  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 11:35:07am

re: #369 klys

That’s really cool. Honest deep sentiment is what that kind of gift is great for. Love it.

371 klys  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 11:37:54am

re: #370 Political Atheist

That’s really cool. Honest deep sentiment is what that kind of gift is great for. Love it.

It helped to have something to hold onto, afterwards. She and I went in on it together and since we really wanted white gold and the charm only came in yellow the jeweler had it rhodium plated for us. I don’t remember how much, but it didn’t break the bank (remember, two high school students here, buying three chains and the charms).

The photo there is from the wedding of our third friend. I carried Carrie’s and mine with me in my wedding bouquet but didn’t have any good photos of just the charms so went for the one that I took.

372 Political Atheist  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 11:44:20am

re: #363 Stanley Sea

Sorry to hear about a divorce. Gold scrap value is a long way down from full or even discounted retail. Even wholesale. I cringe when people think of jewelry as an investment. But compare scrap silver or gold to say an old cell phone at zero value and as a landfill liability, that’s not so bad. Maybe.

373 Political Atheist  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 11:45:57am

re: #367 Stanley Sea

I responded here, not much info, but what it is!

Thank you. When this shakes out consumers will be ahead if perhaps in a small way.

374 Stanley Sea  Sat, Sep 7, 2013 11:46:05am

re: #372 Political Atheist

Sorry to hear about a divorce. Gold scrap value is a long way down from full or even discounted retail. Even wholesale. I cringe when people think of jewelry as an investment. But compare scrap silver or gold to say an old cell phone at zero value and as a landfill liability, that’s not so bad. Maybe.

It was really pretty while it lasted!


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