The biggest Benghazi lie falls apart

US News • Views: 24,317

Retired Admiral Mike Mullen and former Ambassador Thomas Pickering today debunked the conservative media myth that the Obama administration failed to deploy adequate military resources to Benghazi, Libya, in response to the September 11, 2012, attack on a U.S. diplomatic mission. Mullen told members of Congress that the “military did everything they possibly could that night.” Pickering agreed, testifying that the military is not always “positioned to come in short notice to deal with those issues.”

Mullen and Pickering led the State Department Accountability Review Board (ARB), which issued an independent report in December about the attacks. Both men are testifying today at a House Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearing led by Republican Rep. Darrell Issa, who, along with members of the conservative media, have attempted to politicize the attacks to criticize the Obama administration.

YouTube

See also: Alan Grayson knocked over a few other Benghazi myths recently as well

More: Watch Conservative Media’s Favorite Benghazi Myth Fall Apart

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299 comments
1 Origuy  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 5:38:16pm

Obviously, more hearings will be necessary.

2 Kragar  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 6:31:35pm

Pff, what would they know about Benghazi?
///

3 b.d.  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 6:31:55pm

re: #1 Origuy

Obviously, more hearings will be necessary.

Agreed and they’ll book better witnesses like Sean Hannity, Michael Savage and Mark Levin

4 A Mom Anon  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 6:33:05pm

re: #1 Origuy

I’d say at least 30 more.(snark x eleventy)

I swear, these assclowns should have to repay the taxpayers for this shit and all the attempts to repeal the ACA. I can’t think of anything more useless than these fools.

5 b.d.  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 6:44:12pm

Thank you Alan Grayson, that was a thing of beauty. It is refreshing to see him act that way.

6 EPR-radar  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 6:45:54pm

Please proceed, Mr. Issa.

The sooner the complete disregard for truth and decency that you and most of your GOP fellow travelers have is made apparent to voters, the sooner we’ll be able to purge this infection of teabag madness.

7 lawhawk  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 6:46:29pm

Issa, Cantor and the rest will hold as many hearings as it takes to hear their voices (in their heads) and get someone to admit that the Administration did something (anything) even remotely wrong.

Suppositions will suffice for this purpose.

The facts, however, tell a different tale.

Congress is sitting on the State Department’s $2.2 billion request for security upgrades to its diplomatic missions worldwide. That includes money for additional Marine detachments, better security plans, etc.

The GOP is going to play politics with all this.

All the way down.

Thing is that the Administration and the Defense Department already made changes to reduce chances of another attack on a diplomatic facility that the military couldn’t respond to in a timely fashion. A rapid reaction force that will be stationed in Spain (IIRC) that could get to locations within a period of time from when the word is given to get help.

8 b.d.  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 6:47:38pm

Somebody should lose their job over Benghazi and that someone is Issa.

9 EPR-radar  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 6:50:23pm

re: #7 lawhawk

An excellent demonstration that the Obama administration governs, while the GOP is capable of nothing but street theater. Issa really should bring some giant puppets to his ‘hearings’.

Having a likely felon be chair of the House oversight committee is yet another example of reality trumping satire.

10 AlexRogan  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 6:51:57pm
Retired Admiral Mike Mullen and former Ambassador Thomas Pickering today debunked the conservative media myth that the Obama administration failed to deploy adequate military resources to Benghazi, Libya, in response to the September 11, 2012, attack on a U.S. diplomatic mission. Mullen told members of Congress that the “military did everything they possibly could that night.” Pickering agreed, testifying that the military is not always “positioned to come in short notice to deal with those issues.”

Mullen and Pickering led the State Department Accountability Review Board (ARB), which issued an independent report in December about the attacks. Both men are testifying today at a House Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearing led by Republican Rep. Darrell Issa, who, along with members of the conservative media, have attempted to politicize the attacks to criticize the Obama administration.

They’re both in on Obummer’s coverup!!!11ty

11 klys  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 6:54:09pm

Are we at the point yet where we’ve held more hearings on Benghazi than on 9/11? It feels like it has to be getting close.

12 EPR-radar  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 6:54:47pm

re: #11 klys

Are we at the point yet where we’ve held more hearings on Benghazi than on 9/11? It feels like it has to be getting close.

That happened months ago, IIRC.

13 dog philosopher  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 7:02:03pm

just re-earned my nerd insignia one more time unraveling a stupid cascading header problem

14 klys  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 7:03:50pm

re: #12 EPR-radar

That happened months ago, IIRC.

Priorities, we have them.

///

Clearly this hearing was far more important than anything to do with the debt ceiling or budget. Or really, fucking anything. Has the House done anything useful in the past year and a half?

15 AlexRogan  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 7:06:02pm

re: #14 klys

Priorities, we have them.

///

Clearly this hearing was far more important than anything to do with the debt ceiling or budget. Or really, fucking anything. Has the House done anything useful in the past year and a half?

I seriously cannot think of anything of consequence (like doing their jobs, instead of grandstanding or obstructing) that the House has done for quite some time.

16 klys  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 7:08:54pm

re: #15 AlexRogan

I seriously cannot think of anything of consequence (like doing their jobs, instead of grandstanding or obstructing) that the House has done for quite some time.

I mean, I get that not every piece of legislation is going to be big and memorable like Obamacare, or the campaign finance reform one that the SC gutted, or the LL Equal Pay Act. But I can’t come up with anything that’s been done recently. I guess maybe the Patriot Act renewal?

I’ll grant them that I was buried under dissertation somewhat, so it is very possible that something slipped by, but… everything I can think of happening politically lately have been things that don’t require Congressional action.

17 Varek Raith  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 7:11:24pm

re: #2 Kragar

Star Wolves.
Space Wolves.
Same thing.
:P

18 Dark_Falcon  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 7:15:10pm

re: #17 Arrrr, matey!

Star Wolves.
Space Wolves.
Same thing.
:P

Clan Wolf, too.

Image: 30_jalphoenix_CWBeta_MadcatII_1.jpg

19 sagehen  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 7:15:34pm

re: #16 klys

This congress has passed fewer bills than any congress ever. (2nd fewest? the congress before this one, class of 2010).

And of the bills they did pass… more than half were either renaming post-offices, or declaring National Something-Something Awareness Day.

20 blueraven  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 7:16:24pm

Today was a shameful day for House Republicans. The awful display of bringing in Ty Wood’s father and Sean Smith’s mother was damn near abusive. It was difficult to watch.

Then on top of that they voted to cut SNAP by 40 Billion. The Republican party has no leadership, operates on being ugly and mean, not to mention extreme stupidity.

21 Kragar  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 7:16:27pm

re: #17 Arrrr, matey!

Star Wolves.
Space Wolves.
Same thing.
:P

YOU WILL DIE A PEASANT’S DEATH!

22 Varek Raith  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 7:18:03pm

*Berserk button found*

23 Kragar  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 7:22:58pm

re: #22 Arrrr, matey!

*Berserk button found*

I challenge you to a duel.

Forklifts at dawn.

Youtube Video

24 Dark_Falcon  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 7:23:16pm

Those who argue that the consulate in Benghazi could have been relieved need to explain what force could have practicably carried out the relief. Otherwise, they’re just DERPing.

25 Varek Raith  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 7:27:00pm

re: #23 Kragar

Don’t touch my bags if you please, Mr. Customs Man.

26 Charles Johnson  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 7:27:37pm
27 goddamnedfrank  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 7:29:43pm

Airwolf is the best wolf.

Runner up: Party God

28 klys  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 7:31:15pm

re: #26 Charles Johnson

I am continually amazed at how approachable he seems, even after almost 6 years on the job.

There are days where he and his family help renew my faith in humanity, with their willingness to try to improve the world in the face of all the criticism they receive. And to continue to be human during all that.

29 Kragar  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 7:32:14pm

re: #27 goddamnedfrank

Airwolf is the best wolf.

Runner up: Party God

You know in the final season, they couldn’t afford to actually rent the helicopter anymore.

30 ProTARDISLiberal  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 7:34:20pm

re: #26 Charles Johnson

I want to know what that note said.

re: #21 Kragar

Meanwhile, I have a celebrity crush.

Muslim friend of mine has one on the guy who plays Jesse on Breaking Bad.

31 BongCrodny  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 7:38:37pm

re: #27 goddamnedfrank

Airwolf is the best wolf.

Runner up: Party God

I gotta go with Wolf from Stephen King & Peter Straub’s “The Talisman.”

32 jaunte  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 7:40:01pm
33 BongCrodny  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 7:42:35pm

re: #32 jaunte

[Embedded content]

What a relief!

Maybe now they can find the funds to give a little extra to that poor, destitute Congressman who’s only making $172,000 per year.

34 Kragar  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 7:43:29pm

re: #32 jaunte

[Embedded content]

Mine voted No.

35 klys  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 7:43:50pm

Somewhat random poll for the Lizards: written thank you notes for presents, yes or no?

/personal curiosity

36 goddamnedfrank  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 7:44:06pm

re: #29 Kragar

You know in the final season, they couldn’t afford to actually rent the helicopter anymore.

The couldn’t even afford Ernest Borgnine’s single day rate, killed his character off using a body double.

37 jaunte  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 7:46:37pm

re: #35 klys

Sometimes a note, sometimes a call.

38 Varek Raith  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 7:47:15pm

re: #37 jaunte

Sometimes a note, sometimes a call.

Sometimes a snake in the mailbox.
///

39 Zamb  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 7:48:10pm

re: #10 AlexRogan

Looks like we just found 2 more participants in Obama’s big gay Benghazi orgy.

40 Stanley Sea  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 7:48:37pm

re: #35 klys

Somewhat random poll for the Lizards: written thank you notes for presents, yes or no?

/personal curiosity

Yes!

41 AlexRogan  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 7:51:59pm

re: #29 Kragar

You know in the final season, they couldn’t afford to actually rent the helicopter anymore.

Alas, that helicopter came to a bad end:

The flying Airwolf helicopter was actually a Bell 222, serial number 47085, sometimes unofficially called a Bell 222A.[2] During filming of the series, the helicopter was owned by Jetcopters, Inc. of Van Nuys, California.[3] The helicopter was eventually sold after the show ended and became an ambulance helicopter in Germany, where it crashed in a thunderstorm and was destroyed on June 6, 1992, killing all three crew members.[4]

Still though, the Bell 222 is still a sexy chopper after all these years, in Airwolf livery or not.

42 jaunte  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 7:52:50pm
43 blueraven  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 7:53:04pm

re: #35 klys

Somewhat random poll for the Lizards: written thank you notes for presents, yes or no?

/personal curiosity

yes

44 AlexRogan  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 7:54:41pm

re: #36 goddamnedfrank

The couldn’t even afford Ernest Borgnine’s single day rate, killed his character off using a body double.

USA Network and MCA Universal were trying to push up the episode count to make it eligible for syndication (IIRC, the minimum number is usually about 100 episodes).

They should have just let it be after CBS canceled it,

45 goddamnedfrank  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 7:57:34pm

re: #35 klys

Somewhat random poll for the Lizards: written thank you notes for presents, yes or no?

/personal curiosity

Nice but sadly anachronistic. Go big, parchment scrolls with wax seals delivered by owl really impresses.

46 dog philosopher  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 8:01:47pm

re: #35 klys

Somewhat random poll for the Lizards: written thank you notes for presents, yes or no?

/personal curiosity

written thank you notes are never a mistake, altho sometimes i go for prostrating myself and kissing their feet

47 klys  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 8:06:28pm

re: #35 klys

Somewhat random poll for the Lizards: written thank you notes for presents, yes or no?

/personal curiosity

I do written thank you notes for extended family and some friends. It’s kind of fuzzy depending on who the gift-giver is. In-laws, yes, husband, no.

48 dog philosopher  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 8:08:37pm

re: #47 klys

I do written thank you notes for extended family and some friends. It’s kind of fuzzy depending on who the gift-giver is. In-laws, yes, husband, no.

for husbands it’s sufficient for you to pet them or brush their fur

49 klys  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 8:10:01pm

re: #48 dog philosopher

for husbands it’s sufficient for you to pet them or brush their fur

I am a horrible wife and make him write one to my parents, because I know how much he would lose points if he didn’t. I think it still counts even if it’s done under coercion.

The whining reminds me of how much I hated writing them when I was 6-7.

50 Charles Johnson  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 8:11:36pm

Right, Greenwald and Poitras are living in fear. Those poor, poor victims of oppression.

51 jaunte  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 8:15:47pm

re: #50 Charles Johnson

Maybe Snowden will Skype in to the festivities.

52 sagehen  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 8:17:55pm

re: #35 klys

Somewhat random poll for the Lizards: written thank you notes for presents, yes or no?

/personal curiosity

Depends how close your relationship with the person, and how formal the occasion of the gift — if it’s a once-in-a-lifetime event (wedding, bar mitzvah, college graduation) even family gets written thank you notes; for birthday or christmas or no-special-reason gifts, the people you’re closest to get a phone call and written is for more formal relationships.

If it’s an unusually awesome huge/special gift, putting the thank you note on the card for a floral arrangement is good.

53 klys  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 8:18:34pm

re: #52 sagehen

Depends how close your relationship with the person, and how formal the occasion of the gift — if it’s a once-in-a-lifetime event (wedding, bar mitzvah, college graduation) even family gets written thank you notes; for birthday or christmas or no-special-reason gifts, the people you’re closest to get a phone call and written is for more formal relationships.

If it’s an unusually awesome huge/special gift, putting the thank you note on the card for a floral arrangement is good.

Our wedding thank you notes were written and mailed within 3 weeks.

Oh yeah, we rocked it.

54 Charles Johnson  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 8:40:00pm

Wingnuts think that incredibly fucked up Koch Bros. ad is really wonderful.

55 darthstar  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 8:41:51pm

re: #54 Charles Johnson

Wingnuts think that incredibly fucked up Koch Bros. ad is really wonderful.

[Embedded content]

56 jaunte  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 8:46:36pm
57 Varek Raith  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 8:48:57pm

re: #54 Charles Johnson

Wingnuts think that incredibly fucked up Koch Bros. ad is really wonderful.

[Embedded content]

So…
Is that Gov McDonnell in the Uncle Sam get up???

58 Kragar  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 8:48:59pm

re: #56 jaunte

[Embedded content]

The Good, The Bad, and The Hungry

59 jamesfirecat  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 8:53:00pm

re: #58 Kragar

The Good, The Bad, and The Hungry

You only eat twice.

60 Gus  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 8:54:46pm

re: #59 jamesfirecat

You only eat twice.

For a fistful of pasta.

61 Carlos Danger  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 8:56:50pm

re: #54 Charles Johnson

Wingnuts think that incredibly fucked up Koch Bros. ad is really wonderful.

[Embedded content]

The fresh hell is that

62 Gus  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 8:56:52pm

The Man with the Golden Fried Chicken

63 Kragar  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 8:57:40pm

Dr. NO SOUP FOR YOU!

64 jaunte  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 8:59:36pm

How the Grinch Stole Breakfast

65 AlexRogan  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 9:01:15pm

James Bond in Butterball

66 Varek Raith  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 9:01:35pm

re: #65 AlexRogan

James Bond in Halal Butterball

67 Carlos Danger  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 9:03:16pm

Quantum of Salads

68 Feline Fearless Leader  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 9:05:01pm

Clams Casino Royale (with Cheese)

69 jaunte  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 9:06:29pm
70 BongCrodny  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 9:07:01pm

Eating Nemo.

71 Targetpractice  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 9:08:57pm

Dawn of the Bread

72 BongCrodny  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 9:09:31pm

Gruel Hand Luke.

73 dog philosopher  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 9:09:58pm

je ne vinaigrette rien

74 Carlos Danger  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 9:10:06pm

Papa John’s Deliverance

75 Gus  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 9:10:58pm

Das Burrito

76 jaunte  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 9:11:17pm

Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle And Fish Through The Dumpster

77 Targetpractice  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 9:11:22pm

Mr. & Mrs. Smithfield

78 Carlos Danger  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 9:12:28pm

The Man Who Chewed Too Much

79 Targetpractice  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 9:13:55pm

Judge Bread

80 Feline Fearless Leader  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 9:15:02pm

A Tale of Two Toasters

81 BongCrodny  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 9:15:50pm

Chew Grit

82 Targetpractice  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 9:17:16pm

Fried Green Tomatoes

…wait a sec.

83 Feline Fearless Leader  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 9:19:45pm

Kelly’s $5 Foot-Long Heroes

double featured with

The Battle of the Bulge

84 Carlos Danger  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 9:20:19pm

Beer and Lunching in Las Vegas

85 Gus  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 9:26:52pm

Cake, Lies, and Baked Pies

86 Kragar  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 9:28:12pm

Breaking Bread

87 Gus  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 9:28:57pm

Lights out. Later.

88 Kragar  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 9:29:15pm

The Walking Fed

89 BongCrodny  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 9:33:43pm

The Fellowship of the Ring Dings

90 piratedan  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 9:34:51pm

re: #50 Charles Johnson

how in the hell are their lives in danger? They’re journalists and this isn’t Mexico or Russia. Cripes, are they expecting seal team six to show up and rendition them back to Guantanamo?

91 sagehen  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 9:41:39pm

Eat, Pray, Love. Or, just Pray, Love.

92 Kilroy01  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 9:41:47pm

Diet Hard

93 Kilroy01  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 9:42:49pm

Hunger Games…. ah… never mind

94 sagehen  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 9:44:57pm

Fried and Prejudice.

95 sagehen  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 9:46:31pm

No Custard for Old Men.

96 Kilroy01  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 9:46:44pm

The Unlunchables

97 Kragar  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 9:48:39pm

Looking for Mr. Food Bar

98 dog philosopher  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 9:49:11pm

Fátt er svo illt, að einugi dugi

99 Kilroy01  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 9:49:41pm

A Brunch to Far

100 sagehen  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 9:52:41pm

Piecrusts of the Caribbean.

101 Kilroy01  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 9:53:28pm

The walking unfed

102 Kilroy01  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 9:56:52pm

A plate beyond the pies

104 GeneJockey  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 9:58:35pm

Pieplates of the Caribbean.

Pirates of the Carob Bean.

105 Kilroy01  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 10:02:21pm

Pacific Slim

106 Kilroy01  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 10:14:45pm

Fight Clubsandwitch
Forrest Gumbo
Silence of the Lambchops
Mementos
Citizen CandyKane
DiGiorno Unchained
Some like it Hot-pockets
Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Bagels
Good Will Munching
The Wild Brunch


Ok.. enough of that..

107 wheat-dogghazi  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 10:16:34pm

Chocolat

(I’m stumped for a witty pun. Sorry)

108 wrenchwench  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 10:28:26pm

The Breakfast, Clubbed

Raiders of the Lost Fridge

Starve By Me

Indiana Jones and the Last Croissant

E(A)T the Extraterrestrial

Good Meal Hunting

Reservoir Hot Dogs

109 wrenchwench  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 10:32:23pm

I can’t believe they called it ’ the Nutrition Reform and Work Opportunity Act’.

That’s like putting a plastic bag on your head and calling it ‘breathing reform’.

110 BongCrodny  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 10:37:18pm

Key Lardo

111 piratedan  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 10:40:08pm

re: #109 wrenchwench

I can’t believe they called it ’ the Nutrition Reform and Work Opportunity Act’.

That’s like putting a plastic bag on your head and calling it ‘breathing reform’.

they’re stealing from Goebbels directly it seems, Jobs bills without any jobs in them, etc etc etc

112 Carlos Danger  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 10:45:14pm

Who needs food stamps when you can have shakes and curly fries all day?

113 darthstar  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 10:45:17pm
114 wheat-dogghazi  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 10:48:05pm

re: #113 darthstar

Better than the old gag of giving the name of Donner at a restaurant —> “Donner, party of three. Your table is ready.”

115 Amory Blaine  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 10:50:46pm

Here’s a blast from the past regarding Scott Walker and it speaks volumes about his character. 36 days before his recall, he announced this:

Walker unveils $100 million economic plan for Milwaukee’s poorest areas

Tsk tsk tsk. More empty promises from our #1 dropout. No 100 million dollars for the poor areas. Big tax breaks for out of state mining interests.

This is your Walker daily update.

116 freetoken  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 11:03:46pm
117 Kragar  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 11:11:32pm
118 wheat-dogghazi  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 11:14:30pm

re: #117 Kragar

Uhhhhh, I thought soldiers were allowed to have guns. Kinda the point of being a soldier. But you military guys can correct me if I’m wrong. Only MPs carry loaded weapons on base. All other weapons are put away unless they are needed for training or combat, right?

119 Kragar  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 11:18:03pm

re: #118 wheat-dogghazi

Uhhhhh, I thought soldiers were allowed to have guns. Kinda the point of being a soldier. But you military guys can correct me if I’m wrong. Only MPs carry loaded weapons on base. All other weapons are put away unless they are needed for training or combat, right?

Pretty much. The only time you have a loaded weapon is when you’re performing duties that require it. You can own a private weapon, but there are strict restrictions on storage, transport and usage.

The military actually takes firearm related incidents seriously, unlike the gun nuts out there.

120 piratedan  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 11:18:56pm

re: #118 wheat-dogghazi

Uhhhhh, I thought soldiers were allowed to have guns. Kinda the point of being a soldier. But you military guys can correct me if I’m wrong. Only MPs carry loaded weapons on base. All other weapons are put away unless they are needed for training or combat, right?

correct… so Mr. Fischer has no understanding of military procedures or protocols as they are known to today’s soldier.

121 wheat-dogghazi  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 11:38:12pm

re: #120 piratedan

correct… so Mr. Fischer has no understanding of military procedures or protocols as they are known to today’s soldier.

Color me surprised.

//

122 Kragar  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 11:41:00pm

re: #121 wheat-dogghazi

Color me surprised.

//

Shocking, I know.

123 Single-handed sailor  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 11:44:21pm

re: #120 piratedan

correct… so Mr. Fischer has no understanding of military procedures or protocols as they are known to today’s soldier.

He was too gay to get into the military. NTTAWWT

124 Amory Blaine  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 11:50:46pm

Is Hoops still here? So sorry about your nephew. He is probably very depressed as most men turn it against themselves and it manifests in rage and anger. It sounds as if he has limited self control. If he gets out on bail, please make him see a doctor and get him on meds and therapy if you can. Even if they don’t help with the depression alone they may even him out enough to get through prison unscathed. Because if he lashes out in prison it will be very bad for him.

125 Kragar  Thu, Sep 19, 2013 11:57:59pm

re: #123 Single-handed sailor

He was too gay to get into the military. NTTAWWT

Bryan has serious mommy daddy issues.

126 dog philosopher  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 12:08:50am

I Was Against ObamaCare Until I Got My Free Clown

bill also underwrites orgies with plushies and furbies

127 Amory Blaine  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 12:25:03am

Like a year ago, maybe longer I was in line at the grocery store in a white neighborhood. The amount of SNAP aid had recently been lowered in the state. Anyways there was this middle aged black woman with 4 or 5 kids in tow who was checking out and looked like she shopped for the whole month and she had overshot her newly lowered limit. She was very upset and wondering aloud how she was going to feed her family. So she starts taking out food so she can hit the limit and at this point she realizes she didn’t bring her food discount card. Now all the surrounding people almost exclusively white start muttering to each other all these vile racist things because well just being annoyed isn’t enough for the entitled crowd.

The woman is desperate and asks the clerk to use a store card. No help at the inn. So she starts asking people around her to use their card and every single one of the motherfuckers said no. I was like 5 people deep so I only waited because I was sure someone would do this minimally inconvenient gesture to help this poor woman out if even just to help get her through the line. Nope. Nada. So I walked up to the front of the line and offered my card real friendly like looked her right in the eyes smiling, and said that she could use my card but she had to give me a jar of pickles in return. I tell you her expression changed immediately and we both started laughing. I then loudly proclaimed to all the fuckwads within earshot how it was no big deal and I would hope that anyone would help me out in such an insignificant way. I guess the moral is people are fucking assholes but you can’t let it keep you down.

128 Amory Blaine  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 12:27:36am

So the GOP feels it’s OK to use a symbol of America in such a vile way? How about a giant Rand Paul head probing the Statue of Liberty with the GOP rape wand. Think they’d have a problem with that?

129 Kragar  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 12:28:58am

re: #128 Amory Blaine

So the GOP feels it’s OK to use a symbol of America in such a vile way? How about a giant Rand Paul head probing the Statue of Liberty with the GOP rape wand. Think they’d have a problem with that?

In GOP America, you should feel pride in starving kids and ashamed for educating them.

130 wheat-dogghazi  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 12:29:38am

re: #127 Amory Blaine

Dill or sweet gherkins? In this case, I’d have gone with sweet.

Good job, btw.

131 Single-handed sailor  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 12:34:18am

re: #130 wheat-dogghazi

Dill or sweet gherkins? In this case, I’d have gone with sweet.

Dills are disgusting, sweet gherkins rock.

132 Amory Blaine  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 12:35:12am

I would pick any pickle off a garage floor and eat it. Yeah I like all pickles that much.

133 Single-handed sailor  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 12:37:38am

Tonight’s Harvest Moon…

Harvest Moon

from MSoriano Photography

134 Single-handed sailor  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 12:41:48am

oops broken link fixed, refresh if needed.

135 Amory Blaine  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 12:42:42am

Good news, I’m alone at work tonight with absolutely no one around with all my work done. I also start a weeks vacation after my shift.

Bad news, I have no food here for my shift!!! Arrggh.

136 Kragar  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 12:55:41am

Putin: Former Italian PM only convicted for sex with a minor ‘because he lives with women’

Russian President Vladimir Putin took a swipe at critics of his country’s widely-criticized law against LGBT “propaganda” while defending friend and former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi on Thursday, saying Berlusconi was only convicted of sex with a minor because he is heterosexual.

“Berlusconi is on trial now because he lives with women,” the Wall Street Journal quoted Putin as saying. “If he were a homosexual, they wouldn’t have laid a finger on him.”

Berlusconi was convicted in June 2013 of paying to having sex with an underage girl and then ordering officials to cover it up. He is currently appealing the verdict. According to Reuters, he and Putin are good friends, with Putin praising his political ability despite allegedly being criticized at home for “his special attitude to the beautiful sex.”

137 Amory Blaine  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 1:02:51am

Yeah and the convicted is doing time in a palatial estate. Poor guy.

138 freetoken  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 1:06:54am

re: #136 Kragar

We just love it when national leaders be-clown themselves.

139 freetoken  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 1:11:27am
140 AlexRogan  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 1:12:43am

re: #131 Single-handed sailor

Dills are disgusting, sweet gherkins rock.

Kosher dills are great…

141 wheat-dogghazi  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 1:32:25am

re: #132 Amory Blaine

I would pick any pickle off a garage floor and eat it. Yeah I like all pickles that much.

When I was in high school, one of my Catholic friends gave up pickles for Lent. She’d have at least two packed in every lunch, not including the slices on her sandwiches, so she figured giving them up for 40 days was a suitable sacrifice.

142 Amory Blaine  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 2:56:48am

Want a laugh? Look at the picture.

businessinsider.com

143 Amory Blaine  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 2:59:19am

Several shot in Chicago park: police

Several people were shot in a park on Chicago’s South Side Thursday night, police said.
Police could not immediately confirm a report on a Chicago Tribune blog that as many as 12 people had been shot, including a 3-year-old child.

144 Justanotherhuman  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 3:13:35am

Morning shift had a weird dream just before waking. I’m walking along at some gathering and here comes Bill Clinton and some other guy in one of those golf cart things and I hail them. They stop, and I walk over and after greetings, lean over to Bill and said, “Give us a kiss”. He started to object, and I said, “What the hell, Bill, we’re old people.” So, it was a nice kiss. No harm, no foul. : )

145 Absalom, Absalom, Obdicut  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 3:29:38am

I’d never seen this picture of the Obamas before:

Image: 1BOHmmf.jpg

146 Stoatly  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 3:29:55am

re: #98 dog philosopher

Fátt er svo illt, að einugi dugi

Yes, but Spónasmiđa börn eiga oft versta spæni.

147 Justanotherhuman  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 3:33:03am

re: #143 Amory Blaine

Several shot in Chicago park: police

Gang related, no doubt.

13 people, including 3-year-old boy, shot at South Side park

chicagotribune.com

How awful. But it’s like that for so many, and as we know, it’s not restricted to the south side of Chicago. Of course, if the shooter was white, he would have been “standing his ground” out of “fear” for his own life or considered mentally ill. The Gangs of the Gun Nuts are politically motivated for their own ends in using violence. Violence is no solution for any thing. Without guns, most of these people would be cowering at home.

We should get guns off the street, no matter who has them. Being awash in guns is no way to live, and no one should have to keep off the streets or out of public venues because of the fear of something like this happening.

148 Stoatly  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 3:38:25am

re: #71 Targetpractice

Dawn of the Bread

Followed by:
Shorn of the Bread

149 Justanotherhuman  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 4:08:35am

Woops. OK, all you nerds, exactly how serious is this?

Snowden disclosures prompt warning on widely used computer security formula

reuters.com

“RSA, the security arm of storage company EMC Corp, told current customers in an email that a toolkit for developers had a default random-number generator using the weak formula, and that customers should switch to one of several other formulas in the product.

“Last week, the New York Times reported that Snowden’s cache of documents from his time working for an NSA contractor showed that the agency used its public participation in the process for setting voluntary cryptography standards, run by the government’s National Institute of Standards and Technology, to push for a formula that it knew it could break.

“NIST, which accepted the NSA proposal in 2006 as one of four systems acceptable for government use, this week said it would reconsider that inclusion in the wake of questions about its security.”

How much has this vulnerability been used by Russia and China?

150 wheat-dogghazi  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 4:11:48am

Planes, Trains and Automats
The Chocolate Malted Falcon
Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner (Barack Obama!)
The Dark Loaf Rises

Not as good as the ones above, but I’m trying …

151 Justanotherhuman  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 4:16:13am

re: #150 wheat-dogghazi

Planes, Trains and Automats
The Chocolate Malted Falcon
Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner (Barack Obama!)
The Dark Loaf Rises

Not as good as the ones above, but I’m trying …

Pirates of the Carbohydrates

Tofu! Tofu! Tofu!

153 wheat-dogghazi  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 4:25:31am

One Flew Over the Bird’s Nest Soup
Pie Hard
Pie Another Day
Ladyfinger, which was preceded by
Dr. GNOcchi
City of Bagels

154 wheat-dogghazi  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 4:26:22am

re: #152 Arrrr, matey!

Well, there ya go. I hope they’re rechecking their other clearances like right now.

155 Eclectic Cyborg  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 4:41:11am

Jumping back to the SNAP movie jokes:

Jurassic Pork

156 goddamnedfrank  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 4:42:23am

re: #149 Justanotherhuman

How much has this vulnerability been used by Russia and China?

Insanely doubtful that Snowden ever had access to the development source code designed to exploit such a vulnerability, or even the compiled tools. Nothing like that’s even been hinted at. More likely he stole some Powerpoint docs or other materials that explain the existence of the vulnerability in facile terms for upper management.

157 Amory Blaine  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 4:45:26am

Gentlemen Prefer Flan

158 Amory Blaine  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 4:46:34am

Indigestion Day

159 wheat-dogghazi  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 4:49:39am

Bridge Over the River Pie
The Flan That Time Forgot

160 Varek Raith  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 4:50:23am

*Shakes head*

161 Justanotherhuman  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 4:50:41am

re: #152 Arrrr, matey!

Contractor that vetted Snowden says it also ran background check for Navy Yard shooter

USIS is a part of Altegrity: altegrity.com

Look at this piece of self-serving BS by Ray Howell, Director of Corporate Communications: usis.com

Ray Howell: linkedin.com

“I earned my B.A. in English Language & Literature from the University of Michigan. Prior to pursuing a career in corporate communications, I aspired to be a professional chef and completed the culinary arts program at the Institute of Culinary Education. I live in New York City. “

How old is this guy? He graduated UM in 2001 with a BA in English and went on to attend the ICE, graduating in 2004.

162 Amory Blaine  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 4:50:53am

Puddin” on the Ritz

163 Amory Blaine  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 4:53:19am

The Lord of the Onion Rings

164 wheat-dogghazi  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 4:54:16am

Three Wedding Cakes and a Funeral

165 Amory Blaine  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 4:54:42am

Bad Sanka

166 Justanotherhuman  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 4:56:13am

People who have no life.

Camping out to get an new Iphone.

167 Justanotherhuman  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 4:59:11am

The African Quiche

Adam’s Rib with BBQ Sauce

168 William Barnett-Lewis  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 4:59:27am

re: #159 wheat-dogghazi

Bridge Over the River Pie
The Flan That Time Forgot

Shouldn’t that be “Bridge over the River Kiwi”?

169 wheat-dogghazi  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 5:01:54am

Bridge Mix Over the River Kiwi

170 Justanotherhuman  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 5:06:53am

The Adventures of Robin Hotcakes

All Quiet on the Western Omelet

Anatomy of a Melon

The Bad and the Beautiful Biscuit

171 Justanotherhuman  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 5:09:52am

Beauty and the Beets

Beetjuice

The Best Years of Our Livermush

The Big Chili

172 Amory Blaine  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 5:12:40am

Rosemary gravy

173 wheat-dogghazi  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 5:13:15am

North to Baked Alaska
Big Take-Out in Little China

174 Varek Raith  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 5:16:11am

Save me….

175 Absalom, Absalom, Obdicut  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 5:16:22am

re: #173 wheat-dogghazi

There’s Something About Mary’s Fried Potatoes, I think She Uses Duck Fat But There’s a Spice There I Can’t Identify, Maybe It’s Toasted Coriander.

176 Lancelot Link  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 5:17:06am

Five Easy Pizzas
Pancake of the Apes
Flan 9 From Outer Spice

(Sorry, I know there’s already flan but i couldn’t resist)

177 Justanotherhuman  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 5:17:11am

Chariots of Fiber

A Clockwork Orange Juice

Come Back, Little Shish kebob

Close Encounters of the Tortilla Kind

178 Amory Blaine  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 5:17:38am

Groundchuck Day

True Grits

179 wheat-dogghazi  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 5:17:57am

We could be writers for MAD magazine!

180 Amory Blaine  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 5:18:58am

Yellow Submarine Sandwich

181 sagehen  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 5:19:32am

The Life of Pie

182 Amory Blaine  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 5:19:58am

Who Ate Roger Rabbit

183 wheat-dogghazi  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 5:22:51am

OK. I’m giving it a rest. Have to meet someone at the train station. Then EATS!

184 Justanotherhuman  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 5:22:57am

Dial M for Muffins

Dirty Rotten Scampi

The Discreet Charm of the Bruschetta

Elmer Pantry

185 Eclectic Cyborg  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 5:24:13am

Silence of the lamb chops

186 Stephen T.  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 5:25:04am

One Flew Over the Couscous Nest

188 Justanotherhuman  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 5:32:49am

Endive, a Love Story

Fatal Arugula

The French Toast Connection

Full Meal Jacket

189 Decatur Deb  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 5:33:21am

re: #179 wheat-dogghazi

We could be writers for MAD magazine!

Usual Gang of Idiots.

190 Absalom, Absalom, Obdicut  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 5:39:05am

re: #187 Amory Blaine

Although I am highly hostile to private prisons, I’m worried that the much-larger public prison population gets overlooked in the focus on private prison abuse. There are public prison systems that are as bad, or worse than the private prisons, and there is almost as much ‘private’ enrichment flowing from the public prisons as the private ones.

The whole system is fucked. If we nationalized all private prisons tomorrow the situation would not substantially improve.

191 Justanotherhuman  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 5:39:08am

Gentlemen Prefer Blonde Brownies

The Codfather

Hail, the Conquering Hero Sandwich

Hershey Kiss of the Spider Woman

192 Justanotherhuman  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 5:40:22am

re: #190 Absalom, Absalom, Obdicut

Although I am highly hostile to private prisons, I’m worried that the much-larger public prison population gets overlooked in the focus on private prison abuse. There are public prison systems that are as bad, or worse than the private prisons, and there is almost as much ‘private’ enrichment flowing from the public prisons as the private ones.

The whole system is fucked. If we nationalized all private prisons tomorrow the situation would not substantially improve.

Take non-violent, low level drug related cases out of the prisons and we could reduce the population substantially.

193 Amory Blaine  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 5:42:19am

Not to mention everyone down to kindergartners think prison rape is a real hoot.

194 Justanotherhuman  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 5:43:41am

re: #193 Amory Blaine

Not to mention everyone down to kindergartners think prison rape is a real hoot.

Any kind of violence, really. Everybody in prison actually “deserves” what they get, according to many.

195 sagehen  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 5:47:30am

re: #190 Absalom, Absalom, Obdicut

Although I am highly hostile to private prisons, I’m worried that the much-larger public prison population gets overlooked in the focus on private prison abuse. There are public prison systems that are as bad, or worse than the private prisons, and there is almost as much ‘private’ enrichment flowing from the public prisons as the private ones.

The whole system is fucked. If we nationalized all private prisons tomorrow the situation would not substantially improve.

The private prisons (and the prison guards union) are the ones who lobby intensively and effectively for more reasons to lock people up, and keep them locked up for longer. Without that, the public prisons wouldn’t be so overcrowded.

196 Justanotherhuman  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 5:47:48am

And brain destroying amoeba in the water supply in NOLA being investigated post-Katrina.

Hurricane Katrina discussed as possible culprit for St. Bernard’s brain-eating amoeba

nola.com

197 Flounder  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 5:59:49am

re: #196 Justanotherhuman

I had that brain amoeba, poor thing died of starvation!

198 darthstar  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 6:02:28am

Mornin’ citizens of earth. What’s shakin?

199 darthstar  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 6:03:16am

Damn…looks like I missed a feast of a pun thread last night.

200 Absalom, Absalom, Obdicut  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 6:04:51am

re: #195 sagehen

The private prisons (and the prison guards union) are the ones who lobby intensively and effectively for more reasons to lock people up, and keep them locked up for longer.

The prison guards union is far more powerful than the private prisons in this lobbying, though. And they are majority at public prisons.

201 A Mom Anon  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 6:05:47am

Oh I am SO shocked my rep(Gingrey-GA, Assclown) voted to take food out of people’s mouths. The same fool whining he’s “stuck in Washington making 172K a year”.

What he fails to mention is he’s running for Senate and is too busy to meet with constituents during Congress’ many breaks. He’s never had an election challenger that I can remember either. So he’s vying for the GOP nomination to take over Saxby Chambliss’ seat when he retires. Along with Paul Broun and I cannot remember who else. A real brain trust. Funny thing, I haven’t seen a single Gingrey sign around here, all I see are giant Paul Broun for Senate signs. I really hope all of them get trampled in their mad rush to throw each other under the bus.

In better news, my husband has a phone interview in couple of hours for a job in San Francisco. His territory would include SF, San Jose and Seattle. Trying not to get my hopes up, that’s a big cross country move, lots of logistics involved and for it to happen the pay is going to have to be substantial. No one’s willing to pony up the money for experience anymore, so we shall see. Keep a happy thought.

Dog walk and chores, BBL. Oh, and Gus, hang in there buddy, we’re proud of you and here for you.

202 Justanotherhuman  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 6:07:03am

This Neo-Nazi party is the third largest in Greece.

Greek police want to check Golden Dawn phone calls over rapper death

reuters.com

“The government on Thursday passed on to Greece’s highest civilian court a file containing 32 cases of suspected crimes linked to members of Golden Dawn, including four knife attacks on immigrants, one of which was fatal.

“Judges are expected to investigate whether these incidents form the pattern of a criminal organization. According to court officials, this would not lead to a direct ban of the party but raise penalties on those who instigated and perpetrated them.”

I wonder why a “criminal organization” wouldn’t be banned from practicing party politics? Seems a bit strange. Instead, they take a sort of “starve the beast” approach. If individuals within the party are convicted of crimes, especially of those violent ones noted, why wouldn’t it be banned?

203 darthstar  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 6:07:38am


I was wrong. We only need 17 sane Republicans to stop the crazy shit that’s going on right now. 17 out of 234.

204 Absalom, Absalom, Obdicut  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 6:08:02am

re: #202 Justanotherhuman

The police have, at times, actively aided the Golden Dawn. It’s one of the big problems in cracking down on them. In some areas, the police force in Greece consists of majority GD and related group’s members.

205 Justanotherhuman  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 6:13:17am

re: #204 Absalom, Absalom, Obdicut

The police have, at times, actively aided the Golden Dawn. It’s one of the big problems in cracking down on them. In some areas, the police force in Greece consists of majority GD and related group’s members.

Yes, I would suspect that they have “people in place”, as well as those sympathetic to their views, just as the TP does in this country. After all, many cops are strictly authoritarian and so are judges.

206 darthstar  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 6:15:31am
207 kirkspencer  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 6:18:54am

re: #190 Absalom, Absalom, Obdicut

Although I am highly hostile to private prisons, I’m worried that the much-larger public prison population gets overlooked in the focus on private prison abuse. There are public prison systems that are as bad, or worse than the private prisons, and there is almost as much ‘private’ enrichment flowing from the public prisons as the private ones.

The whole system is fucked. If we nationalized all private prisons tomorrow the situation would not substantially improve.

Actually it’s an overlap of the same problem - we lock up too many people.

gads, that’s oversimplifying. There are other reasons that complicate the issue. But the big issue is the fact that we incarcerate a greater proportion of our population that pretty much anyone else - anyone in the first and ‘second’ world, and not too far behind some really nasty dictatorships. We lock them up because ‘tough on crime’ is not only an easy platform, it’s killer to try to run opposite due to nuance not fitting in a soundbite. We lock them up because we’ve got a strongly fundamentalist streak that verges on pure vengeance where crime MUST be punished whether forgiven or not.

In this arena comes money, because the locked up bodies need to go somewhere and why not make money from it? This money is going to work on increasing itself and secondly on preventing reduction. So even when it’s so bad that nuance and forgiveness and reality checks begin to surface they’re massively handicapped.

Nationalizing prisons wouldn’t solve things, and they wouldn’t even help things quickly. But doing it would remove a major obstacle to the solution.

208 lawhawk  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 6:19:03am
209 Justanotherhuman  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 6:19:46am

Not to do this is folly. But you can expect Rs to protest loudly.

U.S. EPA sets first ever curbs on power plant pollution

trust.org

210 lawhawk  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 6:23:52am

re: #199 darthstar

Gentlemen Prefer Blondies
Star Wars: Attack of the Scones
Casino Royale With Cheese
Dr. Strangelove: Or How I Learned to Love the Bombe

211 Absalom, Absalom, Obdicut  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 6:33:06am

re: #207 kirkspencer

In this arena comes money, because the locked up bodies need to go somewhere and why not make money from it? This money is going to work on increasing itself and secondly on preventing reduction. So even when it’s so bad that nuance and forgiveness and reality checks begin to surface they’re massively handicapped.

Nationalizing prisons wouldn’t solve things, and they wouldn’t even help things quickly. But doing it would remove a major obstacle to the solution.

The public prisons make a ton of money for private interests, too. Private prisons are not a major obstacle to prison reform. If private prisons were paid, for example, based on recidivism rates and not incarceration rates, they could even be a large part of the solution.

212 goddamnedfrank  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 6:43:00am

Comments database server take a dump?

213 darthstar  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 6:46:58am
214 Justanotherhuman  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 6:48:45am

re: #208 lawhawk

[Embedded content]

And the perfect car for them: Image: 15221394-620-0.jpg

215 sattv4u2  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 6:51:13am

MATH TIME. getting ready to play a round of 18 at Pawleys Plantation Golf Club. I have 7 new balls in my golf bag.
What hole do I run out on!?!?!?
pawleysplantation.com

216 Justanotherhuman  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 6:51:48am

Oh gawd—so early in the morning?

today.com

217 darthstar  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 6:52:03am

So now Ted Cruz is the target of the House GOP and not President Obama? This is turning into a blind firefight. It’s a perfect time for Rubio to say something exceptionally stupid.

Please proceed, GOP.

218 darthstar  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 6:53:55am

re: #215 sattv4u2

Last time I played I went 14 holes on one ball. A new record. Rewarded myself by losing five on a single water hazard.

219 sattv4u2  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 6:55:33am

re: #218 darthstar

Last time I played I went 14 holes on one ball. A new record. Rewarded myself by losing five on a single water hazard.

Not bad. Did you get it into the clowns mouth and through the windmill okay??

220 sattv4u2  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 6:57:41am

re: #218 darthstar

Last time I played I went 14 holes on one ball. A new record. Rewarded myself by losing five on a single water hazard.

seriously though. There re a LOT of water hazards on this course, as it goes along the marshes right near the ocean. One hole, you even have to hit your tee shot over the marsh to get to the fairway, then back over it to get to the green

221 darthstar  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 7:05:43am

re: #220 sattv4u2

seriously though. There re a LOT of water hazards on this course, as it goes along the marshes right near the ocean. One hole, you even have to hit your tee shot over the marsh to get to the fairway, then back over it to get to the green

Maybe you’d be better off staying home then. Your friends will understand.

222 sattv4u2  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 7:07:01am

re: #221 darthstar

Maybe you’d be better off staying home then. Your friends will understand.

What are these “friends” of which you speak??

223 Amory Blaine  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 7:07:34am
224 Justanotherhuman  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 7:09:47am

Vote due in an hour in House if you want to watch mass suicide.

225 Bulworth  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 7:11:56am

re: #213 darthstar

??

Where’s Peter King in all of this?

226 darthstar  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 7:14:26am

re: #225 Bulworth

??

Where’s Peter King in all of this?

Who the hell knows? It’s a circular firing squad only instead of guns they’re just whacking each other with giant dildos. Enjoy the show.

227 Amory Blaine  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 7:14:31am

It’s getting to the point where it would be cheaper for like 10 families to pool their resources and put their own doctor through medical school for medical care.

228 Bulworth  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 7:15:53am

re: #226 darthstar

So King actually said that? Please proceed….

229 Justanotherhuman  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 7:18:09am

Tell it like it is…

230 Bulworth  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 7:18:16am

re: #223 Amory Blaine

Shame to see such a pretty girl in that shitty ad.

231 Justanotherhuman  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 7:20:29am

re: #230 Bulworth

Shame to see such a pretty girl in that shitty ad.

It probably killed whatever career she had.

232 Amory Blaine  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 7:21:24am

Isn’t there one with a dude in it?

233 Justanotherhuman  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 7:24:25am
235 lawhawk  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 7:28:56am

I see that Chuck Todd tweeted that he didn’t know that yesterday was talk like a pirate day. I’d make some kind of witty quip, but that’s not newsworthy.

Besides, the GOP appears to be acting like a bunch of brigands in chopping the safety net by cutting funding to SNAP.

237 Justanotherhuman  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 7:31:00am

re: #234 Arrrr, matey!

Republican Launches Personal Attack Against Keystone XL Activist At Congressional Hearing

What a fucking asshole. He’s interrogating her, not allowing her to testify.

238 A Mom Anon  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 7:32:12am

re: #230 Bulworth

I can’t believe they actually got any woman to be in the damned commercial in the first place. I would have read the script and threw it at them.

“Oh I see you have Obamacare.” is such bullshit at the beginning of a whole string of truly disgusting bullshit. I’ve been hearing that a lot lately. No doctor is going to know that unless you tell them because this is REGULAR INSURANCE. From the same damned insurance companies we have now.

It’s one thing to lie to people you know, which is sucky and fucked up. But to lie to the public like this really should at the very least be punishable by massive fines and some sort of disclaimer on everything else you do that effects the public.

239 Amory Blaine  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 7:32:37am

re: #235 lawhawk

I see that Chuck Todd tweeted that he didn’t know that yesterday was talk like a pirate day. I’d make some kind of witty quip, but that’s not newsworthy.

Besides, the GOP appears to be acting like a bunch of brigands in chopping the safety net by cutting funding to SNAP.

It’s not his job to know. Arrgghh

240 Amory Blaine  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 7:34:31am

If the sands are going to be grabbed at any rate they should refine it in place and pump the local market full of oil.

241 Bulworth  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 7:35:25am

re: #237 Justanotherhuman

The womenfolk owning bidnesses and stuff. //

Apparently she struck a nerve. Good on her.

242 A Mom Anon  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 7:38:29am

re: #235 lawhawk

I heard on the radio this morning that not only did they vote to cut 4 million dollars a year for 10 yrs from the program, oh no, they also have a provision in there to limit SNAP benefits to three months. Seriously.

I really wish Karma worked faster on assholes like this.

243 lawhawk  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 7:42:11am

re: #236 Arrrr, matey!

SS/DD. The stench of GOP hypocrisy on disaster aid is so bad that it exposes that the party is rotten to the core.

They want what they want for their districts, no strings attached, but make everyone else jump through hoops. The folks affected by the devastating and deadly flood need the aid, but they will make those affected by natural disasters elsewhere wait months for aid (the Sandy victims in particular) - including the nonsensical demands that any aid be offset by cuts elsewhere in the safety net that helps millions of other people.

244 lawhawk  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 7:43:56am

re: #242 A Mom Anon

$4 billion in aid - nearly $40 billion over 10 years. They would be cutting food assistance to millions of people who can least afford it annually.

It’s why the same people who were demanding the cuts are so hypocritical when they spend lavishly on food and entertainment on their so-called fact-finding trips overseas (and exposed yesterday during the debate on the GOP plan by Democrats).

245 Bulworth  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 7:44:18am

re: #242 A Mom Anon

from the NYT today:

“This bill eliminates loopholes, ensures work requirements, and puts us on a fiscally responsible path,” said Representative Marlin Stutzman, Republican of Indiana, who led efforts to split the food stamps program from the overall farm bill. “In the real world, we measure success by results. It’s time for Washington to measure success by how many families are lifted out of poverty and helped back on their feet, not by how much Washington bureaucrats spend year after year.”

Since more stamp food distribution would lift more families out of poverty, one might expect this dipshit congresscritter to support more funding. But no, apparently he thinks, or wants his constituents donors to think the gubmit would get all the money.

This bill makes getting Americans back to work a priority again for our nation’s welfare programs,” House Speaker John A. Boehner said.

The bill would also restrict people enrolled in other social welfare programs from automatically becoming eligible for food stamps.

In addition, the legislation would allow states to require food stamp recipients to be tested for drugs and to stop lottery winners from getting benefits. The Senate farm bill also contains a restriction on lottery winners.

I see. It’s the job of the food stamp program to get people back to work by taking money out of the economy. Makes sense. ////

246 Bulworth  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 7:45:38am

re: #242 A Mom Anon

The legislation also “allows” states to conduct drug testing on recipients (less government!!) and restricts lottery winners from collecting food stamps. I’m sure that’s a big problem. /////

247 A Mom Anon  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 7:49:18am

re: #246 Bulworth

Lawhawk corrected me, it is BILLIONS not millions. Which makes them bigger assholes.

I think there was a case where a, as in ONE lottery winner actually did collect food stamps after she hit it big. So yeah, we really need a special law for that.

God these fucking people suck. What assholes. It’s become a race to see who can be the meanest fucking prick.

248 Bulworth  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 7:49:33am

Here’s a quote in the Wash Post this morning on the food stamp debate:

Rep. Tim Huelskamp (R-Kan.), a strong supporter of the bill, said that stiffer work requirements for certain adults applying for SNAP funds mean “you can no longer sit on your couch . . . and expect the federal taxpayer to feed you.”

Here that? Get off the couches you lazy slouches. These guys are just darling, aren’t they?

The five states with the biggest share of people on food stamps are, in descending order, Mississippi (19 percent) and Kentucky, Maine, Michigan and Tennessee, all at 18 percent. The five states with the smallest share of households getting food stamps are Minnesota and California (each at 9 percent), New Hampshire and North Dakota (each at 8 percent) and Wyoming (7 percent).

So, I guess it’s time for the lazy moochers in Mississippi, Kentucky and Tennessee to get off their couches. I wonder if the GOPteabag base knows its representatives are talking about them.

washingtonpost.com

249 Varek Raith  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 7:51:07am

Rep. Tim Huelskamp,

How many days in the past year have you dipshits worked?
Yeah, fuck off.

250 lawhawk  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 7:56:01am

re: #249 Arrrr, matey!

They’re too busy working for campaign donations and voting yet again on an Obamacare repeal that will never happen to notice.

251 Bulworth  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 7:56:24am

Because all food stamp recipients are just sitting on their couches living off of the $100 or whatever they get from food stamps. ///

Oh well, time to defundrepeal Obamacare again. //

252 HappyWarrior  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 7:58:02am

Nothing more pathetic than the party that coddles the very wealthy lecturing the rest of us on work ethic.

253 lawhawk  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 8:02:51am
254 sagehen  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 8:02:59am

I have a theory —

by fighting tooth and nail about Obamacare, and making a big public show of voting 41 times to defund it,… when it finally comes in fully and works well and people like it, the low-information voter will think that the well-working-and-likeble bill is what was left after the Republicans pared it down. They’ll think that there used to be all kinds of horrible provisions that the Republicans worked so very hard to save them from.

255 Amory Blaine  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 8:03:36am

Republicans have nothing. The least they could do is announce a fucking jobs program or training program or something. Bottom line they don’t give a fuck.

256 EPR-radar  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 8:04:37am

re: #119 Kragar

Pretty much. The only time you have a loaded weapon is when you’re performing duties that require it. You can own a private weapon, but there are strict restrictions on storage, transport and usage.

The military actually takes firearm related incidents seriously, unlike the gun nuts out there.

A military base should be one of the best places on earth for the “you need a good guy with a gun to stop a bad guy with a gun” argument, and more generally, the “self-defense requires carrying at all times” argument.

After all, a far higher fraction of the good guys on a military base have relevant training than in the general population.

The fact that the military has considered the question and found these arguments unpersuasive would seems to significantly weaken these arguments as applied in other settings.

257 ObserverArt  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 8:05:05am

re: #243 lawhawk

SS/DD. The stench of GOP hypocrisy on disaster aid is so bad that it exposes that the party is rotten to the core.

They want what they want for their districts, no strings attached, but make everyone else jump through hoops. The folks affected by the devastating and deadly flood need the aid, but they will make those affected by natural disasters elsewhere wait months for aid (the Sandy victims in particular) - including the nonsensical demands that any aid be offset by cuts elsewhere in the safety net that helps millions of other people.

Everyone remember when the term The Silent Majority was used politically by Dick Nixon?

I’m hoping there is a huge silent majority that is just lying in the bushes growing more and more tired of Republican wingnuts and tea partiers and their bad-for-this-country craziness and protection of the top 2%.

Maybe by 2014 they will be so pissed off they get out in record numbers for an off-presidential election like never seen before. I don’t know if that would necessarily result in the Democrats taking the house back as a majority. But, if the Republicans with brains understand trends they might realize that America is sending a message that is going to cost them even bigger in 2016 and might lead to the Dems controlling all three branches of Government. And that Democratic cycle could last a few elections.

258 Bulworth  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 8:05:19am

from the NYT:

Republican leaders, under pressure from Tea Party-backed conservatives, said the bill was needed because the food stamp program, which costs nearly $80 billion a year, had grown out of control. They said the program had expanded even as jobless rates had declined with the easing recession.

Unemployment is still over 7%. I guess that counts as ‘full employment’ in their world. /

259 Amory Blaine  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 8:05:20am

re: #254 sagehen

There is no low they won’t stoop to in order to rewrite history.

260 Varek Raith  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 8:06:49am

re: #258 Bulworth

from the NYT:

Unemployment is still over 7%. I guess that counts as ‘full employment’ in their world. /

And those new jobs likely pay shit.

261 EPR-radar  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 8:07:06am

re: #258 Bulworth

Cute. The GOP only departs from their “the economy is shitty because Obama is president” party line in order to make a case for screwing over poor people.

262 makeitstop  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 8:09:39am

re: #258 Bulworth

from the NYT:

Unemployment is still over 7%. I guess that counts as ‘full employment’ in their world. /

Not to mention, when they want to use unemployment as a club to beat Democrats with, 7% would be unprecedented, tragic, and the worst unemployment number ever.

263 HappyWarrior  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 8:09:42am

re: #257 ObserverArt

Everyone remember when the term The Silent Majority was used politically by Dick Nixon?

I’m hoping there is a huge silent majority that is just lying in the bushes growing more and more tired of Republican wingnuts and tea partiers and their bad-for-this-country craziness and protection of the top 2%.

Maybe by 2014 they will be so pissed off they get out in record numbers for an off-presidential election like never seen before. I don’t know if that would necessarily result in the Democrats taking the house back as a majority. But, if the Republicans with brains understand trends they might realize that America is sending a message that is going to cost them even bigger in 2016 and might lead to the Dems controlling all three branches of Government. And that Democratic cycle could last a few elections.

Let’s hope so. We saw some of that in the presidential election but we need that for the midterms too.

264 Amory Blaine  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 8:09:42am

Why exactly does a box of cereal filled with tax subsidized corn cost $4.00

265 Weet  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 8:10:44am

re: #257 ObserverArt

I’m hoping there is a huge silent majority that is just lying in the bushes growing more and more tired of Republican wingnuts and tea partiers and their bad-for-this-country craziness and protection of the top 2%.

Until the MSM reports these events accurately, and the majority of people somehow realize that they MUST vote, I don’t have a lot of hope for anything near term.

266 makeitstop  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 8:10:56am

re: #264 Amory Blaine

Why exactly does a box of cereal filled with tax subsidized corn cost $4.00

Benghazi!!!1

267 RadicalModerate  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 8:28:45am

Republicans in the House of Representatives demonstrate the definition of insanity yet again.

House Set to Pass Spending Bill That Cuts Health Funds

Vote just occurred - Vote passed 230-189, strictly across party lines.

House Republicans are now having a news conference to attempt to pressure the Senate to pass their bill, which has absolutely zero chance of happening.
They have stated that if they do not pass the bill, they will force a shutdown of the US government.

268 lawhawk  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 8:31:46am
269 HappyWarrior  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 8:32:27am

re: #267 RadicalModerate

Republicans in the House of Representatives demonstrate the definition of insanity yet again.

House Set to Pass Spending Bill That Cuts Health Funds

Vote just occurred - Vote passed 230-189, strictly across party lines.

House Republicans are now having a news conference to attempt to pressure the Senate to pass their bill, which has absolutely zero chance of happening.
They have stated that if they do not pass the bill, they will force a shutdown of the US government.

So to House Republicans, the government should be in the business of protecting same sex marriage opponents but not in the business of funding health care. Makes total sense if you’re a schizoid party.

270 HappyWarrior  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 8:33:43am

re: #268 lawhawk

[Embedded content]

God let it go already Boehner. Obamacare is passed. I know it kills you and your party to no end that you lost this battle but move the fuck on and work on making ACA better rather than just throwing a tantrum that it exists.

271 Amory Blaine  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 8:35:34am

Just think if these people get in the White House.

272 Romantic Heretic  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 8:38:02am
This bill makes getting Americans back to work a priority again for our nation’s welfare programs,” House Speaker John A. Boehner said.

The bill would also restrict people enrolled in other social welfare programs from automatically becoming eligible for food stamps.

In addition, the legislation would allow states to require food stamp recipients to be tested for drugs and to stop lottery winners from getting benefits. The Senate farm bill also contains a restriction on lottery winners.

I was on the receiving end of one of these types of bills. It made me homeless as I couldn’t afford rent anymore.

I was too ill to work, and being thrown on the street on a February night in Canada did wonders for my state of mind.

I was lucky to survive. But my not surviving, and others like me not surviving, is what these horrible people have in mind.

273 Bulworth  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 8:43:18am

re: #267 RadicalModerate

2 Dems supported=Bipartisan!!!!!

//

274 Bulworth  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 8:44:57am

Is it a coincidence that the House voted to defund, today, while Vicious B is observing a religious holiday? I think not.

275 Bulworth  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 8:46:51am

re: #262 makeitstop

But when it comes to food stamp usage, 7% unemployment is a booming economy. /

276 blueraven  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 8:47:07am

re: #273 Bulworth

2 Dems supported=Bipartisan!!!!!

//

Which dems voted for this crap? I don’t give a damn where their district lies, this is just stupid.

277 Bulworth  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 8:47:53am

re: #276 blueraven

McIntire from NC and Matheson from Utah.

information based on Twitter, so…..

278 First As Tragedy, Then As Farce  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 8:48:25am

> stop lottery winners from getting benefits

Is a “lottery winner” someone who wins $2 on a 2-dollar scratch-off ticket?

279 blueraven  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 8:50:23am

re: #277 Bulworth

McIntire from NC and Matheson from Utah.

information based on Twitter, so…..

Yep

Lawmakers voted 230 to 189 to approve the funding measure. Two Democrats, Reps. Jim Matheson (Utah) and Mike McIntyre (N.C.), joined with 228 Republicans to approve the plan; one Republican, Rep. Scott Rigell (R-Va.), joined with Democrats.

washingtonpost.com

280 RadicalModerate  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 8:51:36am

re: #272 Romantic Heretic

In addition, the legislation would allow states to require food stamp recipients to be tested for drugs and to stop lottery winners from getting benefits. The Senate farm bill also contains a restriction on lottery winners.

Lottery winnings above a certain threshold would already be covered under SNAP restrictions. The way it is set up, ANY income - and this includes money received from loans, and the sale of personal items - over $1200/month for a single person (roughly $200/mo more for additional beneficiaries) disqualifies a person from receiving SNAP supplemental benefits.

281 sagehen  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 8:53:16am

re: #280 RadicalModerate

Lottery winnings above a certain threshold would already be covered under SNAP restrictions. The way it is set up, ANY income - and this includes money received from loans, and the sale of personal items - over $1200/month for a single person (roughly $200/mo more for additional beneficiaries) disqualifies a person from receiving SNAP supplemental benefits.

So if I buy a bag of groceries for a friend who’s on SNAP, her benefits are supposed to be reduced by that much? So I’m not actually helping her at all?

282 Bulworth  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 8:53:20am

re: #278 First As Tragedy, Then As Farce

Waste, Fraud and Abuse!!!!

//

283 piratedan  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 8:55:38am

re: #281 sagehen

gotta keep them poors, poor y’know, those bootstraps aren’t going to pull themselves….. next up, legislation that covers if you’re receiving government benefits, anything you create becomes property of the Government….

284 Decatur Deb  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 8:59:42am

re: #179 wheat-dogghazi

We could be writers for MAD magazine!

This inspired a look at Dave Berg, one of the Usual Gang of Idiots for 46 years. The relationship between Berg (Hon Doc in Theology) and Al Gaines (atheist) is particularly interesting. He died at 93 with work on his drawing board.


en.wikipedia.org

285 Dr. Matt  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 9:02:06am

re: #273 Bulworth

2 Dems supported=Bipartisan!!!!!

//

The GG-wing of the Democratic Party?

286 A Mom Anon  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 9:04:38am

re: #280 RadicalModerate

So this language in the most recent bill is just more bullshit to keep insinuating that poor people will do anything to cheat the system.

Because congress people NEVER do that.

287 piratedan  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 9:05:52am

re: #285 Dr. Matt

pretty sure that those guys are in “difficult” districts and have voted with the R’s from time to time to give themselves cover and establish their “independent” credentials.

288 kirkspencer  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 9:09:35am

re: #211 Absalom, Absalom, Obdicut

The public prisons make a ton of money for private interests, too. Private prisons are not a major obstacle to prison reform. If private prisons were paid, for example, based on recidivism rates and not incarceration rates, they could even be a large part of the solution.

Bad argument. Private prisons might not be a major obstacle if they were paid on recidivism. They are, however, and they do actively lobby on bills that increase incarceration and against those that don’t. Further there’s a practicality issue: how do you measure recidivism rates in reliable and timely enough fashion to justify payment? What’s the delay - one year? five? ten? ever?

Oh - and as for public prisons making a ton of money for private interests, citation please. yes they do so in the work programs (in some states near-slave labor). But it’s not them pushing for reforms. And again the largest single factor that gives them the need for this is lack of money per inmate which is driven by the core problem: overlarge incarceration rates.

Get the incarceration rates reduced - even by as little as 10% - and see positive changes in a lot of things connected to them. Get those rates cut to the OECD averages (plus or minus a standard deviation) — 50% more or less — and see even more.

289 BongCrodny  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 9:12:12am

re: #218 darthstar

Last time I played I went 14 holes on one ball.

OMG — darthstar is really Lance Armstrong!

290 EPR-radar  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 9:14:02am

re: #287 piratedan

pretty sure that those guys are in “difficult” districts and have voted with the R’s from time to time to give themselves cover and establish their “independent” credentials.

Matheson in UT is the chair of the Blue Dog Caucus, and, per Wikipedia, “currently holds the distinction of representing a more Republican-leaning district than any other Democratic member of Congress.”

McIntyre’s district in NC has not been held by a Republican since 1871. However, in 2012 his re-election was by a 50.1% to 49.9% margin.

291 Bulworth  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 9:14:51am

re: #290 EPR-radar

These guys are basically a vote for Dem Speaker if Dems retake the House, but that’s about it.

292 EPR-radar  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 9:15:38am

re: #291 Bulworth

These guys are basically a vote for Dem Speaker if Dems retake the House, but that’s about it.

If a “not-Republican” is the best a district can do, I’ll take it.

293 Bulworth  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 9:18:27am

re: #292 EPR-radar

Yeah, I’ve slowly come around to this view. And this vote was essentially meaningless. If these guys lend a hand to repealing the ACA in a future GOP admin, however, when they’re votes might actually matter, I’d be much less forgiving.

294 Bulworth  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 9:20:12am

re: #279 blueraven

one Republican, Rep. Scott Rigell (R-Va.), joined with Democrats.

This’ll drive the Twitchy Breitbarts mad.

295 First As Tragedy, Then As Farce  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 9:22:13am

re: #284 Decatur Deb

Now I’m suddenly nostalgic for Mad Magazine. My favorite artists were Don Martin, Al Jaffee, and Sergio Aragones. Sigh.

296 RadicalModerate  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 9:23:24am

re: #281 sagehen

So if I buy a bag of groceries for a friend who’s on SNAP, her benefits are supposed to be reduced by that much? So I’m not actually helping her at all?

Texas is also famous for sandbagging (ie not dispersing funds to those who do qualify), and otherwise stonewalling the efforts of individuals to receive SNAP benefits.

Food Stamps Benefits Taking MONTHS To Kick In, Help Families

297 Decatur Deb  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 9:28:46am

re: #295 First As Tragedy, Then As Farce

Now I’m suddenly nostalgic for Mad Magazine. My favorite artists were Don Martin, Al Jaffee, and Sergio Aragones. Sigh.

Don Martin for the win. My entire ethos was built on an overdose of Mad and 24/7 nuns. It’s workable.

298 Absalom, Absalom, Obdicut  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 9:33:35am

re: #288 kirkspencer

Bad argument. Private prisons might not be a major obstacle if they were paid on recidivism. They are, however, and they do actively lobby on bills that increase incarceration and against those that don’t. Further there’s a practicality issue: how do you measure recidivism rates in reliable and timely enough fashion to justify payment? What’s the delay - one year? five? ten? ever?

Sure, they do lobby that way. But they are not the major lobbying force, nor even the major private lobbying force. Construction companies and those that provide various services to public prisons are much larger lobbyists. As for how to apply recidivism pay, I don’t know what’d be most effective. We’d have to study it, try someone, adjust if it doesn’t work. But rewarding prisons for successful rehabilitation is obviously much better than what we have now.

Oh - and as for public prisons making a ton of money for private interests, citation please. yes they do so in the work programs (in some states near-slave labor). But it’s not them pushing for reforms. And again the largest single factor that gives them the need for this is lack of money per inmate which is driven by the core problem: overlarge incarceration rates.

Phone companies, which charge outrageous rates to the prisons. Those places that supply the commissary, those that provide equipment to the prisons, construction and maintenance companies, the companies that provide the IT service, the companies that provide training for the prison guards, the companies that provide drug testing, both for guards and prisoners, etc. etc. I think part of the problem here is that when we hear ‘public’ we think of it as contained entirely in the public sphere. Many ‘public’ institutions— in a positive example, the CDC— depend heavily on investment in ‘private’ institutions and hiring private personnel. Public vs. private is not about where spending occurs, but in terms of accountability and authority.

Get the incarceration rates reduced - even by as little as 10% - and see positive changes in a lot of things connected to them. Get those rates cut to the OECD averages (plus or minus a standard deviation) — 50% more or less — and see even more.

I absolutely agree that incarceration rates need to go down. However, the forces that are keeping them high are not separable into the ‘private’ forces. The ‘public’ forces— from the prison guard unions to the tough-on-crime politicians to DAs using the office as a springboard for a political career, to the local communities depending on prison jobs, to the expenditure from the public sector into the private—are all arrayed against it too. The private prison increase is a symptom of the problem, or an acknowledgement tacitly of the existing state, that prisons are run like a business and not rehabilitation.

299 kirkspencer  Fri, Sep 20, 2013 10:52:20am

re: #298 Absalom, Absalom, Obdicut

I can see your point. However, the various companies getting revenue off supporting the public prisons are not (for the most part) wholly reliant upon the incarceration revenues. Private prisons are. The phone company will (sometimes) negotiate with the state for alternatives. The private prison relies wholly upon the incarcerations and will fight, therefore, to keep them.

Backing up a ways, you made the claim that private prisons are not averse to reform. My experiences with the industry are otherwise. That is they give verbal support, but if it costs money they will only do it if forced. They go to (or in some cases below) the minimum funding of any rehab functions save those which ‘pay for themselves’. (See prison workers) They woefully undertrain their security personnel, in particular cutting training which is not specific to restraint. (I’m looking at you, CCA, and your ‘More than ten hours initial training for guards is too much’.)

As I said in my first response there are a host of difficulties. I do not rank private prisons as the greatest of these. My experience, however, is that they are the strongest voices and greatest lobbiests for policies and laws that increase incarceration rates, and so for my ‘kill the greatest evil first’ goal neutering or removing them becomes a high priority subtask.


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